Bermondsey Murder: Two Teens Charged

Two teenagers have appeared in court today charged with the murder of a waiter who was fatally stabbed through the heart near a bus stop in the early hours of the morning.

Vitalijs Janovics, 38, (pictured) of Long Lane, Borough, Southwark was killed close to Bermondsey Underground Station, Jamaica Road just after 1am on July 22.

They are: Kai Taliana, 18, of Vauban Estate, South Bermondsey and Khaled Ait-Said, 18, of Guinness Court, Mansell Street, Whitechapel.

Both appeared in custody at Croydon Magistrates' Court charged with murder and were remanded to appear at the Old Bailey on August 2.

The victim was rushed to a South London hospital, but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Next of kin have been informed.

An incident room was set up at Sutton under Detective Chief Inspector Amanda Hargreaves of the Homicide & Serious Crime Command.

She said: “Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Mr Janovics following this needless murder.

“We are appealing for witnesses and any information that could assist our investigation and find who murdered Mr Janovics.

“Our early investigations lead us to believe that he was killed in very small timeframe between approximately 1:05am and 1:10am on Friday morning.

“Therefore we would like to hear from anyone who was in and around the area of Bermondsey tube station around that time.

“Specifically, we would like to hear from two groups of potential witnesses.

“The first is three white men, who are believed to have been sitting on steps behind and near to the bus stop where Mr Janovics died.

“The second is a group of approximately eleven people who got off the last tube train at Bermondsey station at around 01:00hrs.

“Also we would like to hear from any of Mr Janovics friends and colleagues who could help us get a picture of what he may have been doing on Thursday night into Friday morning prior to his death.”

Anyone who can assist police should call the incident room on 020 8721 4155 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Do You Know Who Killed DJ Connoisseur?

Police are offering a £20,000 reward in a bid to solve the execution of a popular North London DJ – ambushed a year ago.

Father-of-six Wayne Powell, 38, (pictured) – aka DJ Connoisseur – was murdered by a mystery gunman in Higham Station Avenue, Chingford at 11:10pm on July 5, last year.

Detective Inspector Dave Rock said: “A year has passed and Wayne's family deserve to know who is responsible for his death.



“Wayne was a good man, he was not involved in criminality or gangs. He worked hard for a living and was universally popular. 



“If you have any information or suspicions about who killed him, please come forward.”



Wayne, who was also a keen bodybuilder and worked as a customer assistant for the London Underground at Seven Sisters, was in his car close to the gym he used when a lone gunman approached the vehicle.



Wayne, of Stonebridge Road, Tottenham got out of the black BMW to talk to him and the suspect fired four shots before calmly making off along a footpath in the direction of Coningsby Gardens.



He was taken by ambulance to the Royal London Hospital where he was pronounced dead.



Operation Trident – which investigates violent black-on-black crime in the capital – are leading the investigation.

Anne Boriel, Wayne’s partner and mother of their eight-month old son – also named Wayne - said: “My partner Wayne was a good hard-working man who loved his family.



“When he was killed I was pregnant with his child.
Baby Wayne will never get the chance to meet his daddy.

“Wayne's six children will never see him again. Neither will his parents or brothers and sisters who are equally affected by this senseless killing.



“In addition to his family, Wayne loved bodybuilding and DJing. As DJ Connoisseur, he was well-loved on the music scene but in particular on Energy FM.

“On the day after his murder we were touched by the sheer volume of listeners expressing their grief and sympathy. 



“The police have told us that during the course of their investigation they have not heard a single negative word said about Wayne. He was universally popular.

“We can think of no reason why anybody would want to kill him. He was a big strong guy but never used his physical presence to bully or gain advantage, he would shy away from confrontation and help anyone whenever he could do so.

“This was not a gangland murder. Wayne had no links to any gang, drugs, guns or crime. 



“Someone knew exactly where Wayne would be on the night of Monday July 5. That person had ready access to a gun and was prepared to use it - coolly and callously.



“We cannot believe that person has not bragged or expressed his guilt to another about what he did.



“It should not need money to encourage people to come forward but the police are offering a reward of up to £20,000.



