Fraudster Cheats Vulnerable Pensioners Out Of Savings: CCTV Released

Police hunting a cruel fraudster, who tricked bank details out of two OAP's and withdrew £2,890 of their savings, have released this CCTV image of their suspect.

On November 30, last year police were called at around 2.30pm to reports of a courier fraud at an address in London Road, Cheam.

At 9.15am, a man aged in his seventies received a call from a blocked number claiming they were from his bank.

The victim gave his bank details over the phone including his Personal Identification Number (PIN).

A courier later arrived and took his card away.

Only when the victim visited his bank was he made aware that he was a victim of courier fraud and £2,300 had been withdrawn from his account from two cash points in the bank.

CCTV from within the bank captured a man withdraw money from the victim's account at approximately 10.40am.

On the following day, December 1, last year at approximately 1.10pm an elderly woman in her late eighties from Netley Close in Cheam was tricked out of £590 in the same way.

An attempt was made on the card in the Game Store for a purchase over £1,000.

The bank declined the transaction.

CCTV in the Game Store captured the man try to make the purchase.

He is believed to be the same man.

The suspect is described as a white man, with short brown hair.

He was seen wearing a dark jacket, grey tracksuit trousers and boots.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise the man shown on CCTV.

High-Viz Sledgehammer Burglar Hunted By Police

A burglar disguised as a workman and armed with a sledgehammer tried to smash his way through a property's glass door during an early-morning break-in bid.

Wearing a high-viz jacket the would-be burglar was caught on CCTV at the address in Parmiter Street, Tower Hamlets, east London on November 16, last year.

Police were called at around 10.00am to a report of an attempted burglary, which occurred between 6.45am and 8.00am.

CCTV overlooking the entrance captured a man, in a high visibility jacket, use a sledge hammer to smash the glass door.

The same man is believed to have gained entry into the residential premises in the late evening of November 7.

The suspect is described as a man aged in his forties with short hair.

He is seen wearing a high visibility hooded jacket and dark coloured trousers.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise the man shown on CCTV.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police via 101 quoting reference number 200281 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Laptop Sneak Thief: CCTV Released

Police hunting a sneak-thief, who nicked a laptop from an east London florist's, have released this CCTV image of a suspect.

Detectives from Tower Hamlets are investigating the burglary and they wish to identify and speak with the unknown man in connection with the incident.

On October 6, last year police were called at around 1.25pm to a report of a burglary at a florist on Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green.

The burglary was reported to have occurred at some point between 1.25pm and 1.35pm that day.

A Sony laptop worth £500 was stolen.

The suspect was caught on CCTV entering the shop and walking around the store.

He then went upstairs to the first floor and left the flat minutes later.

The suspect is described as a man in his thirties with short hair and glasses.

He was wearing a black coat and jeans and was carrying a rucksack.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise the man shown on the CCTV.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 1999962 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Carer Thieved £54K From Dementia Pensioner

A carer, who paid a gastric band bill and private school fees for her two children with some of the £54,000 she took from her 82 year-old dementia client, was jailed yesterday.

Single-mum Maria McCalla, 31, preyed on vulnerable pensioner Vera Haselden convincing her to write cheques in sums of£10,000 and £6,000.

On top of that she withdrew cash sums totalling £13,400 and £24,760 from an elderly woman whose dream of independent living was destroyed by the defendant.

McCalla, of Carolyn Road, Wembley received two years and eight months imprisonment at Harrow Crown Court.

She pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud regarding the cheques and two counts of theft between June 4 and August 10, 2014.

There will be no pursuit of Miss Haselden's money under the Proceeds of Crime Act after the prosecution decided there was no prospect of recovering any assets.

"I have heard about gastric band surgery, school fees, computer equipment, including an X-Box and brand-new clothes," said Recorder Andrew Hearn.

"The consequences for Miss Haselden have been enormous because she lived in fear of entering a care home and the whole point of employing you was so she could stay at home.

"She now has no capital and as a consequence has gone into a care home," he told the first-time offender. "She told the police she feels like she is in a prison, ending up where she did not want to be."

The court heard McCalla, whose 17 credit cards are all in the red, only began working for Miss Haselden two months before she started defrauding her.

"You became depressed, started gambling, and got yourself into money problems.

"You say Miss Haselden offered to lend you money and you took sixteen thousand pounds in loans, knowing you couldn't repay it.

