Environmental Entrepreneur Loses Vuvuzela Battle

A local Green Party environmental activist, caught illegally selling vuvuzela horns outside Wembley Stadium before an England friendly, has lost her appeal against the conviction.

Naomi Aptowitzer, 41, of Juniper Crescent, Camden Town, who finished third in the Kentish Town ward council by-election on October 31, last year, claimed her official peddler’s licence allowed her to sell by the roadside.

Aptowitzer – the CEO of electric bike company ZiPee – is also a musician who performs under the name MC Ni and has recorded a track entitled ‘Vuvuzela’.

Harrow Crown Court heard she was spotted with a trolley bag fully of the South African instruments outside the stadium on August 11, last year before the England friendly with Hungary.

The plastic horns, which emit a whine that became the sound of last year’s World Cup, are currently banned from all football grounds.

The horns were seized because Aptowitzer was not in possession of a street traders licence and magistrates conditionally discharged her with an order to pay £300 costs.

The prosecution revealed the defendant had been given numerous warnings in the area on previous occasions for illegal street trading.

Aptowitzer told the court her twelve-month Peddler’s Certificate, issued at Holborn Police Station, allowed her to sell to the public under the 1871 Act.

However, she was prosecuted under the 2004 London Local Authorities Act, which the court ruled took precedence and her appeal against the conviction and sentence was dismissed.

Street Scum Binned For Targeting Indian Couple's Gold

Sky-high gold prices are making Indian women a target for violent street robbers, who target their jewellery, often snatching chains from necks and rings from fingers.

One mugger, 19 year-old Dario Critchlow, (pictured) of Ilex Road, Willesden is starting a five-year sentence after he and his masked accomplices preyed on one middle-aged couple.

He was convicted along with a 17 year-old accomplice - who received three years – of robbing the married couple as they walked to a bus stop in Wealdstone High Street, Harrow on December 5, 2009.

The two defendants and an unidentified third mugger all wore dark hooded tops with scarves covering their faces.

They struck the 63 year-old husband over the head, knocking him to the ground, then forced his 59 year-old wife to the ground, snatching a gold chain from her neck and unsuccessfully trying to rip the rings off her fingers.

The couple were taken to Northwick Park Hospital, with the husband suffering head injuries and back pain and his wife needing a cast fitted for severe bruising to her arms.

The man later died of natural causes early this year.

After the convictions at Harrow Crown Court Police Constable Ali Khan said: “This was a planned and violent attack on a couple who were targeted for the gold jewellery worn by the woman. 



“The couple were out shopping when the robbers attacked, knocking a sixty-three year-old man to ground and then stealing his wife’s jewellery as she too was lying helpless on the ground.

“The robbery left the couple traumatized with both victims suffering physical injuries, while afterwards finding it difficult to sleep and being afraid to go out.

“This also had a severe affect on their family.” 



Statistics show there was a rise in Indian robbery victims last year, who accounted for approximately 30% of all street robbery victims.

A key factor in these robberies has been the lure of gold jewellery.



Commander Simon Pountain said: “The Met takes street robbery very seriously - being robbed is a traumatic experience.

“However, the public can minimise the chance of it happening by taking some basic measures.

“When you are out, where possible try to keep any valuables hidden. If you are wearing jewellery we would urge you to cover it, perhaps with a scarf. 



“Robbers simply see your gold jewellery and other precious items such as MP3 players as hard cash.

“We’re not asking the public not to wear jewellery, or to use their phones or media players in public - we’re just advising them to be vigilant about where and when they use them.”


Young Woman Stabbed To Death: Man Charged

A man accused of murdering a 24 year-old woman – stabbed to death in a North London street – has been remanded in custody at the Old Bailey.

Zandra Maxwell-Nelson (pictured) of Nicoll Road, Willesden was attacked in Durban Road, Tottenham just after 6:00pm on April 20.

Nathaniel Brown, 26, of no fixed abode, is charged with her murder and after initially appearing at Brent Magistrates’ Court on April 23 has been remanded to a date to be fixed by the Central Criminal Court.

The victim had tried to flee her attacker by jumping into a parked car, but she continued to be stabbed in the vehicle.

She was rushed by ambulance to the Royal London Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 8:30pm.

