A man who called for hotels housing asylum seekers to be burned down during unrest at an anti-immigration demonstration has been jailed.

Sheffield Crown Court heard how Joseph Haythorne wrote on X on 4 August just as a protest outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, began to turn violent.

The post, which was viewed by 1,100 people, said: “Go on Rotherham, burn any hotels [with asylum seekers]”, before it was deleted 17 minutes later.

On Wednesday, Haythorne, 26, an air conditioning engineer from Ashford, Surrey, was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment after admitting publishing material intended to stir up racial hatred at a previous hearing.

This was the first case of its kind in relation to the Manvers riot brought before the courts in Sheffield.

Haythorne’s post was sent from an anonymised account and included a link to a post – which was later deleted – by activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson.

The court heard the defendant had read inaccurate reports on social media about the Southport murders which then inflamed him to post.

Bianca Brasoveanu, mitigating, said her client accepted he had made a “wrong connection” between the attack and “immigration in general”.

“He realised within that short lapse of time how wrong, damaging and bad those words were,” Ms Brasoveanu told the court.

“His regret and remorse are echoed by the fact that he’s pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.”

Ms Brasoveanu said Haythorne suffered with his mental health, which had affected his reaction to posts about the Southport attacks.

‘Sensitive and volatile time’

The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, accepted the defendant’s vulnerabilities had had an impact but told him: “You knew what you were doing and you knew it was wrong.”

He said the facts of the case were so serious, only an immediate custodial sentence was justified.

“What you encouraged is exactly what happened: The hotel was the subject of a fire attack approximately an hour-and-a-half after you placed the post online,” he said.

“It was a particular sensitive and volatile time and you full well knew that a hotel was the subject matter of a protest that afternoon.”

Haythorne’s sentencing hearing had previously been delayed due to the Crown Prosecution Service not seeking the necessary permission from the Attorney General to bring the charge.

His original conviction was quashed and the process started again with the case brought back for sentencing on Wednesday following Haythorne’s renewed guilty plea.

Judge Richardson stated that due to “the conflicting issues in this case”, he would explain the full reasons for the sentence during a hearing next week, but added that he did not believe it was fair to make the defendant wait any longer to learn what it would be.

BBC News

Their incarceration was described as a ‘traumatic event for the family’, with two of the siblings now set to miss the birth of their children

Three brothers have been jailed after throwing wheelie bins and missiles at police officers. Martin Threlfall, Dylan Threlfall and Keelan Westbrook all became embroiled in violent scenes in Southport last summer, having travelled to the scene of the disorder from their homes in the Greater Manchester area.

The latter will now miss the birth of his firstborn child as a result of his involvement, with the middle sibling also being due to become a father again later this year. Their incarceration was today labelled a “traumatic event for the family”, some of whom were seen in tears as their loved ones were led to the cells.

Liverpool Crown Court heard on Tuesday that 50 police officers were injured during shocking scenes on the evening of July 30 2024 as vehicles were damaged and properties were “ransacked and looted”, with angry crowds which gathered near to a mosque on Sussex Road having swelled to around 1,000 in number. The trouble flared the day after six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar were stabbed to death during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the seaside town.

Bernice Campbell, prosecuting, described how CCTV footage captured Martin Threlfall hurling bricks and a wheelie bin towards a line of police officers during the incident. The 29-year-old, of Windermere Road in Ince, Wigan, was also seen throwing one missile at the windscreen of a carrier van while a PC was still seated in the driver’s seat, with a curved sword subsequently being seized from his home when he was belatedly arrested on April 3 this year.

Paul Williams, defending, said: “References paint a completely different picture of this defendant. He is a man, having come back to his senses, who invites me to apologise to the court and all of those people who have been affected. It is of deep sense of shame to him that he acted as he did on that day. Those character references, on the face of it, indicate two different characters.

“There is, effectively, another victim, that being his son. He will not be there for his son when his son needs him. He has particular neurodivergent problems.

