Riots: Dancer and would-be lawyer end up in dock

AMONG the more surprising suspects in the dock yesterday were a ballerina, a law student, an Olympic ambassador and an estate agent.

The 17-year-old ballerina who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared charged with burglary.

The law student was remanded in custody after being accused of being part of a gang that ransacked cafes and restaurants in St John's Wood, London.

Marouane Rouhi, 21, from north west London, was one of 16 people – most of them teenagers – charged with violent disorder following the incident shortly after midnight on Wednesday.

Prosecutor Becky Owen told Westminster Magistrates' Court the group "ransacked properties and terrorised customers" in the area around Lodge Road.

She said between 30 and 50 people were involved in the disorder and added: "Eventually customers rallied and chased the group off."

Solicitor Jim Kelly said his client, who is in his second year of his law degree, was keen to clear his name so he could continue to pursue his legal ambitions.

The court heard that another alleged member of the group, Sameer Shah, 18, is a school youth mentor aiming to prevent gun crime.

Estate agent Gassam Ojjeh, 22, denied being part of a gang that broke into PC World in Colliers Wood, South London, the magistrates heard.

Chelsea Ives, 18, an Olympic ambassador, denied leading an attack on a mobile phone shop and throwing bricks at a police car forcing officers to abandon their BMW.

The teenager, who boasted of having had "the best day ever", was arrested after her mother recognised her in footage of the disturbances in Enfield on Sunday night.

She was refused bail and is due to appear in court again on Wednesday.