A post-mortem was held at Haringey mortuary and an incident room under Acting Detective Chief Inspector Sheila Stewart of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command was opened.

Sawn-Off Shotgun Kid Behind Bars

A teen caught by police with a lethal loaded sawn-off shotgun when surveillance officers pulled over a car containing him and three others, has been locked-up for five years.

The 17 year-old schoolboy of Butler Road, Dagenham, East London was caught red-handed with the fearsome weapon (pictured) when stopped near his home on December 10, last year.

He pleaded guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court to possessing the illegal firearm following his capture by armed CO19 officers assisting an operation by the Central Task Force.

Police had followed a black Vauxhall Astra containing the youth – aged 16 at the time and too young to be identified - and others as it visited various addresses

He later returned home and re-emerged with the sawn-off shotgun in a black holdall and rejoined his associates.

Armed police forced the car to stop and in the front passenger foot-well they found the shotgun, plus one live cartridge in the holdall.

When searched officers also found two more live shotgun cartridges in the youth’s jacket pocket and six more, plus one spent cartridge were discovered at his home.

His three associates were released without charge.

Detective Inspector Rob Murray of the Central Task Force said: “This operation has successfully removed another illegally-held lethal-firing weapon and its owner from the streets of London. 



“Possession of a gun carries a minimum term of five years.

“We take all intelligence concerning firearms extremely seriously and where appropriate will act on it to make sure that guns, and those responsible for storing, owning and distributing them, are taken off the streets.”

Human Fireball Horror: Jealous Boyfriend Caged

An evil boyfriend – who horrifically murdered a mum-of-two by setting her on fire because she enjoyed a night out without him – has been jailed for life with a twenty-two year minimum.

After using 36 year-old Amanda Beresford (pic.top) as a punchbag during their seventeen-month relationship sadistic Jeffrey Clarke, 42, (pic.bottom) deliberately doused her in highly flammable white spirits and turned her into a human fireball.

He killed her in the bedroom of the house she had lived in for fifteen years and shared with her 18 year-old autistic daughter and 12 year-old son from a previous relationship.

Bus driver Clarke, of Haymill Close, Perivale, West London was convicted at Isleworth Crown Court of murdering Amanda, who died on August 26, last year over a month after the July 22 incident in the home she allowed him to move into.

Family and friends had urged the victim to dump the defendant and report him to the police for domestic abuse for the regular beating he dished out, but she refused to co-operate.

On July 22 Clarke tracked her down to Ealing where he found her enjoying a night out with another man and forced her to come home.

As she sat on her bed he poured the accelerant over her clothing and deliberately set her alight – causing 60% full deep burns over her body.

She died in Chelsea and Westminster Hospital over a month later on August 26.

Clarke was arrested twice in March last year when friends and family reported his violence to the police, but on both occasions Amanda declined to press charges and the abuse continued.

Neighbours heard her screams and flames were seen though the upstairs windows.

Amanda’s mother Miriam Royale said:
”As long as I live I will never be able to forget the image of Amanda lying in her hospital bed with such horrific injuries, her stunning good looks so cruelly taken from her.

“Clarke always thought he was so clever and would get away with this, just as he got away with beating Amanda for so long.

“Now he's got the next twenty-two years to come to terms with the truth, he's not very clever at all, just a horrible, sickening bully.”

Who's The A-Hole?

Police are hunting this aggressive youth who forced his way on to a bus with a gang on males and attacked the driver when he was ordered off.

The route 453 bus was stationary at traffic lights in Old Kent Road, South East London at 5:20am on December 5, last year.

The suspect was one of a number of young men who pressed the emergency exit button from the outside and boarded through the rear doors without paying.

The driver immediately pulled over and demanded they get off, but was punched several times by the suspect who then fled.

The victim did not require medical attention.

Officers from the joint Metropolitan Police Service and Transport for London Safer Transport Command Workplace Violence Unit are appealing for information, which will identify the assailant.

The suspect is a young black man of slim build, wearing dark clothing.



Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Dan Kelly, leading the investigation for the Workplace Violence Unit, on 020 3054 5402 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Who's Baldy?

Police are hunting this angry bus passenger who attacked the driver after missing his stop.

Officers from the joint Metropolitan Police Service and Transport for London Safer Transport Command Workplace Violence Unit are appealing for information, which will identify the suspect.

