Thursday 30 August 2012

Costa del Crime: Blonde On The Run


A South-East London woman – arrested on Spain’s Costa del Crime for washing criminal cash – is wanted by police after jumping bail.

Gaynor Godwin, 34, (pictured) from Lee was detained on a European arrest warrant on May 25 in Nueva Andalucia.

The Metropolitan Police were seeking her extradition back to the UK on money laundering charges, but after she was bailed by a Spanish court she failed to appear for her next hearing.

Godwin is described as 5ft 8inches tall, of proportionate build with blue eyes and shoulder-length, straight, dyed-blonde hair.



Police believe Godwin is still in Spain and may frequent Marbella, Estepona, Puerto Banus and Nueva Andalucia.



Officers from the Met’s Specialist and Economic Crime Command have released this image of Godwin.



Investigating officer Detective Constable Chris Andrew, said: “Godwin is wanted to face money laundering charges and we ask anyone who knows where she is to contact us.”


Anyone with any information is asked to contact DC Andrew on 020 7230 9942 or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Wednesday 29 August 2012

Businessman Accused Of Raping Schoolgirl He "Groomed" With Porn


A trusted businessman raped an eleven year-old schoolgirl at his office after grooming her with pornographic internet images, a jury were told today.


Kamil Hossenbux, 62, of Ferns Close, South Croydon had made online searches for sick under-age material throughout the day, before collecting the victim from school, Croydon Crown Court heard.


He has pleaded not guilty to rape; sexual assault and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity on September 22, 2010 at an address in Elmwood Road, West Croydon.


Hossenbux previously ran a language college from the building, but has since changed its use to a private care home for residents with learning disabilities and dementia.


Prosecutor Miss Karen Holt told the jury the defendant knew the girl's family. "They saw him as an older, learned, intelligent man, who helped the family fill-out documentation and forms.


"He was a trusted friend and began to call on the family home regularly and the Crown say this allowed him to gain access to the victim.


"When alone with her in his car there was an element of grooming and he made suggestive comments to her that she was a big girl now and should start to learn about sex.


"He would hold her hand and touched her leg on one occasion and said it was time she learned about it.


"He would pick her up from school under the guise of helping the family out, but on this day he took her to a building he described as his office.


"To use her words they: 'snogged' and he took her clothes off," explained Miss Holt. "She had to sit on a table and he told her to open her legs wide."


The prosecution say Hossenbux then performed a sex act on the girl and forced her to perform one on him.


"The defendant then lied down on the floor and told her to lie on top of him," added the prosecutor, saying this is when the rape occurred.


"The Crown say the defendant sought to prepare this young child by also showing her pornography on his computer.


"After wards he told her she had: 'done good', drove her home and gave her five pounds. He told her not to tell her mother."


However, the girl told another relative and gave a statement to police on October 2, 2010, the day Hossenbux was arrested.


When quizzed by officers the defendant claimed he drove the girl to his office only so that she could use the internet because she did not have it at home.


"He told the police he became aware that she was looking at pornography and said she was playing with herself," said Miss Holt.


"He said she talked about the world coming to an end and that she had to do everything, which he took to mean sex.


"He maintained throughout that he had never done anything that she alleged."


Hossenbux's laptop was examined and the defendant questioned again on November 12.


"He said the only sites he visited were naturist sites as a possible business venture," explained miss Holt. "However, the computer's search history was consistent with searching for sexual images of children."


The jury were told on the day of the rape the defendant had been viewing such material since ten in the morning.


Trial continues………..

Tuesday 28 August 2012

Brothel Bandit Banged-Up For Series Of Raids


A bogus brothel punter, whose gang robbed prostitutes at knifepoint, has been locked-up for three-and-a-half years.

Lithuanian Vytautas Rubys, 22, (pictured) travelled all over London, posing as a 'John' looking for sex, but let in accomplices who snatched cash and valuables.

He pleaded guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court to three robberies and handling a stolen ring taken during a similar brothel raid.

He robbed brothel workers in Horn Lane, Barkingside of £1,000 on December 22, last year, when he entered with another white male and let in three black accomplices, who were armed with knives.