“Your honour will have seen references to his time in the army. He had a wide range of conduct in a combat facing role. His conduct is described as exemplary. He has all of these positive aspects, yet this man behaved disgracefully.

“I invite the court to consider that he was not in a leadership role. There is no evidence that he has been drawing people together. He has to accept that he was very active. He went on that day, initially, to go and make his voice heard and have a peaceful protest, but he was caught up in the negative energy.

“As matters escalated, he was given a balaclava by another protester, not known to him, and was encouraged to wear that. He accepts doing that. It was not his initial plan to go and protest in a violent way, it was to voice his concerns.”

Of the weapon found in his client’s home, Mr Williams added: “His father was one for displaying items and collecting them, and his father sadly died by suicide in the November before this offending. It was this young man who found his father hanging. One can only imagine the effect that has had on him.

“When the police arrived and found the various weapons on display, they seized a number of them but left this particular sword. It was a keepsake of his father. There is no sinister connection in relation to that sword.

“He has struggled greatly with the death of his father. His only thought is that he had unresolved anger as a result of that. He is someone who is otherwise a model citizen. As part of his training, they would sometimes simulate riot situations. He has an understanding and empathy for these police officers, and he is horrified by what he has done.”

Dylan Threlfall, of Freshfield Avenue in Atherton, was meanwhile captured removing his jumper and wrapping it around his head. The 23-year-old was similarly seen hurling items including a wheelie bin and bricks at police and throwing a concrete slab at the window of a police van.

Keelen Westbrook, also of Freshfield Avenue, was pictured wearing a “distinctive, bright pink top” while “gesticulating towards” PCs. The 21-year-old was then filmed throwing missiles during the disturbance.

Ken Heckle, representing both Dylan Threlfall and Westbrook, told the court: “They are both young men of previous good character. It would appear that Keelan Westbrook was slightly less involved. It is perhaps noteworthy that Keelan was only 20 years of age at the time.

“The passage of time has not done anything to diminish the shock and seriousness of what went on. How they got involved, only they know. They instruct me that they were the victims, as so many young men were that day, of false news that was put over.

“They were there to demonstrate lawfully about the immigration situation. They were able to demonstrate peacefully and lawfully, not as we have seen on the footage. They will, of course, have to pay the price for their conduct. It must be very rare for three brothers to go to prison on the same day. It is going to be quite a traumatic event for the immediate family.

“Unusually, they both have partners expecting children. In respect of Keelan, that will be his first baby. His partner is due to give birth in October. He would have wanted to be present during that very important event. That is something he cannot get back. He cannot give that young lady the support that she would clearly want and need.

“Dylan is a father to a two-year-old daughter. His partner is pregnant, and she is due to give birth in December. To have a young child already multiplies the issues and care needed. Dylan very much regrets the situation that he has caused to himself, to his family and to his partner. His regret, remorse and apology are not only to the police officers and to the people of Southport, and anybody involved, but also to his own family and his partner.

“Keelan perhaps wanted to replicate his older brother and had started to apply for the army, but, obviously, that has taken a step back now, because of what has happened. Dylan has been training as an electrician. He is going to have a good job when he comes out. These are two young men who probably will not come back before the court again.”

All three brothers admitted violent disorder. A suited Martin Threlfall, who also admitted possession of an offensive weapon in a private place, was locked up for two years, with one woman in the public gallery being seen with her head in her hands and another wiping away tears.

Dylan Threlfall, who wore a grey suit in the dock, was handed 18 months, having also admitted possession of cannabis in relation to a quantity of the class B drug which was discovered in several jars around his home at the time of his arrest on April 3 2025, while Westbrook, who sported a white short sleeved shirt and a striped tie, received 16 months behind bars. Their supporters waved and gave them thumbs up as they carried their belongings to the cells in Aldi and TK Maxx bags for life.

Sentencing, Judge Stuart Driver KC said: “The mob assailed the people line in a violent confrontation which lasted for several hours. After these events, there were numerous other serious events across the country. Those who participate in such disorder will receive sentence designed to deter others.”

