Monday 12 October 2015

Peckham Knife Attack: CCTV Of Suspect Released

Police hunting a knifeman, who with two other men attacked a teenager in busy Peckham, have released this CCTV still of the suspect.
The 19 year-old was punched and kicked to the ground by the trio and suffered a cut to his hand as he tried to defend himself from the blade.
He was walking in Rye Lane at 3.15pm on April 22 when approached by the three males and after a brief verbal altercation, they attacked him - punching him to the ground then kicking him.
The victim managed to get to his feet and was chased by two of his attackers into a fast-food restaurant.
One of them pulled a knife and tried to stab him several times.
The victim received a cut to his hand as he defended himself and both men fled the venue.
The male suspect who remains unidentified is described as light skinned black male with long, braided hair, of slim build and approximately 6ft tall.
He was wearing a grey sweatshirt with the words 'Sneaker Freak' on the front and blue jeans.
The victim was taken to hospital where he was treated and later discharged.
A 21-year-old male was arrested on 20 May on suspicion of grievous bodily harm, with intent, and a second male was arrested on 14 July and released on police bail pending further enquires.
The third suspect, shown in the CCTV image holding a knife remains unidentified although it is believed that he may have links to the east London area.
Police are calling for help from the public to identify him.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Tessa Lyle-Meller of Southwark CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 3011268/15.

Sunday 11 October 2015

Bus Schoolboys Threatened With Stabbing: CCTV Released

Police are hunting this aggressive teenager, suspected of threatening to stab five twelve year-old boys on a bus in east London.
Officers from Havering Safer Transport Team have released this CCTV image as the hunt continues.
The route 372 bus was travelling along Wennington Road near Lakeside Shopping Centre at 5.00pm on May 16 when two youths boarded the top-deck.
The younger boys were told they would be stabbed and a concerned passenger intervened, forcing the five boys off the bus, before alerting the driver. 


A 13-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the incident and the second wanted suspect is described as white, aged about 16-years-old with a foreign, possibly eastern European accent.
He was wearing a black shiny Adidas jacket with white piping on the arms.



Anyone with information is urged to contact PC Kevin Sheppard on 07825 386 484 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting ref 179807.

Saturday 10 October 2015

Mum-Of-Six Guilty Of Running Over Cyclist In Her Powerful Audi And Demolishing Beauty Salon

Guilty: Natalie Pyne
A mum-of-six with a car full of children was convicted yesterday of the 'road rage' attempted wounding of a cyclist she mounted the pavement and ran over, also demolishing the front of a beauty salon.

Natalie Pyne, 31, had five youngsters in her powerful three-litre Audi Q7, which weighs over three metric tonnes, when she cut-up Simon Edgely, causing him to bump into the rear of her vehicle.

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard Mr. Edgely kicked the car twice and the pair had a screaming match in the middle of the busy road.

"She got back in and chose to drive deliberately, in anger, at Mr. Edgely and drove into him, knocking him off his bike, with the car carrying on and ploughing into the shop," said prosecutor Mr. James Lofthouse.

Thirty minutes earlier a salon employee was folding towels at the front of the shop, which bore the brunt of the damage. 

The jury unanimously found her guilty of attempting to cause Mr. Edgely grievous bodily harm, with intent, dangerous driving and causing over £20,000 worth of criminal damage to the salon.

Pyne, of Heatherdale Close, Kingston-upon-Thames, who has a previous conviction for dangerous driving while over the alcohol limit, was bailed until November 6 for a pre-sentence report.

She was also made subject to an immediate interim disqualification order, which prevents her from driving.

A witness saw the cyclist rolling over the bonnet of the white Audi and heard Pyne shouting: "Shut up" at her crying children after the car came to rest in the wreckage of Park Salon, Park Road, Kingston-upon-Thames.

She had just left a park, where the children had been playing, at approximately 5.30pm on June 7, last year, when Mr. Edgely, who was wearing a badge indicating his disability, bumped into Pyne when she suddenly pulled out.

"What happened was a road rage incident," explained Mr. Lofthouse. "Mr. Edgely remonstrated and kicked her vehicle and she got out and remonstrated with him."

A woman driving behind, Frances Teague, told the court: "The driver got out and they were shouting with hands flinging at each other, but there was no contact.

"The lady got back in and the cyclist was leaning down and shouting through the window and kicked the passenger side of the car. He then got on his bike and cycled off on the pavement.

"The Audi was revving and just zoomed off in the same direction as the cyclist. It shot off quickly and turned to the left very fast.