On January 11 he visited a brothel in Back Lane, Hampstead, where a prostitute was threatened with a screwdriver by a black accomplice and £600 cash and £5,000 worth of handbags taken.

On January 12 a prostitute in Oak Road, Ealing was bound with cable ties – causing cuts to her ankles and wrists – and two mobile phones were snatched.

Rubys also pawned a ring for £25, which had been taken during a similar brothel robbery in Sorrell Gardens, East Ham on December 3, last year.

Detective Inspector John Cracknell, of the London Crime Squad North, who led Operation Evelegh, said: “Rubys was a violent offender who had no qualms when it came to targeting vulnerable women in the pursuit of money and other valuables.

It is right that he has received a substantial custodial sentence.



We are indebted to these women who provided valuable evidence in this case despite their difficult personal circumstances.



I would like to assure all other sex workers who find themselves victims of crime that we will treat them with discretion and sensitivity and do all we can to bring the perpetrators to justice.


The London Crime Squad is committed to detecting crimes and apprehending violent criminals to make communities feel safer.



This excellent result demonstrates our continued determination and commitment in identifying and bringing to justice those criminals that are responsible for these types of offences."



Monday 27 August 2012

Betting Shop Robbers Jailed

Two robbers, who targetted betting-shops and threatened staff into handing over thousands of pounds, have been jailed.

Michael Okadigbo, 27, (pic.top) of Southgate Road, Islington received 4 years and Adisa Sabado, 21, (pic.bottom) of Church Road, Croydon received 20 months at Harrow Crown Court.

Okadigbo and Sabado robbed William Hill Bookmakers, Kilburn High Road, Kilburn on September 29, last year, threatening counter staff and taking £2,000 cash from the tills.

Earlier that month on September 7, Okadigbo and an accomplice – who police believe was Sabado – snatched over £2,750 from William Hill in Green Lanes, Palmers Green.

Detectives from the Flying Squad based at Finchley & Barking were able to indentify both men through CCTV.



Sunday 26 August 2012

Lewisham Murder Mystery: £20K Reward Offered


Police trying to solve the murder of a middle-aged South London man – beaten to death in his home – have offered a £20,000 reward.

Earl Warburton, 59, (pictured) of Loampit Hill, Lewisham was found dead at the address in the early hours of February 15.

A post-mortem examination gave cause of death as multiple injuries.


Detective Inspector Rick Murphy of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command said: “It has been six months since Mr. Warburton was killed in Lewisham.

We still need to hear from anyone who thinks they might have some information that can assist in our investigation.


I am particularly keen to speak with anyone who was in the area during the early hours of Wednesday 15 February who might have seen or heard anything suspicious we would urge to come forward and talk to us.”



Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8721 4868. If you wish to remain anonymous please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Saturday 25 August 2012

Householder Jailed For Nightime Window Shotgun Blasts


A reckless gunman, who fired his sawn-off out of the window of his South London home in the middle of the night, has been jailed for seven years.

Errol Mathurin, 27, (pictured) of Heron Road, Herne Hill claimed he was using the shotgun to prevent a group getting in.

Armed police swooped on the address and found the defendant hiding in a neighbour's back garden.

They searched his home and recovered the sawn-off shotgun, a stash of ammunition and two dangerous dogs.

Mathurin pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court to possessing a firearm, with intent to endanger life.

Detective Constable Tom Medcroft of the Trident Gang Crime Command said: “I believe this custodial sentence will send a clear message to criminals who are prepared to use firearms in the course of their activities.

The use of firearms, especially in public places, will not be tolerated and the perpetrators of these offences will be pursued by Trident using all means at our disposal.

I would like to thank all the officers and staff whose hard work helped acheive this result and remove a firearm from London’s streets.”

Friday 24 August 2012

Suburban Sex Beast: Do You Know Him?


Police have released this e-fit of a sexual predator, who tricked his way into the suburban South London home of a lone young woman.

Sapphire detectives – who specialise in sex crimes – are asking anybody who recognises the suspect to contact them.

At 2.00pm on May 24 in Pollards Hill, Norbury a woman in her twenties was expecting a delivery and answered her front door to the suspect.

During a fifteen-minute ordeal she was sexually assaulted.

The suspect is described as a black male, of slim build with short dark hair and scratches on his face.

