St Helens: Man threw bricks and rocks at OYO Lakeside Hotel

Man Jailed After Racist Attack on Hotel Housing Asylum Seekers
A man who hurled bricks and rocks at a hotel housing asylum seekers while shouting racial slurs has been jailed.
Zachary Pye targeted the OYO Lakeside Haydock Hotel in the early hours of Sunday, causing multiple windows to shatter and showering people inside with broken glass.
One rock narrowly missed a member of staff after being thrown through a window, while another smashed into a room occupied by a pregnant woman. Several people inside the building were struck by flying glass, though none suffered serious injuries.
Police were called to the hotel on Garswood Old Road, near the East Lancashire Road, shortly after midnight on Sunday, December 14. Officers detained a man outside the premises.
Seven windows were damaged during the incident, including those at the main entrance, staff offices, and a fire exit.
Pye, 31, of Whinbury Court, Clock Face, was arrested and later charged with three counts of assault relating to victims injured by broken glass. He also faced charges of criminal damage, racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage, and two counts of racially or religiously aggravated threatening behaviour.
He appeared at Liverpool, Knowsley and St Helens Magistrates’ Court on Monday, December 15, where he pleaded guilty to all offences. He was sentenced to 74 weeks in custody.
Detective Inspector Steven O’Neill, from Merseyside Police’s Protecting Vulnerable People unit, said Pye’s actions had put lives at serious risk.
“Pye threw bricks and rocks while shouting racial slurs at the occupants of the hotel,” he said. “His despicable actions were clearly motivated by hate.
“Although several people were showered with broken glass, it is only due to good fortune that nobody was struck by the rocks and seriously injured.”
The officer added that while the hotel has been the site of recent protests and counter-protests, most have been peaceful.
“We respect the right to lawful protest, but we will never tolerate criminality or hate-driven behaviour,” he said. “Pye’s actions very clearly crossed a line.”
Police said they will continue to work with local residents, as well as hotel staff and residents, and urged anyone who witnesses criminal behaviour to report it.