The judge told Martin Threlfall: “You were part of that mob. You can be seen placing yourself at the front of the crowd, close to the police, throwing bricks and a bin, including throwing a brick directly into a windscreen and smashing it, inches in front of the face of the police driver, kicking vehicles repeatedly and deliberately placing bricks under the tyres of vehicles to prevent their movement. You participated in a widespread incident involving serious acts of violence and persistent and sustained unlawful activity.

“You were an active participant. You are of previous good character, not merely lacking in previous convictions but also with exemplary military service and a good employment record since, and family and friends speak highly of you. You have had serious family problems, including a bereavement and the health of your son.”
Liverpool Echo

James Fernandes branded Staffordshire Police officers ‘scum’

A former police officer is in prison – for his role in the Hanley riots. James Fernandes could be seen on the front-line during the August 3 unrest.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard how Fernandes tried to bowl over police with heavy-footed kicks while encouraging violence in others. At the height of the disorder, he branded the responding officers as ‘scum’.

Bodycam footage played to the court showed Fernandes – who has one previous conviction of assault – attacking police.

Prosecutor Emma Swindell asserted that ‘this was a racially-aggravated offence’, adding: “The defendant played an active role on the front-lines, encouraging disorder. He was spotted at Upper Hillchurch Street shouting ‘come on’ to other protesters while threatening police officers. He remarked: ‘It’s our country’, in one piece of footage.”

After reviewing the footage, officers quickly identified Fernandes and arrested him on August 22. When quizzed by police, he admitted kicking the officers’ shields but denied being threatening or encouraging violence. He also denied being racist.

Fernandes, of Compton Street, Hanley, pleaded guilty to one count of violent disorder – despite previously pleading not guilty.

Martin Bloor, mitigating, said: “It took some time for him to come to terms with what he’d done. He shows deep remorse for his actions. He was there with a friend but when he saw there was a protest in the area, he decided to attend. He had assumed it was a peaceful demonstration. Unfortunately, he chose to stay when things became violent.

“He had a very difficult start in life. His parents did not get on and there was often violence at home. He spent some time in the care of his grandparents and some in that of the authorities.

“He has always worked hard in full-time employment. He joined the Army but left due to health issues. He then joined the Royal Gibraltar Police. His time on the force has made him especially regretful of his actions.”

The 30-year-old was handed a 28-month prison sentence. He must serve at least 40 per cent before becoming eligible for release on licence.

Judge Richard McConaghy said: “Police who tried to maintain order as part of their lawful duty were abused and threatened by people keen to start violence. You were an active participant in that disorder. Throughout the footage, you can be heard making comments about ‘our country’ and paying tax. At one point, you made a remark about a ‘civil war’. Your motivations and intentions were quite clear. At your worst, you were involved in direct action against police officers. As a former police officer, albeit in a different jurisdiction, you should have been keenly aware of their position.”

Stoke Sentinel

Joshua Sigley, 25, appeared at Chester Crown Court

A man has been imprisoned for setting alight a school bus during the far-right disturbances that swept across the UK in 2024. Joshua Sigley, 25, of St Chads Fields, Winsford, was brought before Chester Crown Court on Friday 20 June 2025, facing charges related to several instances of arson in the town.

Sigley received a three-year sentence after admitting guilt to three counts of arson. Peter Towers, 31, of Rosemary Crescent, Winsford, is set to receive his sentence for this case at a later date, on Friday 15 August 2025. Cheshire Police were alerted to three intentional fires in Winsford on Sunday 4 August 2024, all ignited between 3pm and 11pm. The fires were reported on High Street, Queensway, and Ford Court.

Eyewitnesses who reported the fires described seeing two men, fitting the descriptions of Sigley and Towers.

The fire on High Street was sparked using rubbish piled on the ground and a green jerrycan filled with petrol. CCTV footage from a nearby petrol station showed Towers arriving on a bike, filling a green jerrycan with petrol, and paying for it,

Two men resembling Sigley and Towers were subsequently spotted attempting to ignite trees near Ford Court. Both men were arrested at a Winsford address on Sunday 4 August 2024 and later charged.

