Coke-Dealing Jailbird Back Behind Bars

An ex-prisoner - caught red-handed by police mixing £400 worth of cocaine while on parole - has been locked-up for another four years and eight months by the same judge.

Trainee welder Sean Russell, 29, of The Approach, Orpington, Kent was wearing disposable gloves and had already prepared 22 wraps of the drug, which he had cut down to just 12% purity.

He pleaded guilty at Bromley Magistrates' Court to possessing cocaine, with intent to supply, on March 3 and was committed to Croydon Crown Court for sentencing.

The court heard Russell had been released on licence eight months earlier from a five-year robbery sentence, but local police obtained a search warrant to raid the house he shares with girlfriend Toni and her daughter.

When officers entered the defendant was mixing a white powder in a breakfast bowl, which later tested positive for cocaine.

Police also discovered tell-tale messages on his answerphone from users wanting to buy cocaine.

"You have got noone to blame, but yourself for the situation you have reached and any sentence I impose will impact more on your nearest and dearest than you. That's always the way," said Judge Simon Pratt.

"In breach of your licence you became involved in drug-dealing as a low-level retail supplier," added the judge, who has also sentence Russell for the robbery.

The defendant, who has committed twenty-eight previous offences, claimed as a drug-user he was forced into the offence to pay-off dealers.

"You have a bad record and I am sorry to see you back, being the judge who gave you your last sentence," added Judge Pratt.

"I have every sympathy for those you have left to get on with life without you."

Tax Scam Steel Boss On-The-Run

The fugitive boss of a steel pipe company and his firm were convicted today of a £640,000 tax scam involving the smuggling of cheap Chinese-manufactured parts.

Company director John Sutton, 64, of Cheriton Mill, Cheriton Fitzpaine, Crediton, Devon is now believed to be hiding-out somewhere in Canada.

He told his legal team he "could not face" the Croydon Crown Court trial, which went ahead in his absence and warrant was issued for his arrest.

Sutton will be sentenced on October 21 along with his company Ashby Scott Ltd. of Unit A, Shell Green Estate, Gorsey Lane Industrial Eastate, Widnes and its sales manager Michael Kirk, 42, of Middlecot Close, Orrell, Wigan.

Kirk pleading guilty on day two of the trial to being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of duty payable on goods said to be from Japan between January 1, 2003 and July 31, 2006 and goods said to be from India between February 1, 2006 and January 31, 2008.

The absent Sutton and the company were convicted unanimously on both counts by the jury after just forty minutes.

The parts were subject to a 58.6% tax - nicknamed 'anti-dumping duty' - imposed to thwart importers unfairly undercutting rivals within the EU.

"It's about smuggling," prosecutor Mr. Julian Christopher QC told the jury at the start of the trial. "Smuggling comes in all shapes and sizes and one type is the smuggling of Chinese pipe fittings."

To protect European manufacturers the European Commission agreed to impose the tax on carbon steel imports from China.

"The country outside the EU is dumping its products at an artificial price into the EU," added the prosecutor.

The court (pictured) was told between 2003 and 2008 Ashby Scott Ltd. avoided over £640,000 duty in relation to thirty-one importation's the defendants claimed had come from Japan and India.

"None of that was paid because the pipe fittings were not sent directly from China, but from Japan and later from India," added Mr. Christopher. "The anti-dumping duty ought to have been paid.

"You will have to decide whether either defendant knew they were Chinese or thought they were from Japan or India," he told the jury. "The prosecution say they knew full well they were Chinese."

The parts were bought from APCO a Chinese/British venture involving a UK company called TFF International - of which Sutton was the managing director and nominated legal representative.

His company had invested $150,000 US into APCO and the Chinese $350,000 US and TFF agreed to handle all the marketing and imports and exports.

Kirk provided the documentation for Customs clearance with the full knowledge of Sutton, the prosecution allege.

"Through them the company was operating and through them it was importing pipe-fittings and dealing with shipping agents," added Mr. Christopher.

The parts were shipped from Dalian, China to Osaka, Japan then immediately re-shipped to Felixstowe and delivered to Ashby Scott Ltd.

"In every case the seal number for the first part of the journey was the same as the seal number for the second part of the journey from Japan to the UK. That shows there cannot be any manufacturing in Japan."

Regarding Kirk Mr. Christopher added: "We will see him dealing with the purchase orders. The prosecution say the email communications show he was dealing with China and not the supposed manufacturer in Japan."

