Businessman Claims He Didn't Know His Amphetamine Stash Was Illegal

A businessman, who cliams he did not know the class B drug 'speed' was illegal, has been fined after police found a small amount of it in his Fulham home.

Anthony Michael Fox, 38, of North End Road, who earns £7,500 a month, also had a quantity hidden in his sock, which was discovered when officers strip-searched him.

He pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates Court to possessing a quantity of amphetamine on July 27 and was fined £1,000, with £85 costs and was ordered to pay a £100 victim surcharge.

“I could had washed that down the toilet, I paid five hundred pounds for that,” Fox told the court, and complaining about the amout of the fine he added: “I'm paying for school fees, my outgoings are higher than my income.”

The court was told police visited Fox's address on an undisclosed matter that was not proceeded with and discovered white powder on a bedroom table, plus more amphetamine when the defendant was searched in custody.

He also gave a positive test for cocaineat the police station.

His lawyer, who refused to give his name, said: “He uses this drug because he suffers from hair loss and did not realise the drugs were illegal.”

However, the magistrate dismissed this claim, telling Fox: “I don't believe what you said about why you had the drugs. I believe you knew they were illegal.”

Teen Admits Sexually Abusing Three Children In Same Family

A teenager, who sexually abused three young members of the same family, was warned he may go into custody after finally admitting his crimes.

Jake Brookfield, 18, of York Avenue, Hayes, Middlesex was himself aged between ten and fourteen years-old when he subjected the boy and two girls, who are younger than him, to the abuse.

“These are serious matters against young children,” Isleworth Crown Court Judge Robin Johnson told Brookfield yesterday. “I appreciate you were young at the time, but the fact I am bailing you does not rules out a custodial sentence.”

Brookfield was bailed until December 5 for probation and psychiatric reports and Judge Johnson, who ordered the defendant to sign the Sex Offenders Register within 72 hours, added: “The probation service should consider all options.

“This will be a troubling case for the sentencing judge.”

Brookfield pleaded guilty to four counts of inciting the boy to engage in sexual activity on various dates between November 7, 2005 and June 12, 2010.

He also admitted two counts of inciting one of the girl's to engage in sexual activity between August 5, 2006 and Jauary 1, 2011 and one count of inciting the other girl to engage in sexual activity between September 5, 2009 and January 1, 2011, when she was aged seven to nine years-old.

Brookfield denied five further counts, including a charge of rape, and they will not be proceeded with.

Prosecutor Mr. Tom Nicholson told the court: “Some of the incidents started when the defendant was ten years-old and probably would not have been charged if it was not for the escalation. The oldest was when he was fourteen years-old.

“The high watermark of the prosecution case is quite more serious than that to what the defendant has pleaded guilty to an there were discussions with the family.

“All three children were dreading giving evidence against the defendant and re-live what happened to them.”

Brookfield faces a maximum sentence of five years custody.

Civil Servant Paid £280K In Housing Benefit To Himself

A housing benefit officer with the London Borough of Ealing reopened thirty-four dormant claims and paid £280,000 of taxpayers money into his own bank accounts.

Even after civil servant Mark Hypolite, 36, was caught and banned from his office he sneaked back in and logged-on to a council computer and continued the fraud.

Hypolite, of Phipps House, Shepherd's Bush was bailed to return to Isleworth Crown Court for sentencing on December 3 on condition he does not enter any London Borough of Ealing premises except on legitimate business.

Today the jury found proved nine sample counts of dishonestly making false representations between April 12, 2010 and November 16, 2011.

Hypolite changed his name by deed poll to open bank accounts under different identities and immediately withdrew the payments in cash.

The council have recovered £97,000, but do not know what has happened to the remainder or what Hypolite spent the money on.

The defendant was employed at Perceval House, Uxbridge Road from 2007 and was identified by colleagues who suspected suspicious activity, resulting in him becoming the target of an investigation by the audit department.

The thirty-four claims were reopened without the original claimants' knowledge and paid into three different bank accounts, one of which was in the name of Hypolite's mother's second husband.

Prosecutor Mr. Mark Tomassi told the jury: "He was employed by the council and was not entitled to the monies paid out. It was pure fraud from first to last.

"The frauds committed by Mr. Hypolite are complicated, sophisticated, persistent and consistent and a very large sum of money has been wrongly diverted.

"This all points to a sophisticated, calculated successful fraud.

"He was suspended and told not to enter the premises and knew he was not welcome within the council offices, but was seen there again a few days later."

