Finally: Hefty Prison Sentence For Scourge Of Square Mile

A prolific City of London thief, who brandished a knife at a female shop assistant when she tried to stop him stealing expensive perfume, has been locked-up.

Samuel Anouer, 34, entered the Square Mile despite two banning orders, prohibiting him entering the City due to serious previous offending.

Once he pulled the deadly weapon he turned a shoplifting offence into a robbery and is now starting a prison sentence of four years and nine months.

He pleaded guilty to robbery; theft and possession of a bladed weapon.

On Tuesday, February 11 at approximately 6.45pm he entered the store, located in Octagon Arcade, near Liverpool Street railway station.

Anouer brazenly began taking fragrances from the shelves, prompting a smaller female assistant to intervene.

He pulled out the knife and continued helping himself to perfumes before leaving with around £640 worth of stock.

Following CCTV enquiries and a positive identification, officers attended an address the following morning and arrested Anouer.

Detective Constable Emma Martin, of the Criminal Investigations Department at the City of London Police, said: “This would have been a frightening ordeal for the shop staff and to the shoppers who had witnessed Anouer wielding a knife.

“No one should have to fear violence or threatening behaviour while at work or simply going about their daily business.

“We investigate all offences thoroughly and we’re committed to keeping people safe and making sure those responsible for criminal activities are brought to justice.”

Anouer also pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching his Criminal Behaviour Order which banned him from entering the City of London.

Jailed: Ruthless Thieves Who Infested The Square Mile

Binned: Ramzi (L) & Mamma (R)

Two ruthless pickpockets and bag snatchers – who targeted pubs, bars and fast food outlets during one night in the City of London – have been locked-up.

Daniel Ramzi, 26, and his accomplice Abderrahim Mamma, 29, brought misery to the Square Mile, stealing phones, laptops and other valuables from their victims.

They each pleaded guilty to four counts of theft within the City of London.

Ramzi received fourteen months imprisonment and Mamma received twenty months imprisonment.

Mamma additionally pleaded guilty to seven theft offences outside the Square Mile. 

He was also handed a Criminal Behaviour Order, banning him from entering the City of London for five years.

Sergeant James Wood, of the Proactive Acquisitive Crime Team at the City of London Police, said: “This is another great result in seeing two prolific bag thieves behind bars. 

“We hope that these sentences will give reassurance to businesses and members of the public that we take such offences very seriously.

“Our warning to criminals; don’t come into the City to steal bags. We will bring those committing crimes in the City to justice and we will use all of our resources to help prevent and deter any further criminal activities.”

Ramzi and Mamma committed the following offences on January 15.

Ramzi and Mamma were at a fast-food restaurant on Bishopsgate and stole a mobile phone from their victim’s coat pocket before walking away.

The pair then stole a laptop from inside a bag at a licensed premises on Gracechurch Street.

They both went on to steal another laptop from a bag at a pub in Leadenhall Market and the two were seen on CCTV reaching over a barrier to take a bag, removing a laptop inside before putting the bag back in place.

On January 21 Ramzi and Mamma went into a pub on Old Broad Street, where Ramzi slid a bag out from a pile and replaced it with a different bag. 

They approached another group and carry out another bag swap before leaving.

Rogue Travel Agent Gambled Away £268K He Nicked From Victims

A rogue travel agent is starting a prison sentence of three years and four months after gambling away £268,000 he swindled from trusting business owners.

Miles Caldwell, 47, who shared an Orpington flat with his OAP mother, received huge payments to book hotel rooms and business class flights, but pocketed the lot.

Even after his arrest on the earlier frauds he targeted more victims, who believed they were dealing with a reputable agent.

The biggest victim was events planner Liz Linkleter - former PA to fashion designer Alexander McQueen - who paid £155,751 to Caldwell, who promised to book 73 wedding hotel rooms, plus flights.

She said: “I am very angry at the way Miles Caldwell has treated my staff and I. We trusted him so did not draw up any business contracts when working with him, which I regret and have learned from.

“Financially, we lost out significantly although I was more worried about how our business would look if I would have had to cancel the wedding event and make clients aware of what really happened.”

She was unaware of Caldwell’s previous convictions, adding: “This could have looked bad on us and had a devastating impact on us as a business.”

Caldwell, of Seven Stiles Court, Ranmore Path pleaded guilty to defrauding Liz Linkleter and her self-titled company between February 6 and May 8, last year.

