An inquest has heard that Peter Lynch, who was jailed over his role in the anti-immigration riot outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Manvers, Rotherham, had previously attempted suicide while on remand before later dying in custody. His cellmate at HMP Doncaster, Leonard Tyler, told Doncaster Coroner's Court that Lynch was "struggling with prison life" and that he had found him on the floor with a ligature mark on his neck, though he did not report the incident to staff. The case raises questions about how prison authorities identified and responded to signs of mental distress among those jailed over the disorder.

Lynch, 61, died from hanging at HMP Moorland on 19 October 2024, two months after being sentenced to two years and eight months for violent disorder linked to the August 2024 protests, during which 64 officers and police animals were injured. Tyler said Lynch worried about his family and possible police action, and also described a separate occasion when Lynch appeared to take extra prescribed tablets. A healthcare manager at HMP Doncaster told the inquest that no mental health concerns had been flagged, though Lynch had repeatedly told police he was "Peter, living man, son of Michael and Lily" after his arrest, behaviour she agreed should have prompted further scrutiny. The inquest continues.