Bogus Vet Up To His Old Tricks

A notorious fake vet has admitted continuing to trade in illegal animal medicines after he was released from prison for a similar scam.

Leonard 'Ginger' French, 73, of Tall Trees, Station Road, Langworth, Lincolnshire - who has changed his name by deed poll to Lee Wilson - was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment in August 2007.

He pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to six charges of unlawfully importing unauthorised veterinary medicines; six counts of supplying them and four counts of possessing them on various dates between July 16 2008 and February 22 this year.

He was bailed until September 9 for sentencing.

French (pictured) was prosecuted by the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) after he was linked to a French-based £6m veterinary medicine scam - Europe's biggest-ever.

Four years ago he was jailed after a BBC undercover reporter proved he was illegally treating pets and administering illegal drugs - pocketing £170,000 from dog owners, companies and hunts.

Plastic Surgeon Cleared Of Double Sex Attack At Clinic

A top plastic surgeon, whose clinic specialises in breast enlargements and liposuction, has been cleared by a jury of fondling a female job applicant and a patient during one-on-one meetings at his private surgery.

Jahangir Taghipour, 61, who founded Doctors Makeover in 2000 and is a member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England had been accused of repeatedly stroking the women and talking about his sex life.

Taghipour, of Uxbridge Road, Pinner, North-West London had pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault on March 22 and September 21, last year at the clinic in Marsh Road, Pinner.

Prosecutor Mr. Daniel Fugallo told Harrow Crown Court the first victim was a job applicant interviewed by married Dr. Taghipour (pictured).

"He stroked her arm, stroked her face, told her he was still sexually active and rubbed his crotch," said the prosecutor.

He also kissed the woman on the cheek leaving her "feeling shaken and very confused."

The victim drove home and called the police, but officers took no further action.

The second victim, a regular patient, was receiving a chemical facial peel from the doctor.

"In the course of administering that treatment the defendant's behaviour was inappropriate," Mr. Fugallo told the jury.

"He stroked her arm and held her hand, rubbed her neck and told her she was beautiful and asked if she had a boyfriend."

The doctor then ordered the woman to remove her jumper.

"He moved his hand under the T-shirt to touch the area of her chest under her right arm.

"When the defendant started to stroke her inner thigh she protested and he claimed she misunderstood him and he was married."

She returned the following day because her face was discoloured. "The defendant gave her little reassurance.

"It culminated in the defendant losing his temper and telling her to get out."

The victim later received a threatening letter from Dr. Taghipour.

"He was critical of her conduct in the surgery and threatened to call the police if she returned."

But defence barrister Isabella Forghall suggested the patient, who cannot be named for legal reasons, may have been unhappy with the procedure and “so furious about her treatment that she embroidered what happened into an allegation of sexual assault”.

The defendant told jurors the woman came back the following day and confronted him angrily, saying: “Just touch me, see what I can do. Just touch me. I have sent my husband to prison, I'll send you to prison.”

The woman is pursuing separate action in relationship to the treatment and Miss Forghall claimed the sexual assault allegation was made up to supplement it.

Miss Forghall claimed the jobseeker’s evidence was unreliable but did not accuse her of malice and said it was not unexpected that Mr Taghipour would face two separate false allegations.

The lawyer told jurors: “Mr Taghipour is a doctor, 85 per cent of his patients are women.

“He's dealing with his clients in relation to intimate, personal concerns in which their self esteem is deeply involved, you may think.

“Probably some of these clients are normal members of the public with a lump that they may want sorted out. Many of his clients have issues with confidence.

“You may think that at least some of the women who come back and back for surgical operations to their appearances are bound to be people who with the greatest respect to them are a bit unhappy with life, neurotic maybe.”

Dr. Taghipour is a former employee of North West London Hospitals NHS Trust and is also a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh and a member of the Panel of Intercollegiate Examiners at the Royal College of Surgeons.

Solicitor Admits £1M Olympic Property Fraud

A disgraced criminal defence solicitor pleaded guilty yesterday to a £1 million-plus mortgage scam involving six East London properties located near the Olympic Stadium.

Solicitor Elena Quinlivan, 34,(pictured) who does not currently hold an official practicing certificate worked for Ilford-based St. Law after qualifying on May 15 2008.

