Wannabe Marine Gets Life For Torture-Killing

A failed Royal Marine who walked into a police station and confessed to killing and secretly burying his neighbour five years earlier and going on a three-month £50,000 spending spree with the victim's bank card was jailed for at least twenty-eight years yesterday.

Thomas Puxty, 31, (pic.bottom) told officers he killed 55 year-old father-of-three Lee Clement at a hostel in Burrage Road, Woolwich - using a pressure-point technique he learned in the army.

He then buried Mr. Clement (pic.top) in Partridge Wood, Brabourne, Kent, where he remained until a police search team and specially-trained sniffer dogs found and recovered the body.

A spokesman for the family said: "To imagine that anyone would ruthlessly exploit our father's vulnerability fills us with deep sadness.

"Our relationship with our father ebbed and flowed and to be denied any opportunity to let that relationship flow again is something that will never leave our family."

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court Judge Price, describing Puxty as a callous individual, sentenced him to life imprisonment for murder and recommended he serve at least twenty-eight years before he can be considered for parole.

Detective Inspector Chris Stanley, from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said: "We must not lose sight that the most important people in this case are the family of Mr Clement, who have had to sit through and listen to the sinister manner in which Puxty had acted in killing their father and uncle.

"The dignity and courage they have shown has been most humbling.

"As the investigation officer I would like to pay tribute to the professional manner the investigating team have conducted themselves throughout this case and also to praise counsel in the manner in which they presented the case."

Police believe the fact Mr. Clement's body was hog-tied with heavy-duty tape proves he was tortured by Puxty into revealing his PIN number.

Homeless Puxty was convicted by a jury after a two-week trial of murdering Mr. Clement between March 6 2006 and March 9, this year. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter and preventing his lawful and decent burial before the trial.

Former central heating engineer Mr. Clement endured a tragic life, with his brother, QPR and England right-back Dave Clement killing himself with weedkiller, aged 34, after a career-ending leg-break.

His mother took her own life when he was just seven and his first wife Barbara died during routine bowel surgery twenty years ago, resulting in the loss of custody of his children, which prompted a spiral into depression and heavy-drinking.

After a second failed marriage Mr. Clement received over £100,000 from the sale of the matrimonial home and spent all day drinking whiskey in the hostel, where Puxty was his basement neighbour.

"This mix of vulnerability and wealth made him an attractive target for anyone with designs on getting their hands on his money," prosecutor Mr. Jonathan Rees QC told the jury.

Mr. Clement was never officially reported missing after vanishing from the hostel in late April 2006 and nothing was heard of him until Puxty walked into Plumstead police station on March 11.

"The defendant said he wanted to confess to a murder," explained the prosecutor. "He claimed he had been asked to kill this person and the body was buried in a field in Kent.

"He said he killed him by applying pressure to a pressure point, something he learned in the armed forces.

"He said he killed the man after being offered ninety-three thousand pounds, which was being held in the victim's bank account and he had been given details of how to get the money out."

Between April and July 2006 multiple cash withdrawals were made from the account and the card was used to buy a watch, television, computer, jewellery, clothing, video games, petrol and alcohol and cigarettes.

"He said he told the victim he was going to kill him and the victim jumped up with a knife, which he took from him," added Mr. Rees.

"He said he killed him by applying pressure above the collar bone and cutting off the supply of blood to the brain."

When the body was recovered on March 10 it was obvious Mr. Clement had been hog-tied with tape, which had also been wrapped around his head.

The pathologist was unable to give an exact cause of death, but agreed it was "conceivable" Mr. Clement could have been killed by pressure to the neck or postural asphyxia.

Investigators discovered Puxty had quit the Royal Marines after five weeks of training while still a teenager, but he boasted to others he could kill with his bare hands and demonstrated the pressure-point technique to at least three women.

He claimed a bullet wound to the knee while serving in Kosovo ended his army career and he had performed a contract killing for Triad gangsters and buried the victim's body in woods.

