Race-Hate Knifeman Locked-Up

A man who repeatedly stabbed and racially abused a man at Victoria Underground station has been jailed for over four years, following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Christopher Patricks, 41, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated GBH and wounding with intent at an earlier hearing and was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court to 51 months imprisonment.

The court heard how on Friday, October 11, 2024 just after 5pm, the victim was on a westbound Circle Line train towards Paddington when Patricks began to hit the victim with his bag.

Patricks grew more aggressive towards the victim, demanding he move back and saying he wouldn't let him off at the next stop.

As the train arrived at Victoria, both the victim and Patricks got off the train and the verbal assault continued, with Patricks racially abusing the victim.

Patricks, who was following behind the victim, then shoulder-barged him from behind and punched him in the chest and face. 

He then took his rucksack off and pulled out a knife, saying he would stab and kill the victim.

He then thrusted the knife towards the victims chest twice who used his arms to attempt to block the knife, with Patricks repeatedly saying that he was going to kill the victim.

Patricks then fled the scene and left the station, while the victim was treated at the scene by an off-duty officer before paramedics arrived and he was taken to hospital.

Officers tracked Patricks route and identified a pattern in his travelling behaviour, opting to attend St James Park Underground station on Monday, October 14, where officers believed he would attend.

Detectives and firearms officers waited for him and he was arrested and taken to custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Thanh Ly said: "This was an exceptionally savage and random attack which saw a man nearly lose his life, so I am so I am extremely pleased to see Patricks put behind bars for his volatile actions.

"There is absolutely no place for violent or abusive behaviour on the railway network, especially that which is motivated by hate, and we will continue to bring offenders for justice."

Son Jailed For Nicking £80K From His Elderly Mum

A son with power of attorney, who stole £80,000 from his ailing mother, was locked-up yesterday after being reported to police by his brother.

Retired plumber Adrian Hilton, 65, controlled mother Glenys’ money following the sale of her house to fund £660 per week care home costs, but failed to pay those bills.

Yesterday, at Woolwich Crown Court Hilton received two years and eight months imprisonment as wife Jane, who has stood by him during six years of criminal proceedings, and other family members looked on.

He fought the allegations for years, but on day one of his trial Hilton, of Pleasance Road, Orpington pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of position between July 20, 2017 and July 11, 2019.

The court heard Hilton was left in legal control of £198,958 following the sale of his mother’s home in January, 2017.

She feared being booted out of her care home and becoming homeless as a result of her son’s dishonest behaviour.

Lewisham council picked up the tab for her stay at The Swallows, Catford, owned by Raj Selvanandan, who says he is still owed £45,631 and the local authority itself paid £47,619 for Mrs Hilton’s care.

He spent the money on credit card bills, DFS furniture, a payment to Exeter University and when applying for a joint mortgage with his daughter claimed he had a £100,000 cash deposit.

“You used that money as your own in gross breach of trust and your position as power of attorney,” Judge Martin Yale told him. “You purchased items for yourself.

“The proceeds of your mother’s house were depleted, leaving her with nothing and there was a loss of eighty thousand pounds as a result of your fraud.

“You put her place at the care home at risk and the council had to step in to continue paying the fees.”

“You claimed you had your mother’s permission to spend the money and that she had given you a loan of fifty thousand pounds, but she denied any such thing.”

Sadly, Mrs Hilton passed away during the criminal proceedings, but not before making a victim impact statement.

“She said she was worried about her future, given the money was lost and having thought she was financially sound,” continued Judge Yale.

“She was unsettled by the council letters she received and the prospect of being evicted from the care home, leaving her homeless.

“You were in a position of trust and responsibility and abused that deliberately and took advantage of your mother’s vulnerability.

“Your remorse is undermined by your denials in the pre-sentence report in which you continued to deny any dishonesty.”

Prosecutor Matt Ward told the court Mrs Hilton moved into the care home in June, 2014, with Lewisham council covering the costs until her home was sold.

“The defendant took charge of his mother’s finances and when her property was sold the proceeds were paid into his bank account.

“From that point he used his mother’s money as his own, using eighty thousand pounds for his own benefit. He used his mother’s money to pay his debts.”

Hilton transferred £78,000 to a joint bank account he had with wife Jane, £2,600 was spent at DFS and money went on other bills.

“The proceeds were depleted, leaving his mother with nothing,” added Mr Ward. “The actions have caused a loss to The Swallows and there is an outstanding balance.

“He told the care home owner he was awaiting the sale of his mother’s home when it had already been sold.

“The defendant’s brother Mark looked into his mother’s finances and saw Mr Hilton was spending money and reported him to the police.”

Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings will follow in an attempt to confiscate any remaining money from Hilton, who was last in trouble four decades ago for shoplifting and handling stolen goods.

