Thursday 14 March 2024

Premier Inn Manager Secretly Recorded Staff Undressing

A manager with hotel chain giant Premier Inn secretly filmed employees with a concealed mobile phone as they changed into their uniforms, a court heard.

Batchelor Anthony Grant, 38, the night manager at the Great Suffolk Street, Southwark hotel near the Tate Modern, had deliberately propped his phone against a rucksack and covered it with a jacket.


He denied the offences, claiming he must have accidentally activated his phone’s record feature, but was found guilty of three counts of voyeurism after a trial.


At Bexley Magistrates’ Court Grant, who lives with his mother in Barque Mews, Deptford received a two-year Community Order, plus 250 hours community service work.


He must also complete thirty days of a rehabilitation activity requirement and pay £500 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.


Grant was effectively sacked on the spot from his night manager position with the UK’s largest hotel chain and remains unemployed.


Prosecutor Denise Clewes told the court two female and one male day shift employees were recorded undressing and changing into their uniforms as they phone ran for nearly and hour.


One of the female victim’s told police Grant “blushed and was embarrassed” when she arrived for work on September 26, 2021 and the male worker told her not to get changed as usual.


“She saw a propped-up phone obscured by a jacket, which viewed the entire room and anybody changing in there.


“Another employee put her bag in front of the phone and got changed and it was reported to another manager.


“That manager saw the phone propped against a rucksack and that it had been recording for fifty-nine minutes and he stopped it recording,” added Ms Clewes. 


“Watching the recorded footage he could see Grant had captured himself setting up the phone to record the room.


“The male victim believed he had been recorded in his socks and underwear.”


When asked about his phone Grant told his boss: “I didn’t know it was recording.”


He was told to leave the premises immediately and the police were later informed.


“Mr Grant said he never set his phone to record and maybe had accidentally swiped to record and said he did not intend to record any of his colleagues.”


In her victim impact statement the first female victim said: “I was in a vulnerable position and I now feel paranoid and uncomfortable.


“I am concerned he knows where I live and my route to and from work and I sometimes now don’t use the changing room.”


The second female victim said: “I feel weird going to and from work and feel he may be secretly watching me from somewhere.”


The court heard Grant was of good character before these offences and has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.


“We have listened to everything that has been said and we think this can be dealt with in the community, where you can receive the treatment you need,” announced magistrate Shirley Muckell.


“This package has been put together by the Probation Service to assist you.”

Tuesday 12 March 2024

TV Expert Sentenced For Covid Row Pub Headbutt

"Poor Northern Cousin": Young
A social media tv expert, who has worked on hit shows including ‘The Voice’ and ’Sunday Brunch’ headbutted a pub manager he believed treated him like a “second-class citizen.”

Middlesbrough-native Joel Young, 47, felt like a “poor Northern cousin” when seated in an unattractive spot at the south-west London gastropub, where a covid meal row occurred.


He rowed with staff at the Leather Bottle pub in Garrett Lane, Tooting over what amounted to a “substantial meal” after ordering sausage roll and chips with alcoholic drinks.


Young, of Felix Court, Charcot Road, Colindale was convicted of assaulting budding actor Skyla Bryant, causing him actual bodily harm, as he tried to enforce the pub’s covid drinking rules on December 5, 2020.


The victim was hospitalised with a cut to his eyebrow and redness to his nose, which was bent with evidence of a fracture.


Today at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court Young received a two-year Community Order, which includes 140 hours community service work and up to twenty-five days of a rehabilitation activity requirement.


Young, who ironically is suffering long covid, has also worked for ITN, Channel Four News and ‘First Dates Hotel’ and was upset that he and his drinking companion were refused more alcohol because they failed to order a meal.


The victim, Mr Bryant told the jury: “It was the evening and Joel Young and his friend ordered a basic sausage roll and fries, with maybe a scotch egg. 


“They claimed they had a substantial meal, but I encouraged them to place another order.


“They complained about the rules and I reminded them of the guidelines and things escalated from there.


“It was Joel Young that got angry and he continued the conversation, saying: “This is f***ing ridiculous, this is a substantial meal,” and continued to swear.


Budding Actor: Bryant
“He downed the rest of his pint and said: ‘bye then,’ and I said: ‘bye then,’ and he turned around on the spot and headbutted me in the face, in the nose.


“The top of his forehead landed on the bridge of my nose.”


Judge Laurence West-Knights KC told Young: “The circumstances of this assault are curious and concerning.


