Artist Denies Molesting Two Young Girls Four Decades Ago

An illustrator sexually abused two young girls four decades ago – molesting one when he took her out for ice-cream and groping the other as she lay in bed, a court heard today.

Artist Henry Christopher Mendes, 64, of Park an Pyth, Pendeen, Penzance denies forcing the first girl, who was approximately eight years-old, to perform a sex act on him and running his hand up the body of the second girl, also aged around eight.

Prosecutor Mr. Shaun Esprit told Blackfriars Crown Court the offences occurred in north London's Kentish Town in the late 1970's and only came to the police's attention when the first complainant reported Mendes in 2013, encouraged by her friend revealing she was also molested.

“The defendant went out to go to the off-licence and he asked the first complainant if she fancied coming with him to get an ice-cream,” he told the jury. “He stopped off at a pub and left her outside while he popped in.

“She was left outside on her own and after what seemed to her an eternity the defendant returned and as they walked back he took her through an elevated area, which was higher up and had a swing and concrete blocks.

“The defendant made her sit down on one and she noticed he was mumbling to himself and fiddling with the zip on his trousers and she did not know what was going on.”

The girl then performed a sex act on Mendes, said Mr. Esprit. “Afterwards he seemed relieved and satisfied.”

The girl remained silent until 1989. “She blurted out what happened to her mother. It was an emotional outburst.”

The complainant later emailed Mendes. “She brought up what happened and expressed a lot of anger and was extremely emotional.”

The second complainant also told police she was targeted by the defendant, added Mr. Esprit.

“She was asleep in bed and awoke and was aware of someone next to her, a man, and could hear ponderous breathing.

“She did not open her eyes, but recognised the voice of the defendant saying: 'You're so beautiful' and she felt a hand under the duvet, which bit by bit moved up.

“It stopped short of between her legs when a man's voice outside her bedroom door said: 'Chris, let's go to the off-licence.'

“The defendant was known by his second name, Chris,” the prosecutor told the court.

Mendes was arrested and questioned by police. “He denied the assaults.”

Mendes has pleaded not guilty to one count of indecent assault in relation to each girl between July 8, 1976 and November 27, 1979.

Trial continues..........

"Chatty Man" Window Cleaner Ripped-Off Residents All Over London

A “likeable, chatty, charming” bogus window cleaner, who ripped-off residents in four different London borough's, has been jailed for two years.

Levi Bradbury, 31, of Chilton Grove, Surrey Quays, Southwark was convicted of six counts of burglary, three counts of fraud and four counts of theft.



Between May 2013 and September 2014, Bradbury visited blocks of flats on developments in Lewisham, Southwark, Hackney and Tower Hamlets posing as a window cleaner.

After convincing residents to let him in to discuss having their windows cleaned, he pretended to check the properties' windows were closed saying this was necessary before cleaning could commence. 



Each time Bradbury told his victims that payment was needed up front, resulting in several residents handing over money, usually £15 - 25 at a time.

Bradbury told them he needed to get their change and would clean their windows when he came back, however he never returned.

Bradbury convinced some residents he was part of a larger team of window cleaners on scene or working on behalf of their block's management team despite having no identification or cleaning materials with him. 



Occasionally, Bradbury walked with his victims to a cash point so they could withdraw money to pay him but did not return home with them.



During three incidents in 2014 Bradbury offered to go to the cash point on behalf of his victims to withdraw enough money from their accounts to cover his window cleaning services.

The victims handed over their PIN's and Bradbury withdrew £300, £200 and £50 from their accounts.

He returned the card to one victim but not to the other two. 



Bradbury received a payment from one victim, and told her he would return with her change and as he left the address stole £5 cash and a mobile phone.

The phone was located the following day buried under a tree a short distance away from the victim's address using the 'find my phone app'. 



Detective Sergeant Kelly George, of the Met's North East Detection Unit, said: "Bradbury is a likeable, chatty, charming man who used his friendly personality to gain the trust of his victims. 

"I would like to remind the public that they should not invite anyone into their home unless they have the correct identification on them and do not hand over your bank cards or PIN numbers to anyone."


Christie's Burglar Emptied Safe Of Over £750K In Valuables

A Glaswegian burglar, who snatched Faberge jewellery from Christie's auction house during a break-in, which saw over £750,000 worth of valuables taken has been jailed.

Jobless Richard Tobin, 45, of Kipling Estate, Lewisham received two years and four months imprisonment after pleading guilty at Southwark Crown Court to two counts of burglary.

