Jail For Railway Copper Cable Crook

A prolific thief, who continued to steal cable from the railway while on bail for the same offence, has been jailed for two years.

Iulian Iacob, 36, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of theft of railway cabling, two counts of handling stolen goods and multiple counts of going equipped for theft.

He was sentenced to two years in prison when he appeared at Luton Crown Court.

The court heard Iacob was first arrested on July 30, last year when he was caught with railway cable and a backpack full of tools in Millbrook, Bedfordshire. 

Police were called to an incident of cable theft in progress and when an officer arrived at the scene, he spotted Iacob who matched the description of the offender.

He attempted to flee from police on his bike but was immediately apprehended and arrested.

He was bailed and then arrested again on October 28, while on bail for the first offence, after a resident saw him climbing a fence at the rear of a property in Flitwick that leads onto the railway.

Police were called and he was found in the undergrowth stripping electrical cable and putting the copper inside a rucksack.

While failing to answer police bail for these two arrests he then continued to steal cable, with DNA evidence from a drinks bottle and a lighter linking him to two separate incidents in Harpenden.

In March this year he was spotted by a dog walker behaving suspiciously close to the railway in Harpenden.

The same dog walker spotted Iacob again on April 2 and called police after she saw him starting a fire and stealing cable from the railway at Harpenden Oval.

He was again arrested after being found covered in soot with bags filled with copper piping and cabling and admitted planning to sell it onto a scrap dealer. 

PC David Sheldrick said: “Iacob has been a persistent nuisance to the railway. 

“Despite already being caught in the act twice and arrested, this did little to deter him from re offending and stealing more copper and cable from the railway.

“Cable theft is a dangerous, costly and disruptive crime that simply will not be tolerated.

“The cost incurred to the railway due to Iacob’s persistent offending is passed onto you and me and everyone who uses the rail network.

“Thanks to the report from the vigilant dog walker Jacob was arrested for the final time and put before the courts.

“If you see anything suspicious on the railway, please call us on 0800 40 50 40 or text us discreetly on 61016.”

Danny Matthews. operations director for Network Rail East Midlands Route, said: “Cable theft is not a victimless crime. 

“It puts offenders at serious risk of injury and can cause significant disruption for our passengers and freight customers, while costing thousands of pounds to repair the damage caused.

“This individual repeatedly targeted the railway despite previous arrests, so I welcome this sentence and the close partnership working between Network Rail and British Transport Police that helped bring him before the courts.

“We're committed to tackling cable theft across our route and would encourage anyone who sees suspicious activity on or near the railway to report it immediately. 

“Information from members of the public is often vital in helping us catch offenders and keep the railway safe and reliable for everyone.”

Big Brother Versus Little Sister

Outside Court: Hanah Haji

Big Brother star Hanah Haji pummelled her little sister’s face with punches during a row over her bringing men to the family home, a court heard.

The 25 year-old appeared in 2024’s Series 21 of the reality show, where she went on hunger strike in protest over the show’s food.

Ealing Magistrates’ Court saw an image of a cut above the left eye of her 19 year-old sister Mona Shiekh, along with bruising to her face.

Former HR consultant Haji, of Reade Court, Stanley Road, Acton was convicted of assaulting her sister at the address on July 16, last year and was bailed to August 24 for a probation report.

Mona told the trial from behind a screen it was 7.30pm and she was ill and in her bedroom when she refused Haji’s request to go to the shops for her.

“She muttered: ‘What the f***?’ and I could hear her say: ‘I hope you die from your condition,’ as she shouted in the hallway.

“She barged in, slamming the door against the wall. She pushed me onto the bed and I covered my face and she started banging on my face.

“She was punching. I could feel the fists and I was screaming.”

Punched: Mona Shiekh

Mona audio-recorded the foul-mouthed row on her phone, which was played in court, revealing the shouting and swearing between the sisters.

“You’re a whore as well,” shouted Mona on the recording, telling the court: “She was bringing men around the house.

“If you’re going to have sexual intercourse in the morning multiple times with men while I’m in the house you need to have boundaries.”

In her statement the younger sister said: “I’m really scared of her and can’t go back to my home address safely.”

Haji claimed she only punched her sister in self-defence when she was scratched to the arms and kicked to the legs, but the victim denied this.

