Forensic Psychologist Guilty Of Seventeen Years-Old Grudge

A forensic psychologist has been convicted of sending a foul-mouthed abusive text to a supervisor she last worked under seventeen years ago.

Bibi Cotman, 55, had not been in contact with the female victim for that same period of time until suddenly sending the evening text, which was full of historic work grievances and wishing a painful death on the victim.

“It was a nasty message, received out of the blue from an unknown number and was quite threatening,” announced District Judge Rebecca Saillet last week.

Mother-of-one Cotman, of Houblon Road, Richmond-upon-Thames fought the case, but was convicted of sending an offensive communication to Wimbledon resident Maureen Duffy on October 23, last year.

“Ms Cotman did not give any evidence today so I have no explanation as to what may have been going on with her that day,” added the judge.

The Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court trial heard the retired victim received the text from Cotman at 9.45pm, which read: “You, my dear are one of the nastiest, self-centred, most narcissistic, self-serving c**** I’ve met.

“I’ve never forgotten the trauma you caused me, thinking you could control people with your ridiculous work ethic to be like the Devil Wears Prada when in reality you were a spinster taking your anger out on others.

“I hope you die a slow cancerous death you c***. Cheers.”

Cotman claims she has no memory of the text and tried to beat the charge by insisting she had her own mental health challenges at the time.

However, Judge Saillet ruled: “Many that come before these courts suffer mental health difficulties, but that in itself is not a defence or having no memory of sending the message.

“There is no evidence she was going through a crisis and it was sent to an ex-employer with work grudges.

“I am satisfied Ms Cotman sent the message with intent to cause stress and anxiety and find her guilty of the offence.”

Prosecutor Lucy Bleichroeder told the trial the victim reported the text to police, who quickly identified Cotman as the sender as they had a record of her phone number from four recent calls she made to emergency services.

In her statement the victim, who lives alone, said: “I worry constantly about being attacked due to this message.” 

Cotman was questioned at Kingston Police Station on December 9, but refused to answer questions and sat in silence.

She suffered a brain aneurysm in 2023 and called her own consultant forensic psychologist Chireal Shallow, who told the trial: “This is a very nuanced and complex situation.”

Cotman’s lawyer Pat Lloyd said: “She had nothing to do with this woman for seventeen years and never saw her or spoke to her.

“She is going to be evicted shortly from her home, which she shares with her sixteen year-old daughter, because she has not paid the rent.

“She does not know where she is going and is in receipt of £1900 per month Universal Credit.

“She says she did not mean it and it is unlike her and it was a one-off and she is at the end of her tether today and she would love to have the chance to apologise.”

From the back of the courtroom Cotman said: “It was a horrible message and it was a shock when it was read to me. It is not okay.”

She was ordered to pay £50 compensation to the victim, plus £100 court costs by Judge Judge Saillet, who told her: “I’ve heard what you said and appreciate that you appreciate it wasn’t a nice message to receive.

“I know you have difficulties in your life, but I did find you guilty of sending a very nasty message to poor Mrs Duffy and the compensation is for the fear and distress you caused her that night.”

Knife Horror During Imperial Wharf Rush Hour

Knife: Aidan Watts

A young knifeman, who repeatedly stabbed a rival with a huge machete-style red-bladed weapon at busy Imperial Wharf station in west London, has been locked-up.

Aidan Watts, 20, of Cremorne Estate, Chelsea received five years and one month custody after pleading at Inner London Crown Court to inflicting grievous bodily harm.

His accomplices, who struck during the shocking rush hour attack, Jakada Joseph, 22, of Cambridge Gardens, Notting Hill and Stefan Kosavac-Godart, 19, were convicted of affray.

Kosavac-Godart was given a conditional discharge, following time served on remand and Joseph will be sentenced separately.

British Transport Police (BTP) were called to Imperial Wharf railway station in Chelsea, just after 5.20pm on June 18, last year to reports of a stabbing.

Officers raced to the scene with paramedics and found a 20-year-old man with multiple life-threatening stab injuries to his thigh, abdomen and buttocks.

He was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery, where doctors and nurses worked to stabilise him.

BTP detectives had been alerted in the meantime and immediately launched an investigation to track down the offenders.

They spoke to several witnesses and established the victim was on the same train as the suspect group, but they had not seen each other because the carriage was so busy. 

He had departed the train and was making his way along the platform towards the exit when his attackers spotted him.

