XMAS Punch: Colleague Thumped After Boozy Partygoer's "Alright ISIS?" Greeting

Unsporting: Sam Tibbitts

A drunken sports sponsorship employee thumped his bearded half-Peruvian colleague after greeting him with: “Alright ISIS?” at their company’s Christmas party, a court heard yesterday.

Graduate Sam Tibbitts, 32, who had recently been recruited by industry giants Henley Media Group was convicted of assaulting sales director John Browne at Bankside restaurant Sama.

Camberwell Green Magistrates Court was told Tibbitts punched University of Nottingham graduate Mr. Browne to the left side of his face at the crowded party on December 15, 2017.

Mr. Browne was being introduced to Tibbitts for the first time and he told the trial. “I said: ’Nice to meet you,’ and went to shake his hand and he said: ‘Alright ISIS?’   

“I am half-Peruvian and have been subjected to racial abuse in the past.

“That ended in an apology from Sam and a shake of the hands and he said he was new, thought it was funny and was drunk.

“He purported to buy me a shot of tequila to apologise, but when I reached out to take it he drank the shot while maintaining eye contact. He drank both of them.

“I feigned to be amused by it, but it was a clear act of provocation and he leaned into me and said: ‘I don’t give a s***. I’m handing in my notice on Monday’.

“He felt he had nothing to lose and that there were no professional consequences.”

Tibbitts had three to four beers before the two shots and Mr. Browne a couple of pints, plus a wine and a Prosecco at the all-day event, across the Thames from the company’s City HQ.

“He leans in and says: ‘Let’s go outside.’ Everyone understands that is a threat of violence to go out and have a fight,” added Mr. Browne.

Punched: John Browne

“Because his face was so close to mine I said: ‘Your breath stinks,’ and that is when he lashed out a punch. I felt contact on my face and saw his clenched fist.

“I did not receive the full force of the punch because I had turned my head. If I suffered full force I could have received serious injuries, he’s quite a big guy.

“He gets restrained by lots of people and was shouting and screaming at me.”

The court heard Tibbitts was escorted from the venue. “He was outside, waiting for me with the clear intention to assault me again. I could see him there.

“Sam was dismissed, but it has been very detrimental for my career moving forward. People from his side of the company are noticeably hostile to me.”

Tibbitts denied making the ISIS remark, claiming Mr. Browne became annoyed when he called him: “Mr. Big Shot.”

He admitted downing both tequilas, but insisted this was in response to overhearing Mr. Browne tell colleagues: “That bitch has gone to get me a shot.”

Tibbitts says he was verbally abused by Mr. Browne, who called him a: “F***ing w*****; F*** d***head,” and referred to his Hawaiian top as a: “Faggot shirt.”

A colleague confirmed he saw Tibbitts’ arm thrust out, but the defendant said this was an attempt to reach out to Mr. Browne and not a punch.

“He was goading me with his friends,” said Tibbitts. “In an alpha male environment we were flexing our muscles a bit.”

Tibbitts, who says he is facing redundancy from his new £45,000 a year job, was originally charged with racially-aggravated assault, but this was dismissed at an earlier heating.

Tibbitts, of Mirabel Road, Fulham was fined £430, with £775 costs and was ordered to pay £150 compensation to Mr. Browne and a £43 victim surcharge.

Restraining Order For Man Cleared Of False Imprisonment

'Not Guilty': Dache Cleared At Croydon Crown Court

A suspected kidnapper, accused of forcing a terrified woman to pretend she was his girlfriend while held captive, has today been given a five-year restraining order from contacting her.

Peter Dache, 27, of Oakfield Road, West Croydon walked free from court after the charges against him were dropped when the alleged victim failed to turn up and give evidence.

He always denied falsely imprisoning the woman between July 27 and August 2, last year and assaulting her on July 31.

Prosecutor Mr. Hamish Reid told the Croydon Crown Court jury the 31 year-old woman, who knows Dache, met him while out in the town and spent the evening drinking and smoking weed until 7am.

