Gun Teen Behind Bars

A teenager, who hid a loaded handgun in his family’s garden shed, has been locked-up for seven years after being arrested in a sudden police raid.

Samuel Ridgway, 19, (pictured) of Keedonwood Road, Bromley, South-East London claimed mystery men hid the lethal gun, but DNA linked him to the weapon.

He was convicted at Woolwich Crown Court of possessing the converted automatic pistol, plus 85 live shotgun cartridges on November 18, last year.

Officers acting on intelligence executed a search warrant at the address and stuffed inside a holdall in the garden shed they discovered the gun, which contained one live round.

When quizzed by police Ridgway claimed the gun must have belonged to unknown men he once spotted in the garden, but his DNA was found on the gun and holdall.

Detective Constable Dan Rankine of Lewisham Police said: “I am pleased with the sentence and hope that it sends a clear and strong message to the small minority of individuals who are involved in gun crime, that officers from Lewisham are one step ahead and will ensure that they are arrested and brought to justice.

“In this case we responded to fast time intelligence, quickly obtaining a search warrant and removing a loaded firearm from the street and in doing so, continuing to keep the public safe.”

Tube Commuter A Victim Of Violent 'Ipod Rage' Attack

A “shocked” Monday morning tube commuter was the victim of ‘ipod rage’ when repeatedly hit by a flurry of punches after politely asking a fellow-passenger to turn his loud music down.

Passengers were visibly upset by the loud relentless beat enjoyed by 33 year-old Troy Okwuosa, who flipped when tapped on the shoulder by product marketing manager Trevor Holt, 47.

Okwuosa, (pic.l.) of Devonport Road, Hammersmith, West London was convicted of assaulting Mr. Holt on the packed Circle Line train between Baker Street and Great Portland Street stations on December 7, last year.

“I was shocked, flabbergasted that a polite request to turn down loud and excessive music was met with such a reaction,” Mr. Holt (pic.r.) told City of London Magistrates’ Court.

“I took it on myself to tap the man on the shoulder,” said Mr. Holt, employed by ViewSonic Europe Ltd. at the City’s Tower 42.

“He took his earphone out of his ear, sneered at me and muttered: ‘Do you want to touch me again?’

“When I touched him on the shoulder the second time he exploded in rage and punched me five times, knocking my glasses off with the first punch.

“The force he was using to punch me was considerable,” added Berkshire commuter Mr. Holt who was left with bruising to his face and back.

“The carriage was full of passengers, we were shoulder to shoulder and the man asked: ‘Do you want some more?’

“It was overwhelming and I was surprised that I was being attacked on my Monday morning commute to work.”

Fellow-passenger engineer Geoffrey Hardwick, 54 agreed the noise was annoying. “There was loud music, very loud music from an ipod. It was one of those beats that gets on your nerves. It was so loud

“I think people are frightened to touch people to turn their music down, but I was thinking if I should ask the assailant to turn the noise down because it was bothering everyone.

“The assailant started to attack, flailing punches and the victim tried to defend himself by cowing down and was caught in the face.

“He said: ‘That’s what you get if you touch me. Do you want some more?”

“The punches were totally out of control, just flailing in. I was shocked and surprised,” added Mr. Hardwick. “He was throwing his whole weight into the guy.

“It was frightening because now you don’t feel confident asking someone to turn their music down.

“If the other passenger had not stopped the fight the victim would have been very badly hurt. He wanted to go back and do some more.”

T.V. editor James Caldwell, who jumped between the defendant and victim said: “The punches were very strong, they would hurt and they were to the head and body.”

Okwuosa was sentenced to a twelve-month community order, including 100 hours community service work and was ordered to pay £200 costs and £140 compensation to Mr. Holt.

Dr. Farooq Political Assassination: E-fit Released

Detectives hunting the killers of an exiled Pakistani politician repeatedly stabbed with a kitchen knife and battered with a brick outside his North London home have released an E-fit of the chief suspect.

Dr. Imran Farooq, 50, (pic.top) was attacked in Green Lane, Edgware on September 16 after returning home from work just before 5:30pm and police are assuming a political motive.

He sought asylum in the U.K. in 1999 and was a senior member of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), which has a power-base in Karachi – Pakistan’s largest city.

The murder probe has now been taken over by SO15 – Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism command.

