Hotel Rioter Sentenced to Six Years for Arson and Disorder

An individual involved in a riot, who ignited a generator during a mob’s siege of a hotel accommodating asylum seekers, has received a six-year prison sentence. Scott Greenwood was captured on film adding wood to the blaze during the disturbance at the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, close to Rotherham, on August 4, as was disclosed at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday. Judge Jeremy Richardson KC stated that Greenwood belonged to a group that ignited objects surrounding an inactive generator and hurled fencing from adjacent gardens onto it. Greenwood, aged 34, who admitted guilt to charges of violent disorder and arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered, represents the most recent of over 70 individuals incarcerated following the unrest at the hotel. Judge Richardson commented that the fire presented a significant hazard to law enforcement personnel and residents in the vicinity. Testimony in court indicated that Greenwood was subsequently observed leading a crowd that was jeering at a formation of riot police, and he also fueled a grass fire that had been started to generate a smoke hazard for the officers. The judge was informed that the defendant’s identification was straightforward due to him removing his shirt and tying it around his face, in addition to the conspicuous St George’s flag bucket hat he had on. Judge Richardson asserted that the hat contradicted the defendant’s assertions of lacking racist intent when participating in the hotel disturbance. He informed Greenwood, whose address is Tingle Bridge Lane in Hemingfield, South Yorkshire, that the hat “undoubtedly had racist connotations” and that Greenwood intended to engage in “racist mob violence.” “It’s a very sad state of affairs that that flag, and on occasions the Union flag, has been appropriated by racists such as you,” the judge remarked, further stating that “immigration is a legitimate matter for public and political debate.” The judge declared: “We live in a democratic country where public debate and freedom of expression are entirely acceptable.” “What took place in Rotherham that day had nothing whatsoever to do with legitimate public protest. “It was a desire to perpetrate mob rule,” he continued. Judge Richardson determined that Greenwood, who has a record of 44 prior court appearances encompassing 103 distinct offences, was “dangerous” and would consequently be given an extended sentence. He specified that this entailed a six-year incarceration period, succeeded by an extended three-year licence term. Judge Richardson informed Richardson: “You are a dangerous offender. “History could repeat itself.”