Tobin first burgled Muzinich and Co in Hanover Street, Mayfair on Friday December 5, last year – offices on the fourth-floor of an office block.

CCTV showed a suspect entering the building at 00:44am and breaking into a number of locked desk drawers.

He left after apparently only stealing a rucksack and a pair of headphones.



Two days later on Monday December 7 at 9:00pm a man was seen on CCTV entering Christie's in King Street, Mayfair.



He left around 25 minutes later having stolen a number of high-value items from a safe.



They included a 1899 Faberge gold and guilloche enamel desk clock, a Faberge gold and silver mounted aquamarine and diamond necklace, a Faberge ring and a Mappin and Webb cutlery set, each worth £25,000.



Staff discovered the break-in when they returned to work at 8:00am the following day and police were called.



CCTV images were circulated and Tobin was quickly identified as the suspect for both burglaries.

He was arrested on Wednesday January 7 and charged the same day.

Searches of the address where he had been staying with a relative found a distinctive red coat he had been pictured wearing on the CCTV during both burglaries.


The items stolen - totalling around £760,000 - have not been recovered and efforts continue to trace them.



Investigating officer Detective Constable Jim Groves, from Westminster CID, said: "Tobin was an opportunist thief who stole a large number of valuable items which have not yet been recovered."



A Christie's spokesperson said: "Christie's would like to thank the Metropolitan Police for their effective investigation into this crime.

“It is very disappointing that the thief has chosen not to disclose the whereabouts of the stolen items, but given their unique nature, we hope that they will be identified and returned to their rightful owners." 

Notorious Tax Cheat Convicted Of Benefit Fraud

A notorious tax cheat, who hit the headlines for a £156,000 VAT swindle involving her "ethical" cosmetics company, was convicted today of ten counts of benefit fraud.

Monica Bircham, 47, of Abbott Court, Hartington Road, South Lambeth, was not jailed for scamming the taxman and was free to prey on her local council and illegally pocket hand-outs for two-and-a-half years.

An Inner London Crown Court jury found her guilty this afternoon of ten counts of fraud between December 9, 2010 and July 12, 2013 consisting of telling the London Borough of Lambeth she received no money from self-employment and on three occasions gave untrue information in a Self-Employed Earning Information form.

That she was a single-mother living alone; that she had no income; that she had no more income than tax credits; that she was the only adult living at her address; that she had not received full payment for part-time lecturing work and failed to disclose income.

She was convicted on a further count of dishonestly making a false representation on or about November 11, 2010 in an online application for Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit and one count of possessing an article for use in fraud on or about May 3, 2011, namely a profit and loss account for a business called Scoop SkinCare Ltd.

The new convictions put her in breach of a suspended prison sentence she received in April 2013 for the benefit offences she committed three months after get sentencing.

"The sentence the court will be considering will be custody," announced Recorder Adam Hiddleston. "She has a fifteen year-old son and tells us she is a single-mum.

"The sentence the court is thinking of will more than likely be one of custody," he added, telling Bircham directly. "A custodial sentence in your case is almost inevitable."

She was bailed until June 12 for a probation report.

Pick-N-Mix Crime Blitz

A mugger, joyrider, thief and sex offender has been jailed for thirteen years after committing an impressive range of offences during a four-month crime blitz.

Alan Denny, 25, of Fladbury Road, South Tottenham targeted a mini-cab driver and man outside a pub on Halloween – robbing them both – during his spree.

Wood Green Crown Court heard Denny attacked the mini-cab driver, aged 47, at 6.00am on July 26, last year in his home street, snatching the victim's jacket, which contained cash.

He threatened a 35 year-old man outside the Jolly Angler pub, Brabant Road, Wood Green at 11.40pm on October 31 with a screwdriver, taking the victim's car car and other property.

Denny was also guilty of witness intimidation after threatening a 34 year-old woman at a flat in North Kensington with a knife on November 9

He also stole from rooms at theme park Alton Towers in Staffordshire between June 30 and July 2 and failed to comply with the requirements of the Sex Offenders Register.

Denny was also guilty of dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without third party insurance.

Suspected Burglar Wanted By Police

Police have released this image of a suspected burglar wanted in connection with a north London break-in.

Officers in Haringey borough would like to hear from anyone who knows the whereabouts of 23 year-old Derya Gulsoy.

