Bangladeshi Benefits Cheat Banged up

A benefits cheat who claimed over £37,000 in disability and other payments while employed in a physically-demanding hospital cleaning job has been jailed for twelve months.

Bangladesh-born Shiree Begum, 61, of Cornwallis Square, Upper Holloway also received income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit payments while putting in a thirty-seven hour week at St. Bartholomew’s, Smithfields (pictured).

Begum, who fled to her homeland after she was initially quizzed by investigators, was arrested on her return to the UK and is currently in receipt of disability living allowance.

Her initial disability claim for an arthritic knee in 1997 was legitimate, but on November 11, 2002 she began working under an alias and her tasks included hovering, mopping, emptying rubbish bins and lifting.

While employed full-time she obtained £14,714 in disability benefit; £6,915 income support; £10,316 in housing benefit and £5,442 in council tax benefit.

Begum pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to four charges of failing to notify a change of circumstances to the Department of work and Pensions and the London Borough of Islington.

The first-time offender, who produced a forty-one page medical history to the court, quit working in September, 2005 due to illness.

Her 87 year-old husband has his own health issues, suffering heart problems and currently recovering from tumor surgery.

Recorder Constance Briscoe told the visibly shaken defendant: “You failed to disclose that you were capable of carrying out a decent week’s work even though you were lifting, walking, cleaning despite the disability you claimed.

“This offence is so serious only a custodial sentence can be passed.”

Sex Case Shame Haunts Knife-Wielding Offender

A convicted sex offender who brandished a Stanley knife at would-be vigilantes who confronted him in a crowded shopping street has been locked up for a year today.

Homeless restaurant worker Roland Coueta, 24, pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court (pictured) to possessing an offensive weapon in the town's bustling marketplace - Surrey Street on July 2.

Prosecutor Mr. Andrew Mazibrada told the court it was 1 pm when a concerned member of the public pointed out to police a group of five black males standing outside a Jamaican food shop after spotting one of them wielding a blade.

Police approached and French Guyana-born Coueta - who was ordered to sign-on the sex offender's register for 10 years - was seen striding towards his accusers in an "aggressive manner" and shouting: "You think you're a big man."

Officers drew C.S. gas and the defendant dropped the knife - which had an extra-long blade - without resistance.

Father-of-two Coueta told police he grabbed the knife from a shop counter for his own protection when approached by an angry group who knew his background.

"One of them attacked his house in 2008," said the defendant's lawyer Miss Adiatu Tejan. "He is mortified at being here after trying to get his life back together."

Judge C.C.D Lindsay QC told Coueta, who was on bail accused of domestic violence at the time of the offence: "This offence is serious. You had a Stanley knife and the blade was seen by a member of the public."

Do You Know This Sex Attacker?

Police hunting a late-night South London sex attacker who pounced on a 20 year-old woman in her bedroom after being invited into her shared home have released an e-fit of the suspect.

Detective Constable James Fox from the Metropolitan Police’s Sapphire Command said: “We are asking for anyone with any information that could help us find this man to contact us as soon as possible.

“This man took advantage of a woman after he befriended her housemate and I would urge anyone who may recognise the person from the e-fit or with information about who this man is to come forward and assist the police with the investigation.

“We have a DNA profile of the suspect so we would like to reassure people that anyone who was not involved will be eliminated from our enquires quickly.”

At approximately 2:00 am on Friday January 29 the victim was woken up at her home address in Tooting having been sexually assaulted by the suspect.

He ended up in the victim's home after befriending one of her housemates on a night out in nearby Mitcham Road.

The suspect is described as a white man – probably Polish - who has short light brown or blond hair.

He is 5' 9" tall, of medium build and is clean-shaven.

He was wearing jeans, a T-shirt and a jacket.

Anyone with any information is urged to call the Sapphire Command office on 020 8649 3105 or if you wish to remain anonymous ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

'Guru Of Suburbia' Caged For Rape And Sex Attack On Disciples

A self-styled spiritual guru has been locked up for ten years for raping and sexually assaulting two of the many women who fell under his spell.

Michael Lyons, 52, of Brondesbury Park, Cricklewood, North-West London called himself Mohan Singh and won praise from many followers for his skill in teaching and administering mental and physical well-being.

However, seven women claimed they were victims of sex attacks and a Wood Green Crown Court jury convicted Lyons of raping one 34 year-old and assaulting a 43 year-old.

