Prize-Winning Gardener Cleared Of Damaging Neighbour's Lawn But Sentenced For Harassment Campaign

Gardeners At War: Oram

A pensioner has been banned from his communal rear gardens after a harassment campaign against his neighbour, who claims he was jealous of her collecting their leafy borough’s ‘In Bloom’ prize.

Retired employment agency boss Michael Oram, 73, can now only enjoy his plants and flowers from his living-room window or by peering over the garden wall.

The private Winchester College-educated Kew Gardens volunteer found himself in the dock at Wimbledon Magistrates Court charged with causing criminal damage to ‘grass’ belonging to his downstairs neighbour.

Twice-married granddad Oram, of The Barons, Twickenham was cleared after magistrates ruled basement neighbour Jasmine McMurdo, 55, exaggerated the alleged destruction on September 27, last year.

However Oram, whose King’s Road, Chelsea agency supplied domestic staff to the aristocracy and the rich and famous, was convicted of causing her harassment between January 19 and July 31, last year.

He was sentenced to six weeks imprisonment, suspended for a year and was made subject to a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order, which bans him from the rear gardens.

He must also pay £500 compensation to Ms McMurdo, plus £998 for damaging her floor, which he was convicted of deliberately flooding and £500 costs.

Ms McMurdo collected the silver prize from the mayor of Richmond-upon-Thames for their ‘Borough in Bloom’ competition last year, Oram having also received silver for the property’s front garden.

Neighbour: Jasmine McMurdo

“You did that out of spite didn’t you?” prosecutor Ms Roz Wardell asked Oram. “You deliberately pulled up her plants. You have a vendetta against Ms McMurdo don’t you?”

Oram was filmed on a security camera pulling at the lawn behind Ms McMurdo’s flat. “The CCTV shows and elderly man removing dead foliage and weeds,” he told the court.

“When I moved in it was a jungle of brambles, an utter mess. I’ve been tending this garden since 2006 when it was an utter wreck.

“Through blood, sweat and tears and my own cost and energy I have brought it back to the garden we have today.”

Oram says he was forced to move into his flat after losing his £3m Richmond Hill home in a divorce many years ago after having an affair with he and his wife’s attractive Peruvian au pair.

“Richmond prides itself on its green-fingered inhabitants and its parks and is one of the best areas to live in London.

“I was sad that I did not have the chance to collect the prize from the mayor.

“Ms McMurdo collected it and has been claiming it was a prize she gained, which I dispute. She’s not won an award for gardening, can you produce a certificate with her name on it?

“Ms McMurdo doesn’t know anything about plants whatsoever. In fact they were planted by a previous tenant who cared for that garden.

Prize-Winner: Oram Outside Court

“These gardens are kept by me. I spend all my disposable income on it. I do love the gardens.  

“This year I’m hoping to win the gold medal.

“I was removing plants that were past their prime and plants that were growing over the communal pathway. 

‘I was weeding the lawn, taking out dandelions and moss that are destructive to the lawn.

“This has been completely twisted. Everything is twisted against me.

“This case has been brought to damage and discredit me. Ms McMurdo is paranoid and has left signs for me next to plants on sticks.

“She also left me a note saying saying that she did not like to see me reclining in my bathing costume in the Summer.

“It is insulting for a man of my age and my high-birth and high-education compared to some people in this case who can’t even spell properly.

“I’m up against people who hate me,” added Oram, claiming his car and garden rockery has been vandalised.

“I’ve put up with hell and high water from this woman. It’s a vendetta.”

He denied deliberately drilling holes in his bathroom floor to flood Ms McMurdo. “There were faults with my washing machine.”

Even though still subject to a restraining order after a previous harassment conviction against the neighbour Oram insisted: “She issued death threats to me with a broken bottle to cut my neck.”

Clearing Oram of criminal damage magistrate Mr. David Martin announced: “Ms McMurdo said he tore up clumps of Umbrella Bamboo and Lavender, but we do not see that on the CCTV.”

When making the ‘Crimbo’ order against Oram the pensioner told the magistrate: “They are trying to extinguish the basic right of an Englishman to be in his garden.”

Ban: Oram Cannot Set Foot In Garden

Ms McMurdo said: “I have suffered harassment over the years. Mr. Oram has targeted me to drive me out and I have often been in tears.

“He has tried to make my flat uninhabitable and had now turned to vandalising my vegetables and flowers.”

