Hinkley Point worker laughed after throwing traffic cone at police during Southport disorder
A “highly paid” nuclear power industry worker who laughed as he took part in disorder outside a mosque in Southport has been jailed for two years and four months.
More than 50 police officers were injured and a carrier was set alight during riots outside Southport mosque on July 30, the day after three girls were killed in a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the town.
Liverpool Crown Court heard Gavin Pinder, 47, had a “highly paid, responsible job” at the Hinkley Point power station in Somerset, but had been at his home in Failsworth, Greater Manchester, spending time with family when he said he was contacted by an associate who made him aware of a protest that was to take place in Southport.
Michael Johnson, defending, said Pinder believed the protest was focused on the belief that “something was being held back from the public in relation to the identity or circumstances of the person who had been detained” following the knife attack. He said Pinder, who admitted violent disorder, had travelled to Southport and congregated with others in a pub.
“He understood the focus of the protest was to be a police station where he believed the detainee to be held. He did not know that a mosque was going to be the focus of the protest and didn’t learn that until he arrived back in Manchester the day after,” Mr Johnson said.
Undated handout photo issued by Merseyside Police of Gavin Pinder 47, who has been jailed for two years and four months at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday after being found guilty of violent disorder. (Image: PA)
Footage of the disorder showed Pinder shout at officers, throw a traffic cone and throw a smaller object towards them. He was arrested at a pub in Manchester on August 17 and in interview told police he had been struck by an officer with a baton after asking why they were not releasing information about the suspect.
The court heard Pinder, father to a four-year-old, had 10 previous convictions, including for breaching an international football banning order.
Sentencing him, Judge Simon Medland KC said: “You threw two objects at police, were clearly seen to be laughing and taking the view, perhaps, this had a recreational element to you.”
“How this sits with the character references in your case and your highly responsible, very well-paid job is difficult to reconcile.”
He was jailed along with Jonathan Duerden, 31, and Joseph Buckley, 44, who also admitted violent disorder.
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