Rioter who suffered instant karma when he was famously hit by bricks was arrested after being recognised by police at A&E

A rioter who suffered instant karma when he was struck in the head and the groin by bricks in Southport was arrested after being recognised by police at A&E.

Painter and decorator Brian Spencer, 39, was injured while trying to goad police during a riot that followed the horrific knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance club that claimed the lives of three young girls on July 29.

Footage later went viral of Spencer, wearing a grey tracksuit, approaching a line of police officers holding riot shields as they were pelted with missiles in the Merseyside town.

But as he tried to provoke a reaction from the officers, he was nearly sent tumbling to the floor as a giant brick smashed into his face and the back of his head at the same time.

One flying brick rebounded off a riot shield into his face, while another connected with the back of his head.

As he tried to walk away with blood coming from a head wound, he was then hit with a third brick in the crotch.

It has now emerged that Merseyside Police officers recognised the man when he came for treatment at an A&E unit.

A source told The Telegraph: 'The officers who were at the A&E had seen the footage, which had already gone viral, and immediately recognised the man who was waiting to be treated.

'It definitely was not his lucky day because, after he was seen by doctors, he was then arrested on suspicion of being involved in the disorder.'

A spokesman for Merseyside Police added: 'I can confirm that the male was arrested and is currently on bail.'

MailOnline previously revealed that Mr Spencer is a 'party animal' father-of-two from Southport.

One Southport local said at the time: 'People are saying the protesters were outsiders who came here to cause trouble - but Brian came from just up the road.

'Everyone knows Brian. He's a bit of a party animal and I think he just got excited last night. His head will be hurting this morning.'

Sir Keir Starmer's crackdown on the summer riots that followed the Southport attack has seen more than 1,500 people arrested and 960 charges brought for a range of offences.

Yobs attacked strangers in the streets, targeted asylum hotels and assaulted police officers in disgraceful scenes fuelled by lies peddled online about the Southport attacker's background.