Seven Years For Husband's Meat Cleaver Murder Bid

A jealous father-of-four, who tried to kill his ex-wife's new husband with a meat cleaver during a family celebration, has been locked-up for a minimum of seven years.

Girdaware Basra, 55, (pic.top) of Beaumont Drive, Northfleet “exploded in a fit of potentially lethal violence,” said Croydon Crown Court Judge Jeremy Gold QC.

He deemed Basra, who also once stabbed a man to death, a dangerous offender and passed a minimum senentence for public protection meaning the defendant will only be released when the parole board deem him safe.

Basra was convicted of attempting to murder Resham Singh, 32, and inflicting grievous bodily harm, with intent, on his ex Sukhvinder Kaur, 41, (pic.bottom) during the Diwali festival on October 26, last year.

He had invited the couple and his four children, two boys and two girls, aged between thirteen and sixteen to his home despite the existance of a restraining order for domestic violence.

“This was a very serious attack with a deadly weapon,” Judge Gold told Basra. “You have not shown a flicker of remourse for your actions.

Both victims and all four children were in court as the judge added: “You tried to say he started it and you only hit him with a lamp.

“You were in an advance state of intoxication caused by cocaine or alcohol or a combination of both.

“The force you used removed a sliver of skull bone from his scalp and your ex-wife suffered a serious hand injury.

“The attack took place in your house where your teenage children were present and enjoying a family evening.

“They saw the result of your violence and the blood-splattered condition of the house. It must have been terrifying for them.”

The court heard Basra was convicted of manslaughter at Maidtone Crown Court in 1983 after knifing a man through the heart during a fight outside a pub.

In 1986 he received five years for aggravated burglary while armed with a knife and was convicted of actual bodily harm for biting a police officer's finger during his arrest for drink-driving.

“You are a man prone to outbursts of serious violence, particularly when intoxicated,” Judge Gold told Basra, who also has convictions for possesing cocaine and a CS gas cannister.

The court heard Sukhvinder has been visiting the defendant in prison and he still maintains his innocence, despite the conviction.

During the trial Mr. Singh refused to give evidence against the defendant and Sukhvinder was treated as a “hostile” witness for the prosecution.

The jury were told there was no sign of trouble as they ate, drank alcohol and let off fireworks. 


Later during an argument in a bedroom, Basra told Mr. Singh to leave, but when he replied he was not leaving without his wife, the defendant went to a cabinet and picked up “something like a cleaver”, with a sharp cutting edge.


He repeatedly brought it down on Mr. Singh’s head, causing him serious injuries, including a gaping wound.


Mr. Singh bit into Basra’s ear in an attempt to stop the attack and Sukhvinder’s left ring finger was badly cut as she stepped in.


African Gangster Jailed For Prison Contraband Smuggling Bid

A notorious gang-member, who claimed his life-of-crime was over as he battled deportation, has been jailed for thirty months for smuggling heroin and three mobile phone sim cards into a top-security prison.

Sierra Leonne-born Mikey Giwa, 23, - one of the leader's of Croydon's notorious 'Don't Say Nothin' gang - had recently been working as a mentor for charity Lives Not Knives.

Giwa, (pictured) of Lancing Road, Croydon was convicted by a Woolwich Crown Court jury on two charges of conveying articles into Belmarsh Prison on November 1, last year.

He has previous convictions for indecent assault; robbery; affray; handling stolen goods and possessing cannabis and this latest conviction occurred following his release from a Home Office immigration detention facility.

The gang, which included Giwa's twin brother Joland, were linked to the murder of 16 year-old Wesley Sterling, an attack on two police officers, plus other offences, including robbery and burglary.

A police source said: "These two thought they could get away with anything. They were part of a massive crime wave across Croydon for a long time."

The court heard Giwa tried to put his trousers into a property box during the prison visit before he was searched, but they were checked and the wrap of heroin and sim cards quickly found.

