Ealing murder accused, 16, refused bail

A 16-year-old boy accused of murdering a pensioner during the London riots was refused bail today.

The boy appeared for a half-hour hearing at the Old Bailey so his counsel Abdullah Al-Yunusi could apply for bail.

But Judge Anthony Morris refused the application and remanded him in custody to a hearing at the same court on September 9.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared by videolink.

The hearing was held behind locked doors after the judge decided it should be held "in chambers".

The youth, from Hounslow, west London, is also charged with violent disorder and four counts of burglary - relating to looting at a William Hill bookmakers, a Tesco Express, a Blockbusters video shop and a Fatboys restaurant.

He appeared at Croydon Magistrates' Court earlier this week with his mother, who was also remanded in custody accused of perverting justice by disposing of the boy's clothing.

Richard Bowes, 68, died last Thursday after being punched to the ground during widespread violence and looting in Ealing, west London, four days before.

Mr Bowes, who lived alone in Haven Green, Ealing, was attacked as he went to put out a fire in a dustbin.

He was placed on a life-support machine but died later. A post-mortem examination revealed he died from head injuries.

Around 100 people attended a vigil organised by churches in Ealing in Mr Bowes's memory, and a Union Flag was lowered to half-mast on the town hall as a mark of respect.