Grass Grower Grassed Up

The caretaker of a £50,000 cannabis grow operation in west London has been jailed for seven months.

Police were tipped-off about the property and Emiljan Ndreca, 25, was arrested during a police raid.

He pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court to production of cannabis.

On Monday, August 9, officers from the West Area Violence Suppression Unit (VSU) attended an address in Woodhouse Avenue, Perivale.

Once inside officers discovered it was being used as a cannabis factory, with multiple rooms set up for the growth of cannabis.

Homeless Ndreca was the only person there and was working on and supervising the crop.

The cannabis seized had a street value of approximately £50,000. 

PC Kevin Taylor of the Violence Suppression Unit team 2 said “This was a great result following vital intelligence passed to us by the public. 

“Cannabis production and the sale of it is a vital income source for organised crime groups and gangs. 

“The money from it is used to fund further criminal activities and fuels ongoing violence on the streets. 

“Shutting down this factory and imprisoning Ndreca who was being used to cultivate the crop has taken a tool out of the hands of the gangs to make money and fund criminal activities. 

“We will do our best to shut down as many of these as we can and imprison anyone we can identify in the involvement of setting up or running them. 

“This is just a small part of the work we are doing every day to help drive down drug related violence in the West Area.”

Street Punch: Suspect Hunted

Police are hunting a street thug, who suddenly punched another man in the face in a north London street.

The Metropolitan Police have released this image of their suspect.

Police were contacted at 1.00pm on Thursday, July 1 to reports of an unprovoked assault in Whistler Street, Highbury.

The 25 year-old victim was strolling along the pavement when, without warning, he was approached by a man and punched in the face.

The mystery suspect then quickly left the scene.

The victim reported he suffered a facial injury.

Police wish to speak to this suspect and are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying him.

Officers can be contacted via twitter @MetCC or by phone at 101, quoting the reference CAD 2818/06Aug21

Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.

Wannabe Rapist Hunted By Police

Police are hunting a wannabe rapist after a lone young woman was dragged screaming into a stinging nettles bush.

The 21 year-old victim was pounced on from behind in Raynham Road, Upper Edmonton between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on February 26 and forced into a field.

The Metropolitan Police have released this bus CCTV of their suspect, who they believe fled the scene on a route 149.

The victim later told officers she could feel someone very close behind her and turned to see a black male, aged approximately 25-35 years-old.

He was wearing a black tracksuit with three white stripes underneath a large coat and was carrying a backpack, which had reflective stripes.

The man grabbed the young woman’s mouth and waist and dragged her into a dip in the field.

As she tried to fight him off she fell into the bush and he stood over her, forcefully pulling down her jeans while covering her mouth.

The victim’s loud screams were heard by neighbours, who approached, scaring off the attacker.

If you recognise the suspect contact police on 101, quoting CAD 4419/05AUG21

Alternatively Crimestoppers can be called on 0800 555 111. 

Train Passenger Jailed For Intercity Sex Assault

Westminster Magistrates'

A Sheffield train passenger, who molested a woman onboard a service to London, was locked-up for the offence earlier this year.

Yasain Sulleman Egeh, 31, was sentenced to forty-one weeks imprisonment.

The British-national, of Coleridge Gardens, Greenland appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

He pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the female on the Sheffield to London St. Pancras service, by intentional touching, on February 3.

Egeh also pleaded guilty to a charge of threatening behaviour onboard the train.

He admitted the offences on his first appearance and was bailed for one month for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Egeh was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for seven years.

Sisters-In-Crime: Siblings Plotted To Defraud Nation's Oldest Bank

Jakara (L) & Wahida (R)

Two sisters, who plotted to defraud the UK’s oldest bank - C.Hoare & Co. - to swindle thousands of pounds worth of designer luxuries avoided prison with suspended sentences today.

Customer service clerk Jakara Begum, 30, was employed by the private Fleet Street bank - founded in 1672 - and shared confidential customer information with her criminology graduate sister Wahida Begum, 28.

They targeted 41 mostly female customers of the fourth oldest bank in the world, using their bank details a total of 148 times to purchase Gucci and Michael Kors watches; Louis Vuitton handbags and trainers and other luxury items, including further watches from Goldsmiths. 

If every repeated fraudulent attempt was successful the bank would have lost £189,000, but the sisters were limited to getting their hands on £12,430 worth of designer luxuries.

One of their favourite retailers was Selfridges and their online purchases were delivered to the family council flat in Redman House, Portpool Lane, Holborn, where they shared a bedroom.

“This is a case about C.Hoare & Co. bank, where you, Jakara where employed and where you dishonestly acquired the details of a significant amount of account holders, carefully noting all you needed for dishonest transactions,” said Judge Ian Darling.

“Those details came into your possession Wahida. This was a joint enterprise and much of the evidence that implicates you both was found in that bedroom.

“This was carefully thought out, involving the use of the information and requiring the organisation to ensure the goods were obtained.”

