Armed Robber Caught By Police-Bookies Initiative

Bookmakers and police are celebrating the success of Operation Betguard, which resulted in a prolific East London armed robber being identified and caged for eight years.

Keith Donaldson-Jones, 43, of Forest Gate demanded cash from betting-shop counter staff while brandishing a paper bag they were convinced contained a gun.

He pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court to three armed robberies in the East Ham area between January 4 and 25.

His conviction follows a successful initiative run by the Metropolitan Police’s Flying Squad and partners in the betting industry - Operation Betguard.

Photographs of a variety of suspects were circulated in east London and several members of the public immediately recognised Donaldson-Jones.

Masked Donaldson-Jones and an unnamed accomplice entered Ladbrokes in East Ham High Street on January 4.

The defendant approached the front counter with a rucksack and demanded money from the cashier.

In his right hand Donaldson-Jones was brandishing a brown paper bag, which the cashier believed was being used to conceal a firearm.

Fearing for her life, the cashier handed over around £1,500 in cash and the duo fled.

Two more robberies on January 18 and 25 followed a similar pattern, with Donaldson-Jones entering separate East Ham Ladbrokes branches.

He would threaten staff before escaping with cash.



Officers are yet to trace his accomplice, but their enquiries are ongoing.



Detective Constable Nick Pollard of the Flying Squad, based in Barking, said:
”These robberies were terrifying for the staff involved who genuinely feared for their lives.

“Initiatives like Operation Betguard prove that the Met will go to great lengths to track down people like Donaldson-Jones.


“By working together with local businesses and the local community we can bring offenders to justice.”

Firegirl Predicts Arson With Angst-Filled Message

A teenage girl updated her Facebook page with the words: "U either love someone or u hate them," minutes before starting four blazes inside her boyfriend's flat - forcing her lover and his family to flee for their lives.

Rachel Sroka, 19, (pictured) wrote the chilling statement after a furious argument the night before and then started fires in a bathroom, bedroom, toilet and to a sofa.

"She was depressed about an argument she had the day before with her boyfriend about babies and set four fires around the house," prosecutor Mr. Andrew Ramsubhag told Croydon Crown Court today.

Sroka, of Clovelly Way, Orpington pleaded guilty to four counts of arson, reckless as to whether life was endangered, committed at nearby Lenham House, Lamberhurst Close on January 20.

Boyfriend Darren Hodder, 27, and his father, 56, and mother, 52, raised the alarm after smoke began filing up the property early in the morning.

The fire brigade successfully extinguished the 8:50am blaze and immediately suspected on the occupants started it deliberately.

"Darren told police he suspected Rachel started the fires," added Mr. Ramsubhag. "She denied it initially, but then admitted the offence, saying she was depressed and suicidal at the time."

The first-time offender, who has spent the last three months at a medium secure mental health unit, claims to hear voices and self-harmed last month.

Doctors recommended treatment should continue for Sroka's own health and safety and the protection of others.

Judge Heather Baucher agreed, making a Section 37 Hospital Order for the defendant to continue receiving treatment at the Bracton Centre, Dartford.

"You set fire to a bathroom a bedroom a toilet and a sofa," the judge told Sroka. "All this required the fire brigade who were certain it had been started by one of the occupants."

Holloway Murder: Police Investigation Continues

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the fatal late-night stabbing of a North London man – despite already arresting and quizzing three teenage suspects.

Andrew Jaipaul, 21, (pictured) of Finsbury Park suffered multiple stab wounds at 10:20pm on June 26 near Andover House, Andover Road, Holloway.

Police and ambulance crews were called, but Andrew was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination on Monday, June 27 at St. Pancras Mortuary gave the cause of death as multiple incised stab wounds.

It is believed he was attacked by a group of between 12 and 20 males, aged in their teens and early 20’s.

An incident room has opened in Barking under Detective Chief Inspector Phil Rickells from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command.

Police have announced they are keeping and open mind regarding motive at this stage.

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 020 8345 1570, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

On Friday, July 1 officers arrested two 17-year-old male youths in connection with the investigation.

Both were later bailed to return pending further enquiries, on a date in early August.

On Saturday, July 2 a 13-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder.

He was also later bailed to return pending further enquiries, on a date in early August.

