London riots: Mum’s tip-off traps 2012 Olympics volunteer ambassador
Chelsea Ives, an 18-year-old chosen as a volunteer ambassador for London Olympics 2012, is one of the over 1,500 people arrested for her alleged involvement in the days of mayhem on the streets of London and other cities in England.
Ives, who has met London mayor Borisn Johnson and chairman of the Olympics organising committee Sebastian Coe, is currently facing charges of throwing bricks at a police in Enfield, London, on Sunday.
She is being tried in the Westminster Magistrates Court, where magistrates are working overtime to hand out speedy justice to those arrested for the riots.
Ives was caught when her mother, Adrienne, saw her on a television news report and called the police. Adrienne said her decision was ‘gut wrenching’ but insisted she only did what any ‘honest’ parent could.
She said: "I had to do what was right. Roger (husband) and I were watching the news and it was absolutely sickening. And then we saw our daughter among the crowds.”
"I could not believe it. For a minute we did not know what to do. But then, what could normal, honest parents do? How can you sit there and see that and say ‘that’s OK’? We were watching people lose their homes and businesses.”
Appearing at Westminster Magistrates during an all night court session yesterday, Ives denied two counts of burglary, violent disorder and attacking a police car.
Becky Owen, prosecuting, said Ives had led an attack on a Vodafone store: "She was first to pick up masonry and hurl it at the window.”
She pleaded not guilty and was refused bail until August 17 when she will appear at Highbury Corner magistrates' court.
Ives was described by her solicitor as a "talented sportswoman".
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