Ugandan Benefits Cheats Must Repay Over £1.6M They Defrauded From Taxpayers

A notorious benefits fraudster, whose eighteen-year scam financed a property empire in her native Uganda, was ordered today to repay £1,512,344 or spend an additional six years in prison.

Ruth Nagubuzi, 50, (pic.top) was the head of the "family business" and is currently serving a six-year sentence after pleading guilty to twenty-eight counts.

Up to 100 fake children's identities were created to cheat even more money from the Department of work and Pensions and Nagubuzi also claimed to have HIV and Aids to obtain free medicine, which she sold in Africa for huge profits.

Those drugs, which were also prescribed to four other fictitious patients, cost the UK taxpayer over £2 million alone and another £154,000 went on education for the scammers.

She controlled fifteen different properties in the UK, sub-letting them to immigrants while receiving housing benefit payments totalling £650,000 and the 'family's' child benefit, disability benefit, council tax and tax credits bill was £900,000.

The rent from the tenants of those overcrowded properties netted her approximately £756,000. 

Nagubuzi, of Manor Park, east London used her illegal profits to finance the construction of two complex's in her home town of Kampala, the 'Bulaga' and 'Zana' which incorporated hotels, restaurants and a shopping centre.

"What she ran was a large scale thriving business and had almost unlimited access to false identification," said Croydon Crown Court Judge Nicholas Ainley today.

Nagubuzi  claimed to have only been motivated to help her fellow-countrymen and women - many of them orphans - to start a new life in the UK, but the judge dismissed this announcing: "She was running a large scale business for gain."

The prosecution have failed to identify her assets in this country, but Judge Ainley added: "She is perfectly capable of hiding money away. How much has gone to Uganda? I don't know.

"There are strong grounds to suggest she has access to very substantial assets in Uganda."

Beside her in the dock was fellow-fraudster Dennis Kyeyune, 30, (pic.bottom) who received thirty months imprisonment in November, 2012 and he was ordered to repay £157,791 or spend an additional two-and-a-half years in prison.

"I do not even know if this is his true identity," said Judge Ainley, describing the defendant as someone who worked closely with Nagubuzi and was involved in the export of luxury vehicles, such as Mercedes and BMW's to Uganda.

Angry Transexual Patient Bombarded Respected Plastic Surgeon With Abuse During Campaign Of Hate

A leading plastic surgeon's career, earning power and reputation were damaged by a transgender patient, who launched a one-person campaign of abusive emails, calls, texts and online postings after claiming the doctor bungled their ear procedure.

Self-employed sales consultant Alexandra Charles, 36, of Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff was a patient of leading surgeon Dr. Brian Mayou, founder of the Cadogan Clinic, Sloane Street, Belgravia.

"This surgeon, who has pressed these charges, has caused me so much pain and distress," Charles told Hammersmith Magistrates' Court. "If you knew the full story and what this man has done to me you would be shocked."

Charles pleaded guilty to harassing Dr. Mayou between December 16, 2010 and May 16, last year by sending numerous unwanted insulting messages and yesterday was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for two years. 

Charles made unfounded allegations that Dr. Mayou was a peadophile during a two-and-a-half year campaign, resulting in the surgeon's right to work at South Kensington's private Cromwell Hospital being withdrawn.

Dr. Mayou, a former consultant and honorary lecturer at Guys and St. Thomas' Hospital, who was the plastic surgeon who first introduced liposuction to the UK, now has the complaint permanently on his General Medical Council record. 

"There have been multiple forms of threats over a long period of time," magistrate Mrs Nicola Leach told Charles. "The threats have impacted Dr. Mayou's family, career, reputation and earnings. The impact is unimaginable."

Charles was also ordered to pay £2,500 compensation to the surgeon, £150 costs an £80 victim surcharge and was made subject to a nine-month drug rehabilitation requirement.

Earache: Alexandra Charles

Prosecutor Miss Birgitte Hagem told the court Dr. Mayou performed a procedure on Charles in December, 2010 and after complaints from the defendant repeated the surgery in 2011.

"There followed abusive calls, texts and emails from the defendant, a lengthy course of conduct and prolific," explained Miss Hagem. "After a police warning they stopped, but later began again.

"In November, Twenty-Twelve the Cromwell Hospital received an email from the defendant accusing Dr. Mayou of molesting children."