“You were having a drink in a pub with a friend and you were bristling with a propensity to take offence wherever you looked.


“You expressed extreme irritation at being treated, as you felt, like a ‘second-class citizen’ and ’Northerner’ in this pub.


“Mr Bryant asked if you would comply with the regulations and you took it that you were being treated like a ‘poor Northern cousin’.


“Additionally, that you had been seated by the door and were not receiving proper treatment because you were not spending huge chunks of money on food you didn’t need.


“Mr Bryant ordered you “off my premises” as you put it and say you felt he was looking to assault you out of sight of the security cameras.


“You felt you were being ordered about by a little man being a big man and you did not like being told what to do and you turned around and headbutted him.


“The headbutt is equivalent to use of a weapon, but there is a tiny element of possible doubt in your mind that you were about to be attacked and there was no serious physical injury.


“The victim was a trainee actor and he had some psychological concerns about his appearance afterwards and his acting future.


“You have now clearly expressed remorse and taking the many character references into account you have some elements of exemplary character.


Poor Seat: Young
“There is much good in you, but this behaviour has to stop. You have some quirks that you will have to address.” 


During the trial prosecutor Mr Francis Gaskin told the jury: “This was during covid and there were Tier Two restrictions in place at the time and customers needed to be having a substantial meal to be served alcohol.


“This defendant and his friend went to the Leather Bottle and ordered some drinks and some food, sausage roll and chips.


“The deputy manager, Mr Bryant looked at the food order and said it was not a substantial meal and the customers should go or order more food.


“Mr Young was not happy about this and was angry, is the prosecution’s case. He put his glass down firmly on the table and said he was leaving.


“He went to the door and there was a time when both men were close and Mr Young headbutted Mr Bryant, striking his face with the bridge of his nose.


“This was completely unnecessary, uncalled for, unlawful and unprovoked.


“The defence case is that he thought he was about to be attacked by Mr Bryant and used lawful force to defend himself.


“Nothing was done by Mr Bryant that would make anyone think he was going to assault anybody.”

Sunday 10 March 2024

Suspected Corrosive Substance Attacks: Trio Wanted

Two boys had a suspected corrosive substance thrown over them at Elm Park Underground Station in east London.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released these CCTV images of the three suspects they are hunting.

Officers are appealing to members of the public for their assistance in identifying them.

Just after 8.00pm on February 24 the youngsters reported having a liquid thrown over them at the District Line station. 

They attended hospital and their injuries are not believed to be life threatening or life changing.

BTP would like to speak to the people in these CCTV images as they believe they may have information that could help their investigation.

Anyone who recognises them, or has any other information, is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 803 of 24/02/24.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Investigating officer Detective Inspector Marvin Bruno said: "Violence in any form will not be tolerated on the rail network and we would like to reassure the travelling public that our officers are working tirelessly to identify and apprehend those responsible.

"We are really keen to speak to the people in the images, or anyone else who witnessed the incident, as we believe they have information which could help our investigation. 

If you know them or have any information that might help, please get in touch."

Friday 8 March 2024

Winking Sex Pest Wanted

A winking sex pest is being hunted by transport cops after female tube train passengers were targeted.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this image of their suspect.

Officers are appealing to members of the public to assist them in identifying the unknown male.

Just after 7.00pm on Tuesday, January 30 a passenger witnessed another man on a westbound Piccadilly Line train staring and winking at women, while touching himself over his jeans.

Detectives would like to speak to the man in the image as they believe he may have information that could help their investigation.

Anyone with information can contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 with the reference 542 of 30 January.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.

Wednesday 6 March 2024

Bottle Attack At Purley Railway Station

A Purley train station passenger suffered a gash to his head when struck by a bottle.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this CCTV image of their unknown suspect and are appealing to members of the public for their assistance in identifying him.

Shortly after 7.30pm on Tuesday, January 16 a mystery male assaulted the victim, causing a cut.

Officers believe the man in the images may have information that could help their investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016, or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference number 576 of 16/01/24.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Monday 4 March 2024

Train Ticket Check Traps Drug Dealer

Banged Up: Jallow
A drug-dealer was caught by a police-supported ticket check at Brighton railway station.

Hussein Jallow, 24, was chased by British Transport Police (BTP) officers after running when showing his ticket.

He had crack cocaine; heroin and cannabis on him and has been jailed for three years and seven months.

