Thursday 29 February 2024

Psychiatric Nurse Photocopied Fake Parking Pass

A Community Psychiatric Nurse photocopied an official Health Emergency Badge to avoid paying to park her Mercedes-Benz, a court heard yesterday.

Magistrates even considered sending graduate Sophie Adebayo, 38, to prison after she used the forged badge in a pay-and-display parking bay near her home.


The Health Emergency Badge is a London-wide scheme, which allows users to park on yellow lines and in residents bays and parking bays while attending medical emergencies in patients’ homes.


Nigerian-born single-mum Adebayo, of Hatfield House, Merryweather Place, Greenwich claimed she was working at the time, but the prosecuting council said this was unlikely.


She graduated from Middlesex University, has a Masters degree from the University of East London and is employed by Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health services in south-east London.


At Bexley Magistrates’ Court a tearful Adebayo pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation, namely that on March 31 and May 31, last year in Devonshire Drive, Greenwich she dishonestly displayed a copy of the badge in a restricted parking bay.


She also pleaded guilty to possessing an article for use in fraud, namely the photocopied badge, between March 31 and May 31, last year and making an article for use in fraud on March 31.


Adebayo was fined £507, with £1200 costs and must pay a £203 victim surcharge.


Magistrate Michael Foley told her: “What you have done is wrong. You have paid the fines for parking, but that is no excuse for what you have done.


“We have discussed the prospect of custody and what that would mean to you, but we have taken into account your remorsefulness and defence.


“When you are entitled to something, you are entitled to it, but when you’re not, you’re not.”


Prosecutor Lidia Iancu, representing the Royal Borough of Greenwich, told the court: When she parked her vehicle on these two occasions she displayed a copy of the Health Emergency Badge to gain a parking concession.


“The parking officer recognised it was not genuine because of the colour etc. and that it must be a photocopy.


“No loss can be quantified and it is minimal. It is just what she could have gained from free parking.


“The most serious charge is making the forged article and she is clearly motivated by financial gain and it was not a one-off because she has been seen on two occasions.


“She has photocopied a badge that is provided in the course of her employment and this was persistent in nature and it is she that gained by obtaining the forged Health Emergency Badge.”


Recently promoted Adebayo’s lawyers had asked the council to drop the criminal case, but this was refused. 


“We made it clear such an outcome was unlikely due to the seriousness of the charges,” added Ms Iancu.


“I do not have direct evidence she was going to home visits, but these badges are only valid in housing estate zones and do not allow parking in a roadside bay.


“I cannot say where she was, but it suggests she was not using it in the course of visiting a patient.”


Adebayo’s lawyer Tahera Ahmad told the court: “These are serious allegations and Ms Adebayo is of good character with no previous convictions.


“She has entered a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity as she has made a mistake and accepted that mistake.


“She made full and frank admissions when interviewed by Greenwich Council and does accept she made a copy of the badge and that was incorrect.


“Unfortunately she had little awareness that the photocopy would be an act of fraud.


“Her own mental health nurse was her inspiration to give back to the community and she attended university and obtained a degree.


“She was recently promoted to clinical lead and has worked for the NHS for fifteen years and has a 14 year-old son.


“This has led her being extremely depressed and she had an anxiety attack the night before her last court appearance.


“She is now aware of the consequences on her work, but they are yet to be realised.”


The convictions will be reported to the Nursing and Midwifery Council and Adebayo may also face professional misconduct charges that could threaten her career.


“She works extremely hard and is not a person who makes criminal decisions and lives a law-abiding life and pays her rent on a limited income,” added Ms Ahmad.


“She gives back to the Royal Borough of Greenwich working as a mental health nurse and the two times she used the badge was to attend to her clients.


“The financial loss would have been the payment of parking. She received parking tickets and paid them.


“She believed she would receive a warning, but that did not happen and she finds herself here in court today.”


Before leaving, Mr Foley told Adebayo: “Let this be a big wake-up call for you. You do things for the community, but this was very foolish and we do not want to see you in court again.”

