A man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for his involvement in a disturbing incident during the UK’s summer of riots, where he attempted to set fire to a hotel housing asylum seekers. Levi Fishlock, 31, of Sheffield Road, Barnsley, was found guilty of violent disorder and arson with intent to endanger life after he smashed windows and stoked a flaming bin at the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, on 4 August.
The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, described Fishlock’s actions as “one of the worst cases of its kind stemming from the Rotherham disorder” during the sentencing. Fishlock initially denied the charges but later pleaded guilty. He will serve a nine-year jail term, with an additional five-year licence period following his release.
Fishlock’s sentencing matches that of Thomas Birley, another individual involved in the incident where a 400-strong crowd, some attempting to set fire to the hotel, caused chaos in South Yorkshire. Fishlock, clad in a distinctive purple T-shirt, was identified as one of the perpetrators who threw bricks and paving slabs to smash the hotel’s windows. He also used fencing slats and metal poles as weapons against officers and was seen damaging property outside the hotel.
Despite about 200 asylum seekers and hotel staff being trapped inside the besieged building, Fishlock showed no regard for their safety. He justified his actions to arresting officers as being for a “good cause,” a claim that was refuted by the prosecution during the court hearing.
Fishlock’s past involvement in violent disorder and assault offenses was also brought up during the sentencing. While he had no previous convictions, he had been reprimanded in 2007 for violent disorder and cautioned in 2010 for assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Judge Richardson condemned Fishlock’s participation in the “racist mob violence” that unfolded during the riots, emphasizing the spread of a “hateful message of violence and racism” by him and others present at the scene.
The court heard how Fishlock brandished a “sharp-edged object” and made threatening gestures toward those inside the hotel, while also setting fire to makeshift barricades. His deliberate actions, coupled with his defiance towards authority, painted a grim picture of his involvement in the disturbing incident.
The sentencing serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of engaging in violent and destructive behavior, especially when fueled by hate and prejudice. As Fishlock begins his lengthy prison term, the community reflects on the events of that fateful day in August, hoping for healing and unity to prevail over the “venom of racism” that tainted their town.
The case of Levi Fishlock stands as a cautionary tale, illustrating the devastating impact of unchecked violence and intolerance in society. As the judicial system delivers justice, the hope remains that such acts of hatred will be met with swift condemnation and that communities will come together to reject the divisive forces that seek to tear them apart.