They ran to confront him and ambushed him, chasing him along the platform and tripping him over before Watts launched a frenzied knife attack in full view of onlookers.

After the attack the trio fled and witnesses described seeing Watts carrying a machete with a red 40cm blade as he ran away.

As part of their enquiries, detectives examined CCTV coverage that showed Watts discarding items of clothing in a nearby residential estate after the attack. 

His distinctive, red-bladed knife was found close by after he tried to hide it by a set of maintenance units that formed part of the estate.

BTP Detective Chief Inspector Paul Attwell said: “What was a normal summer’s evening at a busy West London station very quickly escalated into serious violence.

“The two parties were on the same train, within feet of each other, and had the group not noticed the victim then the whole incident could have been avoided. 

“As it was, they spotted him and outnumbered him, before Watts launched a spontaneous, but targeted frenzied attack on the platform.

“Our detectives worked tirelessly to gather a wealth of witness statements, CCTV footage and forensic evidence. 

“I’d like to thank them and our colleagues from the Metropolitan Police Service and the Crown Prosecution Service for supporting our investigation.”

Tracksuited Suspected Pervert Wanted By Transport Police

A female train passenger, travelling on a service through West Sussex with her young daughter, reported a mystery male to police for indecently pleasuring himself in the carriage.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this image of the unknown man they would like to speak to.

They are requesting the assistance of the public to help identify him.

On the evening of Wednesday, April 1 the woman was on the train with her child, travelling between London Victoria and Horsham.

They went to use the toilet when the mother saw a man, who was seated and appeared to be asleep. 

He had his hand down his trousers and appeared to be masturbating.

Officers believe the man in the image could have information that may assist their enquiries.

Anyone who recognises him is asked to text BTP on 61016, or call 0800 40 50 40, using the reference 758 of 1 April.

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

Yer Tube!: London Underground Pervert Finally Locked-Up

A sexual predator, who continued targeting women on the London Underground despite receiving a suspended prison sentence a fortnight earlier, has been locked-up.

Ayman Yanoussi, 21, had also been made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) to control his perverted behaviour, but also flouted this after two weeks.

He spent December 28, last year travelling around the tube network, exposing himself to various females and pleasuring himself.

At Inner London Crown Court Yanoussi, of St. John's Road, East Ham received fourteen months imprisonment.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of exposure; breaching his SHPO and possessing cannabis.

On the day of his arrest he was first seen by a woman at Upminster Bridge Underground station at 11.20am, sitting on a platform bench.

She noticed Yanoussi's trousers were around his ankles as he touched himself intimately.

When she took out her phone to record him Yanoussi quickly pulled his trousers up and hid behind a pillar. 

He then boarded a District Line train heading towards Wimbledon.

Not long after he boarded the train, Yanoussi sat next to another woman and pulled his trousers down. 

After that woman moved away, Yanoussi sat opposite another woman, again exposing himself to her before she moved away.

Yanoussi repeated this behaviour a third time, sitting next to another woman and exposing himself as the train approached Elm Park. 

Yanoussi continued to expose himself on different trains across London, while occasionally touching himself intimately until 12.51pm when a woman reported his behaviour to a member of staff.

The train Yanoussi was on was held at Hammersmith Underground station and Yanoussi quickly fled the station.

A British Transport Police (BTP) officer was dispatched to the station and found Yanoussi waiting at a bus stop, where he was promptly arrested for exposure.

After being detained, it emerged Yanoussi had been handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order less than two weeks earlier when he was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, having pleaded guilty to three counts of Upskirting that occurred in April, 2024.

While on the way to custody, Yanoussi began to slam his head against the wall of the custody van stating that he regretted his actions and that he was "taking the L.”

BTP Detective Constable Ian Hourihan said: "Yanoussi's actions that day were despicable. 

“He sought sexual gratification on the railway at the expense of dozens of women and other commuters.

"I am pleased to see him put behind bars and would like to commend the bravery of the women who came forward to report his actions and support our investigation so we could secure justice. “We believe that other women may have been targeted by Yanoussi that day and I want to encourage them to come forward and report their experiences so we can secure justice for them too.

"If you've witnessed something similar or see any sexual offending on the railway network, I urge you to report it to us by discreetly texting 61016. 

“We take every report seriously, and officers can be dispatched to intercept trains and arrest offenders.”