"This defendant has an active imagination," said Mr. Rees. "He glorified and fabricated stories of great daring and do.

"The prosecution say he deliberately murdered Mr. Clement to gain access to his money and then buried his body."

Dad Caged For Beating 14-Month Old Son To Death

A father, who beat his 14 month-old son to death when left to care for the baby for less than half an hour, has been jailed for nine years.

Nathan Allen, 27, of Erith Crescent, Romford, Essex repeatedly punched defenceless Fletcher, inflicting deadly injuries to his abdomen.

The boy suffered two broken ribs, internal bleeding, kidney trauma and multiple bruising to his torso, neck and face.

Nathan pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Fletcher who died at nearby Queens Hospital on January 6.

An Old Bailey jury found him not guilty of murder.

A post-mortem examination took place on January 8 at Great Ormond Street Hospital and gave the cause of death as blunt trauma injury to the abdomen.



The murder investigation was led by detectives from the Major Investigation Team at the Child Abuse Investigation Command.



Allen claimed he had left Fletcher for a moment in the bath and when he returned he was lying face down. 



However, the post-mortem examination showed no sign he had drowned or of any water in his airways and his injuries were most likely caused by a punch or kick.



Detective Inspector Colin Welsh said: “I strongly believe that Nathan Allen first seriously assaulted his son in the weeks leading up to this incident, when Fletcher suffered two broken ribs.



"On 6 January 2011, a second incident took place when Fletcher was in the sole care of his father for less than half an hour and the fatal injuries were inflicted.

“A vicious attack took place during which this defenceless 14-month-old baby suffered another fractured rib, trauma to both kidneys, internal bleeding and numerous bruises to his body, head and face, including what can only be described as a sadistic bite to Fletcher's face.

“He then failed to call an ambulance and get Fletcher the immediate medical help he so desperately needed.



“Allen then cynically invented a story to try to cover up what he had done, suggesting that Fletcher had fallen and drowned in the bath.

“He maintained this story until two days before he was due to stand trial.

“Faced with overwhelming evidence against him, at the last moment Allen admitted to assaulting Fletcher. I am pleased that today's sentence reflects the gravity of his actions.”

Albanian War Crimes Suspect On Run - Again

An ex-Albanian intelligence chief – suspected of war crimes in his homeland – is on the run after jumping bail in his extradition case.

Ilir Nazmi Kumbaro, 58, (pictured) is wanted by the Albanian authorities on kidnapping and torture charges.

He successfully claimed political asylum in a false name in the UK in 1996 by posing as a Kosovan refugee and received full British citizenship.

He failed to appear at City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court on December 1 and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Service’s Extradition Unit are appealing to members of the public across the UK for any information about his whereabouts.



Detective Sergeant Pete Rance said: “We believe that Ilir Kumbaro has not fled the UK but has in all likelihood left London and is being harboured by friends.



“Although he does not pose a threat to members of the public, he is wanted in Albania where he faces charges of kidnap and torture.

“One of his alleged victims, a father-of-five, has not been seen alive since 1995. 



“The seriousness of his alleged crimes is the reason we want to find him. This is a high profile international investigation that has involved public expense in the UK.

“It is only right that we seek to arrest Ilir Kumbaro and put him back before the court that, in good faith, had entrusted him with bail.”



Kumbaro is accused in Albania that
he unlawfully and by force took or carried away Avdyl Loshaj against his will on or before September 30, 1995; Zison Kristopulli on October 21 and Remzi Hoxha between September 1 and November 30.

He is also charged that in relation to the three victims that being a public official or person acting in an official capacity intentionally inflicted severe pain and suffering.

Anyone with information about Kumbaro’s whereabouts should call the Met’s Extradition Unit on 020 7230 1640.

£20K Reward In Kidnap-Murder Case

Police investigating the murder of a kidnap victim – snatched after leaving home to buy bread and milk then buried in a field – have offered a £20,000 reward in a bid to crack the case.