His conviction follows a lengthy and demanding investigation led by Camden Police Sapphire officers, which included travel to the US to identify witnesses and secure evidence.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Nick Giles said: “The prosecution evidence showed Lyons operated as a 'spiritual group leader' operating predominately in the United Kingdom and United States.

“Lyons purported to be a naturopath, skilled in osteopathy, acupuncture and nutrition.

“His followers were mainly women, who supported his lavish lifestyle.

“He was introduced to potential new members through his followers and the new members were also women, with interests in spiritualism and well being.

“We heard in evidence that Lyons used a program of sleep deprivation, psychological harassment as well as group social pressure to coerce them to join and sexually assaulted victims during this process.

“This coercive persuasion forced people to change their beliefs, ideas, attitudes and behaviours, using psychological pressure, undue influence, threats, anxiety and intimidation.

“Witnesses from the UK, the USA and New Zealand gave evidence against Lyons who denied all the offences.

“Evidence of bad character was used to show his cult activities and sexual misconduct.

“My praise goes to the victims of his crimes and I hope today's conviction can assist them, knowing they have contributed to bringing a dangerous offender to justice.

On October 2, 2005 Camden's Sapphire Unit launched an investigation after police received an allegation of rape from a 26-year-old woman.

The woman alleged Lyons raped her on two occasions at an address in Belsize Park, North London.

During the investigation the 43-year-old victim alleged Lyons sexually assaulted her after meeting him through his group in London in January 2005.

As part of their enquiries, officers linked the allegations to an alleged rape committed against the 34-year-old victim in June 2002.

Lyons’ details were circulated via Interpol and on the September 22, 2007 he returned to the UK and was arrested by police at Heathrow Airport and taken to Holborn Police Station for questioning.

Lyons was also charged with raping a 24 year-old American in 1998 and a 23 year-old New Zealander in 2005.

He also faced two counts of sexual assault regarding a 31-year-old in Manchester and a 45-year-old in July 2008.

Algerian Rape Suspect Hunted For Soho Attack

Police hunting a duo of rapists who attacked a lone teenage girl after she left a West End bar have released this photo of 27 year-old Algerian Fethi Hammadi in a bid to capture him.

The 19 year-old became separated from friends in the early hours of April 14 and was confronted by a group of men in Falconberg Mews, Soho Square and raped by two of them.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Sapphire Unit want to question the suspect in relation to the attack.

Police attended after the alarm was raised and the victim was taken to a local Haven centre.

Anyone who can assist in locating Hammadi are asked to contact Westminster’s Sapphire Unit on 0207 321 8040 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Ambassador's Former Butler Plunges From High Life To Low Life

The ex-butler to the Japanese Ambassador now lives in a hostel for single men after a violent knifepoint bust-up with his younger wife wrecked his marriage and gave him a criminal record.

Retired Franciso Quintos, 60, of Cricklewood Broadway, Cricklewood, who suspected she was having an affair, was arrested after a vodka-fueled confrontation at the couple’s matrimonial home.

Quintos, who in March, 2007 received a police caution for assaulting his wife after she smashed their new flat screen television pleaded guilty to affray at Clarkson House, Maysoule Road, Wandsworth on November 21, last year.

“He is a man who has lost absolutely everything,” his lawyer Miss Julia Mackworth told Kingston upon Thames Crown Court.

“He was the butler to the Japanese Ambassador in the Court of St. James' (pictured) and now spends his days drinking beer by himself and thinking back.”

Prosecutor Miss Hannah Duncan told the court it was 1am when Quintos woke his wife and quizzed her about the suspected affair with a work colleague – who she now shares their marital home with.

As their eight year-old daughter slept Quintos threatened to kill the entire family if his suspicions were confirmed.

“He said if he could prove it he would kill them all and returned from the kitchen with a knife,” explained Miss Duncan.

“He pinned his wife to the sofa while pointing the knife at her and said: ‘I will try it now’ and she says she thought he was going to kill her.”

She locked herself in the bedroom and called a friend and police, who arrested Quintos at the address.

Judge Susan Tapping told the defendant: “Your behaviour that night was disgraceful and your eight year-old daughter was in the house at the time.

“You got yourself drunk, you were out of control and took a kitchen knife and threatened your wife.”

Quintos was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for one year and placed under a nine-month supervision order, which includes six months alcohol treatment.

