'Ecstasy' Bra Girl In Court After Nightclub Arrest

A suspected ecstasy supplier, who ironically lives in a former police property, appeared in court for the first time yesterday.

Danielle Taylor, 23, of The Old Police House, Fakenham Road, Dereham, Norfolk was arrested at the landmark Electric Brixton club, Town Hall Parade, Brixon.

Camberwell Green Magistrates Court heard she had twenty wraps of MDMA – also known as 'Molly' – hidden inside her bra.

Taylor pleaded not guilty to possessing 1.8 gms of the drug, with intent to supply, on August 31 and released on unconditional bail until her trial, scheduled to last only one hour, on February 3, next year.

Taylor, who has no convictions, indicated she would be prepared to plead guilty to a charge of simple possession. 

Infatuated Love-Cheat's Prison Sentence Cut

Cheat: Peter Lawrence

The prison sentence of a 78 year-old love-cheat, who stole approximately £160,000 from his ex-mistress to finance the pop career of his new girlfriend, was reduced today.

Retired-surveyor and former local Rotary Club president Peter Rex Lawrence, who also swiped another £63,000 from the property company who managed her home, was jailed for a total of five years last Friday.

Today he returned to Croydon Crown Court where Judge Daniel Flahive re-sentenced him to four years, declaring he did not give Lawrence sufficient credit for pleading guilty.

Lawrence persuaded 80 year-old Sheila Losack to twice re-mortgage her flat and broke open her jewellery box to pawn around 60 items worth £5,000 to £7,000.

All the money was sent to Swedish wannabe celebrity Tia Mehari, 27, - known to Lawrence as 'Nefe' - after the Egyptian queen Nefertiti - who he continues to send £700-£1200 per month from his private pension.

They met in Tottenham Court Road when the then 19 year-old Tia asked for directions and Lawrence invited her to join him for a coffee and she revealed her pop star ambitions under the stage name Nefertiti.

"That moment certainly changed my life," said Lawrence in conversation before he was jailed. "She's lovely. Have you ever been in love?"

As for Ms Losack, who he single-handedly deceived and financially ruined, he said: "She's still got a roof over her head."

The court heard he sent 'Nefe' another £50,000 - his share of his former matrimonial home - and 'borrowed' another £10,000 from his sister.

First-time offender Lawrence, of 17 Academy Gardens, Croydon, was homeless when Ms Losack - who he enjoyed a twenty-year relationship with during his marriage - agreed he could move in.

She owned two flats knocked into one at Le Chateau, Chatsworth Road, Croydon - bought after a life-time of work, mostly as a civil servant in the Overseas Estate Department of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

Tia Mehari aka 'Nefe'

"He was divorcing his wife because of affairs he had, but Ms Losack found out he was having an affair with a woman in Sweden and their relationship ended" explained prosecutor Miss Claire Robinson.

By April, 2009 Lawrence was living in the spare bedroom rent-free and on Ms Losack's recommendation he became Le Chateau's company secretary, which gave him full access to their bank account.

"He frequently asked her for money and for loans and because she felt sorry for him she agreed, but he never paid her back."

During a period of illness he helped Ms Losack with her financial affairs and set-up internet bank accounts and learned of all her investments and assets.

"For the next four years he systematically helped himself to money from those accounts and also stole her jewellery and from the residents of Le Chateau.

"When she confronted him over the broken jewellery box and missing valuables Lawrence became angry and told her he needed the money and she should: 'Get over it.'"

He withdrew £8,581 on her Co-Op credit card; £601 on her Allders store card; £1,765 on her John Lewis card and £4,959 on her M & S card.

Lawrence persuaded her to re-mortgage in sums of £57,000 and and £25,000 to finance decorating and repairs and stole the lot, also using her internet banking to transfer another £59,000 to himself.

She eventually reported him to the police in 2013. "He was putting her under pressure to sell her flat to an associate of his," said Miss Robinson.

"She has found herself virtually bankrupt and lost all of her savings and investments and the equity in her property.

