Sticky Fingered Beardy Excluded From City Of London

A persistent City of London shoplifter has been locked-up and banned from entering the Square Mile for two years.

Mohamad Ahmadpour, 37, nicked umbrellas, cans of Red Bull, perfume and boxes of chocolates.

At Westminster Magistrates' Court he received twenty-two weeks imprisonment and a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), which carries the exclusion order.

Ahmadpour, of Colindale, Barnet, was convicted of multiple thefts from shops in the City of London and two common assaults.

On March 17, he stole two bottles of perfume from TK Maxx in the City. 

He was chased down the street by loss prevention officers and when the security guards detained him, Ahmadpour punched one of them in the chest.

He was also convicted of an assault on February 27, when he spat at an enforcement officer from the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

Detective Sergeant Helen Bentley, of the City of London Police, said: “Mohamad Ahmadpour was a persistent thief in the City of London. 

“We hope that this CBO will give reassurance to businesses, retail staff and also members of the public who shop in the area, as well as act as a deterrent to others thinking of criminal activity. 

“A CBO will help us protect businesses and communities from various offences including theft and anti-social behaviour.

“We take such offences very seriously and this is a warning that will bring those committing crimes in the City to justice.”

Ahmadpour was also found guilty of stealing cans of Red Bull from a Co-op store on February 20.

He was also spotted by two City of London Police officers stealing boxes of chocolates from Sainsbury’s on April 12 and was arrested 

He also stole eight umbrellas from Cards Galore on May 17.

Come And Lie On The Coach In Burnham-on-Crouch

An Essex train passenger was kicked in the back and then repeatedly punched and spat on after boarding the carriage.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this CCTV image of the suspect they are hunting.

Investigating officers are appealing to members of the public for their assistance in identifying him.

BTP are treating the incident as assault.

At around 7.20pm on Thursday, August 8 a man was kicked in the back, causing him to fall, shortly after he boarded a train at Burnham-on-Crouch station.

The attacker left the carriage before returning and throwing punches and spitting at the man.

He was then made to leave the service by the train manager at Althorne station

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

Anyone who recognises him, or has any other information, is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 2400086842 of 8 August.

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

Jailed: Pirvu The Pervert

A tube train pervert, caught pleasuring himself by a shocked passenger and staff on the station platform, has been locked-up.

Dan Pirvu, 26, was also hit with a five-year ban, prohibiting him entering the entire London Underground network.

He was witnessed masturbating with his trousers pulled down on the District Line platform of West Ham Underground Station at 9.05pm on Friday, November 17, last year.

At Inner London Crown Court Pirvu, of Ripple Road, Barking received nine months imprisonment after being convicted of exposure.

He also will also sign the Sex Offenders Register for ten years and be subject to a five year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which includes the tube ban.

The court heard a member of the public approached a member of TfL staff and reported Pirvu for exposing himself.

The member of rail staff flagged this to the CCTV control room, who could immediately see Pirvu on the platform with his trousers exposing both his bottom and genitals. 

Pirvu was also witnessed by the TfL staff member with his trousers around his knees, exposing himself, and causing members of the public to move away.

Pirvu was reported immediately to British Transport Police, who attended the station and arrested Pirvu at 9.13pm.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Michael Taylor said: “There is no place for this kind of behaviour on the rail network and we will work quickly to apprehend these kinds of offenders.

"I hope this sentence, along with the Sexual Harm Prevention Order will give him time allow him to reconsider his actions and prevent him from offending again in the future."

RSPCA Trustee Accused Of Hotels And Taxis Expenses Fiddle

An RSPCA trustee funded his “lavish lifestyle” by swindling the animal charity out of over £100,000 during a five-year expenses scam for hotel stays and taxis, a court heard yesterday.

David Mawson, 50, is accused of exploiting the charity’s bank accounts to enjoy hundreds of nights in hotels he was not entitled to, plus free journeys.

“This case is about fraud, we say, Mr Mawson committed over a five-year period between 2012 and 2017,” prosecutor Andrew Hallworth told the Inner London Crown Court jury.

“It was a fraud committed by Mr Mawson when he was a trustee of the RSPCA, so this was a serious breach of trust by him.

“It was a fraud that was committed on a regular basis and involved Mr Mawson fraudulently using the charity’s bank card to fund his own lavish lifestyle to obtain free hotels and free taxi rides.”