The paperwork he prepared even tried to show the shipping containers were packed in Japan by Gosei Industries.

"That is all part of the smuggling, all part of the fraud."

Steel Pipe Sales Boss Admits Smuggling Scam

A sales manager with a steel pipe company - accused of a £640,000 tax scam involving the smuggling of cheap Chinese-manufactured parts - has dramatically changed his plea to guilty.

Michael Kirk, 42, (pictured) of Middlecot Close, Orrell, Wigan had denied the charges, but after hearing two days of damning evidence at Croydon Crown Court finally admitted his guilt.

Kirk was bailed to return for sentencing on October 21 after pleading guilty to being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of duty payable on goods said to be from Japan between January 1, 2003 and July 31, 2006 and goods said to be from India between February 1, 2006 and January 31, 2008.

The parts were subject to a 58.6% tax - nicknamed 'anti-dumping duty' - imposed to thwart importers unfairly undercutting rivals within the EU.

"It's about smuggling," prosecutor Mr. Julian Christopher QC told the jury at the start of the trial. "Smuggling comes in all shapes and sizes and one type is the smuggling of Chinese pipe fittings."

To protect European manufacturers the European Commission agreed to impose the tax on carbon steel imports from China.

"The country outside the EU is dumping its products at an artificial price into the EU," added the prosecutor.

The court was told between 2003 and 2008 Ashby Scott Ltd. of Unit A, Shell Green Estate, Gorsey Lane Industrial Eastate, Widnes avoided over £640,000 duty in relation to thirty-one importation's the defendants claimed had come from Japan and India.

Company director John Sutton, 64, of Cheriton Mill, Cheriton Fitzpaine, Crediton, Devon and the company deny the charges and their trial continues.

"None of that was paid because the pipe fittings were not sent directly from China, but from Japan and later from India," added Mr. Christopher. "The anti-dumping duty ought to have been paid.

"You will have to decide whether either defendant knew they were Chinese or thought they were from Japan or India," he told the jury. "The prosecution say they knew full well they were Chinese."

The parts were bought from APCO a Chinese/British venture involving a UK company called TFF International - of which Sutton was the managing director and nominated legal representative.

His company had invested $150,000 US into APCO and the Chinese $350,000 US and TFF agreed to handle all the marketing and imports and exports.

Kirk provided the documentation for Customs clearance with the full knowledge of Sutton, the prosecution allege.

"Through them the company was operating and through them it was importing pipe-fittings and dealing with shipping agents," added Mr. Christopher.

The parts were shipped from Dalian, China to Osaka, Japan then immediately re-shipped to Felixstowe and delivered to Ashby Scott Ltd.

"In every case the seal number for the first part of the journey was the same as the seal number for the second part of the journey from Japan to the UK. That shows there cannot be any manufacturing in Japan."

Regarding Kirk Mr. Christopher added: "We will see him dealing with the purchase orders. The prosecution say the email communications show he was dealing with China and not the supposed manufacturer in Japan."

The paperwork he prepared even tried to show the shipping containers were packed in Japan by Gosei Industries.

"That is all part of the smuggling, all part of the fraud."

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

Porsche-Driving French City Boy Fried By Cops

One of a growing number of high-flying French traders - tempted to the Square Mile by the lure of large salaries and bumper bonuses - was caught drink-driving in his Porsche after downing four pints.

Patrice Ladeveze, 31, of Kintyre House, Cold Harbour Lane, Docklands was stopped by police after he pulled up abruptly behind them at traffic lights and was found to be over twice the limit.

He pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates' Court (pictured) to driving in Charterhouse Street on August 20 with excess alcohol in his breath.

The court heard police quickly did a u-turn and pulled over Ladveze at 6:15pm on Saturday night after also spotting him "undertaking" other vehicles.

His speech was slurred when officers quizzed him at the roadside and he failed a breath-test, admitting he had just drunk four pints.

At the police station he gave a breath alcohol reading of 84 microgrammes - the legal limit is 35.

The court was told Ladeveze downed the pints during a lunchtime drinking-session with his partner and had not intended to jump behind the wheel afterwards.

However, he made a "flawed decision to drive" described as a "monumental error."

The conviction will now be reported to the Financial Services Authority who licence Ladeveze to work in the international money markets.

He was fined £500, with £100 costs and disqualified from driving for eighteen months.

