NOT GUILTY: Top Army Chef Cleared Of Breaking BTP Cop's Ankle During Missed Train Dispute

Not Guilty: Andrew Saupe

The Honourable Artillery Company’s Executive Chef has been cleared of breaking a policeman’s ankle at Waterloo Station after missing his last train home.

Andrew Saupe, 44, who has over two decades service in the British Army, found himself charged with GBH after being manhandled to the station floor in the early hours.

He was found not guilty at City of London Magistrates Court of inflicting grievous bodily harm on PC Luca Amante - who has not returned to active duty - on July 8, last year.

Saupe, of Watertower Way, Basingstoke told the one-day trial the British Transport Police officer’s ankle snapped due to the policeman’s own aggressive behaviour.

The officer had grabbed Saupe by the arm seconds earlier and admits he attempted to take the chef to the station floor, but ended up screaming in agony and needing surgery, plus a plate and six pins to his ankle.

Saupe had sprinted to the station from The Gherkin building, where his works all-day Summer Party had concluded, during which he consumed ten bottles of beer.

“I’d say I was tipsy, not drunk. Ten bottles with my military and chef experience is light drinking really,” he told the trial.

Broken Ankle: PC Luca Amante with PCSO Philip Morgan

“I was working on the assumption there was a 1.05am train and another female passenger was in a heated debate. By this point my OCD was triggered.

“Where is my train? Where can I stay safe in London? I once tried to walk home and it took me two hours to get to Clapham and I did not want to be walking the streets of London.

“I felt threatened by PC Amante, his body language, his facial movements, his rolling of the eyes,” said Saupe, the ex-Head Chef of the British Academy on The Mall.

Another officer and PCSO Philip Morgan struggled to convince Saupe his last train had departed and there was little they could do for him before eventually getting him moving.

“I was feeling threatened and took a step or two backwards because PC Amante is charging towards me. He grabbed my right arm and pulled me forward and the other policeman grabbed my left arm.

“We have tumbled forwards and gone down and PC Amante grabbed my neck with both hands and pulled me on to top him. I then heard him screaming out in pain.

“I think the injury was caused by him grabbing me.

“I did not want to be grabbed by this person. He charged towards me and grabbed me in an aggressive manner, but I am a twenty-four year soldier and if I am grabbed I am going to get them away.

“I was being grabbed hold of left right and centre and was struggling to speak because someone was around my voice box.”

Earlier PC Amante, a former prison officer, told the trial: “He was required to leave and we tried to persuade him to leave the station and he eventually agreed to go to reception.

“He was quite upset with me for whatever reason, saying I was disrespectful to him and he said that I should not follow him.

“The gentleman was very upset, speaking loudly was very argumentative and coming across in a very unpredictable way.

“I walked towards him to take his right arm to eject him from the station and at that point he tried to punch me in the face.”

PCSO Morgan’s body-worn camera captured the entire incident and there was no obvious evidence of an attempted blow delivered by Saupe.

“I tried to throw him on the floor and fell and he rugby-tackled me and my legs went under and with his weight and my bodyweight my left ankle snapped and was broken in two places.

“He was on to top of me and I felt the crack in my ankle. The pain was instant.”

The body-worn footage captured PC Amante screaming: “My ankle!” and Saupe dismissively responding: “I’ve not touched his ankle. He is playing up like a footballer.”

The officer was keen to tell the trial he was down £3,000 due to lost overtime and dog-walker costs and spent twenty days at home on painkillers before surgery, plus a lengthy recovery period.

“Since this happened I have been in constant pain and I am still restricted to desk duty. I may need another surgery and have ligament damage.

“I cannot run and cannot have any impact on my foot and I do not know if I will ever return to duty.”

When questioned by police Saupe said his military career, which included duty in Northern Ireland; Kosovo; Iraq and Germany, left him with PTSD.

He hoped the station or train company would provide him with accommodation for the night or an alternative way to get home.

Saupe told the trial his military background and mental health issues resulted in his “fight or flight” behaviour that night.

“I am sorry his ankle was broken, but I do not feel it was caused by my actions.”

Bloke On The Tracks: Mystery Male Brings Thameslink To Standstill

The Thameslink train line ground to a halt in north London after a mystery trespasser decided to walk the tracks between two stations.

A total of sixteen trains were cancelled and there were fifty-four part-journey cancellations – totalling a £500,000 cost in delayed minutes.

Now British Transport Police (BTP) are appealing to members of the public to assist them identify this suspect.

The unknown middle-aged male entered Hendon railway station at approximately 2.20pm on January 16 and climbed down onto the live railway track from the platform.

He was then seen walking along the tracks to the next station – Mill Hill Broadway – a four-minute train journey.

