Brothers Jailed Three Years Over Rotherham Asylum Hotel Riot

Two brothers, Scott and Jason McGuire, were each sentenced to three years in prison for their leading roles in a violent riot outside the Holiday Inn Express hotel near Rotherham, which housed over 200 asylum seekers and 22 staff. The disorder occurred on August 4, 2024, and involved the mob attacking police officers with missiles, setting fires, and breaching the hotel, leaving 64 officers injured along with police horses and a dog. The riot was sparked by community tensions following a deadly knife attack in Southport and lasted around 12 hours, during which the McGuire brothers were seen dismantling barriers, throwing objects at police, and fueling the violence. Two other men, Keethan Reeve-Lawson and Daniel Kazemi, were also jailed for their involvement, receiving 22-month sentences. Judge Jeremy Richardson KC condemned the racially motivated violence and praised the police officers for their restraint and bravery during the chaos. This sentencing added to the overall count of 104 people convicted for involvement in the Rotherham disturbances.