Three men in court over Birmingham murders
Two men and a teenager have faced court today, charged with the murders of three men hit by a car during riots in Birmingham last week.
26-year-old Joshua Donald, 23-year-old Adam King and a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were remanded in custody after a brief hearing at Birmingham Crown Court.
All three defendants are due to appear at the same court for a plea on December 9.
King, of no fixed abode, faced the court from the dock after being remanded in custody during a brief hearing at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court earlier on Monday. He was arrested and charged with three counts of murder on Sunday night.
Haroon Jahan, 21, and brothers Shazad Ali, 30, and Abdul Musavir, 31, were killed when they were struck by a car in the early hours of Wednesday. They were all pronounced dead in hospital.
Mr Jahan’s father, Tariq, attempted to revive his son after hearing the car speed away from the scene in Dudley Road.
Marching for peace
Thousands of people took part in a peace rally in Summerfield Park near the scene of the tragedy in memory of the men killed.
Mr Jahan’s father Tariq Jahan made a moving appeal for calm after the deaths sparked racial tension in the city.
He had urged people not to march, but instead to “respect the memories of our sons” by staying at home in protest against the violence.
But speaking to the crowd on Sunday, Tariq Jahan said he was “strengthened” to see so many different members of the community united in their stand for peace.
It gives me the strength to believe that the three boys did not die in vain, they died for this community and I hope that this community will remember them. Tariq Jahan, victim’s father
The 46-year-old, wearing a T-shirt bearing the names of Haroon, Shazad and Abdul, asked the crowd to remember them.
“To me it’s the month of Ramadan, as a Muslim I believe that this is a very special month.
“For us Muslims we believe the gates of heaven are open and the gates of hell are shut this month, so that gives me the strength to believe that the three boys did not die in vain, they died for this community and I hope that this community will remember them.”
A black Audi A3 was recovered on Saturday night and is undergoing forensic examination by officers.
Detectives said they have also recovered another vehicle they believe was involved.
Croydon fire accused
A 33-year-old man has also faced court, charged with starting a fire which destroyed the Reeves Furniture Store in Croydon.
Gordon Thompson has been remanded in custody after a brief hearing at Croydon Magistrates’ Court. He is charged with arson, intent to endanger life, two counts of burglary and one count of violent disorder.
Thompson, of Croydon, is due to appear at Inner London Crown Court on 22 August.
A man aged 21, and a 15-year-old boy, have already been arrested in connection with the fire. They have been released on bail.
Violence erupted in Croydon on Monday night after two nights of disorder in other parts of the capital.
The 150-year-old family-run furniture store is being demolished after it was gutted it in the blaze.
More than 1,550 people have been arrested and 900 charged over the riots and looting across several cities in England.
The disorder began on 6 August in Tottenham after the death of Mark Duggan, who was shot by police.