Monday 31 December 2018

Brothers Grim: Thirteen Years Each For Battering Drinking Buddy

"No Mercy": James & Wesley Henry
Two brothers have been jailed for battering a drinking-partner with bottles, leaving the man for dead with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.

The 40 year-old victim, a construction worker at Tottenham Hotspur FC's new stadium, drank in a pub local with the pair, even buying them drinks, before he was savagely set-upon.

James Henry, 26, and Wesley Henry, 24, both of Castleford Close, Tottenham were each sentenced to thirteen years imprisonment after pleading guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm.

CCTV footage captured the moment the brothers, plus two unknown accomplices, turned on the victim shortly after 4.35am on Wednesday, September 16.

The victim was surrounded, with the brothers brandishing glass bottles.

As the victim tried to step away he was punched to the ground by Wesley before being glassed over the head by James.

Wesley then returned to the victim and kicked him repeatedly in the head whilst he was lying unconscious.

The men then steal his gold chain and rifle through his pockets before making off.

A passing member of the public contacted police and the London Ambulance Service after they spotted the lifeless victim, assuming he had been hit by a car due to the severity of his injuries.

The victim suffered life changing injuries including a fractured skull, a bleed to the brain, and facial injuries.

Investigating officers pieced together the attack with CCTV footage and both suspects were identified with the assistance of forensic evidence.

Wesley claimed in interview that his heavy use of cannabis played a role in his actions.

The victim suffered permanent facial disfigurement and requires ongoing treatment for anxiety, dizziness and blurred vision as a result of the savage attack.

Two additional men, seen taking part in the assault, are being sought by police.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Pembe Rayif from North Area CID said:
"This was a savage attack which appeared to be completely unprovoked.

The victim is clearly trying to get away from all the males but was set upon by them all prior to receiving the first strike from Wesley.

Once unconscious and helpless on the ground, the group target his head showing no mercy and even returning to steal his chain and search his pockets for valuables.

“I hope this verdict goes some small way to helping the victim move on from such a harrowing attack."

Sunday 30 December 2018

Seven Years For Sex Predator Who Preyed On 13 Year-Old Girls

A sexual predator, who molested two 13 year-old girls twelve months apart, has been jailed for seven years.
Davis Kigozi, 26, pounced in the girls' homes, where he had been an invited guest at the time.
Harrow Crown Court also placed him on the Sexual Offenders Register and he will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Kigozi was found guilty of four counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of sexual activity with a child by penetration.
The court heard how Kigozi preyed on the two girls while he was in relationships with older women who were known to the girls.
On May 28, last year Kigozi returned to the victim's address in Charlton, south-east London and sexually assaulted her.
The girl - who was 13 at the time of the attack - managed to escape from Kigozi and locked herself in a separate room.
Kigozi threatened to kill himself if the girl told anyone what had happened.
Almost a year later on May 12 Kigozi - who was now in a different relationship - struck again.
Kigozi, who had been drinking at the address, made his way into the 13-year-old victim's bedroom in Colindale and sexually assaulted her.
During the attack, the girl's mother came into the bedroom and disturbed Kigozi.
He tried to blame the abuse on another family member, but police were called and Kigozi was arrested.
Detective Constable Jackie McKenzie-Bell of the North West Command Unit led the investigation and said: "Kigozi is a sexual predator who abused his position of trust to assault two vulnerable girls.
I can only hope his conviction can give them some form of closure to their ordeal.
"Given the similarity of Kigozi's offences, it cannot be discounted that he has abused other children.
“I would appeal to anyone who has been a victim of Kigozi to come forward and speak to police.
“There are specially trained officers to support you and who will strive to obtain justice for you."

Saturday 29 December 2018

Barber's Yellow Line Road Rage

F4 Fade: Blackman's Barber Shop
A barber drove his car into a traffic warden who approached him while parked on a yellow line outside his shop.

Patrick Blackman, 36, works at F4 Fade in Dawes Road, Fulham, where he was arrested later that day.

The father-of-one, of Brabazon Road, Hounslow pleaded guilty on thursday to assaulting warden Kamor Balogun by driving his black Ford vehicle into his left knee on August 18.

Prosecutor Mr. Robert Simpson told Westminster Magistrates Court: “Blackman was in his car, which was parked on a yellow line and the traffic warden said he wanted to talk to him.