BTP investigating officers believe the man in the image may have information that could help their investigation.

Do you recognise him, or do you have any information which could help the investigation?

Anyone with information can contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 with the reference 326 of 16/01/25.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.

Volunteer Cop Twice Groped 14 Year-Old Girl In Heart Of Square Mile

A Special Constable groped a 14 year-old girl's bottom while queuing in Tesco's before stalking her and her mother in the street and doing it again.

Hassnain Shahzad, 27, of Ilford Lane, Ilford – who was volunteering with the Metropolitan Police – received a suspended prison sentence and must sign the sex offenders register for seven years.

He struck in the City of London on Friday, August 25, 2023 and fought the charges at Inner London Crown Court.

However, a jury convicted Shahzad of two counts of sexual assault and he received six months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months.

He must also complete 120 hours community service work.

The mother and daughter, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were waiting to pay for shopping at Bishopsgate Tesco and Shahzad was queuing behind them.

He then passed by the teenage girl, deliberately touching her bottom. 

The girl looked at him and noticed he was carrying pineapple chunks and assumed as the store was crowded Shahzad's actions were not intentional.

The mother and daughter left Tesco's in the direction of their hotel and Shahzad was caught on CCTV approaching the victim on the pavement from behind and touching her on the bottom again.

The footage shows Shahzad was clearly able to avoid the victim, but made straight for her and the girl victim alerted her mother about what had happened on the street and in Tesco.

The mother said, “She was distraught and just wanted to go back home rather than the hotel.

“At this stage two young women approached us to see what had happened. They implored us to go back to the store and see how they could help us. 

“I never got their names, but I’m extremely grateful to them for taking the time to talk to us and suggesting we went back to Tesco and see the CCTV.”

The mother was full of praise for her daughter mentioning the assault and never backing down during the difficult process.

“At no point did she say ‘I don’t want to do this’, or withdraw from the prosecution. 

“It was a stressful time for her as she had her exams, which she completed and never asked for extra help. She doesn’t see it as brave, but I am in admiration of my child.

“Even now, months later, my daughter remains a beacon of kindness and understanding towards others, despite the fear that shadows her every step. 

“It's heartbreaking to watch. I’ve seen the way her body tenses, the subtle shift in her expression when she sees men approaching or staring at her. 

“There’s a fear in her eyes that no child should have to experience.

“Despite this, she continues to show compassion to everyone around her, trying to push through the overwhelming anxiety that clutches at her heart. 

“It’s a daily struggle that no one should have to endure, and yet she faces it with such quiet strength, but I can't help but feel the weight of what she's going through and how much more we need to do to protect her, to help her feel safe again.

“That day would mark the tragic end of her innocence, snatching away her right to view the world through the innocent eyes of a child. 

“Before the assault, she was a carefree spirit, always bubbling with laughter and playful. She radiated a kind of unfettered happiness that was contagious, relishing the company of her family without a care in the world. 

“We’ll never know now what her life would have been like without Shahzad’s actions. 

“I find myself seeking her permission for even the simplest gestures of affection, like a hug. The days of spontaneous affection are gone, replaced by a painful necessity to ask, a stark reminder of the trust that was shattered.

“It was an act of cruelty that despite the clear CCTV footage and bank records confirming Shahzad had bought pineapple chunks he still pleaded not guilty. 

“He has shown no moral compass or remorse. He’s only sorry he was caught. 

“He was clearly aware of the age of his victim and putting her through the court process that most adults find hard to deal with. 

“We had to listen to his defence suggest that it was a touch you might experience on a busy train. This was not a busy train, this was a wide pavement and he had followed us to continue his attack.

“My daughter and I hope that by going into detail about the pain and suffering this has caused us, it will empower more children and women to come forward and shout loudly about the abuse they have endured. 

“Protecting children and women from harm is not an awareness day or week, it is an everyday challenge that all in society need to face up to. 

“There needs to be more accountability for men who denigrate women and our schools need to be regularly talking about the dangers children and women face on the streets. 

“We’re not speaking for ourselves, but for others who can’t speak out due to the trauma they have endured, or because they have disabilities. 

“Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual assault deserves to be believed, support and given a voice.”

The City of London Police quickly picked up the case and reviewed CCTV footage and obtained bank card details of the man buying the pineapple. 

The bank responded with the details and Shahzad was identified. 

He was arrested at home on September 27, 2023 and a number of items were seized, including clothing identical to that shown on CCTV.

Police officer seized Shahzad’s phone and found video footage taken two days after the sexual assault, which showed him filming women on the street without their permission.

Detective Constable Sarah Elsom, of the City of London Police, said: “Supporting the victim and her family has been at the forefront of our minds since we started investigating the case. 

“Her courage throughout the two-year process has been inspirational.

