Monday, 10 August 2020

Race Attack: Suspect Wanted For Gang Assault And Slashing Of Black Motorist

Police are still hunting this suspected racist thug after a large group of men attacked a black motorist when he returned to his vehicle.

The victim – aged in his thirties – was slashed across the face when around twenty white men surrounded him after two troublemakers initially began shouting racial abuse.

Police were called to Bragg Close, Dagenham, at 9.28pm on Sunday, July 21, last year after the victim was attacked.

The victim had parked his car and walked to a nearby take-away to get some food. 

When he returned to his vehicle two white men in a dark coloured car began shouting racial abuse.

The victim confronted them and a larger group of white males turned-up on foot and surrounded the victim. 

They started to kick and punch him while he laid defenceless on the floor.

One man slashed the victim in the face, with what officers suspect was a knife.

The victim managed to get up and run away, eventually alerting police by dialling 999. 

The suspects then set about damaging the victim’s car. 

One of the men got into the driver’s seat and drove the car into some shutters of a nearby premises, causing further damage. 

A laptop and tablet were also reported stolen from inside the vehicle.

The group in question were believed to have been drinking in the nearby Roundhouse pub, in Lodge Avenue.

One year on from the attack, after exhausting all other lines of enquiry, detectives have issued an image of a man they would like to speak to in relation to this racial assault.

He is described a white male, between 20 to 30 years-old, of chubby build and approximately 5ft 6ins to 5ft 7ins in height.

Detective Constable Adelaide Halliday from the East Area’s CID, said: “This was a violent, unprovoked, racially motivated attack on the victim, which has not only left him with a physical scar but emotional ones too.

I would appeal for anyone who can identify or knows the man in the image to contact police as soon as possible. 

I would also ask for anyone that may have been drinking in the nearby Roundhouse pub that evening, Sunday, July 21, 2019, who are aware of this incident to contact police. 

If you would prefer not to speak to the police, you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously.”

Anyone with information about the man in the image or about the incident itself is asked to contact police on 101 quoting CAD 8064/21JUL2019. 

They can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously online at crimestoppers-uk.org or via 0800 555 111.

They do not ask your name and cannot trace your call or I.P address.

Sunday, 9 August 2020

TRAPPED: Online Predator Caught 'Meeting' 14 Year-Old Phantom Girl

An online sexual predator – trapped by a paedo catcher group posing as a 14 year-old girl – has been locked-up.

Michael Richards, 34, was caught trying to meet the 'girl' he believed he had been grooming via the internet with explicit videos and graphic messages.

At Wood Green Crown Court the Enfield offender was sentenced to two years' imprisonment.

He pleaded guilty to sexual communication with a child; causing a child aged 13 to 15 to watch/look at an image of sexual activity and facilitating the commission of a child sex offence.

Richards was also issued with an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), restricting his contact with any females under 16 years-old.

He will also be subject to Sex Offender Registration for life.

The court heard how detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Central Specialist Crime were contacted on Monday, May 4 by an online child abuse activist group.

They informed police of a case of suspected online grooming by Richards, who was using the pseudonym Jason Langham. 

In December, last year he initiated contact with who he believed to be a 14-year-old girl, but was in fact an adult decoy.

The communication quickly became sexual and despite being told several times his contact was just 14 years-old he kept communicating and encouraged the child to meet him in Enfield.

On Thursday, May 7 an operational team were deployed to the area of the planned meet. 

Detectives suddenly spotted a slim, unkempt looking man walking the streets, with his hood up whilst on his mobile phone.

Following a closer look they confirmed the man was the suspect they were searching for, having identified him from his online image. 

They stopped him and soon confirmed his identity was not Jason Langham, but Michael Richards.

He was arrested and his mobile phone was seized. 

Detective Inspector Mark Rogers from Specialist Crime Command: said “Richards is a predatory offender and thankfully on this occasion no child was harmed.

I would like to remind activist groups that we do have significant concerns about people taking the law into their own hands. 

Although seemingly well-meaning, this can significantly hinder our work, compromise on-going investigations and negate months of investigative work.

There is also the risk that it can potentially identify people who are completely innocent and mistakenly associate them with grooming offences.

Our advice to anyone who has concerns about online grooming, is they should report them to their local police, or to Crimestoppers. 