"The standard of living she worked all her life to achieve has been taken away and she says Lawrence: 'Betrayed me at all levels.'

"Much of the stolen jewellery was from her family and had sentimental value and she has been left feeling violated."

Lawrence, a former Adventure Scouts leader, developed an "infatuation" with 'Nefe' said his lawyer Miss Fiona Dunkley. 

"This was a fantasy relationship that was never consummated, but took over Mr. Lawrence's life and rational though processes.

"He had been sending money to her out of fear she would otherwise end the relationship."

'Nefe' reminded him of a lost love he was left heartbroken by while living in Bahrain as a young man. "He continues to be in love with 'Nefe' to this day.

"The money was for her alleged singing career, she was seeking a contract with Virgin.

"This is the choice he has made and he still wants to maintain a relationship with 'Nefe' even though it is conducted over the phone."

A doctor says the "Nefe fantasy" protects Lawrence against the guilt of reality and possible suicide attempts.

"He is ashamed and sad about what he has done," added Miss Dunkley. "He is too embarrassed and ashamed to ask for references from anyone, but his sister."

Lawrence pleaded guilty to six counts of theft and six counts of fraud by false representation on dates between April 1, 2009 and June 5, 2013.

He was ordered to pay £10,500 compensation to Ms Losack.

Ex-National Wrestling Coach Jailed For Sexually Abusing Young Team Member

A former national wrestling coach, who sexually preyed upon a young member of his team three decades ago, was jailed for four years yesterday.

One-time coach for the British Amateur Wrestling Association James Watson, 63, of The Cedars, Dunstable, Bedfordshire struck when the young boy and his team mates stayed at his home before travelling to bouts all over the country in the 1980's.

He pleaded guilty at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to two counts of gross indecency with a child and one count of indecent assault on dates between December 1980 and December 1985 at his former home in Rodney Street, Mitcham.

The abuse occurred when the victim was aged between nine and fourteen years-old and the now-married 44 year-old was prepared to give evidence against Glasgow-born Watson until he finally accepted his guilt on the first day of the trial.

He was not reported at the time and went on to be convicted of abusing boys in the Liverpool and Bolton areas, receiving a seven-year sentence.

Prosecutor Mr. Andrew Collings told the court the victim contacted the police on May 28, 2013 to report sexual abuse by his former wrestling coach.

“He and others stayed at the defendant's house the night before competitions and would go on training runs, after which the defendant would suggest the victim take a shower and have a sports massage.

“The young boy would lie naked on the bathroom floor and the defendant would start massaging one leg and make contact with his penis as he moved to the other leg.”

This behaviour escalated to Watson masturbating the youngster and performing oral sex on him.

“He would also share the defendant's bed with regularity, while three to four members of the club slept in the spare room and it was seen as an 'honour' to be selected.”

Similar intimate abuse occurred in the bedroom until the boy eventually quit the wrestling team.

In a victim impact statement he recalled feeling “ashamed and embarrassed” and “used and abused”, adding the offending had also caused stress within his marriage.

Watson's lawyer Miss Nicola Shannon reminded the court his last sexual offence was committed in 1998. “He's a man in very poor health and is not a man who is an ongoing risk to the community.”

Woman Followed Off Night Bus By Pervert: CCTV Released

Police hunting a late-night sex attacker, who followed a young woman off a bus, have released this CCTV image.

The woman, aged in her twenties, got off a route 12 bus at 4.00am in Barry Road, East Dulwich on June 13.

She was followed by the suspect, who was also a passenger on the night bus.

Once they got to Friern Road the suspect grabbed her and sexually assaulted her.

He then ran off towards Upland Road.

The suspect is described as Latin American, 5ft 6ins tall, aged in his early 30s, with black hair.

He was wearing a white T-shirt and dark coloured trousers.

Detectives are keen to speak with anyone who was on the bus or who may have seen the suspect running from the scene.

