Guilty Of Murder: Needy Cousin Facing Life Imprisonment For Stabbing Relative

Guilty of murder: Jerome Bailey

A needy cousin, who constantly pestered a relative for cash, clothing, food and cannabis, has been convicted of fatally stabbing him as the pair strolled along the street.

Jerome Bailey, 37, plunged a blade into the abdomen of his second cousin Tesfa Campbell, 40, severing two major blood vessels and leaving him bleeding to death.

He was convicted by a Croydon Crown Court jury of murdering his cousin in Latchmere Road, Battersea on July 3, last year and will be sentenced on a later date.

Bailey, of Greenock Road, Streatham fled the scene with a distinctive bright yellow JD Sports stringed carrier bag and its contents, which Mr. Campbell had been carrying.

The jury were shown CCTV footage of the pair walking near Latchmere Leisure Centre at 2.45pm, where Mr. Campbell worked out daily, moments before he was stabbed.

Four days later police caught Bailey hiding out at a house in Victor Road, Teddington and in the rear summer house of the property they found two yellow JD Sports bags, along with evidence of cannabis and an Oyster card Bailey used to travel to the meeting.

Prosecutor Mr. John Price QC told the court friends and relatives of Mr. Campbell confirmed his relationship with Bailey had become strained in the weeks before he died.

“The two men were second cousins and knew each other very well and Mr. Campbell’s brother says they were close and that he had a ‘soft spot’ for Bailey.

“In the past he had helped him out by lending him money, but lately they had been arguing and Mr. Campbell told friends he was waiting for one final big argument and then he was going to cut him off.

“Relatives say Mr. Campbell always spoke of Bailey’s money problems and that he would call looking for money, food, clothing and cannabis.

Stabbed: Tesfa Campbell

“Mr. Campbell himself said he loved Bailey like a cousin and gave him money, but he always came back for more.”

The pair exchanged phone calls shortly before the stabbing and it was 2.45pm when passers-by saw them in a confrontation.

“Mr. Campbell was stabbed to death. It happened in broad daylight,” said Mr. Price. “The prosecution allege it was this defendant who stabbed Mr. Campbell.

“That killing was an act of murder committed as part of a robbery.”

A passing estate agent dialled 999 and his call was played to the jury. “He’s just been stabbed. I saw the whole thing happen. There’s a lot of blood,” said the witness.

“The killer made off in the aftermath of the stabbing and Mr. Campbell collapsed to the ground at the scene,” explained Mr. Price.

He was rushed to King’s College Hospital, Camberwell, but was pronounced dead at 7.41pm that evening.

When Bailey was arrested he told officers: “What do you mean he’s murdered? How can I be under arrest for my cousin’s murder?

“F***ing hell this is a madness. How the f***ing hell am I a suspect?”

Bailey had also shaved off his distinctive top bun hairstyle.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Harding said: “I am pleased with the unanimous guilty verdict reached in this case. Unfortunately, we are still no clearer to know why a meeting between the two cousins has ended with Tesfa losing his life at the hands of another family member.

“This undoubtedly a tragic incident that will have a long lasting impact on Tesfa’s family and friends. The nature of the incident is deeply shocking and I hope that this verdict goes some way to help them begin to close this sad chapter.

“I also want to pay tribute to the members of the public who came forward to assist with the investigation and those who stopped to help after the attack.”

Not Guilty: Case Dismissed Against Former Model Agency Boss

Innocent: Brito

A former model agency boss - accused of assaulting his fellow ex-director of the business - was cleared of the allegation yesterday.

Brazilian-born Jefferson Brito, 32, of Hillgate Place, Holland Park, west London walked free from Hendon Magistrates Court.

No evidence was offered by the Crown Prosecution Service and the charge was dismissed.

Brito - a former director of DASHINGMODELS LTD. - had always denied assaulting 23 year-old Lucas Camarotte at an apartment in Erome Road, Maida Vale.

He was also a director of the company, which was dissolved in February, 2018.

Archway Rape: E-Fit Released

Police investigating a rape allegation have released this e-fit of one of two men said to have pounced on a lone woman in the early hours.

The woman – aged in her thirties – told police she was approached by two men riding scooters in Archway, north London on Saturday April 6, last year.

She says she was lured into McDonald Avenue, where she was raped by one of them.

The woman was able to struggle free and was assisted by a member of the public before police were called.

Detective Constable Martyn Kenneally, of Central North Safeguarding team, said:“If you recognise the man in this e-fit, please get in touch with us without delay.

“This was a traumatic incident and the victim is being supported by specially trained officers.

“At this time, it is not being linked to any other incident."

Please call police on 101, quoting Cad 6878/06Apr19 or pass information to Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111.

There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.

