Bank Fraudster's Eight Branch Blitz

A fraudster, who blitzed eight banks in just three hours armed with a stolen debit card and driving licence - netting £850 in cash – has been jailed.

Humphrey Odunwo, 33, wandered the heart of the UK's financial district in the City of London until his scam was exposed in the final bank branch.

At Inner London Crown Court he was sentenced to seven months imprisonment.

Odunwo, of Great Cambridge Road, Cheshunt pleaded guilty to 17 counts, including theft and possession of articles, with intent to defraud.

He targeted the eight Square Mile banks between 3pm and 6pm on Wednesday, February 26, 2020. 

He used the stolen debit card and driving licence to withdraw £850 in four branches.

He was refused cash at the final branch he visited after the cashier was alerted to his scam through an internal memo and he failed to answer the necessary security questions.

He was subsequently arrested and interviewed by the City of London Police, where they found further documents, including an additional bank card and driving licence that were not in his name.

Acting Detective Sergeant Thomas Prosser said: “The owner of the stolen card and driving licence, bank staff and financial crime associates all played their part in making it difficult for this criminal to operate. 

“By working together with all those in our communities, we can tackle crime more effectively.

“The fact that further documents were found in Odunwo’s possession shows this was not a one off occurrence and we are pleased he is no longer on the streets and able to cause harm.

Train Assault Suspect Hunted After Accidental Shoulder Bump

A late-night train passenger had his spectacles smashed in retaliation after an accidental shoulder bump while boarding the service.

A mystery man, now wanted by transport cops, is believed to have deliberately swung his arm into the passenger's face after the incident.

British Transport Police (BTP) are investigating and are treating the enquiry as an assault.

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

The victim boarded the train at East Croydon station at approximately 11.30pm on Saturday, November 6 and was travelling towards Gatwick Airport.

As he did so he accidentally bumped into another male passenger.

The victim took a seat and the unknown male followed him before swinging his arm into the victim’s face and breaking their glasses.

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

If you recognise him, or have any information, please contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 748 of 06/11/21.

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

Female Passenger Targeted By Train Sex Pervert

A train passenger deliberately played with himself while recording a lone woman he deliberately sat opposite on the deserted late-night service.

British Transport Police (BTP) have launched an investigation.

Officers have released this CCTV image of their suspect and are appealing to members of the public for their assistance in identifying him.

A man boarded the train at Kent House station in south-east London at 11.15pm on Friday, October 15.

He sat directly opposite the unaccompanied female on the otherwise empty carriage.

He began to masturbate under his trousers and the woman noticed he was filming her on his mobile phone at the same time. 

He exposed himself and the victim walked away. 

The man then got off the train at Sydenham Hill station.

Officers believe the man in the CCTV 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 51 of 16/10/21.

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

BTP Release Image Of Train Grope Suspect

Police are hunting a train sex pest, who molested a woman sitting opposite him during a journey north out of London.

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

The BTP are treating the offence as sexual assault onboard the late-night St. Pancras to Harpenden, Hertfordshire service.

Between 1.45am and 2.30am on Friday, October 22, a man started a conversation with two women onboard the late train. 

A short while later, he leant forward and sexually assaulted one of them.

Officers believe the man in the image may have information which could assist their investigation.

If you recognise him, or have any information, please contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 2100079526.

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

Hell For Drink-Driver After Dante Road Police Stop

A drink-driver, stopped by police in Dante Road, is starting a twenty-month road ban after jumping into his work van while over double the limit.

Builder Michael Wilmot, 36, of Mill Street, West Malling, Kent was shopped by a member of the public, who saw him behind the wheel while obviously intoxicated.

At Croydon Magistrates’ Court the father-of-three pleaded guilty to driving in the Elephant and Castle residential road at 11.15pm on November 11 with excess alcohol in his breath.

Wilmot had 83 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit is 35.

He also pleaded guilty to driving without insurance.

Prosecutor Caroline Mungall told the court on Friday a witness reported Wilmot to the police for possibly drink-driving near Kennington Underground Station.

“The police arrived and witnessed the van turn right towards Elephant and Castle and the driver was hard on the accelerator and brakes.

“The defendant was stopped in Dante Road and he was unsteady on his feet and alcohol was smelled on him.

“He failed a roadside breath-test and it was discovered he was also driving without a policy of insurance.”

It was Wilmot’s second drink-drive conviction, having been disqualified in 2010 for eighteen months.

The court heard Wilmot say he was working late, was stressed and stopped to have a drink before intending to drive home.

He told the court he needs to be able to drive his van to continue with his building business as the family’s sole bread-winner and also has the responsibility of driving his three daughters to school.

Due to the loss of his licence Wilmot indicated he would have no option now but to sign-on for state benefits.

He claimed the insurance offence was simply because his policy reminder was lost in his email’s junk folder.