Lottery Scrounger On Run From 2-Year Sentence

Police are hunting this greedy blackmailer who penned a string of bogus legal letters to an 83 year-old pensioner – threatening her with prison – if she failed to hand over a £60,000-plus slice of her lottery win.

Mohammed Bashiri, 40, will immediately begin a two-year sentence when captured after a jury at Southwark Crown Court convicted him in his absence after a three-day trial.

Bashiri met the elderly lady more than eight years ago and she helped him write letters as his English was poor.

The two became friends and when the victim had a lottery win in March 2006, she gave Bashiri money for bills.

When she halted the hand-outs greedy Bashiri demanded more – now insisting he was a law student.

Between January and April 2010 the victim received four letters from a fake legal agency telling her Bashiri had a right to a share in her winnings.

The letters also threatened the victim with legal action, insisting that if she refused to pay £61,800 Bashiri would report her to police.

She was threatened with potentially serving time in prison if she did not pay him the money.



In April 2010 the victim eventually reported the letters to the police and Bashiri was arrested and charged.

He jumped bail and was convicted in his absence of blackmail and fraud and received a two-year sentence.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Mary Jane Paly Vera, said: “I am so pleased that this trial could go ahead, despite Bashiri not being present.

“His treatment of the victim left her frightened to be alone in her own home and hopefully this will give her peace of mind that he will not get away with what he has done.”

Battersea Murder: Arrests Made

Arrests have been made by police investigating the murder of a 20 year-old man in South-West London – fatally stabbed in the early hours of the morning near his home.

Mahad Mohammed (pictured) of Sporle Court, Winstanley Estate, Battersea was stabbed to death near Pennethorne House, Wye Street at 1:30am on June 22.

A post-mortem examination took place at St. George’s Mortuary, Tooting and
the Homicide and Serious Crime Command is investigating.

An incident room was opened under Detective Chief Inspector Dave Manning who said: “We would like to hear from anyone who saw or heard anything between the hours of 11pm and 2am in and around Pennethorne House.

“We believe at this early stage that there may have been a group of youths hanging around the estate prior to this murder and residents may have seen them.

“We believe that Mahad may have had an altercation with a group of youths earlier in the evening and would like to hear from anyone who witnessed this or who may have seen this group in the local area.

“We have had a good response from the local community so far but would urge anyone with information to contact us.”



Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 020 8721 4054 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police have arrested a 20 year-old man on suspicion of his murder along with two 18 year-olds and a 17 year-old.

The investigation continues.

Vietnamese Sex-Slave Trafficker Wanted

Police are hunting this evil Vietnamese people trafficker whose 14 year-old boy victim was smuggled into the UK and raped by two men.

The boy was snatched from his grandmother’s house in Hanoi early last year because she could not repay a loan shark for medical treatment

He was forced to travel in the back of numerous vans and lorries until he eventually reached West London where he had to work in a cannabis factory and illegal gambling den.

Two men - aged between 35 and 45- allegedly raped the victim during his time in captivity and the boy eventually escaped from the house where he was being held.

He appealed to a passer-by for help and was taken to Hammersmith police station where he reported his ordeal.



Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Human Exploitation and Organised Crime Command are appealing for help in tracing all three suspects.



Detective Constable Lee Moreton said: "This young boy has suffered a most terrifying ordeal.

“We urge anyone who may know anything about these individuals to contact the Human Exploitation and Organised Crime Command."



The three men of Vietnamese origin are described as follows:


Suspect [A], known as "Hung". He is around 5ft 3ins tall, believed to be around 40-years-old, and has black hair. He is described as having dark skin. He had a large stomach and a gold tooth at the front of his mouth.



Suspect [B], known as "Lam". He is 5ft 9ins and is also in his 40s. He has black hair.



Suspect [C], looks similar to Hung. He is plump and had a large stomach. He has a round face, short, black hair and a flat nose. He has dark eyes. He is around 5ft 3ins tall and has a scar on his left upper arm. This is across his tricep but is not vertical.

Anyone with information is asked contact the Met's Human Exploitation and Organised Crime Command on 0800 783 2589.

If you would prefer to remain anonymous, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Stalker Facing Jail For Continuing Relentless Campaign

A notorious stalker, was convicted today of breaching a lifetime restraining order for the third time by spying on his victim in a court-ordered no-go zone.

Ex- Sky News producer Elliot Fogel, 35, has made complimentary health businesswoman Claire Waxman's life a misery through his continuing campaign of harassment .

