Police Hunt Thug Who Left Two City Drinkers With A Broken Jaw And Cheekbone

Police are still hunting this late-night thug, who inflicted facial fractures on two victims during an unprovoked attack in the Square Mile.

CCTV images of the suspect have been released by City of London Police in a bid to identify him.

Outside Revolutions Bar, Leadenhall Street, Bishopsgate at 2.30am on November 17, last year two men were struck by the assailant and required hospital treatment.

The first victim suffered a broken cheekbone and the second was punched unconscious and his jaw was broken in three places.

The suspect then fled from the scene towards Gracechurch Street and Bishopsgate.

Officers investigating the case are asking that If you saw this man or know him then please get in touch by calling 020 7601 2222.

Alternatively Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Greedy Rolex Fraudster Caught During Harrods Swindle

A teenage dad, who tried to swindle two Rolex watches worth a total of £13,850 out of Harrods using a cloned American Express card, described the fraud as: “The biggest mistake of my life,” when he was sentenced yesterday.

Picture framer Rian Merry, 19, of Akeman Street, Arbury, Cambridge claimed he bought the card for £1,800 from a contact known as 'Michael' to finance purchases for his five month-old daughter.

However, he says he felt guilty about putting the card to such use and instead tried to obtain the watches, worth £7,750 and £6,100, each during a trip to London.

Merry pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates' Court to fraud by false representation on May 20, namely dishonestly tendering a fraudulent American Express card with intent to make a gain, namely two Rolex watches.

He was sentenced to a twelve-month community order and must complete 180 hours community service work and pay £85 costs, plus a £60 victim surcharge.

Prosecutor Mr. Tom Gill told the court Merry tried to buy both watches at the Knightsbridge department store, using the bogus platinum AMEX card, which bore his name.

Staff called the police and as Merry was arrested he said: “What am I gonna do about my eighteen hundred pounds?”

If the transaction had been completed the genuine cardholder, who had a Costco dollar account with the same number, would have been billed.

Merry told the magistrates: “It is the biggest mistake of my life. It was greed really.

“I just wanted to provide good money for my daughter, but did it the wrong way and felt guilty, but then when I went to London I saw the watches and wanted them.”

He served time in custody after failing to comply with a previous court order, but insists he is turning his life around with his new job and parental responsibilities.

“Six to seven months ago I stopped smoking cannabis and drinking heavily and I feel a lot better for it,” Merry added. “I now have honest wages and do not feel guilty about spending money on my daughter.”

Bench chairman Mr. Jeffrey Manton told him: “You know the form on this. You have been through the courts a few times and we have the power to send you to prison for eighteen weeks.

“You used a fraudulent card and you intended to buy high-value goods and that is on top of your record.

“We have listened to what you have said, you are nineteen and do you really want to spend your life in courtrooms?

“Isn't that a waste of time. It's not really a life is it?

“The reason you are not going to prison today is because we have heard about your child, your job and your desire to turn your life around.

“We hope you take control of your life and do not do things like this. It is just a stupid thing to do.

“Nobody wants to see you again.”

Benefit Cheat Was Secretly Hoarding Cash

A benefit cheat, who secretly hoarded thousands of pounds while continuing to borrow from sympathetic family and friends, was told today: "Taxpayers are not there to pay for your nest egg."

Jobless Mark Evans, 54, was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court by Recorder Kaly Kaur QC who told him: "You are the sort of person who lied to your family and friends when you probably had more money then they had.

"That is not an appealing feature of your character."

Evans, of Mabel Court, Lingfield Crescent, Eltham swindled a total of £36,894 from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in income support payments and housing and council tax benefit from Bexleyheath council.

He pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances to the DWP between January 1, 2007 and June 22, last year, namely savings of up to £28,000.

He also admitted two counts of dishonestly making false statements to the local authority in January, 2010 and July, last year, namely failing to declare excess capital.

"Because his family and friends are now aware they helped him with money over the years while he had these savings they have turned their backs on him," said Evans's lawyer Miss Rebecca Foulkes.