Detective Inspector Ross Hamilton said: “Sigley’s actions were incredibly dangerous, fuelled by the national disorder last summer, and could easily have ended up injuring someone, or even worse.”

He added: “I welcome the custodial sentence which has been handed to him; to target a school bus and cause £70,000 worth of damage is shocking.”

DI Hamilton further added: “The sentence handed down to Sigley should serve as a strong reminder of how serious these crimes are regarded and robust action will be taken against anyone who chooses to behave in this manner.”

Liverpool Echo

Ryan Corden has avoided jail after an Islamic leader came to his defence

A volunteer mosque worker has avoided jail for his part in supporting far-right agitators as a riot rocked Hanley. Ryan Corden’s case has been branded ‘strange’ after he acted ‘out of character’.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard 35-year-old Corden gives up his own time to do building work at the Town Road mosque. But on August 3 last year, he became embroiled in the anarchy that gripped the city centre, encouraging rioters as they resisted law enforcement.

Much of the unrest centred on the Town Road mosque where Corden has helped out. Now he has narrowly escaped prison after an Islamic leader came to his defence.

Prosecutor David Bennett told the court that Corden followed along with far-right protesters from 11am until 2pm, hurling abuse at officers while trying to break the police line.

He said Corden had riled fellow agitators and fuelled disorder throughout the day, adding: “He could be seen throughout the duration of the riot, often on the front line encouraging the actions of others. He was involved in four significant incidents throughout the day.

“At 11.34am, he was seen pushing others into the police line. As the group became agitated, police bodycam footage captured the defendant putting his arms behind the backs of two other men and pushing them forward in an attempt to break the police line.

“He was then seen on Broad Street as the protest group moved towards Hanley’s centre. Footage shows the defendant motioning with his arms to get other protesters to sit down in the road to block police. He did so himself for around 30 seconds, before getting up to film.

“At 1.50pm, police bodycam showed the defendant pushing into police shields in an attempt to prevent officers moving forward. Footage at 2.30pm showed the defendant hurling abuse towards officers.

The court heard police bodycam footage captured Corden shouting ‘we’re fighting for our country, you should be too’ at riot officers.

Corden was later quizzed by police on September 27, where he admitted to being the individual captured in the footage – but denied acting in a threatening manner or attempting to fuel disorder. He claimed he protested peacefully, adding he ‘stayed out of curiosity’.

The defendant, of Willowbrook Walk, Norton, went on to plead guilty to one charge of disorder.

Scott Ashdown, mitigating, said: “While his attendance may be seen as prolonged, he spent that time mostly as an onlooker. He did push others towards police, but others were behind him pushing him too. That conduct was fleeting and the police line held.

“When he was at the front, he was pushed there. He threw his hands up in the air to indicate to officers that he had no intention of causing harm. It is quite clear that the majority of his comments were either absent threats or mere observations.

“His actions should not be considered to have any racist undertones. His actions were primarily a reflection of his dissatisfaction towards police, not particular ethnic or religious groups. He is someone who is inclusive – he has actually done much volunteer work at the Town Road mosque.

“He recognises that his actions could have caused harm to those who were being subjected to prejudice. He is genuinely remorseful for his participation.”

Judge Graeme Smith handed Corden a two-year suspended sentence, along with 25 days of rehabilitation work and 240 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £350 in damages.

Judge Smith said: “Everyone is entitled to express their opinion or to protest. That is what you say you were doing. But that does not grant the licence for disorder.

“Although you were involved, I have the reference given by Farooq Faraj of Town Road Islamic Centre. He says this was out of character for you and commends your volunteer work, which you still do. I accept you may not have acted from a place of religious hostility.

“Yours is an unusual case. In most other cases, I have not given suspended sentences due to the seriousness of the offending. But I accept your motivations were somewhat different. I have just been convinced to give you a suspended sentence, which is rare in these cases.”

Stoke Sentinel

Two 16-year-old boys have been sentenced after participating in “disgraceful” violent disorder outside a South Yorkshire hotel housing asylum seekers.