The prosecution say Mawson defrauded the charity of approximately £91,300 in hotel stays and approximately £10,000 in taxi fares.

“He had no right or permission to do what he did, despite anything he may say to the contrary and as such he acted dishonestly throughout.”

The court heard it is the local voluntary trustees who make the day-to-day decisions regarding charity shops, local animal welfare projects and have a legal responsibility.

Trustees are allowed to bill for “reasonable and necessary” costs, but the jury were told the money should not be for personal benefit.

Mawson, of Staines Road, Twickenham has pleaded not guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of position between January 1, 2012 and December 21, 2017, namely while occupying the position of trustee he dishonestly abused that position regarding hotel and taxi expenses, intending to make financial gain.

The SELB has three charity shops in West Norwood, Grove Park and Sydenham and Mawson was the SELB Secretary since 2009.

“He exercised control over the SELB’s bank accounts and was, we say, more active in the daily running than others, anyway more busy than he would admit.”

Mawson typically booked Premier Inn rooms and spent over £18,000 on the SELB Barclaycard; over £43,000 on a Co-Op debit card and over £29,000 on a CAF Bank corporate account, the trial heard.

Between 2013 and 2017 Mawson  enjoyed a total of 436 nights at various Premier Inn’s paid for by the RSPCA’s accounts.

“However the true number is likely to be much larger as individual payments through the bank statements may represent more than one nights’ stay,” explained Mr Hallworth.

“There was no charity business going on that would justify these hotel stays or taxi journeys.”

Taxi firm Addison Lee received over £10,000 from RSPCA accounts for journeys booked by Mawson.

Eventually the police were alerted by SELB Chair Gerda Glage and her husband Ivan House and accountants completed a full forensic audit of their accounts between 2012 and 2018.

Mawson was removed from his RSPCA post in September, 2018 and later questioned by police officers.

“He claimed that it was no secret that he was using charity funds for hotel and taxi expenses and that he submitted relevant claims.”

The prosecution also produced a map of unnecessary taxi journeys billed by Mawson.

Mawson said a “dodgy neighbour” who had at least one spell in prison resulted in Premier Inn allowing him to stay for additional nights.

However, Mawson never called the police about any issues with the neighbour, said the prosecutor. 

“Even assuming that charity was aware of this, which is not accepted, and endorsed his use of the charity’s bank accounts for that purpose, which is also not accepted, there were in fact eight-four occasions when the charity paid for Premier Inn bookings when his dodgy neighbour cannot have been an issue to him, because he was in prison.

“So even if you were to give him the benefit of the doubt about some of the expenses it is difficult to see any defence to those bookings where no charity business was taking place or when his dodgy neighbour was in prison.”

The trial is expected to last seven days.

Sleazy University PhD Academic Caught 'Upskirting'

Court on Camera: David Cloarec

A University of Surrey academic tried to escape shoppers, who exposed him as a creepy ‘upskirter’ - using a disguised Go Pro to intimately record ‘young women’.

Dr David Cloarec, 34, a visiting PhD researcher, had disguised the camera with a vape and concealed it within a bag to secretly capture images in Kingston-upon-Thames town centre.

“I am ashamed of my behaviour,” he told Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court, where he was convicted after a trial.

“I came to the UK in 2020 to complete my Phd and I have betrayed my professors with this behaviour, which was disgraceful.”

Dr Cloarec, of Union Street, Aldershot was found guilty of attempting to operate equipment beneath the clothing of another, without their consent on June 10, last year, Contrary to the Sexual Offences Act.

He was convicted of ‘operating a camera in a bag disguised as a vape beneath the clothing of another person, with the intention of enabling him to observe their buttocks, underwear and between their legs in circumstances where they would not otherwise be visible for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification.’

Dr Cloarec is a graduate of the University of Bordeaux, France, where he obtained degrees in Social and Human Sciences, plus Law and Economy Management.

He is also a Master of Science in Law and at the University of Surrey his  academic and research departments were Surrey Hospitality and Tourism Management, Centre for Sustainability and Wellbeing in the Visitor Economy and Centre for Competitiveness of the Visitor Economy.

Since obtaining his PhD around the time of his arrest Dr Cloarec has set himself up as an ‘independent expert supporting destinations and businesses to achieve their projects’ and declares himself open to opportunities.

Prosecutor Jack Williams told the court: “This defendant concealed a camera in a bag as he walked around Kingston’s shopping area and spent some time following young women.

