Barbican Ticketing Boss Gambles Away Stolen Money

The ticket boss of the world-famous Barbican Centre blew over £30,000 gambling online after crediting his own bank accounts in a year-long refund scam.

Ex-ticket sales manager Christopher John Todd, 35, of Cavalier Court, St. Mark’s Road, Teddington, Middlesex, was arrested after a member of his team anonymously tipped-off bosses.

First-time offender Todd pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates’ Court that between August 21, 2008 and September 29, last year, he dishonestly abused his position intending to make a gain, namely £33,183, by refunding tickets to his account.

Prosecutor Mrs. Varinder Hayre told the court: “This defendant was employed as the ticket sales manager at the Barbican Centre and on September 29 last year the head of finance received information from an anonymous member of staff that Mr. Todd had made multiple refunds to a switch card.

“It was discovered he made several refunds to two of his Nat West Bank cards totaling £33,183.

“The refunds took place after the events and each refund had a different customer’s name.”

Todd (pictured) was investigated by the City of London Police’s Economic Crime Department.

“When interviewed he said his father was severely ill and he had succumbed to a gambling addiction as a coping mechanism and was a registered member of Paddy Power.

“The stolen money was only used to gamble with and was not used to purchase any items,” added Mrs. Hayre.

Todd’s lawyer Miss Theresa Donovan told the JP’s: “He is a man of good character. He has never been arrested in his life before and apologises profusely.

“He made full admissions and admits the amounts. He gave police all the details of how the offence came about.

“He has suffered severe depression throughout his life and has made two suicide attempts at the age of seventeen and in his mid-twenties”, explained Miss Donovan.

“His father was dying of cancer and, in fact, died some months ago and Mr. Todd had got into difficulties coping with that and developed an online gambling addiction, where all the proceeds of the offence went.”

Todd now faces a date with the Old Bailey after the magistrates decided their sentencing powers were insufficient.

“The offence is serious. This was a substantial amount defrauded from your employers,” Chairwoman Mrs. Gaye Chaney told Todd, who was committed for sentence to the Central Criminal Court on unconditional bail.

Christmas 'Peacemaker' Death: Man Charged

A man has appeared in court charged with the manslaughter of 23 year-old David Joslin, who suffered a fatal head injury when punched to the ground while acting as peacemaker after his Christmas works party.

Barry Oliver, 29, of Littleton Avenue, Chingford, was remanded in custody at Waltham Forest Magistrates’ Court to appear at the Old Bailey on April 8.

On December 20, last year the deceased (pictured) became involved in a confrontation at 1.30am involving two groups of people outside jewellers ‘Strictly Silver’ in Old Church Road, Chingford.

Witnesses claim David tried to calm things down, but was knocked unconscious and taken to Whipps Cross Hospital before being transferred to Holborn’s National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery where he died on December 27.

A post-mortem at East Ham Mortuary the next day gave the cause of death as head injuries.

A homicide incident room was opened at Barking Police Station under Detective Chief Inspector John Macdonald and an unnamed man and woman have been bailed until February pending further enquiries.

Surprise! Surprise! African Civil Servant Helps Illegals For Cash

A civil servant employed by the Department of Works and Pensions, who helped friends and family illegally enter and work in the U.K. –charging a total of £149,000 for his services - has been locked up for five years.

He also provided a ‘one-stop-shop’ to assist strangers – eventually helping 64 illegal immigrants to gain work as security guards and care workers – directly enabling a dozen of them to enter the country illegally.

Adekunle Odunayo Aladenika, 43, of Fawcett Estate, Clapton Common, Clapton, East London, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit misconduct in a judicial or public office, conspiracy to obtain passports by deception and conspiracy to obtain a passport by deception.

An investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s Fraud Squad revealed that between March 2003 and March 2007, Aladenika was providing a comprehensive service to assist anyone wishing to enter the UK.

Not only was he sponsoring visa applications, but he was signing off applications for national insurance numbers for people who were ineligible - having cloned genuine applicants' identities - countersigning their fraudulent UK passport applications, and even providing references for job hunters.

Some of the roles gained by applicants who were verified by Aladenika were those of security guards and care home workers dealing with vulnerable, elderly people.

On September 4, 2007, officers arrested Aladenika and a search of his house revealed blank DWP forms, a stolen passport, and a hand-written list detailing NI numbers of people he had researched and knew were elderly and likely to die soon.

Officers from the Economic and Specialist Crime Command discovered cash deposits totalling £149,000 had been paid into Aladenika’s bank account.

Officers believe that the money was paid to Aladenika by his customers in return for his services.

In some cases he told immigrants to use his own identity while they were living in the UK illegally.

Detective Constable Carl Hughes, of the Metropolitan Police’s Fraud Squad, said: “Aladenika was in a position of trust as a DWP employee and he showed a complete disregard of the law and his duty by catering for the illegal immigrants’ every need.

“The service he was providing facilitated the entry of 12 people illegally into the country, and the fact that he was even charging his own family and friends for his services shows how greedy and callous his behaviour was over this prolonged period of time.

“We will now look to confiscate any assets gained through criminal activity under the Proceeds of Crime Act.”

A spokesman for the DWP added: "This successful conviction came about after a joint prosecution between the DWP and the Metropolitan Police.

“The DWP always thoroughly investigate cases where there is any suspicion of wrongdoing.

“Following the investigation the Department notified the police who brought forward criminal charges. 


"The DWP is committed to ensuring any trust placed in their staff is not abused and will take the strongest action where necessary."

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."