Jilted Husband Slashes Wife's Throat In Busy Boutique

An abusive husband, forced out of the family home following a hammer attack on his wife, butchered her with a kitchen knife at work – slashing her throat a mere feet from colleagues.

Horrified staff at the boutique discovered the blood-soaked body of 43 year-old Varsha Champaclal in the rear of the busy store moments after the fatal attack, carried out by her estranged husband.

Call-centre worker Thaker Kardam Ramanlal, 48, of Coombe Lane, Kingston, Surrey, was sentenced to life imprisonment after an Old Bailey jury convicted him of murder.

Varsha (pic. l.) split with Ramanlal (pic. r.) in August 2008, but on February 13, last year at Peacocks, Majestic Way, Mitcham, Surrey, she was followed to the back of the shop by her ex and killed.

Ramanlal admitted the crime, but tried to dodge a life sentence by only admitting manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility.

The couple, who have daughters aged 21 and 12, had a stormy marriage with Ramanlal repeatedly bullying and abusing his wife – once breaking her arm.

She called police for the first time when chased out of the family home with a hammer and through the courts forced Ramanlal to move out.

Bitter Ramanlal repeatedly threatened to kill his wife and she voiced concern for the safety of herself and her daughters.

The store’s CCTV cameras show assistant manager Varsha being followed out of sight to the rear by Ramanlal, who then leaves via the back door with the bloody murder weapon into busy surrounding streets.

Workmates quickly found Varsha and raised the alarm, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The next day he contacted police confessing he killed his wife and when officers arrived at Ramanlal’s flat he was nursing a superficial wrist wound.

He claimed he was not responsible for his actions and was suffering abnormality of the mind at the time of the murder.

However, he had no previous history of mental illness and had been threatening to kill his wife for some time.

CCTV also showed him buying a knife and a bottle of wine on two occasions and then making his way to his wife's work.

On the first occasion Varsha was nowhere to be seen and he gave up.

Two days later he again bought a knife and bottle of wine and returned to the store to murder his wife.

Detective Inspector Barney Ratcliffe from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command said: "This man was a calculated abuser, who showed no control over his temper or rage towards his family, even throughout this trial.

"The evidence brought to court was totally incriminating and showed that he had been thinking about killing his wife and planned to do so on more than one occasion.

"Tragically, Varsha Champaclal had finally managed to escape her husband's abuse and was starting a new life for herself and her daughters without him.

“I hope today that her daughters can now find a way to move on with their lives safe in the knowledge that their father is imprisoned for a long time."

Ramanlal must serve a minimum of eighteen years.

Axe-Killer Locked-Up

An axe-man who killed a drug-dealer associate – striking the victim over the back of the head with the weapon – and later confessing the crime to his girlfriend has been caged for nine years.

Iraklis Malamas, 33, of Camden Road, Holloway, visited Tony Pounal, 51, on New Year’s Eve, 2007, and used the fearsome weapon when a dispute broke out.

Malamas (pic. l.) was cleared of murdering Pounal (pic. r.), at his flat in Selden Walk, Andover Estate, Holloway, but was convicted by an Old Bailey jury of manslaughter.

Police believe the pair hatched a plan to distribute £25,000 in counterfeit notes amongst drug dealers and Malamas killed so he could keep all the cash.

The jury heard that Malamas, who was an associate of Pounal’s, went to his flat on December 31, 2007, where he hit him over the back of the head with an axe and then covered him with a blanket and continued to beat him.

The body lay undiscovered until a concerned neighbour called police on January 21 and officers found Pounal in his bedroom covered in rugs and blankets.

Malamas was arrested on February 5, 2008, in Holloway in connection with the murder and later released on police bail whilst enquiries continued.

Whilst on police bail Malamas confessed the killing to his girlfriend and gave her details of what he had done and how.

The woman tipped-off the investigation team, naming Malamas as the killer, providing the police with sufficient evidence to charge him.

Malamas was charged with the murder on the July 25, 2008.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Andy Chalmers said: "This case shows that with the support of witnesses those who are responsible for the worst crimes can be brought to account."

