Manager Accused Of Swindling £26K From IPCC

A senior manager at the Independent Police Complaints Commission has appeared in court charged with swindling £26,000 from the body to fund his gambling addiction. 

Ian Every, 50, of High Trees, New town, Uckfield, East Susex did not indicate a plea at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court.

He faces one count of fraud by abuse of position, namely while Procurement Manager for the IPCC dishonestly abused that position between March 1, 2009 and January 12, this year to make a gain, namely in excess of £26,000.

Every was employed at the organisation's HQ at 90 High Holborn, Central London.

Prosecutor Mr. Zahid Hussein said: "The Crown invites the court to decline jurisdiction. There was a breach of trust here when he was employed by the IPCC as their Procurement Manager.

"He's defrauded a public body out of a sum of twenty-six thousand pounds over a period of time.

"He gave an explanation that he had outstanding debts, significant amounts he owed others, depression and a gambling addiction."

The magistrates declined jurisdiction and Every was bailed to appear at Blackfriars Crown Court on July 12 for a preliminary hearing.

Bench Chairman Mr. Melvin Marks announced: "It wad not the most sophisticated, but there was an element of planning.

"Bearing in mind the sophistication, the amount of money and length of time we decline jurisdiction."

Brighton Students' Ecstasy Supply Ends With McDonald's Car Park Arrest

Wimbledon Magistrates Court

A young student, who buys party-drug 'ecstasy' in bulk for friends, was caught weighing out a consignment in a Mcdonald's car park.

Oscar Wendt, 20, an undergraduate media studies student at the University of Brighton was seen weighing the drugs and reported to the police.

Wendt, of Upper Lewes Road, Brighton pleaded guilty yesterday to possessing 13.924 grammes of the Class A drug, with intent to supply, in McDonald's, Twickenham Road, Twickenham on January 9.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard the alarm was raised when a member of the public spotted him behaving suspiciously with weighing scales and a white substance.

Police arrived and arrested Wendt, who had evidence of 'ecstasy' supply in his mobile phone communications.

When quizzed by officers he said: “I'm taking MDMA myself. I bought them for my own use.”

The court heard Wendt and his fellow-students pool their money to buy in bulk, with the defendant making the trip to south-west London.

It was described as “social supply” and not a commercial enterprise.

The magistrates decided their sentencing powers – a maximum of six months imprisonment – were insufficient and committed Wendt to Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

"Despicable" Duo Robbed Blind 80 Year-old Woman

Police hunting two "despicable" robbers, who targeted a blind 80 year-old woman paying her council tax, have released this CCTV images of their suspects.

They followed the pensioner from her bank, where she had just withdrawn £250, to local council offices and pounced when they isolated her in a lift.

The offence took place on Tuesday, December 1, last year at 12.00pm at the council office in Wellington Street, Woolwich.



The two suspects followed her and the man physically prevented the victim from exiting the lift.


The woman then stole the woman's purse from her handbag.

The victim was left highly distressed by the incident.



Detective Constable Danny Banks of Greenwich CID, said: "This was a despicable crime carried out against an extremely vulnerable elderly woman.

“As the victim is blind the description given was limited but through CCTV enquiries we have identified these two suspects and we require the public's help to find them as quickly as possible.

“Anyone with information should not hesitate in contacting us."



Anyone with any information should contact Greenwich CID on 07789 574 885 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.


Baby Buried In Garden: Woman In Court

Wimbledon Magistrates Court

A woman charged in relation to the mysterious death of an unidentified baby over a decade ago appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court today.

Victoria Gayle, 31, of Fryent Crescent, West Hendon was transferred in custody to the court this morning.

She is charged with one count of preventing the lawful and decent burial of a dead body between July 1, 2004 and June 1, this year.

She is also charged with commit and act, with intent to pervert the course of justice, namely between the same dates concealed the death of a child.

The investigation concerns a baby born in Barnet in 2004 and officers attended an address in West Hendon at 7am on May 30.

Human remains were discovered on May 31 and a post mortem examination took place at Great Ormond Street Hospital on june 2.

She was remanded in custody to appear at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court on July 8.

Hoverboard Knife Thugs Hunted

Police hunting two knife-wielding thugs, who stabbed a teenage 'hoverboard' rider in north London, have released these CCTV images.

The 19 year-old victim was in Rookwood Road, Stamford Hill at 3.45pm on December 5, last year when he was chased by two men.

They followed him down an alleyway close to the junction with Ravensdale Road, where he was stabbed in the face and neck.

He was taken to hospital where doctors stated that it can only have been good luck that prevented critical injury to the jugular vein.

He has since been discharged.

The two suspects are described as young men, aged in their teens or early twenties, and of broadly average height and build.

One of the two is believed to be black and the other Asian.

Detectives from Hackney CID are investigating, and they retain an open mind as to any motive. 

There has been no arrest at this stage.

Anyone who recognises the two men shown in the footage, or who witnessed the incident should call Hackney CID via 101.

