Homeless Somalian Wanted For East End Stabbing

A homeless Somalian is wanted by police investigating an East End stabbing near Aldgate Underground Station.

Police were called at approximately 6.30pm on Sunday, August 5 to reports of a stabbing in Tyne Street, Tower Hamlets.

Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended the scene and found a 26-year-old man suffering stab wounds.

He was taken to an east London hospital where he was treated for his injuries and later discharged.

Detectives from Tower Hamlets are investigating and have released this image of a man they wish to speak to in connection with the incident.

The suspect goes by the street name of “Taz” and is described as a Somali man aged in his 30s, of skinny build and around 5ft 11ins tall.

At the time of the offence, he was wearing a grey tracksuit, a black cap, and Nike Air Max 95 trainers.

He has also been seen wearing blue jeans with a camel-coloured suit jacket.

He is believed to be homeless and is known to frequent Liverpool Street, Commercial Street and Brick Lane and occasionally sleeps in the yard at Christ Church Spitalfields.

There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.

If you can identify the man in the images or offer any information to assist the investigation, please contact police via 101 referencing cad 6049/05Aug18, or tweet @MetCC.

Mum And Daughter Jailed For New Year's Eve Pub Glassing

Paula & Melissa Millard

A mother and daughter, who glassed a woman during a pub's New Year's Eve night – inflicting serious injuries – have both been jailed for five years.

Paula Millard, 49, and Melissa Millard, 22, inflicted multiple facial injuries on their victim, aged in her forties, who was struck with a glass.

The victim suffered a broken nose, gash to her eyebrow and an injury to her wrist.

All three were in the ladies toilet of The Harrow pub in High Street, Cheam at 11.00pm on December 31, 2016.

The victim overheard the mother and daughter bickering and tried to lift the mood by telling them: “Come on girls, it's New Year's Eve,” triggering the brutal response.

Paula, of Gander Green Lane, Cheam and Melissa, of Clarkes Avenue, Worcester Park were both convicted at Croydon Crown Court of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Police were called to the scene that night and the victim was rushed to a west London hospital for treatment.

Psychotherapist Broke Court Order To Bombard Ex With Insults

A university psychotherapist bombarded her doctor ex with insulting messages after they split-up, breaking a court order banning her from contacting him.

Maria Lindholm-Ventola, 45, a lecturer and course director at London South Bank University lost custody of the child she had with psychiatrist Dr. Emad Farrag.

This prompted her to repeatedly message Dr. Farrag, who has taken their child abroad, via email and WhatsApp, referring to him as a: “Pompous f***.”

Lindholm-Ventola, of Shooters Hill, Plumstead, who is also a registered Mental Health Nurse, pleaded guilty to breaching a non-molestation order made by East London Family Court between September 18 and December 17, 2017.

A charge of sending indecent and offensive messages to Dr. Farrag, who trained at Guys & St. Thomas’s Hospital, causing distress or anxiety, between December 18, 2017 and July 9, last year was withdrawn by the prosecution.

Prosecutor Ms Jennifer Gatland previously told Bromley Magistrates Court: “The complainant Dr. Farrag is the ex-partner of the defendant, who took out a non-molestation order.

“It has a number of conditions, one of which is not to threaten the victim or go within one hundred metres of him and not abuse him.

“Doctor Farrag says he started receiving numerous abusive messages via email and WhatsApp in September, 2017.”

The insults included: “Taking the p***,” “P*** off,” “F*** off,” “Lay off the dope,” and referred to Dr. Farrag and his new girlfriend as: “A pair of f***s.”

Lindholm-Ventola says in over twenty years of psychotherapy she helps patients: “To let go of any past experiences that may hinder your progress and to explore ways in which you can begin to work towards the future you always wanted.”

She is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and her areas of expertise include obsessions, anger management, stress, relationships and family therapy. 

Despite clearly breaking the Family Court order she continued berating Dr. Farrag and the new woman in his life, telling him: “You’re so full of s***,” “How sick can couple be?” and: “You pompous pair off f***s.”

Ms Gatland added: ‘She is clearly in breach of the non-molestation order and the barrage has caused a lot of distress to the complainant.

“The defendant is angry about not having access to her son, as Dr. Farrag has full custody and the messages were over a long, long period of time and there were many of them.”

She was questioned by police when the messages took a more sinister turn with one reading: ‘People die all the time.”

