Saturday 30 September 2017

Fatal Cannabis Factory Fire: Suspected Grower Charged With Manslaughter

Fire Charge: Bowen
A suspected cannabis grower, accused of starting a fatal fire which claimed a man’s life, has appeared in court for the first time charged with manslaughter.

Ricky Bowen, 30, of Nunhead Grove, Peckham is charged with unlawfully killing 25 year-old Grant Fenn, who spent three months in a coma after the explosion.

He reportedly suffered 98% burns and was placed in an induced coma at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, where he passed away on August 2, last year.

In the early hours of April 11 the caretaker’s room at Coniston House, Wyndham Road, Camberwell burst into flames.

Father-of-one Mr. Fenn was airlifted to hospital with another man, who was also treated for injuries and discharged.

Afterwards police revealed the room was being used to cultivate cannabis.

Bowen appeared at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court charged with the manslaughter of Mr. Bowen on August 2.

He will next appear at the Old Bailey on October 5.

Bowen is also charged with arson with intent or recklessness as to whether life was endangered on April 11 and being concerned in the production of cannabis.

Alongside him in the dock was 24 year-old Katherine Granger, of Draper House, Wyndham Estate, Elephant and Castle.

She is charged with conspiring to pervert the course of justice by giving a false witness statement to the police on May 13, last year.

Granger is also charged with permitting the supply of cannabis at her home address on April 10 and will also appear at the Old Bailey on the same date.

Friday 29 September 2017

Kids Nanny Was Prompted To Download Sick Child Pics

Court Date: Ede-Borrett
A children’s nanny, who downloaded child porn images, was bailed for sentencing yesterday.

Elliana Ede-Borrett, 23, of Sumner Road, Croydon says she was prompted by an unknown person to obtain the sick images.

She appeared at Inner London Crown Court, where she will return on October 27 after mental health and probation reports are prepared.

Ede-Borrett had already pleaded guilty at her first appearance at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court to three counts of making indecent images of children between September 23, 2015 and May 3, last year.

These relate to 12 Category A images - the most serious - 18 Category B images and 17 Category C images.

The first-time offender has lived in a hostel for vulnerable adults since her arrest in May, last year.

None of the images relate to the children she was looking after.

“The Crown accept it was at the instigation of another,” said prosecutor Mr. Bill McGivern. “There is nothing to say she has an independent interest in the material.”

First-time offender Ede-Borrett’s lawyer Miss Farah Ahmed said: “There is an application for two reports. The defence solicitors have been trying to obtain either a psychological or psychiatric report.

“She is twenty-three and has no previous convictions. 

“Issues have been raised as to suicide attempts and issues in her childhood.”

The court heard Ede-Borrett no longer has any relationship with the second person, who was not identified.

Judge Stephen Dawson announced: “This is an unusual case. The Crown say that by what the police have gleaned it is not a case where the defendant herself has a proclivity to look at these sort of images and that she was manipulated by another.

“The issue, if there is one, is to protection of the public and herself from being in a situation like this.

“Maybe the probation service do not have much to offer.”

Thursday 28 September 2017

'Starred Up' Actor Catches A Break: Court Drops Strict Driving Condition

A former inmate, who appeared in brutal prison film ‘Starred Up’ and crashed his Mercedes into a wall when chasing two knifemen, will not have to pass an extended driving test after all.

Basil Abdul-Latif, 31, was slashed across the arm during a confrontation with two unknown cycle-riding males and lost control while speeding after them.

However, he was still subject to a driving ban after two motoring offences.

Abdul-Latif, of Damorie House, Sandmere Road, Clapham received 120 hours community service on Friday and must pay £200 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court re-listed the case and ruled he no longer needed to retake an extended driving test before his license can be returned.

He was cast as prisoner Mubarak in the 2013 film - starring Jack O’Connell - after meeting scriptwriter Jonathan Asser in HMP Wandsworth, who he credits with changing his life.

Abdul-Latif pleaded guilty to driving his white two-litre Mercedes Benz E class carelessly in Beechcroft Road, Tooting on February 1.

He also admitted driving while disqualified.

Abdul-Latif was originally disqualified for four years in 2010 when he received a suspended prison sentence for aggravated vehicle-taking.