He was wearing Nike trainers, a dark coloured hoodie, a white T shirt with a multi coloured Union Jack-style flag on the front and black tracksuit bottoms with white small stripes or dashes down each side and a "lion" logo.


Detective Inspector Keith Ward of Sutton's Sapphire Team, who is investigating the case said:
"This man was able to trick his way into the house and assault the victim in her own home.

It was a brazen attack in the middle of the afternoon. If you know him, call us as he must be stopped."



Do you recognise this man? Where you in this area at the time of the incident?

If you have any information that can assist please call officers based on 020 8721 4106 or to remain anonymous Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Thursday 23 August 2012

Lawyer Dodges Jail For Nightclub Machete Threat


A top banking and finance lawyer with one of the world's largest law firms retrieved a machete from his boutique Kensington hotel and brandished it at a group he clashed with at a nearby nightclub.


Jesler Hartman-Kok, 31, a lawyer with continental giants Nauta Dutilh - voted 2012's European practice of the year by the International Financial Law Review - escaped prison with a suspended sentence.


"The concern is that if people have weapons they are always likely to be used," Isleworth Crown Court Judge Andrew McDowall told the defendant. "There could have been terrible injuries caused."


Hartman-Kok, (pictured) of Cascades Tower, Canary Wharf pleaded guilty to possession of an article with a blade outside the base2stay hotel, Courtfield Gardens in the early hours of January 27.


Prosecutor Mr. James O'Connell told the court: "It appears there was an incident at 2am at the Mango Lounge club in Earl's Court Road, which included this defendant and some other people.


"The defendant produced a machete that he waved at members of the public and he says it was as a result of an earlier altercation when people followed him to his hotel and he returned with the machete.


"Members of the public were very scared and had followed him back to the hotel and saw him go in and called the police."


Hartman-Kok, who has kept his arrest and prosecution secret from his employers and family, quickly showed police the fearsome machete, which was under his hotel room bed.


"He answered very little questions as to what had occurred," added Mr. O'Connell.


"Although the weapon was brandished it was not used, thankfully. There was a distance between him and the people and nobody was injured, but they were frightened."


Hartman-Kok's lawyer Mr. Henry Gordon said: "I have very rarely met a man as remorseful and contrite. He is shocked and ashamed and his behaviour is out of character.


"Clearly this case is aggravated by the fact Mr. Hartman-Kok returned back outside with this article.


"The item was only carried for a matter of minutes and he had no intention of using it.


"His intention was to scare this group off.


"Mr. Hartman-Kok realises he should have remained inside his hotel room and regrets not doing so," explained Mr. Gordon. "The other group accept they were aggressive and armed themselves with a piece of wood.


"He is a qualified lawyer, an international commercial lawyer, specialising in banking and finance.


"It is a career he has worked very hard to achieve and a career he loves."


The court heard Hartman-Kok has felt vulnerable since he was attacked three years ago at 2am. "He is not a habitual knife-carrier," added Mr. Gordon.


Hartman-Kok was sentenced to twenty weeks imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months, ordered to complete 100 hours community service and pay £800 costs.


"It is accepted you were not carrying this machete with you at all times in the streets of London," Judge McDowall told the first-time offender.


"It is very much out of character and the first time you have appeared in the dock and I hope the last time."

Wednesday 22 August 2012

Paedo Nursery Assistant Filmed Up Girls' Skirts



A trusted child care assistant secretly filmed up young girls' skirts while supervising them and placed a secret camera in the ladies toilet at a suburban nursery.


James Hoffman, 32, of Purley Knoll, Purley also secretly recorded young children in his next-door neighbour's garden splashing about in a swimming-pool.


He pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court today to eight charges of voyeurism for his own sexual gratification and four counts of possessing indecent photograph's of children.


Hoffman was arrested after a member of staff at Wallington's Gaytime Nursey (pictured) discovered a secret camera hidden in the ladies toilets on May 23.


The voyeurism counts relate to two sixty minute video recordings - one filmed under a desk - taken some time between 2004 and 2005 of children aged between five and eight years-old at an after-school club.


Other recording include twenty-five minutes of children playing in his neighbour's garden plus footage of youngsters and staff in the toilet at Gaytime Nursery.


