Eighth man jailed for asylum hotel disturbance

Nearly £90,000 worth of damage was done to police property

An eighth man, who failed to attend court earlier this year, has been jailed for taking part in violent disorder at a hotel housing asylum seekers.

Violence broke out in February last year outside the Suites Hotel in Knowsley, Merseyside, which was providing temporary accommodation for asylum seekers.

A large group had gathered and rocks and fireworks were thrown at police.

Christopher Shelley, 45, from Delfby Crescent, Kirkby, was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court for 30 months for violent disorder and a further two months for failing to appear in March, when eight other men were convicted, with seven receiving jail time.

Shelley was convicted of violent disorder at an earlier hearing.

Christopher Shelley was pursued relentlessly, police said

Supt Karl Baldwin said: “Shelley attempted to evade justice when others were sentenced in March.

"However, we relentlessly pursue criminals who attempt to avoid their fate at court, so the outcome was inevitable.

“The violence outside the hotel resulted in £83,686 of damage to our vehicles and facilities which could have been used to protect our residents.

"Officers were bombarded with various missiles and dispersal zones were put in place in the aftermath of the disorder to prevent any further incidents.

“It is completely unacceptable to intimidate and target particular communities in Knowsley in this appalling manner and those who did caused fear and distress to those residents inside the hotel and to the local community."

The court had been told there was "ill feeling" in the area following a video on social media which appeared to show an asylum seeker asking a 15-year-old girl for her phone number and for a kiss.