A teenage looter today admitted killing a pensioner during the London riots.
The 17-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, also admitted violent disorder during disturbances in Ealing in August last year.
Richard Mannington Bowes, 68, died in hospital three days after being attacked while trying to put out a fire in a dustbin near his home in Haven Green.
He was punched to the ground and suffered brain damage when his head hit the pavement.
Today, the defendant, a burly six-foot-tall teenager, stood next to his mother in the dock at Inner London crown court. He replied “guilty” when asked to plead to the first charge of joining
with people unknown in unlawful violence causing onlookers to fear for their personal safety.
He then answered “guilty” to the charge of the manslaughter of Mr Mannington Bowes.
At an earlier hearing, he had admitted burglary at William Hill bookmakers, Tesco Express, Blockbusters and Fatboy’s Thai restaurant in Ealing, on the same night Mr Mannington Bowes was attacked, August 8.
The boy’s mother, who also cannot be named at present, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of perverting the course of justice by concealing or destroying her son’s clothes.
After the guilty pleas were entered, Mr Justice Saunders adjourned the hearing until later this afternoon.
Around 100 people attended a vigil organised by churches in Ealing in memory of Mr Mannington Bowes, and a Union flag was lowered to half-mast on the town hall as a mark of respect.