"The witnesses, particularly those who Malamas confessed his crime to, should be proud that they have had the courage to come forward and ensure that a brutal killer has been put in prison."

"Whilst Anthony Pounal was a drug user and drug dealer he did not deserve to die.

“I am grateful the court have considered the evidence presented to them over the course of the trial and held Malamas to account"

Soho Rape Captured On CCTV

This blurry CCTV image captures the moment a rape victim tried to fight off her mystery attacker – now being hunted by police – who pounced on the woman after meeting her minutes before in Soho.

She was left with serious head injuries in Falconberg Mews, Charing Cross Road, on November 28, after also being knocked to the ground and punched and kicked around the head.

The victim - a 25-year-old white woman - met a white man in the street some time between 5am and 7am and they walked a short distance to the quiet dead end road.

As the result of an altercation the woman was knocked down, dragged along the road and raped.

It is believed the victim may have lost consciousness for a short time and when she came to she raised the alarm and an ambulance was called.

She was taken to a central London hospital where she remained for approximately ten days before being discharged. She is now recovering at home.

The suspect is described as a white man, possibly European, in his early twenties, 5ft 6 to 5ft 8 tall with brown spiky hair and wearing a blue short jacket (waist length), jeans and trainers.

The officer leading the inquiry, DI Simon Prankard from Sapphire, said: “This was a vicious attack which left a young woman traumatised and seriously injured.

“We are issuing two stills taken from CCTV in Falconberg Mews of the suspect who at the time was engaged in the attack.”

Street Robbery Becomes Murder Hunt

Police have launched a murder probe after a bank customer, who was viciously attacked from behind by two street muggers, died in hospital a month after receiving injuries during the robbery.

Mahesh Mehta, 55, had just visited the HSBC Bank on the corner of London Road and Warwick Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey, when the mystery assailants pounced on him.

He was rushed to nearby Mayday Hospital with severe facial injuries and later transferred to St. George’s Hospital, Tooting, where he sadly passed away.

The Homicide and Serious Crime Command have launched a murder investigation and are asking anyone who was in the Warwick Road area, particularly in the proximity of the HSBC, at the time of the incident to contact police.

Detective Inspector Dave Willis, said: "It has been almost two months since this violent attack and it is crucial for the victim's family that members of the public come forward if they witnessed this incident or if they can help in anyway.

"The attack on Mr. Mehta (pictured) was particularly callous and the level of violence was both senseless and uncontrolled.

“Members of the community came to Mr. Mehta's aid at the time and I now ask for them to come forward again.

“I am eager to speak with a woman who acted as a Good Samaritan towards to Mr. Mehta. I would be pleased to speak to anyone in confidence at anytime."

DNA Traps Sex Attacker Seventeen Years On

It took seventeen years for justice to catch up with an evil sex predator – eventually caged for brutally attacking a 76 year-old woman – thanks to telltale DNA evidence.

Frederick Mills, 37, was sentenced to thirteen years imprisonment at Southwark Crown Court for breaking into the vulnerable victim’s Tottenham home in 1993 and carrying out a violent sexual assault.

Mills (pictured) pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault and one of burglary, after the case was reopened by the Metropolitan Police’s Sapphire Cold Case team in 2007.

The victim, now deceased, who was partially blind and deaf and couldn’t speak English, was lying in bed when Mills broke into the property on January 22.

He forced her to the floor and punched her repeatedly as he carried out the sex attack.

Ironically he was nearly captured immediately and was forced to flee via the back door when the victim’s family arrived.

However, they were unable to enter because experienced burglar Mills had locked the front door from the inside and escaped through the back garden and into a nearby park.

Officers conducted an extensive investigation, taking forensic samples and circulating a photo fit as part of a wide-ranging publicity campaign.

Several suspects were identified and arrested, however no charges were brought and the file was eventually closed.

In 2007 an upgraded DNA profile was obtained from a sample found on the victim's nightgown.

