Medical Equipment Firm Fined

A company that supplies specialist diagnostic medical instruments has been hit was a £4,500 bill after flouting safety rules designed to protect patients giving tissue samples.

Cellpath Limited, of Mochdre Enterprise Park, Newtown, Powys, Wales supplied microtome blades – used to take biopsy samples – that did not carry the CE safety mark.

They admitted three summonses at City of London Magistrates’ Court of supplying the Royal Preston Hospital, Preston, Lancashire, the Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, Kent and City Hospital, Birmingham in contravention of the Medical Devices Regulations between April 1 and May 31, 2007.

“We accept no patient was put at risk by these three supplies,” prosecutor Miss Deanna Heer, representing the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, told the court.

The agency’s senior device specialist Dr. Khalid Razak said the regulations were in place to ensure no blunted blades were used to obtain tissue samples from patients.

“The danger, if you have a very small piece of tissue, is that you waste a lot of it due to the blade not functioning and may have to go back for more.

“If the condition varies you may miss vital information that is lost,” added Dr. Razak. “It should be sharp from the start and if the next blade is faulty because of manufacturing problems you may have lost quite a bit of tissue.”

The prosecution agreed none of the blades supplied to the three hospitals were faulty.

“These are safety regulations and the breach arises from the fact this defendant became the manufacturer by attaching it’s own label and was responsible for the quality of the blade,” explained Miss Heer.

The company boasts it has a reputation for “innovation, novel product design and quality of both its products and service.”

Cellpath was fined £500 on each summons and ordered to pay £3,000 costs.

The prosecution dropped similar summonses regarding Beaston Institute for Cancer Research, Glasgow and all summonses against company director Philip Webber, 43, whose family founded the business were also withdrawn.

Canada's Next Top Model Robbed Bosses To Fund Cocaine Spree

A wannabe model blew a chunk of the £10,000 she stole from a top venture capital company on a cocaine and booze binge in a desperate bed to win friends after splitting with her boyfriend, a court heard yesterday (Thursday).

Canadian-born Courtney McMath, 25, of Hurlingham Square, Fulham, made out company cheques to herself while employed as a temp at West End-based Delin Capital U.K. to impress friends she was living the high-life in the capital, jumping in and out of cabs as she toured the clubs and bars.

She was eventually sacked by the firm for constantly taking days off with hangovers and weeks later her crime spree was discovered.

McMath, who modeled for the Jalouse Catwalk Show at London Fashion Week in February pleaded guilty to stealing £10,746 from Delin between November 5 and December 18, last year and received a twelve-month community order, plus 200 hours unpaid work and was ordered to pay £250 costs.

"She split up with her boyfriend and that led to the destruction of her entire social life. She used cocaine and was binge-drinking," Miss Judith Benson, defending, told Southwark Crown Court. "She was using the money to buy drugs and alcohol."

Prosecutor Mr. Nick Rimmer said first-time offender McMath, who sobbed in the dock throughout, forged signatures on the five cheques, making out sums to herself of between £75 and £6,220.

She was arrested on January 27 and said nothing when quizzed at Charing Cross Police Station, but later admitted everything on February 11 after requesting a second interview.

McMath told police she moved to the U.K. two years ago to settle down with her boyfriend, but after the split found herself homeless and friendless.

"She said she also blew the cash on meals and taxis entertaining new friends," added Mr. Rimmer. "She said she was trying to buy new friends with stolen money."

She even twice took cheques home and made them out to herself using the company director's signature, always paying them into her own bank account.

"It was inevitable she would get caught," said Miss Benson. "The cheques were made payable in her name.

"This woman had a promising future and is now aware she has damaged that. She has now stopped drinking and taking drugs, has new flat-mates and a family friend has come over from Canada to support her."

Recorder Jeremy Donne QC told McMath: "You took a fairly substantial sum of money over three or four weeks on a number of occasions. This was an unsophisticated scheme, cheques were made out to yourself, discovery was inevitable.

