Hotel rioter jailed after 'spreading hate'

Craden McKenzie was handed a three-year sentence at Sheffield Crown Court

A man who stormed a hotel used to house asylum seekers and was part of a crowd chanting “burn it down” has been jailed for three years.

Craden McKenzie was one of about 400 people who gathered outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, on 4 August.

Sheffield Crown Court heard the 26-year-old unemployed labourer, who admitted violent disorder at a previous hearing, was a "central participant in the most serious aspects" of the rioting.

At his sentencing hearing, McKenzie, of Doncaster Road, Darfield, was told he “richly deserved” the punishment imposed.

South Yorkshire Police said 64 officers, three police horses and a police dog were injured during the rioting.

Footage played in court showed missiles being thrown at police officers and at the building, with a group of men including McKenzie seen breaking into a side exit.

McKenzie walked around the hotel lobby "almost as if [he] owned the place" while staff were in hiding, the court heard.

He was also pictured in a crowd which attacked riot police with fire extinguishers and other items outside, with the group heard chanting "burn it down".

Stephanie Hollis, prosecuting, said McKenzie told officers he went to the hotel to "peacefully protest" and blamed the disorder on a "miscommunication between protesters and police".

The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, rejected McKenzie's explanation as "arrant nonsense", adding: "It is clear the group of which you were a part of was desirous of provoking police officers, damaging the hotel and seeking out the occupants of hotel.

"Thereby you were spreading hate."

Hotel staff members were forced to take refuge after rioters entered the building

Judge Richardson accepted McKenzie was not filmed throwing missiles, but said being at the front and actively encouraging others placed him in "the same league".

He told the defendant: "You were involved as a central participant in the most serious aspects of the violent disorder which occurred on that day."

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

Passing sentence, Judge Richardson said: “For a man with no previous convictions, going to prison for three years is a very serious matter.

“I’m afraid you richly deserve it."

He continued: "Anyone who involves themselves in this form of public disorder must be punished, and punished severely.”

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