“He became abusive and said: 'I'm going to run you over.'

“The defendant then mounted the pavement and struck the left knee of the victim, causing a scratch.

“He then got out of the vehicle and was abusive again.”

Blackman denied threatening to run the traffic warden over and said: “I'm very embarrassed to be here.”

District Judge Nina Tempia told Blackman: “This was a very foolish escapade. You are lucky there was not a more serious injury.”

Blackman was fined £200, with £85 costs plus a £30 victim surcharge and ordered to pay £75 compensation to the traffic warden. 

Friday 28 December 2018

'Have-A-Go-Heroes' Detain Violent Cashbox Robber

A violent robber, who snatched an armoured car's cash box and was chased and caught by 'have-a-go' passers-by, has been caged for eight years.
Michael Richards, 51, who hid his identity by wearing a crash helmet, bit two members of public, who joined the injured security guard in detaining him.
At the time he was on licence from prison, having been released from a life sentence for similar a similar offence in June, last year.
Richards pleaded guilty at Wood Green Crown Court to one count of robbery in Tottenham High Road, Tottenham, north London on September 27.
When eventually released the court ordered he remain on an extended licence for an additional three years.
Richards struck outside a shop at 11.30am when the custodian was making a delivery of cash to a store.
He was approached from behind by Richards who pushed him forcefully to the ground.
Richards, who was wearing dark clothing and a motorcycle crash helmet, picked up the cash box and fled.
The custodian, who suffered a range of injuries during the incident, ran after Richards, as well as three members of the public who witnessed the robbery.
Richards ran towards a black vehicle displaying false number plates, but as he did he was caught by the members of the public who attempted to remove him from the vehicle.
During the struggle Richards viciously bit two of the members of public.
The three bystanders managed to detain Richards on the floor, with the help of a fourth member of public, until police arrived.
The cashbox was recovered from the vehicle.
Detective Constable Kevin Parley from the Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad said: “I would firstly like to praise the courageous members of the public who intervened and detained Richards while he was attempting to escape.
They prevented a dangerous criminal from fleeing, and enabled us to detain him in possession of items clearly associated with the robbery.
This was pivotal in enabling us to bring this case before the courts so quickly and helped us achieve this sentence for Richards today.
In the commission of this offence, Richards showed a complete disregard for the law and justice system having only recently been released from a custodial sentence for committing another cash in transit robbery.
“He is a dangerous individual who will now serve a lengthy prison sentence and will no longer be able to blight our communities with his offending.”

Thursday 27 December 2018

Tory Researcher Accused Of Parliament Sex Assault

A researcher for Tory Minister Chris Skidmore appeared in court today accused of sexually assaulting a woman in the Houses of Parliament.

Callum Warren, 26, of Lilliput Court, Chipping Sodbury, Bristol, was bailed by Westminster Magistrates Court to appear at Southwark Crown Court on January 24.

The offence allegedly occurred last summer in the The Grade I listed Norman Shaw North building - the original New Scotland Yard - now part of the Parliamentary Estate.

Warren is charged that on July 12 he sexually assaulted a female in Room 220, of the Norman Shaw North building, Houses of Parliament, Parliament Street, with intent, by sexually penetrating her vagina with his fingers.

Shaven-headed and bearded Warren dressed in a blue suit, white shirt and blue patterned tie spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address and nationality during the short hearing.

He is employed by Conservative MP Mr. Skidmore, who represents the constituency of Kingswood, South Gloucestershire and was recently appointed Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation.

The charge is indictable-only and Warren was sent to the crown court on condition he does not contact the victim.

Warren was notified of today’s court date by postal requisition and his lawyer Tom Warden indicated the charge would be fought.

“There was no penetration and any sexual contact was consensual,” he told District Judge Nina Tempia.

The judge told Warren not to contact the complainant, whose name was written down on a piece of paper for her, directly or indirectly by phone, email or social media to prevent further offences or interference with the witness.