Polish-born Andrzej Kulesza, 27, (pictured) was kidnapped in Stamford Hill, North London on September 18, last year and his remains were discovered by a dog-walker near Rothersthorpe, Northampton on April 25.

A post-mortem examination was conducted but failed to establish the cause of death.



Shortly after his disappearance Andrzej’s girlfriend began receiving ransom demands and she paid a quantity of cash, but all telephone calls ended on September 21.

An incident room is open at Hendon under Detective Chief Inspector Jacqueline Sebire who said: “We hope the offer of this reward will encourage people to come forward with any piece of information - no matter how small - and help with our investigation.



“It is still not clear how Andrzej was kidnapped. He would not usually have left the house at that time so perhaps he had arranged to meet someone who then orchestrated the abduction.

“We believe he was killed shortly after the ransom demands stopped.



“We would ask anyone with information or anyone who witnessed suspicious activity either in Stamford Hill that day or in the Rothersthorpe area to contact us as soon as possible.”



Anyone who can assist should call the incident room on 020 8358 0200. If you wish to remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.



A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of kidnap and murder on June 9 and was taken to a west London police station and subsequently bailed to return in mid-December pending further enquiries. 



A 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of kidnap and murder on September 2. He was taken to a to a west London police station and subsequently bailed to return in mid-January 2012 pending further enquiries.

Wife Jailed For Fatal Hubby Stabbing

A woman who stabbed her husband to death at their North London home has been jailed for ten years.

Leonora Sinclair, 50, (pictured) of Windward Close, Enfield was found guilty at the Old Bailey of the manslaughter of 73 year-old Winston Lloyd Sinclair.

On Saturday January 15 at 10:20pm an ambulance rushed Mr. Sinclair – known as Lloyd – to Chase Farm Hospital, where he died the next day.

He suffered a fatal stab wound to the leg caused by Leonora and she was arrested at her home address on January 18.

Detective Inspector Ken Hughes of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said: “I would like to pay tribute to Mr Sinclair’s family who have dealt with this tragedy with great dignity and grace.

“I hope the sentence offers them some comfort and enables them to move on with their lives.”

Son Locked-Up For Starting Deadly Blaze

An arsonist who killed his father and a lodger in a fatal East London house fire has been locked-up for public protection – for a minimum of six years.

Aaron Bhasin, 53, of Chapman Street, Whitechapel pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey (pictured) to causing the manslaughter of Ram Bhasin, 82, and Sunil Koosuru, 29, on March 7.

Police, the Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service were called to the maisonette shortly before 1:20am.

The victims, the defendant’s father and an Indian lodger were pronounced dead at the scene.

Post-mortem examinations gave the cause of death for both men as smoke inhalation.



Officers from the Met’s Homicide and Serious Crime Command investigated the deaths and
Aaron Bhasin was arrested on the day of the fire.

Philosophy Student Caged For Dumb Bell Murder

A scholar, who beat a fellow London Metropolitan University student to death with a dumb bell handle in an unexplained fit of rage, has been jailed for life.

Emlyn Evans-Loude, 27, (pictured) of Wallwood Road, Leytonstone – originally from Barnstaple, Devon – only knew the victim a few days when he launched the deadly attack during a drinking session.

Polish victim Michal Mazur, 28, an international relations student was stuffed inside an airing cupboard at the East London flat, where police later found him.

Philosophy and economics student Evans-Loude tried to rally help to bury the body in Epping Forest, but he was unable to dispose of it and was arrested at a Devon railway station.

The Old Bailey jury rejected the defendant’s claims of self-defence and he was convicted of murder between January 10 and 12 and must serve at least 17 years before he is considered for parole.

Police recovered the body from the basement flat on January 19 and a post mortem confirmed the cause of death as head, neck and facial injuries.

Pensioner Killed: Driver Arrested

Police are appealing for witnesses and information concerning a fatal collision in South London on November 30, in which an 86-year-old woman died.