He flouted the ban 18 months later and received a suspended sentence for driving while disqualified and was ordered to pass an extended driving test before his licence could be returned.

When questioned by police he admitted he “lost control” after the violent confrontation, which involved the two unknown cyclists and his younger cousin.

After appearing on the red carpet for the ‘Starred Up’ premiere Abdul-Latif revealed he was first locked-up, aged sixteen years-old, when he smashed up a mosque.

He has stayed out of prison since his last sentence was completed in 2009.

Wednesday 27 September 2017

Croydon Cop Cleared Of GBH

Not Guilty: PC Fackerell
A police officer was finally cleared yesterday of a violent attack while off-duty.

PC Alex Fackerell, 23, had the charge against him dropped when he appeared on bail for trial at Croydon Crown Court.

The Borough of Croydon officer and Bradley Cody, 24, had both been charged with one count of causing grievous bodily harm.

The charge related to an incident in Sutton High Street on November 1, last year.

PC Fackerell was arrested on December 5 and charged on March 10, this year.

Cody also had the GBH charge against him reduced to one of causing actual bodily harm and was bailed to return for trial on October 23.

Tuesday 26 September 2017

Pensioner Denies Decades-Old Sexual Abuse Of Two Girls

Isleworth Crown Court
A pensioner repeatedly raped a 14 year-old girl four decades ago and subjected another young girl to a similar ordeal years later, a court heard yesterday.

Joseph Francis, 77, of Stearne Close, Thetford, Norfolk denies the charges, which are alleged to have occurred at his former address in Yeldham Road, Hammersmith.

“He came into her bedroom, pushing the wardrobe towards the door,” prosecutor Mr. Timothy Naik told the Isleworth Crown Court jury. 

“Before this there was a period of what we now call 'grooming' when he made inappropriate advances while telling her how much he cared for her.”

The 14 yer-old fell pregnant as a result and had an abortion just days after her fifteenth birthday in 1973.

“The first time it happened was on the floor. He held her down and told her to open her legs and that continued sometimes two or three times a week,” explained Mr. Naik.

“It became repetitive and familiar to her. She says she tried to stop him, but if she was physical he would beat her and become more physical.”

A complaint was made at the time of the alleged offences, but Francis was never charged.

He was arrested after a second female complained he sexually abused her approximately ten years ago when she was 15 years-old.

“Mr. Francis turned the conversation and said he would teach her what it would be like to be sixteen years-old and proceeded to take his trousers down.”

The prosecution say the young girl was then forced to perform a sex act on the defendant that amounts to rape.

“She complained and he stopped and she ran into the toilet,” said Mr. Naik.

Francis was arrested in September, 2014. “He denied the allegations and said they were totally untrue. He said that it was nonsense.”

He has pleaded not guilty to five counts of rape in relation to the first girl; plus one count of sexual assault and two counts relating to sexual acts he allegedly made her perform on him.

In relation to the second girl he has pleaded not guilty to one count of rape.

Trial continues..........

Monday 25 September 2017

Boyfriend Denies DIY Umbrella Abortion Attempt

Isleworth Crown Court
An expectant-dad threatened his abused girlfriend with a knife and umbrella as he tried to perform a DIY abortion on their four-month old fetus, a court heard today.

Angry Rakim Dwayne Braithwaite, 27, inserted the knife as his 26 year-old partner screamed then approached her with the umbrella before a worried neighbour called 999, the jury were told.

He has pleaded not guilty to using an instrument, with intent to procure a miscarriage on May 16, last year and engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour between December 29, 2015 and November 21, last year.

Isleworth Crown Court heard Braithwaite, of Hicks Avenue, Greenford, threatened to “beat” the baby out of Sara Snoussi and stab her with a bottle.

He donned plastic gloves and played an internet video of a home-abortion on his television while ordering his girlfriend to lie down and remove her trousers, the court was told.

“She screamed out and he put a pillow on her face to stop the screams,” said prosecutor Mr. David Markham. 

“He came at her with an umbrella and then came at her with a kitchen knife, with a condom on it and the tip was inserted into her vagina.”

A neighbour heard her screaming: “Please stop. You’re hurting me,” explained Mr. Markham, but Ms Snoussi refused to talk to officers when they arrived.

