Drug Dealer's Cocaine Found Under Floorboards

A drug dealer, who stashed 3.5 kilos of cocaine under his floorboards, has been locked-up for five years.

James Riches, 46, of Brownspring Drive, Eltham was arrested after police raided his south-east London home.

At Woolwich Crown Court he pleaded guilty to possession of a class A drug, with intent to supply.

He also admitted possession of a stun gun.

He was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for the drug charge and one month for possession of a stun gun, to be served concurrently.

The court heard that on June 17, a drugs warrant was executed at Riches’ house.

On searching the property, officers noticed that floorboards in the stairway cupboard appeared loose.

When they were pulled up, a void was located in which 3.5kg of high purity cocaine was found in four black plastic bags hanging from a hook.

Detective Superintendent Neil Ballard, from Specialist Crime, said: “The Metropolitan Police Specialist Crime Command will continue to target those who supply large quantities of class A drugs, and bring them to justice. 

“The linking of a stun gun to the possession of these drugs shows the close link between dealing drugs and violence in our communities, which we are determined to reduce.”

Band On The Run: Shoplifter Hunted

A suspected audacious shoplifter, accused of stealing expensive music equipment from the same shop on four different days, is being hunted.

The Clubtek shop in Stanstead Road, Forest Hill, south-east London was targeted during the Summer of 2017.

Daniel Peter Cuddy, 36, is suspected of stealing speakers and amplifiers from the shop. 

The stolen property is valued at around £3,000.

The thefts took place on July 5, July 7, July 10 and July 11, 2017. 

Attempts to find Cuddy have to date been unsuccessful, and officers are now appealing for the public’s assistance in tracing him.

Cuddy has connection to Southwark, Deptford, Lewisham and Sydenham, where he lived in Homecroft Road, until 2017.

Anyone who may have seen Cuddy should call the South East BCU on 101 quoting reference 5383/oct02.

To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Bald Perv Wanted For Bus Sex Assaults

Detectives investigating a series of sexual assaults on women travelling on buses in east and north London are appealing for help to identify a man they wish to speak to.

This CCTV image has been released by the Metropolitan Police's Roads and Transport Policing Command, which is leading enquiries into the nine offences between Thursday, July 4 and Wednesday, September 25.

Detective Constable Teresa Moore, said: “We clearly need to find whoever is responsible for these assaults, and I would like to thank the women for coming forward to report them.

“Although our public transport system is generally safe, this does not diminish the fact that one such offence is one too many. 

“Under no circumstances will this offending be tolerated and this linked series is being investigated using as many resources as possible.

“It is imperative women in London should be able to board public transport without fear of being targeted.

“Each incident has left the women targeted feeling very upset and shocked, and they are being supported by my team.

“We have carried out extensive enquiries to try and identify this man, and we are now asking the public to contact us if they recognise him.

“Please come forward if you know who he is, whether that means making a report to us directly, or via Crimestoppers anonymously.”

The women who were sexually assaulted by touching are between the ages of 23 and 62 years old, with the majority aged in their twenties.

The incidents have taken place on a number of bus routes including the 38, 48, 279, 254, 149 and 253.

They have been committed from late afternoon onwards but primarily between 7.00pm and 11.00pm.

None of the victims were left with physical injuries following the incidents.

Anyone who recognises the man in the images, or has related information to share, is asked to call detectives from the Roads and Transport Policing Command via 101 or tweet @MetCC or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Jail For Thug Who Repeatedly Punched Woman During Cab Row

A violent thug punched a woman he knew in the face four times when she tried to jump out of the moving taxi they were travelling in.

Xavier Lightbourne, 30, of Dartmouth Road, Forest Hill received two-and-a-half years imprisonment after pleading guilty to assault, occasioning actual bodily harm.

He was also sentenced to twelve months - to be served concurrently - for breaching a Restraining Order, which was against the same woman.

