Stylist Denies Gucci Handbag Scam

Dressed For Court: Chellingsworth

An ‘internationally-renowned personal stylist’ yesterday pleaded not guilty to a £277,000 Gucci designer handbag fraud when she appeared at Croydon Crown Court today.

Milda Chellingsworth, 44, is accused of duping investors, who believed they would enjoy profitable returns from her expertise in trading in the luxury handbag market.

The Lithuanian-born businesswoman, who lives in a £940,000 home in Alexandra Crescent, Sundridge, Bromley was bailed to return for her trial on February 5, 2029.

Chellingsworth is charged with a £146,861.63 fraud between May 1 and August 31, 2023 by abusing her position as the retained agent of Mandy Gray.

She is accused of dishonestly making false representations when retaining money in two bank accounts of Styling For You, spending that money for her personal use instead of benefiting her client’s business.

Chellingsworth is also charged with a similar £78,400 fraud between April 1 and May 31, 2021.

It is said she dishonestly made false representation to Patricia Navarro that she would invest her money into expensive Gucci handbags and return thousands of pounds in profits.

She is also charged with a third fraud, totalling £52,000, between June 17, 2019 and May 31, 2021.

Chellingsworth is accused of dishonestly making false representations to Trevor Coop that she would invest his money into expensive Gucci handbags and return thousands of pounds in profits.

The stylist and personal shopper reportedly charges £150 per hour to consult holidaymakers on appropriate suitcase packing and £680 per day to be a personal gift shopper.

Despite the not guilty pleas Judge Elizabeth Lowe asked: “Where’s the money? Where did it go?”

Chellingsworth’s lawyer Brian Richardson replied: “She denies acting dishonestly. She entered into arrangements with these individuals. She is in the process of trying to resolve matters with Ms Gray.

“The monies were attempted to be invested, but there were a series of unfortunate events and in the process of preparing the defence case this will be dealt with.”

When Judge Lowe enquired: “What does she do for a living at the moment?” Chellingsworth informed the court: “I am a stylist and have a concierge company.”

Chellingsworth - also known as Milda Juskaite - is the company director of SFY Styling Concierge Ltd and SFY Styling Ltd.

Wanted: Pervert Who Targeted Woman On Train

An early-morning female train passenger was followed by a mystery male, who exposed himself and then masturbated in front of her.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this image of their suspect.

Investigating officers are appealing to members of the public to assist them identify the unknown male.

At around 6.30am on Friday, May 22, a man boarded the service at Clapham Junction and left at East Croydon station. 

During the southbound journey the male exposed himself to the woman, who moved away, but was approached again with the man masturbating in front of her.

Detectives would like to speak to the man in the images, as they believe may have information that could help their investigation.

Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 167 of 22 May.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Prison For Thief Who Targeted Expensive Commuter Bikes

A serial bike thief who stole nine bikes from train stations in Surrey has been jailed following a British Transport Police (BTP) investigation.

Reece Fujioka, 23, was sentenced at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to two years’ imprisonment, having pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft.

The court heard that between May and October 2025, Fujioka stole nine bikes from three stations in Surrey – Walton-on-Thames, Woking and Guildford – breaching his Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) each time, as well as trespassing on the railway on one occasion.

Fujioka would casually walk up and down the cycle racks at stations when the coast was clear before choosing his desired bike. 

He’d then use a handheld tool, such as a pair of pliers or bolt cutters, to break the lock and remove the bike.

The bikes he stole included a Cannondale Topstone worth around £2,500, and a Rockrider 6061 worth about £1,800.

Officers launched an investigation after linking a number offences together.

Fujioka was identified as a suspect in late May and officers began working to arrest him. 

He was arrested in January after handing himself in at a Metropolitan Police station in south London.

BTP Constable Lee McAdam said: “Fujioka answered no comment in interview, but we had pulled together a wealth of evidence, including valuable CCTV footage, that left him with no choice but to plead guilty in court.

“We know cycle theft has a real impact on passengers, and we’re committed to tackling this type of crime and putting thieves like Fujioka before the courts.”

Boozy Pervert Jailed For Bloody Wine Bottle Train Attack

A drunken sex offender, who bashed his young male victim over the head with a wine bottle as he tried to flee a train carriage, has been locked-up.

Zakaria Mohammed, 32, inflicted wounds to the back of the 21 year-old passenger's head after deliberately blocking him in on the early morning service.

British Transport Police (BTP) have described it as a “sickening” attack, which left the victim with bleeding wounds.

Mohammed, of The Coppice, West Drayton, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm, sexual assault and false imprisonment.