Crooked Caretaker Dodges More Jail For Targeting Residents

A guilt-ridden residential caretaker at a landmark development, who raided unsuspecting residents flats while they were out, helping himself to thousands of pounds worth of jewellery and electrical equipment returned from South Africa to “face the music.”

Scottish-born Paul Cunningham, 45, took a £4,000 car from one resident of Downings House, (pictured) a Grade II listed former school building at 21 Southey Road, Wimbledon, loaded it up with loot and pawned the lot.

He pleaded guilty at Kingston upon Thames Crown Court to burgling one female resident on or before April 9, stealing a diamond ring, sapphire and diamond ring, gold watch, gold ring, broche and chain, worth £7,200.

He also admitted taking a £1,100 Sony television and surround-sound equipment from another flat and stealing a set of car keys for a Toyota Yaris from a couple who were on holiday.

“He had gone to South Africa, but came back to face the music,” Cunningham’s lawyer Mr. Michael Marlow told the court today.

Cunningham, whose family emigrated to South Africa when he was young, initially returned to the UK in 2007 and got the caretaker’s job on June 1, 2008.

The position came with spare sets of keys for all the flats and the first victim suddenly realised jewellery was missing from inside her ground-floor flat despite no evidence of a break-in.

Later that month a letting-agent noticed household electrical equipment was missing from an unoccupied flat and when a couple returned from holiday on April 11 their car was gone.

On each occasion the victims tried to call trusted Cunningham to report the crimes, but there was no response.

On April 12 the defendant sent a text to the couple, informing them their vehicle was parked at Gatwick Airport and it was recovered by Sussex Police.

He sent a follow-up text revealing he was returning to “face the music.”

He also revealed the jewellery had been pawned at a broker’s in Tooting and some of it was returned to the victim.

Cunningham was circulated as wanted on the Police National Computer, but he returned to the UK and handed himself into Wimbledon Police Station on May 8.

The defendant, who claims he has a heroin and sleeping pills addiction, told officers he only received £155 for the jewellery and sold the television for £500.

“You should be under no delusions these were serious offences,” Judge Martin Binning told Cunningham. “There was a serious breach of trust.”

The defendant, who has been in custody for three months, was sentenced to a two-year supervision order with an eighteen-month drug rehabilitation requirement and ordered to pay £2,000 compensation to the victims.

Party Double-Killer Jailed For Life

A vicious New Year’s gunman who shot a reluctant DJ through the neck – also killing a fellow partygoer with the same bullet – is starting a life sentence for the double murder.

Ashley Kenton, 22 – known as DJ Creation – (pic.top) and Wayne Mowatt, 29, (pic.mid) were shot at the violent party in Shore Place, Homerton, East London on January 1, 2002.

Jobless Ian Davis, 33, (pic.bottom) of Bellefield Road, Brixton, South London fled to the USA afterwards and was eventually held at Long Beach Airport, California on August 7, 2003 for immigration offences and returned to the UK.

The Old Bailey heard Davis was annoyed Mr. Kenton refused to continue DJing the private party after several scuffles and shot him through the neck, with the bullet passing through a partition wall and striking Mr. Mowatt in the head.

Mr. Kenton, of Brookmill Road, Deptford, South-East London was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital and Mr. Mowatt, of Clapham Road, Clapham, South-West London died later that day.

After his arrest on September 18, 2003 Davis was convicted of the murders and sentenced to life imprisonment with a twenty-year minimum.

In 2008 The House of Lords quashed the conviction and ordered a retrial and Davis will now not be eligible for parole until 2023.

Detective Inspector Mark Gower of Trident – the police team who investigate violent black-on-black crime - said: “I would like to thank the victims’ families for their continued support throughout what has been a protracted and complex investigation and hope today’s result goes some way to providing them with an element of closure.

“I would also like to commend the witnesses for their bravery, especially given the majority gave evidence at the earlier trials.

“This case successfully utilised the new anonymity legislation in support of one witness and demonstrates Operation Trident’s commitment to ensuring justice prevails - no matter how much time has elapsed.”

Twenty Years For Drug Smuggler Whose Cocaine-Laced Rum Killed Cabbie

A "reckless and greedy" drug smuggler who killed an innocent mini-cab driver who drank 100% pure liquid cocaine imported by unsuspecting mules inside bottles of Caribbean rum was jailed for twenty years today (Wednesday).

