A ringleader in the August riots was put behind bars for four years for offences including violent disorder and robbery.

Adam Khan Ahmadzai rampaged through Croydon robbing a bus driver, a man and his wife in their store of money and a handbag and store items and a cash machine, all on London Road, burgled William Hill in Thornton Heath, and Tesco on London Road and hurled bricks at lines of police on August 8.

He also caused criminal damage to the bookmakers and supermarket.

The 20-year-old, from Feltham, pleaded guilty on November 28 to 10 offences, one count of violent disorder, three counts of burglary, four robberies and two counts of criminal damage and sent to a youth offending institution at Inner London Crown Court on Thursday January 12.

Prosecuting Emma Jones said: “Ahmadzai was one of the ringleaders and the court was shown CCTV footage of his actions, which were among the most serious that CPS London has seen as part of the London disorder.

"He threw missiles towards police officers, caused significant criminal damage and carried out a significant number of opportunistic robberies and burglaries during his rampage and today he learnt he will pay a heavy price for participating in the unacceptable violence in Croydon that day.”

Detectives identified Ahmadzai, who was wearing a distinct blue top, as a key individual involved in the violent disorder from CCTV footage in and around London Road and West Croydon.

As they looked through more CCTV footage, it became apparent that he was responsible for a number of offences throughout the course of the evening and night.

He was arrested on 28 September and was charged later that day with a number of offences in relation to the disorder.

Detective Superintendent Simon Messinger, from Croydon CID said: "He was one of the very first people to throw missiles at officers and played an active role in encouraging others to engage in the disorder.

"This sentence should help to remind the public that we are committed to bringing all those involved with the disorder to justice.

"Many arrests were carried out yesterday and there are more to come and we'll be relentless in our pursuit of those who committed offences back in August."