"I saw the cyclist's head and then it disappeared. A parked van juddered as if it had been hit and the car went straight into the building."

Fortunately Mr. Edgely was not seriously injured. "He was up and walking around in a daze. He was agitated."

Mr. Lofthouse told the jury: "By driving at him deliberately and knocking him off she intended to cause Mr. Edgely very serious harm.

"By driving into the front of the salon she was reckless about the collateral damage and her driving over that short period was very dangerous indeed.

"She also caused substantial damage to a silver Mercedes Sprinter van that was parked."

Just thirty minutes earlier a member of the salon's staff was folding towels at the front of the shop Pyne wrecked.

When questioned by police Pyne claimed it was an accident outside of her control.

"She said she had children in the car and was panicking because the car would not start and an involuntary motion caused it to lurch onto the pavement.

"The lurch onto the pavement was not caused by an involuntary movement of the car," said Mr. Lofthouse. "She got back into the car, in anger, the red mist descended and she chose to drive into Mr. Edgely."

Friday 9 October 2015

Sales Assistant Funded Vodka Binges With Cash From Till

A sales assistant, caught by a sharp-eyed customer pocketing cash from the till at the landmark department store he worked at, exposed a two-year £20,000 series of thefts to fund his vodka binges.

Adam James Harris, 47, of Redwood Place, Morewood Close, Sevenoaks immediately came under suspicion and CCTV cameras caught him trousering extra sums at the store, which had employed him for fourteen years.


He pleaded guilty at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to stealing cash from Elys department store, Wimbledon and was placed on a twelve-month community order, which includes 150 hours community service work.


Elys investigated the previous five-years and discovered a £94,000 shortfall, but Harris maintained he took no more than £20,000 and had returned half of that sum while working at the store.


Prosecutor Miss Elizabeth Schofield told the court yesterday Harris's luck ran out on January 9, this year. “He was seen by a customer pocketing money taken out of the till.


“That was reported and he came under suspicion and his employer used CCTV to monitor him.


“He was caught red-handed on CCTV taking seventy pounds form the till on January 13 and putting it in his pocket.


“The investigation revealed he had covered his tracks by making false refunds for supposed unwanted gifts.


“Over a period of two years a large sum of money had been taken.”


Harris was arrested on January 13 and when his home was searched by police they seized £6,146 cash, which the court ordered to be confiscated.


The court heard Harris, who was on a modest £14,000 a year salary, was drinking half a bottle of vodka five nights a week.


“He took cash to pay for drink and small items such as taxi rides and nights out and would return the money the next day,” said Aneurin Brewer, defending the first-time offender.


Bachelor Harris now claims he has not touched alcohol for the last eight months.


Judge Peter Birts QC, accepting Harris was responsible for a loss of £10,000, told him: “You pleaded guilty to a serious offence of theft involving a breach of trust.


“Your employers trusted you to handle money and look after it and secretly, over two years, you were removing cash for your own purposes when you developed a drink problem.


“It really does raise an eyebrow when we have an original indictment that says ninety-four thousand pounds then reduced to twenty thousand and then an acceptance you paid back ten thousand pounds without being dicovered.


“It shows a lax system by your employer and an impoverished attitude towards repayments.


“Had your employer had a correct system you would not have been able to do this.”


Harris was ordered to pay Elys the balance of £3,854 at the rate of £75 per month.

Thursday 8 October 2015

Noodle Bar Employee's Late-Night Water-Damage Revenge

Waterboy: New Culture Revolution
A disgruntled noodle bar employee sneaked into his workplace in the early hours of the morning and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to electronic payment equipment during an on-going contractual dispute.

Simone La Barbera, 22, of Pipewell Road, Carshalton worked at the New Culture Revolution restaurant in King's Road, Chelsea, where he was caught on CCTV entering with borrowed keys at 1.30am.

Hammersmith Magistrates Court heard yesterday he dunked two hand-held payment card readers in a tub of water and poured more water over a receipt printer and the till, causing £3,000 worth of damage.

He pleaded guilty to burgling the restaurant on September 19, with intent to cause criminal damage, and was bailed until October 16 for a pre-sentence report.

The court heard La Barbera did not have permission to be on the premises at that time and the owner did not know he had a key.

CCTV captured him filling a tub with water in the kitchen and placing the two card readers inside and causing more water damage to the other equipment.

The owner identified him from the footage and the first-time offender was arrested by police, although he initially claimed he had nothing to do with it.