Fortunately she gave birth to a healthy baby boy in October,
last year.

The woman says Braithwaite threatened her with violence if she did not contact an abortion clinic; made phone calls in her presence to arrange violent attacks on her and punched her in the face.

She says he also threatened to stab her in the womb; threatened to visit her at work and “smash” her face and “beat the child out of her” and said he would kill her and throw acid in her face.

“His intention at the time, we say, was while in temper to end the pregnancy,” said Mr. Markham. 

“His girlfriend stayed with him throughout the period out of love and loyalty to him. She was scared to lose him, such was the grip he exerted over her.”

They met in 2014 and the court heard Braithwaite vowed to post a video of her performing oral sex on him over the internet.

“He threatened to throw her off a tall building and would hit her across the face, giving her a black eye,” said Mr. Markham.

Braithwaite tried to exploit the pregnancy to obtain a council property for them and concocted the fake eviction of Ms Snoussi from her mother’s home, the trial heard.

Eventually she reported Braithwaite to the police on November 26, last year and he was arrested on December 11.

“He denied trying to harm the unborn child. He said she had a problem with drugs and had been taking drugs and self-harming and said she did not want the baby.

“He said there was a custody battle and the accusations were made to destroy his chances of having his son.”

Trial continues…………..

Sunday 24 September 2017

Ex-Inmate Who Appeared In Prison Film 'Starred Up' Crashed Merc While Banned

An inmate-turned-actor, who appeared in brutal prison film ‘Starred Up', crashed his Mercedes into a wall when chasing two knifemen while he was disqualified from driving.

Basil Abdul-Latif, 31, was slashed across the arm during a confrontation with two unknown cycle-riding males and lost control while speeding after them.

However, he was still subject to a driving ban, having not passed a court-ordered extended test after two motoring offences.

Abdul-Latif, of Damorie House, Sandmere Road, Clapham received 120 hours community service on and must pay £200 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

He was cast as prisoner Mubarak in the 2013 film - starring Jack O’Connell - after meeting scriptwriter Jonathan Asser in HMP Wandsworth, who he credits with changing his life.

Abdul-Latif pleaded guilty to driving his white two-litre Mercedes Benz E class carelessly in Beechcroft Road, Tooting on February 1.

He also admitted at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to driving while disqualified.

“On that day you were in an altercation with two young men and received a serious stab wound to your arm,” Recorder John Kingston told Abdul-Latif.

“You were seriously injured, which is likely to have impaired your ability to drive, but it was near a school and pedestrians were in danger of serious injury or being killed.

“You drove a short distance in pursuit of those that had stabbed you and crashed your car and were carrying a passenger when you crashed.”

Abdul-Latin was originally disqualified for four years in 2010 when he received a suspended prison sentence for aggravated vehicle-taking.

He flouted the ban 18 months later and received a suspended sentence for driving while disqualified and was ordered to pass an extended driving test before his licence could be returned.

However, Abdul-Latif passed only an ordinary test in 2015 and remains disqualified.

Despite the ban he held a driving job with the Highways Agency, the court heard, and says he has turned his life around since meeting a new girlfriend while on probation three years ago.

Abdul-Latif claims he did not know he was still banned and is now looking for part-time work on the railways.

When questioned by police he admitted he “lost control” after the violent confrontation, which involved the two unknown cyclists and his younger cousin.

After appearing on the red carpet for the ‘Starred Up’ premiere Abdul-Latif revealed he was first locked-up, aged sixteen years-old, when he smashed up a mosque.

He has stayed out of prison since his last sentence was completed in 2009.

Saturday 23 September 2017

"Celebrity Hugger" Reality TV Superfan Bailed On Wayne Woodward Harassment Charge

Court Date: Macintosh
A “celebrity hugger” reality tv superfan has appeared in court for the second time accused of harassing Britain’s Got Talent runner-up Wayne Woodward and assaulting his sister.

Tania Macintosh, 26, of Hartland Road, Morden is accused of repeatedly asking the 22 year-old singer, who was second in the 2016 series, for a ‘cuddle and a kiss’ at public engagements.

She appeared at Croydon Magistrates Court, which bailed her until November 14 on condition she does not contact Woodward or his sister Maxine.

