Two convicted over riots robbery

Two men have been convicted of stealing from an injured Malaysian student they pretended they were helping during last summer…

Two men have been convicted of stealing from an injured Malaysian student they pretended they were helping during last summer's London riots.

Mobile phone footage of Ashraf Rossli being robbed during last August’s rioting caused widespread outrage.

A jury at Wood Green Crown Court convicted John Kafunda (22) of robbery and violent disorder.

Kafunda, of Eastwood Road in Ilford, was captured on camera putting his arm round Mr Rossli and pretending to protect him.

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Reece Donovan (24) of Cross Road, Romford, was caught on camera rifling through the accountancy student’s bag while the victim’s back was to him, and convicted of theft, violent disorder and later burgling a Tesco store.

The pair shook their heads as the jury foreman returned the unanimous verdicts.

Mr Rossli (21), had been in Britain for just a month when he was attacked. He was cycling to keep a frightened female friend company on August 8th and had to find his way through a crowd of thugs as he cycled on a flyover in Barking.

He was attacked by Beau Isagba (17), of Ilford, who thumped him in the face, smashing his jaw and cycling off on his bike. Mr Rossli was left bleeding on the pavement and now has metal plates in hisjaw.

Isagba is due to be sentenced on March 9th - the day after his 18th birthday.

Footage of Kafunda and Donovan preying on Mr Rossli was posted on YouTube and received widespread publicity.

In a police statement, the victim said a portable Sony PlayStation and 10 games were taken, worth £500.

“I was sat on the pavement with blood pouring from my mouth,” he said in his statement. “I remember being approached by a male who asked if I was OK. I remember being pulled to my feet, then I felt someone again tugging at my rucksack.

“I was not in a position to defend myself and was still suffering from the effects of being hit. I knew they were stealing from me but I could do nothing. Once they had taken what they wanted, they left.”