“I am imploring anyone who can help identify the killer to contact the police so we can ensure no other family has to go through what we have experienced and that justice and closure can be achieved for Wayne.”



The Powell family said: “We, the family of Wayne Alexander Powell, are again appealing to the community for help in solving his murder and are asking that any information - no matter how small or trivial – be passed onto the officers dealing with this case. 



“The person or persons responsible for this crime, and those who have information, live in this community and we are asking you from our hearts to please help us find his murderer.



“We are appealing for your help in bringing to justice those responsible for this crime and his senseless death which has saddened his family, his friends and the community. 



“It has also robbed his children of having their father's guidance in their young lives. If there is anyone out there who knows something, anything, we are appealing to your conscience and hearts to please help us and the police to find his murderer.”



The gunman is described as possibly black, about 5ft 10ins and wearing a tracksuit. The weapon used is believed to be a handgun.



The motive for the murder remains unclear.



Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8733 4704. If you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 



On 12 July 2010, a man aged 29 was arrested in connection with the inquiry and was taken to a north London police station. He has since been released with no further action. 



On 1 November 2010, a man aged 37 was arrested on suspicion of murder. He has since been released with no further action.



On 17 November 2010, a man aged 34 was arrested on suspicion of murder. He has since been released with no further action.

Enfield Murder: International Manhunt Continues

The family of a young Enfield man shot dead at midnight four years ago have begged for help in tracking-down the number one suspect – believed to have fled abroad.

Duane Tomlin, 20, (pic.top) was gunned down as he got out of a mini-cab in Dendridge Close on July 5, 2007.

Police are still hunting chief suspect Robert Bernard, 28, (pic.bottom) who fled to Thailand hours after the shooting and who has family ties to Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and St. Lucia.

A white Vauxhall Combo van began following Tomlin’s mini-cab and shots were fired as he got out near his family home and he was fatally injured.

The minicab driver was uninjured but was later treated at hospital suffering shock.

The van was found abandoned and on fire a short time later in nearby Lackmore Road. 



Detective Chief Inspector John Crossley of Operation Trident – which investigates violent black-on-black crime - said: “Duane's family deserve some justice and to be able to move on with their lives and see someone convicted of his murder.



“We would urge anyone with information, especially about Robert Bernard’s current whereabouts, to contact us as soon as possible.”



Bernard is described as black, 6ft 4ins tall and of heavy build. 



Anyone who can assist should call the Trident incident room on 020 8733 4212 (44 20 8733 4212 from outside the UK).

If you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 (44 800 555 111).

Information can also be emailed to: chetopa.appeal@met.police.uk 



Duane’s sister Tiffaney Shaw, 35, said: “Duane was a young guy who enjoyed living life to the fullest. He was very strong-willed and always stood his ground in whatever he believed in.



“He would always encourage my three boys to stay in school and gain an education as he didn't want them to live the life he was living.



“I know that my brother's lifestyle is looked upon as being unacceptable to the outside world but when he was with his family he was a loving and caring young man with a heart of gold.



“Our lives have been torn apart since the day Duane was taken from us. Words cannot describe the emotions and hurt we feel as a family and have to live with each day.



“Every day we live in hope that we get justice for Duane. I believe that everybody in life has a purpose here so please, I ask anyone that has any information regarding Duane’s murder to come forward.

“Your courage to speak out will not only help us as a family but could prevent another family from having to go through what we are going through now.”



Duane’s mother Gwen Forde, 52, said: “I would like closure and the time to heal. I'm emotionally scarred for life.



“I have to live with what happened to my son day to day.



“How many more of our young men do we have to lose before we say that's enough? Next time it could be your son, your brother that they take from you.



“I would ask if anyone has any information that will lead to the capture of the persons responsible for my son's death please, I beg of you, come forward.”

Prolific Criminal Walks Free After Yet Another Offence

A drug-addict burglar who smashed his way into a suburban family home – snatching £3,500 worth of valuables, including a sentimental wedding ring – somehow dodged prison today.

Hakeem Ojo, 42, who has 97 previous offences to his name, searched every room in the house and was caught when police matched blood he left after smashing a window to the national DNA database.