Prosecutor Mr. Andrew Ramsubhag told the court: "Mr. Hoffman was employed for the past eighteen years at a number of children's nurseries as a child care assistant and classroom assistant.


"From 2004 he has secretly recorded on numerous times children aged five to eight year-old by filming up their skirts and recording their genital area.


"From 2009 there were recordings in the staff toilets, recording female members of staff using the lavatory, and video footage of children playing in a swimming pool in the neighbour's garden.


"He was caught when a staff member discovered a device in the lavatory, which was used to record staff members, and Mr. Hoffman admitted planting the device and making the recordings."


Police were called and Hoffman's home, which he shares with his mother, was searched.


"A number of cassettes, dvd's and computer files were seized at his home."


The first-time offender was remanded in custody to be sentenced on September 20.

Tuesday 21 August 2012

Dementia Carer "Poisoned" Patients To Get Good Night's Kip


A senior carer at a Southern Cross nursing home drugged six dementia patients with anti-insomnia, anti-depressant and anti-psychotic pills so she could get a good night's sleep during her shift, a jury were told yesterday.


The patients, four women and two men, who usually wandered around during the night, often had to be taken to bed in wheelchairs after the unprescribed doses and were unsteady on their feet and suffered slurred speech.


Mirela Aionoaei, 37, of Pikestone Close, Hayes routinely shoved two chairs together to form a makeshift bed during the night shift and drugged the patients to ensure she would not be disturbed, Harrow Crown Court heard.


"The residents were being poisoned, of that there is no doubt," said prosecutor Mr. Guy Dilliway-Parry. "The defendant liked to sleep when on duty. Why else put two chairs together?


"She was seen to administer on many occasions over a considerable period of time and the residents would fall asleep almost straight away.


"A sleep so deep they would have to be taken to their beds in wheelchairs."


Aionoaei (pictured) has pleaded not guilty to six counts of administering a poison or noxious substance to the six residents of Ashwood Care Centre, Derwent Drive, Hayes between July 1 and December 31, 2010.


There were twenty-two residents on the dementia ward - aged between 58 and over 100 years-old - and Aionoaei was the senior member of staff in charge and the only one permitted to dispense medicine as a trained and authorised health professional.


"They all suffered from mental health conditions that left them vulnerable and unaware of their surroundings," explained Mr. Dilliway-Parry. "They could do very little for themselves.


"Some would walk around at night and needed hourly checks, but Aionoaei would put two chairs together and go to sleep, even if the residents were walking around.


"Her priority seemed to get some sleep herself."


A suspicious colleague began observing Aionoaei because the residents only became excessively drowsy when she was on duty and she was keen to get them into bed only thirty minutes into her shift.


"She was observed approaching residents with a glass of orange juice in one hand and observed putting a small cream-coloured tablet in the residents' mouths and they would all be asleep within five to eight minutes.


"She had taken something from the pocket of her overalls and the drugs trolley remained untouched in the nurse's station.


"Other staff noticed the residents were very sleepy after being administered medication by Aionoaei. They would be unsteady on their feet and slur their words more than usual."


On January 31, last year the suspicions were reported to police and hair samples were taken from a total of nine residents - one at their post mortem - and six returned positive for the presence of unprescribed drugs.


Among them were a fast-acting sleeping pill, which usually works for six hours, a drug prescribed to patients with depression and panic attacks, which has a side-effect of drowsiness and an anti-psychotic drug used to treat restlessness.


"They were detected in the hair samples and had been administered over a considerable period of time," added the prosecutor. "It shows they were being drugged."


When questioned by police Aionoaei admitted pushing two chairs together, but denied she slept, and claimed the reason for turning off the light near her was to prevent residents being disturbed.


"She denied ever taking medication from her overall pocket and giving it to a resident."


Trial continues………….

Monday 20 August 2012

Compo Win Illegal Immigrant Jailed For "One Man Crime Wave"


An illegal immigrant "one man crime wave" - who recently received £17,360 compensation from taxpayers after his Home Office detention was ruled unlawful - was locked-up for two years today for a string of new offences.


