Saturday 13 September 2014

Massage Chair Couple Guilty Of Violent Ideal Home Show Attack On Business Rival


Guilty: Anthony & Tingting Barlow Evans
Animosity between rival massage chair dealers at the Ideal Home Show erupted into violence when one trader couple attacked a prospective investor on their competitor's stand -reigning down blows on the businesswoman's head and face.

Company boss Anthony Barlow Evans, 59, and his wife Tingting Barlow Evans, 33, who run Oakdale Furniture Ltd. were exhibiting at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre event and claim their staff were abused by rivals Sasaki International Ltd.

The Barlow Evans', of Willow Street, Ellesmere, Shropshire sell their Japanese-imported chairs and foot massagers all over the UK - attending 50 events a year - and are in direct competition with Milton Keynes- based Sasaki, of Waterside Park, Old Wolverton Road.

They were convicted at City of London Magistrates Court of assaulting 35 year-old Yuling Chen on March 20 and Mr. Barlow Evans was fined £750 and his wife £500. Each were ordered to pay £620 costs and £150 compensation to the victim.

District Judge Margaret Coleman announced: "You, Mr. Barlow Evans, perpetrated a serious assault on Miss Chen and you, Mrs. Barlow Evans, helped in that assault. Your arms were moving and flailing about.

Yuling Chen and injuries to her right arm
"Whatever the hostility between you and Miss Chen certainly spilled over that day and the force used by you, Mr. Barlow Evans, was not reasonable, there was repeated punching to her head.

"Miss Chen was not retaliating in any way, both of her arms were being held, and her head was down to protect herself. You were both perpetrators of this assault. Emotions overflowed that day."

Mr. Barlow Evans had approached Sasaki's booth and told the firm's boss, Kelvin Choong, 48, who was standing by a 'FLABeLOS' machine,: "Ask your dogs to f*** off my stand," the court heard.

Mr Barlow Evans, whose main booth rent for the nineteen-day event was estimated to be £70,000,  told the court: "I had received reports from our massage chair stand that they were getting a degree of intimidation."

He said there was a "history" between the companies from 2010, accusing Sasaki staff as posing as prospective customers, "provoking" his employees and taking photographs of his customers so he decided to approach Mr. Choong.

"I wanted to stop the attacks, stop the verbal abuse that had been going on," added the defendant, whose claims are denied by Mr. Choong. 

"I said: 'It's time to call the dogs off. We're here to do a job, to make money," explained Mr. Barlow Evans. "He was dismissive and went to point at my face so I knocked his hand away."

Fifty Trade Shows a Year: The Barlow Evans'
A member of the Oakdale team was video recording the early stages of the confrontation and District Judge Coleman said: "You can see there was mutual pushing, but the first push came from you Mr. Barlow Evans.

"Miss Chen came to try and separate you both and what is clear to me is her arm going out to try and separate you."

The victim shouted: "Stop fighting. Go away," and: "You bitch. Get off our stand," seconds before she was attacked, initially by Mr. Barlow Evans, who was then joined by his wife.   

"He had her hair wrapped around his hand and was punching her vigourously," said Miss Alexandra Jemarifo, who was demonstrating beauty products on a nearby booth. "I didn't see her fight back.

"There were at least ten punches if not more, it was quite rapid, on her head and face. 

Minutes after beating: Yuling Chan
"She had bruises on her face and on her arms. Scratches and rough marks."

Prosecutor Miss Catherine Picardo told the court: "This was a set-up, this was not acting in self-defence. This was two on one and rather than walk away they've held this woman down so she couldn't defend herself."

Mr. Barlow Evans maintained his innocence, claiming: "Miss Chen grabbed me and I grabbed her right hand. I was amazed by her aggression," claiming the woman ripped his cashmere jumper.

"Her other hand scratched my neck and arm and she tried to bite me.

"I've never been in trouble previously. I've never been in a fight in my life."

Mrs Barlow Evans told the court: "She was grabbing him and trying to bite him. I was in shock.

"My hair was pulled and I was kicked in my left shin by Miss Chen and reacted by pulling her hair as I lost my balance and fell down."

The Barlow Evans', who told the court they each earn only £300 per week, were also ordered to pay victim surcharges totalling £125.

Friday 12 September 2014

False Rape-Claim Ex-Girlfriend Receives Suspended Prison Sentence


A woman who lied that her ex-boyfriend raped her - resulting in an innocent man being locked-up in top-security HMP Belmarsh and facing a crown court trial for an offence he did not commit - has received a suspended prison sentence. 