Detective Constable Chris Willey, from the Central West Safeguarding team, said:“Lightbourne assaulted his victim whilst they were in a moving taxi, when she had no means of escape.

“The fact that he committed this abhorrent attack in front of the driver shows a level of arrogance, and expectation that he could do whatever he wanted. 

“However, that was clearly not the case and he is now in prison for his actions that day.

“I would like to praise the bravery of this victim for coming forward and contacting us. 

“Her presence at court also showed Lightbourne that he would be held to account for his behaviour, leaving him no other option but to plead guilty.

“We would always encourage the victims of violence to speak with police, including their local safeguarding team, or one of the many charities who support those who suffer from abuse.”

On October 18, last year a private hire driver picked up Lightbourne and a woman – who was known to the suspect – in Westminster. 

Lightbourne claimed the woman was drunk and threw her into the back of the cab.

The woman, who was clearly distressed, tried to get out of the cab whilst it was still moving. 

Her attempt enraged Lightbourne, who punched her approximately four times in the face.

The driver stopped the cab and Lightbourne ran off before going into hiding. 

The woman required medical treatment for facial injuries.

Lightbourne was circulated as wanted and a media appeal for information to trace him was issued.

On Wednesday, January 30 he handed himself in at a south London police station and was arrested and charged.

Online Sex Predator Caged

An online sex offender, who abused young females, including a 14 year-old he met on the internet, has been locked-up for seven-and-a-half years.

Abraham Ibrahim, 21, of Woodmill Road, Clapton was found guilty of a number of offences after a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

He will also be on the sex offenders register for life.

His brother, Yousef Ibrahim, 29, of Woodmill Road, Clapton, was found guilty of one count of perverting the course of justice. 

He was jailed for twelve months.

Abraham Ibrahim contacted his victims through social media messaging apps. 

After exchanging messages Ibrahim arranged to meet one of the victims outside of London in June, 2018. 

He then went on to commit a number of serious sexual offences against her.

At around the same time, Ibrahim was also communicating with another girl aged 14 years-old, who lived in London. 

He met her several times and engaged in sexual activity.

Officers from Central Specialist Crime led the investigation, launched after the parents of one girl called police after finding explicit images on her phone. 

On September 14, last year officers executed a search warrant at Ibrahim’s home address and arrested him on suspicion of child abuse offences. 

He was bailed and further arrested at a later date when more offences came to light.

Yousef Ibrahim was found guilty of perverting the course of justice after he contacted a friend of one of the victims in January, while his brother was on remand, and asking her to change her story.

Suspended Prison Sentence For Harassment Campaign By Text

City of London Magistrates Court

A man who harassed his victim with threatening text messages at a City of London construction recruitment firm has received a suspended prison sentence.

Scott Butler, 44, of Taylor Row, Wilmington, Dartford, Kent must also complete a number of unpaid hours work under Probation Service supervision.

He was charged with harassing Scott Clarke between December 20 and 30, last year at Venture Construction Solutions, New Broad Street by sending a number of threatening text messages stating he would use violence against him and his unborn child.

Butler was sentenced at City of London Magistrates Court to ten weeks imprisonment, suspended for twelve months and ordered to complete up to twenty-five days of a recommended rehabilitation activity requirement.

He must also complete 150 hours community service work and was made subject to a two-year restraining order, prohibiting contact with Mr. Clarke.

Butler must also pay a total of £400 in court penalties.

Universal Credit Claim Continued After Inheritance

Wimbledon Magistrates Court

A benefit claimant, who kept her inheritance a secret and continued to receive money, will now have to work for free after being sentenced.

Sarah Young, 39, of Buckingham Avenue, Thornton Heath did not tell the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) about her windfall while claiming Universal Credit.

She appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court charged with failing to notify the DWP of a change in her circumstances between July 4, 2018 and January 4, this year, namely that she had received a capital asset in the form of an inheritance.