"You stole further money from her, cash withdrawn over the bank counter when she was with you and cash withdrawals after she had given you her bank card and her PIN."

Eventually a suspicious bank employee tipped-off police, but McCalla denied stealing when questioned.

"You're attitude was that you had been given the money and were entitled to accept gifts."

McCalla's lawyer Mr. Malik Aldeiri agreed she initially denied the offences. "She was living in a bubble of false reality and denial.

'She felt like a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders when she confessed her mistakes. She took responsibility."

The court heard McCalla's children are aged eleven and six years-old. "She has told them everything to teach them the error of her ways and they are distraught.

"Her living conditions were poor with mould in the bathroom, a boiler that gave up in the winter, leaving her without heat and hot water and she had mice and pigeons in the loft."

McCalla receives Jobseekers Allowance, plus child benefit and has an income of £1,000 a month, which she said could be put towards compensation.

"She's is not living an extravagant lifestyle and comes away from this with no glory."

McCalla was also ordered to pay £500 costs.

Rookie Politico With Legal Ambitions Avoids Jail For Drug-Dealing

A young Labour politician - with ambitions to be a lawyer - avoided prison for drug-dealing after a judge decided not to ruin his bright future.

Student Firase Morgan, 25, of Rodmarton Street, Marylebone stood as the official Labour Party candidate for Hyde Park Ward in the City of Westminster council elections two years ago.

He was not elected a councillor and currently attends BPP University, where he is studying for an LLB law degree.

However, he was caught selling £40 worth of cannabis to a barmaid outside a Sloane Street pub and had another £1,120 worth of the drug hidden in the roof lining of his car.

Isleworth Crown Court Judge Robert Winstanley told Morgan: "You were playing a sophisticated part in a well-planned cannabis organisation.

"Because of your control of stock and commercial involvement you played a significant role.

"You are saved from a custodial sentence by three things: You have got problems and have done something to address them.

"You have pleaded guilty and your record does not help you, but it is seven or eight years since you were last involved, when you spent a period in custody for robbery.

"I'll give you this opportunity to pick things up in your life and continue with your studies and career ambitions and address your cannabis addiction."

Morgan was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 120 hours community service.  

He pleaded guilty to possessing 28 wraps of cannabis, with intent to supply, outside the Gloucester Pub, Sloane Street, Knightsbridge on March 5.

He also pleaded guilty to supplying a quantity of cannabis to a female member of the pub's staff.

Morgan is also a senior ambassador for charity Just for Kids Law and lobbies businesses to employ people with criminal records.

Prosecutor Miss Roxana Nasser told the court it was 4.30pm when plain-clothed police officers on routine patrol noticed a young woman running down the street.

"This young person ran to a cashpoint machine and dashed back to a pub where she works then dashes out to a car in a side street.

"Mr. Morgan is in the car and as the officers approach it they see the lady rush out with something.

"When they approached the car it smelled heavily of cannabis and when they searched it found twenty-eight white containers in the roof lining in a blue carrier bag."

Inside the two-and-a-half centimetre styrofoam condiment-style takeaway containers were small amounts of herbal cannabis.

The two Morgan sold the barmaid were in her room above the pub - which contained drug paraphernalia - and she said: "I bought the weed from the bloke in the car."

The barmaid had phoned a reliable number she knew and Morgan turned up.

Morgan's bedroom was also searched and police seized £1,000 cash, which they suspect is the proceeds of drug-dealing, but it will be returned to the defendant.

He claims it was his student finance and he had no other income.

Morgan received youth custody when convicted of robbery in 2008 and in 2009 received a suspended prison sentence for theft from the person.

His lawyer Miss Laura Miller told the court: "He played a limited role under direction with limited understanding of the operation.

"Since 2009 he has taken substantial steps to stay away from offending and has had assistance from 'Just for Kids' with education and housing.

"They placed him in a hostel and he moved away from his peer group."

Morgan's university knows about the two drug charges and have assured him he can continue a course that also includes a twelve-month partnership with Harvard.

"He's continued with his voluntary work with the charity, training solicitors and barristers through 'Just for Kids' to assist youngsters in youth courts.

"He attends a soup kitchen in Tottenham Court Road and assists.

"His depression and anxiety was exacerbated in the month before this offence when he started smoking cannabis and that led to these offences.

"He's ashamed of himself and feels he's let himself and others down, finding himself back before the courts.

"He intends taking a gap year from university to stabilise himself. Long-term he intends to work in the banking and finance industries.