Violent Double Rapist Gets 18 Years

A violent thug, who intimidated a woman he knew and raped her twice in the space of a few months – once at knifepoint - has been caged for eighteen years.

Jimmy Prospere, 47, of Bishopsthorpe Road, Sydenham was convicted by a Woolwich Crown Court jury of two counts of rape.

The court heard how Prospere, who knew his victim, had used violence and intimidation over a period of time against the woman, aged in her forties.

On two occasions, in January and May 2013, Prospere raped the woman, using a knife to threaten her during the January attack.



The victim managed to gather the courage to report the abuse to police in September 2013.



Detective Constable Claire Rutherford, who led the investigation for the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: "The victim has shown immense courage and resilience throughout the investigation and the court process, and I hope that this conviction helps her find closure in due course.



"I also hope that this conviction acts as a means of encouragement for those women who suffer from sexual abuse to feel reassured that the police take these matters very seriously and will pursue such allegations thoroughly."

Cig Butt DNA Nails Knife-Wielding Bank Bandit

A knifeman, who threatened bank staff with a blade during a £2,000 raid, has been jailed for three years.

Zhoa Wan, 29, of Sigrist Square, Kingston-upon-Thames brandished the large kitchen knife as he fled, telling a member of staff: “Get out of my way.”

He pleaded guilty to robbing the bank in High Street, Hounslow on February 12.

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard it was 11am when Wan entered the branch

He initially told staff he was waiting for someone, but he then approached two cashiers, produced the knife and told staff to give him the money.



The staff handed over nearly £2,000, which Wan placed in a black bag he had been carrying.



As he left, the cashiers told a member of staff in the bank’s public area what had happened.

This member of staff began to approach Wan, but he held the knife out in front of him, shouted the order, and escaped.

Police were called and officers from the Flying Squad began an investigation.

A review of CCTV was made and an image recovered of the suspect smoking a cigarette.

The cigarette stub was found by police and the DNA on it was matched to Wan.



Other CCTV enabled police to find the guest house where Wan had been staying prior to the robbery.

All this information enabled detectives to identify Wan as the suspect.



Wan became aware that he was sought by police and on Saturday, February 22 he surrendered himself at Hounslow police station, where he was arrested and later charged.



Detective Constable Alex George, of the Flying Squad, said: “This was a frightening ordeal for the members of staff who were threatened with a knife for Wan’s financial gain.

Our investigation quickly identified Wan as the person responsible.

His prison sentence should be a warning; if you commit violent crime the consequences are severe." 

Male On Male Nightclub Rape: CCTV Image Released

Police investigating the rape of a young man in the toilets of a popular Kingston-upon-Thames nightclub have released this CCTV image of a suspect.

The 19 year-old victim reported the attack ocurred in the early hours of April 3 in the male toilets of 'Pryzm' in Clarence Street.

The suspect is believed to be aged in his early to mid 20's and around 5ft 8 ins in height.

He is described as of Mediterranean appearance, or possibly a light-skinned black man.



Officers from the Metropolitan Police's Sexual Offences, Exploitation, and Child Abuse Command are investigating.



Detective Sergeant Janet Archibald said: "I am asking the man shown in the image to come forward and speak with me, since he may have information that would assist the investigation. 



"I also wish to hear from anyone who knows this man's identity, or who has information relating to the incident at Pryzm nightclub on the third of April."



Anyone with information should call police on 020 8649 0422. To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

TV Accounts Exec Swindled Over £224K From X Factor Company

An executive with the television company behind The X Factor and American Idol pleaded guilty today to defrauding his former bosses of over £224,000 to pay off two holiday homes in Portugal.

Ian Ousey, 51, who lives in a £1.9m detached six-bedroom house in Prince Consort Drive, Ascot, Berkshire was the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of FreemantleMedia Group (FMG) - which also produces Take Me Out and Grand Designs.

Ousey, a qualified chartered accountant, left the company in March and paid back the money as part of a £1.4m legal settlement, which included his former employers expenses.

It is said large amounts were paid to a holiday home developer in Portugal and to cover credit cards, vehicles, mobile phones and courier payments.

He worked at the company's HQ at 1 Stephen Street, near Tottenham Court Road and was interviewed by officers at nearby Holborn Police Station.

He pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position between October 30, 2008 and November 30,2012 in that while occupying the position of CFO in which he was expected to safeguard or not act against the financial interests of FMG he abused that position to make a gain, namely £224,754.

