Scots teens among 800 who have appeared in court so far

A YOUNG man has been detained by police in Fife in connection with comments posted on a social media site allegedly "inciting people to riot".

The 19-year-old from Kirkcaldy was being held by Fife Constabulary last night. A report has been sent to the procurator-fiscal and he is expected to appear at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on Monday.

The move came as two teenagers were remanded in custody after being accused of attempting to incite riots in Dundee.

Jordan McGinley, 18, and Shawn Divin, 16, both from Dundee, appeared on petition at the city's sheriff court yesterday. Meanwhile, model Shonola Smith, pictured left, 22, from South Norwood, south London, broke down in tears when she was jailed for six months for looting from an Argos store during the riots on Monday night. Smith was caught when police stormed the building in Church Street, Croydon, after youths smashed in the front of the shop.

Smith was arrested along with her sister Alicia and friend Donness Bissessar. All three pleaded guilty at Croydon Magistrates' Court to entering the store with intent to steal.

Dressed in prison issue clothes, all looked downcast in the dock as they exchanged glances with their parents in the public gallery. When Smith was arrested, she was carrying ten packs of chewing gum she had stolen from a nearby Kwik Stop convenience store on the same day.

The Ministry of Justice said more than 1,600 people had been arrested since the riots in England broke out last Saturday. In cases where the age of the defendant is known, 83 per cent (576 people) are adults, and 17 per cent (122 people) are under 18.

The majority of charges relate to burglary, theft, handling stolen goods, violence and violent disorder.

Among about 800 people who have appeared in court so far was an 18-year-old woman, from Clacton, Essex, charged with using the BlackBerry messaging service to encourage others to take part in violence.

The woman is accused of sending a message encouraging others to take part in violent disorder on Monday.

A looter aged just 12, from north Manchester, told a court he was "sorry" for stealing a bottle of wine from a smashed-up supermarket during the riots. He said a woman had asked him to get her the wine.

He was given a nine-month referral order, and his mother was ordered to pay 50 costs after he admitted burglary.

Meanwhile, four 16- and 17-year-old looters in London bragged that it was like a "shopping spree".