Ex-Junkie Rewarded For Kicking Drug Habit

Angus Duncanson

A self-medicating addict, caught with a cocktail of drugs after a passer-by spotted him snorting a suspicious substance in his parked van, has been rewarded for his efforts to kick his habit.

Angus Duncanson, 45, of Smenham Farm, Icomb, had cocaine, heroin, magic mushrooms and cannabis on him, which police estimated to originally have a street value of £1900.

He claims he needs the drugs to alleviate the pain of a decade-old injury and this week was finally sentenced after a nine-month deferment period.

Duncanson appeared at Hammersmith Magistrates Court and received a twelve-month conditional discharge with an order to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

He previously pleading guilty to four counts of possessing the drugs in Linden Gardens, Bayswater, west London on August 17.

Duncanson attended all appointments with the North West Drugs Project and stayed off all drugs, except those prescribed.

“You have done all that has been asked of you over the deferment period,” District Judge Paul Goldspring told him.

After admitting the offences last year prosecutor Miss Louise Burnell told the court: “It was 4pm when police were called to Linden Gardens after reports from a member of the public of a man in a van sniffing something.

“The police found the defendant in the van, along with several different drugs.”

Officers seized two packages of cocaine weighing 1.1gms; a 2.22gm package of heroin; 3.89gms of magic mushrooms and 380gms of both herbal and cannabis resin.

“Combined the drugs had a street value, according to the police of one thousand nine hundred pounds, but a lot of it was covered in mould so was worthless,” added Miss Burnell.

Duncanson was arrested on suspicion he was a drug-dealer, but an analysis of his mobile phone failed to find any evidence of “criminal activity” and he was charged with simple possession.

When questioned by police the first-time offender admitted the drugs were for his own use, claiming he had a fall ten years ago and suffered chronic pain, which was alleviated by the use of cannabis and heroin.

“He said he smoked heroin on a daily basis and spends one hundred and twenty pounds a week on drugs, using the money he received from a house sale.”

His lawyer Mr. Mark Haslam told the court: “There is a variety of drugs, but the amounts are small.”

He estimated the cocaine to be merely £37 worth, the heroin £100 and the mushrooms £38.

Construction Worker Attacked Safety Inspector Who 'Red-Carded' Him

Red Card: Joseph Fitzgerald

A construction worker 'red-carded' by a Health and Safety inspector at a landmark Mayfair construction site lashed-out with his fists at the decision, aiming a kick at the supervisor for good measure.

Joseph Fitzgerald, 50, of Northumberland Park, Tottenham shouted: “Nobody says 'Oi' to me,” before turning his anger on the inspector.

The supervisor ruled he was not wearing appropriate safety equipment at the Berkeley Square site of a new Blackstone Group building.

He denied, but was convicted at Hammersmith Magistrates Court, of assaulting Gordon Ogilvie on August 12, last year and was ordered to pay a £150 fine, with £620 costs, plus a £20 victim surcharge.

Prosecutor Miss Arlene De Silva told the court yesterday it was 10.30am when the inspector visited the site and was unhappy Fitzgerald was not wearing the correct gloves and found other safety issues regarding the defendant being properly equipped.

He issued a 'yellow card' warning, but after Fitzgerald “became aggressive” he followed-up with a red, which meant the defendant had to immediately leave the site.

“Fitzgerald swung a fist and Mr. Ogilvie was backed into a corner and punched, which caused a small cut where his glasses were knocked off and he received a kick to the thigh and was held in a bear hug,” explained Miss De Silva.

Mr. Ogilvie tried to take cover in the basement, where Fitzgerald followed him, throwing items.

The police were called, but the defendant did not wait around and was arrested later, denying the assault when questioned by officers.  

Web Designer's Late-Night Train Abuse Of Lone Woman

Kurtis Fehr

A drunken young web designer, whose “disgusting” abuse of a woman travelling alone on an underground train was described by a judge as “unforgivable”, was spared jail for the sake of his home and career today.

