Rotherham man jailed for nine years following rioting outside hotel housing asylum seekers in the town
It's the longest term handed out to anyone involved in last month's riots
Last updated 6th Sep 2024
Today, Thomas Birley has been sentenced after his involvement in the mass violent disorder experienced in Rotherham on Sunday 4 August.
He has been handed the longest prison sentence so far following the rioting in early August after he was jailed at Sheffield Crown Court for nine years.
Birley was filmed throughout the day displaying violence, anger and abuse towards officers, including threatening officers with a police baton. Body worn video showed Birley throw a bin and rocks at officers who were stood protecting some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
Later, Birley was filmed deliberately blocking an entrance to the hotel, which was previously set alight, with a sheet of wood and a large bin.
Swift investigation work was completed, and Birley, of Rowms Lane, Rotherham, was arrested by our officers for his involvement in the day which saw over 60 officers injured.
Birley pleaded guilty to violent disorder, arson with intent to endanger life and possession of an offensive weapon at a hearing at Sheffield Crown Court on 21 August 2024.
Detective Chief Investigator Andrew Knowles, Senior Investigating Officer, said:
"This sentence shows that the behaviour that we witnessed on that Sunday will not be tolerated or accepted here in South Yorkshire.
"Birley clearly had the intent to cause harm and damage, and cared nothing for the families, staff and police officers in the hotel.
"I hope this sends a loud and clear message that if you were involved, we are coming for you and you will be put before the courts.
"This sentence does not reverse the physical and psychological damage of that day, but I know it will be welcomed by the hotel workers, residents who were in the hotel, and the officers that were working that day."
Recorder of Sheffield Judge Jeremy Richardson KC told Thomas Birley, 27, his case was "unquestionably" one of the most serious of the dozens he has dealt with in the last month in relation to the rioting outside the Holiday Inn Express, at Manvers, on August 4.
Sheffield Crown Court heard how Birley, of Rowms Lane, Swinton, Rotherham, was involved in many of the worst incidents on that Sunday afternoon, including adding wood to the fire in the large industrial bin which had been pushed against an exit and helping place a further bin on top of the one ablaze.
Birley was also 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 in Manvers which left 64 police officers, three horses and a dog injured.
Judge Richardson heard how 22 staff in the hotel barricaded themselves into the hotel's panic room with freezers and "thought they were going to burn to death".
He said he needed to pass an extended sentence due to Birley's ongoing dangerousness, which included an extended five-year licence period.
So he will face an extended sentence of 14 years, with nine years in prison for arson with intent to endanger life, two years and eight months for violent disorder and 12 months for possession of an offensive weapon. All to be run concurrently.