Two young women appear in court for their parts in Hull riot

Elizabete Zvirgzdina and Lucy Houghton both handled stolen shoes from Shoezone, the court heard

Two young women became involved in the serious scenes of looting that played a key part of the widespread violence and disorder that broke out in Hull city centre in August.

One of the teenagers was among the troublemakers who targeted and burgled the Lush and 02 stores during the 12 hours of mob violence that left a trail of destruction and damage. They both handled stolen shoes that had been taken from the nearby Shoezone shop after a break-in there, Hull Crown Court heard.

Elizabete Zvirgzdina, 18, of Westbrook Road, Gilberdyke, admitted burglary at the Lush store in Jameson Street, Hull, involving entering the shop as a trespasser and stealing “multiple products” of an unknown value, on August 3. She also admitted burglary with intent to steal at the 02 store, also in Jameson Street.

Zvirgzdina and the other defendant, Lucy Houghton, 19, of Constable Street, off Hessle Road, Hull, both admitted handling stolen goods by dishonestly undertaking or assisting in the retention, removal, disposal or selling of stolen shoes, of an unknown value, from Shoezone on the same day.

The court heard that shoes, which had been taken from the raided store, in Jameson Street, were put on the pavement outside the shop and both Zvirgzdina and Houghton picked them up and stole them.

Zvirgzdina also admitted a separate offence of possessing cannabis on August 5.

The two teenagers appeared before the court for sentence after pleading guilty to the offences at earlier hearings before a deputy district judge at Hull Magistrates’ Court.

Their cases were adjourned because there were no pre-sentence reports on either of the women. Their barristers both asked for reports to be ordered so that the probation service could provide further details on the background to the women’s involvement in the offences.

They were both on bail for their appearances in court and this was extended until the next hearing. Judge Mark Bury told them that all sentencing options would be available to the court next time, when a decision would be made on whether a custodial sentence would be imposed. Mitigating factors would be considered at the next hearing.

Both women had previously appeared before Hull Magistrates’ Court on November 11, when they had been allowed unconditional bail.

Hull Daily Mail