A 19-year-old man has received 12 months detention in a young offenders institution for his role in Sutton’s violence in August.

Leon Esiaka-Martin, from Kent, was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court on 6th December after pleading guilty to non-residential burglary.

During the disorder in Sutton town centre on August, 8, the Best One convenience store at the corner of Lind Road and Lower Road, was looted by a group of youths.

The front window of the property was smashed and items taken from shelves.

At around midnight, Mr Esiaka-Martin was spotted by plain clothes police officers leaving the shop with a number of items which he was seen to try and discard.

Mr Esiaka-Martin had taken cigarettes and other items.

After he was arrested and put in the back of a police car he said: “I only entered the premises because someone had already broken in. I didn’t think it was a burglary.”