Pepper-Spray Woman Sentenced For Window Damage

Bromley Magistrates Court

A woman who damaged a residential window while in possession of a pepper spray-type cannister has been sentenced.

Paulina Surys, 42, of Linden Gardens, Notting Hill Gate appeared at Bromley Magistrates Court (pictured).

On her first appearance she admitted the offences.

Surys pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage on August 2, last year to the window, belonging to Ria Hearn, at an address in Lovelace Green, Eltham.

She also pleaded guilty to possessing a weapon for the discharge of a noxious liquid/gas, namely capsaicin; dihydrocapsaicin and PAVA, outside the property.

Surys was conditionally discharged for twelve months and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £22 victim surcharge.

She must also pay £580 compensation for the damage she caused.

Sneak-Thief Sentenced

Bessemer Place

A sneak-thief was caught on CCTV nicking a Barclaycard from behind the concierge desk at a new Greenwich Peninsula development.

Mohammed Abutaher, 42, of Galsworthy Avenue, Poplar, was eventually tracked-down nearly five months later.

He appeared at Bromley Magistrates Court, where he received a twelve-month Community Order, which includes 100 hours community service work and up to twenty days of a Probation Service-supervised recommended activity requirement.

Abutaher pleaded guilty last month to burgling 17 Bessemer Place, Greenwich on August 7, last year and stealing the Barclaycard.

Prosecutor Subhanur Chowdhury told the court it was approximately 3pm when a member of staff at the commercial premises noticed a mystery intruder had taken his bank card.

The staff member had left their jacket and bag in a postal room behind their concierge desk.

When CCTV was viewed an unknown male, later identified as Abutaher, was seen unlawfully entering the restricted area.

Police were shown the images and on January 20, this year Abutaher was arrested, across the Thames river, in Bethnal Green.

There was no evidence the Barclaycard was ever used.

Abutaher, who the court heard has committed six previous offences, including dishonesty, said: “I'm so sorry for what I did.”

Social Worker Caught Drink-Driving

Bromley Magistrates Court

A midnight drink-driver, pulled over by police who saw her Mercedes travelling “extremely cautiously,” has been banned from the roads.

Social worker Cherlene Gwekwerere, 37, of Rangefield Road, Bromley was also fined £120, with £85 costs and ordered to pay a £34 victim surcharge.

The single-mum, who is in receipt of Universal Credit, pleaded guilty to driving the black 1.5 litre diesel vehicle in Wickham Street, Welling on February 12.

Prosecutor Mr Subhanur Chowdhury told Bromley Magistrates Court last month
it was twenty minutes after midnight when police spotted Gwekwerere driving “extremely cautiously and slowly.”

She was stopped and failed a roadside breath-test.

At Lewisham Police Station the first-time offender blew a reading of 53 microgrammes of alcohol in her breath.

The legal limit is 35.

The court heard Gwekwerere, who admitted drinking earlier that day, was employed as a Family Support Worker and needed her car to transport her clients.

The court was also told Gwekwerere was “profusely sorry” for the offence.

Ex-World Champ Boxer Glenn McCrory Denies Schoolgirl Waitress Threats At Joshua Title Bout

Leaving Court: McRory

Former World Cruiserweight Champion Glenn McCrory appeared in court yesterday, accused of threats towards three schoolgirl waitresses at a title fight.

The 57 year-old was attending a dinner at Tottenham Hotspur stadium, which was hosting world WBA; WBO and IBF champion Anthony Joshua’s defeat to Ukrainian challenger Oleksandr Usyk.

County Durham-born McCrory, of Anderson Court, Burnopfield, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, nicknamed the ’Northern Warrior’ during his fight days, won the IBF belt in June, 1989.

During his thirty-win career McCrory also held the British and Commonwealth Cruiserweight belts.

He appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court charged with three counts of threatening behaviour towards each schoolgirl waitress at the London Academy of Excellence, Tottenham on September 25, last year.

McCrory pleaded not guilty to each count and was bailed to return for a two-day trial on August 2. 

Prosecutor Jyothi Somavarapu told the court: “The London Academy of Excellence was hosting a dinner event associated with boxing at Tottenham Hotspur stadium.

“Students were invited to work as waitresses and one was on reception, greeting guests as they arrived.

“One made contact with Mr. McCrory at 4.30pm and greeted him and asked what table he was seated at.

“He replied: ‘Whatever table you’re at,’ and grabbed this young lady’s hands and arm while he was speaking to her.

“Various words were being uttered and two other females found themselves in a similar situation and all three mentioned similar things.

“They all spoke to their teacher and there was even an announcement at the event that the waitresses were underage children working at the venue.” 

RSPCA Trustee Accused Of £100K-Plus Expenses Scam

An RSPCA trustee, accused of a seven-year £100,00-plus expenses fraud on the animal charity, appeared in court for the first time yesterday.

David Mawson, 47, is accused of creating a business account while a trustee of the London South East RSPCA and defrauding the charity in relation to Premier Inn rooms and taxi fares. 

Croydon Magistrates Court heard Mawson booked a total of 328 days at Premier Inn during a four-year period, claiming expenses of approximately £91,000, plus approximately £15,000 in Addison Lee taxi fares.