It is Finnish-born Lindholm-Ventola’s first conviction and she may now face disciplinary proceedings from the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Today at Bexley Magistrates Court she was conditionally discharged for two years and a restraining order was made prohibiting contact with Dr. Farrag.

Lindholm-Ventola must also pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Christian Dad Beat 'Coming Out' Gay Daughter

A Christian father-of-three beat-up his eldest daughter when she finally came out to him as gay, twelve months into her new relationship.

Weuber Santana, 39, struck 19 year-old Tamirys Benicio around the head and body after she finally found the nerve to reveal her sexuality.

“Yours is a Christian household and you seem to hold fairly fundamental views and seem to have found it difficult to accept your daughter is gay,” Judge Jeremy Donne QC told him.

“When she plucked up the courage to tell you, you reacted badly and told her she had made the wrong choice and she would have to do what you wanted.”

Santana, of Sherwood Gardens, South Bermondsey pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm to his daughter, the eldest of three girls, at the family home on August 25.

Yesterday the first-time offender received ten months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months and was ordered to pay £500 costs.

Prosecutor Miss Carina Suarez told Inner London Crown Court Santana was driving Tamirys home from work.

“She had come out to her mother a week prior and had been in a relationship with a woman for a year.”

Her father ominously said: “I know you have something to tell me.”

Tamirys unburdened her secret and Santana responded with rage.

“He became angry and pulled out a flick-knife and threatened to kill her, saying: ’No-one would know,’ and she said: ‘Do it.’

“Once they got home she locked herself in the toilet and he tried to open the door and during the struggle she cut her finger.

“He seemed to calm down and asked her to join him in his bedroom, but once inside he put his foot to the door and asked her if this was her final choice.

“He said: ‘No. I can’t allow you to live this way’ and became angrier.

“He pushed her in the face with his hand and punched her to her side and asked her to kneel on the floor and took a belt out.

“He left the belt to the side and repeatedly punched her to her face and body.”

Tamirys suffered bruising to her eye, forearm, both arms, left leg and under her nose, plus a welt to her temple.

“He was talking about the bible and that being gay was wrong and that she had left a gap for the devil to come into her life.”

The incident lasted from 9pm into the early hours and Tamirys reported her father to the police after a conversation with concerned work colleagues.

Santana was arrested and questioned. “He said his daughter liked a girl and he put his belt on the counter top so she would tell him.

“He denied assaulting her, saying she got the injuries from trampolining and after the conversation said they prayed together.”

In her victim impact statement Tamirys said of her dad: “Now I don’t feel safe in a room with him,” adding she would burst into tears at work because of the pressure she was under.

She has now moved out of the family home.

“The prosecution allege this was aggravated and I accept that you did demonstrate hostility towards your daughter based on her sexual orientation,” Judge Donne told Santana.

“She had started a relationship with a member of the same sex and not told you because she was rightly fearful of your reaction.

“You reacted to the news that you felt was unacceptable and used either a clenched fist or open hand in a slapping gesture.

“Your daughter says in later years you have become controlling, but has expressed a wish to resume contact with you.

“Speaking as a father of two daughters myself fathers should show compassion and understanding to their daughters and not be controlling.

“She is now forging a new life, independent, away from home. I hope there is resolution here and the family can all put this behind them.”

Blackmailer's Fake Rape Claim Against Gay Lover

A gambling addict faked his daughter’s death to extract thousands of pounds from his lover and then made a false sex claim in a blackmail bid for more money.

Jobless Steven Dudley, 47, began a relationship with the man he met on a gay internet dating site and conned around £3,000 out of him for the supposed funeral expenses.

He then demanded a similar sum, claiming because the victim had already transferred money into his account it was evidence he had tried to buy his silence after raping him.

Dudley, of Park Parade, Harlesden, north-west London pleaded guilty to blackmail, namely making an unwarranted demand with menaces for £3,000 on October 5, 2016.

He also pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation, namely that between September 5 and October 11, 2016 he dishonestly, with intent to gain, represented he needed to pay for his daughter’s funeral.

Prosecutor Mr. Bill McGivern told Inner London Crown Court: “This defendant asked for some money, saying his daughter had died and he could not afford the funeral expenses.

“The victim was moved by that and was happy to give money and did that over several payments into this defendant’s Nationwide account.”

On October 5 Dudley texted the victim, saying: “Okay. Let me say something. You have given me money to buy me. 

“I will go to the police to say that you raped me and I still have the bruises. I think £3,000 should cover it.”

