Huge Ink Cartridge Burglary Alleged

The former employee of a prestigious City bank, accused of tricking his way into the building by purporting to still be a member of staff, and helping himself to £40,000 worth of ink cartridges appeared in court last week.

Johnstone Peter Otaigbe, 42, of Roycraft Avenue, Barking, Essex, is charged with entering BNP Paribas, 55 Moorgate, between November 12, 2008 and January 28, this year, as a trespasser, and stealing the printer cartridges.

He was bailed by City of London Magistrates’ Court unconditionally to return on November 23 for Crown Court committal.

CCTV Exposes More Alleged Troublemakers

Three G20 protestors, arrested after police examined CCTV footage of the demonstration which took place in the City of London earlier this year, appeared in court for the first time last week.

Neale Christopher McDermott, 38, of Babbacombe Road, Bromley, pleaded not guilty at City of London Magistrates’ Court to assaulting PC Darrah on April 1 near Bucklersbury House.

McDermott, accused of punching the officer in the face, was bailed unconditionally to return for a trial on February 2, next year.

Francis Jose Medina, 41, of Upper Caldy Walk, Islington, is charged with criminal damage to the Wellington Statue, near the Bank of England, by graffiti on April 1.

He was bailed unconditionally to return on November 12.

Joseph Booth, 21, of Grateley House, Dilton Gardens, Roehampton, pleaded not guilty to assaulting PC Wood in Bishopsgate on April 1.

Booth, accused of throwing an apple in the officer’s face, was bailed unconditionally to return for trial on February 5.

Ban For Beer And Brandy Booze-Up

An Oxford drink-driver, arrested next to the Bank of England after enjoying beer and brandies with an old friend, was fined and banned from the roads for a year on Wednesday.

Tiler Arthur Silva, 36, of Kersington Crescent, pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates’ Court to failing to provide a breath specimen on July 9.

Prosecutor Miss Alexa Morgan told the court it was just after midnight when police stopped Silva driving his van in Threadneedle Street.

Officers noticed a smell of alcohol on his breath and he failed the roadside test, but despite three attempts at the police station he was unable to give any reading on the official intoximeter.

“Mr. Silva traveled to London for work. He is the owner of his own tiling business,” said Miss Nadia Khan, defending.

“He went for dinner with his assistant and then went for a drink with a friend he had not seen for twenty years.

“The friend encouraged him to stay, promising to put Mr. Silva up for the night so he went to the pub and carried on drinking,” added Miss Khan.

“He had two pints with the earlier meal and two pints and two brandies in the pub, but the friend did not follow-through with accommodation.

“He found himself stranded in London and made the foolish decision to drive because he felt he had no choice, but to drive.”

The JP’s fined Silva £300, with £115 costs and disqualified him from driving for twelve months.

Southwark Council Fined For OAP Scooter Death

Southwark Council were fined the maximum £20,000 yesterday (Wednesday) after a disabled 67 year-old man plunged to his death from the back of a welfare bus, after his motor scooter suddenly shot backwards.

The local authority had taken the pensioner and others from the Aylesbury Day Centre, Walworth, on a day out to Alexandra Palace, (pictured) Haringey, but tragedy struck in the car park when Mr. Delaney fell from a tail lift, suffering fatal head injuries.

Southwark were prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive and admitted at City of London Magistrates’ Court to failing in their duty to carry out a risk assessment and draw up safe procedures for loading those in motorized scooters on September 20, 2006.

“This was a vulnerable person who died as the direct result of a breach by Southwark Council,” prosecutor Mr. Zameer Bhunnoo told the court.

The authority was criticized for having no official risk policy in place despite a warning circulated by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency in 2005, following similar fatal incidents across the country.

The group, made up of local residents with mobility issues, who otherwise would be confined to their homes, had just enjoyed the Independent Living Exhibition.

Mr. Delaney was sitting in his motorized scooter as it was raised on the rear tail lift.

“The motorized scooter went backwards over the tailgate plates and he fell,” explained Mr. Bhunnoo. “We don’t know if Mr. Delaney put it in reverse or if gravity and the weight of bags hanging from the scooter caused him to go backwards.”