They then went to Dache’s father’s flat. “She was scared, vulnerable and anxious and went along with being his girlfriend out of fear.”

She believed Dache was potentially violent and involved in “missions” and described his behaviour to police as “threatening and aggressive.”

“She did not seek to escape, fearing how he would behave and feared the consequences,” added Mr. Reid. 

“He picked up a pole and hit her and threw Tabasco sauce in her face.

Dache’s father heard her begging not to be hurt any more, the jury were told.

“She was locked in the flat by Dache when he went to the gym.”

Fortunately she was released from the property when somebody else arrived and made contact with the police as she made her way to her boyfriend’s home.  

Customer Shot Up Garage During Jaguar Row

A gunman shot up cars in a garage he was in dispute with after wanting two Jaguars repaired and getting into a cash row with the mechanic.

Darius Lapinski, 26, forced the mechanic to flee for his life when he was struck with a baton and hid from shots fired in the garage.

Lapinsky, of Kingsway, Enfield received 14 years imprisonment after he was convicted of possession of a firearm, with intent to endanger life.

Harrow Crown Court heard the 28 year-old victim was confronted by a masked Lapinsky on June 13, last year at the premises in Hertford Road, Lower Edmonton.

He had an accomplice, also masked, and the pair were armed with a firearm.

The mechanic recognised the voice of Lapinski, a customer he had a disagreement with over the phone earlier that day regarding payments.

As he attempted to run away, the victim was struck with a baton before finding shelter behind a parked car.

Lapinski then proceeded to fire shots in the garage causing damage to a number of vehicles.

The two suspects then walked off down Hertford Road, smashing the window of another vehicle in the garage with a baton as they did so.

A police investigation commenced, led by the Met’s Trident Reactive Team.

Enquiries carried out by the team established that the victim and Lapinski were known to each other.

Approximately a month before the attack, Lapinski brought two Jaguar vehicles to the garage – one blue, one silver - and made an arrangement for the silver Jaguar to be fixed with parts from the blue Jaguar.

A price of £750 was agreed, but after the work was finished, Lapinski collected the silver car and only paid £200.

He also failed to collect the blue car.

The victim contacted Lapinski and asked for the remaining funds to be paid. After a delay, this was done.

However, on the day of the incident, at approximately 1.00pm, Lapinski called the garage demanding the blue Jaguar to be fixed free of charge.

When the victim explained this could not be done, Lapinski attended the garage with an accomplice armed with the gun.
Detective Sergeant Mark Attridge, who led the investigation, said: “This violent incident targeted an innocent man who was simply doing his job.

“Thankfully the victim did not suffer serious injuries, but Lapinski’s reckless actions could have easily caused a huge amount of harm.

“I hope the sentencing shows how seriously this type of brazen violence is taken and the Metropolitan Police's Trident commands commitment to tackling dangerous individuals who chose to arm themselves with a firearm and threaten the communities of London.

“This behaviour will not be tolerated and robust police action will be taken against them.”

Bogus Uber Cabbie Raped Female Passenger In Alley

A bogus Uber cabbie, who picked up a lone woman at midnight, is starting a prison sentence for raping and robbing her in a dark alleyway.

The 28 year-old victim didn't know her Uber booking had been cancelled and assumed the imposter was her cab driver.

Mohammed Awais, 28, just happened to be driving his white Toyota Auris when he spotted the woman in east London and picked her up.

He pleaded guilty to rape; assault by penetration; kidnap; robbery and driving while disqualified and without insurance.

Awais, of Wellstead Road, East Ham was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court to nine years and four months imprisonment.

At half-past midnight on October 20, last year the victim, who had been out with friends in Dalston, ordered a cab, via her Uber app.

She got into Awais's vehicle, believing it was her cab, but quickly voiced her suspicion because did not appear to know where he was supposed to be going.

Awais locked the doors and sped up, taking the terrified victim to a dimly lit alleyway in East Ham, where she was raped.

After the attack he robbed the victim of her possessions, including her phone, cash and a laptop, and ordered her to get out of the car.

