Hotel riot inmate found dead in prison two months after jailing

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 06:31 · Archive

Peter Lynch, 61, was found dead in HMP Moorland two months after being sentenced to two years and eight months for participating in disorder outside an asylum seeker hotel.

Peter Lynch, 61, was found hanged in his cell at HMP Moorland in South Yorkshire on 19 October 2024. He had been serving a sentence of two years and eight months for violent disorder following rioting outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham in August 2024.

A report by the Prisons Ombudsman noted that Lynch had been upset and frustrated about his sentence. On 24 September, a mental health nurse completed a triage assessment and noted that Lynch was tearful because he was frustrated about being in prison and felt a strong sense of injustice related to his offence. It was Lynch's first time in prison. The report noted that he felt well supported by his family and was able to spend time with his son, who was also at Moorland.

The Ombudsman's investigation found that staff could not have foreseen his actions. The report stated there was little to indicate that Lynch was in crisis or at heightened risk of suicide.

How it is being reported

• Rioter who took his own life in jail 'was frustrated about sentence and felt strong sense of injustice'A 61-year-old man who killed himself after being jailed for his part in disorder outside an asylumseeker hotel felt a “strong sense of injustice”, a Prisons Ombudsman’s report said.Yorkshire Post · 18 Oct, 15:10
• 'Tearful' hotel riot inmate who took his own life had been 'upset and frustrated at injustice'Peter Lynch was feeling upset after being jailed for two years and eight monthsHuddersfield Examiner · 18 Oct, 04:00

In this story: Peter Lynch · HMP Moorland · Holiday Inn Express · Manvers · Rotherham · South Yorkshire · Prisons Ombudsman

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