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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| London riots: Man admits starting furniture store fire | London riots: Man admits starting furniture store fire |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A man has pleaded guilty to starting a fire which destroyed a 144-year-old furniture shop in south London during last summer's riots. | A man has pleaded guilty to starting a fire which destroyed a 144-year-old furniture shop in south London during last summer's riots. |
| Gordon Thompson, 33, changed his plea during a trial at the Old Bailey. | Gordon Thompson, 33, changed his plea during a trial at the Old Bailey. |
| The court had previously heard that Thompson told another man "it was me", as he walked away from the burning House of Reeves in Croydon on 8 August. | The court had previously heard that Thompson told another man "it was me", as he walked away from the burning House of Reeves in Croydon on 8 August. |
| He stole a laptop from Reeves before asking around for a lighter and setting fire to a sofa, the court heard. | He stole a laptop from Reeves before asking around for a lighter and setting fire to a sofa, the court heard. |
| The blaze was so fierce buildings on the opposite side of the road caught fire and tram lines in the road were damaged. | The blaze was so fierce buildings on the opposite side of the road caught fire and tram lines in the road were damaged. |
| The burnt-out store has since been demolished, but the company - which has been in the Reeves family for five generations - is still trading from refurbished premises across the street. | |
| Judge Peter Thornton QC said Thompson, of Waddon Road, Croydon, would receive a lengthy sentence. He will be sentenced on 11 April. | Judge Peter Thornton QC said Thompson, of Waddon Road, Croydon, would receive a lengthy sentence. He will be sentenced on 11 April. |
| Thompson had previously admitted burglary of two shops in Croydon - Iceland and House of Fraser - but had denied the charge of arson in relation to the store. | Thompson had previously admitted burglary of two shops in Croydon - Iceland and House of Fraser - but had denied the charge of arson in relation to the store. |
| At the end of the prosecution opening he decided to admit certain charges. | At the end of the prosecution opening he decided to admit certain charges. |
| 'Ran riot' | |
| Prosecutor Oliver Glasgow told the court that he had consulted members of the Reeves family about accepting the guilty pleas. | Prosecutor Oliver Glasgow told the court that he had consulted members of the Reeves family about accepting the guilty pleas. |
| Jurors were ordered to find him not guilty of charges of violent disorder and arson with intent to endanger life. | Jurors were ordered to find him not guilty of charges of violent disorder and arson with intent to endanger life. |
| He admitted one count of burglary for stealing a laptop from the shop before the fire. | He admitted one count of burglary for stealing a laptop from the shop before the fire. |
| During the trial, the court heard that Thompson "ran riot through the streets" on 8 August. | During the trial, the court heard that Thompson "ran riot through the streets" on 8 August. |
| When he saw other rioters smashing the front window of Reeves, he climbed into the shop to steal the laptop. | When he saw other rioters smashing the front window of Reeves, he climbed into the shop to steal the laptop. |
| After he left he decided to burn it down. | After he left he decided to burn it down. |
| Jurors were shown an image of local resident Monika Konczyk throwing herself from the building where she lived after becoming trapped by flames. Her flat overlooked the burning House of Reeves. | Jurors were shown an image of local resident Monika Konczyk throwing herself from the building where she lived after becoming trapped by flames. Her flat overlooked the burning House of Reeves. |
| This image was shown around the world as news outlets covered the riots. | This image was shown around the world as news outlets covered the riots. |