Anyone with information, or who recognises the man, is asked to contact Southwark CID via 101 quoting reference 3016929/15.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Another Bus Pervert Hunted: CCTV Released Of Suspect With "Foreign Accent"

Police investigating the sexual assault of a 14 year-old girl on a south-west London bus have released this CCTV image.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Roads and Transport Policing Command are appealing for help to identify the suspect.

He is described as Asian and spoke English with a foreign accent.

On Monday, May 18 at about 4.20pm, the girl was sexually assaulted by a man as she travelled on a route 85 bus between Putney Heath and Roehampton.

The suspect is aged about 30-years-old, and was wearing a short black hooded top and baggy jeans.

Police officers are releasing a CCTV image and ask anyone with information to contact Police Constable Sue Chalmers on 07826 535 575.

Crimestoppers can me contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 180588.

Bus Sex Pervert Wearing Irish Football Top Wanted

Police have released this CCTV image of a suspect after a 17 year-old girl was sexually assaulted on a bus in south-east London.


Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Roads and Transport Policing Command are appealing for help in identifying a man after the assault in Greenwich Borough.

On Thursday, April 23 at about 6.30pm, the teenage girl was assaulted by a man as she travelled on a route 177 bus between Woolwich New Road and Central Way, Thamesmead.

The suspect is described as a white man, of medium build, aged about 30 to 40 years-old, with short dark hair.

Police officers released a CCTV image of the man they would like to speak to and ask anyone with information to contact Detective Constable Joanne O'Connor on 07795 266293 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 177872.

Love-Cheat Pensioner Nicked £160,000 From Ex-Mistress To Finance Young Girlfriend's Pop Star Dreams

Love Cheat: Peter Lawrence 

A 78 year-old love-cheat, who moved in with his former mistress after being dumped by his wife, stole approximately £160,000 from her to finance the pop career of his new girlfriend - five decades his junior.

Retired-surveyor and former local Rotary Club president Peter Rex Lawrence also swiped another £63,000 from the property company who managed his ex-mistress's home.

He persuaded 80 year-old Sheila Losack to twice re-mortgage her flat and broke open her jewellery box to pawn around 60 items worth £5,000 to £7,000.

All the money was sent to Swedish wannabe celebrity Tia Mehari, 27, - known to Lawrence as 'Nefe' - after the Egyptian queen Nefertiti.

He was sentenced to five years imprisonment when he appeared at Croydon Crown Court today and continues to send 'Nefe' £700-£1200 per month from his private pension.

They met in Tottenham Court Road when the then 19 year-old Tia asked for directions and Lawrence invited her to join him for a coffee and she revealed her pop star ambitions under the stage name Nefertiti.

"That moment certainly changed my life," said Lawrence in conversation before he was jailed. "She's lovely. Have you ever been in love?"

As for Ms Losack, who he single-handedly deceived and financially ruined, he said: "She's still got a roof over her head."

The court heard he sent 'Nefe' another £50,000 - his share of his former matrimonial home - and 'borrowed' another £10,000 from his sister.

Tia Mehari aka 'Nefi'

First-time offender Lawrence, of 17 Academy Gardens, Croydon, was homeless when Ms Losack - who he enjoyed a twenty-year relationship with during his marriage - agreed he could move in.

She owned two flats knocked into one at Le Chateau, Chatsworth Road, Croydon - bought after a life-time of work, mostly as a civil servant in the Overseas Estate Department of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

"He was divorcing his wife because of affairs he had, but Ms Losack found out he was having an affair with a woman in Sweden and their relationship ended" explained prosecutor Miss Claire Robinson.

By April, 2009 Lawrence was living in the spare bedroom rent-free and on Ms Losack's recommendation he became Le Chateau's company secretary, which gave him full access to their bank account.

"He frequently asked her for money and for loans and because she felt sorry for him she agreed, but he never paid her back."

During a period of illness he helped Ms Losack with her financial affairs and set-up internet bank accounts and learned of all her investments and assets.

"For the next four years he systematically helped himself to money from those accounts and also stole her jewellery and from the residents of Le Chateau.