Mr. McGivern added: “He was using the generosity of the complainant and the number of payments he had received over a period of time to support the allegation.

“It is an ugly blackmail that has taken place. Invidious.”

Dudley was reported to the police by his ex. “He admitted lying about his daughter’s death and said he had been in a low place and apologised.

“He said he demanded cash because he had gambling debts and could not explain why he behaved in the way he had done.”

The victim says Dudley: “Took every opportunity to take money from me,” and has vowed to be “very wary” of trusting people in the future.

He says he was: “Stunned and horrified,” by the blackmail bid and: “Sickened by the whole affair.”

Sentencing Dudley to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years, the Recorder of Southwark Judge Usha Karu told him today: “What you have done is mean and nasty. There is no getting away from that.

“You sent a very nasty text to the complainant saying he had given money to you and had raped you and you would go to the police and say you were physically injured.

“You said he should give you three thousand pounds to keep you quiet and you had the truth of the other payments into your account, but your daughter had not died, there was no funeral.

“I’m sure the text caused him deep upset and would have been very traumatic and very difficult to come to terms with.

‘You thought that because of the embarrassment of the relationship if it became public and the circumstances in which you had met that he would not go to the police.

“There was some planning in how you would extract money from someone who had been quite generous to you.

“The complainant says he has been badly effected by this and will be more careful with relationships he forms in the future.”

Dudley must also attend 60 days rehab; obey a six-month electronically tagged night time curfew between 10pm and 6am and was made subject to a two-year prohibited activity requirement, which bans him from all gambling.

"Frenzied" Knifeman Guilty Of Attempted Murder

A double knifeman, who armed himself with two blades and stabbed a shop worker around thirty times, has been convicted of attempted murder.

Leon Scott, 41, of Drayton Close, Ilford, stabbed his 31-year-old victim multiple times during the attack in nearby Ley Street on November 27, 2017.

The incident was witnessed by several members of the public, including a mother with her young children.

The Old Bailey heard the victim was speaking to two people outside the shop he worked at when Scott, armed with two knives, suddenly launched his attack.

After several minutes, and having stabbed his victim approximately thirty times in different parts of his body, he casually walked off towards the Jaffa Road Estate.

Jurors were told that Scott tried to cut the victim's neck during the attack.

A member of the public intervened to stop the stabbing, and helped administer first aid before paramedics arrived.

The two knives used in the attack were recovered from the scene.

Scott was arrested a short time after the incident.

The victim was taken to hospital in critical condition. He continues to suffer lasting nerve damage to his arm.

Acting Detective Sergeant Jeremy Collins, of East Area CID, said: "This was a frenzied attack, which was unprovoked and came totally out of the blue. It was a random attack by all accounts.

"The level of violence used was absolutely shocking, and amongst the worst I have seen.

“The scene that unfolded that morning is the stuff of nightmares, and the victim has endured lasting physical injury and psychological trauma as a result.

"The victim was stabbed thirty times, and it is very fortunate that he was not killed.

“The member of the public who helped stop the attack deserves particular recognition.

"Scott was quickly identified as a suspect, arrested and taken into custody. He has never shown any remorse, and is a dangerous offender."

The following is an excerpt from the victim's impact statement: "I am in so much pain and I can't sleep.

“I feel down because of my scars and also the pain...I feel down, angry, depressed and I am scared to go out and I don't feel safe in public.

"I think about the incident all the time...I don't feel happy anymore, it feels like I lost everything. I have lost the will to live."

Scott is due to be sentenced on Thursday, November 29.

Bogus NHS Burglar Strikes In East London

Police are hunting this suspected burglar after a bogus NHS official tricked their way into a middle-aged woman's home, stealing cash and a phone.

The resident – aged in her fifties – was at home in Tate House, Mace Street, Bethnal Green at 9.00am on July 8 when the suspect came to her door.

The suspect duped her into believing she was visiting on behalf of the NHS and was allowed in.

Police want to speak with the woman pictured concerning this theft.

Anyone who recognised the woman pictured or has information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Fried Chicken Customer Cooped-Up For Violent Bust-Up

A fried chicken takeaway customer, involved in a bust-up that left a member of staff with a broken jaw, has been jailed for eight months.

Manaf Alahassan, 27, fought the case at Croydon Crown Court, but was convicted after a trial.

He was found guilty of assault and possession of an offensive weapon at the Church Street, Croydon takeaway on October 12, 2017.

Alahassan entered the shop just before 5.00pm with another male and both became aggressive about the length of time they were waiting for their food order.

