Teenage Wolverhampton rioter faces jail for stealing two left shoes

A teenage rioter today facing custody for stealing two training shoes had originally faced burglary charges involving £100,000 worth of property, it can be revealed today.

Danielle Corns is understood to only be prepared to accept that she took two left-footed trainers during the summer rioting in Wolverhampton. She was arrested at her home in Willenhall, several days after the August 9 disorder.

It is believed that 18-year-old Corns, of Tildesley Drive, had gone to police the previous day to explain that her picture appeared in photographs of the unrest that swept the city the day after yobs had rampaged through Birmingham.

Corns made her first appearance in court the following Saturday where she was remanded in custody accused of the burglary of the Zhapp fashion store in Queen Street, during which clothing valued at £20,000 was stolen.

She was also charged with the burglary of two other Queen Street shops that were broken into and looted.

These were jewellers EV Beckett, which was left with a £50,000 bill due to the damage caused and property stolen, and Digitech Masters, where goods totalling £30,000 were taken.

The sixth form student, who has applied to join the RAF, was later given bail after her grandfather put up £5,000 as security. Two of the three burglary charges have since been dropped, leaving Corns accused of just the raid on Zhapp.

Today she admitted entering the shop with others as a trespasser and stealing two training shoes.

Corns, who has no previous convictions, was told by Judge John Warner at Wolverhampton Crown Court today: "I am sure that you know from the sort of sentences that have been handed out, the way these cases are being treated. So you must prepare yourself for a custodial sentence."

Corns was given conditional bail. Until she is sentenced she will have an electronic tag limiting her movements at night, and is banned from leaving the West Midlands.

She is also banned from setting foot in Wolverhampton city centre.