"When she confronted him over the broken jewellery box and missing valuables Lawrence became angry and told her he needed the money and she should: 'Get over it.'"

He withdrew £8,581 on her Co-Op credit card; £601 on her Allders store card; £1,765 on her John Lewis card and £4,959 on her M & S card.

Lawrence persuaded her to re-mortgage in sums of £57,000 and and £25,000 to finance decorating and repairs and stole the lot, also using her internet banking to transfer another £59,000 to himself.

Five Years: Peter Lawrence

She eventually reported him to the police in 2013. "He was putting her under pressure to sell her flat to an associate of his," said Miss Robinson.

"She has found herself virtually bankrupt and lost all of her savings and investments and the equity in her property.

"The standard of living she worked all her life to achieve has been taken away and she says Lawrence: 'Betrayed me at all levels.'

"Much of the stolen jewellery was from her family and had sentimental value and she has been left feeling violated."

Lawrence, a former Adventure Scouts leader, developed an "infatuation" with 'Nefe' said his lawyer Miss Fiona Dunkley. 

"This was a fantasy relationship that was never consummated, but took over Mr. Lawrence's life and rational though processes.

"He had been sending money to her out of fear she would otherwise end the relationship."

'Nefe' reminded him of a lost love he was left heartbroken by while living in Bahrain as a young man. "He continues to be in love with 'Nefe' to this day.

"The money was for her alleged singing career, she was seeking a contract with Virgin.

"This is the choice he has made and he still wants to maintain a relationship with 'Nefe' even though it is conducted over the phone."

A doctor says the "Nefe fantasy" protects Lawrence against the guilt of reality and possible suicide attempts.

"He is ashamed and sad about what he has done," added Miss Dunkley. "He is too embarrassed and ashamed to ask for references from anyone, but his sister."

Lawrence pleaded guilty to six counts of theft and six counts of fraud by false representation on dates between April 1, 2009 and June 5, 2013.

He was ordered to pay £10,500 compensation to Ms Losack.

NOT GUILTY: Retired Lawyer Cleared Of Doorstep Assault Charge Against Legal Rival's Son

Donald Jerrard

A retired senior partner at the world's largest law firm, accused of assaulting the son of a bitter legal rival on the doorstep of his £2m home when served with a £15,000 court bill, was cleared yesterday.

Donald George Jerrard, 65, co-founder of the Justice and Anti-Corruption Party and former Ukip candidate denied putting 32 year-old David Harvey into a headlock - claiming he was protecting his terrified wife.

Mr. Jerrard, of The Coach House, Petersfield Road, Greatham, Liss, Hampshire says he is trying to expose peadophiles in his home county, but is currently subject to a High Court gagging order brought by local firm Harveys Solicitors.

"There is a most unattractive, vitriolic and complex feud between the defendant and the father of the complainant," announced District Judge Barbara Barnes at Wimbledon Magistrates Court, clearing Mr. Jerrard of assaulting Mr. Harvey on August 11, last year.

Southampton-born Cambridge University graduate Mr. Jerrard - a former senior partner at Baker & McKenzie - stood for parliament in the last general election and polled 99 votes for the Justice and Anti-Corruption Party in the Portsmouth South constituency.

A local parish councillor, he has also stood stood as the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and has spent £78,000 in legal fees while clearing his name in a case dogged by multiple adjournments.

He has motion-activated CCTV outside his home, an arson protection system in every room, intruder alarm systems and a police radio alarm system since his Mercedes was set ablaze while attending a parish council meeting.

On the day of the incident Mr. Harvey - son of local solicitor Mark Harvey - was acting as a process server and delivering court papers regarding an order for £15,000 costs against Mr. Jerrard.

David Harvey

However, the Jerrard's saw it as an act of intimidation and the defendant's wife Susan Jerrard, 64, told the court: "We've been persecuted and intimidated by his father for nearly five years now.

"I felt vulnerable and intimidated. I felt I was a victim and he was invading my privacy.

"My husband has been trying to expose his (Mark Harvey's) wrongdoings. My husband intervened to protect me, he was trying to push him out of the front door."

