Online Sex Predator Who Targeted Underage Girls Is Caged

An online sexual predator, who targeted three girls – aged 14-15 years-old – with promises of booze and drugs has been sentenced to eight years.

Mohamed Mohamoud, 31, of Uxbridge was found guilty of two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and one count of attempting to incite a child to commit sexual activity.

Mohamoud identified young females through Facebook, and then contacted the victims seeking to obtain their phone numbers.

He subsequently made attempts to meet the girls for sexual activity, offering drugs and alcohol and the promise of taking them shopping.

Police were first alerted to Mohamoud by a teacher at a secondary school in Hayes who had been told by a 14-year-old girl about messages that she'd exchanged online.

Officers investigated this information and two further female victims of around the same age were identified who had also been contacted by Mohamoud.

Thankfully, none of the three girls met with Mohamoud.

Mohamoud was arrested on July 26, 2016.

During the police investigation and the trial, Mohamoud showed no remorse and attempted to blame others for his actions.

Detective Constable Mike Evans, of the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command, said: "Mohamoud's sentence demonstrates how serious these offences are, and the Met's commitment to the investigation of online abuse towards young people.

"By speaking to the police and providing their evidence, the three female victims have helped to ensure this man, who is a danger to youngsters, cannot harm anyone else while he remains behind bars.

"I would like to take this opportunity to remind parents that further information on how their children can stay safe online is available on the following websites; The Met, Childline, NHS Choices, CEOP"

'Survival Of The Fittest' Star Facing Five Years For Stun Gun Arrest

A finalist of ITV2’s ’Survival Of The Fittest’ is facing five years imprisonment after being caught with an electric stun gun.

Fitness trainer and model David Lundy, 26, appeared for the first time at Wimbledon Magistrates Court yesterday.

He made the final of the show - dubbed Love Island’s winter alternative - which was shot in South Africa featuring teams of Boys v Girls.

Lundy, of Aragon Road, Morden is charged with possession of a prohibited weapon at his address on December 21, last year.

It is described as a hand-held electric shock device stun gun.

He is also charged with possession of a small quantity of cocaine on the same occasion.

Declining jurisdiction due to the seriousness of the offence and his limited powers District Judge James Henderson announced: “It is a minimum mandatory sentence of five years.”

Lundy was bailed to appear at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court on May 30.

Failed LibDem Politician Nearly 3 Times Drink-Drive Limit When He Crashed Into Parked Cars

A failed Liberal Democrat politician crashed into four parked cars at midnight while driving three times the drinks limit.

Maths teacher Reetendra Nath Banerji, 44, of Fern Hill Road, Oxford, the former assistant head at Westminster Academy, admits consuming six drinks during a lunchtime business meeting.

He stood as the LibDems official candidate in 2014’s Tower Hamlets mayoral election and as their parliamentary candidate for Salisbury and South Basildon & East Thurrock in the General Elections of 2015 and 2017.

He finished sixth, fourth and fourth respectively.

Yesterday Banerji pleaded guilty to driving his blue two-litre Alfa Romeo with excess alcohol in his breath in Grena Road, North Sheen on April 16.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard he had 104 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

He was driving back to a family address he also resides at in Woking Close, Putney.

Prosecutor Caroline Mungal told the court it was 12.20am when a resident of the quiet side road alerted her paramedic boyfriend to the crash.

“She was woken by a loud bang and a scraping noise outside her house and heard someone trying to start a car.

“He attended the location and saw the defendant sitting in the driver’s seat of a car in the middle of the road, which had substantial damage to one of the front wheels.

“There were four vehicles on the road that had been damaged, consistent with the defendant’s vehicle hitting them in succession.

“The witness smelled alcohol on the defendant and said his speech was slurred and his pupils were dilated.”

Probation Officer Tony Healy told the court: “He is very apologetic and remorseful. He had been out drinking in the afternoon and thinks he had about six drinks during a business discussion.

“He does not believe he has alcohol issues, but has seen his GP with depression and anxiety and got quite emotional about some recently deceased family members.”

Banerji’s lawyer Mr. James Hare said: “He was at a business meeting and did not intend to drink to excess, but got carried away and took the risk because it was such a short journey.

“His memory is of his tyre exploding having caught something and he went into the other cars. He stayed at the scene and called the AA.

“There was not any attempt to leave the scene.

“He’s currently not earning much money. Ten years ago he gave up a lucrative career in IT to take up a career in teaching.”

Banerji was sentenced to 80 hours community service, disqualified from driving for two years and ordered to pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

District Judge Barbara Barnes said: “It’s aggravated in terms of the accident caused and the extensive damage to other peoples parked vehicles.

“The alcohol in your body was well over the legal limit,” she told Banerji. “You are a danger on the roads and to other people when you are in that condition as shown by the accident you caused.”

Secret eBay Dealer Took Extra £30K From Taxpayers

A benefit cheat was secretly making extra cash by flogging items on eBay during a three-year £30,000 swindle.

