Aristocrat On The Run Again

An aristocrat, who is 65th in line to the British throne, is on the run again after being convicted of another racially-aggravated offence.

Rowan Nash Lascelles, 42, the son of The Hon. James Lascelles, 65, the second son of the 7th Earl of Harewood, was found guilty after a trial he did not bother turning up to.

In his absence he was convicted at Hendon Magistrates Court yesterday of the racially aggravated harassment of Avi Daoudi at Victoria Station on April 18.

A second charge of racially aggravated harassment against Shubhamangla Sampanguramareddy was dismissed.

A warrant, without bail, was issued for his arrest.

He will only be sentenced once he is physically before the court.

Lascelles was convicted last July of the racially aggravated assault of a Leicester Square casino doorman and racially abusing his supervisor.

On that occasion he spat blood in the bouncer’s face after fighting outside with some homeless men and called the supervisor a: “Paki.”

Again Lascelles jumped bailed and did not appear for the trial.

Ex-Top Cop Used Old Police Warrant Card For Free Travel

A retired senior Scotland Yard detective was chased and rugby-tackled to the ground when caught using his old warrant card to dodge a train fare.  

Ex-Detective Inspector Brian Tarpey, 58, a counter-terror expert who was in charge of the police response to the London 7/7 bombings, is now a “completely broken man,” the court heard.

Serving Metropolitan Police officers receive free travel within a 70-mile radius of the capital and their professional standards department were making checks at Victoria Station that this benefit wasn’t being abused. 

Tarpey, of The Green, Ewell, Surrey pleaded to impersonating a police officer on May 2, with intent to deceive and travelling without paying his £7.40 fare.

A charge of stealing the warrant card was withdrawn.

Today he was conditionally discharged for 12 months and ordered to pay £85 costs, a £20 victim surcharge and £7.40 compensation.

Prosecutor Malachy Pakenham told Westminster Magistrates Court: “At 9am the officers were made aware that someone had produced a police Inspector’s warrant card and went over to speak to the individual.

“The railway staff waved to the police and said this defendant had identified himself at the ticket barrier as a police officer and flashed his warrant card.

“When one of the professional standards officers spoke to Mr. Tarpey he admitted he was not a police officer and did not have a ticket.

“The defendant began to run and the police officers gave chase and told him to stop running. He continued to run to the platform exit and the pursuit continued into the street.

“The defendant tried to get something out of his jacket pocket and threw it on the floor, still attached to a blue lanyard.”

The chasing officer said in his statement: “He was fiddling around with something and I was concerned he was reaching for a weapon and took him to the ground and he was arrested and handcuffed.”

The discarded item was Tarpey’s old warrant card, but he insists he dropped it accidentally when tearing a hamstring during the chase.

“He told the officers he retired from the police nine years ago and was taken into custody and booked in,” explained the prosecutor.

Tarpey had jumped on a train at his local station as it was about to depart, claiming he did not have time to buy a ticket.

He told police: “I can’t explain why I didn’t pay for a ticket. I stupidly did what I did to get through the barrier because that’s what we used to do.

“Yes I was dishonest and stupid and I knew I had done something wrong.

“The card was in my hand and I dropped it, I didn’t intend to throw it away, but I tore something in my leg and I was in agony when I discarded it.”

He denied previously using the warrant card for free travel, adding: “No, I wish I never had. Look, I did a stupid thing running off like that.”

Mr. Pakenham told the court: “He runs off and that does not go in his favour and he should have known it should have been handed in.”

Michael Field, defending, said Tarpey was on leave when he retired on May 31, 2010 so there was no final-day handover and the warrant card remained in the bottom of a satchel for years.

“He is truly remorseful and utterly regrets this moment of panic and says it has simply destroyed him.

“He is a completely broken man that came from the heights to this position here.

“This is at the bottom end of offending, presenting a card that he had previously possessed lawfully. He failed to hand it back and used it to obtain free travel to a value of £7.40.

“At the station he did not have the opportunity to buy a ticket and when he arrived at Victoria simply panicked and wondered if he still had possession of the warrant card.

