Greedy Museum Thief Locked-Up

A heartless thief who targeted two of London's best loved museums – greedily planning to sell treasured artefacts to antique dealers – has been caged for fifteen months.

Gary Doyle, 54, of Lascotts Road, Whetstone, North London was caught by the Metropolitan Police’s Art and Antiques Unit and arrested with assistance by an Art Beat Special Sergeant.

Detectives were investigating the theft of a replica Tudor helmet from the National Army Museum’s (pic.top) ‘Making of Britain’ gallery on October 5, last year when they learned of a similar crime two days later at the Forty Hall Museum, Enfield, North London (pic.bottom).

Six maps of Middlesex had been snatched in a well-planned theft and Doyle immediately travelled to Central London where he unsuccessfully tried to sell them to suspicious antique dealers.

The defendant failed to convince experts the maps belonged to a relative and using CCTV images at the gallery police linked Doyle to the two thefts.

He was arrested on November 25 in Palmers Green, North London.

Detective Constable Michelle Roycroft from the Art and Antiques Unit said: “Doyle's arrest and subsequent charge demonstrates how by working closely with our partners in the museums and trade organisations we will combat thieves and thwart their attempts to profit from robbing Britain's heritage.”

Armed Cocaine Criminal Caged After Police Op

A drug dealer caught with three guns and £113,000 in cash when police raided his Bedfordshire home has been sentenced to thirteen-and-a-half years imprisonment.

Andrew Lee Wallman, 28, of Bradford Road, Toddington also had an industrial drug press and enough cutting agent to produce 50 kilos of cocaine.

He was arrested by the Metropolitan Police’s Middle Market Drugs Partnership, which specialises in targeting dealers in and around London with the co-operation of other law enforcement agencies.

Armed with a search warrant obtained after a careful intelligence operation officers swooped on Wallman’s address on July 17, last year.

They seized three handguns. An Olympic 0.38; a Czech 6mm Kora and a Reck 92F (pictured).

Also confiscated was 35 kilos of cutting agent Benzocaine, plus a drug dealer list.

After the sentencing at Luton Crown Court Serious Organised Crime Agency Principal Officer Nigel Eeles said: “We are determined to disrupt criminal networks on all levels.

“Justice has been served and we are pleased with this result which sends out a clear message to all those involved in serious crime.

“We will continue to work in partnership to rid our streets of drugs and firearms and prosecute those people responsible for organised crime.”

The Middle Market Drug Partnership is a joint partnership between the Metropolitan Police, the Serious Organised Crime Agency and City of London Police.

Rapist Starting Nine-Year Stretch

A violent rapist is beginning a nine-year prison sentence after he was convicted by a jury of attacking a lone 21 year-old woman in the middle of the night.

Metin Sanci, 34, of Ferndale House, Manor Road, Canning Town, East London pounced on his victim as she walked along a North London street following a night out.

He was found guilty at Blackfriars Crown Court of raping the woman in Hanley Road, Finsbury Park (pictured) on July 24, last year.

Sanci suddenly grabbed the victim at 5:20am, punching her and putting his hands around her throat.

She fought back, biting, punching and scratching, but was unable to prevent Sanci raping her and fleeing.

He was caught by police fifty metres away after a neighbour, who heard the victim’s screams, raised the alarm.

The woman was taken to Whittington Hospital and treated for cuts and bruises.

Rapist Bus Driver Jailed And Banned

A bus driver, who raped a boozy 24 year-old woman after she boarded his double-decker late at night, has been locked-up for eight years and slapped with a lifetime commercial driving ban.

Kalash Vijay, 42, (pictured) of Evergreen Way, Hayes, West London was driving an N207 night-bus when the lone victim boarded at 2:44am on February 7.

Isleworth Crown Court heard she had been out with friends in Acton and after boarding fell asleep on the top deck.

Internal CCTV images show Vijay went upstairs half an hour later and brought the victim down to the lower deck.

He then turned off the lights and showed the bus as out of service.

Vijay stopped the bus in Dawly Street, Hayes - dropped the victim off - and parked his vehicle at Hayes bus station.

He returned in his car to Dawly Street, picked the woman up, then drove home, where he raped her twice.

Vijay drove her to the bus station in the morning and the next day she reported the attack to police.