Young was placed on a twelve-month Community Order, which includes 144 hours of unpaid community service work.

She must also comply with a probation-ordered recommended activity requirement of up to thirty days.

The court made no compensation order for the benefit payments Young received as that is being recovered by the DWP.

She must also pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge at the rate of £10 per fortnight.

NOT GUILTY: Consulant Cleared Of Defrauding NHS

100% Innocent: Dr. Klusmann

An NHS consultant with University College London Hospital has been cleared of also working lucrative private shifts while collecting her NHS salary during an alleged £130,000 fraud.

Paediatric radiologist Dr. Maria Klusmann, 47, of Southwood Lane, Highgate  was accused of deliberately deceiving bosses at the Bloomsbury hospital during the two-year scam, her trial heard.

After a four-week trial at Blackfriars Crown Court the consultant was found not guilty of fraud after the jury deliberated for over twenty hours.

“This is a case about money and greed,” prosecutor Leila Gaskin told the jurors at the start of the trial. 

“The prosecution say the defendant was paid by the NHS, but instead she chose to work elsewhere at exclusive private clinics.”

Dr. Klusmann received a total of around £130,000 from the NHS and her private work, with approximately £60-£70,000 defrauded from taxpayers, the court heard.

She diagnosed sick children using CT scans, MRI’s, x-rays, ultrasound scans and by taking biopsies.

Dr. Klusmann pleaded not guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of position between April 3, 2014 and August 2, 2016 having always protected her innocence.

She denied dishonesty, insisting much of her private work was during periods of leave from UCLH with the remainder of time paid back to the NHS.

The court heard Dr. Klusmann also worked at Highgate Private Hospital; The Wellington Hospital and Hospital of St. John & St. Elizabeth in St. John’s Wood; Aspen Healthcare and HCA Healthcare.

“Senior doctors were able to see the defendant was not working at the times and places she was contracted to on numerous occasions,” explained Ms Gaskin.

“She admitted no wrongdoing and did not alter her conduct and an internal investigation revealed extensive gaps when she was working for other private clinics when she should have been working for the NHS.

“The prosecution case is over two years she did not work for hundreds of hours for the NHS and during that time was working in the private sector, earning additional sums and was doing this dishonestly and deliberately covering it up.

“She was effectively being paid by both the private clinics and the NHS at the same time. The defendant was being dishonest, working at private clinics on days she should have been working for the NHS.

“She was deceiving the NHS, she was acting fraudulently.”

The court heard Dr. Klusmann reacted negatively when confronted by UCLH. “She became agitated and evasive and did not answer questions she was asked and there was an attempt on her part to manipulate the data.

“She says if there is a deficit there is a fault in the computer software of the hospital, which was prone to crash.”

Care Home Boss Denies £250K Fraud

The manager of a Harrow care home looted the accounts of around £250,000 during a five-year scam, even treating herself to a Jimmy Choo handbag, a jury heard today.

Abeeda Khan, 52, ran Oakleigh Care Home, based in Oakleigh Road, Hatch End diverted £81,875 to friends and family during the fraud, the court heard.

Khan, of St. Mary’s Avenue South,  Southall was also the 50% owner of the home and is accused of using the company credit card to make purchases for herself.

The Harrow Crown Court jury was told she also submitted false claims for petty cash; claimed cash back after overpaying for hours worked and used tradesmen and contractors to work on her own properties at the home’s expense.

Prosecutor Mr. Notu Hoon said Khan kept swindling her co-owner despite receiving a £34,000 a year salary for managing the 19-bed home.

“The Crown’s case is she has perpetrated frauds on the home and authorised payments to a number of people from the nursing home’s funds.”

Those people included her cousin; brother-in-law; sister-in-law and other individuals who were “ghost” employees the jury were told.

“Various purchases are made on the home’s credit card for the defendant’s personal use,” explained Mr. Hoon. “There were purchases in Tesco’s, Morrisons and for a Jimmy Choo handbag.”