“In a moment of madness and rather stupidly he decided to present it even though he had money for the fare.

“He does accept running off in panic, but not deliberately throwing away the card. He ruptured his hamstring and dropped the card. 

“In a very distinguished and impressive thirty year career in the Metropolitan Police he rose to the position of Inspector and has a number of very impressive achievements on his record.

“He was awarded the long service and good conduct medal and worked in anti-corruption, organised crime, child protection, murder and for the last ten years counter-terrorism at Scotland Yard.

“He was the anti-terror duty officer on 7/7, the day in 2005 when London was subject to bombings and directed the initial response to those bombings.

“Since retiring he has been engaged in the security industry and held important and responsible jobs with the Royal Bank of Scotland and financial services company Fidelity International.

“There will be residual damage as a result of the convictions and he is worried he will never work again in the industry.”

District Judge Gary Lucie announced: “My gut feeling is that it is quite serious, but he is a man of good character.”

He told a dejected and shame-faced Tarpey, who kept his head down throughout the hearing: “You knew it was dishonest and you ran off due to panic.

“You are a man of positive good character and you have lost that today. I accept it was out of character and has been described as a moment of madness, an incredibly stupid thing to do.

“You had a distinguished career in the Metropolitan Police, you were an Inspector and received commendation medals. You were a credit to the police.”

Tarpey investigated the polonium poisoning murder of ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko in 2006 and claimed his tea had also been poisoned on the Kremlin’s orders during a visit to Moscow.

Tarpey later appeared in the Channel 4 documentary: ‘Hunting the KGB Killers’.

He describes himself on his professional profile as a: ‘senior security professional with a comprehensive portfolio in both the public and private sector.’

He also boasts to be a: ‘highly knowledgeable security professional with a thirty-year police and significant corporate portfolio.’

After working in the financial security sector Tarpey moved onto the Home Office as a senior operation manager regarding security between July, 2018 and July, last year.

Builders' Plot To Swindle £870K Home From Pensioner's Relatives

Tony Casey

Three builders’ plot to swindle an isolated octogenarian out of his £870,000 Earlsfield home was ruined when a “shocked and surprised” distant relative saw it up for sale, a court heard today.

Batchelor Henry James Bennett - known as ‘Jim’ - died aged 88 years-old in the house he had resided all his life and immediately the trio tried to cash in, the jury were told.

They are: Tony Casey, 34, of Brookes Place, Potters Bar; Jeremiah O’Connor, 38, of Broadway, Morecambe, Lancashire and John O’Connor, 37, of Knatts Valley Homes, Sevenoaks, Kent.

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard Mr. Bennett received £20,000 in 2007 for the freehold in exchange for a 21-year lease that allowed him to continue living at 51 Brookwood Road.

Prosecutor Mr. Nicholas Alexander said a company owned by John O’Connor provided the funds and the property was signed over to his brother Jeremiah before ownership was transferred to Casey.

Isolated Mr. Bennett, who did not even have a home phone died, on March 23, 2016 and two weeks later Casey had his death certificate and was arranging the cheapest cremation he could find.

He told the funeral directors Mr. Bennett was his uncle, but changed his story and claimed he was his grandfather to locksmiths and a solicitor.

Jeremiah O'Connor

When the solicitor questioned the whereabouts of Casey’s father, potentially the next-of-kin, the defendant said he disappeared to Ireland twenty years ago and had not been seen or heard of since. 

Casey insisted on “low key” marketing of the property, but once the estate agents persuaded him to advertise on the internet it was spotted by Mr. Bennett’s second cousin in Dorset.

“I found out the house was on the market and I was shocked and surprised and very curious,” Linda Sutton told the jury.

“It was very upsetting the cremation had taken place and the ashes were still with the funeral directors,” added Mrs Sutton, who paid the £2,000 balance Casey had avoided.

She had only met Mr. Bennett once, back in 1990, but exchanged occasional letters with him and sometimes received calls via a public telephone.