He then drove away.

The victim fled and ran as far as she could, hiding in the front garden of a residential address to ensure that the suspect was not following her.

She was then able to alert two members of the public in the street, who called police.

An investigation was launched by officers from the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command.

Awais was identified as driving the vehicle by another man arrested as part of the investigation.

He was arrested on Wednesday, October 24 at his home address.

He was identified by a witness at an ID parade and was further linked to the crime by forensic evidence.

Detective Sergeant Emma Matthews led the investigation.

She said: "It was established the legitimate Uber vehicle the victim had booked had been cancelled without her realising.

"Awais, who had never worked as an Uber driver, arrived at the location purely by chance and, spotting a lone female, acted as an imposter to get her into his vehicle before carrying out his despicable attack.

"His disgusting behaviour is beyond comprehension. He left the victim in fear of her life.

"She has been extraordinarily brave throughout the entire process.

“I would like to thank her for supporting our investigation, and hope that eventually, and with our continued support, she will one day be able to leave this terrible incident behind her."

Man Denies Texting Sex Pics Of Ex To Her Dad

A man accused of distributing sexually-explicit pictures of his ex-girlfriend to her father appeared in court yesterday.

Kevin Bolenge, 30, of Ludovick Walk, Barnes, insists the images were not of the woman he dated for six years.

He appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court charged with disclosing private sexual images of the woman, with intent to cause distress, between October 8 and 10, 2017.

Prosecutor Mr. Trevor Green told the court it was a “revenge porn” case with separate elements that were also racially aggravated.

The prosecution say ten images of the victim were included in text messages Bolenge sent to her father.

The couple, who bought a flat together, split in May, 2017 and the woman attempted to block all means he could use to contact her.

The court was told Bolenge’s behaviour was reported to the police on September 11, 2017 and a month later he was told to leave the pub his ex works.

Additionally the prosecution say there was another exchange of messages in which Bolenge wrote: ‘Keep taking selfies with your Paki friend,’ and: ‘White slag.’

He was bailed to appear at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court on a date to be fixed.

Muswell Hill Murder Charge: Accused In Court

Kasim Lewis

A man accused of stabbing a 55 year-old woman to death at her £700,000 north London home appeared in court for the first time today.

Kasim Lewis, 32, is charged with murdering Catherine Burke - who was found tied up - on November 15, 2017 at her Hill Road, Muswell Hill, address.

He appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court via videolink from HMP Wakefield wearing a light grey sweatshirt and sweatpants.

Retired civil servant Catherine, who has a son at university, lived in the road for approximately twenty years and was often seen walking her pet dog in the area.

A post mortem confirmed the cause of death as stab injuries.

Catherine Burke

Montserrat-born Lewis initially spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and give his nationality as: “British.”

After District Judge Andrew Sweet remanded him in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on January 29 Lewis replied: “Cheers.”

Prosecutor Sarah Dale asked the court to remand Lewis in custody, confirming the custody time limit would expire on July 26.

Lewis’s lawyer Jim Skelsey gave a preliminary not guilty indication.

Shopper Shoulder Barged Into Bus: Woman Wanted

Police are hunting this suspect after a shopper in her sixties was injured when shoulder-barged into a bus after a Tesco's row minutes earlier.

The victim was in Tesco Express, Warwick Way, Pimlico at around 12.00pm on May 29, last year when she had a verbal exchange with the woman.

She was then barged by the woman, but left the shop uninjured.

As she walked along Warwick Way, she turned right onto Tachbrook Street Market and then left through a pathway onto Vauxhall Bridge Road.

While the victim stood at the traffic lights on Vauxhall Bridge Road outside Barclays Bank, the same woman came up and shoulder barged the victim into the path of an oncoming bus.

The victim fell forward into the passenger doors of the bus and sustained grazes and bruising to her ankles, shins and knees, a cut to the top of her head and muscle injury to her shoulders.

Detective Constable Samantha Edwards, said: “This appears to have been an unprovoked assault which left the victim very distressed.

