Rioter Peter Lynch dies in prison after being jailed for two years over Manvers hotel violence

A grandfather, who was imprisoned for violent behavior and assaulting police officers during an anti-immigration protest this summer, has become the first person involved in the riot to pass away while incarcerated.

Peter Lynch, 61, who was labeled a conspiracy theorist during his court proceedings, is thought to have died by suicide on Saturday evening at HMP Moorland, located near Doncaster in South Yorkshire, as reported by sources within the prison service.

On August 22, Lynch was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison after admitting to charges of violent behavior during a court hearing at Sheffield Crown Court.

The court heard that on August 4, Lynch visited the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, carrying a sign that labeled police officers, MPs, and the media as “corrupt.”

During his sentencing, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, the Recorder of Sheffield, informed the court that Lynch directed "offensive and inflammatory comments" at the officers and referred to the asylum seekers staying at the hotel as "murderers of children."

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will now look into his death while in custody.

A representative from the prison service stated: "Peter Lynch, an inmate at HMP Moorland, passed away on October 19, 2024. In line with protocols for all inmate deaths, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation."

Lynch, a devoted family man who suffered a heart attack not long ago, attended a protest at the hotel to voice his opposition to immigration, according to his defense attorney during the hearing in August.

He believed in a broad conspiracy theory that targeted various people and all types of authority. His sign mentioned the “deep state” and the space organization Nasa. Footage presented in court showed Lynch intensifying the atmosphere prior to the outbreak of violence, according to the Recorder.

He was recorded referring to the police as "scum." While his protest and sign were legal, the Recorder noted that his verbal attacks on the officers during the "racist incident" went too far.

Lynch, who lives on Burman Road in Wath-upon-Dearne, was described by the court as being fully involved in the chaos. The judge remarked, “You were definitely trying to escalate the situation as much as possible.”

Lynch's sign claimed that police chiefs, journalists, public officials, judges, and the Environment Agency were all guilty of corruption.

Over 1,511 Arrests Made

Law enforcement has apprehended over 1,511 individuals in connection with the summer riots, and in collaboration with the Crown Prosecution Service, they have filed nearly 1,000 charges.

The arrests occurred during a crisis of overcrowded prisons, as facilities in England and Wales were nearly at full capacity during the August bank holiday weekend following the riots.

Shabana Mahmood, the Justice Secretary, has rolled out a new early release program that allows prisoners, including many who were convicted for rioting, to be released after serving only 40 percent of their sentences instead of the usual halfway mark.

The program does not cover offenses related to terrorism, sexual crimes, or particular types of domestic violence. Additionally, individuals who have received prison sentences of over four years for violent acts are also not included.

Lynch could have qualified since he received a prison sentence of less than four years for a violent crime.

Ian Acheson, who has previously served as a prison governor and worked as a government consultant, stated, “The loss of any life in custody is a heartbreaking event. While some deaths might be avoidable, not every situation can be prevented.”

"Nonetheless, the background of this perpetrator, justly imprisoned for his involvement in the riots, indicates to me that he should have at least been seen as a potential suicide risk."

"The inquiry that follows a deadly event in a prison should examine the situation in connection with his susceptibility and the level of care provided."