He is suspected of burgling a property in Seaford Road, South Tottenham on March 29.

Anyone with any information is asked to call local police in on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 



You can also send an anonymous message to Crimestoppers via their website: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information-online

CCTV Images Of Burglary Released

Police have released these CCTV images after a shop was broken into in east London.

The burglary occurred at 4.00am at Fresh Store, Broad Street, Dagenham on March 13.

A quantity of money, drinks as well as a cash till was stolen during the raid, which was captured on the owners security camera.

No arrests have been made and investigating officers hope the images will help identify the burglars.

Anyone with information is asked to call the police non-emergency line on 101. 

Alternatively anybody with information can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 11 quoting crime reference 5104007/15.

Thirsty Gold Burglar Left DNA On Drink Can

A thirsty burglar, who left his DNA on a fizzy drink can he took from his victims' fridge while ransacking their home in the search for gold, has been locked-up for three years.

Nadim Younus, 33, of Gloucester Avenue, Slough suspected the Indian occupants had high-value gold and even cut into their sofas and emptied cupboards before leaving with £15,000 worth of jewellery and passports.

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard Younus broke into the house in Heston Road, Hounslow via a back door on September 3, last year.

He went into every room emptying out all the cupboards as well as turning sofas upside down and cutting them up, in a bid to find gold.



When the family returned they found their house had been completely ransacked, however they were surprised to find that all the electrical items such as televisions and tablets were still there.



Police and forensic officers arrived on scene to carry out their investigation.

A drink can was found in the kitchen sink, which the victim stated that they had not drunk from and was previously in the fridge.



The can was forensically examined and traces of Younus’s DNA were found on the rim of the can. 



Detective Constable Darren Young, from Hounslow borough, said: “This investigation demonstrates that we will do everything in our capability to identify a suspect with every resource available to us.



"Our forensic colleagues will work with us to find anything, be it a drop of blood or saliva that may help us find a suspect and, in this case, leaving behind a drink can has resulted in us putting the suspect before the courts.”

Bangkok Holidaymaker Jailed After Returning With Suitcase Full Of Weapons

A Swansea man, caught with stun guns and martial arts weapons in his luggage after stepping off a flight from Thailand, has been jailed for twenty-seven months.

Karen Pal Singh Roth, 58, of Cefn Coed Crescent, Cockett had just arrived at Heathrow Airport after visiting Bangkok.

He pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court to three counts of possessing firearms, namely two stun guns and a stun baton – disguised as a torch - at the airport on January 28, last year, plus one count of unlawfully importing the three weapons.

Roth also pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing an offensive weapon, namely a flick-knife, plus a separate three counts of possessing an offensive weapon, namely a knuckleduster; throwing star and nunchucks.

He further pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawfully importing the three flick-knives and a charge of importing the martial arts weapons.

Company Director Illegally Pocketed Benefits

Isleworth Crown Court

A company director, who was running a secret business at the same time he was claiming benefits, has received a suspended prison sentence and will now have to work for free as punishment.

Philip Huntley, 45, of Yew Tree Hollow, Boxhill Road, Tadworth, Surrey was a director of PTH Solutions from May 22, 2009 and the company was registered at his home address.

He was sentenced to twenty-four weeks imprisonment, suspended for twelve months and was ordered to complete 150 hours community service work when he appeared at Isleworth Crown Court.

Huntley was charged with six counts of dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances to the Department of Work and Pensions between March 8, 2008 June 23, 2013, namely that he was working.

Failing to declare he was working resulted in Huntley being overpaid Housing Benefit; Income Support and Employment and Support Allowance.

School Caretaker Caught With Child Porn On Work Computer

A school caretaker with twenty-three years service is now banned from working with kids after he was caught with child porn on his computer.

David Freeman, 69, of Lower Richmond Road, Richmond was reported to police after some of the images were spotted on his work tablet, issued by The Queen's Church of England School, Cumberland Road, Kew.

He pleaded guilty at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to three counts of making indecent images of children between January 1 and May 30, last year.

The vast majority of the images – 318 – were Category C, the lowest in terms of seriousness, but there were also 14 Category B and one Category A – the most serious.

Prosecutor Mr. Bill McGivern told the court officers executed a search warrant at Freeman's home and seized his home computer, which contained the majority of the images.

“This is a school janitor and he had been issued the tablet by the school and when the images were seen his home computer was examined.

“The images were on his home computer and because of a link they were available on the school computer.

