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Aug 15 27 tweets 15 min read Read on X
It’s been about a year since the non-violent Southport protestors were arrested, prosecuted, and sentenced en masse.

It remains one of the most aggressive crackdowns on free speech in modern Britain.

So where are they now, a year on?

Here’s a look.

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For clarity, it seems right to lay out how the Southport protestors' treatment by the police, CPS, and judiciary fundamentally differed from other cases.

Let's start with the evidence of "two-tier policing"... Image
In Whitehall, the Metropolian Police kettled and arbitrarily arrested protestors. One observer has since successfully sued them for unlawfully detaining him for 20.5 hours. He also claimed they arrested attendees before a dispersal order came into effect.
Compare this to the men of Middle Eastern ancestry who patrolled the streets of Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, in masks, visibly carrying weapons. There was no kettling, no arrests. Police even failed to conduct basic searches, despite carrying offensive weapons being a clear offence.
Then came the claims of “two-tier prosecuting”.

Unlike white working-class suspects, the CPS and police forces failed to charge and prosecute certain minorities for racially aggravated offences during the unrest. Image
In Middlesbrough, for example, the CPS did not charge Ameer Khalile with racially aggravated public disorder after he chased a man, stamped on his head, and shouted “white racist scum.”

Similar occurred in Birmingham with Amar Hussain after he assaulted a "far right" pub-goer. Image
Then we come to the allegations of “two-tier sentencing”.

Certain members of the judiciary gave non-violent protesters harsher sentences than violent Black Lives Matter (BLM) rioters in 2020. Image
Jonathan Daley, for example, drop-kicked a Metropolitan Police officer during civil unrest, pleaded guilty to violent disorder under the Public Order Act 1986, like many Southport protesters, but received a 20-month suspended sentence—meaning no jail time. Image
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Judges also did not lecture BLM rioters on “diversity”, smear them as “bigots” in open court, or subjectively speculate on their intent or the effects of their actions to the extent that they did for the Southport protestors.

Now that some of that is covered. Let's start on the cases...

(I've written this in short hand so it's easier to wiz through).Image
1. Lucy Connolly - Childminder and Mother 41

Social media post stating she did not care if “asylum seeker” hotels were set alight on day of heinous murders.

Deleted tweet within 4 hours. No overt incitement—very different saying you do not care if violence occurs compared to directly calling for it.

Prosecuted under Section 19 of Public Order Act “intending to stirring up racial hatred”, carrying a maximum sentence of up to 7 years.

Held on remand before she entered plea. CPS published false comments about her saying she did “not like immigrants”, forced to correct statement on website.

Pleaded guilty for a reduced sentence in hope she return home to care for her husband reportedly suffering from blood cancer and daughter.

Sentenced to 31 months in prison by Judge Melbourne Inman KC. Lectured to about “diversity” during remarks.

To serve a reported 40%, which works out to over 12 months. Still in prison.Image
2. Peter Lynch - Packing Industry Worker 61

Attended protest-turned-riot in Rotherham outside “asylum seeker” hotel with homemade placard labelling politicians “corrupt”.

Shouted at police: “you are protecting people who are killing our kids and raping them”.

Most confrontational moment came when Lynch stood still as police advanced toward him, when struck with a riot shield, he pushed back, shouting “scum.”

Charged with violent disorder under Section 2 of the Public Order Act 1986, carries maximum sentence of 5 years. Pleaded guilty.

Sentenced to 32 months by Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, who called him a “full participant” in a riot where some set fire to hotel and he committed no material violence.

Committed suicide 2 months into his sentence. Suffered from diabetes, thyroid issues, angina and had recently had a heart attack bringing into question whether he was fit to serve custodial sentence in first place.

Would have likely been released in May 2026.Image
3. Jamie Michael - Former Royal Marine Commando and Father 45

Posted Facebook video encouraging those to “peacefully” assemble to protest mass immigration. One mention of a mosque. No incitement.

Prosecuted under Section 19 of Public Order Act “stirring up racial hatred”. Pleaded not guilty.

Claims he was aggressively handcuffed, threatened with possible 7 years' imprisonment, and denied right to phone call. Held on remand until initial hearing.

Enlisted help of Free Speech Union who then secured bail before trial. Jury took just 17 minutes to find him not guilty.

Lost a reported 30% of his business, “slandered” by the mainstream media, and suspended from driving a local school football team to matches, which he had done for three years.Image
4. Bernadette Spofforth - Businesswoman and Mother 55

Posted speculation about the then-Southport suspect, sharing name "Ali Al-Shakati" on social media.