Joseph Mjemer, 29, of High Street, Yiewsley, West Drayton who has approximately thirty convictions, arrived in the UK as a stowaway in 2003 and immediately claimed asylum, using five aliases and at various times insisting he is either Algerian; Moroccan; Italian; British or stateless.


The High Court awarded him the compensation in November, last year for the period he had spent in "administrative custody" while the Home Office tried to work out where he was from.


"You could be described as a one-man crime wave that continues committing very annoying offences that frightens and distresses the public," Harrow Crown Court (pictured) Judge Stephen Holt told bearded body-builder Mjemer.


"You have built up in the last few years numerous convictions, covering numerous offences.


"I take into account your difficult childhood, but where that was, who knows? Even you do not seem to know and I take into account that you spent four-and-a-half years in Home Office custody and the High Court ordered your release.


"You have been given numerous chances and have failed to comply. The time has come for nothing other than a custodial sentence."


Mjemer was convicted of assaulting two 17 year-olds on an underground train, plus two counts of threatening behaviour towards a member of tube staff and a schoolteacher with a group of children.


He was also convicted of unlawfully possessing anabolic steroids, driving a motorbike while disqualified and uninsured, handling a stolen iPhone and failing to attend court hearings on four different occasions.


These offences put him in breach of a twelve month suspended sentence for handling a stolen car and this was activated. He was also disqualified from driving for three years.


"You have a complete disregard for court orders and you have used up most of your mitigation," Judge Holt told the defendant. "You have been given opportunities and not taken advantage of them."


Mjemer's lawyer Mr. Scott Wainwright told the court: "He has difficulty with anger management. Keep in mind this young man's difficult upbringing.


"He was brought up in the western Sahara, in Algeria and this has had a detrimental effect on his mental health and contributes to the volatile way he seems to behave."


The lawyer claimed anti-psychotic and anti-depressant drugs Mjemer received in Home Office detention effected his memory and ability to keep court and probation appointments.


Mjemer told the judge from the dock: "Probation have failed to help me, they have not referred me to the Hillingdon mental health unit. I have been kicked out of three surgeries because I cannot control myself. I can't hear the word 'no'."


Sunday 19 August 2012

East End Twins Jailed For Financing Brother's Muslim Terror Training


Two Muslim twin brothers, who raised cash for terror training in Somalia via their religious stall, have been jailed for three years each.

Mohammed Shabir Ali, 25, (pic.top) and Mohammed Shafik Ali, 25, (pic.bottom) of Bohn Road, Whitechapel admitted the offence and will also be subject to a ten-year Notification Order under the Counter Terrorism Act when released.

They raised cash through a 'Dawa' religious stall, which they sent to their older brother in Somalia, knowing it would fund terrorism.



The Old Bailey heard the brothers were originally arrested in June 2011 and later released without charge. 



However, Counter Terrorism Command detectives were able to continue examining various items seized in a search of their family home at the time of their arrest. 



This included a copy of terrorist publication '44 Ways to Support Jihad' by the radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, which the brothers admitted they had studied.



Detectives also found an MP3 player, which contained a recording that the twin brothers had made of a conversation with their older brother Mohammed Shamim. 



Shamim had travelled with two others from the UK to Nairobi via Dubai and then travelled onwards to Somalia in 2008 in response to a call for foreign fighters by Al Shabaab.



In the conversation, recorded in a telephone kiosk, the three brothers discussed how the twins would raise money and send it to Somalia. 



Their brother tells the twins that if they are struggling for money, £300 to £400 should be enough.



They are also heard discussing the whereabouts of a sum of £1,065, which the twins gave to Shabaaz Hussain to transfer out to Somalia. 



Shabaaz Hussain was arrested at the same time as the twins in June 2011 as part of the same police investigation.

He was jailed for five years and three months in March after admitting seven counts of fundraising for terrorist purposes.



In the telephone recording, the twins also ask their brother Shamim about his life in Somalia.



Shamim tells them: “So basically they're calling for - they need Muhajiroun..they need more Muhajiroun.” 



Shamim talks about being able to buy guns in the shop and tells his brothers that he sometimes sleeps with his gun, adding: “They make us polish it. They make us do all sorts of training. Training is very hard my brother.” 



