Three teenagers in court over break-ins and arson attack
Three teenagers are to appear in court to answer charges of participating in a crime spree in Teddington that saw St Mark’s Church Hall burnt down in December 2009.
The three defendants charged with arson are Marcus Allen, 19 of Little Queens Road, Teddington, Anthony Blackford, 19, of Cygnet Avenue, Feltham, and Jack Passmore, 18, of Hensworth Road, Ashford. They will stand trial at Kingston Crown Court in September.
They are also accused of breaking in to a shed at Sacred Heart RC Primary School (also in St Mark’s Road) to steal sports equipment on the same day and also breaking into the garage of nearby Collis Schools caretaker, making away with tools and alcohol.
In a separate incident, Police are investigating a suspected arson attack at the derelict “Avenue Centre” in Normansfield Avenue that happened on Monday 16th August. Several fire engines arrived just after 7pm and took two hours to get the blaze under control.
On a more positive note, Teddington Table Tennis Club who were based at St Mark’s Church Hall have literally risen from the ashes to finish runners up in this years Thames Valley Table Tennis League Division One – their best result for 25 years!
After the fire destroyed their home, they struggled to find a new home to train but finally relocated their base to the Twickenham Brunswick Club for Young People.
[Update 27th September] Three teens deny arson and will stand trial on February 21st 2011.
