Acid Clampdown: Twelve Months For East Londoner

A young man caught with a bottle of bleach-type acid near the scene of a street mugging has been caged for a year.

Bradley Kerr, 21, was stopped by police in Eleanor Street, Bow, east London in the early hours of July 18 after a man reported he had been robbed by a group of males.

In his bag, officers discovered a soft drink bottle containing a fluid they suspected contained a noxious substance.

At Snaresbrook Crown Court Kerr pleaded guilty to one count of possession of an offensive weapon.

Tests later revealed that the substance had a high ph level and it was confirmed as a bleach-type acid that would cause injury if thrown at somebody.

Detective Sergeant Mike Stubbins, of Tower Hamlets CID, said: "This is an excellent result and the sentence reflects how seriously the police and the courts view the possession of acid and noxious substances.

"There was no good reason for Kerr to be carrying this fluid around with him and this sends out a message that police will not hesitate to arrest anyone believed to be carrying these types of substances, and pursue prosecutions vigorously.

"These substances can be, and unfortunately are, used in the commission of crimes which have a huge impact on victims’ lives."

If you would like to report anyone you suspect of carrying a noxious substance, or if you are a victim or a witness to a crime involving a noxious substance, call police on 101.

Call 999 in an emergency, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Alternatively, tweet Met Police via @MetCC.

Ex-CPS Lawyer Sentenced In Courthouse She Once Prosecuted Criminals

"I'll Cut Your Throat": Anne

A Crown Prosecution Service lawyer, who flung her 69 year-old mother-in-law onto a sofa shouting: “If you open your mouth I’ll cut your throat,” was sentenced today.

Solicitor Anne Murgai, 42, dominated the £375,000 house her husband bought with his mother and put the pensioner in fear of another assault the next day.

She was convicted of both incidents, despite fighting the case during an all-day trial, and was ordered to complete 80 hours community service.

“She did not want me to come, she did not like my presence,” petite Usha Kariholoo told Croydon Magistrates Court, explaining she was attacked during a row over chores.

“She came to me and said: ‘I’ll show you,’ and pushed me three times and fortunately I fell on the sofa. I could have fallen on the floor for all she cared,” added the mother-in-law.

“She hit me two or three times on the shoulder and said: ‘I’ll kill you.’ I was shivering.”

The pensioner had just bought the house with son Rakesh Kariholoo, 45, for his wife and son Andrew, 2, and they were joined by Murgai’s 80 year-old mother.

Murgai, of 70 Ridgewell Close, Lower Sydenham was found guilty of assaulting Usha at the matrimonial home at nearby 25 Elfrida Crescent on September 26 and 27, last year.

She shook her head in the dock of the courthouse, where she has prosecuted hundreds of cases as the magistrates announced their decision.

"Disbelief": Rakesh

“I also shook my head in disbelief at what she did to my mother,” said Rakesh afterwards. “I wondered: ‘How has it come to this?’

Usha told the trial: “I was not allowed to touch or feed the child and there were arguments between her and Rakesh, with her telling him: ‘You don’t do this and you don’t do that.’

“I told her Rakesh is doing enough and she should help him. She was not working, she was sitting at home all day and did not like that I called her a housewife.

“Rakesh had two jobs at the time and she was telling him: ‘You don’t do the garden, you don’t do the toilets.’

“I told her Rakesh is doing everything and she should also help and that it was very honourable to be a housewife, but that created a reaction,” added Usha.

The “housewife” remark triggered the assault, said Usha, denying Murgai’s claim she kicked her three times in the stomach while shouting and swearing aggressively.

The next day Usha was hanging her son’s laundry in the back garden. “She had a fist and I knew she was going to push me again, she tried to push me.

“She said: ‘I’ll show you,’ and came forward. If I fell on the ground I could have broken my head.”

Usha told the court she heard Murgai tell her husband: “When you’re not here you’ll see what I’ll do to your mum.”