Both defendants, who cannot be named due to their age, admitted violent disorder, with one admitting a further charge of arson reckless as to whether life is endangered.

People inside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, “thought they were going to die at the hands of the violent, racist mob” on 4 August, Sheffield Youth Court heard.

The teenagers, who were both told by a judge they would have been jailed had they been adults, were given year-long referral orders.

The first defendant was captured on CCTV adding wood to a fire which was burning against the hotel.

Footage played to the court showed him hurl a fire extinguisher at police officers and push a metal bin towards a police line.

Clare Ford, defending, told the judge: “He wants me to assure you he isn’t racist – he happened upon the incident without knowing what it was.

“He got carried away, swept up in it, and was being encouraged by adults present.”

When district judge Tim Spruce questioned why he initially told police he wasn’t there, the boy said: “I didn’t admit to it because I was scared. Sorry.”

Judge Spruce said the boy’s actions could have resulted in “catastrophic harm and loss of life”.

“One adult charged with similar offences to you received a term of nine years,” he told the boy.

“Make no mistake, if you were an adult you would be going to jail right now.”

Further CCTV showed the second boy pushing a burning bin towards the hotel.

He was part of a crowd which “violently” rocked a police van “to the point it became completely unstable”, the judge said.

‘Won’t happen again’

He told the boy he would have faced three to five years in prison had he been older.

“You were fully engaged, chanting, making violent gestures,” the judge added.

The boy’s mother took him to a police station after seeing an appeal for suspects shared on social media.

Kevin Walker, defending, said: “He was helping his mum with the shopping before he got involved – that shows what he ordinarily does behave like.

“He didn’t appreciate [the racial element] at the time – that was not his motivation.”

The teenager told the judge: “I would like to say I am very sorry for what I’ve done.

“It’s not the real me, what happened on that day, and it won’t ever happen again.”

Judge Spruce said many of the 58 police officers who were injured had not returned to work due to the “anxiety and distress” caused by the incident.

He said: “Within that hotel there were families of migrants who had already fled trauma in their own countries, once again placed in fear, along with staff at the hotel.

“Disorder of this nature was extremely frightening for anyone close by and for people watching on the television.”

He added: “It was shameful and disgraceful, leaving communities terrified and intimidated.”

He said he accepted neither boy had overt racist views or negative views towards asylum seekers and their actions had been “isolated behaviour in a highly unique set of events”.

Referral orders can include courses about hate crime, fire safety and victim awareness, the court heard.

BBC News

Two men have indicated they are guilty of offences related to major unrest outside a Rotherham hotel housing asylum seekers last summer.

Callum Bacon, 18, of Wilkinson Street, Barnsley, appeared at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on Monday charged with violent disorder and arson.

Scott Jones, 38, of James Street, Barnsley, appeared at the same court charged with violent disorder.

Both men were released on bail and are due to appear for sentencing at Sheffield Crown Court on 30 June.

During the anti-immigration demonstrations outside the Holiday Inn in Manvers last August, more than 60 police officers were injured after missiles were thrown by a crowd.

More than 90 people have so far been convicted for their part in the rioting.

BBC News

A pregnant woman who threw missiles at police officers and set items alight during rioting outside a hotel housing asylum seekers has been jailed.

Elarna Garner-Abbey, 19, was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court to 18 months in prison earlier, just a week after finding out she was pregnant.

The court heard she attended the unrest at the Holiday Inn Express, in Manvers, Rotherham, on 4 August alongside ex-partner Philip Wood, 22, who was jailed for two years.

Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson said while he had reduced Garner-Abbey’s sentence “as much as I reasonably can” she had been “right at the centre” of the disorder.

He said: “I am conscious [pregnant women] have particular difficulties whilst in custody. That factor has caused me to reflect with great care on your case.”

The court heard Garner-Abbey and Wood were among hundreds of rioters who hurled missiles at officers trying to protect those inside the building.