Tuesday 27 February 2024

Cocaine Away Day: Dealer Had £35K's Worth

A County Lines drug-dealer, caught with £35,000 worth of cocaine when transport cops raided his home, is starting a fifty-month prison sentence.

Antonio Shehi, 39, of Delft Close, Reading was targeted by British Transport Police's County Lines Taskforce.

As part of an ongoing investigation into the organised drug supply in the Reading area, officers entered his address on August 31, last year and found several foil wraps of white cocaine powder and a large quantity of cash in the bedroom.

Several weapons were also found and recovered from the address and the absent Shehi later gave himself up to police.

At Reading Crown Court he pleaded guilty to one charge of possession, with intent to supply cocaine, two charges of possession of an offensive weapon, one charge of possession of a prohibited weapon, and one charge of money laundering.

Detective Inspector Matt Davies from the BTP County Lines Task Force said: “We are extremely pleased with the result in this case and it is a credit to our hard-working team.

“The County Lines Taskforce works constantly to disrupt the drugs network that utilises the railways, and this sentence should send a powerful message to those involved.

“It is immensely satisfying to see Shehi jailed for his offences, and we will continue to take strong action against people like him who create widespread harm in communities across the country through the sale and distribution of drugs.”

Sunday 25 February 2024

Lone Female Commuter Fights Off Wannabe Robber

A lone female commuter was targeted by a wannabe robber as she walked to her car at Crayford railway station.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this CCTV image of their hooded suspect and are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying him.

The mystery male struck undercover of darkness at the south-east London station.

BTP are treating the incident as an attempted robbery.

The woman left the station at 7.10pm on Tuesday, January 23 and was making her way to her vehicle in the car park.

She was suddenly approached by an unknown man, who attempted to reach into her jacket.

The woman bravely pushed the would-be robber away and he fled the station car park.

Officers believe the man in the CCTV image may have information that could help with their investigation.

Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016, or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 604 of 23 January.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Friday 23 February 2024

Jailed: Prolific Tube Train Sex Pest

A tube train sexual predator, who targeted multiple lone females, was finally captured by a quick-thinking teenager, who quickly took his photo when he molested her.

Kolawole Oladetoun, 25, of Leather Gardens, Stratford is starting a twenty-three month sentence for a series of disturbing offences on the London Underground network.

He was finally captured after nearly a year of exposing himself to women and pleasuring himself during tube journeys.

At Harrow Crown Court he was convicted of one count of sexual assault, plus five counts of exposure.

Oladetoun also received a seven-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

On Sunday, October 18, 2020, Oladetoun boarded a service to Kentish Town and sat diagonally across from a lone 30 year-old woman. 

He exposed himself and began masturbating, while staring intently at her until she left the service, distraught at what had happened.

On four more occasions throughout the following year Oladetoun targeted more women in a similar way, exposing himself and staring and or grinning at them while he masturbated.

On Saturday, August 7, 2021 his behaviour escalated when he sexually touched a 19 year old woman as she climbed the steps at Hounslow West Underground Station.

She immediately turned around and punched Oladetoun, who ran off and boarded another train, but not before she took a photograph of him and memorised the headcode of the train.

British Transport Police quickly arrested Oladetoun on the train after identifying him from her photograph.

Detective Sergeant Brittany Armstrong said: "Four of the women targeted by Oladetoun demonstrated remarkably quick thinking by taking a photograph or video of him despite being left shaken and terrified of what he may do next.

"It is in no small part thanks to all the women targeted that we were able to piece together Oladetoun's predatory behaviour across the network and ultimately bring him before the courts.

"Their bravery in reporting what happened to them and their help with the investigation should be commended.

"We will stop at nothing and make full use of our plentiful resources to come after those who exhibit this type of behaviour on the network.

“If you experience or witness a sexual offence on the railway, I urge you to report it to 61016 or via the Railway Guardian app. In an emergency, always dial 999. We will always take you seriously.”

