Ali Abdul-Waga, 19, is accused of being part of a gang that ransacked the Ledbury restaurant in Notting Hill
A masked mob of rioters armed with bottles smashed their way into an exclusive restaurant favoured by celebrities such Kate Moss to rob its wealthy diners, a court heard today.
Ali Abdul-Waga, 19, was allegedly part of a 15-strong gang that ransacked the Michelin-starred Ledbury restaurant in London forcing terrified customers to kneel as they snatched jewellery, wallets and phones during the height of the riots last summer.
Inner London Crown Court heard how petrified staff tried to bolt the door of the exclusive restaurant in Notting Hill, West London, but a large group of yobs wielding debris, bottles and metal poles forced their way inside.
Despite the violent disorder gripping London, the restaurant, which was ranked 34th in the world, was packed at the time of the attack on August 8 last year.
Prosecutor Ben Kelleher: 'The restaurant staff saw the group and
bolted the doors.
'However they smashed their way through and robbed customers as they tried to move away.
'They had their property, phones and jewellery taken from them.'
The jury was shown CCTV of the gang's rampage through the streets of Notting Hill smashing up a car only metres away from the restaurant.
Moments later the thugs burst inside, threatening staff and customers before kitchen staff managed to chase them off.
Mr Kelleher said: 'Certain members of the group were heard to say 'Get on the floor, we want your property, we want your watches'.
Raided: The Michelin-starred Ledbury restaurant in Notting Hill, a favourite of famous celebrities, was ransacked by a gang during the London riots
Caleb Williams, 22, and Dean Burke, 19, are accused of targeting other shops
'Many of the customers can be seen to kneel down and hand over watches, mobiles phones, and wallets, that sort of thing.
'Some of the staff rather bravely put up a fight and get them out of the premises.
'Customers were then ushered downstairs into a cellar and offered a drink on the house for their ordeal.'
Earlier in the evening, the rioters had allegedly raided an off licence, beating and robbing the owner before setting upon a taxi driver.
The teenagers also set fire to a moped, stopped buses and looted several shops, including a casino, before storming the restaurant, it was said.
Three other members of the gang Dean Burke, 19, Nasir Muhsen, 18 and Caleb Williams, 22, are accused of targeting other shops.
Mr Kelleher told jurors: 'In what can only be described as a campaign of disorder they damaged property, looted shops and in some cases robbed individuals of their personal property.
On trial: Ali Abdul-Waga is accused of raiding the Ledbury while Dean Burke Nasir Muhsen and Caleb Williams are said to have targeted other shops
Justice: A total of 17 people have already been prosecuted over the riot in Notting Hill last summer
'By 10.30 things had got really quite extreme, with a road being blocked off by a fire that they had started by lighting a moped.
'The moped rider had been forced off his bike, before the group stopped two buses, forcing the passengers off and searching it for property.'
CCTV footage played to the court showed looters dropping off some of their swag at a nearby hostel before attacking the Ledbury.
Abdul-Waga is accused of robbing staff and customers at the Ledbury, while others in the gang Dean Burke, 19, Nasir Muhsen, 18 and Caleb Williams, 22, are said to have targeted other shops.
A total of 17 people have already been prosecuted over the Notting Hill riot.
Abdul-Waga, Burke, Muhsen and Williams all deny conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to commit violent disorder.
Abdul-Waga, Burke and Muhsen also denies robbery, while Williams denies burglary.
The trial continues.
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