A 16-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of Richard Bowes, who was killed in Ealing last Monday during widespread rioting and looting in London.

Bowes died on August 11, three days after sustaining head injuries during the disturbances.

The boy from Hounslow was charged with the murder along with violent disorder and four counts of burglary at Croydon Youth Court.

In addition to the murder of Bowes the boy is accused of robbing a William Hill bookmakers, a Blockbusters, a Tesco Express and a restaurant.

He will appear at the Old Bailey on August 18. The boy's mother, who was charged with perverting the course of justice, will appear at the Old Bailey on the same day.

Two other men who were arrested on Sunday in connection with the attack have also been charged.

The latest charges come during another day of court appearances, which have included several at Crown Courts where more serious sentences can be imposed.

In Chester two men were jailed for four years after they were found guilty of inciting riots on Facebook.

More than 1,200 people have now appeared in court, with more than 60 per cent remanded in custody following their hearings.

The Metropolitan Police said that they have arrested a total of 1,685 people in connection to the disorder, while 985 have been charged.

The home secretary, Theresa May, used a speech on Tuesday to say that she would support police officers who used reasonable and lawful force to restrain rioters and gangs.

May rejected calls to halt cuts to police budgets, however, saying that she did not see a direct link between crime and potential cuts to numbers of officers.

Meanwhile police said that during the disturbances they intercepted messages that indicated the Olympic park, Oxford Street and Westfields shopping centre were targeted by rioters. In response they sent officers to those locations, and none were attacked.