Rakesh slept on a downstairs couch and left his mother in a hotel while he was at work, calling the police eight days later.

Sofa: Usha

“I did not want to call the police, it was my son’s idea,” said Usha. “He couldn’t take it any longer.” 

Rakesh witnessed both assaults and said: “The first time she was shaking and pushing her at the same time.

“The next day in the garden my mum was shouting: ’Please neighbours help me, she’s going to kill me.”

Murgai told the court her husband and his mother physically tried to push her out of the house and twice snatched a phone out of her hand when she tried to call 999.

“It’s a load of nonsense, it’s all lies. I was told in a lie the house was for myself, Rakesh and Andrew.

“She was shouting, swearing and being abusive while she was putting the laundry out. It was a set-up by her, she knows there’s CCTV in the garden.

“That home was a toxic environment and Usha wants to control her son and married life. She sees her life as with Rakesh, she’s married to him.”

The defendant said Usha told her: “I will slit your throat and kill you if you don’t get out of the house.”

Murgai now lives with her mother and has objected to her ex-husband having any contact with Andrew.

District Judge Kamlesh Rana told Murgai, who mow lives on benefits: “An assault on a lady of this age in her own home, where she is entitled to feel safe, must be reflected with some degree of seriousness.”

Murgai, who still protests her innocence, was placed on twelve months probation and also ordered to pay £200 costs and £100 compensation to Usha.

She must also comply with a twelve-month restraining order, prohibiting contact with her mother-in-law and attending the former matrimonial home.

Blackmailer's £10K Benefit Threat Bid Against Ex-Mum-In-Law

A penniless dad, who tried to blackmail his ex-mother-in-law out of £10,000 by threatening to report her for benefit fraud, received a suspended prison sentence today.

David Ward, 32, had a “sense of entitlement” to the 60 year-old woman’s cash, feeling she had done little to financially assist him and his family.

He sent his ex texts including: ‘I want £10,000 off your mum or I’m taking her to the cleaners’, ‘I’m not greedy, she’s got a lot of money’ and ‘If you call the police your mum will go to prison.’

Ward, of Lyham Road, Brixton pleaded guilty to one count of blackmailing Christine Anne Gullefer on May 13 at her home in Felmersham Close, Clapham.

“You must have known you were not entitled to that ten thousand pounds even though it’s said you had a sense of entitlement,” Recorder of Southwark Judge Usha Karu told him.

Inner London Crown Court heard Ward, who has since obtained a welding job, owed £2,600 in rent, plus council tax.

Prosecutor Mr. Peter Lancaster told the court Ward had a seven-year on-off relationship with the victim’s daughter and the couple have a three year-old son.

The court heard they split in May due to the daughter’s infidelity and Ward turned up on the widow mother’s doorstep a week later.

“The victim has health issues, depression and asthma and receives income support a disability living allowance.

“He said he wanted to speak about her daughter and naively she let him in and said she did not want to get involved.

“He raised his voice and said he wanted ten thousand pounds and gave her until six pm or he would contact social services and say she made false claims.

“He said she had not financially supported him, her daughter or their child.”

The victim immediately contacted the police. “When the officers arrived at her house she was in fear and felt intimidated.”

She revealed Ward previously accompanied her to the bank and knew she had savings.

His lawyer Mr. Robin Ghosh told the court: “The complainant was fairly well to do in his eyes and he felt this was unfair.”

Judge Karu sentenced Ward to twelve months imprisonment, suspended for two year and ordered him to complete 150 hours community service work.

“This lady has some significant health issues and you took advantage of that by threatening to report her for making a false claim,” she told him.

“You had been to the bank with the mother and knew she did have some savings. 

“She must have been shocked and frightened when in her distressed state a young man turned up on her doorstep and demanded money.”

Rio Ferdinand Stalker Gets October Trial Date

Court Date: Ibru

A former model, who stalked footballer Rio Ferdinand, is accused of signing-up with his personal trainer and sending texts referring to the star despite a restraining order.

