Sunday 30 June 2013

Employee Dodges Jail For £20K Mobile Phone Fraud


An employee, with a company specialising in selling luxury items all over the world, who was caught ordering over £20,000 worth of mobile phones for himself has escaped jail with a suspended sentence.

James Eggleston, 32, of Tennyson Road, Ashford, Kent claims bankruptcy and outstanding payday loans were behind the serious breach of trust.

He pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court (pictured) to stealing sixty-two phones between May 1, 2011 and February 15, last year from HH Associates Ltd, City House, Sutton Park Road, Sutton.

The court heard Eggleston ordered the phones on the company's account, initially for family and friends, giving some away and then selling each device for around £100.

When confronted by his bosses first-time offender Eggleston immediately confessed to the scam, but was unable to pay any of the money back.

They then reported him to the police and he was arrested.

Eggleston, whose home is in negative equity, obtained advice from the Citizens Advice Bureau concerning his debts and he is now making monthly payments.

Judge Nicholas Ainley told him: “Many people get into terrible financial trouble, but few resort to theft, particularly when there is a breach of trust.

“This was over twenty thousand pounds worth of theft.”

Eggleston was sentenced to sixteen months imprisonment, suspended for two years and was ordered to perform 150 hours community service work.

Saturday 29 June 2013

Film-Maker Who Directed Dame Helen Mirren Is In The Court's Spotlight - Again

Coronado: Doyen of Hammersmith Magistrates' Court 

A flamboyant film-maker, who directed Dame Helen Mirren in 'Hamlet', has been arrested at least five times in the last eighteen months and is barred from his local pub for constantly causing trouble.

Celestino Coronado, 68, of Chelsea Court, Embankment Gardens, Chelsea - the writer/producer/director of the 1976 Shakespeare production - has even been the subject of an ASBO application, but it was dropped.

He has recently been convicted of assaulting a man in Peter Jones department store, Sloane Square and has received further convictions for assault, criminal damage and threatening behaviour.

Coronado, who was also the producer/director of a 1985 television production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, was convicted in a separate case of causing £250 worth of criminal damage to a Seat Leon car in west London.

He has also been arrested and charged with harassment; assaulting a police officer at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and assaulting a barmaid at the Chelsea Potter pub, Kings Road.

In yet another recent court hearing three days ago the pub's supervisor Claire Smith told Hammersmith Magistrates' Court: "He is barred and he has been told this many times.

"He did his usual: 'Who are you? You can't tell me what to do. Who do you think you are?' and he refused to leave.

"He had a bottle of wine on him, which we do not serve, and a member of staff took it off him.

"He said: 'That's mine. How dare you,' and tried to grab the bottle and pushed her back.

"She stumbled back and almost fell down, using her hand to save herself.

"He was up, jumping around, and went into the road dancing around and he stood in front of a car, stopping it getting past."

The pub staff reported Coronado's behaviour to the police and he was arrested, but was cleared of any offence due to evidential difficulties.

It is not known if he has any pending court cases at the moment.

Friday 28 June 2013

Secret Student's £47K Benefit Swindle


A young mother-of-five, who kept her lucrative student loans and grants secret, has admitted a £47,000 benefit swindle.

Aziza Abouoff, 28, (pictured) of Lewis Road, Sidcup, south-east London was committed to the crown court for sentencing.


Bromley Magistrates' Court heard she illegally obtained £42,988 in housing benefit and £4,678 in council tax benefit.


Abouoff, who is estranged from her husband, pleaded guilty to four counts of failing to notify a change of circumstances to the London Borough of Bexley on dates between September 23, 2007 and October 3, 2010.


The charges relate to University of Greenwich loans amounting to £6,615 and £8,975 and grants amounting to £1,000 and £11,486.


Greenwich School of Management loans of £8,975 and £7,088 and grants of £16,827 and £7,025.

Thursday 27 June 2013

Cannabis Smuggler Caught During Pineapple Tins Run


A cannabis smuggler, who tried to sneak £76,000 worth of the drug through Gatwick Airport in tins of pineapple, has been jailed for twelve months.

Chanelle Walters,30, pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court (pictured) to importing 27.6 kilos of cannabis from Jamaica on December 3, last year.

Prosecutor Mr. Keith Hadrill told the court Walters was stopped by UK Border Agency officers as she tried to catch a connecting flight to Manchester in a mobility carrier.

