Man Admits Torching Furniture Shop In Riots

Gordon Thompson has pleaded guilty to setting light to the Reeves furniture shop in Croydon during last summer's London riots.

The 33-year-old was charged with starting the blaze in a House of Reeves store in Croydon, south London, which spread to neighbouring businesses and homes causing massive damage.

Pictures of the family-run store on fire became defining images of the disorder that spread through cities in the summer of 2011.

The business had been open since 1867 and run by five generations of the Reeves family, in a building which has since been demolished.

Thompson had already admitted burglary of two shops in Croydon - Iceland and House of Fraser - on the same evening.

During the trial, which began last week, the court heard that Thompson had boasted about setting the business alight as he "ran riot through the streets" that day.

When he saw other rioters smashing the front window of Reeves, he climbed into the shop to steal a laptop, and after he left, decided to burn it down.

The prosecution said: "On leaving the store, he asked another of the rioters for a lighter and, as soon as he was given one, went back to the shop and set fire to a sofa inside the shattered window.

"The ensuing fire razed the building to the ground. Such was the ferocity of the blaze that embers and heat from the flames set fire to property on the other side of the road and numerous residents were forced to flee their homes for their lives."

Speaking outside court, Maurice Reeves said that the blaze was so traumatic "parts of me have died".

"It's difficult to describe because it's been such a traumatic time for us. The building's been there all my life, I worked in there every day and when I go into work now the building's not there.

"You can appreciate it's still sinking in and today brings all the memories back."

He added: "It's with tears in my eyes when I think about it."

Mr Reeves' son, Trevor, said: "It's a momentous day for everybody in Croydon to know that these people can be apprehended."

He said it was "heart-warming" to know that they had such strong support from the police.

Detective Superintendent Simon Messinger said: "People across the country were appalled and shocked at the level of violence and destruction that was committed on August 8, 2011.

"The images of Reeves Corner are probably some of the most iconic from that day."

Father-of-two Thompson will be sentenced on April 11.

The judge has said he can expect a "lengthy sentence of imprisonment".