Prosecutor Mr. Edward Aydin told Highbury Corner Magistrates Court: "Mr. Ousey worked there for some twenty-three years, for that firm and its predecessor as the Chief Financial Officer for the Freemantle group of companies, a worldwide television production company, which produces a number of shows worldwide.

"He admitted fraudulent activity when confronted by his superiors immediately."

Suspicious transactions, which also involved the company credit card as well as bogus invoices were discovered in April, 2012 by Freemantle's Group Financial Director (GFD) Mr. Mark Riddlestone.

"The GFD was aware Mr. Ousey booked flights on the company credit card.

"Leading to the false invoices it was alerted that others facts became suspicious to the company."

The company credit card was also used to pay for vehicles, mobiles phones and other unauthorised expenses.

Ousey's lawyer Mr. Samuel Parish told the court: "This matter came to light as a result of Mr. Ousey making a statement to his employers and he paid back every penny, including investigation costs getting on for one million pounds.

"He's a man with children attending paid school. his whole way of life has gone, he's had to tell his professional body and he will be struck off the roll.

"His professional and family life has come to and end."

The false invoice offence began after a holiday Ousey enjoyed with his wife when they decided to buy two holiday homes and missed a repayment.

"He had to pay for the development in instalments. There was a hiccup and they could not pay and everything had to be paid up or it would have been forfeited.

"He created the false invoices for a company that did not exist that had a similar name that supplied Freemantle. Once he started he couldn't stop.

"What he's most concerned about is the welfare of his family. He's left them in a really difficult situation."

When Freemantle paid the false invoices they money went to Ousey's bank account.

Urging the court to sentence Ousley immediately the lawyer added: "He'd like to get on with his and his family's life. He's quite young and he's going to have a difficult time ahead."

Ousey was committed to Blackfriars Crown Court on unconditional bail for sentence on a date to be fixed and Bench Chairwoman Danielle Jayes told him: "Our sentencing powers are insufficient due to the large amount."

Ousey joined music company Audio Network - which specialises in music for film, television and video - in April and he has previously worked for Price Waterhouse Coopers, the RTL group, Pearson Television and was based in Monaco with Grundy Worldwide.

He has since left Audio Network "by mutual consent."

Iraqi Asylum-Seeker Sat Driving Theory Tests For Other Foreigners

A successful Iraqi asylum-seeker, who travelled all over the country taking driving theory tests for other foreigners, has been jailed for fifteen moths.

Jobless Derbas Baiz Hamad, 28, of Gerrish Avenue, Whitehall, Bristol claims his final test was in exchange for a plane ticket to his homeland, where his brother and sister have been kidnapped by Islamic State.

The unmarried father-of-two, who lives on benefits and achieved full British citizenship four years ago, pleaded guilty to thirteen counts of fraud by false representation and one count of jumping bail.

Isleworth Crown Court heard Hamad, who has two previous convictions for sitting tests for others, sat the examinations between September 14, 2012 and the day of his arrest, September 5, this year.

He attended test centres in Hillingdon; Lincolnshire; Berkshire; Dorset; Somerset; Staffordshire; Enfield; Southwark; Redditch; South Yorkshire; Surrey; West Midlands and Bristol.

Prosecutor Miss Pamela Reiss told the court: "He has several aliases and goes to driving theory test centres and impersonates a genuine person to obtain a pass.

"He was arrested in Uxbridge when a member of staff recognised his picture, which had been circulated as a serial offender and he was wanted in Bristol for exactly the same offences.

"He said he did not take payment for thing the tests, but knew what he was doing was wrong and had not been forced to do it."

Hamad, who once received a three month sentence for taking a road test for Iraqi pal Hadi Mohammed, 31, which he failed spectacularly, has remained in custody since his arrest last month.

He arrived in the UK as a seventeen year-old to avoid military service in Iraq and claims his two siblings were kidnapped a month ago in his home town of Kirkuk.

His 61 year-old mother suffered a heart attack on hearing the news and Hamad claims he was taking the Uxbridge test in exchange for a plane ticket to visit home.

Recorder Nicholas Rhodes QC announced: "It is unlikely someone is doing this all over the country unless it is for financial gain.

"You claim there was no financial gain, but I find that incredible.

"This is serious conduct, it has the obvious potential of putting the lives of members of the public in danger, with unqualified people driving around."

Hamad was also disqualified from driving for three years.