Wednesday 26 December 2018

Veteran Armed Robber Back Behind Bars

A veteran armed robber, who tried to snatch a supermarket cash delivery by threatening the guard with a hammer, has been caged for five years.
Matthew Missenden, 56, of Hazel Grove, Sydenham had been released from a life sentence in 2016 for gun-enabled raids.
He fought the charge, but was convicted by a Woolwich Crown Court jury.
He was found guilty of attempting to rob the G4S guardian in Deptford High Street on May 14.
The custodian was delivering a cashbox when he was approached by Missenden, who was armed with a hammer.
Missenden gestured for the cashbox to be handed over, but when the custodian revealed the box was empty Missenden fled the scene.
Detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad launched an investigation.
Extensive review of CCTV footage showed Missenden escaped in a green vehicle.
Officers traced the registration to Missenden’s home address, where he was arrested on June 20.
Missenden was on life licence at the time of this offence after being released from custody in 2016 having served a sentence for a series of gun-enabled robberies.
Detective Constable David Crewe of the Flying Squad said: “Missenden is a prolific offender who has no respect for the law or the criminal justice system.
At the time of this offence he was on licence having been released from a custodial sentence he received for similar offences.
Missenden showed no concern for the welfare of the custodian merely carrying out his day job, or other members of the public around him, when he attempted this robbery armed with a weapon. 
“This case should send a clear message to those considering carrying out these audacious crimes that we will track you down and bring you to justice.”

Tuesday 25 December 2018

To Our Readers: Have A Very Happy Christmas

We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Please accept our best wishes for this festive time of the year.

Christmas Day is a time for celebration and joy, plus appreciation of the loves ones we have around us.

It is also a time to reflect on how fortunate we are to be able to enjoy this day and hopefully another one in twelve months time.




Monday 24 December 2018

East London Stabbing: Police Released CCTV Images

Detectives have issued CCTV images of two men they want to identify and trace in connection with a stabbing in east London.
Police were called at 3.00pm on Thursday, October 11, to a commercial premises in Globe Road, Bethnal Green where a man had been attacked.
At the scene a 33-year-old man had suffered stab wounds to his back and his arm.
The injured male was taken to hospital with injuries that were not life threatening.
Officers are keen to hear from anyone who can identify the two men pictured.
Detective Constable Ben Stone of Central East CID said: “This was a violent planned attack, and it was mere luck that the victim wasn’t more seriously, or even fatally, injured.
I urge anyone who can name these men to contact police without delay."
Anyone with information should call Central East Command Unit by dialling 101 quoting CAD4615/11OCT, Tweet @MetCC or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Sunday 23 December 2018

Schoolteacher Jailed For Book Cupboard Grope

A schoolteacher who molested a 15 year-old girl pupil in a book cupboard has been jailed for nine months.
Andrew Charles Embling, 36, of Coxtie Green Road, Brentwood taught at a secondary school in Hornchurch, Havering, east London.
He pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault by touching on January 10, last year.
Snaresbrook Crown Court heard Embling asked the victim to collect some books for him from a cupboard.
She went to the cupboard to look for the books but could not find them.
He then went back to the cupboard with the victim to assist her.
Whilst in the cupboard he sexually assaulted her.
She immediately told a friend what had happened and then informed a teacher.
Embling was suspended with immediate effect and the police and local authority were informed.
Embling was arrested three days later on January 13 and charged over a year later on March 29.
As part of his sentence, he was issued with a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for ten years.
Investigating officer Police Constable Clare Henson, from the Metropolitan Police's Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command, said: “Embling abused the trust this student put in him and saw his opportunity to use his position to betray the victim by sexually touching her.
The young victim has shown great courage and maturity in coming forward and disclosing what happened, and giving evidence against Embling in court.
I would also like to praise the school for their response to this incident, their assistance during the investigation and the ongoing support they have provided to the students at the school."

Saturday 22 December 2018

'Pay Or Stay': Precious Metals Fraudsters Ordered To Compensate Victims With Pennies On Pound

Fraudsters: Sabin & Ridpath
The jailed masterminds behind a £7.75m precious metals investment scam will serve more time behind bars if they don’t compensate their victims.

They were convicted at Blackfriars Crown Court of a plot to sell investors “worthless barrels of junk” and approximately £3.6m is owed to the 250-odd victims of the scheme.

Ringleaders Christopher Sabin, 45, of Eyot House, Church Street, Shoreham, Sevenoaks and Tobias Ridpath, 54, of Wellington Square, Hastings each received nine years.