Wednesday 21 February 2024

Knife Robbery On London Bridge Train

Police are hunting these suspected robbers after train passengers were threatened with a knife and forced to hand over a mobile phone, ear pods and a coin bag.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released the CCTV images and are requesting the assistance of members of the public in identifying them.

The victims were initially approached on the platform of busy London Bridge station shortly after 4.45pm on November 8, last year, but walked away and boarded a train heading towards Slade Green.

On board the train the same two men approached the victims again, threatening them with a knife.

After taking the property the men disembarked at New Cross railway station.

Officers believe the men in the CCTV images may have information that could help with their investigation.

Anyone who recognises them is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016, or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 447 of 8 November.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Monday 19 February 2024

Wannabe Murderers Drove Ford Fiesta Into Victim

A new dad was left with a critical brain injury when deliberately run over by two wannabe killers after a late-night row.

Following a physical altercation outside Billericay railway station, Essex at approximately 1.00am a Ford Fiesta crashed into the victim, who still suffers from his injuries to this day.

The car, which had been taken from its owner a week before and had false plates, was driven by Joshua Littlechild, 25, (pic. right), encouraged by his accomplice Joshua Lloyd, 28, (pic. left).

Both were convicted at Basildon Crown Court of attempted murder after an investigation by British Transport Police.

Littlechild, of Delphian Way, Bishop's Stortford, had already pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm and aggravated vehicle-taking.

Lloyd, of Oak Green, Billericay also pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle-taking.

The court heard that on March 18, last year the victim and his friends were heading to the taxi rank outside Billericay railway station after a night out when the victim became involved in an altercation with Littlechild and Lloyd. 

Lloyd claimed the victim was the initial aggressor and punched him, causing him to react in fear and panic.

The two groups split, with the victim and his friends walking back towards the station to get a taxi as planned. 

While waiting at the taxi rank, a white Ford Fiesta driven by Littlechild drove at pace towards the group, hitting the victim and driving off.

The targeted man's head smashed the windscreen with force and the pair fled the scene.

The victim was left with a critical brain injury and required multiple surgeries to repair the damage. 

He suffers from severe headaches, struggles to remain balance and has severe cognitive issues. 

He has no short-term memory and struggles to recognise his newborn baby. 

He requires constant supervision, which has had a huge strain on his family.

The car was located a short distance from Lloyd’s address and text messages were found on his phone, from Littlechild, warning that police had located the vehicle. 

Lloyd was arrested at his home address on March 18 and Littlechild was arrested three days later in the Newcastle area. 

Upon arrest he was found with a suitcase and his passport.

Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Marc Farmer said: “This was a cowardly attack whereby the two suspects used a motor car to attempt to kill the victim. 

“The victim attempted to get out of the way of the car, but had no room to escape. 

“The defendants have shown no remorse and the victim has suffered life changing injuries. 

“This is a sad case whereby a minor scuffle has dramatically changed the lives of all involved.”

Saturday 17 February 2024

Sex Assault At Hickstead Showground

A man has been sentenced for sexually assaulting a female at the world-famous Hickstead equestrian showground.

At Lewes Crown Court Jake Rose, 30, received twelve months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months.


He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for ten years and must complete a fifteen-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.


Rose, of Town Lane Farm, Town Lane, Heskin, Lancashire was convicted of sexually assaulting the woman at the West Sussex venue on September 8, 2021.

Thursday 15 February 2024

Psychiatric Nurse Charged With Parking Fraud

A Community Psychiatric Nurse, accused of photocopying an official Health Emergency Badge to park her Mercedes-Benz for free near her home has been charged with four counts of fraud.

Graduate Sophie Adebayo, 38, appeared at Bexley Magistrates Court yesterday, where she stood to tearfully confirm her name, date of birth and address.


Her defence team hope the charges will be dropped and the case was adjourned until February 28 to make legal representations to the London Borough of Greenwich.


The Health Emergency Badge is a London-wide scheme, which allows users to park on yellow lines and in residents bays and parking bays while attending medical emergencies in patients’ homes.


