Brothers Jailed For Teen Stabbing

Ardit & Marcel Sokoli

Two brothers involved in stabbing a 16 year-old just after he got off a bus in south-east London have each been jailed for twelve years.

Ardit Sokoli, 20, and Marcel Sokoli, 18, both of Hither Green, Catford carried out the vicious attack in Lee High Road on September 20, last year.

They were convicted at Woolwich Crown Court of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

They must serve at least two-thirds of the sentences in custody and will be on license for seven years upon release.

The court heard that around 6.00pm a London Ambulance Service crew called police to Cressingham Road, Hither Green, following reports of a stabbing.

Officers attended and discovered the teenager at the scene suffering from a stab wound to the shoulder.

He was conveyed to a south London hospital where he was treated.

His injuries were deemed to be not life-threatening or life-changing.

Officers began an investigation into the incident and established that the victim had exited a route 122 bus in the Lee High Road area.

He was approached by a group of males who attacked him before he was able to flee, eventually ending up in Cressingham Road.

CCTV enquiries identified the brothers as responsible for the attack.

They were arrested at their home address on October 5 and charged the following day.

It is suspected that the victim was known to the attackers but this could not be proven.

Detective Constable James Farrimond, of the Trident and Area Crime Command, led the investigation.

He said: “Now more than ever we need sentences like this to deter youths from carrying knives.

“Thankfully this was not a fatal incident, but it is just as needless and alarming.

“Now these two brothers will spend some of the best years of their lives in prison when they could have done so many other positive things.

“I would urge any youth concerned in carrying a knife to think whether this is what they want to happen to them.”

Police Seize Knife After Chase Ends In Back Garden

A teenager was arrested after a foot chase with police, who recovered this fearsome knife in east London.

Neighbourhood officers on patrol in Newham borough approached a suspicious group of males near Church Avenue, Manor Park at 2.55pm on April 7.

As police approached the males ran off.

Following a foot chase, one of the males, aged sixteen years-old, was detained in a rear garden on Church Avenue and a knife was found discarded nearby.

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and held in custody at an east London police station.

Inspector Paul Stubbs of Newham Police said: "Thanks for the quick actions of my officers, a potentially lethal weapon has been taken off the streets.

"As the Commissioner has spoken about this week, the Met is committed to tackling violent crime and this is just one example of the type of work officers throughout the Capital carry out on a daily basis."

Office Stabbing: CCTV Released

Police are hunting this suspect after a young man was stabbed at his Ealing office in an unprovoked attack.

Police were called at 3.34pm on Thursday, March 22 to a commercial premises in Norbreck Parade, Hanger Lane to reports of a male stabbed.

Officers attended along with the London Ambulance Service and the victim, aged 22 years-old, was found at the scene with stab wounds.

The attacker ran off towards Lytham Grove and Cleveley Crescent.

The victim was taken to a central London hospital with stab injuries, later deemed as being not life threatening and he was discharged.

There have been no arrests at this stage.

Officers from Ealing CID are investigating and are treating the incident as an attempted murder.

Detective Constable Leanne Ticehurst said: “This was a shocking unprovoked attack on a young man in his place of work.

“The victim thankfully did not sustain serious injury, but the outcome could have been far worse.

“Enquiries into the circumstances continue, and it is important that we trace the attacker as soon as possible.

“If you recognise the man in the picture, we could urge you to call us right away and give us a name.”

The man is described as a white male aged 35-45 years-old, with an Eastern European accent.

He was wearing a black beanie hat, black jacket and dark boots and trousers.

If you have information that may assist the investigation, call Ealing CID on 07825 114 094 or 101, quoting 4909/22march.

Alternatively, call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you could prefer not to give your name.

Failed Algerian Asylum Seeker Jailed For £370K Benefit Fraud

Boudemagh: £370k Benefit Fraud

A failed Algerian asylum seeker, who used five other identities during a £370,000 benefit fraud, has been jailed for five years.

Saif Boudemagh, 41, used a forged French identity card to illegally enter the UK in March, 2000 and when his asylum appeal failed he successfully obtained residency via marriage to a UK citizen after another appeal.

