Chunk Of Banker's Ear Bitten Off During Boat Race Pub Crawl

Ali Nariman

An investment banker enjoying an all-day pub crawl during the Boat Race had the top of his ear bitten off during a confrontation in a busy bar, a court heard yesterday.

Privately-educated Charles Linard, 30, - who attended £29,000 a year Bedford School - denies being drunk and aggressive after eleven hours of drinking.

Another customer at Putney's Be at One bar, 35 year-old Ali Nariman of Chertsey Road, Twickenham has pleaded not guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm, with intent, on April 11, last year.

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard experienced sailor Mr. Linard began drinking at 11am on the day of the annual Oxford and Cambridge University race, consuming a bloody mary and champagne.

The Durham University graduate continued drinking pints of cider, plus shots and cocktails with a group of friends at various pubs until they ended up in the packed Putney High Street bar.

Six-foot three Mr. Linard told the jury he leaned in to hear what Nariman was saying after the defendant motioned to him.

"My ear was towards his mouth so I could hear what he was saying. The next thing I remember was the gentleman lunging forward.

"I felt a pain in my ear and as I instinctively pushed him away I felt a tugging of my ear and swung my right hand towards him in self-defence.

"There was blood and I felt pain."

Charles Linard

Mr. Linard, who says he had never seen the man before, pursued him towards the exit, but he got away.

"I told one of the bouncers I would go to A and E tomorrow to which he said: 'I don't think you understand how much of your ear is missing.'

"I had to have some surgery to cut the cartilage back and have the wound cleaned up."

The jury viewed CCTV from the bar, which the defence say shows Mr. Linard pushing and grabbing Nariman, who was wearing a distinctive trilby hat, earlier in the evening.

During the ear-bite incident the CCTV shows Mr. Linard putting his hand around the back of Nariman's neck as he leaned in and then raising his right hand.

"Are you raising a fist?" asked Mr. Nicholas Maggs, defending. "You were extremely drunk and falling into people in the bar and invaded the personal space of the man in the hat.

"Do you remember telling telling him to: 'F*** off' and do you remember pushing him?" asked the lawyer.

"Do you remember saying: 'Get out of the way brownie' to him?

"You took hold of the back of his neck and you leaned your head forward and butted it against his.

'Do you remember kicking him in the shin and kneeing him in the groin?

"I suggest you were extremely rude, aggressive and violent to the man in the hat before your ear was bitten," concluded Mr. Maggs.

Mr. Linard denied assaulting or swearing at and insulting the defendant.

CCTV also captured him "staggering" out of the pub, but he denied this was sue to intoxication. "It was shock more than anything else."

Trial continues………….

Psychotherapist's Child Porn Shame

A psychotherapist, who works with the disabled and mental health charities, has received a suspended prison sentence
for downloading thousands of sick internet child pornography images.

Martin Hempel, 56, has a diploma in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling and worked with Merton Mind, running the Disabled People's Counselling Project.

He specialises in help with anxiety, anger, addiction, depression and bereavement and loss.

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard Hempel, of York Road, Battersea lied to police who raided his home, denying he ever looked at child pornography.

He eventually pleaded guilty to four sample counts of possessing Category A, B and C images on or before December 23, 2013.

They include two 12 year-old boys having sex; sexual activity involving a 13 year-old girl and another girl posing in a sexually provocative manner.

He downloaded a further 8 Category A images - the most serious - 23 at Category B and 3,104 at Category C. 

When he first appeared in court the prosecution said the images were on a Samsung Notebook; a Corsair Tower; a Freecomm Drive and elsewhere.

Judge Judith Coello told the first-time offender: "You engaged in deeply damaging behaviour. This kind of activity encourages the most deplorable abuse of young children, ruins their lives and exposes them to sexual activity.

"You are aiding and abetting these disreputable organisations that produce these depraved images to make money.

"You entered this vicious cycle of making and distributing abuse.

"I accept your difficulties in life, your remorse and stress in life and caring for your partner."

Referring to the probation report the judge added: "They asses you at low-risk of repeat offending."

Hempel was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

He must also complete a 12-month supervision order, which includes attending an Internet Sexual Offending Programme.

He was made subject to a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and must sign the sex offenders register for ten years.

Hempel was also ordered to pay £200 costs and a £100 victim surcharge.