On April 5, last year he received ten calls from an unknown number, but the voice of Charles was identified leaving threatening messages such as: "I'll be coming to see you. I want to know what you have done to my ears, you are going to pay for this.

"I'm planning what I am going to do, I'm going to strip everything off you, you f***ing bastard, you f***ing shit.

"I'm going to see you dog, f***ing c***. You've deformed me for life."

Charles also mentioned Dr. Mayou's wife and daughters, calling one of his girl's a "pig" and a "slut" and branding the surgeon a "kiddie fiddler."

The doctor was also forced to apply for fifty online posts to be removed from three different websites, which contained content such as: "He's a pedophile and needs to be locked up."

Charles was arrested when arriving in the UK at Bristol Airport on July 22, last year, after a trip to the continent.

In his victim impact statement Dr. Mayou said the abuse gave him sleepless nights and patients had cancelled surgery as a result of Charles' online rants.

"He has carried out a social media campaign against me and the clinic," said the surgeon. "Patients have cancelled as a direct result of the posts."

Charles' lawyer Miss Julie Stanhope told the court: "My client suffers a high-degree of self-hatred and in his early thirties decided to address his gender issues.

"The first step was surgery on his ears by Dr. Mayou and he accepts the behaviour the doctor endured was extreme and unacceptable."

Charles has since had face reconstruction surgery and breast augmentation.

Charles previously jumped bail after telling the court: "I am halfway through a sex-change and sending me to a male penitentiary would be sexual abuse."

Residents Endure Late-Night Car Wrecking Spree

The residents of a comfortable corner of Fulham woke to find a drunken night-time vandal had gone on a nine-car wrecking spree, causing £7,360 worth of damage to their vehicles.

Frank Brackley, 25, of Delorme Street, Hammersmith had been drinking at a local party that night and was seen by a resident who had been woken by a car alarm at 3.20am, throwing a brick at their vehicle, which was parked in it's drive.

He pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates' Court (pictured) today to nine charges of causing criminal damage on November 3, last year to vehicles parked in Stevenage Road, Woodlawn Road and Cloncurry Street on the fashionable side of the River Thames.

He damaged two Honda's; a Range Rover; a VW Tiguan; a Mercedes; a VW Golf; a Mini Cooper; a Citroen and an Audi.

Brackley also pleaded guilty to interfering with six of the vehicles and will be sentenced on April 1 after a probation report has been prepared.

The court was told the same resident heard a second car alarm sound and the defendant hid behind a parked vehicle when he heard the police arriving.

Several residents reported their vehicles had broken windows and had obviously been searched and at daybreak more locals came forward with similar complaints.

District Judge Susan Williams banned Brackley from the three streets as a condition of bail announcing: “At least those that live in those roads can sleep easily in their beds.”

“You were very clearly out of control,” she told father-of-two Brackley.

Crazy Parking Charges Make £1,000 For Enterprising Crooks

This CCTV image shows two opportunistic thieves taking advantage of London's huge car parking charges by ripping off a ticket machine.

The duo were able to snatch an astonishing £1,000 cash from a car park near Canary Wharf.

They entered the NCP car park in Lawn House Close at 9.35pm on October 1, last year and broke into the machines and left on foot.

The first suspect is described as a white male, wearing a grey tracksuit with the hood up and a baseball cap underneath.

The second suspect is a black male wearing a blue top, black trousers and a light-coloured baseball cap.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Detective Constable Darren Guntrip on 020 8345 4248.

DNA Nails Would-Be Rapist Thirteen Years On

Justice has finally caught up with a former burglar and wannabe rapist, who has been locked-up for a crime spree in which he left behind tell-tale DNA years ago.

Romanian Georghita Plesca, 44, (pictured) tried to rape a woman in her late sixties after breaking into her east London home, one of many properties he raided thirteen years ago.

The terrified victim was tied-up with tape and electrical flex by Plesca, who then ransacked the address and subjected her to the sex attack.

He moved to Bedfordshire and would have avoided justice, but was DNA-tested by local police invesigating a theft and linked to the earlier crimes.

Plesca was sentenced at the Old Bailey to thirteen years imprisonment after pleading guilty to attempting to rape the woman and burgling her home in Baxter Road, Canning Town on May 15, 2001.

