First man convicted over rioting outside Rotherham's Holiday Inn Express
A self-employed builder has become the first person to be convicted over rioting in Rotherham at the weekend.
Joshua Simpson, 25, admitted assaulting a police officer during the disturbance at a hotel housing asylum seekers.
Sheffield Magistrates Court heard how Simpson, 25, was abusive to police, who were attempting to manage hundreds of people at the Holiday Inn Express.
He kicked a riot shield, forcing it back on to an officer’s leg.
A deputy district judge was told the incident happened as those involved in Sunday’s disorder were dispersing and Simpson, of no fixed abode, turned up by himself in the evening after seeing the incident unfold on a video as he was helping a friend in Worksop, Nottinghamshire.
The defendant admitted one count of assault of an emergency worker.
He was remanded in custody by deputy district judge Simon Blakebrough, who asked for a pre-sentence report to be prepared before he is sentenced on August 27.
The judge said he could not rule out sending Simpson, who said he is currently homeless, to prison.
Simpson was one of six people in court on Tuesday over the trouble, during which 12 officers were injured, hotel windows were smashed and a bin was pushed against the wall and set alight.
Another accused, Christopher Rodgers, 38, of Millmoor Road, Barnsley, denied one count of violent disorder.
The court heard how he is accused of being part of a group that were throwing missiles at police outside the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham on Sunday.
The group then allegedly blocked the way as a line of officers moved forward.
Rodgers was bitten by a police dog before he was arrested, the court heard.
Rodgers, appearing in the glass-fronted dock wearing a grey T-shirt, said "what a laugh" as he left court.
He was remanded in custody by Deputy District Judge Simon Blakebrough and will appear at Sheffield Crown Court on 20 August.
Liam Grey, 20, will appear at the crown court on the same day after denying violent disorder.
Grey, of Randerson Drive, Kilnhurst, Mexborough, South Yorkshire, is alleged to have tried to take a riot shield from an officer as he pushed against the police line.
The court heard officers also feared he was attempting to bite them.
A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named, also appeared at Sheffield Magistrates Court accused of violent disorder.
A deputy district judge heard how he is accused of brandishing a piece of wood and making threats to the people in the hotel.
The teenager was given conditional bail to appear before Sheffield Youth Court on Wednesday. He was not asked to enter a plea.
Another 17-year-old boy also charged with violent disorder has yet to appear in court.
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