Prosecutor Mr. Stephen Apted told the court police executed a search warrant at Hempel's home. "He was asked if there were any indecent images there and he said there weren't."

He denied ever viewing child porn, but police seized his computer equipment and found the sick material.

His lawyer Miss Olive Lycourgou said: "This offence is very much  out of character for Mr. Hempel.

"One can see clearly that Mr. Hempel is someone who has shown a great deal of remorse and insight into the offences.

"When he committed these offences he went for help to resolve these problems.

"Mr. Hempel had reached the darkest point of his life."

The court was told the defendant had a difficult upbringing, with his cruel father pulling down his pyjamas and punishing him.

"He comes from a middle-class, well-off family. His father beat him him with a leather belt and humiliated him in the most abusive way up until the age of thirteen years-old.  

"These are problems that have never gone away. He has suffered alcoholism and took medication for panic attacks.

"This is someone truly sorry for what he has done. He comes here with his heart and hands open, saying he's made a huge mistake."

Graphic Design Graduate's Child Porn Shame

Blackfriars Crown Court

An “embarrassed” graphic design graduate, caught with thousands of child porn images when National Crime Agency officers raided his and his family's home, has received a suspended prison sentence.

Amu Humayun, 31, of Herbert Road, Plumstead downloaded such titles as 'Young Angels' and 'Lolita Sexy' on two computers, which were seized.

He appeared at Blackfriars Crown Court yesterday where he was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for twelve months, and was ordered to complete 80 hours community service work.

Humayun must also sign the sex offenders register for five years, comply with a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and complete a 16-day activity requirement.

He pleaded guilty to four counts of making indecent photographs of children between July 18, 2010 and May 23, 2014.

Prosecutor Mr. Gary Ponds told the court a warrant was executed at Humayun's family's home in Woodville Street, Plumstead on May 22, 2014.

The defendant was at his new address, but his family said he did pay for the internet service and his bedroom was searched.

Officers travelled the short distance to Herbert Road, where Humayun was on his laptop and told them: “It's just a bit of porn.”

An electronic storage device was seized, which contained 148 still images of children and a CD, which contained 3 stills.

On Humayun's IBM laptop police detected 23,698 suspicious images and counted over 3,000 at Category C; 12 at Category B and one Category A – the most extreme – had been deleted.

On an Acer computer there were over 83,000 suspicious images, but police stopped counting after discovering 3,000 of them were Category C child pornography, with 20 Category A images deleted.

Humayun's lawyer told the court: “An explanation is an obsessive escalation with pornography. He is a very embarrassed young man.”

Plane Passenger Caught With Electric Stun Gun In Luggage

An international traveller caught with a stun gun in his luggage after stepping off a flight has received a suspended prison sentence.

Tony O'Brien, 28, of Carr House Mews, Consett, Durham was stopped by UK Border Agency officers at Heathrow Airport's Terminal Four.

Yesterday at west London's Isleworth Crown Court he was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment, suspended for twelve months.

He was originally charged with possessing a firearm, namely a stun gun, which was disguised as another object at the airport on April 18, 2014.

He was alternatively charged with possessing a weapon designed or adapted to discharge an electrical charge.

O'Brien was sentenced after entering a guilty plea.

Punter Decked In Bookies By Foul-Mouthed Thug: CCTV Released

An violent Arsenal FC yob decked a 60 year-old man with a punch to the face when he asked him to stop swearing in a north London betting-shop.

Police investigating the incident have released this CCTV image of their suspect.

The victim was a customer inside the Upper Street, Islington bookies at 9.40pm on September 12, last year when he asked the man to stop swearing at others.

The suspect then punched the victim in face and he fell to the floor.

The man received minor cuts to the side of his face and was treated for his injuries at the scene.

The suspect is described to be in his mid-twenties with a shaved head wearing dark clothing and an away Arsenal football shirt underneath.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise the man in the CCTV or seen the assault as a witness.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 193178 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Illegal Cabbie Jailed For Dragging Passenger To His Death

Matab Uddin

An illegal mini-cab driver, who dragged a passenger to his death in the early hours of the morning, has started an eight-year prison sentence.

Matab Uddin, 59, of Blackshots Lane, Grays, Essex picked-up 27 year-old recruitment consultant Oliver Farrell, who had spent a night out in the Old Street area of Shoreditch.

The popular university graduate, who had travelled all over the world, had spent the evening celebrating his brother's birthday.