April Bailey, 34, of Zealand House, Maryon Road, Woolwich pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice at Plumstead Police Station on January 25, last year when making the false allegation against Andrew Frith, 36, who has since forgiven her.

"This must have made this man's life absolute hell," said Isleworth Crown Court Judge Douglas Marks Moore. "This is a bad offence and what must not be forgotten is the victim and his suffering.

"It's important to remember he was in custody and looking down the barrel of a long custodial sentence," added the judge, who told Bailey: "What you did was an appalling thing and someone suffered very badly."

Bailey was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, was placed on an eighteen month supervision order and must obey an electronically-tagged six-month night time curfew from 8pm to 8am.

Prosecutor Mr. Ben Temple said: "She had a long-standing relationship with Mr. Frith, on and off and in January, last year, made a complaint to the police and her allegation was that she had been raped by her partner.

"They had been in a relationship for twelve years, but had broken up over New Year and she alleged it had been an abusive relationship with domestic violence, but had never reported anything like that.

"She said she had been raped and gave a lot of detail about being at a friend's house and receiving a number of texts and calls from Mr. Frith, resulting in them meeting-up."

The pair had a few drinks and Bailey told police: "He kept touching me and I kept telling him to stop."

"She said he tried to kiss her and she declined and he later threw her to the floor and punched her in the back, likening herself to a punchbag," added Mr. Temple.

"They went to sleep, she alleged, but as she woke he forced himself on her and made her have sex with him."

Bailey claimed: "I was crying and telling him: 'No, I don't want to have sex with you."

She was taken to a specialist Haven suite for victim of sex crime, where bruising was noted, intimate swabs taken and she gave a video-taped interview.

Mr. Frith was arrested on January 27 and immediately told the officers: "I think I know who this girl is. Was it April? That girl is crazy."

The next day he was remanded in custody by Bromley Magistrates Court and remained lock-up for twelve days until he was granted conditional bail.

On February 6 Bailey again spoke to police and persisted with the fictitious rape-claim, despite details of her account proving false.

"She admitted to the officer that she lied about the manner in which she left the house and where she had gone," explained the prosecutor.

"She apologised for that lie, but stressed the rest of her account was true and accurate.

"They built a case against Mr. Frith, a prosecution case took shape, there were consultations with the Crown Prosecution Service and a trial date set.

"Five months later she came into the police station saying she was unwilling to go to court, saying the defendant hadn't raped her and she had lied.

"She said the bruising and injuries were nothing more than the result of heavy drinking and being restrained by Mr. Frith."

Bailey's lawyer Miss Frances Ridout told the court: "Mr. Frith 'tried it on' to use her words and she was resisting and after numerous attempts she gave in and that's when consensual sex happened.

"Her friend convinced her it was rape and was wrong. She's a vulnerable young woman and her friend saw her emotional, upset and with bruises.

"She brought things to a conclusion and retracted the allegation. This was not a pre-planned or malicious allegation, but things getting out of control."

Judge Moore added: "She had sufficient time to say: 'No, what I've done is wrong.' She has made an allegation against an innocent man, fine-tuned the case and he spent twelve days detained and five months charged."

Thursday 11 September 2014

Massage Chair Couple At Ideal Home Show Deny Attacking Business Rival

Anthony & Tingting Barlow Evans

Animosity between rival massage chair dealers at Earls Court Exhibition Centre's Ideal Home Show boiled over when one trader couple attacked a prospective investor on their competitor's stand -reigning down blows on the woman's head and face, a court heard.

Company boss Anthony Barlow Evans, 59, and his wife Tingting Barlow Evans, 33, who run Oakdale Furniture Ltd. were exhibiting at the marquee event where their staff complained about the behaviour of Sasaki International Ltd.

The Barlow Evans', of Willow Street, Ellesmere, Shropshire sell their Japanese-imported chairs and foot massagers all over the UK - attending 50 events a year - and are in direct competition with Milton Keynes-based Sasaki.

City of London Magistrates Court heard yesterday that Mr. Barlow Evans held Chinese businesswoman Yuling Chen's hair in one hand and was beating her with the other and his wife joined in the attack on March 20.

Moments earlier he had approached Sasaki's booth and told the firm's boss, Kelvin Chong: "Ask your dogs to f*** off my stand," the court was told.

Miss Chen, 35, was considering investing in Sasaki, but an eye-witness said she was on the receiving end of an attack launched by Mr. Barlow Evans after shouting: "You bitch. Get off our stand."

