NORWICH STAR SAVES ACCUSED RIOTER FROM CUSTODY
A Premiership footballer has saved a teenager from custody after offering him a place to live outside London.
Norwich City midfielder Anthony McNamee agreed to provide a bail address for the 17-year-old who allegedly took part in attacks on police in Brixton.
On Sunday August 7 a gang of up to 15 youths hurled sticks and spades at officers in the Coldharbour Lane and Morelands Road Estate area.
The teenager was allegedly caught on CCTV in the throng and wielding a bottle, said Gregor McKinley, prosecuting.
A district judge at magistrates’ court had remanded the Ealing and Hammersmith College student in custody on August 14.
But following a successful appeal to Crown court by his defence team, Judge Roger Chapple allowed him bail, thanks to the Canaries star.
Inner London Crown Court staff spent two hours trying to confirm the footballer was willing to take in the teenager, at his home in Speedwell Way, Norwich.
The player was in the middle of training, where phones are not allowed.
The teenager, who was remanded at Feltham Young Offenders’ Institute, did not appear at the bail hearing.
He is said to have received good reports from lecturers on his sports diploma course.
Judge Chapple allowed him bail on condition of residence, a curfew between 7pm and 7am, and he is banned from coming within the M25.
He is charged with violent disorder and is due to appear with six co-defendants at Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court, for committal to Crown Court, on September 8.
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