Eight Years For £5m Heroin Dealer

A female drug dealer, caught with £5m worth of heroin after police stopped the mini-cab she was travelling in and searched her east London home, has been jailed.

Sibela Ahmed, 29, of High Road, Ilford, is starting an eight-year prison sentence after being caught by the Metropolitan Police's East Area Proactive Team.

She pleaded guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court to possessing, with intent to supply, 51 kilograms of heroin.

Ahmed was arrested in Meath Road, Ilford on December 7, last year after the traffic stop.

She was sitting on the back seat and in the foot well by her feet was a plastic bag containing approximately five kilograms of heroin.

Officers carried out a search at her home address and found a further 46 kilograms of heroin hidden under her bed and in a suitcase.

Detective Constable Kevin Rowley, of the East Area Proactive Team, said: “I am very happy with today’s result.

“Over fifty-one kilos of heroin has been removed from London’s streets which will no doubt save plenty of lives and help eradicate an issue which has blighted not just London, but the rest of the UK.

“I have no doubt that by taking this big a volume of Class A drugs off the streets, we have severely disrupted an organised crime network and I hope the public feels reassured that we are doing all that we can to clamp down on drug dealers.

“Ahmed was clearly thinking about herself when she agreed to store this large amount of heroin and now she will be able to spend the next eight years thinking about the consequences that it has caused her.”

Mental Health Specialist Abused Ex Online

A university psychotherapist bombarded her doctor ex with insulting messages after they split-up, breaking a court order banning her from contacting him.

Maria Lindholm-Ventola, 45, a lecturer and course director at London South Bank University lost custody of the child she had with psychiatrist Dr. Emad Farrag.

This prompted her to repeatedly message Dr. Farrag, who has taken their child abroad, via email and WhatsApp, referring to him as a: “Pompous f***.”

Lindholm-Ventola, of Shooters Hill, Plumstead, who is also a registered Mental Health Nurse, pleaded guilty today to breaching a non-molestation order made by East London Family Court between September 18 and December 17, 2017.

A charge of sending indecent and offensive messages to Dr. Farrag, who trained at Guys & St. Thomas’s Hospital, causing distress or anxiety, between December 18, 2017 and July 9, last year was withdrawn by the prosecution.

Prosecutor Ms Jennifer Gatland told Bromley Magistrates Court: “The complainant Dr. Farrag is the ex-partner of the defendant, who took out a non-molestation order.

“It has a number of conditions, one of which is not to threaten the victim or go within one hundred metres of him and not abuse him.

“Doctor Farrag says he started receiving numerous abusive messages via email and WhatsApp in September, 2017.”

The insults included: “Taking the p***,” “P*** off,” “F*** off,” “Lay off the dope,” and referred to Dr. Farrag and his new girlfriend as: “A pair of f***s.”

Lindholm-Ventola says in over twenty years of psychotherapy she helps patients: “To let go of any past experiences that may hinder your progress and to explore ways in which you can begin to work towards the future you always wanted.”

She is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and her areas of expertise include obsessions, anger management, stress, relationships and family therapy. 

Despite clearly breaking the Family Court order she continued berating Dr. Farrag and the new woman in his life, telling him: “You’re so full of s***,” “How sick can couple be?” and: “You pompous pair off f***s.”

Ms Gatland added: ‘She is clearly in breach of the non-molestation order and the barrage has caused a lot of distress to the complainant.

“The defendant is angry about not having access to her son, as Dr. Farrag has full custody and the messages were over a long, long period of time and there were many of them.”

She was questioned by police when the messages took a more sinister turn with one reading: ‘People die all the time.”

It is Finnish-born Lindholm-Ventola’s first conviction and she may now face disciplinary proceedings from the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council.

She was bailed for a pre-sentence report to appear at Bexley Magistrates Court on November 21.

Algerian Sex Offender Jailed For Using Dodgy Passport

An Algerian bus pervert, who molested two disgusted female passengers, has been jailed for using a forged EU passport to land a cleaning job with Southwark council.

Abdi Wahab Ikken, 41, of Sycamore Road, Dartford, even used a stolen Oyster card to make the journeys in south-east London.

Ironically he was sent to prison only for the employment fraud and bogus passport charges, having been given probation for sexually assaulting the women.

He was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 17 year-old on a number 96 bus in Woolwich on August 28, last year and a second young woman on number 53 on September 25.

After fighting the fraud and passport charges for nearly a year Ikken is now starting a twenty-five week prison sentence.

He pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court to possessing a forged French passport on January 19, 2015 at Southwark Council’s office in Sangate Street, Peckham.

Ikken also pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation to dishonestly make a gain, namely employment with the council between October 1 and December 24, last year.

He was also convicted at Croydon Magistrates Court of stealing an Oyster card with £55 credit between July 1 and July 31, last year.

During that earlier court hearing Ikken was sentenced to a two-year Community Order, which includes ten days of sex offenders rehabilitation.

He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for five years and was ordered to pay an £85 victim surcharge.

That Community Order has now been revoked because of the prison sentence.

A police appeal for the sexual assault offences led investigators to Ikken’s address. 

Bus Creep: Ikken

When officers from the Roads and Transport Policing Command raided his home they seized the distinctive shorts Ikken was wearing during the first assault and the Oyster card he used to tap-in both times.

He boarded the 96 bus outside Dartford Magistrates Court at 6.30pm and the teenager, who had been shopping in Bluewater, told the trial: “He was squished up against me and his leg was touching mine.

“I could feel the hairs of his leg on me. It just carried on until his leg stopped and he then used his hands,” added the teenager, who was wearing a summer dress.

“He put his elbow on my hip and pushed down really hard. It hurt, I felt he was trying to hurt me.”

The tearful teenager, who Ikea sat next to despite other seats being available added: “It then started with his fingers feeling my leg at the side of my thigh on my skin. I wasn’t wearing any tights.

“I was in disbelief at first. As I looked down he moved his hand around my thigh.

“I said: ‘You’re disgusting. Why are you trying to touch me on the bus?’

“I was scared. I was unaware of his intention and what he was going to do and if he was going to follow me.”

A second woman, in her twenties, was travelling towards Whitehall at 1.30pm when Ikken deliberately plonked himself next to her despite others seats being available.

“He immediately spread his legs so his right leg was touching my left leg. It felt uncomfortable.

“I felt it next to my thigh and the rest of my leg. He apologised, but then spread his legs again and I asked him to move.

“He spread his legs a third time and I felt his ankle move against mine very slowly and i felt it was deliberate rubbing against my skin.

“It went on for a while and I was feeling quite irate and said: ‘Can you keep your legs to yourself?’

“He said he did not want to because I was so beautiful and I told him: ’That’s really creepy, get away from me’

“He was grinning in what I’d say was a lecherous way.

“This was a person who knew how to sexually assault someone without it being shown on camera and it made me think he’d probably done it before.

“He spoke like he was very pleased with what he had done. I’ve been sexually assaulted before and this brought it back to me.”

When questioned by police Southwark Council cleaner Ikken, who needed an Arabic interpreter throughout the trial simply said: “It wasn’t me,” and refused to answer any questions.

Italian Bartender In "F***ing Muslim" Race Attack

Joshua O'Leary 

Three racist thugs hurled Islamic abuse while punching and kicking their dark-haired late-night victim, who turned out to be an Italian bartender walking home, a court heard. 

A bottle was thrown at the lone man, who was chased and surrounded, as the group shouted: “F***ing muslim” and “Go back to your own country,” the jury were told.

Joshua O’Leary, 23, of Teak Close, Rotherhithe has pleaded not guilty to religiously aggravated assault in nearby Lower Road on June 10, last year.

Alfred Young, 19, of Harwood Hill, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire has pleaded guilty to the charge and will be sentenced at the conclusion of the trial.

The third suspect has never been identified or arrested.

It was after midnight when Dario Antonioni - who was bearded at the time - was confronted after exiting Canada Water Underground Station, Inner London Crown Court heard.

“They were shouting at me for no reason, things like: ‘F***ing muslim. Muslim go home’ all three of them.

Alfred Young

“A bottle was thrown at me and I started walking quickly and then started to run. I was frightened.

“The three of them surrounded me. I fell to the ground and I was struck everywhere by all three of them.

“I said: ‘What are you doing? Why are you doing this?’ and I was speaking to them in Italian, but they increased the shouting.

“They wanted to beat me up. Their hands were raised as if they were ready for a fight.

“All three of them hit me, kicks and punches and when I was on the floor there were more kicks and punches.

“Luckily I was able to run away from them into a kebab shop.

“They continued using obscene language like: ‘Motherf***er and go back to your own country.’

“I had grazes on my face and bruises on my elbows and knees from where I had fallen.

“It was a shocking experience.”

Dario Antonioni

O’Leary claims footage filmed by a neighbour and played to the jury shows him trying to pull Mr. Antonioni away from the other two to protect him.

