A taxi driver has been sentenced to seven and a half years for inciting violence through social media posts following a local attack
Southport: A taxi driver named Andrew McIntyre has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison. His social media posts were linked to violent disorder in the area.
McIntyre, 39, created a Telegram channel called “Southport Wake Up” right after a knife attack at a children’s dance class last July. The court heard he played a big role in spreading false information about the incident.
Judge Neil Flewitt KC pointed out that McIntyre was driven by racial hatred. He said McIntyre’s actions led many to plan and commit violent acts, including attacks on police.
The prosecution described the situation as a “sinister aspect” of violence that erupted in parts of the UK last summer. They argued that the disorder wasn’t just spontaneous; it was organized and incited by people like McIntyre.
His channel was flagged by the group Hope Not Hate as a key source of posts related to the violence. McIntyre shared content from extremist groups and even posted a map directing people to a mosque.
Before the violence broke out, he made a clear threat to police, warning them to “prepare to fall” if they got in the way. This kind of rhetoric stirred up a lot of anger and hostility.
After the chaos, he boasted about it online, asking if people were ready for “Round 2” at another mosque. He was arrested a few days later, and police found a knife in his car along with other weapons at his home.
During the court proceedings, McIntyre appeared via video link from HMP Liverpool. His parents were in the courtroom, visibly upset by the situation.
His defense attorney argued that McIntyre had a good character before this incident and that his family was horrified by his actions. They provided character references, but the prosecution painted a very different picture.
Initially, McIntyre faced a more serious charge of encouraging murder, but that was dropped due to lack of evidence. The case has raised serious concerns about the impact of social media on real-world violence.
