The Return! And an article... Exeter student accused of looting

Hello hello!


I have returned to the blog after a lengthy hiatus but will soon start writing the Round-Up once again.


In the meantime, here is the first article I wrote for X-Media Online as News Editor... enjoy!

Flickr photo by Dave Hooker

Exeter student accused of looting in London riots

Exeter undergraduate Laura Johnson was charged with looting a London superstore in the riots that have plagued the country’s cities.

The 19-year-old appeared in court on Wednesday 10 August accused of thieving goods worth £5,000 from a Curry’s shop in Charlton.

Miss Johnson, who is reading English and Italian at the University and has just completed her first year of study, pleaded not guilty to five counts of burglary at Bexleyheath magistrates’ court.

The Exeter student was granted bail on the condition she wears an electronic tag, adheres to a strict curfew from 7pm to 6am and does not enter London.

The University said it will decide whether to take action after Miss Johnson’s trial has taken place.

Laura Johnson was accused of looting along with two others, a 17-year-old boy and 18-year-old Alexander Elliot-Joahill.

A separate hearing tried Miss Johnson’s co-defendants where a court heard that £5,000 worth of electrical goods and £500 worth of cigarettes and alcohol were found in a car Miss Johnson was driving.

A first-year English undergraduate, who wishes to remain anonymous, offered their thoughts. They said: "[Miss Johnson's] not only letting herself down but the university too. You'd think someone who's a student would care about the impact she has on society."

However, another anonymous English first year believes the university should offer its support. They said: "I think it's important to remember she's only 19 and I think, as her friends, we shouldn't isolate her if she returns.

"If she does return, we should give her as much support as we possibly can because she still has a future. By showing her our support, we give ourselves an edge. I think, regardless of how horrible her actions were, we should give her some time to learn from what happened."

Miss Johnson will appear at Inner London Crown Court on 21 September.

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IB