A MAN has been jailed for nine years for his role in an arson attack at a hotel housing asylum seekers, marking the longest sentence linked to a series of anti-immigration riots in the UK.
Thomas Birley, 27, was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court after pleading guilty to arson with intent to endanger life.
The incident took place on 4 August at a hotel near Rotherham, northern England.
Prosecutor Elisha Kay said Birley had added wood to an already burning industrial bin placed against a fire door of the hotel while staff and guests were sheltering inside.
Hotel staff barricaded themselves in a panic room, fearing for their lives. "They thought they were going to burn to death," Kay added.
Birley was also convicted of violent disorder and possessing an offensive weapon.
Judge Jeremy Richardson, who delivered the sentence, described Birley's actions as "suffused with racism from beginning to end." He noted that Birley had been encouraged to participate in the violence by "malicious and ignorant posts" on social media.
The hotel was targeted by around 400 people during days of unrest, which included violence, arson, looting, and racist attacks, following the killing of three young girls in Southport on 29 July.
An Islamist migrant was falsely blamed for the murders due to misinformation spread online, though a suspect born in Cardiff has since been charged with the killings.
Birley's sentencing follows a series of arrests and prosecutions related to the riots. More than 1,300 arrests have been made, and over 200 people have been jailed, with Birley's nine-year sentence being the harshest so far.
Prior to this, the longest sentence handed out in connection with the riots had been six years.
Birley's involvement in the violence was further highlighted by his actions of throwing missiles at police officers and confronting them while wielding a police baton.
The unrest led to injuries to 64 police officers, three horses, and a dog.
(With inputs from agencies)
Emma Raducanu during a practice session REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)