Grandad jailed for taking part in UK summer riots dies in prison

A grandfather jailed for his part in the summer riots has died in prison. Peter Lynch was caught on camera verbally abusing police officers outside a Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, south Yorkshire, which was housing asylum seekers.

The trouble took place on August 4 this year, a court previously heard. The 61-year-old was seen with a placard and protesting peacefully before becoming involved in two acts of criminality.

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Lynch was described as a "family man" who had been married since 1988 during a hearing, YorkshireLive reports. Recorder of Sheffield Judge Jeremy Richardson KC told him: "What a dreadful example you are as a grandfather.

"They will know about you no doubt from the newspapers and the media. It is accepted your placard was off-topic..."

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice confirmed Lynch died at HMP Moorland in Doncaster on October 19. They said: "HMP Moorland prisoner, Peter Lynch died on 19/10/2024. As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate."

Birmingham: A Child Poverty Emergency

Child poverty is soaring in Birmingham and without urgent change, will only get worse. Having worked with charities and community groups, BirminghamLive is campaigning for the following changes to start to turn the tide:

1. End the two-child benefit cap
2. Provide free school meals to every child in poverty
3. Create a city “aid bank” for baby and child essentials
4. Protect children’s and youth services
5. Create permanent, multi year Household Support Fund and give more Discretionary Housing grants
6. Set up child health and wellbeing hubs in our most deprived neighbourhoods
7. Appoint a Birmingham child poverty tsar
8. Provide free public travel for young people

You can see why in more detail here.

Read our full report Birmingham: A Child Poverty Emergency here.

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