A thirty-page psychiatric report had been prepared for the hearing, which was told Macintosh has Asperger’s Syndrome.

Macintosh appeared in the dock wearing a t-shirt sporting a photograph of herself hugging X-Factor judge Louis Walsh and carrying a notebook emblazoned with images of Woodward, a photo of whom she also has on her keyring.

Macintosh is charged with pursuing a course of conduct amounting to the harassment of Woodward between May 27 and July 8 in the Sutton area.

BGT's Woodward
This consists of repeatedly requesting a “cuddle and kiss” at public events knowing he did not wish to and causing damage to his vehicle on June 17 by removing his car’s number plate and turning up unannounced at his address and continually contacting him by telephone.

Macintosh is also charged with assaulting his sister Maxine Woodward in Sutton on July 8 by beating.

Her first court appearance on the charges was last month. 

Wayne and girlfriend Abbie Jarvis announced in March they were having a baby boy, which he intends naming Frank, after his hero Sinatra.

After finishing as runner-up last year to musician Richard Jones he failed to land a deal with Simon Cowell’s label Syco.

Despite this Woodward released the album N.U.M.B and single Animal this summer.

Friday 22 September 2017

GUILTY: Airplane Groper Who Pawed Woman During Flight

A plane passenger, who groped the breast of a mum sitting with her two young children in front of him, has been unanimously convicted by a jury.

“I felt him putting his hand through the gap in the seats and he grabbed my right breast,” she told Isleworth Crown Court.

“On a scale of one to ten it was a five. It was not painful, but it was definitely felt.”

Saranjeet Bassi, 28, of Craiglea, Causewayhead, Stirling, Scotland was found guilty of sexually assaulting the woman on the Qatar Airways flight to London Heathrow on December 12, last year.

He will return to court for sentencing on November 17.

She said drunken Bassi began playing with her eighteen month-old son between the seats just twenty minutes after taking off from Doha, Qatar.

“He said: ‘What a cute child, can I offer him a sweet?’ I said: ’No’ because I could smell alcohol on his breath and did not want anything to do with him.

“It was quite strong. I could smell it on his breath even when not talking to him.”

The woman, who was also travelling with her seven year-old, told the jury she confronted Bassi after being groped.

“I stood up immediately and said: ‘Excuse me, that’s not called for’ and gave him a look of disgust and he just stared at me.”

She complained to cabin crew, but Bassi refused to move, later telling police to do so would be an admission of wrongdoing.

Because she was in a baby seat with a cot the mum had to remain where she was. “I was helpless, upset, I couldn’t do anything about it and had no chance, but to sit there.”

Two hours later she felt further contact from Bassi, she said. “I felt a foot rubbing my foot under the seat.”

Again she complained to the flight crew and the defendant again refused to budge.

“When he was asked to move he became quite rude and aggressive and said he had not done anything wrong and had been asleep all the time.

“I was humiliated, embarrassed and very upset.”

Bassi was arrested at Heathrow. “He denied grabbing her breast and said he was rubbing his foot on the seat in front,” prosecutor Mr. Jonathan Wright told the jury.

“He said he did not move because that would be an admission of wrongdoing.”

Thursday 21 September 2017

Somalian Wins Right To Fight £39K Benefit Fraud Plea

A Somalian refugee, who admitted continuing to receive nearly £39,000 in benefits after returning to his homeland because he missed the sunshine, won the right to reverse his own plea yesterday.

Pensioner Mohamed Qoomaal, 71, had pension credit payments sent to him for two-and-a-half years and a mystery person enjoyed rent-free living in his council-funded home, Isleworth Crown Court heard.

He even forged an immigration stamp on his British passport in a failed attempt to trick investigators into accepting he had been residing in the UK, say the prosecution.

Incredibly Qoomaal, of Archery Close, Harrow continues to receive benefits, minus a £44 per-week deduction to compensate the Department of Work and Pensions.

At that rate it will take Qoomaal, who also burdens the NHS with heart and renal issues, seventeen years to repay the £38,869.97p total.

He will return to court on October 30 after Judge Jonathan Ferris reluctantly agreed to hear an application to set the guilty pleas aside and have a jury trial instead.