He was on board a 119 bus in Park Street, Croydon at 8:00pm on January 13 and launched a violent attack on the driver after missing his stop.

The suspect punched through the driver’s protective screen and assaulted him before making off.

The victim did not require medical attention.



The suspect is described as a white man, bald, of stocky build and wearing shorts with a flower pattern. 



Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Dan Kelly, of the Workplace Violence Unit, on 020 3054 5402 or to speak to Crimestoppers anonymously call 0800 555 111.

Teen Convicted Of East London Shotgun Killing

A teenage gunman has been convicted of killing another young man – who suffered a fatal shotgun wound to the chest – when two rival groups clashed in East London just after midnight.

Mahamoud Jama, 21, (pic.top) was shot dead on the first floor landing of Whyteville House, Studley Road, Forest Gate on January 6, last year.

Mohammed Ali, 19, (pic.2^nd top) of Romford Road, Forest Gate was convicted of manslaughter and possessing a firearm and will be sentenced on a date to be fixed.

Maurece Lewis, 19, (pic.bottom) of Haslemere Road, Ilford, was convicted of assisting an offender.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Dunne of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said: “Our thoughts are with Mahamoud's family and friends.

“His death and today’s convictions underscore the essential nature of the outreach work being carried out by the Metropolitan Police and its partners to dissuade vulnerable young people from becoming involved in violent crime.

“Sadly it is now too late for Mahamoud whose young life was cut short in a most violent manner.”

Jama was found at 1:10am critically injured from a serious shotgun wound to the chest and was rushed to the Royal London Hospital, where he died at 3:44am.

Detectives believe an altercation took place between two groups on a former garage forecourt in Studley Road at the junction with Upton Lane and continued into Whyteville House where the victim was shot.

Hammer Gang Locked-Up After Cops Foil Raid

A hammer-wielding gang of robbers – who targeted two female Boot’s employees during an early morning raid on a branch of the high street chemist’s – have been caged.

Undercover officers from the Met’s elite Flying Squad were watching as two of the gang bundled the terrified victim’s into the Eltham High Road, Eltham, South-East London branch as they opened at 7:00am on December 13, last year.

They snatched a large amount of cash, but were arrested by police before they could leave.

They are: Michael McCluskey, 25, (pic.top) of Wolvercote Road, Thamesmead and James Springer, 20, (pic.2^nd top) of Portmeadow Walk, Abbey Wood who both received three years and four months.

Nearby, police arrested the getaway driver and two accomplices sitting in a car parked in North Park.

They are: Adrian Tynan, 20, (pic.3^rd top) of Northwood Place, Thamesmead, who received two years and Darren Laver, 27, (pic.4^th top) of Manor Road, Erith, Kent and Daniel Cooper, 27, (pic.bottom) of Aperfield Road, Erith, Kent, who both received two years and eight months.

Detective Inspector Neil Williams of the Flying Squad, said: “The men were out to rob that day, it's as simple as that.

“They were determined and were happy to threaten innocent employees in order to steal cash.

This was a well planned robbery by men determined to rob, with no thought for the trauma suffered by the victims.”

Armoured Van Robber Gets 17 Years

An armed robber recruited by a notorious gang – who snatched £500,000 during a series of audacious nationwide raids – has been locked-up for seventeen years.

Jobless Ian Patrick Joseph, 38, (pictured) of Mayfly Gardens, Northolt, Middlesex was convicted of helping rob an armoured van delivering cash to LloydsTSB in Nacton Road, Ipswich, Suffolk on in September 2007.

He was recruited by a South London gang responsible for eighteen robberies and attempted robberies across southern England between April 2006 and September 2007.



They targeted cash-in-transit security vans and carried out raids from Bristol in the West to Ipswich in the East and were smashed when two robbers were shot dead by police in Chandler’s Ford, Eastleigh, Hampshire on September 17 2007.

Seven members of the gang were sentenced in November 2008.

Detective Inspector Terry Wilson of the Metropolitan Police Service’s Flying Squad, said:
”This investigation demonstrates the ability of the Flying Squad to convict those responsible for armed robberies through professional investigations.

“The results do not though overshadow the fact that during the commission of one offence two men were fatally shot by police officers.

“The death of any person as a result of police action is deeply regrettable.


