Steel Pipe Company Bosses In £640K VAT Scam

A steel pipe company boss and his sales manager avoided over £640,000 in tax by lying to Customs about the origin of cheap Chinese-manufactured parts they smuggled into the country, a jury were told.

The parts were subject to a 58.6% tax - nicknamed 'anti-dumping duty' - imposed to thwart importers unfairly undercutting rivals within the EU.

"It's about smuggling," prosecutor Mr. Julian Christopher QC told the Croydon Crown Court jury. "Smuggling comes in all shapes and sizes and one type is the smuggling of Chinese pipe fittings."

To protect European manufacturers the European Commission agreed to impose the tax on carbon steel imports from China.

"The country outside the EU is dumping its products at an artificial price into the EU," added the prosecutor.

The court was told between 2003 and 2008 Ashby Scott Ltd. of Unit A, Shell Green Estate, Gorsey Lane Industrial Eastate, Widnes avoided over £640,000 duty in relation to thirty-one importation's the defendants claimed had come from Japan and India.

Company director John Sutton, 64, of Cheriton Mill, Cheriton Fitzpaine, Crediton, Devon and sales manager Michael Kirk, 42, (pictured) of Middlecot Close, Orrell, Wigan deny the charges.

They have pleaded not guilty to being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of duty payable on goods said to be from Japan between January 1, 2003 and July 31, 2006 and goods said to be from India between February 1, 2006 and January 31, 2008.

Ashby Scott Ltd. is also being prosecuted and Sutton entered not guilty pleas on the same two charges on the company's behalf.

"None of that was paid because the pipe fittings were not sent directly from China, but from Japan and later from India," added Mr. Christopher. "The anti-dumping duty ought to have been paid.

"You will have to decide whether either defendant knew they were Chinese or thought they were from Japan or India," he told the jury. "The prosecution say they knew full well they were Chinese."

The parts were bought from APCO a Chinese/British venture involving a UK company called TFF International - of which Sutton was the managing director and nominated legal representative.

His company had invested $150,000 US into APCO and the Chinese $350,000 US and TFF agreed to handle all the marketing and imports and exports.

Kirk provided the documentation for Customs clearance with the full knowledge of Sutton, the prosecution allege.

"Through them the company was operating and through them it was importing pipe-fittings and dealing with shipping agents," added Mr. Christopher.

The parts were shipped from Dalian, China to Osaka, Japan then immediately re-shipped to Felixstowe and delivered to Ashby Scott Ltd.

"In every case the seal number for the first part of the journey was the same as the seal number for the second part of the journey from Japan to the UK. That shows there cannot be any manufacturing in Japan."

Regarding Kirk Mr. Christopher added: "We will see him dealing with the purchase orders. The prosecution say the email communications show he was dealing with China and not the supposed manufacturer in Japan."

The paperwork he prepared even tried to show the shipping containers were packed in Japan by Gosei Industries.

"That is all part of the smuggling, all part of the fraud."

The trial is expected to last two weeks.

Salsa Club Killing: Two Men Locked-Up

Two salsa club customers who beat a fellow reveller to death – punching and stamping the victim in a row over a woman – have been caged.

Ecuadorian Erik Yepez, 22, (pic.top) had been happily cycling around outside La Pollero Collera, London Bridge on a ‘Boris Bike’ minutes before he was fatally attacked.

Earlier in the evening, he had been involved in a row at the club with both defendants over a woman and after closing time on December 4, last year they launched the deadly assault in Southwark Street.

They are: Galo Vargas Bemudez, 23, of Walpole Road, Tottenham (pic.2^nd top) who received five years and eight months and Angel Campoverde, 23, of Bruce House, Clapham Park Estate (pic.bottom) who received seven and a half years.

Both were convicted of manslaughter at the Old Bailey.

The Wembley victim suffered head and brain injuries during the assault and died less than 48 hours later in hospital.

Witnesses described how the men punched, kicked and stamped on Mr. Yepez as he attempted to get away from them.