Adebayo, of Hatfield House, Merryweather Place, Greenwich graduated from Middlesex University and has a Masters degree from the University of East London.


She is employed by Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health services in south-east London.


Adebayo is charged with two counts of fraud by false representation, namely that on March 31 and May 31, last year in Devonshire Drive, Greenwich she dishonestly displayed a copy of the badge in a restricted parking bay.


She is also charged with possessing an article for use in fraud, namely the photocopied badge, between March 31 and May 31, last year and making an article for use in fraud on March 31.


Her lawyer Tahera Ahmad told the court: “These are serious allegations and Ms Adebayo is of good character with no previous convictions.


“We wish to apply for an adjournment to allow representations to be made to the London Borough of Greenwich to consider an out of court disposal.”


The council indicated they would consider any legal representations, but stressed they considered it a “serious matter in the course of employment.”

Tuesday 13 February 2024

Nightclub Toilet Cocaine Deal

A cocaine user, who fled the country when caught selling a £40 Christmas Eve wrap in a nightclub toilet, received a suspended prison sentence today.

Osman Kalliu, 21, accepted a bank transfer in the lavatory of PRYZM, Kingston-upon-Thames for what he claims was leftover cocaine.

“You made a series of stupid decisions, but you were very young at the time,” Judge Rajeev Shetty told him, sentencing Kalliu to ten months and fourteen days imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months.

He must also complete 120 hours of community service; obey a three-month night-time curfew between 9.00pm and 6.00am and pay £420 costs.

Kalliu, of May Close, Chessington pleaded guilty to supplying the Class A drug on December 24, 2022 and failing to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on January 23, last year.

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard Kalliu fears deportation, but Judge Shetty confirmed he would make no such recommendation, crediting the defendant for his work history and noting family support.

“This offence does pass the custody threshold and the selling of Class A drugs in clubs and bars impacts the safety of the public at large,” added the judge.

He took into account Kalliu has not been arrested since and has good prospects for rehabilitation.

“I hope we never have to see you again. Stay within the law and work hard.”

Sunday 11 February 2024

Indecent Exposure On Bakerloo Line Underground Train

This image has been released after a mystery male exposed himself on a London underground train.

British Transport Police (BTP) are appealing to members of the public to assist in identifying the unknown individual.

BTP have not released an approximate time or date of the alleged offence.

The only information given is that a male indecently exposed himself onboard a Bakerloo Line train travelling towards Embankment Underground Station.

Officers are keen to speak to the man in the image as they believe he may have information that could help their investigation. 

Anyone with information can contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 405040 quoting reference 89 of 10/01/24.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Friday 9 February 2024

Waterloo Underground Station Passenger Knocked Unconscious

A tube train passenger was punched unconscious during a violent confrontation on an escalator.

The victim sustained cracked ribs and suffered seizures when he was struck to the head.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released these two CCTV images of their suspects.

Investigating officers are appealing for the assistance of members of the public to successfully identify the two mystery men.

At approximately 11.50pm on Wednesday, December 27, last year the male victim was travelling home through Waterloo Underground Station.

He was approached by two unknown men on the escalator and following a brief conversation a violent altercation broke out.

After the victim was knocked out cold the two males left the station.

Detectives believe the men in the CCTV images may have information that could help their investigation.

Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016, or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 313 of 29/12/23.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Wednesday 7 February 2024

Wanted: Trio Of Hoodies Hunted After Underground Station Robbery Bid

A gang of muggers threatened to stab a tube train passenger while trying to rob him of his mobile phone.

The victim was standing on the platform with his partner when targeted and assaulted by three unknown wannabe robbers.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released these CCTV images of their suspects.

They are appealing to members of the public for their assistance in identifying them.

The victim was waiting on the Westbound platform at St. James's Park Underground Station at approximately 6.30pm on Wednesday, December 27, last year.

Several individuals approached him and demanded he hand over his phone while assaulting him and threatening to stab him in front of their partner.

The victim managed to break free, grabbing the phone back after it had been snatched from their hand, before boarding the train and departing.