"For a man that had a great deal of social interaction that has hit him very hard."

Prosecutor Mr. Ross Cifonelli told the court Evans was not entitled to the benefits, which began in May, 1998, once his savings exceeded £16,000.

"He said he accumulated the money through savings, which I would approach with a certain degree of scepticism.

"It would be a very successful investment consultant who was able to achieve those assets."

Investigators discovered Evans had an ISA and transferred his savings to a Credit Suisse account.

"He says he has given away much of this money that he had been given over time and was too ill to spend any of the money," added Mr. Cifonelli.

"It was just sitting there, with interest accumulating. There is no evidence of an extravagant lifestyle."

The court heard Evans, who is currently receiving jobseekers allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit, has £20 deducted weekly to compensate the taxpayer.

"Greed can take a number of forms and there is greed that arises out of concerns for the future," said Miss Foulkes. "He had been unable to work for some time and will probably never work ever again.

"He began saving or his future and for his children's future and it became a compulsion to save for that safety net.

"The confiscation proceedings are going to hit Mr. Evans very hard, but that money will have to be paid back."

In the last nine months £700 has been paid to Bexleyheath council.

"The deductions will be made for as long as his life probably," announced Recorder Kaur. "He was borrowing money from his family when he didn't really need it very much, which is not very attractive, but that is a matter between them and him."

Sentencing Evans to fourteen weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, the recorder told him: "For five years you persistently claimed benefits you were not entitled to.

"The wish to have a nest egg, savings for the future, is one you are not entitled to when you are claiming benefits.

"Taxpayers are not there to pay for your nest egg."

Insurance Worker's £39K Computer Fraud On Employer

An insurance claims handler, who stole £39,000 from his employer to settle pay-day loans and drug debts, has been jailed for 17 months.

Christian Williams, 22, (pictured) of Stanwell Road, Penarth, Wales snuck into his Newport office in the middle of the night numerous times between August 2012 and January, including twice when he was on sick leave, and used his manager’s computer logon details to make payments to himself.

He re-opened four genuine household insurance claims that had been closed and in which no settlement payment had been made to the claimant.

He then made three fraudulent payments into his ex-partner’s bank account and a further payment into his own bank account.

But Williams came undone in February when his employer noticed two payments had been made to the same bank account and referred the case to the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED).

The same month IFED detectives travelled to Newport and arrested Williams at his office.

In police interview Williams stated he used a majority of the cash to settle pay-day loans and drugs debts before spending the remainder on a car, holidays and other luxuries.

He admitted to stealing his supervisor’s computer logon because he was only able to authorise payments of up to £1,000 whereas managers could sign-off up to £10,000.

He also confessed that he had transferred cash into his ex-partner’s bank account without permission.

Williams pleaded guilty at Cardiff Crown Court to five counts of fraud by abuse of position.

Detective Constable Andy Jackson, who led IFED’s investigation, said: “Williams took the decision that his employer was going to be the one to foot the bill for his pay-day loans and drug debts.

“To do this he concocted a scheme that involved sneaking into his office after dark, stealing his manager’s logon details and siphoning tens of thousands of pounds into his and his ex-partner’s accounts.

“Unfortunately for him, the close checks conducted by his employer swiftly led to decisive action by IFED which today leaves him facing seventeen months behind bars.

“IFED is dedicated to working with the insurance industry to root out fraudsters and put them in front of the courts.”

Rugby-Playing Insurance Fraudster Jailed For £900K Scam

An engineer, who tried to swindle his employer's insurers out over £900,000 for a work injury he claimed incapacitated him, has been jailed after investigators filmed him playing rugby.

David Ribchester, 32, of Cricklewood Road, Sunderland lied that he seriously injured both wrists when a ladder he was standing on gave way while at work.

However, undercover investigators not only filmed him playing rugby, but also assembling garden furniture, refueling his car, shaking hands and holding a child - activities he insisted he could no longer perform.

