Looter in Wolverhampton riots sent to prison

A mother of one who stole a pair of trainers from a shop ransacked by looters during summer riots in Wolverhampton was today jailed for three years and three months.

Kirsty Bannister, aged 26, took the trainers from Zhapp's fashion shop in Queen Street on August 9 and later sold them for £50, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

Bannister was also pictured going into Digitech Masters, another Queen Street store looted during the trouble, the court heard.

Prosecutor Mrs Sati Ruck said: Ruck said: "She admits going in there with intent to steal but denies actually taking anything."

Bannister confessed her involvement in the two burglaries after being arrested six days later in connection with an unrelated break-in.

Police found her on August 15 at the Fordhouses home of her friend Kerry Ryan, 29, while investigating another matter. They also discovered goods stolen during the burglary of the nearby flat of a male friend of Ryan, the court was told.

Both women admitted breaking into the property on July 31 last year.