Mr. Jerrard told the court: "There's no way on earth I put him in a headlock. This should never have been brought to court, it was a scuffle on the doorstep that he says lasted two to three seconds.

"He's grossly exaggerated what happened. I got hold of him by the shoulders as best I could and pushed him out of the house.

"I said: 'I'm arresting you for harassment' and he said: 'That's assault.'

"I was protecting my wife, I was scared she would have a stroke or a heart attack because she had trauma therapy two days before. I did think I was genuinely arresting him.

"Twice we have had police protection because of what we were dealing with at the time. We have had threats at our house, death threats even.

"The very thought of Mark Harvey makes her ill and frightened. He (David Harvey) lunged towards her, he leant into the house to put papers in, but I did not know that at the time.

"She was in a state of panic and said: 'Quick' and I went past her and got between her and him and got hold of him."

Mr. Jerrard has Multiple Sclerosis and suffered stress-related blindness in his right eye for three-and-a-half years, which he says is not helped by Harvey Solicitors often employing eastern european gypsies to serve legal documents at his home.

"Susan has been having psychiatric treatment and Mark Harvey has been told even an email from him to my wife would traumatise her. I considered his son was virtually assaulting my wife.

"It still traumatises my wife to this day. She wakes up thinking about it."

The Jerrard family denied a prosecution suggestion they "fiddled" with their CCTV and deleted the incident because it was damaging to the defendant.

District Judge Barnes said: "David Harvey was neither a credible or convincing witness in this case. I don't find it credible he was unaware of the bitter feud and don't believe he went there with no ulterior motive."

She agreed Mr. Jerrard's legals costs should be refunded.

VAT Inspector And Husband Made £1.7M From Secret Tax-Free Buy-To-Let Property Empire

Savita & Naveen Seth

A VAT inspector and her husband deceived mortgage lenders and the taxman while claiming tens of thousands in benefits as they collected rents of £1.2m from their property empire, a court heard today.

Buy-to-let barons Savita, 46, and ex-IT consultant Naveen Seth, 47, rented out twelve properties - often divided into bedsits to maximise profits - while swindling £68,352 in tax credits, the jury were told.

The couple, of Manor Waye, Uxbridge collected another £500,000 during the scam and even rented out three bedsits at the matrimonial home - plus parking spaces in their driveway, Isleworth Crown Court heard.

Police found the book: 'A Guide To Becoming A HMO (Homes of Multiple Occupation) Millionaire' during a raid on their home and discovered they also had a Spanish villa in Malaga, a two-bedroom apartment in Orlando, Florida and a seaside caravan.

They added two commercial properties to their portfolio, bought at auction for £135,000 and £111,000 cash respectively while Naveen had no obvious income and Savita was a £20,000 a year civil servant with Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

During this period the couple, who have two children, enjoyed holidays in in Spain, USA, Canada, Egypt, Turkey and Morocco.

"They lied about their incomes, they rented out most of the properties and got income, but never told the taxman about that income," explained prosecutor Miss Ailsa Williamson.

"They sold three of them, but did not tell the taxman about the profit they made and the icing on the cake was tax credits they claimed by lying about their income."

The Seth's falsely inflated their incomes to banks and building societies to get mortgages, with Naveen representing himself as a high-earning IT consultant even when claiming Jobseekers Allowance, the jury were told.

"Some of the lies were blatant because he was made redundant in 2002," added Miss Williamson. "What is galling is Savita was working for HMRC as a tax compliance officer specialising in VAT.

"Navita was earning a living running a property company with his wife, but not telling the taxman about it."

As well as their eight-bedroom matrimonial home the couple bought homes in Docklands; Hayes; Uxbridge; Harrow; Hillingdon; Colindale and Bracknell.

The two commercial buildings were in Bingley, North Yorkshire and Cumbria, consisting of a restaurant and takeaway with flats above.

"Savita played an active role in the renting of these properties and they both attempted to purchase many other properties.