Later tests showed the scooter was too large to be safely secured in place by the tailgate plates.

The JP’s also ordered Southwark to pay £4,466 costs.

Afterwards Mr. Bhunnoo said:” Had basic health and safety measures been carried out, this loss of life could've been prevented.

“A suitable risk assessment and safe procedure should have been drawn up covering the loading and unloading of people who use motorised scooters, who are loaded on and off welfare buses."

Surveyor's Time Sheet Scam

A building surveyor, who forged time sheets and pocketed an extra £1,725 from recruitment specialists who placed him with a charitable housing association, was fined for his “opportunistic” moment of greed.

Matthew Tompkin-Kenward, 35, of Atlas House, 466 London Road, Isleworth, was on the books of recruitment specialists Morgan Hunt, of New London House, 172 Drury Lane, Covent Garden, who have branches in Russia and Dubai and pride themselves on expert headhunting services for leading global businesses.

They placed him with Accent Peerless, a registered social landlord, who have offices at Pembroke Broadway, Camberley, Surrey; Broad Street, Cuckfield, West Sussex and Stourside Place, Ashford, Kent.

He pleaded guilty to false accounting in that he dishonestly falsified documents, namely Morgan Hunt time sheets, with a view to gain for himself, between April 14 and 18 and April 21 and 25, last year.

Prosecutor Miss Neelam Sharma told Blackfriars Crown Court Tompkin-Kenward’s skills were employed as a maintenance supervisor for the housing association on a contract, which ran from July 2007 until April 11, last year.

“Accent noticed notwithstanding the contract had expired this defendant was still putting forward time sheets and was claiming for work,” said the prosecutor.

It’s quite clear what this defendant did,” added Miss Sharma. “He was given a bone fide time sheet and using tipex or some other alteration forged the next two time sheets.”

Tompkin-Kenward repeatedly cancelled meetings with Morgan Hunt to discuss the irregularities and was eventually arrested on October 27 when he attended a police interview.

He initially claimed the time sheets were genuine and reflected work he performed off-site at home in a bid to complete a project.

The first-time offender later repaid Morgan Hunt the full £1,725. He is now employed by another housing association on £630 p.w.

His lawyer Mr. Gregory King-Underwood told the court: “It was the heat of the moment.”

Judge Aiden Marron QC, fining Tompkin-Kenward £2,500, plus £765 costs, told him: “I regard this to be a rather opportunistic theft with a measure of breach of trust.

“You were very wise to plead guilty to these offences. It is out of character, you are a decent individual, but do this again and you will lose your liberty.”

DNA Traps Rapist Twenty Years On

A Scottish rapist, who dodged justice for two decades, was locked-up for nine years after tell-tale DNA evidence eventually caught up with the beast, who had returned home following his reign of terror south of the border.

Stephen Johnstone, 50, of Montrose, Angus, specialized in breaking into homes occupied by lone, vulnerable women, raping them and making off with valuables.

Johnstone,(pictured) caught by the Metropolitan Police’s Sapphire Cold Case Rape Investigation Team, was jailed at Southwark Crown Court.

He pleaded guilty to raping a 62 year-old widow in Bexleyheath, Kent, on September 13, 1989 and raping a 25 year-old woman in Barnet, Hertfordshire, on October 23.

He broke into the first victim’s home as she slept and after raping her stole jewellery, including her late husband’s wedding ring.

He again forced himself into a victim’s home the following month, raping the younger woman and helping himself to cash and jewellery.

A police probe was launched immediately after the first rape and DNA samples taken from the scenes showed a link between both crimes.

However, despite an appeal in the local press and e-fits provided by the victims, no suspect was identified.

The trail went cold until, in 2008, a review of the crimes by the Cold Case Team prompted the Forensic Science Service to upgrade the DNA samples.

One from the first crime scene matched a sample on the national DNA database, given by Johnstone when he was arrested for drink driving, while a further one taken after the second offence also showed a match to Johnstone.

He was arrested on April 21, this year and taken to London for questioning, where he denied the offences.

