A Birmingham man has been sentenced to over two years in prison after posting a video threatening violence during the summer riots, which were sparked by the tragic murder of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance club in Southport.
Habeeb Khan, 49, appeared in a widely circulated video holding a decommissioned AK-47 rifle and threatening to “blow away” the English Defence League (EDL). The clip gained significant attention, amassing 1.4 million views on a single far-right account on X, formerly Twitter.
Viral Video Shared Widely on Far-Right Platforms
The video, described as “inflammatory,” showed Khan fitting a magazine into the ornamental rifle while making explicit threats against the EDL. In court, it was revealed that the footage also contained unplayed threats toward Tommy Robinson, the former leader of the now-defunct far-right group.
The prosecutor, Laurie Scott, stated that the video was shared by multiple accounts, some labeling Khan as a serious threat. Despite the gun being ornamental and incapable of firing live ammunition, the video heightened tensions during a period of civil unrest.
Arrest and Evidence Recovery
Khan was arrested on August 7 in Sparkbrook, Birmingham, two days after riots erupted in the Bordesley Green area. During his arrest, a T-shirt matching the one seen in the 11-second clip was recovered from his home, alongside the decommissioned rifle.
While in custody, Khan dismissed the video as a “little joke,” but officers described him as “playing up” to a crowd that had gathered during his arrest.
Court Proceedings and Mental Health Factors
Khan pleaded guilty to making threats of death or serious harm under the Online Safety Act and admitted to threatening behavior, including homophobic remarks, following his arrest. His defense lawyer, Sunit Sandhu, highlighted Khan’s health struggles, including bipolar disorder and cellulitis, arguing that he acted recklessly and did not upload the video himself.
However, Judge Melbourne Inman KC described Khan’s actions as “very reckless,” sentencing him to 27 months in prison. The judge noted the heightened social tensions during the period, following the Southport tragedy that led to widespread riots and over 900 arrests nationwide.
National Impact of Summer Riots
The riots, which broke out after the Southport murders on July 29, led to over 900 court cases. By December 2, 494 individuals had been jailed for their involvement in the unrest, underscoring the extensive legal fallout from the events.
