THIS is the sixth of our 12-part series looking back at the news stories that shaped Croydon in 2012.
We've been looking back at ten of the most popular articles for each month of the year, as well as looking at 2012 in pictures via our most popular photo galleries, and seeing which items attracted the most comments.
The stories that follow are not necessarily listed in order of most-read.
- In June promising boxer Lewis Pinto was found hanged in a park in Wallington. The former Purley schoolboy was aged just 24. The super-middleweight was due to fight his second bout the next month, and said he drew inspiration from Mike Tyson. At his inquest in October, Lewis was described by his girlfriend as a 'Peter Pan', and said it 'broke her heart' that Lewis had never known how many people looked up to him. Croydon Coroner Roy Palmer ruled that Lewis had taken his own life. For confidential support 24 hours a day, contact The Samaritans in confidence.
- New Addington was the subject of an episode of Channel 4 programme Secret Millionaire. Some members of the community were critical of the show, which they said made the estate 'look like scumland'. Croydon businessman Bobby Dudani had pledged £50,000 to a variety of good causes, including the Timebridge Centre, Pandemic Steel Orchestra and New Addington Boxing Club. Following the show, the boxing club was 'brought back from the dead, the Timebridge Centre was damaged in an arson attack, and the Croydon Auto Bike scheme is now facing closure.
- June was, of course, when Britain marked the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. One of the most popular picture galleries from the street parties held in Croydon was this one, from Croham Park Avenue in South Croydon.
- On June 15 it was confirmed Allders in Croydon had gone into administration. Croydon Council leader Mike Fisher said it was a 'sad day' for the borough, and the council later said it had only been told about the problems at Allders 'days' before the collapse. The store closed for good in late September.
- Former Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman said the club would be interested in players like Sam Baldock. The striker then played for West Ham, but signed for Bristol City in August.
- A Kenley drug lord was jailed for 15 years in June after two men were caught using a barbers shop in Whyteleafe as a front for their multi-million pound empire. James Arthur of Zig Zag Road and Billy Sales, then living in Whyteleafe, used Sharp Barbers on Godstone Road to pump cocaine across Croydon, Surrey and Sussex. The Advertiser had previously revealed a branch business manager of Barclays in Purley, Indipaul Sra, had been found guilty of conspiracy to commit a money laundering offence and jailed for four years.
- Poisonous caterpillars were thought to have returned to New Addington, a year after an outbreak that saw two people hospitalised and many more suffered breathing problems.
- We also reported on the case of a teenage boy who needed 101 stitches after being attacked by a dog in New Addington. C-Jay Hall told how he tried to fight off the pitbull with his scooter.
- Crystal Palace co-chairman Steve Parish spoke of his desire to see the Eagles get promoted and stay in the top league. Parish spoke of needing to expect the unexpected.
- Finally for June was this picture gallery, of a street party in Shaw Crescent in Sanderstead to mark the Diamond Jubilee.