Susanne Ibru, 44, of Halifax Way, Christchurch, Dorset was locked-up for a week after her arrest for breaching the order, imposed by magistrates in 2011.

Today at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court her trial was adjourned to October 6.

Ibru - who has changed her name to Okoya - had already pleaded not guilty to harassment on May 4 and was released on bail after a week on remand.

“I’ve read his witness statement that says the stalking has continued,” said District Judge Susan Green during a previous hearing. “It says she continues to effect his day-to-day activities.

“I want enquiries made to Rio Ferdinand if like that statement says there has been a continuous course of conduct.

“Is she targeting this personal trainer because of her history with Rio Ferdinand. It’s not coincidental. She must have known he had a connection with Rio Ferdinand.”

The charge arises from two text messages Ibru sent Teddington-based ex-rugby pro Mel Deane, one of which read: “I think you are going to have to ask Rio to pay for the session. LOL.”

Prosecutor Miss Angela Mahadeo told the court: “This is the second breach, the first was in 2012. 

“The issue of the case is text messages sent to a third party in relation to outstanding payments for training sessions.

“The Crown say if she is granted bail she will interfere with witnesses. She admitted in interview she did send the text messages.

“The fact the text messages have been sent, even third party, we say is indirect contact. We say she will continue now to do it.”

Ibru’s lawyer Deborah Hogg told the court: “It’s all about two text messages she sent to the personal trainer of Rio Ferdinand and it’s about what her intention was and why she sent these text messages.

“She knows where Rio Ferdinand lives and where his grandmother lives in Peckham, her family live in Peckham,” added the lawyer.

“She says: ‘It wasn’t my intention to to contact a third party to get in contact with him.’

“She says these texts were jokey in context and she had a training session afterwards with Mr. Deane.

“She lives and hour-and-a-half away in Christchurch and works from home, a travel agency franchise and receives working tax credits.”

Ibru, dressed in maroon leggings, a white long-sleeved top and white patterned scarf around her head insists she did not initially know Mr. Deane, 42, trained Ferdinand.

She remains on bailed on conditions she resides at her recorded address, does not enter any London borough and does not contact Deane or Ferdinand.

Drinker Beaten Unconscious After Leaving Pub

Colin Flett Suffered Serious Injuries

A middle-aged man was beaten unconscious by three violent thugs after leaving a pub, where he had just bought a bike from a passer-by.

Police are appealing for witnesses and information to the unprovoked attack, which left him hospitalised and temporarily unable to speak.

Colin Flett, 52, was found unconscious in Skardu Road, Camden at around 11.30pm on Friday, July 7.

The assault was not reported to police by his family until several days later - and Colin spent several weeks unable to speak to either his family or officers waiting to interview him.

His sister told officers that her brother had been drinking in the Beaten Docket, Cricklewood Broadway that night.

While sitting outside the pub he bought a blue Reebok pedal cycle from man who he had not met before.

He left on the cycle and turned into Skardu Road, he remembers encountering three white men who pushed him off the bike.

He was unable to recall any more details.

Colin sustained a spinal injury and medical staff assessed him as needing a long period of recovery in hospital.

Detective Sergeant Richard Greenwood from the Central North Area Command said: "This was a vicious attack that has left Colin with life-changing injuries, in a very vulnerable state, and has had a devastating effect on his family.

"We would urgently ask any person with information, however inconsequential they may think it is, to come forward and pass this to us directly or via a third party. They will be treated in complete confidence."

The men who attacked Colin are all described as being white and aged between 20 to 30 years-old.

Anyone with information can call the unit's CID number on 0766 781 861 on or 101 or Tweet @MetCC.

Information can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

More Detention For Paedo Ex-Schoolteacher

A schoolteacher serving time for preying on young boys four decades ago has received an additional two years after another victim came forward.

Harvey Franks, 76, pleaded guilty to three further offences of gross indecency with a boy under the age of 14 years of age in 1974.

He is already serving 15 years’ imprisonment for rape and sexual assault offences against young boys.

