Boy, 17, sentenced over hotel riot violence

Police officers were called in to protect the hotel in Manvers on 4 August

A teenager who was filmed throwing pieces of concrete and fence panels at police officers during a riot outside a hotel housing asylum seekers has been sentenced.

Sheffield Youth Court had previously heard that the boy and his friends had been "intrigued" and wanted to "have a nosy" at the scene after reading on social media about the disorder at the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, on 4 August.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named due to his age, pleaded guilty to violent disorder last month.

Handing him a 12-month referral order on Wednesday, district judge James Gould told him: "You were part of a hostile mob which caused destruction, chaos and terror."

The boy, who the court heard had no previous convictions and who was said to have undiagnosed learning difficulties, was also ordered to pay £20.

'Mindless violence'

Sheffield Youth Court previously heard that the youngster was seen breaking up a slab of concrete and pulling off fence panels from residential properties which he used as missiles.

There was no evidence any of the items made contact with police officers, the court was told.

Kevin Ripley, mitigating, told the sentencing hearing the boy had attended the riot "with an inquisitive mind rather than with a mind to cause trouble".

Mr Ripley said the boy was remorseful for his actions, adding: "It's been playing on his mind all this time: the effects it has had on him, his family and community."

Sentencing him, Judge Gould told the boy his actions had caused those at the scene of the disorder "to fear for their lives".

"You were a willing participant and you were observed to throw missiles on several occasions," he said.

"You played a full part in what took place. Your involvement was characterised by mindless violence."

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