If you think a child is at immediate risk of harm call 999.”

Saturday, 8 August 2020

Bus Phone Snatcher: Tracksuited Suspect Wanted

Police are hunting this suspected phone-snatcher after an octogenarian pensioner was targeted on a bus and her husband's walking stick kicked away.

Officers are treating it as a robbery and are appealing for witnesses and information.

Police have released this CCTV image of the male they wish to identify and speak with in connection with the incident.

At approximately 12.30pm on Wednesday, June 29, the 80-year-old victim was travelling with her husband on a Route 233 bus in Marechal Niel Parade in Bexley, south-east London.

The suspect boarded the bus and refused to pay. 

He then argued with the driver and threatened to spit at him.

When he saw the victim’s phone in her hand, he grabbed it and kicked her husband’s walking stick before leaving the bus.

Officers from the Roads and Transport Policing Command are investigating. 

They would like to speak with anyone who recognises the male in the images.

Anyone with information is asked to call police via 101 or 0208 284 9115.

Friday, 7 August 2020

Police Hunt Hit-And-Run Cyclist After Fatal Collision

Police are hunting this suspected hit-and-run cyclist after a pensioner died after a collision in east London.

Officers were called at approximately 5.05pm on Friday, July 3 to Bow Road, Bow, near Thames Magistrates' Court, to reports of an incident involving a cyclist and a pedestrian.

London Ambulance Service attended the scene and the pedestrian, 72-year-old Peter McCombie, was taken to hospital in a critical condition with serious head injuries.

He died in hospital a week later on Saturday, July 11.

The cyclist did not stop at the scene.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) are investigating.

Detective Inspector Julie Trodden said: “I am appealing to anyone who recognises this man or saw him leaving the scene to call police. 

This man cycled off from the scene, but from photos we can see he abandoned his cycle and then ran off. 

If anyone knows the location of this bike please tell us, it is vital evidence. 

Any information you can give, even if it is just the street where you saw him, could be crucial.

Peter was an active man who had continued to work beyond retirement age. 

As a result of this collision his family, friends and colleagues are now mourning his loss.

I am also asking anyone who in the area at around 5pm on Friday, July 3 and who witnessed this collision, or the events immediately prior to and after the collision to contact the police.

Finally, I continue to appeal directly to the cyclist involved – please come forward to assist this investigation but, more importantly, to provide answers to the victim’s family who are grieving the tragic loss of a loved one.

Any witnesses or anyone with dash cam footage is asked to call police on 0208 597 4874 or 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC. Please quote CAD 5779/03JUL

To give information anonymously, contact Crimestoppers at crimestoppers-uk.org or phone on 0800 555 111.

Thursday, 6 August 2020

Notting Hill Carnival Horror: Woman's Lip Bitten Off By Devilish Attacker

A vicious thug, who claimed: “I’m the devil” before headbutting and biting off a woman's top lip at the Notting Hill Carnival has been jailed.

Jason Thompson, 42, of Appleby Close, South Tottenham, received 14 years imprisonment for inflicting the life-changing injuries to the victim, aged in her forties.

Detective Chief Inspector Driss Hayoukane, from the Notting Hill post-investigation unit, said: “Jason Thompson has not only caused the victim life-changing physical injuries, but also some deeply troubling emotional injuries as well.

Due to this unprovoked attack, the victim felt so scared to be in London that she stopped living in the capital after more than a decade and struggles to go out in public on her own.”

The incident took place on the first day of Carnival at approximately 6.00pm on Sunday August 25, last year.

It was her first experience of the Notting Hill Carnival and Thompson was a stranger to her.

She was talking to some other women in Portobello Road, close to the junction with Golborne Road, when she was approached by Thompson.

He told her: “I’m the devil”, before leaning forward, headbutting her and then biting off her top lip.

The victim, bleeding heavily and in shock, approached police officers, who escorted her to the nearest first aid post. 

She was then taken to a west London hospital where surgeons operated on her face. 

The victim was left with life-changing injuries.

Police issued a public appeal for witnesses and information a week later and as a result information was received, which led to Thompson’s arrest.

At Isleworth Crown Court he pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm, with intent.

In a statement, the victim, said: “I would like to say thank you to all the police work on this case, because they have helped me so much with everything.