John O'Connor

“I was seeking to right the wrong,” said Mrs Sutton, who reported the house sale to police and was awarded the property in civil court, a judgement unsuccessfully challenged by Casey.

Casey says he was “treated like a grandson” by Mr. Bennett, who he gave “friendship and emotional support.”

He also says Mr. Bennett was of “sound mind” when the freehold was transferred. 

Jeremiah O’Connor says he was in the USA when the property was transferred, denying he had knowledge of the purchase or its change of ownership to Casey.

All three have pleaded not guilty to conspiring to defraud Mr. Bennett and his beneficiaries between January 1, 1997 and April 11, 2019.

Trial continues…………..

Benefit Cheat Continued Collecting Dead Mum's Money

A benefit cheat continued collecting her deceased mother’s pension for nearly eight years during a £77,000 fraud, a court heard.

School clerical assistant Hilary Wilson, 46, did not report the sudden death, which occurred during a visit to Jamaica and was never registered in this country.

The other-of-two, of Solon Road, Brixton pleaded guilty to defrauding the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) between August 10, 2009 and February 12, 2017.

Inner London Crown Court heard Wilson’s mother’s state pension was paid into a joint account she held with her daughter so continuing to access the payments was not a problem for the defendant.

Inner London Crown Court she received fifteen months imprisonment, suspended for two years and was ordered to complete 120 hours community service.

Wilson must also complete fifteen days of rehabilitation and the DWP will make deductions from benefits she continues to receive for herself rather than pursue full confiscation.

Prosecutor Sam Barker told the court: “It is seventy-seven thousand she is not entitled to. She dishonestly received a benefit she was never entitled to.”

The fraud was exposed during a review of Wilson’s finances. 

Her lawyer told the court she was the only breadwinner in the household following the death of her husband and has a son, 10, and daughter, 24, who have health problems.

Judge Ian Darling told Wilson: “You pleaded guilty to a dishonest course of conduct that lasted a very long time. You continued to receive your mother’s pension even though she died many years ago and that continued until your arrest.

“You became used to having these monies available to you and it became part of your daily life.

“You have been very dishonest, but in circumstances that mitigate that dishonesty I suspect the longer it went on the harder it was for you to do anything about it.”

Ex-Bankrupt Denies Emptying Parents' Bank Accounts

Denials: Giuseppe Masella

A former bankrupt businessman looted his dead mother’s bank accounts of £48,000 before targeting his octogenarian father’s £33,000 savings, a court heard.

Giuseppe Masella, 48, of St. Dunstan’s Road, Hammersmith emptied his mother’s account just three weeks after her death, leaving only £10 for his father, the jury were told.

Two years later he opened an internet account in his father Antonio’s name without permission and in two weeks drained it of cash, say the prosecution.

Masella has pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraud; two counts of acquiring criminal property and one count of transferring criminal property regarding his mother’s account in March, 2015.

He also denies two count’s of fraud and one of acquiring criminal property and transferring criminal property regarding his father’s account between February and June, 2017.

Prosecutor Mr. Tyrone Silcott told Isleworth Crown Court today: “In 2015 and 2017 this defendant took money out of his parents’ accounts without permission.”

Masella’s mother Anna, who had three sons, died on March 5, 2015.

Tenner Left: Antonio Masella

“By March 28 all of her savings, apart from £10, had been transferred out of her account,” said the prosecutor.

“In December of that year Antonio went to the Nationwide so he could share the money amongst his three sons, including Giuseppe who is the oldest, but found it had all gone, save that £10.

“All of those transfers had been made by this defendant and all of them were made dishonestly.

“The defendant and his family moved in with Antonio after the death of Anna. He had previously been made bankrupt, but this was lifted in 2015.

“A new Nationwide online account in his father’s name was opened in 2017, which the prosecution say is a fake account and Antonio will tell you someone else opened it.

“That was a fake account set up online to syphon money away from his father.

“The defendant has dishonestly moved money out of his parents’ accounts to his own by making dishonest false representations to the bank.”

Trial continues………….

