Man Appears In Court Over 'YouTube Robbery' Of Malaysian Student

Man Appears In Court Over 'YouTube Robbery' Of Malaysian Student

PRESS ASSOCIATION -- A man accused of robbing a Malaysian student in a raid which was caught on camera during last week's riots has appeared in court.

Reece Donovan, 20, is accused of robbing Ashraf Rossli in Barking on Monday August 8.

The defendant, of Milton Court, Cross Road, Chadwell Heath, Romford, is accused of stealing a portable Sony Playstation and Nokia mobile phone from the student, who had been in Britain less than a month.

Donovan appeared at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court where he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

Donovan, dressed in a grey T-shirt and blue tracksuit top, will next appear at Wood Green Crown Court on August 19 for a plea and case management hearing.

Catherine Wear, prosecuting, said Mr Rossli was cycling down Queen's Road in Barking at 7.30pm when a crowd of up to 100 youths were travelling in the same direction.

He was punched in the face by one of the group, breaking his jaw, and his bike was stolen.

"The male who took it rode off laughing towards Barking town centre," said Ms Wear.

She stressed that Donovan was not accused of attacking the victim nor of taking his bicycle.

The court heard that the man who appeared to be helping Mr Rossli in the footage was a known associate of Donovan's. Donovan, who the court heard also has uses the name Reece Reegan, was represented by a barrister, Gideon Cammerman, and was denied bail.

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