Not 'a racist bone in his body' - family of rioter

Liam Gray was arrested by officers at the scene of the riot in Manvers, Rotherham

The family of a man who took part in major public disorder outside a hotel in Rotherham claim there is not "a racist bone in his body”.

Liam Gray was filmed aggressively pushing against a line of officers who were trying to disperse the 400-strong crowd at the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers on 4 August.

The hotel is believed to have housed 200 asylum seekers at the time.

Gray, 20, is one of four men jailed at Sheffield Crown Court earlier for their involvement in the disorder.

The major public disorder saw windows smashed, fires set and missiles, including bricks and fence posts, hurled at police and the hotel.

A total of 58 officers, three police dogs and a police horse were left injured.

The court heard it took three to four officers to later arrest Gray, a manufacturing engineer from Mexborough.

Ed Moss, defending, said his client’s family was shocked when they learned of his involvement in the riot, adding: “Despite what it appears to everybody else, [they say] there isn’t a racist bone in his body.”

Asked why Gray attended the scene if that was the case, Mr Moss said that was “the imponderable question”.

Gray, of Randerson Drive, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and was sentenced to three years in a young offender institution.

He was also made subject of a criminal behaviour order for 10 years.

Alfie Conway was detained for his role in the riot outside the hotel

Apprentice bricklayer Alfie Conway, 19, was one of the people captured throwing bricks and other missiles at officers.

Conway had travelled to the area with a friend and was seen “laughing and joking” at the scene.

It was only when an officer, who happened to know him, shouted that he would be going to prison, that Conway “withdrew”.

Conway, of Park Avenue, Pontefract, was eventually arrested and pleaded guilty to violent disorder on Tuesday.

He was sentenced to two years and three months detention in a young offender institution and made the subject of a criminal behaviour order for 10 years.

The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, was told Conway had no previous convictions and had "defied the odds" despite a "troubled history".

David Chadwick, 36, was jailed at Sheffield Crown Court

David Chadwick, 36, was also filmed throwing a missile at officers, namely a piece of wood.

On two occasions, the father-of-one also poured the contents of a can over a police officer who was attempting to drive a police dog van to safety.

The van was later violently rocked from side to side, causing the two officers inside the vehicle to “fear for their lives”.

The court heard Chadwick had previous convictions including Section 20 wounding, affray, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and battery.

In a letter to the court, Chadwick said he was “sorry” for his involvement in the riot, adding: “I have let myself down, I have let my family and friends down and I have let my whole community down.”

Chadwick, of Furlong Road, Goldthorpe, Barnsley, had previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder and was sentenced to two years and eight months imprisonment on Tuesday.

He was also made subject of a criminal behaviour order for 10 years.

Judge Richardson told the defendant he was “a dreadful example” to his young son.

Lee Crisp was jailed for three years and four months at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday

Factory worker Lee Crisp also appeared in court for “actively encouraging" rioters, threatening violence and cheering as missiles were hurled at police.

The 42-year-old told officers they should be “ashamed of themselves”, shouted “let’s go toe to toe” and made racist comments.

Crisp, of Mount Road, Grimethorpe, who had previous convictions for dishonesty and drug offences, pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

He was sentenced to three years and four months imprisonment and was made subject of a criminal behaviour order for 10 years.

During his first appearance at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court, Crisp had claimed he accidentally got caught up in the riot when taking his mother for Sunday lunch.

Jake Turton, 38, also appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday, accused of being the “quartermaster” during the riot.

Stephanie Hollis, prosecuting, said it was the crown’s case that Mr Turton was providing supplies for rioters, having driven to the scene with wood in the back of his vehicle.

Mr Turton of Darfield, Barnsley, who was charged with violent disorder, did not enter a plea during the hearing.

His case will next be considered by the court in October.

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