"Your relationship with your boyfriend had come to and end and I accept that effected you emotionally and socially in that his friends were your friends and you found yourself isolated."

Telling McMath he would not send her to prison Recorder Donne added: "You are a young woman starting out in life and it would be a shame if your foolish conduct blighted your life for several years."

None of the money has been recovered and the Recorded added: "It is unrealistic to order compensation."

Smuggler's Cocaine-Laced Rum Kills Unsuspecting Cabbie

A father-of-two died in front of his terrified son after innocently drinking pure liquid cocaine dissolved inside a bottle of rum, which a smuggler duped a pal into carrying into the U.K. a court heard yesterday (Wednesday).

Mini-cab driver Lascelle Malcolm, 63, of Rutland Gardens, Haringey, North London, was given the St. Lucian 'Bounty' rum as a gift for picking up a friend from her holiday trip to the Caribbean island.

She was given the bottle by a holiday friend who the prosecution say was persuaded to carry it through Customs by 50 year-old Martin Newman, of Wadeville Avenue, Romford, Essex.

He has pleaded not guilty at Croydon Crown Court to the manslaughter of Mr. Malcolm (pictured) and importing class A cocaine.

"In the early hours of May 26, last year Mr. Malcolm rang the emergency services because of chest pains and a headache, informing the doctors at the Whittington Hospital he had drunk Guinness and a shot of rum the night before," prosecutor Mr. Oliver Glasgow told the jury.

Tragically Mr. Malcolm was discharged because doctors could not find anything seriously wrong with him.

"The true nature of the illness had yet to be discovered and at home he suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed in front of his terrified son," added Mr. Glasgow.

Friends and family paid their respects the next day and two mourners, including the dead man's 40 year-old nephew, toasted Mr. Malcolm with the cocaine-laced rum and were rushed to hospital after collapsing with seizures.

"The bottle they poured alcohol from was the same bottle of rum. They noticed an unpleasant taste and spat it out.

"It was a horrifying turn of events and the family asked: 'How could three men fall ill'."

Police analysed the bottle of rum. "Pure cocaine had been dissolved into the alcohol. The cocaine within it was lethal. A teaspoon could cause an overdose," explained Mr. Glasgow.

Mr. Malcolm's friend, Antoinette Corliss, who he had collected from the airport told police the bottle of rum was given to her by friend Michael Lawrence, a native St. Lucian, who she had travelled back from the Caribbean with.

She confirmed it had been given to him by the defendant at the airport.

"The defendant approached Mr. Lawrence and explained he needed help with taking rum back to the U.K. He had ten bottles and could not take that many in.

"Mr. Lawrence agreed and said he would return the bottles to the defendant back in the U.K," said Mr. Glasgow.

When Mr. Lawrence's bags showed excess weight Newman allegedly claimed he worked in St. Lucian immigration and could get the charges waived.

Tragically Mr. Lawrence did not hand the bottle over to Newman in London, but gave it to Ms. Corliss, who presented it as a gift to the Mr. Malcolm.

"The defendant was involved in the importation of liquid cocaine and the death of Lascelle Malcolm was a result of his gross negligence," Mr. Glasgow told the jury.

Lady Magistrate In The Dock For Trying To Throw Out Romanian Tenant

A respected lady magistrate is counting the cost today (Wednesday) of illegally evicting her Romanian tenant with a racist 6 foot 7 inch henchman after losing her good character and at least £9,000 for what a Judge described as a "disgraceful episode."

Bench Chairwoman Stephanie Lippiatt, 63, a senior Justice of the Peace at Kingston-upon-Thames Magistrates' Court stormed around to the bedsit during a rent row with 28 year-old Maria Percec and hurled her belongings down the stairs and into the front garden.

Widow Lippiatt, of Lower Ham Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, who is currently suspended from magistrates’ duties,was convicted of attempting to unlawfully evict Miss Percec at Durlston Road, Kingston, on June 18, last year and causing criminal damage to her property.