She said Oram sent her a text warning: “If we don’t find peace the future is going to be very grim for you and your son.”

The NHS employee added: “I’ve been torn in two. I feel so unsafe with Mr. Oram living above me.

“I feel on edge all the time. I have a feeling of dread in my chest. I never know what I’m going to walk into.

“I just wait for something to happen. I have no enjoyment at being at home anymore.”

Young Woman Accused Of Smuggling Cannabis Into Prison

A young Newton Abbot woman, accused of smuggling drugs into a mens' prison appeared in court today.

Lillian Baker, 22, of 25 Clifford Drive, Heathfield is charged with possessing cannabis resin at south London's HMP Wandsworth on May 26.

She is also charged with one count of giving a prisoner, Nicholas little, a prohibited article, namely herbal cannabis.

Baker was bailed to appear at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court on July 24 for a plea and trial preparation hearing. 

Benefit Cheat Gets Suspended Sentence For Claiming While Abroad

Thomas: No Smoke Without Fire

A woman who continued claiming four different benefits while abroad during a three-and-a-half year scam has received a suspended prison sentence.

Lorraine Thomas, 60, of Bevington Road, North Kensington claims she had to flee the UK due to violent domestic abuse.

Thomas pleaded guilty to five separate counts of dishonestly failing to disclose information to the Department of Work & Pensions and the London Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, namely that she was not a UK resident.

She was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months.

The prosecution were given seven days to consider any application for compensation.

The charges relate to claims for Income Support; Employment Support Allowance; Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit between February 22, 2012 and August 2, 2015.

Thomas, a first-time offender, displayed mobility issues entering and exiting the secure dock at Southwark Crown Court.

Bus Pervert Who Molested Five Teens Is Hunted

Police are hunting a north London bus pervert after five teenage females complained of being groped.

Officers from the Roads and Transport Policing Command are appealing for help to identify this man suspected of sexual assaults.

At 6.30pm on January 25, the suspect was seen to board the route 279 bus at Tesco Ponders End and got off at Angel, Edmonton.

Whilst on the crowded bus, the suspect sexually assaulted an 18-year-old woman standing up and later sitting down.

He continued to assault her until she got off the bus.

At 7.20am on January 29, the suspect boarded the route 279 bus at White Hart Lane.

When a 14-year-old schoolgirl boarded the bus at Scotland Green, the suspect sexually assaulted her before disembarking at Enfield Highway.

At 7.45am on February 21, a 14-year-old girl boarded the route 279 bus at the Nightingale Road bus stop.

Whilst standing on the bus, the suspect sexually assaulted her.

Only when the victim disembarked at Ingersoll Road did the suspect stop and go to the upper deck.

At 8.00am on March 12, a 15-year-old girl boarded the route 34 bus at Cambridge Roundabout.

Whilst standing on the busy bus, she was sexually assaulted. The victim alighted at Green Lanes.

At 8.55am on March 15, a 17-year-old girl boarded a route 102 bus at Fortismere Avenue heading towards Bounds Green.

Whilst sitting upstairs, the suspect sat in a nearby seat and played with himself whilst watching the victim.

The victim got off the bus at Palmerston Road and the suspect remained on the bus.

The suspect has short black hair and a thin beard along his jaw.

He was wearing a two-tone padded blue jacket and blue jeans.

Detective Sergeant Edward Coleman, leading the investigation says: "We know of at least five offences committed by the same suspect on crowded buses.

“We would like to hear from anyone who may know this man's identity.

"We also want to hear from anyone who may have been the victim of a sexual assault while travelling on a bus."

Anyone with any information is asked to call Detective Sergeant Edward Coleman on 020 3054 6710 or 101 quoting reference CAD 2343/12Mar or tweet @MetCC.

To call anonymously, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Teen Slashed By Sword-Wielding Gang: Four Suspects Wanted

Police are hunting a sword-wielding gang after a 17 year-old college student was chased and slashed in east London.

Police were called just before 6.00pm on Tuesday, April 17 to reports of a fight at Star Lane Park in West Ham.

The teen was found to be suffering from a slash wound to his right arm.

He had been making his way home after finishing college with his friends, when he noticed a group of hooded males running towards them, with one waving a sword.

His friends all ran off and he was chased into Birch Close, where he slipped and fell over.

The group caught up, surrounded him and slashed him as he tried to defend himself.

