Ex-Footballer Marcus Bent's Cocaine Blow

Blowing 'em Away: Marcus Bent

Troubled former football star Marcus Bent was fined this week for having cocaine on him at Chessington World of Adventures.

The ex-Crystal Palace, Everton and Blackburn Rovers striker committed the offence while subject to a suspended prison sentence.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court confirmed the 38 year-old of  Wolsey Court, Bridge Road, East Molesey appeared as an overnight custody case on tuesday.

He pleaded guilty to one count of possessing cocaine -  a class A drug - at the children's theme park on June 20.

The former England Under 21 international, who scored 113 goals in 574 professional games for 14 different clubs, was fined £385, with £85 costs.

Earlier this year at Guildford Crown Court Bent was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment, suspended for two years, for affray and possession of cocaine.

He had called 999, but when police officers attended his address he confronted them with a meat cleaver and kitchen knife while under the influence of the drug.

Suspended Sentence For Colour-Coded Cocaine-Dealing Teen

Inner London Crown Court

A teenage first-time offender caught drug-dealing has avoided being locked-up after receiving a suspended sentence.

Harry Edward Collett, 19, of William Foster Lane, Welling, south-east London had colour-coded wraps of the drug to indicate quantity and price.

His first court appearance was an emotionally-charged ordeal for the teen and his family, with relatives in tears as the gravity of the offence hit home.

Collett initially appeared at Bromley Magistrates Court, where he pleaded guilty to possessing a quantity of cocaine, with intent to supply, on January 6.

The court decided its maximum sentencing powers – six months custody – were insufficient and he was committed to Inner London Crown Court.

There, Collett received two years custody, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to complete 180 hours community service and 36 hours with the probation service and pay a £100 victim surcharge.

The court heard police on patrol in Bexley stopped a vehicle Collett was travelling in.

He appeared nervous to the officers when questioned and was searched.

Police found a bag stuffed down his trousers, which contained fifty to seventy wraps of the class A drug.

The paper wraps were in two different colours, white indicated £20 and pink £40.

Everton FC Flare Fan Banned For Three Years

An Everton FC fan has been banned from football for three years after his illegal flare singed a ten year-old girl's hair and burned through two layers of clothing during the club's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium.

Thomas McGill, 26, lit the flare moments after an own goal by Manchester United's Chris Smalling brought Everton level at 1-1 just fifteen minutes before full-time.

They eventually lost the match 2-1.

McGill, of Mallory Road, Whitby, Ellesmere pleaded guilty at Hendon Magistrates Court to assaulting the young fan on April 23.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing the flare at a designated sporting event and possessing a small amount of cocaine.

After he was bailed for a pre-sentence report McGill returned and was ordered to complete 150 hours community service work and fined £470.

The court also imposed a three-year football banning order, which prohibits him attending organised football matches for the next three season.

Prosecutor Miss Indira Gohlar told the court: "The victim was with her sister and father and when Everton scored the defendant lit a flare and started waving it.

"Sparks from the flare singed the ten year-old's hair and clothing, two layers of clothing were burnt through, and luckily there was no contact with the skin."

The girl's father complained to McGill, who said he was unaware of what had happened.

"On seeing security guards coming towards him he tried to discard the flare and was ejected and arrested," explained Miss Gohlar.

"When McGill was searched class A drugs were found in a tissue, which were tested and confirmed as cocaine.

"He admitted to the police he had lit the flare, saying he had got it from someone inside the stadium who had offered it to him.

"He also said he got the cocaine from someone inside the stadium, but did not pay for it, agreeing he would give them forty or fifty pounds on the next occasion.

"He said he did two lines of cocaine and throughout the day had consumed seven to eight pints of lager.

"He said he was not paralytic, but was a little bit drunk and said he lit the flare when he got carried away by Everton scoring.

"He admitted it was a stupid thing to do and he was sorry about the assault and said he only realised what had happened when the child's father told him.

"He said he was sorry and did not intend to hurt anybody.

"The incident could have escalated, but for the actions of the girl's father and the stewards," added Miss Gohlar, who also applied for a football banning order."

McGill confirmed to the court he was a long-term Everton FC fan and a banning order would punish him.

He also told police his actions were "idiotic".

Muslim Motorist Denies 'Women Stoning' Comment During Road Rage Row

A muslim motorist, accused of shouting: “Women in my country would be stoned for this,” during a road-rage incident has appeared in court.

Javed Ahmad, 45, of Calder Road, Morden is also said to have called the female driver “white trash” and spitting at her.

He appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court yesterday, where he pleaded not guilty and was bailed to return for a trial on September 6.

Ahmad is charged with the racially-aggravated assault of Harley Armiger in Bristol Road, Morden on May 17.

He also faces an alternative lesser charge of simply assaulting the woman and obstructing two police officers.

Prosecutor Miss Kerry Lingard told the court the complainant was driving her car with her children inside when Ahmad pulled alongside and claimed they were throwing stones at her vehicle.

He allegedly was heard getting on his mobile phone and saying to the person at the other end: “Us muslims need to stick together.”

“He drove after her and pushed his car into hers although there was no damage. He spat at her and she has no idea why he was so aggressive.”

Ahmad denies using the racist words, spitting at the complainant and says the police officers were “heavy handed” during their arrest of him.

He told the court: “This group of people are out to get me.”  

