Oldest rioter arrested: 70-year-old held for looting

A 70-year-old man was the oldest person to be arrested in connection with recent rioting, it has emerged.

Scotland Yard said the unnamed man, arrested on August 8 in connection with theft from a shop in West Ealing, west London, was given a caution.

A spokesman said: "The oldest person arrested was a 70-year-old man arrested on August 8 in connection with theft from a shop in West Ealing. He was cautioned."

Ealing was one of the hotspots of trouble during riots in London.

Richard Bowes, 68, who lived alone in Haven Green, Ealing, died several days after being punched to the ground during violence and looting in the area.

The 68-year-old, who was attacked as he went to put out a fire in a dustbin, was placed on a life-support machine but died later. A post-mortem examination revealed he died from head injuries.

Last week a 16-year-old boy accused of his murder was refused bail at the Old Bailey.

The youth, from Hounslow, west London, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was remanded in custody to appear at the same court on September 9.

He is also charged with violent disorder and four counts of burglary - relating to looting at a William Hill bookmaker's, a Tesco Express, a Blockbuster video shop and a Fatboys restaurant.

The boy's mother is accused of perverting justice by disposing of his clothing.

The Scotland Yard spokesman said today that, while the 70-year-old was the oldest man to be arrested in connection with riots, the oldest person charged in connection with disorder was John Maughan, 63, from Camden, north London, who was charged on August 12 with handling stolen goods.