An ambulance was called and Campoverde and Bemudez were arrested nearby.

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Manning of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command said: “Mr Yepez suffered a violent and brutal assault at the hands of Campoverde and Bemudez who attacked him following a trivial argument in a nightclub. 



“I would like to pay tribute to the victims family, who have acted with great dignity during what has been a terrible ordeal.”

Ilford Attempted Rape: CCTV Released

Police have released this CCTV still of a would-be rapist – wanted for a midnight attack in East London last year.

Police were called at 11:50pm to Aldborough Road South, Ilford on January 5 to reports a 21 year-old woman had been the victim of an attempted rape.

The investigation is being conducted by officers from Sapphire – the Metropolitan Police’s sex-crime unit.

Despite extensive enquiries detectives have been unable to trace the suspect.

He is described as a white or possibly Asian male, approximately 5'11 tall, of a medium build, aged between 25 and 30 with facial stubble and a foreign accent.

He was wearing a dark coloured hooded top and trousers. 



Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Graham Alger on 020 8345 3562 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police In £1M Hunt For 'Zerx' Tagger

Police are trying to catch London’s most prolific graffiti tagger – whose ‘Zerx’ tag has been sprayed across three boroughs and throughout the tube network.

Damage is estimated at over £1 million and police hope releasing an image of the ‘Zerx’ tag will lead to the arrest of the notorious vandal.

The tag has been sprayed prolifically across property in the North-West boroughs of Harrow, Brent and Westminster – plus sidings on the London Underground system.



The 'Zerx' tag also appeared on the side of the Admiralty building in Whitehall, following the disorder which took place at the student demonstrations in Central London in December last year. 



Detective Inspector Paul Armstrong of the Specialist Crime Directorate said: “Using this type of graffiti not only looks very unsightly but can also cost councils, London Underground and members of the public a considerable amount of money to remove.

“This tag has been scrawled across residential homes as well as schools, sheltered accommodation and historical structures and I would appeal to anyone who has information about the person who is responsible for this to contact police.”



Anyone with information is asked to call police on 020 8246 0050 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 



A 21 year-old man was arrested in January in connection with this investigation and bailed to return on a date in late October pending further enquiries.

Gunman Caged For Deadly Rampage

A deranged gunman, who hunted down and shot dead two victims he believed owed him money, has been locked-up for at least twenty years.

Kosovo-born Hajdar Kasumaj, 51, (pic.top) of Firs Lane, Palmers Green, North London went on a two-day rampage – shooting his victims at point-blank range with a handgun.

Nezir Golaj, 45, (pic.bottom) was killed in Hendon Way, Cricklewood on July 8, last year and 58 year-old Osman Grbic in Milton Avenue, East Ham the following day.

The defendant was convicted at Woolwich Crown Court of unlawfully killing both men and the attempted murder of a 43 year-old man in Wightman Road, Hornsey on July 9 as well as possession of a 9mm pistol.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command said: “Kasumaj carried out these shootings because he believed he was owed money by each of the victims.



“He used a handgun to shoot the victims at close range - it was a miracle no one else was hit. 



“I just hope that the victims families can take some comfort from today's sentencing.”

Police were called at 8:30am to reports of a man shot near Hendon Way, close to the junction with Garth Road, Cricklewood.



Shortly before the murder, the victim left his home in Garth Road and made his way to his car, parked opposite his house.



He got into the black VW Caddy when he was approached by Kasumaj and shot a number of times.

In the second incident police were called at 7:15pm to a shooting in Wightman Road, junction with Warham Road, Hornsey. 



Safet Rakaj was chased from his home address by the suspect and shots were fired a number of times.

The victim was taken by the ambulance service to hospital suffering a gunshot wound to the back.

He was released from hospital after treatment, but still has a bullet lodged in his back. 



Details of the suspect’s car were circulated and he was arrested by armed officers at 7:40pm on Friday 9 July in Bounds Green Road.



Following a search of the car officers found two handguns. 



Police then attended a flat in Milton Avenue after receiving a call from the friend of a resident who had not been seen for some time.