La Barbera's lawyer said he was in a “contractual dispute” and the defendant accepts this was no way to resolve his employment issues.

Wednesday 7 October 2015

Husband Knocks Wife Out Cold During Celebratory Birthday Night

A Suffolk couple's weekend birthday celebrations ended in yet another row, with the husband knocking his wife unconscious and carrying her prone body around London's busy streets until shocked passers-by raised the alarm.

Powerfully-built Norman Goodchild, 28, of Fair Close, Beccles decked the mother of his two children, Gemma Martin, with a single blow, which caused a three-centimetre cut to the back of her head as she struck the pavement.

Highbury Corner Magistrates Court heard the couple have a history of domestic turbulence during their eight-year relationship, with Goodchild convicted of battery in 2009 and later receiving a caution for assault.

He has been forced to move out of town while on bail for the court case and now lives in Jubilee Close, Corston, Norwich.

Goodchild pleaded guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court to assaulting Gemma, causing her actual bodily harm, in St. Giles Street, Bloomsbury on August 8.

Yesterday he received twenty-six weeks imprisonment, suspended for twelve months and must complete 180 hours community service work and complete a twenty-day rehabilitation requirement.

The court made a two-year restraining order, prohibiting him contacting Ms Martin or visiting the former matrimonial home, and he was ordered to pay a £180 court charge, £80 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Prosecutor Miss Penny Ferguson told the court today: “The defendant and Ms Martin have had an on-off relationship, which has a violent history and she says she has been assaulted in the past.”

They were celebrating Goodchild's twenty-eighth birthday in the West End and met another couple he knew, who lived locally, for night out.

They went to a bar in Denmark Street, Soho, but the defendant and his friend kept going to the toilet and Ms Martin, tired of their drug-taking, decided to leave.”

Ms Martin was at the couple's nearby flat when Goodchild returned in a temper. “He said that she had made no effort to contact him and she said she had no mobile phone and did not know his number off by heart.

The defendant grabbed his wife's bag and went back out onto the street, with Ms Martin following because it had all her possessions in it and she did not want to be stranded.

She grabbed her friend's mobile phone on the way and a witness sitting in a parked van saw Goodchild snatch it out of her hand, stamp on it and throw it at her.

The witness described the couple shouting in the street and this defendant slapping Ms Martin's face, causing her to fall to the floor and be knocked unconscious.

Several witnesses then saw the defendant carrying the unconscious Ms Martin towards Charing Cross Road and passers-by persuaded him to put her down and an ambulance was called.

As she was being treated by the ambulance crew Mr. Goodchild tried to get into the vehicle with her, but Ms Martin objected and he was ordered out.”

Goodchild did not wait for the police and returned to Beccles, where he handed himself into a local station and made no comment when questioned.

Ms Martin says she does not remember anything between arguing in the street with her husband to waking up in the back of the ambulance,” added Miss Ferguson.

Goodchild's lawyer Mr. Nathan Seymour-Hyde said: “He's embarrassed and ashamed and has shown genuine remorse and says it is scary what could have happened.

Both parties had consumed a lot of alcohol and Ms Martin had left the bar for a cigarette and not returned and Mr. Goodchild went to the flat an hour-and-a-half later.

He says she tried to grab some keys from him and he turned instinctively, a rush of blood to the head, and then picked her up and was trying to carry her back to the flat.”

The lawyer said any restraining order would make things very difficult for Goodchild in having access to his two and four year-old children.

District Judge Julia Newton told him: “You have in the past received a suspended sentence for assaulting the same complainant and were also cautioned for assault.

What happened in the early hours could have been much more serious than it ultimately was.”

Monday 5 October 2015

Car Mum Accused Of Mowing Down Cyclist And Demolishing Salon During 'Road Rage' Row

A mum with a car full of children mounted the pavement and deliberately ran over an autistic cyclist during a "road rage" row, also demolishing the front of a beauty salon in the process, a court heard today.

Natalie Pyne, 31, was driving at least four youngsters in her powerful three-litre Audi Q7, which weighs over three metric tonnes, when she cut-up Simon Edgely, causing him to bump into the rear of her vehicle.

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard Mr. Edgely kicked the car twice and the pair had a screaming match in the middle of the busy road.

"She got back in and chose to drive deliberately, in anger, at Mr. Edgely and drove into him, knocking him off his bike, with the car carrying on and ploughing into the shop," said prosecutor Mr. James Lofthouse.

