Accountant With Taste For High-Life Jailed For Nicking £144K

An accountant with a family-run engineering firm stole £140,000 to fund her child's private school education, foreign holidays and champagne lunches.

Alison Thomas, 52, of Tadworth Street, Tadworth, Surrey, was jailed for two-and-a-half years for the six-year fraud on the company.

She pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to fraud by abuse of position, when she transferred £144,589 to her personal account between December, 2011 and January, 2018.

Thomas worked for seven years as the company accountant at the small firm in south London. 

Her role gave her access to and control of the company’s financial dealings and she was viewed as a vital and trusted member of the team. 

Thomas’ fraud was discovered when one of the firm’s owners began to investigate why the company was not performing as well as it should have been. 

He became suspicious about how Thomas was able to fund a lifestyle of champagne lunches, foreign holidays and private education for her child on the wages she was being paid. 

When the accounts were investigated further, he discovered regular payments were being made to Thomas’ personal account from the company and he confronted her. 

She admitted the offence to him at that time.

PC Stewart Bold of the Met’s Economic Crime Hub in Lewisham, said:“Thomas used her position of trust to withdraw large funds from the company to fund her own lifestyle. 

“She lived beyond her means and treated the company’s account as her own.

“In doing so she put the company in serious financial difficulty. 

“Fortunately this did not lead to the loss of any jobs and therefore further financial struggles for its employees and their families.

“The sentence she has received demonstrates the severity of her actions and I hope will act as a deterrent to others.”

Hair Salon Fire: Arsonist Hunted

Police investigating a deliberate fire at a former hair salon have released this CCTV image of the suspected arsonist they are hunting.

Police were called at 5.00pm on Saturday, September 7 to reports of a fire on Cheam Common Road, North Cheam.

Officers, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) and the London Ambulance Service attended.

A number of neighbouring buildings were evacuated as a precaution.

The disused shop and the empty flat above were severely damaged by the fire. 

Fortunately, no one was injured.

The fire is being treated as suspicious.

Detectives from the South Area Command Unit are investigating alongside the LFB.

A review of local CCTV cameras captured an unknown man walking into an alleyway close to the shop at 4.33pm.

Officers are keen to identify this man and speak with him to establish what he was doing in the area.

Anyone who recognises him is asked to call police at Bromley police station via 101 quoting reference Cad 5323/07Sep.

There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.

Bus Stop Thug Wanted For Punching Passenger

Police hunting a bus stop thug, who repeatedly punched a passenger after deliberately barging into him, have released this CCTV image of their suspect.

Police were called at around 13.20pm on Thursday, August 1 to reports of a man assaulted at a bus stop in Vine Street, Uxbridge.

Officers attended and spoke to the victim, aged in his late twenties, who said he had been attacked by another man.

The suspect is said to have deliberately barged into the victim, leading to a verbal altercation between the two.

He told the suspect to go away and was about to board a bus when he was repeatedly punched and fell to the ground, suffering facial injuries.

Officers are now releasing an image of a man they are keen to speak to in connection with the incident.

He is believed to be in his mid-twenties and was wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and a blue t-shirt at the time.

It was reported that at least one member of the public recorded the assault on a mobile phone and police are asking anyone who believes they may have captured this incident to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 with CAD reference 3894/01AUG or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Teen Caged For Stabbing Young Woman Multiple Times

A violent teenager, who repeatedly stabbed a young woman at a family and friends get-together at a west London address, has been locked-up.

Luke Rose, 19, left his 23 year-old victim bleeding with a lacerated kidney after an argument broke out in the early hours.

She had multiple stab wounds and needed immediate emergency surgery.

Rose, of Shakespeare Road, Hanwell, was convicted at the Old Bailey of inflicting grievous bodily harm, with intent, at the Acton address on January 28.

He was sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment with a further two years extended license.

The court heard in the early hours Rose attended the address with members of his family and friends.

A physical argument ensued which resulted in Rose stabbing the woman, who was known to him, repeatedly before fleeing the scene.

Officers were called alongside the London Ambulance Service and found the victim lying on a bed with multiple stab wounds to her body.

One of the stab wounds had lacerated her left kidney and left her requiring immediate surgery.

On arrival, Rose had already fled the scene but was arrested later that day at his home address.

He was taken into police custody and charged the next day.

Detective Constable Mitesh Mulji, who led the investigation, said: “Rose has failed to admit his actions that night nor has he shown any remorse for the injuries he inflicted.

