More alleged ‘armchair thugs’ have been charged over the riots and are due in court accused of stirring up racial hatred on social media. 

Geraint Boyce, 43, and Jamie Michael, 45, are accused of publishing threatening material on a Facebook account. 

The CPS said the charges relate to Facebook posts on or around July 31 in relation to the widespread public disorder which has seen violence and chaos erupt across the UK. 

Boyce, of Penrhiw-Fer, and Michael, of Penygraig, are due to appear at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Meanwhile, James Aspin, 34, is accused of stirring up racial hatred on social media platform TikTok. 

Aspin is the first person to be charged with using the video app to promote violence.  

Violent riots have exploded across several cities in recent days 

The CPS said the charge relates to an alleged video published on TikTok on or before August 8. 

Aspin, of Blyth, Northumberland, is due to appear at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Another man who falsely claimed on a live-streamed TikTok video that he was ‘running for his life’ from rioters in Derby has been jailed. 

Dimitrie Stoica, 25, broadcasted to 700 followers as he walked around the city on Wednesday amid increased fears of disorder. 

Officers said that despite no problems occurring, Stoica told his viewers at around 10pm that he was being chased by ‘extreme right-wing rioters’ and he feared for his life. 

Police in the area were directed to speak to Stoica, who confirmed he was not being chased and that he was not afraid for his safety.

Derbyshire Police said he was immediately arrested after concerns over the manner in which social media had been used to promote significant disorder across the country. 

When interviewed, Stoica, of Langley Street, Derby, admitted that his comments had been a ‘joke’.

He was charged with one count of sending a false communication with intent to cause harm contrary to Section 179 of the Online Safety Act 2023. 

After being remanded in police custody he appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court on Friday where he admitted the charge.

He was jailed for three months and ordered to pay £154 in compensation.

Stoica’s live stream came on the same night that counter-protesters lined the streets to send a clear message in Derbyshire amid fears of organised right-wing protests in the city. In Normanton, signs were held up stating ‘just be kind’, ‘love not hate’ and ‘the enemy arrives by limousines not by small boats’.

Some businesses had closed early amid fears there could be trouble – after police forces across the UK reportedly mobilised 6,000 riot officers after 38 locations which had been the target of potential protests.

‘With power comes responsibility’

Assistant Chief Constable Michelle Shooter, said: ‘We have seen the extraordinary power of social media over the last two weeks. And with that power comes even greater responsibility. As a force we absolutely respect and protect the rights of individuals to legally express their views.

‘However, the right to freedom can be limited – in particular where it is required to prevent crime and disorder. As has been made clear by forces across the country any criminal actions relating to the disorder, whether they be in person or online, will be dealt with quickly and robustly.

‘Whether it is spreading misinformation or being involved in disorder the message is clear – as a service we are ready to respond and deal with any situation robustly.’

Violent riots have exploded across several cities including Manchester, Liverpool, Plymouth and Birmingham following the Southport knife rampage which claimed the lives of three young girls and left many others injured.

False speculation online that the teenage suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK on a boat has fuelled the unrest which started outside a mosque in Southport and has since spread nationwide. 

The misinformation is believed to have originated from a Russian-linked fake news website.

Right-wing groups have organised dozens of protests from Liverpool to Hull and Middlesbrough to Plymouth – with many filled with anti-immigrant rhetoric. 

Riots have seen hotels housing migrants set on fire and police attacked with bricks or glass bottles.