Riot-blaze accused admits burglary

The burnt-out shell of Reeves Furniture Store in Croydon, which was set alight during the summer riots
12 April 2012

A man accused of starting a fire that destroyed a 144-year-old family-run furniture shop during the riots has admitted burgling two chain stores.

Gordon Edward Thompson has pleaded guilty to burgling a branch of House of Fraser and an Iceland supermarket as looters raided London shops on August 8.

But at a hearing at Inner London Crown Court, he denied committing violent disorder in Croydon town centre and burgling Reeves Furniture Store in the same south London borough, on the same date.

At a previous hearing on September 26, he also denied setting the furniture store ablaze on August 8.

The 33-year-old of Waddon Road, Croydon, who remains in custody, will stand trial for two counts of arson, violent disorder and burglary on February 20.

Reeves Furniture Store was set up in 1867 and its current owner, Trevor Reeves, is the fifth generation of the family to run the business.

Reeves Corner in Croydon is named after the firm.

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