"If they were just living on her salary as a VAT inspector they were making it go a very long way."

The court heard the couple deliberately avoided employing letting agents who deducted tax and investigators calculated their rental income as totalling £1.2m, with another £500,000 going into their bank accounts. 

Both Seth's claimed they did not know Capital Gains Tax was owed on the three properties they sold and denied telling deliberate lies in mortgage applications.

Naveen claimed he was "losing money" and made no profit from the rentals, explaining: "I live a frugal lifestyle. I went to a property seminar and got caught up in it."

He claimed the holidays were: "Cheap last-minute deals."

Savita is charged with seven counts and Naveen eight counts of obtaining a money transfer by deception on various dates between September 23, 2001 and March 9, 2005.

They relate to £150,000 from the Portland Building Society; £192,709 from Coventry Building Society; £229,900 from Bristol & West; £127,899 and £70,300 from Birmingham Midshires; £202,000 and £200,234 from Bradford & Bingley and £40,000 from the Chelsea Building Society.

Both are charged with attempting to obtain a money transfer by deception, namely £77,000 from Coventry Building Society.

Both are charged with cheating the public revenue between January 1, 1995 and February 12, 2012 by failing to declare tax on rental income and capital gains tax.

They are also charged with fraudulently obtaining tax credits between January 1, 2003 and January 31, 2011.

Naveen alone is charged with forgery between April 10, 2006 and February 2, 2012, namely a letter from Vishaka Peitris solicitors.

They have both pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Trial continues………..

Kingston University Drug Dealer Locked-Up

Student Digs: Seething Wells

A teenage drug-dealer caught with ecstasy and cannabis at Kingston University's halls of residence is starting a two-and-a-half year sentence.

Coulton Millington, 19, of Coniston Road, Stretford, Manchester was sentenced at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

He was convicted of possessing 15.9 gms of MDMA (ecstasy), with intent to supply, on February 26 in a room within Block P of Seething Wells, Portsmouth Road, Surbiton.

He was also convicted of possessing 98 gms of cannabis, with intent to supply, on the same day.

Millington was sentenced to two-and-a-half years detention on the ecstasy count, with eight months concurrent on the cannabis count.

Heart Patient Cocaine Dealer Gets Second Chance

Isleworth Crown Court

A young heart patient, who tried to raise money by selling cocaine, was caught by police driving around with four wraps of the drug and £420 cash stashed behind his car's visor.

Jobless carpet fitter Charles Hitchens Wooden, 23, of Pimpernel Road, Horsford, Norwich – who suffered a serious cardiac arrest a year ago – initially claimed the cocaine was for himself, but texts on his mobile phone revealed active dealing.

He pleaded guilty to possessing 1.19 gms of the drug, with intent to supply, in Hillingdon, west London on August 27 and at Isleworth Crown Court today was sentenced to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years.

“I hope I'm not going to be made to look a fool by passing that suspended sentence,” Recorder DCH Cartwright told the dad-of-one. “You can consider yourself extraordinarily lucky.”

The court heard Wooden has had an internal defibrillator fitted to regulate his heart rhythm and needs daily cardiac monitoring and has regular hospital appointments.

Prosecutor Mr. Charles McDonald told the court police stopped the defendant and detected a strong smell of cannabis within the vehicle.

They quickly found the cash and when told he would be searched Wooden handed over four wraps of 70-90% pure cocaine.

“His mobile phone contained texts strongly indicative of drug dealing and after claiming the cocaine was for personal use he admitted selling drugs on a social basis because he fell on hard times.

“It was a small quantity, but was street-dealing and it was clear from the texts he was involved in dealing other drugs at other times, but we do not know in what quantities.”

Wooden's lawyer Mr. Mo Dampha said: “there is a level of naivety and it was social dealing to friends and he is absolutely petrified of going to prison.”

Recorder Cartwright told him: “You were not candid with the police until faced with the phone evidence of dealing.”

He also ordered Wooden to attend a ten to twenty day rehab programme to address his cannabis misuse, attend a thinking skills programme and pay a £120 victim surcharge and £180 court charge.