His lawyer David Barnes said: "He got involved in gang culture, but had the courage to move away from that lifestyle and now works for the Croydon charity Lives Not Knives.

"There is also an issue with the UK Border Agency and an ongoing appeal regarding his status in this country."

Giwa told his local newspaper just three months ago: "I've moved on from being in a gang now, to trying to help people that are in gangs or people that want to get out of gangs.

"When I got introduced to Lives Not Knives I thought: 'This is the answer."

Television Spiritual Healer And Self-Styled Prophet Jailed For Sex Attacks

A self-claimed ‘spiritual healer’ and television preacher – who sexually abused two female patients seeking treatment for back and foot pain - has been jailed for nine years.

Alain Bhatupa, 37, (pictured) of Alston Road, Upper Edmonton titled himself ‘The Prophet Alain’ and promoted his healings on a religious satellite television channel.

The 61 year-old woman, who was seeking help for chronic back pain, was abused by Bhatupa when she visited him at his television office at Crown House, North Circular Road, Willesden.

A 40 year-old, who hoped the defendant could cure her foot inflammation, had also seen him on Religious Wonderful TV and was assaulted during the consultation.

Bhatupa was convicted at Harrow Crown Court on three counts of digital penetration and two counts of sexual assault.

Detective Sergeant Peter Walker, of the sexual offences Sapphire team, said: “Bhatupa platformed himself and his bogus healing techniques on satellite television by targeting devout Christian viewers.

“He used his position of trust and his television credibility to go on and sexually assault women behind closed doors.

“It is possible that there are further victims who have been affected by the actions of Bhatupa, and I urge them to come forward and speak to us.



The 61 year-old reported the defendant to police in August, last year after she was assaulted and asked for a £500 “offering”

A month later the 40 year-old also reported him to police. She had been asked for a £600 offering.

Lorry Driver Gets Four Years For Killing 97 Year-Old Pensioner

A lorry driver, who killed a pensioner just three years short of her one-hundredth birthday, has been jailed for four years.

Nora Gutmann, 97, (pic.top) from West Hampstead was fatally struck by the vehicle in busy Baker Street, Marylebone on June 17, last year.

Driver Joao Pedro Correia Lopes, 56, (pic.bottom) of Ashlin Road, Stratford pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court to causing death by dangerous driving.

He also pleaded guilty to causing false data to be recorded on the lorry’s tachograph and received another twelve months to run concurrently.

This related to his tampering with the tachograph to show his vehicle was stationary and at rest when it was being driven. 



He was also banned from driving for six years and will have to retake his test.



Police were called at approximately 12.00pm to a lorry in collision with a pedestrian on the westbound Marylebone Road, near the junction with Baker Street - opposite Madam Tussauds.



Ms Gutmann was taken by ambulance to St Mary's Hospital where she died shortly after arrival.



A post-mortem gave cause of death as multiple injuries.



Laughing Thugs: Do You Know Them?

Police are hunting these two late-night thugs who laughed as they beat a man unconscious in the busy West End.

It was just after midnight on July 7 when the suspects turned on the thirty-year old victim, who moments earlier they encouraged to fight with some local homeless men.

They repeatedly punched and kicked the victim to the ground outside the Carphone Warehouse shop near the junction of Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road.

The suspects were seen to repeatedly run in and attack the victim, hiding behind members of the public who had stopped to try to help him back up on to his feet.

Both men were heard laughing throughout the assault.

It continued until one of the suspects punched the victim so hard he was knocked unconscious and collapsed into the road.

After the brutal attack both suspects ran off through Great Russell Street, then back out in to New Oxford Street where it is believed they may have boarded an eastbound bus.

One of the suspects is described as a possibly mixed race white / Asian man in his early 20’s, 5ft 6ins, athletic build, short black hair, wearing a khaki blazer and speaking with a London accent.

The second suspect is described as a white man in his early 20’s, 6ft 1ins, stocky build, ‘baby-faced’ with short, mousey brown, slightly wavy hair.

