Man jailed for threatening to riot at asylum hotel

Robert Shortman was found guilty of the offence following a trial at Peterborough Crown Court

A plumber who threatened to take rioters to a hotel housing asylum seekers has been jailed for five months.

Robert Shortman, 49, called a hotel in Cambridge and said: "I hear you've got immigrants... You can see what's happening with the riots, we're going to come."

It came during widespread disorder across the country in August after the deaths of three girls in Southport.

Shortman, of Stephenson Road, Longstanton, was sentenced at Peterborough Crown Court after being convicted of sending a communication threatening death or serious harm.

'Grossly irresponsible'

The defendant pleaded guilty to sending an electronic communication with intent to cause distress or anxiety at an earlier hearing.

Judge Mark Bishop said Shortman had watched "highly filtered" videos on YouTube about the national disorder.

He stressed the call Shortman made to the hotel on 4 August was "grossly irresponsible".

"In future, don't listen to narrowly filtered opinions so you can understand where the truth lies," the judge said.

Stood in the dock, Shortman nodded his head in agreement.

The defendant was "remorseful" for his actions, the court heard.

Judge Bishop imposed a criminal behaviour order, preventing Shortman from contacting or attending the hotel for five years.