Mother-of-two Cilen Gurzap, 41, will repay by having her current benefits deducted by £42 per fortnight - meaning it will take nearly twenty-eight years to compensate taxpayers.

The Turkish single-parent, of Batsford House, Durnsford Road, Wimbledon received a suspended prison sentence.

She pleaded guilty to two counts of dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances to Merton Council and the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) between December 16, 2013 and February 26, last year.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard Gurzap obtained £23,686 in Housing Benefit and £6,873 in Income Support while the undeclared money was going into her bank account.

Prosecutor Ms Caroline Mungal told the court Gurzap claimed to be the sole carer of her mother, leaving her unable to work, even though both her parents reside together.

“She failed to declare to the DWP that she was in receipt of self-employed income and she questioned initially denied the additional income.”

Her online business resulted in a second prosecution last year, with Gurzap being conditionally discharged for dishonestly handling a stolen jewellery box.

Gurzap denies she was “self-employed” but admits not declaring sums paid into her account by her father and eBay customers.

This was the same bank account into which her benefits were paid.

She was employed in the travel industry, but quit due to child care costs for her boys, now aged 12 and 14 years-old.

Magistrate Sarah Brown told Gurzap: “These two offences are very serious. It is a serious act of dishonesty that went on for a long period of time.”

Gurzap was sentenced to twenty-four weeks imprisonment, suspended for twelve months and ordered to complete 150 hours community service.

“It was a deliberate act that took money from the public purse,” added the magistrate, also ordering her to pay £85 costs and a £115 victim surcharge.

Tube Train Passenger Banned From Morning Commute

Hare Leaving Westminster Magistrates Court

A tube train passenger has been banned from his rush hour commute for two years after he was caught filming female travellers' legs on his phone.

Harry Joseph Hare, 32, of Old Park View, Enfield was travelling on the busy Northern Line towards Moorgate Station.

He pleaded guilty when he appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court to two counts of outraging public decency on November 3 and December 14, last year.

The court heard the first-time offender targeted a woman whose handbag was between her legs during the morning commute.

This resulted in her legs being slightly open and Hare pointed his phone towards them.

He was challenged and the one-minute clip was found on his mobile as well as a similar clip from the previous month.

Yesterday Hare was sentenced to a total of six months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with the court ruling the custodial threshold had been passed due to “sexual intrusion” of the two women.

During two years supervision by the Probation Service he must also obey a Prohibited Activity Requirement, namely not travel on the London Underground between Finsbury Park and Moorgate between 8am and 9am until April 29, 2020.

He must also participate in the Horizon Sex Offender Group Programme for 100 days and any Probation Service-recommended Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for up to 60 days.

Hare must also pay the one known victim £400 compensation, a £115 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Teen Sexually Assaulted After Late-Night Pick-Up: CCTV Released

Police hunting a sexual predator, who picked-up a teenager and took her back to his flat have released this CCTV image.

The eighteen year-old young woman was outside her hostel in Willesden, north-west London on April 12 when she was approached by the suspect.

She agreed to join him at his flat and says she was seriously sexually assaulted at around midnight.

The teenager says she was able to escape and alert a friend, who called the police.

Anyone who recognises the male is asked to call police on 101, or contact Police Constable Nicola Devlin, of the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command, on 07769280577.

Knifeman's Fisherman's Excuse Fails To Get Him Off Hook

A knifeman's poor driving and lack of fishing equipment has seen him locked-up pending sentence for having the weapon and drugs in his car.

Daren Weekes, 33, of Upper Clapton Road, Clapton was stopped by undercover police patrolling his neighbourhood in unmarked cars.

He pleaded guilty at Thames Magistrates Court to possessing an offensive weapon and cannabis and was remanded in custody for sentencing at Wood Green Crown Court on May 11.

His excuse for having the knife for fishing fell apart when no rods, nets or equipment were found in his car.

On April 11 officers spotted Weekes' dark coloured Audi driving carelessly at 9.40pm at the junction of the A10 with Clapton Common.

Police followed the vehicle, which proceeded onto Geldeston Road and came to a halt.

The officers spoke with Weekes, who was driving the vehicle.

He admitted he had cannabis.

A search was conducted under the Misuse of Drugs Act and he then admitted to being in possession of a knife.

During the search, the cannabis and lock knife were recovered from his trouser pocket.

Weekes also had a 'man bag' containing further cannabis.

When questioned about the weapon, Weekes claimed it was a fishing knife.

He was challenged about the whereabouts of his fishing equipment and claimed he didn't have it with him.

He was arrested and taken to an east London police station.

The court heard that the defendant had a previous conviction for possession of an offensive weapon.

On July 24, 2016 he was found in possession of a machete.

He was sentenced to six months at Wood Green Crown Court on October 10, 2016.

Detective Inspector Paul Ridley, the borough knife crime lead from Hackney CID, said:"This case clearly demonstrates the importance of using a range of tactics to tackle knife crime.

“The covert officers decisively acted when they observed the vehicle which has led to another knife being taken off the streets.