“There will be a prevention order barring him from working with children.”

Today Freeman was sentenced to a twelve month community order, which includes 180 hours community service and was made subject to a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Burglar Caught By Watching Police

A house-breaker under police surveillance who was caught committing his second burglary in a week has been locked-up for three years.

Clive Lindsey, 40, of Knights Place, Noke Drive, Redhill, Surrey was only in the second property two minutes when officers saw him leaving with a bright pink carrier bag containing two stolen laptops.

He was arrested on November 25, last year as a result of an intelligence operation by Merton Burglary Squad.

Lindsey broke into a house in Graveney Road, Tooting at 1.20pm then ran to his parked car in nearby Fishponds Road.

Officers followed the vehicle, a green Ford Ka, into Lessingham Avenue, where it was stopped at the junction with Francisan Road.

Lindsey was arrested and officers seized the pink carrier bag, which contained two laptops and a pair of socks from the address.



Lindsey was taken to Wimbledon police station for questioning and linked to a further burglary, which occurred on November 17 at an address in Reigate, Surrey. 



Detective Constable Ian Griffith, from Merton Burglary Squad, said: "The evidence against Lindsey was so overwhelming and strong that he was given no other choice then to plead guilty to both offences.

“In this case we were able to recover the stolen items and return them to their rightful owners within a matter of hours, a real result for the victims in this matter. 



" Lindsey has now been brought to justice for his crimes and the message is clear - we will use all the intelligence and resource available to us to disrupt criminals and gather the most compelling evidence to present before the courts."

Leading Church Music Composer And Respected Private School Teacher Secretly Collected Child Porn

One of the country's leading composer's of church music, who also taught at several top private schools - including one attended by Nigella Lawson and Kate Beckinsale - has received a suspended prison sentence after a police raid seized child pornography at his suburban home.

Cambridge University-educated John Barnard, 66, a fellow of the Royal College of Organists and associate of the Royal School of Church Music led a "tortured" secret double-life, Harrow Crown Court heard.

"It must be a humiliating experience for a man of your background to find himself before the courts," Judge Jeremy Barklem told Barnard, who taught German and French at the £18,000 a year all-girls Godolphin & Latymer school, Hammersmith.

"You are a cultured, educated, highly intelligent man, respected and loved by many and dedicated to church music, but also tortured by a publicly-repressed sexuality and an interest in images of young men that's never been expressed physically."

He was deputy head for fifteen years at £16,000 a year John Lyon boys school, Harrow, where he organised and led trips to Switzerland and went on to also teach at the co-ed £29,000 a year Aldenham boarding school, Elstree.

Barnard, of Queens Walk, Harrow, who has directed music for BBC Radio 2's Sunday Half Hour and in 2006 was a judge for a BBC hymn-writing competition was sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months, and must attend 60 days 'one to one' counselling.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children and one count of possessing indecent photographs, which relate to twenty-nine pictures found in a chest of drawers in his bedroom.

The court heard there were a total of 118 images at category C; 13 at category B and 16 at category A - the most serious, which usually involves children being sexually abused.

The vast majority of the images depicted boys aged between fourteen and sixteen years-old.

Barnard presented two references to the court, one from a retired senior police officer and another from a barrister and member of the Bar Choral Society, who as a boy was a chorister taught by the defendant.

Prosecutor Miss Kate Blumgart told the court Barnard answered his door to police dressed in his pyjamas at 6.30am on May 13, last year and immediately admitted there were images on his computer.

Further printed images were found in the chest of drawers, which he admitted printing from his computer. "He said they were his and he had forgotten them.

"Officers also visited John Keble Church, Edgware, where Mr. Barnard was head of the choir, but nothing was found there. He is currently suspended from his role there."

His lawyer Miss Maria Dineen said: "Mr. Barnard is thoroughly ashamed of the conduct that brings him to court. He was aware that what he was doing was wrong, but was too embarrassed and fearful of the consequences to seek help.

"What has been a pretty solitary life for him up to now has been opened up and he has confided in others and he has sought out professional help.

"He accepts the damage that was done to the children in these images and his risk of reoffending and harm is low.

"There is no evidence he has acted upon his predilection or offers any threat of contact offending and he has dedicated his life to some sort of public service.

"He has always been regarded as a kind, caring individual. The loss of his good character alone is itself a considerable regret."

Barnard was also made subject to a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and must sign the sex offenders register for seven years.