She pleaded guilty to seven counts of conspiring with others to obtain money transfers in sums of £166,000; £198,249; £171,000; £142,000; £228,000; £204,000 and £223,250 on various dates between January 1 2003 and March 27 2005.

The charges relate to 47 Louise Road; 54 Glenavon Road; 26 Simmons Walk and 108 Geere Road, Stratford; 180 Sherrard Road, Forest Gate and an address in Plaistow.

She was represented at Southwark Crown Court by leading human rights solicitor Imran Khan who successfully argued she should remain on unconditional bail despite now residing with her husband and one year-old child in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

"The defendant came back voluntarily to face these charges and she has been back to America since," the lawyer told the court.

Bailing Quinlivan until a sentencing date to be fixed Judge Stephen Robbins said: "If she was unwise enough not to return there is an extradition treaty between this country and America and she would find herself languishing in prison in America.

"She would be deported here and languish in a prison here."

Mini-Cab Murder: Police Offer £20K Reward And Release CCTV

Police have offered a £20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the killer of a South-East London mini-cab driver - found dying next to his car with serious head injuries a year ago.

Plumstead father-of-two Michael Okonko-Nwoso, 49, was attacked in Cookhill Road, Abbey Wood just before 5:00am on June 19, last year.

The doors of his silver Ford Galaxy mini-cab were open, but valuable items such as the Sat-Nav were still in the car.



Michael was rushed to hospital suffering from head injuries, but died later that day.



Detective Chief Inspector Dave Manning who is leading the investigation for the Homicide and Serious Crime Command (HSCC), said: “Almost a year on from Michael’s death we are no closer to establishing a motive for his murder.



“However, what we do know is that Michael was a law-abiding hardworking family man who died whilst going about his every day business.

“He has left behind his wife Catherine and two young daughters who are devastated without him.



“We know that he was in the Sewell Road area shortly after 04:30hrs on the day he died.



“We are still very keen to speak to anybody who was in Sewell Road or Cookhill Road anytime between 04:00hrs and 05:00hrs.



“I am now particularly keen to speak to a man captured on CCTV (pic.bottom) running along the parade of shops between 4:42hrs and 4:44hrs in Eynsham Drive, Abbey Wood, around the time Michael was injured as they may have vital information.

“I would urge anyone who recognizes the man to contact the police.”



The suspect is light-skinned and wore a red t-shirt, blue jeans and white trainers.

Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact the incident room on 020 8721 4054 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.



On June 19, 2010 a 27-year-old man and a 28-year-old man were arrested in connection with the investigation, and subsequently bailed to return pending further investigation.

They were later eliminated from the murder inquiry.



On August 18 2010 a 34-year-old man was arrested in connection with the investigation, and subsequently bailed to return pending further investigation.

He was later released with no further action at this time. 



On January 19 a 19-year old man who was arrested on suspicion of the murder was re-bailed to a later date pending further enquiries.

Ripped-Off Drug Dealers Jailed For Deadly Late-Night Revenge Attack

Two men defending a cannabis-growing operation have been jailed for attacking a popular local club promoter – killed by a frenzied gang described as “like a pack of wolves.”

Daniel Herbert, 27,(pic.top) was beaten and shot in the head execution-style while screaming: “Help me, help me,” in Clements Road, Bermondsey, South-East London on August 17, 2009.

Bobby Winser, 22,(pic.middle) of Eldridge Court, Rouel Road, Rotherhithe and Michael Campbell, 25,(pic.bottom) of Jago Walk, Camberwell, were both sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for grievous bodily harm.

They were both cleared of murdering Daniel by an Old Bailey jury.

The pair’s cannabis factory based in a room at Winser’s flat had been burgled on several occasions by Daniel’s associates with plants, money and electrical equipment stolen.

Just before 2am Daniel walked past Winser's home unaware his ‘friends’ had broken in again earlier that evening.

The defendants and two other men chased Daniel through the back streets of Bermondsey, eventually catching up with him in a quiet residential road.

The chasing pack repeatedly and ferociously punched, kicked and stamped on his head as he lay on the ground defenceless and overwhelmed by his attackers; described by an eye witness as “like a pack of wolves.”

Daniel’s semi conscious body was pulled up from the ground by the scruff of his neck, a gun placed at the side of his head and he was shot at close range.

