Rioter jailed for attacking police at asylum hotel

A man who attacked police officers during violent disorder outside a hotel being used to house asylum seekers has been jailed.

Darren Ward, 55, was filmed "aggressively pushing officers and displaying threatening behaviour" at the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, on 4 August 2024.

Three months after the disorder he handed himself in at Barnsley police station, after he was pictured in an appeal showing "perpetrators of the violence", South Yorkshire Police said.

At Sheffield Crown Court on Monday Ward, of Norville Crescent, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and was jailed for 20 months.

Ward did not provide an explanation for his conduct during police interviews.

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