Archive

Tag Archives: Sonny Ackerman

A father-of-three who threw rocks and a wheelie bin at riot police guarding a hotel housing asylum seekers has been jailed for two years and four months.

A judge told Sonny Ackerman, 30, he would have received an even longer sentence for his part in the violence outside the Holiday Inn Express, in Rotherham, on August 4, but for his clear learning disability.

Judge Jeremy Richardson KC told Ackerman: “I have little doubt you’re easily led. I very much doubt you even understood what the disorder was all about.”

But Judge Richardson added: “You knew what you were doing and knew it was wrong.”

Footage shown at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday showed a masked Ackerman throwing a rock at police lines at the height of the disorder outside the hotel, which was housing 240 asylum seekers.

Further video showed the defendant helping to hurl a wheelie bin at the officers trying to push back the rioters.

This happened close to a larger bin, which had been set alight against the fire door of the building.

Judge Richardson heard that Ackerman was on bail for an offence of driving while disqualified at the time of the rioting.

The judge said he had received a report from a neuropsychologist and told the defendant it was clear he had a learning disability and a very low IQ.

The judge said: “This was a disgraceful episode. It shocked the entire country. Those involved were an ignorant mob and they must be punished. You were part of that ignorant mob.”

Ackerman, of Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at a previous hearing and appeared in court on Tuesday (Dec 3) via videolink from prison.

He is the latest of more than 70 men who have been jailed after the rioting at the hotel.

The court heard that the residents were trapped on the upper floors of the building as rioters broke in and started the fire in a bin at one of the exits, filling the hotel with smoke.

Staff have described how they barricaded themselves into a safe room, fearing they would die.

More than 60 police officers were injured in the disorder, the court heard.

Yorkshire Post

Ashley Williams, 21, of Lowfield Walk, Denaby Main, has pleaded guilty violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 17 September. He will appear at Sheffield Crown Court on 25 September.

AshleyWilliams.jpg

Image of Williams

Scott Greenwood, 34, of Tingle Bridge Lane, Hemingfield, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and arson with intent to endanger life at Sheffield Crown Court on 16 September. He will appear for sentencing on 16 October.

ScottGreenwood.jpg

Image of Greenwood

A 14-year-old, who can’t be named for legal reason, has pleaded guilty to arson and violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 9 September. He will be sentenced at the same court on 2 October.

Stephen Roughley, 44, of Barnsley Road, South Elmsall, Pontefract, has pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates; Court on 5 September. He will appear for sentencing at Sheffield Crown Court on 19 September.

StephenRoughley.jpg

Pictured is Roughley

A 16-year-old boy, who can’t be named for legal reasons, had pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 4 September. He will be sentenced at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court on 15 October.

Joshua Lane, 27, of Park Road, Brierley, has pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 31 August. He will appear for sentencing at Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing on 18 September.

JoshuaLane.jpg

Photo of Lane

Ricky Cotton, 32, of Broadwater, Bolton-upon-Dearne, has pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 31 August. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing on 18 September.

RickyCotton.jpg

Image of Cotton

Daniel Dicks, 33, of Probert Avenue, Goldthorpe, has pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 31 August. He will appear for sentencing at Sheffield Crown Court on 17 September.

DanielDicks.jpg

Image of Daniel Dicks

Daniel Kendall, 21, of Sandymount Road, Wath-upon-Dearne, has pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 30 August. He will be sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on 23 September.

DanielKendall.jpg

Image of Kendall

A 15-year-old boy, who can’t be named for legal reasons, has pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 30 August. He will be sentenced at the same court on 2 October.

Gareth Lunn, 40, of Billingley View, Bolton-upon-Dearne, Barnsley, has pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court on 28 August. He is due to appear for sentencing at Sheffield Crown Court on 11 September. 

GarethLunn.jpg

Image of Lunn

Christian Hemus, 33, of Clarney Place, Barnsley has pleaded guilty to violent disorder and having a dog dangerously out of control. He will appear at Sheffield Crown Court on 3 October for sentencing.