A witness saw the cyclist rolling over the bonnet of the white Audi and heard Pyne shouting: "Shut up" at her crying children after the car came to rest in the £20,000 wreckage of Park Salon, Park Road, Kingston-upon-Thames.

She had just left a park, where the children had been playing, at approximately 5.30pm on June 7, last year, when Mr. Edgely, who was wearing a badge indicating his disability, bumped into Pyne when she suddenly pulled out.

"What happened was a road rage incident," explained Mr. Lofthouse. "Mr. Edgely remonstrated and kicked her vehicle and she got out and remonstrated with him."

A woman driving behind, Frances Teague, told the court: "The driver got out and they were shouting with hands flinging at each other, but there was no contact.

"The lady got back in and the cyclist was leaning down and shouting through the window and kicked the passenger side of the car. He then got on his bike and cycled off on the pavement.

"The Audi was revving and just zoomed off in the same direction as the cyclist. It shot off quickly and turned to the left very fast.

"I saw the cyclist's head and then it disappeared. A parked van juddered as if it had been hit and the car went straight into the building."

Fortunately Mr. Edgely was not seriously injured. "He was up and walking around in a daze. He was agitated."

Mr. Lofthouse told the jury: "By driving at him deliberately and knocking him off she intended to cause Mr. Edgely very serious harm.

"By driving into the front of the salon she was reckless about the collateral damage and her driving over that short period was very dangerous indeed.

"She also caused substantial damage to a silver Mercedes Sprinter van that was parked."

When questioned by police Pyne claimed it was an accident outside of her control.

"She said she had children in the car and was panicking because the car would not start and an involuntary motion caused it to lurch onto the pavement.

"The lurch onto the pavement was not caused by an involuntary movement of the car," said Mr. Lofthouse. "She got back into the car, in anger, the red mist descended and she chose to drive into Mr. Edgely."

Pyne has pleaded not guilty to attempting to cause Mr. Edgely grievous bodily harm, with intent; dangerous driving and criminal damage.

Trial continues……………  

Sunday 4 October 2015

Audacious Art Thief Hunted After Bronze Sculpture Sneaked Out Of Mayfair Gallery


Police are hunting this audacious suspected thief, who they believe walked out of a Mayfair art gallery with a £40,000 bronze statue.
The man browsed and even chatted with the manager of the gallery in Maddox Street, which noticed the 'Horizontal Birdman 1' art piece was gone after he left.
Detectives in Westminster have released this CCTV image of the suspect, who they wish to trace.
On Friday, June 26 between 5:30pm and 5:50pm the suspect is believed to have stolen the 1962 limited edition statue by artist Elisabeth Frink - inscribed on the underside with 'Frink 10/10'.


The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 6ft, of medium build, with medium length greying hair on the sides.
He was wearing glasses, a light blue shirt and dark suit and was carrying a black sports bag.


Detective Constable Kevin Eade, of Westminster CID said: "It appears the suspect has specifically targeted this piece and picked his moment.
He took his time first browsing around the art gallery and speaking with the manager before stealing the statue.
Anyone who recognises the man pictured please come forward."



Anyone with any information is asked to contact Detective Constable Kevin Eade on 020 7321 7623 or call 101 quoting CRIS reference 6527624/15 or call Crimestoppers Anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Saturday 3 October 2015

Brittle-Bone Woman Flattened By Zimmer-Frame Bus Passenger During Priority Seating Row

A young woman with brittle-bone condition osteoporosis was punched to the floor of a bus by this disabled suspect during a dispute over a priority seat.
Police are releasing this CCTV image of a woman, who used a walking frame, they would like to speak to in connection with the assault on the 22 year-old travelling on a bus in Westminster. 


The incident occurred on Thursday, March 12 at 3:38pm on board a route 73 bus. 


The victim, who was sitting in the priority seating area at the front of the bus, got up to leave at Great Titchfield Street.
The suspect elbowed her hard in the stomach, causing her to fall back onto the floor. 


She later went to hospital and was treated for a suspected broken rib.


The suspect is described as a woman of Mediterranean appearance, aged about 60 years-old with short grey hair and wearing glasses.



Anyone with information is asked to contact Westminster Safer Transport team on 020 7321 9666 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting ref: 174630.

Friday 2 October 2015

Savile Row Tailoring Entrepreneur Thumped Stranger Asking For Directions

A young Savile Row tailoring entrepreneur, who boasts of a champagne-fuelled jet-set lifestyle, drunkenly punched a man in the face who asked him for directions near Sloane Square.

