Man Sentenced 9-Years for Stoking Fire at Asylum Seeker Hotel

Thomas Birley, a 27-year-old painter and decorator from Rotherham, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for his involvement in a violent riot outside a hotel housing asylum seekers. This marks the longest sentence handed down in connection to the riots following the tragic stabbing of three girls in Southport on July 29, 2024.

On August 4, 2024, Birley participated in the violent unrest outside the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, where more than 200 asylum seekers were staying. He was caught adding wood to a fire in an industrial bin that had been pushed against an emergency exit, throwing objects at police officers, and wielding a police baton. His actions were part of a chaotic scene that resulted in 64 police officers and several others being injured.

During the riot, hotel staff and asylum seekers barricaded themselves in a panic room as smoke filled the building. Judge Jeremy Richardson called Birley’s case “unquestionably” one of the most serious among those linked to the unrest, emphasizing that the violence was motivated by racism and aimed at inciting mob rule.

Birley pleaded guilty to arson with intent to endanger life, violent disorder, and possession of an offensive weapon. Alongside his nine-year prison sentence, he will serve five years on license after his release. Judge Richardson noted that he had considered a life sentence due to the severity of Birley’s actions and the threat he poses to public safety.

A pre-sentencing report raised concerns about Birley’s potential links to a white supremacist ideology and his history of racially aggravated harassment. The judge stressed the need for a significant sentence to deter similar conduct in the future.

The riots across the UK were sparked by false online rumors that the suspect in the Southport stabbings was an asylum seeker, leading to a wave of far-right violence. Over 400 individuals have faced charges related to the unrest, including those involved in looting and racially motivated attacks.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis welcomed the sentence, stating that it sends a clear message about the seriousness of the crimes committed during the riots and the government’s resolve to address such behavior.