He was wearing a red plaid shirt and speaks with a London accent.

Officers from the Westminster Serious Violence Team are keen to identify the two men.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or with information that could assist the investigation, is urged to contact Detective Constable Will Richards at the Westminster Serious Violence Team on 020 7321 9315.

Alternatively dial 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously quoting crime reference 6536603/12.

Cop Accused Of Punching Woman And Trying To Scupper Prosecution

A police detective, who also runs a child nursery with his wife, punched a sacked ex-employee in the face after she reported the couple's business to Ofsted, a jury were told today.

Detective Constable Narinder Bargota, 46, then perverted the course of justice by trying to convince her to drop the complaint with a "sob story" about the the stress he and his family were under, Harrow Crown Court heard.

Nursery manager Kirndeep Gill, 28, was told to: "Fuck off. Fuck yourself. Leave," when sacked from the Willowtree Marina Day Nursery, West Quay Drive, Yeading by Bargota (pictured) and his wife Meenu.

Miss Gill had told the Met officer, based in Hillingdon Borough, the ratio of staff to children was too low and she was unhappy about lies the couple told parents concerning what the children - aged six months to four years-old - were eating.

"She was sacked from the nursery because she refused to follow orders from Mrs Bargota to mislead parents as to what the children had been eating and doing during the day," prosecutor Mr. Neil Guest told the court.

"She took notes of what was going on behind the scenes, but those notes vanished from her locker and she was sacked.

"She took this dismissal rather well, even though it was clearly illegal, but did alert Ofsted as to what was going on at this nursery."

In June, last year Miss Gill was enjoying lunch at the Quayside Bistro, next-door to the nursery, with another sacked ex-employee, who had taken the Bargota's to an employment tribunal, and were confronted by the defendant in the car park afterwards.

"He was shouting at my friend: 'Am I not paying you enough money?' and then Meenu came out and shouted at me: 'You little bitch, you fucking little bitch," Miss Gill told the jury.

Mr. Guest explained: "Bargota was the aggressor and was joined by his wife who was more aggressive."

Miss Gill returned to the bistro to fetch the Marina's landlord, Arthur Bennett.

"He was asked to never allow Miss Gill back into the bistro by the Bargota's. You may think that is rather high-handed."

When Miss Gill did return two months later on August 10 she received a torrent of foul-mouthed abuse from the defendant's wife, who was inside the restaurant, the court heard.

"Meenu yelled less than ladylike: 'Have you come to look, you fucking bitch," added Mr. Guest.

The next day Miss Gill heard a thud near her vehicle after parking near her home and found the defendant leaning against a garage door when she investigated.

"He strolled over to her and without any preamble punched her to the right side of her face," said Mr. Guest.

"She asked: 'Did you just hit me?' so shocked was she by the violence from an ex-employer and police officer."

Miss Gill later attended Hillingdon Hospital where a doctor confirmed tenderness to her jaw.

Bargota was arrested at home on August 22, refused to answer questions, but in a prepared statement denied assault.

On August 31 he telephoned Quayside Bistro manager Chetan Kunwadin, said Mr. Guest.

"He related a sob story that he had a wife, children, elderly parents and the stress was wearing on him and asked Mr. Kunwadin if he would talk to Miss Gill and ask her to reconsider the whole issue.

"It was an attempt to pervert the course of justice, to get Miss Gill to retract her statement and not give evidence."

The jury were warned not to fall for the Bargota's claims they are the victims of a conspiracy of "blackmail and extortion."

"It is a device designed by the Bargota's to deflect your attention from this case," Mr. Guest told them. "It is no more than mud-slinging, hoping some of it will stick and that you will be blinded by a whole mass of allegations."

Miss Gill told the court the ratio of ten children to one staff member was "way over" acceptable levels, but when she brought this to Meenu's attention received "evil eyes" from her employer.

"I noticed a lot of things went wrong at the nursery," she added. "My only concern was for the children so I put a complaint in to Ofsted.

