Train Passenger Attacked During Onboard Toilet Row

A train passenger was headbutted and had his eyes gouged during a violent toilet row.

The passenger was hospitalised and needed medical treatment for damage to his eyes.

The British Transport Police (BTP) have released this image of their suspect and have asked the public for their assistance in identifying him.

The complainant attempted to gain access to an occupied toilet onboard the Gatwick to Clapham Junction train at 8.50pm on Monday, October 11.

He attempted to open the door and began banging on it.

A man exited the toilet and the complainant entered.

A few seconds later the man who exited the toilet opened the door and an altercation broke out between them.

The man headbutted the complainant, who then fell to the floor and he pressed his finger into his eyes. 

Other passengers intervened and separated them.

If you recognise him, or have any information, please contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 565 of 11/10/21.

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

Woman Accuses Fellow Train Passenger Of Playing With Himself

A female train passenger says an unknown man sitting opposite her deliberately played with himself while hiding his groin area with a folder.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this image of their suspect and are seeking the assistance of the public in identifying him.

The woman was travelling between Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamstead at 9pm on Thursday, October 21 when she noticed a man seated opposite her.

She claims he was touching himself inappropriately below a folder he kept on his lap to obscure his behaviour from other passengers.

The BTP are asking anyone who has information to text them on 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 9 of 25/10/21.

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

CPFC's Sporting Director Dougie Freedman Banned For Speeding

Crystal Palace super-scout Dougie Freedman will not be able to drive around the country assessing potential signings this month after being banned from the roads for speeding.

The Premier League club’s Sporting Director has hit the jackpot with recent additions, which include Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher; striker Odsonne Edouard; winger Michael Olise and defenders Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi.

This has seen the South London club move into the top half of the table after a strong start to the season under new manger Patrick Vieira.

However, after being hit with a twenty-eight day driving disqualification the 47 year-old ex-Crystal Palace; Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers striker will be unable to drive himself to games to spot the next wave of talent.

The good news for Freedman, who lives in a £2m seven-bedroom mansion in Wilmslow, Cheshire, is that he will be back on the road in the run-up to the January transfer window.

He appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court, where he was sentenced for driving his black three-litre Mercedes at 27mph in a 20mph zone on Redriff Road, Rotherhithe  on November 24, last year.

Freedman admitted the offence and was fined £750, with £110 costs and ordered to pay a £75 victim surcharge.

Self-Styled Antiques Expert Denies Ripping-Off Elderly Residents

A rogue antique dealer deliberately targeted elderly homeowners in the poshest parts of London, flogging their valuable collectibles without permission or simply keeping them, a court heard yesterday.

Peter Taylor, 61, printed up convincing-looking flyers and business cards, presenting himself as a legitimate expert, who could obtain good prices at auction for the victims’ property, the jury were told.

Isleworth Crown Court heard the estimated loss to the 14 customers was approximately £195,920-plus.

Trading under his previous legal name of Peter Tillott he operated in and around Kensington; Fulham; Chelsea; Notting Hill and West Brompton in West London.

One victim, the jury were told, is Lady Patsy Alliott, who is still missing her valuable candlesticks and prints. “She doesn’t know what happened to them,” said prosecutor Katrina Charles.

Taylor, of St. Margarets Road, St. Margarets, Twickenham, has pleaded not guilty to fourteen counts of fraud relating to each individual complainant between March, 2016 and February, 2019.

“This case involves the targeting of elderly and vulnerable complainants,” said the prosecutor. “He posted flyers and business cards, purporting to be from an established auction house, offering to collect, value and sell items.”

Taylor operated under the company name ‘Chelsea Auction House’ and ‘Muck2Brass’, listing his 23 year-old son as a director.

“The defendant changed his name for a fresh start because the reputation attached to Peter Tillott had become a liability,” said the prosecutor.

One customer, company director Sheila Newsum, 83, who lives in a £1m West Brompton apartment responded to Taylor’s business card, which he shoved through her letterbox, the court heard.

She is the Chair and Managing Director of Hunters Associates, an international events company and allowed Taylor to remove valuables from her home, suffering a £11,340 loss, she says.

“She felt she was dealing with a knowledgeable professional,” added Ms Charles, but regretted dealing with Taylor as her property was “sold at a huge loss.”

Also replying to his business card was Austrian-born psychoanalyst Karin Syrett, 79, who lives in a £800,00 apartment in Royal Crescent, Notting Hill.

She complains her property was sold by Taylor without her permission.

Also swindled, say the prosecution, was businesswoman Caroline Shamash, 50, boss of Saffron interior arts, which provides “luxury items” to high-end interior designers.

She says Taylor disappeared with £5,295 worth of her property, including an expensive chandelier of hers she discovered he was selling on eBay.

The businesswoman hunted the evasive Taylor down to his business unit, where she met his son. “He told her the defendant was either out, unwell or in hospital,” explained Ms Charles.