“In the past she has got physical with me, tapping me on the shoulder and spitting in my face,” said Mona. “It was not self-defence, it was unprovoked.”

Haji showed the court images of injuries she claimed were inflicted by Mona, adding: “We were in each other’s face. She scratched me and was kicking me.

“After a bit I punched her because she was kicking and scratching me and a year later I still have those bruises to my legs.

“I punched her and punched her again and she screamed and I backed off. I’m not trying to beat up my little sister and I am not a spitter, that’s disgusting.

“I did not want to hurt her physically. I don’t blame her, I blame the hostile environment we were in.”

Bench chairwoman Caroline Newell announced: “You admitted punching your sister twice in the face and we don’t believe you were required to use that level of force that resulted in the injuries sustained by your sister.”

The court also heard that as a juvenile in 2016, when she was 15 year-old Haji was convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm and received a rehabilitation order, which included an electronically-tagged curfew.

Docklands Light Railway Passengers Halt Sexual Assaults On Female

A sex attack on a female Docklands Light Railway (DLR) passenger by a mystery male was only interrupted when two other train users stepped in.

At approximately 10.30pm on Friday, May 29 the woman was on the platform at Canary Wharf when a man approached and began to sexually harass her.

He then followed her onto the DLR service and sat next to her.

As she tried to move away he grabbed onto her and sexually assaulted her, refusing to let her go.

The man only stopped when two other passengers came over to help and he eventually got off the train at King George V station.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this image of their suspect.

Detectives would like to speak to the man pictured, as they believed 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 153 of 2 June.

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

Woman Molested Onboard Northern Line Tube Train

A female tube train passenger has been molested by a mystery male while travelling on a Northern Line service.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this image of their suspect.

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

At around 5.30pm on Thursday, April 23, the victim boarded the train, which was travelling towards Tufnell Park and stood by the door.

The woman was then sexually assaulted by a man who got off the train at Tufnell Park Underground station.

Detectives would like to speak to the man pictured, as they believed 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 491 of 23 April.

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

Tajikistan Train Predator Targeted 13 Year-Old Girl

A sexual predator, who targeted a 13 year-old girl onboard a train, has received twelve years for what investigating police describe as an “abhorrent” series of offences.

Tajikistan national Abdulmanon Aliev,50, of Rye Lane, Peckham was convicted after a week-long trial at Inner London Crown Court.

The jury found him guilty of two counts of assault by penetration; three counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted rape.

He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

On the afternoon of June 16, last year the young girl was travelling from Southend to London's Fenchurch Street station.

During the journey she was approached by Aliev, who deliberately sat opposite her and attempted to use a translator app on his phone to communicate with her.

She moved away from him to sit in a window seat, but he followed the teenager and sat next to her in an aisle seat, blocking her.

Aliev forced himself upon the victim and subjected her to a prolonged sexual assault until the service arrived at its destination.

She left the train and boarded another heading back out of London, leaving Aliev behind at the station.

She reported what she endured to members of the public, who encountered her in a distressed state, and the police were informed shortly after.

British Transport Police (BTP) detectives launched an urgent investigation to identify Aliev, trawling hours of CCTV footage to track his movements before and after the attack.

The manhunt ended on June 27 when plain clothes officers spotted him in Peckham, South London, and he was immediately arrested.

His home address was searched and officers located and seized the clothes he was wearing on the day of the attack.

BTP Detective Constable Elizabeth Cahill said: “Aliev singled out a vulnerable child and subjected her to one of the most abhorrent sexual assaults I’ve ever investigated.

“While the focus of attention will rightly be on him as the despicable sexual predator that he is, I want to pay tribute to the brave victim who reported him to police.

“His conviction and 12-year jail term would not have been possible without her account of what happened and her willingness to support our investigation.

“We take every sexual offence report extremely seriously, and we’ll stop at nothing to ensure vile offenders like Aliev are put behind bars where they belong.”

Woman Molested Onboard Packed Elizabeth Line Train

A female passenger on a crowded Elizabeth Line train has been molested by an unknown male, who hid his actions amongst the packed carriage.

British Transport Police (BTP) officers have released this image of their tattooed moustachioed suspect.