At Lewes Crown Court Jallow, of Nyetimber Hill, Brighton pleaded guilty to possessing the heroin and crack cocaine, with intent to supply.

The court heard how on Monday September 25, last year Jallow was stopped at Brighton station by a BTP officer and asked to produce his train ticket as part of a stop and account.

Jallow showed his ticket, but then ran off, raising the officer’s suspicions

He was quickly caught and asked why he had run away and if he had anything on him. 

Jallow admitted he was carrying drugs, but claimed it was only cannabis.

He was detained for the purpose of a search and found to be carrying heroin, crack cocaine and a cannabis joint as well as around £480 in cash and a burner phone. 

Investigating officer PC Stewart McKenna said: “The scourge of drugs cause misery and death. 

“Thanks to Jallow’s arrest a substantial amount has now been taken off the streets.

“Drugs will not be tolerated anywhere on the railway and officers will do everything in their power to bring prosecutions against those concerned with the supply of drugs.

"Using the railway to move drugs is never a good idea - we have specialist teams on trains and at stations across the whole network tackling drug supply seven days a week.”

Saturday 2 March 2024

"Deeply Dishonest" Swindler Finally Jailed For Heartless £566K Scam

Jailed: Emotional Blackmailer Nalini Jayaweera
A notorious conwoman, who “emotionally blackmailed” close friends during a heartless £566,700 scam  - even exploiting the parents of a child with cerebral palsy - has been jailed.

Sri Lankan Nalini Jayaweera, 69, promised the devastated victims huge returns from a non-existent property empire, but has now been branded as a “cancer in the community.”


One woman was pestered for more money while sitting at her dying father’s bedside and another “humiliated” victim was forced to work twenty-one hour days to recoup his secret losses.


Former hotel manager Jayaweera - known as ’Nellie’ to friends - of Stretton Road, Addiscome, Croydon pleaded guilty to seven counts of fraud between January, 2010 and December, 2019 and received six years imprisonment.


She spun convincing lies of needing money to pay fees to lawyers and HMRC to release a £3.7m inheritance, to fund a non-existent aunt’s brain surgery and make lucrative gold and diamond investments.


Her victims included her regular mini-cab drivers, her gardener and a mum she met at the private school gates, where her grandson was a pupil, Isleworth Crown court heard.


She convinced Martin Georgiev, 41, her cousin would fund treatment for his five year-old son’s cerebral palsy and provide an annual family holiday in return for a £10,000 investment.


The family needed a bank loan to raise the money, which was eventually returned by Jayaweera when they threatened to call the police.


Swindled: Ken Negus
Prosecutor Nick Mather told the court: “She invited the entire family to her house for a party and offered to help with their son’s costs and said she had a cousin that wanted to help.


“She said the £10,000 scheme would return £5,000 per year to be spent on their son’s treatment and a family holiday and that they should take out a loan for the money.”


The father, whose son needs a wheelchair and feeding tube, said in his victim impact statement: “She embedded herself into our lives and we thought she was a lovely lady.


“She presented herself as our saviour, but I was so gullible and naive. I thought our son would have £5,000 per year, but it was money for Nalini and I have continued to struggle to pay bills for our son.”


Her regular mini-cab driver, Ken Negus, 67, was targeted for £211,000 and lost the most money - over £150,000 - which he kept secret from his wife while working all-hours.


He regularly drove her grandson to school and was promised a “safe investment” that would double his money by Jayaweera, who claimed she was due an inheritance worth millions of pounds.


“She said she needed cash because her assets were outside the UK tax system, but that money was used to fund her lifestyle, not to make investments,” explained the prosecutor.


The mini-cab driver used his own mortgage funds to pay Jayaweera, who told him she needed extra funds to send her brain cancer-stricken aunt to Singapore for life-saving treatment.


“I thought she was a very close friend, but she was a fraud and a con artist,” said Mr Negus in his victim statement. “My world  imploded  and her frauds were like a cancer in the community.”

Leaving Sentencing: Martin Georgiev


It is thanks to amateur sleuth Mr Negus the huge scale of the multiple frauds and all the victims were identified. “The humiliation was intolerable and this has taken years off of our lives,” he said.


Both gardener Michael Strudwick and his wife Wendy were targeted by mother-of-two Jayaweera for £162,700. “She told him she owned various properties in Maidstone and had been diagnosed with cancer,” said Mr Mather.


