Perry Sutcliffe-Keenan, one of two men jailed for four years at Chester crown court for using Facebook to encourage disorder, although their actions do not cause disturbancesTwo men have been jailed for four years in order to use Facebook to encourage disorder.
Jordan Blackshaw, 20, from Marston near Northwich, and Perry Sutcliffe-Keenan, 22, from Warrington, appeared in Chester crown court on Tuesday. They were arrested last week after the events of violent disorder in London and other cities throughout the United Kingdom.
None of their Facebook posts resulted in a riot-related event.
During sentencing, the recorder of Chester, Elgin Edwards, praised Cheshire police quick actions and said he hoped the sentences would act as a deterrent to others.
Assistant Chief Constable Phil Thompson said: "if we cast our minds back a few days to last week and will remember the way in which the technology was used to spread the incitement and bring people together to commit acts of criminality, it is easy to understand the four year sentences were handed down in Court today.
"In Cheshire, we quickly recognised the impact of the situation of our society and the way in which social media was used to promote and encourage conduct that would strike fear in the heart of our society.
"From offset, Cheshire constabulary adopted a robust policing approach by means of the information that originates in your organization to move quickly and effectively against any person whose conduct was likely to encourage criminality. Officers took swift action against those people who have used Facebook and other social media sites to incite disorder.
"The sentences passed today recognize how technology can be abused to encourage criminal activity, and send a strong message to potential troublemakers on the extent to which ordinary people value safety and order in their lives and their communities. Anyone who seeks to undermine, will face the full force of law. "