He pleaded guilty at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to burgling the house (pictured) in Gosberton Road, Balham on March 26, stealing a mobile phone; two Mac laptops; a watch; wedding ring and £25 cash.

The occupier returned home from the dry cleaners at 6:30pm to discover broken glass from a smashed window on the living room floor and evidence of a search.

Items were missing and have never been recovered.

When police tracked Ojo down on April 11 he denied the break-in, insisting he shared a needle with a known burglar when injecting heroin, claiming this is how his blood was at the scene.

The father-of-two, who has spent most of his adult life in custody, eventually confessed, revealing he sold the items to a mini-cab driver to raise cash for drugs.

“Their sanctuary was violated,” Judge Judith Coello told Ojo, after hearing the couple who own the house were left “scared”.

“You have a long and depressing record fuelled by an addiction to class a drugs,” she added. “I have decided to give you one last chance.”

Ojo breach two similar drug rehabilitation orders last year.

He was sentenced to an eighteen-month community order with a drug rehabilitation requirement, plus 100 hours community service work.

New Year's Eve Rape: CCTV Released

Police hunting a bogus cabbie New Year’s Eve rapist who attacked a lone woman in his car have released this CCTV image of the suspect and his vehicle.

The car cruised the area of Fortis Green Road and Colney Hatch Lane before picking up the victim, aged in her forties, between 2am and 3am in Muswell Hill Broadway, North London.

She had been celebrating the New Year and believed her assailant was a genuine mini-cab driver.

He locked the doors and drove to nearby Sydney Road where he raped the woman and then forced her out of the car.

She made her way home and called police.

The Metropolitan Police’s Sapphire Unit are investigating and Detective Constable Alistair Woods said: “This was a frightening assault on a vulnerable victim and although the images are not clear, the two pictures together may enable someone to identify who the man is and give us a name.

“I would urge anyone with information to contact the police and can guarantee they will be spoken to in confidence.”



Anyone with any information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8733 5062 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Scout Leader Amassed Child Porn Collection

A scout leader caught by police with over 10,000 sickening child sex images on his computer – amassed during a thirteen-year porn addiction – was sentenced today.

Simon Tapsell, 29, (pictured) hoarded movies and images of boys and girls as young as six posing naked, masturbating and having sex with each other and adults.

He was trapped when police from the Met's paedophile unit raided the home he shares with his parents in Blackhorse Lane, Addiscombe, Croydon.

A total of 6,571 still images and 3,358 movies were on his personal computer – the most serious being a 14 year-old boy having sex with a dog.

Scout Association spokesman Simon Carter said: "Tapsell was suspended from any form of contact with the movement as soon as we were aware of his arrest.

"His appointment was subsequently cancelled and following his guilty plea he will never again be able to work as a volunteer in the Scout Movement."

However, the Scout Association would not reveal which scout group Tapsell was involved with.

He pleaded guilty to twenty-eight sample charges of possessing indecent images of boys and girls from the age of six upwards.

When quizzed by police Tapsell told them: "I have lived with indecent images for thirteen years. I have never shared them with anyone else."

Croydon Crown Court Judge Simon Pratt made a Section 37 hospital order, forcing Tapsell to continue undergoing treatment at the behavioural unit at Bethlem Hospital, Bromley.

The judge also made an order prohibiting the defendant from working with children and accessing the Internet.

"I am satisfied the requirements of the Mental Health Act are made out," announced Judge Pratt after reading medical and psychiatric reports on Asperger's Syndrome sufferer Tapsell.

"I am satisfied that you are suffering from a mental illness that will be treatable in the hospital you are staying."

The order will end when psychiatrists are satisfied Tapsell is fit to leave the hospital.

Toddler Plunges From Window As Mum Sleeps Off Drinking Session

A mother who was passed out drunk as her 18 month-old daughter plunged from a faulty first-floor window during sub-zero weather and wandered onto a main road angrily told police who woke her: "Little bugger. I'll fucking kill her."

Her daughter fell onto concrete, suffering facial injuries - which included cuts swelling and bruising - and was found wandering on the main road at 3.50am by a postman, who took her to his sorting office and raised the alarm.