These added up to approximately £46,748 and the petty cash came to £10,765.

Khan was questioned three times by the police. “She didn’t deny the acts, but claimed her co-owner consented and encouraged her actions.

“However, there is no evidence of agreement and the co-owner rejects the assertion.

“These frauds amount to something in the order of a quarter of a million pounds on top of her salary,” added Mr. Hoon.

Khan has pleaded not guilty to five counts of fraud between July 1, 2012 and September 30, 2017. 

Trial continues…………..

'Murder Mile' Stabbing: £20K Reward Offered

Jude Gayle in shop before stabbing

Police investigating the fatal alleyway stabbing of a fitness instructor two years ago have announced a £20,000 for information that solves the case.

Jude Gayle, 30, (pictured) was killed shortly after leaving this shop on the corner of Dunbar Street and Norwood High Street on the evening of September 24, 2017.

The location of the killing occurred on the notorious 'Murder Mile', which runs from Tulse Hill to West Norwood and three suspects were cleared after an Old Bailey trial.

Jude had been preparing a meal for family members on the Sunday afternoon and made the short distance to the corner shop to buy a bottle of ketchup and lollipop for his young daughter.

After leaving the shop he was stabbed in an alleyway in DuneIm Grove as he made his way back to the family meal.

At 5.39pm, emergency services were called to the alleyway where Jude lay critically injured. 

Despite emergency treatment by a doctor from London's Air Ambulance, Jude was pronounced dead at the scene at 6.42pm.

A post-mortem examination the following day gave cause of death as incised wounds.

Three men were prosecuted with Jude’s murder, but were all later found not guilty following a trial at the Old Bailey.

They are: Jonathon Haynes, 37, of Park Avenue, Mitcham; Leon Bishop, 32, of East Dulwich and Tarelle Bishop, 23, of Dunelm Grove, West Norwood.

The Met is now offering a £20,000 serious crime reward for information that leads to the identification, arrest and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for his death.

Detective Chief Inspector Tim Wright, leading the investigation from the Specialist Crime Command, said: "On the second anniversary of Jude's murder, we remain committed to bringing his killers to justice.

Jude was taken away from his family in the worse way possible. He was a father, brother and a son and it is difficult for them knowing that nobody has been convicted of his murder.

“We have had a number of witnesses come forward with information as part of our investigation, which we are very grateful for but we want anyone who has not already made contact with us to come forward.

The information you have no matter how small, could be a vital piece of evidence. 

“We are counting on you to get in touch and the information you provide will be treated in the strictest confidence."

Jude's mother, Pett Roach said: “The past two years have been very difficult for us. I have just accepted that Jude will not be coming back from the shop. 

“He is gone. No one can bring him back. We are left to pick up the pieces and continue with our lives. 

“All I can hope for and all I want is justice, no more, no less. I want those responsible for killing my son, convicted and serve the maximum penalty.”

Jude's partner Rachel Goodchild said: "Sunday 24th September started like any other Sunday but ended so far from anything I thought could ever happen to me. 

“That day Jude, my partner my children’s father got brutally murdered. Leaving me his beloved daughter and unborn son to face life alone. 

“Our daughter speaks daily of Jude wanting wishing and hoping her reality of her daddy no longer being with us is just a dream. 

“She just can’t understand why he is no longer here with us, something I will have to face all over again as our son get older.

“Through the careless actions of others I've been forced into bringing up our children alone and I owe it to them and to the memory of Jude to get justice. 

“So I am pleading from the deepest part of me please if you or anybody you know has any information no matter how big or small please help with the ongoing investigation. 

“We need new compelling evidence, help us get JUSTICE FOR JUDE!"

Anyone with information about Jude's death can contact the Incident Room on 0208 721 4961 or via the police non-emergency number 101.

To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org

"You Smell Of Curry" Bus Passenger Hunted By Police

Police are hunting this woman after a man was racially abused onboard a bus in west London by being told: “You smell of curry.”