This is seconds after he says he was punched to the ground by the bartender as he tried to intervene.

However, Mr. Antonioni insisted: “No. He was not trying to get me away, he was trying to take me over to his friends. His intention was not to help me.”

Prosecutor Mr. Kerry Moore told the jury: “Mr. Antonioni is not a muslim. He had a dark beard at the time and dark hair and in the early hours these three may have thought he was from an islamic country.

“O’Leary was arrested returning to that area, as was Young. The third male was never identified, but we say they were all together in this attack.”

Trial continues…………

Half-Naked Woman High On Cocaine And Booze Attacked Mini-Cab And Cops Outside Lord's Cricket Ground

A topless woman climbed onto the roof of a mini-cab after an alcohol and cocaine binge and viciously bit and scratched the driver and police officers called to the bizarre scene.

Half-naked Clare O’Brien, 43, of Pinecliffe Avenue, Bournemouth was only wearing tracksuit bottoms when she ran into traffic outside Lord’s Cricket Ground.

When officers concerned for her safety wrapped her in an emergency foil blanket she believed she was being prepared to be cooked and eaten.

All four victims had an anxious wait for blood test results after HIV-positive O’Brien bit herself and drew blood in an attempt to ‘wake herself from a nightmare’ last year.

The single-mum pleaded guilty to inflicting actual bodily harm to mini-cab driver Umit Tezcan and police officers Robert Seladjins and Jordan Deane on October 6.

O’Brien, who was living in a shared flat opposite the St. John’s Wood ground at the time, also pleaded guilty to assaulting police constable Ryan Gayler.

Yesterday she was placed on an 18-month community order, which includes a mental health treatment requirement and must attend 30 days rehab for alcoholism.

O’Brien is currently residing with her parents, but hopes to move into a flat nearby while they continue to raise her four year-old son.

Prosecutor Miss Jane Osborne told Southwark Crown Court it was 10.30pm when O’Brien fled from the flat during a row, naked from the waist up.

“She stood in front of the mini-cab and jumped onto the bonnet of the car, ran up the windscreen and onto the roof and lay down.

“The driver, who had a passenger, tried to remove O’Brien, by pulling her because she was holding on and she came off and landed on top of him.

“She started to struggle on the ground with Mr. Tezcan, who was trying to get free, and grabbed and ripped his shirt.

“She took hold of his left leg and bit him near the knee and then moved further down and bit his leg again.”

Police arrived, but the violence continued. “They wrapped her in a foil blanket and she began to fight the officers.

“She bit officer Deane and scratched the two other officers, drawing blood.

“Prior to biting and scratching the officers O’Brien had bitten her own arm, drawing blood, and then went onto bite others and used her hands that had been near her HIV-positive blood to scratch others.

“Afterwards she said she thought she was in a video game and needed to escape the people,” added Miss Osborne. “When wrapped in foil she feared she was going to be cooked and eaten.”

All four victims were given medication and months later discovered they were HIV-free.

O’Brien’s lawyer Miss Sarah Iskarous told the court: “She feels awful about the distress she caused to the victims in this case and has written cards to them and can’t imagine the trauma they have gone through.

“She bit herself to wake herself from a nightmare she believed she was in. It was not an attempt to infect anybody.”

The Recorder of Westminster Judge Deborah Taylor told O’Brien: “You had been drinking and taking cocaine and ran half-naked into the traffic outside.

“You stopped a cab by standing in front of it and climbed onto the windscreen and roof.

“It is clear you were involved in a psychotic episode at the time and this incident caused considerable anxiety to the victims.

“These are serious offences, but your remorse is quite clear and you have no relevant convictions and you have a serious medical condition.

“This was an isolated incident and references show the attempts you have made.”

Domestic Tragedy: Woman Jailed For Fatal Boyfriend Stabbing

A woman, who stabbed her younger Romanian boyfriend to death during a domestic row, has received five years for the killing.

Simone Fergus, 34, of Zenith Close, Colindale pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Raul Chiriac, 26, who suffered a single stab wound to the chest on April 15.

Wood Green Crown Court heard police were called to the home they shared at 6.00pm to reports of a stabbing.

Mr. Chiriac was rushed to a central London hospital, where he was pronounced dead later that evening.

A post-mortem examination was held three days later and gave his cause of death as haemorrhage following a stab wound penetrating the lung.

Fergus was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder.

The court heard the pair had a turbulent relationship.

