Man admits kicking police officer in hotel riot

Joshua Simpson was the first person to be convicted over the Holiday Inn Express riot

A man has been warned he faces a possible jail sentence after pleading guilty to kicking a police officer during rioting near Rotherham.

Joshua Simpson, 25, is the first person to be convicted over the trouble which flared outside the Holiday Inn Express at Manvers in Wath-upon-Dearne on Sunday.

On Tuesday, Sheffield Magistrates' Court heard the self-employed builder had assaulted PC Christopher Dixon after charging at police stationed outside the hotel, which was being used to house asylum seekers.

Simpson, of no fixed abode but living in Cleethorpes, pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker and was remanded in custody to appear at the same court for sentencing on 27 August.

The Holiday Inn Express in Manvers was badly damaged during rioting on Sunday

Simpson is one of six people to have been charged to date in relation to the disorder at the hotel.

Twelve police officers were injured as violence erupted following a protest by anti-immigration supporters, with rioters smashing their way into the building.

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