A passer-by in a car witnessed the beating Daniel suffered and tried to intervene, but fled in fear for her life after being threatened with a gun.

Daniel was rushed to the Royal London Hospital, where he died on August 18.

A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the head.

It was recorded that Daniel’s head and brain injuries sustained in the attack could equally have resulted in his death.

The weapon was not found, but detectives believe it was originally a non-lethal weapon that had been converted to fire live ammunition.

Winser and Campbell were captured on CCTV leaving the scene of the crime and driving down the A21 via Hastings to Eastbourne to hide-out with relatives who gave police a bogus alibi.

Daniel's mother Androula Herbert, 48, said: “The death of my son has left me and my family devastated. I have lost a wonderful son and I will miss having him around everyday for the rest of my life.

“I miss our chats and our laughter. I miss our hugs. I miss him saying I love you mum. I miss the sound of his voice, which I worry that I am going to forget in time.

“My family and I will never get over this, but we will try to move on and cherish the time Daniel spent with us.

“The Herbert family cannot express enough our gratitude towards the police investigation team for all the hours of relentless work and dedication they have put in over the last twenty-one months. We are truly grateful.”

Legal Aid Fund Raided By Lawyer And Associates' Bogus Claims

A criminal defence solicitor and two legal associates plotted together to cheat the Legal Aid fund out of over £300,000 by ruthlessly inflating and forging every possible expense, a jury were told.

"These three defendants all had a financial incentive to maximise the claims and in a clearly fraudulent scheme they massaged and amended every category of expense claimable in their financial favour," prosecutor Mrs Janet Weeks told Croydon Crown Court.

Solicitor Reuben Ewujowoh, 44, of Blythe Vale, Catford,South-East London, boss of Rae and Co.(pictured) of Trinity Street, Southwark even claimed for 26 hours work in a single day and also forged travel expenses and other costs.

His two co-defendants are: legal executive Lloyd McDonald, 68, of Collins Avenue, Sutton In Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, and costs draughtsman Robert Odong, 33, of Bevin Court, Cruickshank Street, Gray's Inn, Islington, North London.

All three have pleaded not guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation in relation to two criminal trials and Ewujowoh alone denies one alternative count of fraud in relation to the second trial.

It is alleged the three defendants plotted together between August 2 2007 and August 26 2008 to defraud Legal Aid in the case of Tsafack, which was heard at Leicester Crown Court and between July 30 2007 and August 26 2008 in the case of Rutayisere at Luton Crown Court.

The plot was exposed, the jury were told, by chance when the same Legal Aid determining officer happened to be working on claims for both trials.

"She immediately noticed in the case of Tsafack it was far in excess of claims by others solicitors who represented other defendants in the same case," said Mrs Weeks.

In fact, Ewujowoh claimed 111 hours more preparation time than any other solicitor instructed.

"There was, in her opinion, clear evidence of fraudulent claims. Much of which were false and forged."

McDonald brought the two cases with him when joining Rae and Co. and stood to receive 40%-50% of all fees paid by Legal Aid.

"He attended Leicester Crown court from his home in the Midlands, but they claimed as if he had commuted each day from London and submitted forged taxi receipts," explained Mrs Weeks.

Odong is a freelance costs draughtsman who stood to receive 5% of the Legal Aid payment, the court was told.

"He appears to be responsible for hand-written alterations to attendance notes and taxi receipts."

A total of £163,769 was claimed for the Tsafack case - more than double any other solicitor - even though Ewujowoh had been instructed for up to nine months less than the other lawyers.

All preparation work was charged at the Category A rate of £167.25 per hour and a 200% uplift was successfully claimed on further expenses due to the complexity of the work.

"Mr. Ewujowoh is claiming to work more than twenty-four hours in a twenty-four hour period, claiming twenty-six hours day after day after day," said Mrs Weeks.

"The Crown say they sought to get as much as they could, the maximum out of these cases, but what caught them out is that they have done it for two cases side by side and there are not enough hours in the day.

"This was systematic fraudulent claiming."

The trial continues.............

Plastic Surgeon Groped Jobseeker and Patient

A top plastic surgeon, whose clinic specialises in breast enlargements and liposuction, fondled a female job applicant and a patient during one-on-one meetings at his private surgery, a jury were told today.