Detective Inspector Justin Howick, from the Metropolitan Police's Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "This is a tragic case.

“I hope that Fergus' plea and sentence can bring some degree of comfort to Raul's family."

South Croydon Gunman Gets Five Years

A gunman arrested after police raided his South Croydon home, seizing a pistol and 50 bullets, has received five years imprisonment.

Aaron Prince, 29, of Pampisford Road, South Croydon, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm, a prohibited weapon and ammunition.

Croydon Crown Court heard that on Wednesday, August 22, police executed a warrant at Prince’s home address.

During the search, officers discovered a small pistol alongside 50 rounds of 9mm ammunition in Prince’s bedroom.

A quantity of drugs, cash and a stun gun were also found in the flat.

Police Constable Shelley Allison, who led the investigation, said: “We are committed to protecting our communities from gun crime and are pleased that this weapon has now been removed from our streets.

“This sentence is a great example of the work Croydon’s crime squad does to disrupt the most dangerous offenders and we will continue to actively pursue and prosecute those who carry these weapons.”

Money Row Stabbing: Nine Years For Knifeman

A knifeman, who twice plunged a blade into an acquaintance he had a money row with, causing a collapsed lung and ruptured spleen, is starting a nine-year prison sentence.

Leigh Holder, 31, of Jamuna Close, Poplar was convicted at Snaresbrook Crown Court after a four-day trial.

On April 3 on the towpath of Regent's Canal, parallel to Carr Street, Poplar, Holder stabbed the 35 year-old victim, also causing a fractured rib.

Three days later he was arrested by Central East CID when he turned himself in to an east London police station.

Detective Constable Safdar Mahmood said: “This was a horrific assault which could have quite easily been fatal for the victim.

“The robust sentence given to Holder shows that those who carry and use knives in violence must face the consequences of their actions.

“I would like to commend the victim and a witness for coming forward and giving evidence in this trial.

“Thanks to their courage and assistance we were able to ensure that no stone was left unturned in bringing this offender to justice.”

"I Wouldn't Put It In A Display Cabinet" : Alleged Money Launderer Claims Cash Was Betting Coup

An alleged money launderer, arrested after police raided his flat and seized large amounts of cash, told a jury today it was the proceeds of a successful gambling enterprise.

John Sidney Watson, 63, was in Spain when officers raided his home in Rusham Road, Balham, seizing £190,000 cash, plus another £250,000 when they searched the property again a year later.

He is on trial at Inner London Crown Court, accused of possessing criminal property, but insists the money was legitimately earned with the assistance of a gambling expert.

Watson claimed: “They were bets beyond my capability, doubles, trebles, accumulators. He would take the stake, invest it, and take a percentage if I won.”

The gambling expert, who he only knew as 'Mr. Longbottom' began placing bets in 2009 and Watson says he quickly found himself £30-35,000 down.

“I thought I'd try out for a few thousand and he lost five thousand in the first couple of weeks.”

In their first search investigators found bundles of cash inside a guitar case, up Watson's chimney and on top of a bedroom wardrobe.

“It makes sense to hide it,” he told the court. “I wouldn't put it in a display cabinet.”

The large sums are not unusual for a punter seeking good returns, Watson insisted.

“In the gambling world these sums are sloshing around. I had a target I was building towards.

“I would have liked a million, half a million. That would have been something.”

Trial continues............ 

Benefit Fraudster Caught Fleeing Justice

A benefits fraudster, who falsely posed as a student to avoid council tax, was caught trying to flee abroad after jumping bail.

Emmanuel Okonji, 44, was locked-up for a month as he continued fighting the charge, but eventually admitted the crime today after being refused fresh bail.

The Austrian passport-holder, of Waverley Road, Plumstead falsely claimed in 2015 he was a full-time student at EThames Graduate School, Ilford.

He used a forged student certificate as proof, but after a Royal Borough of Greenwich investigation was summonsed to appear at Bexley Magistrates Court on May 8, last year.

Okonji was bailed to appear at Woolwich Crown Court, but failed to show up for his July date and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

He was arrested at Glasgow Airport on October 8, this year and in court the next day claimed he lived and worked in Austria and had been returning there when stopped.

Okonji claimed he was not the man who jumped bail last year or made a fraudulent claim.

By now he was living in Northfleet and using his Austrian passport to claim benefits.

Today Okonji's application for bail was refused because he failed to prove he was living and working in Austria.

After hearing he would be remanded in custody for a three-day trial in March, next year Okonji decided to finally admit his guilt.

