Man sentenced to five years in prison for rioting
A man has been jailed for five years and seven months for encouraging people to set fire to a hotel during rioting in Staffordshire.
Mitchell Cleaver, 25, from Burton-upon-Trent sent messages to a number of people prior to the unrest, urging them to “burn the place down” and “make it the maddest night in Tamworth history”, according to Staffordshire Police.
Cleaver pleaded guilty to riot in September at Stafford Crown Court.
At the time, it was the first conviction for the offence in the West Midlands after last summer’s disorder.
A police spokesperson said footage on his phone showed the moment the Holiday Inn’s window was smashed before a fire was ignited inside.
Prosecuting, Ms Raj Punia said Cleaver was seen throwing missiles at the police line.
He had possession of a fire extinguisher, she said, and used it against officers, spraying them in an effort to force them back.
In police interviews, Cleaver denied being at the riot and said he was at a gym.
He also told authorities he could not have attended the riot because he had a severe leg injury.
The prosecution maintained he was clearly present, and the court was shown footage of his involvement.
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