Uddin was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving and fraud at Inner London Crown Court.

The court heard how police were called on Sunday, November 17, 2013 at about 1.45am to reports of a man injured on Essex Road, Islington.



Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended and took Mr. Farrell, to the Royal London Hospital, where he died three days later.



Oliver Farrell

A post-mortem examination took place at Poplar Mortuary on Thursday, November 21, 2013 and gave the cause of death as head injuries.



Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit launched an investigation.

Mr. Farrell was picked up by Uddin, an unlicensed minicab driver, with previous convictions for minicab touting. 



A short while later, Mr. Farrell got out of the cab to use a cash machine, however Uddin drove off, leaving Mr. Farrell in Essex Road. 

CCTV showed Uddin returning a few minutes later, pulling up next to Mr. Farrell, who leaned through the open passenger window.

Uddin then drove away at speed, while Mr. Farrell clung to the car.

After being carried along for about 100 yards, he lost his grip and fell to the ground, suffering a fatal head injury. 



Uddin failed to stop at the scene and made off.

Fortunately the incident was witnessed by a taxi driver, who happened to be driving behind Uddin, and took down his registration number. 



CCTV on Kingsland High Road caught Uddin making a dangerous manoeuvre, crossing a central reservation during his getaway. 



The car registration details taken by the taxi driver proved vital in identifying Uddin, who was arrested in connection with the incident after handing himself in at a north London police station later that morning. 



Detective Sergeant Chris Osborne of the Met's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "I would like to pay tribute to the Mr. Farrell's family, who have retained the utmost dignity throughout the whole investigation and court case.

My thoughts remain with them."



"This case highlights the dangers posed by unlicensed minicabs.

“People trying to make their way home, especially late at night, should only use pre-booked licensed minicabs or black cabs.

“This is a tragic case for all involved and it stemmed from the unscrupulous actions of Mr Uddin.

“Our investigation showed he was illegally touting and on this occasion drove off without any regard for Mr. Farrell's safety.

“He then failed to stop and made clear attempts to flee the scene."



On behalf of Oliver Farrell's family, his brother, Ben, said: "Having to experience nearly two years to arrive at this position has been a hugely traumatic and terrible experience for us all.

“However, it is incomparable to the pain we have felt and will continue to feel from the fact that Oli's future has been taken from him and that such a bright light in our own lives will never be with us again.

“No punishment will ever bring Oli back, however we seek justice for the benefit of greater society to reduce the chances of other families having to experience what we have been through and will continue to go through.

“Oli was a fair man and would want nothing more and nothing less than this. 



"We would like to take this opportunity to thank the police and those present here today for the compassion they have shown us."

Bus Phone Thief Hunted: CCTV Released

Police hunting a bus pick-pocket, who demanded cash for the return of a young woman's phone, have released this CCTV image of a suspect.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police's Roads and Transport Policing Command are investigating.

They are appealing for help in identifying the man after a fellow-passenger was pick-pocketed while travelling on a bus in Barnet, north London.

On Thursday, August 20, last year the 19-year-old victim had her mobile phone stolen while travelling on a Route 251 bus on Montrose Avenue.

Later that day, as the victim reported the theft at a police station, she tried calling her stolen mobile, which was answered.

She then received a text message from the stolen mobile number, asking for money to return the phone.

Officers advised her not to proceed.

The suspect is described as a man of Middle Eastern appearance, in his late twenties, with short dark hair, wearing a dark jacket with white sleeves.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Gavin Staplehurst leading the investigation on 07920 590173.

To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting ref: 189017.

Five Years For One-Punch Killer

One-Punch Killer: Abdalah

A killer, who ended another man's life with a single punch during a late-night confrontation between two drinking groups, is starting a five-year prison sentence.

Mustafa Abdalah, 24, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of 28-year-old Mahad Abdi Abshir in Castlehaven Road, Camden in the early hours of May 2, last year.

The men had met that evening on the streets of Kentish Town through separate associates.

The groups were drinking and witnesses described how Mahad became involved in an argument with Abdalah.

Initially, according to witnesses this argument appeared to be a friendly one, but it soon escalated and resulted in Abdalah punching Mahad to the face.

Mahad collapsed to the ground and Abdalah fled the scene while passers-by called for an ambulance.

He was taken to St. Mary's Hospital, but never recovered from his injuries and died there 48 hours later on the evening of the May 4.

