A man who carried a knife as he went to join a “mob” after a vigil for the Southport stabbing victims has been jailed for two years and four months.

Jordan Davies, 32, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday after he admitted possession of a knife in a public place in the town on July 30.

The defendant, who described himself as “neither right wing nor a Muslim”, told officers he was in the town for a “peaceful protest” after he was seen with the knife, wearing a balaclava, by members of the public.

But, sentencing him, judge Denis Watson KC said Davies was on his way to join a “mob” who had seen an opportunity to “stir up trouble”.

Violence broke out near a mosque in the town the day after a knife attack in which three girls – Elsie Stancombe, seven; Bebe King, six; and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine – were killed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.

Judge Watson said: “Since the night of your arrest, across the country there have been several other serious incidents of mob violence.

“Those who choose to carry knives in situations such as this can expect to receive significant sentences.”

Christopher Taylor, prosecuting, told the court that at about 6.45pm the defendant was seen on Eastbank Street, a short distance from where the vigil took place.

He said witness Michael Hayes described seeing people running away screaming and hearing a woman shout: “He’s got a knife.”

Mr Hayes said he “locked eyes” with the man, who pulled a black balaclava down and put his hands in the pockets of his hoody.

Mr Taylor said: “Reacting to the situation, he pushed his children, friends and partner into the nearby Baltic Supermarket.”

Another member of the public, Claire Oldham, said she saw the defendant approach a group of males with the blade of the weapon out, before flicking the knife back.

Sergeant Jonathan Abram responded to a 999 call reporting a man brandishing a knife, the court heard.

Mr Taylor said Davies hid behind a pillar when he saw the officer.

Sgt Abram drew his Taser and searched Davies, finding the knife in a bag around his neck.

In bodyworn footage played to the court, Davies, of Portland Street, Southport, could be heard asking officers: “‘Cause of yesterday and I look a bit foreign, are you kidding me?”

He claimed his daughter had been stabbed and said he had picked the bag up, telling officers in interview he had planned to hand it in to an amnesty bin.

But Judge Watson described his claims as “untrue”, saying he was on his way to join “mob violence” outside the mosque on St Luke’s Road.

The court heard at the time of the incident Davies, who has 15 previous convictions for 25 offences, was serving a suspended sentence for offences including racially aggravated public order.

Paul Becker, defending, summarised a letter Davies had written in which the father-of-two said he was “extremely sorry for the pain and suffering” he had caused.

He added: “There has been some negative publicity on social media, about him in particular, and threats made as well.”

Davies, who the court heard has a serious eye condition, was sentenced to two years for possession of a knife and his suspended sentence of four months was activated in full.