“We are a bespoke unit targeting those who commit these types of crimes.

The fact we exist, along with today's sentences, should serve as a warning to all those who would consider committing such an offence.



“The fact that the majority of the offences have taken place outside of London did not limit our ability to investigate.

“Many of the defendants convicted had previously come to the attention of the Flying Squad and as a result chose to operate outside of London in an attempt to avoid attention. 



“We have excellent working relationships with other forces and this partnership allowed us to pursue the team across Southern England.

“The assistance of other constabularies, in particular Avon and Somerset and Hampshire, was essential in achieving success in this case.

“I would also like the public to note that although these offences may be seen as 'victimless crimes' the truth is far from it.

“These offences not only left many of the guards traumatised, but also would have an impact on the people whose homes were burgled to steal the cars the robbers used.”



The Flying Squad launched Operation Hurlock to smash the gang and carried out extensive surveillance to collect damning evidence.

Rot In Hell: Parents Worst Nightmare Caged

A predatory paedophile, who sexually assaulted two brothers aged seven and four as they used a McDonald’s toilet alone, has been caged.

The boys’ unsuspecting parents sat just yards away as 23 year-old Simon Archer (pictured) carried out the sickening attack.

Archer, of Belvedere, Kent – who will serve a minimum of seven years - had been paroled weeks earlier for another child sex offence and will not be released until the parole board are convinced it is safe to do so.

He was convicted at Woolwich Crown Court of two counts of assault by penetration and one count of oral rape at the Welling McDonald’s on July 4, last year and will serve an indeterminate sentence for public protection.

He will remain on the sex offenders register for life and was also made subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).



At around 2:30pm the children left the table with their father’s permission to use the toilet facilities.



Whilst inside bare-chested Archer entered and sexually assaulted them both.



The children returned to their father and siblings without saying anything and the family left restaurant.



A few days later the mother of the children suggested they visit the restaurant for something to eat, but the boys became upset and refused to.

When pressed by their mother as to why they were upset, they told her what had happened.



Detectives from Sapphire launched a major manhunt to find the person responsible.



Uniformed officers from Bexley Borough flooded the streets for days and CCTV footage obtained from the restaurant showed the back of bare-chested man entering the restaurant at the time of the assault.



Detectives scoured hours of CCTV footage from the area to trace the route of the bare-chested man, his images were circulated amongst officers and a few days later Archer was arrested in Welling.



He was interviewed but denied being the man on the CCTV footage and refused to answer any further questions.



Detectives continued gathering evidence against Archer and presented extensive CCTV, mobile telephone and expert witness evidence during the trial, to prove he was the man who assaulted the children.



Acting Detective Inspector Jon Summers, Sapphire, said: “Simon Archer is a dangerous person who has previously committed sexual offences against strangers and I am pleased that he has been jailed today.



“We cannot rule out the possibility that he may have committed crimes against others and I would urge anyone who has been a victim of a sex crime to contact the police.

“This incident has had a devastating affect on his very young victims and their family who showed immense fortitude and courage in coming forward.”

"Good Shoeing" Police Sergeant Wins Assault Appeal

A decorated police sergeant - convicted of assaulting a violent gang-member prisoner who spat in his face - later boasting in the pub of giving him: "a good shoeing," has been cleared on appeal.

Sergeant Adam Leak, 31, of Wood House, Gatliffe Road, Chelsea was originally convicted of assaulting Adam Summers, 27, at Fulham Police Station around midnight on January 31, last year and was reported by two fellow officers.

They claimed Leak, (pictured) the on-duty custody Sergeant, flew into a rage and swung the prisoner into the cell wall and repeatedly forced his head into the floor.

The officers, PC Charles Hayzeldon and WPC Angela Duffy, repeated their accounts during a two-day appeal at Southwark Crown Court, but a Judge ruled on Friday the force used was not unlawful.

Sergeant Leak, who received a commendation for successfully tackling a dangerous knifeman while unarmed, was described in court as 'first rate' and a 'leader' by senior officers.

He served nearly three years with the Territorial Support Group and suggested a rivalry between Shepherd's Bush and Fulham police officers in the borough contributed to the complaint.

Summers - who repeatedly chanted: "MDP (Murder Dem Pussies) all the way" - used the toilet to flood the cell, urinated on bedding and spat in Sergeant Leak's face.