'Upskirting' On The Escalator

A female tube train passenger was the victim of 'upskirting' at King's Cross St. Pancras Underground Station.

The woman was targeted by a mystery male who stood behind her on the escalator.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this image of the man they are hunting.

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

The victim was on the Victoria Line escalator at approximately 6.15pm on Wednesday, March 11 when she was intimately recorded.

Another passenger challenged the man, who then apologised and made off from the scene.

Officers believe the man in the image could have information that may assist their enquiries.

Anyone who recognises him is asked to text BTP on 61016, or call 0800 40 50 40, using the reference 594 of 11 March.

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

On Yer Bike: Train Station Cycle Thief Strikes Three Times

A mystery bike thief continues to steal high value branded cycles locked outside various West Sussex railway stations.

He is known to have stolen a Trek and Vitus bike, plus another cycle at Haywards Heath; Hassocks and Burgess Hill stations, all worth hundreds of pounds.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this CCTV image of the man they are hunting.

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

On Thursday, March 5 a black Trek bike, worth £550, was stolen from a bicycle rack at the rear of Haywards Heath railway station after the victim left it there at around 10.00am.

Officers believe the same man is linked to two other stolen bicycles in West Sussex.

On Tuesday, March 3 the victim left his bicycle locked to a rack at Hassocks railway station at 9.00am, and it was stolen at around 1.00pm.

The bike is a Trek mountain bike with a black frame, beige/brown tyre rims and purple details on it, and worth £1,000.

Previously an £800 Vitus bicycle was stolen from Burgess Hill railway station in February.

Anyone who recognises the man in the images, or has information that could help police, should text BTP on 61016, or call 0800 40 50 40, using the reference 2600028231.

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

Becks' Pal Dave Gardner Finally Runs Out Of Luck

'Me and My Shadow': Gardner & Becks

The loyal friend and long-term business partner of David Beckham - sports and entertainment agent Dave Gardner - has been fined for speeding in his £100,000 Range Rover.

The diminutive Godfather to Brooklyn Beckham and former fiancé of Hollywood actress Liv Tyler was fined £660, with £130 costs, plus a £264 victim surcharge and received three penalty points on his driving licence.

The 49 year-old did not appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court, which heard he pleaded guilty to exceeding the 40mph limit on November 9, last year on the A40 between the junctions of Long Drive and Welland Gardens, Greenford, west London.

Father-of-three Gardner was approximately eight miles from his home in Ledbury Road, Notting Hill, which was purchased for £6.4m in 2022, when a speed camera snapped him driving at 46mph in his Range Rover SE at 8.26pm.

In correspondence to the court former Manchester United youth player Gardner - who befriended teammate Beckham when they were teenagers - declared a monthly income of £27,000.

After failing to make the grade at Old Trafford despite winning the FA Youth Cup in 1995 Gardner established the Elite Sports Agency with Alex Ferguson’s son Jason before founding his own firm. 

Via his glamorous connections with the Beckham he met actress Liv Tyler and the couple enjoyed a relationship between 2014 and March, 2021 and have two children, Sailor Gene Gardner, 11, and Lula Rose Gardner, 9.

He also has a son Gary, following his marriage to socialite Davinia Taylor between 2003 and 2010.

Gardner is currently busily involved in Inter Miami FC and is a co-investor in the Florida club, run by Beckham.

He was not represented in court and did not submit any mitigation.

"National Treasure" Hayley Mills Fined For Speeding In Mercedes

Veteran English actress Hayley Mills was described as a “national treasure” in a magistrates’ court yesterday, which heard she is in hospital, recovering from an emergency operation.

However, this did not stop the court fining her and imposing penalty points after she was caught speeding in her Mercedes-Benz near her £1m south-west London home.

The eighty year-old former child star - related to an acting dynasty - was fined £100, plus a £40 victim surcharge and given three penalty points for the offence.

She did not appear in person at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court, but had previously admitted exceeding the 20mph speed limit on the A306 Rocks Lane, Barnes, on October 29, last year.

It was 11.14am when Mills was caught by a speed camera driving at 28mph in her grey diesel Mercedes-Benz not far from her apartment in St. Ann’s Road, Barnes.

“This is the childhood actress and national treasure,” prosecutor Matt Longhurst told the court. “She currently has three penalty points on her driving licence for a speeding offence.”