At one stage Garner-Abbey was filmed stoking a fire with a blue stick, setting it ablaze and then passing the stick to another person, prosecutor Joseph Bell said.

Meanwhile, Wood was seen leaving the scene and returning with plant pots from residents’ gardens, which he passed to others to break and throw at officers.

He was also seen approaching a fire in the middle of Manvers Way, while topless and wearing a face covering, to set a phone charger on fire which he then swung above his head.

Marc Luxford, on behalf of Wood, said his client had a mental age of 12 or 13 and an IQ score of 51, putting him in the range considered to be a moderate learning disability.

He said suggestions Wood had groomed or coerced Garner-Abbey were misplaced saying he was “simply not able” to have due to his mental capacity.

Judge Richardson said while there was some evidence of Wood having a “controlling and malign” influence on Garner-Abbey CCTV showed her “acting of [her] own free will in a prominent way”.

Garner-Abbey and Wood were also issued with a criminal behaviour order for a period of 10 years.

BBC News

A couple were both involved in helping to stoke fires and throw missiles at police, as part of riots that broke out after a protest outside a Rotherham hotel housing asylum seekers turned violent.

Philip Wood and Elarna Garner Abbey were in a relationship at the time of the widespread disorder in Manvers, Rotherham on August 4, 2024 and travelled to the protest together. They have since ended their relationship.

In footage shown to Sheffield Crown Court, Wood and Garner-Abbey can both be seen involving themselves in the disorder that broke out on Manvers Way, a short distance from the Holiday Inn Express, which was at the centre of the disorder.

The video footage shown to the court, during a hearing held on June 16, 2025, is from behind the police line, and shows a fire burning in between officers and where the majority of protesters are located.

Describing the roles of each of the defendants, prosecutor, Joseph Bell said Wood, who was wearing a face covering for much of the incident, can be seen stoking a fire which is a blaze in the middle of the road, repeatedly throwing missiles towards the police line, some of which were at “close range.”

A number of the items had been given to Wood, aged 22, by others involved with the disorder, the court heard.

Mr Bell said a “discarded firework” was among the items thrown in the direction of police.

“He takes a charger, places the end of that charger in the fire until it catches light, swings it round over his head. He passes it to someone else, who imitates whipping with the charger,” said Mr Bell.

He continued: “He commandeers a large metal pole, of which he can be seen to stuff tissue into the end, and then sets it alight.”

Moving to Garner-Abbey’s conduct, Mr Bell emphasised that while the defendants travelled to the riots together, they each “played their own role” and acted “independently” of each other.

Mr Bell said Garner-Abbey, aged 19, can be seen “pushing a blue pole into the fire and then hands it to another.”

“She can be seen repeatedly throwing missiles at police,” continued Mr Bell, adding that she also provided missiles for others to throw.

Garner-Abbey’s barrister, Rebecca Tanner, said her client, who was aged 18 at the time of the disorder, only actually threw missiles in the form of stones towards police on two occasions, however.

Mr Bell continued: “She then commandeers the large blue stick again so it’s set alight, and passes it to another. She can be seen going around collecting items, and adding them to the blaze, before handing items to people present.”

He told the court that the two defendants were in a relationship from October 2023 until around a fortnight after the riots.

They were living in a tent, which was camped a short distance away from Sheffield’s Meadowhall shopping centre, when they committed the offences.

Mr Bell said Garner-Abbey, of Station Road, Dunscroft, Doncaster, made a complaint to police about Wood concerning his behaviour towards her in December 2024, but ultimately decided against proceeding with it.

Both defendants pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder at earlier hearings.

Mitigating for Garner-Abbey, Ms Tanner said she could not suggest her client was anything other than a “willing participant.”

Addressing the Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, Ms Tanner continued: “My Lord has seen her appalling behaviour on the CCTV, and I don’t seek to suggest for one moment that she wasn’t a willing participant.”

She suggested, however, that a distinction could be made between those who involved themselves with the disorder in and around the Holiday Inn Express, and the Manvers Way rioting a short distance away, where Garner-Abbey committed her offence.

