Funeral Gun Murder: Four Arrested

Operation Trident detective who investigate violent black-on-black crime in the capital have arrested four suspects regarding a fatal funeral shooting of a mourner in South-East London.

Ronnie Khan, 21, (pictured) was shot dead on November 3 at 3.00pm at the junction of Forest Hill Road and Rockells Place, East Dulwich and a 17 year-old boy was shot in the ankle.

The incident happened in broad daylight at a time when there were lots of people in the area leaving a funeral nearby.

At least 50 people had recently attended the funeral of 17-year-old car collision victim Joel James Lee Morgan, which had just taken place at the nearby cemetery.

The suspects are two 20-year-old men and two 17 year-old girls who have been bailed to return to a police station later in the month.

An incident room has been opened under Acting Detective Chief Inspector Brian Lucas from Trident.

Any witnesses or those with information that may assist the investigation are asked to call the incident room on 020 8247 4554. To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Commander David Zinzan, responsible for south east London policing said: “Following the shooting in East Dulwich on Thursday afternoon, extra officers have been drafted into the area and surrounding boroughs to reassure the public and make it clear to anyone even considering being involved in violence that it will not be tolerated.

“Our priority is to bring to justice those responsible for this horrific shooting and to prevent any further incidents from occurring over the coming days.

“A significant number of witnesses have come forward and detectives from Trident have been working around the clock to gather evidence and piece together exactly what occurred and identify those responsible for this outrageous act.

“Trident received strong community support while carrying out inquiries in the area last night, which continue today.

“Detectives from Trident are working closely with borough officers and local authorities to gather and share any intelligence and will continue to update our partners in the local authorities as the investigation progresses”

£10K Lost Cash Conman Sentenced

A fraudster dodged jail today for trying to convince police over $10,000 cash found by a train cleaner was his.

Phillip Cragg, 30, of Kittiwake House, High Street, Slough was tipped-off to the potential claim by a First Great Western Railway employee, but his inconsistent account quickly alerted police.

He pleaded guilty to attempting to commit fraud by false representation, namely claiming the $10,300 cash was his at Paddington Station on June 16.

Cragg was sentenced to a twelve-month community order, which included completing 100 hours community service work.

City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard a cleaner handed in the lost money, found on a stationary train, to a police community support officer at Paddington Station on June 9.

British Transport Police (BTP) deposited the cash in a Barclays Bank lost property account.

On June 16 the defendant telephoned BTP in Birmingham, claiming he had left the cash behind on a Maidenhead to Paddington train.

“The operator advised him that he should contact Paddington Station lost property office and was told he would have to provide proof of ownership,” said prosecutor Miss Rav Chodha.

“The defendant then called back later, saying he had negative feedback from lost property, and arrangements were made to discuss matters with BTP at Paddington.

“The defendant attended to claim the money, but due to the large amount involved and inconsistencies in his account it was decided he should return the following day with proof of ownership.”

Cragg failed to attend the second meeting and was arrested during a dawn raid at his home on June 23.

“The defendant fully admitted the offence, saying he received a call from a friend who worked for First Great Western that ten thousand dollars had been found at Paddington Station,” added Miss Chodha.

“He admitted the conspired to unlawfully claim the lost money, which they planned to split fifty fifty.

“The defendant said he had to do it because his friend was a member of the railway staff.”

Halal Shop Murder: Suspect Named

Police have named and released a photograph of a teenage murder suspect they are hunting for the fatal stabbing of a shop assistant – killed in a halal food shop in a busy retail area.

Irfan Ahmad, 24, (pic.top) of Hanley Road, Finsbury Park suffered a stab wound to the chest inside Halal Food Direct, The Broadway, Wood Green, North London at 3.00pm on September 29.

The suspect is Ehsannullah Mohabat, 18, (pic.bottom) who was seen leaving the shop shortly after the stabbing and returned to his Enfield home before disappearing.

Police believe he has contacts in the London boroughs of Enfield; Haringey; Redbridge; Barnet; Waltham Forest and Brent plus links to Gloucester, Leicester and Birmingham.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene and a £10,000 reward has also been offered for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the killer.

Mr. Ahmad was at work when he is believed to have become involved in some sort of altercation with Mohabat shortly before he died.



A post-mortem examination held the following day gave the cause of death as a stab wound to the chest.



An incident room opened at Belgravia under Detective Chief Inspector Steven Lawrence from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command.

DCI Lawrence, said: “Mr. Ahmad was killed in a busy area, in the middle of the afternoon and we need to hear from any witnesses who have not yet come forward.

“Do you have any information about the murder or the whereabouts of Mr Mohabat? It is essential that anyone with information contacts us as soon as possible.”