“We are pleased that the jury carefully considered the evidence in front of them and were able to see through his lies.

“This was a complex investigation and we hope this sentence demonstrates our commitment to pursuing violent individuals through the courts, even in circumstances where victims are reluctant to support a prosecution.”

Gambling Arcade Robbery: Suspect Hunted

Police hunting a gambling arcade robber, who pulled a knife on a woman worker before fleeing with £2,000 cash, have released this CCTV image of their suspect.

The man entered the arcade in Upper Wickham Lane, Welling, south east London on the morning of Wednesday, July 31.

At around 10.00am, after spending around half an hour on a gambling machine, he approached and grabbed the woman working at the shop from behind.

He pulled a knife on her, demanding that she open the safe in the back office.

She complied, and he made off around £2,000 in cash. 

It is believed that he left the scene in a maroon-coloured Mercedes car.

The man being sought by police is described as a white male believed to be in his late 30s, and of slim build. 

He was wearing a green hoodie, black jeans and dark trainers. 

He spoke in broken English, and may be eastern European.

If you recognise the man or have any information that may assist the investigation, call 101 quoting CAD 2148/31JUL19. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Woman Jailed For Keeping Pensioner A Slave

A cruel and selfish woman, who held a vulnerable pensioner in slavery for over four years, has been jailed.

Maria Miller, 65, of Simmons Lane, Chingford, recruited the woman outside a local pet shop, initially to volunteer at her charity outlet.

However, the victim, who was 74 years-old by the time she escaped Miller's clutches, ended up being a dogsbody who slept on the floor of the defendant's home.

At Snaresbrook Crown Court she was found guilty of two counts of holding another in slavery or servitude and one count of theft and received three years.

In 2012 she persuaded the woman, who has learning difficulties, to move into her home address.

She then made her sleep on the floor and carry out tasks such as weeding the garden or clearing out animal shelters in exchange for meals or coming back inside the house.

This resulted in her often being left outside, working until late at night.

Miller also took control of the victim’s bank account, became executor and sole trustee in her will and tried to persuade her to sell a property she owned.

She also refused her access to a mobile phone, money or access to her own pension.

She also lost a significant amount of weight as Miller often refused to provide meals for a number of days, as well as forcing her to sleep on the floor or in an outhouse.

Miller's home was stuffed with designer items, particularly clothing and expensive bottles of champagne.

On June 14, 2016, the victim managed to run away from the address and reported the abuse to police, who began an investigation.

Detective Sergeant James Earle, who led the investigation, said: “Miller targeted one of society’s most vulnerable and the sentence received today reflects the gravity of her actions.

“This was a long and challenging investigation, but we are pleased that Miller has now been brought to justice.

“We know that the victim will never forget the years she spent in constant fear but we hope that she has some closure now Miller is behind bars.

“Her bravery in coming forward to police and reliving some of the worst experiences of her life in court is testament to her strength of character and we hope this sends out a message that the Met will seek to bring the strongest charges for such shocking criminal conduct where appropriate.”

Bully Of Bollo Bridge Road Binned

A bully who subjected the woman in his life to a miserable existence has been locked-up for twenty-two months.

Tarang Katira, 34, of Bollo Bridge Road, Acton pleaded guilty to one charge of controlling or coercive behaviour.

He was jailed at Isleworth Crown Court, where he was also ordered to pay £1,500 costs to the victim and made subject to a restraining order prohibiting contact with her.

On April 29, last year police were called to their home to a report she had been assaulted by Katira following an argument.

Officers attended and Katira was arrested. 

He pleaded guilty to a number of incidents between September, 2017 and April, 2018 of physical, verbal and psychological abuse.

The investigation was led by the West Area CID and officers collated witness accounts from more than 30 people, medical evidence and more than 250 exhibits to support the prosecution.

Detective Constable Robert Watson, said: "Katira subjected her to serious abuse and she was incredibly brave in finally reporting his offending to police.

"This was a complex and protracted investigation and the strength of the case built by the team led to an early guilty plea.

"Domestic abuse has no place in modern society and the Met is committed to playing its part to bring offenders to justice and safeguard and support victims.

"We would urge anyone who is in an abusive relationship to speak to police."

Anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse, or knows of someone who may be a victim, should call police via 101 or 999 in an emergency. 

They can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Accountant's £4,300 Cancer Con

A chartered accountant, who conned his new internet girlfriend out of £4,300 by claiming he was dying from stomach cancer, has received a suspended prison sentence.