He has been a successful composer, arranger, choir director and organist and sits on the council of the Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland and has been director of music at Emmanuel Church, Northwood; St. Alban's Church, North Harrow and St. John the Evangelist Church, Stanmore.

Barnard has composed and published over fifty original hymns, which are sung all over the world and contributes to and helps assemble publications including 'Hymns for Today's Church', Carols for Today' and Psalms for Today'.

Bolton Wanderers Star Dean Moxey Beats Speeding Charge

Bolton Wanderers star Dean Moxey, who was wrongly prosecuted for speeding in a leased Mercedes, has had the charge against him dropped.

He previously told south-west London's Lavender Hill Magistrates Court by letter that he had returned the super-saloon and somebody else must have been driving it.

The 29 year-old left-back, of Farington Lodge Gardens, Farington, Leyland was prosecuted for failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver of the Mercedes C63, snapped exceeding the limit in the London area on August 27, last year.

Moxey appeared in court with his lawyer last week to hear the prosecution announce they were withdrawing the summons after they were satisfied he was not behind the wheel.

The Exeter-born star, who was signed on a free transfer from Premier League Crystal Palace at the start of the season, had already returned the vehicle around the time he moved from his former address in Caterham, Surrey.

He was still the registered keeper of the car when it was photographed over the limit, but failed to reply to two letters sent to him.

However, Moxey says he leased the vehicle for twelve months from June 27, 2013 explaining: “I don't believe the car was anything to do with me at this time and Mercedes know I did not have anything to do with the car.”

Singer Will Young Caught Speeding In West London

Singer Will Young clocked-up his second speeding conviction on Wednesday after his Mercedes-Benz Bluetech was snapped by a camera in west London.

The 36 year-old star, of Prince of Wales Drive, Battersea did not attend Lavender Hill Magistrates Court and was not represented.

The court heard it was 8.08am on the A4 Cromwell Road, Earl's Court on October 28, last year when Young's jeep-type car was recorded travelling at 38mph - 8mph over the sped limit.

He completed the form admitting he was the driver at the time, but did not pay a pre-court "conditional offer" or respond further.

Young already had four points on his licence for a speeding offence on August 31, 2011 and the magistrates added another three points for the latest offence.

Because it was his second speeding offence they announced they would increase the fine to £250, with £85 costs and a £25 victim surcharge.

Young was given fourteen days to pay.

Male Model Denies Spiking Nightclub Girl's Drink With 'E'

Not Guilty Plea: Riches

A male model, accused of trying to drug a young woman at a landmark club owned by Sir Richard Branson so he could sexually assault her, has denied the charge.

Matthew Riches, 29, of Sherwood Way, Epsom appeared at Isleworth Crown Court this week for a plea and case management hearing. 

He is accused of secretly spiking the woman's drink with MDMA - more commonly known as ecstasy.

He is charged that on August 2, last year at with intent to stupefy or overpower to allow sexual activity he administered MDMA to the woman, without her consent  so as to allow any person to engage in sexual activity with her.

The incident occurred at the Roof Gardens, Kensington High Street, Kensington.

Riches entered a not guilty plea to the count and was bailed to return for trial on August 10.

Son Of Olympic Gold Medalist Linford Christie Admits 'Crack' And Heroin Charges

The son of former sprint star Linford Christie has pleaded guilty to having 'crack' cocaine and heroin stashed under the floorboards of his council flat.

Police armed with a search warrant entered the property while 29 year-old Liam Linford Oliver-Christie was out and found the drugs - with a street value of £1,410 - in a box.

Oliver-Christie, of Lakeside Road, West Kensington pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court to possessing a quantity of cocaine and diamorphine on September 30, last year and was bailed for probation reports until May 19.

Drug-dealing charged were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service, who previously revealed 14.1 gms of 'crack' was seized along with 841 mgms and 6.9 gms of heroin. 

The son of the 1992 Olympic 100 metres champion now claims he is successfully beating his drug problem with the help and support of his family.

Police, accompanied by a sniffer dog, search his empty ground-floor council flat at 2.30pm and also found drug paraphernalia on the living room table and an additional 23.6 gms of an unspecified white powder.

Officers left a note for Oliver-Christie and he surrendered himself at a local police station, which he attended with his solicitor.

Prosecutor Mr. Neil Griffin told the court: "There was a search warrant executed at the defendant's address. He was not home, but under the floorboards was a box containing drugs.