The 37 year-old jobless mum-of-two (pictured) had downed 3-4 Bacardi doubles and an empty rum bottle was found on the floor of her housing association flat in Arden Grove, Harpenden, Hertfordshire.

St. Albans Crown Court heard on friday she knew the window lock was faulty, but did nothing about it, claiming it was the association's responsibility to fix it.

She pleaded guilty to one count of child cruelty and was sentenced to a twelve month community order, plus a three month 7pm to 7am curfew, which will be monitored with a tag.

"But for the grace of God your daughter could have been more severely injured, if she had landed on her head for instance," Judge Ronald Moss told the defendant. "It could have been appalling."

Prosecutor Mr Andrew Sarkany told the court the defendant put her daughter to bed at 10pm on March 18, but passed out in front of the television after drinking alone into the early hours.

"There is a toy box in front of a window that leads to a sloping roof and the lock on the window did not work.

"She knew it was faulty and said to was the responsibility of the housing association.

"The girl walked past her drunk mother, climbed onto the toy box and pushed the window forward and climbed onto the sloping roof," explained Mr Sarkany.

"She slipped from the roof and hit the concrete floor below. She suffered injuries on impact.

"She wandered around the building and into the main road."

The temperature that night was -2 to -3 degrees and when police eventually woke the mum they noticed her breath smelled of alcohol as she told them: "Little bugger. I'll fucking kill her."

The girl and the mother's other daughter, aged 14, now live next-door with their grandmother and the family cannot be identified for legal reasons.

"This happened because she was careless rather than evil," said Judge Moss, telling the mother: "I understand how you came into the position of drinking to get by.

"I am not sure why you said what you said to the police. Maybe it was because you were drunk."

After inspecting pictures of the girl's injuries he added: "Looking at those, it really does break your heart."

Fatal Bus Stop Stabbing: Police Launch Murder Hunt

Police have launched a murder investigation after a man was fatally stabbed through the heart near a bus stop in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Vitalijs Janovics, 38, (pictured) of Long Lane, Borough, Southwark was killed close to Bermondsey Underground Station, Jamaica Road just after 1am.

He was rushed to a South London hospital, but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Next of kin have been informed.

An incident room has been set up at Sutton under Detective Chief Inspector Amanda Hargreaves of the Homicide & Serious Crime Command.

Detectives are keeping an open mind as regards any motive and DCI Hargreaves said: “Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Mr Janovics following this needless murder.

“We are appealing for witnesses and any information that could assist our investigation and find who murdered Mr Janovics.

“Our early investigations lead us to believe that he was killed in very small timeframe between approximately 1:05am and 1:10am on Friday morning.

“Therefore we would like to hear from anyone who was in and around the area of Bermondsey tube station around that time.

“Specifically, we would like to hear from two groups of potential witnesses.

“The first is three white men, who are believed to have been sitting on steps behind and near to the bus stop where Mr Janovics died.

“The second is a group of approximately eleven people who got off the last tube train at Bermondsey station at around 01:00hrs.

“Also we would like to hear from any of Mr Janovics friends and colleagues who could help us get a picture of what he may have been doing on Thursday night into Friday morning prior to his death.”

Anyone who can assist police should call the incident room on 020 8721 4155 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

There has been no arrest at this stage.

Battersea Murder: Teens Charged

Two teenagers have been charged with the murder of a 20 year-old man in South-West London – fatally stabbed on a council estate in the early hours of the morning.

Mahad Mohammed (pictured) of Sporle Court, Winstanley Estate, Battersea was stabbed to death near Pennethorne House, Wye Street at 1:30am on June 22.

Jermaine Sawyers, 18, of no fixed abode and Omar Harrison,18, of Kenmore Road, Harrow, North-West London are charged with murder and appeared in custody at Croydon Magistrates’ Court today.

A post-mortem examination took place at St. George’s Mortuary, Tooting and
the murder was investigated by the Homicide and Serious Crime Command.

An incident room was opened under Detective Chief Inspector Dave Manning who said during an earlier witness appeal: “We would like to hear from anyone who saw or heard anything between the hours of 11pm and 2am in and around Pennethorne House.