Fogel, of White Lodge Close, Isleworth, West London gave the 35 year-old woman a "strange smirk" as he cruised in his car alongside her as she walked to her vehicle.

He was convicted by a Wood Green Crown Court jury that on February 1 he breached a restraining order imposed by Harrow Crown Court on February 10, 2006 by entering the exclusion zone around the C.H.A.I.M Centre, 10a Station Parade, Willesden Green - Mrs Waxman's business.

There is a second exclusion zone prohibiting Fogel from going within one mile of her Mill Hill family home, which she shares with her young daughter and husband Marc.

He was described as "obsessive" when jailed for four months last year for a seven-year stalking campaign, which included hundreds of late-night phone calls, breaking into Mrs Waxman's car and repeatedly following her.

A previous judge ruled Fogel had caused her "mental harm" and a search of his computer revealed the defendant had Googled his victim over 40,000 times in just twelve months.

Prosecutor Miss Julie Whitby told the jury: "This is a stalker who will not stop stalking despite the fact there is a court order in place."

On February 1 Fogel's civil claim against Mrs Waxman - for inviting online criticism of him - had been dismissed at Willesden County Court and the defendant insists he was simply driving home by the shortest route.

"She was aware of a silver VW Polo in Blenheim Gardens and recognised the car as Fogel's and when she looked closer saw Fogel driving the car," explained the prosecutor.

Mrs Waxman immediately tried to photograph Fogel with her mobile. but failed and then called her police liaison officer Detective Constable Nicola Maycock.

Giving evidence behind a curtain Mrs Waxman, whose husband sat throughout the trial, told the jury: "I felt a car slowly driving next to me.

"I looked over, I was very shocked, I could see Mr. Fogel looking at me. I recognised the car, I recognised him.

"I saw him give me a very strange smirk. I definitely saw him. I am fully aware of what he looks like after following me for eight years."

Fogel's previous breaches of the order were on March 9, 2007 and Christmas Eve 2008.

He developed an unhealthy interest in Mrs Waxman when they were both college students in St. Albans, Hertfordshire, where she had to continually tell him to leave her alone.

After leaving college in 1993 she heard nothing for ten years until receiving a dinner invitation from Fogel, which she declined.

A few months later, in December 2003, Fogel was spotted jogging on the spot outside her home and spent more and more time loitering around her workplace.

He even posed as a prospective parent at the nursery Mrs Waxman's daughter attended, paid for background searches on her husband Marc and her father and collected her wedding photos.

She was forced to move home five times, developed an eating disorder and claims stress caused by Fogel caused a miscarriage.

He was bailed until sentencing on August 30.

More 'Country Life Couple' Cohorts Sentenced For Illicit Animal Drugs Scam

Six more defendants involved in 'Ronnie and Reggie's' illegal black market veterinary drug supply have been sentenced.

All were linked to Ron Meddes, 73, and Regine Lansley, 62, as either agents, customers, money launderers or employees.

Andris Friend, 45,(pic.bottom) who was living in a stolen caravan on a Spalding, Lincolnshire farm when arrested, was sentenced to thirteen months imprisonment after admitting thirteen counts, plus additional counts covering later dates.

He was an agent of Meddes as well as a customer responsible for onward supply and traded in a false name, receiving 150 parcels in one six to nine month period.

"The stark fact is you were Meddes' agent in the UK, maybe his largest agent," Croydon Crown Court Judge Nicholas Ainley told Friend who traded in £400,000 worth of illegal medicines.

"Some of these drugs were extremely dangerous and having been arrested you carried on doing it."

DEFRA's senior investigating officer in the case, ex-cop Derrick Price said: “Friend was one of Eurovet's top buyers in the UK, selling huge amounts of dangerous and unauthorised drugs to animal owners throughout Lincolnshire and the east of England.

“There is little doubt that many animals would have suffered pain while friend made lots of money.”

Richard James, 44,(pic.top l.) of Llysonnen Road, Carmarthen pleaded guilty to supplying illegal medicines in his role as a trained practitioner in artificial insemination.

He bought £36,000 worth of medicines, which he sold on with a 25% mark up to local farmers in his area.

James was sentenced to 100 hours community service and immediately agreed to pay £45,551 - his profit from criminal activity.

Mr. Price said: "He purchased illegal drugs to maximise the profits of his business. There was no evidence to suggest his customers in Carmarthenshire knew he was using potentially harmful medicines."

