Speedy Gonzalez: Nottingham Forest Star's Car Caught Breaking Limit

Nottingham Forest full-back Daniel Pinillos Gonzalez has been fined £600 after failing to say who was driving his powerful Mercedes when it was caught speeding by a camera.

The 24 year-old Spanish left-back, of River Crescent, Waterside Way, Nottingham also received six penalty points.

He pleaded guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court to failing to give information relating to the driver and was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

His black three-litre Mercedes was snapped breaking the 30mph speed limit in Hanger Lane, Ealing on May 3, last year.

Gonzalez signed for Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2015 after having previously played for Spanish clubs Racing Santander and Cordoba.

MP's Wife Caught Drink-Driving After Asking Police To Assist In Search For Lost Dogs

Arriving At Court: Claire Podbielski-Stewart

The wife of Tory MP Colonel Bob Stewart was caught driving at twice the drinks limit after pulling-over and asking police to help search for her lost dogs.

Aristocrat Claire Podbielski-Stewart, 51, had been drinking gin and tonic’s before searching for the escaped pets at 11.20pm near the couple’s £1.45m constituency home.

Her 67 year-old husband is the MP for Beckenham and they met when he was a UN commander in Bosnia and she worked for the Red Cross.

Podbielski-Stewart, of Shortlands Road, Shortlands, the daughter of a Polish Count, appeared alone and unrepresented at Bromley Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

She did not ask for the case to be adjourned to allow her to seek legal representation and did not request the free duty solicitor.

She pleaded guilty to driving her ten year-old 2.4 litre diesel silver Volvo in Shortlands Road on February 3 with 71 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit is 35.

Prosecutor Miss Denise Clewes told the court: “Officers were on duty dealing with an incident when a Volvo drove past and pulled over in front of them.

“Mrs Podbielski-Stewart got out of the driver’s side of the Volvo and went to the front passenger-side window of the police vehicle.

“One of the officers was dealing with the London Ambulance Service so a second officer got out to speak and when he did she asked: ‘Can you help me find my dogs?’

MP Bob & Claire

“He could detect the strong smell of alcohol on her breath and she was unsteady on her feet.

“She was asked if she had anything to drink that night and replied: ‘A few gin and tonics. I don’t know.’

“She was asked if she knew it was an offence to drive when you have had too much to drink and she said she did.”

A second police unit was called and Podbielski-Stewart was arrested and taken to Bromley Police Station.

“I should not have taken the car,” she calmly told the magistrates in her thick accent from behind the secure glass-panelled dock.

“I did not realise how much I had drunk and asked the police officers by chance.”

Her husband has been the local MP since 2010 and the couple live in a seven-bedroom home set in half an acre of land.

Podbielski-Stewart, who has no previous convictions, was disqualified from driving for seventeen months and fined £576, with £85 costs and ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge.

Bench Chairwoman Pauline Pierce told her: “This alcohol reading is a the second level.”

That prevented the magistrates from disqualifying Podbielski-Stewart for the minimum of twelve months. 

Banned: Leaving Court

She agreed to pay to take the drink-drive rehabilitation course, which will reduce the ban by 25%.

“If you successfully complete the course your disqualification will be reduced by seventeen weeks,” added Mrs Pierce.

Podbielski-Stewart had arrived at court early and was dropped-off by a car that stopped across the road.

There was no sign of her MP husband.

She was dressed in a dark blue double-breasted coat, with brass buttons, with a light-blue blouse and darker blue jacket underneath.

She was wearing skinny jeans and black boots.

When approached outside she shook her head and kept walking when asked to discuss the case.

Plane Passenger's Drinks Arrest

A plane passenger arrested for being drunk on his USA-bound flight has been fined.

David Jeffrey Elsdon, 32, of Aycliffe Crescent, Springwell, Gateshead was due to travel from Heathrow Airport.

He appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates Court charged with being drunk on an aircraft, namely a Virgin Airbus A340-600, on February 26, last year.

Elsdon was fined £150, with £85 costs and was ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge.

Woman Denies Disneyland Paris Tickets Fraud

A woman accused of swindling prospective holidaymakers by selling non-existent trips to Disneyland Paris appeared in court for the first time yesterday.

Ellie Catchesides, 28, of Sparrows Lane, Eltham faces four charges of fraud by false representation, with intent to make a financial gain.

The charges relate to August 31; two on September 16 and October 5, last year.

She faces a fifth charge of fraud by false representation on June 27, 2015, namely creating an email account in the name of her landlady confirming rent had been paid.

Catchesides indicated a not guilty plea to all counts at Bromley Magistrates Court and was bailed to appear at Woolwich Crown Court on March 21.

Prosecutor Miss Pauline Pierce said she offered trips to the amusement park to people she knew for a discount, claiming she had to cancel her own holiday and had spare tickets.

It is alleged the charges were fraudulent from the outset and Catchesides knew no holidays had been booked.

Disco Entertainer 'DJ Elvis' Denies Raping Young Girl On Mattress In Back Of His Van

A mobile disco entertainer called ‘DJ Elvis’ raped a young girl on the mattress in the back of his works van over two decades ago, a court heard today.