The suspect (pic.bottom) is of Pakistani appearance, aged in his late 20s-early 30s, 5ft 4ins - 5ft 6ins tall, of slim build, with piercing eyes, a pointed, pale-skinned face, short black/dark coloured hair, and a goatee-style beard. 



He was wearing a dark coloured baseball-style cap. 



Police also want to trace a second of similar race man in connection with the attack.

He is aged in his 30s, of stocky build, 5ft 9ins - 5ft 11ins tall, with short black hair.

Dr. Farooq was found suffering from stab wounds and head injuries. 



A post mortem examination gave cause of death as multiple stab wounds and blunt trauma to the head. 



Police recovered a five and a half inch bladed kitchen knife and a house brick, which were used in the attack on Dr. Farooq. 


Police have carried out house-to-house inquiries and spoken to a number of witnesses, but they believe there are other people who may hold vital information about the incident and officers continue to urge them to come forward. 



It is vitally important that anyone with information should contact the police incident room on 020 8721 3784 or alternatively contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 



Dr. Farooq's widow Shumaila Imran has previously made a personal appeal for help in catching those responsible for the attack. 



She said: “I want to make my own personal appeal for help in catching the people who killed my husband Dr. Imran Farooq. 



“Dr. Imran Farooq was a dedicated family man, a loving father and loving husband. 



“His murder a week ago has devastated me and left our family in a state of shock and disbelief. 



“My husband was on his way home from work when he was set upon and attacked. 



“I want to appeal today for anyone who has any information about the attack on Imran to come forward and tell the police what they know. 



“Someone, somewhere knows something about my husband's murder. 



“It doesn't matter how insignificant this information may seem to you - it could be absolutely vital to the police investigation. 



“I would like to thank everyone who has supported me and my family and sent us their best wishes and condolences. 



“I would also like to thank the police for their help and support during this very difficult time.”

Life For Escaped Muderer After 15 Year Rape Rampage

Justice has finally caught up with a dangerous predator who killed his girlfriend 15 years ago and raped two women while on the run.

Angolan-born Miguel Da Silva, 40, (pictured) escaped from a secure psychiatric hospital during a fire alarm in 1994 after confessing he strangled 44 year-old Susan Martin.

He fled to Spain under a false name where he raped one woman, then a second shortly after his release from prison and is still serving that sentence.

Da Silva was convicted by an Old Bailey jury of murdering mother-of-two Susan, who he throttled with a T-shirt at her flat in Aldridge Road Villas, Notting Hill, West London on September 24, 1994.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a recommendation he serve a 16-year minimum.

The day after the murder – triggered by Susan’s vow to leave him - Da Silva walked into Paddington Green Police station with blood on his hand.

He confessed he "had a fight with Suzie" and had "beat her up."

Da Silva was arrested and remanded to a secure medical facility at what is now the New Ealing Hospital, West London.

However, when patients were evacuated outside during a fire alarm on March 17, 1995 Da Silva scaled a high wall and escaped.

A case review circulated his details and fingerprints in Portugal and Spain and he was traced to a Spanish prison and extradited to the UK.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood of the Metropolitan Police’s Homicide and Serious Crime Command, based at Belgravia, said: “On the 25th of September 1994 Miguel Da Silva needlessly and callously took the life of Susan Martin.

“Following his arrest and charge, he escaped from hospital and had been on the run from the UK for fifteen years until we tracked him down to Spain.

“Sarah, Susan's daughter, bravely articulated in her 'impact statement' to court how the death of her mother has devastated the family. 



“I pay tribute to the family's courage and sincerely hope that the conviction today brings some solace and the beginnings of some closure for them. 



“No murder investigation is ever over until the person or persons responsible are brought to justice.

“This case demonstrates that, despite the passage of time, Da Silva was hunted down and has been held to account for his actions, thanks to the determination of the police.” 



Sarah Martin, daughter of Susan Martin, said: “I have been in limbo for the past sixteen years.

“It still feels like it happened yesterday and I feel the same rawness as I felt then.

“It is fair to say that when my mother was killed, our family fell apart.”


Sarah paid tribute to Susan, saying: “She was the best Mum a child could wish for. She was brilliant in every way.” 