At Croydon Crown Court he was sentenced to the further period of custody.

The victim came forward in March, last year and reported that Franks abused him at Sedgehill Secondary School in Catford, south-east London.

He had abused him multiple time for around twelve months, starting in November 1974, when the victim was 11 years-old.

An investigation by one of the Metropolitan Police's Child Abuse Investigation teams then began and Franks was arrested.

The court heard Franks was already facing trial for other offences of sexual abuse for which he was later convicted of and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in August, last year.

His new sentence will run consecutively.

Detective Constable Tony Roper said: “Franks stole the victim's childhood, causing him extreme distress and pain throughout his life.

“He bravely came forward to report the crimes to the police.

“Franks had continued with his life as normal, but he has now been brought to justice.

"This case highlights that no matter the length of time that has passed, the public should feel reassured that the Met will thoroughly investigate non-recent offences and support and work with victims throughout.”

"Ruthless" Robber Locked-Up

A “ruthless career criminal” is starting a long prison sentence for terrorising staff at bookies shops during a series of armed raids.

Marcus Moore 33, received 17 years and 4 months after he pleaded guilty to seven charges of possession of an imitation firearm, four charges of robbery, three of attempted robbery and one charge of theft.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad arrested Moore on February 16 after analysis of CCTV footage linked him to a series of robberies and attempted robberies.

Moore armed himself with an imitation gun to carry out the crimes at bookmakers in Bromley, Newham and Essex.

A robbery was also carried out at a Post Office in Bromley.

The total amount of cash stolen by Moore was £4,818.

During his police interview, Moore said he had committed the offences to fund his heroin addiction.

Detective Constable Katie Scott said: "The recent spate of robberies posed a serious danger, not just to the employees of the bookmaking industry, but to the people of London as a whole.

"Marcus Moore is a ruthless, career criminal who carried out these acts of violence to fund his drug addiction.

"As a result of this prosecution Moore is now behind bars for a significant period of time.

"I would like to pay tribute to the victims and witnesses of these frightening offences who had the bravery to support the investigation."

Moore pleaded guilty to the following charges:

Attempted robbery at a bookmakers in Sidcup on 1 February.

Attempted robbery at Post Office in High Street, Sidcup on 6 February.

Robbery at a bookmakers in Newham on 10 February.

Robbery at a bookmakers in Newham on 13 February.

Robbery at a bookmakers Essex on 13 February.

Attempted robbery at a bookmakers in Newham on 15 February.

Robbery at a bookmakers in Newham on 15 February

Seven charges of possession of an imitation firearm relating to each of the robbery offences.

Theft of ID cards and a TV from an address in Bromley on 9 February.

"Celebrity Hugger" In Court Charged With Harassing Britain's Got Talent Finalist Wayne Woodward

Fan: Macintosh

A “celebrity hugger” reality tv superfan appeared in court today accused of harassing Britain’s Got Talent runner-up Wayne Woodward and assaulting his sister.

Tania Macintosh, 26, of Hartland Road, Morden is accused of repeatedly asking the 22 year-old singer, who was second in the 2016 series, for a ‘cuddle and a kiss’ at public engagements.

She appeared at Croydon Magistrates Court, which bailed her until September 21 on condition she does not contact Woodward or his sister Maxine.

Macintosh appeared in the dock wearing a t-shirt sporting a photograph of herself hugging X-Factor judge Louis Walsh and carrying a notebook emblazoned with images of Woodward, a photo of whom she also has on her keyring.

She was unhappy about the non-contact bail condition, complaining: “He’s told me to go and see him.”

Macintosh is charged with pursuing a course of conduct amounting to the harassment of Woodward between May 27 and July 8 in the Sutton area.

This consists of repeatedly requesting a “cuddle and kiss” at public events knowing he did not wish to and causing damage to his vehicle on June 17 by removing his car’s number plate and turning up unannounced at his address and continually contacting him by telephone.