Graham Horrix, 59, had a collection of porn and a quantity of condoms as well as his music equipment in the vehicle, the jury were told.

The father-of-two, of Priestwood Avenue, Bracknell, Berkshire has pleaded not guilty of two counts of raping the girl when she was aged between four and fourteen years-old.

He also denies three counts of indecently assaulting the girl in the Clapham area of south-west London.

The counts relate to a ten-year span between 1989 and 1999 and Horrix appeared in the dock at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court  sporting a seemingly dyed-black Elvis-style quiff.

The complainant, now aged 31 years-old, told the court he also raped her on the bathroom floor of the house he was staying at.

“He’d always entice me and say: ‘Let’s listen to some music.’

“He would always put music on first, silly songs like: ‘I’ve got a lovely bunch of coconuts.’

“He boasted about other females and said they had sex in the van and asked me if I was jealous, saying: ‘You’re not my only special girl.’

“He had his deejay equipment and mattress in the back of the van and porn and condoms.

“He’d get the porn magazines out and had these porn playing cards and make me look through the whole packet.”

Prosecutor Miss Corinne Bramwell said the first incident occurred in the toilet block near Horrix’s seaside caravan.

“He touched her chest and put his hand inside her knickers.

“He touched her and kissed her on the mouth and forced his tongue into her mouth when they were alone in the caravan.

“When she was alone in the van Mr. Horrix used that opportunity to sexually abuse her and she describes wanting to scream, but being too frightened to do so.”

He also encouraged the girl to wash his hair, added Miss Bramwell : “He’d splash water on her and suggest she took her top off and would touch her breasts.”

Horrix also forced her to give him oral sex, the jury were told. “She says she was scared and in fear during this period of her life.”

During the van rape he told her: “You’re a big girl now,” explained the prosecutor.

“He was rough, she says. Pulling her jeans down, pushing her legs apart and raping her.”

The second rape occurred in Horrix’s bathroom, said Miss. “He forced her to straddle him and forced her down onto him.

“She says it was very painful.”

The woman reported Horrix to the police in March, 2015, explaining: “I wasn’t the only one it happened to. There could be a lot of other people out there.”

Trial continues………. 

Sexual Predator Killer Back On London's Streets

A killer and double-rapist, who is freely walking London’s streets, has been convicted of flouting his sex offender’s order by not signing at Charing Cross Police Station.

Leeds-born Stuart Durkin, 55, was jailed in Sweden for killing his wife, received 12 years for the bedsit rape of a virgin and thirteen years for the rape and attempted murder of a 30 year-old tourist in Rome, who he beat with a rock when she resisted.

He was repatriated to the UK on April 14, 2003, released on June 1, 2007 and given a council flat in Derry House, Church Street Estate, St. John's Wood. 

As a dangerous sex offender Durkin must keep police informed of his address and is subject to spot-checks by the Met's Jigsaw Team.

He was convicted at Westminster Magistrates Court that being a relevant offender under the Sexual Offences Act he failed to comply with a compulsory notification requirement on September 7, last year.

Durkin spent time in custody on the charge and was fined £210, with £30 costs, which he will not have to pay due to time served.

He previously committed a similar offence five years ago when living in a tent at the Occupy London camp in Finsbury Square, without telling the police.

He had sex with women there while living under the assumed nickname ‘Troy’ and split his time between another protest at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

He has been subject to a notification requirement since his parole date in June 2007 and must confirm his address with police every twelve months.

Cosmetic Surgery Boss Forged Doctor's Signature To Get Skin Cream

The boss of an award-winning west London cosmetic surgery clinic has received a suspended prison sentence for forging a doctor’s signature to obtain prescription-only acne cream.

Alex Derakhshan, 48, the managing director and practice manager of Hush Aesthetic Clinic, had been refused the drug by his own doctor, who was wary of over-use.

The clinic, of 96 Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith performs plastic surgery, skin peels, botox treatments, laser hair removal and waxing amongst other procedures.

Frenchman Mr. Derakhshan, who lives in Isleworth, pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates Court to fraud by false representation and received a twelve-month order.

He must also pay £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

He dishonestly entered details of a doctor, forged the signature of a doctor and entered false patient details on a medical prescription with intent to make a gain, namely an order of drug products for himself by posing as a doctor.

Father-of-two Derakhshan founded Hush in September 2001 and boasts of employing a highly-qualified team of experienced doctors and winning industry awards for excellence.

Prosecutor Miss Aimee Emby told the court: "It is somewhat more complex here. The risk is not financial in the obvious instance.

"He's entered on two prescriptions a signature and name of a doctor not present at the time whose consent was not sought.

"Patients may receive medication not properly prescribed to them and the doctor may suffer damage to his reputation.

"It comes to light when the doctor is contacted to see if he received the product and he said not only did he not sign, but did not request the products."

The doctor is a part-time medical practitioner at the clinic when they are not at their NHS Trust.

The medication was for acne scarring cream Obagi.

Death Tipper Truck Driver Had Taken Cocaine

Cocaine: McArdle 

The driver of a 32 tonne tipper truck, involved in a fatality with a pensioner after taking cocaine, has been cleared of causing death by careless driving.