Kurtis Mortan Fehr, 22, of Sundon Park Road, Luton screamed: “You ugly f***ing c***” and “dirty whore” during a barrage of abuse near Leicester Square station on March 17, last year.

His employers, web hosting company LCN, of Whittle Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire told him he would be sacked if sent to prison for the offences – his first criminal convictions.

Fehr pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates Court to assaulting Jade Nagi and using threatening behaviour and was sentenced to a three-month, electronically-tagged, night-time curfew and was ordered to pay £300 compensation to the victim, £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

“His behaviour that night was unforgivable and some of the things he said were disgusting,” announced District Judge Paul Goldspring. “It was not an aberration and was obviously something he had thought about because he had said it previously.”

Police on the underground had warned Fehr previously about his behaviour that night when similar comments had ben made.

“The effect on this woman must have been substantial and was a result of how drunk you were,” added the judge.

“What aggravates this offence is that she was sitting alone on a tube late at night and was confronted with a disgusting torrent of abuse by a drunken man.”

During the confrontation Fehr touched Miss Nagi's knee and she quickly pushed his hand away, but this inflamed his temper and he shouted: “Who would want to touch you whore?”

“That sort of behaviour when you are drunk is frightening,” added judge Goldspring. “To compound it you laid your hand on her.

“I was going to send you to prison, but I have reflected and ordinarily you are a well behaved, sensible young man and sending you to prison would effect your accommodation and a promising career would be blighted.”

Deadly Blades Hidden In South London Bush

Two sixteen year-old boys have been arrested after these ferocious-looking knives were hidden in a bush near a south London block of flats.

Officers from Lambeth recovered the blades, which are 11 and 12 inches long, following a tip off by a member of the public. 



Police were called on Tuesday, February 24 at approximately 9.30am by a member of the public who observed two males hiding the knives in Bentons Lane, West Norwood.



Officers attended and recovered the knives and stayed at the location to see if the suspects would return



Two youths were seen by officers to return to where the knives were hidden.



When the officers approached them they both made off.



Following a short foot chase, during which one of the officers sustained a broken arm, the two youths were detained and subsequently arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon.



The two males were bailed pending further enquiries.

Superintendent Neil Paton, the lead for Operations at Lambeth, said: "We have managed to take two dangerous weapons off the streets thanks to a call by a concerned member of the public. 



“We would encourage communities across London to make contact with police if they have any information that could help us to tackle or target those who are using, storing or carrying weapons in their neighbourhoods.”

Camouflaged Suspected Arsonist Hunted By Police Investigating Huge Blaze

Police are hunting this suspected arsonist in connection with a large fire that destroyed part of an industrial estate in the early hours of the morning.

Officers from Bexley are renewing appeals for witnesses to identify who was responsible for starting the blaze in Yarnton Way, Erith, south-east London on Saturday, 21 February. 



This CCTV image has been released of a man they wish to speak with who was at the scene of the fire shortly before it began. 



The man is described as white and is believed to be in his early twenties and was wearing distinctive camouflage clothing and a camouflage hat. 



Detective Chief Inspector Gary Holmes of Bexley Police, who is leading the investigation, said: "I am appealing to anyone who recognises the man in this footage to contact police, or Crimestoppers anonymously.



"I am sure that someone will know who he is. I would also ask, does anyone know or remember anyone of this description - wearing camouflage clothing - on Friday night into Saturday morning in Erith or the local area?



"I would also urge the man seen in the footage to come forward and speak with police.



"Thankfully, no one was hurt but the fire has caused vast damage in the area."



Police and London Fire Brigade were called at approximately 2:00am and
the fire was brought under control by 5:40am.



There were no reported injuries.

Anyone who has any information should contact the police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Carer Jailed For Attacking Wheelchair-Bound Victim

A carer has been jailed for slapping the wheelchair-bound man she was looking after – striking him twice on the back and trying to push him out of his chair.

Claudine Ingabire, 31, also smashed some of the 55 year-old man's property, including the mobile phone he was trying to call the police on when she arrived at his home demanding money.

