A Southport riot yob who hurled himself at a police van and smashed it up while officers were trapped inside has pleaded guilty to causing violent disorder.

Luke Moran, 38, was seen in shocking body-worn camera footage striking the driver’s window of the vehicle during the mass disturbance on July 30.

The video showed him approaching the stationary van – where a police officer was at the wheel – and try to pull the wing mirror off.

Moran went on to forcefully punch the window, making the police officer fear for his safety. It was impossible at that point for the police officer to move the vehicle away from the scene, meaning he was, in effect, trapped.

Moran was part of a mob that had descended on Southport, Merseyside, after three kids were killed at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club event a day earlier.

CCTV clips showed Moran in the crowd before the attack, milling around and appearing to incite the disorder, which was near the mosque.

Luke Moran (pictured) was seen in shocking body-worn camera footage striking the driver’s window of the vehicle during the mass disturbance on July 30

Moran went on to forcefully punch the window, making the police officer fear for his safety

Speaking about the attack, the officer’s statement read: ‘My carrier became isolated and a focal point of the ongoing barrage.

‘I seriously feared for my safety as I was faced by hundreds of men attempting to inflict serious harm onto the police.

‘There was an obvious ‘hardcore’ element of the mob which stood at the front of the crowd who were intent on inflicting harm on officers.’

Moran was arrested on August 14 by Merseyside Police after being identified from the CCTV footage.

His initial response to questions during his interview was: ‘I was nowhere near Zetland Street, St Luke’s Street, mate’.

But Moran, of Birkdale, Merseyside, later pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court today on August 15. He will be sentenced on August 21.

District Crown Prosecutor Sarah Gray, of CPS Mersey Cheshire, said the video of Moran was ‘truly shocking’.

She said: ‘The footage of Moran battering at the police van door is truly shocking, it made it impossible for the officer to either drive away or get out – the level of violence and aggression used absolutely appalling.

‘In the midst of the serious violent disorder Moran persists in battering the door and seems absolutely determined to try to get at the officer.

‘He was part of a crowd of people who were attacking police officers who were simply trying to maintain the peace.

The video showed Moran approaching the stationary van – where a police officer was at the wheel – and try to pull the wing mirror off.

It was impossible at that point for the police officer to move the vehicle away from the scene, meaning he was, in effect, trapped.

‘The idea that Moran was motivated to behave in such a dreadful way in response to the murder of three children is extremely distressing and quite disgusting.

‘Whatever he thought his motivation was, he behaved dreadfully on that day and is now facing the consequences.’

Sarah Hammond, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said following Moran’s plea that convictions of rioters would continue at pace.

She said: ‘Since this disorder began, prosecutors in Mersey-Cheshire have worked tirelessly to ensure convictions are secured swiftly.

‘I am proud of the work my team has done to ensure those who incite violence online, and who have taken part in disturbing unrest on the streets, face the justice they deserve.

‘We have already seen many convictions and imprisonments in Mersey-Cheshire, and I expect this number to grow as our prosecutors continue to work round-the-clock.

‘Make no mistake, if you have taken part either by fanning the flames online or by bringing violence and disruption to our community, you will be caught, convicted and most likely imprisoned.

‘It does not matter what your motivation may have been, you will be prosecuted.’