Big-Mouth Speaker's Wife Rubbishes Nation's Greats.

Speaker's wife Sally Bercow has insulted the memory of this country's greatest historical figures by branding English Heritage's blue plaque scheme as including: "Obscure bit-part players who lived hundreds of years ago."

Speaking on ITV about her wish to see a Parliament Square memorial to late anti-war protestor Brian Haw, 62, she said: "I think it is important there is a tribute to Brian.

"He was there for ten years despite the best efforts of the stuffy establishment to boot him out. I think there should be a memorial or a stone or something.

"You have blue plaques all over London for all sorts of bit-part players who lived hundreds of years ago," added Sally, wife of the House of Commons Speaker John Bercow.

A spokesperson for English heritage, which manages the scheme founded in 1866 and the oldest of its kind in the world said: "We don't want to get into a slanging match with Sally Bercow, she is entitled to her opinion, but obviously we do not agree with it."

The first blue plaque was unveiled in 1867 by the Royal Society of Arts, who launched the scheme, to mark the birthplace of Lord Byron in Holles Street, near Cavendish Square.

There are now 850 blue plaques marking notable buildings connected to inventors, composers, industrialists, politicians, war heroes, artists, writers, scientists, architects, explorers and other significant individuals.

Included are Sir Winston Churchill, two-time PM between 1940-45 and 1951-55, the only Prime Minister to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature and the first person to be made an honorary citizen of the USA.

His plaque is sited at 28 Hyde Park Gate, Kensington Gore.

Naturalist Charles Darwin, author of On The Origin of Species, has a blue plaque at the Biological Sciences Building, University College, Gower Street.

Author Charles Dickens is celebrated at a former home in Tavistock Square and physicist and mathematician Isaac Newton who developed the theory of gravity and the three laws of motion is commemorated at 87 Jermyn Street.

The English Heritage spokesperson explained: "The intrinsic aim of the English Heritage Blue Plaque scheme is to mark and celebrate the link between people and the buildings in which they lived and worked.

"The scheme also requires individuals to have been dead for 20 years (or passed the centenary of their birth, whichever is the earlier).

"There also needs to be a surviving residence.

"This is not to say that Brian Haw should not be commemorated in some way, and we understand why there would be enthusiasm to do so."

Where's The Bulgar?

Police are hunting this Bulgarian thief who has snubbed her compulsory probation appointments following her release from prison.

Waltham Forest officers in East London have released this mugshot of 32 year-old Elena Ilieva in the hope of a tip-off.

Her last known address was in Waltham Forest, but she is known to have connections in Westminster, Enfield, Hornsey, Kingston and Chelsea.

If anyone knows of her current whereabouts, contact Police Constable Gary Powell of the Wanted Offenders Unit at Waltham Forest Police on 020 8345 2334.

If you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Bogus Buyer Mows Down Two Women With Audi

Police are hunting a bogus car-buyer who ran one woman over and dragged another under the vehicle they were selling from outside a suburban house – hospitalizing both.

The first victim – a 33 year-old pregnant woman – had advertised her Audi A3 for sale and met the potential buyer in Dorset Road, Mitcham, South-West London(pictured)at 7:30pm on May 24.

The black male suspect locked himself inside the vehicle and sped away – deliberately driving at the seller – and dragging the second victim, a 54 year-old woman, four metres along the road.

Detective Chief Inspector Adnan Qureshi of Merton CID, said: “This suspect was intent on stealing this vehicle and thought nothing of mowing down two women, one of whom was pregnant. 



“A team of detectives is working around the clock to trace this suspect but I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the actual incident, anyone who has any knowledge of the location of the person responsible, or the silver Audi that was stolen to contact the police.”

The suspect is described as a black man who was approximately 35 years old of stocky build and has a distinctive scar, which runs from the right-hand side of his forehead across and down his nose. 



The 33 year-old woman has been discharged from hospital, but the 54-year-old remains in a stable but critical condition.

Can You ID River Death Victim?

Police have released this E-Fit in a bid to identify the body of a man found on the south side of the river Thames a year ago.

On May 25 last year the deceased was found near Nine Elms Pier, Nine Elms, Wandsworth and police are continuing to try and put a name to him.

Wandsworth’s Missing Persons Unit are appealing for any family or friends to come forward.

The man is described as white, of medium build and approx 5' 10" tall.

He has close cropped receding brown hair and blue eyes and at the time of his death was wearing a grey nylon zip up hooded jacket with the motif 'CAT' on the left breast.

He was wearing black combat style trousers with a yellow caterpillar logo on the left middle leg pocket and was wearing a black leather belt with a silver coloured Levi buckle, green Entrek walking boots and black socks.