Book Keeper Who Nicked Nearly £1/4M From Solicitor's Firm Is Jailed

A book-keeper, who stole £234,000 from a solicitor's firm to finance his daughters' private-school education, fund expensive holidays and and pay-off his mortgage, was jailed for three years and four months on Friday.

Ian Emmanuel Thomas, 53, of Kither Road, Ashford, Kent paid pre-signed cheques into his bank account over a seven-year period while employed at Croydon's Cook & Partners.

He pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court to stealing the sum between March 10, 2003 and August 10, 2010, plus one count of false accounting.

“It's got to be prison,” announced Judge Owen Davies. “Clearly this was a breach of trust.

“The fraud was extremely simple. Pre-signed cheques were filled-out by you to yourself because you wanted to send your daughters to a good school, have holidays and pay off the mortgage on your home.

“The fraud was only discovered because of a new system adopted by the firm of solicitors and the effect against the firm has been devastating.”

Prosecutor Mr. Shaun Espirit told the court first-time offender Thomas, who worked at the firm since 1986, was found out in 2010.

“He was trusted to pay suppliers and the VAT bill by cheque, but the defendant would fill-in the stub to pay, say HMRC, but paid it into his own bank account.”

Thomas was sacked after admitting to taking money for just two years, but when questioned by police in 2012 he tried to cast blame on the firm's office manager and claimed his innocence until day one of the trial.

“They were extremely annoyed someone they trusted was stealing money from them and this has had a major impact on the solicitor's firm.”

The firm faced conduct proceedings before the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) and was fined £15,000, with £15,000 costs and one of the partners, Ian Douglas, - said to be suffering “acute and chronic stress” - is facing bankruptcy as a result.

The second partner, Christopher Cook, has had treatment for depression. “It has had a major impact on his health,” added Mr. Espirit.

The partners won a County Court Judgment against Thomas and he has paid them £260,000 compensation.

His lawyer, Mr. Azize Chelliah, told the court the SRA have to give their permission for Thomas to be ever employed by a solicitor's firm again. “He will not be able to work as a book keeper in the future.”

He urged the court to follow the probation service's recommendation of a suspended sentence with community service work, but Judge Davies said: “That's completely unrealistic, the offence is much to serious. Clearly a breach of trust was involved.”

The judge told Thomas: “You blamed a person who was blameless and the nightmare of every solicitor is being taken to the SRA.”

Stuffed Arctic Wolf Worth £32,000 Nicked By Mystery Houseguests

This £32,000 stuffed Arctic wolf vanished from a woman's flat along with three mystery men her and her pal picked-up in Soho during a night out.

The two women invited the trio back to the Chelsea address in the early hours of August 3 and they smuggled out the expensive rare piece an hour later.

Detectives from Kensington and Chelsea Borough CID are investigating the burglary.

The female victim had been out with a friend in the West End, returning home at about 4.00am with the three men they met that evening.


The three men left at about 5.00am and later in the morning, the victim discovered her stuffed Arctic wolf was missing.



The stuffed wolf is about 6ft long and 3ft high and was bought six years earlier from a taxidermy shop.

It has an open 'snarling' mouth and yellow glass eyes.

It has white fur with black speckles on back, shoulders and ears.



All three suspects are white men believed to be aged in their early twenties.



Detective Sergeant Sean Lyons, said: "This is a unique item and I am appealing to anyone who may know the three suspects or have information about the stolen Arctic wolf to contact police." 



Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact DS Sean Lyons at Kensington and Chelsea CID on 020 8246 0189 or police on 101.

To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Bus Stop Sex Pest: CCTV Released

Police are hunting this bus stop suspect after a teenage girl was molested last in north London summer.

A CCTV image of the wanted young man has been released by the Metropolitan Police Service's Roads and Transport Policing Command.

On Wednesday, 29 July, at approximately 91.15hpm, a 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by a man as she waited at a bus stop in Church Street, Edmonton.

The man is described as a white, aged about 19-years-old and has short blond hair.

