Two men have been jailed in the first televised sentencing hearings over the riots sparked by the killing of three young girls at a community centre in Southport.
Hundreds of people have been arrested after riots broke out across the country over the past few days - fuelled by disinformation about the fatal stabbing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on 29 July.
John O'Malley
John O'Malley, 43, was among a group of up to 1,000 people involved in the disorder outside a mosque in the Merseyside town last Tuesday.
O'Malley, from Southport, pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder earlier this week and was jailed for 32 months at Liverpool Crown Court in the first on-camera sentencing hearing over the riots.
Live updates: Rioter 'at heart of Southport violence' jailed
"He [O'Malley] was active in and at the heart of the violence," a prosecutor told the court.
During the sentencing, the judge said O'Malley was "at the front of what was essentially a baying mob".
He added: "You were at the front and participating enthusiastically."
William Nelson Morgan
O'Malley was sentenced alongside William Nelson Morgan, 69 and a semi-retired welder.
He admitted violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon - a wooden cosh - in Liverpool on Saturday night.
The judge said Morgan's "advancing years" did not stop him from playing an "active part" of a group "running amok".
He was part of a group of around 100 people who set fire to bins, threw bricks, damaged local businesses, and set fire to other buildings in County Road, in the Walton area of the city.
Morgan, who is from the area and had no previous convictions, was jailed for 32 months.
When the rioters met the police, the judge said Morgan was "at the front of the mob... holding in your hand... a small truncheon".
"I am sure you had [the weapon] with you to cause injury if the opportunity should arise," he said.
The judge said Morgan resisted arrest "with such force" that it took three officers to detain him.
Liverpool Crown Court is also due to host the sentencing of Adam and Ellis Wharton, who face potential jail time for burgling a library in the Walton area of the city after it was set on fire.
Hearings across the UK
Court appearances linked to rioting have taken place at courts across the country.
We take a look at who else has been sentenced so far today.
Lucas Ormond Skeaping
Skeaping, 29, appears to be the first of the first counter protester to be sentenced. He was among the anti fascist crowd in Plymouth city centre on Monday.
He was sentenced to 18 months in jail after pleading guilty to violent disorder at Plymouth Crown Court.
GoPro footage reviewed by police showed Skeaping throwing objects at those who had gathered.
He also admitted to pushing a cyclist off their bicycle.
Daniel McGuire
McGuire, 45, was jailed for 26 months at Plymouth Crown Court after he spat at police officers. He also pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
Michael Williams
At the same court, 51-year-old Michael Williams was jailed for 32 months for violent disorder, which centred on a crowd of anti-immigration protesters who attempted for several hours to confront a Stand Up To Racism counter-rally.
Williams was seen hurling bottles and rocks at police and kicking another man before he was arrested at the scene.
When he was arrested, he was found with a stone in his jogging bottoms. During his sentencing, the judge dismissed William's "ludicrous" claim that the object was a "healing stone".
Guy Sullivan
Sullivan, 43, pleaded guilty to burglary, theft and violent disorder after he broke into a nearby Tesco while the disorder was ongoing.
He was sentenced to 16 months in jail at Plymouth Crown Court.
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Victoria Cook, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS South West, said: "The substantial sentences handed down today should send a chilling message to those arrested, those sat in cells ahead of their court hearing and those still waiting for a knock from the police.
"Within 72 hours, these offenders have been charged, convicted and jailed, underlining the Crown Prosecution Service's commitment to swift justice and ensuring those involved in disorder are given the strongest possible penalties.
"We continue to work at pace with our partners across the criminal justice system to ensure anyone sewing chaos in their communities face the consequences of their actions."
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Couple joined riot after playing bingo
Meanwhile, a couple who became involved in riots in Hartlepool after going to an afternoon bingo session have each been jailed for 26 months at Teesside Crown Court.
Former postmaster and school governor Steven Mailen, 54, and his partner Ryan Sheers, 29, both pleaded guilty to violent disorder after 200 people gathered in the County Durham town on 31 July.
Be the first to get Breaking News Install the Sky News app for freeMailen was described as "one of the main instigators" of a large-scale disturbance on Murray Street. While Sheers, a former McDonald's worker, was bitten on the hip by a police dog during the disorder.
A judge said both men were "at the very forefront of the mob", and tried to push their way through a police cordon, with Mailen taunting officers and encouraging others to use violence towards them. Neither had any previous convictions.