“He has had this hanging over his head for a considerable period of time,” said Danny Barnard, defending. “He was first arrested in 2019.

“The references describe him as a kind, caring, loving grandfather to his grandchildren, who adore him and he is a positive influence on them.”

Hilton had a triple heart bypass in 2022 and was recently hospitalised with cardiac issues.

“These proceedings have taken a physical and mental toll on him and he is in a fragile state of mind.

“Incarceration may jeopardise his health, his access to medication and exacerbate his stress and anxiety.

“He fully intends to pay these debts. The property he has available for sale will cover the debts.”

Judge Yale announced: “It is certainly taking advantage extreme vulnerability. He has plainly taken advantage of a vulnerable victim, his own mother.

“He also seems to be maintaining that there was a loan and he felt he could borrow money and in the pre-sentence report says there was an absence of dishonesty.

“The guilty plea isn’t exactly heartfelt and was made at the suggestion of his solicitor.

“This was highly dishonest, selfish and a breach of your duty with power of attorney,” the Judge told Hilton. “When your mother needed you the most, you betrayed her.”

Taxi For Sir Steve!: Film Director Frears Caught Speeding

Hat's All: Frears & Rothenstein leaving court

Celebrated film director Sir Stephen Frears has had another three points for speeding added to his current driving disqualification.

The award-winning filmmaker, who directed Helen Mirren in ‘The Queen’, is currently off the road until next year after multiple driving offences.

The 84 year-old appeared at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court today and was photographed getting into a black cab afterwards with artist wife Anne Rothenstein, 76.

He pleaded guilty to speeding in his ten year-old 1.8 litre black hybrid electric Toyota Auris in Park Road on December 12, last year, a short distance from his £2.4m terraced house in Homer Street, Marylebone.

A speed camera caught him driving at 29mph in a 20mph zone near Regent's Park.

Prosecutor Caroline Cross told the short hearing BAFTA-winner Sir Stephen was recorded speeding at 11.04am.

The court heard that on July 9 he received a six-month driving disqualification for repeated motoring offences that reached at least twelve penalty points.

His disqualification lasts until January, next year.

Sir Stephen was not legally represented and declined to address the magistrates, who imposed another three penalty points that will remain on his driving licence after the current disqualification.

He was also fined £194, with £130 costs and must pay a £78 victim surcharge.

The Leicester-born filmmaker, a Cambridge graduate, received a knighthood in 2023.

He was an assistant stage manger for the university’s 1963 Footlights Revue, which starred the likes of John Cleese and Tim Brooke-Taylor.

Sir Stephen’s films include ‘My Beautiful Laundrette’; ‘Prick Up Your Ears’; ‘Dangerous Liaisons’; ‘The Grifters’; ‘Mary Reilly’; ‘High Fidelity’; ‘Dirty Pretty Things’; and ‘Philomena’.

UFC Announcer Guilty Of Assaulting 14 Year-Old Schoolboy In Lime Bike Row

Court Fight: Friedlander

An Ultimate Fighting Championship announcer assaulted a 14 year-old schoolboy after a Lime bike was knocked over, blocking the pavement outside his £1.6m home.

Sports entrepreneur Andrew Friedlander, 51, was told by a Judge: “It was not for you to act as the local vigilante to hold them to account,” after he was convicted of grabbing the teen’s neck.

The £100,00 a year founder of ‘The Sports Presentation Company’ fought the charge, claiming he was acting in his civic duty and found himself surrounded by nearly a dozen teenagers.

He was convicted of assaulting the schoolboy outside the family home he shares with his wife and 17 year-old daughter in Hertford Avenue, East Sheen on November 25, last year.

The University of South Wales graduate was fined £2,500, with £650 costs and ordered to pay £250 compensation to the victim, plus a £1,000 victim surcharge.

He was the UFC’s UK/Europe live announcer, introducing mixed martial arts fighters into the Octagon before joining the presenting team at Cage Warriors.

Prosecutor Catherine van Zeeland told Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court: “There was use of substantial force and possible strangulation against a vulnerable victim, due to their age.”

The area outside Friedlander’s smart semi-detached had become an unofficial docking bay for the cycle hire scheme and large numbers of Lime bikes were routinely scattered in the immediate vicinity of his property.

He told the court: “I was working in my office at the front of my house and there was a loud crunching sound and I saw a Lime bike blocking the pavement and my intention was to unblock the pavement.

“I was curious as to what happened as I’ve seen disturbances out there before.

“I thought: ’Someone needs to pick up that bike,’ and there were a dozen or more school kids spread out.

Lime Bikes Dumped Outside Friedlander's Home

“The bike was blocking the pavement and I was like: ‘Lads, you know, let’s pick the bike up,’ and there was immediate denial: ‘It weren’t us.’