“If you read the pre-sentence report the dishonesty is acknowledged. The defendant accepted to the probation officer that he failed to declare a change of circumstances and dishonesty was at the heart of that discussion,” said the judge yesterday.

“It was not until I started to sentence him and he realised what I was saying about custody that there was a hiatus caused by his actions and then a contradicted basis on which he had pleaded guilty in the first place.”

Despite arriving in the this country fifteen years ago he also needed a taxpayer-funded interpreter during the court hearing.

“Why does he live here? Why is he entitled to benefits? What’s he doing here?” asked Judge Ferris during a previous hearing.

“He can’t have made much of a contribution to the pension credit he is receiving.”

Qoomaal pleaded guilty to two counts of dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances regarding Pension Credit and Housing Benefit between August 20, 2013 and February 22, 2016.

“He failed to notify the fact he was living abroad in Somalia and in order to mislead investigators he fabricated an immigration stamp in his passport,” said prosecutor Miss Lisa Matthews.

The court heard Qoomaal wanted to live in a warmer climate for health benefits and only returned to the UK when he heard he was wanted for questioning.

“He left the UK on an open ticket and did not return. He gave the keys to his privately-rented flat to a third party, who lived there while he was abroad,” added the prosecutor.

When quizzed Qoomaal tried to lie his way out of trouble, but finally confessed when his legal representative informed him the evidence was overwhelming.

He currently receives a large quantity of free prescription medication and has a series of hospital appointments with departments specialising in cardiology, dialysis and infectious diseases.

“He also has problems with his legs,” said Qoomaal’s lawyer Miss Mariska Van Leeuwen. “He had a heart attack last year and another this year and he has a vast amount of medication with him.”

Qoomaal claimed asylum on the basis he was in danger in his homeland, but this did not prevent his return trip.

“He’s just gone back there, how does that work?” asked Judge Ferris. “He came here as a refugee fifteen years ago and then goes back to Somalia to enjoy the nice weather.

“Someone was living in his flat that the public purse paid for or it was rented out.

“I don’t see why a person who took nearly thirty-nine thousand pounds and went to another country and fabricated an immigration stamp on his passport should not go to prison immediately.

“How can there have been any possible misunderstanding? What ties does he have in this country apart from the benefits system.” 

Wednesday 20 September 2017

'Dr. Strange' Banned From Taking Pics On Trains After Caught Snapping 'Upskirt' Shots Of Women

Picture Ban: Dr. George
A PhD-qualified researcher, who now reads books on public transport to distract himself from filming up female commuters’ skirts, has been sentenced.

Dr. Richard Anthony George, 49, was a regular on four different lines and police found multiple creepy images he had taken when his phone was forensically examined.

The majority of pictures taken were of between women’s legs seated opposite him on the tube, but sometimes he would stand over them and take snaps of their busts.

On Monday he was placed on a twelve-month community order, which includes 150 hours of community service work. 

George, of Westbury Lane, Buckhurst Hill, Essex was also made subject to a strict five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

This prevents him taking any pictures on the public transport system, entering any train or station in the UK, save for travel and surrendering any image-storing device to police on demand.

George was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to one of his victims, £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of outraging public decency, namely taking a picture up a woman’s skirt at Leytonstone Underground Station on August 25, last year and taking multiple such pictures between August 4 and August 24.

Prosecutor Miss Olivia Bull told the court: “These offences took place in August, last year. On August twenty-five a woman was travelling on a westbound Central Line Underground train.

“Mr. George was taking taking photos up her skirt, using his mobile phone.”

A second woman saw him and they both challenged George at Leytonstone, where he got off the train.

When police traced his movements via CCTV they identified George via his Oyster card when he tapped in and out, because it was registered to his address.

He was questioned by British Transport Police. “He said he was on the phone and did not take any photos and got off the train because he felt he should not be there with two women and was embarrassed.”

However, police examined his phone and George’s lies were exposed. “It was found to have a number of images of upskirting.”

George continued to try and deceive police, claiming the images were taken of women he dated, who gave their permission.

“He said he took the photos with their consent and was seeing several girlfriends at the time and took them as a prank, a fetish.”

However, when officers questioned one of George’s supposed girlfriends she discredited his fabricated account.