He also pleaded guilty to defrauding logistics manager Sahra Mirreh, who paid him to book long haul business class flights, out of £52,096 between July 17 and August 27, last year.

Caldwell fobbed her off with lies about airline ticketing delays and even asked for more money, creating dummy booking references to keep her off his back.

“Whilst under an immense amount of pressure I chose to show Miles a lot of grace and patience, not out of naivety, but in the hope he could get this situation sorted, carry-on trading and return the funds,” she said.

“Being unaware of the severity and enormity of his situation I just knew Miles to be an excellent travel agent and a pleasant person when communicating with him.

“This whole incident has left me highly stressed and I feel very angry and frustrated by the situation. I am shocked and stunned that Miles did this to me.

“I felt like he betrayed my trust. I felt like I had built up a good working relationship with him over the years, but now I believe it was based on lies.

“The incident has taken its toll on my mental health and has put me in financial trouble.

“The stress of having to relay what had happened to my clients and trying to find solutions to pay them back their money has been embarrassing and is likely to affect my business relationships going forward.”

Caldwell also pleaded guilty to defrauding events company Hudson Born out of £5,012 between April 4 and 15, this year and £55,800 out of Hippocampus Media on April 10.

Boss Matthew Hudson expected Caldwell to book hotel rooms for a marketing festival and an event involving the Football Association, but quickly became suspicious.

“Nothing in his actions displayed responsibility and I have no doubt he’d do it again,” said Mr Hudson. “I am lucky that my bank has reimbursed me.”

Hippocampus Media were fortunately reimbursed by their bank after transferring money to Caldwell to book hotel rooms, which was never done.

In 2017 Caldwell received two years imprisonment on eight counts of fraud and these latest offences continued even after he made admissions to police.

Major gambling companies have contributed to a compensation fund and Liz Linkleter will receive approximately £15,000 and Sahra Mirreh approximately £5,000.

Recorder Samantha Presland said: “There’s an element of not being able to stop himself. This involves huge sums of money, with sophistication.

“A pre-sentence report will not get him out of a custodial sentence.

“You have brought your overnight bag so are ready to face the music,” she told Caldwell. “You are clearly a very bright man.”

Speeding Fine And Points For Marques Of Ailesbury

The Ninth Marquess of Ailesbury was fined and received three penalty points on his driving licence today after he was caught on camera breaking a 20mph speed limit.

Eton-educated David Michael James Brudenell-Bruce, 72, did not appear at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court, where the offence was proved in his absence.

He was convicted of exceeding the 20mph speed limit on the A4 Cromwell Road, Kensington, near the junction with Queensberry Place on December 6, last year while driving his 1.2 litre black electric Vauxhall Mokka SUV.

Prosecutor Geraldine Dickinson told the short hearing it was 2.21pm when the peer, of Savernake Lodge, Ashlade Firs Road, Savernake, Wiltshire was caught.

A statement from Nicola McGill was read, which stated: “A vehicle activated the safety camera and the speed recorded was 26mph in a 20mph road.

“A letter was sent to David Brudenell-Bruce and was returned that confirmed he was the driver at the time of the offence.”

The Marquess, who studied at private Hawtreys prep-school before attending Scottish private boarding school Rannoch and the Royal Agricultural College, initially pleaded guilty by letter.

He also requested a personal hearting, but did not attend.

The court heard he has three points on his licence for an offence of speeding, committed on May 13, last year.

Bench Chairman David Williams announced the case was proved and fined the Marquess £220, with £130 costs, plus an £88 victim surcharge and imposed three penalty points.

However, this may not be the end of the peers motoring troubles as the court heard the DVLA still have the option of informing the court if his is liable for disqualification under the points totting rules.

“There could have been relevant points that have now dropped off,” explained the prosecutor.

The Marquess has been Secretary of Marlborough Conservatives since 1985 and an Executive member of the Devizes Constituency Conservative Association since 1988.

The family are the descendants of the Seymour family and related to King Henry The Eighth’s third wife Jane Seymour, the mother of his only son King Edward VI.

The Marquess is the 31st Hereditary Warden of the private Savernake Forest, part of the one thousand year-old Savernake Estate.

His formal title was Earl of Cardigan until the death of his father on May 12, last year, with that title passing to his son Thomas James Brudenell-Bruce, 43, a result of his first marriage to the late Rosamond Winkley.