Officers are asking anyone with any information to contact Detective Constable Anthony Okadigbo on 07787 669278.

Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 186377.

Who's Beardy?: 14 Year-old Girl Molested On Bus

Police are appealing for help to identify a suspected pervert after a teenage girl was molested on a bus in Bexley.

On Tuesday, 30 June at about 5:30am a 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by a man as she travelled on a route 422 bus between Bexleyheath and Charlton Road, Charlton, south-east London.

The suspect is described as an Asian man aged between 20 to 25 years-old and of stocky build with a long beard and dark hair.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Roads and Transport Policing Command investigate and have released a CCTV image of the man.

Anyone with information is asked to contact 07771 306858 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 183447.

Twiggy Photographer Accused Of Molesting Eight Women

The sixties photographer who discovered Twiggy carried around his portfolio of work - which included his iconic picture of the model - to help him sexually assault women, a court heard.

Legendary fashion and style photographer Barry Lategan, 80, approached his victims mainly on buses, engaged them in conversation about his pictures of the rich and famous and groped them, the jury were told.

He claimed to miss "skin on skin" contact and touched them both over and under their clothing, rubbing their breasts. legs, thighs, backs, arms and hair.

He has been ruled unfit to enter a plea to eight counts of sexual assault allegedly committed between February 1, 2013 and June 18, this year.

The Isleworth Crown Court jury have heard this week Lategan, 6 Grosvenor Park, Camberwell has "evolving dementia" and they will have to decide if the offences occurred.

Two of his photographic portraits of Twiggy hang in the Victoria & Albert Museum and he has photographed among others HRH Princess Anne, Paul and Linda McCartney, Iman, Germaine Greer, Margaret Thatcher and Salman Rushdie.

Prosecutor Miss Teresa Hay told the jury four of the eight women reported Lategan, whose c.v. includes front pages of fashion magazines Vogue and Harpers Bazaar, after reading press reports of sexual allegations against him.

The first woman was walking to Virgin Active, Fulham Road when she smiled at fellow gym member Lategan. "He grabbed both her arms and gave her a firm kiss on both cheeks."

The second woman, 44, was on a 211 bus in Fulham when Lategan began showing-off his portfolio. "He was touching and stroking her forearm and said: 'It's so lovely to be able to touch someone.

"He asked if he could hug her, but she felt the embrace was too firm and lasted too long and he swiped his hand over her breasts," explained Miss Hay.

Referring to his erect penis Lategan told her: "Look what you've done to me."

The third woman, an artist, was persuaded by Lategan to leave Cafe Nero and go to her flat in Redcliffe Square, West Brompton to take photos for a project.

"He asked her to recline on her sofa and pose and open her legs wider. He sat newt to her and started rubbing her thigh and put his hand on her breasts over her clothing."

The fourth woman was approached on a 211 bus. "He put his hand inside the arm of her coat. He said: 'I do miss skin on skin.'

"He put his hand on her leg under her trousers and also stroked her hair and head."

He gave most of the women his business card, which allowed police to easily trace him, and the fifth woman was also approached on 211 bus and shown his portfolio of work.

"He touched the hem of her dress and moved his hand up her leg to her thigh."

The sixth woman was an a route 68 bus. "He showed her pictures of Twiggy and other photos from his portfolio and ran his hand down her hair.

"He followed her off the bus and put his hand up her back under her clothing and said: 'I'm sorry, my wife died. Can I have a hug?'

"The seventh woman, a former art student he gave an autographed picture of Twiggy to, was on a 211 bus in the evening. 

"He put his hand up the back of her top and stroked her skin," explained Miss Hay. "He asked her if he could kiss her."

The final woman was on a bus travelling towards Camberwell. "He told her about his now legendary portraits of Twiggy and she used her phone to look him up on the internet.

"Mr. Lategan touched her thighs over her jeans and said: 'At the gym they're into tits, but I'm into legs.'

"He slid his hand between her legs, up her thighs and towards her groin."

Hearing continues…………