The second man, 20, fractured the 21 year-old staff member's jaw with a punch and was later locked-up for three years for grievous bodily harm.

Alahassan threw a salt shaker at the victim during the altercation.

He was also in possession of a knife and showed it to staff before both men walked out and left the scene.

Mobile phone footage of the incident was captured by a member of the public, which helped to match the clothing worn by the attackers with the clothing the arrested men were wearing.

The victim was taken to a south London hospital by the London Ambulance Service with a broken jaw, and facial injuries.

The two suspects were arrested a short time later in The Queens Gardens.

Detective Constable Andy Garland, of Croydon CID, said: “Attacks like this on people in their place of work are totally unacceptable.

“Alahassan and another man who later admitted to his part in the attack were located shortly after the incident by officers who conducted an area search, and both men are now in jail, all for a few seconds of sudden unnecessary violence.”

Top American Lawyer Facing Prison For Drunken Plane Rampage

Undercover Law: Vanbuskirk

A leading American lawyer, who drunkenly assaulted a flight attendant, forcing the plane to return to Heathrow, was yesterday warned to brace herself for prison.

Michelle Marie Vanbuskirk, 43, struggled with cabin crew as they tried to move her to the rear of the Washington DC-bound jet and a nurse was called to assist.

She appeared at Isleworth Crown Court, where she pleaded guilty to boarding United flight UA919 on September 23 while drunk.

Vanbuskirk also pleaded guilty to assaulting Porscha Chaplain, a member of the cabin crew, and was bailed until sentencing on February 1.

Trouble began when passengers noticed Vanbuskirk was swearing at her in-flight entertainment screen.

As crew escorted her towards the rear of the plane she assaulted Ms Chaplain.  

“She is employed by an Ivy League American law firm based in America and over here,” said her lawyer Justin Bearman. 

“The effect of sentencing on this lady will be massive in terms of employment, visas and the like.”

Vanbuskirk, of Ainger Road, Hampstead had a charge of assaulting the nurse, Emily Menninger, dropped along with a charge of using threatening behaviour towards Jana Plat.

The decision was made to return the 209 passenger to Heathrow an hour into the flight, which was then cancelled for 24 hours.

“Clearly it is a very serious matter,” prosecutor Mr. James O’Connell told the court. “This defendant got on the plane and she had been drinking before she got on.

“Perhaps with the combination of pills she was on she behaved in this disgraceful way, causing the plane to turn back to Heathrow, causing great inconvenience and cost to United and the passengers.”

The airline had to dump £4,000 worth of fuel before it was safe to land and may also pursue compensation for the passengers via the civil courts.

“I’ve heard this may be a lady of some substance,” added Mr. O’Connell, indicating Vanbuskirk may be in a financial position to pay the airline.

Judge Giles Curtis-Raleigh confirmed: “There was a substantial request for compensation from the airline based on compensation to the passengers.”

Vanbuskirk claims her reliance on anti-anxiety and insomnia prescription drug benzodiazepine contributed to her behaviour.

“We have an appointment booked with a psychiatrist and will instruct a pharmacologist,” explained Mr. Bearman, adding this was to explore: “Her chronic use of benzodiazepine.”

Judge Curtis-Raleigh told Vanbuskirk: “You have obviously pleaded guilty to serious matters and you have heard it attracts a custodial sentence, but I am adjourning for reports to see if I can exceptionally suspended it.

“You must prepare yourself for the real prospect of a custodial sentence.”

Young Arsenal FC Star Secures Six Points

Young Arsenal FC star Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been hit with six penalty points for failing to say who was driving his brand-new 3-litre Mercedes-Benz, which was suspected of a traffic offence.

The 21 year-old left-back, who is currently recovering from a broken leg sustained on the opening day of the season, was also fined £660, with £85 costs and ordered to pay a £66 victim surcharge.

The England U-21 international, of Hurley Court, High Road, Southgate, was dealt with behind-closed-doors under Single Justice Procedure rules at Lavender Hill Magistrates Court.

He was convicted of failing to give information in relation to the identification of the driver of the black vehicle, which was guilty of an unspecified offence in High Road, Southgate on June 17. 

A charge of driving the same car a month earlier at at 118 mph in a 50 mph zone on Barnet’s North Circular Road at 5.29am on May 7 was dropped by the prosecution. 