After Johnstone was jailed Detective Constable Jenny Thrower of the Met's Cold Case Team said: "Johnstone's offences were particularly brutal leaving both victims badly traumatised and suffering significant after-effects even until today.

"It is right that he should be held to account for his crimes and that a clear menace to society should be taken from our streets.

"This case shows that the Metropolitan Police will do everything possible to make sure offenders are brought to justice - regardless of when their crimes were committed."

Scooter Boy's Drink-Drive Shame

Two glasses of lunchtime wine later washed down with a couple of pints were enough to land a learner motorcyclist with a road ban after police pulled him over in the City of London.

Michael Austin Kane, 39, of Oak Tree Close, Loughton, Essex, employed by the Westminster Drug Project, was stopped and failed a roadside breath-test.

He pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates' Court (pictured) today (Monday) to riding his black Piaggio scooter in Bishopsgate on October 4 while nearly double the drink-drive limit and failing to display L-plates.

He claimed to feel fit to ride the scooter despite enjoying the lunchtime tipple with his sister, followed by two pints of beer with a drinking buddy.

Kane was fined £250, with £85 costs and disqualified from driving for twelve months.

Anti-Runway Activists Arrested At House Of Commons

Twenty-three Heathrow Airport protestors were arrested by police at the House of Parliament during an anti-third runway demo which saw just as many who successfully dodged security and scale walls to the roof remain.

Approximately twenty-five protestors, part of a peaceful environmental demonstration, refused to climb off the roof with officers trying to talk them down and reason with representatives on the ground.

Security alarms were activated at 3pm today as the large group began climbing onto the roof of the Visitors’ Entrance in Cromwell Green, Westminster.

Six hours later half of them, assisted by police, descended from the roof of Westminster Hall and were arrested on suspicion of trespassing on a protected site.

They were taken to a Central London police station and later bailed pending further enquiries.

'Menace Of Mayfair's' Jewellery Crime Spree

A modern-day ‘Raffles’ – dubbed the ‘Menace of Mayfair’ – cheated over fifty victims out of jewellery and valuables worth nearly £100,000 after meetings in posh locations such as The Dorchester and Claridges.

Smooth-talking Scottish conman Andrew Batchelor, 51, boss of the impressively titled ‘The Watch and Jewellery Exchange of Mayfair’ paid no income tax and had previously been jailed for similar crimes north of the border.

He will be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on October 16 after pleading guilty to 22 counts of fraud by false representation, 6 counts of deception and one of fraudulent trading during the five-year swindle which funded his extravagant lifestyle.

Victims, wowed by his convincing website and expertise, handed him over valuables to sell, after meetings in Mayfair bars, restaurants and hotels, but in return received worthless cheques.

He was arrested on July 9, last year after one victim reported being swindled and following a probe by the London Regional Asset Recovery Team a total of 45 duped customers were identified.

Batchelor (pictured) is notorious in his native Scotland where he was sentenced to five-and-a-half years for similar crimes in 1999 at the High Court and is a bankrupt.

Dubbed the ‘Glasgow Goldfinger’ for a string of high profile crimes he swindled £400,000 out of unsuspecting victims at his shop in Royal Exchange.

Victims taken in by his easy charm, designer wardrobe and trappings of wealth include company directors, lawyers and hedge fund managers who lost valuables worth up to £30,000 each.

Described as “sophisticated, charming and very persuasive” Batchelor sold or pawned the items, splashing out on fancy hotels, five-star holidays, Vidal Sassoon haircuts, eyebrow shaping and eyelash tinting.

Superintendent Matt Parkes of the London Regional Asset Recovery Team said: "Over a period of five years, Andrew Batchelor has caused a great deal of anguish to his victims, depriving them of their valued possessions with no financial remuneration.

“This successful prosecution shows that London RART will pursue persons who cause such harm to the public, prosecute them and take back all the proceeds of their crime."

Robber Targets OAP's

A scumbag bully-boy mugger – who targeted little old ladies – even tying one up in her own bedroom and forcing the terrified victim to give her PIN number will hopefully be locked-up for a long time next week.

Cowardly Lloyd George Wright, 49, of Billington Road, New Cross, followed his victims home and robbed them of cash and bank cards.