Arrested on suspicion of breaking Section 19 of Public Order Act and under Section 179 of the Online Safety Act for false communications.

Again no incitement. No proof of intent. She even prefaced post with “If this is true”.

Held for a reported 36 hours before being released. CPS later confirmed there was insufficient evidence to proceed.

Spofforth says the ordeal left her shaken. Also said it left her reputation utterly destroyed.

Has reported ongoing legal case against police.Image
5. Daffron Williams - Veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan 41

Posted a series of apparent “anti-Islamic messages” on Facebook. Worst post included message: “I am racist as f***, only to those who sap the life out of society and disrespect culture. Our future as British is so uncertain it is unreal.”

Another post featured an AI image one of a child dressed as a medieval knight carrying sword next to lion. The caption read, "Time to wake up the lion to save our children's future". No overt incitement.

Prosecuted under Section 19 of the Public Order Act. Pleaded guilty. Held on remand since arrest.

Sentenced to 30 months in prison by Judge Tracy Lloyd-Clarke, with half to be served in prison and the other half out on licence.

Given dystopian-sounding diversity “education” module during his time at HMP Swansea.

Presumed to be still in prison.Image
6. Wayne O’Rourke - Social Media Influencer 35

Posted “anti-Muslim and anti-establishment rhetoric” on X. Worst post featured image of burning car in Sunderland during the unrest, with the caption: "Sunderland, go on lads".

Arguably closest to overt incitement.

Prosecuted under Section 19 of the Public Order Act “stirring up racial hatred”. Pleaded guilty after initially failing to enter plea. Believed to be held on remand since arrest.

Sentenced to 36 months in prison by Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight, who claimed he “instigated” violence despite there being no material evidence someone read his tweet and rioted.

Still in prison.Image
7. David Spring - Retired Train Driver 61

Attended protest in Whitehall on July 31st. Reports cite he swore at officers,  “f**king w***er”, “c****”, and “who the f*** is Allah” but participated in no material violence.

Prosecuted contrary to Section 2 of Public Order Act 1986, maximum sentence of 5 years. Pleaded guilty. Not known whether held on remand.

Sentenced to 18 months by Judge Benedict Kelleher, despite need to care for wife with pneumonia, judge claimed he “encourage others to engage in disorder” without material proof.

Presumed to be still in prison (appears 18 month custodial sentence included guilty plea reduction).Image
8. Alex "Smith" (Pseudonym)

Attended same protest as David Spring in Whitehall. Participated in no violence or incitement but simply observed from the sidelines.

Arrested after police issued a dispersal order that mandates protestors leave a certain area at a certain time. No mainstream media reports on his arrest.

Detained for a reported 20.5 hours. Never charged or interviewed.

Since successfully sued the police for misconduct. Claims police started unlawfully arresting people before the dispersal order came into effect.Image
9. Tyler Kay - Former IT Worker and Father-of-Three 26

Posted on X in protest of Lucy Connolly’s arrest, repeated statements: “"Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f****** hotels full of the b****** for all i care… if that makes me racist, so be it".

Also advised others on avoiding police detection while protesting: “That’s 100% the plan, plus gloves. No car either so no number plates to travel and a change of clothes nearby.”

Also detailed time and location for an intended protest outside immigration solicitor’s office in Northampton, which didn’t materialise.

Prosecuted under Section 19 of Public Order Act, stirring up racial hatred. Held on remand since charge. Pleaded guilty.

Sentenced to 38 months by Judge Adrienne Lucking, who claimed he had “fundamentally racist mindset” despite Kay insisting he’s not racist. Sentenced just two days after arrest.

Still in prison (19 months to be served in prison, 19 out on license).Image
9. Tyler Kay - Former IT Worker and Father-of-Three 26

Posted on X in protest of Lucy Connolly’s arrest, repeated statements: “"Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f****** hotels full of the b****** for all i care… if that makes me racist, so be it".

Also advised others on avoiding police detection while protesting: “That’s 100% the plan, plus gloves. No car either so no number plates to travel and a change of clothes nearby.”

Also detailed time and location for an intended protest outside immigration solicitor’s office in Northampton, which didn’t materialise.

Prosecuted under Section 19 of Public Order Act, stirring up racial hatred. Held on remand since charge. Pleaded guilty.

Sentenced to 38 months by Judge Adrienne Lucking, who claimed he had “fundamentally racist mindset” despite Kay insisting he’s not racist. Sentenced just two days after arrest.

Still in prison (19 months to be served in prison, 19 out on license).Image
10. Julie Sweeney - Grandmother and Carer 53

Posted on Facebook group in response to image of people repairing mosque in Southport following criminal damage: "It’s absolutely ridiculous. Don’t protect the mosque. Blow the mosque up with the adults in it."