Ribchester was sentenced at the Old Bailey to eight months imprisonment after pleading guilty to fraud between February 2006 and January, last year in relation to a claim for personal injury compensation totalling £923,165.

He told insurers RSA that his injuries meant he was unable to work, shop, drive a manual car or play rugby.

He also reported he could not lift his young daughter with his right hand.

RSA sent the film to the City of London Police Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) on the unit’s launch in January 2013.

IFED detectives arrested Ribchester at a house in April 2013.

Detective Sergeant Tom Finnegan, who led IFED’s investigation, said: “Ribchester exaggerated his injuries and the impact they had on him thinking that no one would bother to find out if he was really telling the truth.

“This was a serious mistake that turned him into a criminal and his actions have cost him a jail sentence.
 


“There is still a public perception that making exaggerated claims to insurance companies is somehow acceptable.

“IFED securing convictions is evidence of how committed we are to working with insurers to change this culture in England and Wales.”  

John Beadle, RSA Counter Fraud Manager, said: "RSA fully support IFED in its effort to bring real consequences to those who attempt to commit fraud against insurers and their customers. 

“People need to realise that insurance fraud is not a victimless crime as we all end up paying through our premiums. 

“They also need to wake up to the fact that insurers are no longer a 'soft touch' and work closely with IFED to ensure that those who commit fraud are detected and face the consequences of the law".

Friends Nick Designer Dresses During Boozy Birthday Trip

L - Hunter R - Moore

Two Liverpool shoplifters, who targeted a pair of designer dresses worth £4,200 at the landmark Harvey Nichols department store during a birthday trip to the capital, claimed they were so drunk on wine they could not remember the high-value theft.

Rebecca Hunter, 31, of Huyton Church Road and Natalie Moore, 36, of Roby Road removed security tags from the garments in the changing rooms of the Knightsbridge store, but were already being watched by suspicious security staff who stopped them outside.

They both pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates' Court to stealing the dresses, designed by French fashion house Lanvin, on July 5 and each received a twelve-month community order, with 200 hours community service.

Prosecutor Mr. Tom Gill told the court it was 7.30pm when a store detective began watching the pair, who say they had been drinking for the previous six-and-a-half hours.

"The store detective watched Moore select three dresses and pass them to Hunter and then they both went to the dressing-rooms.

"Only one of the dresses was left on the rail and two broken security tags had been hidden behind a dressing-room mirror.

"They were stopped outside in the street and Hunter produced the two dresses from her bag and both had been damaged by the removal of the security tags."

They were arrested and quizzed after spending a night in the cells.

"Hunter said she could not remember anything because she was drunk. She said she was a binge drinker and was very sorry for what had happened," explained Mr. Gill.

"Moore said she was drunk and could not remember what had happened. She said she had drunk four bottles of wine and said she was sorry.

"She told officers she was on anti-depressants and had recently broken up with her child's father and was taking comfort in drinking."

Their lawyer Miss Cleo Rehamena told the court: "Both of them are ashamed of their behaviour. It was Miss Moore's birthday and they came to London.

"That day they were drinking very heavily from one pm, sharing four bottles of red wine between them, and have found the whole ordeal very disturbing.

"They both have previous convictions for theft and they were both playing the same role in this offence.

"After fourteen years with her partner Miss Moore found out he was having an affair and is now residing with her mother and thirteen year-old daughter.

"She has left the matrimonial home and has nothing."

District Judge James Henderson told the defendants: "There are a number of aggravating features and you could not have complained if you had been sent to prison.

"If you breach these orders the likely outcome will be prison because of the aggravating features and the high value."

Hunter and Moore were also ordered to each pay £500 compensation to Harvey Nichols.

Financial Advisor Charged With Defrauding Client He Is Accused Of Murdering

A financial advisor, accused of bludgeoning a wealthy American socialite client to death at his Mayfair apartment, appeared in court yesterday charged with stealing £343,000 from the victim's bank account.

