Suspected Killer Still On The Run

Stabbed: 'Taki' Boudhane

The suspected killer of a motorbike courier, who was stabbed after a traffic row, is still being hunted almost a year on.

Nathan Smith, 27, fled to the Continent the day after 30 year-old Takieddine 'Taki' Boudhane was fatally stabbed in Lennox Road, Finsbury Park on January 3.

Detectives believe he travelled to Austria and then onto Switzerland. 

Officers are confident he has now moved elsewhere in Europe or further afield.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, who is leading the investigation, said: “Nathan’s family are understandably worried about their son, having not had any contact with him for almost twelve months.

“We know that Christmas will be a particularly difficult time for them and we would urge Nathan to think about the pain and distress he is causing his own family.

“We would also ask him to think about Taki’s loved ones who have now had to spend nearly a full year without their brother or son. 

“Unlike Nathan’s family, they know he is never coming back.

“All year we have worked tirelessly to find Nathan and that work continues at pace. 

“We would like to take this opportunity to remind people to look again at his image and call us if you think you might have seen him or know where he might be. 

Wanted: Nathan Smith

A Metropolitan Police reward of £10,000 remains on offer for information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of the person responsible for Taki’s death.

Nathan has also been placed on Europol’s Most Wanted Fugitives list in the hope that increased publication of his name and image will lead to information on his whereabouts.

He is described as a white male, 6ft 3ins and of slim build, with dark hair. 

He usually has a dark beard although this may have been shaved off. 

He also has a tattoo on his right forearm reading ‘count your blessings’.

He has links to north London, particularly Islington, Camden and Kentish Town.

Taki, an Algerian national living in Enfield, was working as a delivery driver on his motorbike when he was involved in a traffic altercation at 6.50pm. 

The incident escalated and culminated in Taki being stabbed. 

Despite the efforts of emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene shortly afterwards.

Motorist Jailed For Mowing Down Armed Cop

A motorist, who ran over an armed police officer when ordered to stop has been jailed.

Aydin Altun, 26, of Suffolk Road, Tottenham received eleven years and nine months imprisonment and was banned from driving for twelve years and ten months.

He was convicted at the Old Bailey of attempted grievous bodily harm, with intent in White Hart Lane, Tottenham on October 29, last year.

Police were investigating a shooting in nearby Fairfax Road the day before and the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime Command took over the probe.

A black Mercedes similar to the one Altun was driving was reportedly involved so officer attempted an armed stop.

When it pulled over officers approached the front of the car and shouted: “Armed police, show me your hands.”

CCTV and body worn video footage played in court showed Altun drive forward at speed, throwing one of the armed officers onto the bonnet.

The officer was left clinging on as the car accelerated towards White Hart Lane Station. 

Altun tried to throw him off the car by zig-zagging across the road.

After a few seconds, the officer somersaulted across the road onto the pavement.

The Mercedes drove off, but officers found it a short time later abandoned in Tiverton Road, with the officer’s mobile still wedged between the bonnet and windscreen.

The officer lapsed in and out of consciousness and received significant grazing and cuts to his head, elbow, knuckles and hand and was taken to hospital and later discharged.

In court the officer, said: “I remember being scared for my life, I thought I was going to die. I remember thinking if this car was going to crash, I was going to die.”

'What a Plank': Yoga Teacher's Benefit Scam

Croydon Magistrates' Court

A yoga instructor and wannabe actress and model dishonestly pocketed £8,541 in benefits by secretly working additional hours.

Zelia Taitt, 43, continued claiming Housing Benefit and Employment Support Allowance when her earnings increased.

The mother-of-one, of Primrose Close, Wallington pleaded guilty to two counts of dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances to the London Borough of Sutton and the Department of Work and Pensions between November 14, 2017 and November 11, 2018.

She failed to inform her local council and the DWP when her hours changed and her income increased.

Croydon Magistrates’ Court heard Taitt dishonestly received an additional £6,487 in Employment Support Allowance payment and £2,054 in Housing Benefit.

She will repay the money via deductions from her current Universal Credit claim.

District Judge Nigel Dean told Taitt today: “You received money from the state that you were not entitled to. I give you credit for your guilty plea on the day of trial.”

Taitt has a new job at a studio in west London and that employer is aware of the court case, the hearing was told.

Her lawyer said she was in “straightened” financial circumstances.

Taitt was placed on a twelve-month community order, which includes 250 hours community service and was ordered to pay £300 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Driver On The Run

A suspected reckless driver is on the run after jumping bail.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police's South West Command Unit are appealing to the public for information to find the whereabouts of the wanted male. 

Ridwan Ali, 22, whose last known address is Northwick Road, Wembley, north-west London is wanted by police for failing to appear at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

He had been charged with two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving without insurance.

The charges relate to a road traffic collision in Garratt Lane, Wandsworth on Tuesday, July 21.

A warrant for Ali's arrest was issued by the court when he failed to appear on bail on October 30.