The suspect had also informed officers, during interview, that he was responsible for another shooting.



Officers forced entry to the flat and found the victim suffering gunshot wounds - he was confirmed dead at the scene.



Hornsey Rape: E-Fit Released

Police hunting a North London rapist who attacked a young woman last year have released this e-fit of the suspect in a bid to identify him and bring him to justice.

The assailant raped the 20 year-old victim at 11:00pm in Fairfield Road, Hornsey on April 23.

Despite extensive enquiries Sapphire detectives – the Metropolitan Police’s sex crime unit - have been unable to trace the suspect.

He is described as a black man in his early to mid twenties of a large muscular build with a shaven head.

He was driving a large silver Audi. 



There have been no arrests and
anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable John Tudor of Sapphire Unit on 020 8345 4512 or they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Peckham Skeleton: Man Arrested After Remains Dumped

The skeletal remains of a pensioner, which had just been moved by someone from his South-East London flat, have been found by a dog-walker dumped in undergrowth.

Benjamin Benit, 86, (pictured) of Hevesham House, Ilderton Road, Peckham was found in nearby Lovelinch Close at 7:45am on August 10.

Three days later council workers found further remains of Mr. Benit at his flat.

He had not been seen for several years and is now believed he was dead for that period of time before his remains were recently moved.

Wood chippings found under the remains suggest Mr. Benit was placed there between 2:00pm on Friday August 5 and the early hours of Wednesday August 10 as a tree surgeon had pruned trees on the earlier date.

Detectives from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command continue to investigate the circumstances around Mr Benit’s death and are keen to speak to anyone who may have known him.

A post-mortem at Greenwich mortuary proved inconclusive.

The death is being treated as unexplained and suspicious at this time and a seventy year-old man was arrested and bailed to a future date.

Detective Chief Inspector Damian Allain said: “I would appeal to anyone who knew Benjamin Benit and can help us to piece together his lifestyle to contact me.

“We know he was born in Southwark and served in the RAF during the war. He later spent time living in Bradford where he had a family.

“He returned to the Southwark area in the early 1980s and drank in pubs in and around the Old Kent Road and New Cross Road.

“He often told people he played for Millwall Football Club, possibly as a goalkeeper after the war.

“I am also very keen to speak to anyone who may have seen a person(s) acting suspiciously whilst moving Mr Benit’s body, which was wrapped in a sheet, to Lovelinch Close.

“It is really important to get in touch if you have information and can help.”

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8721 4805. If you wish to remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Death-Wish Ex Convicted Of Car-Smash Revenge

A suicidal internet boyfriend, who downed a litre of anti-freeze before crashing his car into his ex's house while she and four children were inside, is facing a lengthy prison sentence.

The terrified single-mum and her two daughters aged thirteen and six, her son, aged ten and his friend, a boy aged eleven were all home when the vehicle demolished the terraced house's exterior.

Beauty salon owner Edmund Bruton, 42, of Harrow Road, Wembley, met Tara Lavery, 41, on dating site 'Plentyoffish', but when their relationship turned sour vowed to do something "dramatic."

The jealous twice-divorced defendant spied on his ex the night before and convinced himself she was seeing another man, Inner London Crown Court was told.

"The defendant started dropping hints that he was going to do something dramatic that would make him famous, or the prosecution suggest infamous," prosecutor Mr. Charles Ward-Jackson told the jury.

"The defendant drove his own motor car at speed deliberately into the house that was occupied at the time by a mother and four children.

"He crashed into the front room of the house, partially demolishing the front wall. The car went into the front room and a great deal of rubble went into the front room.

"Three children were in the front room, the fourth was half-way upstairs and the mother was upstairs."

"Such was the velocity of the car it went through the garden wall, straight across the front garden and straight through the bay window.

"The front of the car collided, ploughed into the hallway wall before it came to a halt," explained Mr. Ward-Jackson.

Bruton was found not guilty of attempting to murder the occupants of 131 South View Avenue, Caversham, Reading on February 26.