The group, were seen to board a train at the Star Lane Docklands Light Railway station.

The London Ambulance Service took the victim to an east London hospital where he received several stitches before being discharged.

The suspects are described as:

Suspect 1 is described as an Asian man, wearing a black hat, blue padded jacket over a green hooded top, green tracksuit trousers and brown shoes.

Suspect 2 is described as a black teenager, wearing a black jacket with ‘Crosshatch’ written down the left arm, black trousers and black shoes.

Suspect 3 is described as a white man, with a short brown beard. He was wearing a green hooded jacket over a dark blue hooded top, blue jeans and white trainers.

Suspect 4 is described as a black man with a beard. He was wearing a dark blue jacket over a grey hooded top, dark blue trousers and white trainers.

Detective Constable Georgina Hebron, from Newham Borough, said: “This is a nasty unprovoked attack on a teenager who was walking home from college.

We are appealing for anyone who may have seen the attack to come forward.”

Anyone with any information are asked to call detectives at Newham via 101 quoting reference CAD 6371/17Apr18 or tweet @MetCC.

To call anonymously, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Cop Charged With Credit Card Offences After Section House Shower Peeping Tom Accusation

A policeman accused of spying on a female officer taking a shower at their shared section house has appeared in court for the first time.

Oliver Levi Darby, 41, is also charged with receiving three stolen bank cards and stealing a provisional UK driving licence.

He indicated not guilty pleas to all counts when he appeared at South London’s Camberwell Green Magistrates Court.

Darby, of Sand Cottage, Docking Road, Burnham Market, King’s Lynn, Norfolk was bailed to appear at Inner London Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on July 19.

He is charged with observing a person doing a private act for his sexual gratification at Gilmour Section House, Kennington Lane, Kennington on January 9.

Darby is also charged with dishonestly receiving a stolen Halifax Mastercard and Halifax Visacard, belonging to Coral Atkinson, at the section house on January 11.

He is further accused of dishonestly receiving a stolen Visa Barclaycard, belonging to Daniel Donaghy, on the same occasion.

Darby also face one count of stealing the UK provisional licence, belonging to Gary Steel, at Randolph Avenue, Maida Vale on January 6, last year.

Prosecutor Jennifer Gatland told the court Darby had lived for some time in the same address that had also been occupied by Mr. Donaghy and Ms Atkinson.

“Mr. Steel was someone who’s property was searched by the defendant after he had died and these items were found in the possession of the defendant.”

The court heard there is no evidence the cards were ever used, although there was some fraudulent activity on Mr. Donaghy’s card. but this was not linked to Darby.

“It is unsophisticated, but significantly aggravated by his role as a police officer.”

The prosecutor said there was evidence of Darby “peering in” as a female colleague took a shower.

'Eddie Catz' Kids Playcentre Founder Charged With Spying On Girls And Women

The wealthy boss of a well-known children’s soft play centre chain has appeared in court charged with filming girls and women at his business’s toilets and changing rooms and in a swimming pool’s private cubicles.

Darren Johnson, 51, resigned from Eddie Catz after he was arrested and charged with nine counts of voyeurism, including the filming two 14 year-old girls at a local leisure centre.

He founded the nationwide play centre, which has a tie-in with Mothercare, with his wife Maria over a decade ago and the couple share a £1.3m home.

The charges relate to filming at his Earlsfield play centre in south-west London and the nearby Putney Leisure Centre. 

Johnson, of Rodway Road, Putney Village appeared on bail at Wimbledon Magistrates Court, which sent him to Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

He is charged with five counts of voyeurism for sexual gratification between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2012.

Johnson is charged with two more similar offences relating to between January 1, 2016 and June 12, last year.

He is further charged with two more counts of voyeurism relating to the two 14 year-old schoolgirls at the leisure centre on June 5, last year. 

Prosecutor Ms Amanda McCabe told the court the teenage girls were in the same cubicle when they noticed somebody was holding an iPhone under the partition.

“The girls became very distressed,” added the prosecutor, explaining Johnson was identified via the centre’s CCTV and the distinctive backpack her was carrying. 

Officers raided his house on June 12, last year and seized a computer, iPad, a mobile phone and the backpack caught on CCTV.

“Images of several women in varying degrees of undress from the private staff changing room at Eddie Catz are found.”

The court was also told there were peepholes in the toilets at the play centre.