Mohabat is described as 5ft 5ins tall and at the time of the incident he was wearing a black hooded top with red writing on the front, baggy grey trousers and black trainers.



Anyone who can help should call the incident room on 020 7321 9290 or to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.



There has been no arrest at present.

Killed Two Hours After This Birthday Photo

Two hours after this birthday photo was taken 32 year-old Paul Gunner was killed outside a Bexley kebab shop when punched to the ground during a row with three men.

Police have arrested three suspects on suspicion of murder, but continue to appeal for witnesses to what happened at 1.00am on October 16 in Bourne Road.

Three white males approached Paul and after the altercation fled on foot in the direction of Gravel Hill – leaving him dying on the ground

Detectives are also keen to hear from anyone who witnessed a separate incident where a man was assaulted outside the same venue approximately 10 minutes earlier.

It is believed the suspects threw chips at a blonde woman and a man who intervened was punched.

Detectives are still appealing for that man and the blonde woman to come forward, or anyone who may have witnessed this event.

Detective Inspector Rick Murphy said: “It’s tragic that Paul Gunner would go out to celebrate his birthday and not return.

“A happy event has been turned into a painful one for friends and family of Paul who are still shocked and devastated by his death.

“I cannot stress how important it is for anyone who was in the area that night and who may have witnessed the assault on Paul or the earlier incident to contact the police.

“I would like to reassure anyone concerned about coming forward that they will be treated with the utmost sensitivity.”

Anyone with information is asked to called the Incident Room on 020 8721 4868 or if you wish to remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Late on Sunday October 16 three men aged 31; 32 and 25 were arrested on suspicion of murder.

They were bailed to return to a south London police station to a date this month.

Legal Worker Nicked £60K From Top Law Firm

A legal executive, who looted over £60,000 from her solicitor employers after her schoolteacher husband quit work, dodged jailed with a suspended sentence today.

Mother-of-four Oonagh Grant, 52, of Altyre Close, Beckenham was a registered conveyancer with top West End firm Manches until she was caught and sacked after an internal probe.

She pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court to ten counts of theft between September 14, 2007 and July 29, last year and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 2 years.

Prosecutor Miss Lesley Jones told the court Grant - who was earning £82,500 a year - was responsible for unauthorised transactions totalling £63,298.56 which she paid into her ill father's account.

She had power of attorney over his finances so controlled the money, which she spent on family bills, which included maintaining her 15 year-old daughter's private school education and drama aspirations.

"On august sixteen last year a number of financial irregularities came to light involving fraudulent transactions she was involved with," explained Miss Jones.

"A number were paid by cheque and authorised by the defendant and others were by bank transfer."

Police were informed on August 20 and Grant was arrested at her desk, making a full confession.

"She confirmed she paid money into her father's account after seeing she had an opportunity, having control over various financial transactions.

"Mrs Grant was in a high degree of trust and comes into the top bracket of at least three years' imprisonment," added the prosecutor.

Grant's lawyer Mr. David Bentley said: "Depression may well have been a significant factor in this case. Her current diagnosis is moderately to severely depressed for some period of time.

"She felt it was better stealing than than admit she was unable to cope financially and emotionally and this has come as a shock to those who knew her.

"She is someone who likes to give the impression to the world that she can cope and tries to deal with the problem herself."

Grant is now a £500 per week teacher and the sole breadwinner of her family. She also has girls aged 17 and 23 and a 12 year-old son.

"All it did was reinstate the loss of income from her husband's job," added Mr. Bentley. "She did it out of desperation and stupidity and her mind was effected by the depression and stress she was under."

Roger Stewart QC told Grant: "Our society depends on people being able to trust each other. When you were dealing with clients' money you owed an obligation to those clients and your employers.

"I am influenced by the fact you are looking after your father and your husband depends on you as well as three of your four children."

Grant was also ordered to perform 200 hours community service and confiscation proceedings will follow.

"This is an exceptional case. The court has been very lenient towards you," added the recorder.

Rihanna Roadie's Road-Rage Rap

Pop star Rihanna's roadie Michael Bradley was hit with a £1,465 court bill today for a 'road rage' attack on a fellow motorist in the busy West End.

The 57 year-old was driving his 18-wheeler along Edgware Road - transporting catering equipment from Hyde Park's Wireless Festival - when he jumped out of his cab and punched a BMW driver twice in the face.

Bradley, of Challoner Crescent, West Kensington was convicted at City of London Magistrates' Court of assaulting 35 year-old Ahmed El-Hammoud and using threatening words or behaviour on July 5.