Jahangir Taghipour, 61,(pictured) who founded Doctors Makeover in 2000 and is a member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England repeatedly stroked the women and talked about his sex life.

Taghipour, of Uxbridge Road, Pinner, North-West London has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault on March 22 and September 21, last year at the clinic (pictured) in Marsh Road, Pinner.

Prosecutor Mr. Daniel Fugallo told Harrow Crown Court the first victim was a job applicant interviewed by married Dr. Taghipour.

"He stroked her arm, stroked her face, told her he was still sexually active and rubbed his crotch," said the prosecutor.

He also kissed the woman on the cheek leaving her "feeling shaken and very confused."

The victim drove home and called the police, but no further action was taken by officers.

The second victim, a regular patient, was receiving a chemical facial peel from the doctor.

"In the course of administering that treatment the defendant's behaviour was inappropriate," Mr. Fugallo told the jury.

"He stroked her arm and held her hand, rubbed her neck and told her she was beautiful and asked if she had a boyfriend."

The doctor then ordered the woman to remove her jumper.

"He moved his hand under the T-shirt to touch the area of her chest under her right arm.

"When the defendant started to stroke her inner thigh she protested and he claimed she misunderstood him and he was married."

She returned the following day because her face was discoloured. "The defendant gave her little reassurance.

"It culminated in the defendant losing his temper and telling her to get out."

The victim later received a threatening letter from Dr. Taghipour.

"He was critical of her conduct in the surgery and threatened to call the police if she returned."

Dr. Taghipour is a former employee of North West London Hospitals NHS Trust and is also a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh and a member of the Panel of Intercollegiate Examiners at the Royal College of Surgeons.

Trial continues.......

Young Mum's Doorstep Killers Caged

A teenage hitman and his accomplice are starting life sentences for the shotgun killing a young mum on an East London doorstep – while the victim’s ex, who allegedly paid for the murder, walked free.

Gulistan Subasi, 26,(pic.top) was visiting her mother’s flat in Kingsmead Way, Hackney on March 22 last year when she innocently answered the door and was blasted by the schoolboy killer.

Gunman Santre Sanchez Gayle, 16,(pic.middle) of Crompton Road, Willesden, North-West London was convicted by an Old Bailey jury of murder and ordered to serve a minimum of twenty years.

Accomplice Isaak Billy, 25,(pic.bottom) of Oxford Gardens, North Kensington, West London was also convicted of murder and ordered to serve a twenty-two year minimum.

The prosecution claimed Gulistan’s ex – Serdar Ozbek, 28, of Westbeech Road, Wood Green, North London – paid Billy to kill her, but he and four other men were cleared of murder.

A CCTV camera captured the moment Gayle shot Gulistan just before 8:30pm, killing her instantly. The cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the chest.

The Homicide and Serious Crime Command’s
Detective Chief Inspector Jackie Sebire, said: “This has been a particularly harrowing and difficult investigation.

“Firstly in terms of the way that Gulistan Subasi was so callously killed as she simply answered the front door.

“She had only been in the country for two days, visiting her family prior to her wedding. 



“The CCTV footage is truly frightening and shows the youth exhibiting no doubt or hesitation as he approached the flat, rang the bell and then shot Gulistan as she opened the door.

“Since his arrest he has shown no sign of remorse or comprehension for the devastation he has brought to the Subasi family.



“I would like to thank Gulistan's family for their support of the investigation and the dignity they have exhibited throughout the trial.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the witnesses from the community who bravely gave evidence.

“This has been a year of painstaking and complex enquiries, leading to today's convictions.”



Gulistan, who had a nine-year old son with Ozbek, lived in Turkey and was staying at her mother’s address and planned to visit her son for his birthday.

The prosecution claimed Ozbek ordered the hit because he feared eventually losing contact with his son.

The victim was enjoying a meal with her mother and a family friend when she answered a knock at the door.

There was a loud bang and she cried out “Mama”.



Her mother went to the head of the stairs where she saw her daughter lying inside the doorway bleeding from a fatal chest wound.



Gayle escaped in a taxi and was so calm the driver suspected nothing.

Billy is believed to have been paid "thousands" for his role and Gayle just £200.

