Son Who Nicked Thousands From Mum Is Battling Wife To Sell Home

A middle-aged son, who nicked thousands of pounds from his mother, has been given more time to sell his matrimonial home to fund compensation before his sentencing.

Peter John-Baptiste, 54, claims his wife is being obstructive in selling the property and recently successfully blocked a sale.

He appeared at Isleworth Crown Court yesterday and was bailed to return on September 7 for sentence.

John-Baptiste, of Dudley Gardens, Harrow was originally charged with stealing £48,332.25 cash from Muriel John-Baptiste at her Trellick Tower flat in Golborne Road, North Kensington between December 1, 2015 and September 14, 2016.

He pleaded guilty last year and sentence was deferred to give him the opportunity to repay the money, but on February 21 suffered a stroke.

His property is valued between £460,000 and £480,000 and the court heard his wife took him to Uxbridge Family Court, in pursuing her own legal challenge.

She allegedly sacked estate agents prior to successful sales on three different occasions.

Scratchcard Thief Must Wait To Hear Her Fate

A late-night cleaner at Heathrow Airport, who secretly swiped £2,643 worth of Camelot scratch cards while sweeping WH Smiths, had her crown court sentencing adjourned today. 

Single mum Tracey Flitton, 39, of Birchdene Drive, Thamesmead was caught on CCTV clumsily trying to hide her face with a blue scarf, which quickly slipped off on camera.

When she cashed in the cards she collected winnings of £675.

She has already pleaded guilty to stealing the lottery scratch cards in Terminal 4 between January 12 and February 4 and acquiring criminal property, namely the winnings.

At Isleworth Crown Court today the Recorder announced: “No pre-sentence report was ordered. That’s surprising given the guidelines.”

The prosecution suggested an appropriate starting-point for the sentence would be a high-level community order.

The Recorder told Flitton: “These are your first offences and even though it is serious it does not call for immediate imprisonment.”

Flitton was bailed until July 3. “If you fail to appear that can be punishable by imprisonment,” the Recorder told her. 

She has already admitted the offence  and on that occasion prosecutor Miss Fiona Willis told Uxbridge Magistrates Court: “This matter regards theft by an employee. She was a cleaner sub-contracted via a company called Turquoise.

“She took scratch cards from the display unit of the landside store on five occasions.”

WH Smiths realised scratch cards were missing on February 8 and began an internal investigation.

“The CCTV showed a cleaner removing large quantities of scratch cards from the display in the early hours of the morning and the company she worked for identified her.”

Jamaican-born Flitton, who claims she is stressed by her wayward 15 year-old daughter, snubbed a meeting on February 9 and never returned to the airport again.

“On the first CCTV clip she is seen sweeping the floor at 2.37am and going behind the counter while still holding her broom and taking scratch cards from the display and putting them into a small bag.”

Another clip showed Flitton in the deserted store at 2.16am removing cards and not paying for them.

“In the third CCTV clip she is seen wearing a blue scarf and after taking more scratch cards at 1.52am she removes the scarf, revealing her face,” explained Miss Willis.

The next day she repeated the theft. “She pulls a wad of scratch cards from the display.”

On April 6 Flitton agreed to be interviewed by Heathrow police. “She made full admissions and said she made about six hundred pounds by cashing in the winning tickets.

“They were cashed-out at retailers in rapid succession.

“This is an abuse of trust. She had access to the shop in the middle of the night when no one else was around.”

Fat Controller Sentenced For Bus Station Gropes

A fat bus station controller, who groped the bottoms of two female drivers while embracing them between shifts, has been sentenced.  

Scott Robert Cairney, 55, asked one: “How do you like your eggs in the morning? I’ll fertilise them for you.”

He was fired from his job with Transport for London at busy Cromwell Road terminus, Kingston-upon-Thames, south-west London and now complains his life has been ruined.

The Scotsman, who has moved back to his mother’s Argyll home, was convicted of sexually assaulting both women on July 10, last year, then sexually assaulting one of them again on July 14. 

Last Friday Cairney, of Park Road, Dunoon, received an eighteen-month community order, which includes a sixty-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for five years and pay £200 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

The former Dunoon Grammar schoolboy returned to his native Scotland after over five years in the post.

The first victim was beckoned over with her female colleague by a seated Cairney. 

“He is the controller so has some senior authority at the station,” she told Wimbledon Magistrates Court.

“He pulled me down by my left arm on top of him and squeezed my behind and moved his hand between my legs.