Ms Tanner continued: “She did not direct any aggression towards the hotel, or those within it. There’s no evidence she was using racially aggressive language. Her animosity was towards the police.”

Ms Tanner referred Judge Richardson to documentation from Garner-Abbey’s GP, confirming her pregnancy, after the case was adjourned last week for that to be obtained.

She suggested the pregnancy was completely unexpected; and as a consequence of which, she has been advised to come off the medication she was taking, which may prove to have an adverse effect on her.

Ms Tanner said Garner-Abbey has endured mental health difficulties, and during her “toxic” relationship with Wood, became isolated from her family. She suggested this has subsequently been mended, and her family continue to offer her their support.

The probation officer who authored Garner-Abbey’s pre-sentence report said she had spoken to HMP Newhall, where she may be sent should she receive a custodial sentence, and was satisfied they could accommodate her, and any complications which may arise during her pregnancy.

Judge Richardson said he wanted to carefully consider whether a prison sentence should be passed down, and adjourned sentence for Garner-Abbey until Thursday, June 19, 2025 and remanded her into custody until then.

Judge Richardson also adjourned Wood’s sentencing until Thursday, after difficulties over the video link meant his barrister Marc Luxford was unable to make submissions on his behalf during Monday’s hearing.

Wood, of Milton Street, Bootle, Sefton, was told he must remain in custody at HMP Doncaster until then.

The Manvers disorder was among last summer’s riots, all of which took place after misinformation was disseminated in the wake of a fatal stabbing in Southport that claimed the lives of three young girls.

Previous sentencing hearings for those involved with the disorder have heard that 58 police officers, three police dogs and one police horse were injured during the course of the violence.

Some 22 members of staff present within the hotel barricaded themselves inside a kitchen, using three freezers, fearing they would die, the court has previously heard.

The most recent update from South Yorkshire Police, dated June 3, 2025, revealed that a total of 110 people have been charged in connection to the violent disorder at Manvers so far.

Of the 110 charged, 91 have been sentenced to a combined total of 223 years in prison.

Sheffield Star

A man who was part of a rioting mob outside an asylum seeker hotel suffered a cardiac arrest shortly after adding fuel to a fire burning at the disorder.

William Bartholomew was filmed adding branches and twigs to the pyre near the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, on 4 August before collapsing on a grass verge.

Bartholomew, of Wilson Avenue, Clowne, later told officers he had started to feel chest pains “due to the stress of everything”.

He admitted violent disorder and was jailed for two years at Sheffield Crown Court earlier.

Prosecutor Neil Coxon said as well as adding branches and wood to the already-lit fire, Bartholomew was filmed gesticulating aggressively at police officers and throwing missiles at them.

The 41-year-old collapsed on a grass verge a short time later, the court heard, and was taken to Barnsley General Hospital.

During a subsequent police interview, Bartholomew admitted his involvement but maintained he had no intention of being violent prior to attending the hotel.

He said he had been “full of anger at the time”, had not been taking his prescribed medication and was hearing voices.

Francis Edusei, mitigating, said a report found his client was vulnerable to making repeated errors and generally failed to learn from mistakes.

Bartholomew had undeveloped social cognition, Mr Edusei said, poor social judgement and suffered from autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

‘Venom of racism’

The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, said what took place in Rotherham that day “had nothing to do with legitimate public protest”.

“It has been my misfortune as well as my duty to have sentenced most of the cases arising from the major public disorder in Rotherham,” he said.

“In consequence I am extremely familiar with the events and all the CCTV footage.

“The venom of racism and racially-motivated violence suffused the events from first to last.”

The judge accepted Bartholomew did not start the fire but added: “It is not simply a case of what you did as an individual that matters for the purpose of sentencing you, it is the scenario as a whole which is important.”

In addition to his two-year jail sentence, he was also handed a criminal behaviour order for a period of 10 years.

Bartholomew had previous convictions, including assisting or encouraging self harm in relation to encouraging his partner to take her own life.

Mr Coxon told the court Bartholomew received an 18-month community order for the offence.

BBC News