Christian Hemus.jpg

Image is Hemus.

A 13-year-old, who can’t be named for legal reasons, has pleaded guilty to violent disorder at the South Yorkshire Youth Court on 26 August. He will appear before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 4 September.

Scott Kendall, 24, of Sandymount Road, Wath-upon-Dearne, Rotherham, has pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 24 August. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing on 11 September.

ScottKendall.jpg

Image of Kendall

Ryan Deering, 34, Potts Crescent, Great Houghton, Barnsley, has pleaded guilty to assault of an emergency worker at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 20 August. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing on 18 September. 

RyanDeering.jpg

Image of Deering

Sonny Ackerman, 29, of Birkdale Drive, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, has pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 22 August. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing on 10 September. 

SonnyAckerman.jpg

Photo of Ackerman

Lee Marshall, 39, of Princess Street, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault of an emergency worker at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 22 August. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing on 10 September. 

LeeMarshall.jpg

Image of Marshall

Mason Reddy, 24, of Victoria Street, Goldthorpe, Barnsley, has pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 23 August. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing on 10 September.

MasonReddy.jpg

Photo of Reddy

Michael Woods, 64, of Ainsdale Avenue, Goldthorpe, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 19 August. He is due to appear before Sheffield Crown Court on 11 September for sentencing.

MichaelWoods.jpg

Photo of Woods

Christian Ivermee, 31, of Chapel Street, Mexborough, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 17 August. He is due to appear before Sheffield Crown Court on 13 September for sentencing.

ChristianIvermee.jpg

Photo of Ivermee

Michael Shaw, 26, of Pagnell Avenue, Thurnscoe, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on 14 August. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court on 4 October for sentencing. 

MichaelShaw.jpg

Photograph of Shaw

South Yorks Police

Almost 60 people have now been charged in connection with the Rotherham disorder centred around a hotel housing asylum seekers, police confirmed this morning.

Riots broke out at the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers Way, Rotherham, on the afternoon of August 4, 2024, after around 750 anti-immigration protesters arrived at the hotel, where asylum seekers were being housed.

The riots formed part of more than a dozen protests held across the country, many of which turned violent. The protests were fuelled by misinformation and followed a shocking knife attack in Southport, Merseyside, in which three young girls were killed.

Almost 60 people have now been charged in connection with the Rotherham disorder centred around a hotel housing asylum seekers, police confirmed this morning.

As of yesterday morning (Tuesday, August 27, 2024), a South Yorkshire Police spokesperson confirmed that a total of 59 people have now been charged in connection with the disorder. The ages of those charged ranges from 16 to 64.

The SYP spokesperson added: “59 people in total have now been charged. 44 of the 59 people have now pleaded guilty to the offences they have been charged with. 29 of these 38 have been sentenced.”

Police have provided the below list of everyone charged so far. Please note: it is not possible to name juvenile defendants due to their age.

Craden McKenzie, aged 26, Doncaster Road, Darfield, Barnsley, is charged with violent disorder. He was due to appear before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 21.

Rory Huggins, aged 20, of Haythorne Way, Swinton, Rotherham, is charged with violent disorder. He was due to appear before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 23.

Ryan Deering, aged 34, of Potts Crescent, Great Houghton, Barnsley is charged with assault of an emergency worker. He was due to appear before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 20.

Graham Harper, aged 43, of Henry Street, Darfield, Barnsley is charged with violent disorder. He was due to appear before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 20.

Kaylee Cunningham, aged 36, of Gerald Crescent, Kendray, Barnsley is charged with perverting the course of public justice. She was due to appear before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 20.

Thomas Birley, aged 27, of Rowms Lane, Swinton, Rotherham, is charged with violent disorder, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and attempted arson with intent to endanger life. He was due to appear before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 16.