Privately-educated James Oliver Beckett-Dunn, 29, who attended £10,630 a term Pangbourne College, Berkshire says he is battling alcoholism and recovering from cancer.

He left victim Ghali El Jalil Hamoudi with a bloody nose after launching the unprovoked midnight attack during a night out with drinking pals.

Beckett-Dunn, of The Maltings, Spring Grove, Kew Bridge, Chiswick, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr. Hamoudi, on September 1 outside Chelsea Cloisters.

His LinkedIn profile claims he is a partner in Tom James, a global custom clothing company based in Old Jewry, Bank of England specialising in made-to-measure suits and home fittings.

The company own 170 year-old clothier merchant Holland and Sherry of Savile Row, whose luxury fabrics were transformed into suits worn by actor Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie The Great Gatsby.

Tom James suits start at £779 and custom-made shirts at £99 and Oxford University graduate Beckett-Dunn portrays himself as a tailor to the stars.

Prosecutor Miss Kate Shilton told Hammersmith Magistrates Court yesterday: "Shortly before midnight the complainant was outside Chelsea Cloisters in Sloane Square.

"He approached two males and one of them was Mr. Beckett-Dunn to ask for directions.

"As he got closer Mr. Beckett-Dunn told him to: 'F*** off.' He was angry and seemed to move from side to side.

"He was asked why he was aggressive and Mr. Beckett-Dunn approached the complainant and punched him with his right fist on the nose with great speed as if he wanted to knock him out.

"Mr. Beckett-Dunn said he was: 'A piece of shit' and that was what he deserved.

"There were no injuries, but the victim thought he had broken his nose because there was blood on his face, but that did not seem to be the case.

"In his interview with the police Mr. Beckett-Dunn said he did not remember what happened and was intoxicated. He had been to a bar and was on a lot of medication and was seeing a psychiatrist.

"He said he was shocked and sorry to have hurt the man. This was a serious assault."

First-time offender Beckett-Dunn told the court: "I deeply regret it. I've been very poorly for two years and have not worked for two years.

"Cancer led to mental health issues. I am on twenty-one tablets a day. I'm struggling with alcoholism and with mental health issues."

His online profile also says he is on the Board of Advisors at Big Wolf Marketing Ltd and the owner of Bow Creek Cafe in Trinity Buoy Wharf, Docklands.

He also claims to be former volunteer street pastor with Christian organisation Ascension Trust.

Deputy District Judge Joanna Matson told Beckett-Dunn: "This was an unprovoked attack on a gentleman asking for directions.

"This was a very hard punch on a gentleman asking for directions."

Beckett-Dunn brought medical records with him to show to the court, but added: "This is not justification for anything I did."

He was bailed until October 22 for a pre-sentence report and alcohol treatment order assessment on condition he doesn't contact the victim directly or via social media.


Pangbourne College alumni include late film director Ken Russell; journalist Jefferson Hack; writer Jeffrey Bernard and double Olympic gold medal yachtsman Rodney Pattisson MBE.

Thursday 1 October 2015

Plane Passenger Thumped Air Steward During Whiskey Row

A whiskey-swigging plane passenger, who refused to leave a Delhi-bound jet, thumped an air steward while shouting a string of obscenities.

Ashwani Mehta, 60, of Trenchard Lodge, Trenchard Crescent, Springfield, Chelmsford claims he was not drunk, but the small amount of alcohol he consumed reacted with medication he was taking.

He pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court to assaulting Rob Clare-Campbell at Heathrow Airport on April 28 on board a Jet Airways Boeing 777.

The prosecution dropped a charge of being drunk on an aircraft.

Prosecutor Mr. James O'Connell told the court yesterday: “The defendant was causing trouble on the plane and the crew, including the complainant, formed the view he was under the influence of alcohol.

He accepted he had some alcohol and there was a discussion about him sitting quietly so the plane could take off, but that did not get anywhere and he was asked to leave the plane.

He was told he would be booked onto the next flight and this caused an escalation with the defendant saying: 'You police shoot people.'

He grabbed a water bottle and hit himself with it while shouting in Hindi and the complainant recognised some of the words as: 'Go f*** yourself. F*** your sister.'

He punched out at the victim, catching him in the neck and causing a small cut and ripped off Mr. Clare-Campbell's identity badge.”

Afterwards the vicim said he was “upset and shaken” and it was first time he had been assaulted in twenty years working in the industry.

