Looting charge boy's father 'can't watch him 24/7'

11 August 2011 Last updated at 12:53 ET Help

A 16-year-old boy has appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court charged with burglary in Thornton Heath, Croydon, after the riots in London.

His father said parents could not be responsible for their children all the time, but that if his son is found guilty he should be punished - and if necessary, jailed.

He told the BBC:

"Kids nowadays... they seem to want to do whatever they want. They look at things and say I want it, I'm going to have it and they'll do whatever they can to get it."

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