A looter jailed for raiding Cash Converters during the riots is turning his life around, volunteering at a youth magazine.
Peter Bint, 20, admits he joined the rioting in Croydon town centre on August 8 as a chance to cause mayhem, but after handing himself into police in the aftermath he was jailed for six months, serving three, for burglary.
He said: "I got word of what was going on and to be honest, I had never been in a riot and wanted to be involved.
"It was stupid. Afterwards, when I saw what happened and the sentences being handed out and I turned myself in."
Released late last year, Mr Bint got his chance at redemption after seeing the chance to learn about journalism with magazine Limelight, based at Croydon College.
Taking on young people aged between 16 and 25 the magazine, which has received support from groups Croydon Voluntary Action(CVA)and Croydon Commitment, is published quarterly through Rise Media.
Editorial director of Rise Media, Adeline Iziren, said: "The support of the CVA and Croydon Commitment has helped us take o people like Peter and offer them a second chance."
Working on the Spring edition, Mr Bint was given the chance to interview pop star Matt Cardle, Crystal Palace players and take part in a charity abseil.
He said: "It has given me better communication skills. I would recommend it to anyone, it has completely changed my life."
Related
Click here for full coverage of the Croydon riots and the aftermath
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