To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Pensioner, 79, Caught Having Sex In Public With Boyfriend

A 79 year-old grannie and her lover were arrested after shocked passers-by spotted the pair having sex in parkland next to a busy road.

Pensioner Alicia Brown will now be on the sex offenders register for thirty months after the amorous public display, which she blames on alcohol and receiving bad news.

Brown, of Gloucester Terrace, Paddington pleaded guilty to committing an act outraging public decency, namely engaging in sexual activity, while various members of the public observed.

Camberwell Green Magistrates Court heard police were called to Rush Common, Brixton Hill at 10.20 am on May 7.

"Brown and a male companion were seen having sex," prosecutor Mr. Johnson Shittu told the court.

Members of the public reported the male, aged in his fifties - who was not identified in court - as being naked below the waist and engaging in sexual intercourse with the defendant.

He was prosecuted separately for the same offence and other crimes and was jailed for two months.

The court heard Brown - who arrived at court with her daughter and granddaughter and wheeling a shopping trolley - was being visited by her boyfriend.

He travelled down from Manchester and Brown admits they drank too many cans of strong lager and she had just received bad news about a young family member.

She told the court: "I shouldn't have been there. I'm sorry."

Brown received a thirty-month conditional discharge, was ordered to sign the sex offenders register and pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Graduate Crashes Car After Night Of Drink And Drugs

An aspiring chartered surveyor crashed his Mercedes while driving home after a night of booze, ecstacy and cocaine.

Evan Waters, 24, buried the car into trees while driving along the A3 with illegal levels of the two drugs still in his system.

He pleaded guilty at Wimbledon Magistrates Court to driving in Esher Common on March 27 with excess levels of ecstacy and cocaine in his blood.

There was also evidence of alcohol, but it was under the prescribed limit so he was not charged with drink-driving.

The court heard Waters, of Barn Green Close, Denmead, Waterlooville, Hampshire was driving a red Mercedes A180, which sufffered “considerable damage” when it left the road.

Police were called to the scene and Waters admitted he had been drinking the night before.

The court heard the first-time offender had been out with friends in London until 3am and slept in a hotel before driving home.

Waters claims fatigue caused him to fall asleep at the wheel and when the car's tyres touched the muddy verge the vehicle slipped off the road.

He says he does not recall taking any drugs the night before.

The graduate is currently employed as a quantity surveyor and is tested for alcohol and drugs at work, which is a two hour daily commute via car.

The magistrates told Waters, who has a first-class honours degree: “You left the road. A dangerous situation to be in.”

He was disqualified from driving for twelve months, fined £550, with £85 costs and ordered to pay a £50 victim surcharge.

Obsessed Student Banned From London For Stalking Yoga Tutor

An engineering student's two-year obsession with a yoga teacher he stalked has resulted in a ban from entering London.

Birmingham University student Krystian Czekaj, 30, of Ashton Road, Rugely, Staffordshire "scared" the young woman when he suddenly appeared at her new workplace.

He pleaded guilty to stalking Emily Lacy between July 2014 and  May 17, which he knew amounted to harassing her.

He turned up outside Sangye Yoga, 300 Kensal Road, North Kensington on May 6, which was the final straw and Miss Lacy called the police.

Yesterday he was sentenced to eight weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years and must complete a probation-ordered twenty-five day rehabilitation activity requirement.

Prosecutor Mr. Kunal Dave told Hammersmith Magistrates Court  Czekaj began taking  yoga classes in Birmingham and asked Miss Lacy out for a cup of tea.

She rejected his requests and he subsequently followed her and a friend to a restaurant, where he stared at them through the windows.

"He sent her letters professing his love for her and would telephone her work looking for her and also sent flowers, card and a teddy bear."

She reported him to police while in Birmingham and the harassment stopped, but began again after her move to London. 

His lawyer Mr. Rodney Coleman told Hammersmith Magistrates Court: "There's a history here, first in Birmingham and then it gets more serious when he comes to London and pursues the same course.

"He's an intelligent person, but Miss Lacy did not want a relationship with him.

"He has now said: 'If I am released I won't contact her.'

"By pursuing his ardent behaviour he may have thought she would become interested in him."  

In her victim impact statement Ms Lacy said: "I feel scared that Krystian turned up at my workplace at Sangye Yoga.

"I want this to stop and feel vulnerable by his actions. I can't keep Krystian out of my thoughts, I'm worried by Krystian following me.

"This is not normal behaviour, it is weird. I wish he would never contact me or come near me again.

"I don't want to worry about this for the rest of my life." 

Magistrate Mr. Henry McGrill told Czekaj: "You pleaded guilty to stalking and in this case it is harassment for two years, concluding in a visit to Miss Lacy's place of work and you came down from Birmingham to do so.

"Mr. Coleman, on your behalf, suggests you do not fully understand what you have done and won't do it again.

"We're going to give you a chance to prove what you must and must not do."

A condition of the sentence was that Czekaj cannot cross the M25 for two years and he was made subject to an indefinite restraining order prohibiting contact with Miss Lacy or visiting her workplace.