“He was using the camera to observe their bottoms as he walked around behind them.

“He was detected by members of the public and the police were called and there was an attempt to escape, but that was not successful.

“Images were recorded. There was a substantial amount of footage that was taken at the time.”

First-time offender Dr Cloarec reminded the court that police found no suspicious images on his phone or computer, which were also checked.

“I am sorry for what I have done. It was one-time event and it was out of curiosity that I did it.

“There was no continuous ‘upskirting’ but I understand why it violates females and I will not do it again.

“I had to pay legal fees and these significantly impacted my finances and there was emotional stress and impact on my well-being.

“Things have not worked well for me in England and I would like to move on and return to France.

“For now I will remain in the UK until this case is completed. I should be able to work in this country as I work remotely from my office.

“I know I have to be registered on the sexual offences.”

District Judge David Bolton sentenced Dr Cloarec to a twelve-month community order, which includes 120 hours community service work.

He must also complete twenty-five days of a rehabilitation activity requirement; pay £650 costs, plus a £114 victim surcharge and sign the sex offenders register.

“This is a serious offence and I cannot give you credit for pleading guilty as you were convicted after a trial,” the judge told him.

“I know you were of good character, but this was equipment disguised as something else to use as a camera and was a violation of other people, who were subjected to having their body parts filmed.

“The pre-sentence report says you are ashamed and remorseful for what happened.”

Medical Courses Fraud Charges: Plastic Surgeon In Dock With Property Broker

Professor Eqram Rahman

A plastic surgeon, accused of defrauding individuals by taking payments for placements on medical courses, appeared in court yesterday alongside a property broker charged with laundering the money.

Professor Eqram Rahman, 51, is a Master of Surgery, has a Philosophy PhD and is a specialist in aesthetic surgery.

He appeared on bail at Bromley Magistrates’ Court along with his co-defendant, charged with frauds in Chatham, Medway.

Professor Rahman, of Underwood Road, Woodford Green, Essex is charged with four counts of fraud, by dishonest false representation, on various dates between June 1 and August 31, 2022.

He is accused of falsely representing to Liliana Sytnky; Maryam Abdulraheem; Elham Sattari and Payel Roy Chowdhury that they needed to undertake an external clinical competency assessment, intending to make a gain.

Prosecutor Subhanur Chowdhury told the court: "Victims were asked to pay sums of money to get places on medical courses."

Professor Rahman faces an additional charge of fraud by false representation to Maryam Abdulraheem between November 14 and 28, 2022, namely that he needed £35,000 for a research project.

Vishal Digpal

Vishal Digpal, 29, of Durham Avenue, Gidea Park, Romford, Essex is a company director with property firm Beiant Investments.

He is charged with concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property between June 22 and November 28, 2022, namely money via bank transfers between Beiant investments and Professor Rahman.

The District Judge declined jurisdiction and both defendants were bailed to appear at Canterbury Crown Court on October 17.

Professor Rahman must surrender his passport; reside at his address and have no contact with Digpal or any prosecution witnesses.

Digpal must reside at his address and have no contact with Professor Rahman.

Disgraced Priest Sentenced For Nicking Mass Collection

A disgraced parish priest, who stole £200 from his church’s Sunday collection, received a suspended prison sentence yesterday.

Father Fortunato Pantisano, 44, fought the charge and still maintains his innocence, but now faces being booted out of the Roman Catholic church

The Italian-born priest, who was ordained at Westminster Cathedral in 2013, was based at Our Lady of Perpetual Help church in Tynemouth Street, Fulham.

“You were identified by CCTV entering a locked office at the church, where you had been working and took two plates of money that had been collected,” District Judge Daniel Sternberg told him.

“No credit can be given to you for any kind of admission and you continue not admitting to these offences today.

“You told the author of your pre-sentence report that you were entitled to this money and plainly the trial court decided you were not entitled to that money.”

Father Pantisano received twenty weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years and was ordered to pay £200 compensation to the church, £654 costs and a £154 victim surcharge.

He was forced to move to accommodation at St. Edward’s Convent, Harewood Avenue, Marylebone while on bail and was convicted of stealing the money from Our Lady of Perpetual Help on January 7.

“This is an offence of high culpability as you were a person with a high degree of trust, a high position as a minister of religion and you abused that trust,” Judge Sternberg told the priest.

“This offence is very serious, but you do have a strong prospect of rehabilitation and there is some personal mitigation.