Mehta's lawyer Mr. Paul Evans said: “He has a modest drinking problem and when he does drink it triggers and adverse reaction from the number of medications that he is on.

He was spoken to by the staff in a manner that he felt was more than rude.

He has no real memory of the incident, but does regret his actions.”

The Recorder of Kensington and Chelsea Judge Richard McGregor-Johnson told Mehta, who lives on Disability Living Allowance: “I accept you were not drunk, but having drunk some whiskey you gave the impression, due to the medication, that you were.

You were carrying an open bottle of whiskey and if this had happened while the plane was in the air custody would be on the cards.

Mr. Clare-Campbell was doing his job.”

Mehta was placed on a twelve-month community order, which includes a twenty-day rehabilitation requirement and he was ordered to pay £50 costs, plus a victim surcharge and court charge.

Wednesday 30 September 2015

Disgraced Pervert Doctor Cleared Of Fresh Sex Abuse Claims

A disgraced doctor, jailed and then struck-off for sexually abusing female patients during a decade-long campaign of abuse, had fresh charges against him dropped yesterday.

Dr. Markandu Ragupathy, 64, of Den Close, Beckenham, who has served a two-year sentence and been released from prison, always denied the new charges.


The Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence on day one of his Croydon Crown Court trial.


Dr. Ragupathy had pleaded not guilty to three counts of gross indecency against the same girl, aged under sixteen years-old, between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2003 at an address in Catford, south-east London.


In May, 2012 he received a two-year sentence after a Woolwich Crown Court trial, which heard he sexually assaulted female patients – one as young as eight - over a 10-year period.


He preyed on vulnerable patients, touching them for his own sexual gratification, while he worked at Catford's Torridon Road practice.


But incredibly, despite complaints about his behaviour from the mid-90s, the doctor was allowed to carry on working and his offences continued until 2005.
The jury heard how one eight-year-old, who came in with abdomen pain, had her thigh touched by Ragupathy before he put his hand under her knickers.
When the child's mother complained she received a letter back saying the doctor's treatment had been appropriate.

On other occasions the 61-year-old touched women's breasts, either with his hands or kneading them with a stethoscope.
He also visited one woman at her home, persuading her to sit on his knee.
Judge Andrew Lees told him: "These eight female patients trusted you as their doctor to carry out proper examinations.
"You abused that trust by touching them in sexual ways."
He added: "When complaints were made to the surgery you would explain that the concern felt by the patients was the result of misunderstanding."
Ragupathy was convicted of seven indecent assaults, an attempted indecent assault and sexual assault.

Tuesday 29 September 2015

Fraudster Drained Frail Wheelchair-Bound Neighbour's Bank Account

"Appalling Betrayal": Singh
 A veteran fraudster, who drained his wheelchair-bound friend and next-door neighbour's bank account of over £15,000, has dodged jail and been told to only repay the victim in full if he feels like it.

Ex-school bus driver Michael Singh, 72, pretended to assist 79 year-old Arthur Goodwin with his bills and banking, but used his card almost daily - taking £200 a time from cashpoints.

He received a suspended prison sentence and was ordered to repay just £4,800 by Harrow Crown Court Recorder Nigel May, who told him: "It doesn't mean if you really are remorseful you can't continue to pay all of it.

"I hope you continue making payments after the four thousand eight hundred is paid."

The Guyana-born father-of-four, of Minstrel Court, High Street, Wealdstone  pleaded guilty to stealing £15,700 from Mr. Goodwin - who is now bed-bound - between January 12 and April 30, last year.

Singh, who has previously been jailed for fraud, received twelve months imprisonment, suspended for two years and must complete 80 hours community service work.

He lied to police throughout the year-long investigation, even claiming it was not him when presented with overwhelming CCTV evidence of withdrawing cash.

His offer to pay £300 per month from his benefits until all the money was repaid was rejected by the court because it would take four-and-a-half years and stretch Singh's finances to the limit.

"This was a systematic course of dishonesty with a high level of breach of trust on a vulnerable individual," explained prosecutor Mr. George Heimler. 

Mr. Goodwin went to police on April 30, last year and told them he was on the brink of losing his home and discovered eighty-two withdrawals had been made from his Lloyds account in four months.

The court heard Lloyds will not pay him any compensation.

"He said his neighbour had been helping him out and went with him to Lloyds when he was unwell with diabetes.

"The bank sent him a new card, which arrived at his home a few days later and that was the last time he had seen it."