Rogue Estate Agent Gets Suspended Prison Sentence

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court

A rogue south-west London estate agent, charged with multiple offences of dishonesty, received a suspended prison sentence yesterday.

Julian Anthony Fielding, 52, of Admiralty Way, Teddington was sentenced at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to two years imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months.

He was also ordered to complete 150 hours community service work.

Fielding originally appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court charged with a £25,287 fraud said to have occurred between March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2014, while employed as a lettings agent.

He was also charged with defrauding another victim in his role as a lettings agent on a date after July 1, 2011, plus another victim of £1,950 on a date after June 1, 2012.

Fielding faced another five charges of fraud by false representation and four counts of theft.

Race Yobs Sentenced For Midnight Attack On Italian Bartender

"Prejudice and Ignorance": O'Leary

Two drunken racist thugs have been sentenced for hurling Islamic abuse while punching and kicking their dark-haired victim, who turned out to be an Italian bartender walking home from work. 

A bottle was thrown at the lone man, who was chased and surrounded after midnight, as the group shouted: “F***ing muslim” and “Go back to your own country.”

Jobless butcher Joshua O’Leary, 23, of Teak Close, Rotherhithe was unanimously convicted by the jury of religiously aggravated assault in nearby Lower Road on June 10, last year.

At Inner London Crown Court he received a 12-month community order, which includes 180 hours community service work; 20 days rehab; a 12-week night time curfew and £125 compensation to the victim.

Warehouseman Alfred Young, 19, of Harwood Hill, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire pleaded guilty to the same charge and also received a 12-month community order, which includes 80 hours community service; a 6-week night time curfew and £125 compensation to the victim.

A third suspect, who was involved, has never been identified or arrested.

It was after midnight when Dario Antonioni - who was bearded at the time - was confronted after exiting Canada Water Underground Station.

"Sustained Attack": Young

“They were shouting at me for no reason, things like: ‘F***ing muslim. Muslim go home’ all three of them,” he told the trial.

“A bottle was thrown at me and I started walking quickly and then started to run. I was frightened.

“The three of them surrounded me. I fell to the ground and I was struck everywhere by all three of them.

“I said: ‘What are you doing? Why are you doing this?’ and I was speaking to them in Italian, but they increased the shouting.

“They wanted to beat me up. Their hands were raised as if they were ready for a fight.

“All three of them hit me, kicks and punches and when I was on the floor there were more kicks and punches.

“Luckily I was able to run away from them into a kebab shop.

“They continued using obscene language like: ‘Motherf***er and go back to your own country.’

“I had grazes on my face and bruises on my elbows and knees from where I had fallen.

“It was a shocking experience.”

Judge Benedict Kelleher told them: “You were both in the street near Surrey Quays with an older man and you had both been drinking when you confronted an Italian man in his twenties, who was walking home doing no harm.

“Due to your prejudice and ignorance and because he had a small beard you all thought he was a muslim and shouted abuse at him.

‘The older man appears to have been the ringleader and all three of you set upon the victim, punching and grappling with him.

“He put up a spirited defence to your completely unjustified attack late at night while under the influence of alcohol.

“You based your hostility on the mistaken presumption of your victim’s religion.”

"Spirited Defence": Antonioni

The judge told O’Leary: “You were not the leader, but were not subordinate and you have not shown remorse, you contested this case, which was close to crossing the custodial threshold.

“You are on the brink of getting yourself involved with dangerous influences and if you succumb to them you will find yourself back in court for more serious offences that may carry imprisonment.

“I am giving you the chance to show you can put this type of behaviour behind you.”

The judge told Young: “You were seventeen when this incident occurred and you have no previous convictions and much good has been said about you in the pre-sentence report and you have a bright future ahead of you.

“It was a relatively sustained attack, but you were by no means the leader of the group and it was not pre-meditated.”  

O’Leary claimed footage filmed by a neighbour and played to the jury showed him trying to pull Mr. Antonioni away from the other two to protect him.

This is seconds after he says he was punched to the ground by the bartender as he tried to intervene.

However, Mr. Antonioni insisted: “No. He was not trying to get me away, he was trying to take me over to his friends. His intention was not to help me.”

Prosecutor Mr. Kerry Moore told the jury: “Mr. Antonioni is not a muslim. He had a dark beard at the time and dark hair and in the early hours these three may have thought he was from an islamic country.

“O’Leary was arrested returning to that area, as was Young. The third male was never identified, but we say they were all together in this attack.”

