Two-Time Rapist Trapped By Old DNA

A notorious rapist - who pounced on two young lone women in the 1990’s – has finally been caught and convicted after his DNA was taken when arrested for having perverted images.

Ex-cobbler Frank Joseph Watson, 47, of Gibbon Close, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire raped a 22 year-old in 1991 and an 18 year-old in 1997 – threatening to cut the second victim into pieces.

He was arrested on April 20 by Hertfordshire Constabulary and a routine DNA swab linked him to the cold case rapes committed in Potters Bar and Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

On September 13, 1991 the 22-year-old woman, who was walking home along Darkes Lane, was grabbed and dragged to the ground by Watson.

Six years later, on August 21, 1997, Watson attacked an 18-year-old woman who had been out walking on Aberford Park, Brook Road.

He grabbed her from behind by the neck, and demanded: “You better lie down before I stab you, or I'll cut you into little pieces.”

Watson forced the victim to the ground and then raped her.

In both cases Watson, who did not know his victims, made off, leaving the women where he attacked them.



At the time detectives made extensive enquiries, and the two offences were linked.

Forensic evidence was gathered, however, it was not enough to be progressed because of DNA technology available at the time



The Metropolitan Police Cold Case Sapphire Team reopened the investigation in early 2011.

Watson’s DNA was matched with other samples taken during the course of the original investigation owing to the enhancement in forensic technology. 



Detective Constable Danny Maiden, said: “This case shows how together with our colleagues from other forces, offenders can be brought to justice even years after an offence has been committed.

“I give thanks to the hard work of officers and those who deal with forensic evidence, and pay tribute to both victims who have bravely given their accounts at court.

“I hope this result gives some sense of closure to the victims who have had to live with this horrifying ordeal for many years.

“This decision proves that men like Watson will not evade justice, not matter what length of time passes, and that the Met will continue to pursue criminals through all means available to us.”



Watson was convicted of both rapes after a five-day trial at the Old Bailey and admitted making and possessing indecent images. He will be sentenced on October 21.

Insurance Broker's £30K Drink-Drive Smash

A Porsche-driving Lloyds insurance broker's career is in ruins after he crashed into three parked cars - leaving a £30,000 trail of wreckage in his wake after a lunchtime City drinking-session.

Father-of-three Darren Conlon, 44, (pic.top) was nearly twice the drink-drive limit when he collided with the vehicles in his 911 Turbo - ripping off his front wheel on impact.

He fled the scene of carnage on foot, swinging a punch in the direction of one chasing victim, as he tried to get to his apartment in the shadow of the Gherkin building.

Conlon, of Creechurch Lane escaped prison with a suspended sentence, but still faces the prospect of the Financial Services Authority stripping him of his licence, which allows him to work in his industry.

"It is clear the whole incident was caused by excess alcohol over a considerable period of time," bench chairman Mr. Terry Rodgers told Conlon at City of London Magistrates' Court.

"The reading was still nearly twice the limit some considerable time after you stopped drinking.

"You were completely out of it when you decided to drive your car nearer your home. It is surprising no injury was caused to a pedestrian or road user and it is lucky no-one was seriously injured or worse."

Conlon pleaded guilty to driving his Porsche, which sported personalised 'REN' number plate's, dangerously and with excess alcohol in his blood in Bury Street on July 14 and failing to stop after causing three accidents.

He was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for two years, ordered to perform 150 hours community service, disqualified from driving for twenty-two months and ordered to pay £85 costs.

Prosecutor Mrs Varinder Hayre told the court it was 6:20pm when Conlon's Porsche collided with three parked cars, first a Lexus followed by an Audi and Vauxhall Astra van whose driver was nearby.

"The victim was sitting outside the Gherkin building when he heard a loud bang and an engine revving and saw the Porsche's front passenger-side wheel fly off followed by the rear passenger side tyre which bounced into the road.

"He saw the driver get out of the car and he appeared to stagger backwards and sideways and made off.