Her Bombay-born partner, actor Firdous Bamji, emailed the court: “I am submitting this on behalf of Haley Mills, who has recently undergone emergency surgery for a hernia and is in hospital.”

Mills herself told the court: “It is with great regret that I am unable to come to court.”

The surgery took place on June 2 and the actress remains in hospital.

Mills paid the fixed penalty fine outside the time limit, which resulted in the offence being elevated to the magistrates’ court.

She says she did not receive the notification letter due to visiting a friend who had suffered as stroke.

“The fine will be reverted back to when it was a fixed penalty, which was missed on reasonable grounds because she was not at home,” announced bench Chairman John Soones.

Mills is the daughter of legendary actor Sir John Mills and author and actress Mary Hayley Bell.

She is a BAFTA award-winner, Golden Globe recipient and official Disney Legend.

The former child star appeared in six Walt Disney films, including the movie adaptation of her own mother’s novel ‘Whistle Down the Wind’.

Mills is more recently known for her performance in the long-running ITV series ‘Wild at Heart made somewhat of an acting comeback in 2024, appearing as FBI profiler Dr. Josephine Grant in M. Night Shyamalan’s psychological thriller ‘Trap’.

The thespian family includes her actress sister Juliet Mills and her brother Jonathan is a writer and producer.

End Of The Line: Serial Train Pervert Back Behind Bars

A serial train sex offender is back behind bars after targeting an eleven year-old girl travelling with her mother.

Tajinder Sabherwal, 44, of High Street, Bedford, stared at the youngster while touching himself over his clothing on the St. Pancras to Peterborough service.

At St Albans Crown Court he was sentenced to two years and two months in prison after pleaded guilty to Outraging Public Decency. 

He was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

In 2021 Sabherwal received eighteen months imprisonment for exposing himself to women and touching himself inappropriately on multiple occasions at stations and on trains across London and Surrey.

His latest offence occurred on March 22, last year

The court heard how on 22 March last year, a mother and her young daughter were on the train when Sabherwal boarded the service and sat adjacent to them so that the child was in his line of sight.

The mother turned around and noticed Sabherwal was touching himself over his shorts while staring at her daughter.

She turned around again and made eye contact with Sabherwal who, on realising he had been caught in the act, left his seat and walked down the train.

The mother texted 61016, British Transport Police’s (BTP) text-to-report service, and officers boarded the service at Biggleswade, but Sabherwal had already left the train.

BTP detectives identified Sabherwal as the offender and he handed himself in at Luton police station before offering no comment to all questions put to him in police interview.

BTP Detective Constable Agata Barker said: “This was an extremely disturbing incident for the victim and her mother. 

“Sabherwal stooped to a new low, committing this vile offence while staring at a young child.

“He is evidently a repeat offender and poses a serious danger to women and girls, so I am pleased to see him return to jail where he can’t target the public with his repulsive behaviour.”

Square Mile Knifeman Banged Up

A well-known criminal is back behind bars after City of London police found a large serrated kitchen knife on him outside Liverpool Street station.

Officers in the Square Mile spotted him acting suspiciously and search his bag, which contained the eight-inch blade.

Craig Powell, 41, of Drysdale Avenue, Chingford is now starting a nine month prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to possessing a blade article.

He also admitted being in breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order.

On Thursday, April 9 at around 11:15am, plain-clothed officers were on patrol around the station when they saw Powell, whose suspicious behaviour led the officers to follow him.

Powell was approached by officers on Harrow Place and after identifying themselves, a search was carried out.

When searching the suspect’s bag, a large kitchen knife was discovered. 

Sergeant Sibyl Beaumont, of the City of London Police, said:

“This was a good result where we were able to quickly make an arrest after which we seize a large knife

“Powell’s actions had drawn suspicion from officers and in a stop and search, a knife measuring eight inches was found. 

“This highlights the benefits of our proactive and plain-clothed patrols working to make our streets safer and for people to feel safe in the City.

“People carrying these large knives are doing so to intimidate and cause fear and we want to send a strong message: that if you’re caught carrying a weapon, we will arrest you and bring you before the courts.”

Water Shame!: Square Mile Cocaine Dealer Caught

A cocaine dealer caught driving around the Square Mile with thirty-two wraps of the drug hidden in a water bottle and with £4,000 cash under his seat has been locked-up.

Mohammed Sesay, 36, of Ewhurst Road, Lewisham tried to hide the cocaine in a false bottom that unscrewed from the water bottle, but this was found by City of London officers.