Mawson, of Staines Road, Twickenham was bailed unconditionally to appear at Inner London Crown Court on May 11 and did not indicate a plea.

He is charged with fraud by abuse of position between January 1, 2012 and September 30, 2018 while occupying the position of trustee he dishonestly abused that position, intending to make financial gain.

Prosecutor Mili Matin told the court Mawson was reported to the police by a fellow-trustee in 2018.

Taunton Police Officer Charged With Sex-Messaging 15 Year-old Girl

Court Date: Burton

A police officer appeared in court for the first time yesterday charged with sexually-explicit communication with a 15 year-old girl.

Scott Burton, 45, of Fitzhead, Taunton, Somerset indicated a not guilty plea and elected Crown Court trial.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court before a special sitting of District Judge Michael Snow, who bailed him to appear at Exeter Crown Court on May 10.

Burton, who unsuccessfully applied, via his legal representative, not to give his home address in open court, was ordered not to contact the complainant as a condition of bail.

He is charged with engaging in sexual communication with a child between January 1 and March 31, 2020 in Taunton, with intent to encourage the girl to make a communication that was sexual.

The court was told Burton was sending “inappropriate messages” with a sexual context to the girl, who was 15 years-old at the time.

Derby Nuisance Caller Threatened Police

A Derby man, currently locked-up for making threatening phone calls, appeared in court today, where he complained about his probation officer and lack of legal representation.

Danesh Joshi, 49, has been remanded in top-security HMP Belmarsh since police arrested and charged him with his latest offences.

“I have been really abused by my probation officer,” he told Inner London Crown Court. “I have been denied the opportunity to get legal representation.”

Previous offender Joshi, of Portland Street, Cavendish earlier pleaded guilty to making threatening phone calls to Derbyshire Police and persistently making use of a public communication network to cause annoyance, inconvenience or anxiety on December 18, last year.

He admitted the offences when he appeared via videolink at Croydon Magistrates Court, where a charge of making threats to kill were dropped.

“I was accused of threatening to kill my probation officer, but they did not proceed,” said Danesh from the secure dock.

“At Croydon Magistrates Court I was suffering extreme anxiety. I did not understand the charges fully and did not know if I was guilty or not guilty.

“I've had some memory loss as well and I have not seen any Legal aid forms in custody.”

Danesh was remanded in custody to return on April 19.

Restraining Order Imposed On Stalking Charge

Bromley Magistrates Court

A middle-aged Kent man, charged with stalking a woman, has been slapped with a five-year restraining order.

Graham Pilcher, 55, of Red Tree Orchard, Ashford appeared at Bromley Magistrates Court.

He was originally charged with stalking Jennifer Ingelbrecht between January 1 and April 9, last year.

The charge accused Pilcher of stalking the woman in Folkestone by driving past her home and the homes of her sister and her parents and parking near the complainant's and sister's home for varying lengths of time on numerous occasions.

Pilcher was said to know his behaviour amounted to harassment.

A second charge that he performed an unauthorised computer function in Folkestone on April 6, last year was dismissed.

Pilcher was sentenced to a twelve-month Community Order, which includes 150 hours unpaid community service work.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge and not to make any contact with Ms Ingelbrecht until the restraining order expires on March 1, 2027. 

Champion Petrolhead "Fuming" Over Race Conviction

"Fuming": Spence outside court

Champion racing driver Jamie Spence called a turban-wearing Heathrow Airport parking attendant a “Paki”, after trying to drag him over to see £700 worth of damage to his Range Rover, a court heard.

The 48 year-old former British
Formula Ford and Formula Three champion was enraged after seeing damage to the wing mirror and alloy wheels of the vehicle after a family holiday in Spain.

Spence, of Coptfold Hall Farm, Ingatestone, Essex, was convicted last Thursday of the racially-aggravated assault of Tarvinder Singh Ahluwalia at the Terminal Five car park on September 4, last year.

“He heard Mr Spence call him a Paki and made a 999 call and was clear in that call he was called a Paki,” announced Ealing Magistrate Subash Ludhra.

“You got it totally wrong,” visibly upset Spence told the magistrate before he was a fined £290, with £620 costs and ordered to pay £50 compensation to Mr Ahluwalia, plus a £34 victim surcharge.

“You’ve got someone who doesn’t even speak English who only understands one word. I’m fuming,” said Spence while the magistrates were considering their sentence. 

Spence had returned from a two-week holiday with partner Chantelle McGelligan and their young child and collected the black Range Rover from the airport’s ‘Meet & Greet’ parking service.

“Basically I noticed the wing mirror had damage on it and two of the wheels had been curbed,” he told the trial. “I then asked the complainant if he could acknowledge there was damage before I left.

“He was a little abrupt and said: ‘Ring the office. It has got nothing to do with me.’

Damage: Spence's Range Rover

“I did grab him by the arm, but not very tightly and asked him to come and acknowledge there was damage.”

Spence admitted swearing at Mr Ahluwalia, but insisted he did not use the racial slur.

“I turned around and walked off and called him a: ‘F***ing p****.’