Badal Arun Hindocha, 34, sent messages including: “If I don’t solve this problem, I’m dead. I’ve collapsed again. I’m dead.”

The accountancy and financing graduate - employed by a Canary Wharf firm - told Tina Mistry he lost income due to missing work to attend hospital appointments.

Hindocha, of Oakways, Eltham pleaded guilty to fraud between January 30, 2017 and March 7, 2018 and was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months.

He must also complete 280 hours community service and pay Ms Mistry, who he met on an internet dating site, £6,000 compensation.

“She hoped to form a fulfilling relationship and saw you as a prospective partner and not someone who caused her judgement of people to be shaken,” Croydon Crown Court Judge Elizabeth Smaller told Hindocha.

“You have taken advantage of her trust that you were genuinely ill and had even witnessed your cousin dying and you had a terminal illness and over six weeks caused her to make eleven bank transfers to you.

“You even engaged someone else to tell her you were on medical life-support and she should not contact you again.

“She must have been wondering if you were dead or alive, but then saw you were back on that dating website.

“She thought it was a genuine romance and you committed a fraud on her vulnerability and trust.”

Ms Mistry told the police: “It has made me feel very upset that I had been used and taken advantage of. I did not think he could lie and fake that he had cancer.”

Prosecutor Mr. Iestyn Morgan told the court the pair began dating in December, 2017. “After two months the defendant said he was off work due to medical operations and was short of money and struggling to meet bills.

“He told her he was very weak and ill, couldn’t consume food and said that he had stomach cancer, which was not true.”

Hindocha even invented another story that his cousin was a car accident victim and he was holding her hand as she passed away in hospital.

His lawyer Imran Khan said the money was spent on installing a downstairs toilet for his disabled parents.

Hindocha has a Masters from Middlesex University and has lost his ACCA accreditation to practice as a chartered accountant as a result the fraud.

“What started out as an offer he took advantage of and that was stupid,” the lawyer told the court. “He’s tearful, stressful and terrified about what will happen today.”

Judge Smaller said: “This was a fraud upon someone that was trusting and involved the manipulation of someone’s good sense and hopes and preyed on hopes that she had a future with the defendant.”

Armed Hackney Marshes Flasher: E-Fit Released

Police are hunting this knife-wielding pervert who flashed a lone woman on Hackney Marshes.

On Friday, May 17, at around 3.10pm, a woman was approached on the famous open space in east London by a man who was in possession of a knife.

The man held the knife in a threatening way and exposed himself. 

When the woman screamed the suspect fled.

A short time later, police received further reports of a man, of the same description, continuing to expose himself in the Hackney area.

The suspect is described as a light skinned black man, aged between twenty and thirty years-old. 

He was wearing a khaki jacket/anorak with the hood up and dark tracksuit trousers. 

The man possibly wears his hair in braids.

Anyone who has information concerning the identity of the man is asked to call officers at the Central East Command Unit via 101 quoting reference Cad 4711/17May19, Tweet @MetCC or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Renewed Appeal On Kilburn Double Stabbing: Do You Know This Man?

Police investigating a double early hours stabbing in north-west London have again released this CCTV image of their suspect.

Both attacks occurred within an hour of each other in Kilburn High Road on April 9.

This is the second attempt to identify the suspect after the first appeal was unsuccessful.

Police were initially called at 1.19am after a 63 year-old man was stabbed in the back near the junction with Victoria Road.

Officers and the London Ambulance Service (LAS) attended and he was taken to a central London hospital for treatment before being discharged.

At around 2.35am police were called to the stabbing of a 39 year-old man further along Kilburn High Road close to Cambridge Avenue.

Officers and LAS attended and found the man suffering a stab wound to the abdomen. 

He was taken to a central London hospital - his condition was deemed not life-threatening.

Detective Constable Thomas Ryan, from North West Area's CID, said: "Following a thorough investigation, including analysis of CCTV, we are confident that the attacks that occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, 9 April are linked.

"We are releasing an image again of a man we want to trace and speak to - do you recognise him? If so, please get in contact with us without delay.

"Following the two incidents, we increased our presence in and around the Kilburn High Road area as a precaution.

“At this time, we are not aware of any further, linked offences, however, we need to identify and apprehend the person responsible for these attacks so I would ask anyone who has information that could assist this investigation, or who recognises this person, to contact us now.”

No arrests have been made at this time. Enquiries continue.

Anyone who has information is asked to call North West area CID on 101 quoting CAD 386/09APR or tweet @MetCC.