Stylist Charged With Gucci Handbag Fraud

An ‘internationally-renowned personal stylist’ has been charged with a £277,000 Gucci designer handbag fraud.

Milda Chellingsworth, 43, was due to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court yesterday, not far from her smart £940,000 four-bedroom semi in nearby Alexandra Crescent, Sundridge.

The Lithuanian stylist and personal shopper reportedly charges £150 per hour to consult holidaymakers on appropriate suitcase packing and  £680 per day to be a personal gift shopper.

She did not appear in court and her case was adjourned.

Chellingsworth is charged with a £52,000 fraud between June 10, 2019 and May 31, 2021.

She is accused of dishonestly making false representations to Trevor Coop that she would invest his money into expensive Gucci handbags and return thousands of pounds in profits.

Chellingsworth is also charged with a similar £78,400 fraud between April 1 and May 31, 2021.

It is said she dishonestly made false representation to Patricia Navarro that she would invest his money into expensive Gucci handbags and return thousands of pounds in profits.

Chellingsworth also faces a third charge of fraud totalling £146,861.63 between May 1 and August 31, 2023 by abusing her position as the retained agent of Mandy Gray.

She is accused of dishonestly making false representations when retaining money in two bank accounts of Styling For You, spending that money for her personal use instead of benefiting her client’s business.

Chellingsworth is the company director of SFY Styling Concierge Ltd and SFY Styling Ltd.

Yester
day, her lawyer Frazer Bradshaw told the magistrates: “She has a substantive matter at Bromley County Court this morning. It is a substantive hearing at the County Court all morning.

“Her daughter is unwell as well and she needs to go home to assist her.”

Bench Chairman Richard Hay questioned which court should have taken priority, regarding Chellingsworth’s attendance and reluctantly adjourned the case.

Smile For The Camera: Laughing Sex Pest Jailed

A laughing train creep, who targeted multiple lone women across the railway network, has been locked-up.

Craig Anthony Anderson, 38, received one year and ten months when he was sentenced at the Old Bailey for one count of stalking and four of sexual assault.

He also received a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) which prohibits him from being able to approach, sit or stand near lone women. He also received a two restraining orders.

The court heard how Anderson embarked on a spree of sexual offending between June and October 2025, targeting lone women travelling across London and surrounding regions.

On June 14, last year just before 4.00pm at Bank Underground Station, Anderson followed a young woman up the stairs and engaged her in unwanted conversation. 

He asked for her name and phone number before telling her she looked "sexy".

The victim asked him to leave her alone before he then sexually assaulted her. 

As he walked away from her, he stuck his tongue out at her and laughed as he headed through the station.

Just over a week later, on June 26, Anderson attempted to strike up a conversation with another young woman on board a train at Guildford, asking her for her social media account details. 

The pair exchanged phone numbers, though he soon began to harass her over text for the next few weeks.

Declining his invitation to meet up, on July 15 he followed her from Epsom railway station onto the train to Victoria, verbally abusing her before he attempted to snatch her belongings. 

Anderson followed her for the next part of her journey, forcing her to hide in the toilets at Canary Wharf until Anderson left. 

He proceeded to regularly send her sexual messages and images to her mobile phone until his arrest in early October, 2025.

Then on the morning of August 2, Anderson approached a young woman exiting Liverpool Street station, tapping her on the arm to ask where she was going. 

He attempted to ask her for her social media accounts, which she refused to give. 

He then exclaimed that she was being difficult and requested to touch her. 

She again refused, and Anderson proceeded to sexually assault her before walking off and leaving the station.

Just weeks later on August 29 at Westminster Underground station, Anderson approached a woman asking for directions to Finchley and followed her up the escalator before sexually assaulting her, laughing before turning to head back down the escalator.

On the evening of October 6 Anderson approached a woman on the platform at Purley railway station. 

He asked her for directions to Gatwick Airport and continued to engage her in conversation, asking a slew of personal questions. 

They both boarded the same train and he chose to sit next to her.

He then asked her for her mobile number and email address, to which she declined and said she wasn't interested. 

He then asked what would she do if he tried to kiss her, and she said she would report him to the police. 

Anderson then sexually assaulted her, and while she attempted to get out of her seat he blocked her path. 

She was eventually able to escape and left the train at Redhill station.

British Transport Police (BTP) officers were able to identify Anderson from CCTV stills and he was pointed out by the victims in an identification parade as the man responsible for the series of offences. 

He was arrested during an in person interview at the Passport Office, where he claimed he would be leaving the UK in a matter of weeks.

In the police car on the way to custody, and while under caution, Anderson proceeded to make derogatory comments about the women he targeted before claiming he had not been at the locations of the alleged assaults, despite the CCTV footage proving otherwise.