"The last time he was at this court he had been charged with possession with intent to supply class A, but was acquitted. He had over a thousand pounds cash and pleaded guilty to that."

Oliver-Christie's lawyer Miss Emma Fenn said: "The drugs problem is now under control. He has sought voluntary help and that has been resolved with family help.

"He is suitable for unpaid work if this passes the community threshold. This does not look like a case where a DRR (Drug Rehabilitation Requirement) assessment is appropriate, but probation may take a different view.

"He wants to explain he is already doing drugs work and wishes me to pass that onto your honour," Miss Fenn told Judge Martin Edmunds QC.   

"I shall ask the probation service to prepare a pre-sentence report. It will have to be a full report," Judge Edmunds told Oliver-Christie. "You will be given an appointment and if you turn up late or not at all it is unlikely you will be given another chance."

His father also won gold for Britain in the 100m at the World, European and Commonwealth championships and his national record of 9.87 secs set over twenty years ago stands to this day.

Liam's mother is former typist Yvonne Oliver, who had a short relationship with the athlete, and he has a twin sister Korel, with neither child having much contact with their father during their upbringing.

He was bailed on condition he continues to reside at his address.

Groom Cleared Of Harassing Designer During Wedding Dress Row

Not Guilty: Pedro Makufi

A desperate groom told his bride's dress designer on the day of the wedding: "The next time we meet one of us will die and that will be you," during a bitter dispute over the £2,455 gown.

Designer Samantha Benveniste - a protege of Bruce Oldfield OBE - graduated with a degree from the London College of Fashion and opened her own Kensington studio, creating bespoke garments for private clients.

She created a wedding dress for Elisa Makufi, but her husband Pedro Makufi, 43, was arrested after a series of distressing texts and voicemails, which he claims he deliberately made to bring the conflict to a head and achieve justice.

Police even visited his home at his request on the day of the wedding, which later proceeded with Mrs Makufi wearing a substitute dress.

On Tuesday the CPS announced they would not seek a re-trial against Makufi, of Hobart Road, Hayes on one count of harassment, which between March 1 and April 5, last year put Miss Benveniste in fear of violence.

"Threatened": Samantha Benveniste

The first Isleworth Crown Court trial, which ended in a hung jury, heard Makufi left a series of voicemails, including: "You've destroyed me, you've ruined my happiness. You really pissed me off, you really insult me, you ruin my happiness and wedding day."

"I promise that it will cost you a lot. I want to spend all I can to take you to court and do justice by my own hand."

"The next time we meet one of us will die and that will be you."

He told the jury: "When I sent that text it was a few hours before my wedding. I was completely lost, I did not know what my wife was going to wear. I wanted the police to be involved."

Makufi admits he sent other messages, which included: "I'm ready to do anything for what you've done to me."

"The only way you can avoid it is to kill me. First I swear to Allah. You can pass this message to the police."

Miss Benveniste told the jury she had completed the dress and the Makufi's were at fault. "They cancelled the day before the wedding. The dress was done, I had done the work."

However, the couple insist the gown was not completed in time and they should have had a full refund. Mrs Makufi told the designer: "You're always messing me up. You're always changing the price."

Miss Benveniste told the court Makufi demanded a meeting outside Notting Hill Underground Station the day before the wedding, where he expected a full refund - plus interest.

"He asked me to come with the dress and the money on my own, I'm ninety per cent sure. This was quite a traumatic experience for me. I was shaken by the whole thing."

She said she found the voicemails "disturbing", adding: "It put me in shock. I didn't see it coming. I felt extremely threatened."

Bride: Elisa Makufi

"The tone of the voice message was so fierce."

The Makufi's decided it was too expensive for the designer to make the husband a new suit, but he gave her his favourite one, which was to be matched with the bridal gown for a £1,000 charge. This was never paid. 

"They were taking the mickey," added Miss Benveniste.

Makufi claims the designer was frightened of the prospect of adverse publicity and huge court costs in fighting a civil claim against him and he sent messages to force police involvement on his wedding day to get justice.

He told the jury: "We had a very good relationship until 5.51pm on April 4. I sent a text not to frighten her, but make her realise: 'I've broken all my promises to Pedro'

"I think reading the texts she's gonna feel: 'Pedro is desperate for his suit and dress so let me do something.' I felt I'd done business with the wrong person."

The ceremony proceeded the next day, April 5, with his wife wearing an alternative dress and Makufi found a replacement suit.