Hackney Al Qaeda Terrorist Caught By Syrian Video

An Al Qaeda terrorist – questioned by police for acting suspiciously in Whitehall – was identified as a combatant filmed in Syria six years ago.

Mohammed Yamin, 26, featured in an online video by VICE news posted on YouTube of armed terrorists in Syria.

Yamin, of Southwold Road, Hackney, east London was investigated by the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command.

At the Old Bailey he was sentenced to 10-and-a-half years and ordered to serve a further year on license for Engaging in Preparation of Terrorist Acts contrary to Section 5(1) Terrorism Act 2006.

He was also sentenced to four years consisting of three years imprisonment and one year on license for Membership of a Proscribed Organisation contrary to Section 11 Terrorism Act 2000. 

Both sentences are to run concurrently.

On July 10, 2013 Yamin left the UK and travelled to Syria via Romania.

On May 32, 2014, upon returning to the UK, Yamin was arrested at Heathrow Airport under Section 17, TACT 2000 as officers believed he had travelled to Syria in order to provide clothing and equipment to others involved in terrorist activity in the region. 

Yamin denied this, and in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, he was released with no further action.

In 2015, a VICE news film, which had by this time been posted on YouTube, was brought to the attention of police. 

The film, which had been taken in 2013, featured interviews and footage of various people said to be fighting alongside Al Qaeda in Syria. 

Two of the men interviewed on the film wore combat clothing and spoke with British accents. 

One of these men was also seen in the film brandishing an automatic rifle. 

However, the faces of the men were covered and officers were unable to identify who they were at this time.

In 2017, police officers were alerted to a man acting suspiciously by the ‘Women at War’ memorial in Whitehall. 

The man – who was later identified as Yamin – was spoken to by officers. 

Whilst he was not arrested at this point, the encounter was flagged to Counter Terrorism officers and, given his suspicious behaviour and the account he gave to the officers, further enquiries into Yamin were made.

As a result of the further enquiries, the officers identified that Yamin may have been one of the men in the VICE news video. 

The news video was compared to body-worn video footage taken when police spoke to Yamin in Whitehall, and further enquiries with experts in facial and voice analysis confirmed that the man in the VICE news video was likely to be Yamin.

Further enquiries were carried out, which led to Yamin’s arrest on January 30, this year and he was charged the following day.

Detective Chief Superintendent Alexis Boon of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “The Met’s Counter Terrorism Command is absolutely committed to investigating and bringing to justice anyone who travels to Syria, or anywhere else in the world, to join or engage in terrorist activity.

“Anyone who is thinking of returning to the UK having been involved in terrorism abroad can expect to be investigated and as we’ve shown with this case, we will examine all evidence available so that they are held to account for their actions.”

Any suspicious behaviour or activity can be reported via the Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) website at www.gov.uk/ACTor alternatively, call the police in confidence on 0800 789 321.

'Dangerous' Knifeman Guilty Of Pub Attempted Murder

'Dangerous': Bryden

A vicious knifeman, who repeatedly stabbed another pub customer during a late-night murder bid, has been caged for 22 years.

Jamaine Bryden, 31, stabbed the 25 year-old man in the neck, chest and abdomen and his life was saved by a female vet who gave the bleeding victim emergency first aid.

Wood Green Crown Court ruled heavily-tattooed Bryden is a dangerous offender, who will not be automatically released after serving half his sentence and will need parole board approval before he can walk free.

He was convicted by a jury off attempted murder outside the Sporting Green pub, Green Street, Enfield in the early hours of February 25 and possession of a knife.

The victim was rushed to a specialist trauma centre with life threatening injuries.

The investigation team were able to piece together the events of the evening, which involved speaking with witnesses and meticulous CCTV enquiries.

The victim and his friends had been drinking at the pub during the evening. 

One of the victim’s friends was assaulted by the defendant earlier in the evening in an unprovoked attack. 

A short time later the men were outside the pub when a fight broke out.

The victim was stabbed in the neck, chest and abdomen by the defendant.

Bryden, who was local to the area, was identified as the suspect. 