After chatting with his lawyer for an hour he pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation.

Okonji received four months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and was ordered to pay £1,200 costs.

He also received six weeks imprisonment for jumping bail, which he has already served on remand.

England Rugby Star's Second Drink-Drive Collision

An England women’s rugby star has been banned from the roads for her second drink-drive smash - this time while nearly twice the limit.

Marlie Packer, 29, a Word Cup winner in 2014 swerved onto the wrong side of the road and hit an oncoming vehicle while driving home from a boozy bash.

The loose forward, who plays in north London for Southgate’s Saracens was disqualified from driving for 17 months and fined £461, with £85 costs and ordered to pay a £46 victim surcharge.

Packer of Heritage House, London Road, Twickenham, pleaded guilty to driving her red Mercedes Benz work van in Kew Road, Richmond-upon-Thames on September 1.

She was behind the wheel of a HomeServeUK van, who support and sponsor her, with 67 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit is 35.

Employed as a plumber, the 51-cap international will now lose her job, Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard yesterday.

Prosecutor Mr. Chidi Ikwuakolam said it was 10.36pm when police were called to the scene of a collision.

“A HomeServe vehicle had veered into the opposite carriageway, where it struck an oncoming vehicle.”

In 2007 Yeovil-born Packer was convicted of drink-driving and failing to stop after an accident.

“The Crown say the offence is aggravated by the accident,” added Mr. Ikwuakolam.

Mark Haslam, defending, said of the former Bristol, Wasps and Bath player: “She had been to a social function and was driving the short distance home.

“A car pulled out at a junction, forcing her to swerve out of the way and into the oncoming lane.

“It was a fundamentally flawed decision to drive.

“She checked to see if the other driver and their passenger were okay and fortunately they were and admitted to the police she was driving.

“I have spoken to her employer and the harsh reality is because of the nature of her job requiring her to drive, that driving without a license is not an employable person as far as they are concerned.

“An internal disciplinary hearing will follow.

“The length of the disqualification will prove fatal to her job and will impact her financial position.

“In the next few days she will be unemployed and is concerned it will effect her and her partner’s ability to pay their rent.

“It is clear she is a capable member of society and very talented in her own sphere and capable of contributing to society.

"The first time was a long time ago when she was much younger, but of course she should have learned from that.”

Taking Liberties: HSBC Employee Ripped-Off Three Customers

What At Liberty: Staph

A trusted HSBC employee has been jailed for helping to transfer £67,000 belonging to her bank's customers into the hands of criminals.

Liberty Staph, 27, of Broadley Street, St. John's Wood received 18 months imprisonment after she pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by abuse of position.

Some of the money was withdrawn by Adam Chelfat, 21, of Albion Avenue, Nine Elms and he was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, after he admitted two counts of money laundering.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Fraud and Linked Crime Online (FALCON) unit began an investigation in March, 2016 after three of the bank’s customers had money removed from their accounts without their knowledge.

An internal investigation by HSBC identified that Staph had interacted with all three customers shortly before the withdrawals were made.

Staph, who worked in a HSBC contact centre and in a HSBC branch in central London, accessed the customers’ confidential data required to make changes to facilitate access to the accounts.

Greedy: Adam Chelfat

The security on the accounts was subsequently overridden and Chelfat received money taken from one of the HSBC customers into his bank account.

The money was withdrawn by Chelfat as cash or foreign currency within a couple of days and then passed on to another account.

He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work when sentenced.

In total, more than £67,000 was transferred out of the bank accounts of the three victims.

A few days after each fraud had been completed Staph received payments into her bank account, totalling £8,000.

All three victims were refunded in full by the bank.

Detective Constable Mark Cresswell, of the Falcon unit, said:
“Staph abused her position to fraudulently obtain money from HSBC customers who she was supposed to be helping.

“Her criminal actions were uncovered thanks to a comprehensive internal investigation by HSBC.

“The prison sentence received by Staph should act as a deterrent to any other bank employees considering any similar actions.”

Moped Mugger Caged For Knifepoint Hold-Ups

A knife-wielding moped robber, who targeted two late-night couriers within twenty minutes, has been locked-up.

Kymani Goldson, 20, of Vermont Road, Earlsfield received five years and seven months after pleading guilty to two counts of robbery.

Goldson also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving; driving with no insurance and possession of a bladed article.

He will also be banned from driving for 33 months on his release from prison.

Isleworth Crown Court heard that at approximately 1.00am on Thursday, August 16 a delivery driver got onto his moped in North End Road, Kensington.