Father-of-two Lascelle Malcolm, 63, of Rutland Gardens, Haringey, North London died in agony in front of his terrified son after drinking from a bottle of St. Lucian 'Bounty' rum, gifted by a friend for collecting her at Gatwick Airport.

She was given the bottle by a holiday friend who Croydon Crown Court heard was persuaded to carry it through Customs by 50 year-old Martin Newman, of 38 Wadeville Avenue, Romford, Essex.

Music promoter Newman, who is wanted by the FBI, had four aliases and served five years in the USA for cheque and credit card fraud denied, but was convicted unanimously by the jury of the manslaughter of Mr. Malcolm (pic.top) and importing cocaine.

Recorder of Croydon Warwick McKinnon told the defendant, who showed no emotion: "This was utter reckless and greedy criminal conduct for monetary gain.

"One life was sadly lost in a terrible way with the suffering that man had to endure from the poisonous rum and both his nephew and a family friend were poisoned by your deadly rum."

Newman,(pic.mid) who claimed he was the victim of a conspiracy involving UK Customs and the St. Lucian authorities, stretching all the way up to the island's deputy PM received twenty years for manslaughter and fifteen years concurrent for importing cocaine.

"You have shown no remourse at all and I regard your offences as grave and there are aggravating features," added the Judge.

"I regard you as an organiser in this greedy endeavor to make financial gain.

"You used innocent carriers you duped and tricked and befriended, leaving them helpless to the risk of being caught and imprisoned for a long time.

"You used these dupes without precautions to protect themselves from the deadly substances they were carrying - pure cocaine mixed in bottles of rum.

"You left them open to the risk they or someone else may take a drink, believing they were taking a harmless shot of rum."

Prosecutor Mr. Oliver Glasgow told the jury 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.

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 (pic.bottom) 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.

Secretive Accountant Jailed For Missing £100K

An accounts coordinator who diverted £107,000 worth of company cash into his bank account – most of which has disappeared – has been jailed for sixteen months.

David Barnsley, 36, of Belsize Road, Worthing, West Sussex even refused to tell his lawyers where the bulk of the cash went after a mini online spending spree netted him a motorbike, laptop and jewellery.

He pleaded guilty to stealing £107,000 from Scope Packaging of Unit 3, Brazil Close, Beddington Farm Road, Croydon between March 31 and November 7, 2008.

“This is a very unusual case of someone who has stolen over one hundred thousand pounds and has not got anything to show for it,” announced Croydon 

Crown Court Recorder Jonathan Ferris. “I am baffled as to what has happened to the money.”

Prosecutor Mr. Shub Banerjee told the court (pictured) married Barnsley joined the firm on £17,500 pa in January 2001, but an outside accountancy company reported missing funds in May, last year.

Barnsley was responsible for writing company cheques, making electronic fund transfers and handling the petty cash.

“The accountants became aware of significant financial discrepancies,” explained Mr. Banerjee. “There was overpayment of wages and stationary.”

The defendant refused a face-to-face meeting with bosses and in November resigned and was escorted from the building.

Barnsley has not repaid a penny and when quizzed by police on April 26 tried to claim the money was owed to him.

“Where the money has gone is not clear to Mr. Barnsley,” said his lawyer Miss Wendy Holmes. “It was going out for everyday things and private health treatment.”

“You were a senior man in the accounts department and were trusted with the company’s chequebook and made use of that to write cheques close to one hundred thousand pounds,” Recorder Ferris told Barnsley.

“This was theft in breach of a high degree of trust.

“Your instructions as to what happened to the money is less than detailed. The information available to me today is limited.”

Confiscation proceedings against Barnsley were adjourned until next month.

Life Imprisonment For Killer's Revenge Attack

A violent drug dealer, who murdered his older love-rival who kept £14,000 cash plus contraband belonging to the criminal, has been locked up for at least 26 years.

Dwayne Cupidon, 26, is believed to have dismembered 60 year-old George Smith’s body in the bathtub of his house in Finch Close, Barnet, North London.

The victim has never been found.

Divorced father-of-three Mr. Smith (pic.top) enjoyed a relationship with a woman thirty years his junior who also involved with Cupidon (pic.bottom).

During the three week Old Bailey trial the court heard Mr. Smith spent Saturday August 22, last year at his flat drinking with a neighbour.

