Inquest into rioter death to 'examine mental health'

An inquest into the death of a man jailed for his role in the Manvers riots will examine any "missed opportunities" to provide mental health support in prison.

Peter Lynch, 61, was serving a sentence of two years and eight months at HMP Moorland in Doncaster following the 2024 disorder at the Holiday Inn Express near Rotherham, which was being used to house asylum seekers at the time.

He died on 19 October 2024 as a result of hanging, Doncaster Coroner's Court previously heard.

Senior coroner Nicola Mundy held a pre-inquest review earlier which highlighted the scope of the full hearing, which will take place before a jury from 20 July.

She said the inquest would cover Lynch's initial arrest and detention by South Yorkshire Police, the days he spent at HMP Doncaster and then his time at HMP Moorland.

The coroner said this would include any assessments made of his mental health at any stage in the 10-week period between the point of his arrest outside the hotel and his death, as well as the support he was given.

In terms of his time at HMP Moorland, Mundy listed a range of areas which would be covered in the inquest.

These included "whether there was any evidence of increased vulnerability" and "whether there were any missed opportunities to put further support in place".

A previous hearing heard how Lynch, from Wath-upon-Dearne, was facing an allegation that he had broken prison rules near the time of his death.

Mundy said it was not up to the inquest to make any determination about his guilt or otherwise in relation to that matter, but said she did consider this "a potentially significant event" which will be explored before the jury.

The coroner said it was relevant to look at the impact of Lynch's sentencing on his wellbeing, but stressed: "I will not be criticising in any way judgments of other courts."

Lynch was arrested outside the hotel, where he was pictured holding a placard asserting the corruption of MPs, judges, the media and the police.

He pleaded guilty to violent disorder after being part of the unrest on 4 August.

He was one of more than 100 men who have been convicted following the rioting, which left 64 police officers injured.

Lynch had been married for 36 years and had four children and three grandchildren, the hearing was told.

The inquest is expected to run from 20 July until 4 August.

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