The traveller's two suitcases were checked and within the tins of pineapple and other assorted tinned foods the cannabis was found.

“She said she had a free holiday and had been provided with the two suitcases,” added Mr. Hadrill, confirming Walters' travelling companion was cleared of drug smuggling.

“She said she has a sugar-daddy that treats her to all sorts of gifts.

“It was thought baggage bound for Manchester would not come under such close inspection at Gatwick and the labels on them showed an address that did not exist.”

Lupus-sufferer Walters' lawyer Mr. George Hepburn said: “She did not have any knowledge of the operation until she was in Jamaica, but she admitted to cannabis and crack cocaine use since she was a teenager.

“She doesn't name the man because he is a family man with two children and she now says, looking back, that she thinks the sugar daddy set them up.

“The day before leaving two men came up to her room and said she had to take a package back to Manchester.

“One of them had a gun and told her if she did not do it she would end up in a bush.

“She knew it wa drugs and was relieved it was not cocaine.”

Recorder Andrew McCooey, sentencing Walters to twelve months imprisonment, told her: “Had you not been under the influence of these sinister people in Jamaica you would not be here today.

“You must learn your lesson now and have nothing to do with drugs.”

Walters, who has been in custody since her arrest, qualified for immediate release.

Wednesday 26 June 2013

Princes Party Pal Pelly Denies Drink-Drive Charge


Pelly Arriving At Hammersmith Magistrates' Court
Prince William and Harry's party pal Guy Pelly appeared in court today accused of drink-driving in his £50,000 Audi sports car.

The 31 year-old nightclub boss, who owns the Mexican-themed Tonteria - where the princes partied earlier this month is fighting the charge.

Pelly, 31, (pictured) of Sheffield Terrace, Kensington has pleaded not guilty to driving his Audi R8 in Sloane Street, Belgravia on May 28 while the proportion of alcohol in his breath was 52 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath. 

The legal limit is 35.

Stowe-educated Pelly ran celebrity haunts Mahiki and Park Lane's Whisky Mist before recently opening his new Sloane Square nightclub.

He is rumoured to have organised the future king's stag party and was joint best man with Prince William at last weekend's society wedding of the year of Lady Melissa Percy and Thomas van Straubenzee in Alnwick, Northumberland.

He has his own distinguished family tree - grandmother Monica was a member of the Tate & Lyle sugar dynasty and his friendship with Harry stems from their participation with the Beaufort Hunt.

Pelly pleaded not guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates Court and his solicitor Barry Warburton will argue the calibration of  the alcohol intoximeter at Belgravia Police Station was deficient.

The defence claim a "long blow" resulted in an incorrect high reading and Pelly should have been given the option of a blood or urine sample.

They have also asked for CCTV evidence of the breath-test to be released by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Pelly was released on unconditional bail until July 24 when a trial date will be set.

Tuesday 25 June 2013

Nigella Lawson's Former PA's Deny Fraud

Grillo Sisters: Elisabetta (L) & Francesca (R)

Two Italian sisters, accused of defrauding celebrity chef Nigella Lawson and her husband Charles Saatchi while employed as personal assistants, will stand trial later this year.

Elisabetta Grillo, 40, and Francesca Grillo, 34, both of Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater will fight the allegations before an Isleworth Crown Court jury.

Both were committed from Hammersmith Magistrates' Court last month on a charge of fraud by abuse of position between January 1, 2008 and December 31, last year in that while occupying the positions of personal assistants for the Conarco Partnership dishonestly abused that position by using the company credit card for personal gain.

Elisabetta is charged with defrauding £58,744 and Francesca £266,827.

Both are on bail on condition they surrender their passports to the police and do not apply for any travel documents that would allow them to leave the United Kingdom.

It is alleged the company credit card was abused when funding a £3,616 Virgin Atlantic flight to New York and purchasing designer goods from Prada, Miu Miu and Chanel.

The sisters were first employed by Nigella when she was married to her late first husband John Diamond, who died of cancer in 2001, aged forty-seven.

They continued working for the chef when she married Charles Saatchi in September, 2003, but were sacked last year.

It was an ugly end to their long-term relationship with Nigella, who wrote of them in her 2011 cookery book 'Recipes From The Heart Of The Home': "I give heartfelt thanks to…my kitchen confidantes: Lisa and Francesca Grillo."

