Jail for beer-throwing rioter outside asylum hotel

A man who threw beer cans from a crate at police during a riot in August has been jailed for two and-a-half years.

Tommy McQuaker, 29, of Amington, Tamworth, had previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

He was seen on CCTV, dressed in a hoodie and balaclava, as a mob attacked police outside the Holiday Inn, which housed about 100 asylum seekers in the town.

The protest was sparked by the murder of three young girls in Southport and subsequent misinformation that the attacker had been an asylum seeker.

Rajbir Punia, for the prosecution, told Stafford Crown Court that McQuaker was bitten and brought to the ground by a police dog after he did not respond when asked to move back.

She said he was among a group of people who surged towards the officer and his dog, who were on their own, protecting the side of the hotel.

More than 300 people were involved in the violence.

Christopher Gorman KC, for the defence, said McQuaker, who has no previous convictions, bitterly regretted his "reprehensible and shocking behaviour".

His 15-year-old niece, who is currently being treated for cancer, wrote a letter to the judge highlighting their "close relationship", stating that before his arrest he had taken her to all of her hospital appointments.

Judge Jonathan Gosling accepted McQuaker was not one of the "ringleaders" and said he could see that he was a "decent, loving and caring family man".

He added his involvement was "truly out of character" and had had "terrible consequences" for his family.

McQuaker had already served three and-a-half months on remand and was told by the judge that he would have to serve at least half his sentence.

Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.