Women Rob 84 Year-Old Bank Customer

Two Eastern European women pinned an 84 year-old disabled man against a bus shelter and robbed him of £500 cash after trailing him from a bank.

The suspects (pic. r.) followed the pensioner from the Halifax building society in Liverpool Road, Islington, on November 12, last year and on to a number 30 bus.

They pretended to help him on to the bus and into a seat and made an unsuccessful bid to steal the money from the victim's coat pocket.

The pensioner got off the bus in St Paul's Road, Islington, and when he stopped to rest at a nearby bus stop, the suspects grabbed him and pinned him up against the shelter before stealing the cash.

Both women are described as being of Eastern European appearance.

The first is described as aged about 35, approximately 5'6" tall, well built, with short black hair with a short fringe and the second is described as aged about 55, approximately 5'3" tall, of slim build with long black hair.

The victim, who is from Islington, was very shaken up as a result of the incident.

His daughter, 53, said: "I think it's terrible that they pick on vulnerable people and have resorted to this.

“They seem to be pickpockets who have upped their game. Fortunately, my dad was not physically hurt - the next victim might not be so lucky."

The investigation is being carried out by PC Jo Miller from the Islington Robbery Squad with support from the Visual Images and Identification Office (VIIDO), which specialises in the investigation of CCTV images.

PC Jo Miller said: "I am doing everything I can to ensure that these offenders are brought to justice however so much relies on the CCTV images. If you know who these people are, then please contact us immediately."

Home Raider Caught By CCTV

A career criminal who smashed his way into two flats – helping himself to I-Phones, foreign currency and other valuables – was eventually tracked down after police viewed hundreds of hours of CCTV.

Jobless Aubrey Appiah, 33, of Shrubbery Road, Streatham, pleaded guilty at Kingston Crown Court to burgling the properties in Shuttleworth Road, Battersea, on October 23, last year and was caged for three years.

Wandsworth CID captured Appiah (pic. r.) after CCTV showed him entering the communal entrance, leaving thirty minutes later and removing a pair of gloves he put into a distinctive black and white carrier bag.

Images from other CCTV locations all over Battersea helped track Appiah’s movements that day and when arrested at home four days later officers seized the distinctive bag and clothing he was wearing during the raids.

Detective Inspector Matt Phelps of the Priority Crime Unit said the evidence from CCTV facilities in the borough produced a roadmap of the suspect's movements that formed the main Prosecution case.

"We want to thank the business community and our partners at Wandsworth Council for their co-operation in providing the CCTV footage that was to prove so crucial to this case,” he announced.

“I also want to point out that residents of Shuttleworth Road where the burglaries took place paid for their own CCTV cameras.

"Appiah had no choice other than to plead guilty when he saw the visual case against him.

“It clearly shows that when used correctly, CCTV can play an integral part in police investigations.

"It enabled Appiah, a prolific offender, to be identified, apprehended and convicted."

Museum Rapist Caught On CCTV

Police are hunting a rapist (pic r.) who attacked 19 year-old woman in the shadow of the British Museum minutes after she got off a night bus.

The black suspect, aged in his 20’s or 30’s, who speaks with an African accent, was caught on CCTV.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police’s specialist Sapphire Team are appealing for witnesses or anybody who recognises the suspect who struck at 2.15am in Museum Street, Holborn, on January 9.

The terrified victim was grabbed from behind as she walked home alone, carried into a doorway and raped.

Afterwards the suspect is seen on CCTV buckling his belt as he walks towards New Oxford Street.

Detective Chief Inspector Mehta said: "We have a an extremely traumatised victim now being supported by specially trained officers and workers from Haven, and we want to catch the dangerous suspect in this case as soon as possible.

"We would very much like to hear from anyone who recognises, or who believes they recognise, the person in the CCTV images.

"We are also keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident. It may be that they witnessed the incident itself, or the suspect in the area before the attack, or the suspect leaving the area after the attack.

"Any information these potential witnesses may have may be crucial."

Media Man's G20 TV Rant

A freelance photographer who dramatically interrupted a live Channel 4 broadcast during last year’s City of London G20 demonstration has been convicted of smashing a television camera knocked over during the melee.

Reporter Alex Thompson was near the Bank of England reporting the day’s events when 50 year-old Michael Wells jumped off his bike to deliver a rant against the news organization.

