The two sons of an evangelist minister have been accused of taking part in last week’s looting spree in London.

Samuel Caillaux, 20, and his brother Michael, 18, are accused of looting an Iceland store in Croydon, one of the areas worst affected by the violence.

Their father is a missionary, Remi Caillaux, who is reportedly involved in several Christian organisations. He has travelled with the Christian arts and media charity, The Heaven Trust, and founded Yahweh El-Shaddai Ministries.

The brothers appeared in court last week charged with burglary and are due to appear in court in Camberwell, south London, again today.

Their father was uncertain of the details surrounding their involvement in the riots.

Mr Caillaux said: “I have just come back from Ghana to London and I haven’t seen them yet. I need to find out what happened.”

A Christian mother has spoken of her anguish after her 15-year-old son was accused of robbing and raping a 13-year-old girl under the cover of the chaos being caused by rioters in Woolwich.

The mother was quoted by the Daily Mail as saying: “We can’t quite believe this accusation. We are a good family with Christian values. He is not from a broken home.”

Courts have been working round the clock to deal with the number of people charged in connection with the riots. A total of 1,179 people have so far appeared in court on charges connected to the violence.

Legal guidance issued last week gave courts leeway to “ignore the rule book” and hand out tougher sentences.