Scooter Death: Deputy Headteacher Cleared

A deputy head teacher at an exclusive private school was cleared amid angry scenes of blame in the tragic road death of a popular ex-DJ killed when his scooter collided with a people-carrier.

Schoolteacher Carl Phillip Lander, 39, of The Moat, Toot Hill, Ongar, was found not guilty of causing the death, by careless driving, of 33 year-old father-of-two Shane Stanfield at the junction of Epping New Road and Woodford Green High Road on October 20, 2008.

Mr. Stanfield, (pic. top) of Rounton Road, Waltham Abbey, suffered multiple rib fractures and fatal internal injuries after colliding with a VW Caravelle – driven by Lander - which turned across his path.

He was rushed to Whipps Cross Hospital, Leytonstone, but was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

Lander, (pic. bottom) head of Seniors at St. Aubyn’s prep school, in Bunces Lane, Woodford Green, did not give evidence during the four-day trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court, leaving bereaved relatives believing he was more concerned with saving his reputation than telling the truth.

Members of Mr. Stanfield’s family had attended every day trial at and shouts of abuse including “piece of shit” were directed towards Lander when the jury announced its verdict.

Outside, Mr. Stanfield’s mother, Betty Clarke, 56, of Holloway, North London said: “I am very disappointed. It is a complete farce.

“We are fifteen months down the line and we have not had any answers as to who killed my only son.

“My question now is who did kill Shane, because fifteen months later I am none the wiser.”

“A lot of what was said during the trial was character references about his career as a schoolteacher, but Shane had a job, he was on the way to work when this happened.

“The one thing he was protecting was his licence and his job,” added Mrs Clarke. “I am not happy with the outcome. Justice was not done.”

When police attended the tragedy Lander simply told officers he did not see Mr. Stanfield approaching on his scooter as he made a right turn.

The prosecution failed to convince the jury beyond all reasonable doubt that this manoeuvre was ‘careless’ or that not using his windscreen wipers in light rain was equally negligent.

Prosecutor Mr. David Tomlinson had told jurors at the start of the trial: “The defendant did tell police he had not had his windscreen wipers on. It is the sort of thing that may have contributed to him not seeing this scooter coming towards him which he should have done.”

“We are talking here about a case where somebody lost his life,” Mr. Tomlinson told the court, explaining there is no reasonable excuse for Lander not spotting the Yamaha scooter rider as he turned right.

It was 6.25pm when the tragedy occurred, the jury heard. “There is no doubt these two vehicles were driving towards each other as the defendant wished to make a right turn putting him in the path of the oncoming traffic. He had a clear duty to wait.

“Unhappily here he executed the right turn at the same time Mr. Stanfield’s little scooter got too close to him,” explained Mr. Tomlinson. “He drove across the path of the scooter and it was not possible for Mr. Stanfield to stop in time.

“Mr. Stanfield braked, locking his front wheel, and the scooter went down on its side and started to slide.

“Mr. Stanfield got separated from the scooter and they were carried into the near-side of the defendant’s vehicle.

“He suffered multiple fractures to his ribs and died a short time afterwards of internal injuries.

“The death of this man was caused, of course, by this man’s driving,” added Mr. Tomlinson.

“What happened here was over in a split-second or a second or two at the most, but of course it was a life-changing event.”

Investigating officers later quizzed Lander. “He told the police he did not see Mr. Stanfield’s scooter coming towards him.

“The scooter was available to be seen,” said Mr. Tomlinson. “It is the prosecution case it could not have been missed by a competent and careful driver at the time.”

Mr. Stanfield had just overtaken a white Ford Transit van driven by eyewitness Alan Gibson who told police the rider may have been exceeding the 30 mph speed limit.

“The rider may have been doing more than 30 mph, but nothing like enough to explain the misjudgement of this defendant,” added Mr. Tomlinson.

At the time of his death Mr. Stanfield left behind partner Kelly and sons Connor, 7 and Ronnie aged 11 months.

'Friendly' Neighbour's Home Invasion Trick

A “smiling” midnight home-raider, who tricked his trusting neighbour into allowing three masked violent armed burglars into his flat, leaving the victim covered in blood after a forty-minute ordeal, has been caged for fourteen months.

The victim, who received a serious stab wound to his hand and was punched in the face by the unknown trio – armed with a gun and knives – leapt to a neighbour’s balcony below in a desperate bid to raise the alarm.