“It was my left cheek, he squeezed it twice and moved his hand in between.

“I pulled back and went off I was shocked and didn’t say anything to him. It caused me stress, I felt violated, someone touching my private parts.”

Her colleague said: “He opened his arms for a hug, which was not unusual and he hugged us together and squeezed my right butt cheek.

“Previously we had hugged him, that was the drill. I did not know what to think to be fair.”

The women exchanged texts afterwards with the first victim asking: ‘Did he feel up your arse? F***ing pervert. He’s a bock eyed tosser.’

The same woman was groped again four days later. “Someone came up behind me and put their arms around me like a bear hug.

“He was trying to kiss the back of my head. He let go and as I walked he grabbed my bottom again.

“I said: ‘Leave it out’ and he said: ‘What’s the matter with you?’ and I told him to: ‘F*** off.’

“He said: ‘How do you like your eggs in the morning? I’ll fertilise them for you.’

“He also said he wanted to strangle my boyfriend so he could be with me.”

Cairney denied groping the two woman. “I said: ‘C’mon over here.’ I put my arms out and the two of them leant over and I gave them a little hug.

“I didn’t touch anyone’s bottom and I certainly didn’t squeeze anyone’s bottom. That would be a disgusting thing to do.”

Regarding the second incident, which was caught on CCTV, he told the court: “I kissed her on the back of the head and said: ‘Okay sweetheart?’

“They are both lying. I did not touch their bottoms.”

He complained his life had been destroyed by the allegations. “How’s it effected my life? Where do I start?

“First of all I lost my job, my house, my car, my health. I had to move back to Scotland and to round it off I appeared in the local newspaper.”

District Judge Barbara Barnes told Cairney: “They both described how shocked and upset they were and one said she simply did not know what to do.

“The text exchange does support their account.

“The CCTV clearly shows you approaching her from behind and encircling her with your arms and kissing the back of her head.

“She extricated herself rapidly from your embrace.”

"Christian Grey Poseur" Gets 20 Years For Raping Two Young Women During Rough Sex "Adventure"

Man About Town: Gabbai

A self-styled ‘Christian Grey poseur’ who raped two young women to satisfy his desire for rough, submissive sex, has been jailed for twenty years today.

Cambridge graduate Edward Gabbai, 30, who enjoyed dominant role-playing sex like the ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ title character was described as a “sexual adventurer” who averaged three new women a week. 

The entrepreneurial founder of The World Boutique Hotel Awards was convicted of raping a Swedish Tinder date, 20, and a drunken woman, 23, he picked-up late one night.

The Swedish woman had consented to adopting the submissive role in their relationship and admits she also enjoyed rough sex until Gabbai took things too far one night and had unprotected intercourse.

The drunken stranger was taken back to an address he was house-sitting and also subjected to rough non-consensual  sex, the lengthy Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court trial heard.

Gabbai, of Thornbury Gardens, Borehamwood, who has a PhD in microbiology and nanoscience, was cleared of raping a 17 year-old escort, plus two further rapes of the drunken young woman.

He received seven years for raping the Tinder date, plus thirteen years for raping the drunken woman to run consecutively and must sign the sex offenders register.

His lawyer Sarah Forshaw QC told the court: “If he saw himself as a young sexual adventurer with several sexual partners, a poseur of the Christian Grey variety, his downfall couldn’t have been starker.

“His thirst for sexual adventure with multiple women, thrill-seeking, is more in common with someone in their late-teens or early twenties.

“The convictions mean the loss of a once promising career, and a relationship. He faces financial and reputational ruin and he faces disgrace.”

Beginning Of The End: Gabbai Mugshot 

Gabbai is on suicide watch at HMP Wandsworth, where he was seen by a psycho-sexual psychiatrist for four hours, who concluded: “He was very motivated to have casual sexual relationships.”

Judge Timothy Lamb QC told Gabbai: “The psychological effect on each complainant is, in my view, ‘severe’”

Prosecutor Mr. Simon Russell Flint QC told the jury the drunken woman had never met Gabbai before and ended up in his cab during a drunken night out in Angel, Islington.

The jury were played mobile phone footage police seized from the defendant of her on her on her knees in the bathroom of Gabbai’s Battersea house sit in the midst of the rape.

“It shows a naked girl on her knees, she appears to be distressed and has been assaulted. You can hear the defendant say: ‘Tell me you will do anything I want,’ and see him slap her violently.

“The footage shows him telling her to put her arms behind her back and bottom in the air.