He also pleaded guilty to two more Canning Town burglaries in Tree Road and Berwick Road on April 14 and May 17, 2001 respectively and a burglary in Rectory Gardens, Northolt, Middlesex on March 23 of the same year.

The court heard Plesca surprised the lone female occupant of the address in Baxter Road during the evening at the victim had been getting ready for bed.

As she tried to enter her bedroom, Plesca - who had broken into the property some time earlier - jumped on her from behind.

He then proceeded to tie her up with tape and electrical flex and then ransacked the property before attempting to rape her.

Plesca then fled the house, leaving his victim bound in the bedroom.

She managed to free herself and raise the alarm.



On all occasions forensic evidence was recovered and stored and this was to prove Plesca's downfall.

In August, last year, Bedfordshire Police arrested Plesca in relation to a theft matter and his DNA sample taken, which linked him to the four scenes and the case being investigated.

Detective Sergeant Michael McInerney of the Complex Case Team within the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command led the investigation.

He said: "Plesca evaded detection for a number of years, but diligent work at each scene meant that, when the opportunity arose, we were able to comprehensively link him to each offence.


"This conviction demonstrates that no matter how much time has passed since a crime, we will continue to investigate it when the evidence is presented to us.



"Sadly the victim of the attack in Baxter Road died before she could see Plesca brought to justice.

“I only hope her family can take some comfort in the fact that he is now behind bars." 

Boozy Businessman Nicked For Airplane Rant

A businessman, who aimed a foul-mouthed drunken rant towards a family on a flight from the Middle-East when an economics discussion got out of hand, received a suspended prison sentence yesterday.

Justin Peter Cross, 46, of Horsham Road, Cranleigh, Surrey was arrested at Heathrow Airport after stepping off a Qatar Airways flight from Doha.

He pleaded guilty to being drunk on the Boeing 777 aircraft on January 23 and was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months, ordered to perform 150 hours community service work, pay £650 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

Prosecutor Miss Pamela Reiss told Isleworth Crown Court: “He had been very disruptive on the flight and very abusive to one family, a mother and father travelling with their two teenage daughters.

“Mr. Cross was shouting and swearing, using the word 'f***' several times, and shouting at the family, calling them: 'F***ing pigs' which is a particularly abusive word to people from Qatar.

“He was staggering and unsteady on his feet and the pilot radioed through and he was arrested after the landing.”

Cross was questioned by police and eventully apologised for his drunken behaviour.

“He did say he was only having a discussion about economics and did say the argument was heated and he used foul language,” added Miss Reiss. 

“He showed little remource, but at the end of the interview he said he was embarrased and sorry for his actions.”

Cross's lawyer Miss Nina Kaikini told the court: “He is extremely sorry, he travels four to six times a year, is a regular traveller and nothing like this has ever happened before.

“He admits he was rude and obnoxious and consumed alcohol that was provided during the flight.

“He was under considerable stress due to business difficulties and everything built up and he behaved in a way he wouldn't normally.”

Recorder John Hobson QC told Cross: “You were drunk and very abusive to a family, using aggressive language.

“All this happened when the plane was airborne. It's a potentially very dangerous situation.”

Paedophile Primary School Teacher Used Ghostly Tales To Groom Boys For Abuse

A Walking Horror Story: Martin Smith

A former primary school teacher was convicted today of abusing two young boy pupils during sleepovers at his home on the eve of organised trips.

Martin Smith, 64, of Llandybie Road, Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, Wales was arrested and charged with the decades-old offences after internet communication between the complainants on 'facebook' and 'friends reunited.'

Woolwich Crown Court heard Smith, who transfixed the boys with elaborate ghost stories, used those tales to instigate some of the abuse, which involved the youngsters pleasuring him.

He was convicted of one count of indecent assault in relation to each boy plus two counts of repeated indecency with each child on multiple occassions between 1979 and 1982 and will be sentenced on April 11.

One count of indecency with a third boy was allowed to lie on the file.

Smith taught at a school in Camberwell, Southwark and all the offences took place at his former two-bedroom flat in St. Julian's Farm Road, West Norwood.

The jury were told the boys were aged approximately eight to ten years-old at the time and were “absorbed” by Smith's imaginative ghost tales, which usually involved World War One soldiers.