“She said it was not her and she had met Mr. George, but it was not a date.”

She had met him on August 26, but the upstart image was dated August 12.

Miss Bull said police identified pictures taken on the Central, Metropolitan, District and Circle Lines.

“The photos are taken when females are sitting opposite and their legs are open and there are pictures from above, down low-cut tops.

“He did specifically target women. He’s aimed for up their skirts between their legs.”

Miss Bull successfully argued George must surrender any digital device, capable of taking pictures, to police on request and must have a valid fare on all trains as conditions of bail.

“My job as a prosecutor is to protect members of the public from serious sexual harm,” she told the court.

“The police have made these applications because they have concerns.”

George’s lawyer Miss Emma Stuart-Smith told the court: “The last photo was on October the fifth and most were deleted soon afterwards.

“He stopped that behaviour on his own accord.

“He is a professional man. He took his own course and realised what he was doing was wrong and now he takes a book whenever he travels.

“He is receiving therapy. He is extremely humiliated and remorseful for the position he finds himself in and his behaviour.

“He is extremely sorry and humiliated to be here. The court should not be concerned that he is going to commit any more offences.”

Tuesday 19 September 2017

Plane Passenger Denies Groping Woman Sitting In Front Of Him

A mum travelling with her two young children had her breast groped by a drunken plane passenger sitting behind her, a court heard yesterday.

“I felt him putting his hand through the gap in the seats and he grabbed my right breast,” she told Isleworth Crown Court.

“On a scale of one to ten it was a five. It was not painful, but it was definitely felt.”

Saranjeet Bassi, 28, of Craiglea, Causewayhead, Stirling, Scotland has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting the woman on the Qatar Airways flight to London Heathrow on December 12, last year.

She said Bassi began playing with her eighteen month-old son between the seats just twenty minutes after taking off from Doha, Qatar.

“He said: ‘What a cute child, can I offer him a sweet?’ I said: ’No’ because I could smell alcohol on his breath and did not want anything to do with him.

“It was quite strong. I could smell it on his breath even when not talking to him.”

The woman, who was also travelling with her seven year-old, told the jury she confronted Bassi after being groped.

“I stood up immediately and said: ‘Excuse me, that’s not called for’ and gave him a look of disgust and he just stared at me.”

She complained to cabin crew, but Bassi refused to move, later telling police to do so would be an admission of wrongdoing.

Because she was in a baby seat with a cot the mum had to remain where she was. “I was helpless, upset, I couldn’t do anything about it and had no chance, but to sit there.”

Two hours later she felt further contact from Bassi, she said. “I felt a foot rubbing my foot under the seat.”

Again she complained to the flight crew and the defendant again refused to budge.

“When he was asked to move he became quite rude and aggressive and said he had not done anything wrong and had been asleep all the time.

“I was humiliated, embarrassed and very upset.”

Bassi was arrested at Heathrow. “He denied grabbing her breast and said he was rubbing his foot on the seat in front,” prosecutor Mr. Jonathan Wright told the jury.

“He said he did not move because that would be an admission of wrongdoing.”

Trial continues……………..

Monday 18 September 2017

New-Born Baby 'Harry' Abandoned In East London Park

Baby Harry & Park
A new-born baby - named Harry by medical staff - was abandoned in an east London park last Sunday morning.

Police were called at 8.20am to Balaam Street, Plaistow after a member of the public found the baby.

Today the Metropolitan Police have released a photograph of the new-born, who was carefully wrapped in a white blanket, in the hope his mother will come forward.

An ambulance was also called to the scene and the baby was taken to a local hospital, where he continues to be cared for.

Detective Inspector Ian Baker said: “Baby Harry is doing well under the care of hospital staff, but we are very worried about his mother.

“If you see this appeal, please come forward and let us know you are safe.

“I know you must be feeling very frightened and alone to have done what you did, but please make contact with us or your local hospital or GP surgery so they can check you are okay and offer you medical care and support.

“Little Harry needs to be reunited with his mother so we would urge anyone else with information, or who saw anything out of the ordinary in the Balaam Street area on Sunday morning to please come forward.”

Anyone who can help is asked to call police on 020 8217 6528 or via 101.