She quickly returned the first £500 she borrowed from her gardener. “That repayment was to engender trust and a pattern emerged of asking for money weekly for solicitors fees while ‘selling’ her Sri Lankan properties.


“These were lies, there are no properties and no inheritance and she emotionally blackmailed him, waiting at his bank branch in tears, claiming her Sri Lanka house would be lost.”


Her repayment cheques to Mr Strudwick bounced four times. “She said her purse had been stolen and she was the victim of fraud and forged a letter from her bank.


“Behind his back she extracted money from his wife, using a Tsunami as an excuse why her property had not sold and forged a HMRC letter.


“The couple ended up paying for Jayaweera and her family to enjoy a holiday to the Isle of Wight and her grandchild’s private school fees,” added the prosecutor.


Wendy was at her dying father’s bedside, but Jayaweera’s pursuit for money continued. “The defendant exploited her knowledge of this and went to the hospital and asked for money.


“She gave more false sob stories that she had a stroke and that her husband had just died even though he is still alive today.”


Recorder Neil Mercer announced: “She used emotional blackmail and of the many dishonest and inexcusable lies she told to trick honest, good people out of money, this perhaps is the meanest.”


The couple’s eventual loss was £36,000. 


In his victim statement Mr Strudwick said: “People think we have been naive or stupid and I do not tell anyone anymore. The stress is immense and we have trouble eating and sleeping and are completely traumatised.


“She completely abused our trust and good nature and this is a large sum of our life savings taken by someone we invited into out home.

School Gates Victim: Laura Bingham


“We are good Christian people and now find it hard to trust anyone. Who would do this? Someone with no morals wanting to rip people off.


“She would swear on family members’ lives and bring up religion. I want to tell the world how manipulative she is, she tricked us and took advantage when my wife’s father was dying.


“Wendy was too vulnerable to say no to more money and the next day her father died.”


His wife said: “I thought she was a friend and my faith in humanity has dropped like a brick. She preyed on our weaknesses and the moment she stole was for our retirement.


“She is a predator who preys on the vulnerable and swore on her daughter’s and grandson’s lives. She is a wolf in sheep’s clothing and is forceful and manipulative.”


Victim Florian Bardosi is also a mini-cab driver, who Jayaweera “promised a 100% profit” if he invested in her gold and diamonds scheme, obtaining £3,000 from him.


School mum Laura Bingham ‘loaned’ Jayaweera £15,000 after initially been asked for £75,000 to release the inheritance and only got £5,000 back.


“The victim thought the defendant was wealthy and a lovely friendly person,” said Mr Mather, adding Ms Bingham did find an online report of of one of Jayaweera’s previous deceptions.


In 2002 she received a suspended prison sentence for seven counts of deception on a work colleague and in 2003, twelve months imprisonment for deception.


However, Jayaweera convinced her that was somebody else with the same name.


“She was like an extended mother to me, who I trusted for four years and was a trusted an close friend and exploited this to deceive me,” explained Ms Bingham in a victim statement.


“It was a calculated scheme to extract money and has left me emotionally shattered and traumatised. The emotional trauma she inflicted cannot be calculated.”


Recorder Mercer said: “She was also subject to emotional blackmail and lies and told that without the money a relative’s life-support machine would be turned off.”


Fellow Sri Lankan mini-cab driver Sithamparathevan Appasamy was another victim, who believed Jayaweera owned a tea estate in her homeland.


She convinced him to raise money amongst his own family to pay her legal fees and a total of £105,000 was handed over, never to be seen again.


None of the cash has been recovered for any victim and Jayaweera has no seizable assets. “There are no confiscation proceedings, the defendant has spent all of the money,” added the prosecutor.


Jayaweera’s lawyer Mustapha Hake told the court: “She comes from a relatively wealthy family. Her father owned a rubber plantation, a tea estate and was the MD of a paper mill and involved in politics.”


She moved to the UK in 1984. “She lost her wealth, land, business assets, everything and is now incredibly frail.”


Jayaweera shuffled into court with the aid of a walking stick, but Recorder Mercer noted: “She has shown extraordinary levels of dishonesty and manipulation.


“Why should I accept that since these frauds ended she has deteriorated to this extent?


“Each witness describes being given constant and detailed emotionally distressing stories and they thought she was a really good friend in real need and they were doing their best to help someone.


“The defendant has previous convictions exactly the same kind of offending on friends and acquaintances and that is a serious aggravating feature.


“She is a deeply dishonest and thoroughly manipulative individual.”