He later adds: “…Allah has chosen people to come here and he chose me and I'm very grateful to be here and it's a privilege to be here….”


The court heard that detectives also recovered a mobile phone from Bohn Road, which showed the twins had contacted their brother Shamim in Somalia.



Assistant Commissioner Stuart Osborne, Senior National Coordinator Counter Terrorism, said: “These two men were actively engaged in raising money in London to fund terrorist activity in Somalia. 



“This is a serious terrorist offence because it is the support and fundraising network that allows terrorism to survive.



“We hope that today's conviction sends a clear message to anyone involved in this type of activity that they can expect to be bought before the courts.”

Saturday 18 August 2012

Landlord Jailed For Tenant Naked Pics Threat


A landlord, who threatened to post naked pictures of a tenant's wife on the internet if he did not pay arrears of £350, was jailed for eight months yesterday.


Bus driver Mark Mamerga, 36, of Alton Road, Croydon had seized tenant Lubos Osuch's laptop in lieu of payment and after finding the nude photos said he would distribute them online, identifying the victim's wife.


The father-of-two pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court (pictured) to blackmailing Mr. Osuch between May 12 and 19, last year.


Recorder Stuart Trimmer QC told the first-time offender: "This is not a threat to embarrass just the person who is not paying, but that threat to expose the whole family has put great pressure on the victim and his wife.


"If you threaten to put pictures of the man's naked wife on the internet then you can expect she will not be best pleased about that.


"Blackmail is a serious offence and there must be a level of deterrent.


"This course of conduct must have involved considerable distress, not only to the man who was not paying, but also to his family.


"They were put under strain by your threats to expose the female partner to ridicule by placing an image of her naked body on the internet.


"You were going to hold this family up to ridicule."

Friday 17 August 2012

Special Constable Wins Race-Hate Appeal



An off-duty special police constable, accused of shouting: "Why don't you f*** off back to Somalia," during a late-night penalty fares row with a train ticket inspector has won his appeal appeal against the racially-aggravated offence.


Witnesses on the train insisted Luke Smith, 27, flew into a rage on the 3am service when his two drunken friends were ordered to pay the £20 on-the-spot penalty and also called a female revenue protection officer a "black bitch".


Betting-shop manager Smith, of Carey Gardens, Wandsworth, who patrols the West End and Soho, told Croydon Crown Court today his words were not motivated by racism, but a desire to remind the Somalian inspector how fortunate he was to live in this country.


"I told him: 'This would never happen in Somalia' because I know Somalia to be a lawless place. I never used racist language towards them.


"I have travelled the world and I believe we have it very lucky here in the U.K.


"Obviously they were black, but I would have said it to anyone. If I ever thought anyone would take it as offensive I would never have said it."


Smith (pictured) was condemned by the Metropolitan Police after he was convicted of racially-abusing the 48 year-old man, fined £300, with £685 costs, ordered to pay £100 compensation to each inspector, plus a £15 victim surcharge.


He was facing disciplinary procedures brought by the Directorate of Professional Standards and Commander Pete Spindler said: "This type of appalling behaviour will not be tolerated on or off duty from any member of staff."


CCTV had captured Smith and his two friends falling down an escalator at Gatwick Airport on October 5, last year, but he insisted they were not excessively drunk and had arranged to purchase tickets on the train.


He quickly identified himself as a police officer when the inspectors demanded penalty fares in cash.


"He obviously had a problem that I represented authority. I challenged him because he was not following the rules and regulations," Smith told the court.


"I told him this would not happen in Somalia because it is a lawless state.


"I was there as a peacemaker, trying to calm it down. I would never tell anybody to go back to any country."


Witnesses also say they heard Smith shout: "Go back to Africa" and "F*** off you Somalian pig."


An off-duty full-time police officer intervened, but Smith identified himself as a PC James and gave a false shoulder number.


"It was stupid of me, but at the time he did not properly identify himself and I did not know who he was."


Insisting "some of my best friends are black, asian, muslim" Smith added: "I will not accept being called a racist, I feel insulted. It is insulting to me, my friends and my family.


"I enjoy the fact London is such a diverse place and I can immerse myself in the different cultures.


"I think the people on the train have just picked what they wanted to hear."