He also has two daughters, Lady Catherine Anna Brudenell-Bruce, 40, and 12 year-old Lady Sophie Brudenell-Bruce - whose mother is the Marquess’ second wife, American Catherine Powell, now the Marchioness of Ailesbury.

A decade ago he was reportedly forced to claim Jobseekers Allowance and train as a HGV driver during a bitter High Court dispute with the estate trustees, who wanted to sell the family silver and art collection.

Eventually, the trustees were removed and the Marquess restored the family income.

The family seat is Grade I Tottenham House in Great Bedwyn, Wiltshire, which was leased to a US golf consortium in 2006 and then sold for £11.25m in 2014.

During this time the Marquess reportedly resided in an unheated lodge in the grounds of his ancestral home.

Dopey Drug Dealer Thought Undercover Cops Were Customers

Dread To Rights: Aghedo

A teenage County Lines drug dealer is starting a four-year sentence after specialist police caught him near Gillingham railway station in Kent.

Officers from the British Transport Police's (BTP) County Lines Taskforce were disguised as drug users and 19 year-old Kelly Aghedo warned them about police presence in the area.

He was in the middle of a drug deal involving two local users, who the undercover officers had just seen withdrawing cash and making phone calls before heading to a nearby alleyway.

Aghedo, of Latham Road, Bexleyheath, south-east London pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court.

The court heard how on February 26, near Gillingham Station the officers encountered Aghedo heading towards the same alleyway.

Believing one of the officers was a drug user looking to make a deal, Aghedo warned him of police in the area.

H walked past the alleyway, and was seen to dispose of something from his pocket.

The officers stopped and detained Aghedo and recovered two mobile phones one of which was receiving multiple calls linked to the supply of Class A drugs and he was arrested.

A subsequent search of his address resulted in a machete, a burner phone, sim cards and drugs paraphernalia being recovered.

Investigating officer DS Karen Grave said: “Our Taskforce officers are highly skilled and familiar with the behaviour of both drug users and dealers, which alerted them to Aghedo.

“So convincing are our plain clothes officers that even a seasoned dealer like Aghedo believed one of them to be a user attempting to buy drugs from him.

“Aghedo’s age is a sad reminder that County Lines gangs entrap and entice young people into the drugs trade so that before they are even out of their teens they are established dealers.

“This should serve as a warning to anyone using the railway for criminality that they can’t hide from us - we have multiple resources at our disposal and our specialist officers patrol the network every day.

“We encourage anyone to report any signs of child exploitation or drug dealing to us by discreetly texting 61016. Reports can also be made by calling BTP on 0800 40 50 40. Always call 999 in an emergency.”

Who's The Blackshirt? Man Wanted For Racial Abuse

Police are hunting a mystery male after a tube train passenger was racially abused onboard a service heading towards the heart of London's Jewish community.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this image of their suspect.

They are appealing to members of the public to assist them in identifying the unknown man.

The incident occurred on a northbound Northern Line train heading towards Golders Green, north-west London at approximately 4.30pm on Tuesday, August 12.

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

Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 516 of 12 August.

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

Track Him Down: BTP Release Image Of Sex Assault Suspect

Police investigating a midnight sex assault at London Bridge Underground station have released this image of their suspect.

A woman was approached, grabbed by the neck and then molested by a mystery male on Wednesday, July 16.

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

Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 131 of 18 July.

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

Bank Underground Station Pervert Hunted

Morning rush hour commuters at a busy Underground Station in the heart of the Square Mile were disgusted to see a mystery male pleasuring himself.

The unknown man was standing on a moving walkway – known as a travelator – at Bank Underground station at 9.00am on Tuesday, July 29.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this image of their suspect.

They are appealing to members of the public to assist them identify him.

Morning commuters raised the alarm after witnessing a male exposing himself and masturbating in front of them.

Anyone who recognises the man is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference number 199 of 29 July.

Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Teen Scourge Of Square Mile Captured

A prolific shoplifter has pleaded guilty to stealing around £5,400 worth of products in stores across the City of London.

Alice Constantin, 19, of Green Lane, Ilford, pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates’ Court to seven counts of theft.

On March 29 Constantin entered a store on Gracechurch Street and stole around £2,000 worth of cosmetic products.

On the same day, Constantin entered a clothing and homewares store on Gracechurch Street. 

She picked out items of clothing and removed the security tags before putting them in a carrier bag. She left the store with around £560 worth of items.

On July 16, she stole around £620 worth of skincare products from a store on Bishopsgate.

