Academic Couple Split Over Pasta And Picture Frame Rows

Restraining Order: Prof. Squintani

A respected academic couple, who both hold professorships at leading universities, split after police were called to heated rows over pasta and picture frames at their £1m home, a court heard.

Francesco Squintani, 46, Professor of Economics at Warwick University was arrested after wife Leila Simona Talani, 46, claimed she was pushed over and punched and kicked.

She is the Professor of European Political Economy at King’s College London, having previously taught at the European Institute of the London School of Economics.

Prof. Squintani, of Neville Court, Castle Lane, Warwick has always denied assaulting Prof. Talani at the former matrimonial home in Lower Richmond Road, Putney on January 21.

He also pleaded not guilty to assaulting an 8 year-old boy on the same occasion and today at Wimbledon Magistrates Court the prosecution dropped the case on the day of trial.

However, due to a history of police call-outs during rows Prof. Squintani was made subject to an indefinite restraining order prohibiting him directly contacting his estranged wife or the boy.

Prosecutor Mary Lawrenson told the court: “There was an argument over picture frames and whether pictures should be up on the wall or not.

Split: Prof. Leila Talani

“The argument goes further than merely verbal and during the course of the row the complainant says this defendant pushes her in such as way that she goes to the floor.”

During a previous hearing the court heard Prof. Talani banged her head and received a punch and a kick from her husband and the young boy was pushed.

There was no bleeding, but Prof. Talani says she suffered pain to her head from the bump and to her upper body from the kick.

“There have been previous police call-outs to the address as a result of rows, including one when the wife was giving away pasta to charity,” explained Miss Lawrenson.

“The complainant is content with the restraining order and it is to protect both parties.”

District Judge James Henderson told Prof. Squintani: “Given the nature of these allegations and the fact there has been previous call-outs by the police there is a necessity to make a restraining order to protect your ex-wife from harassment from you.”

Prof. Squintani is the author of several publications on economics and is a founding editor of the journal of the European Political Science Association.

He has presented his work to research seminars at leading universities all over the globe and also held positions at the USA’s Princeton University and University of California Los Angeles.

Prof. Talani is also a multi-published author, who has lectured at the University of Bath and achieved a PhD with distinction at the European University Institute of Florence.

Reckless Cocaine Driver Wheelchair-Bound After Head-On Crash

A motorist high on cocaine, who is now wheelchair-bound after crashing head-on into a 7.5 ton lorry while four times the drug limit, received a suspended prison sentence yesterday.

Duane Brown, 38, arrived at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court in a wheelchair as he continues to recover from a double hip break and multiple compound fractures to his left leg.

“You took an unacceptable risk that morning, you took the most stupid decision of your life the morning after going out and taking a highly-addictive drug in cocaine,” Judge Judith Coello told him.

“You placed members of the public at a high risk and must thank your lucky stars you’re still here and that nobody lost their life that morning.” 

Father-of-two Brown, of Haycroft Road, Surbiton  pleaded guilty to driving his BMW dangerously and with excess cocaine in his blood on September 17, last year in Leatherhead Road, Chessington.

He received ten months imprisonment, suspended for two years and was disqualified from driving for three years.

As an extra punishment the court ordered him to obey an untagged night time curfew between 10pm and 6am for the next three months.

Builder Brown has previous convictions for driving while disqualified and without insurance and supplying amphetamine.

The first police officer on the scene said the inside of his BMW smelled strongly of alcohol and traces of morphine and ketamine were in his blood, but may these may have been medicinal.

The busy road was closed for over eight hours and Brown, who has had fourteen operations, skin grafts, plus treatment for nerve damage in his arm was cut from his wrecked car and airlifted to St. George’s Hospital.

Prosecutor Miss Moya Reed told the court it was 8.30am when a witness driving behind Brown’s black BMW saw him “driving erratically” and on the wrong side of the road.