This has been very difficult for me. I have had to uproot my life from London, where I have lived for over ten years and now I am scared to go out on my own and stay at home.

I cannot even go to the supermarket on my own; sometimes I have to say to my 14-year-old niece to come with me.”

DCI Hayoukane, added: “My whole team worked non-stop to identify Thompson after this attack, and we have all felt some sort of responsibility for making sure that he gets the jail time that he so rightly deserves.

The streets are a much safer place with this dangerous individual in jail."

Wednesday, 5 August 2020

Greenwich Sex Assault: CCTV image Of Suspect Released

Police are hunting this tracksuited suspected sexual predator after an 18 year-old teenager was molested in the early hours.

The female victim was walking along the Thames Path, Greenwich between 4.30am and 4.40am on Friday, June 26.

As she reached Highbridge Wharf, near the Trafalgar Tavern Pub, she was approached from behind and sexually assaulted by a man.

The victim fought back and the attacker fled along Eastney Street.

He was last seen on CCTV walking into Lassell Street.

The suspect is described as a white male, with brown ear length hair in curtains, wearing a black Adidas tracksuit with white stripes along the arms and legs.

Detective Constable Ellie Cordery, of the South East Command Unit said: "This was a distressing and frightening incident for the victim, who was on her way home after socialising with friends. She is being supported by specially trained officers.

"We would like to hear from anyone who recognises the man in the images captured. 

While we appreciate they might not be the best quality, we are hopeful that someone may recognise him and come forward.”

There have been no arrests.

Anyone who has information that could assist police is asked to call 101 ref CAD 1679/26JUN20.

Alternatively tweet @MetCC, or to remain 100% anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Tuesday, 4 August 2020

Member Of Fake-Cop Violent Burglary Gang Locked-Up

A violent burglar, whose gang raided a north London home and threatened the occupiers with a firearm and crowbar, has been caged.

One member of the four-man crew was dressed like a police officer and they took a safe, containing a large quantity of cash.

Craig Green, 38, of Beatty Road, Stanmore was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment.

He had previously been found guilty at Harrow Crown Court of aggravated burglary.

Acting Detective Sergeant Mitchell Lockey, from the North West Command Unit, said: “A family were threatened by Green and his accomplices. 

Everyone should feel safe in their homes, but the events of that day will stay with them.

It is only right that Green is beginning a lengthy prison sentence. 

Hopefully, with the help of the public, those who were also involved will be caught and share his fate.”

Police were called on October 11, last year to reports that four suspects had entered an address in Bush Grove, Colindale. 

They threatened the occupants with a firearm and crowbar and stole a safe containing a significant amount of money.

Detectives launched an investigation and Green was quickly identified as being involved. 

He was arrested two weeks later.

Enquiries are ongoing to identify the other suspects. 

Officers would like to speak with anyone who has information regarding the burglary and who is yet to come forward.

They should call police via 101 quoting reference Cad 3728/11Oct19.

Monday, 3 August 2020

Council Gas Inspectors Tipped-Off Police About Drug-Dealing Resident

Council officials carrying out a gas safety check tipped-off police about £2.3m worth of ecstasy and crystal meth in a west London residence.

As a result drug-dealer Patrick Scotland, 28, is starting a ten-year prison sentence.

When officers swooped on the Shepherd's Bush property in Canada Way they seized 185,000 ecstasy pills and several kilos of crystal meth.

Also found were eight kilos of cannabis resin; 10,000 LSD tabs, plus cocaine and Ketamine.

At Isleworth Crown Court Scotland pleaded guilty to three counts of possession, with intent to supply, Class A drugs and two similar counts relating to Class B drugs.

He also admitted importing a Class A drug and possessing an electric stun gun.

On Wednesday, February 12, police were alerted by council staff - who were completing routine gas safety checks at Scotland’s address - to a large quantity of suspected drugs within the premises. 

Officers carried out a search of the property and found sealed bags and tupperware tubs containing various types of pills and powders.

The 87kg of drugs seized in this operation are estimated to hold a street value of approximately £2.3 million – the largest known seizure of MDMA and crystal meth from a residential address in the UK to date.

It also appears to be the first seizure of its kind in regards to the dismantling of a Dark Web drugs site in the UK. 