Wells of Rutland Gardens, Finsbury Park, denied, but was convicted of causing £1,200 worth of criminal damage to the camera in Poultry on April 1.

City of London Magistrates viewed the short incident supplied by Channel 4, which showed Mr. Thompson, 49, suddenly barged out of the way by angry Wells who then knocks the camera to the ground.

The camera lens was smashed and the incident was also witnessed by two police officers who told the court they saw Wells shove the newsman out of the way before pushing the camera over.

Wells, a part-time Amnesty International fundraiser who photographs news events all over the U.K. and abroad claimed he was pushed into the camera or tripped over his bike.

“It is not a situation I am particularly proud of or relish,” he told the court. “I am a photographer and journalist and I had been at the G20 (pictured) all day and had seen quite a lot of violence.

“My intention was not to damage the camera or manhandle the anchorman, but I did stupidly get in front of the camera.

“I said something and the next thing I knew I was flying through the air and then lying on the ground with people on my back.

“I believe I was pushed or tripped by a third person or Mr. Thompson which caused me to move into the camera,” added Wells.

“It is also likely I tripped over my bicycle and the camera falls over.”

The magistrates ruled Wells was guilty of at least “reckless behaviour” and fined him £100, with £215 costs and ordered him to pay £1,200 compensation to Channel 4.

Brutal Brothers Batter Grandad To Death

Two violent brothers who mercilessly beat their frail 76 year-old grandfather to death – using fists, feet, bottles and bits of furniture – have been caged for life.

Tragic pensioner Paul Peters, of Kennard House, Francis Chichester Way, Battersea, died at home on May 2, last year from multiple injuries, including 33 fractures to his ribs.

Known affectionately to locals as “granddad” Mr. Peters had reported the brothers’ violence to social services who changed the locks on his front door in a bid to keep the duo out.

Jobless Wayne Edwards, 34, of Kennard House and jobless Anton Sanderson, 25, of Latymer Way, Holloway, were convicted at the Old Bailey’s famous Court Number One of murder and ordered to serve a minimum of 20 years.

Bizarrely, Edwards (pic. top) and Sanderson (pic. below) visited a nearby Indian takeaway restaurant on the night of the murder and in a fit of violence caused £17,000 worth of damage to the Noor Tandoori.

When police quizzed Edwards he claimed to have been sleeping off a drinking session at the time of the murder, but CCTV evidence proved him wrong plus evidence given by neighbours who saw and heard him.

The brothers were known to police and social services as troublemakers and their grandfather had reported a history of a violent relationship to the authorities.

At one stage social services assisted Peters in changing his locks to keep his grandsons out of the flat, after he had stated he did not want them living with him, claiming, “this could escalate and God knows what could happen to me.”

Sadly, Mr. Peters did let his grandsons have access to his flat again, even though Edwards was once arrested on suspicion of assault and later released.

The victim gave him a new set of keys telling his social worker that he ‘could not live alone.’

Neighbours at Kennard House heard smashing glass and fighting from Mr. Peters’s flat on the night of the fatal attack

By 10 pm the noise had stopped and Edwards and Johnson were seen at various stages in the evening on CCTV leaving the property, having changed their clothes to hide the fact they had just beaten Mr. Peters to death.

CCTV showed Edwards entering the crime scene in an attempt to clear up the blood and neighbours were woken by the sound of footsteps and furniture being dragged around as they tried to clear up the evidence of the brutal attack, disposing of the weapons, bedding and tissues down the communal rubbish chute.

The victim’s son found the body of his father in the kitchen, half naked and covered in bruises.

Detective Inspector Gary Arthur, of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said:

“The evidence against these brothers was overwhelming.

“Through forensics and CCTV we have successfully been able to bring these violent brothers to justice.”

“It is far from our understanding how anyone could brutally beat a frail old man to death. It is tragic that he had to die in such a way.”

Boozy Bubbly Binger Bashes VW

A rowdy champagne-loving student, celebrating successfully completing his four-year degree with pals at a trendy City of London restaurant-bar, vandalised a VW Golf parked outside when he was ejected.