Macintosh is also charged with assaulting his sister Maxine Woodward in Sutton on July 8 by beating.

She did not enter a plea and her lawyer Mr. Arfan Ahmed, who unsuccessfully attempted to prevent reporting of the case due to press interest, asked for a fitness to plea psychiatric assessment.

Complaint: Woodward

“I am making an application to adjourn proceedings for a medical report, regarding my client’s fitness to plead.

“There is press attention in regard to my client and I ask if the court could put a restriction on the case.”

Bench chairman Mr. Terry Carpenter told the lawyer: “That’s not going to happen.”

Prosecutor Miss Caroline Mungal said: “That’s usually imposed when you are trying to protect a business’s reputation or if there are children that get unwanted attention.

“This is not a youth offender. This is not a Sexual Offences Act case.”

Mr. Carpenter announced: “The purpose of this adjournment is for you to get psychiatric reports to see if this woman is fit to plea.”

He told Macintosh: “This matter can’t go ahead today. We are going to adjourn it for six weeks so your representative can make representations to get you legal aid and instruct people to see if you are fit to plea in these proceedings.

“You are not to contact Wayne Woodward or Maxine Woodward directly or indirectly. You must not go to see them or talk to them.”

Macintosh asked the magistrate: “Do you want to write in my book now?”

Mr. Carpenter bailed her until September 21, adding: “I’m not allowed to write in your book.” 

Wayne and girlfriend Abbie Jarvis announced in March they were having a baby boy, which he intends naming Frank, after his hero Sinatra.

After finishing as runner-up last year to musician Richard Jones he failed to land a deal with Simon Cowell’s label Syco.

Despite this Woodward released the album N.U.M.B and single Animal this summer.

NOT GUILTY: Woman Who Pawned £175k Violin Is Cleared

Not Guilty: Dawn Henry

A woman, who tried to pawn a stolen £175,000 violin snatched outside Brixton Underground Station, has been cleared by a jury today.

The three hundred year-old instrument, owned by 56 year-old Krysia Osostowicz, was taken when she cycled off after unlocking her bike and left it behind.

Two days later Dawn Henry, 37, tried to pawn the violin, its £600 brown case and three bows worth a total of £24,500 at a Streatham Cash Converters.

She always insisted she did not know it was stolen and was simply trying to help a former jailbird, known as ‘Paul’, who gave her the instrument to pawn.

She was found not guilty at Inner London Crown Court to knowingly handling the stolen violin and fraud by false representation on July 28, last year.

In a statement Krysia, a professor at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama, told the jury: “I am a professional musician. It is my livelihood and vocation.

“Every violin has a different sound and personality and the owner of a violin becomes very close with the instrument and it is the only one I own.

“I have performed hundreds of concerts with this violin. It has been my personal companion for twenty-one years.

“Losing it was like losing a child and I blamed myself for leaving it. I was tired and it was a disastrous absent-minded moment.

London-born Krysia was taught by legendary Yehudi Menuhin and the violin was manufactured in Venice in 1720 and can be heard on over thirty of her albums.

It was stolen as she travelled to her Herne Hill home after a Radio 3 performance.

Prosecutor Mr. Matthew Bainbridge told the court it was 7pm when Krysia began unlocking her bike outside the tube station.

“She was carrying a violin case and put it down to make it easier to unlock her bike and rode off.

“A few minutes later she realised she had left it behind and despite only being gone a few minutes when she returned the violin had been taken.

“It was her existence, her passion, her livelihood and was irreplaceable to her and the next day she visited local pawn brokers  and asked them to keep an eye out for her violin.

“Two days later Dawn Henry tried to sell the violin at Cash Converters and the manager suspected it was the one  he had been warned about.

“The case was locked and the defendant said the key was in her car, but came back a few minutes later and said she could not find it.”

The jury were shown CCTV footage of Henry outside the store chatting with an unidentified white male.

“The manager anticipated this was a stolen instrument and called Ms Osostowicz and she gave him permission to break open the case and he sent her pictures of it from her phone.

