Men guilty of riot arson 'should be ashamed'

Heeley (left) and Lowe (right) both admitted violent disorder and arson with intent to endanger life

Two men who admitted arson with intent to endanger life at a Rotherham hotel housing 200 asylum seekers have appeared in court.

Mason Lowe, 28, and Morgan Heeley, 26, who also admitted violent disorder at the Holiday Inn Express at Manvers on 4 August, should be "ashamed", Judge Jeremy Richardson said at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday.

Heeley, of Margaret Road, Barnsley, threw a fire extinguisher at police, hit an officer over the head with a plank and tried to light curtains on fire.

Lowe, of Lowfield Road, Barnsley, held up chipboard against the fire door of the hotel to stop people inside from putting out a nearby bin fire, kicked out at officers and attempted to grab a riot shield.

Lowe's partner, who was heavily pregnant at the time of the incident and now has a baby and a young child, was "going to be a victim as well as everybody else" as a result of his actions during the disorder, Judge Richardson said.

Heeley, who also has two children, was captured on video pushing over a female police officer, opening the door of a moving police van and throwing items including wood and a rock at officers.

He also kicked and broke the fire door, which later had the alight bin placed next to it.

Footage played in the courtroom showed him placing an item in the bin, which the judge said appeared to be "smouldering or alight".

'Dreadful example'

Ms Rebecca Tanner, defending Lowe, said he had one previous conviction for driving offences and was involved in blocking the fire exit for only about 10 seconds.

Heeley, who had previous convictions including wounding and affray, "struggled academically" and may have been "looking for kudos" at the riots, said Mr Ian West, defending.

He added that lack of maturity was a factor with the 26-year-old, whose youngest child is aged two.

"He has sabotaged not only his own life, but he has materially affected the life of that child," Judge Richardson said.

He added both men had set a "dreadful example" to their children and he hoped they were both "ashamed".

Lowe and Heeley will both be sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday.

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