"His career prospects will be effected by these convictions. The ramifications will be felt for him in the future if not his entire working life."  

Former Football Star Andy Roberts Denies Assaulting Wife

Former soccer star Andy Roberts has appeared in court, accused of assaulting his Footballer's Wives ex at his detached £1.8m home.

The 42 year-old ex-Millwall, Crystal Palace and Wimbledon midfielder of St. Paul's Cray Road, Chislehurst denies the charge.

He is accused of assaulting 42 year-old Lee-Anne Roberts at the five-bedroom property on April 9.

She was an advisor to ITV's Footballer's Wives drama and appeared in ten episodes of the show.

The court heard the pair have now split and are divorcing.

Dartford-born Andy is a former England Under-21 international whose various transfers between clubs totalled £4.25m.

He will return to the same court for trial on July 8.

Sky TV Pirate Set-Top Box Accused In Court

A man accused of making £19,200 from selling pirate set-top boxes to customers wanting cheaper Sky TV has appeared in court.

Scott Aldridge, 36, of Petersham Drive, Orpington allegedly sold the twelve-month subscription for £59.99 via eBay.

He did not indicate a plea at Bromley Magistrates Court.

Aldridge is charged that between September 27, 2014 and July 29, 2015 he supplied articles for use in fraud, namely satellite boxes and software.

He is also charged with concealing or transferring criminal property between the same dates.

Aldridge was bailed to appear for a preliminary hearing at Croydon Crown Court on May 25.

Flare Fan's Double Liverpool FC Misery

A Liverpool FC fan, who discharged a flare during this season's League Cup final and had cocaine and cannabis on him when searched by police has been sentenced.

Josh Flood, 26, of Liddell Avenue, Melling had travelled to Wembley to watch the February 28 match, but was ejected at the start of extra-time.

Liverpool went on to lose a penalty shoot-out with Manchester City 3-1 after the game finished 1-1.

He had pleaded guilty at Hendon Magistrates Court on to possessing a firework at a sporting event, namely a distress flare.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing a small amount of cocaine and cannabis.

Flood received a twelve-month community order, which includes 80 hours community service work.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Prosecutor Miss Katrina Rennalls told the court: “It was 6.15pm when Flood was seen to release the flare and he was ejected from the stadium.

“He was arrested and when he was searched a wrap of cocaine and a wrap of cannabis was found on him.

“In custody he was further searched and another wrap of cocaine was found on him.”

When quizzed by police about the flare he said: “I didn't know I couldn't let it of.”

NOT GUILTY: Chinese Medicine Expert Cleared

A traditional Chinese medicine expert has been cleared of groping a female patient's breasts.

She was being treated for backache with massages and reflexology at the Natural Health Centre, Old Brompton Road, South Kensington.

Dr. Hui Li, 54, had taken over the £40-an-hour sessions, where the woman, aged in her thirties, sought help for a protruding disc.

Li said the woman made up the allegations after receiving an "accupressure" massage between the breasts and a head massage.

The clinic's manager told the Isleworth Crown Court jury Li also administers acupuncture and prescribes Chinese remedies.

He said the defendant has little command of english and UK customs and does tell women they are "beautiful" in an attempt to develop "rapport."

Li, of Valiant House, Plevna Street, Docklands was found not guilty of one count of sexual assault on April 11, 2014.

NOT GUILTY: Fresher's Week Student Is Innocent

Not Guilty: William Harrison

A new student at the UK's oldest catholic university has been cleared of sexually assaulting two young women minutes apart during drunken freshers week introductions.

William Kelsey Harrison, 21, had only been at St. Mary's University, Twickenham a week when he was arrested.

Harrison, of Victoria Street, Littleport, Ely, Cambridgeshire always denied the allegations and was found not guilty by a jury at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

He was cleared of one count of assault by penetration and one count of sexual assault on September 27, 2014.

Harrison was accused of following a 19 year-old into her room and forcing himself on her then grabbing another student, 20, minutes later.

The teenage student admitted she found the defendant attractive and was happy to kiss him as the pair sat on the edge of her bed late at night.

She had downed five vodkas, five Jagerbomb shots and two alcopops that evening before ending up at the halls of residence in Waldegrave Road at 2.30am.

She was also new to St, Mary's and had spent her first week getting to know her fellow-students and was part of group that had invited Harrison to join them.

When questioned by police he did not deny there was consensual physical contact with both young women.