Prosecutor Gavin Pottinger told Inner London Crown Court: “Jakara had access to the personal details of account holders and used her position to take card and cvv numbers and the answers to security questions.”

The confidential information was found on bits of paper when City of London police raided the family home at dawn and 41 pages of customers’ details were stashed in Jakara’s car.

“C.Hoare & Co. is a private bank with better off customers than High Street banks,” added the prosecutor. 

Jakara, who now works for a banking services company, was previously employed by Santander and the court heard she took a large amount of customers’ details on her last day there.

The sisters have been on bail since their first court hearing over two years ago and Jakara’s lawyer Timothy Banks said: “This has been a stressful and traumatic journey for her.

“It has taken a real toll on her mental health, the length of time this has taken. The whole experience has been a nightmare as far as she is concerned.”

Wahida’s lawyer Patrick Maggs said: “She has a degree in Criminology and is interested in a career in that field, but whether that is open to her is unclear.”

“The irony is not lost on me,” replied Judge Darling, who told both sisters: “You have come within a hair’s breadth of going through the back door of this court and your lives would be ruined.”

Both sisters fought the most serious charge against them, but on the day of their trial pleaded guilty to conspiring between January 15 and May 28, 2018 to defraud C.Hoare & Co.

Jakara had already pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position between the same dates; possessing articles for use in fraud, namely customers’ details, on August 7, 2018 and fraud by abuse of position on October 5, 2018.

Wahida also pleaded guilty to fraudulently using credit card details between January 15 and May 28, 2018 and possessing articles for use in fraud, namely customers’ details on January 15, 2018.

Jakara was sentenced to twenty-four months imprisonment, suspended for two years and Wahida twenty-one months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

They must also both complete 200 hours community service and the court made no order for compensation.

All the C.Hoare & Co. customers have been refunded by the bank.

City Worker Jailed For "Ludicrous" Fraud

A City worker, who processed fake invoices totalling £668,000 during a two-month scam on his employer, has been jailed.

Shazeb Iqbal, 23, created a total of 29 fraudulent invoices, which were forged to appear as genuine documents authorised by the company CEO's personal assistant.

At Inner London Crown Court Iqbal, of Monarch Way, Newbury Park, Ilford was sentenced to two-and-a-half years imprisonment.

He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud between July and August, 2017.

Iqbal was employed by a City of London firm and the fake invoices purported to be from various companies.

Temporary Detective Sergeant Darren Norton, from the City of London Police, said: “This was a shameless and ludicrous attempt by an employee to defraud his employer out of a substantial amount of money. 

“This is a great result and reflects that cases like this will be pursued by law enforcement. 

“We will continue to work tirelessly to bring fraudsters to justice.”

The company conducted an internal investigation and discovered that all of the fake invoices were processed instantly by Iqbal. 

This was flagged as suspicious as most invoices were not usually processed until hours, or even days, after being received.

The company reported Iqbal to the City of London Police and he was arrested on Thursday September 7, 2017.

In his police interview, Iqbal denied all knowledge of the fake invoices and maintained that the speed at which he processed them was because he was a very efficient worker.

A search of a computer seized from Iqbal’s home uncovered a copy of a fake invoice that had similar features to those he processed.

Naked Scotland Fan Fought Police After Smashing Hotel Room

A Scotland fan, who leapt naked from his vandalised and blood-smeared fourth-floor hotel room, hours after his nation’s 0-0 draw with England at last summer’s Euros received a suspended prison sentence today.

Electrician Ross James Ferris, 27, suffered a “psychotic episode” after an alcohol and cocaine binge.

He wrecked his Central London room, causing £14,635 worth of criminal damage then assaulted police as they tried to handcuff him in the street.

Ferris, of Hill Street, Cowdenbeath, Fife pleaded guilty to damaging his room at the Corus Hotel, Lancaster Gate, Bayswater, near London’s Hyde Park on June 18.

He also pleaded guilty to three counts of assaulting three police officers, two he spat at and a third who suffered a cut and swelling to their hand, during the struggle to handcuff him.

Ferris, who was supported at Southwark Crown Court by his wife and parents also pleaded guilty to possessing a small amount of cocaine police found in his hotel room.

Prosecutor Mr. James Marsland told the court: “The hotel manager was alerted to damage being caused to one of the rooms, which had a broken window and items being thrown from it.

“The police were called and they found Ferris had barricaded himself in and by the time officers gained access Ferris had jumped from the window.

“The tv bracket and trouser press had been ripped from the wall, windows were smashed, mirrors were smashed and there was blood in the room and the bathroom.

“Officers in the street saw Ferris emerge from the window and jump onto a conservatory with a glass roof below and then down to the street.

“He was naked and he had to be tasered by the police and held down by multiple officers and he was shouting and struggling.”

The police concede Ferris appeared to be in the grip of some kind of mental breakdown. “He thought the police were there to hurt him and there was talk of grenades,”added the prosecutor.

“He spat at two police officers and caused an injury to another’s hand, a small cut and swelling caused by Ferris struggling with the handcuffs on.”