Brown lied to police the car in front of him stopped suddenly, forcing the reckless overtaking manoeuvre, which resulted in the huge crash with the Champion Timber lorry.

Police also recovered a small snap-bag of cocaine from the car.

“He’s expressed a great deal of remorse and is grateful that no-one else was injured,” said Mr. Shane Hauschild, defending. “Seeing the photographs I’m surprised he is alive.

“He puts his hands up and admits it was a risk he should not have taken and it is unclear if he will ever fully recover.

“He was socialising with friends and using cocaine the night before. a decision he’s going to regret and that will impact him for the rest of his life.”

Brown faces at least another three month in the wheelchair before he can begin attempting to walk.

“You drove erratically along that road. I do not accept a car stopped in front of you,” Judge Coello told him. “You veered onto the wrong side of the road and collided head-on with the timber lorry.

“You caused great shock and stress, not only to the lorry driver, but other witnesses. You know you have only got yourself to blame for your injuries.

“It is going to take you a very long time to get over this, if you ever will. If you were to go to prison you would find the conditions there very difficult in your current circumstances.”

Brown was also ordered to pay a £140 victim surcharge and retake his test before he is allowed to drive again.

Supermarket Perv Filmed Up Female Shoppers' Skirts

A supermarket pervert, who filmed up female shoppers’ skirts with a key fob-disguised camera, was told yesterday he will be assessed for dangerousness.

Andrew Bean, 52, was caught following a woman in Sainsbury’s, Surbiton and upskirt shots of a second victim were found.

The jobless former delivery driver, of Gateways, Surbiton Hill Road, Surbiton was bailed to return to Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for sentencing on June 26.

The court heard Bean, who claims Jobseekers Allowance, has been recommended for a post-sentencing dangerousness assesment by the probation service.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of outraging public decency by taking images up the skirts of unsuspecting women on August 31 and 27, last year.

Bean, who was ironically camera-shy when photographed himself outside the court, targeted women wearing short skirts and hot pants.

An off-duty police officer observed Bean as his eyes were fixed on the woman’s bottom as he repeatedly clicked his tiny camera, hidden inside a car key fob.

The officer followed Bean and saw him following another woman.

The store’s security staff were alerted and the defendant was watched on CCTV and then arrested.

Heartless Burglar Nicked Charity Box During Break-In

A heartless burglar, who smashed his way into business premises and swiped a charity box, is being hunted by police.

Detectives from Sutton Borough have issued this CCTV image of a man they wish to identify and speak to in connection with the incident.

On Tuesday, August 23, last year police were called at 11.05pm to a report of a burglary at a company in Croydon Road, Wallington.

The burglary was reported to have occurred at some point between 10.50pm and 11.05pm that night.

The front door was damaged where the intruder smashed his way in.

CCTV within the store caught the moment the suspect broke the bottom of the glass door of the shop and entered.

A charity box was stolen, but it is unknown how much money was in it.

The suspect is described as a white man, aged in his twenties. He was wearing light coloured clothing and trainers.

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

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

Camouflage Man Exposed As Bus Sex Pest

Police are hunting this suspected bus sex-pest after a woman was molested as she travelled through west London.

The victim was a passenger on a route 72 bus travelling from Hammersmith to Shepherd's Bush at 4.45pm on July 31, last year.

She has told police the suspect sexually assaulted her.

The suspect is described as black, aged around 35 years-old and approximately 5ft 9 inches tall.

He was wearing a baseball cap and a camouflage-style jacket and trousers.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Constable Natalie Baynes from the Roads and Transport Policing Command on 07770 315690 or via 101.

To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Former Kids Illustrator Denies New Child Sex Charges

A disgraced children’s books illustrator, jailed for molesting two young girls four decades ago, denied fresh charges when he appeared in court yesterday.

Artist Henry Christopher Mendes, 66, of Park an Pyth, Pendeen, Penzance will return to Blackfriars Crown Court for a four to five-day trial on December 4.