Information Systems graduate Gurindar Singh Jheeta, 23, of Lowbrook Drive, Maidenhead, Berkshire, upset staff by loudly popping a champagne cork as he downed bubbly and vodkas during the late-night celebration

He was forced to leave ‘Tiffinbites’ (pictured), Russia Row, run by celebrity chef Andy Varma, and outside angrily punched the vehicle’s wing mirror, smashing it and causing £270.93 worth of damage.

Jheeta, who attended Brunel University, Uxbridge, pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates’ Court to causing criminal damage to the car on June 27, last year.

Prosecutor Mrs. Alexa Morgan told the court it was 2am when the boyfriend of the VW Golf’s owner spotted Jheeta punching the wing mirror and breaking it.

Police were called and the defendant was identified, but he initially denied everything, claiming an unknown vandal had smashed the mirror.

Jheeta’s lawyer Mr. James Hardy said his client was reluctant to own up because he feared a criminal record.

“He was finding it very hard to find employment and was concerned what the effects of a criminal conviction would have on the prospects of future employment.

“He was out socialising with six friends after graduating with a 2:1 Honours Degree and was drinking vodka and champagne.

“He had been ejected for opening a bottle of champagne in a forceful manner, popping the cork, after his group had been warned previously for it and took his frustrations out on the car’s wing mirror.”

The court was told that after failing to find employment Jheeta is now set to begin an electrician’s course at Uxbridge College.

He was fined £50, plus £90 costs and ordered to pay £270.93 compensation to the vehicle’s owner.

Alleged £17m 'Ponzi' Fraudster Committed To Crown Court

A foreign exchange dealer accused of a ‘Ponzi’ scheme that left 800 investors £17m out of pocket has been committed to Southwark Crown Court.

Terence Freeman, 61, of King’s Place, King’s Road, Horsham, West Sussex, formerly of Whitehall Lane, Buckhurst Hill, Essex, is the former boss of City-based GFX Capital Markets Ltd.

Freeman (pictured) was investigated by the City of London Police’s Economic Crime Department, after initially reporting threats from investors to police.

He appeared at City of London Magistrates’ Court charged that between June 1, 2006 and September 30, 2007, within the jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Court, he was knowingly a party to the carrying on of a business, namely GFX Ltd., for a fraudulent purpose, namely the inducement of persons to invest in a ‘Safe’ exchange scheme by making false representations and statements as to the protection and profits of investments.

He is also charged that between October 1, 2007 and February 9, 2009, within the jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Court the business of GFX Ltd. was carried on with intent to defraud creditors by similarly making false representations and statements.

He also is also charged that between January 1, 2006 and February 9, last year, being an undischarged bankrupt, acted as a director of GFX Ltd.

Between the same dates he is charged with failing to disclose to business associates his former name, under which he was made bankrupt.

Freeman is further charged with stealing £120,590 between November 7 and 30, 2007, belonging to investors in GFX Ltd and between the same dates acquiring, using or possessing criminal property, namely a diamond bespoke ring and gentleman’s signet ring.

Police began investigating GFX Ltd. on February 4, last year after Freeman himself complained of threats from investors.

Thirty investors are alleged to have lost over £130,000, with one individual said to have lost £1.5m.

He was bailed to appear for a plea and case management hearing on February 16.

Boozy Train Thug Attacks Fellow-Passenger

A railway yob – preoccupied on his mobile phone – viciously punched a fellow-passenger twice in the face for simply brushing past him, causing a lip wound needing seven stitches.

An enjoyable Sunday night out with his fiancé was ruined for 30 year-old Caterham retail manager Steve Coombs, who now suffers flashbacks every time he passes through Balham Railway Station.

Part-time scaffolder Terry Sevier, 27, of Bedford Hill, Balham, pleaded guilty to assault, causing actual bodily harm, at the station on August 30, last year and was jailed for eight months at Southwark Crown Court.

“Your behaviour was deplorable and deeply anti-social,” Judge David Higgins told Sevier, who fled the attack, but was identified by CCTV.

Prosecutor Mr. Gavin Ludlow-Thompson told the court it was 11pm when the victim noticed a drunken Sevier (pictured) descending the platform exit ramp towards him.

“He was not looking where he was going, but was instead looking at the screen of his mobile phone and the victim tried to move out of the way and they brushed.

“The victim thought nothing of it, but was followed by the defendant who was shouting and swearing. He was beside himself with rage.