Initial enquiries revealed he was not at the addresses known to him and had fled Enfield.

A major manhunt was launched to attempt to locate him and he was arrested on Thursday, March 28 in Hertfordshire. 

Weapon Of Choice: Bryden's Knife

He was charged the following day and remanded in custody by the court ahead of his trial.

During the trial and giving evidence Bryden bizarrely claimed a meat cleaver discovered during a search of his home address was something he used to scratch his back with.

Judge David Aaronberg QC told Bryden: “You produced a knife and in a frenzied senseless vicious and entirely unprovoked attack you stabbed at him again and again. 

“He is an extremely lucky man to be alive. He continues to suffer and will always suffer physically. 

“This was a hideous attack for no reason that bears any sense on a young man that has done nothing other than help his friend.”

The veterinary surgeon who assisted the victim has been awarded a judge’s commendation for her actions in saving the victim’s life.

Detective Inspector Paul Ridley from North Area CID said: “The devastating events of this night have changed the victim’s life forever leaving him with permanent injuries.

“He was enjoying an evening in the local pub with friends when he was set upon outside by Bryden who was armed with a knife. 

“Bryden launched a savage and unprovoked attack on the victim, relentlessly stabbing him multiple times – it is clear his intent was to cause maximum harm. 

“He has shown no remorse, nor has he accounted at any stage for his actions and the finding of dangerousness reached is wholly appropriate in these circumstances.

“The victim showed great courage to attend court, face his attacker and relive the horrific events of that night as he gave evidence.

“I am confident that the actions of the member of the public, the victim’s friends as well as the first aid administered by police and London Ambulance Service, undoubtedly saved him and I want to praise them all for their efforts.

“I truly hope that this substantial sentence which has been passed today will serve as a deterrent from those intending to carry out these horrific attacks.

“We always will take robust action against any person found carrying a knife or using it to inflict harm on the streets of London.”

Businessman Denies Groping Fellow Cricket Fan In Lord's Pavilion

A businessman, accused of drunkenly groping and slapping a young woman’s bum in the exclusive Lord’s pavilion, was arrested a year later using a forged deceased member’s card during an Ashes test match, a court heard yesterday.  

Cleaning company boss James Lattimer, 51, a member of the Dorset Chamber of Commerce, admits he had been drinking heavily, but denies groping the woman’s rear.   

Lattimer, of Green Road, Winton, Bournemouth appeared for the first time today at Westminster Magistrates Court.  

He pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting the woman at Lord’s Cricket Ground on August 9, last year during the England v India test match.

He pleaded guilty to making or supplying an article for use in fraud on August 15, this year, namely a Lord’s members card, on Day 2 of the England v Australia test match.

Lattimer, who also owns a design company and has a background in marketing, was bailed to appear at Hendon Magistrates Court on January 24, next year for trial on the sexual assault allegation.

Prosecutor Ms Sophie Akister told the court today: “The Crown’s case is at 4.20pm the complainant was in the members pavilion of Lord’s Cricket Ground.

“It was during a test match and as she walked towards the toilet she was stopped by a male that introduced himself as ‘James’ and she says he was quite tipsy and flirty.

“She says he kissed her on both cheeks, grabbed both her bum cheeks and slapped her left cheek.

“She replied: ‘how dare you,’ and the matter was reported to security and the police.”

Nobody was arrested and the woman failed to pick out the man from a photo register of Lord’s members.

The court heard she identified Lattimer a year later and he was arrested. He says he has little recollection of the event, but insists he did not touch the woman’s bum.

“The defendant was in possession of a Member’s card that belonged to a deceased member and was altered to allow this defendant access to the members pavilion,” added Ms Akister.

The court heard there are 12,000 people on the 29-year waiting list for membership, which costs £1,000, plus £600 per year.

In her statement over a year ago the complainant, who cannot be identified, described herself as “feeling disgusted and isolated” by the incident.

“Just because I am a young woman, who is friendly and wearing a nice dress does not mean my body can be touched,” she said, complaining she felt “unsafe” in “a place that is so special to me.”