Singing Surfgirl Accused Of £27K Disability Scam

Surf's Up: Hamlyn-Wright in Newquay

A globe-trotting musician and competitive surfer was paid over £27,000 in disability benefits after lying she was so disabled she couldn’t dress or wash herself, a court heard today.

Glastonbury performer October Hamlyn-Wright, 36, toured Australia and Scandinavia and made a music video featuring her surfing skills, which was played to the jury.

The self-styled ‘Rockchick’ and ’Surfgirl’, of Lewarne Road, Porth, Newquay, Cornwall has pleaded not guilty to the charges at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

She is accused of twice making dishonest false representations about her mobility and care needs to the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) in claims for Disability Living Allowance on October 26, 2013 and October 3, 2015.

Prosecutor Mr. Andrew Price told the court Hamlyn-Wright, who performs simply as ‘October’ had posted pictures and videos of herself on Facebook, YouTube and her own personal website.

“She surfed across the world and Australia and performed at Glastonbury and the Isle of Wight festival and many other venues.

“In the biography on her ‘October Rocks’ website she says she is a professional singer, songwriter, surfer and shark enthusiast and a surfing competitor with ‘Boardmasters’.

“She says she splits her time between London and the south-west and had performed on nine stages at two festivals and at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, the ExCel, in Gothenburg, Birmingham Symphony Hall and Melbourne.”

Smoke's Up: Outside Court

Surrey-born Hamlyn-Wright’s benefit applications were made in New Malden. “She provided a letter that documented a considerable number of ailments and illnesses,” added Mr. Price.

“These flare-ups can cause extra lethargy in her joints, which become extremely painful and swollen, effecting her movement and dexterity, she claimed.”

Hamlyn-Wright wrote: “I can suffer temporary paralysis when standing up.”

“She surfed, she travelled, she performed and none of that was volunteered,” said the prosecutor.

“She was awarded the higher rate of the care component because she said she required 120 minutes a day for a carer to assist her getting in and out of bed and 60 minutes every day for washing.”

The benefits were paid directly into Hamlyn-Wright’s bank account for her to employ the necessary carers and she said she also needed help using the toilet.

“The benefit was awarded on the basis she was virtually unable to walk and needed full-time care.”

However, in April, 2017 her claim was referred to DWP investigators who found evidence of her active lifestyle, the jury were told.

“Her website said: ‘October is never without her surfboard and is making a name for herself on the scene and is competing on the UK professional tour.’

“There are videos and photos from 2013 onwards and she was also put under surveillance for a month and is walking, shopping, climbing stairs, performing and engaging with her audience between songs unaided and without obvious pain.”

Hamlyn-Wright was questioned at Kingston-upon-Thames Jobcentre on November 14, 2017 and confirmed she was receiving Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance.

“She said she was in pain every day and sometimes in manic and goes into the sea alone during the night and that she was not very good at surfing.

“When she did surf she would spend several days in bed afterwards and said she had friends to help her.

“She was vague about how far she could walk and said she did not have any good days.”

Trial continues………

Cop Tried To Destroy Street Cleaner Over Trivial Gardening Row

A serving police officer, who tried to frame a council street sweeper - who ticked him of about hedge cuttings – as a predatory paedophile, has been jailed.

Hitesh Lakhani, 42, did not like the Hillingdon Council employee warning him about littering the street with his garden trimmings so hatched a plan to destroy his life.

He had been gardening at an Uxbridge address on September 5, 2018 while off-duty.

The PC, based at the Central West Command Unit, claimed the street sweeper lured a five year-old girl into bushes.

He took an image of the man, which was circulated by police during an appeal, insisting he saw the man place the girl's hand between his legs.

Lakhani was convicted at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court of perverting the course of justice and received three years imprisonment.

A neighbour's CCTV images proved he was lying and had fabricated the report.

“This was wicked, prolonged and cruel conduct,” said Judge Jonathan Davies. “Had Mr. Lakhani's evidence not been covered by CCTV this man would have been arrested and remanded in custody.

“You were a police officer, who would normally be calm and professional,” the judge told the disgraced cop.

“This was not spontaneous, you planned this. You have damaged the credibility of police officers generally and cases you have been a part of may need to be re-examined.”

The fake story was maintained for weeks by Lakhani and he fought the charge.

Spurs' Star Nets Three Points

Tottenham Hotspur star Jan Vertonghen has picked up three penalty points after a camera clocked him speeding in his powerful 3-litre Audi.

The 32 year-old Belgian international, of Upper Park Road, Hampstead was sentenced today at Willesden Magistrates Court.

The camera recorded the centre-half driving the black vehicle at 58mph on the North Circular Road, near Bounds Green Road, New Southgate at 5.58pm on May 20, last year - 8mph over the speed limit.

Vertonghen originally admitted the offence under Single Justice Procedure rules and the case was adjourned from November 27, last year.

