An A-level student and a postman were caught by police in a car rammed with stolen TVs and laptops outside a looted superstore, a court heard today.

Jamal Ebanks, 18, of Stockwell and uncle Jeffrey Ebanks, 32, of Thornton Heath were stopped by police outside PC World in Prospect Retail Park, Croydon, at about 9pm on Monday.

When they refused to get out of their Ford Focus, officers forced a window open and saw electrical items including two TVs in the back seat, City of Westminster Magistrates' Court heard.

Jamal, an A level student with no previous convictions, admitted breaking into nearby Comet and stealing two Acer laptops and a Blackberry tablet worth £1,000.

He also pleaded guilty to handling a stolen 32-inch Toshiba television worth £700.

Jeffrey, a postman who has worked for Royal Mail since 2004, denied burglary and handling the Toshiba TV but admitted dishonestly receiving a JVC flatscreen TV.

He also admitted having a small wrap of cannabis on him at the time of the offences.

Rachel Mahoney, prosecuting, said: "Police officers arrived due to the alarm being raise at PC world at about 9 o'clock in the evening, when various members of the public were already in attendance.

"There was a silver Ford Focus there registered to Mr Jeffrey Banks. Officers asked the occupants to leave the vehicle, they refused and so the window was forced.

"The vehicle was then searched and a number of electrical items were found in the back including the Toshiba TV."

Nandi Jordan, for Jamal, described him as an "ordinary young boy" who had been led astray by an uncle he looked up to.

The 18-year-old, whose father died when he was six, hung his head in the dock when the judge refused him bail.

Ms Jordan said: "He's been in close contact with his mother this morning.

"She is herself unable to attend court because her husband, Jamal’s stepfather, is in hospital and she has three children under the age of seven at home.

"But she in particular is absolutely horrified with what's gone on."

Cassandra Bligh, for Jeffrey, said he had never been in trouble before but took part in the riots when the opportunity struck.

The father-of-two, of Brigstock Road, Thornton Heath, south London, was also denied bail and remanded in custody until September 17.

Ms Bligh said: "Mr Ebanks tells me he is very disappointed and remorseful about what happened.

"I can only describe this as an opportunity offence – he saw the TV, he knew it didn't belong to him but he put it in his car.

"He told me how stupid he feels, having stayed out of trouble for most of his life, to be appearing in court in a very serious situation."

Jeffrey was given an £80 fine plus a £15 victim surcharge, or one day in custody, for possession of cannabis.

He will next appear at the same court for committal to Wood Green Crown Court.

Jamal, of Crosby Walk, Stockwell, southwest London, will also be sent to Wood Green Crown Court for sentencing.