At 1:08pm officers were called to Christchurch Road, Tulse Hill, at the junction with Norwood Road, (pictured) to reports of a collision involving a pedestrian and a car.



London Ambulance Service also attended, however the woman was pronounced dead at scene at 1:46hpm.



Next of kin have been informed.



The driver of the vehicle, a 27-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

He was taken to a south London police station and bailed to a date in late January next year, pending further investigation.



Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service’s Road Death Investigation Unit, based in Hampton, have launched an investigation. 



Anyone with information is asked to contact the witness line on 020 8941 9011 or to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Rogue Trader Jailbird Back Behind Bars

A notorious bankrupt rogue trader has been jailed for thirty months and banned from running any business for ten years today after he was convicted again of illegally trading.

Royston Rees, 61, (pictured) plunged his new partners and suppliers into debt after illegally setting-up two companies on his release from prison.

Rees, of Glanmor Road, Llanelli was a “shadow partner” in the businesses, hiding behind other named directors who were registered with Companies House.

He was convicted by a Croydon Crown Court jury of contravening a company director disqualification order between July 12 2005 and October 31 by running Kay’s Pantry Ltd. and R & W Distribution Ltd., which was registered on November 22 2007.

His ex-girlfriend Kay Meadows, 67, of Hensworth Road, Ashford, Middlesex denied aiding and abetting Rees to contravene the order in relation to Kay’s Pantry Ltd. and was acquitted.

Judge Tim Stow sentenced Rees to fifteen months imprisonment on each count, but ordered them to run consecutively and made a ten-year company director disqualification order.

Prosecutor Mr. Edmund Burge told the jury Rees, who was made bankrupt in 1986, 1992 and 1998, was jailed at Cardiff Crown Court in January 2001 for illegally running a business when banned and disqualified for another seven years.

“These two counts represent two occasions Rees deliberately broke the rules in relation to him running a company.

“The rules are there to offer protection from unscrupulous or incompetent people.”

Kay’s Pantry was a food distribution company registered on July 12 2005 with Meadows and butcher Barry Fleet the named directors, but secretly run by Rees, say the prosecution.

“Rees found the customers, found the suppliers and negotiated the contracts and did all the talking on the company’s behalf at various meetings,” said Mr. Burge.

“The company began failing and many of the suppliers were owed money and Rees was increasingly evasive and wrote cheques to them that bounced.”

In January 2006 Barry Fleet quit, but was liable for debts of £10,000 and continuing payments on a delivery van.

“Rees was a shadow director running the business from the background and was careful not to be formally appointed, but was the directing will and mind of the company,” added Mr. Burge.

“Meadows knew in 2001 Rees was bankrupt and facing charges of being involved in the management of a company.

“She knew he should not be running a company, but helped him do it by being involved as a company director and leaving him with the day to day running of the business.

“In 2006 the couple split-up and Rees returned to his native south Wales and set up R & W Distribution, a fashion accessories company, with John Wood.

“Mr. Wood and his wife were the named directors, but Rees was the driving force and public face of that company.

“Again he failed to pay suppliers and there were disagreements within the company about allocation of the stock.

“He is an incompetent trader who cost his business partners and suppliers thousands of pounds and left them bearing the debts.”

Rogue Developer Fined For Illegal Build

A millionaire property developer with a "criminal lifestyle", who illegally built a £4m house in an exclusive conservation area, yesterday received the U.K's highest-ever fine for ignoring planning rules.

Privately-educated Piers Rance, 42, was fined £100,000 at Isleworth Crown Court and ordered to pay £100,000 costs to Hammersmith & Fulham Council. He will also have to meet his own costs, estimated at £300,000.

Rance (pic.bottom r.) fought the council tooth-and-nail during an original trial at West London Magistrates' Court and a subsequent Crown Court appeal.

However, he lost both legal battles and was told by a Judge he was: "Taking the Mickey" if he expected the court to believe he had zero assets and his only income was a £110 a week per diem from his mother.