“We believe at this early stage that there may have been a group of youths hanging around the estate prior to this murder and residents may have seen them.

“We believe that Mahad may have had an altercation with a group of youths earlier in the evening and would like to hear from anyone who witnessed this or who may have seen this group in the local area.

“We have had a good response from the local community so far but would urge anyone with information to contact us.”



Suspect Caught In New Delhi On Murder And Multiple Rape Charges

A 26 year-old man has been arrested at India's New Delhi airport in connection with the rape and murder of a Walthamstow woman over two years ago - plus three sex attacks in East London.

Police investigating the murder by a serial sex attacker – linked by DNA to a series of rapes – had already released this CCTV image in a bid to catch the predator.

Michelle Samaraweera, 35, (pic.top) was raped and strangled on May 30, 2009 and her body was found in a small park and play area in Queens Road, Walthamstow.

She had just left Somerfield supermarket, Markhouse Road when a man police want to trace (pic.bottom) entered the store.

The murder has been linked by DNA to three other sex attacks in Waltham Forest and the offences are now being investigated by the Homicide and Serious Crime Command.

On March 24 at 1:00am a 59-year-old woman was attacked after walking home in South Grove, Walthamstow.

As she approached her front door she noticed the suspect standing nearby and as she entered her property he forced his way inside, raping her in her bedroom.

On April 22 at 1:00am a 46-year-old woman walking along Lea Bridge Road was approached by the suspect who forced her into an alleyway near South Grove.

She was raped before the suspect fled, warning her not to leave the scene.

On April 29 at 1:30am a 32 year-old woman was walking through the grounds of St. Saviour's Church, Markhouse Road towards the same Somerfield store when she realised a man was following close by.

The victim has no memory of the attack, but a member of the public heard noises and called police.

Officers arrived shortly after to find the victim half-naked and semi conscious in the churchyard.

Two similar late-night attacks in the same area on a16 year-old and 46 year-old in March are not DNA linked, but police believe the same assailant is responsible.

The suspect has been described as being of Asian appearance, or with dark skin and dark hair, and is aged between 30 and 45 years.

The suspect in both attacks was described as being of Asian or black appearance with a light skin tone.

Detective Chief Inspector Stewart Hill said: “Michelle was callously murdered as she returned to her boyfriend’s address after stopping by at a local supermarket.

“We have been trying to trace a man who entered the shop on the same night as Michelle and we're keen to speak to anyone who can help us identify him.

“Due to the clarity of the pictures we're confident someone will know him and know his current whereabouts.”

Police are now seeking the suspect's extradition to the UK.

Armed Robber Caught By Police-Bookies Initiative

Bookmakers and police are celebrating the success of Operation Betguard, which resulted in a prolific East London armed robber being identified and caged for eight years.

Keith Donaldson-Jones, 43, of Forest Gate demanded cash from betting-shop counter staff while brandishing a paper bag they were convinced contained a gun.

He pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court to three armed robberies in the East Ham area between January 4 and 25.

His conviction follows a successful initiative run by the Metropolitan Police’s Flying Squad and partners in the betting industry - Operation Betguard.

Photographs of a variety of suspects were circulated in east London and several members of the public immediately recognised Donaldson-Jones.

Masked Donaldson-Jones and an unnamed accomplice entered Ladbrokes in East Ham High Street on January 4.

The defendant approached the front counter with a rucksack and demanded money from the cashier.

In his right hand Donaldson-Jones was brandishing a brown paper bag, which the cashier believed was being used to conceal a firearm.

Fearing for her life, the cashier handed over around £1,500 in cash and the duo fled.

Two more robberies on January 18 and 25 followed a similar pattern, with Donaldson-Jones entering separate East Ham Ladbrokes branches.

He would threaten staff before escaping with cash.



Officers are yet to trace his accomplice, but their enquiries are ongoing.



Detective Constable Nick Pollard of the Flying Squad, based in Barking, said:
”These robberies were terrifying for the staff involved who genuinely feared for their lives.

“Initiatives like Operation Betguard prove that the Met will go to great lengths to track down people like Donaldson-Jones.


“By working together with local businesses and the local community we can bring offenders to justice.”