Singh was paid £200 cash he demanded from Mr. Goodwin and later 'helped' him pay his electricity bill and received another £1,000 to buy him a television, table and lamp.

He was arrested on May 22 and when shown CCTV of him wearing a distinctive jacket, which police found in his wardrobe, withdrawing cash he claimed to have bought it in a charity shop days earlier and was not the man filmed.

Singh's lawyer Mr. Dhamendra Toor told the court: "He saw the card on the table and took it. The defendant is willing to repay the amount he has taken."

Recorder May said: "It is an appalling betrayal of friendship. He gained the trust of the individual by being friendly and helpful.

"He's taken an awful lot of money of this poor man he befriended and the bank will not repay him.

"These were shameful offences," he told Singh. "You befriended a man older and more vulnerable than you.

"You assisted him getting a bank card then within days stole that card and used it again and again and blew the money on gambling.

"He has lost all that money at this stage of his life."

Monday 28 September 2015

Jilted Boyfriend Published 'Revenge Porn' Pics Of Ex On Facebook

A jilted boyfriend, who published 'revenge porn' photos of him and his ex having sex on a special Facebook account he created just minutes after their split and invited her friends to view, has received a suspended prison sentence.

Jobless William Nelson, 52, of Montacute Road, Catford, pleaded guilty to disclosing private sexual photographs, with intent to cause distress, and without the consent of his former girlfriend Kitti Forgacs on June 8.

Prosecutor Miss Rosalind Wardell told Croydon Magistrates Court: "The defendant and victim in this case had been in a relationship for a year that ended in June.

"The victim, Kitti Forgacs, told police she spoke to the defendant on the eighth of June at three pm and told him she did not want to see him again.

"At four thirty pm friends in Hungary said a Facebook site had been set up showing naked photos of her.

"There were thirty naked photos of her of a sexual nature and they had been taken by Nelson.

"She messaged him to stop posting them, but he did not reply."

His lawyer Miss Margot Lound conceded: "The profile he created was put up at three pm and taken down at nine am the following day."

Eventually Nelson responded and promised he had deleted all the explicit images, which had been posted on a Facebook profile he named 'Janus Stillman' but when his ex-girlfriend checked online they were still there.

He later claimed it would take seven to fourteen days to remove them.

She reported him to police and Nelson was questioned. "He said they had an argument in June and travelled back to the house in silence," explained Miss Wardell.

"He said when he tried to put his arm around her she walked off."

A kiss-and-make-up cinema date also turned sour. "They arranged to see a film and she said she did not want to pay and wanted to meet someone else.

"He said he wanted her family to know what she was like and invited friends to the page."

Nelson sent out approximately sixty friend requests to attract people who knew his ex to the site, with the message: "Anyone know who Kitti is? She's been having sex with black and Arab men."

Twelve of Miss Forgacs' Facebook friends responded to the invitation to view the explicit pictures, which Nelson had taken with his phone during their relationship.

"He said he wanted to change her behaviour," added Miss Wardell, explaining Nelson also told police he had personal problems and had been unemployed for some time.

Miss Forgacs told police: "This has caused me distress and anxiety. I am fearful he will post more pictures as he has more on his telephone.

"He was jealous of me contacting and meeting other people and would check my phone and even told my employed I lied on my c.v."

Miss Lound added: "Evidently Mr. Nelson needs some form of psychological structure to ensure he does not behave in such an extraordinary way again.

"He is very motivated and willing to engage with the help offered to him. 

"After he spoke to her on Monday morning and heard how upset she was he had a tack of remorse and took them down.

"The photographs were not taken without her knowledge and she had seen the photographs.

"He was in a state of acute anxiety and a very emotional state. He's suffered greatly as a result with stress, anxiety and guilt at what he's put this lady through."

Magistrate Mr. Roger Duckworth told tearful Nelson, dressed in a blue pin-striped suit, pink and mauve-striped shirt and mauve silk tie: "This is a serious offence with serious effects for the victim in this case because of the potential for wide circulation of offensive material.

"There was no immediate removal of these items or admissions that it was your fault, but you have shown considerable remorse."

He was sentenced to two months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months, and must perform 100 hours community service.

Nelson was also ordered to pay £300 compensation to Miss Forgacs; a £180 court charge; an £80 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

The court made an indefinite restraining order, prohibiting Nelson contacting Miss Forgacs or posting any material relating to her on the internet.

Sunday 27 September 2015

Gaming Enthusiast Sexually Groomed 15 Year-Old Schoolgirl Over Net

An "immature young man", who travelled to London three times to meet a fifteen year-old girl he sexually groomed on the internet, has received a suspended prison sentence.