The father-of-one, who was given a one-bed council flat at Blake House, Brecknock Road Estate, Upper Holloway immediately began claiming benefits once he received his National Insurance number.

Between June, 2007 and April, 2015 he made multiple claims in fake French identities for Housing Benefit, (HB); Council Tax Benefit (CTB); Income Support (IS); Carer’s Allowance (CA); Incapacity Benefit, (IB); Employment Support Allowance, (ESA) and Disability Living Allowance, (DLA).

Remarkably Boudemagh was still in receipt of HB and Child Tax Credits up to the day of his imprisonment, but he will not face confiscation proceedings because no assets have been found.

The Department of Work & Pensions say the only way they can recover any money is by making small deductions to any benefits he receives after his release.

Boudemagh, who received full British citizenship in October, 2007 was convicted of twelve counts of fraud by a Blackfriars Crown Court jury and acquitted of five more, totalling £100,000.

As well as his own bogus applications Boudemagh also claimed £16,798 in CA for looking after non-existent pal Jamel Bensaid, 42, whose id pocketed £25,618 in IB; £16,849 in ESA; £32,104 in DLA; £95,443 in HB and £5,790 in CTB.  

He Even Enjoyed Free Disabled Travel

A fake French passport was used by Boudemagh to establish identity.

Prosecutor Mr. Andrew Evans told the jury: “However, this was not a genuine document and the Home Office has no record or trace of an identity in that name.

“There is conclusive evidence that some of the forms relating to benefit claims in that name were completed in the defendant’s handwriting.”

Boudemagh told the jury he was innocently completing benefit claim forms as an English-speaker for members of the close-knit north London Algerian community.

Benefit claims also made in the name of Sidhamad Ayad, 39. “A false French passport was also submitted as proof of identity in support of these claims and the photo on this passport is that of the defendant,” said Mr. Evans.

“His mobile phone number is given as the claimants’ contact number.”

Another Forged French Passport

This identity received a total of £41,746 in IB and ESA after Boudemagh concocted a bogus tale this claimant needed a walking stick and toilet hand rails.

Another £14,251 was paid out in DLA and £22,519 in HB.

He also used fake French identity documents to make benefit claims in name of Allel Zerabib, 44, and Taric Ziad, 45, and “hijacked” the genuine identity of Frenchwoman Nadia Regad, 42.

By now she was a married mum-of-two living in Paris, but her identity was used to claim £4,235 in CA for ‘Mr. Zerabib’ who received ESA totalling £16,172 and £17,195 in DLA.

This id was also exploited to collect £46,172.15 in HB and CTB.

Boudemagh pocketed a further £14,626 in DLA using the Ziad identity.

The Department for Work & Pensions paid benefits on the basis the claimants had depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, varicose veins, lower back pain and in one case a disabled finger.

Boudemagh’s flat was raided on April 7, 2015 and documents were found in the names of the false claims and bank cards for accounts the money was paid into.

He even used a disabled Freedom Pass in a false identity to enjoy free transport around the capital.

“This defendant played a leading role in the offending, involving at least one other,” said Mr. Evans. ‘It was a sophisticated offence requiring planning and the hijacking of identities to claims benefits and completion of medical evidence.”

Benefit fraud was a family affair, with his brother Redouane Boudemagh, 46, an illegal immigrant, receiving three years imprisonment for a £218,000 scam last year.

Boudemagh applied for asylum on arrival in 2000, which was refused and he was issued with a notice for removal from the UK.

On January 30, 2002 he applied to stay as a spouse of British citizen, which was refused, but Boudemagh successfully appealed on April 15, 2004.

He immediately began claiming benefits as the carer of his wife, Paula Boudemagh, and since February, 2009 claimed Income Support as single-parent of their son, now aged fourteen years-old.

He claimed HB and CTB at three different addresses they have resided at since.

After the police and DWP raid he refused to answer questions at Islington Police Station. 

Judge Jane Sullivan told him last week: ‘It cannot be said you showed remorse. You fought the case in the face of overwhelming evidence.”

