Elon Musk brands UK a 'police state' after care worker jailed for livestreaming riots

Bell was imprisoned after admitting to violent disorder charges for livestreaming a group of masked men making racist comments online during the summer riots.

The woman had joined a gang of hooded men following riots related to events in Southport, capturing the scenes on social media whilst wearing her work uniform.

Stafford Crown Court heard that Bell was not present during earlier violence at the town's Holiday Inn Express, which had been set ablaze while housing asylum seekers.

However, Judge John Edwards was shown CCTV footage of Bell among approximately 20 people, some armed with planks of wood and metal, walking through Tamworth town centre on August 4.

The court viewed videos filmed by Bell, where others could be heard making racist remarks whilst she swore and referred to asylum seekers as "tramps".

Defence lawyer Stephen Rudge argued she was "on the periphery" of the group and that much of her livestream had been "amateurish", showing mainly "cobblestones in Tamworth".

The judge rejected calls for a suspended sentence, declaring: "Anyone involved in violent disorder must command immediate custody, with the need for deterrence being acute."

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The riots followed the tragic Southport attacks when three young girls were fatally stabbed at a Taylor Swift dance class at the end of July.

Judge Edwards told the court: "The violence was fuelled by misinformation and misplaced far-right sentiment. It spread to various towns and cities across the nation including, as we know, Tamworth."

Bell's involvement occurred around 10.30pm, after the main disturbances had subsided, as the judge noted she was among a group believed to be heading towards another hotel in the town.

Her livestream comments were deemed "unacceptable and abhorrent" by the judge, who said they had the "potential to fan the flames".

He also added that this crime was Bell's first offence, and she has since lost her job as a carer.

This latest criticism has added to Musk's growing string of confrontational comments about Britain.

Previously, the billionaire sparked controversy by claiming civil war in the UK was "inevitable" in a post about the August riots.

The tech mogul, who is the world's richest man with more than $200billion, also recently targeted Labour over inheritance tax increases.

"We should leave the farmers alone," Musk wrote online, adding: "We [owe] farmers immense gratitude for making the food on our tables!"

These comments have followed Musk strengthening his relationship with President-elect Donald Trump, who has announced the tech billionaire will lead a new Department of Government Efficiency.

The department's goal will be to "dismantle" the $6.5trillion US bureaucracy, marking Musk's official entry into Trump's next administration.