The recent death of Peter Lynch, a grandfather who died in custody, has ignited intense feelings within his family, particularly from his sister, Kathleen Romanowski.
She took to Facebook to express her anger, directing her frustration at Prime Minister Keir Starmer with a blunt message: “F*** you, Starmer.”
Peter, 61, reportedly took his own life on Saturday night at HMP Moorland, located near Doncaster in South Yorkshire.
A Complex Situation
Peter was serving a 32-month sentence for his involvement in a riot outside the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham last August.
While the court described him as a “conspiracy theorist,” his family insists he didn’t deserve to be labeled a criminal.
They feel strongly that he shouldn’t have been imprisoned in the first place.
Kathleen shared a heartfelt tribute on social media, posting a video of The Hollies’ song “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother,” alongside a message commemorating Peter’s life.
Family’s Heartbreak
Jeanette Harris, Peter’s sister-in-law, expressed the family’s devastation.
“It’s awful and too upsetting,” she said, reflecting on Peter’s character.
“He wasn’t violent. There’s no free speech anymore, is there?”
Jeanette highlighted that Peter was a dedicated father and grandfather, as well as a loving brother-in-law.
“The last place he should have been is a prison cell.
In any other circumstance, he would have just received a fine or a suspended sentence.
You wouldn’t get three years just for exercising free speech,” she argued.
Peter’s History and Health Concerns
In court, it was revealed that Peter had a history of health issues, including diabetes, thyroid problems, and angina, and he had never been in trouble before.
His brother Sean, 56, defended him, stating, “He did nothing wrong. He just shouted ‘scum’ at the police.”
Meanwhile, Peter’s widow, Andrea, is now being cared for by their eldest son at their home in Brampton, South Yorkshire.
Flowers and cards were left at their home in Wath-upon-Dearne, where neighbors remembered Peter as a kind man.
Community Reflection
One neighbor commented, “Peter said some stupid things, but does that really warrant almost three years in jail? He wasn’t a criminal—he was a good person.”
They expressed disbelief that someone with Peter’s health issues was sent to prison for the first time, feeling he became a casualty of political decisions.
“Andrea is devastated. His sons are devastated. The whole family has been ripped apart,” the neighbor added.
Wider Implications
The summer riots have led to over 1,500 arrests, with the Crown Prosecution Service pursuing around 1,000 charges.
Notably, a Tory councillor’s wife was sentenced to 31 months for inciting racial hatred during the same unrest.
The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will now investigate Peter Lynch’s death, as is standard procedure for all deaths in custody.
A spokesperson for the prison service confirmed, “HMP Moorland prisoner Peter Lynch died on 19/10/2024. The Ombudsman will investigate as per protocol.”
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