Southport rioter pleads guilty after punching police officer

5th August 2024

A Southport man has this morning pled guilty to charges of violent disorder and assaulting an emergency services worker following rioting outside a mosque.

Derek Drummond, 58, of Southport pled guilty to the two charges at Wirral Magistrates Court.

Mr Drummond attended a demonstration on Tuesday evening that evolved into a riot, where scores of “protestors” clashed with police and threw missiles at the Southport Mosque & Islamic Cultural Centre, on the corner of St Luke’s Road and Sussex Road.

Mr Drummond was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 29 August.

The court heard that PC Ball was attacked by Mr Drummond, who yelled “sh*thouses” at the officer, before punching him in the face. PC Ball was left with injuries including cuts and bruises from the rioting.

Turning to his family, Mr Drummond said “I love you” to a pair of supporters that had accompanied him to court as he was led to the cells.

For more information on how OTS News will continue to cover the Hart Street attacks, the St Luke’s Road riot, and other connected events – please click here