“This was a deplorable crime carried out by someone who held a position of trust as a Metropolitan Police Special Constable. 

“He had ample opportunity once presented with the clear evidence to admit to his crimes, but he decided to put his victim through court proceedings. 

“Hassnain Shahzad is a convicted sex offender and thanks to the bravery of his victim, he has been brought to justice.

“It’s clear from the evidence taken from his phone this was not a one-off incident, Shahzad displayed predatory behaviour only two days after committing this heinous sexual assault.

The mother went on to praise Detective Constable Elsom and her team. She said:

“I reported the crime online the following morning and within 20 minutes someone from the City of London Police called me which I thought was very quick. 

“At no stage did I doubt their intentions to support my daughter and fully investigate the case. 

“I think it was divine intervention that Sarah was assigned to our case.

“The dedication of Sarah and her team to pursue Shahzad was remarkable. They did not stop until he was found, arrested and brought to justice.”

'Father Of The House' MP Knocked Cop Off Brompton Bike

MP Sir Edward Leigh has been fined for knocking a police officer off of his Brompton bicycle when opening his car door outside his home near Parliament.

The 74 year-old Conservative MP for Gainsborough inflicted serious injuries on the officer, who suffered a fractured sternum and cuts, when knocked off the bike in Horseferry Road, Westminster, last summer.

Sir Edward did not appear before Bromley Magistrates’ Court, where he was treated as someone merely in receipt of a state pension and fined £120, with £110 costs and ordered to pay a £48 victim surcharge.

He pleaded guilty online to opening the drivers’ door of his grey two-litre diesel Skoda Superb on August 6, last year so as to injure or endanger a person.

Sir Edward - full name Edward Julian Egerton Leigh - is the longest serving current MP and is bestowed with the informal title of Father of the House, having first been elected in 1983.

Prosecutor Alison Larkin told the court on Thursday: “It was 6.53pm and he opened the drivers’ door of his Skoda on Horseferry Road. Rob Amos was passing on a Brompton bicycle and he caused the door to hit the police officer.

“The door opened and it caused the officer to injure himself high up on his chest, causing a displaced fracture of his sternum, with fluid under the sternum and he suffered cuts to the top of his left hand that required stitches.”

In a lengthy hand-written explanation to the court Sir Edward claimed he was “traumatised by the incident”, asking how he could make up for it.

He told the court he was parked in a residents’ bay outside his house in
Horseferry Road and remained at the scene to assist the injured police officer.

Admitting his fault the MP stressed he had checked his mirror before opening the door, but wanted the court to know the officer was not wearing a crash helmet.

He apologised for the injuries suffered by the policeman, extending “my profound and sincere apologies to the court.”

In his financial means form Sir Edward stated his income was a state pension and the magistrates calculated the fine from those figures.

“We have taken into account he is in receipt of a pension,” announced bench  Chairwoman Susan Polydorou MBE, ordering the penalty to be paid in full within twenty-eight days. 

Sir Edward was knighted in the Queen’s 2013 Birthday Honours for “public and political service” and is former President of the Catholic Union of Great Britain.

Though London-born his family history hails from Cheshire landed gentry and he is a former Inner Temple barrister. 

A Thatcherite, Sir Edward he has aligned himself with the “Common sense Group” of Conservatives Parliamentarians and he is also member of the Privy Council.

The father-of-six was privately-educated at Berkshire’s Oratory School and is married to Lady Mary Leigh.

Speeding Driver Keeps Licence For Daughter's 'Daddy Time'

Bromley Magistrates' Court

A Kensington interior designer, caught speeding in his Land Rover, has dodged a driving ban so he can continue visiting his nine year-old daughter, whose mother relocated to north Norfolk.

Samuel Birch, 50, boss of Picturesque Productions, clocked-up twelve penalty points on his driving licence, which usually results in an automatic six-month disqualification.

However, at Bromley Magistrates’ Court he successfully argued that a ban would cause ‘exceptional hardship’ and walked away with his licence and a fine of £123, with £110 costs, plus a £49 victim surcharge and three penalty points.

Birch, a Fine Arts graduate, of Radford House, Pembridge Gardens pleaded guilty to driving his Land Rover Discovery over the 20mph speed limit in Grosvenor Road, Pimlico on June 25, last year.

The hotel, club, restaurant, bar and retail specialist told the court: “I was coming across lanes and did not realise the speed limit had changed.”

Arguing it was vital for family life that he retains his licence Birch explained: “My daughter lives with her mother near the north Norfolk coast, one hundred and fifty miles away.

“I have rented a second property in the area for ‘Daddy time’ every other weekend and without a car that is a six to none hour journey with a three-hour wait in the middle of the night.