On Thursday Sabin, whose criminal benefit was calculated as £6.57m, was ordered to pay £14,469 within three months or serve an additional eight months imprisonment.

Ridpath, whose benefit was also £6.57m, was ordered to pay £201,571 within three months or serve an additional two-and-a-half years imprisonment.

Investigators found Sabin’s only real asset was a second-hand Range Rover because his family home is in his partner’s name, but Ridpath has a 40% stake in the property he owns with his wife.

Prolific salesman Nicholas Start, 37, of Spencer Close, Pamber Heath, Tadley, Hampshire, who pocketed at least £132,000 in commission over a few months received seven years imprisonment after the trial.

"Prolific": Start
His total benefit was calculated as £868,753 and he must pay £153,034 in compensation within three months or serve an additional eighteen months imprisonment. 

A fourth lower level participant in the scam, William Berkeley, 54, of Barrington Court, Chichester Terrace, Horsham, who received four years, made a nominal £1 compensation payment.

Using a misleading website and inaccurate glossy brochure they either cold-called customers with scripted patter or placed ads offering the opportunity to purchase supposedly lucrative metals vital to 80% of the world’s industry.

Prosecutor Mr. David Durose told jurors Denver Trading - started by Sabin and Ridpath - was run from a short-term £860 per month office in the City.

The court was told Start headed a “prolific” brokerage - London Commodity Markets - and Berkeley took over the Swiss branch of the business after the original director quit, claiming the business “stank horribly.”

One typical investor, Cecil McMurray, invested £243,000. “He lost a vast amount of money.”
One Quid: Berkeley

Another client bought 100 kilos of rare metals in September, 2012 for £39,000 and two-and-a-half years later that investment was worth £285.

The investors did not know approximately 50% of the money they handed over immediately went to the company as a sales commission - halving the investment, the jury were told.

“Not one of them have made a penny and they have lost pension pots and life savings. The losses are in the millions and millions of pounds.

“They were duped into investing,” explained Mr. Durose, who said the fraud lasted approximately one year from Spring, 2012.

Judge Rajeev Shetty told the four scammers when jailing them: “All the buyers have ended up with worthless barrels of junk, either gathering dust or have long since been disposed of. The loss to them has been total, no one has made one pound back.

“The jury found this was all a scam, a ruthless vehicle designed to rip-off people of their savings and pension pots to make you all wealthy.

“Making as much money as possible was the name of the game and that game is now up.”

Friday 21 December 2018

Accountant Stalked Business School Professor

Guilty: Li
A fiercely ambitious accountant stalked a respected London Business School professor - demanding he be her lover and mentor - after she witnessed him addressing a career event.

Zhaoyan Li, 40, suddenly popped up at his church, gatecrashed his gym class, booked a holiday to follow him to Lanzarote and bombarded him with texts, emails and calls.

Oxford-educated Alex Edmans, 38, who has spoken at the World Economic Forum in Davos and testified to Parliament was eventually too distressed to answer his office phone and quit regular activities. 

Li, of Rattan Apartments, Susannah Street, Canary Wharf was convicted of stalking Professor Edmans between February 1, 2017 and September 13, this year.

Li, who told City of London Magistrates Court she may kill herself if convicted, will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on a future date.

Professor Edmans told the court from behind a screen Li enjoyed taking photographs of him working out at a Hyde Park boot camp fitness club and groped his biceps after a class.

She began stalking him after he spoke at accountancy giants PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) ‘Finding Purpose In Your Career’ seminar early last year.
Panic Alarm: Prof Edmans

“She said she wanted to become a partner at PwC, which was strange because she wasn’t even a trainee,” he explained. 

“She asked me if I was happy to have dinner with her because she had some questions about her career and I told her I had to go home.

“I went to Marks & Spencer’s and when I left she was waiting for me outside and followed me on the westbound tube even though she lived in the opposite direction and sat next to me.”

Li then joined a Surrey getaway hosted by Professor Edmans’ All Souls Church breakfast club. 

“Every mealtime she’d sit next to me and try to talk to me, even if I was talking to other people and this way annoying. She was trying to encroach on me and continually interrupting conversations I was having.”

The professor admits he eventually resorted to getting physical. “I squeezed the pressure points on her knee to cause a bit of pain.”