Rance, of Inglethorpe Street, Fulham, South-West London paid £2m for the corner property in the nearby Bishops Park Conservation Area - illegally demolished it - and built a larger house complete with basement swimming pool without planning permission.

His assets are hidden in a complicated web of offshore companies based in the Caribbean island of Anguilla, and St. Helier, Jersey as well as in his wife Marianne's(pic.bottom r.) name.

Rance was convicted of causing the demolition of a building in a conservation area, namely 39 Cloncurry Street, Fulham,(pic.top) between June 18, 2007 and March 12, 2008, contrary to the Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas Act.

After he was threatened with imprisonment following his conviction Rance was given thirty minutes to come clean about his wealth to a Crown Court judge then returned to admit he had immediate access to assets totalling £60,000, then a month later revealed the true figure was at least £2m.

Judge Simon Oliver told Rance, who attended £9,500 per-year Bryanston School, Blandford, Dorset: "You are taking the Mickey if you expect me to believe you are not a man of means.

"Own up and give us an answer or you are going through the door to your right. It does not bother me sending you to prison, I will happily do it.

"It is time to 'fess up, come clean, and tell us what is going on."

Rance eventually admitted having £800,000 equity in the Cloncurry Street property and £200,000 equity in his four-bedroom £1m-plus Inglethorpe Street house, which has been advertised for rental at £1100 per week.

His family's Jersey-based trust also own two commercial properties in Exeter, currently rented out, which have a combined equity of £50-£100,000.

Rance's property company AEDS Ltd. has £30,000 in the bank and Fulham and Hammersmith council found resident parking permits for a £15,000 Ford Galaxy and £3,000 Saab.

The Cloncurry Street property was in joint names with Marianne, but has since been signed-over to her alone so the defendant can avoid foreclosure and bankruptcy, Rance claims.

"This is the type of thing businessmen do. Put assets in the name of other people," announced Judge Oliver. "He has been moving the money around offshore and out of the jurisdiction.

"I am not going to take money from his mother. I am not prepared to believe he is a man of straw on one hundred and ten pounds a week."

Rance also admitted being the director of a Hersham estate agent's and a Surrey property company.

Judge Oliver insisted Rance detail his assets in a sworn affidavit. "The reason for that if there are any lies in it he can be done for perjury."

The case had been adjourned previously so Hammersmith and Fulham Council can conduct a full investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act and the court heard Marianne's finances may come under scrutiny.

They have valued the illegal house at £3.4-£4m, but have never gained access.

"In this case distress has been caused, the elderly next-door neighbour had to move out after a crack appeared in her wall and that property is currently undergoing top to toe restoration," said prosecutor Mr. Richard Heller.

"Mr. Rance, on the facts found in the magistrates' court, has a criminal lifestyle, although I am sure he will dispute that.

"Taxation is at the forefront of Mr. Rance's mind in the way he conducts his financial affairs and a further financial investigation is warranted."

Race Rant Charge Tram Woman Finally Bailed

The woman accused of hurling racist abuse at fellow tram passengers was released on bail today (Tuesday) and can now spend Christmas with her family.

Mother-of-two Emma West, 34,(pic.top) of Grenville Road, New Addington was filmed on a mobile phone and footage became an internet sensation when uploaded to the web as "My Tram Experience."

She did not appear at Croydon Crown Court where Judge Warwick McKinnon granted bail during a private fifteen-minute hearing.

West had been remanded in custody by Croydon Magistrates Court for her own protection on a racially aggravated public order charge and was held in HMP Bronzefield, Ashford.

Over 11 million people have viewed the footage since it was posted on November 27 and West appeared in court two days later.

She was bailed on condition he resides at a specific address, does not use the tram and does not discuss the case on the internet or any other public forum.

West is due to appear before the magistrates on January 3.