Hammer-Wielding Teen Guilty Of Cop Attack

Hammer Horror: Flanagan

A violent teenager has been convicted of smashing a claw hammer into the back of a policeman's head, inflicting a deep bloody wound to the officer's scalp.

Brandon Flanagan, 18, of Bell Lane, Twickenham, fled after striking the officer when stopped on a moped, even evading the PC's chasing colleague despite being tasered.

He was convicted by a Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court jury of inflicting grievous bodily harm, with intent, and possession of an offensive weapon and will be sentenced on December 4.

The jury heard that on the afternoon of Monday, May 20 several members of the public called 999 to report two people on a motorbike behaving in a suspicious manner in the Kneller Park area of Twickenham.

Flanagan, who is now known to have been the pillion passenger, was reportedly openly carrying both a knife and a hammer.

Two PCs from the South West area’s Emergency Response Team attended and positioned themselves close to a nearby underpass in order to intercept the motorbike. 

When it emerged, the officers stopped the vehicle and took hold of the suspects in an attempt to detain them.

At this point, Flanagan used the claw hammer, which he was holding, to strike one of the PCs with considerable force across the back of his head before running away. 

The rider of the motorbike also escaped and enquiries continue to identify him.

As the officer lay injured, his colleague pursued Flanagan on foot. 

In a desperate bid to escape he jumped over a fence and started running through gardens. 

The officer successfully fired his Taser into Flanagan, who fell to the ground.

However, while the officer was climbing over a fence to arrest him Flanagan seized the opportunity and ran away – with the Taser prongs still attached to his jacket.

Wound: PC's Scalp

A short while later, police were called to a suspicious male matching the description of Flanagan at a nearby pub. 

Officers entered the premises and found Flanagan enjoying a soft drink and when challenged he lied about his name.

The injured officer’s colleague then entered the pub and identified Flanagan as the male he chased and Tasered. 

Flanagan was then arrested. 

The investigation was led by Detective Constable Ben Pierce, from the South West area’s CID, who established his case based on DNA evidence and witness accounts.

The injured officer is now fully recovered but required hospital treatment for a deep wound to his scalp.

Detective Sergeant Kara Moulds, from the South West area’s CID, said:“Flanagan has shown no remorse for his actions and has refused to admit his guilt throughout. 

“The evidence collected by DC Pierce was overwhelming and as a result the jury convicted Flanagan. 

“He is now facing a long stint behind bars where he can reflect upon his actions.

“This case highlights the very real risks with which police officers are confronted on a daily basis and the courage and professionalism officers demonstrate when doing their job. 

“Police officers do their job to protect the public, not to be viciously attacked by them.”

Anyone with information about the motorbike driver is asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD 4500/20MAY or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Scumbag Thrown In Prison For Targeting Elderly Women

Horrid Henry: Six Of The Best

A lowlife fake plumber, who burgled the homes of pensioners in their 80's and 90's – even snatching the ashes of an elderly widow's late husband – has been caged.

Christopher Henry, 54, of Blenheim Park Road, South Croydon, pleaded guilty to three offences when he appeared at Woolwich Crown Court.

He was sentenced at the same court to six years imprisonment.

The first of the incidents, which all happened during 2018, took place on the morning of Friday, July 27 at the home of a 98-year-old woman in Purley.

The victim had woken up after hearing noises and caught Henry riffling through possessions in her bedroom.

Henry made his escape and pushed the victim on his way out, as he fled with numerous items of jewellery.

She called her care button and police arrived shortly afterwards.

The second incident happened a few weeks later on Tuesday, August 14 in Greenwich.

Henry told the 83-year-old victim that he was a plumber and was there to fix a leak in the downstairs flat, which he said could be coming from her bathroom or kitchen.

The woman welcomed him in to take a look and he instructed her to remove everything from under her kitchen sink.

He then asked to see the pipes in another room and struck up a conversation with the victim about the decoration in a means to distract her.

He then directed her back to the kitchen, where Henry pointed out a leak under the sink, which hadn’t been there before.

