A grandfather who was jailed for his involvement in violent disorder outside an asylum seeker hotel died by suicide in his prison cell while awaiting adjudication for alleged racist comments, an inquest jury has concluded.
Peter Lynch was found dead at HMP Moorland, near Doncaster, on 19 October 2024, two months after being sentenced to two years and eight months.
The 61-year-old was among more than 100 individuals imprisoned following the chaotic scenes outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, Rotherham, in August 2024.
A judge had heard how Lynch was at the forefront of a mob that shouted "scum" and "child killers" at riot police.
The two-and-a-half-week inquest heard that Lynch had been reported for alleged racist comments just two days before his death.
Senior Doncaster coroner Nicola Mundy recounted how officers said that Lynch, during a random drug test on 17 October, expressed views on immigration and asylum seekers, saying "they’re all rapists and paedophiles and should not be allowed in the country".
Officers reported asking him to stop, finding the comments "disrespectful, abusive and racist", but he persisted, though he himself "did not agree with the officers’ assessment".
On Wednesday, the inquest jury returned a conclusion of suicide, directed by the coroner.
Their formal conclusion stated: "The information provided verbally to Mr Lynch prior to the adjudication papers being served, regarding the adjudication process, was sufficient. Following the adjudication papers being served, and Mr Lynch’s own belief that he was defenceless, could not protect his family, the children or the people, led Mr Lynch to take the action that he did."
CCTV footage showed Mr Lynch "going about his business" on 18 October before entering his cell at 4.29pm.
Later that evening, a prison staff member delivered the adjudication papers through a crack in his door, informing him he was due to see the governor the following morning. He was found dead in his cell at 6.29am on 19 October after an officer raised the alarm at roll-call.
Mr Lynch had been arrested on 4 August 2024, after being photographed holding a placard alleging corruption among MPs, judges, media, and police.
He was filmed repeatedly challenging riot police, screaming "protect my children" and "we are on the streets now to protect our kids."
Judge Jeremy Richardson KC told him at sentencing: "You did not yourself attack any police officer, as far as can be detected, but what you did was encourage by your conduct others to behave violently and you were part of this mob."
The violence at the Holiday Inn resulted in injuries to 64 police officers, four dogs, and a horse, part of a series of incidents following the murder of three young girls in Southport.
The inquest at Doncaster Coroner’s Court heard that despite Mr Lynch’s son, Lewis – also imprisoned for his role in the Manvers disorder – reporting an inmate’s claims of his father’s past suicide attempts, no mental health concerns were raised by officers or staff at HMP Moorland, HMP Doncaster, or a Sheffield police station.
Coroner Mundy expressed concerns over two aspects of the case, which the prison has since addressed.
These included the amount of information provided to prisoners about adjudication before lockdown, now improved with follow-up engagement and assessment, and the time taken to open Mr Lynch’s cell due to staff confusion over emergency procedures.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
