Teenager “at the centre” of riots pleads guilty

Police clash with rioters in Croydon earlier this year pic: Madtea, Flickr

A man that police claim was “at the centre” of the Croydon riots has pleaded guilty to ten criminal offences after CCTV footage caught him throwing bricks and other missiles at police in the area worst affected by rioting in August this year.

Adam Khan Ahmadzai, 19, from Middlesex, was arrested two months ago after detectives investigating the riots found him to be responsible for violent disorder, robbery and criminal damage in and around West Croydon and London Road on August 8.

At the Inner London Crown Court today Ahmadzai admitted to: robbing a bus driver in London Road, stealing money and a handbag from a couple at a local shop, and taking £40 from a man outside Tesco, among other offences.

Detective Constable David Smailes, who lead the investigation into the offences committed by Ahmadzai, said: “It was clear from an early stage in our investigations that Ahmadzai was someone who was at the centre of much of the disorder in and around the London Road area in Croydon.”

“He was one of the very first to throw missiles at police lines and he committed a number of burglaries and robberies, which caused a great deal of fear and distress to his victims.”

Detective Smailes continued: “The only crumb of comfort is that his victims will not have to go through the ordeal of a trial following his guilty pleas today.”

Ahmadzai is due appear at Inner London Crown Court on 22 December 2011 for sentencing.

 

Leave a Reply