Man admits rioting over asylum seeker hotel attack

Simon Orr assaulted a police officer during unrest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Tamworth

A man who assaulted a police officer during unrest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers has become only the third person in England to admit a charge of rioting.

The Holiday Inn Express in Tamworth was attacked and set on fire during disorder on 4 August, in the wake of the Southport stabbings.

Simon Orr, 38, from Tamworth, previously pleaded guilty to assaulting the female officer but denied riot charges.

He appeared at Stoke Crown Court via video link from prison to change his plea on Thursday.

Judge John Edwards told him it was a "sensible" decision and that he would be sentenced on 11 October.

The attack on the Holiday Inn Express came amid the disorder that swept the UK last month.

The riots and protests were in part fuelled by false claims on social media that the suspect in the Southport attack was an immigrant who had arrived on a small boat.

Police officers at the Holiday Inn Express in Tamworth

The court heard Orr was also in breach of a suspended sentence order, having been handed a 17-week term in January for theft, assault and driving while disqualified.

Judge Edwards said: "The fact that you have pleaded guilty today is something that the [sentencing] judge can take into consideration.

"You have not left it to the day of trial [to plead guilty] which is very sensible if I may say so."

The court heard Orr was also in breach of a suspended sentence order

The charge against Orr was upgraded from violent disorder to the more serious charge of riot after a review of the evidence by prosecutors.

No details of Orr's involvement in the rioting were given to the court, but CCTV evidence will be played at a future hearing.

Defence barrister Jennifer Devans-Tamakloe told the court that Orr had mental health issues, which may need to be explored before his sentencing.

Emily Lenham of the Crown Prosecution Service said he was an active participant who was directly attacking police, especially after officers tried to control the situation.

“When the disorder escalated, rather than leaving, Orr continued to play an active role; encouraging others to set fire to the hotel with people trapped inside – recklessly endangering lives," she said.

"Despite his clear involvement he attempted to minimise his conduct, claiming he had attended for a lawful protest.

"However, the strength of evidence against him left him no choice but to plead guilty."

The Holiday Inn Express in Tamworth was targeted on 4 August

In a separate hearing at the same court, Matthew Hodgekinson also pleaded guilty to having taking part in violent disorder.

The 33-year-old, of Halmerend, Newcastle-under-Lyme, admitted one charge relating to unrest in Stoke-on-Trent on 3 August.

Judge Sally Hancox said it was "almost inevitable" Hodgekinson would be facing a custodial sentence.