He was bailed on conditions he does not enter any Eddie Catz centre; uses mixed use and womens changing-rooms; contacts complainants, staff and witnesses or uses a camera, phone or video recorder to take images.

"Couple Of Glasses Of Wine" Put NHS PA Over Drink-Drive Limit

Wimbledon Magistrates Court

An NHS administrator was caught drink-driving after “a couple of glasses of wine” when police spotted her looking at her phone while behind the wheel.

Yvonne Stupple, 58, from West Brompton, a PA for Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust says she is “mortified” by her arrest and court appearance.

She pleaded guilty to driving her Chevrolet vehicle with excess alcohol in her breath in York Road, Battersea at 10.25pm on May 25.

Her reading was 41 microgrammes - slightly over the 35 limit.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard officers pulled Stupple over after seeing her phone in her hand although she says her vehicle was stationary at the time.

As far as the officers were concerned she failed to pull over satisfactorily and appeared confused.

They followed her around a large roundabout and she stopped opposite a petrol station.

When asked if she had been drinking Stupple confessed she had a few glasses of wine.

Her lawyer told the court: “It is a case of misjudgement. She did not feel she was under the influence of alcohol.

“She waited a few hours and thought she was fine to drive.

“She puts her hands up and takes full responsibility.

“She is very embarrassed and is remorseful. She was stationary when she looked at her phone.

“She is mortified she is in this position after a couple of glasses of wine.”

Stupple was disqualified from driving for twelve months and fined £500, with £85 costs and ordered to pay a £50 victim surcharge.

Greenwich Observatory's Public Astronomer Charged With Downloading Child Porn

A Greenwich observatory astronomer, accused of making indecent photographs of children, has appeared in court for the first time.

Marek Kukula, 49, who has had a senior role at the Royal Museums Greenwich for the last decade, holds the title of Public Astronomer.

Kukula, of Millennium Square, Borough appeared on bail at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court, which sent him to Inner London Crown Court.

He is charged that on or before October 5, last year he made 34 Category A indecent images of a child.

He also faces two further charges that on or before the same date he made 107 Category B and 266 Category C indecent images of a child.

Kukula describes himself as an experienced science communicator with a background in astronomy research at UK universities and NASA’s Space Telescope Science Institute.

At the Royal Observatory Greenwich he oversees science content and exhibitions and public programmes and is a spokesperson for the landmark institution.

He is the author of two books: ‘The Scientific Secrets of Doctor Who’ and ‘The Intimate Universe.’

While a project manager and researcher in residence at the University of Edinburgh he managed a national scheme to train young researchers and match them with secondary schools.

He has a degree in Physics with Astrophysics and a PhD in Radio Astronomy from the University of Manchester.

He was bailed to appear at the crown court on July 10.

Lord's Lover Accused Of Pigs Blood Vandalism Of Pied a Terre

Outside Court: Lizzie

The ex-Olympic showjumping lover of Tory Lord David Prior broke into their former love-nest and used pigs blood to daub the walls with offensive words and symbols, a court heard.

Lizzie Purbrick, 63, of Northgate Hall Farm, The Street, Warham, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk denies the charge.

She appeared for the first time at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court charged with burgling the house in Cardigan Street, Lambeth, with intent to do unlawful damage on May 9.

Purbrick, a member of Great Britain’s 1980 equestrian team, will return to the same court for trial on July 17.

Her lawyer Mr. Simon Nicholls told the court: “It is said she has gone to her ex-lover’s flat in London with two pints of pigs blood and daubed the walls with words and symbols.

“Lord Prior is the complainant and the address is the location where they would meet.”

Purbrick won the Amanda Dish at 1984’s Badmington Horse Trials and in 1978 competed at the World Championships in Lexington, Kentucky.

Pigs Blood: Lord Prior's House

In 1981 she was a member of the gold medal-winning British team at the European Championships.

Outside court she corrected her lawyer and said “five litres” of pigs blood was used to daub “offensive and explicit” words inside the property.

Lord Prior’s official title is Baron Prior of Brampton and the Charterhouse School and Cambridge-educated peer married Caroline Holmes on St. Valentine’s Day, 1987 and they have a son and daughter.

He was a Conservative MP for North Norfolk between 1997 and 2001 is currently Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in the House of Lords.

The former investment banker, 63, is the chairman of University College Hospital and was the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health in David Cameron’s government.

The defence have requested his presence at the trial for cross-examination.