A post-mortem examination revealed Mahad died from the head injuries he received during the assault.

Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command (HMCC) launched an investigation and quickly identified Abdalah as the suspect.

He was traced to an address in Vancouver Road, Leicester where he was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Throughout his interviews Abdalah claimed he had acted in self-defence and only threw a punch after the victim attempted to attack him.

However, several witnesses contradicted Abdalah's version of events and he was charged with Mahad's murder.

Detective Inspector Andy Manning, who led the investigation by the HMCC, said: "From the outset Mustafa Abdalah has tried to paint a picture that he only acted in self defence when he attacked Mahad Abdi Abshir in the early hours of May 2.

"However, the weight of evidence was such that it clearly proved Abdalah was the aggressor.

"Whatever the trigger was for this incident remains unclear - what is clear is that Mahad's life was taken in a needless manner by an act of spontaneous violence.

"I can only hope that today's conviction brings some form of closure to Mahad's family."

Bus Pickpocket Hunted: CCTV Released

Police hunting a late-night pickpocket, who has struck twice on buses, have released this image of their main suspect.

The first theft occurred on Tuesday, July 12, last year at about 2.00am on a route N155 bus in Clapham North.

The second incident occurred on Friday, August 14, at about 10.30pm on a route 159 bus in Streatham Hill.

On both occasions, the victims, 24-year-old men, had their Oyster Cards and wallets, containing cash and bank cards, stolen.

Both Oyster cards and the victim's bank card stolen on August 14 have since been used fraudulently.

Officers are treating the incidents as linked.

The suspect is described as a white man, with light coloured hair.

He wore jeans and a white t-shirt.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Constable Neil Webb, who is leading the investigation, on 020 3054 6712 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 quoting ref: 186735.

Veteran Crook Nicked Cash From Tricked Pensioners' Bank Accounts

A female fraudster, who has been breaking the law for five decades, drained £9,500 from the bank accounts of duped women, aged 87 and 70 years-old who were tricked into handing over their cards and PIN's.

Rita Hazel White, 65, of Rosehill Court, St. Helier Avenue, Morden was first convicted in 1964 under the Larceny Act and after these offences will have to again wear an electronic tag.

"I'll wear baggy trousers," she joked after being sentenced to a 12-month community order at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court yesterday which includes a three-month electronically-tagged night time curfew between 9pm and 7am and 20 day rehabilitation requirement.

She pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by false representation, withdrawing £4,500 from the 87 year-old woman's account and £4,500 and £1,000 from the 70 year-old woman's account.

Prosecutor Miss Penelope Blake said White was caught on CCTV at Lloyds Bank, North Parade, Chessington on April 28, last year withdrawing the first sum.

She was also identified withdrawing cash from the second victim's account and when police raided her home on August 12 she confessed to withdrawing an additional £1,000 from another Lloyds in High Street, Banstead.

The 87 year-old victim had been telephoned by an unknown male with an "Asian accent" - purporting to be from her bank - who told her it was important for her to be at her local branch in five minutes with her cards.

Knowing the elderly lady would never make it the fraudster agreed to collect the cards, with relevant PIN's on her doorstep.

She was further reassured by the fact that when she telephoned her bank the fraudsters intercepted the call and convinced her it was Lloyds and there was an issue with her account.

A similar call was made to the 70 year-old victim and White was the only person identified using the cards to withdraw cash.

When arrested she told police: "It was me, I did it. I didn't get any money and I won't tell you who else was involved."

Her lawyer Mr. Chris Surtees-Jones told the court: "She was a 'patsy' the one taking the risk of being identified at the bank and getting caught.

"She says pressure was put on her by individuals to do what she did and she did not benefit financially at all.

"She only benefitted from saving herself from further assaults."

Recorder Alexander Hutton QC said: "It's not your bog-standard fraud. The overall fraud is very involved and very nasty.

"She's an important cog in the machine and these were three sophisticated frauds on the elderly, who were telephoned and asked to provide bank cards and PIN's.

"One was eighty-seven years-old and losing this money in the way it was done was an extremely upsetting experience.

"She was targeted deliberately, she was infirm and this nasty targeting of elderly victims is prevalent."

White was involved in a similar fraud in 2011 and also received a community order on that occasion.

"The prosecution do not dispute you were intimidated by nasty men who punched you in the face, but you knew this was dishonest."