A taxi driver has been sentenced to seven and a half years for inciting violence on social media after the Southport attack last year
Southport: A taxi driver named Andrew McIntyre has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison. He was found guilty of inciting violence on social media after a knife attack in the town.
McIntyre, 39, created a Telegram channel called “Southport Wake Up” right after the attack at a children’s dance class last July. The court heard he played a big role in spreading false information that led to violence.
Judge Neil Flewitt KC pointed out that McIntyre was driven by racial hatred. His posts encouraged others to commit violent acts and damage property. The judge emphasized that his actions were particularly serious because they targeted police officers.
Prosecutors described the situation as a “sinister aspect” of violence that erupted in parts of the UK last summer. McIntyre was arrested on August 8 after police found a knife in his taxi and more weapons at his home, along with a copy of Hitler’s Mein Kampf.
His Telegram channel was flagged by a group called Hope Not Hate as a source of violent posts. He shared content from extremist groups and even posted threats against police, urging people to rise up against them.
On the night of the violence, his phone was tracked in the area where it happened. The day after, he boasted about the chaos and hinted at more violence to come.
While his parents expressed shock at his actions, his defense attorney argued that he had a good character before this incident. McIntyre was initially charged with encouraging murder but that charge was dropped due to lack of evidence.