He pleaded not guilty to three counts of indecently assaulting a girl aged between two and five years-old on dates between May 8, 1989 and May 7, 1993.

Mendes will say he did not commit the acts he is accused of.

Two years ago he received three years and nine months imprisonment after finally admitting molesting the two girls after they had given evidence.

The offences occurred in the 1970’s when the girls were approximately eight years-old and Mendes was living in Kentish Town, north London. 

Woman Nicked For Sending Indecent Pics Of Kids

A woman, who distributed an indecent photographs of a child, has been ordered to sign the sex offenders register for five years.

Naomi Catt, 42, of Clifton Gardens, Uxbridge, must also undergo court-ordered rehabilitation under the supervision of the Probation Service.

She pleaded guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates Court to sending the multiple images, contrary to the Protection of Children Act, on November 7, last year and was sentenced this week.

Catt was made subject to a community order, which includes a rehabilitation activity requirement up to a maximum of forty days.

She was also fined £100, with £85 costs and ordered to pay an £85 victim surcharge.

Bus Pervert Hunted: CCTV Released

Police are hunting a bus pervert, who exposed and played with himself while sitting next to a female passenger on a busy service travelling through central London.

The suspect was travelling on a 68 bus and performed the sex act as it travelled through Russell Square, Bloomsbury at 9.45pm on August 15, last year.

He shielded himself from other passengers as he exposed himself to the 37 year-old woman.

The suspect is described as a dark skinned Afro-Caribbean man, aged between 20 and 30 years-old with an athletic build.

He was wearing a black and white baseball cap, a short sleeved grey shirt with grey tracksuit trousers.

Officers have released this CCTV image and ask anyone with information to contact PC Neil Webb who is leading the investigation on 020 3054 6712 or via 101.

Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 224997.

Woman Punched: Police Hunt Early-Morning Thug

Police are hunting a street thug, who punched a young woman from behind as she waited at a pedestrian crossing early in the morning.

Detectives in Lambeth have released this CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to after the 25 year-old woman was punched in the head in an unprovoked attack.

The victim was waiting at a pedestrian crossing in Clapham High Street at 7.27am on Wednesday, September 14, last year.

The suspect then ran off towards Gauden Road.

Following the attack the victim flagged down police officers who carried out a search of the area.

They were unable to find the suspect.

The woman received minor injuries from the assault.

The suspect is described as a black man, aged between 30 and 40 years-old 6 foot-tall, with short black hair.

He was clean shaven or had short stubble and was wearing dark trousers and a green jacket.

No arrests have been made and enquires continue.

Detective Constable Dan Nash, from Lambeth CID, said: "The victim was simply going about her business when out of the blue a man approached her from behind and punched her in the side of her head before running off.

"This was an unprovoked attack which has left the victim very distressed.

“CCTV footage shows the man loitering at the location for a few minutes before the attack.

"Clapham High Street was very busy at the time of the incident. Someone must have seen something, so I am appealing for any witnesses or anyone who recognises the man to come forward."

Anyone with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Vicious Late-Night Bus Driver Attack: Suspect Wanted

A bus driver parked outside Croydon College was left with a gashed head after this suspect forced his way on in the early hours, launching a violent attack.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police's Roads and Transport Policing Command have issued this image of a man they wish to speak to.

The offence took place during the early hours of April 16, last year on a route 75 bus in College Road, Croydon.

At approximately 1.40am the bus driver was carrying out checks on the top deck of the bus - which was not in service - when he heard the doors opening.

He went downstairs to discover a man inside the bus.

The man approached the driver and subjected him to a violent and prolonged assault, before making off in an unknown direction.

The victim was taken to Croydon University Hospital where he was treated for facial injuries, having sustained a large cut to his forehead and several further cuts and bruises to his face and chin.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Anthony Barun, of the Roads and Transport Policing Command, on 07801 203174.

To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.