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

At approximately 7.30pm on Sunday, April 19 a man boarded the Westbound train at Tottenham Court Road.

When the train arrived at Bond Street he sexually assaulted the woman, attempting to disguise his movements within the crowd.

He then got off the train at Ealing Broadway.

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 115 of 20 April.

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

Cocaine Cut: Prison Time Slashed For Drug Dealer

A cocaine dealer has had nearly three years of prison time wiped off his sentence for the time he spent tucked up in bed on home curfew, awaiting his trial.

Yahya Osman, 29, was arrested during a National Crime Agency swoop, which linked him via encrypted mobile phone messages with commercial drug dealing.

He was arrested near London’s Hatton Garden on March 19, 2021 and after three months in custody was granted bail on condition he obey a home curfew.

When that time was added up at Croydon Crown Court last week a total of 916 days will be automatically deducted from the seven years and seven months sentence he received.

Another three months and seven days will also have been deemed served.

Osman, of Bellhouse Lane, Southend-on-Sea fought the charges for years and eventually pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs on the eve of his third scheduled jury trial. 

The court heard no cocaine was seized when Osman was pulled over in his black Audi, but his mobile phone revealed evidence of the purchase of at least two kilos of cocaine, which was broken down and sold on.

The prosecution say he was directly involved with others and linked to the selling-on of a kilo of cocaine.

Officers also seized a Rolex watch, worth over £10,000 from the first-time offender and a £50,000 surety was offered to secure his bail.

For three of his years on bail Osman was not allowed to physically leave his local neighbourhood in Southend-on-Sea and had to obey an evening curfew to remain at home during the hours of darkness.

He was facing up to eleven years imprisonment on current sentencing guidelines, but after the discount will be eligible for parole in approximately two-and-a-half years.

Osman often claimed to be a lawyer, but never qualified and while on bail managed his Iranian father’s restaurant - calming the Rolex was a gift from his dad.

His lawyer Sebastian Gardiner even submitted Osman should receive no prison time whatsoever: “We are in the ballpark of time served for this defendant and ask if it is in the interests of justice to send this person to prison?

“It is more constructive to suspend any term of imprisonment so he does not have to go to prison. He has got a stable life a steady partner and the probation report says he is at low risk of re-offending.

“He has clearly served the equivalent of eight years and there are a whole range of community resolutions and my submission is for a sentence equivalent to time served.

“There was a huge backlog and this case could not be listed,” added Mr Gardiner. “There have been a number of delays and none of them are this defendant’s fault and that has been detrimental to him.”

Recorder Valeria Swift told Osman: “For reasons that were not your fault the first trial was not effective and at the second trial your guilty plea was not accepted by the prosecution and when the third trial was listed your plea was accepted.

“There has been a substantial delay and you have had to wait for over a year since you pleaded guilty to hear your sentence.

“You were at the top of a supply chain with others and you were responsible for directing those below you in the chain, drug dealers.

“You were involved in the supply of one kilo of cocaine and were directing others from your position at the top of the chain.

“You were a man of good character and that is to your credit and you have stayed out of trouble since these offences and I take that in your favour.

“There has been a very substantial period of delay which is significant in this case, back to 2021, a delay in proceedings that were not your fault.

“The delay is a substantial point of mitigation and you were subject to onerous bail conditions, which were a significant incursion on your liberty, when you had to be at home and were subject to a curfew for a substantial period of time.”

Stylist Denies Gucci Handbag Scam

Dressed For Court: Chellingsworth

An ‘internationally-renowned personal stylist’ yesterday pleaded not guilty to a £277,000 Gucci designer handbag fraud when she appeared at Croydon Crown Court today.

Milda Chellingsworth, 44, is accused of duping investors, who believed they would enjoy profitable returns from her expertise in trading in the luxury handbag market.

The Lithuanian-born businesswoman, who lives in a £940,000 home in Alexandra Crescent, Sundridge, Bromley was bailed to return for her trial on February 5, 2029.

Chellingsworth is charged with a £146,861.63 fraud 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 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 her money into expensive Gucci handbags and return thousands of pounds in profits.

She is also charged with a third fraud, totalling £52,000, between June 17, 2019 and May 31, 2021.

Chellingsworth 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.

The 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.

