An 11-year-old boy was among scores of rioters and looters to appear before magistrates yesterday. The boy, from Romford, Essex, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Highbury Corner Youth Court where he admitted being part of a gang who looted the town's Debenhams store on Monday night.
His appearance came as court staff ploughed through a huge influx of cases from the riots in London. Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court, in north London, sat throughout Tuesday night to deal with cases, and was expected to do so again last night.
Defendants ranged in age and came from different parts of London, but the boy stood out as the youngest defendant to appear yesterday. Wearing a blue Adidas tracksuit, the youngster spoke only to confirm his name, age and date of birth.
He pleaded guilty to burglary, after stealing a waste bin worth £50 from Debenhams. A charge of violent disorder was dropped.
During the brief hearing the court heard the boy had already been given a referral order after being convicted of a separate offence just last week. No details of the conviction were given.
Defending the 11-year-old, Vicky Thompson asked for a pre-sentence report to be carried out before the boy is sentenced. His case was adjourned until 31 August at Havering Youth Court.
Miss Thompson said his mother had requested that a condition of his bail should be that he is not allowed to leave his home unaccompanied. "She wants to keep him safe and not allow him to get caught up in this," she said. District Judge James Henderson granted bail, with what he said were "very restricted conditions" including a 6pm to 6am curfew.
Among those committed to crown court for sentence were primary school worker Alexis Bailey, 31, from Wye Street in Battersea, south London, who was arrested in Richer Sounds in Southend Road, Croydon, and yesterday pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to steal.
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