A British man who helped start a deliberately caused fire at a hotel housing more than 200 asylum seekers was today sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court to nine years in prison, the longest prison sentence yet handed down to those who rampaged through trade union protests across England last month.
Painter and decorator Thomas Birley pleaded guilty during sentencing to a charge of setting a fire at the Holiday Inn Express hotel in Rotherham near Sheffield - with intent to endanger human life.
Judge Jeremy Richardson told Birley, 27, that his case was "without doubt" one of the most serious of dozens that came before Sheffield Crown Court last month in connection with the rampage by far-right anti-migrant protesters outside the hotel which was then set on fire.
Richardson said that a longer prison sentence is necessary because Birli is a danger to public order and peace. After Birli is released from prison, he will be under supervision for another five years, so if he commits a crime - he can be sent back to prison.
The judge said he was particularly concerned by aspects of the report that Birley's interests were in "territory bordering, if not entering, the realm of white racist thinking".
Birli has already been convicted, among other things, of racist abuse.
He pleaded guilty to arson with intent to endanger human life, violent behavior and possession of an offensive weapon.
The judge also assessed that the attack on the hotel was closely related to racism.
The court heard from testimony that the masked Birli was involved in many of the worst incidents of the day, including adding branches to a fire in a bucket that was set alight and propped up against the hotel entrance.
Moreover, he helped place another burning bucket on top of that first one.
He threw missiles and buckets at the policemen, and tried to cut off their way.
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