Ingabire, of Stanley Road, Croydon received four months imprisonment for the assault, which occurred on July 18, last year and was also ordered to pay the victim £200 compensation.

Croydon Magistrates Court heard the victim needs 24-hour care to help with his day-to-day living. 



He has been using a wheelchair for the last 20 years following an accident which resulted in him sustaining spinal injuries causing him to lose the function of his legs, have limited mobility in his arms and none in his fingers. 



Ingabire was hired on a temporary basis to care for him.



She attended the victim's house to collect her belongings and once inside the property she demanded money which he refused to give to her. 



After seeing his property smashed and being hit the victim managed to escape to another room and lock himself in until the police arrived. 



The investigation was handed over to Lambeth's Community Safety Unit and on August 19 Ingabire was arrested whilst on a return flight from Belgium.



Detective Inspector Ian Kenward, from Lambeth Community Safety Unit, said: "This case involved the shameful abuse of a vulnerable man by someone in a position of trust. 



"I would like to pay tribute to the bravery and resolve shown by the victim throughout the investigation.

“His evidence and support along with the investigative tenacity of the officers involved were pivotal in bringing this case to a positive conclusion. 



"I hope this serves to illustrate that police will do everything within their power to deal with such offences in a robust and timely manner."

Man Accused Of Sleepover Grope

Court Date: Phillip Green

A Scunthorpe man, accused of groping a young woman during a night time sleepover at a south-west London address, has appeared in court for the first time.

Phillip Andrew Green, 55, of Cliff Avenue, Winterton was bailed by Wimbledon Magistrates Court to appear at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on March 27.

He faces one count of sexual assault on the woman, aged in her twenties, by touching at a flat in Churchill House, Station Road, Hampton on July 27, last year.

The court heard Green was sharing a room with the complainant and her friend, all sleeping on separate air-mattresses, when he allegedly edged closer during the night and made skin-on-skin contact under her clothing.

He was bailed on condition he does not contact the complainant or her friend.

Man Accused Of Sleepover Grope

Court Date: Phillip Green

A Scunthorpe man, accused of groping a young woman during a night time sleepover at a south-west London address, has appeared in court for the first time.

Phillip Andrew Green, 55, of Cliff Avenue, Winterton was bailed by Wimbledon Magistrates Court to appear at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on March 27.

He faces one count of sexual assault on the woman, aged in her twenties, by touching at a flat in Churchill House, Station Road, Hampton on July 27, last year.

The court heard Green was sharing a room with the complainant and her friend, all sleeping on separate air-mattresses, when he allegedly edged closer during the night and made skin-on-skin contact under her clothing.

He was bailed on condition he does not contact the complainant or her friend.

Fifteen Years For Ex-Bank Employee Who Tried To Stab His Topless Masseuse Girlfriend To Death

Virgin: Amish Kansagra

A recently-promoted Barclays Bank employee, who lost his virginity after falling in love with a topless masseuse - quitting his job to open a massage parlour with her - received fifteen years yesterday for attempting to murder the single mum.

University graduate Amish Kansagra, 28, who has an economics degree, was initially a regular customer of Anna Imporowicz, 35, who offered naked clients "hand relief", but slashed her throat with an eight-inch knife during a jealous rage.

She was a specialist in "sensual massages" and Kansagra kept their relationship a secret from his family, but knew her ex in Poland was still pursuing her and finally snapped after a man smiled at her during a night out at a Holborn salsa club two days before.

He was convicted at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court of attempting to murder Anna on June 22, last year at the home they shared in Clitherow Road, Brentford.

"It was his first sexual experience, the relationship he had with Anna, he fell in love with her," said Miss Cathy Ryan, defending. "He felt an enormous sense of betrayal that she may have been using him.

"He went in fully exposed with ridiculous expectations that everything was going to be perfect and put Anna on top of a pedestal after meeting her in very unusual circumstances."