Also cleared of murder were
Zeon Jackman, 22 of Craven Park Road, South Tottenham and a 16-year old boy from the same area; Paul Nicoloau, 29, of Weir Hall Road, Edmonton and homeless Leigh Bryan, 26. 


The victim’s mother Dondu Subasi, 44, said: “I was asked by the police what impact this incident has caused to my life. 



“Firstly I was heartbroken. Anyone who has not lost a child would not try to understand my feelings.

“I lost my child when she was very young. If you compare life with seasons then I lost her at the beginning of spring. 



“I was devastated when my daughter was killed in front my eyes and this took its toll on my life and health. I do not remember much regarding who came, who was there, who I spoke to one week to 10 days after the incident at all.



“After I lost my daughter I could not stay in the house where the incident took place. I was frightened to stay on my own, day or night-time, and I would panic.



“I do not feel that life is worth living anymore. Sometimes I do not know where I am going or what I am doing. I get lost then knock on the door and ask help from people not known to me or ring my husband or son.

“Sometimes at night I wake up and go and ring the door of a neighbour not known to me. I do not know where I am and then ring my son who comes and takes me back home.



“If I do not take a sleeping pill I have nightmares. The day of the incident especially never leaves me alone and is always before my eyes.



“The incident did not only cause me to lose my unique daughter but I also lost my grandson.

“My grandson's face is the same as Gulistan's. Unfortunately I cannot see my grandson at the moment, I can only look at my grandson's photos. This is a terrible pain for me.”

Super-Scalper Cut Down By Champions League Final Ticket Team

An International ticket tout – arrested at Heathrow Airport with 60 Champions League final tickets he illegally sold – has been fined £1,000.

Police from the Met’s Operation Podium team were waiting for Sanjas Malhorta, 44, when he stepped off a plane from Oslo, Norway on May 23 and he was immediately held in custody.

He was delivering pre-sold UEFA tickets to his customers who then missed the game because they bought via an unauthorised source.

At Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court the next day Malhorta pleaded guilty to selling tickets to a designated football match without authority and was fined and the tickets confiscated.

The Operation Podium Team is the dedicated unit set up to tackle serious and organised crime affecting the Olympic economy.

The investigation is part of activity to target and disrupt ticketing crime ahead of the Games.



Detective Chief Inspector Nick Downing, leading Operation Podium said: “Malhortra has taken large sums of money for tickets that he was not entitled to sell, resulting in fans who will now be denied the opportunity to see the game on Saturday. 



“Ticket touting is an illegal business run by people to gain financially through the exploitation of clubs and genuine fans.

“As soon as people buy from an unofficial source - whether a tout or an unofficial website - they run the risk of paying over the odds for a ticket that they may not receive, not get to see the event that they had paid for, or even risk having their personal details stolen for use in other crimes.

“Don't let this happen to you. Only visit official sites for a list of genuine sellers who are authorised to sell legitimate tickets.”

Bus Passenger Headbutted: Suspect Wanted

Police are hunting this violent suspect who headbutted a 65 year-old bus passenger in South London after trying to blag a free ride with an invalid pass.

The young black male (pictured) boarded a southbound 249 double-decker in Tooting Bec (pictured) just before midnight on Friday April 8, but was challenged by the driver.

The suspect threatened the driver and two other passengers before headbutting and punching the elderly victim, who was rushed by ambulance to nearby St. George’s Hospital.

This CCTV image has been released by the Metropolitan Police and the Transport for London Safer Transport Command Workplace Violence Unit.

Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspect is asked to contact Detective Constable Tony Barun on 020 3054 5478 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Theatreland Armed Robber Wanted

Police are hunting this violent armed robber who donned a latex ‘old man’ mask and threatened staff at a Theatreland dance clothing shop with a gun.

The suspect burst into Dancia International, Drury Lane, Covent Garden shortly before 5:00pm on April 30 demanding the till be opened while shouting: “I’ll cut you if you don’t.”

He also punched one of the all-female staff members in the head, causing minor injuries.

Officers from Finchley’s Flying Squad – which specialises in investigating commercial robberies – have released this CCTV image captured outside the shop.

The robber was also wearing a white builder’s helmet, reflective jacket and see-through plastic gloves.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Sergeant O’Shaughnessy on 020 8358 1751 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.