Officers would like to speak to the men in the images as they believe they may have information that could help their investigation.

Anyone who recognises them is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 644 of 27/12/2023.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Monday 5 February 2024

Double Rape In King's Cross Station Toilet

A sexual predator, who twice raped a woman in the public toilets of King's Cross railway station, has been caged for eleven years.

Between the sordid attacks Abdifatah Mohamud, 35, bought the victim food in a manipulative attempt to win her trust, but later forced drugs on her and struck again.

At Inner London Crown Court he was also handed a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and must sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Mohamud, of Bingfield Street, Islington fought the charges, but was convicted by a jury of two counts of rape.

The court heard on October 12, 2022, at around 5.00pm, the victim was at a local park with a group which included Mohamud. 

He proceeded to claim he knew the victim, giving her his nickname and began talking to her.

Later, at around 10.00pm, the victim returned to King's Cross railway station and joined the same group from earlier in the day. 

She was approached again by Mohamud, who proceeded to coerce her into the toilets, where he raped her.

Following this, Mohamud took the victim for food to manipulate her into believing he meant no harm. 

However, he later proceeded to coerce her once again into the toilets, forcing her to take drugs and raping her again. 

After the victim began getting upset and becoming vocal, Mohamud left the scene.

The victim was found in the toilets by a cleaner who in turn informed security and a report was made to British Transport Police.

Detective Constable Adrienne Curzon said: “Mohamud is a calculating offender who used coercion and manipulation in order to rape the victim. 

“This has been an extremely frightening experience for her and I hope this outcome goes some way to help her move on from the traumatising ordeal she was subjected to.

“We take all reports of sexual offences seriously and I hope this sends a strong message to offenders that we will do everything in our power to ensure that justice is served.”

Saturday 3 February 2024

Punch Up On Train To Braintree

A train passenger received a broken nose and had a tooth knocked out during a fight.

British Transport Police (BTP) are treating the incident as an assault.

Investigating officers have released these images of their two suspects.

They are hoping members of the public can assist in identifying the unknown individuals.

At approximately 10.30pm on Tuesday, October 24, last year violence broke out onboard a Greater Anglia train travelling from Liverpool Street, in the City of London to Braintree, Essex.

BTP officers believe the men in the images may have information which could help their investigation.

If you recognise them, witnessed anything, or if it happened to you, please contact us and our officers will be able to help.

Anyone with information is asked to contact BTP by calling 0800 40 50 40 or texting 61016, quoting reference 207 of 28 October 2023.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Thursday 1 February 2024

Cyclist Tragedy: Cement Mixer Driver In Dock

Cyclist: Giovanna Cappiello
A brilliant award-winning interior design student cyclist was crushed to death under the wheels of a 32-tonne cement mixer lorry when the driver failed to spot her, a court heard yesterday.

Italian Giovanna Cappiello, 29, was just two weeks from graduating her foundation degree course at the University of the Arts, Chelsea when she died on July 4, 2019.


Construction company boss Stephen Hempenstall, 52, of Thornhill Road, Ickenham, Uxbridge has pleaded not guilty to causing her death by careless driving.


Prosecutor Mr Hamish Common told the jury: “The prosecution case is that Miss Capiello was there to be seen, however Mr Hempenstall did not look properly and use the visual aids, for example mirrors and lens, available to him before turning.


“The prosecution say he was careless, was driving distracted and did not make the proper checks.


“He was earlier driving in a clearly distracted state and Mr Hempenstall did not look left at all in the run up to that left turn and did not respond to his side scan warning system.”


Inner London Crown Court heard the tragedy occurred at 3.10pm at the junction of Wandsworth Road and Silverthorne Road, south-west London as Bologna-born Miss Cappiello rode her purple Carrera pedal bike.


Miss Cappiello, - known as ‘Gio’ - the first student on her course to achieve A+ grades in both theory and practice, was run over as the LGV Mercedes Arco cement lorry turned left at traffic lights.