Prosecutor Miss Melanie Lee told the court driving conditions were "treacherous" as the victim pulled over by the side of the road and parked up.

"Mr. Bradley was driving a thirty-seven ton truck and stopped in the middle of the road and went over to Mr. El-Hammoud.

"He had his window lowered and Mr. Bradley started swearing at him and Mr. El-Hammoud put his hand through the window and a witness thought he raised his middle finger.

"This enraged Mr. Bradley who shouted: 'What do you think you are doing?' while waving his arms about.

"He leaned through the open window and punched Mr. El-Hammoud twice," added Miss Lee.

"Mr. Bradley then, while leaning in, removed the keys from the ignition, took them, and left.

"Mr. El-Hammoud was left there abandoned in his vehicle. He had no keys to start it and contacted his wife who had a spare set of keys."

Bradley, whose trial was delayed during the Rihanna tour agreed with the facts, but said: "The one thing I did not do was punch the man.

"I do regret the actions. Taking the man's car keys was totally unjustified. I can only apologise for being stupid."

Bradley, who has a public order and harassment conviction, was fined £500 for assault; £300 for threatening behaviour; ordered to pay £300 compensation to the victim; £350 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Vicious Double Rapist Finally Caged

A notorious rapist - who pounced on two young lone women in the 1990’s – has finally been caught and caged for 16 years after his DNA was taken when arrested for collecting sick sex images.

Ex-cobbler Frank Joseph Watson, 47, of Gibbon Close, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire raped a 22 year-old in 1991 and an 18 year-old in 1997 – threatening to cut the second victim into pieces.

He was arrested on April 20 by Hertfordshire Constabulary and a routine DNA swab linked him to the cold case rapes committed in Potters Bar and Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

On September 13, 1991 the 22-year-old woman, who was walking home along Darkes Lane, was grabbed and dragged to the ground by Watson.

Six years later, on August 21, 1997, Watson attacked an 18-year-old woman who had been out walking on Aberford Park, Brook Road.

He grabbed her from behind by the neck, and demanded: “You better lie down before I stab you, or I'll cut you into little pieces.”

Watson forced the victim to the ground and then raped her.

In both cases Watson, who did not know his victims, made off, leaving the women where he attacked them.



At the time detectives made extensive enquiries, and the two offences were linked.

Forensic evidence was gathered, however, it was not enough to be progressed because of DNA technology available at the time



The Metropolitan Police Cold Case Sapphire Team reopened the investigation in early 2011.

Watson’s DNA was matched with other samples taken during the course of the original investigation owing to the enhancement in forensic technology. 



Detective Constable Danny Maiden, said: “This case shows how together with our colleagues from other forces, offenders can be brought to justice even years after an offence has been committed.

“I give thanks to the hard work of officers and those who deal with forensic evidence, and pay tribute to both victims who have bravely given their accounts at court.

“I hope this result gives some sense of closure to the victims who have had to live with this horrifying ordeal for many years.

“This decision proves that men like Watson will not evade justice, not matter what length of time passes, and that the Met will continue to pursue criminals through all means available to us.”



Watson was convicted of both rapes after a five-day trial at the Old Bailey and admitted making and possessing indecent images.

He was placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Christian Charity Worker's Race-Hate Shame

A Christian charity activist, who launched into a violent boozy race-hate rant at betting-shop staff after losing £250 winnings on a gaming machine, dodged prison with a suspended sentence yesterday.

Elvis Zeidins, 32, of Shirley Gardens, Barking, Essex – the former night shelter co-ordinator with Haringey Christian Community Trust – admits his outburst was “completely unacceptable.”

He pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court to racially aggravated threatening behaviour at the Brixton Ladbrokes on May 28 and was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for a year.

A senior member of Barkingside’s St. Francis of Assisi church supported Zeidins in court and the defendant’s lawyer Mr. David Rhodes said: “It offends his Christian sensibilities to offend in this way.”

Prosecutor Mr. Paul Rattigan told the court: “He could not get a refund in relation to money he said he won on the gaming machine and staff told him he would have to register a complaint.

“He could not accept that and tried to smash the counter with a chair while racially abusing a black female member of staff.

“He made monkey-type gesticulations and called her a: ‘Fucking black bitch, black monkey,’ while cupping his hands under his armpits and telling her she should go back home.”

Police arrived and arrested Zeidins, who had consumed four pints of beer and two whiskeys while watching live football in a nearby pub.

“He told the police he was annoyed he had lost the money, but did not accept the allegations he was accused of,” added Mr. Rattigan.

“He apologises for this completely unacceptable behaviour,” said Mr. Rhodes. “He is now making a real contribution to society through full-time and charitable work.