After her arrest Lippiatt (pictured) – a magistrate for over twenty years and a Samaritan’s volunteer – was recorded by an officer outside the police station saying: "They are bloody foreigners and they will get away with it."

Another tenant Victor Hawes, 41, of Durlston Road, who Lippiatt denies is her secret lover, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated criminal damage and received a suspended prison sentence.

Judge Stephen Waller told Lippiatt at Croydon Crown Court: "This was a disgraceful episode. You went around with Victor Hawes to one of your properties.

"The victim was effectively thrown out and her property was literally thrown downstairs and out the front door.

"You lost patience in a difficult situation and allowed Victor Hawes to take a prominent role. You shouldn't have allowed him to behave like that and as the landlord should have taken charge."

The jury cleared Lippiatt of racially aggravated assault on Miss Percec, who claimed her feet were stamped on by the magistrate, and they also found the criminal damage offence was not racially aggravated.

"This lady, at her age and having lost her good character is the greatest burden to bear," said Lippiatt's lawyer Mr. Paul Sharkey. "She is a respectable member of the community and a magistrate for several years."

Lippiatt was fined £2,000 for the attempted unlawful eviction, fined £250 for criminal damage and ordered to pay £1900 prosecution costs.

She was also ordered to pay her full defence costs or alternatively £5,000, whatever is the lesser by Judge Waller, who heard of Lippiatt's £1 million-plus property portfolio of eight rentals during the trial. "You are a woman of means," he told her.

Hawes was sentenced to four months' imprisonment, suspended for one year, ordered to perform 120 hours community service work, pay £100 costs, plus £45 compensation to Miss Percec.

Judge Waller told him: "You threw the chest of drawers down the stairs and you were heard to call the complainant a "Romanian cockroach."

"She came in and started swearing at me to 'get the fuck out of the house'," ex-box room tenant Miss Percec told the jury during the seven-day trial. "She pushed me and stamped on my feet."

Miss Percec told the jury Lippiatt was unhappy about the tenant’s boyfriend George Stanka, 31, staying regularly overnight in her room and demanded a rent increase from £150 p.m. to £250 p.m.

"She said: 'I want more money or you are out of here', that’s all she spoke about. More money," said Miss Percec.

"The £250 was way too much. The house was in really bad condition, it was a very old house.

"The room was tiny, I have now got a room six times that size."

Lippiatt, who has a rental portfolio of eight properties, denies being a slum landlady although the defence team conceded the property was not "Buckingham Palace."

The couple were naked in bed when Lippiatt and Hawes began banging on their door late at night, demanding they leave the property.

"It was really loud banging, like someone hitting the door with a fist three times," explained Miss Percec, who had managed to throw on a dressing gown before the defendant’s burst in.

"She pulled the covers off George. He was naked and she looked at him and shouted: 'get the fuck out'."

Mr. Stanka later told the jury Lippiatt racially abused the couple. "Romanian cunts'. She said that."

Both defendants then began throwing furniture, clothing and personal effects belonging to the couple down the stairs then out the front door.

Miss Percec told police Lippiatt hurled a chest down the stairs then deliberately trampled on her belongings, before tossing items out the front door.

The couple were also intimidated by Hawes. "Victor was behind her, he’s massive, the size of the whole door. You can’t compete with that force," said Miss Percec.

Lippiatt also shouted: "You are not living in my house. You are not living on my back," the jury was told.

Miss Percec told police Hawes shouted: "You’re being fucking evicted. You’re fucking Romanian. Get out of the fucking house, you ming."

Throughout his race rant, filmed on Mr. Stanka’s mobile phone, Lippiatt is standing next to him in earshot.

The jury were played the footage in which an enraged Hawes throws the tenant's belongings down the stairs and Lippiatt is seen kicking items out the front door.

"I was left with bruises on my feet and around my knee," said Miss Percec. "The police saw it and took photos the next day.

"She was trying really hard to hurt me and push me and get me out of that room. I have been abused verbally and physically."