She stressed that the murder had a devastating effect on the wider family, her uncles - Susan's brothers - Peter, John, Steven and Tommy Dutton - and also her brother Thomas, who was seventeen at the time of Susan's death. 



Sarah also told the court how her sorrow had been intensified by the fact that her mother never got the chance to meet her three grandchildren - Sarah has one daughter, and Thomas has two sons.

Six Years For Baseball Bat Bully-Boy

A baseball bat thug – who left his park bench victim with a busted nose and broken and chipped teeth – has been locked-up for six years.

Bobby Mehmet, 21, of Hazel Grove, Sydenham, South-East London (pic.top) knocked the victim out after confronting him in a local park.

Mehmet was convicted of the attack in Mayow Park, Sydenham (pic.bottom) on June 28, following a week-long trial at Croydon Crown Court.

The court heard the aggressive defendant and three others approached the 29-year-old victim, who was sitting with friends.

Mehmet accused the victim - who was vaguely known to him from the local area - of spreading rumours about him and without warning he struck the man in his face.

The defendant’s group fled the scene in a van and the victim was taken to hospital where was treated for a broken nose, broken and chipped teeth and various cuts to his nose and lips.



Police officers from Lewisham attended Mehmet’s home address and arrested him shortly after the assault. 



At the address they found the clothing he was wearing during the assault had recently been washed and a van matching the description of the van he left the park in was outside his address.



Detective Constable Robert Belcher of Lewisham Borough CID, said: “This was a vicious assault by a man with a minor gripe who thought nothing of arming himself with a baseball bat and assaulting another person.



“Officers from Lewisham acted quickly to identify and arrest Mehmet and we are delighted with the sentence he has received.



“Police officers in Lewisham will work tirelessly to arrest and bring to justice those who think it is acceptable to commit violence - it is not.

“It is destructive to the community and ruins lives.”

Predatory Rapist Trapped By Hair

This is the face of a rapist who broke into a 37 year-old woman’s home and is now beginning an eight-year prison sentence after being trapped by a hair left on the victim’s dressing gown.

Michael Chukwudi Anigbugu, 34, was convicted at Wood Green Crown Court on two counts of rape and sexual assault at the address in Edmonton, North London on October 10, last year.

Anigbugu broke into the woman's home between 2:00am and 03:00am and attacked the terrified victim.

He was arrested on March 12 and his DNA profile matched the hair he left at the scene.

Detective Inspector Daniel Smith of the Metropolitan Police Sapphire Unit said: “This type of attack is rare.

“Anigbugu was successfully convicted thanks to the victim's courage, the good work of forensic scientists and the dedication and skill of the officers involved in the investigation. 



“I would like to pay tribute to the victim who despite suffering such a terrible ordeal has demonstrated remarkable courage.

“I hope she is able to find some comfort knowing she has assisted in taking a dangerous individual off our streets.



“The Metropolitan Police takes all allegations of rape and sexual assault extremely seriously and we will investigate thoroughly.

“We encourage any victims of this crime to report it to police. Be assured every assistance and support will be offered.”

Bank-Snatch Teen Getaway Driver Behind Bars

A teenage getaway driver, who leapt from his moving van during a dramatic police chase after a violent £25,000 bank cash snatch, was locked-up for two years yesterday.

Osei Sarpong, 19, of Barlborough Street, New Cross pleaded guilty to robbery outside LloydsTSB, Crescent Arcade, Greenwich, South-East London (pictured) on June 17.

Prosecutor Mr. Jonathan Turner told Woolwich Crown Court a security van was delivering cash boxes to the bank at 11.30am.

“As one security guard carried the boxes to the bank the second guard inside the van noticed a young man at a nearby bus stop staring at the van.

“On the seventh cash box trip the man ran at the guard and tried to grab the container, which was thrown by the guard into the back of the van.

“The pair struggled and there was kicking by the suspect who managed to grab the container and escape in a white transit van.”

The alarm was raised and police quickly identified the getaway van and gave chase.

“The driver, this defendant, failed to stop and kept going and jumped from the vehicle while it was still moving,” added Mr. Turner.

Police then quickly caught up with Sarpong and arrested him and his accomplice.

“Robbery is a serious offence, not only in terms of the amount of money you stole, but also the trauma that is suffered by the people guarding that money,” Judge Peter Murphy told the defendant.

“This could only have been committed with a certain amount of planning and it was executed with some skill.”