However, Li claims she took this under-the-table knee squeeze as a “come on” of a sexual nature.

Professor Edmans was bombarded with WhatsApp ad Facebook messages from Li, who suddenly appeared at his workout class when a picture needed to be taken.

“Out from the shadows Ms Li jumped up and said: ‘I’ll take the group photo.’ She must have been on the sidelines watching.

“She started touching my biceps, which was not solicited and then started coming to the boot camp, not to participate, but to take photos, presumably of me working out.

“I blocked her on facebook, but and then she contacted me through other means, I blocked her on WhatsApp and saved her as ‘Dirty Pervert.’

“She wanted to be in a relationship with me. It was as if she thought she had the right to have a relationship with me.”

In one message Li wrote: “I want a Mr. Right who loves me and cares about my feelings.”

Eventually All Souls Church banned her and Professor Edmans reported her to the police, who gave Li an official warning in January.

“She then started coming to the London Business School campus and using the internal phone and called me on February 14 to say: ‘Happy Valentines Day.’

“Normal things like checking emails filled me with horror and dread and each time I saw her number my heart sank because this ordeal was continuing.”

Eventually a panic alarm was fitted at the professor’s office and he quit the boot camp and church breakfast club after Li booked herself on their Canary Islands vacation.

“I thought: ‘There’s no getting away from her if she turns up in Lanzarote for the entire eight days.’”

Li constantly tried to delay and adjourn the trial and told the magistrates: “If I get a criminal record I may commit suicide.”

Thursday 20 December 2018

NOT GUILTY: University Rower Cleared Of KFC Brawl

A drunken university rower was found not guilty yesterday of attacking two rival competitors who complained about his rowdy group trashing a KFC after the annual ‘Head of the River’ Thames race.

Six foot six Freddie Strawson, 21, had consumed ten pints and partied at the Thames Rowing Club, Putney until midnight after competing in an eight-man crew during the March 12 event.

He admitted punching another rower in the face in Lower Richmond Road and grappling with another, whose head was cut open, but insists he was acting in self defence.

Strawson, of The Old Rectory, Market Rasen, Thoresway, Lincolnshire was unanimously acquitted by the Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court jury of assaulting Stephen Johnson and inflicting grievous bodily harm on Henry Hogan.

“I saw some arguing going on about the mess involving this Stephen chap and the Newcastle boys and one of them flipped the table over,” Strawson told Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

“He was saying: ‘This isn’t right’ and then it turned into an attack on class with him saying us Newcastle University students normally go to private school.

“He was quite angry and aggressive and two others got annoyed, but I was very quiet and helped clear up some of the mess.”

Outside, Strawson says he and two pals were followed by Mr. Johnson. “He’s having a go at us about the mess we made and the whole class thing and it was really quite threatening.

“I tried to ignore it, but it did not stop so put my hand on his shoulder and pushed him away and said: ‘Leave us alone.’

“Unfortunately this made it worse and almost excites him and he said: ‘I can get you done for assault.’

“He was right behind me being really threatening and I thought: ‘This guy wants a fight’ so I turned around and punched him in the face and grabbed him by the shoulders.

“I felt he was going to punch me. I wanted to stun him and grabbed him so there wouldn’t be a fight.”

Mr. Johnson told the jury he was punched for no good reason and ended up on the ground, curled in the foetal position with Strawson shouting: “I’m going to put you in hell.”

The defendant denies yelling that, insisting he stole the line: “Burn with me,” from an old Dr. Who episode. “It was a weird, silly thing to say.

“The next thing I knew I heard someone running in and felt the impact of them hitting me from behind shouting: ‘What the f*** are you doing?’

“He was running at me full tilt and we go to the ground. We hit the ground and rolled on the ground.”

Mr. Hogan suffered a cut to the back of his head, but the prosecution say Strawson deliberately threw him head-first onto the pavement.

Blood was pouring from the wound to the back of the unconscious Mr. Hogan’s head, but Strawson insists this happened when they both crashed to the ground.

“I could see he was hurt and saw that he wasn’t moving, but this was two fifteen stone blokes going to the ground.”

The prosecution say Strawson then kicked the prone Mr. Hogan in the head, but he insisted: “I didn’t kick anyone. There was no kick.

“I feel terrible that Henry was really hurt.”