He was convicted after a trial at Southwark Crown Court of three robberies, theft and false imprisonment and will be sentenced on October 13.

The first victim, a 69 year-old woman, was trailed home in Greenland Quay, Rotherhithe, on May 24, 2007 by Wright (pictured).

He knocked on her front door pretending he wanted to borrow a pen and when she turned inside to get one Wright attacked her, snatching cash, cards and her mobile phone.

The next victim, aged 84, was followed to her home in Hazel Way on November 7 after Wright spied her withdrawing cash from her bank in nearby Southwark Park Road.

As she neared her front door he grabbed her from behind and pushed her to the ground, taking the cash and a bank book from her coat pocket.

On June 30, 2008 a 76 year-old shopper, returning to her home in Windmill Close, Southwark, after a trip to the Elephant and Castle, was forced inside after Wright asked to borrow a pen.

She was bundled to the floor, but cowardly Wright was unhappy at grabbing a mere £40 and tied her up in her bedroom, grabbing bank cards andforcing her to write down her PIN numbers.

Wright was arrested on September 16, last year by officers from Southwark CID’s Robbery Squad.

Detective Constable Vicki Thomson of Southwark Robbery Squad said: "Wright targeted those he knew could not defend themselves and used threats and violence against them in their own homes.

"All three victims have shown great courage in giving evidence. By doing so, they have made sure he will be punished for these despicable crimes."

Barclays Bank Cashier Accused Of £21,000 Fraud

A young Barclays Bank cashier, accused of ripping-off his employers' to the tune of £21,000 in a seven-day campaign, was committed to stand trial at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday.

Eklas Ali, 20, of Gosford House, Tredegar Road, Bow, appeared at City of London Magistrates' Court (pictured) facing four Fraud Act counts.

Ali is charged with dishonestly abusing his position of trust at Barclays Bank, Poplar, intending or exposing them lose £7,000 on September 24; £8,000 on September 25; £5,000 on September 30 and £1,000 on September 30, last year.

Strangler-Mugger Locked-Up

A brutal mugger who prowled the trendy late-night streets of Battersea with a teenage accomplice, strangling female victims into unconsciousness during a two-month reign of terror, was caged for nine years.

Jobless Temman Dias, 25, of Bowstead Court, Surrey Lane, Battersea was convicted at Kingston Crown Court of seven robberies committed between July 25 and October 3, last year.

A 17-year-old Mitcham, Surrey, youth was locked-up for five years on the same charges.

Wandsworth CID’s Robbery Squad arrested the pair after investigating a series of disturbing attacks on lone women approached from behind and strangled to the point of collapse and valuables snatched.

Police swooped on Dias’s (pictured) address after the final attack on a 30 year-old woman, arresting him, his accomplice and seizing the victim’s property, including a distinctive pair of pink gloves.

Detective Inspector Matt Phelps of Wandsworth CID said: "This has been a protracted, complex investigation and trial.

“I would like to praise the victims who not only had to endure the original offences but also the frustration of the two previous attempts at prosecution. It meant they had to give evidence three times.

"These two men used unnecessary violence against vulnerable victims and people in Wandsworth will be glad to see they have been captured and convicted."

Slick Pair Accused Of £250m 'Ponzi' Fraud

Two smooth-talking businessmen masterminded a £250 million-plus international ‘Ponzi’ fraud from a former RAF base, duping investors with outlandish promises of huge returns, a court heard.

Imperial Consolidated, based at Binbrook, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, and several overseas offices, collapsed in June 2002, owing £150m.

Lincoln Julian Fraser, (pic.l), 38,of Orford Hall, Brookenby, Binbrook, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire and Jared Bentley Brook, (pic.r) 39, of Sefton Drive, Worseley, Manchester, attracted 3,000 clients from all over the world.

“Instead of receiving their money back plus the generous rate of return which had been promised to them most investors lost everything,” prosecutor Tim Barnes QC told the Blackfriars Crown Court jury.

“This was an international fraud which cost investors hundreds of millions of dollars, they were promised high returns, they thought that their money was safe.

