Former Army peacekeeper jailed over hotel riot

Peter Beard had previously toured Kosovo and Northern Ireland in military peacekeeping roles

A former Army peacekeeper has been jailed for attacking police at a riot in Rotherham.

Peter Beard, 43, of Becknoll Road, Brampton Bierlow, was told by the judge he had "wrecked his life" after being filmed attacking officers at the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers on 4 August.

Beard had previously toured Kosovo and Northern Ireland in peacekeeping roles, the court heard on Wednesday.

He was given a custodial sentence of two years and six months and the Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, told him: "I truly find this case to be one of the most astonishing, given your background to being on the receiving end of this sort of thing."

The father-of-three pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder following trouble outside the hotel, which housed asylum seekers.

Sheffield Crown Court was played video footage that showed Beard pushing back at officers as bottles and chairs were thrown behind him.

Beard appeared via video link from prison and the court was told he had served in the armed forces from 1998 until 2003 and was stationed in Germany.

His defence barrister said he "knows very well how [police] felt on the other side of that shield."

He had shown remorse and had been "extremely apologetic", the counsel added, but the judge said his actions had brought "shame" on both the defendant and his family.

Grandfather in court

Michael Bailey handed himself into police after taking part in the disorder

Also in the dock at Sheffield Crown Court on 21 August was grandfather Michael Bailey, who told police at the Holiday Inn disturbance that the hotel was "getting burned down".

The 50-year-old, from Hawthorne Drive, Bolton-upon-Dearne, Rotherham, lay down in front of a police van and prevented it from moving outside the hotel.

He then stood up and hit the wing mirror, damaging it, video played to the court showed.

He pleaded guilty to violent disorder and criminal damage and was jailed for two years and four months.

Jordan Teal was pictured at the scene wearing a balaclava and shorts

Among the other men to appear in the same court session was Jordan Teal, of Railway Terrace, Goldthorpe, Barnsley.

He had previously pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder in relation to the same incident at the hotel.

The court heard he had been wearing a balaclava and shouted at police that they were "protecting paedophiles", the prosecution said.

He was filmed ripping off fence panels which were subsequently used as weapons.

Teal was jailed for two years and eight months.

Lewis Lynch pleaded guilty to violent disorder

Married machine operator Lewis Lynch, 30, of Burman Road, Wath-Upon-Dearne, appeared via video link.

He had previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder and was filmed by officers kicking out towards a police line.

His wife had been left feeling "disgusted" by what he did, the court was told.

Recorder Richardson said: "It was an afternoon of the most terrible public disorder of which you participated and played a prominent role.

"You are the architect of this calamity," he added.

He was jailed for two years and eight months.

Lewis Merritt admitted assaulting an emergency worker and violent disorder

Another rioter who appeared via video link from prison was Lewis Merritt, of Victoria Road, Balby, Doncaster.

He received a sentence of two years and eight months for violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker by beating.

Change of plea

Morgan Hardy changed his plea at the end of his first appearance at the Crown Court

Morgan Hardy, 29, of Melton High Street, also appeared before the Recorder on Wednesday and at first pleaded not guilty to violent disorder.

Prosecutors alleged he was at the front of a line of police officers who were pelted with pieces of a broken fence, as well as stones and chairs taken from inside the hotel.

At the end of the hearing when he was told he would be remanded into custody, Hardy had a change of heart and shouted from the dock: “Your honour, I’d like to confess I’m guilty.”

He was brought back into the court in the afternoon and a guilty plea was accepted.

A sentencing hearing was set for 28 August.

Thomas Birley's sentencing is set to take place next month

And a rioter whose case was described by the judge as the "most serious" he had dealt with since the Manvers disorder was remanded in custody.

Thomas Birley, 27, of Rowms Lane, Swinton, admitted violent disorder, possessing an offensive weapon and arson with intent to endanger life.

The court heard he was said to have placed wood onto a bin that was already on fire next to the hotel.

He was alleged to have taken part in the violence and used a police baton as a weapon.

The judge adjourned his sentencing until 6 September.

Richard Harrison, 37, of Burman Road, Rotherham, pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder and will be sentenced on 10 September.

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