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Watch: Arrest of man who received longest sentence for summer riots

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September 6, 2024
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As our home affairs correspondent, Daniel Sandford, writes, most of the sentences we’ve seen have followed a similar trend – landing somewhere between two years and three years and four months.

Only three people have received more severe sentences than the upper end of that spectrum, which includes one we saw today: Thomas Birley, 27, of Swinton, was jailed for nine years after pleading guilty to a charge of arson with intent to endanger life, violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon.

His acts, described by the judge as one of the worst cases the court had heard related to the riot outside a hotel housing asylum seekers, left staff inside fearing for their lives.

We’re going to be pausing our coverage now, but you can watch Birley’s arrest and some of the footage of him outside that hotel during rioting in Rotherham below.

BBC News

Arsonist receives longest sentence yet linked to summer riots

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September 6, 2024
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Thomas Birley, 27, of Swinton, Rotherham, has received the longest sentence of anyone involved in the summer riots so far.

Here’s a summary of what was heard in court today:

Birley was involved in a riot outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham on 4 August, where asylum seekers were being housed at the time

The 27-year-old was part of a group that smashed the hotel’s windows and he added to a fire against the building

He previously pleaded guilty to a charge of arson with intent to endanger life, violent disorder, and possessing an offensive weapon

He was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court to nine years in prison, with a five-year extension on licence

The Recorder of Sheffield Judge Jeremy Richardson KC said the lives of at least 50 people were endangered and those inside thought they would be killed

Birley and people like him were “intent on spreading a hateful message of violence and racism”, the judge said

It was one of the worst cases the court had heard related to the incident, the judge added

A pre-sentence report had views which “raised alarm” with a probation officer and there were hints of a “white supremacist mindset”, the judge said

Birley’s defence barrister said the former painter and decorator “expresses heartfelt remorse”. The court also heard Birley is a “loner” and has a learning disorder and mental disability

Birley has been jailed for nine years for taking part in a riot in Rotherham on 4 August – the highest prison sentence handed out by judges following widespread violence and rioting.

He was part of a group which helped smash windows at the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers and added wood to a fire against the building, which housed asylum seekers.

Birley, 27, of Swinton, Rotherham, previously pleaded guilty to a charge of arson with intent to endanger life, violent disorder, and possessing an offensive weapon.

At Sheffield Crown Court, the Recorder of Sheffield Judge Jeremy Richardson KC said: “You are unquestionably a dangerous offender.”

His sentence is nine years in prison, with a five-year extension on licence.

BBC News

NAMED: All of the latest defendants charged over Rotherham riots as total number reaches 59

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August 28, 2024
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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

Ex-soldier among several jailed over riots in Rotherham and Southport

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August 21, 2024
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Peter Beard, sentenced for disorder at asylum seeker hotel, is told his conduct was ‘astonishing’ given his army past

A former soldier who served in Kosovo, Bosnia and Northern Ireland has been jailed for two and a half years after admitting confronting police as they tried to protect a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham.

Peter Beard, 43, of Brampton Bierlow, Rotherham, was filmed on police bodyworn cameras at the front of a mob outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers on 4 August.

The court heard that Beard’s aggression towards officers came at a critical time in the rioting, after the hotel had been breached, attempts had been made to set fire to the building and outnumbered police were trying to disperse hundreds of people.

Sentencing Beard at Sheffield crown court, the recorder of Sheffield, Judge Richardson KC, said: “Your conduct was shameful, it was disgraceful and in many respects astonishing.

“The reason I say it was astonishing is because for many years you served in the British army and undertook several tours of duty which involved peacekeeping operation. You have been, I’m told, on the receiving end of attacks by those indulging in public disorder in war zones. You know what it is like to be under attack and yet there you were attacking a police officer who was doing his duty.”A former soldier who served in Kosovo, Bosnia and Northern Ireland has been jailed for two and a half years after admitting confronting police as they tried to protect a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham.

Peter Beard, 43, of Brampton Bierlow, Rotherham, was filmed on police bodyworn cameras at the front of a mob outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers on 4 August.

The court heard that Beard’s aggression towards officers came at a critical time in the rioting, after the hotel had been breached, attempts had been made to set fire to the building and outnumbered police were trying to disperse hundreds of people.

Sentencing Beard at Sheffield crown court, the recorder of Sheffield, Judge Richardson KC, said: “Your conduct was shameful, it was disgraceful and in many respects astonishing.

“The reason I say it was astonishing is because for many years you served in the British army and undertook several tours of duty which involved peacekeeping operation. You have been, I’m told, on the receiving end of attacks by those indulging in public disorder in war zones. You know what it is like to be under attack and yet there you were attacking a police officer who was doing his duty.”

Also at Sheffield crown court, Thomas Birley, 27, who threw a wood panel on to a fire outside the same hotel, admitted a charge of arson with intent to endanger life.

The court heard that Birley, of Swinton, Rotherham, was involved in several incidents outside the hotel, including stoking a fire in a bin that was pushed against an exit, throwing items at the police and squaring up to officers while brandishing a police baton.

Richardson told Birley that his offending was unquestionably the most serious of all that he had dealt with in the last fortnight in relation to the rioting that followed the killing of three girls in Southport last month. He said: “The sentence must be of some substance. This is a crime which carries a life sentence. I rule nothing in and rule nothing out.”

The judge said Birley would be sentenced on 6 September and remanded him into custody and ordered that a psychiatric report be prepared.

At Liverpool crown court, Jake Lowther, 20, was sentenced to 18 months in a young offender institution. Lowther, of Banks, near Southport, nodded to his parents as his mother called out “love you” from the public gallery.

The court head that Lowther was seen in video footage in a crowd in Southport, gesticulating towards officers while others threw missiles. Judge Flewitt KC said that at one point Lowther picked up two pieces of brick or stone from a broken wall and threw them towards police officers, with one piece hitting a riot shield.

Also at Liverpool crown court, Luke Moran was jailed for three years after he tried to smash a window of a police van in Southport. The court heard that Moran, 38, had lost his job with a roofing firm since his image had been published after the violence.

Rebecca Smith, prosecuting, said Moran was filmed on bodyworn camera with a large piece of concrete in his hands, smashing the driver-side window of a police van three times as an officer sat inside. In the footage, the officer could be heard telling colleagues over his radio: “I’m going to have to bail, my window’s about to go through.”

Flewitt told the court: “This is as bad a case as I have seen so far. Unsurprisingly, at that stage PC Hayes feared for his life, believing he might be pulled from the carrier and attacked.”

Daniel Carrigan, 41, of Liverpool, was jailed for two years and eight months after admitting violent disorder and criminal damage in Southport. Footage was played to the court showing him throwing items at a police van and kicking the side of the vehicle.

Charles Lander, defending, said Carrigan had taken cocaine on the day of the incident and said his addiction to the drug was “out of control”. The court heard that Carrigan had previously been convicted of a racially aggravated common assault after telling a traffic warden in 2016 that he should “return back to his own country”.

Thomas Whitehead, 53, who was part of a large group that gathered outside a mosque in Southport, was jailed for one year and eight months for violent disorder after being arrested onboard a plane.

At Liverpool crown court, Smith, prosecuting, said Whitehead’s picture was circulated and he was arrested on 13 August at Manchester airport. Whitehead, a gardener, of Southport, told police he had been to the pub when he noticed a large group gathering and went to see what was happening, and he admitted he had been involved in throwing items.

And a manager at a scaffolding firm was jailed for two years and four months after admitting being part of the violent disorder in Southport. Nicholas Sinclair, 38, of Birkdale, was seen in footage from 30 July shouting at police and throwing bricks.

The Guardian