"The victim and another member of the public tried to stop him at which point Mr. Conlon turned and tried to punch the man whose van was damaged.

"He did this by swinging at the man with a clenched fist, but missed him. The victim said he was shaken up and frightened by the whole incident."

Conlon was arrested soon afterwards in the hallway of his apartment building and officers immediately smelled alcohol on his breath.

He "grunted and nodded" when asked if he had been in an accident a later gave a blood alcohol reading of 157 milligrammes - the legal limit is 80.

The Nexus repair bill for damage plus car hire for the owner totalled £23,500; the Audi needed £1,400 in repairs and the Astra van £5,900.

"He said he remembered drinking in the New Moon pub, Leadenhall Market and recalled having four pints of Fosters and two vodka and tonics and after that feeling 'funny'," explained Mrs Hayre.

"He said he did not remember going to get his car, but did remember a crash and running while feeling he was being chased."

Conlon stopped drinking at 3pm and got behind the wheel three hours later.

Remarkably, the defendant's insurance policy will cover the entire compensation bill despite him being over the limit.

He told the magistrates: "I would like to apologise to the victims for any distress caused. I apologise to the court, I am sorry for my actions. It was out of character."

Conlon's lawyer Mr. Scott Osbourne said: "Before you is a professional hardworking man who has made a series of poor decisions and ironically is an insurance broker.

"He is deeply embarrassed and disgusted and this has caused considerable strain on his marriage after he had to explain to his wife what happened.

"He also has to explain to his three young children why daddy cannot drive them to and from their daily activities."

Conlon has sons aged sixteen months, eight and eleven years and the oldest two attend private school.

"He recognises what he did was entirely wrong," added Mr. Osbourne. "This was an absolute aberration.

"He has written a letter to all the owners expressing his horror and remourse at what he has done and has admitted full liability."

Conlon denies aiming a punch at the victim, insisting he simply turned around when grabbed from behind.

The Astra van claim was settled for £11,000 and the two others are in the process of being settled.

The court heard self-confessed car enthusiast Conlon's regular business travel to the USA may be effected by the convictions.

Mr. Rodgers added: "You did not wait, but tried to get away and turned and tried to execute a punch, which luckily did not make any contact.

"We accept your behaviour was out of character and you have good support from your employer and have co-operated with the police and shown remourse.

"You have also contacted your victims and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity."

The magistrates also ordered Conlon to pass an extended driving test before his licence can be returned at the end of the disqualification.

'Queue Rage' Train Passenger Angered By Delays

A 'queue rage' rail passenger - frustrated by train delays during last winter's snowfall - attacked an information desk assistant who made him wait.

Pianist Anthony Bullett, 63, (pic.top) of Victoria Court, Victoria Road, South Woodford exploded in rage after other passengers were dealt with before him at Waterloo Station.

"He pushed me twice in the shoulder, it caused me a lot of stress, I was tearful and had migraines for three days," victim Miss Beata Lokaj (pic.bottom) told City of London Magistrates' Court.

"I think he was frustrated because of the snowfall and people were acting differently than they normally do.

"He was already angry when he approached me. His first question was in an aggressive manner, in an angry and rude voice."

A colleague jumped between the defendant and Miss Lokaj as he followed her around the desk while she back-pedalled and he was handcuffed and arrested by British Transport Police.

Bullett was booked to perform at an old peoples home in Oxshott, Surrey and as he was led away said: "I am going to lose a job. I was next."

He told the court: "I looked at the departure board, but there was nothing at all so I went to the information desk.

"I genuinely thought I was next and I was annoyed that she was not talking to me as I thought she should. I said: 'No. You will serve me'.

"There were one hundred people waiting for me to play the piano so there was an urgency for me to get there and provide entertainment."

Bullett insisted he did not push Miss Lokaj, but the magistrates found him guilty of assault.

The defendant, whose £7,000 a year earnings are topped-up by £480 a month pension credit, was fined £140, with £215 costs and was ordered to pay £100 compensation to the victim.

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.