Monday 24 June 2013

Sickie Mechanic's Double Insurance Scam Ruined By Honest Son


An insurance fraudster, who was exposed claiming nearly £17,000 in unemployment mortgage and salary cover, when his son told investigators: “My dad's at work,” has been sentenced.

Mechanic Anwar Dadabhoy, 47, of Lakeside Avenue, Ilford, was recorded by an undercover surveillance team running a local car repair business while pocketing compensation from two insurance companies.

He was even watched driving away from his home early in the morning in a car adorned with his firm's livery.

The first-time offender appeared at the Old Bailey after pleading guilty to fraud by false representation between August 16, 2011 and March 2, last year in relation to £8,885 in mortgage protection insurance paid by Aviva.

He also pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation between August 14, 2011 and June 10, last year in relation to £6,110 in employment insurance paid by AGEAS.

Dadabhoy was sentenced at a twelve month community order, which includes 120 hours community service work.

He put in claims on both policies, declaring he had become unemployed on August 13, 2011.

From time to time checks were made and on January the eighth, last year a call was made to the defendant's home and the person who answered said they were Mr. Dadabhoy's son and that he was at work.

The next day the defendant tried to dig himself out of trouble by contacting his insurers.

He said his son was not well and that he had been out at the Jobcentre the previous day.

A surveillance operation was mounted, which recorded Dadabhoy regularly leaving for work at 8am in a Smart car adorned with a AD Motors advertising.

He was seen working on vehicles and wearing latex gloves and gave an undercover investigator his business car and a quote to inspect a vehicle.

He was seen dealing hands-on with inspections and repairs even though he declared he was still unemployed and had not taken on work.

He later said he was suffering with depression and was doing voluntary work at his son's garage.

Dadabhoy was questioned at home on July 4, last year and admitted he was the sole owner of AD Motors, but had ceased trading on April 27 due to lack of custom.

He agreed to repay his insurers at the rate of £50 per month and has paid £200 so far.

The insurers also incurred additional costs of £2,941 in surveillance and investigation charges and a confiscation order was sought.

Dadabhoy was also ordered to pay compensation within seven days.

Sunday 23 June 2013

Veteran Actor Steve Berkoff Denies Careless Driving


Going Underground: Actor Berkoff
Actor Steven Berkoff has denied driving his VW Beetle without due care and attention when he struck a female pedestrian crossing the road in the busy West End.

The 75 year-old veteran of stage, screen and television appeared at City of London Magistrates' Court, where the case was adjourned for a trial on August 27.

Berkoff, of Narrow Street, Canary Wharf, who recently appeared in lavish  television costume drama 'The Borgias' and hit movie 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' told the court the pedestrian was to blame.

However, he did plead guilty to driving in Oxford Street last New Year's Eve without a valid licence because he was using a United States licence, which is only valid for one year and will be sentenced for the offence at the conclusion of his trial.

He was not represented in court and pleaded not guilty to driving without due care and attention, in Oxford Street at 6pm on December 31, last year by stopping and signalling for a pedestrian to cross, but then overtaking a small car and hitting the pedestrian's leg.

Berkoff told the court: "I was driving along Oxford Street, it is a very, very slow journey, a very busy shopping area and the car in front of me slowed down and stopped.

"I signalled and slowly overtook the car and as I was overtaking at five to seven miles per hour two women dashed across the road at enormous speed.

"I braked, but accidentally just nipped one of the ladies on the leg.

"Where they crossed the road, there was no zebra, no lights in busy Oxford Street.

"They thought they would make a quick dash. I think that they were totally responsible.

"My driving is reasonable and competent and in thirty years of driving I haven't had one accident, just maybe gone through traffic lights once or twice.

"My driving was competent and always is."

After initially denying the licence charge Berkoff admitted ignorance was no defence, adding: "I have an american licence as I have been living in LA, coming back and forth for many years and i was told that it was valid, but now I have been told it is valid for only one year.

"I am flying back and forth between La and London, a lot of my work takes place in America, where I was last week."

The prosecution will call one police officer and two civilian witnesses and Berkoff told the court he had no witnesses.

Saturday 22 June 2013

'Commuter Rage' Case: Charges Dropped


A Milton Keynes commuter, who denied aggressively calling a ticket inspector a “fucking dickhead” while grabbing his jacket, looked pleased after accepting a bindover yesterday.

Father-of-three Stephen Archer, 41, of Church Road, Brickhill was accused of queue-jumping at busy Euston station during the evening rush-hour.