David Jeffs, 36, (pic.bottom) of Larch Close, Arnold, Nottingham was taken from his remand cell at top-security HMP Belmarsh to City of London Magistrates' Court.

He is charged with fraud by abuse of position between March 1, 2010 and December 2, last year, namely arranging and receiving the money from 63 year-old Roberto Troyan's accounts into his own personal bank account.

The body of Mr. Troyan (pic.top) was found by his cleaner at the Mount Street address on March 8.

He suffered fatal head injuries.

Mr. Troyan was the former partner of the late architect and interior designer Anthony Feldman, who had worked for Jonathan Aitken and Princess Michael of Kent.

Jeffs was a private client advisor with London and Surrey-based HFM Columbus, a partnership of financial and wealth management firms.

His Old Bailey murder trial is due to begin on October 7.

Kid's Nursery Boss Shoved Employee While Shouting: "Stupid White Bitch"

The black manager of a children's nursery has been fined after calling one of her staff a "stupid white bitch," and pushing the young woman during a row over breaks.

Rosalind Sawyer, 66, of Wilbury Avenue, Sutton told Tara Swift to "get the fuck out of my nursery," and has now ended up with a conviction for racially aggravated assault.

She denied, but was convicted of the offence at Camberwell Magistrates' Court and was fined a total of £250, with £500 costs.

The court heard Sawyer confronted Miss Swift outside the Childrens World Nursery in Wiltshire Road, Brixton (pictured) on January 31 after spotting the baby care employee leaving for a break.

"I heard my name being called and saw that it was my manager," Miss Swift told the court.

"She said: 'Where do you think you're going?' and said I had better go back inside or not bother coming back.

"She was loud and aggressive and had just turned up at two in the afternoon and I had been there all morning.

"She said she was sick off me and my fucking breaks every day and when I said I was entitled to a break she told me to: 'Get the fuck out of my nursery'."

Inside Miss Swift collected her belongings from a staff locker and was leaving the room via a baby gate when Sawyer approached.

"Mrs Sawyer pushed me in my throat and I went staggering back. 

"I had no defence. I was holding the gate and was not expecting it.

"As she pushed me I went stumbling back and afterwards I started crying.

"Mrs Sawyer said: 'You can't do your job. You're stupid, you're a fucking white bitch.'

"I was upset, I was shocked."

Actress Daughter Of Ex-Sky Sports Presenter Richard Keys Cleared Of Punching Paramedic In Face

The troubled actress daughter of ex-Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys enjoyed a rare court victory yesterday when the paramedic who claims she punched her in the face failed to appear for the trial.

Former Hollyoaks star Jemma Keys, 28, of Westbourne Terrace Road, Bayswater, who currently serving a one-year community order, with 175 hours community service work for a drunken attack on her mother, has always denied the charge.

She walked free from Hammersmith Magistrates' Court, where she also recently appeared for breaching another supervision order imposed for drink-driving while taking and driving away an ex-boyfriend's car.

Prosecutor Mr. David Mold told the court: "The victim is a paramedic at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and was taking Miss Key's into the building on a stretcher and felt she needed to apply the restraints.

"With her clenched right fist she punched the complainant on the nose, causing swelling."

Keys pleaded not guilty to assaulting Claire Bradshaw on August 23, last year and her mother Julia Keys, 53, had taken a police officer's shoulder number at the scene, resulting in the officer agreeing to give evidence for the defence.

"The police officer will say Miss Keys demanded to be taken to a private hospital or be let go and as she moved her arms to avoid being restrained there was an accidental clash with the paramedic," explained Mr. John Oliver, defending.

District Judge Teresa Szagun refused to adjourn the trial for the prosecution witnesses to attend.

"This was an allegation of assault against a paramedic and did involve an element of battery, but three trial dates have already been fixed and this is an offence that is twelve months old.

"There is no explanation for their non-attendance today and I consider the matter should proceed."

She told Keys: "The Crown are not in any position to offer any evidence so you are free to go."

