A man has been charged with robbing a Malaysian student whose ordeal during the UK riots was caught on camera and quickly became a video sensation.

Ashraf Rossli, 20, was rushed to hospital with a broken jaw on Monday after being set upon during London's riots, less than a month after arriving in Britain.

On Saturday, a London police spokesman said Reece Donovan had been charged with robbing the student.


Donovan, who police say is either 21 or 23 years old, will appear in a London court on Saturday.

The attack prompted widespread anger after police said hooded youths initially pretended to help Mr Rossli before going through his rucksack, stealing his mobile phone and wallet, in Barking, east London, on Monday night.

He was discharged from hospital on Friday and, at a press conference, said he harboured no grudges.

He said: "My family are worried about me and my mother would like me to go home. But I am determined to stay.

"Britain is great. Before I came here I was very eager and I haven't got any ill-feelings about what happened.

"I feel very sorry for the people who did this. It was really sad because among them were children."

He thanked those who contributed to a fund to support him, saying: "It is very nice of you all to help me."

SENIOR Guardian journalist could face a police probe on phone hacking after it emerged he had admitted breaking into a businessman's mobile.

Assistant editor David Leigh made the admission in his own paper - which has led reporting of the hacking scandal - five years ago.

He said he got a "voyeuristic thrill" out of hearing private messages.

Speaking before former News of the World royal editor Clive Goodman was jailed for hacking, Mr Leigh added: "I've used some of those questionable methods myself over the years.

"I listened to the messages of a corrupt arms executive, the crime similar to that for which Goodman faces jail. It's hard to keep on the right side of legality."

Police have arrested 11 people over hacking.

Liberal MP overseas after drive-by shooting

The State Government has confirmed a drive-by shooting occurred outside the home of a Melbourne backbencher.
The shots were fired at the Berwick home of Mordialloc MP Lorraine Wreford on July 5.
It is believed the shots were fired by a man who was pursuing her son for a drug debt. The matter is now before the courts.
Ms Wreford is currently overseas on a holiday that was planned before the shooting, according to a Government spokesman.
The Coalition holds Government by just one seat but Ms Wreford is expected to be back in time for the resumption of Parliament on August 16.