Steel Pipe Company Bosses In £640K VAT Scam

A steel pipe company boss and his sales manager avoided over £640,000 in tax by lying to Customs about the origin of cheap Chinese-manufactured parts they smuggled into the country, a jury were told.

The parts were subject to a 58.6% tax - nicknamed 'anti-dumping duty' - imposed to thwart importers unfairly undercutting rivals within the EU.

"It's about smuggling," prosecutor Mr. Julian Christopher QC told the Croydon Crown Court jury. "Smuggling comes in all shapes and sizes and one type is the smuggling of Chinese pipe fittings."

To protect European manufacturers the European Commission agreed to impose the tax on carbon steel imports from China.

"The country outside the EU is dumping its products at an artificial price into the EU," added the prosecutor.

The court was told between 2003 and 2008 Ashby Scott Ltd. of Unit A, Shell Green Estate, Gorsey Lane Industrial Eastate, Widnes avoided over £640,000 duty in relation to thirty-one importation's the defendants claimed had come from Japan and India.

Company director John Sutton, 64, of Cheriton Mill, Cheriton Fitzpaine, Crediton, Devon and sales manager Michael Kirk, 42, (pictured) of Middlecot Close, Orrell, Wigan deny the charges.

They have pleaded not guilty to being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of duty payable on goods said to be from Japan between January 1, 2003 and July 31, 2006 and goods said to be from India between February 1, 2006 and January 31, 2008.

Ashby Scott Ltd. is also being prosecuted and Sutton entered not guilty pleas on the same two charges on the company's behalf.

"None of that was paid because the pipe fittings were not sent directly from China, but from Japan and later from India," added Mr. Christopher. "The anti-dumping duty ought to have been paid.

"You will have to decide whether either defendant knew they were Chinese or thought they were from Japan or India," he told the jury. "The prosecution say they knew full well they were Chinese."

The parts were bought from APCO a Chinese/British venture involving a UK company called TFF International - of which Sutton was the managing director and nominated legal representative.

His company had invested $150,000 US into APCO and the Chinese $350,000 US and TFF agreed to handle all the marketing and imports and exports.

Kirk provided the documentation for Customs clearance with the full knowledge of Sutton, the prosecution allege.

"Through them the company was operating and through them it was importing pipe-fittings and dealing with shipping agents," added Mr. Christopher.

The parts were shipped from Dalian, China to Osaka, Japan then immediately re-shipped to Felixstowe and delivered to Ashby Scott Ltd.

"In every case the seal number for the first part of the journey was the same as the seal number for the second part of the journey from Japan to the UK. That shows there cannot be any manufacturing in Japan."

Regarding Kirk Mr. Christopher added: "We will see him dealing with the purchase orders. The prosecution say the email communications show he was dealing with China and not the supposed manufacturer in Japan."

The paperwork he prepared even tried to show the shipping containers were packed in Japan by Gosei Industries.

"That is all part of the smuggling, all part of the fraud."

The trial is expected to last two weeks.

Salsa Club Killing: Two Men Locked-Up

Two salsa club customers who beat a fellow reveller to death – punching and stamping the victim in a row over a woman – have been caged.

Ecuadorian Erik Yepez, 22, (pic.top) had been happily cycling around outside La Pollero Collera, London Bridge on a ‘Boris Bike’ minutes before he was fatally attacked.

Earlier in the evening, he had been involved in a row at the club with both defendants over a woman and after closing time on December 4, last year they launched the deadly assault in Southwark Street.

They are: Galo Vargas Bemudez, 23, of Walpole Road, Tottenham (pic.2^nd top) who received five years and eight months and Angel Campoverde, 23, of Bruce House, Clapham Park Estate (pic.bottom) who received seven and a half years.

Both were convicted of manslaughter at the Old Bailey.

The Wembley victim suffered head and brain injuries during the assault and died less than 48 hours later in hospital.

Witnesses described how the men punched, kicked and stamped on Mr. Yepez as he attempted to get away from them.



An ambulance was called and Campoverde and Bemudez were arrested nearby.

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Manning of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command said: “Mr Yepez suffered a violent and brutal assault at the hands of Campoverde and Bemudez who attacked him following a trivial argument in a nightclub. 



“I would like to pay tribute to the victims family, who have acted with great dignity during what has been a terrible ordeal.”