Detective Constable Libby Wildego said: “Anderson is a dangerous predator who preyed on women for his own sexual gratification. 

“Just as he did throughout the assaults themselves, when we questioned him under caution he smirked throughout and offered no comment, highlighting the sheer lack of remorse for his actions.

"It is thanks to the brave victims who came forward and supported our investigation that we have seen Anderson sentenced for his horrific crimes. 

“Despite his own behaviour in court where he voluntarily left before he received his sentence, I hope this result provides some sense of comfort for the victims.”

Two-Time Sex Assault At Elephant & Castle Underground

A woman was molested in a lift and then again on a tube train carriage during the busy early evening rush hour.

British Transport Police (BTP) have launched an investigation and have released this image of their suspect.

Investigating officers are appealing to members of the public to assist them identify the mystery man.

At approximately 5.20pm on Friday, March 6 a female passenger was standing in a lift at Elephant & Castle Underground Station when she was sexually assaulted.

The same unknown male followed her onto a Northern Line train travelling towards Stockwell and sexually assaulted her again.

Officers would like to speak to the man pictured, as they believe he may have information that could help their investigation.

Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 568 of 6 March.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

What A Plank: Robber Starting Prison Term For Brutal Robbery

A robber, who repeatedly struck his middle-aged victim over the head with a plank of wood – inflicting a broken nose and cuts to the head – has been locked-up.

Jody Cole, 44, struck in the dark near Earl's Court Underground Station at 11.10pm on Tuesday, December 2, 2022, leaving his victim – aged in his fifties – bloodied and unconscious.

At Inner London Crown Court Cole, of Nunhead Lane, Nunhead, south-east London received three years and four months imprisonment.

He pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and two counts of assaulting police officers who intervened.

As the victim approached the station from Warwick Road, Cole was approaching on a bicycle. 

He dismounted, ran towards the victim from behind and struck him over the head with a plank of wood.

The victim fell to the floor, and Cole continued to strike him repeatedly across the head and body until the victim fell unconscious.

Cole began to rummage through the victim’s pockets while he was laying on the ground, taking his wallet which contained his bank cards and driving licence.

Cole attempted to flee but two Metropolitan Police officers, who had been alerted to the incident by members of the public, had rushed to the scene to help.

He punched and kicked at both of the officers in the middle of the road and managed to escape the scene after a car run over one of the officer's feet.

The officers immediately administered first aid to the victim, who was bleeding profusely from his head. 

He was taken to hospital with a broken nose and several cuts and wounds across his head.

Later in the evening, at around 11.40pm, Cole attempted to use the stolen cards in a nearby supermarket on the same road.

An urgent investigation was launched and an image of Cole was distributed to multiple police forces in an attempt to identify him. 

A British Transport Police officer recognised Cole having previously interacted with him, and Cole was then arrested.

Detective Constable Richard Rowe said: "I'm very pleased with the outcome in this case. 

“Cole is a depraved individual who brutally assaulted his victim in an unprovoked attack, in full view of other commuters and the public.

"I also want to commend the actions of the two officers from the Metropolitan Police, who put themselves in harm's way while attempting to protect the victim and detain Cole.

"I hope that this sentence provides the victims with a sense of closure, and underscores our commitment to the travelling public that there is absolutely no place for behaviour like this on the railway network."

Accused Fraudster Son Left Mum Suicide Note

UPDATE: FOLLOWING A DEFENCE APPLICATION THE JURY WERE DISCHARGED MID-TRIAL. THE CASE WILL BE BACK IN COURT ON MAY 15 FOR JUDGE'S RULING.

A supermarket worker left his widowed OAP mother a Beachy Head suicide note after she discovered her bank accounts had been emptied of £595,000 in life savings, a court heard.

However, even though officers found his car near the infamous south coast suicide spot Simon Grimes, 44, walked into a police station a few days later.

He confessed to transferring the money from the bank accounts of his mother Linda Grimes, 73, telling police he spent the cash on cocaine, alcohol and gambling, plus the payment of a loan shark debt.

The former Tesco employee, of Kenilworth Road, Petts Wood, Orpington, is now fighting the charges at Croydon Crown Court.

He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud by abuse of position in relation to a Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) account and Nationwide account between May 20, 2016 and June 16, 2022.

Linda investigated with the assistance of her other son, Mark, 48, and the pair visited her local branch.

“I was devastated. I just broke down in Nationwide and cried, not thinking my son could do that to me,” she told the jury today (Monday). 

“I did not give him any permission to do that. He just did it himself and there was never a straight answer.

“I confronted him and he became angry because I think he knew what he did was wrong.