Croydon Bus Pervert Hunted After Woman Groped

Police hunting a bus pervert of Indian/Pakistani appearance, who groped a female passenger, have released these CCTV images of their suspect.

At around 5.30pm on Monday, December 18, last year the 29-year-old woman boarded a 109 bus travelling towards Brixton at the Whitgift Centre stop in Croydon.

She sat on an aisle seat on the bottom deck of the bus by the driver’s cabin.

A man boarded the bus at West Croydon Station, at around 5.45pm and stood close to the woman before sexually touching her.

She managed to get out of her seat and left the bus at the Broad Green Avenue stop in Croydon.

The suspect got off the bus at the same stop, but went in a different direction.

The suspect is described as being an Asian man in his thirties, around 5ft 8ins tall, with short dark hair and a short beard and moustache.

He was wearing a grey hooded jumper with white writing on the front which said: “Made for fitness” and dark tracksuit bottoms.

He was also wearing dark coloured trainers with white soles and was carrying an orange carrier bag.

If you can identify this man, or can offer any information to progress this investigation, please contact police on 101 or tweet @MetCC.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Drug-Dealing Gunman Caged

An audacious gunman, caught by police with a loaded weapon stuffed down his trousers a few months after he was busted for drug dealing, is starting a fifteen-and-a-half year prison sentence.

Brian Odour, 27, of Richford Street, Hammersmith was arrested by police from the Organised Crime Command in a targeted operation.

He was convicted by an Isleworth Crown Court jury of possessing a firearm, with intent to endanger life and possessing ammunition, with intent to endanger life.

Odour had already pleaded guilty to possessing a blade, which officers found during a search of his car.

He was stopped by officers on September 26, last year on suspicion of having a firearm.

He was searched and, in the waistband of his trousers, the gun was found.

The firearm was examined and was found to be in full working order with four rounds of ammunition.

A few months earlier, on May 11 police found cocaine, ecstasy and Ketamine during a search of his car and Odour pleaded guilty to possessing those drugs, with intent to supply.

Detective Constable Richard Vanderpuije, of the Organised Crime Command, said: "As a result of a proactive investigation a dangerous firearm has been taken off the streets of London.

“The lengthy sentence handed to Odour reflects the potentially fatal consequences of having a firearm in a public place."

Man's Life Destroyed By Snooker Hall Fight A Decade Ago: Police Renew Appeal

Marcus Bouskill Has Never Recovered

Detectives investigating a fight outside a bar in south-east London ten years ago, which left a man needing constant hospital care continue to appeal for information. 

On Tuesday, February 26, 2008 Marcus Bouskill, then aged 35, was found collapsed at his home address in Parkfield Road, New Cross.

He had been involved in an altercation three days before in the early hours of Saturday, February 23 outside Racks Snooker and Pool bar in Well Hall Road, Eltham.

In the lead up to the incident, Marcus had been to the Crown pub on Court Road with colleagues and friends after work on the Friday evening.

He went on to visit Racks Snooker and Pool bar at about 11.00pm.

Marcus agreed with a colleague that he would be picked up for work at 8.30am the following morning to travel to work.

It is then believed that Marcus and two of his friends got into an altercation with a group of youths in the bar.

When they were removed from the premises by security staff, a fight is believed to have continued outside.

At 1.30am, Marcus called his colleague who was due to pick him up for work to say that he would not be able to attend work later that morning.

He explained that he had suffered a ‘bit of a hiding’ but was ok.

Marcus refused medical treatment and made his way home on foot.

At approximately 9.30am that same morning, the colleague who was due to pick him up for work paid a visit to Marcus’s home to check he was ok.

He was found covered in blood with a black eye and broken nose and was unable to recollect who had attacked him or why.

At this time, Marcus was in a stable condition and his colleague stayed with him until midday and left after Marcus explained he didn’t wish to attend hospital.

In the coming days, Marcus’s condition deteriorated and despite his friends and family making calls to check on him, he wasn’t heard from for the next two days.

On Tuesday, his mother went to his home and could see Marcus inside the address; collapsed on the floor.

Officers forced entry into the property and Marcus was found in a life-threatening condition.