Ilford Attempted Rape: CCTV Released

Police have released this CCTV still of a would-be rapist – wanted for a midnight attack in East London last year.

Police were called at 11:50pm to Aldborough Road South, Ilford on January 5 to reports a 21 year-old woman had been the victim of an attempted rape.

The investigation is being conducted by officers from Sapphire – the Metropolitan Police’s sex-crime unit.

Despite extensive enquiries detectives have been unable to trace the suspect.

He is described as a white or possibly Asian male, approximately 5'11 tall, of a medium build, aged between 25 and 30 with facial stubble and a foreign accent.

He was wearing a dark coloured hooded top and trousers. 



Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Graham Alger on 020 8345 3562 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police In £1M Hunt For 'Zerx' Tagger

Police are trying to catch London’s most prolific graffiti tagger – whose ‘Zerx’ tag has been sprayed across three boroughs and throughout the tube network.

Damage is estimated at over £1 million and police hope releasing an image of the ‘Zerx’ tag will lead to the arrest of the notorious vandal.

The tag has been sprayed prolifically across property in the North-West boroughs of Harrow, Brent and Westminster – plus sidings on the London Underground system.



The 'Zerx' tag also appeared on the side of the Admiralty building in Whitehall, following the disorder which took place at the student demonstrations in Central London in December last year. 



Detective Inspector Paul Armstrong of the Specialist Crime Directorate said: “Using this type of graffiti not only looks very unsightly but can also cost councils, London Underground and members of the public a considerable amount of money to remove.

“This tag has been scrawled across residential homes as well as schools, sheltered accommodation and historical structures and I would appeal to anyone who has information about the person who is responsible for this to contact police.”



Anyone with information is asked to call police on 020 8246 0050 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 



A 21 year-old man was arrested in January in connection with this investigation and bailed to return on a date in late October pending further enquiries.

Gunman Caged For Deadly Rampage

A deranged gunman, who hunted down and shot dead two victims he believed owed him money, has been locked-up for at least twenty years.

Kosovo-born Hajdar Kasumaj, 51, (pic.top) of Firs Lane, Palmers Green, North London went on a two-day rampage – shooting his victims at point-blank range with a handgun.

Nezir Golaj, 45, (pic.bottom) was killed in Hendon Way, Cricklewood on July 8, last year and 58 year-old Osman Grbic in Milton Avenue, East Ham the following day.

The defendant was convicted at Woolwich Crown Court of unlawfully killing both men and the attempted murder of a 43 year-old man in Wightman Road, Hornsey on July 9 as well as possession of a 9mm pistol.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command said: “Kasumaj carried out these shootings because he believed he was owed money by each of the victims.



“He used a handgun to shoot the victims at close range - it was a miracle no one else was hit. 



“I just hope that the victims families can take some comfort from today's sentencing.”

Police were called at 8:30am to reports of a man shot near Hendon Way, close to the junction with Garth Road, Cricklewood.



Shortly before the murder, the victim left his home in Garth Road and made his way to his car, parked opposite his house.



He got into the black VW Caddy when he was approached by Kasumaj and shot a number of times.

In the second incident police were called at 7:15pm to a shooting in Wightman Road, junction with Warham Road, Hornsey. 



Safet Rakaj was chased from his home address by the suspect and shots were fired a number of times.

The victim was taken by the ambulance service to hospital suffering a gunshot wound to the back.

He was released from hospital after treatment, but still has a bullet lodged in his back. 



Details of the suspect’s car were circulated and he was arrested by armed officers at 7:40pm on Friday 9 July in Bounds Green Road.



Following a search of the car officers found two handguns. 



Police then attended a flat in Milton Avenue after receiving a call from the friend of a resident who had not been seen for some time.

The suspect had also informed officers, during interview, that he was responsible for another shooting.



Officers forced entry to the flat and found the victim suffering gunshot wounds - he was confirmed dead at the scene.



Hornsey Rape: E-Fit Released

Police hunting a North London rapist who attacked a young woman last year have released this e-fit of the suspect in a bid to identify him and bring him to justice.

The assailant raped the 20 year-old victim at 11:00pm in Fairfield Road, Hornsey on April 23.

Despite extensive enquiries Sapphire detectives – the Metropolitan Police’s sex crime unit - have been unable to trace the suspect.

He is described as a black man in his early to mid twenties of a large muscular build with a shaven head.

He was driving a large silver Audi. 