When this was entered into the national DNA database, Mills was identified for the first time and on September 24, 2007, he was arrested while serving time in Wandsworth Prison.

DC Alyson Suddick, who led the cold case investigation, said: "While it is unfortunate that the vulnerable victim of this terrible assault did not live to see her attacker face justice, we hope this will bring to an end a traumatic affair for her family.

"Thanks to the advancements in technology seen since 1993, we were able to track down this dangerous individual with the help of the Forensic Science Service, and we will continue to strive to identify and arrest the perpetrators of such savage crimes."

Romanian Sex Traffickers Jailed

Three Romanians who tricked a 24 year-old girl into prostitution – grabbing all the cash she made servicing a string of punters with sex – have been locked-up after the victim’s boyfriend trapped the gang.

The Romanian victim was promised a lucrative hostess career in London, but on her arrival was forced into prostitution with the threat her boyfriend would meet a violent end if she did not cooperate.

Ringleader Constantin Tarau, 27, (pic. l.) was jailed for six years; Catalin Baluta, 33, (pic. mid.) received three-and-a-half years and Mihaela Padurau, 21, (pic. r.) eighteen months.

All lived in Prout Grove, Willesden, where on December 16, 2007, victim ‘Sofie’ arrived after being persuaded to leave her homeland alone and was told her only future was having sex with strangers for cash.

The Croydon Crown Court trial heard Tarau befriended ‘Sofie’ and her partner in Romania and she was met at Luton Airport by Baluta who warned her ‘something bad would happen’ to her boyfriend if she didn’t cooperate.

Between December 17 and 28, Sofie was forced to work as a prostitute in various brothels in London and was one of several girls being "controlled" by the gang.

The money she made was initially split halfway between her and her controllers, however after a short time they seized all of her money.

Baluta and Padurau would contact and make all the arrangements with various brothels and would order taxis to take her there.

Her boyfriend formed a plan to rescue her, keeping Tarau on side by claiming to bring another Romanian girl to London to work as a prostitute.

On his arrival at Luton Airport he contacted Bedfordshire Police and officers arrested Tarau who had come to the airport to collect him and the 'female' he was meant to be traveling with.

The case was referred to the Metropolitan Police's Human Trafficking Team who mounted an investigation.

Detective Constable Kieron Tiddy paid tribute to the bravery of Sofie's boyfriend, saying: "The courage he displayed in his bid to rescue his girlfriend was exceptional.

“He demonstrated great initiative hatching and executing his brave plan, helping police to rescue Sofie and convict this trafficking gang.

"Thanks must also go to the Romanian Police who managed to secure the speedy extradition of Tarau from Romania."

Head of the Human Trafficking Team Detective Inspector Steve Wilkinson said: "Through intimidation this gang forced a vulnerable young woman to do things against her will and failed to honour any of her basic human rights.

“They sought to profit from the exploitation of another human being in the most horrible way."

All three were convicted of conspiring to cause or incite prostitution for gain and conspiring to control prostitution.

Tarau alone was convicted of conspiring to traffic a person into the U.K. for sexual exploitation.

Police Search Dog Sniffs Out Guns

‘Taxi’ the police sniffer dog sent a woman underworld armourer on as one-way journey to a prison cell after leading cops to illegal guns and ammo stashed in her ‘safe house’.

Young mum Marlena Ocran, 23, of Primrose Place, Isleworth, Middlesex, was locked-up for five years after ‘Taxi’ sniffed-out the firearms “ a robber’s kit” hidden underneath a wardrobe.

The Metropolitan Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Command raided the property on June 30 and the dog (pic. l.) led them to two semi-automatic pistols, a sawn-off shotgun with seventy-two cartridges and eight bullets.

The flat was deserted and almost empty of furniture or personal belongings, indicating Ocran was not living there, but staying with relatives in Brabazon Road, Heston, Middlesex.

When arrested she admitted being the Primrose Place tenant, but claimed to know nothing about the firearms, a Russian-made self-loading Baikal, Browning and small-bore shotgun (pictured).

Less than five days later she dialled 999 confessing she had lied to police during her interview and wished to tell the truth.