Death Crash: Alleged Car Racers In Court

Hina Shamim & Crash Scene

Two drivers accused of racing each other at over twice the speed limit and causing the death of a 21 year-old student, who was struck by a car near her campus, have appeared in court.

Farid Reza, 36, of Surbiton Road, Kingston-upon-Thames and William Spicer, 28, of Somervell Road, Harrow had been on bail for over a year while specialist police accident investigators collected evidence.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard it was Reza's powerful BMW M3, which inflicted fatal injuries to Hina Shamim in Penrhyn Road, Kingston-upon-Thames.

He attempted to have his address kept a secret, even citing European Human Rights legislation, but after objections from Square Mile News the application was dismissed.

L to R: Reza & Spicer

The court heard Miss Shamim had just left her flat and was walking to the library when struck by Reza's BMW, which the prosecution say was travelling at 67mph while racing Spicer from traffic lights.

Both men are charged with causing the death of Miss Shamim, by dangerous driving, on March 31, last year.

Reza is additionally charged with causing serious injury to Fawad Reza by dangerous driving.

The magistrates declined jurisdiction and no pleas were indicated by the defendants.

They were both bailed to appear at the Old Bailey on July 11.

Death Crash: Alleged Car Racers In Court

Hina Shamim & Crash Scene

Two drivers accused of racing each other at over twice the speed limit and causing the death of a 21 year-old student, who was struck by a car near her campus, have appeared in court.

Farid Reza, 36, of Surbiton Road, Kingston-upon-Thames and William Spicer, 28, of Somervell Road, Harrow had been on bail for over a year while specialist police accident investigators collected evidence.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard it was Reza's powerful BMW M3, which inflicted fatal injuries to Hina Shamim in Penrhyn Road, Kingston-upon-Thames.

He attempted to have his address kept a secret, even citing European Human Rights legislation, but after objections from Square Mile News the application was dismissed.

L to R: Reza & Spicer

The court heard Miss Shamim had just left her flat and was walking to the library when struck by Reza's BMW, which the prosecution say was travelling at 67mph while racing Spicer from traffic lights.

Both men are charged with causing the death of Miss Shamim, by dangerous driving, on March 31, last year.

Reza is additionally charged with causing serious injury to Fawad Reza by dangerous driving.

The magistrates declined jurisdiction and no pleas were indicated by the defendants.

They were both bailed to appear at the Old Bailey on July 11.

German Woman Mugged Near Railway Station: E-Fit Released

Detectives have released an e-fit image of a man who violently robbed a German woman near Greenwich Railway Station.

At around 10.40pm on Tuesday, February 2 the man approached a 35-year-old woman from behind in Tarves Way.

The woman was pushed to the floor, where she was kicked a number of times before her bag was stolen.

The bag was a black shoulder bag which contained an iPhone, a Blackberry phone, German ID cards and a quantity of cash in both pounds and Euros.

Thankfully the victim was not seriously hurt.

The victim has helped produce an e-fit of the man who attacked and robbed her.

He is described as aged between 20 and 25 years, black - with a light skin tone - and approximately 5ft 6ins tall.

He also had a moustache and beard that was short and well kept.

He wore a black scarf on his face and had a hood covering his head.

Anyone who may be able to identify the suspect or has information that may assist the investigation is asked to call Detective Constable Andrew Payne, from the Serious and Acquisitive Crime Unit on 020 8284 9449.

To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Knifeman Hunted For Chemist Shop Robbery

Detectives investigating a knife-point robbery in Wimbledon have released CCTV footage to help identify a man who snatched cash from a chemist's.


On Tuesday, October 13, last year at about 3.15pm the suspect walked into the store in Durnsford Road and pulled out a large kitchen knife before demanding money.



The suspect forced the shop assistant to open the till and a petty cash box and stole a quantity of cash before making off towards Haydens Road. 



The suspect is described as a black man aged in his late twenties to early thirties.

He wore a blue hooded tracksuit, white trainers and was carrying a black holdall.



Police are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise this man.



Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 or anonymously on Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 203621.

Duo Hunted After Fast-Food Attack

Police are appealing for information following an assault at a takeaway restaurant in Islington.



Officers were called to the venue in Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park, at approximately 3.30am on January 23, after a 48-year-old man was attacked by two men.



The man was set upon after what is believed to have been a verbal exchange within the restaurant.



London Ambulance Service attended and the man was taken to hospital for treatment to a serious eye injury.

He has been discharged but is still receiving treatment.



Officers have released CCTV images of two men they would like to speak to in connection with the incident.



They are described as one white male and one black male, both aged between 18 and 20 years.



Anyone with information is asked to call Islington CID on either 020 7421 0195 or 101 - alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Post Office Robbery: Suspect On CCTV

Police are hunting this robbery suspect, who attacked a security guard delivering cash to a Post Office.

On Tuesday, February 16 at 1.30pm the security guard, a 50-year-old man, was delivering cash in Hampstead High Street, Hampstead.



The suspect attacked the guard from behind, pushing him and punching him in the face.

Detectives do not believe that the suspect was armed.



The victim suffered head and shoulder injuries and was taken by London Ambulance Service to a north London hospital.

He was released later that day. 



The suspect is described as a tall, white man, wearing a black padded, hooded coat. 



Anyone with any information should contact the Flying Squad on 020 8785 8655 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.