Masseuse: Anna Imporowicz

Judge Susan Tapping told the first-time offender: "Anna provided sexual massages and you met her when you became a paying client. A month later sexual intercourse took place and that was your first sexual experience.

"You held down a good, steady job with a bank and had been promoted, but walked out on your job a month later.

"You were unsettled by other men flirting with Anna, her line of work was difficult for you to cope with.

"You began feeling Anna was using you for finance only and you said in evidence you did not believe Anna was ever in love with you."

Kansagra slashed the massage tables at their new business with the same knife earlier in the day and sprayed black paint all over the premises and posted a skimpy-clothed image of Anna on Facebook with the caption: "I'm a prostitute and proud of it." claiming she had sex with 200 men.

"The scars will be with her forever and the one on her neck was visible in court," Judge Tapping told the defendant. "You are essentially a good person being sentenced for a serious offence."

Prosecutor Mr. Julian Jones told jury: "She saw Amish with the knife in his hand and he shut the kitchen window and put the knife to her throat and said: 'You've made the wrong decision. You will die today.'

"He was trying to stab her neck and she felt him cut her neck and and she saw her blood and fell to the floor saying: 'I love you. Don't do this.'

"She described him as having gritted teeth and eyes: 'Like the devil' and he cut her neck again, harder and deeper, and used the tip of the knife to cut her gum."

After the attack Anna said: "I was screaming and could feel terrible pain in my left kidney and felt his hand on my neck.

"I believe the biggest change has been to my mental and emotional sphere, nightmares are a daily occurrence. I keep seeing his calm and determined face.

"I cannot sleep without painkillers and tranquillisers and I am frightened of new men I meet. Looking at the scars on my body I cannot think of having an intimate relationship with a man."

During the attack Anna tried to flee out of the front door, but was pulled back by the defendant. "He still had the knife in one hand and the other hand around her neck and stabbed her in the side," explained Mr. Jones.

"She escaped via a window and while she had one leg out Amish tried to stab her everywhere."

After quitting his customer advisor job he opened a massage parlour with Anna in South Ealing Road, but their "happy relationship" ended the day before the stabbing after the salsa club row.

"When they got home he was shouting that Anna was a whore and Amish grabbed her phone and laptop and destroyed them," said Mr. Jones.

Anna told the jury they met through her work. "It was sensual massage and the masseuse would maybe be in her underwear or without a bra and the client would be without their underwear.

"It ends with hand relief," she added, insisting sexual intercourse would not take place.

Kansagra received a concurrent three-year sentence for possessing a blade and six months concurrent for causing criminal damage.

Carer Employed To Help "Vulnerable" Woman Raided Her Bank Account Of £10K

Patricia Wilson

A carer employed by Merton council to look after a “vulnerable” woman despite having a conviction for child cruelty helped herself to over £10,000 from the victim's bank account.

Patricia Wilson, 55, of 32 Linton Close, Mitcham, forged a “third party notice” which purportedly gave her permission to withdraw the funds, which was never properly checked by the Nationwide bank.

She pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation between January 7 and March 16, 2013, namely transferring authority to withdraw a total of £10,255.39 to herself.

Prosecutor Miss Roz Wardell told Wimbledon Magistrates Court: “The victim is a vulnerable person unable to deal with her affairs. Mrs Wilson attended the Nationwide in Mitcham, pretending to be her guardian with a power of attorney already set-up.”

It was many months before the fraud was discovered and police identified Wilson, who was employed to provide cooking, cleaning and shopping services four days a week at the victim's address in Jessop Place, Tramway Path, Mitcham, as the main suspect.

In a phone conversation with the victim Wilson confessed: “I did it, I took the money.”

Miss Wardell added: “She said she would pay back the money and begged the victim not to call the police.”

Wilson, who has previous convictions for dishonesty, told police she spent the money on a new tumble dryer and clothes for her grandchildren. She also once received a suspended sentence for child cruelty.

She was sentenced to twenty-six weeks imprisonment, suspended for twelve months, must comply with a six-month curfew and ordered to pay £5,000 compensation.