The jury was told Hawes also called the couple: "Romanian cockroaches."

Lippiatt claims Miss Percec has done a "hatchet job" on her so her evidence would be believed and to bolster a compensation claim.

The J.P. told the jury: "Last year when I was 62, I would have said it wouldn't have even crossed my mind that I could find myself in this position."

After two decades on the bench Lippiatt finally discovered what it felt like to be a defendant when police locked her in a cell.

"I completely lost control of myself. I was screaming and I was crying and I was begging them to let me out."

She lost her removals businessman husband Clive when he was killed by a drunken motorcyclist.

Young Mum Gunned Down On Doorstep

This is the face of a young Turkish mum assassinated on her mother’s East London doorstep when a gunman now being hunted by police shot her in the chest at point blank range.

Gulistan Subasi, 26, was visiting family on the Kingsmead Estate, Kingsmead Way, Homerton to celebrate her son’s sixth birthday and was due to return to Turkey in a few days.

She was pronounced dead at the scene, just after 8.30 p.m. on March 22 and a post-mortem gave the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the chest.

Detective Chief Inspector Jackie Sebire of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, who is leading the investigation said: “Ms Subasi was callously shot at close range after answering a knock on the door to her mother's flat, which is reached via an alleyway off Kingsmead Way.

"As she collapsed on the doorstep, her killer made off from the scene along Kingsmead Way, heading towards Meeson Street E5.

"The suspect is described as male, approximately 6ft tall, of slim build, wearing a light coloured hooded top (worn with hood up), light coloured trousers, and a rucksack/drawstring bag on his back.

“His face may have been covered and he may have been wearing gloves.

"I appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time of the shooting, including anyone who was inside or close to Aysal Food Market, situated below the flat, who may have seen or heard anything suspicious to contact us.”

Late on March 24 a 27 year-old man was arrested in connection with the inquiry and taken to a north London police station and later bailed to return pending further inquiries.

The man arrested is believed to be the former partner of Ms Subasi and according to local reports he was arrested as he arrived back into the UK from abroad.

Ms Subasi had moved to Turkey following a divorce from her husband in 2006.

£20,000 Reward Offered In Murder Hunt

A £20,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the killer or killers of a Blackheath loner who suffered a violent attack at his home four months ago.

Philip Silvester, 62, of Kellaway Road, was discovered on December 13, last year by police who forced their way in eleven days after he was last seen.

Mr. Silvester (pictured) died as a result of injuries to his head and chest.

He was last seen on December 2 at about midday after driving to his local convenience store in nearby Whetstone Road in his H-reg silver/blue Ford Escort.

Detectives believe that images of Mr. Silvester captured on CCTV at the store are the last time he was seen alive.

They believe he was killed a short time later.

Investigating officer Detective Inspector Nigel Foster from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said: "Mr Silvester was a very quiet man who lead a private life and generally kept himself to himself.

"He rarely socialised and was careful about opening his front door to strangers.

"I would particularly like to appeal to anyone who was in Kellaway Road between Tuesday 1 December and Sunday 13 December 2009 and heard a disturbance in the area to contact the police.”

Rookie Swindler Chased Glamorous Lifestyle

This is the face of a notorious teen conman whose ‘Walter Mitty’ existence was funded by a string of scams that left companies in the film and fashion industry £82,000 out of pocket.

James Cameron, 19, of Neutron Tower, Blackwall Way, Poplar, East London posed as a successful entrepreneur and defrauded small companies and individuals to maintain a highflying lifestyle.

He posed as the company director of Urban Fashion and hired a photographic studio in Lambeth, professional models, hair and make-up artists and photographers to embark on a four-day fashion shoot.

None of these people or companies was ever paid.

He would also open accounts with private hire car firms and enjoyed being chauffeured around London and running up thousands of pounds in unpaid invoices in the process.

One cab firm lost £20,000 in unpaid bills.