“These two defendants were masters of getting money from investors. They told a great story of capital protected investments, returns far above the normal rates of interest, investments in solid and successful trading businesses in the U.K.

“The published material on behalf of Imperial Consolidated was glossy and well put together,” explained the QC. “In layman’s terms they could certainly ‘talk the talk'.

"They projected themselves as dynamic entrepreneurs, proud of creating a great international business empire under the grandiose title ‘Imperial Consolidated’.”

Both men have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to defraud investors in investment schemes between January 1, 1998 and June 30, 2002 and fraudulent trading, knowing it was for a fraudulent purpose between May 1, 2000 and June 30, 2002.

The court was told £253.9 million was invested in Imperial Consolidated over four-and-a-half years and over £150 million has vanished, despite investors being convinced by the pair their savings were safe.

“It was illusion and not reality,” Mr. Barnes explained. “The investments were not protected, the UK businesses were not solid and successful.

“The rates of return for those who were fortunate enough to redeem their investments before the crash came from utilizing new investor funds for that purpose and not from the profits of established successful businesses as the investors believed.”

The jury was told neither Fraser nor Brook, who lived in Beacon Lodge, near Louth during the fraud, have any accountancy or formal financial qualifications.

They were banned from being company directors after a previous venture – Progressive Leisure – which ran the Midland Hotel, Morecambe, Lancashire, ceased trading, leaving a string of unhappy creditors.

“These two men in reality treated the investors with contempt,” added Mr. Barnes. “They speak of pandering to the greed of the investors in setting rates of interest that would bring the money in.

“They made promises which could not be kept and were not kept. They diverted investor funds for their own use to pay for their own lifestyle and to enable them to pursue a range of personal and uniformly unsuccessful business interests of their own.”

The duo blame Administrators – who tried to solve the mess left by Imperial Consolidated – plus a host of others, including the police, Price Waterhouse Coopers and Internet whistle-blower David Marchant for the massive losses, the jury were told.

“The truth is that these two men were simply fraudsters or conmen,” continued the QC. “They were slick and professional and extremely successful in getting money from investors worldwide.

“They were fundamentally a couple of selfish and dishonest individuals who for some years perpetrated a highly successful fraud.”

The jury was told the overall benefit to the defendants totaled £20 million and investors funds were secretly ploughed into a string of failed ventures including a hotel, bar, South American mine, Sierra Leone granite quarry and a mobile field hospital.

Fraser spent £111,000 on Orford Hall, turning his cellar into a Panic Room with bulletproof doors and hundreds of thousands of pounds was lavished on his pet project of buying and restoring old military vehicles.

From May 2001 Fraser drew £50,000 a month from the Fraser Brook Partnership – a firm funded by investors – and pocketed a £2 million salary from Imperial Consolidated, which even paid his £1 million tax bill.

The jury was also told the pair used investors money to buy a £1 million Kingair plane then trousered £550,000 when they sold it.

“The only way in which Imperial Consolidated kept going for so long was by paying old investors from new investors money,” explained Mr. Barnes.

“The defendants knew that as soon as the flow of new investment money dried up that their game would be up.

“That is why they tried so hard to keep the flow of incoming funds by promising higher rates of interest and seeking to persuade existing investors from redeeming.”

Offshore branches of the company were opened in the Bahamas, Grenada and the British Virgin Islands, plus an office in posh Mayfair.

“The scale of the deficiency was enormous. Over £150 million of investor funds had apparently disappeared. How had this come about?” asked the QC.

A string of associated companies were created, convincing investors these firms were the driving force behind overall profits.

“Those UK businesses were simply a fig-leaf to cover the increasing black hole at the heart of Imperial Consolidated,” said Mr. Barnes.

Huge yields of 15%-36% were promised and investors were wowed by impressive statistics the defendants paid to be published in the respected Financial Times.

“Imperial paid for supposed performance figures to be listed in the F.T. That newspaper did not authenticate the claims, they merely published the information provided to them by Imperial in return for a charge.

“It gave the investment some creditability and the investors some comfort,” added the QC, explaining the company used terms such as ‘Capital Protected’ and ‘Total Asset Protection’ to impress customers.