“She can be heard saying: ‘Please don’t, ouch, please don’t, ouch.’”

“This being rough and violent in the course of sexual activity, we say, is a common and repeating theme,” said Mr. Russell Flint. 

“Edward Gabbai likes to dominate sexually and inflict hurt and violence on those who he engages in sexual activity.”

Better Nights: Awards Chief Gabbai

The Swedish woman did initially consent to sex with Gabbai until she was raped in the bedroom of a Stoke Newington address, the jury were told.

“He picked her up and put her on all fours and started giving her orders as what to do. He pinned down her legs, pushed her down and started to become very aggressive.

“He started strangling so hard she could not breathe, bit her neck and ear so it left a visible mark, turned her head so he could slap her face and pulled her hair.

“He said: ‘That’s my favourite bit.’ She was screaming out and he continued to have sex with her.

“Facial injuries were caused by the defendant beating her up, quite frankly.”

She reported Gabbai to the police after becoming embarrassed about her parents seeing her in such a state and having to cancel her passport picture appointment at the Swedish Embassy.

“He said she liked rough sex. He said he hit her about twelve times, but at no time did she tell him to stop.”

The second complainant had been drinking in Angel and agreed to get in Gabbai’s shared Uber cab at 3.30am because she had no phone power to call her own.

However, once in the address she court heard Gabbai told her in the hallway: “You have got to let me do whatever I want to you.”

She felt vulnerable and intimidated by the “very angry” Gabbai, the court heard. “He pushed her onto the bed and slapped her on both cheeks very hard.

“She started crying immediately and he called her lots of names, like slut,” explained Mr. Russell Flint.

“He pushed down on her neck, she couldn’t breathe, was gasping for breath and she really thought he was going to suffocate her.

“She says she was hysterical, crying and unable to speak and was told: ‘If you cry out or try to go away I’ll make it worse for you.’

“She slapped her face, her bottom, her legs.”

Gabbai raped her, said the prosecutor, while instructing her to say she was only twelve years-old and announcing: ‘You’re a little twelve year-old girl.’

Later Gabbai unlocked the front door and took her phone number before she left and the young woman reported him to the police.

When examined she had thirty separate areas of injury.

Stalker Admits Harassing TV Girl Christine Lampard

Stalker: Christof King

A wannabe actor pleaded guilty yesterday to sending “crucifixion” and “tombstone” tweets to tv presenter Christine Lampard during a near three-year stalking campaign.

Besotted Christof King, 39, of Bishops Lodge, Mowbray Road, West Hampstead, convinced himself there was the chance of a relationship with the Loose Women star.

He believed Northern Ireland-born Christine, 39, who married ex-Chelsea and England footballer Frank Lampard, 39, in December, 2015 had communicated with him during television broadcasts.

Isleworth Crown Court heard Christine blocked King on twitter in 2015 after he tweeted to her: “I can hear the screech of nails as I sharpen them before your crucifixion.”

“I can see the inscription on your tombstone.”

After the 2015 tweets King sent letters last year to her £11m Chelsea home at 15 Tregunter Road and visited the address, forcing Christine to cower behind her living-room sofa.

He pleaded guilty to one count of stalking involving serious alarm or distress between January 1, 2015 and October 14, 2017, which had an adverse effect on Christine’s usual day-to-day activities.

However, King does not concede the tweets amount to stalking or knowing his behaviour caused her distress, forcing Christine to attend the court on Monday for a Newton Hearing.

This will determine the full extent of his stalking campaign and will hear evidence from Mrs Lampard herself, from behind a screen.

Prosecutor Mr. Alastair Smith told the court today: “This is an allegation of a sustained period of harassment targeted against the complainant, who is a tv presenter, for two-and-a-half years.

Target: Christine

“It seems to be based on a pre-destined emotional connection and comments made by the complainant on television.

“There was two months of tweeting. Ten to fifteen tweets and they are described by the complainant as: ‘Dark and disturbing.’”

King’s lawyer Mr. John Oliver said: “The tweets were sent two years before Mr. King sent a series of letters to the home of the complainant, who feels they are strange.

“She feels the sending of the letters comes just before an escalation. He did visit her home, which did cause distress.”

Christine gave a statement to police on October 13, last year and confirmed there had been two months of disturbing tweets from King in 2015.

“She blocked these tweets,” said Mr. Oliver. “there was then a period of two years before the letters were sent.

“She felt anxiety on the day he arrived at the address and felt the need to hide behind the sofa.”