He was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and a Sexual Offences Prevention Order was made, banning Vijay from driving any public service vehicle including buses, coaches, mini-cabs or taxis.

Detective Constable Anna Hukowski, of the Metropolitan Police’s Sapphire Team said: “Vijay told the court a string of lines, claiming the victim was his girlfriend.

“I am grateful the jury saw through those lies.

“Vijay took advantage of a young woman in a vulnerable condition.

“She has shown incredible strength of character in reporting this incident and we have used our expertise to ensure that Vijay was identified and brought to justice.”

Brit Passports "Under Siege" Says Judge

The U.K. passport system is "under siege" from illegal immigrant fraudsters, a Judge said today when jailing a Nigerian woman who used two forgeries to unlawfully gain employment.

"The obtaining of forged passports is so serious only imprisonment is appropriate," announced Croydon Crown Court Judge Simon Pratt. "It is a prevalent offence, so prevalent it seems the whole passport system is under some kind of siege."

Dorothy Onwumere, 42, of Widecombe House, Crawford Estate, Camberwell, South East London pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing false identity documents, namely U.K. passports, with intent, on October 5, 2007.

She also pleaded guilty for possessing an article for use in fraud, namely a National Insurance number card on January 25, this year.

Judge Pratt is constantly dealing with bogus passport cases brought to his court by Croydon's U.K. Border Agency HQ at nearby Lunar House.

The court heard Onwumere's home was raided on January 25 after immigration investigators discovered she used two bogus passports as proof of identity in 2007 when getting a cleaning job.

During the search the National Insurance number card was seized.

There is no record of Onwumere entering the country, but in May, last year she applied for permanent leave to remain under the 14-year concession rule.

She claims to have paid £300 for each passport.

Onwumere was sentenced to six months imprisonment.

Judge Pratt did not make a deportation recommendation but told the defendant: "You may find your behaviour results in the immigration service deporting you."

Cardiff City FC Hooligans Sentenced After Chelsea FA Cup Clashes

Ten Cardiff City FC football hooligans involved in violent scenes after least season’s FA cup tie with Chelsea FC have been sentenced today.

In a joint operation between the Metropolitan and South Wales Police Service’s – codenamed Turnhill – officers mingled with the crowds to spot known troublemakers.

The ten defendants are the first set of hooligans to be sentenced out of a total of ninety-five suspects committed to West London’s Isleworth Crown Court.

Three of them have pleaded guilty to violent disorder near Stamford Bridge stadium on February 13, last year.

They are: British Army soldier Nathan Pleace, 22, of Gabalfa Avenue, Cardiff.

Financial advisor Stefan Lewis-Davies, 24, of North Rising, Pontlottyn.

Peter Corkrey, 27, of St. John’s Lane, Nelson, Treharris.

Five have pleaded guilty to affray.

They are: Printing company worker and father-of-two Dean Hales, 30, of Highmead Road, Cardiff.

Jamie Brett, 37, of Ninian Park Road, Cardiff.

Hairdresser and father-of-two Shane Taylor, 39, of Gibson Close, Llanishen, Cardiff, who runs a successful hairdressing salon

Joshua Roberts, 21, of St. James Street, Treorchy.

Liam Driscoll, 27, of Arundel Place, Cardiff.

Two have pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour.

They are: Christopher Watling, 27, of Caemawr Road, Caldicot, Newport.

Joshua Evans, 18, of Min y Coed, Brackla, Bridgend.

The court heard police categorised the game as C-plus – the highest category for potential violence – and 6,000 Cardiff City fans arrived for the noon kick-off, which was the first time the teams had played each other in eighteen years.

Prosecutor Mr. Andrew Tobias said: “The reputation of the fans and the two clubs alerted police to the high probability of spontaneous and pre-planned disorder. It was believed violence would occur.

A young mum driving along Kings Road with her nine-month old baby were caught amid the clashes between violent fans and was forced to make a sudden u-turn.

A seven-months pregnant woman told police she feared for the life of her unborn child and her own as the mob descended on her Porsche and she was rescued by three people.

No members of the public were injured and the most serious injury to a police officer was a broken jaw caused by a thrown brick.

All the defendants were caught on either local authority CCTV or images filmed by Football Intelligence Officers charging towards police lines and Chelsea fans or shouting and gesticulating angrily.