Brian Coleman, 20, of Cordwainer House, Mare Street, Hackney, pleaded guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court (pictured) to burgling the nearby flat on August 23, last year, stealing two mobile phones, two sets of keys and a house phone.

Specialist armed response police officers rushed to the scene, but the three young black suspects, who had demanded cash and drugs throughout the raid escaped.

Prosecutor Miss Mandy McLean told the court it was nearly midnight when the victim, Adil Lakhar, heard his doorbell and kicking at his front door.

“He looked through the spy-hole and saw his neighbour Brian Coleman. He noticed he was smiling and opened the door.

“The three black suspects ran into the flat shouting aggressively. One had a gun and the other two had knives.

“They were shouting: ‘Where’s the drugs? Where’s the money? Where’s the safe?’ explained Miss McLean. “The males made Mr. Lakhar open his empty safe, but continued shouting: ‘Where’s the stuff?”

Somehow Mr. Lakhar managed to escape, but was forced back up to his flat by one of the intruders and noticed for the first time he had been stabbed and was then punched in the face.

The three eventually left and Mr. Lakhar raised the alarm with his startled neighbour noticing his head and face were covered in blood.

When questioned by police Coleman initially claimed he knew nothing about the planned raid, but later said he was threatened by the gang to get Mr. Lakhar’s front door open.

A 16 year-old girl witness later told police she heard Coleman discussing the “safe” in the flat with the three suspects.

Judge Nicholas Huskinson told Coleman: “You knew these premises were being targeted by these three men and were going to enter against the occupant’s will.

“I accept there was some pressure placed upon you, but this case is so serious it demands an immediate custodial sentence.”

G20 Spray-Painter's Fiery Message To Bankers

A G20 protestor who spray-painted ‘BURN’ on the Royal Bank of Scotland’s window as a small blaze was started inside during last year’s City of London demonstration has dodged jail.

Jobless Daniel Simmons, 18, of Selwyn Road, Cambridge, claimed he picked-up the can in frustration at police ‘kettling’ tactics during the violent protest.

“You don’t know how to deal with political issues in a mature and sensible way,” Isleworth Crown Court Recorder Nigel Rhodes told Simmons, who faced a maximum of ten years’ imprisonment.

The first-time offender pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to the bank’s glass window in Bartholomew Lane on April 1, last year and was conditionally discharged for twelve months.

A more serious charge of violent disorder against Simmons, who the prosecution originally claimed was seen kicking out at police lines, was withdrawn and a not guilty verdict entered.

Prosecutor Mr. Peter Lancaster told the court: “This relates to the demonstration on April 1 last year, the anti-G20 demonstration in the City of London (pictured).

“There were a lot of people demonstrating and in the afternoon it became more violent.

“An officer at the Royal Bank of Scotland saw the defendant trying to break a window of the building by kicking at the window with a spray can in his hand,” added Mr. Lancaster.

“He is seen to spray on the window ‘BURN’ and is seen on CCTV going back into the crowd.”

At the time demonstrators had started a small fire inside the building.

Simmons’ lawyer Mr. Sam Robinson said: “This defendant attended what was originally a peaceful protest.

“There was a kettling position taken by the police in Threadneedle Street as Mr. Simmons was outside the Royal Bank of Scotland.

“He had the spray can he had picked up off the floor and borne of frustration sprayed these letters on the Royal Bank of Scotland,” added the lawyer.

“He was arrested the next day when he was recognised attending a vigil for an unfortunate man who had died during the demonstration.”

The court made no order for costs or compensation against Simmons.

A Night's Kip Fails To Beat Drink-Drive Rap

An air conditioning engineer’s career is in tatters after police caught him over the limit while driving to work at 8 am, following a heavy-drinking session the night before, a court heard.

Danny Ismail, 29, of Chaplin House, Sidcup High Street, Sidcup, Kent, made the mistake of believing a night’s sleep would completely sober him up and was hit with a three-year road ban.

He pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates’ Court to driving his Ford Fiesta in King William Street (pictured), Monument, on January 23 with excess alcohol in his breath.

The court heard police stopped Ismail on a Saturday morning and after failing a roadside breath-test he was arrested and gave a reading of 58 microgrammes – the legal limit is 35.

