Sawn-Off And Drugs Found In Abandoned Vehicles

Police stumbled upon a sawn-off shotgun, Class A drugs and a dealer's mobile phones when they checked-out two abandoned vehicles in east London.

At 5.39pm on Tuesday, September 15 officers on patrol in Burdett’s Road, Dagenham found the two unattended vehicles.Officers searched one of the vehicles and recovered the firearm alongside a quantity of drugs and mobile phones suspected of use in drug dealing.

There have been no arrests at this time.

Detectives from the East Area Command Unit are investigating.

Detective Inspector Dean Grafton said: “Myself and my officers are committed to bearing down on violent crime and are now conducting various enquiries to establish whether the vehicle and firearm are linked to any other incidents.

"The officers concerned who carried out this search are probationers and have exhibited that although they are new to policing, from the very outset we as police officers are determined to remove drugs and firearms from our streets.

“Anyone who has information that could assist us is urged to call police. 

“Members of the community and officers must work together to tackle violent crime and remove offenders from our streets.”

Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 ref CAD 6145/15 Sept.

Ex-Private School Teacher Dies Before Court Appearance

Wimbledon Magistrates' Court

A former schoolteacher at a private prep school has died before a court appearance on historic child sex offences charges.

Timothy Harbord, 67, was a sports coach, who taught English and history at Colet Court – the junior division of St. Paul's – in Barnes, south-west London.

He was due to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on four counts relating to one boy, aged under fourteen years-old.

Harbord, of Waunci Crescent, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk was charged with four counts of indecent assault between July 6, 1987 and July 8, 1989.

He was arrested as part of police enquiry Operation Winthorpe, which has been investigating allegations of historic sexual abuse at the school. 

It has been reported Harbord taught at the school for twenty-five years and left in 2013, following his first arrest.

Carer Spent Vulnerable Woman's Money Online

Wimbledon Magistrates' Court

A carer has been sentenced for abusing her position of trust by using a vulnerable woman's money to buy goods on the internet and pay a credit card.

Leanne Julie Melborn, 30, of Suncroft Place, Green Lane, Chessington, Kingston-upon-Thames appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court.

She was charged with fraud by abuse of position between July 4 and 9, last year while employed as a carer at Calder Court, Britannia Road, Surbiton she acted against the financial interests of Pauline Higgins.

Melborn purchased items on the internet and made a payment to a Capital One credit card while employed to care for the victim, a housing association resident.

She was sentenced to a Community Order, which includes 120 hours unpaid community service, plus up to ten days of rehabilitation.

Melborn must also pay £85 costs and a £90 victim surcharge.

Wine-Drinking Lawyer And Pal Avoid Ban For Parking Merc

Danielle Amodio (L) & Sophie Stevens (R)

A solicitor and a HR manager, both caught drink-driving at over double the limit at 6am have avoided bans after convincing a court they were merely trying to avoid a parking ticket.

Lawyer Danielle Amodio, 31, and recruitment specialist Sophie Stevens, 32, both had a go at moving the Mercedes from a residents-only parking bay.

They argued at Wimbledon Magistrates Court they had special reasons no to be subject to the usual automatic disqualification of at least twelve months.

Amodio, the £72,000 a-year legal counsel to technology provider Genius Sports and £50,000 a-year Stevens both pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol in their breath in Dundonald Road, Wimbledon on May 19.

Amodio, who lives in a £675,000 apartment at nearby Tiffany Heights, Standen Road, Southfields had 90 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

Stevens, of William Road, Wimbledon had 76 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath.

The court heard both women took to the wheel of the Mercedes with Stevens reversing a slightly longer distance as they attempted to move it from the residents bay, which came into force at 8.30am on a Tuesday morning.

Amodio had driven to her friend Stevens’ home and the pair had been drinking wine the night before.

However, a suspicious local called the police after witnessing them both moving the vehicle and officers stopped them as they strolled back to Stevens’ place.

Afterwards Stevens said: “We are not used to being in trouble, it is crazy. The whole thing was a bit odd.

“There was someone at the end of the road watching us try to get out of the space. They must have assumed we were drunk, I think they called the police.

“We were walking back when a police car pulled up. They asked: ‘Did you just drive?’ We said: ‘Yes, we were just parking’, thinking nothing of it. Then we were breathalysed.”

