UK Riots: Arson And Murder Suspects In Court

UK Riots: Arson And Murder Suspects In Court

A man charged with an arson attack on a furniture store in Croydon and several charged in connection with the murder of three men in Birmingham appeared in court on Monday, as the aftermath of the riots continued.

One of the most iconic images of the days of rioting last week was the Reeves Furniture Store, a family-run shop in Croydon, as it stood ablaze. Gordon Thompson, 33, appeared at Croydon Magistrates' Court on two counts of arson, as well as two counts of burglary for stealing various items from House of Fraser, and violent disorder in Croydon town centre. Thompson spoke only to confirm his name and address during the short hearing.

The Reeves store, established in 1867, has since been demolished from the extent of the damage, ending the family's 150-year-old business.

In Birmingham, two men and a teenage boy charged with murdering three men outside a mosque as they tried to protect their community from looters appeared in court.

Haroon Jahan, 21, and brothers Shazad Ali, 30, and Abdul Musavir, 31, were hit by a car in the early hours of last Wednesday. The public gallery of the courtroom was packed for the short hearing. The local community showed their horror at the act of violence by organising a peace rally over the weekend.

Suspects Joshua Donald, 26, Adam King, 23, and a 17-year-old who cannot be identified have appeared for a preliminary hearing. All three defendants are charged with three counts of murder.

Meanwhile the father of a suspected rioter wept as his17-year-old son appeared at Sunderland Crown Court in Tyne and Wear. charged with violent disorder.

The teenager is alleged to have petrol bombed a police station and torched a patrol car. The father looked away and shook with tears as his son was led into the glass dock in handcuffs. The defendant himself looked distraught as he was denied bail.

The court was told that the boy was desperate to see his young child.

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