A ticket inspector who challenged him told police the defendant was verbally abusive and grabbed him, but the charges were dropped after Archer conceded his behaviour was out of line.


He was found not guilty at City of London Magistrates' Court of assaulting Benjamin Johnson and using threatening behaviour on November 16, last year and was boundover in the sum of £200 for twelve months.


“The defendant was walking down the ramp to platform six, where there was a queue forming and the defendant was seen walking to the side by a ticket inspector,” explained prosecutor Mr. Satya Chotalia.


“When he asked to see his ticket Mr. Archer aggressively called him a: 'Fucking dickhead,' ansd grabbed the ticket inspector's jacket.


“It turned out Mr. Archer did have a valid ticket for travel and it was a minor assault, a grabbing of the jacket.


“He was not trying to fare evade, but just get to his train quicker.”


Archer's lawyer Mr. James Lester said: “He is a professional man with a young family and had never been arrested before.


“He wished to apologise at the time for his conduct, his behaviour fell well short of the standards he sets himself in his life that evening.


“He wishes to apologise in open court for his behaviour.


“There was no intent to fare evade and there was no obligation to queue because there were other entrances to that concourse.


“He has caused embarrasment to himself, his family and his employers as a result of this incident.


“He did have a couple of alcoholic drinks that evening and that may have had an effect.”


Archer, who maintains his good character, was ordered to pay £500 costs.

Friday 21 June 2013

Convicted Rapist Cleared Of Molesting Nine Year-Old Girl


A convicted rapist, who attacked a woman in an alleyway twenty years ago, has been cleared of molesting a nine year-old girl.

Daniel Borgers, 41, (pictured) of Napier Crescent, Scarborough was arrested and charged after the girl's step-father read about the rape conviction in a local newspaper.

However, a Blackfriars Crown Court jury acquitted the serving prisoner of sexually assaulting the girl, then aged nine, at an address in Monklands, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire in March, 2007.

Borgers, who is serving seven-and-a-half years, breathed a noticable sigh of relief and nodded his head in affirmation of the jury's verdict.

His parents, who supported him throughout the trial, were also visably relieved and his mother broke down in tears.

He raped a woman in her 40's in a Stotfold, Bedfordshire, alleyway in October, 1992 as she walked home from a relative's house on a footpath between Arlesey Road and Mixies one evening.

Borgers grabbed her from behind and forced her to the floor, raped her and ran away, threatening to slit her throat.

He was arrested when DNA taken by North Yorkshire Police after a minor drugs offence matched the rapist's semen sample.

The case was widely reported and the Letchworth Garden City girl's step-father, knowing the family had contact with Borgers several years earlier, quizzed her about him.

She said Borgers had toucher her one night as she shared a bed with her step-brother, but had kept most of the intimate details secret out of embarrasment.

“One night she was asleep in her brother's bed when she was awoken by a shadow passing across her face,” prosecutor Miss Isabel Dellamere told the jury.

“She saw the defendant there and he was touching her softly up and down her legs and touched her chest.

“She describes a circular motion and Mr. Borgers grabbing her breasts and she says he was trying to move the nightdress up.

“Using his palms he touched her thighs and then touched the inside of her thighs and she describes him breathing heavily.

“She shouted for her mum who came to the door and asked what Mr. Borgers was doing there and the defendant said he was just talking.”

The jury was told that sometimes Borgers would sleep with the girl's mother and sometimes sleep in the girl's bed alone when he arrived drunk, while she shared with her brother.

“She describes the defendant as someone who gave her cuddles and tickles a lot,” added Miss Dellamere.”

The jury were shown a videoed police interview in which the girl told officers: “I woke up and Dan was crouched down on the floor and was touching me softly, rubbing up and down my leg and my breasts and I could hear heavy breathing.

“I was frightened to say anything, because I was only nine.

“I was shocked and uncomfortable.

“I think that was the whole thing, he was trying to move the nightie up.

'There was deep heavy breathing and I could feel it down my neck, that was while he was touching my boob with one hand first of all.”

After three or four minutes her mother came to the bedroom door and Borgers left, but even though this was a one-off the witness said his behaviour on other occasions was inappropriate.

“When he came in he would want to cuddle me and tickle my side. I thought it was a bit weird for mum's boyfriend to do that kind of thing.

“It was about a week later that I told my mum, but I don't think she believed me.