“He is a devout Christian and enjoys great support from his church.

“This offence was completely out of character and he accepts there was an alcohol and gambling problem.

“He was two hundred and fifty pounds up when the machine switched itself off, lost his temper, saw red and went into a rage.”

Judge Robert Fraser told Zeidins: “It was a particularly disgraceful episode, a totally unacceptable way of dealing with that lady who was only doing her job.

“You called her names and your behaviour was clearly racially motivated and she was no doubt upset and scared.

“You are clearly more than capable of doing a great deal of work for other people and although you richly deserve a short period of custody I am going to suspend it.”

Zeidins was also ordered to complete 80 hours community service work and be subject to six months supervision.

Unlucky Flush For Jewellery Thief's Wife

A thieving courier driver's wife tried to flush valuable jewellery he stole down the toilet during a surprise police raid.

Driver Yousef Tanout, 38, of Rattray Road, Brixton helped himself to the jewellery when returning it to the supplier from a magazine.

He pleaded guilty at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court to stealing £1,245 worth of jewellery from Pandora on June 21.

Prosecutor Miss Rav Chodha told the court City Sprint courier Tanout found the offices of Pandora were closed at 6.10pm when delivering the jewellery from National Magazine.

The valuables were stored overnight in a supervisor's desk at the magazine, but when checked the following day it was clear jewellery had been stolen.

On October 14 police raided the defendant's home and caught his wife in the bathroom trying to flush jewellery down the toilet.

A stolen necklace and two rings were found in the bedroom.

Tanout was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months and ordered to perform 150 hours community service.

Successful Kosovon Asylum Seeker Jailed For Dealing Cocaine

A successful Kosovon asylum seeker was caught dealing £13,000 worth of cocaine in the East End just three months after being granted British citizenship.

Labourer Fatbardh Gashi, 34, arrived in the UK in 1999 and in February this year finally obtained full citizenship.

However, City of London police observed him dealing drugs from a parked Mercedes in Middlesex Street, Aldgate on May 27 and found 24 gms of cocaine hidden behind the gear-stick.

Officers searched his home and found another 240 gms of cocaine along with £15,000 cash.

Gashi, of Hackney Road, Bethnal Green pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey (pictured) to two counts of possessing cocaine, with intent to supply, and was jailed for twenty-seven months.

The court heard police watched as a customer leaned into Gashi's car and appeared to buy drugs - later confirming to officers he paid £100 for two wraps of cocaine.

When the car was pulled over officers found several small bags of cocaine behind the gear-stick.

At his flat more cocaine was found divided into bags for supply along with £15,000 cash in three separate bundles.

The Recorder of London Peter Beaumont told first-time offender Gashi: "Your involvement in drug-dealing can only be put down to greed for which you must now pay a severe price."

The judge also ordered the forfeiture of the drugs, cash and Mercedes.

No deportation order can be made because Gashi is a UK citizen.

KGB 'Intelligence Officer' Caught With Fake Licence

A bogus KGB defector, who tricked the Home Office and BBC's Newsnight into believing he was a genuine agent, has been exposed after he was caught using a clumsily forged driving licence.

Jobless Ikrom Yakubov, 30, successfully applied for asylum in the UK until 2014 after arriving on a six-month visa and was portrayed on a Newsnight feature as the first Uzbekistan KGB agent to defect.

However, his elaborate story of obtaining the Portuguese licence legitimately during a top-secret mission to the country was dismissed by a Kingston Crown Court jury, who convicted him.

Police checks with MI5 and MI6 via the Metropolitan Police's counter-terrorism unit failed to add credence to Yakubov's story and he has been served with deportation papers.

Yesterday he was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment, suspended for a year, and ordered to perform 160 hours community service for possessing a false identity document, with intent, in Old Kent Road, Southwark on November 8, last year.

Yakubov, of St. Paul's Road, Tottenham - who claimed his grandfather founded the Uzbekistan KGB - told Newsnight in August 2009 that the Russian TSB trained him to kill with his bare hands and he had witnessed torture and false confessions.

He said his life was in danger after criticising President Islam Karimov - resulting in his own torture which involved his fingers being broken and beatings, left him with intestinal injuries.

Yakubov arrived in the UK on September 1, 2008 and claimed asylum three days later, telling the Home Office he spent a decade in Uzbekistan's national security agency the SNB (formerly the KGB).

"I was an intelligence officer and worked directly under the president of Uzbekistan," he told the jury. "In 2005 there was an uprising against the dictatorship and the head of state ordered the killing of more than one thousand eight hundred people.

"After the massacre EU countries, including the UK suspended relations with Uzbekistan and the President ordered intelligence officers to countries, including Portugal, to see if it was sustainable to bring Uzbekistan gold and money to them.