Paratrooper Pleace, who has made several tours of Afghanistan, will be kicked-out of the Army after he was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment.

“You were amongst the forefront of those causing difficulties,” Judge Martin Edmunds QC told him. “You picked up a traffic cone and threw it into the air and it landed between you and the rival Chelsea supporters.

“Drink played an element in your offending. You have number of tours, but on your return you have been involved in incidents of violence.”

Lewis-Davies, who has followed Cardiff City home and away for eight years, was sentenced to sixteen months imprisonment.

“You were clearly at the front and involved in at least two charges shouting: ‘Fucking wankers’,” Judge Edmund told him. “You were at the heart of Cardiff supporters involved in serious violence and you threw two objects.”

Ex-Royal Navy man Corkrey, who works in a wheelchair factory, was sentenced to sixteen months imprisonment.

“You were on the front line of Cardiff supporters involved in repeated surges while considerable violence took place around you,” said the Judge.

“You were jumping up and down, goading, and intent on causing a reaction. You were aggressive and made gestures at mounted police.

“You were one of the first to arrive in Kings Road clearly looking for trouble. You picked up and hurled a missile at Chelsea fans and a traffic cone in the direction of police.”

All three defendants were also given six-year football banning orders.

Hales was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months and ordered to complete 120 hours community service.

“You were among the fans and part of the charges that took place,” Judge Edmunds told him, issuing Hales with a five-year football ban and ordering him to pay £250 costs.

Brett was sentenced to eight months imprisonment and issued with a six-year football banning order.

“We see you shouting and chanting amongst a group of agitated supporters and you are part of a surge towards the opposition and you resist police attempts to push you back.

“You regard what happened as an intrinsic part of football over the last twenty years.”

Lifelong season ticket holder and football coach Taylor was sentenced to six months imprisonment and issued with a six-year football banning order.

“We see you at the front of the crowd charging and you are repeatedly pushed back by police while chanting, shouting, waving your arms and gesticulating,” Judge Edmunds told him.

“You keep appearing in the front line.”

Roberts was sentenced to six months imprisonment and issued with a six-year banning order for being an active participant in the front line of Cardiff fans who charged at Chelsea supporters.

Jobless Driscoll was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months, ordered to complete 120 hours community service, pay £250 costs and was issued with a three-year banning order.

“You persistently waved your arms and goaded Chelsea supporters and were involved in a number of surges that went to and fro,” Judge Edmunds told him. “You had to be forced away by the police.”

Watling, employed by Scottish Southern Energy, was given a 12-month supervision order, ordered to complete 120 hours community service, pay £250 costs and was issued with a three-year banning order.

“It looks like you were in the wrong company that day,” the Judge told him. “You chose to remain there and by your presence encouraged others.

“We see you grabbing out at others and you were binge-drinking that day.”

Evans received a 12-month supervision order, was ordered to complete 80 hours community service and pay £250 costs and received a three-year banning order.

“You are part of the crowd that pushes forward and resists the stewards and we see you involved in a surge.”

Schoolteacher Downloaded Thousands Of Child Porn Images

A secondary school teacher, caught with over 12,000 sexually explicit images of children during a sudden police raid, dodged prison with a suspended sentence yesterday.

Science teacher Kenneth Ring, 26,(pictured) of Poynter Road, Enfield taught at Edmonton County school, but he quit in disgrace and his promising career is in tatters.

The first-time offender pleaded guilty to twelve sample charges of possessing indecent images of children on January 19, last year when officers from the Met’s Paedophile Unit executed a search warrant at his family’s home.

“You say you started this out of some form of perverted interest, you say you did not get any sexual satisfaction. I think you are lying,” Southwark Crown Court Judge John Price told Ring.

“How you can look at these images, including a three year-old girl in a sexual act, God only knows. It is so wicked and perverted and you are contributing to a perverted industry.”

Prosecutor Miss Usha Shergill told the court (pictured bottom) an online investigation into an internet forum which posted indecent images led officers to the house Ring shares with his parents.

Fifteen computer-related items were seized and five contained still and moving images, which Ring immediately confessed he was responsible for.