Graham Doherty, aged 35, of Common Wealth, Bolton-Upon-Dearne, Rotherham is charged with violent disorder. He will appear before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 22.

Christian Hemus, aged 35, of Clarney Avenue, Barnsley, is charged with violent disorder, possession of cannabis and production of cannabis. He is due to appear at Sheffield Crown Court on August 21.

Morgan Hardy, aged 29, of Melton High Street, Rotherham, was charged with violent disorder. He appeared at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court, and will appear at Sheffield Crown Court on August 21.

Richard Harrison, aged 37, of Burman Road, Rotherham, has been charged with violent disorder. He was remanded and was due to appear at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on Monday, August 12.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with violent disorder. He has been remanded and was due to appear at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on Monday, August 12.

Joseph Iggo, aged 20, of Hartley Brook Road, Sheffield is charged with violent disorder. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court on August 20.

Levi Fishlock, aged 31, of Sheffield Road, Barnsley is charged with violent disorder and arson with intent to endanger life. He will appear at Sheffield Crown Court on August 20, 2024.

Damien Mayfield, aged 41, of Spring Lane View, Sheffield is charged with using threatening, abusive, insulting words, behaviour to cause harassment, alarm and distress. He will appear before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on October 4, 2024.
A 16-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons, is charged with violent disorder and appeared before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, August 8.

Jake Turton, aged 38, of West Street, Barnsley, has been charged with violent disorder, driving a motor vehicle without the owners consent and driving without insurance. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court on August 20

Christopher Rodgers, aged 38, of Millmoor Road, Barnsley is charged with violent disorder. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court on August 20.
Liam Grey, aged 20, of Randerson Drive is charged with violent disorder. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court on August 20.

One boy aged 16 and two boys aged 17, who can’t be named for legal reasons, are also charged with violent disorder.

Convicted and sentenced so far

A total of 44 people have been convicted over their participation in the disorder, after entering guilty pleas to the charges they faced. Of the 44 convicted, 29 have been sentenced so far, say police.

Defendants who have pleaded guilty over the last week and are awaiting sentence

– Richard Harrison, aged 37, of Ings Field Lane, Wath-Upon-Dearne, Rotherham has pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 21. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing on September 10.

– Ryan Deering, aged 34, Potts Crescent, Great Houghton, Barnsley, has pleaded guilty to assault of an emergency worker at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 20. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing on September 18.

– Sonny Ackerman, aged 29, of Birkdale Drive, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, has pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 22. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing on September 10.

Lee Marshall, aged 39, of Princess Street, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and assault of an emergency worker at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 22. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing on September 10.

– Charlie Eames, aged 30, of High Street, Sheffield, has pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 22. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing on August 28.

– Mason Reddy, aged 24, of Victoria Street, Goldthorpe, Barnsley, has pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 23. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing on September 10.

Defendants convicted earlier this month, who are awaiting sentence

Brad Westerman, aged 24, of Washington Road, Goldthorpe, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 19. He is due to appear before Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing.

Michael Woods, aged 64, of Ainsdale Avenue, Goldthorpe, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 19. He is due to appear before Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing.

Christian Ivermee, aged 31, of Chapel Street, Mexborough, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 17. He is due to appear before Sheffield Crown Court on August 23 for sentencing.
Jamie Philips, aged 31, of Newington Avenue, Cudworth, pleaded guilty to using threatening / abusive / insulting words / behaviour to cause harassment / alarm / distress at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 10. He is due to appear before Doncaster Magistrates’ Court later this month for sentencing.

Michael Shaw, aged 26, of Pagnell Avenue, Thurnscoe, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 14. He will appear before Sheffield Crown Court on October 4 for sentencing.

Joshua Simpson, aged 26, of no fixed abode, has pleaded guilty to assault of an emergency worker. He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on August 27.

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has pleaded guilty to violent disorder and will appear before Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on October 2, 2024.

Sheffield Star