Post-brawl: Yuling Chen
"He had her hair wrapped around his hand and was punching her vigourously," said Miss Alexandra Jemarifo, who was demonstrating beauty products on a nearby booth. "I didn't see her fight back.

"There were at least ten punches if not more, it was quite rapid, on her head and face. 

"She had bruises on her face and on her arms. Scratches and rough marks."

Mr Barlow Evans, who denies attacking Miss Chen, told the court: "I had received reports from our massage chair stand that they were getting a degree of intimidation."

He said there was a "history" between the companies from 2010, accusing Sasaki staff as posing as prospective customers, "provoking" his employees and taking photographs of his customers so he decided to approach Mr. Choong.

"I wanted to stop the attacks, stop the verbal abuse that had been going on.

"I said: 'It's time to call the dogs off. We're here to do a job, to make money," explained Mr. Barlow Evans. "He was dismissive and went to point at my face so I knocked his hand away.

"He pushed me forcibly in the chest and I lost balance and fell backwards," added the defendant, denying he grabbed Mr. Choong's shirt collar and pushed him.

"Miss Chen grabbed me and I grabbed her right hand. I was amazed by her aggression," he said, claiming the woman ripped his cashmere jumper.

"Her other hand scratched my neck and arm and she tried to bite me.

"I've never been in trouble previously. I've never been in a fight in my life."

However, prosecutor Miss Catherine Picardo accused Mr. Barlow Evans of a joint attack. "You were both holding Miss Chen and hitting her. Your wife had one hand and you had the other and you were both hitting her."

The couple have each pleaded not guilty to one count of assaulting Miss Chen.

Trial continues………….

Wednesday 10 September 2014

Frame-Up Woman Jailed For Sending Death-Threat Emails To Herself

Bogus Emails: Rumbelow

A young mum, who tried to a frame a fellow student she once accused of molesting her by sending herself abusive and threatening emails with his username during a: "sustained, extended campaign," was jailed for eleven months today.

A police helicopter was even scrambled and on two occasions police dog units searched the area around 26 year-old mother-of-four Leighanne Rumbelow's home in the hunt for the non-existent stalker.

The victim, Leonard Smith, 21, - a student at Bromley College - was arrested three times, had his family home searched, electronic equipment seized and spent a total of thirty-five hours in police custody.

Rumbelow, of Foxborough Gardens, Brockley,  who initially blamed her sister for sending the emails, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice between April 4 and June 2, last year.

Woolwich Crown Court heard Rumbelow, using Mr. Smith's gaming username 'Striker', sent herself emails which read: "You'll have to watch your back. I know where your daughters are.

"Your life is over and so are your kids. I know you are home. I'll get you, your husband won't mind, you're a slut.

"Your husband is next. We'll get him when he's walking home.

"I can see you shutting your curtains. Goodnight, sleep well."

Prosecutor Mr. Neil Ross told the court: "There was a persistent and deliberate series of false allegations against Mr. Smith that led to his arrest, the seizure of property and considerable use of his time and resources.
Jailed: Woolwich Crown Court

In 2011 Rumbelow accused Mr. Smith of touching her sexually, but the police did not pursue her complaint and early last year he tried to contact her via Facebook to: "clear the air."

"As a result she went to the police and said she was being harassed and Mr. Smith was given a warning," explained Mr. Ross

Rumbelow persisted and began writing herself abusive and threatening emails from 'Striker,' and told police she wanted Mr. Smith arrested.

On April 6 Mr. Smith was arrested in the early hours and later released, but found himself in police custody again on April 7 - this time for twenty hours - when officers again attended his address in the middle of the night.

On April 10, 14 and 22 Rumbelow repeated her lies, telling officers from the Crofton Park Safer Neighbourhoods Team that she spotted Smith in her garden, from where he emailed further threats.

"This time a police helicopter and dog unit were used to search the estate while Mr. Smith was at home with his parents."

On May 31 Rumbelow told police she received another email from Mr. Smith which read: "I see you are cheating on me again. I'm going to slit your throat you dirty little slag."

"Phone the police and I swear you'll get it," read another email, resulting in Mr. White spending another five hours in police custody.

Police eventually became suspicious and the IP address of the 'Striker' emails was traced to the home Rumbelow shared with her mother and sister, who herself has a conviction for sending harassing emails.

"The defendant blamed her sister and that was repeated in her defence case statement to the court."

Rumbelow gave birth to her fourth child three month ago and her three older children are all guardians of her ex-partner's parents.