As he put the key in the ignition, three people on two mopeds drove past.

The two mopeds turned around and boxed in the victim.

A knife was pointed into the victim's back and he was forced off his bike before Goldson drove off on his moped.

The victim contacted police and the tracker on the moped was activated.

Twenty minutes later, a moped courier parked his moped on Mitcham Road near Tooting Broadway station to collect a food delivery.

As he went to his moped he was approached by Goldson who threatened him with a knife and demanded the keys to his moped.

Goldson drove off with two other moped riders into Longmead Road.

The victim contacted police and again a tracker on the bike was activated.

Following a police vehicle pursuit, Goldson crashed his moped in the vicinity of Standen Road whilst the other two mopeds drove off.

Goldson made off on foot but was detained and arrested.

A large knife was found near to him matching the description given by the second victim.

Detective Constable Mark Cooper from the Venice Investigation team said: "Goldson identified his victims as courier drivers and targeted them for their mopeds, using the threat of violence to achieve his aims.

“Both of the drivers needed their vehicles to work, without which one of them lost his job as a result."

Imam Guilty Of Sexually Abusing Young Sisters During Quran Studies

A paedo Imam sexually abused two young sisters during Quran lessons a decade ago.

Hafiz Azizur Rehman Pirzada, 76, of Laughton Road, Northolt was convicted of ten counts relating to the girls when they were aged between nine and eleven years-old.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard the abuse occurred in east London between 2007 and 2009.

The court heard the victims came forward to speak to police in July 2015.

Between 2007 and 2009 the girls were taught the Quran by Pirzada at an address in Newham when he was an Imam appointed by the family.

On July 28, 2016, Pirzada was arrested at his home address and bailed pending further enquiries.

He was later charged with all ten counts on March 16, this year made up of eight counts of sexual assault with a female under 13, and two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

Detective Sergeant Tony Killeen from the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Team said: "This is a case stemming back ten years, but despite the length of time since the incidents Pirzada has been convicted of his crimes.

"The victims have shown a great degree of courage, persistence and determination in securing the conviction, having persevered with the allegation and supporting the police investigation.

"The victims have had to live with this trauma and the absolutely horrendous abuse they endured for the years they were under the control of Pirzada and will have to live with these memories for the rest of their lives.

"Pirzada used his level of trust as a religious leader to assault the girls. I would urge anyone who has been a victim of Pirzada to contact police - specially trained officers are there to support you."

Grinning Leader Of Ammonia Robbery Gang Locked-Up

The ringleader of a ruthless band of robbers was caught smiling on CCTV moments before the gang twice squirted ammonia in the face of a terrified lone female supermarket worker.

Peter Brown, 29, of Hope Avenue, Stanford-Le-Hope, Essex is starting a ten-year prison sentence for the east London raid involving four masked intruders.

He pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and throwing a corrosive fluid with intent to burn, maim, disfigure or disable or to do some grievous bodily harm.

Wood Green Crown Court also ordered Brown to remain on licence for an additional four years once he is released.

On the evening of Friday, March 10, last year, the victim - a woman in her early fifties - was alone in the supermarket in Mare Street, Hackney when four males wearing masks and gloves entered.

Before making demands and in an effort to incapacitate the victim, one of the men squirted high-strength ammonia in her face, causing burn injuries.

The victim screamed for help and tried to resist and she was sprayed again with the substance.

She pressed the store panic alarm and the gang made off with no cash.

As the victim lay burnt on the ground, one of the gang stamped on her with such force it left a visible footprint on her body.

The court heard that Brown travelled from Essex to Hackney.

There he met with four other men - two of whom have already been convicted in relation to this offence - and Brown provided the gang with bottles of ammonia for them to commit the robbery.

CCTV footage showed that the gang had previously visited the supermarket to carry out reconnaissance before the robbery.

Detective Constable Ben Kahane from the Hackney Crime Squad, who led the investigation, said: "Peter Brown is a dangerous man.

“Even though he did not physically enter the shop and throw the ammonia, Brown provided it and planned the attack in detail so is equally culpable.

"It was shocking to see Brown grinning in CCTV footage seconds before the gang struck, knowing full well what was in store for their victim as he cowardly waited nearby.

“The level of violence used was unnecessary and barbaric."

Sadik Kamara, 25, of Booth Road, Newham and Joshua Jordan, 21 of Ruscoe Road, Newham were sentenced to extended sentences of 14 years each in October 2017 for the same offence.