Disqualified Driver Jailed for Racist Abuse During Rotherham Riot

A 38-year-old disqualified driver, Stuart Bolton, has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison for his involvement in a violent riot at a migrant hotel in Rotherham. Bolton drove over 50 miles from Barrow-upon-Humber to the Holiday Inn on August 4, where he verbally assaulted police officers amidst the chaos. Captured on audio, Bolton's aggressive remarks included threats to kill officers, and he later boasted about his actions at a petrol station, leading to his arrest. He pleaded guilty to violent disorder, driving while disqualified, and operating a vehicle without insurance. In a separate case, Lloyd, another participant in the Rotherham riots, was sentenced to three years for filming the attack on the hotel housing asylum seekers. The judge described the TikTok footage presented in court as "the worst" he had seen, highlighting the terrifying nature of the incident. Glyn Guest, 60, received a two-year and eight-month sentence for pulling a police officer to the ground during the unrest, which was characterized as "mindless thuggery." The recent riots, sparked by a tragic stabbing incident in Southport, have led to over 1,000 arrests nationwide, with 575 individuals charged. Judges have urged prosecutors to consider more severe charges, such as rioting, which carries a maximum sentence of ten years. The unrest has been described as racially motivated and has raised concerns about the influence of social media in inciting violence. Ricky Hardman, a haulage business owner, was also sentenced to two years and eight months for his role in the Rotherham riot, where he was seen brandishing a plank of wood. The judge condemned the "major civil disorder" as a product of societal malignancy, emphasizing the need for prioritizing such cases in the judicial system.