Painter's nine-year sentence longest yet of summer riots
The Independent|September 07, 2024
A painter and decorator who helped fuel a fire outside a hotel housing hundreds of asylum seekers and attacked police with missiles during rioting in Rotherham has been jailed for nine years.
DAVE HIGGENS
Painter's nine-year sentence longest yet of summer riots

The prison sentence handed down to Thomas Birley, 27, is the longest so far given to a defendant arrested following the violence which erupted in many towns and cities in early August.

Sheffield Crown Court heard how Birley, of Rowms Lane, Swinton, Rotherham, was involved in many of the worst incidents outside the Holiday Inn Express in the Manvers area of the town, including adding wood to a fire in the large industrial bin which had been pushed against an exit and helping place a second bin on top of the one ablaze.

The recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, heard how 22 staff barricaded themselves into the hotel’s panic room with freezers and “thought they were going to burn to death” as smoke filtered through the building.

There were also more than 200 asylum seekers in the building and the judge heard how automated fire alarms told them to leave but they were trapped inside.

Masked Birley was filmed throwing missiles at the police, squaring up to officers while brandishing a police baton, and throwing a large bin which crashed into a line of police with riot shields.

The defendant became the first person to be sentenced for arson with intent to endanger life following the 12 hours of violence which left 64 police officers, three horses and a dog injured.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 07, 2024 من The Independent.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة September 07, 2024 من The Independent.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من THE INDEPENDENT مشاهدة الكل
Five rescued 24 hours after yacht capsized in Red Sea
The Independent

Five rescued 24 hours after yacht capsized in Red Sea

Search continues for seven people, including two Britons

time-read
2 mins  |
November 27, 2024
Pakistan authorities launch operation to clear Islamabad
The Independent

Pakistan authorities launch operation to clear Islamabad

Move follows clashes in the capital between police and supporters of Imran Khan which have left six people dead

time-read
3 mins  |
November 27, 2024
World's oldest man dies at 112, 'surrounded by love'
The Independent

World's oldest man dies at 112, 'surrounded by love'

John Tinniswood was born in 1912, the year the Titanic sank

time-read
2 mins  |
November 27, 2024
UK troops to probe drones mystery at US airbases
The Independent

UK troops to probe drones mystery at US airbases

Dozens of British soldiers have been drafted in to help the US find out who is responsible for flying more mystery drones over three air bases in England.

time-read
1 min  |
November 27, 2024
Will our rat-infested prisons forever be a low priority?
The Independent

Will our rat-infested prisons forever be a low priority?

Appalling conditions in English and Welsh prisons have been caused by years of underfunding, mismanagement and neglect, according to Elisabeth Davies, the national chair of the Independent Monitoring Boards.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 27, 2024
Dilapidated prisons harmful to inmates, report finds
The Independent

Dilapidated prisons harmful to inmates, report finds

Inmates in the crumbling prison estate have been bitten by rates and venomous spiders, according to a new report that lays bare the state of prisons in England and Wales.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 27, 2024
Pub owner started election petition after googling 'how to change prime minister'
The Independent

Pub owner started election petition after googling 'how to change prime minister'

The pub landlord behind a viral petition calling for a general election has revealed why he decided to start it. Michael

time-read
1 min  |
November 27, 2024
Irish leader's election gaffe threatens Brexit reset hopes
The Independent

Irish leader's election gaffe threatens Brexit reset hopes

Sir Keir Starmer risks a blow to his pledge to reset relations with the European Union after Brexit amid fears one of his key allies could be ousted in Friday’s elections in Ireland.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 27, 2024
Press for EU defence ties, Labour MPs urge Starmer
The Independent

Press for EU defence ties, Labour MPs urge Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer has been pressed by his own MPs to go faster in pursuing closer relations with Europe on defence and security, amid an escalation of the conflict in Ukraine and fears for global security.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 27, 2024
Assisted dying bill could be axed before MPs get to vote
The Independent

Assisted dying bill could be axed before MPs get to vote

The assisted dying bill could be axed before it has a chance to be voted on, as a group of MPs have tabled an amendment that could stop it in its tracks.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 27, 2024