When quizzed at Edmonton Police Station the defendant denied gaining sexual gratification from the material and insisted he had never personally abused a child.

“He said he became obsessed by the images and viewed them for several years,” added Miss Shergill.

A total of 12,130 indecent still and moving images were found on various computer equipment ranging from the lowest to highest levels of indecency.

There were 217 at Level 5 – the most serious – including a girl aged under twelve years-old involved in sexual activity with an animal.

Simon Ray, defending, told the court: “Mr. Ring recognises this is not a victimless crime and it does create a market for more images.

“It was easy for Mr. Ring to delude himself because the abuse had already taken place and he was insulated from the material he was using.

“His remorse is heartfelt and genuine,” added Mr. Ray. “He has made efforts to obtain help and counselling, even before his arrest.

“He was a hardworking and dedicated teacher and that career is irretrievably ruined by his disgraceful behaviour.

“He will never work with children again.”

Judge Price sentenced Ring, his head bowed in shame, to twelve months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered him to complete 200 hours community service work.

He was also ordered to attend thirty-five two-hour sessions with the community sex offenders group and pay £350 costs.

“My main aim is to protect the public and children,” added the Judge. “You did not directly interfere with children, but you encouraged those who do by subscribing to such sites.

“What can be done to stop you?”

Bespectacled Ring was made subject to an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order, banning him from contacting children aged under sixteen via the Internet or any other electronic device.

He is also disqualified from unsupervised contact with children aged under sixteen without the consent of their parent or guardian.

Ring, who told Judge Price: “It will never happen again,” will sign the Sex Offenders Register for ten years.

Mamma Mia! Mayhem At Family Matinee

An angry dad attacked staff during a family matinee performance of Abba-themed West End musical Mamma Mia! when theatre-goers complained about his two noisy children.

One member of staff was head-butted and another punched when they told Essex-dad Robert Francis, 41, his family would be forced to leave if they did not behave, City of London Magistrates' Court heard.

Francis, of Rose Barn Cottage, Fiddlers Hamlet, Epping attended the performance at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Coventry Street (pictured) with his wife Michelle Francis, 40, and their children aged five and six.

He pleaded guilty to assaulting Graham McAlpine and Salim Rehman on July 24, last year. A charge of racially aggravated threatening behaviour was dropped.

An assault charge against Mrs Francis, who allegedly slapped Mr. McAlpine across the face, was also dropped

Prosecutor Mr. Ijaz Malik told the court it was just before 4pm when staff received complaints from patrons sitting behind the family about their behaviour during the first half of the performance.

The theatre manager Graham McAlpine approached the couple during the interval in the American Bar.

"He decided to chat to them and advise them about their behaviour, but at this point Mr. Francis began to get aggressive towards the staff members," explained the prosecutor.

"He told staff he had paid money to attend and would behave how he liked."

The couple were warned again they would be removed if their behaviour continued.

"Mr. Francis then hit Mr. McAlpine on the arm with his clenched fist and as the manager moved back and attempted to request security a melee ensued," said Mr. Malik.

"Mr. Francis placed his face in Mr. McAlpine's face and aggressively asked for his money back."

At this point Mr. Rehman tried to remove the defendant from the theatre and was allegedly told: "Get your hands off me you Taliban," by Mr. Francis.

This remark, which Mr. Francis denied making, was not pursued by the prosecution.

"Mr. Francis then moved his head back and head-butted Mr. Rehman in the face, causing painful swelling to his nose," added Mr. Malik.

The couple fled the theatre, but were traced and arrested by prior appointment at Charing Cross Police Station.

First-time offender Mr. Francis was sentenced to forty hours community service work, ordered to pay £50 compensation to each victim and £100 costs.

Shame-Faced Ex Cop Jailed For Child Porn Pics

A disgraced police officer, who quit the Met when arrested for hoarding and peddling indecent images of young teenage boys, was jailed for twelve months today and placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

Ex-Lambeth PC Jordan Janssen, 38, of Atkins Court, Maryon Grove, Charlton, South East London was caught with 182 images following an online probe into paedophiles.

The first-time offender was arrested on July 15 by the Metropolitan Police’s Paedophile Unit and resigned later that month.

He pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court (pictured) to one count of making indecent images between January 1 and June 30, last year and distributing an indecent image via email on March 14, last year.