There have been no arrests and
anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable John Tudor of Sapphire Unit on 020 8345 4512 or they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Peckham Skeleton: Man Arrested After Remains Dumped

The skeletal remains of a pensioner, which had just been moved by someone from his South-East London flat, have been found by a dog-walker dumped in undergrowth.

Benjamin Benit, 86, (pictured) of Hevesham House, Ilderton Road, Peckham was found in nearby Lovelinch Close at 7:45am on August 10.

Three days later council workers found further remains of Mr. Benit at his flat.

He had not been seen for several years and is now believed he was dead for that period of time before his remains were recently moved.

Wood chippings found under the remains suggest Mr. Benit was placed there between 2:00pm on Friday August 5 and the early hours of Wednesday August 10 as a tree surgeon had pruned trees on the earlier date.

Detectives from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command continue to investigate the circumstances around Mr Benit’s death and are keen to speak to anyone who may have known him.

A post-mortem at Greenwich mortuary proved inconclusive.

The death is being treated as unexplained and suspicious at this time and a seventy year-old man was arrested and bailed to a future date.

Detective Chief Inspector Damian Allain said: “I would appeal to anyone who knew Benjamin Benit and can help us to piece together his lifestyle to contact me.

“We know he was born in Southwark and served in the RAF during the war. He later spent time living in Bradford where he had a family.

“He returned to the Southwark area in the early 1980s and drank in pubs in and around the Old Kent Road and New Cross Road.

“He often told people he played for Millwall Football Club, possibly as a goalkeeper after the war.

“I am also very keen to speak to anyone who may have seen a person(s) acting suspiciously whilst moving Mr Benit’s body, which was wrapped in a sheet, to Lovelinch Close.

“It is really important to get in touch if you have information and can help.”

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8721 4805. If you wish to remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Death-Wish Ex Convicted Of Car-Smash Revenge

A suicidal internet boyfriend, who downed a litre of anti-freeze before crashing his car into his ex's house while she and four children were inside, is facing a lengthy prison sentence.

The terrified single-mum and her two daughters aged thirteen and six, her son, aged ten and his friend, a boy aged eleven were all home when the vehicle demolished the terraced house's exterior.

Beauty salon owner Edmund Bruton, 42, of Harrow Road, Wembley, met Tara Lavery, 41, on dating site 'Plentyoffish', but when their relationship turned sour vowed to do something "dramatic."

The jealous twice-divorced defendant spied on his ex the night before and convinced himself she was seeing another man, Inner London Crown Court was told.

"The defendant started dropping hints that he was going to do something dramatic that would make him famous, or the prosecution suggest infamous," prosecutor Mr. Charles Ward-Jackson told the jury.

"The defendant drove his own motor car at speed deliberately into the house that was occupied at the time by a mother and four children.

"He crashed into the front room of the house, partially demolishing the front wall. The car went into the front room and a great deal of rubble went into the front room.

"Three children were in the front room, the fourth was half-way upstairs and the mother was upstairs."

"Such was the velocity of the car it went through the garden wall, straight across the front garden and straight through the bay window.

"The front of the car collided, ploughed into the hallway wall before it came to a halt," explained Mr. Ward-Jackson.

Bruton was found not guilty of attempting to murder the occupants of 131 South View Avenue, Caversham, Reading on February 26.

However, he was convicted of damaging property, with intent to endanger life, and dangerous driving in South View Avenue.

He had dated a string of women, including many he picked-up at his salon Amo, in Sheen Lane, Turnham Green before meeting Tara online in January, 2010 and continuing the relationship after the met face-to-face in May.

However, by February Bruton was increasingly depressed as the long-distance romance cooled-off, with Tara resisting his efforts to have counselling.

"The relationship appeared to be on it's last legs. It was all, but over," added Mr. Ward-Jackson.

"He said: 'Big things are going to happen over the weekend.'

"By Saturday morning he had made up his mind that he was going to kill himself. Did he want to die alone or take out as many people as possible?"

The children suffered no more than "scratches and bumps and bruises" and the house suffered £66,000 worth of damage.

When quizzed at the scene the defendant confirmed he had tried to kill himself and also found was the handle of a garden fork, which Bruton rigged on the dashboard to stab himself in the neck.

He was successfully treated in hospital for two puncture wound to the neck, plus the ingestion of anti-freeze.

Bruton was remanded in custody until October 21 for sentencing.