King, wearing an open-neck white shirt and dark grey suit only spoke to confirm his name and was bailed by Judge Robin Johnson on condition he does not contact Christine to return to court on Monday.

Outside, a relaxed and smiling King, referring to Monday’s hearing, said: “It’s going to be horrendous, but you have to do it don’t you?”

The actor has appeared in series of low-budget productions, student films and Secret Cinema shows, which combine live performances with screenings.

Brutal Enfield Robbery: CCTV Released

Police are appealing for help from the public to identify two men they would like to question in connection with a robbery and assault that took place on Wednesday, 4 April in Enfield. 

A 46-year-old man was arrested on 5 April and was charged on 6 April with false imprisonment, GBH and robbery.

The two men pictured remain outstanding; police have released CCTV stills from an industrial estate on First Avenue, N18, that shows the two men they wish to trace, loitering just outside the scene shortly before the incident took place.

The first suspect is described as Asian, possibly Indian, with a beard, in his 30s of slim build and was wearing glasses and a small white hat. 

The second suspect is also described as Asian, however possibly from Pakistan with a large nose, in his late 30s. He has short dark hair and a dark goatee. 

Following a sustained attack, the victim suffered serious injuries, including stab wounds and lacerations from a weapon.

Anyone who can name these men should call detectives in Enfield borough on 101 quoting CAD 8429/04 April or via Twitter @MetCC.

Cocktail Bar Glassing: CCTV Image Released

Police are hunting this suspect after a late-night cocktail bar customer was glassed in Earlsfield.

The twenty-five year-old victim was on the dancefloor in the Graffiti Bar, Garratt Lane just before 2.00am on February 18.

He was struck in the face with a glass, which caused lacerations above and below his left eye.

The London Ambulance Service attended and took the man to a south London hospital, where he received several stitches before being discharged.

The suspect is described as a slim white man, aged in his mid-twenties, 5ft 7ins tall with short light brown hair.

He was wearing a long-sleeved shirt, dark jeans and dark shoes.

Police Constable Rob Clarke, from Wandsworth Borough, said: “This is a nasty unprovoked attack on a man who was dancing on the dancefloor.

“We are appealing for anyone who may have seen the attack to come forward.”

Anyone with any information are asked to call Wandsworth CID on 101 quoting reference 801/18Feb18 or tweet @MetCC.

To call anonymously, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

NOT GUILTY: Manager Cleared Of Groping Female Colleague

Innocent: Lumiere Chieh

A female manager at a City educational publishers has been cleared by a jury of sexually assaulting a drunken co-worker in a pub cubicle.

Senior digital project manager Lumiere Chieh, 31, insists the encounter at The Sea Horse pub, near the company’s Blackfriars office was consensual.

However, the complainant told an Inner London Crown Court jury: “I have had flashbacks of her putting her hand down my pants. 

“I think I was too drunk to consent.”

Openly gay/bisexual Chieh, of Spring Vale Terrace, Hammersmith pleaded not guilty to one count of sexually assaulting the woman on April 28, last year.

The complainant did not report the allegation to police at the time and the jury heard she only made the complaint with the encouragement of her HR team.

The allegation resulted in Chieh being sacked from the company, an industry leader in the educational field.

The complainant said she was sitting on the toilet when she suddenly became aware of Chieh standing in front of her.

However, Chieh insists the woman gave her a “nod” to enter the cubicle and when she kissed her the complainant kissed her back.

“I suddenly became aware of what was happening, that we were kissing,” added the woman.

“I remember my trousers being down and her hand being there.”

When asked if she recalled touching Chieh herself, she replied: “I can’t remember that.”

Chieh insists the woman was a willing participant until the moment she said: “Too much,” which ended the encounter.

The complainant, who describes herself as straight, denied “feeling bad” about Chieh then spending the rest of the works drinks night in the company of another woman.

The rest of her colleagues quickly heard about what happened, but the woman insisted this did not embarrass her.

That night on the same staircase from the downstairs toilet Chieh exchanged kisses with another female colleague and they quickly became a couple.

The complainant told the court her working relationship with the defendant suffered and Chieh was sacked after a grievance was raised with Human Resources after an office incident.

The defence suggested the assault allegation was made to bolster the complainant's own internal disciplinary proceedings.

Fake Doctor's Audacious Hospital Sex Attack On Pregnant Woman

A sexual pervert who posed as a private cardiologist so he could molest a heavily pregnant woman in a hospital ward has been jailed.