The investigation led by Wandsworth CID uncovered offences involving 11 victims in various parts of London including Lambeth, Shepherds Bush, Wandsworth, Harrow, Hounslow, Battersea and Hackney plus two offences in Hampshire.

Cameron dodged prison at Southwark Crown Court when sentenced to 50 weeks custody, suspended for two years and was ordered to perform 200 hours community service work.

He will also be subject to 12 months supervision.

Cameron pleaded guilty to nine counts of fraud by false representation and later asked for two further offences of fraud, to be taken into consideration.

Detective Constable Kate Giles of Wandsworth CID said: "Although Cameron posed as a successful entrepreneur at the expense of others he didn't actually make any money for himself. He simply enjoyed living the high life.

"But at the end of this are Cameron's victims, either self-employed or small businesses.

"He has never shown any remorse for his actions and I wonder if he appreciates or cares about the damage he has caused to numerous small businesses operating at very narrow margins.

"Let us hope that now he has been publicly named and identified, it is sufficient to deter him from continuing his fraudulent Walter Mitty lifestyle."

In August 2008 an allegation of false representation was made to Lambeth Police by a 38-year-old woman who said she agreed to work for a man who claimed to be a promotional film producer but she had not been paid.

Cameron had contacted the victim, a professional photographer, in May 2008 saying he ran a West End-based company called Urban Fashion and commissioned her to take pictures on three different occasions.

The shoots took place at studios in Shepherd's Bush and her £8,500 bill was ignored. She researched the company and found Cameron's name together with a host of articles about his history of fraud.

She then got an email from Urban Fashion saying it was going into voluntary liquidation.

A freelance make-up and hair artist answered an advertisement on an intranet site finding placements for students and graduates in the fashion world.

Cameron engaged her through telephone calls and email. She was defrauded of £650.

Further victims from the shoots were identified mostly professional hair and make-up artists. In addition the studios lost £3,882 and the model agency lost £10,500.

Further offences came to light during September 2008. A car company in Battersea told Wandsworth Police they were defrauded of £4,340 having provided cars for Cameron's alleged business activities with Urban Fashion and for his own use.

Around the same time another car company in Hackney told police that Cameron had defrauded them of £4,582 between July and August 2008.

Similarly, a black cab company in Harrow reported to police in July 2008 that Cameron had defrauded them of £21,000 between October 2006 and March 2007.

Cameron had been using the company name of Worldwide Services at that time providing two references, which were subsequently found to be false. In February 2007, Cameron settled his account with a cheque that bounced.

Further offences uncovered by the investigation included a stationery company in Hounslow who had been defrauded by Urban Fashion of £7,815 between April and June 2008.

They were paid with a cheque that was stopped before it could be cashed, saying it was an internal error.

The stationery company continued to supply goods but stopped after a new cheque was never received.

By this time, Cameron had set up another company called Extreme Office, which he used to sell on the stationery.

Junkie Beaten To Death With Own Bicycle Lock

A junkie was beaten to death in an East End street by three drug runners after he accused the trio of ripping him off and attacked their BMW with a bicycle lock.

Drug addict Sami Berjaoui, 24, (pic. top) suffered fatal head injuries in Moss Close, Old Montague Street, Whitechapel, at 6.30 am on September 21, last year.

Convicted of his murder are: Nahid Ahed, 20, (pic.centre) of Ajax House, Old Bethnal Green Road, Bethnal Green; Abu Tahir, 19, (pic. bottom) of Romford Road, Forest Gate and a 17 year-old Whitechapel youth who cannot be identified.

They will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on a date to be fixed.

Police were called by neighbours to reports of a fight and officers discovered Sami suffering head injuries.

He was taken to an east London hospital where he was pronounced dead at 07.10 am.

A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

The three-week trial heard Sami confronted the three defendants, accusing them of ripping him off on a previous drug deal, and banged the bonnet of their car with the bicycle lock.

The trio jumped out of the car and beat him to death, even using the lock to inflict the fatal injuries.