Under his hooded top he wore a black collared T-shirt with a small white Adidas emblem on the breast.



Police found on his body a small matchbox sized Sony radio and a pair of black and silver Panasonic earphones, two cigarette lighters and a black sharpie marker pen.



Police Constable Laurie Waye of Wandsworth's Missing Persons Unit, said: “We are hoping to hear from anyone who thinks they might have known this man.

“You may know someone who carried these items or who wore these clothes who is no longer around anymore.

“Someone, somewhere, must be suffering not knowing what happened to their loved one.

“If you think that you know who this man is, no matter how much information you have, you may help us piece together his story and finally let his next of kin know what happened to him.”



Anyone with information is asked to call the Wandsworth Missing Persons Unit on 020 8247 8174 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

B-O-B Squad Still Trying To Solve Year-Old Shooting

Police are appealing one year on for witnesses in a bid to solve the brutal execution-style murder of a 23 year-old man outside his South London home in the early hours.

Operation Trident detectives – who investigate violent black-on-black crime – are hoping the anniversary reminder – plus a £20,000 reward - will prompt new leads in the case.

Matthew Clement (pictured) was shot in the chest and back in Howson Road, Brockley at 2:00am on May 30, last year and pronounced dead at the scene.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Hutchison of Trident said: “A year ago, this young man was shot outside his home in what appears to be a planned attack.

“We believe that there are people out there who saw what happened or who know who did this. We are still appealing to these people to come forward, speak to police and give Matthew’s family a chance at getting some justice for losing their loved one.”



Sullivan Clement, Matthew’s Father said: “I want to plea to the public to please help the police. The person who killed Matthew needs to be caught.

“If you have any information, even if it is a little, it will help to lead the police to the person that killed Matthew. That person killed once and they could do it again.

“I am not speaking for myself alone. I am talking for the public - we all have sons and daughters in the community. 



“Please try to help the police to find the person who committed this crime. The police are there to try to protect us all. Please come forward and help them.”



Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8247 4553. If you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Businessman Jailed For Slashing Barman's Throat

A drunken and rowdy 63 year-old businessman, who slashed a young barman’s throat after he and a pal were ejected from a North London pub, has been jailed for eight years.

Electrical contractor John Anthony Tunbridge (pictured) of Amwell Street, Clerkenwell attacked the 22 year-old inside the Junction pub, Corsica Street, Highbury on April 1, last year.

He pleaded guilty at Blackfriars Crown Court to wounding the victim, with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and was also ordered to pay £3,000 compensation.

Tunbridge and a friend had been drinking at the pub, but staff refused to continue serving the pair due to their drunken behaviour.

They became abusive and were asked to leave but refused.

The victim helped to eject them, but moments later Tunbridge re-entered the pub and lashed out at him with an unknown weapon.

The victim later told police he thought he had been punched, but had actually been slashed with a knife across the throat.

Officers who arrived at the scene gave him first aid until an ambulance arrived and he was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

After an extensive police hunt, detectives identified and arrested Tunbridge on June 3.

He initially denied the allegation, but pleaded guilty just before the trial was due to begin.

Detective Constable Jolene Strangwood said: “This was an appalling crime carried out by an established and well known local businessman.

“The vicious and unprovoked assault has had a devastating effect on a young man who was just doing his job.

“Doctors said the victim was lucky to be alive as the injury caused was only millimetres away from having a dramatically different outcome.

“Tunbridge's sentence should serve as a stark warning to the devastating consequences of alcohol abuse and will impact greatly on both his family and businesses.

“I sincerely hope that this sentencing will give the victim some form of closure and allow him to move on with his life.”

Flying Squad Foil Hammer-Gang's Raid

Flying Squad officers foiled four hammer-wielding robbers as they smashed their way into a stockbroker belt bank last night.

The gang were under surveillance as they made an audacious bid to successfully snatch cash from Santander, Station Road East, Oxted, Surrey (pictured).

They attacked two security guards after smashing the bank’s windows and were caught as they tried to flee with an unspecified quantity of cash at 8:30pm.

The Met’s specialist firearms unit - CO19 - assisted in capturing the gang, whose getaway car, a VW Polo had its tyres shot out and two of the robbers were tasered.

The men, all from Croydon and in their early twenties, are currently in custody.

They are: Mamsaihou Sowe, 22, of Fir Tree Gardens; Carl Mensah, 21, of Thornton Road; Donald Amartey, 21, of Hewitt Close and Saleen Mirza, 22, of Selkirk Road.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Johnson of Tower Bridge Flying Squad, said: “This is an excellent result for the flying squad and is testament to the skill and commitment of our officers in dealing with violent crime.