"Those two officer will say Sergeant Leak over-reacted and acted out of anger, without regard for the detainee or officer safety," prosecutor Mr. Gavin Ludlow-Thompson told the court.

"Others heard Sergeant Leak at a social event in 'The Cock' public house say he gave the detainee a: 'Good shoeing.'

"We say that amounts to an admission that Sergeant Leak went into the cell with the intention to deliver some retribution."

Summers had been arrested for disorderly conduct and later pleaded guilty to assault and criminal damage at the police station and refused to give evidence at the appeal.

"When Sergeant Leak went to the cell door wicket and told him he would be questioned in the morning Summers spat through the gate, hitting the officer in the face and some got in his eyes," explained Mr. Ludlow-Thompson.

The court was told Leak demanded the cell door keys while shouting: "He just fucking spat in my eyes."

Mr. Ludlow-Thompson added: "He is plainly acting out of anger at this stage.

"He grabs Summers, pulls him to his feet, and swings him into the wall. When the prisoner is on the floor Sergeant Leak pushes his head into the ground forcibly."

The other two officers report Leak for assault and a doctor finds Summers has reddening and scratching to his face.

The officer was placed on restrictive duties while the Independent Police Complaints Commission carried out an investigation and was suspended following his conviction.

City of Westminster Magistrates Court sentenced Leak to a community order, which included an electronically tagged night time two-month curfew and ordered him to pay £500 costs.

He told the court the force used on the violent and aggressive criminal - captured by the cell's CCTV and watched in court - was reasonable.

Sergeant Leak's account was backed by senior officers who insisted he acted correctly in taking the prisoner to the wall to restrict movement and then to the floor to secure leg restraints.

Booze Experiment Fails For Wannabe Scientist

A struggling medical graduate – caught by police “eratically” riding his scooter while nearly double the drinks limit and with a girl passenger on the back – has been fined and banned from the roads.

Edward James Marshall, 22, of Newbald Lodge Cottages, North Newbald, York pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates’ Court (pictured) to riding his Vespa with excess alcohol in his breath in Newgate Street on April 10.

The court heard police officers spotted first-time offender Marshall travelling along London Wall at 11pm and were concerned about the nature of his riding.

He was stopped and admitted he had consumed a few pints and officers noticed a smell of intoxicating liquor on his breath.

Marshall failed a roadside breath-test and was later found to have 67 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35.

The defendant told the court: “I did not intend getting on my motorcycle that evening, but I was asked to give a friend a lift home.”

Marshall revealed his only income was gained from volunteering for drug trials approximately every six months.

“That is the way I support myself while looking for research posts in medical roles,” he told the court.

Marshall was disqualified from driving for seventeen months, fined £65, with £85 costs and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge.

Who's Laughing Now? Rapist Caught 22 Years On

A rapist who dodged justice for over twenty-two years – telling police who finally caught him: “You’re having a laugh” – has been caged after a DNA match.

Andrew Steven Riley, 39, of Drew Road, Stratford, East London was only 16 years-old when he and another unknown male attacked the French girl, aged 19, at knifepoint.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and one of sexual assault committed on September 19, 1988 in Stockwell, South London.

He was arrested by police from the Sapphire Cold Case Investigation Team after a review of the unsolved case identified a partial DNA profile that matched him.

The victim was persuaded to take a late-night lift with Riley and a second man, but they ignored her directions and took it in turns to rape her on the back seat, threatening her with a knife.

The attackers drove the stolen red Vauxhall out to Banstead, Surrey, where the victim persuaded them to let her out of the car and she raised the alarm at a nearby house.

When Riley was arrested on June 3, last year he told police: “What! In 1988? You’re having a laugh.”

The victim, now aged 41 and living in her native France, has been informed and provided further evidence.

Detective Constable Claire Watts said: “As a result advances in DNA technology, it has been possible to secure a conviction despite the passage of more than 20 years, enabling justice for the victim who has had to re-live the ordeal she was made to suffer at the hands of these two men.

“Our inquiries continue to trace the outstanding suspect and I would ask anyone who believes they may have any information which could assist our investigation to contact the Sapphire Cold Case Investigation Team on 020 7161 1036 or to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”