A Southport rioter who became an online sensation after being hit in both the head and groin by bricks during violent unrest has been arrested after being recognised by police officers in A&E.
The man, who was seeking medical treatment for his injuries, was identified by officers who were also in the hospital being treated for injuries sustained during the riots.
Footage from the incident, widely shared on social media, shows the man in a grey tracksuit taunting police officers during the civil unrest in Merseyside. As he provoked the officers, he was struck in the head by a brick, causing a serious wound.
In a twist of misfortune, as he stumbled back toward the crowd, a second brick hit him in the groin, leaving him in visible agony.
In the viral video, the injured man is seen clutching his wounds, blood streaming from his head, before being led away from the scene.
After seeking treatment at a local hospital, the man had a stroke of bad luck when he encountered police officers who had been injured during the same riots. Nearly 40 police officers, along with three police dogs, were hurt during the disorder in Merseyside.
A source told The Telegraph: “The officers who were at the A&E had seen the footage, which had already gone viral, and immediately recognised the man who was waiting to be treated. It definitely was not his lucky day because, after he was seen by doctors, he was then arrested on suspicion of being involved in the disorder.”
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police confirmed the arrest, stating, “I can confirm that the male was arrested and is currently on bail.”
The arrest comes as part of a wider effort to bring those involved in the violent clashes to justice, with authorities continuing to review footage and gather evidence from the scene.
You may also like: Scrap the TV licence? Reform UK can’t even spell it in viral blunder
