A hooligan who went viral after throwing a brick at his head and groin was today sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail.
Brian Spencer, 40, downed ten pints and a liter of rum before taunting police during the violence in the wake of the Southport stabbing.
He was hit twice in the face and head after being cornered in front of officers, before turning around and being hit in the crotch a third time.
Spencer, who admitted a violent disorder, racially abused a Polish patient at a city hospital while awaiting treatment for his injuries.
Liverpool Crown Court heard how painter-decorator Spencer was at the center of a riot in the seaside town on July 30, a day after three children were stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
In footage that quickly spread across social media, she sways her hips and dances in front of a line of police officers to chase them away.
A previous judge described Spencer's dance as her 'best Mick Jagger impression'.
But as the father-of-four tried to provoke a reaction, a large brick bounced off the riot shield in his face, while another hit him in the back of the head.
A hooligan who went viral after hurling a brick at his head and groin was today sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail. Brian Spencer (pictured) downed ten pints and a liter of rum before taunting police during the violence in the wake of the Southport stabbing
He was hit twice in the face and head after moving in front of the officers, before turning back and being hit in the crotch a third time.
Spencer is seen dancing and jumping in the street in a gray tracksuit
As Spencer moved to rub the back of his head, another block hit his groin causing him to double over in pain.
Jailing him, Judge Catherine Pierpoint said Spencer threw a wheelie-bin at a police car and was caught on camera 'cheering', 'jumping around' and 'enjoying the chaos'.
He said: 'You were an enthusiastic and active participant, putting yourself in front of the crowd. Bouncing around occasionally, encouraging others and clearly enjoying the chaos and damage you and other like-minded thugs are creating.
'You will be seen in the footage until it ends. You oppose the police, you shout, cheer and dance in the streets.
'The reason you were hit was because you were in front of a crowd. Mobile footage of you being hit has gone viral.'
The court heard how Spencer acted like a 'general' in mass chaos outside a mosque in Southport, hours after a peaceful vigil was held to mourn the dead and injured a day earlier.
Spencer, who admitted a violent disorder, also racially abused a Polish patient at a city hospital while waiting for treatment for his injuries.
Liverpool Crown Court heard how painter-decorator Spencer was at the center of rioting in the seaside town on July 30, a day after three children were stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
Footage showed a bare-chested Spencer throwing a wheelie-bin at an overturned police car in court and another bin being hoisted over her head.
He was seen encouraging other rioters to move towards police riot lines and dancing while throwing objects at officers.
Alaric Walmsley, prosecuting, said: 'He was leading from the front. He was acting like a general, supporting and cheerleading as well as wielding weapons.
'He is seen taunting the police.
Mr Walmsley added: 'There is video of the defendant being hit in the head with a brick and then in the groin, which went viral at the time, which was shared on social media.'
Spencer was taken to hospital for treatment after police were called to her brother's home in Southport.
He was put in a room to sleep off his addiction but a Polish-speaking patient and a hospital cleaner racially abused him when he woke up, telling them: 'Get out of our country, you don't belong here.'
Judge Pierpoint said: 'Although you were injured as a result of the illegal activity, the police were there to help you.
'They put you in an ambulance, the ambulance took you to the hospital and you were in the process of being treated by the staff there.
Spencer was nearly sent flying to the floor seconds after taunting police, after a giant brick slammed into his face after a riot shield rebounded.
'Despite all this and despite the help you are being given, another patient has been racially abused, all within earshot of other patients and staff members.'
Online speculation and misinformation sparked violence across the country after three young women were killed at a children's dance in Southport.
About 1,000 rioters took to the streets in the Merseyside town an hour after the community to remember Alice Aguirre, 9, Bebe King, 6, and Elsie Stancombe, 7.
More than 50 police officers were injured, riot shields were stolen and police vehicles were looted and set on fire.
In interviews, Spencer denied rioting and claimed he was trying to stop others from attacking police.
But he later admitted his account was untrue, telling officers what he had done was 'naughty'.
Spencer, who has 12 previous convictions for 22 offences, said he drank 10 pints and a liter of rum before going to the mosque.
He told officers: 'I apologize again. It's true I don't, that. I really can't apologize enough.'
Charles Lander, defending, said Spencer was the victim of the Southport knife attack and 'wanted to apologise' to police.
He said: 'Alcohol intoxication is no excuse but one only has to watch the video of the horrific incident to see how drunk he was.
'His drunkenness went viral saying he got hurt himself. It shows that he was drunk.'
Spencer, of Southport, who admitted violent disorder and racially motivated harassment, was supported in court by friends and family.
The court heard he was already subject to the terms of an 18-month community order after drunkenly kicking a police officer in December 2023.
Judge Pierpoint told him: 'You are now, in the cold, calm light of day, expressing genuine regret and remorse for what you have been involved in.
'Not only are you sorry for what you have done to others but you are also embarrassed by your role in it, not least because your involvement in it has been widely shared on social media.
He added: 'While drinking may go some way to explaining your behaviour, it is not an excuse.'
Axel Rudakubana, 18, of Banks, Lancashire, has been charged with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder over the attack at the Heart Space Center in Southport.
He was also charged with manufacturing the toxin ricin and possessing al-Qaeda terror manuals and is due to go on trial next year.