As well as endorsing his driving licence with three penalty points the court fined Vertonghen £600, with £85 costs and ordered him to pay a £66 victim surcharge.

Midnight Bottle Attack: Young Man Suffers Fractured Skull

Police are hunting these two suspected thugs after a young man suffered a fractured skull when attacked with a glass bottle in west London.

West Area CID have released this image as part of an appeal to the public to identify the men.

At thirty-two minutes after midnight on Sunday August 18, last yearofficers and the London Ambulance Service were called to The Mall, Ealing to reports of a male assaulted with a glass bottle.

A 25-year-old man was found with a fractured skull. 

He was taken to a London hospital and has since been discharged however, he is still undergoing treatment due to the injuries caused.

One man has been arrested and charged as part of the investigation, but detectives from the West Area CID are asking for the public’s help to identify two further men they wish to speak to in connection with the assault.

Detective Constable Tim Warren, from West Area CID, said: “This was an brutal attack which has left a young man requiring ongoing treatment.

“These images are of good quality and we urge anyone who recognises the men pictured to get in touch and assist us with our investigation.”

Anyone who may know the identity of the two men, or who has information that may assist police, is asked to contact call police on 101 quoting reference 252/18AUG19. 

You can also tweet @MetCC.

Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

OAP Punched In The Face: CCTV Image Released

Police are hunting this suspected thug after a pensioner was left with a fractured cheekbone and eye socket during a violent street confrontation.

Police in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham have released this image of the man they are hunting

They are appealing to members of the public with assistance in identifying the suspect.

At around 6.30pm on Wednesday, August 14, last year the 71 year-old victim was leaving a Tesco store on Fulham Road, Fulham. 

He had a brief verbal exchange with the suspect, who then followed him down the road.

The victim turned to face the man, who punched him in the face without warning. 

The suspect then fled.

The man was taken to hospital where he was found to have sustained a broken cheekbone and eye socket.

There have been no arrests.

Detective Constable Jack Ely, from the Central West Command Unit, said: "We urge anyone who recognises this man to contact us. 

“The victim sustained serious facial injuries and is still suffering from the emotional effects of this assault to this day."

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and quote reference number 6023275/19.

Alternatively, to remain anonymous members of the public can contact the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website: crimestoppers-uk.org.

Sweet Justice: Confectionary Shop Robber Jailed

There is nothing sweet about armed robber Darren O'Shea, who has been jailed for holding up a confectionary shop at gunpoint.

The 45 year-old fled empty handed after a sales assistant hit the panic button and he was hunted down by the Flying Squad.

At Snaresbrook Crown Court he received 12 years imprisonment after pleading guilty to one count of robbery and one of attempted robbery.

Detective Constable David Reed said: “I have no doubt the suspect would have continued committing this terrifying spate of robberies and the sentence today is a deterrent to those thinking of carrying out such violent crimes.”

On July 13, last year O’Shea entered a Co-Op convenience store in Westhorne Avenue, Eltham, at around 9.05pm. 

He threatened the store clerk with a gun and demanded money from the register. 

He managed to take around £300 from the shop before making off.

After the robbery a family member of one of the shop workers viewed the CCTV and recognised O’Shea.

Just five days later, on July 18 O’Shea attempted to rob a small sweetshop in Charlton at gun point. 

This time, the shop assistant managed to trigger the panic button, causing him to flee the scene.

The police quickly arrived and viewed CCTV footage, identifying O’Shea as the person who was also responsible for the Co-Op robbery.

A manhunt was launched and Flying Squad officers were able to track down O’Shea at an apartment near to where he had attempted the second robbery. 

He was arrested and the premises searched by officers. 

During the search a firearm and the clothing worn by the robber in both offences was seized.

After the firearm was recovered, forensics determined that it was actually an imitation gas-powered handgun.

O’Shea admitted to police that he had used the firearm to steal the money and admitted committing both robberies to fund his drug addiction.

Rough Sleeper Caught With Stanley Blade

A rough sleeper, caught with a Stanley blade outside King's Cross railway station, has been locked-up for six months.

Paul Thorpe, 30, of Mecklenburgh Street, Camden was arrested by British Transport Police after making checks and searching him.

He was seen by officers outside the busy central London station on December 11, last year.

Checks on the Police National Computer confirmed Thorpe was in breach of a court order.

He was arrested and during the search, was found to be in possession of the blade. 

During interview, he accepted carrying the blade, and claimed he had intended to hand it into police.
At Westminster Magistrates Court he was convicted of possessing a bladed article and breaching a court order.

As well as being jailed Thorpe was ordered topay a £120 victim surcharge.
Sergeant David Underwood, said: “Thorpe was in possession of a nasty looking blade and I fully accept the court locking him up. 

“We are committed to tackling knife crime throughout the Capital and sentences such as this demonstrate how we will take quick and decisive action against those who carry weapons.”