“He said he put the money in an offshore account in Amsterdam to make more money, but it was a lie.”

Grimes had moved into his mother’s Andover Road, Orpington bungalow on the condition he contribute to the utility bills after his marriage collapsed, but the trial heard he took advantage of this to intercept his mother’s post.

“We did find all the letters he kept from me,” said Linda. “In his bedroom there were lots of letters in my name, new bank card and PIN’s.”

A few days after he was exposed Simon left his mother a note on the coffee table.

She told the court it read: ‘I’m sorry for what I’ve done. By the time you read this I will be at Beachy Head and I will be dead.’

“I had to call the police and they did a search of Beach Head. That was not a very good day either,” she added.

“They did a search and a couple of days later he walked into a police station. I then heard he was in a psychiatric hospital and that is the last time I have heard of or seen Simon.”

Earlier, prosecutor Robin Griffiths told the jury: “Over several years Simon Grimes abused the trust of his mother Linda by transferring funds from her RBS and Nationwide accounts into his own bank account.

“Before he plundered her bank accounts she considered herself comfortably well-off, following the death of her husband Malcolm in 2015.

“He was a successful chartered accountant with his own business and owned four other properties and the entire estate passed to his widow.

“Those properties and the accountancy business were sold for substantial sums and the proceeds paid into Linda’s RBS account.”

Eventually Linda also sold the bungalow she had shared with her late husband, banking the proceeds with Nationwide, and moved into a Croydon rental property with Simon, which he claimed was owned by a friend of his.

“By June, 2022 it was all gone and the account was in overdraft,” explained Mr Griffiths. “The RBS account was also in a £6,000 overdraft.

“These accounts were to provide a comfortable existence in her golden years, but now she has a bleak financial outlook with only her pension.”

On July 4, 2022 Linda and older son Mark finally discovered the truth at a West Wickham branch of Nationwide.

“When asked what had happened to the money Simon was angry and defensive, claiming the funds were offshore gaining interest.”

On August 8, 2022 Mark reported his brother to the police and he was finally questioned on June 9, 2023.

“He said since his father had passed away he had a really bad time and was drinking, taking drugs and gambling, going to sleep at 7am and 8am.

“He said his mother allowed him access to her accounts and he fell into a cycle and lost £40,000 of his own money from the sale of his own matrimonial home.”

Grimes also told police a loan shark debt increased from £15,000 to £40,000 and aggressive collectors had been banging on the bungalow’s front door.

“I went to Beachy Head to do myself in, but I didn’t,” said Grimes. “I was doing drugs, cocaine, everyday.”

Linda continued giving evidence from behind a screen “Most of the money had been taken out of the bank without my knowledge. Certain things happened and there was northing in the bank.

“The way to pay the mortgage off was to sell the bungalow and move. I liked it, but there were too many sad memories there.

“The idea was to buy another property, but that did not happen as most of the money had been taken from the bank without my knowledge.

“It was supposed to be hidden away and not touched.”

Via his defence lawyer Grimes has suggested his brother Mark is an “intimidating” individual, describing him as a “money-orientated successful businessman.”

His defence team also produced bank records, which they suggest proves Linda was capable of making online and international money transfers, which she denies.

Trial continues……………

Police Hunting Thameslink Pervert

Detectives investigating an incident of outraging public decency on
board a Thameslink service to Luton have released this image in connection with their investigation.

At around 7.30pm on Friday February 27, a woman boarded the train at St Pancras International, heading towards Bedford, when a man sat in the seat next to her.

He proceeded to touch himself inappropriately beneath his clothes before leaving the train at Luton railway station.

Detectives would like to speak to the man pictured, as they believe he may have information that could help their investigation.

Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 704 of 27 February.

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The Lady Is Not For Waiting: Speeding Ban For Princess Diana's Former Flunkie

Court Out: Beckwith-Smith

The former Lady-in-Waiting to the late Princess Diana was banned from driving for six months yesterday after being caught speeding for the fourth time.

Anne Honor Mary Beckwith-Smith, 74, fought to keep her licence, insisting she needed it to drive from her £2.2m property in Onslow Square, South Kensington to visit her ailing brother in Wiltshire.

However, Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court found a disqualification would not cause her ‘exceptional hardship’ and also fined her £307, with £130 costs and ordered her to pay a £123 victim surcharge.

She pleaded guilty to driving her blue Audi Q2 in South Street, Wilton, Salisbury, Wiltshire at 36mph in a 30mph zone on August 7, last year.

Beckwith-Smith was Lady-in-Waiting to the late HRH Princess of Wales between 1981 and her tragic death in 1997.

She told the court her brother James Merton Beckwith-Smith, 77, resides in Milford House care home and a ban would impact her ability to regularly visit him.