“We have been carrying out a number of enquiries to locate the person responsible and would like to trace the woman in this CCTV image as part of our investigation.

“The victim has been deeply affected emotionally by this whole incident.”

Please contact the Serious Crime Unit Westminster on 101 or tweet @MetCC.

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 if you don’t wish to speak to officers directly.

Thug Jailed For Attacking Teenagers In Street

A hammer-wielding thug has been locked up for attacking two teenagers in the same street three weeks apart.

Fortunately Mohammed Kaka Khan, 29, did not use the weapon, but the 18 year-old female and 17 year-old boy were threatened with it.

However, both victims were punched and slapped by Kaka Khan, of Newman Street, Fitzrovia and he was jailed for four months.

Westminster Magistrates Court heard both incidents occurred in Alfred Road, Paddington.

On November 15, last year at around 3.23pm, Kaka Khan assaulted the young woman by punching and slapping her.

On December 4 he punched and slapped the boy at around 1.25pm.

During both the assaults he used the hammer to threaten and intimidate the victims who were left with minor injuries.

They were not struck with the hammer.

Detective Constable Ken Mclelland said: “These were horrible incidents and I hope this result provides some comfort to the victims.

“Nobody deserves to be assaulted in this way and we will always use the full extent of our powers to bring violent offenders to justice.

“The arrest was made on December 4, following joint work with officers from British Transport Police, Westminster Police Schools Officers, Neighbourhood Officers, CID and the Territorial Support Group.”

Dodgy Driving Snares Drug Dealer

A drug-dealer arrested by police on a dangerous driving warrant desperately tried to hide cocaine between his legs at the station.

Reginald Goodhead, 26, of Clifford Drive, Brixton received three years and four months imprisonment.

He pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court to possessing cocaine, with intent to supply, being concerned in the supply of MDMA, possession of cannabis and possession of criminal property, namely cash.

In the early hours of November 24, last year, local officers from Coldharbour Ward saw Goodhead parked up in his vehicle in Heritage Close.

His engine was idling and his lights were on and checks by the officers revealed the registered keeper, address and insurance details were very inconsistent.

The decision was made to approach the driver and talk with him.

Goodhead was initially very evasive and only gave his first name.

Checks revealed he was wanted on warrant by Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court for the offences of dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving while uninsured and driving without due care and attention.

Goodhead was arrested at taken into custody.

Once back at Brixton Police Station, Goodhead attempted to conceal drugs in his genitals, but these were discovered upon a further search.

Fast time forensics of the drugs were obtained and his phones were seized and examined with references to the supply of drugs found in them.

He was convicted of the driving offences in his absence and was ordered to pay fines totalling £430.00 and disqualified from driving for six months.

WPC Accused Of Dodgy Insurance Claim

A female police officer appeared in court today, accused of defrauding her insurance company over her missing BMW.

Maisey Jayne Edmonds, 25, of Park Avenue, Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey, denies the allegation of fraud by false representation and will return for a trial.

She is based at Ealing Police Station, west London and was bailed to attend Hendon Magistrates Court on February 28.

She is charged that on May 9, last year she stated to Diamond Insurance that she left the BMW locked and secure in Matlock Lane, Ealing and that it was stolen while she was in possession of the vehicle keys, with intent to make a financial gain for herself.

Prosecutor Mr. Trevor Green told the court: “The defendant is a serving Metropolitan Police Officer at Ealing and the owner of a BMW insured since February, 2015.

“On May 8 the defendant reported to Diamond Insurance she parked the vehicle outside Ealing Police Station before duty and when she finished at 11.35pm the vehicle had been stolen.

“She retuned to Ealing Police Station and reported the matter.

‘The insurance company asked for both electric key fobs for the vehicle and the insurance company sent them to BMW for analysis and one didn’t belong to the vehicle.

“She said she had purchased a new key fob off eBay because the original one had broken.

“Believing the claim to be false the insurance company asked for £726 in investigation fees and she agreed to pay the costs.”

Her insurance claim did not proceed any further.