A winner that year of the Chartered Society of Designers student award Miss Cappiello - the daughter of an Italian State Police Chief Inspector - also worked at the five-star Berkeley Hotel, Belgravia and was dating fellow-Italian Daniel Caseri.

Denies Charge: Stephen Hempenstall


Mr Common said: “The lorry arrived a the traffic lights first and stopped and Miss Capiello cycled past the nearside of other stationary traffic until the lights turned green.


“As the lorry moved away Miss Capiello caught and began to pass the lorry on its left. As Miss Capiello drew alongside the cab area of the lorry Mr Hempenstall turned left across her and runs her over.


“The lorry was in the middle of a steep turn left at the point of the collision when Miss Capiello and her bicycle went under the front of the lorry.”


A London Air Ambulance arrived at 3.22pm, but tragically Miss Capiello had suffered a serious straight-line injury across her chest and abdomen.


A post mortem gave the cause of death as multiple injuries.   


Horrified witnesses saw the tragedy unfold at the busy junction and van delivery driver Martin Butcher told police: “The cyclist was about half way along the lorry when it began to turn and the lorry collided with the cyclist.”


Motorist Elizabeth de Rougemont said: “I could see the accident was going to happen.”


Matthew Claridge said he was first alerted to shouts of “stop.” “I could see the lady under the wheels of the moving lorry. She was tumbling in the wheels and then the second one went over her.”


He approached and heard no music from her EarPod. “Her bike was lying behind her in the road and it was completely destroyed.” 


Motorist Scott Martin recalled: “Unfortunately I saw everything from start to finish. “I was like: ’No, no, no,’ as the truck started creeping in and the cyclist is trying to get away.


“It comes around and she clips it just a bit back from the cab and I am screaming at the f***ing driver: ‘F***ing stop, stop, stop.’


“He is doing the manoeuvre at walking pace, but she never came into the zone where he could see her. This is all at 5mph, maybe 2mph.


“She looked at me as she went under the thing. I saw it drive over her,” added thew witness, who said he did hear music coming from the cyclist’s EarPod.


Hempenstall had just left the Battersea Concrete Plant in Silverthorne Road after reloading with ready mix concrete and his cab’s own CCTV shows him preoccupied with some paperwork in the moments before the tragedy.


“Mr Hempenstall was holding some paper in his right hand whilst he was driving. A short time after the start of the journey he unfolded the paper and seems to have been reading it while he was driving along,” explained the prosecutor.


“He then folded the sheet of paper, but continued to hold it in his right hand and on several occasions shuffled it from his right to left hand and back again.


“His mouth was also moving and it appears as if he was talking or singing.


“While driving he was holding a piece of paper in his right-hand side and steering and at one point put his seatbelt on.


“Mr Hempenstall folded the piece of paper and was holding it in his left hand and he waved at another driver.”


At the traffic lights the defendant indicated left, triggering a speaker on Ms Cappiello’s side, announcing: “Caution. This truck is turning left,” accompanied by white noise to cut through the surrounding noise.


“Mr Hempenstall contends that he did check and that his driving was not careless. Further, the side scan system would have activated, given Miss Capiello’s position in respect of the lorry, which would have alerted Mr Hempenstall to her presence.


Hempenstall has instructed his own collision consultant, David Loat, who has worked alongside the Metropolitan Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit and will give evidence during the trial.


The court heard Hempenstall’s ‘London Concrete’ lorry was fitted with CCTV and the side scan system and exhibited various warning signs to the side and rear.


The Brigade Electronics side scan proximity sensor system alerts the driver to any road users dangerously close to the inside of the lorry and four such sensors were fitted to the vehicle.


After the collision the sensor system passed safety checks and the prosecution case is that Hempenstall should have heard and acted on the audible warning.


After the collision fully licensed and insured Hempenstall pulled over. “In brief he said he did not see Miss Cappiello,” added Mr Common.


He spoke to an officer at the scene and said: “I don’t know where the cyclist I hit came from. I did not see her in my mirrors.”


The trial is expected to last a week……