Elderly gent Arnold Rosen says he lost £2,285 worth of furniture Taylor removed in a hire van from his garage to sell at auction, the trial heard.

Another gentleman, Roy Turner, allowed Taylor and two assistants to walk out of his home with a treasured collection of thirty watercolours and prints, resulting in an estimated loss of £5,000-£10,000.

“He made repeated attempts to contact the defendant, but did not hear anything.”

French restauranteur Eric Payet, 44, allowed Taylor to clear his two old premises of all their contents and fixtures and fittings, resulting in an estimated loss of £112,000, he claims.

Taylor also cleared the home of a Helen Ford’s deceased mother and she found property, including a clock; mink coat; silver coffee pot; music centre; tankards and pair of glass carafes on his eBay account.

He had claimed the property was worthless and the complainant estimates the loss at £2,500, added Ms Charles.

Another woman, Gill Miller, contacted Taylor after he put his business card through her letterbox and later saw her property for sale online, estimating her loss at £2,500.

Veteran antiques dealer Maria Gabriela Ponce de Leao, under pressure from her children to relieve pressure on space, allowed Taylor to walk out of her home with 83 antique items.

She had already handed him over her “best antiques” earlier and claims valuables, including bookcases, chairs and a bureau were sold for rock-bottom prices at Lots Road Auctions Chelsea, resulting in a £30,000-£50,000 loss.

A Fulham property businessman, 72, plus two more men and a woman also say they were defrauded by Taylor.

The trial is expected to last six weeks.

'Dog Whisperer' Fined For Martial Arts Weapon

An award-winning self-styled ‘Dog Whisperer’ has been fined for being caught with a martial arts weapon, despite claiming he needed it to ward off “vicious” pooches.

On his professional profile Bruce Clanford, 46, describes himself as: “the ONLY qualified and registered Dog Whisperer in the World!”

He told police when taken into custody for having the wooden baton - known as a ‘Tonfa’ - : “I took it out years ago when I was dealing with vicious dogs.

“I am a genuine, harmless guy, a pillar of the community. I am a Dog Whisperer.”

Clanford, of West Road, Emsworth, Hampshire, who graduated from the University of Greenwich with a degree in Animal Behaviour and Ethology, was stopped by police for parking on a double yellow line.

When officers searched his blue Mitsubishi Lancer they found the foot-and-a-half long weapon by the drivers’ seat.

He did not appear for his trial at Croydon Magistrates’ Court, where he was convicted of possessing an offensive weapon in Bristow Road, Sutton on March 3.

Two days later the warrant was withdrawn and Clanford was fined £625, with £300 costs and ordered to pay a £63 victim surcharge.

Clanford is the Managing Director of Dog Whisperer World and a registered therapist specialising in aggression; barking; anxiety; separation issues; pulling on the lead and recall.

He charges £75 for one-on-one dog counselling and other services are available on application on a base-by-case basis.

He is due to collect his 2021 gong for ‘Dog Behaviour Specialist of the Year’ at the Prestige Awards for small businesses, hosted by Corporate LiveWire.

PC Julie Mustart told the trial there were suspicions concerning Clanford’s female passenger and the vehicle was subjected to a drugs search.

No illegal substances were found.

However, the martial arts baton was found lying next to the drivers’ seat and Clanford told police at the roadside: “I didn’t know it was a problem. I do training.”

PC Mustart told the court: “He’s a dog trainer, he said. Quite well-known as a dog behaviourist.”

Clanford claimed in his police interview he did not even known the baton was by his side and had just transferred all of his property from an old car into this new one.

He claimed to have brought it with him once to treat an aggressive Rottweiler, who had hospitalised four members of the same family.

“I have scars and scratches on my arms from when I have handled vicious dogs.

“It is what I have done for twenty years and I thought it would aid my protection when dealing with vicious dogs and would save my arms.”

However the magistrates ruled Clanford had no lawful reason to have the weapon in public and convicted him.

Race Abuse On Train

A man travelling on a late-night train from Central London to the suburbs was racially-abused by a mystery passenger.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this CCTV image of their suspect and request the assistance of the public in identifying him.

The complainant was sitting on a Victoria to Bromley South train at 10.55pm on Tuesday, October 5.

He has reported to the BTP another male passenger sat next to him and made racially abusive comments.

Officers believe the man in the image 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 541 of 09/10/21.

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

Passenger Attacked On Train Platform

A train passenger in south-east London suffered a split lip and broken tooth when suddenly punched while waiting on the platform.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this CCTV image of their suspect and request the public's help identifying him.

BTP have described the incident at Woolwich Arsenal Docklands Light Railway as a “violent assault.”

At around 11.55am on Friday, September 10 a man got off a train at the station and punched a passenger waiting on the platform. 

As the victim ran away, the man chased him and pulled him to the ground where he continued to punch and kick him in the head and upper body before walking away.