Mr. Smith said in a statement: "The whole ordeal was very distressing."

Emma Stuart Smith, defending, told the court: "She's vulnerable due to her emotional and mental health condition. She realises she was selfish in her actions."

Judge Alan Saggerson announced: "This is an offence of great severity and gravity. The offence brought with it a high level of harm.

"The public confidence in the entire criminal justice system in undermined when allegations are fabricated against innocent people and resources are wasted making enquiries, using helicopters and dog units and wasting police man hours.

"Not only was an innocent man arrested three times during your extended sequence of lies, spending thirty-five hours in custody, but you also caused suspicion to fall on other innocent people, including his mother and sister and their property was searched.

"Suspicion also fell on your own mother and sister, particularly your sister, who you continued to blame.

"This was not a single, isolated allegation, but a sustained, extended campaign in creating these false emails.

"They were repeated messages that you fabricated to to sustain your fictitious claims and must have involved significant thought and planning on your part."

Tuesday 9 September 2014

Fatal Doorstep Shooting: Two Charged With Murder


Shot: Charlie Wright
Two men have appeared in court charged with the 2010 murder of a teenager, who was shot dead as he answered the front door in the early hours of the morning.
Carpentry student Charlie Wright, 17, who attended Lewisham College was blasted in the face on the doorstep of the property in Park Mews, Calvert Road, Greenwich just after 2am on April 23, 2010.
Police had offered a £20,000 reward during their invesigation into the killing.
Hassan Hassan, 32, of Vesta Road, Brockley and Colin Anderson, 48, of no fixed abode appeared in custody at Bromley Magistrates' Court charged with the murder of Mr. Wright.

Monday 8 September 2014

Overnight Guest Cleared Of Rape

Singh: Not Guilty

An overnight guest has been cleared of raping his host – his pal's girlfriend – in the early hours, after being invited to share her single bed.

Robin Singh, 25, of Station Road, Cromer, Norfolk claims the pair had consensual sex after the woman's boyfriend decided to go back to his own home because he was suffering a headache.


“Never. That is a blatant lie,” she shouted via a videolink at Isleworth Crown Court. “No I didn't, ever.”


Singh was found not guilty by the jury of raping the woman, aged in her thirties, at her Hayes, Middlesex flat on July 4, 2011.


However, the court did impose a twelve-month restraining order on Singh.

They heard the woman's boyfriend invited himself over to her flat and brought Singh along as well.


She later told police: “This guy really creeped me out. He made me feel really uncomfortable.”


Her boyfriend left the flat to buy a pizza for all of them, but called to say he would continue on his way home because he had a headache.


This left the complainant and defendant alone in the flat watching a dvd until the woman invited Singh to sleep in her room.


She told the court her sofa bed was too messy and too difficult to pull out and it was more convenient for Singh to sleep back to back with her.


“All I remember is hitting his hand away,” she told the court, denying she instigated or encouraged any “kissing” or “hugging” between the pair.


The woman insisted Singh then raped her and kissed her goodbye at 8am in the morning, leaving her: “Disgusted and frightened for my life.”


The defendant also gave her his phone number, which she said left her: “Terrified, sick and paranoid.”


She said her boyfriend then bombarded her with threats over the next couple of days. “He was threatening my life basically.


“I was so upset, I was in tears and going through a nervous breakdown and feared for my life.


“I have changed my number and moved since then. I was terrified of even sleeping in that flat.”


She confided with her neighbours and they called the police two days later in the early hours of July 6.

Sunday 7 September 2014

Friend Stabbed Pal To Death In Row Over £10

Stabbed: Aghabra

A quarrel between two friends over borrowing another tenner ended in bloodshed when one was stabbed to death by his needy pal.
Yusef Al-Jaaf, 19, of Churchill Gardens, Pimlico repeatedly plunged a knife into 19 year-old Basel Aghabra and was sentenced to life imprisonment with a twelve-and-a-half year minimum.
He pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey of murdering Basel on February 3 at an address in Lilestone Street, St. John's Wood.
The defendant had been lent £20 earlier that day for breakfast, but when he asked to borrow another £10 a row developed between the pair, ending with Al-Jaaf stabbing his friend six times.
Knife: Al-Jaaf
The victim, of Blandford Street, Marylebone suffered fatal wounds to his torso and was pronounced dead at the scene after 1.00pm.
Al-Jaaf later confessed to officers he was at the address during the murder which occurred after a heated argument with Basel over money.
Detective Inspector Jamie Stevenson said: “This was a brutal murder with multiple stab wounds inflicted following what was a trivial dispute over a small amount of money.
“A heated argument has quickly escalated with tragic consequences.
“The only consolation to the family is that Al-Jaaf has done the decent thing and pleaded guilty, sparing the family the ordeal of a long and painful court case.”