Ferris was questioned in police custody the next day.

“Having sobered up he said he had been drinking and taking cocaine and suffered an episode where he thought everyone was out to get him and feared for his life.”

Ferris has convictions for assault in 2012 and assaulting police in February, 2020.

His lawyer Roger Sahotra told the court: “This was a drug-induced psychosis that he brought on himself and is not an excuse, but an explanation.

“He is truly ashamed and found it very, very difficult to view the CCTV of himself.

“He apologises to the police and to the hotel staff for the distress and damage he caused and has offered to make restitution for the damage.

“He has emailed the hotel and his father has visited the hotel.

“Mr. Ferris owns his own business and is in a loving relationship. He is a loving father and son and the balance of his mind was not right at the time.

“He should abstain from alcohol permanently and use of cocaine could cause a repeat and damage to his health.”

Judge Alexander Milne QC sentenced Ferris to six months imprisonment, suspended for two years and ordered him to complete 150 hours community service work.

He must also pay the full compensation to the hotel within six months.

“As you recognise it was a shameful pattern of activity that must have been stressful for those that had to deal with you and clean up the room after you,” the judge told an emotional Ferris

“The damage to the room is horrendous and the behaviour in the street was horrendous.

”This was bizarre and I accept for the most part out of character and a result of the dreadful reaction you had to the illegal drug you took that evening.

“Otherwise you are a responsible father, businessman and employer.

“You are somebody capable of getting your life back into proper shape and you seriously wish to correct what you have done.”

Cunning City Phone Thief Jailed

A prolific City of London mobile phone thief, who perfected a newspaper distraction ploy, has been jailed for a year.

Vasile Mihai, 29, was hunted by Square Mile police, alerted to an active mobile phone thief on their patch.

He was eventually arrested in Ludgate Hill on June 23 by officers from City of London Police's Crime Squad.

Homeless Mihai would enter businesses and offices where he had spotted a mobile phone on the receptionist's desk.

He would engage the member of staff in conversation, such as asking about employment or requesting money while placing a newspaper over the phone.

Mihai would then remove both the phone and newspaper and leave.

Mihai targeted a number of business throughout the City of London between March and June, 2021 before his arrest.

At Inner London Crown Court he was convicted of seven offences, totalling over £5,000.

Inspector Caroline Hay said: “A custodial sentence is a great result for both our Crime Squad, and officers from our Force Resolution Centre (FRC) who have worked together scrolling through hours of CCTV to get this criminal off of our streets.

“Many of Mihai’s targets had no insurance for their devices, resulting in a substantial cost, as well as the devastation of losing all of their personal data on their phones, such as bank details or irreplaceable photographs.

“As restrictions ease and more people have returned to work in the City, we want criminals to know that our officers will do everything in their power to catch and convict offenders.”

Mihai was also given a criminal behaviour order restricting his possession of mobile phones, laptops and tablets for the next five years.

Mobile Molester Raped Young Woman

An “opportunistic predator” who kidnapped a vulnerable young woman from a group of friends and raped her in his car is starting a sentence of six years and nine months.

Farhan Akoo, 30, of Worcester Gardens, Cranbrook, Ilford confiscated the victim's phone so she could not raise the alarm as he drove around London molesting her.

The journey concluded in an unlit dead-end street, where Akoo further subjected her to sexual assaults.

He was found guilty after a trial at Inner London Crown Court of one count of rape; three counts of sexual assault by penetration; one count of kidnap, with intent to commit sexual offences and a further count of kidnap.

He was investigated by City of London Police.

In the early hours of Sunday, November 25, 2018, Akoo drove his victim away from her friends at speed.

He took her phone away from her so she could not make contact with the group. 

Detective Inspector Anna Rice, from the City of London Police’s Public Protection Unit, said: “I’d like to commend the young victim who bravely came forward and reported these appalling crimes. 

“Akoo is an opportunistic predator who took advantage of a vulnerable woman. 

Akoo led the woman away from her friends and then took away her phone, meaning that she had no way of contacting someone for help.

“The victim has shown incredible bravery and co-operation throughout what must have been a very difficult investigation.

“I hope these sentences provide some form of closure and comfort knowing Akoo will be behind bars and be on the sex offenders register indefinitely.”

If you have experienced a sexual offence, or are concerned that someone you care about might be at risk, you can report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. 

In an emergency always call 999.

Train Sex Pest Hunted

Police are hunting a train pervert who exposed and played with himself on consecutive days last month.

British Transport Police (BTP) are investigating and treating the incidents as sexual offences.

They have released this CCTV image of their suspect and are appealing for the public's help in identifying him.

On the morning of Monday, August 23 a man on-board a train travelling between Brixton and Orpington stations in south London exposed and touched himself inappropriately.

The same man is also reported to have committed sexual offences at Sydenham Hill railway station the following morning.

Officers believe the man in the CCTV images may have information which could help their investigation.

If you recognise him, or have any information, please contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 2100062814.

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