Former Tesco's worker David Wright, 24, of Chiltern Court, Hunt Road, Somerford, Christchurch, Dorset kissed and cuddled the schoolgirl in a south-east London park, but was eventually caught by her suspicious mother.

He pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court to one count of meeting a child after sexual grooming between June 1 and September 29, 2013 and received ten months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

Wright was also made subject to a two-year supervision order, which includes participation in a sex offenders treatment programme, must comply with a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and sign the sex offenders register for ten years.

Prosecutor Mr. Alisdair Smith said: "He befriended this young girl on the internet, via twitter, and as the relationship developed she regarded this defendant as her boyfriend.

"She told him at some point what age she was in Skype and text messages and they shared an interest in fantasy computer games and associated cartoon figures.

"In one text she told him: 'This is the last year I am getting presents from my mum and dad. They refuse to give me presents once I am sixteen.

"The initial contact included a sexual element. Fantasy sex."

The first met face-to-face in a Sidcup park on September 3, 2013, explained Mr. Smith. "She went with her brother and he saw the defendant and his sister kissing and hugging."

Wright returned three weeks later. "Again the brother witnessed some hugging and kissing."

On September 28 Wright travelled to the park again and was kissing and cuddling the girl when her mother, who had followed, stepped-in.

"She confronted Mr. Wright about what he was doing  and he confirmed he knew she was fifteen. He told her he was only eighteen, which was not the case at all."

Despite the intervention online contact continued via a PS3 games console after the girl's iPad and phone were confiscated by her mother.

Wright was arrested at home on February 25, last year and police found pictures of the girl plastered over his bedroom wall.

"His intention was to have a friendship with a girl. He did not know it was illegal," said Miss Jane Rowley, defending.

"There is genuine remorse and he realises what a fool he has been. since his arrest he has left his job and his life has taken a turn for the worse."

Judge Nic Madge told the first-time offender: "You did not think it was illegal to have sexual talk with this girl who was under sixteen years-old or think it was illegal to touch her by hugging or kissing.

"You engaged in sexual talk on the internet and then went on to meet her and all cases of sexual grooming are serious.

"The probation service say you are an immature young man who finds it difficult to develop age-appropriate relationships."

Saturday 26 September 2015

Angry Pedestrian 'Keyed' Noisy Middle-Eastern Mercedes Near Harrods

A infuriated Knightsbridge pedestrian, angered by middle-eastern super cars deliberately revving their powerful engines, 'keyed' the wing of a powerful Mercedes, causing £2,305 worth of damage.

John Hendley MacGowan, 68, of Sudeley Street, Islington told Hammersmith Magistrates Court on Wednesday: "I came onto Sloane Street to be faced by an appalling noise caused by cars gunning in the street.

"Me and my friend found the noise painful as well as annoying and I asked a policeman to stop the first car, but it took no notice of the police.

"I stood in front and out of sheer frustration I just scratched the car."

He pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to a £60,000 white Mercedes C63 AMG owned by Sukh Singh on July 5 and was conditionally discharged for six months and ordered to pay full compensation.

Prosecutor Miss Kate Shilton said: "A series of super cars were racing up and down Sloane Street and causing distress to members of the public by deliberately stopping and revving their engines.

"Members of the public called the police and officers instructed the drivers to stop, but some of them ignored the police and Mr. MacGowan stepped into the street to stop them.

"He scratched the rear left panel of the car with a car key, a scratch thirty-five centimetres long.

"Police spoke to Mr. MacGowan and he admitted scratching the car on purpose and said he scratched it out of anger because Mr. Singh's car was causing annoyance and he did not want him getting away with it scot free."

Mr.Singh hoped MacGowan would also pay £400 a day car hire for a week, but he was not ordered by the court to cover that cost.

First-time offender MacGowan added: "He was looking for four hundred pounds a day, plus VAT.

"He was playing a game of exorbitant car hire on top of the damage, which I'd agreed to.

"I was also accused of racism because he was the only black driver and spitting on his car, but I did not know he was black.

"He was in concert with other cars to make a nuisance to the public.

"I immediately regretted what I did and put my hands up to say I did it."

MacGowan was also ordered to pay a £150 court charge and a £15 victim surcharge.


When approached afterwards MacGowan did not want to discuss the case or the super car noise issue saying: "I'm sure it is an interesting subject to you, but it has already been covered in the press."