At the Old Bailey he received three years and four months imprisonment for possession, with intent to supply and possession of criminal property.

On Tuesday, November 11, last year details of a lost or stolen car were circulated in the City of London. 

The vehicle was located and officers noticed it was being driven in a suspicious manner. 

The car was stopped and Sesay was the sole occupant and driver.

A search of the vehicle found thirty-two wraps of cocaine hidden within a water bottle in the driver side door.

The water bottle had a false bottom which unscrewed. 

Officers also found £4,000 under the driver’s seat and ‘business cards’ with a QR code that, once scanned, took would-be customers to a WhatsApp group.

Detective Constable James Crellin, said: “The sentencing reflects the seriousness of this offender’s actions and the harm caused by drug dealing within our communities. 

“We are committed to relentlessly pursuing those who choose to profit from crime at the expense of others. 

“Let this serve as a clear warning: if you come into the City to deal drugs, we will catch you and bring you to justice.

“I hope this outcome provides reassurance to the public that we will continue to take robust action against those involved in criminality.”

Two More City Of London Bag Thieves Locked-Up

Two prolific bag thieves, who were caught on CCTV brazenly searching through bags and stealing the contents in a Square Mile pub, have been sent to prison.

On Thursday, August 14, last year Majazy Latif, 28, (pic. l.) and Youcef Aliouat, 32, (pic. r.) were captured on CCTV in a Cannon Street pub rifling through bags left on the bar.

They placed their own rucksack amongst the pile, pulled up a chair and began their search for items worth stealing.

After ordering drinks, the pair began going through the bags, taking out a laptop and putting it into another bag held up by Latif.

For nearly seven minutes the pair openly rummage through a few more bags. 

People standing near them and walking past were seemingly unaware of what was happening beside them, before the two thieves walk to another area of the venue.

Latif was jailed for twenty-three months, after pleading guilty to nine counts of theft between August 6 and September 25, last year, stealing around £14,250 worth of personal belongings, including laptops, in licensed premises across the City of London.

He was also handed a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), banning him from entering the City for five years.

Aliouat was sentenced to eighteen months in prison for stealing nine laptops between August 14 and October 6, last year in the City. 

He was also handed a CBO, banning him from entering the Square Mile for five years.

Police Constable Pradip Gurung, Volume Crime Unit at the City of London Police, said: “These are professional criminals, who took their time when preying on other people’s belongings and transferring valuables from their victims’ bags to their own. 

“The thieves operated with audacity, standing by the bar and committing their crimes while their victims were just nearby having a drink.

“People shouldn’t have to worry about getting their bags being stolen while they’re out, but professional criminals will take any chance to take your belongings. 

“Latif and Aliouat spotted an opportunity and calmly stole from others while blending in to look like other City drinkers.

“If you leave your belongings in a bag pile, please don’t stray too far away from it and keep a close eye on your belongings. 

“Please be vigilant and report anything suspicious to police.”

Well Spotted! City Of London Police Arrest Pimple-Faced Bag Thief

A sneaky bag-switcher, who targeted a customer at a Square Mile pub, was caught by police walking out with the victim's laptop.

Mohamed Hade, 32, of Ranelagh Road, Willesden was sentenced to three months imprisonment after pleading guilty to one count of theft.

At approximately 8.30pm on Thursday, March 19 Hade entered the public house in Farringdon Street and sat next to a group of drinkers.

He switched bags under the table and plain-clothed officers outside saw Hade leaving with a different bag to the one he entered with.

He headed towards New Bridge Street in the direction of another venue and officers jumped in and arrested him for theft.

CCTV footage captured the moment Hade switched bags while he was seated at the table next to the victim's group.

The stolen bag found on Hade contained a laptop with a value of £1,700.

The victim was about to report the theft to the police when officers turned up with his belongings at the pub and they were returned to him.

Sergeant James Wood, of the Proactive Acquisitive Crime Team at the City of London Police, said: “Opportunistic crimes such as bag and phone thefts can severely impact victims.

“The Proactive Acquisitive Crime Team’s expertise in spotting criminals preying on people out in the City have resulted in a number of arrests and prosecutions.

“We will continue to disrupt and target these criminals with our plain-clothed operations, intelligence work and the use of our extensive CCTV network across the City, which also assists us in identifying offenders.”