Shock over 'respectable' lives behind masks of UK rioters

[evelynwordsmyth]

London (CNN) -- Before they started appearing in court, most people assumed London's rioters and looters were unemployed youths with no hope and no future.

So there was much surprise when details of the accused began to emerge, and they included some from wealthy backgrounds or with good jobs.

Those passing through London's courtrooms on

Comments

[mephisto5]

Interesting. I am sure all commentators, both here and on Question Time tonight, will wait until we have a better idea about the backgrounds of all those arrested, before offering up conclusions about the cause(s) of recent events.

[mephisto5]

That is to say, these dozen or so people reported here might not be a representative sample of the more than a thousand people arrested.

[tartary_lamb]

Very true, but it's worth taking this as a reminder that the rioters aren't a homogenous block. One set of motivations isn't going to apply to everyone. I just wish the politicians and the talking heads would remember that.

[lleulu]

I'm watching that now and I'm sorely disappointed that one of the first things said was "the police weren't keeping ahead of it all on the social networking sites" (not exact quote, I was busy wtf-ing). Blatant lie.

[maianarisa]

Who wants to bet that people like Laura Johnson are going to get off pretty much scot-free? But I do hope people like them end up being found guilty and have it on their record :/

[fatpie42]

Is it still classist to call the looters selfish? Just asking...

[mandragora1]

Doubtful on the better lawyers front. The same criminal defence lawyers do both legally aided and privately paying work, not least because the majority of the work still remains paid for by legal aid.

[aella_irene]

One of them was a second year law student, apparently. He can kiss his future career goodbye.

[mandragora1]

Yes, if he intended to qualify as a lawyer - not everyone who reads law at university goes on to become a lawyer. Whichever career he planned, though, it's going to be a lot more difficult for him. Part of the punishment.

[angi_is_altered]

Throw the fucking book at them!