During her second interview, Ocran admitted she had known about the existence of firearms and ammunition in her flat but had made no efforts to contact police.

She claimed throughout the interview that two other people had access to the flat and she had provided them with keys and they could have placed the firearms there.

Forensic analysis of the firearms revealed Ocran's fingerprints on the shotgun cartridge box and the Baikal had been converted to fire .38 rounds together with the silencer.

Ocran pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm, ammunition and shortened shotgun at Kingston Crown Court.

Detective Inspector Steve Ellen said: "Ignorance is no excuse for storing firearms and ammunition.

“The MPS is committed to tackling anyone believed to be in possession of a gun and this carries a minimum term of five years in prison."

On sentencing, Judge Binning said that "it was clear she had a robber's kit."

Illegal Cabbie's Sex Attack On Female Passenger

An illegal mini-cab driver – who launched a late-night sex attack on a terrified lone female passenger who jumped into his car – has been locked up for four years.

Mitcham man Alfred Apicella, 54, walked free for seven months after fondling the 24 year-old victim until police eventually tracked him down.

He was convicted at Kingston Crown Court on two counts of sexual assault, plus one of digital penetration, after picking-up the woman in Tooting Broadway, South-West London, on November 2, last year.

Unlicensed Apicella (pictured), who worked as a courier and ice cream vendor during the day spent his evenings illegally touting for customers as he drove around his local area.

The victim, who had been drinking with friends in Wimbledon, agreed to pay Apicella for a lift home to her Wandsworth Common address at 3.40am and was persuaded to sit in the front.

He agreed she could pop indoors to get cash, but on arrival announced he would waive the fare in exchange for a kiss and cuddle.

He then sexually assaulted her, forcing a finger into her vagina, before she managed to elbow him aside and escape from the vehicle.

The victim made it safely into her home before contacting her partner and subsequently the police.

Seven months later, on May 27, police arrested Apicella at his home address and charged him with sexual assault later that day.

DCI Mark Cranwell from Wandsworth Borough said: "We cannot stress strongly enough, how important it is to ensure that you get home safely and are not drawn into using unlicensed cabs.

"This victim had a terrible ordeal after a night out with her friends and I would like to thank her for her bravery in coming forwards and helping police bring Apicella to justice.”

Happy Christmas To All Our Readers

Let me take this seasonal opportunity to express my thanks to our loyal readers who have visited Square Mile News during the past year.

Today is not an appropriate time to publish yet more news of violence and dishonesty etc., but to remind everybody to give thanks for making it through another twelve months, to remember those who unfortunately have not, and to appreciate the friends and family we have around us.

I hope you enjoy the photo of two fine City of London constables patrolling the Square Mile during the recent cold snap and yes they will be out there again today keeping the streets safe when we are opening gifts and tucking into turkey.

I wish you all a very merry Christmas and may you all enjoy a wonderful and prosperous New Year.

Would-Be Shotgun Killer Faces Prison

This is the face of a gunman who pumped 50 shotgun pellets into his victim’s torso and is now facing a lengthy prison sentence when he returns to the Old Bailey.

Jobless Babar Ali Shah, 35, of Upton Heights, Upton Lane, Forest Gate, East London, also blew off the victim’s thumb when an argument broke out in a vehicle they were traveling in.

Shah was convicted of attempting to murder the 29 year-old driver, assaulting a passenger, 31, whose two front teeth he knocked out with the gun and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

All three men were traveling in a Cherokee Jeep in Old Ruislip Road, Northolt, on July 25, last year when an altercation broke out just after 10pm and Shah shot the driver and attacked his passenger.

Detective Sergeant Chris Jones, of Operation Trident, said: "Shah is a dangerous individual who was happy to use a gun at close range.

“I am pleased the court has found him guilty and I am sure it will be of a reassurance to his victims to know that he has been held to account for his actions."

He is due to be sentenced on January 27, next year.