Transport boss Mark Harvey, 52,(pic.top r.) of Hollyhurst, Wilsley Pound, Sissinghurst, Kent pleaded guilty to one count of laundering £292,000 of criminal profits made by the scam via a company he created.

The father-of-two was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to perform 275 hours community service.

Judge Ainley told him: "You have had this hanging over you and the public would say: 'serves you right.'

"It was your fault you were overawed by an extremely dangerous, skillful and impressive conman. A man you wanted to work with.

"This is what happens when you involve yourself with criminals."

Mr. Price said: "He was seduced by the champagne lifestyle of Ron and Reggie and knew exactly what he was doing in setting up a money laundering company."

New Zealand-born Cherryl Kantov, 64, and Igor Kantov, 52, both of Lee Villas, Hartington Place, Southend on Sea, Essex admitted minor roles assisting the scam when it moved to Belgium.

Cherryl provided basic admin duties and Igor drove for Meddes. Both were conditionally discharged for two years for their involvement in the illegal supply of medicines.

Mr. Price said: "Eurovet employed many eastern European men to transfer illegal drugs across Europe and act as minders at the storage areas. Igor was one of these men and Cherryl worked in the office processing illegal sales."

Millionaire cattle farmer Andrew Hawley, 59, of Six Hills Farm, Six Hills, Melton Mobray - boss of Leicestershire Livestock - was one of 4,000 farmers who bought illegal medication.

He pleaded guilty to six counts of possessing unauthorised and prescription-only veterinary drugs when his 200-acre farm was searched on July 31, 2008, but insists he believed they were legal.

He bought from Meddes for three to four years, paying £27,000, for medicines used on his herd, which numbered between 400-600 and his cattle annual turnover was 2,500 to 3,000.

Hawley was sentenced to 100 hours community service and ordered to pay £2,500 costs by Judge Ainley who said: "I am deeply suspicious, but I cannot say I am sure he knew they were illegal.

"He should have made checks. He is an experienced farmer with a large cattle-rearing establishment."

Black Market Profiteers Of 'Ronnie & Reggie' Scam Sentenced

A couple who enjoyed horseriding and hunting holidays on the ringleaders' French estate were sentenced with two more key players.

They bought and marked-up illegal veterinary medicines sold by notorious dealers Ronald Meddes, 73, and Regine Lansley, 62.

Couple Richard Jones, 60, a management consultant and June Connelly, 69,(pic.top l.) both of Winchcombe Road, Sedgeberrow, Evesham, Worcestershire - bosses of Henry Field Stud, Naunton Beauchamp, Pershore - both received suspended sentences.

Jones denied, but was convicted on nineteen charges and was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and was ordered to perform 200 hours community service.

Connelly admitted possession and importation of illegal medicines and was sentenced to four months, suspended for two years and ordered to perform 140 hours community service.

"You worked as a team, the jury found as much and they were right," Judge Nicholas Ainley told them.

The couple had a close friendship with Meddes and Lansley, enjoying holidays on their French estate, and bought £57,000 worth of illegal medicines.

Regarding Jones and Connolly DEFRAS’s senior investigating officer in the case, ex-cop Derrick Price said: “They both exhibited a cavalier attitude towards the welfare of horses and knew exactly what they were doing in selling illegal drugs in the Worcestershire and Warwick areas.”

Alexandra John, 51,(pic.bottom) of The Street, Capel, Dorking pleaded guilty to twenty counts and was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete 200 hours community service.

The court heard John - who had an affair with Meddes - had three roles, being involved in sales, onward supply and collecting other customers' money and traded nearly £300,000 worth of illegal medicines.

The customers she sold to included equestrian centres and hunts - for a 10% commission - and she was arrested in May 2008 after a search of her home revealed large amounts of invoices.

"You were a significant agent of Meddes," Judge Ainley told John, currently living on incapacity and housing benefit. "You do deserve to go to prison, but I take your poor health into account."

Mr. Price said: “For several years she acted as an agent throughout the Surrey and Sussex areas, selling dangerous drugs to a variety of people, including many horse owners.”

Road haulage boss Peter Lock, 54,(pic.top r.) of Knaves Hall, Warren Lane, Doddinghurst, Brentwood, Essex - owner of Colmar Farm Riding School, Colmar Farm, Weald Park Way, South Weald, Brentwood denied, but was convicted on fifteen counts.