Officers from the Metropolitan Police's Roads and Transport Policing Command (RTPC) are appealing for witnesses.

The investigation was launched after a video of the incident circulated on social media and was reported in the press.

The video shows a women arguing with a man, and using racist language.

The young woman's mother had been arguing with the bus driver about overcrowding when the male passenger intervened.

However, he was met with the verbal abuse, which included: “You smell of curry, dumb bastard. Go back to your f***ing Southall slum.”

The incident is believed to have happened on a 195 in the Hayes area of Hillingdon borough, on Saturday, September 14.

Officers want witnesses to the incident, or anyone who can provide information about the people involved to come forward.

Initial enquiries have been made with the bus company.

If you have any information about the incident, please call 101 quoting 0921546/19, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Online Predator Groomed Fake Underage Girl

A sexual predator, who posed online as a teenage boy to groom a fictitious young girl during a police trap, has been caged.

Graham Rycraft, 51, of Honour Lea Avenue, Stratford, east London received six years imprisonment, plus an extra four years on licence post-release.

He was convicted after a Snaresbrook Crown Court trial of attempting to meet a child under the age of 16, following sexual grooming.

Rycraft was also found guilty of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child under the age of 16; attempting to cause a child under the age of 16 to watch a sexual act and distributing and making indecent images of children.

In September 2018, Rycraft began speaking online to who he thought was a child, but was actually a Metropolitan Police Service officer using an online persona to target predatory offenders.

Rycraft initially claimed he was a 15-year-old boy and then sent Category A images of child abuse, before admitting that he was an adult and continuing to groom the ‘child’.

He arranged to meet the 'child', but was cautious of his security and went to great lengths to keep his identity hidden.

He was arrested on September 5, last year in a phone box having just confirmed to the 'child' where he wanted her to meet him.

An unregistered mobile phone was found in the phone box, which Rycraft denied all knowledge of.

Officers searched his workplace and found a bag containing condoms and Viagra.

During sentencing the judge assessed Rycraft as a dangerous offender and a risk to children, imposing the extended licence period of four years.

Detective Inspector John Halford, of Central Specialist Crime, said: "Rycraft is a calculated and callous man who sought to groom children for his own sexual gratification, taking steps to ensure his own security in the assumption that he would not be caught.

"In actual fact he had encountered officers carrying out a proactive operation aimed at bringing those who seek to exploit and abuse children to justice. 

“He will now spend years behind bars, where he belongs.

“I am proud of the dedicated team of officers involved in this operation who have worked so hard to put a dangerous offender in prison and are continually working to safeguard and protect the children of London.”

Pair Jailed After Police Cocaine Swoop

Mark Lambie (L) & Ben Hamill (R)

Two drug dealers caught in a police operation centered on a cocaine handover at a pub have been locked-up.

Mark Lambie, 48, of Whalebone Grove, Romford received nine years for supplying cocaine.

Ben Hamill, 43, of Buckingham Road, Richmond-upon-Thames, received four-and-half years for the same offence.

They appeared at Blackfriars Crown Court after the seizure of two kilos of cocaine.

A third man, Jamal Primus, 38, of Felixstowe Road, Tottenham had already admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and was due to be sentenced on another date.

On Friday, January 25, officers from the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime North Proactive Syndicate conducted a proactive operation targeting a group of gang members from north London.

Officers observed Lambie and Primus arrive at a pub in Ship Lane, Mortlake, south-west London in separate vehicles. 

A short time later, Hamill arrived and handed Lambie a white bag. 

The men then left the location and officers carried out a stop of two vehicles, including the car Lambie and Primas were travelling in, on Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park, north London. 

Two kilos of cocaine were recovered and the men were arrested.

On Tuesday, January 29 Hamill was arrested. 