However, he was convicted of damaging property, with intent to endanger life, and dangerous driving in South View Avenue.

He had dated a string of women, including many he picked-up at his salon Amo, in Sheen Lane, Turnham Green before meeting Tara online in January, 2010 and continuing the relationship after the met face-to-face in May.

However, by February Bruton was increasingly depressed as the long-distance romance cooled-off, with Tara resisting his efforts to have counselling.

"The relationship appeared to be on it's last legs. It was all, but over," added Mr. Ward-Jackson.

"He said: 'Big things are going to happen over the weekend.'

"By Saturday morning he had made up his mind that he was going to kill himself. Did he want to die alone or take out as many people as possible?"

The children suffered no more than "scratches and bumps and bruises" and the house suffered £66,000 worth of damage.

When quizzed at the scene the defendant confirmed he had tried to kill himself and also found was the handle of a garden fork, which Bruton rigged on the dashboard to stab himself in the neck.

He was successfully treated in hospital for two puncture wound to the neck, plus the ingestion of anti-freeze.

Bruton was remanded in custody until October 21 for sentencing.

Violent Kidnappers Jailed For Abduction Ordeal

Two kidnapers who subjected a terrified young man to a two-hour ordeal – beating and robbing him as he was driven around in the back of a van – have both been caged.

Taariq Fagan, 20, (pic.top) received ten years and his cousin Michael Fergus, 26, (pic.bottom) received six years.

On Friday September 10, last year the 23 year-old victim was sitting in his car in Brampton Road, Forest Hill, South-East London when he was approached by a gang who snatched his keys from the ignition. 



The man got out of his car, but was attacked by the group who forced him into a van.

He was driven around as the gang made calls to his friends demanding money. 



They robbed their victim of personal belongings and cash and continued to beat him.

The man finally escaped when the van stopped near Brenchley Gardens Park and he called the police. 



On Friday November 26 a 52 year-old man was delivering cigarettes to a store in Marble Arch, Marylebone when he was robbed.

He was pushed and threatened and the cigarettes loaded into the same blue van used in the Forest Hill kidnapping – later linked to Fagan, who was arrested on December 21 by Southwark’s Priority Crime Unit.

Evidence linking him to the crimes included a congestion charge receipt found at his home relating to the day of the kidnapping and the van, which was used in both offences.



His cousin Michael Fergus was arrested four weeks later on January 10. 2



Detective Constable Mark Hughes said: “This result means that two men, who have used fear and violence, have been removed from the streets.

“This was a challenging investigation which demonstrates the determination of the Metropolitan Police Service to bring such offenders to justice, and I hope it shows others like Fagan and Fergus who will use threats and violence to commit crime that they won't be tolerated.”

Cheeky Burglar Had Designs On Exclusive Gear

This is the moment CCTV at a West London designer store captured a wannabe burglar casually walking a trolley into the premises – intent on loading-up with high-value stock.

Police are still trying to identify the suspect who was filmed at ‘Mulberry’, Beaufort Gardens, Chelsea at 9:15am on July 21.

The 35 year-old store manager was unloading handbags from a delivery van when he spotted the suspect walking towards the store pushing a trolley

After returning to the van to collect a second load he saw the suspect exiting the shop with the trolley. 



The manager shouted at him to get away and the suspect walked off westbound towards Beauchamp Place.

The suspect is a white male, approximately mid 30s to early 40s.

He was wearing blue denim jeans, a black Polo shirt which had a Virgin Media insignia on it and is about 5feet 9inches.



Any information please contact Detective Constable Lee Cook at Notting Hill Police Station on 020 8246 0132 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Woman Pistol-Whipped: Police Hunt Suspect

Police are hunting this violent suspect – accused of attacking and pistol-whipping a woman.

Jermaine Lewis, 32, of Oakhurst Grove, East Dulwich, South-East London is suspected of injuring the woman in June and is wanted by Lewisham police.

He is described as a black male, 6 foot 1 inches in height and of medium build.

