Rioter dies in prison after being jailed for two years for violent disorder outside Rotherham hotel

21 October 2024, 09:49 | Updated: 21 October 2024, 11:08

A grandfather who was jailed for taking part in far-right riots that swept the nation this summer has died in prison.

Peter Lynch, 61, who was serving a two-year sentence after pleading guilty to violent disorder and abusing police, is believed to have taken his own life at HMP Moorland near Doncaster in south Yorkshire, according to reports.

Lynch received a two-year and eight-month sentence after taking part in the anti-immigration riots at a Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, on Aug 4.

Rioters set the building on fire while asylum seekers remained inside.

Read more: Over 1,000 more prisoners to be released from jail this week

Lynch shouted “racist and provocative remarks” and called asylum seekers “child killers” while taking part in the violent scenes.

A prison service spokesman told LBC: “HMP Moorland prisoner Peter Lynch died on Oct 19 2024. As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.”

Lynch had recently suffered a heart attack and had “a general conspiracy theory against anyone and any form of authority”, the Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, told the court during his sentencing.

The court heard he was “full participant” in the violent disorder, as he was branded a "disgraceful example of a grandfather."

“You were unquestionably endeavouring to rev up the situation the best you could,” the Recorder added.

He was filmed calling police “scum” during the incident that led to his arrest.

The sign he held was not deemed unlawful, but his actions and abuse of police was, the judge said during his sentencing.

It comes after a beauty student who turned up at a riot in a bright yellow dress and handed out eggs to be hurled as missiles avoided prison but was labelled ‘extremely stupid’ by a judge.

Destiny Waugh, 19, bought a dozen eggs at a garage on July 31 this year, and handed them out to rioters to throw at police in Manchester.

Crowds had gathered outside a Holiday Inn thought to be housing asylum seekers.

Bricks and bottles were hurled at the hotel - as well as the eggs delivered by Waugh.

She didn’t take part directly in the riots but was seen giving out the eggs.

After Greater Manchester Police released CCTV of her, she handed herself in.

Prosecutors said the eggs were "used as missiles and launched towards police officers stood at the entrance gate."

"This is a classic case of aiding and abetting - delivering the ammunition into their hands." Judge Alan Conrad QC said her actions were "extremely stupid".

"You purchased eggs which you passed on to youths for them to be used as missiles."

Over 1,000 more prisoners are to be released on Tuesday as the government continues its drive to free up space in jails.

Some 1,100 inmates will be released on Tuesday, as Labour's plan to ease overcrowding in prisons is expanded to those serving sentences of five years or more.

Some 1,700 prisoners were released from jails across England and Wales on September 10. Some of these offenders, including convicted domestic abusers, were not fitted with tags when they came out of prison.

In July, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced plans to reduce the proportion of sentences that inmates must serve behind bars from 50% to 40%.

Overcrowding had pushed jails to the "point of collapse" at that point, the government said.