A 16-YEAR-OLD BOY has been charged with murdering a pensioner as he tried to put out a fire during riots near his London home.
Richard Mannington Bowes, 68, died from head injuries three days after being attacked in Ealing, west London. He was trying to stamp out flames when he was assaulted on August 8. The boy is also accused of violent disorder and four counts of burglary relating to separate incidents, the BBC reports. His mother has been charged with perverting the course of justice.
The Guardian reports that a 22-year-old man arrested over the same incident – which occurred last week as violent rioting spread over much of London and other English cities – has since been bailed.
Meanwhile, the UK government has announced new measures designed to make those convicted of riot offences face the consequences of their acts. People not sent to prison will be sent to perform community service in the streets where rioting took place. There will also be a scheme to bring offenders to face-to-face meetings with their victims, the Independent reports.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg will make a speech today, saying: “Victims of crime are only truly protected if punishment leads to criminals not committing crime again. Criminals must be punished and then made to change their ways.
“That’s why those people who behaved so despicably last week should have to look their victims in the eye.”
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