A search of his address revealed fifteen sets of packaging containing cocaine residue, identical to the packaging found wrapped around the cocaine seized four days earlier.

Detective Inspector Pete McDonald, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “This successful operation has seen a significant amount of cocaine removed from the drugs market. 

“Thanks to the dedication of my team, these gang members have been removed from the streets of London and will now serve lengthy sentences.

“Drugs destroy lives and fuel crime and violence in our communities. 

“We will not stop in our efforts to robustly target this kind of criminality and I hope the sentencing serves as a stark reminder to those involved in drugs offences.”

'High Five' Italian Students Guilty Of Sordid Nightclub Rape

Guilty: Orlando

Two post graduate students from wealthy Italian families, who had sex with a drunken young woman in a filthy maintenance cupboard in a West End nightclub, have been convicted of rape.

They were both caught on CCTV laughing and exchanging high-fives after raping the “ten out of ten” drunk 25 year-old victim in the Toy Room nightclub under the London Palladium.

Just six minutes after the woman met Ferdinando Orlando, 25 and Lorenzo Costanzo, 26, they were having sex in the secure room near the toilets.

Orlando, of St. George’s Square, Pimlico, is currently studying a post-graduate degree in International Law and Costanzo is taking a post-graduate masters degree in Business & Management. 

At Isleworth Crown Court Costanzo collapsed in the dock and struck his head after hearing the guilty verdicts and was taken to hospital by ambulance.

They will both be sentenced at a later date to be fixed.

Both were unanimously convicted of two counts of raping the petite woman in the early hours of February 26, 2017, despite insisting she consented to joint sex after swapping kisses with them on the dance floor.

It can now be revealed for the first time 230 mls of blood, equivalent to a full coke can, was drained from an expanding vulval haematoma between the victim’s legs after the rape.

A doctor reported he had never seen the “unusually severe injury” in 2,000 such examinations.

Judge Giles Curtis-Raleigh announced today: “Allegations of this type attract a significant sentence of imprisonment.”

Both students were represented by QC’s over the course of three trials and it is rumoured their expensive defence team was funded by a billionaire relative.

Prosecutor Allison Hunter QC told the jury the nightclub CCTV showed the three meeting: “They can be seen to pass her from one to the other, each of them taking it in turns to kiss her.”

Guilty: Costanzo

Orlando then leads the woman to the maintenance room as she holds onto his waist, with Costanzo behind, steering her as she leans into him, the court heard. 

“I was in the middle of them so it was hard to get away from them,” the woman told the jury. “They were the support for me walking.”

All three emerge sixteen minutes later, with the woman sandwiched between the defendants. “Orlando can be seen to re-arrange her dress, which was twisted and raised at the front, to cover her modesty,” said the prosecutor.

“The pair propel her towards the ladies’ toilet, where they open the door and put her inside and turn and run down the corridor.

“They ran straight up the stairs to the outside, where they can be seen hugging, high-fiving each other, strong arming, laughing and looking at what appear to be images or videos on a mobile phone.

“They engage in gestures simulating sexual intercourse and oral intercourse and appear to laugh and congratulate each other.

“It is the prosecution case that she was not able to consent to what she sustained at the will of these two defendants,” added Ms Hunter.

“Her capacity to consent was a matter of supreme indifference and irrelevance to them in their pursuit of their own sexual gratification.”

Orlando during the trial

The complainant told the jury she has no memory of the incident, having begun drinking unlimited Prosecco at 11am, plus free shots and vodka at the club, where she was celebrating a girl friend’s birthday.

“I remember being very drunk and falling over a lot and then I was in the toilets of the club in so much pain, not wanting to get out and then I remember being on the street, sitting on the sidewalk.”

After a French couple helped her home to Ealing the woman was taken to hospital for an injury between her legs. “I was very swollen down there and bruised,” she said.

“I was very swollen, I could barely walk and there was a lot of bruising. I was very scared.”