Instead of the usual disqualification the JP’s imposed 8 penalty points on Amodio’s driving licence and 9 penalty points on Stevens’ licence.

“Ms Amodio is a solicitor and she notified the Solicitors Regulation Authority two days later,” said Simon Harrison, defending.

“She is very resourceful and knows what she did was wrong.”

Amodio is now potentially subject to professional misconduct proceedings as she has a criminal conviction.

She was fined £1,392, with £250 costs and a £139 victim surcharge.

Stevens, who recently began claiming Universal Credit was fined £120, with £250 costs and ordered to pay a £34 victim surcharge.

NOT GUILTY: Couple Cleared Of Parking Row Assault Charge

Peter Joyce & Grecia Arancivia

A couple have been cleared of assaulting their neighbour during a parking row in their small cul-de-sac.

Tempers rose during a dispute about precious parking places and there was a confrontation involving several residents.

Account Manager Grecia Arancivia, 30, and Peter Joyce, 29, were both found not guilty of assaulting their female neighbour on October 24, last year.

Prosecutor Angela O’Dwyer told Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court: “The two defendants and the complainant Eldred Mathieson are neighbours in a cul-de-sac with limited parking.

“This has become a bone of contention and on October 24, last year there was a dispute over parking because there were only two spaces for all of the neighbours.

“After there is an argument there is a physical assault by pulling hair and clothes by Arancivia and Joyce joins in and is complicit in the complainant being pushed by them back against her car, where she bangs her head.”

However, Arancivia claimed Mathieson spat at her after flashing a two-fingered insult towards her and her boyfriend.

She described Mathieson as “goading” and “provoking” and deliberately obstructing the area with her vehicle.

During her evidence Mathieson hardly mentioned Joyce at all and the court heard little evidence of any assault by him.

She told the court it was 10pm and her car was in a parking space, when another neighbour asked if she was leaving as the defendants turned up in their vehicle.

“The male defendant said something about the parking and I saw him push my neighbour.”

Events escalated with the pushed neighbour’s father leaving the house, adding to the numbers outside.

“Everyone had something to say and the female defendant shouted at me that I was a ‘slut’ and an ‘alcoholic’, and I told her she should be ashamed of herself.

Eldred Mathieson

“She came towards me and grabbed me by my clothes and hair and thrust me back onto my car.

“I felt the thrust of my head bang back onto the car and I could see him coming towards me with his hands as if the two of them were pushing me back.

“I felt dizzy and I had a pain in my head. It was hard to believe it had happened.

“I called the police when I got back inside my house because it was an assault on me and I had a pain in my head”.

When cross-examined Mathieson denied telling Arancivia: “Go back to Peru and get your father to pay child support”.

She also denied spitting. “No, I’ve never spat at anyone in my life”.

Kennington Park Rape: Hunt Continues

Police continue hunting a Kennington Park rapist featured in an appeal three days ago on BBC's Crimewatch Roadshow.

A reconstruction of the early hours attack in Kennington Gardens, south London was broadcast by the programme.

This CCTV image has also been released by detectives investigating the attack, which occurred between 2.00am and 2.20am on Sunday, December 29, last year.

The victim, a woman in her twenties, was walking in the street when she was approached by an unknown man who attacked her.

The woman, who also suffered a blow to the head, was taken to a London hospital as a precaution and later discharged. 

She is being supported by specialist officers.

Detective Inspector Ian Kenward, of the Central South Safeguarding Command Unit, said: “Enquiries are ongoing and we are keen to speak to the man in the footage. 

“We are urging anyone who may have been in the area or who recognises him to contact police.”

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC. Quote CAD 783/29DEC19.

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

Brewer Caught Driving After Drinking-Session

Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court

A brewer, caught driving his Audi at nearly three times the drinks limit, has received a suspended prison sentence.

Edmund Razzall, 31, who has resigned from his director role with Symmetry Brewing was the craft beer company's head brewer.

He appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court charged with driving, with excess alcohol in his breath, in Churchill Road, Kentish Town, north London on March 7.

Razzall, of Burnt Mill Brewery, Woodlands Dairy, Ipswich, Suffolk had 100 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit is 35.