The woman in her twenties, who has a heart condition, thought she was receiving an informal second opinion, but instead was touched intimately while lying in bed.

Gregory Boyle, 59, who had told the woman's partner he was medically qualified and happy to assist, received six years and four months imprisonment.

He pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to sexual assault and assault by penetration at Princess Royal University Hospital, Farnborough, Kent on October 21, 2015.

Prior to the offence, the victim's partner had undertaken building work at Boyle's house and confided in him about her heart condition and pregnancy.

Boyle claimed to be a cardiologist and offered to assess the victim as a second opinion free of charge.

When the victim was admitted to hospital, her partner decided to take Boyle up on this offer as he was concerned for her welfare.

When he arrived at the hospital, Boyle introduced himself to the victim as a doctor, and, on the pretext of performing a medical examination, touched intimate parts of her body.

Immediately after this, a nurse walked in to find Boyle with the victim and challenged his presence on the ward.

Doubting his continued claims to be a private doctor, staff checked the General Medical Council register and could not find him listed, so called police.

Boyle was arrested at the hospital and was charged nearly a year later.

Detective Constable Paul Hill from the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences (CASO) Command at the Metropolitan Police said: "Boyle targeted a vulnerable, heavily pregnant woman who was concerned for her health.

“He actively sought to deceive the victim, her family and the medical staff at the PRUH, giving the impression that he was a doctor.

"I would like thank the victim in this case and acknowledge her courage throughout this investigation.

"Thankfully this type of offending is rare, but should anyone recognise Boyle or believe they have been a victim at his hands, please contact the Metropolitan Police."

Theatreland Burglar Jailed For Entertainment Venue Break-Ins

An abseiling burglar with a taste for champagne, who raided a theatre and nightclub, has been jailed for twenty months.

Terence Carroll, 50, of Macklin Street, Holborn targeted commercial premises in London's Theatreland, breaking through a skylight and doors.

He pleaded guilty to burgling all three properties and was sentenced the same day at Blackfriars Crown Court.

The first break-in was on January 11 at the New London Theatre, Drury Lane.

The venue was closed when he broke in at approximately 6.00am by abseiling down a skylight, stealing 32 bottles of champagne worth about £2,400.

Carroll was seen carrying bin bags loaded with alcohol outside the property and was identified by officers following CCTV enquiries.

On Wednesday, January 17, Carroll targeted a dental surgery on Short Gardens.

He broke into the premises whilst it was closed and stole a television and a camera.

DNA evidence linked him to the scene.

The third incident relates to a burglary at Bunga Bunga, Drury Lane on Thursday, April 12.

At approximately 5.06am, Carroll broke into the premises by smashing through a back door.

Whilst inside, he stole a Samsung tablet and bottles of champagne, vodka and rum.

PC Alvaro Aracena-Fuentes, from Camden’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "Carroll is a prolific offender who targeted local businesses in an attempt to steal high value goods.

"This sentence sends a clear message that those engaged in this type of crime will be brought to justice.

"I would like to thank officers in Holborn and Covent Garden for their dedication and perseverance in linking this man to a series of burglary offences in Camden this year."

Ex-UKIP Candidate Whacked Landlady With Scissors

Guilty: Juliette Nibbs

A failed UKIP candidate has been convicted of striking her landlady with a large pair of scissors during a microwave row.

Trainee teacher Juliette Nibbs, 41, who stood in the Kensal Green ward during Brent's 2015 council election, only polled 2.18% of the vote.

She was convicted at Willesden Magistrates Court of assaulting Imtiaz Bibi at an address in Crest Road, Cricklewood on April 11 and was bailed until June 6 for a pre-sentence report.

The magistrates ruled the offence was not racially-aggravated even though Mrs Bibi told them Nibbs shouted: “You are a Paki. You go back to your f***ing country, you f***ing bitch.”

The family had rented out a room to Nibbs, who has since moved out to Knowles House, Longstone Avenue, Harlesden, to help them with the rent to the owner of the property.

Mrs Bibi told the court an argument began over the defendant's use of a microwave oven.

“I told her I thought it was dangerous that she left the microwave running and it was something that happened previously.”

“She said: 'You are lying. It's not on,' and she made faces at me.

Scissors: Imtiaz Bibi

“She turned to her room and returned with a pair of scissors and her gestures were very strange and she made faces.

“As she was swearing at me she was waving her scissors at me. They were eight to ten inches long, the type you'd normally see being used by a tailor.

“They were heavy scissors, due to the bruises I got.