He was taken to a south London hospital where he now requires constant medical attention.

Numerous arrests have been made and have all since been released with no further action.

Police from Greenwich CID continue to investigate to bring those responsible to justice.

During the course of the investigation detectives have followed and eliminated numerous investigative leads, viewed many hours of CCTV and have spoken to a large number witnesses.

Even after ten years there are still ongoing enquiries into a number of lines of enquiry.

Detective Inspector Edward Wilkinson, who is leading the investigation, said: "Throughout the last ten years we have spoken to a number of witnesses in an attempt to find out exactly what happened on the night of the attack.

"We have attempted to trace Marcus’s exact whereabouts and establish what lead to the fight breaking out.

"We believe a number of white youths were involved that Marcus had previously met at the Post Office pub just a few weeks earlier, however the cause of the altercation remains unclear.

"Marcus is described as a friendly and well-liked man who got on with everybody.

"Work will continue to find out exactly what happened on the night of the attack which led to Marcus sustaining brutal and shocking injuries which he will sadly never recover from.

"I know there were a lot of people in the area at the time of the incident and indeed many people who were even in contact with Marcus in the days before he was discovered by police.

"Did you see him that night?

"Whilst we have made significant progress in establishing what has happened, I am appealing directly to those who have not yet come forward.

"Any information, no matter how small could be of vital use."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Greenwich CID on 0208 284 9425; or to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Son Of Olympic Gold Medalist Sprinter Linford Christie Denies Dealing Crack And Heroin

The son of former sprint star Linford Christie pleaded not guilty yesterday to dealing crack cocaine and heroin.

Liam Oliver-Christie, 32, of Lakeside Road, West Kensington appeared at Isleworth Crown Court.

He denied one count of possessing crack cocaine, with intent to supply, on November 9, last year.

Oliver-Christie also pleaded not guilty to possessing heroin, with intent to supply, at his home address on the same date.

He also denied two alternative lesser accounts of simply possessing the two drugs.

He was bailed unconditionally to return for a two-day trial on October 1.

His father won gold for Britan in the 100m at the World, European and Commonwealth championships and his national record of 9.87 secs set over twenty years ago stands to this day.

Liam's mother is former typist Yvonne Oliver, who had a short relationship with the athlete and he has a twin sister Korel.

Executor Admits £77K Will Fraud

The trusted executor of a will cheated three beneficiaries of around £77,000 they were entitled to.

David Coddington, 79, of Ormonde Court, Upper Richmond Road, Richmond-upon-Thames admitted the fraud yesterday.

The life-long bachelor will return for sentencing at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court on May 15.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by abuse of position between February 12, 2012 and October 30, 2015 while the executor of the estate of James Brendan Connolly.

The three counts relate to failing to distribute the estate to Tony Connolly; Eileen Loakman and Anne Downey.

The first-time offender claims the sale of his sister’s flat - that he lives in - will compensate the beneficiaries.

Pensioner Accepts Restraining Order Against Ex

A pensioner, who was charged with harassing his ex, has been slapped with a restraining order which bans him from contacting the woman anymore.

Anthony Garrett, 69, of Tandridge Road, Warlingham, Surrey had always fought the charge and it was dropped yesterday on the day of trial.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court then made the order, which has the consent of both Garrett and his ex, for the next twelve months.

He was found not guilty of harassing Valerie Mair between July 31 and September 10, last year by sending messages and texts.

Prosecutor Carly Loftus told the court the couple's six-year relationship ended in June, last year.

“This defendant continued to contact the complainant and when she sent him an email confirming the relationship was over he replied: 'You're in trouble.'

“She heard a noise late at night at her home on August 18 and saw the defendant walking back to his car.

“He tried to add her to a WhatsApp group on August 31 and in September contacted her on WhattsApp.”

The court heard the woman also received bank transfers into her account of 69p which had the references 'Tony', 'Val' and 'Old Times.'

She was also sent fake tattoos and between September 3 and 6 Garrett tried to contact her via email and facebook.

The last attempted contact was on September 6, last year and there had been no complaints from the woman since.