He was also charged with driving the black Audi A3 diesel without insurance on the same occasion.

Razzall was sentenced to ten weeks imprisonment, suspended for twelve months and disqualified from driving for thirty-three months.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £122 victim surcharge.

Charity Thief Harassed Woman

A disgraced children's charity worker with a drinking problem has been convicted of harassing a woman last year.

Christopher Wiseman, 41, of Woodlea Drive, Bromley was sentenced to a twelve-month Community Order after fighting the case.

He appeared at Bromley Magistrates' Court charged with pursuing a course of conduct between June 15 and July 12, last year, which amounted to the harassment of Nicola Deane.

Wiseman was said to have continued contacting the victim after being asked to stop and also contacted her brother and mother and her place of work.

He was ordered to complete sixty hours community service work; an alcohol treatment programme and pay £500 costs and a £90 victim surcharge.

Wiseman was also made subject to a two-year restraining order, prohibiting contact with the victim.

He hit the headline two months ago when sentenced to twenty-one months imprisonment, suspended for two years, for offences including the theft of a laptop and three mobile phones from Mayfair-based charity Children's Investment Fund.

Wiseman was the Third World charity's IT boss and also abused the organisation's credit card by using it to buy cigars and alcohol during a works trip to the 4-star Sheraton New Delhi.

Attack At The Block

Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court

A Barnet resident has been convicted over a violent incident at his block of flats.

Anthony Mansi, 30, of Merlin, The Concourse, Colindale appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court.

He was charged with assaulting a Mr. Hassania, causing him actual bodily harm, at another flat in the block on July 3.

Mansi was sentenced to an eighteen-month Community Order, which will be monitored by the Probation Service.

He was also ordered to complete eighty hours unpaid community service work.

Mansi was made subject to an indefinite restraining order, prohibiting contact with Mr. Mansi.

He must also pay the victim £400 compensation, plus court costs of £85 and a £95 victim surcharge.

Non-League International Convicted Of Assault

A non-league footballer, who has played internationally for Montserrat, has been convicted of assaulting a woman at his home address.

Bradley Woods-Garness, 34, is currently on the books at Wingate & Finchley.

The forward was at Chelsea and Wycombe Wanderers as a youth.

He went on to be a successful goalscorer for Farnborough; Billericay Town; Sutton United and Canvey Island.

Woods-Garness represented Montserrat at the 2012 Caribbean Championship and has also found the net for his country.

At Highbury Corner Magistrates Court he was charged with assaulting Gabriel De'ath, causing her actual bodily harm, on July 27, last year at his home in Upper Handa Walk, Canonbury, Islington.

He was fined £60, with £100 costs and ordered to pay a £32 victim surcharge.

Disgraced Ex-Police Worker Convicted Again

A disgraced former police employee has been convicted of posting a threatening message on facebook.

Adrian Milton, 51, of Swallowdale, South Croydon was sentenced at Bromley Magistrates Court.

He was charged that between December 19, last year and April 1, this year he conveyed a threatening message to Colin Hillman, for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety.

Milton received a Community Order, which includes a twelve-week electronically-tagged home curfew between 9pm and 6am.

He must also comply with an indefinite restraining order, prohibiting contact with the victim and was ordered to pay £95 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

The former Metropolitan Police employee – who was based at Croydon – was jailed in April, 2017 to two yearas and eight months imprisonment for stealing shotgun ammunition and two mobile phones from a criminal exhibits store.

He was the subject of a Directorate of Professional Standards Investigation and when officers raided his home they also seized extreme pornography, much of it involving images of children.

NHS Demo Cop Bitten: Do You Know This Suspect?

Police want to identify this suspect after an officer was bitten at an NHS demo for better pay in central London.

On Saturday, August 6 a man bit the uniformed officer’s hand as the officer policed crowds attending the demonstration. 

The officer’s injuries were not serious.

In a continued attempt to trace the person responsible, police are re-releasing a CCTV image of the man they wish to speak with in connection to this incident.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting reference MINORCA 1 - FIMS 047066 and ask the call handler to email Detective Constable Steve Nicholls or Tweet @MetCC on Twitter.

If you wish to report anonymously please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or report online (http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/).