He denies shouting: “You will see hell,” at the injured rower. “He’s a fellow athlete and there is a huge level of respect between rowers.”

Wednesday 19 December 2018

Oldest Swinger In Town: OAP Banned For Dancefloor Gropes

An octogenarian has been banned from every nightclub in the country after he was caught celebrating his birthday by groping two young women in a crowded London Bridge bar.

Jaime Arrochela Lobo, 80, who has a heart pacemaker, put his hand up one young woman’s skirt and twice grabbed another’s bum between moves on the packed dancefloor.

The pensioner, who has a partner, told police after he was arrested in the early hours that he enjoyed dancing and chatting to girls.

He was convicted of sexually assaulting a 23 year-old and her 24 year-old friend at St. Christopher Inn, Borough on March 25.

He was placed on a twelve-month community order, which includes a condition he must not attend any nightclub in England and Wales for the next twelve months.

He must also wear an electronic tag to ensure he obeys a six-month night time curfew between 9pm and 6am and attend rehabilitation for up to thirty days.

Camberwell Magistrates Court also ordered Arrochela Lobo to sign the sex offenders register for five years and pay £250 costs.

The first woman told the trial: “I felt a bit sorry for him so said: ‘Hi.’ I thought if I saw someone like my grandfather I’d feel a bit sorry for him. The people in the pub were in their twenties and thirties.

“I turned away and a minute later I felt his hand up my skirt inside my underwear and touching my vagina.

“I turned around very quickly and pointed my finger in his face and called him disgusting. I was very upset and went outside to compose myself.

“I felt vulnerable, angry and violated.”

Her friend said: “This man came up behind me and touched my bottom so I turned around and told him not to do that.

“Later on the same man did it again. It was like a grab.

“It did make me feel a bit uncomfortable and violated and I was a bit angry with him.

“I did question why and old man would be there on his own in a young environment.

“I went outside and my friends very distraught, crying, lots of tears and was really upset.”

Arrochela Lobo, of Brinklow House, Torquay Street, Paddington was arrested at the pub and told police: “I like dancing and speaking with young girls.”

He told the court he has a pacemaker and undergone surgery to replace a heart valve and suffers from involuntary shakes.

Former car salesman Arrochela Lobo said he had “plenty” to drink. “I was dancing with different ladies. I got out of the house because I was a bit upset with my girlfriend.

“I can’t say if what the two woman say is true or not because I can’t remember.”

Tuesday 18 December 2018

University Rower In KFC Punch Up

A drunken university rower floored two rival competitors who complained about his rowdy group trashing a KFC after the annual ‘Head of the River’ Thames race, a court heard.

Six foot six Freddie Strawson, 21, had consumed ten pints and partied at the Thames Rowing Club, Putney until midnight after competing in an eight-man crew during the March 12 event.

He admits punching another rower in the face in Lower Richmond Road and grappling with another, whose head was cut open, but insists he was acting in self defence.

Strawson, of The Old Rectory, Market Rasen, Thoresway, Lincolnshire has pleaded not guilty to assaulting Stephen Johnson and inflicting grievous bodily harm on Henry Hogan.

“I saw some arguing going on about the mess involving this Stephen chap and the Newcastle boys and one of them flipped the table over,” Strawson told Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

“He was saying: ‘This isn’t right’ and then it turned into an attack on class with him saying us Newcastle University students normally go to private school.

“He was quite angry and aggressive and two others got annoyed, but I was very quiet and helped clear up some of the mess.”

Outside, Strawson says he and two pals were followed by Mr. Johnson. “He’s having a go at us about the mess we made and the whole class thing and it was really quite threatening.

“I tried to ignore it, but it did not stop so put my hand on his shoulder and pushed him away and said: ‘Leave us alone.’

“Unfortunately this made it worse and almost excites him and he said: ‘I can get you done for assault.’

“He was right behind me being really threatening and I thought: ‘This guy wants a fight’ so I turned around and punched him in the face and grabbed him by the shoulders.

“I felt he was going to punch me. I wanted to stun him and grabbed him so there wouldn’t be a fight.”

Mr. Johnson told the jury he was punched for no good reason and ended up on the ground, curled in the foetal position with Strawson shouting: “I’m going to put you in hell.”

