Grandpa dies in prison two months after being jailed for rioting | UK | News

A grandfather jailed for violent disorder and abuse of police during one of Britain’s summer riots has died in prison.

Peter Lynch, 61, died on Saturday evening, October 19.

He served his sentence at HMP Moorland near Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

His death in prison will now be investigated by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “HMP Moorland prisoner Peter Lynch died on October 19, 2024. As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.”

Lynch, who had recently suffered a heart attack, was sentenced to two years and eight months on August 22.

The man, who had taken part in one of the riots held across Britain following the Southport stabbings, had pleaded guilty to violent disorder at a hearing at Sheffield Crown Court.

Lynch, a grandfather who was described as a ‘family man’ by his lawyer at the hearing in August, left for the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, on August 4, the court heard.

He carried a sign, which was not considered illegal, calling police officers, MPs and the media “corrupt”.

The man, who was described as a conspiracy theorist during his court hearing, shouted ‘racist and provocative comments’ at police officers, Judge Jeremy Richardson KC, the Recorder of Sheffield, told the court during his sentencing.

The 61-year-old man also called asylum seekers housed in a hotel “child murderers.”

The Recorder also said Lynch, of Burman Road, Wath-upon-Dearne, was a “full participant” in the disorder.