"Any breach of any of these orders will result in prison for you and I understand you have spent some time there on remand and will not want to go back."

He will not have to pay compensation to the victim. "I'm sure Miss Lacy would rather be shot of the whole matter," added the magistrate.

An order to pay £85 costs and a £115 victim surcharge was substituted of the time he has spent in custody.

Wealthy Polo-Playing Businessman Thumped Mini-Cab Driver During Route Dispute

Punch: Simon Lo Gatto

A wealthy polo-playing businessman returning home from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix gave a mini-cab driver a black eye while boasting about his riches.

Simon Rubel Lo Gatto, 44, the owner of a leading Italian luxury office furniture company based in St. James' had a dispute with the driver over the route he was taking.

He had just been collected from Heathrow Airport on November 30, last year and was on his way to his £1.15m apartment in Arthur Road, Wimbledon Village.

However, during the journey he changed his mind and demanded to be taken to Brinkley's Garden, a restaurant in Hollywood Road, Little Chelsea to meet his girlfriend.

"He was sitting behind me and slapped my left arm," Sri Lankan cabbie Nakalingam Koneswaran told Ealing Magistrates Court yesterday.

"He said: 'I'm a rich man, do you know my family? We're a valuable family.'

"As I turned around he punched my face, the left eye and I told him to get out, but he said: 'If you stop I'll punch you again.'

"I was scared that he would punch me again and when I dropped him off I said: 'Thank-you' and he said: 'F*** off.'

"This was very painful for me and swollen the next day, a black eye. This incident traumatised me and I am scared if someone shouts at me from behind."

Lo Gatto is the European MD of Interoffice, a sponsor of his polo team, and the company counts Rolls Royce, Microsoft, The FA, Mishcon De Reya and L'Oreal amongst its clients.

He is a member of Ham polo club, a partner and international ambassador for Dubai Fashion TV and Dubai's five-star Royal Ghantoot Marina and Resort.

"Scared": Nakalingam Koneswaran

Prosecutor Mr. Bhavin Patel told the court Lo Gatto disappeared into an airport bar and started drinking while Mr. Koneswaran looked after his suitcase.

The defendant claimed he had two lager shandies to settle his nerves despite flying out from Heathrow at least twenty times a year.

"There was a disagreement as they neared Chiswick, with the defendant shouting they were in the wrong lane for the A4.

"Mr. Koneswaran told the defendant he was in the correct lane and Mr. Lo Gatto replied: 'You f***ing talking to me?'

"He then punched him in the left eye and said: 'I'm a mafia man. I can do whatever I want'."

The mini-cab driver told the magistrates: "He was treating me like a servant. I've never had anyone treating me like that.

"He walked like a proud man and he was ignoring me and demanding me to do things."

Mr. Koneswaran took two photographs of his black eye, which were shown to the court, and Lo Gatto was arrested at home on December 4.

Fifteen hours later he was questioned and denied also kicking the driver's seat and saying: "You'd be my slave in Saudi Arabia."

Lo Gatto denied drinking on the flight or being drunk and told the court: "He starts being a little rude and we began to argue loudly.

"I knew he was in the wrong lane and the word 'f***' was used by both sides."

He denied punching the driver or having a dismissive attitude: "If I am confident in myself and someone sees that as arrogance that's their interpretation."

Lo Gatto, who was once cautioned for a domestic assault, was convicted of assaulting Mr. Koneswaran.

 He was bailed to return to court for sentencing on June 29.

Musician Fears USA Ban For Malicious Campaign Against Two Men

A musician fears he will not be able to tour the USA after being convicted of sending malicious messages to two men.

Alexander Keevill, 35, the creative driving force behind The Microdance, left one recipient living in fear and needing counselling to get over the communication.

The public relations copywriter, of Balls Pond Road, Hackney pleaded guilty to two counts of sending communication of a threatening nature between October 26 and 30, last year.

"His ability to travel to America where he has the greatest number of followers may be effected by the nature of these offences," his QC Patrick Gibbs said.

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard Keevill has been diagnosed with Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

A pre-sentence report from the Probation Service concluded he was in "emotional turmoil" at the time of the offences.

One of the complainants, a physiotherapist, said in a victim impact statement: "I was in grave fear. It was callous and real.

"It has taken months to recover from the stress, has triggered depression and I have needed counselling.

"I went to the police because I couldn't sleep normally due to the remorseless and callous way this was conducted."

Judge Peter Lodder QC, the Recorder of Richmond-upon-Thames told the first-time offender: "You acted in a way calculated to maximise distress to your victims.

"You had not been taking your own medication...... you were rash and impulsive."

Keevill was sentenced to two months imprisonment, suspended for twelve months, ordered to complete 150 hours community service work and pay £670 costs. 

Afterwards the musician said: "I am regretful of my actions and am fully understanding that I fell foul of the law through a stupid and rash response to discoveries I had made before committing the crime of malicious communications.

"This though was a response entirely determined by the emotions engendered by the nature of what constituted my provocation."