“The police were called and the defendant was arrested at the store,” added Mr. Bainbridge.

“She said she got it from someone called Paul and he asked her to sell it because he had just got out of prison and had no proof of address and told her she’d get some money.

“She said she did not steal the violin or know it had been stolen.”

Woman Pawned £175K Violin Left Behind By Classical Musician Cyclist

Henry: Pawned Violin 

A woman tried to pawn a stolen £175,000 violin snatched outside Brixton Underground Station, described as “like losing a child” by its classical musician owner, a court heard today.

The three hundred year-old instrument, owned by 56 year-old Krysia Osostowicz, was taken when she cycled off after unlocking her bike and left it behind.

Two days later Dawn Henry, 37, tried to pawn the violin, its £600 brown case and three bows worth a total of £24,500 at a Streatham Cash Converters.

She has pleaded not guilty at Inner London Crown Court to knowingly handling the stolen violin and fraud by false representation on July 28, last year.

In a statement Krysia, a professor at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama, told the jury: “I am a professional musician. It is my livelihood and vocation.

“Every violin has a different sound and personality and the owner of a violin becomes very close with the instrument and it is the only one I own.

“I have performed hundreds of concerts with this violin. It has been my personal companion for twenty-one years.

“Losing it was like losing a child and I blamed myself for leaving it. I was tired and it was a disastrous absent-minded moment.

“The practical implications were huge. I would have had to perform concerts with a borrowed instrument and it would have had an effect on my play.”

London-born Krysia was taught by legendary Yehudi Menuhin and the violin was manufactured in Venice in 1720 and can be heard on over thirty of her albums.

It was stolen as she travelled to her Herne Hill home after a Radio 3 performance.

Owner: Krysia

Prosecutor Mr. Matthew Bainbridge told the court it was 7pm when Krysia began unlocking her bike outside the tube station.

“She was carrying a violin case and put it down to make it easier to unlock her bike and rode off.

“A few minutes later she realised she had left it behind and despite only being gone a few minutes when she returned the violin had been taken.

“It was her existence, her passion, her livelihood and was irreplaceable to her and the next day she visited local pawn brokers  and asked them to keep an eye out for her violin.

“Two days later Dawn Henry tried to sell the violin at Cash Converters and the manager suspected it was the one he had been warned about.

“The case was locked and the defendant said the key was in her car, but came back a few minutes later and said she could not find it.”

The jury were shown CCTV footage of Henry outside the store chatting with an unidentified white male.

“The manager anticipated this was a stolen instrument and called Ms Osostowicz and she gave him permission to break open the case and he sent her pictures of it from her phone.

“The police were called and the defendant was arrested at the store,” added Mr. Bainbridge.

“She said she got it from someone called Paul and he asked her to sell it because he had just got out of prison and had no proof of address and told her she’d get some money.

“She said she did not steal the violin or know it had been stolen.”

Trial continues………… 

Boozy Guest Stabbed Pal In Throat

A drunken guest, who stabbed a pal through the Adam's apple after demanding cash, has been locked-up for four years and four months.

Toader-Marius Morosan, 38, of Marsh Lane, Stanmore, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on the 53-year-old man at an address in Constable Gardens, Edgware.

Harrow Crown Court heard Morosan had visited relatives at the address on May 27, where the victim also lived.

Morosan was drunk and demanded a sum of money from the victim.

The victim told Morosan he did not have any cash.

Later that day, at around 5.30pm, Morosan entered the kitchen where the victim was washing up and suddenly picked up a knife and stabbed him in the throat.

The London Ambulance Service was called, and paramedics treated the victim's wound.

He was taken to hospital and received stitches. He has since recovered from his injuries.

A witness in the kitchen grabbed Morosan as he lunged with the knife, potentially preventing more serious injury.

Morosan fled the scene but was later arrested at his home address.

When interviewed Morosan tried to play the attack off as a joke that went too far.