Investors received bogus statements boasting the company was profitable. “Documents showing the purported increase in the value of the clients’ investments were not worth the paper they were written on.

“There was no successful underlying business activity to generate the rates of return,” said Mr. Barnes.

“The only way in which the fraud operated as long as it did was through lying about the true trading performance of the companies and by manipulating the Imperial Consolidated financial statements to give a false picture of their profitability and solvency.”

Even though RAF Binbrook was rented on a five-year lease in 1997 it was listed as a £6.95m company asset on the books, following a dubious valuation including false information regarding planning permission, the jury was told.

Brook was described by the QC as an “effective and persuasive spokesman” skilled at selling the funds and without his talents the fraud would have failed.

The pair even tried to convince the Bahamas Securities Commission their company had a growing £120m a year turnover.

Eventually the Serious Fraud Office moved in and the pair were arrested in 2004.

Death-Threat Kidnap Gang Jailed

Three ruthless kidnappers – who threatened to kill their terrified victim with a samurai sword in a £250,000 international plot – have been locked-up for a total of twenty-one years.

The 24 year-old victim, who was meeting one of the gang for a meal, was beaten, bundled into a car boot, tied to a chair, had a sock stuffed in his mouth and his head wrapped in tape.

Dipeshkumar Chauhan, 28, (pic. centre) of Elmsleigh Avenue, Harrow, Middlesex, lured his pal to dinner and met the victim at Kingsbury Underground Station, driving him to Cool Oak Lane, Woodfield Park, Hendon.

After a violent struggle, during which the victim was punched and kicked in the head, he was forced into the BMW’s boot and driven to a house in Glenalmond Road, Harrow.

Chauhan was sentenced to nine years imprisonment at Southwark Crown Court after a jury convicted him of kidnap, false imprisonment and blackmail following a two week trial.

Accomplices Shujah Khaliq, 26, of The Mall, Harrow, (pictured l.) and Arif Aga, 26, of Glenalmond Road, (pictured r.) pleaded guilty to the same three charges and were jailed for six years.

The victim was forced to phone his father in Gujarat, India, on October 17, last year, telling him he would be killed by the gang if the ransom was not paid.

He was held for several more days as the gang phoned his family with more threats and demands, but the relatives – who did not have the money – tipped-off police in the U.K.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Kidnap Unit identified the house in Glenalmond Road and followed Chauhan and Khaliq when they left the residence on October 20.

Chauhan was arrested driving a Skoda in Shrewsbury Lane, Harrow, and Khaliq was captured driving a van in Honeypot Lane, Queensbury.

Moments later armed cops burst into the gang’s HQ and rescued the victim, catching Aga after he threw himself through a glass back door in a futile escape bid.

DC Greg Trinder of the Kidnap Unit said: "The victim does not come from a wealthy family.

“To receive a phone call to say your son has been kidnapped and that the kidnappers want money that you do not have must have been incredibly distressing.

“I am glad that they made the right decision and contacted police immediately so that we could locate the victim and ensure that he was returned to the family safely.

"The evidence against these three individuals was overwhelming. It showed the thought and planning that had gone into the crime and their motive of greed.

“Khaliq and Aga had the sense to plead guilty but Chauhan believed he could claim the defence of duress. I am grateful the jury saw through his lies and found him guilty alongside the other two defendants.

"Kidnaps are fortunately still comparatively rare in this country. We are grateful to all those who have assisted us in our investigation, ensuring the victim was returned to his family and the three defendants were put before the courts."

Man Denies Raid On Famous Fifteenth Century Church

A Southend man accused of a double raid on a famous fifteenth century church in the heart of the City of London pleaded not guilty when he appeared at Southwark Crown Court.

Andrew Alleyne, 35, of Chancellor Road, Southend-on-Sea spoke only to confirm his name during the five-minute hearing and was remanded in custody to stand trial on a day to be set the week beginning January 4, next year.

He is charged with burgling Saint Olave’s Church, Hart Street, - the burial place of Samuel Pepys - with intent to steal, on January 29 and March 31.

The famous diarist saved the church (pictured) from the great fire of London in 1666 and Mother Goose was buried there on September 14 1586.

