Man Viciously Attacked In Shop: Two Suspects Sought

Police are hunting these two suspected thugs after a man was beaten unconscious in a South Norwood shop and robbed of his bag.

The victim was head-butted and dragged into the street, where the vicious attack continued – resulting in him sustaining a fractured eye socket.

On Tuesday, September 15 the victim was in a Portland Road shop at 8.00pm with a friend when confronted by a male he had never seen before.

The stranger was joined by another man, before they began to attack the victim. 

The man was head-butted, kneed in the head, and repeatedly punched as he lay unconscious on the floor.

The man was then dragged, unconscious, into the street where he was kicked in the head and stamped on. 

During the attack, which lasted approximately two minutes, a bag was taken from the man.

PC Luke Dowling said: “This was a sustained, remorseless attack that must not go unpunished.

“The man is incredibly lucky he didn’t escape with more serious injuries. We are working to trace those responsible and hold them to account.

“We are conducting thorough enquiries but I am appealing to the community to tell us what they know about this attack. 

“Communities have a vital role to play in tackling violent crime and we urge anyone who may have information to tell us, so that we can tackle violence together. 

“If the public work with the police, our streets will be safer.

“If you don’t want to talk to us directly, you can always anonymously speak to Crimestoppers in complete confidence.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting CAD 7362/15SEP20. Or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Manager Conned Housing Charity Employer

A tenancy manager, who swindled £100,000 out of a housing charity he worked for, has been jailed for two years and four months.

Gael Ikobonga, 32, took control of several flats and rented them out himself – even moving into one with his girlfriend for two years.

Ikobonga, of Rush Green Road, Romford used his employers' letter-headed paper to secure contracts with tenants, but gave his bank details for receipt of rent.

Southwark Crown Court heard he worked for a housing company that leased properties on behalf of a charity which, as part of its services, provides housing for individuals who need support.

Ikobonga had responsibility for a block of flats in Canning Town, east London and falsely marked several of the properties as 'returned to landlord'.

He then sub-letted them himself, with bank statements revealing rent from four flats between January, 2016 and November, 2018.

The majority of the money was spent on his gambling habit.

Acting Detective Inspector Martin Enever, from the North East Economic Crime Command, said: “Ikobonga stole money from a charity that helps those in need to fuel his gambling addiction; with not a thought of the impact his actions would have. 

“Employee fraud is a serious offence, which the Met is committed to investigating. Employers can help by always remaining vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity to Action Fraud.”

Drink-Driver Collided With Lamp-Post

Wimbledon Magistrates' Court

A drink-driver, who collided with a lamp-post after taking to the wheel after a works leaving do, was banned from the roads today.

Oliver Daniels, 46, of Golfside Place, Chessington Road, Epsom told the officers he was overtaking another vehicle when he had the accident.

He pleaded guilty to driving a silver Citroen, with excess alcohol in his breath, in Lombard Road, Battersea on February 28.

Daniels was fined £570, with £85 costs, plus a £57 victim surcharge and disqualified from driving for 17 months.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard police were called and found no occupants in the car.

Daniels approached the officers and owned up to being the driver.

At the police station he gave a breath reading of 61 microgrammes – the legal limit is 35.

His lawyer Richard Jeffries told the court: “Instead of running away he immediately told the police he was the person they were seeking. He took the full responsibility for his wrongdoing.

“The police say he was calm, quiet, co-operative and polite. Everything he could do to put this right, he did from the word go.”

Daniels, a £48,000-a year manager at the company he works for, had attended the leaving party of a work colleague and consumed alcohol.

“The vehicle was written-off,” added his lawyer. “The bill from the local council for the lamp-post has not arrived yet.”

Woman Flashed On Bus By Pervert: CCTV Image Released

Police are hunting this suspected bus flasher after a passenger exposed himself to a young woman.

A man boarded a Route 133 bus at Elephant and Castle, heading towards Streatham between 11.20pm and 11.30pm on Wednesday, July 1.

The man sat on the lower deck of the bus in the first seat after the centre doors.

The victim, a woman in her twenties, noticed that the man was constantly turning around in his seat.

She then realised he was exposing himself.

Officers have released this CCTV image of the man they believe can help them with their enquiries.

Anyone who recognises the man in the image or with any information is asked to contact the police by calling 101 quoting reference Cad 3098/02Jul.