Saturday 6 September 2014

Nigerian Lied To Get UK Citizenship For Two Mystery Babies


A Nigerian woman, who lied in an attempt to bring two mystery babies into the UK by pretending she was their biological mother, has received a suspended prison sentence.
Ijeoma Udechukwu, 51, of Dante Road, Elephant and Castle, is resident in this country and tried to trick the British High Commission in Lagos into granting two passports for the infants.
She received six months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and was ordered to peform 180 hours community service work.
Udechukwa was convicted at Isleworth Crown Court of facilitating unlawful immigration.
She applied in Nigeria for passports for the babies – falsely claiming they were hers – and was unable to produce any genuine ante natal or delivery notes.
A DNA test revealed she was not the biological mother of either infant and the applications were refused.
Udechukwu returned to the UK leaving the babies in the care of family and friends. 


On September 4, 2012 officers from Operation Paladin attended Udechukwa's address where false Nigerian adoption papers were discovered stating the children had been found abandoned in the street.


She refused to answer any questions about her lies to staff at the British High Commission and also refused to confirm how she came into possession of the babies or where their biological mother was. 


Detective Constable Tony Foran, from the Metropolitan Police's Sexual Exploitation Team, said: "This is just one example of the commitment of officers to investigate offences involving children and the risk facing them from people willing to deceive authorities and break the law. 


"Adoption laws and procedures are in place in every country to protect the welfare and lives of vulnerable children and young people.
The conviction of Udechukwu underpins the value of joint working and the commitment of all those agencies involved to safeguard children." 

Friday 5 September 2014

Drug Offender: Police Hunt Teen


Police in north-west London have released this image of a local teen they are seeking in connection with serious drug offences.

Raheem Bourne, 19, is being hunted by Brent's Wanted Offenders Unit.


Police would like to hear from anyone who may know of his whereabouts.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the Wanted Offenders Unit on 020 8733 3082.

Alternatively callers can contact the police anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.


Thursday 4 September 2014

Prostitute Strangled And Raped: CCTV Of Suspect Released

CCTV: Rape Suspect

Police investigating the rape of a prostitute two years ago have released this CCTV image of the suspect, who strangled his victim until she passed out.
The woman – aged in her 40's – approached the man between 2am and 3am in Green Lanes, Hornsey on September 9, 2012.
He suggested a more secluded spot and they walked to Chestnuts Park, off St Ann’s Road, South Tottenham, where he forced her to the floor and strangled her until she passed out.
When she regained consciousness, he threatened to stab her and she set off her rape alarm.
The suspect dragged her along by her hair for a short distance, then took the rape alarm from her, either burying or disabling it.
He sexually assaulted and raped her then walked off in an unknown direction.
The man is described as black, about 5ft 9in tall, of medium build, with short afro hair and a London accent.
He is also described as having hamster-like cheeks, with a round face, prominent cheek bones and elongated front teeth, and looking aged in his 20s.
It is believed that he was wearing jeans at the time of the incident.
CCTV from outside a shop on Green Lanes, which shows a man with the victim moments before she was attacked, has been released by detectives from the Metropolitan Police Sservice's Homicide and Serious Crime Command.
Anyone with information is urged to call the MPS Homicide and Serious Crime Command on 020 8345 3819 or email them at mit23.mir@met.pnn.police.uk.
Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Karl Dines said: “The victim was utterly traumatised by this nasty attack and continues to receive support from specialists.
“We want to speak to this man in connection with the incident, so I urge anyone who recognises him or thinks they may know who he is to contact us or Crimestoppers now.”

Wednesday 3 September 2014

Production Boss At Universal Music Stole Over £600K From Company


A former head of production at record label giant Universal Music had admitted stealing over £600,000 from the company.

Duncan Schwier, 52, of Clifden Road, Twickenham left behind a paper trail when promoted, which revealed multiple invoice payments to non-existent companies.

The American-based French-owned multinational is the largest music corporation in the world and its artists include Eminem, 50 Cent and Jennifer Lopez.

He pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates Court yesterday to one count of stealing £643,697.35 between December 31, 2001 and December 31, last year from his Kensington-based employers.

