Ex-soldier used dog as weapon in asylum hotel riot

Christian Hemus took his dog to the riot in Manvers on 4 August

An ex-serviceman "weaponised" his dog during major unrest outside a Rotherham hotel, a court has heard.

Christian Hemus took his "ordinarily docile" pet to the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers on 4 August and used it to intimidate police officers.

The 35-year-old, who previously served in the Army, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and production of cannabis at an earlier hearing.

Hemus, of Clarney Place, Barnsley, was jailed for three years at Sheffield Crown Court and made the subject of a criminal behaviour order for 10 years.

The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, told the defendant his decision to bring his pet to the riot had been "an act of animal cruelty".

"You not only terrified police officers and others you must have terrified the animal too," he said.

"You used that innocent creature as a tool of violence and threatening behaviour."

Three other men were also sentenced by Judge Sarah Wright at the same court on Thursday for their roles in the disorder.

Joshua Lane was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on Thursday

Joshua Lane was filmed throwing masonry, wood and rocks at police officers guarding the hotel, which was temporarily home to about 200 asylum seekers.

The 27-year-old was also recorded picking up a metal barrier with others and pushing it against the police line.

The court heard the defendant had been in breach of a 15-month suspended sentence for stalking, battery and criminal damage at the time.

Lane, of Park Road, Brierley, was sentenced to two years and eight months in jail for violent disorder and given a consecutive sentence of 10 months for breaching his suspended sentence.

Michael Shaw was filmed kicking out at police officers during the riot in Manvers on 4 August

Michael Shaw, 26, was jailed for two years and six months.

Shaw, of Pagnell Avenue, Thurnscoe was filmed being pushed to the ground by officers after being obstructive, and kicked out at them in retaliation.

The defendant, who previously served in the armed forces, was later seen next to a bin that had been on fire.

Passing sentence, Judge Wright told him it was the actions of the mob overall that had made the offending so serious.

Ricky Cotton told the court he was worried about the impact his incarceration will have on his grandfather

Ricky Cotton, of Broadwater, Bolton-upon-Dearne, "stupidly" got drawn into a period of violence, Judge Wright told the court.

The 32-year-old threw two items, believed to be a vape and an empty beer can, towards a line of police as a "violent mob" challenged them.

His defence barrister claimed he did not throw the items with "any force, any venom".

Cotton, who was a carer, was concerned his terminally-ill grandfather would die while he was in prison.

Sentencing him to two years and four months, Judge Wright told him: "Your grandfather will suffer because of your actions."

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