He has a gold tooth, scaring on his face and left hand and has a disfigured left ear.

Lewis is known to use a number of aliases such as Leroy Lewis and Miller Lewis.

He is known to be violent and is not to be approached and officers ask that members the public dial 999 immediately if he is sighted.



Anyone who has knowledge of his current whereabouts should call Detective Constable Dave Baker on 020 8284 8459 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Jilted Death-Wish Boyfriend's Car Crash Murder Bid

A suicidal internet boyfriend downed a litre of anti-freeze before trying to wipe out his ex and her three children by crashing his speeding car into their living-room, a court heard today (Monday).

The terrified single-mum and her two daughters aged thirteen and six, her son, aged ten and his friend, a boy aged eleven were all at the house when the vehicle demolished the terraced house's exterior.

Beauty salon owner Edmund Bruton, 42, of Harrow Road, Wembley, met Tara Lavery on dating site 'Plentyoffish', but when their relationship turned sour vowed to do something "dramatic."

The jealous twice-divorced defendant spied on his ex the night before and convinced himself she was seeing another man, Inner London Crown Court was told.

"The defendant started dropping hints that he was going to do something dramatic that would make him famous, or the prosecution suggest infamous," prosecutor Mr. Charles Ward-Jackson told the jury.

"The defendant drove his own motor car at speed deliberately into the house that was occupied at the time by a mother and four children.

"He crashed into the front room of the house, partially demolishing the front wall. The car went into the front room and a great deal of rubble went into the front room.

"Three children were in the front room, the fourth was half-way upstairs and the mother was upstairs."

"Such was the velocity of the car it went through the garden wall, straight across the front garden and straight through the bay window.

"The front of the car collided, ploughed into the hallway wall before it came to a halt," explained Mr. Ward-Jackson.

Bruton has pleaded not guilty to attempting to murder the occupants of 131 South View Avenue, Caversham, Reading on February 26.

He has also denied damaging property, with intent to endanger life, and an alternative lesser charge of damaging property, reckless as to whether life was endangered.

Bruton also pleads not guilty to dangerous driving in South View Avenue.

He had dated a string of women, including many he picked-up at his salon Amo, in Sheen Lane, Turnham Green before meeting Tara online in January, 2010 and continuing the relationship after the met face-to-face in May.

However, by February Bruton was increasingly depressed as the long-distance romance cooled-off, with Tara resisting his efforts to have counselling.

"The relationship appeared to be on it's last legs. It was all, but over," added Mr. Ward-Jackson.

"He said: 'Big things are going to happen over the weekend.'

"By Saturday morning he had made up his mind that he was going to kill himself. Did he want to die alone or take out as many people as possible?"

The children suffered no more than "scratches and bumps and bruises" and the house suffered £66,000 worth of damage.

When quizzed at the scene the defendant confirmed he had tried to kill himself and also found was the handle of a garden fork, which Bruton rigged on the dashboard of his Peugeot 206 to stab himself in the neck.

He was successfully treated in hospital for two puncture wound to the neck, plus the ingestion of anti-freeze.

Trial continues.

Cemetery Pouncer Hunted After Teen Attacked

Police are hunting a cemetery predator who dragged a teenage girl into a wooded area and ordered her to strip – fleeing when she screamed in a bid to alert passers-by.

On September 4 the 16 year-old girl took a short cut through Abney Park, Cemetery, Stoke Newington, North London (pictured) at 2:00pm when the assailant began following her.

The suspect grabbed her from behind and tried to drag her towards a secluded area.

He told her to remove some items of her clothing but when the victim heard voices nearby she screamed, causing the suspect to run off.

He is described as a “chubby” black man, approximately 30 years old and between 5ft 9” and 5ft10” tall.

He had black stubble on his face and spoke with a deep voice in a local accent.

He was wearing black gloves with a Nike tick and a navy hooded top, which he wore up.



Witnesses or anyone who may have information are asked to call Hackney CID on 020 7275 3640 or to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.