When the neighbour left Mr. Smith’s flat at around 6 p.m. that evening, Mr. Smith's words to him were: “See you Sunday”, but he was never seen again.

By August 26 Mr. Smith's family and friends were growing increasingly concerned as phone calls went unanswered and no one heard from him.

That evening Mr. Smith’s ex-wife and nephew used their key to let themselves into the house.

At first glance it was as if Mr. Smith had just popped out; there was a half-empty glass of cider in the kitchen (those who knew Mr. Smith say that he would never have left a drink unfinished), his glasses, tablets and cigarettes were all there and in the bathroom were a pair of trousers with the wallet still in the pocket.

It was when they noticed spots of blood around the bath and on the floor of the living room that they became very concerned and rang the police.

Officers immediately gave his disappearance a high priority and an investigation was launched by the Metropolitan Police Service's (MPS) Homicide and Serious Crime Command.

Despite attempts to clean the premises of blood following the murder, evidence (blood and tissue) collected at the scene indicated that Mr. Smith had sustained a serious injury.

It was established Mr. Smith had been in a relationship with a younger woman who was also involved with drug dealer Cupidon.

The relationship between Cupidon and the woman was a volatile one and when they argued she would turn to Mr. Smith.

During one of these periods she asked Mr. Smith to collect her clothes and belongings from her flat.

On this occasion he also took a safe containing drugs and approximately £14,000 of Cupidon's money, which he kept.

The prosecution believe Cupidon killed Mr. Smith in retaliation for the theft of his drugs and money.

On September 8 when Cupidon was arrested, he was carrying a rucksack stained with Mr. Smith’s blood.

The bag contained a pair of shoes with the same sole pattern as bloodstained footprints found inside the flat.

Detective Inspector Glen Lloyd of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said: “I appreciate that the details put before the court could not have been pleasant for the jury to have to consider.

“The forensic evidence presented to the court ensured we were able to prove beyond doubt that George Smith is dead, murdered at the hands of Dwayne Cupidon.

“I hope he will now show respect and compassion to Mr. Smith's family and tell us where his remains are so that they are able to bury the man they loved.”

Convenience Store Shooting: CCTV Released

These are the late-night gun-wielding robbers police are hunting for two armed raids on convenience stores in which a shop assistant was shot in the neck when he refused to hand over cash.

Flying Squad detectives have released CCTV images of the suspects in the hope someone may be able to identify them.

The first robbery occurred at approximately 1.45 am on February 17 at Rainbow Food and Wines, 643 Green Lanes, Haringey, North London.

Officers attended the scene to discover a 51-year-old male shopworker with a gunshot wound to his neck.

He was taken to hospital where he remained for some days.

The two suspects pulled up outside the shop on a motorbike with the passenger entering the premises, threatening the shopworker with a handgun and demanding money.

When the victim, believing the gun to be fake, refused his demands, the suspect shot him before leaving the shop empty-handed.

The suspects then drove southbound along Green Lanes - in the direction of Manor House.

A second male shopworker was also in the shop at the time. He was uninjured.

Detectives believe this incident could be linked to a second armed robbery in Hackney 25 minutes later.

Police were called at 2.10 am to Shoreditch Food and Wine, 43 Hackney Rd, Bethnal Green.

A male suspect entered the shop, threatened the male shopworker with a firearm and demanded money.

A second man then came into the premises, approached the counter and took money from the till.

No shots were fired and no one was injured.

Both suspects (who wore helmets during the incident) then left the scene on a motorbike.

The first suspect is described as black, wearing a black puffa-style jacket, blue jeans, black gloves and a black helmet with a white logo above the visor. He was in possession of a black self-loading pistol.

The second suspect is described as black, wearing a blue puffa-style jacket, blue jeans, black gloves and a black and silver ‘Ariel’ helmet.

No arrests have been made in connection with either incident and detectives are hoping that releasing the CCTV images could assist their investigation.

Detective Constable Dawn Bolitho, of Finchley Flying Squad, said: “The victim of the initial robbery was extremely lucky to escape with his life after being shot in the neck at close range.

“The willingness of the suspects to use violence as a means to an end illustrates their callous nature and makes it imperative we identify them and hold them responsible for their actions.

“I would urgently appeal to any witnesses of either incident or anyone who believes they may recognise the individuals in the images to contact police.”