Menu
24/02/2012
Man Admits London Riots Arson Of Furniture Store
At the Old Bailey in London a man has admitted to starting the ‘catastrophic’ House of Reeves fire during the 2011 summer riots.
The court heard that after stealing a laptop from the store in Croydon, Gordon Thompson, 33, asked around for a lighter and set fire to a sofa, telling another man, “it was me”, as he walked away from the burning building. Thompson had previously admitted burglary of Iceland and House of Fraser but denied the charge of arson.
The store blaze was so fierce that buildings across the street also caught alight and tram lines in the road where damaged. The 150-year-old Reeves store has since been demolished.
Sentencing will be carried out on April 11 with Judge Peter Thornton QC saying he expected Thompson to receive a “lengthy sentence”.
(H)
The court heard that after stealing a laptop from the store in Croydon, Gordon Thompson, 33, asked around for a lighter and set fire to a sofa, telling another man, “it was me”, as he walked away from the burning building. Thompson had previously admitted burglary of Iceland and House of Fraser but denied the charge of arson.
The store blaze was so fierce that buildings across the street also caught alight and tram lines in the road where damaged. The 150-year-old Reeves store has since been demolished.
Sentencing will be carried out on April 11 with Judge Peter Thornton QC saying he expected Thompson to receive a “lengthy sentence”.
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 September 2008
Father Admits Murdering His Children
A father struggling to come to terms with his marriage break-up has admitted murdering his two children in their family home. Robert Thompson, 50, brutally stabbed his children Michelle, 25, and Ryan, seven, a total of 26 times on 3 May this year.
Father Admits Murdering His Children
A father struggling to come to terms with his marriage break-up has admitted murdering his two children in their family home. Robert Thompson, 50, brutally stabbed his children Michelle, 25, and Ryan, seven, a total of 26 times on 3 May this year.
15 December 2003
'Black Widow' guilty of killing husband
A woman dubbed the 'Black Widow' has been jailed for life for killing her husband with a curry laced with a lethal overdose of prescription drugs. Dena Thompson, 42, from Yapton in West Sussex, had denied killing her second husband, 31-year-old Julian Webb, on his birthday in June 1994.
'Black Widow' guilty of killing husband
A woman dubbed the 'Black Widow' has been jailed for life for killing her husband with a curry laced with a lethal overdose of prescription drugs. Dena Thompson, 42, from Yapton in West Sussex, had denied killing her second husband, 31-year-old Julian Webb, on his birthday in June 1994.
09 March 2006
Supermarkets facing competition investigation
The increasing dominance of supermarkets in Britain's grocery market may be investigated, it has been revealed. The Office of Fair Trading has announced that it is planning to refer the issue to the Competition Commission for more detailed investigation.
Supermarkets facing competition investigation
The increasing dominance of supermarkets in Britain's grocery market may be investigated, it has been revealed. The Office of Fair Trading has announced that it is planning to refer the issue to the Competition Commission for more detailed investigation.
14 September 2005
Store card providers ‘overcharging’ customers
Consumers are being overcharged by as much as £100 million as a result of the high interest rates on store cards.
Store card providers ‘overcharging’ customers
Consumers are being overcharged by as much as £100 million as a result of the high interest rates on store cards.
18 March 2004
Competition Commission to examine Store Cards
The Office of Fair Trading has referred the supply of store cards to the Competition Commission following a study of the sector worth over £4.8 billion a year in the UK.
Competition Commission to examine Store Cards
The Office of Fair Trading has referred the supply of store cards to the Competition Commission following a study of the sector worth over £4.8 billion a year in the UK.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