He bought £155,000 worth of illegal drugs and was sentenced to ten months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to perform 250 hours community service by Judge Ainley who told him: "I'm sure you were acting as an agent."

Mr. Price said: “He was a prolific supplier in the Essex area and was rightly convicted after trying to blame other family members.”

Country Life Couple Jailed For Europe's Biggest Illegal Vet Medicines Scam

A 'Lord and Lady of the Manor' couple who flooded the UK with £13.5m worth of black market veterinary drugs from their secluded 11-bedroom French farmhouse have both been jailed.

Self-styled Princess Diana look-alike Regine Lansley, 62, (pic.top r.) a popular member of the equestrian community, who describes herself as an expert horse-rider and shot was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment.

Husband Ronald Meddes, 73, (pic.top l.with Regine) a disgraced ex-Lloyds trader also well-known in horse circles, received 28 months for the "industrial scale" operation.

Regine, an actress and model who is available for hire as a Di look-alike, shows no modesty in her online profile describing herself as "charismatic" with an obvious "wow factor" and is constantly told by admirers: "I wish I could be like you."

An 1800-strong UK customer list was seized during the DEFRA raid on May 15 2007 on the French farmhouse 80 miles outside Paris - La Petite Ferme - (pic.bottom) owned by the couple known to friends as 'Ronnie and Reggie.'

The property was her fiftieth birthday present from Meddes.

Croydon Crown Court Judge Nicholas Ainley told Meddes: "You did very well in France, enjoying the country life, the hunts and the status you had in a very pleasant house and lived as a man of wealth.

"Your greed was such that after the raid you moved across the border to Belgium and after another raid you moved on undaunted and carried on while on bail.

"You could not resist trying to make money from this trade, you found a niche in the market and you exploited it."

The judge told Lansley: "You are an independent-minded woman and what you did, you did with your eyes open and carried on after you were arrested."

Prosecutor Mr. Andrew Marshall told the court: "It is the largest known attack on the UK veterinary system and the seizure of goods in France represented the largest seizure of illegal veterinary products in Europe."

The customer list included farms, stables, kennels, hunts, shoots and veterinary practices and the medicines supplied included anti-inflammatories, anabolic steroids, tranquillisers, antibiotics, sedatives, painkillers and other miscellaneous products administered to horses, household pets and farm animals.

"They illegally sold vast quantities of veterinary medicine to customers in the UK," he added, revealing 130 cubic metres of black market products were seized from a three-storey barn conversion warehouse that also housed offices and a team of migrant workers.

"This is a highly-regulated area because there can be a great deal of damage done to animals from the misuse of medication if you do not know where it was made, how it was made and the precise ingredients," added Mr. Marshall.

The married couple evaded EU regulations by lying that the medicines, imported from all over the world from counties including Australia and India, were for export-only to Russia.

There was a threefold price mark up on some India-imported medicines and investigators discovered paperwork showing total sales of £13.5m over a six-year period.

Such was the scale of their illicit operation some medicines enjoyed the largest market share in the UK over legitimate products and just one of their delivery companies transported 8.5 tons of black-market drugs into the UK during a two-year period.

The couple immediately restarted their illegal trade a month later from Belgium, covering their tracks with a string of foreign bank accounts in countries such as Cyprus and Malta, companies registered in Belize and Moscow-based company directors.

This was shut-down after another raid on October 2 2008, but the prosecution discovered the couple continued selling illegal medicines throughout 2009 and 2010 via a Hungary-registered company despite being subject to police bail.

"All these products go through the black market," explained Mr. Marshall. "They are being distributed by people not licensed to do it so others can administer them to animals who are not authorised to do so.

"It becomes a bit of a free-for-all and the food chain is placed at risk as well.

"These animals and their welfare are being placed at risk and the only reason for it is legitimate veterinary medicines are more expensive than smuggling these into the country or buying them over the internet."

Convicted fraudster Meddes, of Egg House, Charing, Kent pleaded guilty to nineteen counts of unlawfully supplying unauthorised veterinary medicines and Lansley, of Stadium Street, West Brompton, West London pleaded guilty to two counts.

She is currently claiming over £1,000 a month housing benefit plus £130 per fortnight dole because her assets have been frozen.

Confiscation proceedings will follow.