“I felt embarrassed about telling me mum about the touching of the breasts.”

The court heard the girl's new step-father asked her about Borgers when he read a newspaper report in August, last year that named him.

She revealed to the family for the first time: “He touched my boobs.”

Borgers was arrested on August 24, last year and told police he was confused about the lay-out of the three-bedroom house after drinking heavily and smoking cannabis.

“He said in a 'fuzzy' state he got into the wrong bedroom and got into the kids' bed,” explained Miss Dellamere.

“He said when he realised it was not their mother's bed he got up and curled up on the floor.

“He denied touching her in any way at all.”

Thursday 20 June 2013

"Charming" Serial Rapist Gets Extra Prison Time For Three More Attacks


An "arrogant sexual predator" is starting a new life sentence for three more rapes, after his traumatised victims came forward - prompted by the notoriety surrounding his attacks on four other victims.

Serial rapist Brian Witty, 42, a former Territorial Army captain with the Parachute Regiment and City banker - described as "charming" by many of his victims - was already behind bars, but yesterday's sentencing increases his minimum term by four years.

He raped the professional women when they were all 19 year-old students - beating one severely and smirking with a smug look on his face after raping another.

"They describe him as somebody who is charming, confident on the verge of arrogance, violent and takes sex by force, using his physical strength if he is refused," prosecutor Mr. Edmund Gritt told the Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court jury.

Witty, of Marlow House, Twickenham Road, Teddington was convicted at the same court last year of three rapes and one sexual assault of four victims - prompting the three new victims to come forward after years of silence.

He was convicted of raping the first complainant, who is now a 43 year-old dentist at her Liverpool University hall of residence room in September or October, 1989; raping the second woman, now a 35 year-old nurse, at a Hull address in December, 1997 and raping the third, now a doctor, aged 35 at his former Kensington flat in the early hours of New Year's Day, 1998.

Judge Nicholas Price QC sentenced Witty to life imprisonment, with a twelve year minimum, telling him: "You were bullying, you were controlling, you were manipulative, you traumatised and devastated their lives.

"Your callous indifference to each of these victims speaks volumes about your character and you treated them with utter contempt and with each woman you wore no condom, which in itself was an exacerbating feature.

"You knew that each was telling the truth, but you showed no compassion in your decision to challenge their allegations and I have no doubt you will continue to protest your innocence on these charges."

Witty was warned by the judge to stop shaking his head in mock disbelief when the case was opened to the jury by the prosecution at the start of the trial.

The court heard Witty knew the first woman, who he met at Hull College of Further Education, where she was retaking her A-levels and was angry when she stood him up in Liverpool, where she had moved to study dentistry.

"Her first impression was that he was charming, fun and engaging, but also cocky and very confident," explained Mr. Gritt. "She soon discovered that Mr. Witty's personality had a different side that was intimidating, jealous and violent."

A witness once saw Witty twisting the student's arm until she said sorry to him for a joke he was offended by and he also beat her and parked outside her family's home in Hull to intimidate them, the jury were told.

After she moved to Liverpool he tracked her down and turned up at her lodgings.

"She was terrified, he held the door open, punched her and forced her back into the room," said Mr. Gritt. "He punched her repeatedly all over and she curled herself into a ball to protect herself.

"He sat on top of her, holding her down, and at one point put his hands around her neck.

"He pulled down her lower clothing and raped her. He was very strong and she was very frightened.

"Afterwards he started punching her again and she began screaming. The defendant continued shouting and hitting her and was enraged that she did not meet up with him."

She was left with a bleeding eye and lip and with bruising to her face and body, but only told people Witty had beaten her up.

The jury were told the second victim was staying overnight on a living-room sofa at an address in Hull Witty and a couple were also staying at.

"There in the small hours she was woken by this defendant, pulling her to the floor and he held her down and put his hand over her mouth," said Mr. Gritt.

"He was much stronger and she was frozen with fear and this defendant then raped her.

"He said nothing, but simply looked smug and he stood up with a smirk on his face as if something funny had just happened."

Again the victim did not report the rape and the jury were reminded Witty had raped before this date and was "confident" after being released without charge when arrested and questioned by police.

Days later Witty was celebrating the new year in London and agreed to look after a medical student, who was attending Guy's and St. Thomas's Hospital, and could not get back home to Romford, Essex.