Sarpong was sentenced to two years detention in a young offenders institution.

Celebrity Beauty Expert Cleared

A royal make-up artist-to-the-stars, accused of carrying a terrified television producer on the bonnet of her car moments after hurling a torrent of foul-mouthed abuse, was cleared of all charges today.

Beauty expert Teresa Fairminer, 59, who took care of the Duchess of Cornwall's hair and make-up for her wedding to Prince Charles and boasts of a string of celebrity clients walked free from Isleworth Crown Court.

She was found not guilty to driving her silver Mini Cooper dangerously in Chiswick High Road, Chiswick, West London on March 9 and causing criminal damage to t.v. boss Dominic Moran's £600 Prada spectacles.

Fairminer, of Park Road, Chiswick told the jury during the week-long trial she was the target of a campaign of humiliation orchestrated by Mr. Moran who she described as "vindictive."

She said he even turned up with a film crew to her first appearance at Feltham Magistrates' Court.

"I am a victim of rage-transfer," she said after the verdicts, explaining she became the target of Mr. Moran's anger because she was his ex Suzie Fox's best friend and the couple had a bitter break-up.

"This case has effected all of my life all of this year. I am my business."

Mr. Moran, 51, boss of Chiswick Life TV, had emailed Fairminer telling her he was "very disappointed" she pulled out of a make-up consultancy for his niece's wedding in return for two free programmes he made for her.

She admitted in court saying "bollocks" twice during the office confrontation, but denied it was the torrent of abuse described by Mr. Moran.

She was "very concerned" her exclusive business had two videos deleted from Mr. Moran's website and described briskly entering his office after rehearsing what to say.

"I could not get a word," she told the jury. "I asked him again and again: 'Please listen to me,' but he would not listen."

Fairminer admitted snatching the specs because she feared Mr. Moran - who she claims was waving them about - would poke her in the eye.

Outside she was "scared" when followed by Mr. Moran. "I heard a bang at the front of my car and was alarmed.

"I never tried to run him down. I did not accelerate."

She said Mr. Moran's feet never left the ground and he could have moved aside anytime as she gently rolled forward.

When the verdict's were announced Mr. Moran vowed: "This is not over" and promised to upload the CCTV footage to his website.

Fairminer has also given expert beauty tips on shows including GMTV, This Morning, The Clothes Show and Style Challenge.

Paedo Caretaker Exposed By Residents

An Internet paedophile – arrested after worried neighbours tipped-off police – had 295 sickening child sex images on his computer when officers raided his flat.

Housing Association caretaker John Alexander, 61, of Melvin Hall, Golders Green Road, Golders Green, North London (pictured) pleaded guilty to five sample counts of possessing indecent images of children on July 27.

Prosecutor Mr. Travers Sinanan told Wood Green Crown Court on Friday: “The defendant’s home was searched and he was arrested after concerns raised in the local community about an inappropriate relationship.

“They were concerned the relationship between Alexander and two autistic males aged fourteen and seventeen was not natural and that there may have been some sexual activity.”

Officers armed with a search warrant seized the defendant’s computer and found the indecent downloads, which he initially claimed were Internet “pop ups” he had no control over.

In 1990 Alexander was convicted of similar offences in Holland and received an eighteen month suspended sentence.

The defendant has been in custody since August 4 and as a result of his arrest and conviction has lost his job and home.

“This is a person who needs help and support,” said Mr. William Hopper, defending. “The defendant has served the equivalent of a six month sentence.”

Judge Jeff Blackett told Alexander: “My concern is that your sexual predilection is looked into and you are helped. There is no point in locking you up.”

Alexander was placed on a three-year community order, which includes a community Internet sex offender treatment order.

He was also made subject to a Sex Offender’s Prevention Order, prohibiting access to the Internet and close contact with children aged less than sixteen years-old.

Rookie Sex-Crime Teen's Park Attack

A serial teenage flasher, who plagued a popular Tottenham park throughout the summer and attacked one female victim who dialled 999, was locked-up for two years yesterday.

Jobless Haringey 18 year-old Leon Alexander was spotted by the woman playing with himself in bushes at Downhills Park (pictured) while watching a children’s play area.

He pleaded guilty at Wood Green Crown Court to robbing the 49 year-old victim of her mobile phone on September 16 and indecently exposing himself on the same occasion.