£1M-Plus Cocaine Conspiracy: Alleged Ringleaders Named

Organised crime police have named two suspected high-level cocaine dealers they are hunting in relation to the importation and sale of over £1m worth of the drug.

Officers from Specialist Crime North are involved in one of the Metropolitan Police's largest operations to tackle serious and organised crime.

They have released these photos of Aaron Wise, 30 (pic. l.) and James Lee, 54, (pic. r.).

Both men are suspected of being involved in a conspiracy to import/transport and sell wholesale quantities of cocaine.

Enquiries to locate them are ongoing.

Wise has links to west London and Hertfordshire. 

Lee has links to south east London, Merseyside, the West Midlands and Spain.

It is possible that both men are not currently in the UK.

If you know where either man might be or have seen them, call 999 or 101 quoting 'Operation Coequal'. 

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you would prefer to remain anonymous.

Sinister Disappearance Of Prostitute: £20K Reward Offered

A £20,000 reward is up for grabs for anyone who can help solve the disappearance of a prostitute ten years ago.

Mother-of-one Lana Purcell was twenty-seven years-old when she went missing in January, 2011.

Camden police have been reviewing leads and speaking to local people as they continue to investigate the mystery.

Officers were in the vicinity of Agar Grove and the Kentish Town area, where Lana lived, between Monday, September 14 and September 16 to dispense leaflets and appeal to members of the public to come forward with information.

Lana, who was also known as 'Nadia', was known as a family-oriented person, who was mother to her then six-year-old daughter, Megan. 

Lana has been described as someone who was cheerful and outgoing, but who had her routines and would keep in daily phone contact with her family.

The last confirmed sighting is believed to be on or about Monday, January 17, 2011 around Wellesley Road, Kentish Town. 

Officers believe Lana may have been heading to the West End/Soho area. 

It is known that at the time she went missing Lana was involved in drugs and was a sex worker.

Lana was reported missing after five days to Camden police who looked into her disappearance. 

Their investigation followed up on a number of sightings from people who claimed to have seen her in north London after she was reported missing.

Police also interviewed large numbers of people, made witness appeals and seized and viewed hours of CCTV footage.

The initial missing person’s report into Lana’s disappearance was later handed to the then Homicide and Major Crime Command after it was feared Lana had come to harm.

Detective Inspector Mike Stubbins, of Specialist Crime, is one of the lead investigators. 

He said: "Though nearly 10 years have passed, our determination to find out what happened to Lana remains undiminished.

“Her family have had to endure ten years of torment. 

“Her daughter, Megan, who was aged just six at the time of her disappearance and is now fifteen, has grown up without her mother. 

“We owe it to her and all of Lana’s family to find out what happened and if she has come to harm, to find those responsible and bring them to justice.

“I am very confident that there will be people who know full well what happened to Lana but have not yet spoken to us. 

“During my time in the police service I have seen many examples of years passing and then eventually the crucial piece of information we need is given that allows us to solve a case. 

“People change, allegiances change, or people who were once frightened of what they think might happen if they spoke to the police, eventually do speak to us in the strictest of confidence. 

“There is now a reward of twenty-thousand pounds on offer to the person who can give us that vital piece of information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator(s), or to Lana’s whereabouts. 

“That could be a life-changing sum to someone, but I know Lana’s family would give everything they have to know what has happened to her and find peace.

“We are looking at all the information we have and speaking to people who we know were acquainted with Lana in the area where she lived and worked, to not only go over old ground but break new ground too.

Lana’s father, John, said: “I am pleading to anyone who has any information concerning Lana’s whereabouts or anyone that knows anything regarding the circumstances of Lana’s disappearance to please help us.

“We as a family and myself as Lana’s father are so desperate to find out what has happened to our Lana. 

“This has devastated us as a family and torn our lives apart.

“The police have put up a twenty-thousand pound reward to find where Lana is or what has happened to her. 

“If anybody who knew Lana and knows anything at all that can help bring my daughter back home to us please, please call the number provided."

Anyone with information into the disappearance of Lana Purcell is asked to call the incident room on 020 8345 1570, or 101 quoting Op Kagal.

Alternatively, tweet @MetCC, or to remain 100% anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Walking-Stick Pensioner Wanted

Transport cops are hunting this suspected bus bully after a woman was racially-abused and spat at.

