pic: Metropolitan Police

A man described by police as “a key individual” in last summer’s riots has been jailed for four years at Inner London Crown Court on Thursday.

Adam Khan Ahmadzai, from Feltham, Middlesex, pleaded guilty to ten offences including violent disorder, robbery and burglary, committed on August 8.

He was captured on CCTV throwing bricks and other objects towards lines of police as well as committing four robberies in Croydon.

The 20-year-old robbed a bus driver on London Road as well as alcohol and cigarettes from a shop where he also stole a married couple’s money and handbag.

He stole £40 from a man at a cash machine at Tesco’s on London Road and burgled William Hill in Thornton Road, Thornton Heath afterwards.

Ahmadzai also caused criminal damage to the shop.

Detectives identified him through CCTV footage and using CCTV analysis were able to establish that he had gone to the UK’s Border Agency’s Electric House reporting centre earlier on the day of the disorder.

Staff then assisted police to confirm his identity and on September 28, he was arrested and charged with a number of offences related to the disorder.

Detective Superintendent Simon Messinger, from Croydon CID said: “The length of this sentence reflects the fact that Ahmadzai committed a string of serious offences on August 8. He was one of the very first people to throw missiles at officers and played an active role in encouraging others to engage in the disorder.”

Anyone with information about the disorder in Croydon can still contact the dedicated Incident Room on 020 8649 0208 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.