They stayed at Smith's address to get an early start on various school trips and one of the victim's claimed he thought he felt the presence of a ghost during a visit to an old music hall, such was the influence of the defendant's stories.

The same victim told police in a video-recorded interview that on occassions he was caned and spanked by Smith, who ordered the youngster to 'punish the ghost' by touching him intimately.

The man also told the jury that on one occassion “confirmed batchelor” Smith put him in a nappy and the truth only started coming out when he confided in his wife that a schoolteacher had abused him.

He approached police with his complaint in November, 2011 and officers then contacted the second victim, who confirmed similar abuse occurred when he stayed at Smith's flat.

Smith insisted he never touched the boys and recalled the second victim warning: “I'll get you for that,” after a caning.

He also claimed to have overheard the same boy making plans to get money as a result of sexual activity.

The third complainant told the court that during a sleepover Smith entered the room he and another boy were in, lied between them, and encouraged them to touch him intimately.

M&S 'Trolley Rage' Death: Woman In Court Charged With Manslaughter

A woman accused of the 'trolley rage' killing of a fellow Christmas shopper at a busy Marks & Spencer's store appeared in court for the first time today.

Melanie Serita Buck, 32, of Chelford Road, Bromley is charged with the manslaughter of Michael Buckley, 60, at the town's major shopping mall, The Glades, on December 22, 2012.

She spoke only to confirm her name, age and address during the short hearing at Bromley Magistrates' Court and was sent to Croydon Crown Court on unconditional bail to appear for a preliminary hearing on March 20.

She is also charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm on retired widower Mr. Buckley, of Whatman Road, Forest Hill, who died on March 5, last year after sustaining injuries including a broken hip and wrist, plus further complications.

He was injured shortly before 1pm as Christmas shoppers packed the popular store.

Mr. Buckley, who lost wife Irene two years before his death, died at Princess Royal University Hospital, Farnborough, Kent.

He weighed just eight stone and had severe hearing problems and had retired from an office job at Camberwell New Green Cemetery.

After the hearing Buck covered her face with a silk scarf as she left the courthouse.

Millwall Yobs Banned From Matches After Brawling With Burnley Fans

Millwall Ban: Dennis Woodham

Two Millwall FC fans, who fought with away supporters after a home match, have been banned from all designated games for three years.

The pair were caught on CCTV aggressively squaring up to Burnley FC fans after the away team rallied from behind to draw 2-2 in the Championship fixture.

They are: Jobless Dennis Woodham, 18, of High Brooms Road, Tunbridge Wells and David Watkins, 46, of Holder House, Cannons Wharf, Tonbridge.

They both pleaded guilty at Bromley Magistrates' Court to affray outside the New Den stadium on November 2, last year.

Prosecutor Miss Lee Verner told the court yesterday that both defendants were with a third man when they had an ugly confrontation with the Burnley FC fans in the street.

“Watkins stepped into the road, rose his arms and shouted and the Burnley group shouted back.

“Watkins and Woodham approached a Burnley fan and Watkins squared up and punched him and walks away, leaving Woodham.

“Watkins then walks back and a Burnely fan throws a punch and is then pulled away by his group.

“The third man they are with pushes a Burnley fan and Woodham then joins in, throwing punches at the Burnley fan.

“Woodham continues the confrontation and Watkins walks back into the fight with determination.”

Eventually the two groups split, but the CCTV follows the defendants and their pal.

“They all walk away with smile on their faces and they pat each other on the back and cuddle each other,” added Miss Verner.

They are stopped by police and arrested and Watkins, who admitted consuming four to five pints, said: “There was a bit of banter and I put a burger in his face.

“I don't remember much. The incident was all a blur.”

The court heard Woodham was “very remourseful” and claims the Burnley fans started the abuse.

Watkins claims he is not a regular fan, but was attending “in remembrance” of a friend he found dead after hanging himself.

Woodham was sentenced to a four-month 7pm to 7am electronically tagged curfew and was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Watkins was ordered to perform 160 hours community service work and pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Both defendants were made subject to a three-year football banning order, which includes not entering the London Borough's of Southwark and Lewisham during Millwall home games or watching games abroad.