He said he waited with wife until 10pm outside the tube station, adding: "If she did not give me the dress and the money I would take her to court.

"When I told her I was ready to do anything it meant doing all I can to take her to court to get back what belongs to me. It was not for her to take it as violence."

Bogus Accountant Swindled £64,000 Destined For The Taxman

Vicky: A Payne To Her Employers

A bogus accountant, who fooled her PR firm employers into believing she was fully qualified while paying the company's £64,000 tax bill into her own account during a five-year fraud, received a suspended prison sentence yesterday.

Mother-of-two Vicky Payne, 40, of The Lodge, Station Road, Charlton Mackrell, Somerton claims a disastrous relationship “financially crippled” her.

The charges relate to Hammersmith-based M-PR Consulting of 13 Oxford Gate, Brook Green and its managing director Marc Prema-Ratner and account director Michael Mervyn-Jones.

Payne pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by false representation between August 31, 2009 and May 7, last year in that she lied to both bosses she had paid the company's tax liability and said she was a fully-qualified accountant and member of the Association of Accounting Technicians.

Prosecutor Mr. Don rogers told Isleworth Crown Court the total loss was £64,512.26p, of which Payne has repaid £2,000.

“An investigation by the Specialist Economic Crime Unit confirms she has no assets apart from a very old VW vehicle and there will be no Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings.

“It was a double fraud because she was posing as a trained accountant and while in that position diverted money that was due to HMRC.

“It caused great concern and the hiring of other accountants to speak on their behalf. It caused a lot of difficulty apart from the financial loss.

'The very person trusted to keep the company's tax affairs in order turned around and destroyed it.”

After the sentencing Mr. Mervyn-Jones said: “I am surprised that someone can get away with the theft of sixty-four thousand pounds.”

Payne's lawyer Miss Emma Fenn said: 'Mrs Payne knows what she has done is wrong and is incredibly remorseful. She attended the police station voluntarily and made admissions and said she wanted to put things right.”

The court heard Payne has an 18 year-old son and a 16 year-old daughter, who has hyper-mobility disorder, an eating disorder and self-harms. She also supports her mother and her current “vulnerable” partner.

“She herself suffers from a number of medical conditions and she is clearly not going to be allowed to work in the accounting industry again,” added Miss Fenn. “She says she was stuck in a vortex after a relationship financially crippled her.

“She wants to repay the money, however long it takes.”

Judge Andrew McDowall sentenced Payne to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered her to perform 250 hours community service work and a £100 victim surcharge.

The judge made no financial order for compensation or confiscation, announcing: “I don't want her to be put in a position where she is juggling debt or going to Wonga.

“This is a serious type of offending, a breach of trust and putting people in a position of owing money to HMRC and they only have prospects of small amount dribbling back over a period of time.

“If it was just you, you would be heading off to Holloway,” Judge McDowall told the first-time offender. “Because others in your family would be effected it will be suspended.

“It is regrettable you got yourself into the mess you did and have only just avoided a custodial sentence. Your employment prospects are hampered for ever and day.”

KFC Customer Thumped When He Tried To Break-Up Late-Night Row

KFC Earl's Court

A peacemaker, who tried to split-up a late-night drunken row in Kentucky Fried Chicken by two men in the queue, was thumped in the head himself when he became the target for anger.

Christopher Frearson, 26, of Beswick Avenue, Bournemouth pleaded guilty to assaulting Anthony McCormack at KFC in Earl's Court Road, Earl's Court on April 4 and being drunk and disorderly on the same occasion.

Prosecutor Mr. Tom Gill told Hammersmith Magistrates Court yesterday it was 11.40pm when Mr. McCormack entered the fast-food restaurant and joined the queue behind the two men.

“They started shouting at each other and the complainant tried to calm them down and this defendant punched him in the head.

“Police were called and Frearson started making comments like: 'So what?' and “I wouldn't punch him for no reason.'

“I started drinking all-day at midday and have just stopped.”

No ambulance was called, but Mr. McCormack did complain of a pain to the back of his head.

Frearson told the court: “It was just a lapse of concentration. I'm not a huge drinker, it was a birthday and I consumed too much and got into an altercation.

“I didn't intend to cause anyone harm and apologise for my actions.

“I can only remember little bits of that night.”

Frearson was fined £265 for the assault, plus £135 for being drunk and disorderly and was ordered to pay £75 compensation to Mr. Frearson.

He must also pay £85 costs and pay a £26.50 victim surcharge.