Constituted clear and overt incitement.

Curiously prosecuted under Section 181 of The Online Safety Act, “sending communications threatening death or serious harm” rather than Public Order Act. Pleaded guilty. Remanded in custody.

Sentenced to 15 months by Judge Steven Everett despite Julie having to care for her ill husband. Everett further claimed “she chose to take part in stirring up hatred” despite charge not covering stirring hatred.

Likely released if half of sentence was to be served in custody.Image
11. Cameron Bell - Care Worker 23

Livestreamed on TikTok after riot in Staffordshire where several masked men made “racist” remarks.

Apparently told members of group they should visit other areas effected by disorder (reports do not state she encouraged violence in those other areas). Participated in no violence.

Prosecuted for violent disorder under Section 2 of Public Order Act, carries maximum 5 year sentence. Pleaded guilty. Held on remand since arrest.

Sentenced to 9 months by Judge John Edwards, who claimed her comments “fanned the flames”, spoke of the “the need for deterrence being acute”, and referred to violence as “misplaced far-right sentiment”.

Released.Image
12. Mark Heath - Former Prison Officer 45

Repeated rumour that Southport suspect was an asylum seeker named “Ali Al Shakati” on X.

Also said the horrific murders constituted a “tipping point” and went on to write, “Those people now have blood on their hands, as they kept a dangerous killer in Britain." No incitement.

Prosecuted for stirring up racial hatred under Public Order Act. Pleaded not guilty. Allegations that authorities attempted to “coerce” him.

Held on remand. Attacked while in jail by men of middle-Eastern ancestry. Assumed by Mark they were members of a Muslim gang.

Found not guilty by a jury of his peers.Image
13. Derek Heggie - Former Boxer 41

Posted two videos on YouTube in which he made “grossly offensive comments” between 2nd and 8th August.

Included calling prophet Mohammad a “paedophile” and linked mass immigration to increased r*pe.

Prosecuted for sending communication of an offensive nature under the Malicious Communications Act 1988. Curious why not charged under Public Order Act like most protestors.

Initially pleaded not guilty but later reversed decision. Emerged that Derek has 32 prior convections including assaulting a police officer.

Judge Nicholas Barker sentenced him to 10 months in prison, claiming that Derek intended his post to have “broad reach, and to be read and heard by many”.

Barker also said “It is clear the messages were intended by you to be grossly offensive, particularly to those of the Muslim faith”.

40% of sentence was to be served by in custody. Released.Image
14. Bradley McCarthy - Father-of-Three 34

Attended protest on 3rd August in Bristol. Shouted in police dog’s face and “threatened” left wing protestors, goading them “to cross the police line” and breach the peace. No material violence.

First arrested then released before being re-arrested and prosecuted for violent disorder under Section 2 of Public Order Act. Remand status not known. Pleaded guilty.

Surfaced that Bradley had prior convictions for violence, weapons offences, and public order.

Judge Julian Lambert sentenced him to 20 months in prison, adding “you did all this in a tinderbox atmosphere where it only takes the actions of one person to spark very serious group violence”.

Likely still in prison.Image
15. Jordan Parlour 28

Posted on Facebook: "every man and his dog should smash [the] f*** out of Britannia hotel (in Leeds)" in early August.

Further accused “asylum seekers” of unfairly taking advantage of the tax raised by “hard-working people”.

Overt incitement but not specified against an ethnicity or religion.

Prosecuted for stirring up racial hatred under Public Order Act. Remand status before hearing not known. Pleaded guilty.

Sentenced three day later. Judge Guy Kearl KC handed him to 20 months in prison, with half to be served in custody.

During sentencing remarks, Judge Kearl also claimed that Jordan’s post circulated “widely” despite it being like by 6 people.

Likely released.Image
16. Christopher Taggart

Posted on Facebook 29th July and 6th August: Who's up for a rally?" When someone replied, asking "What's the rally all about?" He responded saying: "To get them gone. We don't want them."

Days later, he posted: “We don’t want them here. F*** em. They started we will end it. All of this wouldn’t have happened if they shut the boarders.”

Very little detail reported but nothing amounts to overt incitement.

Arrested at his home where police also found a knuckleduster.

Prosecuted for stirring up racial hatred under Section 19 of the Public Order Act and for possession of an offensive weapon in a private place. Pleaded guilty to both.

Sentenced to 32 months’ imprisonment. Still in prison.Image
If you want to double check any details yourself, full breakdown here with source links:

news.starknakedbrief.co.uk/p/britains-pol…

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