Bolton Wanderers Fan From West Country Caught Throwing Coins At Championship Match

A Swindon man, who says he acted out of “frustration” when twice throwing a coin at a Championship football match was fined today.

Adam Corcoran, 22, of Cranborne Chase is a Bolton Wanderers supporter and was caught on CCTV at his team's away fixture with Millwall FC, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

He pleaded guilty at Bromley Magistrates' Court to throwing a missile at The New Den stadium on February 15 and was fined £255, with £85 costs and was ordered to pay a £26 victim surcharge.

Prosecutor Miss Lee Verna told the court: “Staff on the CCTV noticed the defendant throwing small objects he obtained from his pocket towards the pitch and was observed doing this a second time.”

Corcoran was removed and taken to the reception area where he confessed: “I did throw the coins, but not at anyone. It was just out of frustration.”

Miss Verna added: “He made a full admission to throwing coins twice onto the pitch and said he was sorry for his actions.”

Corcoran told the magistrates: “I'm sorry for what I did, I held my hands up straight away.

“I did not aim at anyone, it was just out of frustration.

“I was passionate about the team I support, Bolton, I'm sorry.

“I know it was stupid, but I was not aiming at anyone or intending to hurt anyone.”

The bench chairwoman told him: “Throwing coins is very dangerous and you know if you had hit someone you may be facing a different charge.”

Boozy Race-Rant At Notting Hill Carnival

Car Trouble: Joshua Wiggins

A drunken yob launched into a late-night race-hate n-word rant against three black women during a violent bust up at last summer's Notting Hill Carnival.

Jobless Joshua Wiggins, 25, of Bullsland Lane, Chorleywood had been drinking heavily and turned his attention to the women, whose car had broken down, after his pal had been thumped by an unknown black man he had also abused.


He pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates' Court to racially aggravated harassment against the women and causing £223.00 worth of criminal damage to their Vauxhall Astra in Bassett Road, North Kensington on August 25.


Prosecutor Mr. Tom Gill told the court it was 10.00pm and the three woman were on the roadside waiting for breakdown assistance when they heard Wiggins violently arguing with a black man.


“Mr. Wiggins was walking backwards and shouting: 'You can't touch me you f***ing n*****. You n****** can't touch me',” explained Mr. Gill.


“The women then saw him lash out at the wing mirror, kicking it off.”


The black man then took off his shirt while saying: “He's not going to call me a n*****,” and punched the defendant's friend, causing a cut to his head.


The three women were concerned, but Wiggins told them: “Some n***** has just hit my friend. I don't need help from you n******.


“You n****** don't touch him. I don't want you n****** touching him.”


The police and an ambulance were called and the abuse continued, explained Mr. Gill. “He was hurling abuse at the three women as the officers arrived.”


Wiggins told police. “I was drunk. I kicked the wing mirror off.”


The court heard Wiggins, who has a long-term drink problem, and also abuses cocaine and cannabis admits he was angry at his friend being punched and insists he is not a racist.


Bench chairwoman Mrs Joanne Baron told Wiggins: “These are very unpleasant offences and if you were not so incredibly drunk it probably would not have happened.


“This is a really serious offence, aggravated by the fact you were drinking and these were vulnerable victims with a broken-down car late at night and they must have been extremely frightened.”


Wiggins was sentenced to a twelve-month community order, which includes 150 hours community service work, 18 sessions of alcohol treatment and 19 sessions of the thinking skills programme.


He was also ordered to pay £223 compensation to the owner of the vehicle and a £60 victim surcharge.

HGV Driver Fronted International Money Laundering Ring

"Trusted Courier": Hayden Walker

A Northern Ireland lorry driver, whose regular continental route was a front for laundering over £200,000 in criminal cash, was jailed for eighteen months on Friday.

Anthony Robert McDermott, 50, of Knockadore, Newtownbutler, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh and his two co-conspirators were under police observation as they laundered money, which came from various criminal sources.

He pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court to conspiring to transfer criminal property, namely £17,490 and €116,000, between August 31 and October 28, 2012.

Convicted ecstasy dealer Sean Michael Tossell, 46, of Elm House, Holmesdale Road, Teddington, Middlesex and Hayden John Walker, 42, of Queenswood Avenue, Wallington, Croydon also admitted the same count.

McDermott alone also pleaded guilty to possessing criminal property, namely £100,100, on October 27, 2012 at Colchester Services on the A12, Essex.