“You have no previous convictions and were of good character and positive good character through your role in the church and you will no longer be able to continue your vocation as a minister of religion.

“This offence is so serious the custody threshold is crossed.”

Father Pantisano’s lawyer Tony Meisels said: “Obviously Father Pantisano has lost his good character. This is his first criminal conviction and he has lost a lot due to this situation.

“He was on a sabbatical and was paid last month, but does not know if he will be paid this month while they decide what to do within the Roman Catholic church.

“He has a meeting tomorrow with the Vicar General, where the church lies and I think it is fair to say he will not be able to practice again in the Roman Catholic church and may face canonical proceedings.

“He has been an employee of the church for twenty-four years. It is his life.”

Prosecutor Connie Wong told Westminster Magistrates Court yesterday that it was after the second mass of Sunday, January 7 Father Pantisano was caught on internal CCTV entering the office adjoined to his church accommodation.

“He was a priest of the church, but was suspended from service at the time and went to two plates and left the room.

“The total amount of cash stolen was estimated at two hundred pounds.”

The trial heard the priest was reported to police by parish volunteer John McGranaghan, who had placed the two wicker baskets in a locked office, which could also be accessed from the priest’s house.

“This was the collection from the parishioners for the two masses that morning,” he told the trial. “We went back to count the offertory and there were two empty baskets and the collection had gone.”

He suggested collection money had been going missing at the church recently. “Because of what had been happening in the previous weeks I decided to go back to count the money that day.”

Fortunately CCTV in the office showed Father Pantisano enter via an adjoining door, remove the two baskets containing cash from the room, then return them empty.

The Diocese of Westminster Director of Resources, Robert Walker told the court there are strict rules regarding the cash collections and individual priests cannot simply help themselves to the money.

“Basically I see the money going from one hand to the other and it is taken without authorisation,” he said regarding the CCTV. “He is taking individual notes from the baskets and leaves with the money.

“There is no reason for him to be in there at that time, particularly as he was suspended.”

Father Pantisano was arrested on April 30 and gave a ‘no comment’ interview at Hammersmith Police Station.

He told the trial he was not suspended and was entitled to be in the office, but could not recall if he had taken any of the collection money.

“I do not remember taking any money. If I did it was not my intention to be dishonest, it was to buy food maybe, I don’t remember.

“Sometimes there are emergencies like homeless needing money or charities or the priests need to buy food.”

Trial prosecutor Nathan Paine-Davey asked the priest: “It is not credible to say you do not remember taking the money, is it? It is what has brought you here today.

“You have gone into that office by unlocking the door from your side and taken that money. That’s the truth isn’t it?”

Father Pantisano replied: “I am the parish priest and I have a right to be there. The money is given for the priests to decide what to do.

“I deny stealing and I have no other comment.”

Mr Paine-Davey told the magistrates: “The defendant cannot tell you why he had his hands in the baskets and took them out of view. That is not credible.

“The purpose of removing the baskets was to steal money out of sight of the CCTV and only today we hear this vague, rambling account of what happened.

“You just can’t put your hand in a collection basket. That is dishonesty.”

The trial magistrates told Father Pantisano he had no credibility whatsoever in the witness box and his evidence had assisted the prosecution case against him.

In his impact statement Mr Walker said: “This has caused an incredible amount of mistrust between the church and the parishioners. It only takes one person to do something wrong to ruin the reputation of the rest.”

Yesterday, the court heard Father Pantisano’s parents, aged 75 and 73 years-old still reside in his native Calabria and he has a brother in Milan and another in France.

“He has got some medical issues, anxiety and depression,” explained Mr Meisels. “He has been living at a convent, but due to the publicity of this case has been told he cannot live there.”

The priests’ mental health has been negatively effected since an allegation, not disclosed, was made against him in 2018 when he was a parish priest north of London, the court heard.

“He has not properly come to terms with the offending and there is a degree of denial in the report and he is keen to put this behind him and move on with his life,” added Mr Meisels.  

The lawyer argued the offence was not at the top end of breaches of trust.

“I appreciate he was a priest in a church, but the highest culpability is for those in a much higher position, with a higher degree of trust than a priest in  a small church with a small amount of money.”

Community service was not a sentencing option because Father Pantisano does not intend on remaining in the UK.

“He has really lost a lot. His position, income, career. He has lost a lot already and whatever punishment he gets today will only cap it.”