“I also need to drive for the equipment I use that I cannot take on public transport.

“I apologise. I know speeding is dangerous.”

Bench Chair Brenda Henderson announced: “We have taken into consideration your circumstances, your work and your heavy reliance on driving and the impact a disqualification would have on your staff.

“More importantly a disqualification would impact your ability to maintain contact with your daughter and on this occasion we will not impose a disqualification.”

Speeding Lord Stevenson: "I Feel Like A Total Plonker"

Lord Stevenson & wife Charlotte leaving court

Former HBOS bank Chairman Lord Stevenson told a court yesterday: “I feel like a total plonker,” after being caught speeding along Vauxhall Bridge Road on four separate occasions.

The 79 year-old Life Peer - full name Henry Dennistoun Stevenson - appeared at Bromley Magistrates Court, where he successfully fought a driving ban.

He was elevated to the House of Lords in 1999 as Lord Stevenson of Coddenham and sat on the cross benches until his retirement in 2023.

The father-of-four, who was accompanied by his wife Charlotte Vanneck - daughter of former Lord Mayor of London Sir Peter Vanneck - had accumulated twelve penalty points on his licence.

He pleaded guilty to driving his 1.6 litre blue Mini Cooper over the 20mph speed limit twice on May 19, last year.

Lord Stevenson already has six penalty points on his licence for two similar speeding offences on the same stretch of road, committed on August 20 and 24, last year.

The two speeding offences on May 19 each carry three penalty points, bringing his total to twelve and triggering an automatic six-month disqualification.

However, drivers can claim special circumstances to avoid a ban and Lord Stevenson told the court losing his licence would impede his charity and business work and commitments to his grandchildren.

He was caught on camera driving at 24mph and 27 mph on May 19 while driving one of his eleven grandchildren to a piano test, near his home in Ashley Gardens, Thirleby Road, Westminster.

“I am a musician, although not a very good one, an amateur and I do like playing the piano with my grandchildren and on this day there was a piano grade test,” he told the court.

“So blame my grandchildren,” he joked. “Up until recently the speed limit on that stretch of road had been 30mph.

“In the words of my grandson I feel like a total plonker and a complete idiot. I feel extremely silly and I am very sorry on behalf of my fellow citizenry.”

When asked by his lawyer Sasha Laurel if he was a man of “good character” Lord Stevenson quipped: “Well, I’m not sure everybody would say that,” before confirming he had never been in trouble with the police.

The loss of his licence would impede his “love and joy of visiting the grandchildren,” the peer told the hearing.

“I have eleven grandchildren and I am often asked by one of my daughters-in-law to do a pick-up and often find myself sitting and waiting while parked outside of a school.

“I had never been to Bromley before, but two weeks ago my twelve year-old granddaughter was playing a soccer match here. It was absolutely freezing cold.”

Lord Stevenson now also requires the assistance of a walking stick.

“I blame my wife really. After twenty years I agreed to move home and I was picking-up something heavy and slipped a disc.

“At the hospital they found, could you believe, five fractures in my spine.”

He told the court he founded a mental health charity after finding himself in a mental health crisis, aged fifty years-old and also founded an international mediation group.

He was founding Chair of MQ: Transforming Mental Health and is a trustee of Inter Mediate, which works in dangerous conflict zones and brought him in contact with the President of Colombia.

The ability to drive would allow him to quickly visit suicidal individuals he has met via his charity work, Lord Stevenson told the magistrates and also to get to his office a mile away from his home near Westminster Cathedral.

The peer said he also often had other business meetings to attend during the day.

Bench Chairwoman Brenda Henderson told Lord Stevenson: “These six points would ordinarily lead to a disqualification, because you have twelve penalty points.

“We are mindful of your mental health charity work and the reliance on members of your charity to have access to you in a short period of time so we are not going to disqualify you.

“You mentioned in your evidence ‘hurrying around’ a lot and we suggest you do not hurry around. Twenty mph is a good speed to be going at, even in a thirty mph zone.”

Lord Stevenson was fined £500 for each of the two speeding offence, plus £110 costs and was ordered to pay a £400 surcharge 

“Thank-you for your advice about not hurrying around. My wife has been saying that for years,” he told the magistrates. “Thank-you for being so understanding.”

Ms Henderson warned the peer: “If you find yourself in court again you cannot put forward the circumstances you have today to avoid a disqualification.”

“I will not be back in court,” he replied, before leaving with his wife.

Cambridge-educated Lord Stevenson established the SRU Consultancy Group after he graduated and has also sat on the boards of Tyne Tees and Thames Television and BSkyB.

He was a Trustee of the Tate Gallery for over ten years and in 1999 became chairman of Halifax and stayed as chairman of HBOS after a merger with Bank of Scotland.