Anyone who has information concerning his whereabouts should contact police on 101 or Tweet @MetCC quoting 0314896/20 or emailp235964@met.police.uk.

To remain 100% anonymous, visit crimestoppers_uk.org or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Prison Sentence For Mosque Knifeman

A muslim convert, who stabbed a fellow-worshipper in the neck during mosque prayers, has been jailed.

Daniel Horton, 30, received eleven years and three months imprisonment for stabbing the 70 year-old man at Regent's Park mosque.

He pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm, with intent, and possession of a bladed article.

Detective Constable Daniel Jones of Central West CID said: “This was a shocking and brutal unprovoked attack in a place of worship where the victim should have been safe. 

“The sentence highlights the callousness of this attack on an unsuspecting victim.

“Horton had the audacity to smile when he was shown images of his victim’s injuries, not showing any remorse for his heinous actions. 

“I’m therefore pleased that Horton has been jailed for considerable length of time for his actions.

“I’d like to thank the worshippers who heroically detained Horton on that day, which possibly prevented him from causing further harm. 

“I’d also like to thank the victim for his courage and cooperation throughout the investigation.

“We may never know why Horton chose to viciously attack his victim, but there is never an acceptable excuse or reason for the use of violence. 

“The Met will continue to crack down on violence in London as well as on those people who think it is acceptable to carry an offensive weapon.”

Police were called to the mosque in Park Road, St. John's Wood at 3.10pm on Thursday, February 20 to reports of a stabbing.

The victim attended afternoon prayers at about 3.00pm and was acting in the capacity of a muezzin, whose responsibility it is to call all members of the mosque to prayer in the main prayer hall.

When he entered the main prayer hall the victim noticed Horton in the second row. 

The victim, who has been attending the mosque for about 25 years, recognised Horton by face but not by name as someone who often attends the mosque to pray.

When the second prayer was ending, the victim felt a sharp smack to the right side of the neck. 

However, he was not aware at this stage that he had been stabbed. 

The victim then saw blood on the floor so he stood-up, held his neck and made his way out of the main prayer hall. 

Many members of the mosque also realised this and rushed over to help him.

Other worshippers who were close by, witnessed Horton raise his arm and stab the victim in the neck. 

These witnesses bravely detained Horton and called the police.

Officers attended shortly after and arrested Horton on suspicion of attempted murder. 

Upon being arrested, Horton told officers: “This is not a religious attack and is not a racist attack.” 

Once in custody, Horton told a dedicated detention officer: “I don’t need a solicitor, I’m going to admit it.” 

When this was put to him in interview he said “I did this.”

He later said to the custody sergeant: “I had no intention of killing him. By the way I was standing I could easily have killed him, but I had no intention of that. 

“This was to send a message to him and the other associated with him.”

During his police interview when asked about the above statement, Horton simply smiled and nodded but gave no reply. 

He then gave no comment to all the questions put to him.

Aristocrat: "Go Back To Where You Come From"

An aristocrat, who is 65th in line to the British throne, told Sainsbury’s staff in the Strand: “Go back to where you come from. I’m going to kick you out of the country. You’re not English.”

Rowan Nash Lascelles, 43, is the son of The Hon. James Lascelles, The Queen’s first cousin, once removed and his great grandmother was the daughter of George VI and the Queen’s aunt.

It was Lascelles’ third racially-aggravated conviction and staff described him as “very aggressive” after his bank card was declined, Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court heard.

He pleaded guilty to using racially aggravated threatening behaviour towards store manager Shujel Ahmed and Sainsbury’s employee Mariluz Olmo on November 25.

Lascelles spent two days in police custody before first appearing in court last month, where he was bailed to King George’s Hostel in Great Peter Street, Victoria - ironically named after his great-great grandfather King George V.

“You are not very nice when under the influence of street drugs,” District Judge Susan Williams told him. “I wouldn’t have liked to have met you in Sainsbury’s in the Strand.”

He was sentenced to a twelve-month Community Order, which includes a six-month Drug Rehabilitation Requirement and a fifteen-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.

Lascelles was also made subject to a twelve-month Exclusion Order - prohibiting him from entering Sainsbury’s in the Strand for twelve months.

No order for costs or victim surcharge was made. “I’m not going to make you pay anything, you’ve got no money,” the judge told him. 

“Lets encourage you to stay away from street drugs, they’ll mess with your brain. Hopefully you will stay out of trouble for the next year.

“This was racially-aggravated. Not very nice,” she told him.

Prosecutor Zoe Hollingsworth told the court: “Officers were called to Sainsbury’s in the Strand to a report of a male, this defendant, being disruptive in the shop.

“He had tried to pay, but his card was declined and the defendant made some racist remarks.

“He said: ‘Go back to where you come from. I’m going to kick you out of the country. You’re not English.’

“Afterwards the store manager Mr. Ahmed said: ‘The man was very aggressive and racist towards me. I did nothing to provoke his behaviour.’

