Mother refuses to give bail address for riot accused son over eviction fears

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Housing

The mother of a teenager accused of being involved in rioting refused to give him a bail address because she is scared she may lose her council house, a court heard today.

Jermaine Collins, 19, from Patshull Road, London, is accused of violent disorder and threatening behaviour on Harrow Road, west London, on August 9.

Highbury Corner Magistrates Court heard it is alleged he was part of a gang of youths causing a disturbance in the area, as riots spread across the rest of the capital.

But the court heard Collins' mother will not provide him with a bail address, because she fears losing her council home.

Defence solicitor Rhys Davies said: "His mother has been keeping a close eye on the news.

"She says that if her son is convicted of an offence she will lose her council house so she is not able to offer a bail address."

District Judge Robin McPhee said he would grant Collins bail to a bail hostel, but only if it was not in London.

By the end of the day, Mr Davies told the judge a place had possibly been found in a hostel in Bracknell, Berkshire but was not necessarily available today.

The judge adjourned the case until tomorrow, and told Collins: "I don't have sufficient information today on which I can properly take a bail decision.

"There may be an address available to you tomorrow so to give you a proper opportunity for you to complete your bail application I adjourn the case to tomorrow."

Mr Collins' mother was in court this morning but was not there later in the day to hear the decision to postpone the case.

Last week the mother of an 18-year-old charged with burglary and violent disorder during the rioting was served with an eviction notice by her local council.

Maite De La Calva, 43, was served the notice on Friday by Wandsworth Council after 18-year-old son Daniel Sartain-Clark was charged with burglary and violent disorder relating to the rioting in Clapham Junction last Monday night.

They were believed to be the first council tenants in the country to face losing their home over the rioting and looting which blighted the nation last week.