The 65 year-old victim was left “shocked and distressed” by the incident.

At 3.00pm on Saturday, January 25 a man boarded a Route 114 bus in Kenton Road, Harrow.

Whilst on board the bus he assaulted, spat at and racially abused the female passenger.

Although the victim did not suffer lasting injuries, she was shocked and distressed by the attack.

Officers from the Roads and Transport Policing Command are investigating.

Anyone who can identify this man is asked to contact police via 101 or Tweet @MetCC quoting Cad 4623/25Jan.

To remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Bus Meat Cleaver Threats: Dreadlocked Suspect Wanted

Police are hunting this suspected armed bus bully, who threatened passengers with a meat cleaver during shocking separate early-morning incidents.

At 6.50am on Sunday, August 9, a male passenger was chased from a Route 2 bus at bus stop J in Upper Tulse Hill, Brixton Hill in an unprovoked attack. 

He was not injured.

The suspect had been challenged regarding the non-payment of his fare.

Less than an hour later, at 7.45am, the same man threatened a number of people and made a homophobic comment at bus stop P at Elephant and Castle, Southwark before boarding a Route 196 bus.

Police are appealing for help to trace the man who was captured on CCTV.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Roads and Transport Policing Command via 101 quoting reference Cad 2611/09Aug.

If you wish to report anonymously please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or report online.

Police Continue Hunting Rapist A Year On

Police are re-appealing for information as they continue investigating a year-old rape near St. Thomas' Hospital.

The appeal featured on BBC's Crimewatch Roadshow on Wednesday, September 9.

Police were called to Royal Street, outside St Thomas’ Hospital, at 1.23am on November 12, last year to a report of a rape.

A woman in her forties was physically assaulted before being raped by an unknown man on Royal Street, near the junction with Lambeth Park Road.

The woman is being supported by specialist officers.

Detective Sergeant Paul Barham, investigating the incident, said: “This is clearly a horrific incident and we are doing all we can to support the woman and find who is responsible.

“The man in the CCTV is wearing distinctive clothing so I appeal to anyone who recognises these items of clothing or believes they know who the man is to contact us straightaway.”

No arrests have been made; enquiries continue.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference CAD 379/12NOV.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
 

Stalker Preyed On Female Co-Worker

A work-colleague-from-hell, who made false police claims against a fellow-employee and spread fake social media gossip about her, has received a five-year restraining order.

Alan Woods, 52, of Lake Mead, Heybridge, Essex, stalked the woman, who worked alongside him in Romford, between July, 2018 and April, this year.

At Barkingside Magistrates' Court he was also ordered to complete 200 hours unpaid community service work.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to the Protection from Harassment Act.

The victim reported the stalking to officers at a north east London police station on Thursday, October 24, last year and stated she did not know who the perpetrator was.

The stalking began in July, 2018 with Woods creating a fake social media account in the victim’s name. 

He then sent messages to a colleague’s wife, falsely stating that he was having an affair with another colleague.

On Friday, July 20, 2018 Woods contacted the police to inform them the victim drove to work while under the influence of drugs.

One day, police were waiting and she was drug tested outside her workplace by officers and the result came back all clear.

Throughout April this year, Woods made multiple unwanted phone calls to the victim, left abusive messages and tampered with her car. 

It was established the phone number used to send the victim messages was the same as the one used to call police and make the false accusation back in July, 2018.

To identify Woods as the perpetrator, officers from the Metropolitan Police's East Area Basic Command Unit analysed phone data from the number he used. 

The number was linked to Maldon in Essex. 

Further investigations led to a security officer from the workplace stating that Woods lived in the same area which the phone was linked to.

PC Tay Mirza, said: “Stalking in all its forms greatly impacts victims and this in this case their work life. Hopefully, this result will give the victim some peace of mind.

“Anyone that believes they are a current victim of stalking should contact the police by calling 101 or reporting it online.”

Teen Jailed For Late-Night Rape Of Pregnant Woman

Isleworth Crown Court

A 17 year-old, who raped and robbed a pregnant woman after she asked him for directions at a bus stop, has been locked-up.

The teenager received eight-and-a-half years custody for the late-night attack on the 30 year-old woman, who had nipped out to the shops.

