(Image: (Image: South Yorkshire Police ))
Man dies in prison two months after being jailed for taking part in UK riots
by Benjamin Blosse, Alice Scarsi · Manchester Evening NewsA grandfather who was imprisoned for his role in violent disorder and for verbally abusing police during one of this summer's UK riots has passed away while in custody. Peter Lynch, aged 61, died on the evening of October 19.
He was serving a sentence at HMP Moorland, near Doncaster in South Yorkshire. The circumstances of his death are set to be examined by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.
A spokesperson for the prison service confirmed: "HMP Moorland prisoner Peter Lynch died on Oct 19 2024. As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate."
Lynch, who had recently suffered a heart attack, received a two-year and eight-month sentence on August 22. He had admitted to violent disorder at Sheffield Crown Court, following his participation in riots sparked by the Southport stabbings.
(Image: (Image: South Yorkshire Police ))
Described as a "family man" by his defence barrister, Lynch went to the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, on August 4, carrying a placard that labelled police officers, MPs, and the media as "corrupt", though the placard itself was not illegal, reports the Express.
During his sentencing, the Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, described Lynch as a conspiracy theorist and recounted how he had directed "racist and provocative remarks" at police officers. Additionally, Lynch had referred to asylum seekers staying in a hotel as "child killers".
The Recorder added that Lynch, a resident of Burman Road, Wath-upon-Dearne, had been a "full participant" in the disturbance.