“They attempted to calm the defendant down and the victim even said:’ Look, it’s all my fault. I’m sorry,’ even though he knew it wasn’t,” explained Mr. Ludlow-Thompson.

“The defendant gets close, into his face, swearing incoherently, and the fiancé is pushed out of the way.

“The victim is punched twice in the face, causing a laceration to the mouth, and is treated at St. George’s Hospital where he receives seven stitches.”

The couple were chased by Sevier and sought sanctuary in a platform office, where staff managed to usher him away, but he continued banging angrily on the door before fleeing.

Judge Higgins told Sevier, who has been locked-up since December 8, last year and has convictions for theft and robbery: “The victim was left with a small permanent scar on his lip plus a feeling of apprehension when travelling on the railway.

“Your personal circumstances do not excuse actions of this deplorable kind.”

Police Smash £2 Million Drug Gang

Four men - caught by police during an undercover operation transferring £2 million worth of cannabis in an underground garage – have been caged for plotting to supply the drug.

Surveillance officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Command watched the handover in Kilburn Park Road, Kilburn, on May 7, last year and seized 600 kg. of cannabis stuffed into 61 boxes.

The four are: Shopkeeper Hamid Charkaoui, 31, of Colville Terrace, Notting Hill, (pic. l.) Delivery driver Fouad Raihani, 34, of Galsworth Court, Bollo Bridge Road, Acton, (pic. 2^nd l.) Jobless Paul Mottley, 26, of Salutation Street, Manchester, (pic. 3^rd l.) and jobless Dawood Ahmad, 25, of Park Mews, Park Drive, Manchester, (pic. 4^th l.).

Charkaoui, sentenced to seven-and-a-half years and Raihani, sentenced to five years, were watched unloading the boxes from their van for collection by Mottley, who received five years and Ahmad, sentenced to three-and-a-half years.

Officers moved in as the Londoners loaded up the Manchester duo’s van and arrested all four men, seizing the cannabis (pic. r.) stored in heat-sealed clear plastic bags.

Police searched six address, including Charkaoui’s uncle’s property in Ebbsfleet Road, Cricklewood, where they found 6 kg of amphetamine, 29 cellophane wrapped packages of cannabis and a money counting machine.

The other searches uncovered £11,000 cash, a heat-sealing machine, a roll of heat-seal plastic and 19 rounds of ammunition.

On May 19 mini-cab driver El-Hosain Charkaoui, 49, was arrested on his return from Spain and initially denied knowing anything about the drugs at his home in Ebbsfleet Road, but received eighteen months after admitting his role in the plot.

Detective Inspector Marion Ryan of the Serious and Organised Crime Command said: "This was a significant haul of cannabis that we have successfully removed from circulation.

“Today's sentencing is testament to how seriously the criminal justice system takes this class B drug."

Double-Rapist Trapped By DNA 20 Years On

A double rapist trapped by DNA twenty years after two copycat rapes in the stairwells of different blocks of flats has been jailed for 11 years.

Tragically his second victim – traumatised for years after the attack – did not see justice done, having killed herself before the predator was captured.

Andrew Thompson, 43, of Othello Court, Old Hospital Close, Balham, was eventually hunted down after giving a DNA sample to police for a minor drug offence in 2001.

Thompson (pictured) pleaded guilty to raping a 36 year-old woman in Clapham on June 23, 1989 and 35 year-old in Battersea on November 24, later that year.

The Metropolitan Police’s Sapphire Cold Case team used upgraded DNA samples recovered from the victims immediately after the attacks and identified Thompson when the case files were reopened.

In the first attack, at a block of flats where the victim lived with her young daughter, Thompson approached her in the stairwell at 11.45pm, and backed off when she resisted, but pursued her up several flights of steps and raped her.

The second victim was raped in the stairwell of her friend’s block during a nightime visit.

Like the first rape victim she suffered emotional breakdowns and committed suicide eleven years later.

He was arrested on May 18, last year and denied both offences, but admitted the crimes four days before his trial was scheduled to begin at Southwark Crown Court.

Detective Constable Alyson Suddick, who led the cold case investigation, said: “Thompson preyed on two complete strangers, both of whom suffered severe psychological trauma as a result of their experiences.

“Thanks to technological advances since 1989 we have been able to bring him to justice, and it is only right that this vicious predator should face the consequences of his actions.”