Alternatively, tweet @MetCC or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Octogenarian Robbed In Home: Suspected Accomplice Wanted

Police are hunting this suspected accomplice after an unknown male robbed and assaulted an 80 year-old pensioner in her south-east London home.

Her image was caught on CCTV at one of three shops the victim's bank card was used to make £94 worth of purchases.

On Friday, October 2, the pensioner victim was home alone in Shardeloes Road, New Cross.

She answered a knock at her front door and a man forced his way in, pushing the victim against some furniture.

The OAP banged her head and sustained an injury. 

She is now recovering from the incident.

While the pensioner lay injured on the floor, the man rifled through her handbag and stole her purse before fleeing the home.

Within ten minutes, the victim’s stolen bank card had been used four times in three shops in Lewisham Way, racking up a bill of £94.

Police would like to speak to the woman pictured in the image, who they believe may be able to help them with their enquiries.

Detective Constable Bethany Russell, the investigating officer from the South East Command Unit, said: “Understandably, the woman has been left shaken and distressed after this incredibly violating incident.

“This was a cowardly, shameful attack and I want to find those who are responsible, not only to help put this victim’s mind at ease, but also to ensure that they don’t target anyone else.

“We have released a CCTV image of a woman we would like to speak to in connection with the incident and urge anyone who recognises her to contact us as a priority.”

Those with information are asked to call 101 ref CAD 4005/04OCT, or email or tweet @MetCC, or to remain 100% anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Septuagenarian Dog-Walking Couple Attacked In Regent's Park

A dog-walking pensioner couple were attacked by two women, whose own canine set upon the victims' two pooches in Regent's Park.

Police investigating the racially-charged incident have released this image as they continue their hunt for the suspects.

Officers were called to the park just after 8.00am on August 13 to reports of a dog attack and racially-aggravated assault.

It was reported two women attacked a man and a woman - both in their seventies - after the womens' dog had attacked the couples' two pets.

The 75-year-old woman suffered a dog bite to her hand, which required hospital treatment. 

The 79-year-old man suffered cuts and bruising after he was pushed to the ground and assaulted by the two women.

It was also reported that the women had racially abused the victims.

The suspects left the scene before officers arrived. 

There have been no arrests.

Police Sergeant John Berry, of the Met's Royal Parks police, said: "The park should be a place where people can walk their dogs in safety.

"The level of aggression and violence used towards an elderly couple was shocking and I would appeal to anyone who recognises these women to contact police."

Any witnesses or anyone with any information about the two female dog walkers is asked to call police on 101, quoting CAD 1840/13Aug.

Mobility Scooter Row: "Best Mate" Stabbed To Death

Stabbed: John Kennett

A man stabbed his “best mate” to death hours after becoming enraged at the victim losing his late mother’s mobility scooter, which they used to collect a pawned television, a court heard today.

Kenneth Pitcher, 51, of 7 Woodcroft Road, Thornton Heath denies repeatedly plunging a knife into 61 year-old John Kennett at the address on December 23, last year.

He has pleaded not guilty at Croydon Crown Court to one count of murder.

Prosecutor Mr. Hugh Davies QC told the jury Pitcher dragged the wounded Mr. Kennett onto the pavement at 9pm and pretended he did not know him when paramedics arrived.

Drunken Pitcher, who had also smoked crack cocaine and taken methadone that night, was seen by emergency services leaning over the dying man, asking: “Mate. What’s your name?”

“He told the paramedics the patient had knocked on his door, asking for help and then had stumbled and fallen to the floor,” explained the prosecutor.

Pitcher told the paramedics the man had been stabbed and was bleeding, despite there being no visual evidence of this and when pressed, replied: “I was just trying to f***ing help. I hope he’s okay.”

Pitcher then returned inside and slammed his front door.

“He gave contradictory and false accounts of events at the scene to distance himself from what he had done,” explained Mr. Davies.

“He knew the man lying on the ground very well, a man who he later told police was his: ‘best mate’.

“Mr. Kennett had not knocked on the defendant’s door. It later became obvious he had bled heavily inside the defendant’s living room.

“He suffered multiple stab wounds, including wounds to his left thigh and chest and bruising to the right side of his face.”

Pitcher’s Polish lodger Seb Wierzchoski had witnessed him dragging Mr. Kennett outside and called 999 on the order of the defendant, the court heard.