He also admitted breaching the conditions of a previous Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which was made after previous offending.

Mohammed was jailed for one year and eight months at Reading Crown Court and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

He was also made the subject of a 10-year SHPO.

Shortly before 8.30am on Saturday, March 24, Mohammed sat directly opposite the victim at a table in an otherwise empty carriage.

The pair made small talk until Mohammed, who had clearly been drinking and was carrying a half empty bottle of wine, sexually assaulted the victim.

He moved to deliberately sit next to the victim, who attempted to leave his seat when the train reached Reading station.

When he asked Mohamed to move so he could leave the defendant refused, leaving the victim with no other option than to crawl under the table to escape.

However, as he was doing so, Mohammed repeatedly hit him over the head with his wine bottle.

On leaving the train the victim reported what had happened and realised he was bleeding heavily from cuts to his head.

Mohammed was arrested by BTP officers as he approached the barriers to leave the station and was found to be in breach of a previous SHPO forbidding him from travelling on public transport without paying for a ticket.

BTP Detective Constable Lauren Pace said: “This was a truly sickening assault on a young man who was understandably terrified.

“Mohammed is a dangerous individual who saw nothing wrong with forcing himself upon the victim.

“Quite rightly he has been jailed as a result of our investigation and issued with a SHPO which will hopefully prevent him from attacking anyone else.”

Notorious Night Tube "Predator" Sentenced For More Offences

A night tube predator, who targeted multiple sleeping women in the early hours, has received four-and-a-half years imprisonment.

Salman Yousaf, 46, pleaded guilty to nine charges in total – eight counts of sexual assault and one of outraging public decency.

Inner London Crown Court also ordered an extended licence period on release of a further four years.

Yousaf was also placed on the sex offenders register for life and handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

He is already serving a seven-and-a-half year sentence for a sex attack on a lone female he targeted as she slept on a late-night tube train in April, 2023.

While living in Woodgrange Road, Forest Gate, east London he was convicted on that occasion of sexual assault and assault by penetration.

The Metropolitan Police (MPS), working with the British Transport Police (BTP) linked him to a series of similar offences involving lone females travelling late at night on the London Underground network.

Extensive enquiries resulted in Yousaf being linked to a total of nine offences committed between 2017 and 2021 all on board tube trains at night.

The first took place at around 5.00am on March 11, 2017 when he masturbated in front a woman on a Central Line service near Stratford.

Then on eight separate occasions, all on Central Line and Jubilee Line services, Yousaf singled out women and sexually assaulted them.

He made a conscious effort to target women who had fallen asleep on night tubes. 

Detectives arrested Yousaf in prison and he offered no comment to all questions put to him.

BTP Detective Constable Iryna Cuthbert said: “Salman Yousaf is a calculated predator who deliberately exploited the night-time rail network to target lone women, using their isolation to commit a series of premeditated crimes.

“Even when confronted, he showed a complete lack of remorse – the same absence of remorse he demonstrated at his sentencing.

“Thanks to the information provided by our colleagues at the MPS, we were able to link him to a catalogue of vile sexual offending and ultimately extend his stay behind bars beyond 2030.

“Yousaf’s crimes will have a lasting impact on the women he targeted. 

“I want to acknowledge their bravery in coming forward and reporting what happened, and I hope his sentence brings them some measure of justice.”

Seven Sisters 'Upskirter' Suspect Hunted

A female London Underground passenger was the victim of 'upskirting' as she stood on an escalator.

An unknown male targeted the woman at Seven Sisters Underground station at approximately 10.45pm on Friday, March 27.

British Transport Police (BTP) are investigating and have released this image of their suspect.

Investigating officers are appealing to the public to assist them identify him.

It is suspected a male standing behind the victim used his mobile phone to record images underneath her clothing.

Anyone who recognises the suspect is asked to text BTP on 61016, or call 0800 40 50 40, using the reference 885 of 27 March.

Information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

Disabled Train Passenger Assaulted And Robbed Of Mobile Phone

A disabled train passenger was left “shaken and extremely distressed” when attacked for his mobile phone.

British Transport Police (BTP) are investigating and have released this image of their suspect.

Officers are appealing to members of the public to assist them identify the mystery male.

The victim was onboard a train service approaching Bromley South railway station at approximately 11.30am on Wednesday, May 6.

BTP officers are treating the incident as assault and robbery and have stated the disabled victim was left “shaken and extremely distressed.”

The victim was approached my an unknown male, assaulted and had his mobile phone taken.

Detectives would like to speak to the man pictured, as they believe he may have information which could help their investigation.

Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 245 of 6 May.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

City Lawyer Cleared Of Assaulting Wife

Court Arrival: Boris Telyatnikov

A partner in a leading City law firm, who lost his career when charged with assaulting his wife during a money row at their £2m home, has been cleared by a judge who condemned the woman’s lies.

Solicitor Boris Telyatnikov, 42, always denied grabbing the arm of pharmaceutical executive Sophie Voigt-Firon, who claimed he arrived home drunk, demanding she transfer £4,000 to his account.

“She previously lied to the defendant in the course of their relationship,” announced District Judge Rebecca Saillet. “She lied about having an affair, she lied about her bonus money and lied about hiring a private investigator.”

The intimate details of the power couple’s troubled marriage, during which they both had secret affairs, was publicly laid bare at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court during a tense trial last Friday.

Privately-educated Telyatnikov, the son of former Soviet Union diplomats, was found not guilty of assaulting Sophie on July 21, last year at the five-bedroom former matrimonial home in Surrey Lane, Battersea.

The lawyer arrived at the trial with a large entourage of legal experts and professional supporters, some of whom gave character evidence on his behalf.

He now lives in nearby Albany Mansions, Albert Bridge Road, but in January was forced to quit his partnership with Blackfriars firm Enyo Law, which specialises in ‘advising corporations and high net worth individuals in complex high-value proceedings.’

“I was in shock and did not know how to react,” Telyatnikov told the trial. “This was made up stuff and she seemed to be doing it to gain an upper hand in the divorce.”

Before their marriage in 2014 Sophie insisted on a pre-nuptial agreement. “She was worried about her family’s wealth and me having a claim on that,” Telyatnikov told the court.

“We had a substantial income. I am unemployed at the moment.”

Sophie Voigt-Firon & Catherine Pritchard-Gordon

The wife also lied her annual £50,000 bonus had not been paid and on the evening of the row Telyatnikov was demanding she pay half of the couple’s £8,000 per-month mortgage.

Giving evidence behind a screen she told the trial she was home with her mother, nanny Catherine Pritchard-Gordon and her eight year-old son asleep upstairs, when Telyatnikov returned at 9.30pm.

“He was unhappy to see my mother there and made a cut-throat gesture with his finger,” claimed Sophie. “He told my mother: ‘I want you out now.’

“I could tell he was drunk. I could smell the alcohol on his breath and he was angry, the expression in his eyes and the tone of his voice was angry, his body language was very angry.

“He said that as we were divorcing he could not keep giving me money and I should pay half of the mortgage.

“He said: ‘This is my f***ing money you c***. I’ve spent so much f***ing money on you, you c***.’

“Our marriage had broken down,” admitted Sophie. “I had an affair that I am not proud of and he had an affair with a colleague at work.”

She said during the row Telyatnikov said the couple would have to sack their £1,000 per-week nannies if she did not make the online bank transfer.

“I was holding my phone, but my hand was shaking with nerves as I was fumbling trying to open the banking app, but I think he thought I was recording him and went to grab my arm.

“I dropped my phone and said: ’Ouch, stop, this is hurting me and he did let go.’ It did hurt, it scared me, but excruciating pain? No.

“I was really scared and overwhelmed. Things got out of hand and I was worried about what would happen next, he was self-righteous in his anger.”

She called the police on the insistence of her nanny, with Telyatnikov having already called the emergency services to have his mother-in-law removed from the property.

“Do you think you have exaggerated some of the things that happened?” asked Christine Agnew KC, defending. “You’re exaggerating what happened for your own ends and see this allegation as a weapon in your divorce proceedings.”

Sophie insisted the assault occurred and was critical of her ex’s behaviour during the marriage. “I found out via a private detective he was having an affair.

“I suspected it for many years, it was with someone at work. The detective followed Boris twice and my family told me not to give him any more money.”

That is one reason she lied to Telyatnikov about not receiving her £50,000 annual bonus. “He clearly had enough money to come home drunk and took the money away from the nannies.”

The nanny, Mrs Pritchard-Gordon was also a prosecution witness, even though she was upstairs when the alleged assault occurred.

“I he
ard the door slam and footsteps downstairs and then the shouting, the confrontation between Boris and Sophie. I heard raised voices, particularly Boris and he was demanding money.

“He definitely referred to her as a ‘f***ing c***’ several times. Boris sounded really angry and I was worried for the child’s safety and my safety. I was scared actually.

“I heard Sophie say: ‘No Boris, don’t touch me,’ and she was visibly traumatised and pale. I thought she was going to collapse.”