The defendant denies yelling that, insisting he stole the line: “Burn with me,” from an old Dr. Who episode. “It was a weird, silly thing to say.

“The next thing I knew I heard someone running in and felt the impact of them hitting me from behind shouting: ‘What the f*** are you doing?’

“He was running at me full tilt and we go to the ground. We hit the ground and rolled on the ground.”

Mr. Hogan suffered a cut to the back of his head, but the prosecution say Strawson deliberately threw him head-first onto the pavement.

Blood was pouring from the wound to the back of the unconscious Mr. Hogan’s head, but Strawson insists this happened when they both crashed to the ground.

“I could see he was hurt and saw that he wasn’t moving, but this was two fifteen stone blokes going to the ground.”

The prosecution say Strawson then kicked the prone Mr. Hogan in the head, but he insisted: “I didn’t kick anyone. There was no kick.

“I feel terrible that Henry was really hurt.”

He denies shouting: “You will see hell,” at the injured rower. “He’s a fellow athlete and there is a huge level of respect between rowers.”

Trial continues………. 

Monday 17 December 2018

Rollerblading Model Banned After Horror Crash With Pedestrian

Nodanche: Rollerblade Ban
A rollerblading Vogue male model’s horrific high speed crash into a female West End pedestrian left the investments expert with a fractured skull and her lucrative career in tatters. 

French-born Patrick Nodanche, 28, of Ashville Road, Leytonstone received a suspended prison sentence today and has been banned from rollerblading in London.  
The six foot two fashion model has also worked for luxury brands Tommy Hilfiger, Canali, Giorgio Armani and Dolce & Gabbana.

London Business School graduate Jean Hu, 35, - affectionately known as JingJing - was crossing Haymarket outside Planet Hollywood after leaving her St. James’s Square office when struck by Nodanche.

She suffered a fractured skull, bleeding on the brain as well as cuts and bruises, particularly to her forehead and scalp and spent eight days in hospital and needed specialist home care.

Nodanche, who is represented by modelling agencies in London, New York, Milan and other major cities around the world pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on October 27, last year.

Six months after the incident she had still not returned to work for the mining company and was suffering from tinnitus and had difficulty concentrating.

The former Goldman Sachs specialist had to abandon her six-figure job when it relocated to Singapore because her injuries make long-distance travel impossible.

Jide Lanlehin, defending the model, told Southwark Crown Court: “He is very distraught and distressed about it. Officers on the day recorded his concerns and he administered first aid.

Fractured Skull: JingJing Hu
“It was a split-second decision. The light was on amber and the road seemed clear, but a person stepped out and there was a collision.

“He travelled in the ambulance with her out of concern for her well-being and remains concerned for the plight of the complainant.”

Prosecutor Mr. Steven Mould said: “This is a very unusual case. Ms Hu left work and was crossing the road a little bit away from the pedestrian crossing and Mr. Nodanche was on rollerblades on the road.

“He hit Ms Hu and caused injury, inflicting a fractured skull and a haemorrhage.

“He did not intent to cause injury and the offence is based on recklessness rather than intent.

“There are continuing issues with Ms Hu, but the physical aspects in the main have been resolved.

“Clearly there are issues that continue, phycological consequences in relation to this. She gets tired very easily and suffers with fatigue.”

Ms Hu is now attempting a career re-start. “However, she feels she won’t be able to get a job at the same level.”

Judge Sally Cahill QC said: “This is very serious injury. He decided to use an unusual form of transport on the public highway.

“It is almost more dangerous because he does not have any brakes and this is almost in the category of having a weapon.

“He is going down a main busy street, knowing he can’t stop. A highly reckless act.”

The judge told Nodanche: “Although not on the crossing Ms Hu was only a few yards down from it and the lights were in her favour.

“You came at great speed along Haymarket in a crouched position and stood as you got close to her.

“You did not have the facility of putting on any brakes. The speed you were going at was a huge contributory factor.

“The effect on Ms Hu was substantial. She was knocked unconscious and suffered an extremely severe head injury, a fractured skull and bleeding into the skull and still suffers from that.”

Nodanche was sentenced to fifteen months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months and ordered to complete 200 hours community service.

He was also made subject to a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order, prohibiting rollerblading in London; had the skates confiscated and must pay £500 compensation to Ms Hu.