At Isleworth Crown Court the juvenile defendant, who cannot be named, pleaded guilty to one count of rape and one count of robbery.

The victim left her home at around 11.30pm on Monday, January 6 and asked the defendant – who was sitting at a bus stop – for directions.

He pointed her in the direction of Hatton Road, Feltham, west London and after a few minutes, the victim realised he was following her.

The attacker suddenly grabbed the victim from behind and physically assaulted her. 

He took her phone and cash.

He then threatened her with a screwdriver and raped her.

The victim said she had £500 cash in her house and if the attacker walked her to the address she would give it to him. 

He threatened her by saying if she did not give him the £500 or called the police, he ‘would shoot her’.

Once inside her address, the victim used a different phone to call the police while the attacker waited outside. 

The suspect left the scene before officers arrived.

The first officers to arrive took a statement from the victim and a description of the suspect. 

Officers searched the area near the victim’s address. 

A youth, who fitted the description, was seen and made off from the police.

He was caught after a foot chase. 

He was searched and officers found the victim’s mobile phone and cash on him. 

He also had the screwdriver he had threatened her with.

He was arrested and taken into custody and charged.

Detective Constable Emma Rogers, from the Metropolitan Police's West Area Safeguarding Team, said: “I would like to thank the victim for her bravery during this horrific assault. 

“I hope that she finally has some closure to an ordeal that has been so traumatising for her and her family.

“Officers were at the scene of the crime and arrested the attacker within minutes of receiving the 999 call. 

“I’m grateful to those officers and staff from the LAS who took such good care of this victim when she needed it most.”

Bus Driver Punched By Thug: CCTV Image Released

Police are hunting this suspected thug after a resting bus driver was viciously punched in the eye during a break.

The attack may be linked to a road rage incident the driver had with a motorcyclist shortly before at a set of traffic lights.

At 11.55am on Monday, July 20 the driver, aged 43 years-old, was on his break at a bus stand in Atkins Road, Clapham Park.

While parked a man boarded the bus and punched him in the face.

The driver attended hospital, where he was treated for serious facial injuries.

Police Constable Nick Kortright, from the Roads and Policing Command (RTPC), said: “This was a completely unprovoked attack which has left the victim with an eye injury. 

“As a professional driver, this is clearly of significant concern to him.

“I would urge anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV stills to contact us.”

Anyone with information should contact the RTPC @MetCC or via 101.

Drifter Exploited Vulnerable Victim Before Murdering Him

A homeless scrounger, who took over a vulnerable middle-aged man's life before beating and strangling him to death, has been convicted of murder.

Mohammed Assri, 47, (pic. Top) of no fixed abode sacked 55 year-old James Dowdell's carers and took control of his finances after moving in.

He will be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on November 20 for murdering Mr. Dowdell (pic.bottom) at his home in St. Mark's Grove, West Brompton on February 17.

Assri tried to dodge justice by frantically calling police and reporting his housemate's death, claiming he found the body on returning to the address.

Officers and paramedics attended to find Mr. Dowdell with head injuries. 

He was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Assri was arrested and found in possession of Mr. Dowdell's personal items including his bank card and a large sum of bloodstained cash.

Detectives began an investigation and found the relationship between Assri and Mr. Dowdell to be unclear. 

Assri claimed his name was Adam and Mr. Dowdell was his uncle. 

Assri had been homeless prior to moving into Mr. Dowdell's flat in late January.

Having moved into the flat, Assri quickly established control, seeking to exclude Mr. Dowdell's carers. 

He took over his finances, including using his Halifax debit card regularly, and pawned a valuable watch-strap belonging to Mr. Dowdell.

Officers found that in an attempt to displace himself from the crime scene Assri lied about his whereabouts in the hours before Mr. Dowdell's death. 

He claimed he had been at his sister’s house at 4.45pm that day and later returned to Mr. Dowdell's residence, performing CPR for thirty mins before calling the ambulance at 6.45pm. 

Officers found that CCTV cameras showed he had been in the vicinity of his sister’s house twelve hours before he claimed and Mr. Dowdell's pacemaker registered a failing heart nearly two hours before an ambulance was called.

A post-mortem examination revealed bruising on Mr. Dowdell's wrists and marks to his hand suggesting he had tried to defend himself from the fatal attack.