Detective Constable Amin Kohzadbayat of Barnet CID said: "Morosan's violent tendencies were brought out by his alcohol consumption.

“On this occasion the victim is lucky to be alive as the knife penetrated his Adam's apple, and was only stopped as a witness intervened."

Brute Gets Six Years For Jealous Frying Pan Attack On Girlfriend

A jealous boyfriend has been caged for six years for a brutal frying pan attack on his partner after he caught her texting in the middle of the night.

Hugh Nelson, 53, of Mayfield Road, Hornsey, was convicted at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

The court heard Nelson became enraged when he realised his 35 year-old girlfriend had texted someone at 5.30am on Sunday, March 12.

He demanded to know who she had messaged and unsatisfied by her response, began slapping her before pinning her to the ground.

As the victim desperately tried to break free, Nelson grabbed a ceramic frying pan and struck her with full force over 20 times.

This caused the victim to bleed, swell and be in pain in all the attacked areas.

Nelson then carried on hitting her on the head and also stamped on her legs and ankles, repeatedly asking her who she had been texting.

He left the property in Tower Hamlets, east London after the attack and was arrested by police the next day.

The victim was taken to hospital and treated for her injuries and has since been discharged.

The investigation by police would also uncover two other assaults in November 2016 when Nelson had slapped the victim.

Nelson was found guilty of these two offences also and was jailed for eight months which he will serve concurrently with the GBH sentence.

Detective Sergeant Robert Brown from Tower Hamlets said: "Nelson proudly exhibited many of the signs of a highly successful life whilst hiding a violent, abusive and controlling character.

“He behaved savagely towards his long term partner on a regular basis for many years, she has been left traumatised by the experience, but I hope this sentence goes some small way to aiding her recovery."

Dragon's Den Accountant Forged £33,000 During Audacious Cheque Fraud

Dragon’s Den stars Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis were ripped-off by a crooked accountant at the company they own in a £33,000 forged cheques fraud.

They run Red Letter Days - a company specialising in experience days vouchers as gifts and corporate rewards - where employee Akilan Selvathiravam, 34, worked as their finance officer.

The married dad-of-one, of Church Drive, Kingsbury pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position between January 1, 2016 and February 20, this year.

The Den duo bought the company out of administration after it had been founded by former-Dragon Rachel Elnaugh and ran into financial difficulties.

Qualified chartered accountant Selvathiravam was employed at the company’s head office at 100 High Street, Southgate, north London.

Prosecutor Miss Linda Shamel told Wood Green Crown Court: “He was entrusted with the safekeeping of cheques and money in the safe.

“He falsified the cheques and forged the signatures, claiming they were corporate refunds and then cashing them individually at the bank.”

Selvathiravam was exposed by a company internal audit in February. “There were a large number of cheques falsified and put through the system,” added the prosecutor.

“CCTV evidence shows the defendant cashing cheques in branches of Barclays Bank.”

He defrauded a total of £32,955.99 and relatives have rallied around to repay the sum.

Selvathiravam was reported to the police by the company and arrested and quizzed. “He admitted he falsified the cheques  because he had a gambling addiction.”

The court heard Red Letters Days have not reported him to The Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAS) and he attended a job interview with a bank shortly before the court hearing.

“His former employers support his continued employment in the financial sector and a glowing reference has been provided,” said Mr. Brad Lawlor, defending.

“Family members have grouped together to pay the full amount. He was desperate, he’s been struggling with a gambling addiction and been to rehab.”

Judge Joanna Greenberg QC announced: “This was a breach of trust over a considerable period of time.

“Not only does it cross the custody threshold, but custody remains the most likely outcome.”

Bailing Selvathiravam until August 23 for a probation report the judge added: “The defendant must not go away under any illusion that even if he’s going to pay the compensation he will walk free.

“This undoubtedly was  serious offence and normally you would go to prison today, but I’m prepared to look at all options.” she told the first-time offender.

Red Letter Days have been fully compensated by Barclays.