"I attended driving lessons in Lisbon in 2005 and I received this driving licence. I believe this is a genuine driving licence."

However, when police pulled L-driver Yakubov over they immediately saw the hologram was incorrect, the typeface was not straight and the licence was purportedly issued before he even took the test.

Despite this Yakubov stuck to his story telling the officers: "I was a former KGB officer and the Uzbekistan government paid for this licence."

He pleaded with the jury: "This is a matter of life and death for me. I want to live in this country under a clear name.

"I came to this country as a defector and was accepted as an ex-intelligence officer whose life was at risk and I was granted political asylum," he told the court.

"I have been sentenced to twenty-five years for treason in Uzbekistan and I want to give thanks to this nation for giving me a chance and for the medical treatment I received after I was tortured."

Yakubov also convinced the Home Office he was a member of the Uzbekistan president's National Security Council, the press and information agency and the institute for strategic and regional studies.

The court made no deportation order, but the Home Office will take the conviction into consideration when deciding whether to extend Yakubov's leave to remain.

Law Firm Thief's Suicide Bid

A trusted legal executive, who tried to kill himself by slashing his throat and wrists in a hotel bathroom after stealing £645,000 from a top corporate solicitor's firm - blowing it all gambling online - was jailed for fifteen months yesterday.

Property investments administrator Alan Michael Clarke, 47, of Delamere Road, Ealing was employed by City firm MacFarlanes for twenty-four years and was in charge of their clients' commercial property portfolio.

He pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to four counts of theft by an employee relating to sums of £13,906; £6,000; £16,382 and £18,488 on various dates between March 1, 2002 and July 10, 2006.

Clarke also pleaded guilty to six further counts of fraud by abuse of position in relation to £37,846; £61,207; £204,848; £200,290; £66,757 and £19,475 on various dates between January 15, 2007 and February 10, this year.

During a nine-year scam he forged multiple invoices for non-existent work on the properties - often asbestos removal - and diverted clients payments straight to his credit card, which was linked to a Paddy Power account.

However, after being caught and suspended by the partners on February 10 the married father-of-two wandered the streets of West London looking for a hotel room where he could kill himself.

"He lost over one million pounds to the bookmakers and the gambling was a secret from his wife and the credit card he used was set up at his parents address so she would not know," said Mr. Hugh Forgan, defending.

"The money was to feed his addiction and increased year on year, peaking at the time of his arrest at two hundred thousand a year."

Clarke removed his mobile's sim card so he could not be contacted, bought a knife and booked a room above a pub, where his unconscious blood-soaked body was found the next morning in the bathroom, jammed shut with a chair.

He had deep lacerations to his neck, both wrists and abdominal wall and spent a week in two different hospitals.

"He had severe damage to his tendons, arteries and the nerves in his wrists," added Mr. Forgan. "He has made a good recovery and on the mental health side a remarkably good recovery."

Prosecutor Mr. Philip McGhee told the court: "The defendant was a non-qualified legal executive on a salary of fifty-five thousand pounds a year.

"One feature of his duties was overseeing the expenditure in relation to these properties and he was also the company secretary to many of these corporate clients.

"What the defendant did was create false invoices for non-existent works on the properties, which purported to come from legitimate companies.

"The monies found their way into an account controlled by the defendant and he reserved the process of such invoices to himself, preventing other employees processing them.

"Some of the invoices also purported to be from an non-existent firm of chartered accountants called CJ Clarke, which the defendant controlled."

A total of £645,202 was stolen by Clarke, who has repaid the firm £477,304, by re-mortgaging his share of the marital home for £150,000; selling his Renault for £15,000; giving-up his £172,000 pension and raising further money when his parents re-mortgaged their home for £125,000.

The remainder was made up with his unclaimed wages, shares and savings, leaving him broke and claiming Jobseekers Allowance while living with his mum and dad.

"It came to light following suspicions aroused by some invoices, which triggered an internal investigation," explained Mr. McGhee.

His wife attended court, but now shares the matrimonial home with the couple's daughters aged 16 and 17, who are studying A levels.

The Recorder of London Peter Beaumont, impressed by Clarke re-qualifying as an electrician told him: "Your dishonesty was prolonged, it was in breach of trust and obtained by you to gamble huge sums of money.

"You have sorted yourself out physically and mentally and equipped yourself for a future. You have lost everything and done your best to find it again."

MacFarlanes, of Cursitor Street, Chancery Lane reportedly achieved total revenues of £92.4m last year and has been described as forming part of an elite London-based group of firms called the 'Silver Circle.'