The cause of death was blunt force trauma and compression of the neck.

Assri insisted that Mr. Dowdell's injuries were sustained by falling and were self-inflicted. 

This was disproved by pathologists and medical evidence.

Detective Inspector Maria Green, from Specialist Crime said: “I would like to thank the witnesses who spoke in court for their courage in giving evidence.

“Assri is a violent and manipulative man, who has taken no responsibility for his actions, using his appearance at court as an attempt to dishonour the memory and life of James. 

“I hope that James’s family and friends can draw some strength from seeing justice done.”

Octogenarian Mugged After Cashpoint Withdrawal: Woman Suspect Wanted

Police are hunting this suspect after an infirm pensioner was robbed of his wallet after withdrawing cash in north London.

On Sunday, July 12 the 81 year-old victim – using a mobility frame - was withdrawing money from a cash point outside Sainsbury’s on Green Lanes, near Clissold Park, Stoke Newington, when he was approached by a woman.

She attempted to speak to him and then continued to follow him as he walked towards his home, despite him asking her to stay away.

Once the man had turned off the main road, the woman approached him again and grabbed at the man’s shoulder bag, pulling it towards her. 

The woman managed to get hold of the man’s wallet from his bag and, after a short tussle, she managed to take it from him. 

She then fled the scene on foot. 

The wallet contained bank cards and £50 in cash.

Officers have released this image of the woman they want to speak to in connection with the incident.

Detective Constable Mike Bradley, who is investigating, said: “The woman in this case has brazenly targeted an elderly man as he used a mobility frame to walk back to his home.

“He has been left shaken as a result of this incident and we are doing all we can to find the person responsible to ensure no-one else is subject to a similar crime.

“We would urge anyone who recognises the woman in this picture or who may have seen what happened that day to come forward and speak to us.”

Anyone with information should call 101 with Cad reference 4470/12Jul or alternatively can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Prolific Thief Targeted Tourists

A prolific bespectacled pickpocket – who preys on tourists at London landmarks – has been jailed.

Paul Roy Kennedy, 63, who has amassed over 100 conviction, was sentenced to three years imprisonment.

Kennedy, of Boone Street, Lewisham, south London was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court.

He was convicted of five handbag thefts and a number of fraud offences, after he used the victim’s bankcards for numerous illegal transactions. 

Kennedy would regularly prey on tourists around popular attractions such as St. Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London.

He would snatch bags and pick their pockets for cash and wallets.

Following three thefts in the Square Mile on January, 10, January 28 and February 1, officers from the City of London Police recognised Kennedy on CCTV footage and quickly arrested him at his partner’s property.

Due to his repeat offending the City of London Police applied for a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) against Kennedy, which would ban him from entering the Square Mile and put conditions on his behaviour for up to 10 years.

Smithfield Market Burglary: CCTV Images Released

Police are hunting this suspected burglar, who walked out of an office in Smithfield Market with two Apple Mac computers.

Detectives from the City of London Police have released these images of a man they want to speak to in connection with the break-in.

It is believed the man forced entry to the building at the famous meat market, between 6.00pm and 6.07pm on Saturday, April 18.

The CCTV images were captured at the premises and officers are keen to speak to anybody who recognises the man in the photos.

Detective Constable Ufuk Ekbic, who is leading the investigation, said:“Burglary and theft are very significant crimes and ones we take seriously in the City. 

“To help further our enquiries in this investigation, we would like to hear from anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV images released.”

If you can help the investigation, please contact the City of London Police by calling 020 7601 2222. 

You can also report crime to us online or by dialling 101. 

Or report crime anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

In an emergency dial 999.

Suspected Sex Pests Snapped On Tube

Police are hunting these two suspected sex pests after two women were subjected to perverted behaviour on the tube.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this image as they continue investigating the incident.

BTP are treating the allegation as outraging public decency on a Northern Line train between King's Cross and Golders Green stations, north London.

The incident happened between 8.15pm and 8.30pm on Friday, June 26.

The suspects are reported to have acted inappropriately in front of two women.

Officers would like to speak to the men in the images, who may have information that could help their investigation.

Anyone who knows them is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40.

In both cases, quote reference number 236 of 27/06/20.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.