As well as the painful swelling doctors also noted three bruises between her legs, bruising to her bum, shoulder and leg, plus a mystery love bite to her neck she had no recollection of.

She told police on a one to ten scale of drunkenness she was a “ten”, adding: “I do have a history of kissing randomners when I’m drunk.”

When cross-examined she admitted the CCTV showed her grinding her rear into Costanzo on the dance floor and flicking her long hair.

Orlando claims they flirted with each other and exchanged compliments, but the woman told the court she has no memory of their conversation.

She agreed the CCTV shows them “kissing passionately”, but denied groping him between the legs. 

Costanzo Was Hospitalised After Verdicts

Once in the maintenance room Orlando claims the woman had consensual sex first with him and then Costanzo.

Orlando’s QC Sarah Elliott put it to the woman her behaviour was “receptive” and “enthusiastic” and that she was “moaning” with pleasure.

The complainant maintained she could remember nothing and the lawyer suggested the CCTV outside the room revealed her true feelings.

“You appear to be smiling. You gave them the impression you were having a good time.”

Before the trial the students’ legal team made repeated applications to declare evidence inadmissible and even halt proceedings altogether.

Ms Elliott said: “We can see her behaviour in the club, enjoying herself. She had obviously been drinking.

“We are concerned the jeopardy these two young men of good character find themselves in.

“She has no memory of the maintenance room.

“His mother is here. This is a very close Italian family. She is depressed, tearful, is not sleeping and is self-harming by scratching her arms.

“She is a likely candidate for a nervous breakdown, if not on the verge of it.”

“We have got one view that these are arrogant, aggressive, uncaring men from an aggressive prosecution.”

Orlando himself said during the first aborted trial: “I only live to see the end of this. My whole life is on hold. It effects my studies and results because of the strain I am under.

Sordid: Maintenance Room

“I feel I have done nothing wrong. I have been crying this week.” 

Costanzo’ QC Sallie Bennett-Jenkins said her client was locked up for a week after his arrest: “The shock and anxiety that has flown from that has remained with him. 

“His parents have been at his side at all stages. He has been distressed at each and every consultation. There are real and significant effects on this young man.

“He does not sleep. He has lost a considerable amount of weight and is highly stressed and anxious.”

Unwelcome Lodger Jailed For Eviction Stabbing

An unwanted lodger, who repeatedly stabbed a man attempting to remove him from the property, is starting a twenty-year prison sentence.

Paul Cane, 47, of Northfield Road, Hounslow pulled the knife when being escorted from the west London house and also lashed out at the occupier.

He was convicted by a Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court jury of inflicting grievous bodily harm, with intent, on Scotsman Cassidy Callaghan.

Cane was cleared of the attempted murder of Mr. Callaghan, who suffered a collapsed lung.

He was also convicted of assaulting the occupier, Brian Barratt, causing him actual bodily harm.

The jury were told it was 10.45pm on April 1 when Mr. Cassidy and his friend visited the home of Mr. Barratt, an older gentleman.

“Upon arrival Mr. Barratt began making a complaint about a man lodging at the house, Paul Cane, who was in at the time,” the prosecutor told the court.

“Mr. Cassidy and his friend went up to speak to Cane and asked him to leave and during the conversation things became physical.

“Cane had only been living at the house for a few days and was not happy about having to leave.

“The defendant lost his temper and produced a knife and stabbed Mr. Cassidy repeatedly in the back.”

He inflicted significant injuries to the victim’s back, neck and arm.

 “As he was doing so he tried to stab Mr. Barratt as well and caught him near the eye with the blade.

“They eventually managed to get him out of the house and Cane then attempted to get back into the property.”

Cane tried to evade police, but was tracked down and arrested.

Detective Constable Hugo Denton said: “This was an extremely violent attack, which has left the victim with injuries that will effect him for any years to come.

“I hope this sentence goes some way to repairing the trauma that has been caused so that they can start to move on with their lives.”