Tossell received twenty-one months imprisonment and Walker was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months.

Prosecutor Mr. Bill McGivern told the court: “McDermott was to take all the criminal property out of the country.

“It was sterling and euros and came from three different criminal sources.”

The court heard that once a week McDermott drove his HGV to Dublin and then crossed on the ferry to Holyhead before driving across the UK to Harwich port.

Police launched a surveillance operation and quickly established a link between McDermott and Tossell, who had just been released from a ten-year prison sentence.

They watched as the driver met Walker on September 1, 2012.

“Walker was seen to pass McDermott an object he took to his truck,” explained Mr. McGivern, telling the court officers moved in during a second such rendezvous on October 27.

“Walker arrived in a car and McDermott was in his truck and he took possession of a green Marks and Spencer carrier bag, which he placed behind his seat and was then arrested.”

Inside the bag, which had Walker's fingerprint on it, officers found £17,490 cash and €116,000, which McDermott claimed was to buy cigarettes in Holland.

Inside his cab was a Budweiser box containing another £100,100 cash in heat-sealed bags similar to those seen in other money laundering seizures.

Walker was also arrested and tried to hide his mobile phone inside his half-eaten sandwich.

When quizzed McDermott claimed he was contacted by a man known as 'Chelsea' and had taken “five or six” packages to the continent.

CCTV confirmed he collected the Budweiser box package earlier in the day at services in the Birmingham area.

His pay-as-you-go mobile phone had been purchased by Tossell and topped-up by him and officers realised the arrested men were being directed via two different phones.

“He was directing their movements at arms length,” added Mr. McGivern. “Tosell was the organiser, McDermott played a significant role and was the key man in moving money to the continent and Walker was a trusted courier involved in the delivery of money.”

However, Walker claims his involvement was limited to those two occasions and he was paid £200 each time, only knowing it was cash during the second trip.

“I was not aware of what was in the first package, but I could see the second packet contained cash, which I thought was suspicious,” Walker stated in his basis of plea.

“I have no knowledge of where the money came from or where it was going.”

McDermott's lawyer Mr. John Livingston told the court: “He has flagged up his guilt from the earliest stage and he made full admissions in interview.

“Essentially he is a courier transporting money. He did not know what it was for or how much it was.”

Ex-Guildhall School Music Teacher Accused Of Raping Two Women And Indecently Assaulting Others

A former tutor at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama, accused of rape and indecent assault offences against seven women and a girl in the 70's and 80's, appeared for the first time at City of London Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Musician Philip John Elwyn Pickett, 63, of Lyneham Farm Cottages, Lyneham, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, was described in court as a part-time professor of music at the £10,000 a year school and since leaving has toured all over the world.

Most of the complainants are students and many of the offences are said to have occurred in a darkened sound-proofed basement music room, although one allegedly happened in a deserted country lane in the woman's car. 

Graduates of the school include Orlando Bloom, Daniel Craig and Ewan McGregor. 

Pickett plays the recorder and has directed early music ensembles, including the New London Consort and Musicians of the Globe and has collaborated with members of the folk rock group Fairport Convention. 

He is charged with raping one woman twice between October 1, 1977 and April 30, 1978, raping another between September 1 and September 30, 1978 and attempting to rape a third between January 1 and 30, 1988 and falsely imprisoning her on that occasion.

He is additionally charged that on a day between October 1 and November 30, 1977 he falsely imprisoned the woman he is charged with raping twice.

Pickett is also charged with indecently assaulting six different women on various dates between January 1, 1974 and December 31, 1988.

He is additionally charged with indecently assaulting a girl, aged under 14 years-old, between January 1, 1974 and December 31, 1975.

Pickett is also charged with assaulting his wife Claire Russell, causing her actual bodily harm, between January 1 and 31, 1971 by punching her in the face and cracking her jaw.

The Crown Prosecution Service revealed there are at least 102 potential witnesses.

Pickett, who has been on bail since August, last year was released on conditional bail to appear at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing on March 17, including an order not to contact any prosecution witnesses or leave the UK without permission.

Baroness Receives Suspended Prison Sentence For Drunken Race-Rant At Belgravia Hotel

A European aristocrat, who attacked a businessman and a security guard at a Belgravia Hotel while drunkenly shouting: "You brown people are ruining Britain," has received a suspended prison sentence.