Scotland was linked to the site post-arrest and the drugs advertised were identified as the same as those recovered from his address. 

The pills were linked to Scotland due to the unique motifs stamped on them.

Detective Sergeant Kieran Curry, of the Central West Gangs Unit, said: “This operation led to a significant quantity of Class A and B drugs being taken off the streets of London. 


I am delighted with today’s outcome and believe that it serves as evidence of our zero tolerance approach towards drug dealing in our community.

We will continue working to disrupt the distribution of illegal substances in our boroughs - ensuring those involved are brought to justice.”

Sunday, 2 August 2020

Repeat Robber Stabbed Have-A-Go-Hero During Supermarket Raid

A robber repeatedly raided the same west London supermarket, threatening staff and customers with a knife or screwdriver.

Barry Whittle, 20, struck five times in just two weeks and ended up stabbing a have-a-go-hero shopper, who tried to detain him.

Whittle, of Peplow Close, Hillingdon has been locked-up for five-and-a-half years.

He was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court for multiple offences, including four robberies and one attempted robbery of the supermarket in Chantry Close, West Drayton between October 3 and 17, last year.

He was also convicted of five counts of possession of a bladed article at the store; inflicting grievous bodily harm on the hero customer and actual bodily harm on the man's daughter.

Whittle was also guilty of possessing a bladed article at another supermarket in High Street, West Drayton and theft and fraud in nearby Frays Avenue.

Whittle was arrested at an address in West Drayton on October 17, last year, following a violent incident at the supermarket.

On that day he entered the shop in possession of knife and proceeded to steal nine bottles of vodka. 

When shop security staff challenged him, he threatened them with the knife before attempting to leave. 

Whittle was grabbed by a man who was in the shop, who attempted to detain him. 

During the ensuing struggle, Whittle stabbed the man in the shoulder and also assaulted the man’s teenage daughter, who came to assist, before fleeing.

It was established Whittle had entered the same supermarket on four other occasions to steal items. 

On each occasion he armed himself with a knife or screwdriver and brazenly brandished it at anyone who attempted to challenge him.

Whittle was also convicted of breaking into a car that was parked in Frays Avenue and using a card he had stolen to buy items from a newsagent.

Detective Sergeant Reda Imane from West Area CID said: A dangerous man will now spend a significant amount of time behind bars. 

Whittle armed himself with a knife and had no qualms in threatening members of staff, or using it against a member of the public who attempted to stop him.

He plagued staff at the supermarket he targeted, no doubt putting them in genuine fear with his actions. 

I hope his prison sentence offers them, and those who stood up to him, some reassurance.”

Saturday, 1 August 2020

Lance Corporal Jailed After Military-Grade Bullets End Up In Criminal's Hands

A serving British Army soldier has been jailed for 15 months for passing on military-issue bullets.

Lance Corporal Ralstan Pusey, 31, from Norfolk – who participated in firing range exercises when based in Germany – was traced after a police swoop on a known armed criminal.

A Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court jury convicted him possession of prohibited ammunition.

The investigation began when police stopped a vehicle in Luton on November 9, 2016 and seized a loaded handguns and 97 rounds of 9mm Parabellum ammunition.

The driver of the vehicle received six years imprisonment and the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime South team probed the source of the rounds.

The bullets were found in two containers, one an iPhone box – these were found within a bag in the vehicle.

Officers made enquiries about the IMEI number on the iPhone box and found it was linked to Pusey, a Lance Corporal with 1st Queen's Dragoon Guards - a cavalry regiment of the British Army.

The ammunition and the boxes were forensically tested and his fingerprints were found on the containers.

Pusey was arrested in April, 2017 and denied handling, stealing, passing on or having any knowledge of the bullets.

Detectives were able to ascertain that the rounds of ammunition recovered came from a batch, which was manufactured in July, 2010 for the British Military.

Detective Constable Leon Ure, said: “This was an unusual case, which opened up as the result of meticulous forensic work. 

Officers were able to narrow down the source of the bullets to the British Army, and a jury was convinced that it was Pusey who had passed the bullets on.

"Possessing ammunition is a very serious offence – criminals intent on using firearms to commit violence on London’s streets provide a black market for ammunition, to be used in shootings linked to gang violence and organised crime."