"The excuse Weekes used for being in possession of the weapon was pure fiction.

“The magistrate has clearly recognised the seriousness of this offence and immediately directed the case to be heard at the Crown Court, refusing bail.

"Hackney officers and the Metropolitan as a whole will continue using these positive tactics whilst people believe they can blatantly carry knives without consequences.

“We have recently sadly witnessed the horrific effects of these weapons.

"If you are aware of any knife carriers then report to police or anonymously via Crimestoppers - you will almost certainly save a life."

Drug Dealer Caught By Gang Police

Gangbusting cops pounced on a drug dealer being driven around north-west London, who is now starting a three-year prison sentence.

Brent Gangs Unit pulled over a blue Audi containing Romarne Young, 24, of Stafford Road, West Kilburn on August 27, last year.

He was sentenced at Harrow Crown Court for offering to supply crack cocaine and heroin and possession of cocaine.

At approximately 7.40pm, officers patrolling Albert Road, Kilburn spotted the car acting suspiciously.

When officers stopped the vehicle, Young was found inside with two mobile phones in his hands.

The vehicle was searched and cocaine was found under the driver’s seat.

The 24-year-old driver of the vehicle attempted to flee the scene but was detained.

When the driver was searched he was found to have concealed cannabis in his mouth and mobile phone and was later jailed for eight weeks.

Text messages on the mobile phones of both men identified them as supplying drugs.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Jo Trist from the Brent Gangs Unit said: “I am pleased with the sentence given.

“Young played a significant role in the supply of drugs across London.

“I hope the sentence handed down will give him adequate time to reflect on his criminal activity.”

Two Thugs Who Inflicted Devastating Skull Injury Jailed

Two thugs, who battered an acquaintance so severely part of his skull had to be removed to alleviate bleeding on the brain, have been locked-up.

Ahmed Amizane, 44, (pic. l.) and Stuart Battams, 46, (pic. r.) left their victim needing 37 staples to hold his skull together, pending further surgery.

They were both convicted at Blackfriars Crown Court of inflicting grievous bodily harm and Amizane received 33 months and Battams 31 months.

The court heard how on October 1, last year they were both with the victim, Dennis Clarke, near Camden High Street.

The three men walked to Carlow Street where Amizane and Battams subjected Mr. Clarke to an apparently unprovoked attack.

A member of the public came to Mr. Clarke’s assistance and stayed with him until officers and London Ambulance Service (LAS) arrived.

The victim was taken to an east London hospital where he underwent major surgery to release the pressure from a bleed on the brain.

A large section of his skull was removed and he required 37 staples to his head.

He now wears a protective helmet pending further surgery later this year to replace the segment of skull.

Detectives identified Amizane from CCTV and arrested him on October 6.

Mr. Clarke Needs More Surgery  

He was found to be in possession of the victim’s mobile phone.

Battman’s was arrested on October 17.

Detective Constable Colin Anderson, from the Metropolitan Police's Central North Command, said: "Both Amizane and Battams gave no consideration to the severity of their actions and the ultimate consequences on both the quality of life for Mr. Clarke, and the impact on those who witnessed it.

"They did now show any remorse for their actions during the trial."

Detective Inspector Thomas Kearney, added: "I am proud of the work by the first responders and detectives from Central North.

“With the support and quick thinking of the public and officers first on scene, Mr. Clarke was able to receive the treatment he so desperately needed.

"There is no doubt that the consequences to Mr. Clarke would have been more severe without this intervention.

"In addition, two more violent people are currently off the streets. I hope this provides confidence to our community that we will pursue and bring offenders to justice for their actions.”

Fatal Cannabis Fire: Pair Sentenced

Ricky Bowen

Two people prosecuted after a fatal fire claimed the life of a man suspected of growing cannabis in a council block’s caretaker room have been sentenced.

Ricky Bowen, 31, of Nunhead Grove, Peckham was originally charged with unlawfully killing 25 year-old Grant Fenn, who spent three months in a coma after the explosion and arson.

However, at Blackfriars Crown Court he was only convicted of producing cannabis and was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for twelve months.

The victim reportedly suffered 98% burns and was placed in an induced coma at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, where he passed away on August 2, 2016.

In the early hours of April 11 the caretaker’s room at Coniston House, Wyndham Road, Camberwell burst into flames.

Father-of-one Mr. Fenn was airlifted to hospital with another man, who was also treated for injuries and discharged.

Afterwards police revealed the room was being used to cultivate cannabis.

Katherine Granger

Also charged alongside Bowen was 24 year-old Katherine Granger, of Draper House, Wyndham Estate, Elephant and Castle.

She was originally charged with conspiring to pervert the course of justice by giving a false witness statement to the police on May 13, 2016.

However, following a jury trial she was only convicted of permitting the supply of cannabis at her home address on April 10 and received a three-year conditional discharge.

The pair originally appeared in the dock together at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court.

Because the case involved a fatality they were both sent for trial to the Old Bailey, which then transferred it to Blackfriars Crown Court.