However, she did not reveal in her evidence the existence of her second property, the Grade II-listed Bishopstone House, Salisbury, which has been in the family for many years.

It is only a fifteen minute taxi ride from the care home, which prosecutor Oliver Hall was quick to pick up on.

“Do you have an address in Salisbury?” asked prosecutor Mr Hall. “Why haven’t you mentioned that?

“You took an oath to tell the truth. Didn’t you think it was relevant to mention that?”

“Nobody asked me,” replied Beckwith-Smith, who stressed the loss of her licence would cause considerable hardship because she lives in London, eighty miles away from her brother.

“You could have a nice summer in the country, couldn’t you?” asked Mr Hall, mentioning the weather was particularly pleasant today.

“Well, what’s tomorrow going to be like?” asked Beckwith-Smith, stressing life away from London would be devastating for her socially.

Happier Times: Beckwith-Smith with Princess Diana

The court heard at the time of the offence Beckwith-Smith had nine penalty points on her driving licence for three speeding offences on October 11 and 18, 2022 and April 15, 2025.

“That’s why I’m here,” she replied when asked if she knew today’s three points would trigger an automatic six-month ban.

“The impact it would have, particularly on my severely disabled brother, who is seventy-seven. He lives in a care home just outside Salisbury, Wiltshire.

“Salisbury is eighty to ninety miles from London and I try and go two or three times a week.

“I am his only next-of-kin. I am unmarried, he is unmarried and I deal with all of his financial affairs, health affairs, his well-being generally.

“He is autistic basically and as age crept on he is more autistic and routine is vital in his life.

“He has been in the care home for three years and they have had three different managers and it is important they know his needs and I communicate with the care staff regularly.

“They are always changing. They have notes, but nobody reads them and now it is all on iPad and I don’t know how easy it is.

“I ensure his routine is kept to the basics,” added Beckwith-Smith, explaining her visits usually last two or three hours or can be simply “dropping in.”

“I like to do that because it keeps them on their toes.

“I do have family nearby, but they have their own care problems, an eighty-nine year-old mother with mobility problems  and slight dementia and two children.

“They will go in occasionally, but I have Power of Attorney.

“It would be a train from London to Salisbury and there are taxis from the station to the care home.

“He has a catheter and if there is a problem, if ever I have to get there it would be inconvenient.

“Public transport in Salisbury, Wiltshire is not as good as it is in London.

“It has happened in the last month. I was rung up to say there was a problem with his catheter.

“They feel they have to ring at any opportunity and I feel I have to get there to reassure him.

“We watch the horse racing on television and that reassures him and from my point of view that is important. He likes that routine.

“I could get a taxi from London I suppose, but I have not looked into that.

“The stress, I think, would be quite considerable. I have never been in this position before, getting to the age I am it would be quite catastrophic, but I know you don’t take that into consideration.

“We are incredibly well-provided with public transport in London. It is getting to friends and family in the country.”

She reminded the court that the two oldest speeding offences have dropped off her licence, adding: “I apologise for wasting all your time on this.

“I should stress it would be a hardship for my brother. I have mobility, I can walk, I can get on buses in London.”

The prosecutor also worked out a bus journey from her Salisbury home to her brother would take approximately forty-four minutes, but Beckwith-Smith insisted this would be unsuitable.

“There is a bus that goes from Milford House. It is a very narrow and dangerous short-cut that people use to avoid Salisbury,” she told the court.

“Then there is a three-hundred to four-hundred yard walk along an unpaved road. I personally would not want to walk along that road at any time of day or night.”

When asked about her financial position she replied: “I’m comfortable,” agreeing she can afford train and taxi fares.

Mr Hall suggested: “You could get a fifteen minute taxi to the care home in the event of an emergency couldn’t you?”

Beckwith-Smith replied that relocating full-time to Salisbury would not work for her. “It would not be terribly convenient. Social life would impact on me personally.”

When asked further about the impact of a disqualification Beckwith-Smith said: “I believe it would be quite considerable.”

Bench Chairwoman Isobel Vass announced: “We are not going to find ‘exceptional hardship’. We do not underestimate the medical and care needs of your brother in the care home.

“We note your dedication and commitment to visit him regularly, but we find you will bet able to live in the area several days a week to meet your obligations.

“I must warn you not to use any motorised vehicles during this period. There is a risk you could be brought back to court and punished.

“The points will come off due to the disqualification. You will be absolutely free.”

In 1990 she was appointed Lieutenant Royal Victorian Order (L.V.O.) and was Princess Diana’s longest-serving Lady-in-Waiting and by 1986 also adopted the role of Assistant Private Secretary.

She went onto work for the Tate Modern.