Rioter who took own life in Doncaster jail 'frustrated about sentence'

A 61-year-old man who killed himself in a Doncaster prison after being jailed for his part in disorder outside an asylum seeker hotel felt a “strong sense of injustice”, a Prisons Ombudsman’s report said.

Peter Lynch was one of more than 100 people sent to prison after violent scenes outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham in August 2024.

The father-of-four, from Wath upon Dearne, was jailed for two years and eight months by a judge who heard how he was at the front of a mob shouting “scum” and “child killers” at riot police.

He was found hanged at HMP Moorland just two months into his sentence, on October 19.

An inquest jury in August found he died by suicide.

Mr Lynch, who had been transferred from HMP Doncaster on September 2, had not been in prison before and was “upset and frustrated” about his sentence.

He told the reception officer he had anxiety and difficulty sleeping, but denied any thoughts of suicide.

He shared a cell for the first three days with his son, who has also been convicted of violent disorder, before being moved to a single cell.

On September 24 a mental health nurse noted Mr Lynch was “tearful because he was frustrated about being in prison and said he felt a strong sense of injustice”.

On October 17 he was placed on report for using racist and inflammatory language about migrants.

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He was last seen alive by an officer who delivered a letter explaining that he would see the governor about the matter in the morning.

The report says it is possible that this was a trigger for his actions, but he didn’t share any concerns with staff.

It also says staff did not fully explore Mr Lynch’s anxiety and he “may have benefitted from additional targeted support from a designated keyworker”.

In a change of policy, in January 2025, the prison introduced a policy, which means all prisoners – not just those considered particularly vulnerable – get support from a keyworker throughout their stay.

Another issue was that Mr Lynch was unable to call his family from his cell for the first 23 days as his approved telephone numbers were not automatically transferred from Doncaster, which is a private jail.

The report said the delay would “undoubtedly” have caused him extra stress and upset.

New arrivals from Doncaster are now given a form to submit numbers for approval and can make a call from reception.

Prisons Ombudsman Adrian Usher said Mr Lynch felt well supported by his family.

There was little to indicate he was in crisis and staff could not have foreseen his actions.