An 18-year-old whose family face losing their council flat for his involvement in the riots has pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to steal.

Daniel Sartain Clarke, of Kennard House, Francis Chichester Way, Battersea, admitted the charge at Inner London Crown Court this afternoon.

The offence relates to him entering Curry's in St John's Hill, Battersea on the night of August 8 during the riots.

He will be sentenced for the offence at a later date.

At the hearing Sartain Clarke pleaded not guilty to resisting arrest on the same day.

In August his mother Matie de la Calva, 43, a charity worker, became the first person in the country to be handed an eviction notice by a council because of her son's alleged involvement in the riots.

Ms de la Calva shares the flat with her eight-year-old daughter and has lived in the area for over five years.

Their case has become a cause celebre and human rights group Liberty were at today's trial.

Emma Norton, speaking on behalf of Ms de la Calva said: "Wandsworth Council's threats to make an innocent family homeless are as cynical as they are heartless.

"Their attempt to be the first council to evict tenants following the riots is shameless self-promotion."

Sartain Clarke, who was granted bail, will go on trial on December 12 at Inner London Crown Court on the charge of resisting arrest.