A 35-year-old man was arrested on the plane shortly after it landed at Manchester Airport from Alicante in Spain on suspicion of violent disorder at Southport last year
Man arrested over Southport ‘missile’ incident after Manchester Airport
Police boarded a plane moments after it landed and hauled a man away amid investigations into riots in Southport last year.
Footage showed four officers boarding the flight from Alicante, Spain, shortly after it landed on Monday. As the footage continues the man, 35, can be seen surrounded by the team from Greater Manchester Police in the centre aisle of the flight before being marched off as another officer reached up to remove a bag, Manchester Evening News reported. Passengers were asked to remain in their seats as he was taken away to waiting police cars on the runway at Manchester Airport as the force confirmed he was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder.
He has since been bailed. A statement issued by Merseyside Police said: “On Monday 24 March, detectives arrested a 35-year-old man from Wigan on suspicion of violent disorder when he landed at Manchester Airport from Spain.
“The suspect was seen throwing missiles at officers during the disorder at Southport. He has been bailed with conditions pending further enquiries.”
The force alleges the man was seen “throwing missiles at officers” during unrest, with crowds clashing with police in the seaside town following the stabbing to death of three schoolgirls at a Taylor Swift themed dance class.
Detective Inspector Paula Jones said: “We have made 185 arrests and charged 146 people in connection with violence and disruption which damaged our communities on Merseyside.
“The disgusting scenes witnessed will not be tolerated and we advise anyone else who took part in the disorder to do the right thing and hand themselves in.”
It comes as two men were sentenced on Tuesday for their role in violent disorder in Southport last summer. Thomas Birchmore and Gavin O’Connor appeared at Liverpool Crown Court after they pleaded guilty at a previous hearing for taking part in violent disorder in Southport on 30 July last year.
Birchmore, 31, was captured kicking a police vehicle on the day of the disorder in Southport and was jailed for two years. O’Connor, 46, was seen to throw numerous missiles at police officers and was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.
On Monday Ryan Williams, 30 was jailed for one year and 10 months in prison after pleading guilty at a previous hearing for his involvement in violent disorder. The court heard Williams threw full bricks at police and the mosque on St Luke’s Road. He persistently participated in the disorder and received .
Detective Inspector Paula Jones said: “This latest sentencing of three men brings the total number to 237 years for the 128 people that have been brought before the courts so far.
“In addition, we have made 185 arrests and charged 146 people in connection with violence and disruption which damaged our communities on Merseyside.
“The disgusting scenes witnessed will not be tolerated and we advise anyone else who took part in the disorder to do the right thing and hand themselves in.”