The men were not known to each other and the victim attended hospital for treatment to severe facial injuries, including a broken tooth and split lip.

If you recognise him, or have any information, please contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 50 quoting reference 261 of 10/09/21.

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

Female Guest Victim Of Hotel Thief

A female four-star hotel guest in the City of London has been targeted by an audacious thief, who tricked staff into giving him her room key.

The victim was sexually harassed and had personal items stolen by the intruder, who is being hunted.

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

Between 2.30am and 3.30am on Sunday, September 3 at the Dorsett City London, Aldgate staff were deceived into giving the unknown male a key, after he claimed to be the victim’s partner.

Detectives are keen to speak to anybody who recognises the man in the CCTV footage, or who may know anything about the incident which could assist the investigation.

The victim is being supported by specially trained officers as the investigation continues.

A/Detective Inspector Hannah Sydney, from the City of London Police’s, Public Protection Unit said: “This was an awful incident, which we are thoroughly investigating and are supporting the victim at this difficult time.

“I want to reassure City residents and those who come into the City to work and socialise, that a full and thorough investigation is underway.

“We are now asking the public for their help - if anyone was in the area or in the hotel and saw this man please get in touch. “Any information you provide could be significant to our investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the City of London Police using the form on the public portal or by calling 020 7601 2222 and quoting 21513648. 

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Bus Arson Attack: Do You Know This Suspect?

Police investigating a deliberate arson attack that set a double-decker bus ablaze have released these images of their suspect.

Sutton borough officers in south-west London are in charge of the enquiry and are appealing to members of the public to assist in identifying the male.

On Friday, October 8 a group of young men boarded a 154 bus outside the Fairfield Hals, Croydon at 9.45pm.

One black male from the group sat in the rear of the upper deck smoking a cigarette.

At 9.54pm he made his first attempt to set fire to the plastic of the seat in front of him.

Three minutes later he switches seats and appears to watch as the fire takes hold.

One minute later he gets off the bus in Meteor Way, Roundhaw Estate and stands watching as the bus is engulfed in flames.

Police suspect the same young man tried to set a similar fire on the top deck of another 154 service five days earlier on October 3.

On that occasion the damage was minimal.

If you can identify this individual or have any other information you are asked to call 101 with the reference CAD 8509 of the 8th October 2021.

Comedian Alan Carr's Husband Denies Driving Over Four Times The Drinks Limit

Paul Drayton (L) Alan Carr (R)

The husband of comedian and tv presenter Alan Carr was reported to the police for nearly colliding with a mum pushing a pram and reversed into the patrol car when stopped for driving over four times the limit, a court heard yesterday.

Paul Drayton, 50, of Toat Farm, Bashurst Hill, Itchingfield, Horsham appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court, where he indicated he would fight the charge.

He was stopped three miles away from the home he shares with the entertainer, which was bought for £2m in 2011 and is now valued at £2.75m.

Drayton is charged with driving a silver Mitsubishi 4x4 on October 9 in Wickhurst Lane, Broadbridge Heath, Horsham with 153 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit is 35.

He will claim the police breathalyser was incorrect.

Prosecutor David Holman told court: “Police received a call, reporting a suspected drink-driver outside a Co-op.

“The vehicle almost struck a female with a pram and the officers began searching for the vehicle and fifteen minutes later police noticed a silver Mitsubishi and stopped the vehicle.”

Paul Drayton leaving Crawley Magistrates' Court

Drayton claims the Co-op report was another driver with the witness to that incident only matching four out of seven of the numbers and letters on his plate.

“The police noticed the Mitsubishi was swerving from one side of the road to the other and suspected the driver may be impaired,” explained the prosecutor.

“The vehicle was stopped and then reversed into the police vehicle, a light touch with no damage caused.

“The acting Police Sergeant says the vehicle that was swerving from side to side had damage to the rear driver’s side.

“He activated the blue light and siren and indicated for the vehicle to stop.

“The officer then saw the reverse lights come on and back up and make contact and shouted at the driver to stop.

“When he went to the driver’s side he turned off the engine and says there was a strong smell of intoxicating liquor and ordered the driver out of the car.

“The driver was unsteady on his feet and lacked co-ordination. His speech was slurred and his eyes were glazed and he was arrested.

“This is a very high reading and police imposed a condition of bail that Mr Drayton does not drive any vehicle.”

The court bailed Drayton unconditionally - dropping the police-imposed requirement - to appear for a case management hearing at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on November 23.

Drayton went to remarkable pre-arranged efforts not to be photographed outside the courthouse.

He left wearing a facemask and a beanie-style hat pulled down, almost covering his eyes.

A female driver was employed, who parked in a restricted area as close to the court building as possible in a vehicle with blacked-out windows.

A rear passenger-side door was opened in advance and the driver sat with the engine running as Drayton quickly ducked inside the vehicle, his eyes fixed on the car.

He could not be seen in the back as it sped away.