Three Years For Family Fraudster Who Sold Her Dad And Step-Mum's Home

A property fraudster has been jailed for selling her father and step-mother's vacant £340,000 flat.

Valerie Edwards, 52, of Lawson Close, Ilford, received three years imprisonment.

She pleaded guilty to fraud on the opening day of her Snaresbrook Crown Court trial.

In Spring last year Edwards concocted the audacious plan once she discovered the property in Woolaston Road, Finsbury Park would be vacant for a few months.

Her step-mother had travelled to the Caribbean to look after a sick relative, and placed her husband – Edwards's father - into a care home while she was away.

In May Edwards instructed an estate agent and arranged for the flat to be offered directly to potential buyers, looking for a flat in the area.

She insisted the property should not be advertised for sale publicly.

A buyer was found and a sale price of £340,000 agreed.

The estate agent referred Edwards to a solicitor to provide the conveyance on the purchase.

The solicitor refused to facilitate the sale without permission from the owners.

Edwards explained that the owners were in hospital and unable to attend his offices.

She then provided the solicitor with numerous forms of identification, including a Power Of Attorney and a signed letter stating that she had permission to sell the flat.

On Thursday, June 8 a neighbour noticed people removing the contents of the flat.

When approached, the removal men explained that the flat had been sold and the new owner was having it cleared.

The neighbour contacted the true owners and informed them of the activity at the flat, also giving them the details of the person who had unwittingly bought their property.

The victim contacted the solicitor who had dealt with the sale explaining that Edwards did not have any right to sell the property.

The solicitor called Action Fraud and contacted the bank involved in the transfer of funds.

The bank was able to freeze £337,000 of the £340,000 selling price.

The flat has since been returned to its rightful owners.

Detective Constable Neil Wakeling, of the East Area Command Unit, said: “Edwards knew that the property her father and step-mother lived in was going to be vacant for a period of time, and was unscrupulous in exploiting the situation by gaining access and attempting to force through its sale.

“Only at the last minute when the sale of the property was about to be finalised, and when a neighbour flagged their concerns and acted quickly was the fraud discovered.

“The custodial sentence handed down reflects the seriousness of the offence.”

GUILTY: Late-Night Thugs Race Attack On Italian Bartender

Joshua O'Leary

Two drunken racist thugs have been convicted of hurling Islamic abuse while punching and kicking their dark-haired victim, who turned out to be an Italian bartender walking home. 

A bottle was thrown at the lone man, who was chased and surrounded after midnight, as the group shouted: “F***ing muslim” and “Go back to your own country.”

Joshua O’Leary, 23, of Teak Close, Rotherhithe was found guilty by a jury of religiously aggravated assault in nearby Lower Road on June 10, last year.

Alfred Young, 19, of Harwood Hill, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire had already pleaded guilty to the charge and both men will be sentenced on a date to be fixed.

A third suspect, who was involved, has never been identified or arrested.

It was after midnight when Dario Antonioni - who was bearded at the time - was confronted after exiting Canada Water Underground Station, Inner London Crown Court heard.

“They were shouting at me for no reason, things like: ‘F***ing muslim. Muslim go home’ all three of them.

“A bottle was thrown at me and I started walking quickly and then started to run. I was frightened.

Alfred Young

“The three of them surrounded me. I fell to the ground and I was struck everywhere by all three of them.

“I said: ‘What are you doing? Why are you doing this?’ and I was speaking to them in Italian, but they increased the shouting.

“They wanted to beat me up. Their hands were raised as if they were ready for a fight.

“All three of them hit me, kicks and punches and when I was on the floor there were more kicks and punches.

“Luckily I was able to run away from them into a kebab shop.

“They continued using obscene language like: ‘Motherf***er and go back to your own country.’

“I had grazes on my face and bruises on my elbows and knees from where I had fallen.

“It was a shocking experience.”

Dario Antonioni

O’Leary claimed footage filmed by a neighbour and played to the jury showed him trying to pull Mr. Antonioni away from the other two to protect him.

This is seconds after he says he was punched to the ground by the bartender as he tried to intervene.

However, Mr. Antonioni insisted: “No. He was not trying to get me away, he was trying to take me over to his friends. His intention was not to help me.”

Prosecutor Mr. Kerry Moore told the jury: “Mr. Antonioni is not a muslim. He had a dark beard at the time and dark hair and in the early hours these three may have thought he was from an islamic country.

“O’Leary was arrested returning to that area, as was Young. The third male was never identified, but we say they were all together in this attack.”