A Southport rioter who went viral after being pelted with bricks in the head and groin is facing a prison sentence.
Father-of-five Brian Spencer made headlines over the summer after video footage showed him provoking riot police in Southport only to find himself on the receiving end of some instant karma.
‘Party animal’ Spencer, 40, was struck twice in the back and front of his head after gyrating in front of officers, before turning around and being hit for a third time in the crotch.
Spencer, who works as a painter and decorator, was admitted to hospital following the barrage, where he was later arrested after officers recognised him from the viral footage.
While in hospital, he was also found guilty of racially abusing a Polish-speaking patient, the Mail reports.
Appearing in Sefton magistrates’ court, Spencer was told he caused ‘harassment, alarm or distress’ to the patient while recovering in hospital.
He faces a ‘starting point’ of three years in jail when he is sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court next week, they added.
The magistrates court said its own powers were insufficient to deal with the case.
Spencer joined rioters in Southport on July 30, a day after three young girls were stabbed to death while attending a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
Wearing a grey tracksuit, he was filmed swinging his hips and dancing in front of a line of police officers before striking a pose in an attempt to taunt them.
During his attempts to provoke the officers, he was nearly knocked to the ground when a large brick ricocheted off a riot shield into his face, while another hit the back of his head.
As Spencer stumbled away in pain, rubbing the back of his head, another flying brick struck him right in the groin.
He shouted ‘f***ing hell boys’ as two other rioters helped him out of the crowd.
One Southport local said at the time: ‘People are saying the protesters were outsiders who came her to cause trouble – but Brian came from just up the road.
‘Everyone knows Brian. He’s a bit of a party animal and I think he just got excited last night. His head will be hurting this morning.’
Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, 18, from Banks, Lancs, has been charged with three counts of murder and 10 counts of attempted murder.
He is also charged with producing the toxin ricin and possessing an Al-Qaeda terrorism manual.
Spencer, of Lytham Road, Southport, was released on conditional bail.
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