Baroness Marie-Claire von Alvensleben, 60, claims her drink was spiked at the bar of the Sheraton Belgravia Hotel in Chesham Place where she also ranted: "Niggers should not be allowed here."

She pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates Court to the racially aggravated assault of Canadian businessman Adam Sumel and security guard Haliz Hamza on December 5, last year and received six weeks imprisonment, suspended for twelve months.

The novelist, whose publishing company recently failed, also pleaded guilty to obstructing a PC Luscombe later that night after fleeing to her room at the nearby Grade II-listed The Diplomat Hotel.

Now Geneva-based and relying on the charity of well-connected friends, von Alvensleben claims to be penniless and trying to recoup debts owed to her PR company which matches buyers and sellers in the international property and art world.

She obtained her title from her German aristocrat husband, who she divorced a decade ago, and the family name's earliest reference is in 1163.

She is a well-known face on the charity circuit and was an associate of millionaire hotelier Andrew Davis, 50.

Prosecutor Mr. Tom Gill told the court: "The complainant is a Canadian businessman staying at the Belgravia Hotel and after checking in he attended the bar area and the defendant sat next to him and was talking loudly with two other men.

von Alvensleben told him: "Niggers should not be allowed here," and followed up with: "You brown people are ruining Britain."

Mr. Gill explained: "She slapped him across the hands five times.

"The security man at the hotel spoke to the defendant because other guests complained about her behaviour and she clenched both her fists and pounded his chest repeatedly."

As she was being led out von Alvensleben, the author of a series of books entitled 'Absolutely Everything About' screamed at the guard: "You have stayed here ten years, this must be India."

While exiting the hotel Mr. Gill told the court the defendant continued ranting about: "Blacks, Arabs, Asians and Jewish people."

The police were called and officers attended her room at the nearby Diplomat Hotel.

"She was intoxicated at the time, she was being obstructive to the officer. She was using a mobile phone as the officer tried to speak to her.

"She took a long time to get dressed and she was abusive and aggressive to the officer as he tried to cuff her hands."

von Alvensleben spent 15 hours in police cells and told officers she didn't know she should not have mixed alcohol with her medication for depression and remembers nothing after having a meal with an associate.

Her lawyer, Miss Jyothi Somavarapu told the court von Alvensleben is a struggling freelancer owed money. "She was in London to collect that debt.

"She has nowhere to live in the UK, she lost her flat after client's didn't pay."

von Alvensleben claims she had no more than two glasses of wine, but a Dr. Phillips, who wrote a short report, described her as: "very aggressive" with people who upset her and feels people are: "taking advantage of her connections."

She was given a complimentary drink at the bar because the smoking room was closed early. "After that drink she felt there was something mixed with that drink," von Alvensleben's lawyer told the court.

"She believes her drink was spiked at the bar. She has no recollection at all as to what happened and says it is out of character for her to say such things."

Her subsequent husband died last year and a fiancé has passed away since and von Alvensleben now finds herself suffering amnesia and leaving suitcases in airports and bags in restaurants.

"For her it is shocking. She has never uttered these words before and is upset that those words have been quoted," added her lawyer.

von Alvensleben told District Judge Jane Fudge from the secure dock: "I did go back to the hotel two days after what happened to apologise.

"I spoke to the person at the bar and they said they did not understand what happened because it was not my style and last week | saw the manager to apologise and I've done that.

"I don't remember assaulting anybody. The police were very nasty and I retaliated."

An eye-witness, who describes themselves only as 'Disgusted as Belgravia' said online: "I was there and what she said was beyond unacceptable. There is no room for such behaviour in these times."

District Judge Fudge said: "What concerns me is the foul, unpleasant and abusive language used against other patrons of the hotel, there is no excuse whatsoever.

"You did use words and you continued to use those words.

"You've got some extremely unpleasant racial abuse accompanying this and that concerns me.

"What was said on this occasion was extremely unpleasant and no doubt extremely distressing for those around her that heard this."

von Alvensleben was also made subject to a one-month exclusion order, banning her from entering the Sheraton Belgravia and she was ordered to pay £80 costs and an £85 victim surcharge within 28 days.