Man who called for hotel attack jailed

John England took to Facebook during national disorder to say a hotel should be torched

A man who called for a hotel to be set on fire has been jailed for stirring up racial hatred.

John England's Facebook posts included one saying a Nottinghamshire hotel should be targeted by what he called “great English men” who had set a hotel in Rotherham alight - adding “anyone got the balls?”.

When arrested on Sunday and interviewed by Nottinghamshire Police about his posts over a nine-day period from 30 July to 7 August, England told officers he had “a dark sense of humour”.

At Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday, the 45-year-old was jailed for one year and eight months after pleading guilty to publishing and distributing written material to stir up racial hatred.

Other posts presented to court included images of hooded individuals and the police alongside racist language, and a post captioned: “If only I had an uzi 9mm.”

Self-employed electrician England, of Big Barn Lane Mansfield, told officers in his interview that he was aware his posts could be seen as racist, and that his daughter would not befriend him on the platform as she found his posts offensive.

He added he was “ashamed” at the posts but said if the hotel had burnt down, it would have taught the owners a lesson.

England's post called for a repeat of the attack on a hotel in Rotherham

Sentencing, Judge Nirmal Shant KC told England: “The context of this offending is particularly important, because that context is of nationwide widespread disorder.

“Plainly there was an intention to incite severe violence that would threaten or endanger life.

“In the light of what was going on in the country at the time, your post added to the situation. Therefore you must face immediate custody.”

England, who has seven previous convictions for motoring offences, criminal damage, and drugs, was handed a 20-month jail term, of which he will serve half before being released on licence.

Det Chief Insp Paul Lefford, of Nottinghamshire Police, said he hoped the conviction sent “a strong message”.

“There is no place in Nottinghamshire for hate, racism, or discrimination," he said.

Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.