Henry then made a swift exit promising he’d come back the next day to fix the leak.

The victim discovered that jewellery, £50 in cash and ornaments containing her husband’s ashes had been taken.

The third incident was on Monday, November 5, when an 86-year-old women was again home alone in her flat in St Albans, Hertfordshire.

At approximately 1.30pm the woman answered a knock at the door by a middle aged man, who explained that he was a plumber responding to a callout from her neighbours who had water coming into their property.

He said he needed access to her premises so he could check under the kitchen sink for the leak.

The victim accompanied the man into her kitchen and helped move items out from under it so he could access the pipework.

Whilst she was distracted in the kitchen and unknown to her, a second male entered her property.

The second male searched her bedroom and took five gold rings and a £20 note.

Officers from the Specialist Crime south opened an investigation and Henry was found due to a combination of CCTV enquires, phone work and witnesses.

Officers from Croydon CID and Greenwich CID took the lead, while he was arrested and investigated by Hertfordshire Police for the third offence.

Detective Constable Robert Costigan, who led the investigation said: “This was an abhorrent crime planned on three vulnerable women. Two of whom were simply happy to help a plumber with his work.

“He carefully planned and targeted them in their homes, a place where they should feel the most safe and secure.

“Not only have these women been made to feel fear in their home, they have lost valuable items that hold memories for each. One women has even lost her husband’s ashes.

“I’m very happy with this sentence and I hope it can bring some closure to each victim.”

Group Accused Of Nobbling Jury With £20 Giveaway Outside Court

Patrick & Rita Cleere

A defendant facing a major Crown Court trial recruited family and friends to dole out twenty pound notes and business cards to potential jurors and successfully nobbled the case, a jury heard today.

Patrick Cleere, 66, had failed in his repeated efforts to adjourn his trial and with the help of his wife Rita Cleere, 66, great-nephew Adam Cleere, 23, and others tried to scupper it, the court was told.

The group congregated around Blackfriars Crown Court, handing out the unique wooden business cards for Patrick’s candle company. 

They also distributed the cash to everyone entering and leaving.

The defendants have pleaded not guilty at Harrow Crown Court to one count each of doing an act to pervert the course of justice on July 16, last year.   

Adam & Natalie Cleere

They are: Patrick and Rita Cleere, of Ealing Village, Madeley Road, Ealing.

Adam Cleere, of Wellesley Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.

Patrick’s niece Natalie Cleere, 45, of Vineyard Court, Kings Parade, Clacton-on-Sea.

Rajiv Netto, 51, of Rodden Road, From, Somerset and Hungarian national Hajnalka Romvari, 37.

The trial is expected to last two weeks

Jurors did take cash and many of the business cards were found in the jury room, resulting in the trial being postponed.  

Prosecutor Mr. Robin Sellers told the jury: “Patrick Cleere and five others were due to stand trial on criminal charges, which he asserted he was not ready for.”

Rajiv Netto

The jury were not given any information regarding the nature of that case.

“On the day of the trial Patrick and these defendants arrived together, some carrying clipboard and all wearing lanyards around their necks showing his business card.

“They approached individuals making their way in, explaining they were representing Candleverse Ltd. and were enticing people to look at the company website.

“Instead of discount vouchers they handed out twenty pound notes and the wooden Candleverse business cards.

“Most importantly and uppermost in Patrick Cleere’s mind were that these people were potentially to be selected to serve on the jury for his trial," Mr. Sellers explained to the jury.

“The company was in the evidence of the trial so jurors may have been compromised," continued the prosecutor.

“Any juror would recognise Candleverse if they received a card and maybe view the company in a positive light, known as bribing or tampering with a jury.

Hajnalka Romvari

“These defendants together carried out this act with the intention of derailing that trial that day.

“They were arrested that day outside Blackfriars Crown Court and Adam said he did not even know his great uncle was on trial and Rita described it as a: ‘charitable exercise.’

“All of this is nonsense. These defendants knew why they were there and what they were doing and that was to derail the trial.”

Trial continues………….