“These are serious offences,” Judge Deborah Taylor told bespectacled Janssen. “The making and distributing of these images are not victimless crimes.

“Children are often forced or trafficked into sexual crime and must be protected from exploitation.”

The court heard Janssen had a particular fascination with boys aged around thirteen years-old.

The majority of the images were Level One – the least serious – but did include all levels up to one Level Five image – the most serious.

The email he distributed included three images. One Level One and two at Level Four.

The court heard Janssen made no financial gain from his activities and fully co-operated with police, pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity.

“Having regard to the nature of the material only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate,” announced Judge Taylor.

The judge made a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for five years, which bans Janssen from inappropriate Internet use, professional and social contact with children under sixteen years-old without supervision and text messaging with children.

He will also sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for ten years.

Detective Inspector Noel McHugh, of the Paedophile Unit said: “This result demonstrates that those who are engaged in the production and distribution of indecent images of children will be discovered, no matter who they are.”

Paedo Footie Coach Caged For Thirty-Five Years Of Sex Abuse

An ex-football coach who sexually abused a string of young boys over 35 years – plying them with booze and showering them with gifts – has been locked up for a minimum of nine years.

Retired caretaker David Berry, 70, (pictured) of Jubilee Road, Greenford, Middlesex filmed himself having sex with the youngsters – aged between 8 and 17 years-old.

Berry exploited his position of trust while working in a school, even befriending some of the victims' families.

He first began abusing a teenage boy in 1975, and he continued abusing others until just weeks before he was arrested by the Metropolitan Police’s specialist rape investigation unit, Sapphire, on April 22, last year.

When police searched Berry's home they found videos and images of the pensioner sexually abusing young boys.

He was arrested and quizzed and as the scale of the abuse became clear, the investigation was transferred to the Child Abuse Command's Serious Case Team for further investigation.

He was charged with a total of 45 serious sexual offences against children including sexual assault, gross indecency and rape.

At Isleworth Crown Court he admitted 22 counts of serious sexual abuse, including repeated rape relating to five victims.

He referred to having relationships or "flings" with the boys, and even described sexual activity as being “mutual”.

All of the victims were known to the defendant, who deliberately targeted, groomed and abused them when they were very young.

His abuse continued until the boys reached the age of or 17 before turning his attention to another younger child.

The victims are now aged between 13 and 50-years.

Berry preyed on vulnerable victims, including a child with learning difficulties, plying some of them with alcohol to facilitate some of the abuse.

As a reward Berry showered his victims with gifts and provided them with pocket money.

A mother of a one of those abused by Berry as a child said: “I was so shocked and sad for him.

“It explained his behaviour in the past - his drinking and temper.

“When he was telling me [about the abuse] he was angry and upset.”

Wheels Fall Off Lavish Lifestyle Of Flash Car Crook

A flash conman with a love of fast cars, who used a variety of aliases to supply East London criminals with a fleet of top spec motors, has been locked-up for two years and nine months.

Tyrone Somerszaul,36, (pictured) of Kings Gate Mews, Hornsey, North London also pocketed £60,000 in incapacity benefit while running ‘Fineline’ and ‘Taylor Prestige’.

Between 2004 and 2009 he used at least three identities – Tyrone Simmons, Dean Miller and Sean Kimani – to run the vehicle leasing companies.

His fleet included a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Rolls Royce, Mercedes and BMW – all vehicles used by gang members.

Somerszaul pleaded guilty at Snaresbrook Crown court to eight fraud charges and confiscation proceedings will follow.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Matt Foy of Hackney Borough CID, said: “Today's sentencing brings to a close a long-running and protracted investigation by Hackney Police into the complex criminal dealings of Tyrone Somerszaul. 



“By bringing him to justice and calling time on his bogus vehicle leasing company, police have curtailed not only his freedom but his lavish criminally-funded lifestyle.”



Detective Chief Inspector Gary Bruce of Hackney Police, said: “This investigation has disrupted the activity of suspected gang members in Hackney who used Somerszaul's vehicles to get around the streets of the capital.

“I would like to commend the efforts of DC Matt Foy and PC Carrie Waller who have worked tirelessly on a complicated case, which has ultimately seen a serious criminal imprisoned for nearly three years.”