“There was seven hundred pounds of damage and I was a little bit annoyed. I do work hard for what I have got, but I definitely did not attack him, hit his arm or pull his arm.

“It is disappointing when you give your car to a company. They have basically said they are not paying for it.

“I asked him three times and did hold his arm to guide him towards the car,” explained Spence. “He changed his story from me running and hitting his hand to grabbing his arm.

“His story has elaborated and grown more and more. I’m not racist.”

However, Mr Ahluwalia, who had a Punjabi interpreter when giving evidence, told the court: “He checked the car and said there was some scratch on the car.

“He came back to me and pulled my hands with a lot of force and I told him to leave me and take a picture of the scratch and send it in.

“He did not leave me, he was pulling me and I told him to leave me alone because there was a camera there and witnesses.

“He did not hit me, he  pulled me,” added Mr Ahluwalia, denying he exaggerated the incident.

“He told me: ‘You Paki.’ I think he thought I was a muslim.

“This happened for the first time in my life. It made me feel very, very bad.”

Spence’s partner Chantelle, who had waited by the Range Rover, did not see any physical contact, but told the trial she heard her fiancé’s words.

“I noticed the wheels and wing mirror was damaged and I could hear Jamie swearing a little bit.

“I heard him swearing, I think he said ‘twat’. He was obviously upset there was damage to the car.”

Prosecutor Beata Murphy told the trial it was 4.45pm on a Saturday when Spence collected his vehicle. “The complainant told him to contact the manager on Monday.

“The defendant took hold of the complainant’s right arm and demanded he looked at the damage to the vehicle, but he could not leave his desk, where he kept all the other customers car keys.

“The defendant walked away with a female and a child and the word ‘Paki’ was heard and the complainant called 999 and reported it to the police straight away.”

Spence’s lawyer Natalie De-Merist told the court: “The defendant has a personality disorder and has difficulty regulating his emotions.

“When he gave evidence he said that he was sorry he grabbed and swore at Mr Ahluwalia in the first place.”

When the magistrates retired to consider their sentence an obviously angry Spence told Ms Murphy: “You’ve done me.”

He added: “This world is so bad. Everybody is out to shaft everybody else. Take, take, take. 

The magistrates heard Spence has previous convictions for threatening behaviour; assault and obstructing police.

“The prosecution have proved their case,” announced Mr Ludhra. “The assault was racially-aggravated.”

Southall Somalian Stabbing: Thirteen Years For Killer

13 Years: Ilyaas Maalin

A killer involved in a Somalian gang stabbing on the suburban streets of Southall is starting a thirteen-year prison sentence.

Ilyaas Maalin, 23, was one of five young men armed with knives and bats who killed 29 year-old Gus Fenton in west London.

He fled to Holland in a failed bid to avoid justice and was extradited back to the UK approximately four years after the killing.

The victim was strolling to his local betting shop when attacked by the brutal gang - some of whom are still wanted - on two separate occasions. 

Maalin faced a murder trial at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court, where a jury convicted him of the lesser offence of manslaughter.

He received ten years and nine months on that count, plus another two years and three months after pleading guilty to violent disorder.

At the start of the trial prosecutor Bill Emlyn-Jones told the jury Gus left his home on March 28, 2017 for his local betting shop.

“He was being followed by a group of five much younger men, specifically looking for him.

“Once they found him there was a short meeting that ignited into violence in broad daylight in a busy high street, crowded with pedestrians and drivers.

“Mr Fenton was chased and caught and he was punched and kicked, lasting a few seconds,” continued the prosecutor. “He was not seriously injured at that stage and the group of five headed off.”

Gus phoned his brother Elijah, 35, and began walking home, but was confronted by the same group a second time.

Stabbed: Gus Fenton

“They attacked him again and some had armed themselves and the attack was significantly more violent.”

By now Elijah had driven to the scene, explained Mr Emlyn-Jones. “He sees his brother attacked by the group armed with knives and bats and other objects.

“They turned their violence onto Elijah and he was stabbed, but Gus was not lucky, he had serious injuries six separate stab wounds.”

Sadly, Gus died the next morning.

“There is no dispute this defendant is one of the young men involved,” the prosecutor told the jury. “The extent of his involvement is for you.

“Within a few days of the murder the defendant went to Holland to avoid arrest and trial, the prosecution say.

“He was returned to the UK last year.”

The jury will viewed CCTV images of the attack during the trial.

“All five are acting together as a team, each playing a part by causing serious injuries or helping and encouraging those doing the stabbing and inflicting the injuries.

“The CCTV will show group violence by five friends acting together.”

Another gang member, 29 year-old Mohamed Abdillahi is serving an eighteen year sentence for manslaughter and violent disorder.

Wanted: Three Suspects

Three more males are still being hunted by police, who have released CCTV images of the suspects.

The Somalian-born trio have all been identified by the police as Mohamed Abdulhi Abdi, 27; Mohamed Abdi Mohammed, 23 and Mohammed Mohammed, 23.

They are all believed to have left the UK.

Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin of Specialist Crime said: “Despite the convictions of these two men our murder investigation continues.”