The case marks the end of a string of alcohol-related incidents involving Keys, who has received treatment for her addiction, including her father funding a stay at a Far East retreat.

Last month she admitted digging her fingernails into her mother's wrists as Mrs Keys tried to protect herself from her drunken daughter's flurry of kicks at the family's £4m Chelsea home.

She is currently serving a three-year driving disqualification, has struggled to co-operate with the probation service, often skipping appointments, and received a caution for a separate assault on her mother. 

During last month's sentencing hearing Mr. Oliver told the court: "She has shown a reluctance to take part in alcohol counselling because she has been in residential rehabilitation, funded by her parents, and feels until she addresses her emotional problems she will relapse.

"She had difficulties growing up and there were difficulties in her parents' relationship that effected her."

In the last year Keys has lived in approximately ten different addresses including Sunningdale, Wentworth, Plymouth, Chelsea and Ilford, but her new three-year lease is for a settled home funded by her father.

When she pleaded guilty to attacking her mother her solicitor Mr. Fadi Daoud told the court: "She is dysfunctional and has no income and no job and is somebody who has had alcohol problems for six or seven years.

"Her mother went to the police because she found her daughter drunk again, face-down, and there has been a lot of history in the past when her mother has not pursued it.

"Miss Keys continued to receive the support of her family and is somebody who can remain sober for six or seven weeks and then relapse.

"It is an on-going problem the family are dealing with. There is a massive amount of history.

"Miss Keys takes a lot of energy and time out of her family and others and she has to realise it is down to her and hopefully as a result of this the light has come on.

"She is a clever girl from a good family and her family have assisted her by buying her a home and arranging for a car to always pick her up and collect her so she can avoid dangers."

The lawyer asked the court to give Keys credit for her behaviour while on bail. "She could have run away and been found again face-down in the gutter.

"The positive is that she has a family that can and will assist her."

The court also heard Keys was previously arrested by Sussex Police for being drunk and disorderly on January 3 and received a caution.

Environment Campaigner Busted Fellow-Protestor's Jaw On Eve Of Demo

An environmental campaigner, who broke a fellow-protestor's jaw with a single punch during an alcohol-fueled evening before the Hyde Park demo, has been jailed for nine months.

Jay Hindley, 34, of The Cottage, New House Farm, Kniveton, Derbyshire was convinced the victim made a pass at his girlfriend after the group had enjoyed a chinese meal and drinks.

The single-father-of-two, (pictured) who runs a small crafts business, had travelled to London with his girlfriend to attend an anti-geo engineering/chemtrials protest, which aimed to bring attention to environmental pollution.

He pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court to inflicting grievous bodily harm on Daniel Betts at 8B St. Charles Square, North Kensington in the early hours of April 6.

Prosecutor Mr. Olu Phillips told the court one of the protest organisers agreed to house the defendant, his girlfriend and Mr. Betts at her home overnight.

There had only been Facebook contact between them before meeting up, but there was no hostility during the meal and they bought wine and beer on the way back to the address.

After more drinking the host and Hindley and his girlfriend retied to their respective bedrooms, with Mr. Betts sleeping on the sofa.

However, during the night when the defendant's girlfriend got up to go to the bathroom there was an incident, which led Hindley to believe there was some sexual contact between the pair.

He woke Mr. Betts and punched him as he lay on the couch, also knocking out two of the victim's teeth.

"It was an unprovoked attack, a single punch," said Mr. Olu.

Hindley's lawyer Mr. Alistair Walker told the court: "He made a full confession in interview and prior to his arrest texted the victim an apology and posted his regret on Facebook.

"His drinking led him to a gross error of judgement."

Judge Phillip Matthews told Hindley: "On that day you punched him once in the face with sufficient force to fracture his jaw, which was broken in two places, and you broke two of his teeth.

"There had been some form of argument between you and Mr. Betts and the large intake of alcohol removed any inhibition you had to resolve your differences other than resorting to violence.

"You have clearly shown remorse for your behaviour and it was a single blow and you have family that are dependant on you."