Wilmot was fined £692, with £85 costs and ordered to pay a £69 victim surcharge.

He was disqualified from driving for twenty months.

Noisy Neighbour Convicted Again

A notorious nuisance neighbour has again received a suspended prison sentence for harassing the long-suffering couple residing next-door in the adjoining suburban semi-detached. 

Raymond Thomas Putt, 74, was convicted of breaching a court-ordered restraining order, prohibiting harassment of his immediate neighbours.

The pensioner, of Burnham Drive, Worcester Park, Sutton again appeared at Croydon Magistrates' Court, where he was sentenced to twenty-six weeks imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months.

The court heard there were thirty instances logged of breaches of the restraining order between July 21, 2020 and February 6, this year.

Putt was also ordered to pay £250 compensation to both Keith Smee and Sally Steggles, his next-door neighbours.

The restraining order he breached was made by the same court on August 15, 2018.

A new indefinite restraining order was made, prohibiting Putt from directly contacting the couple and making excessive noise both inside and outside his property between 9.00pm and 8.00am.

In 2016 Putt received a suspended prison sentence after the court heard he repeatedly banged on the adjoining wall late at night with a wooden stick over a period of four months.

This was described as putting the couple through “significant turmoil” and forcing them to flee their home at weekends in search of peace.

Putt, who has lived at the address for thirty-three years previously claimed his actions were “tit-for-tat” in response to noise made by the couple.

Heroin Dealer Caught Fleeing Police

A drug dealer, caught by police throwing away 26 wraps of heroin, is starting a prison sentence of three years and four months.

Kevin Speid, 55, of Green Man Passage, West Ealing was caught by officers responding to reports of street drug use in the area.

On Wednesday, June 30 officers from Hobbayne Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT), along with colleagues from Elthorne and Clevland SNT were on patrol in a marked police vehicle.

They responded to reports of drug use within the area of Leeland Road, West Ealing.

They spotted three men talking in a carpark, who dispersed and fled on seeing police.

A short time later two of the men were seen again, one chasing the other. One of the men was Speid, who was detained after being seen to discard several small items.

They were recovered and discovered be 26 small wraps of class A drugs – namely heroin. 

PC Johnny Rowles, of Hobbayne SNT said: “This conviction sends a clear message to those who attempt to sell drugs in the West Area BCU that it will not be tolerated. 

“Working together with other teams we will proactively track you down and make sure that these drugs are removed from the streets before they can cause harm. 

“We rely on our community to help us tackle the supply of drugs and ask that, if you have information please call 101 or alternatively, to remain anonymous you can call the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Violent Sexual Assault: Drunken Thug Jailed

A drunken, violent thug, who subjected a woman to a prolonged sexual attack at her west London home is starting a prison sentence of three years and four months.

Sumon Miah, 36, punched and bit the victim, even placing a pillow over her head and repeatedly blocked her from escaping via taxis she ordered.

Miah, of Joel Street, Northwood pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court to sexual assault by penetration; false imprisonment and assault.

On Sunday, September 19 Miah arrived at the victim's address intoxicated. 

He began arguing with her, subjecting her to a sexual assault, despite her pleas to stop.

Miah punched her to the floor, where she hit her head.

The victim managed to escape and ran into to the street, pursued by Miah.

He continuously grabbed and pulled her away from taxis she ordered until one driver got out of the car and allowed her to safely make it to the vehicle and get away. 

Detective Sergeant Phil Hames, of the West Area Command Public Protection said “This was a particularly nasty and violent crime for which I am very pleased that we have been able to bring the offender to justice.

“I would like to praise the victim for their strength in supporting this prosecution. I hope this conviction and sentence provides some comfort and contributes towards their recovery and healing. 

“I would also like to thank the member of public who intervened, recorded some of the offence and called 999. 

“Whilst I would never encourage anyone to put themselves in danger the actions of the witness was crucial in bringing swift justice in this case.”

Tube Train Pervert Hunted

Two female tube train passengers have complained about an unknown man they say indecently pleasured himself in front of them.

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

At around 8.30pm on Thursday, July 15, a man travelling eastbound on the Central Line between Bank and Stratford masturbated in front of two women sitting opposite him.

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 21000518385 of 15/07/21.

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

Smoking Tube Train Sex Pest Wanted

An illegal tube train smoker, who made sexually explicit comments to a teenage girl, is being hunted by transport cops.

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

They are treating the incident as “a serious public order offence”.

At around 9.00pm on Saturday, October 9, a man on-board a Northern Line underground train started smoking a cigarette. 

He then turned to the young girl and engaged her in conversation.

The victim told him to leave her alone before he started making sexually explicit comments to her.

He got off at Camden Town Underground station.

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

If you recognise him, or have any other information, please contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 2100076363.

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