“The defendant was sentenced to imprisonment in December, last year for a racially-aggravated offence and there is a previous one.”

Those incidents involved a Leicester Square casino doorman he called a “Paki” and another man he racially abused at Victoria Train Station.

A court Probation Officer said Lascelles claims to have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) triggered by “physical and violent abuse” from his stepfather during his childhood.

Lascelles also claims to have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which results in him becoming angry very easily.

The court heard he is in contact with his mother, who resides in France and runs a theatrical business and hopes to join her when he sorts his life out.

Lascelles promised the Probation Service he has stopped smoking heroin and crack cocaine and has been on a methadone prescription.

He also blames the “emotional neglect” of his mother for his ADHD, which was not addressed in childhood.

District Judge Williams announced: “When he is not self-medicating with illegal drugs he is less likely to go into Sainsbury’s and turn into Mr. Angry and make all sorts of nasty racist comments.”

Top Deck Mugging: Three Suspects Wanted

A 15 year-old schoolboy was repeatedly punched and robbed of his mobile phone on the top deck of a bus in east London.

Police investigating the violent mugging have released these CCTV images of their three suspects.

The incident took place at around 3.00pm on Tuesday, September 15 onboard a route 474 bus near Savage Gardens, Beckton.

A group, all male, boarded the bus and went up to the top deck, where they approached the teenage boy. 

One of the group sat next to him and the others surrounded him. 

They demanded he hand over his phone.

When the boy got up and tried to leave he was dragged back to his seat by his collar and repeatedly punched. 

He was able to break free and get off the bus, but was punched again to the back of the head as he did. 

He suffered bruising to his face in the incident.

One person has been interviewed under caution in relation to this incident, but officers are still trying to identify others they believe were involved.

Detective Constable Nick Kortright, from the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command, said: “This was an unprovoked and unacceptable attack. 

“The victim has been left scared to get on a bus and tries to avoid going out unless an older family member is with him.

“Public transport in London is very safe and thankfully, incidents like this are rare. 

“We are determined to identify those responsible. I’d ask anyone who recognises the three people in the images released today to get in touch.”

If you know anything about this incident, or if you can identify any of the three males in the pictures, please call 101 quoting CAD 1585/08DEC. 

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

Pervert Strikes On Dancefloor

Police are hunting a nightclub pervert after a woman was molested on the dancefloor.

Officers are asking the public to help them identify this suspect as they continue investigating the sexual assault complaint.

The incident occurred during the early hours of Sunday, January 5 at a nightclub in Old Street, Islington, north London.

A woman was on the dance floor of the club when she was sexually assaulted by a man. 

She reported the incident to police later that day and continues to be supported by specialist officers.

While the investigation continues, there have been no arrests at this stage.

After exhausting all other reasonable lines of enquiry, detectives are now releasing an image of a man they would like to identify and speak to.

Anyone who recognises this man or has information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact police on 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD4117/05JAN20.

Alternatively, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Prisoner On The Run

A convicted jailbird is being hunted by the police, who want to put him back behind bars.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police's North Area Command Unit are appealing for the public's help to locate him.

Danny Tyndall, 39, (pictured) is wanted on recall to prison.

The police say he has connections to the Haringey area of north London.

If you see him in public, do not approach, call 999 and inform police immediately.

Anyone who has information regarding Tyndall's location, should call police on 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Jeweller Caught Selling Illegal Elephant Valuables

A jewellery shop boss, who advertised the sale of valuables containing banned elephant hair, has been sentenced.

Rajtharan Mahalingam, 40, of Down Lane, Isle of Wight received a suspended prison sentence when he appeared at Harrow Crown Court.

He was convicted of seven counts of purchase / offer to purchase / sell / keep for sale / commercial use of products containing specimens derived from endangered species.

This was contrary to the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997.

Mahalingam received 32 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 16 months and was ordered to complete 200 hours community service work.

He was also fined £200, with £1,500 costs and all the seized jewellery, containing elephant hair was forfeited.

The court heard in 2017, the Metropolitan Police's Wildlife Crime Unit discovered via online research that a jewellery shop on Ealing Road, Wembley was selling jewellery claiming to contain elephant hair.

Enquiries were conducted and established the jewellery had been illegally imported as there were no permits in place for the premises to import, sell or commercially use specimens derived from elephants.

A warrant was carried out on the premises on May 15, 2018, and a large quantity of jewellery containing elephant hair was seized.

Mahalingam was interviewed under caution on May 21.

Forensic analysis was conducted on samples of the seized jewellery and hair. 

Results from the hair samples matched DNA from both an African and Asian elephant.

Detective Constable Sarah Bailey, of the Met’s Wildlife Crime Unit, said:“There are legal requirements in relation to the import, sale and commercial use of specimens derived from protected / endangered species and these had not been complied with.

“African and Asian elephants continue to be poached and it is worrying that the derivatives of such activity may appear for sale in London.”