"Her friend fatefully introduced her to Mr. Witty as somebody who would look after her and eliminate the risk of her getting raped on the way home.

"The defendant reassured her that he did not have any ulterior motive, but sex was all that was on his mind and she thought he was the perfect gentleman."

The jury were told his Kensington flat had been the scene of a previous rape and again Witty attacked a lone female once he got her inside.

"He pushed her face-down on the bed, holding her arms above her, spread her legs and raped her," said Mr. Gritt. "She was shocked and scared and did not know what to do."

The young woman told her tutor, doctor and friends about the rape and they noticed bruising to both her arms, the court heard, but again the police were not informed.

Like the other two complainants she only went to the police after learning of Witty's convictions.

In May, last year he received life - with an eight-year minimum - for three rapes and a sexual assault committed between 1996 and 2011 after meeting the four victims on online dating sites or in smart bars.

He was arrested after each of the first three attacks, but was only charged after raping the fourth woman, a 42 year-old he met via DatingDirect.com and shared a drink with at a Richmond pub.

The first woman was raped after bumping into Witty at a Fulham pub, five months after they had a one-night stand, the second was sexually assaulted in a Covent Garden alley and the third raped after meeting him in a Twickenham pub.

Wednesday 19 June 2013

Burglary Victim Fatality: Teen In Dock


A 17 year-old boy has appeared in court charged with murder after an 88 year-old pensioner died after a break-in at her east London home.
Margery Gilbey, (pictured) of Sonali Gardens, Sutton Street, Stepney passed away soon after the burglary.
The Romford youth, who is too young to be identified, appeared at Stratford Magistrates' Court charged with the murder of Margery on May 24.
A 23 year-old man, who was also arrested in connection with the death, has been bailed to return to an east London police station pending further enquiries.

Tuesday 18 June 2013

Alleged Paedo Denies Groping Nine Year-Old Girl


A drunken child molester groped his girlfriend's nine year-old daughter's breasts and thighs as the youngster slept with her twin brother, a court heard yesterday.

Daniel Borgers, 41, (pictured) of Napier Crescent, Scarborough was dating the girl's mother six years ago and fondled the daughter during one of his regular sleepover's at their home in Monklands, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire.

“One night she was asleep in her brother's bed when she was awoken by a shadow passing across her face,” prosecutor Miss Isabel Dellamere told the Blackfriars Crown Court jury.

“She saw the defendant there and he was touching her softly up and down her legs and touched her chest.

“She describes a circular motion and Mr. Borgers grabbing her breasts and she says he was trying to move the nightdress up.

“Using his palms he touched her thighs and then touched the inside of her thighs and she describes him breathing heavily.

“She shouted for her mum who came to the door and asked what Mr. Borgers was doing there and the defendant said he was just talking.”

The jury was told that sometimes Borgers would sleep with the girl's mother and sometimes sleep in the girl's bed alone when he arrived drunk, while she shared with her brother.

“She describes the defendant as someone who gave her cuddles and tickles a lot,” added Miss Dellamere.”

The jury were shown a videoed police interview in which the girl told officers: “I woke up and Dan was crouched down on the floor and was touching me softly, rubbing up and down my leg and my breasts and I could hear heavy breathing.

“I was frightened to say anything, because I was only nine.

“I was shocked and uncomfortable.

“I think that was the whole thing, he was trying to move the nightie up.

'There was deep heavy breathing and I could feel it down my neck, that was while he was touching my boob with one hand first of all.”

After three or four minutes her mother came to the bedroom door and Borgers left, but even though this was a one-off the witness said his behaviour on other occasions was inappropriate.

“When he came in he would want to cuddle me and tickle my side. I thought it was a bit weird for mum's boyfriend to do that kind of thing.

“It was about a week later that I told my mum, but I don't think she believed me.

“I felt embarrassed about telling me mum about the touching of the breasts.”

The court heard the girl's new step-father asked her about Borgers when he read a newspaper report in August, last year that named him.

She revealed to the family for the first time: “He touched my boobs.”

Borgers was arrested on August 24, last year and told police he was confused about the lay-out of the three-bedroom house after drinking heavily and smoking cannabis.

“He said in a 'fuzzy' state he got into the wrong bedroom and got into the kids' bed,” explained Miss Dellamere.

“He said when he realised it was not their mother's bed he got up and curled up on the floor.

“He denied touching her in any way at all.”

The trial is expected to last three days.