'Suicidal' Heroin Smuggling Run Smashed

A gang of four heroin traffickers are either starting or facing huge prison sentences after a Channel Tunnel ‘suicide run’ when £30m worth of the drug stuffed into the back of a BMW was simply driven past Customs men.

The 356 kilos of heroin – packed into 13 cardboard boxes – was placed in the rear and piled on the back seats of the car, belonging to the smuggler’s elderly mother, and is believed to be the largest ever UK police seizure of its kind.

Unfortunately for the gang they were being monitored by officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Central Task force and were arrested during a handover at a motorway service station.

They are: (l. to r.) Dutchman Patrick Kuster, 37, sentenced to 26 years; Harminder Chana, 32, of Upton Lane, East Ham; Atif Khan, 35, of Brixham Gardens, Ilford, Essex and businessman Abdul Matalib Shammin Rob, 30, of Cavendish Gardens, Ilford.

All either pleaded guilty or were convicted at Kingston Crown Court of conspiracy to supply heroin as a result of the Met’s Operation Frant.

Kuster was the courier who drove the uncut heroin from Holland – gambling he would not be stopped at checkpoints – even parking the car (pic. far r.) unattended outside a Calais B&B overnight.

On April 3, last year, Kuster met Chana off the M20 in Kent and police watched as three of the boxes – containing 50 kilos of heroin - were loaded into his Seat Leon.

Officers swooped and Kuster said: “My life is over,” when cautioned, with Chana claiming: “"Look officer I'm going to be honest with you, I've never done anything like this before but I'm trying to get back into work and I was getting paid to do it."

Later that day, detectives arrested Khan outside his home and he was found in possession of a set of keys for a 'safe house' in York Close, Beckton.

A search of this address uncovered a blue Ikea bag containing 20 kilos of cocaine bulking agent Mannitol.

A set of electronic scales, a metal press, a counterfeit money discriminator, numerous mobile phones, latex gloves and written correspondence were also found at the address.

He confessed he was expecting to receive the 50 kilos of heroin collected by Chana.

Rob was arrested at his home on November 11. He was responsible for arranging and financing three boxes of the imported heroin.

In April 2000, a Belgian court convicted Rob in his absence of a multi-million pound drugs supply and sentenced him to six years imprisonment.



On October 3, 2007, at Utrecht District Court, Holland, Kuster was acquitted of transporting heroin from Holland to the UK.

Detective Inspector Marion Ryan said; "This is the biggest heroin seizure we know of, by any UK police force.

“Today's result is testimony to how the Met has prevented the serious consequences this conspiracy could have had on people's lives.

“An average addict consumes 0.438 kilos of heroin in 12 months, so this seizure would be enough to keep more than 8,000 addicts in habit for a year.

"This gang had a flagrant disregard for law, blatantly transporting these dangerous drugs in the back of their cars.

“The Met will not tolerate the use and supply of class A drugs and we continue to tackle any organised criminal networks involved in this highly illegal activity."

The three UK-based gang members are due to be sentenced on 8 January.

DJ Nosweat Loses His Cool

A panic-stricken DJ, freaked-out by having to wait an hour for a train at busy Liverpool Street Station, lit up a joint to calm his nerves in front of watching police.

Rory Drew Anderson, 26, of Henham Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, had just completed a recording session in Central London and was on his way home.

Anderson – known as DJ-nosweat – pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates’ Court today to possessing a small amount of herbal cannabis on December 15.

“He was stressed-out after being left alone at Liverpool Street Station for an hour,” his lawyer Mr. Deepesh Pandit told the court. “He suffers panic attacks and smoked a little to calm his nerves.”

Prosecutor Mrs. Alexa Morgan said: “The defendant was seen by officers smoking a joint in public view and he was approached.

“He admitted smoking cannabis and admitted he had more in a grinder and tin for his own use.”

Mr. Pandit added: “He very rarely comes to London. He is a DJ and had travelled to work at a music studio.

“He was picked up at the station by a friend and they worked on some music and he was taken back to Liverpool Street and hour before the train was due to go back.”

The magistrates fined Anderson £66, with £90 costs and ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the cannabis, grinder and tin.