Author Charles Dickens also had a fondness for St. Olave's and mentions the church in his writings.

Alleyne does not dispute he entered the church, and there is CCTV evidence, but denies entering a private area to steal.

The trial is expected to last two days.

Thug Squaddie's Brain Damage Attack

A thuggish soldier disgraced the name of our heroic armed forces after violently kicking and stamping another man’s head – leaving his victim with severe brain damage.

Wayne Bowe, 24, launched his frenzied attack on 25 year-old Michael Hewitt, who was walking to a nightbus stop after enjoying a night out in the West End with a pal.

Bowe, (pictured), pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to Mr. Hewitt in Chandos Place, Covent Garden, in the early hours of February 28 and was jailed for five years and four months at the Old Bailey.

The court heard it was 3.30am when Bowe attacked the victim, kicking and stamping on his head up to twenty times as he lay helpless and unconscious.

The soldier fled the scene, but left behind telltale DNA which police matched to a sample he gave nine months earlier for an unrelated matter.

Detective Sergeant Louise Cornwell, of Westminster's Serious Violence Team, said: "This was an unprovoked and random attack, which has left the victim with serious injuries.

"We are lucky that we held Bowe's DNA evidence on file, as it enabled us to trace Bowe quickly and bring him to justice."

Bandit Brothers' Bookies Blag Blitz

Two old-school blaggers, who donned masks and threatened staff with shooters during a string of armed stick-ups, were caged for six years today (Friday) after being captured by The Sweeney.

The 70’s throwback brothers – who targeted bookies in North London and Hertfordshire - were collared following a Flying Squad surveillance operation codenamed Catchwater.

Nelson Muzinga, (pictured), 23, and Ivo Muzinga, 18, both of Moree Way, Edmonton, were sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court after admitting the crime spree.

They burst into betting shops wielding guns, threatening staff and customers and made off with large amounts of cash.

Their reign of terror was ended by Finchley’s Flying Squad team who swooped on the pair on June 18.

Both pleaded guilty to four robberies, two attempted robberies, plus five counts of possessing a firearm or imitation firearm with intent to rob.

Nelson asked for three further robberies to be taken into consideration, plus three counts of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to rob.

Ivo asked for five further robberies to be taken into consideration, plus five counts of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to rob.

Detective Inspector David Malcolm, whose investigation nailed the pair said: "The Muzinga brothers terrified the staff and customers they encountered as they raided bookmakers with handguns.

“The weapons were often pointed straight at the victims to ensure the maximum amount of money was handed over.

“Robberies of this nature are a priority for the Flying Squad and the conviction of these men demonstrates the Met's continued commitment to bringing such dangerous criminals to justice."

Armed Robbery Spree: Photo Update

This is Ivo Muzinga, 18, caged for six years along with his partner-in-crime older brother Nelson for a string of armed raids on bookies.

Police Use C.S. Gas To Break-Up Boozy Stag Party

A drunken stag party reveler, whose rowdy group was sprayed with C.S. gas by police during an angry confrontation outside a City pub, was fined for violently striking an Inspector.

Jobless Reagan Rajkumal, 28, of Larkspur Close, Kingsbury, was arrested in the shadow of Tower 42 after officers were called to the Corney and Barrow pub.

He pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates’ Court (pictured) to assaulting Police Inspector Simon Douglas in Old Broad Street on July 26.

Prosecutor Miss Ravindra Hayre said: “When police arrived they saw a large number of aggressive people. Most of them were drunk and they were starting to fight with each other.

“Police tried to split up the parties and they became surrounded by a group of males. One of them was the defendant.

“They were shouting at the officers and were very aggressive towards the police,” added Miss Hayre.

“They tried to push the officers and one of them tried to punch an officer and C.S. gas was used against the group.

“The defendant then struck the Inspector in the chest area forcing him backwards and was told C.S. gas would be used,” explained the prosecutor.

“The defendant ignored the warning and continued to be aggressive and struck the Inspector again in the chest, forcing him backwards.”

First-time offender Rajkumal, who admitted drink played a part, was fined £200, plus £90 costs and ordered to pay Inspector Douglas £100 compensation.