Telyatnikov conceded the marriage was dogged by infidelity on both sides. “I once saw that she received a message from an unknown number that was sexually explicit and years later she confirmed it was from the same person she was having an affair with.

“I was devastated by what I found out and how long it had been going on for. I had an affair with a fellow-partner between Spring and August, last year.

He discovered his wife had him followed after discovering a £2,000 payment to a detective agency on a bank statement. “That was the end. I decided on divorce.”

Telyatnikov denied making the ‘cut-throat’ gesture when returning home to find his wife and mother-in-law drinking and eating pizza in front of the tv.

“Sophie’s mother is very volatile. I would not be surprised if she started shouting at me and throwing things at me and yes, I called the police.

“I was not drunk. I am a big guy and half a bottle of wine and some snacks will not get me drunk.” aded the lawyer, insisting he was 2-3 metres away from Sophie when she was on the phone.

“I did not grab her arm.”

Judge Saillet did not accuse the wife of lying on oath, but concluded:“The complainant’s evidence was clearly embellished from the account she gave to the police and the words she used come from the evidence of Mrs Pritchard-Gordon.

“She told the court she has not spoken to Mrs Pritchard-Gordon about the incident and that seems incredible given their close relationship and the nanny says they did talk about the incident.

“Why would he grab her wrist when she was doing what he wanted in transferring the money?

“Mr Telyatnikov gave evidence in a clear manner and denied putting hands on his wife and was consistent in what he said to police on arrest and in interview.

“He is a man of good character and this incident would have been totally out of character had it occurred in the manner explained by Mrs Voigt-Firon.”

Forensic Psychologist Guilty Of Seventeen Years-Old Grudge

A forensic psychologist has been convicted of sending a foul-mouthed abusive text to a supervisor she last worked under seventeen years ago.

Bibi Cotman, 55, had not been in contact with the female victim for that same period of time until suddenly sending the evening text, which was full of historic work grievances and wishing a painful death on the victim.

“It was a nasty message, received out of the blue from an unknown number and was quite threatening,” announced District Judge Rebecca Saillet last week.

Mother-of-one Cotman, of Houblon Road, Richmond-upon-Thames fought the case, but was convicted of sending an offensive communication to Wimbledon resident Maureen Duffy on October 23, last year.

“Ms Cotman did not give any evidence today so I have no explanation as to what may have been going on with her that day,” added the judge.

The Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court trial heard the retired victim received the text from Cotman at 9.45pm, which read: “You, my dear are one of the nastiest, self-centred, most narcissistic, self-serving c**** I’ve met.

“I’ve never forgotten the trauma you caused me, thinking you could control people with your ridiculous work ethic to be like the Devil Wears Prada when in reality you were a spinster taking your anger out on others.

“I hope you die a slow cancerous death you c***. Cheers.”

Cotman claims she has no memory of the text and tried to beat the charge by insisting she had her own mental health challenges at the time.

However, Judge Saillet ruled: “Many that come before these courts suffer mental health difficulties, but that in itself is not a defence or having no memory of sending the message.

“There is no evidence she was going through a crisis and it was sent to an ex-employer with work grudges.

“I am satisfied Ms Cotman sent the message with intent to cause stress and anxiety and find her guilty of the offence.”

Prosecutor Lucy Bleichroeder told the trial the victim reported the text to police, who quickly identified Cotman as the sender as they had a record of her phone number from four recent calls she made to emergency services.

In her statement the victim, who lives alone, said: “I worry constantly about being attacked due to this message.” 

Cotman was questioned at Kingston Police Station on December 9, but refused to answer questions and sat in silence.

She suffered a brain aneurysm in 2023 and called her own consultant forensic psychologist Chireal Shallow, who told the trial: “This is a very nuanced and complex situation.”

Cotman’s lawyer Pat Lloyd said: “She had nothing to do with this woman for seventeen years and never saw her or spoke to her.

“She is going to be evicted shortly from her home, which she shares with her sixteen year-old daughter, because she has not paid the rent.

“She does not know where she is going and is in receipt of £1900 per month Universal Credit.

“She says she did not mean it and it is unlike her and it was a one-off and she is at the end of her tether today and she would love to have the chance to apologise.”

From the back of the courtroom Cotman said: “It was a horrible message and it was a shock when it was read to me. It is not okay.”

She was ordered to pay £50 compensation to the victim, plus £100 court costs by Judge Judge Saillet, who told her: “I’ve heard what you said and appreciate that you appreciate it wasn’t a nice message to receive.

“I know you have difficulties in your life, but I did find you guilty of sending a very nasty message to poor Mrs Duffy and the compensation is for the fear and distress you caused her that night.”