The court heard Schwier had been employed by the company since 1984 and the member of staff who took over his role noticed something strange about his predecessor's transactions.

He was bailed to appear at Isleworth Crown Court for sentencing on September 30 and a probation report was ordered by the magistrates.

Tuesday 2 September 2014

Woman Appears In Court On £73K Bogus Accountant Charges


A Somerset woman, accused of posing as a qualified accountant during a four-year £73,000 fraud on a corporate consultancy firm, appeared for the first time at Hammersmith Magistrates Court today.

Vicky Payne, 41, of Station Road, Charlton Mackrell, Somerton gave no indication as to her pleas and was bailed until September 16 for a preliminary hearing at Isleworth Crown Court.

The charges relate to Hammersmith-based M-PR Consulting of Oxford Gate, Brook Green and its managing director Marc Prema-Ratner and account director Michael Mervyn-Jones.


She is charged with two counts of fraud by false representation between January 1, 2010 and May 6, this year in that she presented herself as a qualified accountant, intending to make a gain, namely £28,124.90 and £5,096.


Payne is also charged with fraud by abuse of position between January 1, 2010 and May 6, this year, namely that while occupying the position of accountant and expected to not act against the financial interests of Mr. Prema-Ratner she dishonestly abused that position to make a gain, namely £33,898.91.


She is similarly charged that between September 1, 2011 and May 6, this year she dishonestly abused her position in relation to Mr. Mervyn-Jones to make a gain, namely £6,083.12.

Monday 1 September 2014

Woman's Face Smashed: E-Fit Of Suspect Released


Police have released this E-Fit of a suspect after a woman received a broken nose and broken eye socket during an unprovoked attack in east London.
At 1.50pm on May 21 the 36 year-old victim was attacked at the junction of Green Way and Balaam Street, Plaistow.
Newham Borough detectives are leading the hunt.
The suspect is described as a black male, 5ft 8ins tall, of medium build, with short black hair.
He was wearing a dark blue coat/hoodie, black tracksuit bottoms and was carrying a shoulder bag.


Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Constable Dave Pearce, from Newham’s Violent Crime Unit on 020 8217 5890.
Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 5314178/14.

Sunday 31 August 2014

Prolific Bus Sex Pest's One-Way Ticket To Prison


A bus sex pest, who groped eight females – the youngest a twelve year-old girl – in just three days roaming on the network has been locked-up for two years.
Dean Forte, 33, was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court after being found guilty of eight sexual assaults.


He was placed on the sex offenders register for ten years and a Sexual Offences Prevention Order was made to prevent him from having contact with children under sixteen years-old.


Forte committed five sexual assaults on buses in Wandsworth on December 11, 2013, all within an hour of one another.
Three days later on December 14 he committed a further three sexual assaults on buses in Waltham Forest. 


Forte travelled on buses, sitting next to the victims before touching their thighs.
The youngest victim targeted by Forte was only twelve years-old. 


The suspect was identified after victims offered identical suspect descriptions following the first assaults - a black male wearing a 'puffa' style jacket, black beanie hat, carrying a white carrier bag, and wearing white earphones.
On December 14 police were called to reports of a sexual assault on a bus in Chingford, where the description given of the suspect matched earlier offences.
Police attended and arrested Forte on suspicion of sexual assault.
The sentence follows successful partnership work involving British Transport Police, Metropolitan Police Service, City of London Police and Transport for London.

Superintendent Rob Revill, from the Roads and Transport Policing Command, said: "This sentence highlights our commitment to tackling sexual offences on London's buses.
“We take all reports of sexual offences on buses seriously and are commited to bringing offenders to justice. 


"If someone has made you feel uncomfortable on your bus journey - however minor it may seem to you - reporting it to police can help us target the perpetrator and prevent it happening to another passenger."


Graham Daly, Head of Community Safety and Policing Partnerships at Transport for London, said: "Unwanted sexual behaviour of this kind will not be tolerated on our transport network and so I'm pleased this repeated sex offender has been jailed and put on the Sex Offenders Register for his predatory and disgusting crimes."


“It is never ok to be threatened or distressed by another persons behaviour. If someone has made you feel uncomfortable, for example touched you in an inappropriate manner, we strongly encourage you to tell the police.
“They can then not only target the perpetrator but also help to prevent it happening to someone else. 


"Over ten million passengers use our public transport services each day with very few ever experiencing or witnessing crime - and we are working hard with London's policing agencies to ensure our transport network remains a safe, low crime environment."