Joseph Haythorne, aged 26, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for inciting violence against a hotel housing asylum seekers. He posted a message on X urging violence just as unrest erupted outside the hotel in Rotherham. The post gained significant attention quickly before it was deleted. Prosecutors noted its similarity to another case involving Lucy Connolly. Haythorne's lawyer argued he mistakenly connected the unrest with immigration. A judge called his post vile, highlighting the serious implications of such online statements.
During the violence, rioters set fire to a bin against a door of the hotel, which housed 240 asylum seekers, and also had more than 20 staff inside.
Joseph Haythorne posted on X: 'Burn any hotels with those scruffy bastards in it.' His post was viewed by 1,100 people in 17 minutes.
Sheffield crown court heard that Haythorne's comments were made during a time of violent unrest outside a hotel for asylum seekers.
Judge Richardson KC described Haythorne's post as vile, emphasizing that his online actions can have serious consequences.
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