Her husband (pic.bottom) waited anxiously outside the courtroom for the result of the bail application and told reporters: "Why don't you leave the woman alone, she is mentally ill.

"She has just come out of a psychiatric ward. My wife is not a racist.

"This is ruining our Christmas. She needs to be home with the kids."

Heavy Sentence For Dealer's Weighty Cannabis Stash

A convicted cannabis dealer, caught red-handed by suspicious police struggling to carry £14,000 worth of the drug along a North London street, has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Jobless David Michael Byrne, 44, (pictured) of Trulock Road, Tottenham could not walk upright as he carried 5 kilos of cannabis resin in two holdalls slung over his right shoulder.

He pleaded guilty at Wood Green Crown Court to possessing cannabis, with intent to supply, in Northumberland Park, Tottenham on October 12.

Officers from Haringey’s Priority Crime Team were on patrol at 10:00pm following a stabbing in nearby Philip Lane the day before.



The officers saw Byrne walking slightly hunched over due to the weight of the holdalls and when searched they found 20 large bars of cannabis resin (pictured).

Byrne had been released from prison in May and was on licence for offences of conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Superintendent Chris Barclay said: “The main priorities of stop and search are to prevent and detect crime and deter people from carrying weapons or illegal drugs.

“This conviction shows that where people choose to carry such items, we will do all that we can to catch them and put them before the courts.



“Drug-related anti-social behaviour and motor vehicle crime are ward priorities in Northumberland Park that are being tackled by the local Safer Neighbourhoods Team on a daily basis.

“Acquisitive crimes, such as car break-ins, are often linked to the prevalence of drugs in an area, as users of illegal drugs find ways to fund their habit. 



“This conviction illustrates to the community in Northumberland Park that police teams are working together to tackle the issues that matter most to them.”

Pensioner Kicked To Death: Murderer Jailed

The murderer of a kindly great-grandmother – kicked to death in her neighbour’s East London sheltered housing flat – has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal killing.

Eileen Jones, 73, (pic.top) had just taken a meal to her partially-sighted neighbour when she was violently attacked by visitor Christopher Newton, 45, (pic.bottom).

Newton, of Bow Road, Bow was convicted by an Old Bailey jury of murdering Eileen at Mandela House, Virginia Road, Bethnal Green on March 22.

The defendant was visiting the neighbour and having a drink when Eileen arrived with the meal and was invited to join them.

For no known reason Newton turned on the pensioner and her body was found in the flat the next morning, lying in a pool of blood.

A post-mortem examination at Poplar Mortuary the following day gave the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head and chest.

Detective Chief Inspector John Sandlin of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command said: “Eileen Jones was a much-loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

“She lived in a home surrounded by good friends in a place where she and her family felt she was safe and secure.

“Christopher Newton shattered many lives that night when he viciously attacked a totally defenceless pensioner.

“He then prolonged the agony for her family by denying any knowledge of the terrible incident and trying to pass the blame onto Eileen’s partially-sighted friend.

“To this day Newton has never fully explained why he turned on Eileen and what actually triggered his actions.

“Eileen’s family is left wondering how such a terrible thing could have happened and why it happened at all.”

Newton was ordered to serve a minimum of 22 years.

Caught In The Act, Fact

Police are hunting this prolific City of Westminster burglar who targeted multiple addresses during a four-month crime wave earlier this year.

The heartless raider snatched cash, mobile phones, a laptop, wallet, MP3 player and Oyster travel cards belonging to a string of innocent victims.

He burgled properties in Portman Square, Bayswater on June 14; Finchley Road, Hampstead on August 27; Praed Street, Paddington on September 6; Marylebone Road, Marylebone on September 15; New Broadway, Ealing on September 21 and Norfolk Place, Paddington on September 23.

The suspect is described as black, aged 25-35 years-old, of slim build with a goatee beard and shoulder-length braided hair.



Anyone with information should call the Detective Constable Will Richards of the Westminster Burglary Squad on 020 7321 6719.

Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.