Anthony McArdle, 54, collided with Sushilaben Patel, aged in her eighties, in Lewisham Road, Hither Green, on October 9, 2015.

She died two days later.

McArdle, of Newham Way, Canning Town was charged with causing death by careless driving and cleared last Friday at Woolwich Crown Court.

He pleaded guilty to driving with cocaine in his bloodstream, namely 200mg per one litre of blood, and was fined £250, with £25 costs and disqualified from driving for one year.

The prosecution argued a contributory factor to the 9.20am accident was a misaligned mirror on the truck, which restricted McArdle’s view.

He was arrested at the scene of the collision, near the junction with Friendly Place, while Mrs Patel was being rushed in critical condition to a local hospital.

Early reports suggested the incident occurred as the truck pulled away from traffic lights.

Not Guilty: 'Banksy' Limited-Edition Scam Suspect Cleared

Not Guilty: Sammy Afeeva

A man who took delivery of two limited-edition ‘Banksy’ prints worth £22,950 bought by a credit card fraudster has been cleared of handling the stolen artwork. 

Two valuable examples of the mystery street artist's work were sent to 25 year-old Sammy Afeeva, who was arrested after an undercover police officer delivered two more.

Afeeva, of Cedar Court, Fairlawn, Charlton claims he did not know the artwork was the result of a scam on Brandler Galleries Ltd., of Coptfold Road, Brentwood, Essex.

He pleaded not guilty to two counts of handling stolen goods between November 13, 2012 and February 8, 2013, namely 'Banksy' prints 'No Ball Games' and 'Wrong War.'

He also denied attempting to handle two more stolen 'Banksy' prints on February 8, 2013.

A jury failed to reach a decision following a trial and not guilty verdicts were later entered when plans for a second trial were scrapped.

Prosecutor Mr. Bartholomew O'Toole told Woolwich Crown Court gallery owner John Brandler sold authentic limited-edition 'Banksy' prints and 'No Ball Games' was ordered by a Shirley Galloway and delivered to Manthorp Road, Plumstead.

The credit card company had not authorised the transaction and Mr. Brandler lost the £5,250, along with £7,700 when the 'Wrong War' print was bought in similar circumstances.

When a third order was placed with Mr. Brandler police launched an undercover operation and delivered a washing machine lid instead of the two prints and Afeeva signed for the package at the Manthorp Road address.

"Police identified themselves and spoke to Afeeva in the room he occupied and the fake package was there," added Mr. O'Toole. "He was then arrested.

"His home address was searched and the print 'Wrong War' was found in his bedroom along with an envelope addressed to the gallery owner John Brandler."

When quizzed at Plumstead Police Station Afeeva claimed he had been hired in a local bookies by a black male, in his thirties, known only as 'Stone' to sign for the two package in return for £130 and £150.

"He knew when he was signing for these prints this was property that had been stolen and he was telling lies in interview to disguise his involvement."

Solicitor Kicked And Spat At Police After Downing Wine And Vodka

A solicitor downed four bottles of wine and a bottle-and-a-half of vodka before kicking and spitting at police investigating alleged death threats she made to her partner, a court heard today.

Ofra Azar-Freedman, 51, a Family Law specialist, appeared in the dock at Hendon Magistrates Court, where she has represented many clients during her twenty-five year legal career.

She pleaded guilty to assaulting PC Philip Kirkup, who she kicked in the knee, at her £785,000 four-bed house in Tenterden Drive, Hendon on August 1, last year.

Mother-of-two Azar-Freedman also pleaded guilty to assaulting a WPC at Colindale Police Station, who she spat at, but missed.

Prosecutor Mr. Peter Lock told the court on Wednesday: “Her partner attended Colindale Police Station saying that she had made threats to kill him.

“He withdrew the complaint later that day, but police officers still wanted to speak to Mrs Azar-Freedman about it and attended her home at 8pm.

“She was incredibly drunk and her niece told the officers she had drunk four bottles of wine and one-and-a-half bottles of vodka.

“The police officers had to arrest her and during that arrest she has kicked-out at one of them, contacting his knee, but he suffered no injury.

“At the police station she spat at another officer, but it did not make contact.

“Neither officer was injured and all of the police officers involved say they feel sorry for the defendant and would be happy if she was bound-over.”

Azar-Freedman has always strongly disputed consuming that amount of alcohol.

“She has never accepted what the officers say in regard to drunkenness, reported by her niece,” said her lawyer Ms Pamela Sergeant.

“Alcohol had been consumed, but it was more like three glasses, not four bottles. 

“She has not tried to minimise her role. She lashed out, perhaps describing it as ‘accidentally’ to the probation service.

“She did not intend to assault the officer and pleads guilty on the basis she was reckless in regard to PC  Kirkup.

“At the police station she was having a panic attack and spat at the officer and fortunately it did not land on the female officer.”

Azar-Freedman launched her own practice in 2010, but according to company records it is now dissolved.

She lost her last job in March, last year and was on paid gardening leave until June. “Since then she has been on benefits,” explained Ms Sergeant.

The magistrates conditionally discharged Azar-Freedman for twelve months and ordered her to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.