“It is a devastating day for Mr. Ismail, but he is the author of his own misfortune,” said Miss Sian Williams, defending.

“He had been out drinking the night before and it had been a heavy session, but after a night’s sleep he thought that would solve all matters.

“With the equipment he carriers around it is a prerequisite he should drive,” added the lawyer. “He is so devastated by this.”

Ismail, who was convicted of drink-driving in July 2004, shares his part buy, part rent home with his girlfriend and two-year old child.

He was also fined £400, with £90 costs.

Strip-Club Cocaine Man Busted By Police Sniffer Dog

A lovesick Leyton man, who treated himself to a night out at a strip club after splitting with his girlfriend, was caught by a police sniffer dog after buying party-drug cocaine at the venue, a court heard.

Bike courier Edgar Rose, 28, of Ruckholt Close, pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates’ Court (pictured) to possessing a small quantity of cocaine and cannabis in Bishopsgate on January 23.

The court heard it was 10.40pm when the specialist police drug sniffer dog indicated to officers Rose was in possession of illegal substances as pedestrians were randomly approached on a busy Saturday night.

When searched a small bag containing cocaine was found on Rose along with a wrap of cannabis.

He told police he was trying to “cheer himself up” after splitting with his girlfriend and had paid £30 for the cocaine in a strip club, where he snorted two lines.

“He is extraordinarily embarrassed to find himself in court. It is his first time,” said Miss Sian Williams, defending.

“The purchase of the class ‘A’ cocaine was a result of a break-up with his girlfriend and an attempt to cheer himself up,” she added.

Rose was fined £300, plus £90 costs.

Scooter Death: Van Driver In Dock

The driver of a VW mini-van who fatally collided with a scooter rider at a notorious accident blackspot on a rainy night was not using his windscreen wipers, a court heard.

Carl Phillip Lander, 39, of The Moat, Toot Hill, Ongar, Essex, has pleaded not guilty to causing the death, by dangerous driving, of 33 year-old father-of-two Shane Stanfield at the junction of Epping New Road and Woodford Green High Road on October 20, 2008.

Ex-DJ Mr. Stanfield (pictured), of Rounton Road, Waltham Abbey, suffered multiple rib fractures and fatal internal injuries after colliding with a VW Caravelle which turned across his path.

He was rushed to Whipps Cross Hospital, Leytonstone, but was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

“The defendant did tell police he had not had his windscreen wipers on. It is the sort of thing that may have contributed to him not seeing this scooter coming towards him which he should have done,” prosecutor Mr. David Tomlinson told the Snaresbrook Crown Court jury.

“We are talking here about a case where somebody lost his life,” Mr. Tomlinson told the court, explaining there is no reasonable excuse for Lander not spotting the Yamaha scooter rider as he turned right.

It was 6.25pm when the tragedy occurred, the jury heard. “There is no doubt these two vehicles were driving towards each other as the defendant wished to make a right turn putting him in the path of the oncoming traffic. He had a clear duty to wait.

“Unhappily here he executed the right turn at the same time Mr. Stanfield’s little scooter got too close to him,” explained Mr. Tomlinson. “He drove across the path of the scooter and it was not possible for Mr. Stanfield to stop in time.

“Mr. Stanfield braked, locking his front wheel, and the scooter went down on its side and started to slide.

“Mr. Stanfield got separated from the scooter and they were carried into the near-side of the defendant’s vehicle.

“He suffered multiple fractures to his ribs and died a short time afterwards of internal injuries.

“The death of this man was caused, of course, by this man’s driving,” added Mr. Tomlinson.

“What happened here was over in a split-second or a second or two at the most, but of course it was a life-changing event.”

Investigating officers later quizzed Lander. “He told the police he did not see Mr. Stanfield’s scooter coming towards him.

“The scooter was available to be seen,” said Mr. Tomlinson. “It is the prosecution case it could not have been missed by a competent and careful driver at the time.”

Mr. Stanfield had just overtaken a white Ford Transit van driven by eyewitness Alan Gibson who told police the rider may have been exceeding the 30 mph speed limit.

“The rider may have been doing more than 30 mph, but nothing like enough to explain the misjudgement of this defendant,” added Mr. Tomlinson.

At the time of his death Mr. Stanfield left behind partner Kelly and sons Connor, 7 and Ronnie aged 11 months.

The trial is expected to last four to five days.

