Rioter whose mum saw him on TV news is jailed

Ashley Williams was jailed at Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday

A rioter who was part of a mob that stormed a hotel and hurled a fire extinguisher at police has been jailed.

Ashley Williams, 21, was filmed entering the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, on 4 August through a damaged fire exit.

Sheffield Crown Court heard earlier that the "neurodivergent" bricklayer then threw both a chair and the fire extinguisher at officers.

Williams, of Lowfield Walk, Denaby Main, was jailed for two years and six months on Wednesday.

Stable and loving home

He was among more than 50 people who have so far been sentenced or detained for their involvement in the disorder in Manvers.

A group of up to 400 people gathered outside the hotel, which was home to 200 asylum seekers at the time. Fires were started, windows smashed and missiles thrown.

Stephanie Hollis, prosecuting, said more than 60 officers were injured, according to figures from South Yorkshire Police.

Ms Hollis said the defendant was seen wearing distinctive neon green shorts and a t-shirt as he walked through the hotel's reception area.

The court heard Williams' mother saw his face appear on Sky News footage of the riot and urged him to hand himself in.

Richard Burley, defending, said Williams was "genuinely remorseful" and had initially attended the scene "just to look".

"He is adamant it was no issue of racist intent," Mr Burley said.

The court heard Williams came from "a good, stable, loving home" and had been diagnosed with ADHD and autism.

Mr Burley said his client, who had no previous convictions, knew he must be punished and was not "hiding behind his neurodivergence".

Judge Sarah Wright accepted Williams struggled with "consequential thinking" and that his offending had been "out of character".

Sentencing him to two years and six months, she told him: "You joined in hurling abuse at officers, you threw a fire extinguisher at officers.

"You later hurled a chair violently towards them.

"Your behaviour was violent and persistent."

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