Despite the not guilty pleas Judge Elizabeth Lowe asked: “Where’s the money? Where did it go?”

Chellingsworth’s lawyer Brian Richardson replied: “She denies acting dishonestly. She entered into arrangements with these individuals. She is in the process of trying to resolve matters with Ms Gray.

“The monies were attempted to be invested, but there were a series of unfortunate events and in the process of preparing the defence case this will be dealt with.”

When Judge Lowe enquired: “What does she do for a living at the moment?” Chellingsworth informed the court: “I am a stylist and have a concierge company.”

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

Wanted: Pervert Who Targeted Woman On Train

An early-morning female train passenger was followed by a mystery male, who exposed himself and then masturbated in front of her.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this image of their suspect.

Investigating officers are appealing to members of the public to assist them identify the unknown male.

At around 6.30am on Friday, May 22, a man boarded the service at Clapham Junction and left at East Croydon station. 

During the southbound journey the male exposed himself to the woman, who moved away, but was approached again with the man masturbating in front of her.

Detectives would like to speak to the man in the images, as they believe 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 167 of 22 May.

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

Prison For Thief Who Targeted Expensive Commuter Bikes

A serial bike thief who stole nine bikes from train stations in Surrey has been jailed following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Reece Fujioka, 23, was sentenced at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to two years’ imprisonment, having pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft.

The court heard that between May and October 2025, Fujioka stole nine bikes from three stations in Surrey – Walton-on-Thames, Woking and Guildford – breaching his Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) each time, as well as trespassing on the railway on one occasion.

Fujioka would casually walk up and down the cycle racks at stations when the coast was clear before choosing his desired bike. 

He’d then use a handheld tool, such as a pair of pliers or bolt cutters, to break the lock and remove the bike.

The bikes he stole included a Cannondale Topstone worth around £2,500, and a Rockrider 6061 worth about £1,800.

Officers launched an investigation after linking a number offences together.

Fujioka was identified as a suspect in late May and officers began working to arrest him. 

He was arrested in January after handing himself in at a Metropolitan Police station in south London.

BTP Constable Lee McAdam said: “Fujioka answered no comment in interview, but we had pulled together a wealth of evidence, including valuable CCTV footage, that left him with no choice but to plead guilty in court.

“We know cycle theft has a real impact on passengers, and we’re committed to tackling this type of crime and putting thieves like Fujioka before the courts.”

Boozy Pervert Jailed For Bloody Wine Bottle Train Attack

A drunken sex offender, who bashed his young male victim over the head with a wine bottle as he tried to flee a train carriage, has been locked-up.

Zakaria Mohammed, 32, inflicted wounds to the back of the 21 year-old passenger's head after deliberately blocking him in on the early morning service.

British Transport Police (BTP) have described it as a “sickening” attack, which left the victim with bleeding wounds.

Mohammed, of The Coppice, West Drayton, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm, sexual assault and false imprisonment.

He also admitted breaching the conditions of a previous Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which was made after previous offending.

Mohammed was jailed for one year and eight months at Reading Crown Court and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

He was also made the subject of a 10-year SHPO.

Shortly before 8.30am on Saturday, March 24, Mohammed sat directly opposite the victim at a table in an otherwise empty carriage.

The pair made small talk until Mohammed, who had clearly been drinking and was carrying a half empty bottle of wine, sexually assaulted the victim.

He moved to deliberately sit next to the victim, who attempted to leave his seat when the train reached Reading station.

When he asked Mohamed to move so he could leave the defendant refused, leaving the victim with no other option than to crawl under the table to escape.

However, as he was doing so, Mohammed repeatedly hit him over the head with his wine bottle.

On leaving the train the victim reported what had happened and realised he was bleeding heavily from cuts to his head.

Mohammed was arrested by BTP officers as he approached the barriers to leave the station and was found to be in breach of a previous SHPO forbidding him from travelling on public transport without paying for a ticket.

BTP Detective Constable Lauren Pace said: “This was a truly sickening assault on a young man who was understandably terrified.

“Mohammed is a dangerous individual who saw nothing wrong with forcing himself upon the victim.

“Quite rightly he has been jailed as a result of our investigation and issued with a SHPO which will hopefully prevent him from attacking anyone else.”