Regarding Pitcher’s defence case Mr. Davies told the jurors. “He says it was not him. It must have been the lodger by implication.”

Earlier that day the lodger saw Pitcher and Mr. Kennett together, making plans to collect the defendant’s tv from Cash Converters.

“The lodger says Mr. Kennett often rode on Pitcher’s late mother’s mobility scooter, not because he was disabled, but because he was lazy.”

CCTV captured the pair travelling along London Road with the scooter and television.

“When the defendant returned home with the television and no scooter he was furious and was shouting that Mr. Kennett was a w*****,” explained the prosecutor.

“He was angry because Mr. Kennett had left the mobility scooter somewhere between Croydon town centre and the house.”

Mr. Kennett, who was a regular visitor, apologised and the pair settled down to drink and smoke crack cocaine.

“What led to him to stab Mr. Kennett in his front room later that night is known only to him,” said Mr. Davies.

Police recovered a washing-up bowl and towel covered in Mr. Kennett’s blood from a neighbour’s garden and a wet wipe inside the address contained both the deceased’s blood and Pitcher’s DNA.

Trial continues…………..

Police Find Loaded Gun Under The Bed

A gunman, caught with a loaded firearm under his bed during a police raid, has been jailed for five years.

Bozlu Miah, 36, of Portman Place, Bethnal Green, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm, with intent to endanger life and possession of ammunition.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard on Monday, March 30 officers carried out an intelligence-led search warrant at an address in east London, where Miah was known to reside.

While searching the property, officers found a loaded firearm underneath Miah’s bed – wrapped in plastic bags and hidden in a gift bag. 

The firearm was made safe and was seized by officers before sent off for testing. 

It was established that it was a viable firearm.

PC Shah Haque, of Central East Gangs Task Force, said: “Officers across London are working around the clock to locate and remove weapons from the streets of London.

“Tackling violent crime is a priority for the Met and we remain committed to bringing anyone who carries or holds firearms and other lethal weapons to justice.

“The evidence gathered against Miah as part of this comprehensive investigation left him with no option but to plead guilty to these offences.”

Eleven Years For Rapist Who Attacked Lone Woman Walking Home

A rapist, who attacked a lone woman walking home after a night out with friends, is starting a nine-year prison sentence.

Leon Rochester, 33, of Woodhouse Road, Leytonstone was convicted after a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

On Sunday, January 26, the victim was walking home along Leytonstone High Road when Rochester approached her and offered her a drink.

He walked with the victim to a secluded location off Kirkdale Road, where he began touching her before carrying out the attack.

Rochester ignored repeated pleas for him to stop. 

The woman eventually managed to break free and run away.

Police were called by a member of the public who came across the woman in a distressed state. 

Officers attended and began an investigation

Detectives carried out enquiries and found CCTV, which placed Rochester at the location. 

They also spoke to a witness who heard the woman ask him to stop.

Rochester was arrested on Friday, January 21 at his home address and was subsequently charged with rape.

Detective Inspector Jeremy McDermott, of the North East Command Unit, said: “I’d like to commend the victim for coming forward and telling us about her terrifying ordeal. 

“Thanks to her bravery, both then and during the course of the investigation and trial, a dangerous offender has been taken off the streets.

“Although this sentence cannot make up for what she has gone through, I hope that the verdict and sentencing brings her some level of closure.

“I would also encourage all victims of both sexual assault and rape to come forward and contact police. 

“We know that it is an incredibly difficult thing to do but we can provide you with appropriate help and support while carrying out an investigation to find those responsible.”

TV Crime Producer In The Dock

Westminster Magistrates' Court

A female television producer, who specialises in police and crime reality shows, has ended up in court for assaulting a man in a suspected domestic incident.

Jacqueline Sarah Paul, 36, boss of JSVP Productions Ltd. was convicted after a trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

The BBC and ITV programme-maker, of Avenue Road, Highgate was found guilty of assaulting Henry Lewin at a flat in Avondale, Vera Road, Fulham on January 12.

She was cleared on causing approximately £2,000 worth of criminal damage to Mr. Lewin's motorcycle on the same occasion.

Paul produced fourteen episodes of Close Calls: On Camera; one episode of Crimes That Shook Australia and the Love Island spin-off Amber & Dolly: 9 to 5.

She was conditionally discharged for twelve months, ordered to pay £200 compensation to Mr. Lewin and £775 costs.