Violent thug who spat at and kicked police won't be smiling any more
A man who spat at and kicked police officers during the Southport riots, and was seen grinning in his mugshot, has been sentenced to prison.
John Rasburn, 47, also hurled cones at police officers after getting involved in the disorder in the town, which followed the fatal stabbings last July. Detectives revealed that Rasburn went on the run after the incident but eventually turned himself in to police, as he 'knew he couldn't hide forever'.
He was sentenced on Friday (January 31) to two years and eight months in prison. The violence broke out in the seaside town after a mob formed in response to the tragic murders of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine.
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The girls were killed by Lancashire teenager Axel Rudakubana during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29 last year. In the ensuing riot the following day more than 50 officers were injured, with windows smashed and walls and cars damaged.
Rasburn, from Wigan, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for sentencing after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing. He was caught on CCTV around the front of the disorder on St Luke's Road in Southport, throwing a traffic cone at officers who had formed.
He then confronted officers before spitting at them and was also seen throwing an item at officers before running up to one and kicking them. On August 11 last year, Merseyside Police made an appeal for Rasburn as wanted for his role in the disorder.
He handed himself in to a police station in Greater Manchester on January 16, and was charged with violent disorder and assaulting two emergency workers the next day. On Friday, Rasburn received a sentence of two years and eight months in prison.
Detective Sergeant Duncan Sloan said: "Rasburn went on to the run but ultimately knew he couldn't hide forever and would need to answer for his actions and the role he played that day to a community that was in mourning. He eventually handed himself in, albeit five months later. I hope Rasburn takes the time while in prison to reflect on his shocking actions that day.
"We are relentless in bringing those who helped cause such violence and disruption to our communities to justice and continue to be committed to ensure those responsible are held to account. We are identifying more people who displayed such abhorrent behaviour which damaged our communities, and would encourage anyone with information to contact us."
The force said the number of people arrested over the disorder in Merseyside now stands at 171, with 129 charged and 106 sentenced to a combined 208 years in prison.