Alexander also pleaded guilty to three further charges of indecently exposing himself in the park on various dates through May, June and July.

Prosecutor Mr. Travers Sinanan told the court: “After the victim saw the defendant in the bushes he turned to face her and she could see he was masturbating while looking at her. She was shocked and horrified.”

The woman told Alexander she was old enough to be his mother and continued walking.

Alexander shouted: “Hey sexy,” and followed the woman on his bike.

“As she called the police he grabbed the phone from her hand and punched her in the face then continued kicking her in the head until she blacked-out,” added Mr. Sinanan.

A week later he sold her phone for £50.00 on Wood Green High Road.

The victim told police: “I felt pain all over my body. My body was covered in bruises and I have had headaches every day and I am afraid to walk anywhere alone.”

Police linked Alexander to the earlier spate of indecent exposures in the park and when arrested he told officers: “I desperately need help.”

Sentencing him to two years youth detention Judge Jeff Blackett told Alexander: “You clearly need help and I have read the psychiatric report, but I am more troubled by the robbery.

“You followed a woman on your bike, you attacked her, leaving her blacked-out, having punched and kicked her to the ground.”

Stalker Charged With Arson Jailed For Harassing Ex

A suicidal Hastings man – locked-up on suspicion of setting his ex’s flat ablaze – was jailed today for twice flouting a court-imposed restraining order, once on the day of the fire.

Nicholas Bellhouse, 31, of Channel Way, Fairlight, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment at North London’s Wood Green Crown Court for continuing to text his ex and entering an exclusion zone.

He will be released immediately having already spent four months in custody charged with arson, with intent to endanger life, which was dropped on the day of the trial due to insufficient evidence.

“When the court tells you to do something you do it, you have been contemptuous towards the courts,” Judge Jeff Blackett told Bellhouse.

“If you do get in touch with your former partner again you will end up in prison again.”

Bellhouse pleaded guilty to breaching an indefinite restraining order on June 30 and July 1.

Haringey Magistrates’ Court imposed it on May 25 after the defendant was convicted of harassing his ex-girlfriend Rachel Kelly, 28, and he was also sentenced to four weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for twelve months.

Prosecutor Mr. Travers Sinanan told the court Bellhouse shared a flat in Muswell Hill, North London with Miss Kelly, but after they split he returned to his native East Sussex.

Soon afterwards she spotted him stalking her at busy commuter times at her local railway station and made a formal harassment complaint to police.

Bellhouse was prohibited by the magistrates from contacting Miss Kelly and banned from entering the N.10 postcode.

“On June 30 between 8pm and 10pm Miss Kelly received text messages from Bellhouse in which he said he was taking heroin and drinking whiskey and wanted to meet her.”

In the early hours of July 1 a blaze engulfed Miss Kelly’s second-floor flat (pictured) while it was occupied by friends Eve Pearson, 28, and Oliver Machin, 28.

“The fire was started in the bedroom of Miss Kelly and engulfed the apartment,” explained Mr. Sinanan. “They were overcome with fumes, but Miss Pearson was nudged by her pet dog and woke up.

“She suffered cuts to her hands and wrists while attempting to escape through a window.”

Firemen rushed to the blaze and entered the flat wearing breathing apparatus, rescuing the soot-covered woman and her friend who was sleeping on the sofa.

Miss Kelly was not in the flat at the time, but fifteen minutes before the fire she received more texts from Bellhouse, who police proved was in the area.

“The messages were suicidal in nature and Bellhouse was again insisting he wanted to see her and claimed he intended to take his own life,” added the prosecutor.

CCTV proved the defendant was in the N.10 exclusion zone when he was filmed making a cash point withdrawl.

Sadly Miss Pearson’s pet dog did not survive the fire.

Bellhouse was arrested a week later at St. Thomas’s Hospital, Lambeth, where he was being treated for slashing his wrists and charged with arson.

Mr. Sinanan recommended the Crown Prosecution Service drop the charge due to insufficient evidence and the fire brigade’s opinion the blaze was non-suspicious.

Electrical cables were a potential cause, however Miss Kelly remains convinced Bellhouse deliberately started the fire, the court was told.

The defendant was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment on each count to run consecutively and the restraining order remains in place.