“She was at the top of the stairs and I was two steps down and the scissor blades hit my right hand by the wrist as I moved my hands in self-defence.

“It was quite painful and the x-ray showed tissues had been damaged in my thumb.

“The impact was quite deep, with bruising and swelling.”

Nibbs told the court she had no access to the kitchen facilities even though she had rented a room at the house for four years.  

Two Ex-Scout Volunteers Accused Of Sex Offences Against Young Boys

Paul Santon

Two men accused of sex offences against young Harrow scouts four decades ago have appeared in court for the first time.

Philip Levi, 73, of Vinery Court, Ramsey, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire and Paul Santon, 68, of Cotlandswick, London Colney, St. Albans, Hertfordshire were sent to the crown court.

They both appeared at Willesden Magistrates Court, where they were bailed to appear at Harrow Crown Court on June 20.

Levi is charged with six counts of indecently assaulting one boy between October 12, 1972 and October 11, 1974.

Santon is charged with one count of indecently assaulting the same boy between October 12, 1972 and October 11, 1973 and indecently assaulting a second boy between April 19, 1978 and September 18, 1980.

Levi faces seven further charges of indecently assaulting another boy between January 15, 1980 and January 14, 1985.

He is further charged with four counts of indecent assault against another boy between December 31, 1982 and January 1, 1984.

Levi is also charged with indecently assaulting three other boys on dates between June 22, 1976 and May 23, 1982.

All the offences are alleged to have occurred at various Harrow addresses and at Lasham Airfield, Alton, Hampshire.

Ex-British Judo Champ Guilty Of Road Rage Assault

Judo Champ: Lionel Hibbert

A former British judo champion was convicted today of knocking a mini-cab driver to the ground after spitting in his face during a road rage confrontation.

Lionel Hibbert, 53, who won the title in 1992 and now teaches kids got into a confrontation after both drivers competed for the same lane in heavy traffic.

The social housing builder, of Wood Close, Kingsbury, an instructor at Pride Judo Club, Vale Farm Sport Centre, North Wembley, says he’s been the victim of a miscarriage of justice. 

He claims he only spat at mini-cab driver Zabihullah Habib’s windscreen after receiving racial abuse and used just his left arm put him to the floor in self-defence.

Hibbert was convicted of assaulting Mr. Habib in Watford Road, Wembley on March 12 and must return to Willesden Magistrates Court for sentencing on June 8.

The incident was captured on video by a passing motorist, which Hibbert says exonerates him, but the court refused to admit it as evidence.

The victim told the trial Hibbert cut him up in the middle of busy rush-hour traffic at 5pm.

“He managed to get in front of me when he should not have been in the bus lane to do it and caused the traffic to come to a standstill as he blocked both lanes and I sounded my horn.

“He put his head out of the window and started swearing at me and got out of the vehicle. He was very angry, very aggressive, swearing at the same time.

“I got out to tell him he had to move, that he was in my way and he spat at me. It landed on the left-hand side of my cheek.

Road Row: Zabihullah Habib

“I returned to my car to make a note of his registration number and asked my cousin to call the police.

“As I was trying to take a note I suddenly received a punch to the back of my head, the right side of my neck.

I fell to the ground and landed on my knees and started to feel pain and my right arm started to bleed.”

The cabbie claimed Hibbert tried to flee in a panic. “I opened his door to stop him and he got out of his car and ran after me, trying to hit me.”

Hibbert told the court he exchanged glances with Mr. Habib as they fought for road space. “He drove straight towards me and hit my wheel arch and just carried on.

“I said to him: ‘Are you f***ing crazy?’ He stood in front of my face and called me a dirty black b******.

“I was shocked and thought he was going to do something and there were a few more racial overtones. It was wrong, but I spat on his windscreen.

“He made a very aggressive walk towards me and made a bit of a lunge and I thought he was going to punch me.

Tarmac Tatami: Habib Goes Down

“I pulled him towards me, spun him around and set him on the floor. I never punched him.”

Hibbert told the magistrates: “I represented Great Britain for over fifteen years all over the world competing.

“It was minimum force. I just grabbed him and put him on the floor before he could throw a fist at me.”

An eye witness came forward to say Hibbert was aggressive and angry and at one point had Mr. Habib in a headlock and the cabbie’s cousin backed-up his account.

Hibbert spent over fourteen hours in police custody afterwards. “They just handcuffed me and put me straight in the van.

“I don’t see why as a big black geezer I’m pointed out as the aggressor.”