'Easily led' rioter detained over hotel disorder

Rory Huggins was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday

A man who was part of a violent mob that attacked police officers guarding a hotel housing asylum seekers has been sentenced.

Rory Huggins, 20, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after he was filmed throwing a water bottle at officers outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, during rioting on 4 August.

Sheffield Crown Court heard on Tuesday how Huggins, of Haythorne Way, in Swinton, Rotherham, had learning difficulties and was described as having the mental age of a 10-year-old.

Sentencing him to 12 months detention in a young offender institution, Judge Sarah Wright told the defendant he was "to some extent a very vulnerable young man" who was "easily led and clearly exploited by others".

"Although I don't sentence you as a 10-year-old, as you are in fact an adult, I take into account your reduced levels of functioning," Judge Wright said.

"Whatever your own involvement, you were part of a violent group attacking the police."

Huggins is one of more than 80 people who have been sentenced in relation to the disorder in Rotherham.

During the unrest, rioters smashed windows and doors, set fires around the building and attacked police with weapons, including fence panels and metal poles.

More than 60 officers were injured, and the hotel and surrounding area sustained immense damage, Sheffield Crown Court heard previously.

Footage played in court on Tuesday, showed Huggins as part of a group being aggressive towards police and throwing a water bottle at the police line.

Judge Wright was told the bottle subsequently hit an officer's shield, but no injuries were sustained as a result.

Passing sentence, Judge Wright said she accepted Huggins' involvement had been "limited" and that in light of his personal circumstances, his culpability had been reduced "substantially".

Huggins, who appeared via video link from HMP Doncaster, had no previous convictions.

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