“I tried to appeal to their better nature and said: ‘C’mon lads, let’s pick up the bike,’ and there was a holding of ground and a flat denial of: ‘It weren’t us mate.’

“There was a group of them and the height difference isn’t much so it became a bit more tense.

“Now all of a sudden I’m outnumbered in a different
situation.

“I’m not an aggressive front foot type of guy, but felt there should be some authority and said: ‘C’mon, pick up the f***ing bike.’

“I’m in a pair of slippers, surrounded by a group of teenagers. I have no knowledge of who they are and they were a similar size to me.

“I did the countdown to three and my assumption was people would disperse.

“I started thinking: ‘Oh s***,’ what’s the next thing here?

“No-one was budging and I was concerned I was outnumbered. I took hold of one boy by the material of his collar and moved him towards the bike.

“We picked up the bike together and a bit sarcastically, with my adrenalin up I said: ‘Thanks.’

“It was probably a strong grip. I am not someone who is aggressive, but it felt like the thing to do to remove myself from the group.

On Yer Bike: Friedlander Arriving For Trial

“There was no intention to hurt of injure.”

However, the victim gave an account of a far more aggressive Friedlander, who ironically arrived at court for his trial on a Lime Bike,
as he gave evidence from behind a screen.

The teen told the trial: “A person approached me from behind and said: ‘Who knocked over the Lime bike? If you don’t pick it up I’m going to smash your face through this fence and drag you to my door.’

“I was nervous and shocked and he counted down from three and when he reached one he grabbed my neck and dragged me to the Lime bike and made me pick it up.”

The schoolboy conceded he may have caught the Lime bike, which was leaning against a tree, with the blazer of his uniform as he walked past, accidentally knocking it over.

“It was seven steps to the Lime bike. He was ahead of me and pulling me and I was a bit sore afterwards, there were marks and a scratch on my neck.

“I picked it up, worried I would be assaulted again.”

When he got home his mother took an image of a scratch and small nick to his neck, which he says was caused by the defendant.

When cross-examined by Friedlander’s lawyer Erin McKee the schoolboy said: “It’s not like I pulled the bike, it just fell. I didn’t see it as a problem, I’ve often seen Lime bikes on the ground.”

His 14 year-old friend told the court: “As we walked past the Lime bike it fell over and a man started asking questions about who knocked over the bike.

“He said: ‘If you don’t pick up the bike I’m going to slam your heads through my front door,’ and started counting down from three.

“He grabbed my friend by his neck and dragged him over to the bike.”

 

When cross-examined Friedlander said: “I wanted to place some responsibility on people walking past my house. I felt a civic responsibility.

“They are children, but they are also teenagers and there was a lot of them. They were behind me, in front of me and to my left.

“In the moment I felt surrounded. I was by myself in an unexpected situation, not primed for battle in my slippers and a group of young men not backing down, not budging. I was outnumbered.

“I grabbed the material on his shirt and blazer. I can’t be sure there wasn’t skin when I put my finger and thumb together.

“It was force to move away from a potentially volatile situation.

“It is possible in that moment a finger caught his neck, but it wasn’t intentional.

“I am not unaware young people in London carry knives and at that age there is a pack mentality and if one of them said: ‘Let’s go,’ they would have all followed.

“The physical threat was something I was more than conscious of.”

District Judge Sushil Kumar announced: “Mr Friedlander said in his evidence he needed to ‘escalate or assert’ and that ‘a bit of authority was needed.’

“I couldn’t understand this approach. This did not support his assertion that he was in fear of the children and taking one boy by the collar was more likely to escalate the situation.

“This was not the behaviour of someone in fear. He was not acting in fear or self-defence.

“If he was in fear of violence his action of turning his back on the boys and heading home is puzzling.

“He was irked by perceived disrespect in an area he cared about and this local resident resorted to vulgarity and made a threat to smash or slam and then grabbed the boy around the throat.

“His actions were not in self-defence and parts of his evidence were deliberately untruthful.”

Miss McKee told the court: “His references reflect his standing in the community and he has been running his business for fourteen years, supports his family and his behaviour is usually calm and placid.

“It is the first time he has come into contact with the criminal justice system and this conviction will be a heavy burden on him as he frequently travels to the USA.

“He has expressed a great deal of hindsight and acknowledges that he could have handled this differently.”

Sentencing a clearly unhappy Friedlander Judge Kumar told him: “This conviction follows compelling evidence. It was not for you to act as the local vigilante to hold them to account.

“As soon as you lay hands on somebody potentially vulnerable there is risk of additional harm and those injuries, that small nick was caused by the incident.

“The greater punishment will be the loss of your good character. You will not wear that lightly in your business and your travel and that is a significant punishment.

“This offence was an aberration and there has been no repeat of this concerning behaviour since.”