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."