Boozy Computer Boffin Banned From The Roads

A high-earning computer programmer was caught drink-driving by police after failing to compute the amount of alcohol he was consuming during a night out with friends, a court heard.

Lewis Percival Evans, 38, of Fitzroy Road, Primrose Hill, pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates’ Court to driving with excess alcohol in his breath in Norton Folgate (pictured), Spitalfields, on January 24.

The court heard it was 11.15pm when officers stopped Evans in his Toyota Avensis and he failed a roadside breath-test after they smelled alcohol on his breath.

The first-time offender was arrested and later gave a breath reading of 63 microgrammes – the legal limit is 35.

“It is with great regret and embarrassment that he finds himself here today,” said Evans’ lawyer Miss Sian Williams. “He has never been in court before and is shocked that he has let himself down.

“He had been out with friends that evening and a friend was topping up Mr. Evans’ pint making it difficult to monitor the amount he was drinking.”

Evans was fined £750, plus £90 costs and was disqualified from driving for eighteen months.

Barbican Boss Receives 18 Months For Ticket Scam

The ticket boss of the world-famous Barbican Centre, who blew over £30,000 gambling online after crediting his own bank accounts in a year-long refund scam, was jailed for 18 months today (Monday).

Ex-ticket sales manager Christopher John Todd, 35, of Cavalier Court, 14 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.

He was committed to the Old Bailey for sentencing after the magistrates deemed their maximum sentencing powers of 6 months imprisonment were insufficient.

The court heard Todd (pictured) 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 he 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 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, the defendant told police.

First-time offender Todd had never been arrested in his life before and apologised to the court.

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

The court was told Todd had suffered severe depression throughout his life and had made two suicide attempts at the age of seventeen and in his mid-twenties.

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

Barber Shop 'Meth Lab' Bust

An “evil” drug dealer who manufactured ‘crystal meth ‘and ‘2-CB’ in a hidden ‘factory’ behind a local barber’s shop has been caged for four years.

Freddie King, 49, of Yonge Park, Finsbury Park, produced the highly addictive class ‘A’ drugs and sold other narcotics from ‘Firm Cuts’ in nearby Seven Sisters Road.

On November 19, 2008 the Territorial Support Group, Finsbury Park’s Safer Neighbourhoods Team, Islington Police’s Financial Investigation Unit and the Dog Unit carried out a huge raid under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Police were acting on a tip-off that cannabis was sold from the shop and inside a quantity of the drug was recovered packed inside multiple plastic bags.

However, behind a partition wall officers found crystal meth – plus chemicals used to manufacture the drug – and evidence of ‘2-CB’ production and the possession of ‘angel dust.’

King pleaded guilty to the production of 19.9g of ‘crystal meth,’ production of 16.2 g of ‘2C-B,’ possession of 0.524g of ‘angel dust’ and possession of 4.06g of methoxyamphetamine.

Fearing the potential harm from hazardous substances – including the risk of fires and explosions – officers called in the Metropolitan Police’s Dedicated Decontamination Unit.

Two days later Islington Police removed all the chemicals from the premises with specialist help from the Met's Chemical Biological Radiation and Nuclear Team (pictured), the Forensic Science Service and Islington Council's Emergency Planning Department.

The premises were boarded up after Finsbury Park Safer Neighbourhoods team sought a Closure Order. The property will remain closed until 26 February 2010 when it will be reviewed. A lettings agency is in the process of re-possessing the property.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Laurence from Islington Police said: "It should be pointed out that there is not a specific problem with crystal meth in Islington and this is an isolated case.

“King's sentence sends out a clear message that it will not be tolerated here and we will robustly pursue anyone involved in the production and distribution of this highly addictive drug.

"The production of crystal meth poses a real danger and without the technical know-how, there is a high possibility of fire or explosion.

“The gases produced may be poisonous, causing death or injury if inhaled. For every pound of crystal meth produced, five pounds of toxic waste is made."

Investigating officer Gethin Roberts from Islington CID said: "The court recognised the seriousness of King's offence.

“Crystal Meth is a lethal drug and its impact cannot be underestimated. Anyone caught producing or distributing a Class A drug can expect a substantial prison sentence."

Judge John Hillen told King: "Given the effects of crystal meth and its highly addictive nature, I find the production of that drug for distribution exceptionally evil."