Sergeant Chris Hook, of the Neighbourhood Policing team at the City of London Police, said: “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime.

"It can cause significant alarm and distress to retail staff, as well as members of the public.

“We want retailers to come forward and report any crime so we can start investigations. 

“Through the store’s CCTV, and our extensive camera network in the City, we will identify, find and bring criminals before the courts.”

Constantin also pleaded guilty to the following offences:

• On 4 November 2024, she went into a store on Gracechurch Street stealing £820 worth of skincare products.

• On 14 December 2024, she went back to the same store on Gracechurch Street and stole around £680 worth of goods.

• On 9 March 2025, staff at a store on Cheapside saw Constantin attempting to steal make up products worth a total of £520. She was approached by a member of staff and left without taking any of the items.

• On 16 July 2025, she entered a store on Moorgate and took around £194 worth of skincare items.

Constantin will be sentenced later this month. 

Fraudster Receives Suspended Prison Sentence

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court

A fraudster, who dishonestly obtained money for product materials, has received a suspended prison sentence.

Joshua Oates, 33, of Smugglers Watch, Bossiney Road, Tintagel, Cornwall committed the offence while residing in south-west London.

His company directorships include Eco Tooth Ltd. which was involved in the manufacture and supply of dental and medical instruments and Flavour Labs Ltd. a macaroni and noodle manufacturer.

He initially appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to dishonestly making a false representation between January 1 and December 31, 2022, namely the sourcing of materials for products, intending to receive funding, money for himself.

Oates was bailed to Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for sentencing  due to the magistrates considering their sentencing powers to be insufficient.

There, he received twenty months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

Motorcyclist Charged With Death Crash Tragedy Of BRITs Dancer

Tragedy: Lousha Liddell

A motorcyclist charged with causing the tragic death of Ed Sheeran BRIT-award dancer Lousha Liddell appeared in court for the first time today.

The 25 year-old dancer, choreographer and model was a pillion passenger when she suffered fatal injuries in a collision with a vehicle on January 3, last year.

She was taken to St. George’s Hospital, south-west London, where she died the next day.

Today, at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court Jordan Spartan, 43, of Sheen Park, Richmond-upon-Thames appeared on a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

It is said he was riding a silver 998cc Yamaha dangerously in Garratt Lane, Tooting and caused the death of Ms Liddell.

Wearing black jeans and a black jumper he only spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address and did not enter a plea.

His lawyer Ros Ollason’s request to adjourn the case for more prosecution information regarding expert road traffic reports was refused.

“There is no evidence of that sort in the bundle. It is impossible to advise Mr Spartan today as to plea.”

The magistrates bailed Spartan to appear at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for a plea and case management hearing on October 6.

The driver of another vehicle involved in the tragedy was arrested on suspicion of drug-driving.

Ahsan Zafar, 24, of Spencer Park, Wandsworth appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on September 1 and will appear at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court on September 26.

He is charged with driving a silver Honda Civic in Garratt Lane on January 24, last year with excess cannabis in his blood.

He is charged with a reading of 5 micrograms. The legal limit is 2 micrograms.

Charged: Jordan Spartan

Zafar is also charged with driving without any insurance on the same occasion.

Tributes poured in after the tragedy, with Cardiff native Lousha described as a “hip hop luminary” and “beacon of inspiration.”

A gofundme page raised over £12,000 to fund a celebration of Lousha’s life.

After her tragic death friend Chilli Sanders, who set up the fundraiser said: “In the vibrant world of dance, Lousha was a hip-hop luminary - a 25 year-old dance choreographer and creative director, whose artistry transcended the boundaries of movement.

“With boundless energy, infectious passion and an innate ability to fuse different dance styles, Lousha had become a beacon of inspiration for those fortunate enough to witness her creations.”

Known as Lady Lousha, she attended St. David’s Catholic College before studying at Middlesex University.

Stella Bashorun said: “I love you so much Lousha and miss you. Sorry I didn’t get to show you everyday, but you made an impact in my life in the short space of knowing you xxx.”

Khadeem Moore wrote: “I’m lost for words, but she was special to this world and a great friend to me.”

“Rest in peace beautiful angel! Gone too soon,” wrote Ekaterina Nedelcheva, followed by Denise Bertram, who said: “You will be sorely missed Lousha….RIP Angel xxx.”

Nadia Gardner said: “Such a sad loss for such a talented individual. Fly high, dance with the angles and keep shining your light.”