Aristocrat Pleads Not Guilty To Domestic Knife Threats

Hon. Lumley-Savile leaving court yesterday

The great-great-grandson of the Eighth Earl of Scarborough, who was already charged with brandishing two knives during a domestic incident, is now accused of affray and assaulting a taxi-driver outside his Fulham home on the same day.

Hon. James George Augustus Lumley-Savile, 39, of Stevenage Road, Fulham, appeared at Isleworth Crown Court yesterday and after denying all the counts against him was bailed unconditionally to return for trial on December 8.

Lumley-Savile - heir to the title Baron Savile - pleaded not guilty to two counts of  possessing a bladed article - namely two knives -  at his £800,000 home on May 19.

He also pleaded not guilty to affray and assaulting taxi driver Qamar Walayat on the same date.

The row allegedly began with his girlfriend - who has now retracted her police statement - making a joke about poisoning her late-father. 

Lumley-Savile's father was Eton educated businessman and war hero Hon. Henry Leoline Thornhill Lumley-Savile, who was injured during the battle of Monte Cassino in 1944 while a Lieutenant with the Grenadier Guards.

They are one of the oldest landowning Yorkshire families - descended from the Earls of Halifax and Scarborough - and recently Lumley-Savile sought planning permission to convert their hunting retreat, Walshaw Lodge, Hebden Bridge into a five-star twenty-room hotel.

The Edinburgh University graduate, who makes his living as an internet marketing entrepreneur, only spoke to confirm his name and enter his pleas.

Rogue Scrap Dealer Convicted Of Dealing In Stolen Memorial Plaques Nicked From Cemeteries

 A rogue scrap metal dealer, who ran a "no questions asked" business and paid cash for stolen bronze memorial plaques heartless thieves swiped from five cemeteries has been convicted.

Over 723 plaques were stolen overnight from Croydon, Beckenham, Tonbridge & Malling, West Norwood and Putney Vale cemeteries and evidence of all of them were discovered during a police operation, which targeted DSM scrap yard.

It's boss, Joseph Collier, 72, of Woodhall Drive, Southwark cut the £75 plaques into tiny unidentifiable pieces and also bought an £1800 bronze sacred heart of Jesus statue stolen from a grave in Putney Vale, Croydon Crown Court heard.

He will be sentenced on November 3.

During the police raid, which was the culmination of 'Operation Ferris', officers also seized a Thai bronze dragon statue, stolen from a front garden in Teddington, and Collier is also accused of trying to buy eight reels of copper belonging to UK Power Networks.

"They included memorial plaques from 2010, 2011 and 2012," explained prosecutor Mr. James Lofthouse. "These were not old, unwanted, unvisited memorials.

"Some had been recently visited and could not be said to be scrap metal and Mr. Collier would have known this as well.

"Various memorial plaques were pieced back together and shown to staff at the cemeteries and in all five instances they identified them."

The first cemetery targeted by thieves was Croydon in September, 2011. "Staff reported the theft of a large amount of memorial plaques from their garden.

"They are all four inches by three inches and are secured to the ground by a twelve-inch metal spike and sixty-six were stolen."

Over 200 were then stolen from Beckenham, 148 from Tonbridge & Malling, 300 from West Norwood and 9 from Putney Vale.

DSM, of Bensham Lane, Croydon was searched on March 14, 2012 and Collier arrested on the premises.

"Officers found a number of plaques and fragments of plaques and Mr. Collier ran the business, he decided what to pay and accepted metal on a no questions asked basis," added Mr. Lofthouse.

"In several bags in the yard were found these bronze memorial plaques, with the names of the deceased, details and personal messages on them.

"some had been cut into small pieces rendering them unrecognisable. You would not have known what they were."

A member of Collier's staff was operating a cutting machine in one of the buildings.

"There was a memorial plaque with the corner cut off on the machine and a basket beside it containing plaques already chopped up.

"The bronze sacred heart of Jesus statue was found nearby along with the ornamental dragon."

Beckenham Cemetery had coated their plaques in identifiable 'Smart Water' and traces of it were found on the cutting machine.

The jury were also shown undercover surveillance footage of Collier buying the stolen items and handing over cash.

He was found guilty of two counts of possessing criminal property on May 14, 2012, namely the memorial plaques and sacred heart statue and the ornamental dragon figure.

Collier was also convicted of disguising criminal property, namely a quantity of memorial plaques, on the same date and attempting to receive stolen goods, namely eight reels of copper on March 27, last year.