“I would like to thank colleagues from CO19 and Surrey police for their support during and after this operation.”

Businessman Washed Illegal Vet Med Profits

A respected transport boss who helped launder some of the profits of a £6 million illicit veterinary medicine scam - Europe's largest ever - "was in it up to his neck" a Judge has ruled.

Mark Harvey, 52,(pictured) of Hollyhurst, Wilsley Pound, Sissinghurst, Kent - boss of Paddock Wood-based Trans-Vitesse Ltd. - was bailed to be sentenced on July 6.

He pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to money laundering between September 1 2006 and January 12 2008 in relation to 'Eurovet' profits - a French-based company that illegally sold animal medicines in the UK.

"He must have known it was an underhand business that was best kept as far away from the authorities as possible," announced Judge Nicholas Ainley. "He knew he was dealing with an illegitimate business enterprise and the illegitimate sale of veterinary products in the UK."

Harvey, whose freight company had a lucrative Formula One contract, ran into tax problems in 2006 and owed £41,000 VAT.

He was then introduced to 'Eurovet' boss Ronald Meddes, 73, who was a well-known local personality involved in local hunts and the horse community and agreed to get involved in the business.

Harvey became the company director of BEDRA and his wife Debbie the company secretary, but it was simply a front to funnel illegal UK profits to Meddes.

"We are talking here about millions of pounds," said Judge Ainley. "This business was turning over very substantial amounts of money indeed."

Illegal medicines were seized at Dover and Harvey's forged signature was discovered on paperwork, resulting in him being quizzed on April 3 2007 by the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) at a motorway service station.

Despite this scare Harvey continued laundering criminal cash for Meddes who told him BEDRA would never file accounts and be struck-off the company register.

"There is no evidence Mr. Harvey had ever been involved in sharp practise before, but he was invited to enter in an underhand business and he knew it," ruled the Judge.

"He knew he was dealing with a crook prepared to forge his signature and use his company to transfer illicit veterinary products.

"He is in it up to his neck and permitted BEDRA to trade and launder money to the Meddes accounts."

Student Tragically Killed By Hit-And-Run Driver

A 20 year-old student jogger was "catapulted into the air" and tragically killed by a speeding hit-and-run driver who tried to dodge justice by secretly repairing his damaged BMW, a jury were told today.

Bristol University history student Lizzie Beach-MacGeagh,(pic.top) originally from Marlborough, Wiltshire, had only arrived in London two days earlier for work experience with Italian fashion house Moschino.

She was struck crossing Netherlands Road, East Barnet, North London at 8.08pm on June 16, last year - leaving bloodstained debris - and despite an emergency operation that same day at the Royal Free Hospital, died of a brain haemorrhage.

Driver Aryeris Angelis, 26,(pic.bottom) of Tewkesbury Terrace, New Southgate, has pleaded not guilty to causing death by careless driving and also denies doing an act intending and with intent to pervert the course of justice between June 15 and 25, namely taking steps to have damage to his BMW repaired.

Prosecutor Mr. Timothy Devlin told Wood Green Crown Court an eye-witness estimated Angelis's speed at 45mph - the limit in the area was 30mph - and a woman described him as driving "too fast."

Lizzie had been jogging in a nearby park with university pal Joshua Alford, who she was staying with in The Hook, Oakleigh Park, when they split because he was going to a local gym.

"She crossed the road at the logical place to do so, having broke off from him," explained Mr. Devlin. "She was wearing headphones, but whether she was listening to music we do not know."

Motorists are warned by the words 'Slow' painted in the road the the prosecution say local man Angelis must have known there would be pedestrians around due to a parade of shops and a tube station.

"As she crossed the road she was struck on the right side by Mr. Angelis's blue BMW," explained Mr. Devlin. "She was thrown into the air and landed on the pavement, striking her head. Sadly she died.

"The car was seen to slow down further up the road and then drive off."

The witness who told police Angelis was driving at 45mph also told officers: "She seemed to freeze for a second and then there was a massive bang and bits of car in the air."

Despite witness appeals in the area local man Angelis did not come forward and drove his damaged BMW across London to a Auto Prestige, Brockley, who later tipped off police.

A pal of the defendant's also quizzed him about the damage. "He was told by Mr. Angelis that he had the sun in his eyes, he hit something, but did not know what happened."

When quizzed by police the defendant mostly answered "no comment", but offered a short explanation. "He said to police he did not realise he had hit anyone, he thought he clipped a wing mirror."

The trial is expected to last two weeks.

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.