"I was concerned by the staff ratio, whether the children were getting enough food and milk and the fact there was no hazard test when going outside in the garden."

Bargota, of Dane Road, Southall has pleaded not guilty to assaulting Miss Gill on August 11 and perverting the course of justice on August 31.

Trial continues…………

Murder Hunt Continues For Heartless Killers

Police continue to appeal for witnesses as they try and solve the murder of a 76 year-old South-East London pensioner – found tied-up in her home.

Cat lover Pamela Wheeler (pictured) was found dead at the address in Newacres Road, Thamesmead on July 22.

Officers believe Mrs Wheeler was attacked at her home at some point between Thursday afternoon, July 19, and the following morning.

Two separate witnesses have described two males acting suspiciously on that Thursday evening.

The two males - no further descriptions available - were seen near to a car at the front of the victim’s house. 



Detective Chief Inspector Graeme Gwyn of the Homicide & Serious Crime Command said: “Mrs Wheeler was found dead in her own home, with her wrists and ankles tied.

“I need to hear from anyone with any information that will help us bring to justice whoever carried out this shocking and tragic crime.”


Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room at Lewisham on 020 8721 4805 or if you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.



There has been no arrest at present. 



A post-mortem examination at Greenwich Mortuary on July 24 did not establish a formal cause of death. Police await the results of further tests.



Neighbours last saw Mrs Wheeler on Thursday.

She usually leaves out bowls of food for cats, and neighbours noticed the bowls were empty on Friday morning.

Shocking Police Discovery: Mobile Phone Stun Guns

Police have seized two electric stun guns disguised as harmless mobile phones after searching a teenager’s car in North London.

Barnet Police approached a couple sitting in a parked Ford Focus in Gatting Close, Pavilion Way, Edgware on July 18.

They arrested a 19 year-old Edgware man for possession of a prohibited weapon and impounded the uninsured vehicle.

He was taken to a central London police station and later released on bail pending a forensic examination of the stun guns.

The female passenger was not arrested.

The suspect will return to a local police station on a date in September.

Black-Belt Leaves Love-Rival Black And Blue

A jealous martial arts expert – who broke a love-rival’s neck after finding him in bed with a female friend – has been locked-up for seven years.

Erin Dixon, 36, (pictured) of Hargwyne Street, Brixton attacked the 25 year-old victim with his bare hands and violently threw him against a wall

He was convicted at Snaresbrook Crown Court of inflicting grievous bodily harm at the Hackney address on November 27, last year.

Dixon had travelled to the woman’s address and launched the attack because the pair were lying in bed together.

Police and an ambulance attended the scene.

The victim was taken to hospital and a CT scan revealed he had a fractured vertebra in his neck.



Dixon was arrested by officers from Hackney CID.



Acting Detective Sergeant Kevin Ives said: “This was a sustained and serious assault by an individual with a clear capacity for extreme violence.

“The victim could easily have been much more seriously injured.”

Train Thugs Derailed For BBQ Skewer Ambush

Tobi Animashaun

Two young thugs, who joined a brutal barbeque skewer attack on a teenager travelling on board a packed commuter train, have been locked up.

The 17 year-old suffered stab wounds as he travelled between Deptford and Westcombe Park, South-East London and had to be rushed to hospital.

Pastor’s son and trainee carpenter Tobi Animashaun, 21, of Lubbock Street, Bermondsey was jailed for twelve months.

Illegal immigrant Hilary Gbenoba, 21, received two years and six months and is liable for automatic deportation.

Both pleaded guilty at Blackfriars Crown Court (pictured) to causing an affray on April 16 and Gbenoba additionally admitted carrying a Supermalt bottle as an offensive weapon.

Animashaun claimed the violent offence “ruined my summer” because he had to obey a night time curfew as a bail condition.

The court heard it was around 7pm when the defendants – plus an unknown accomplice armed with the skewer – barged onto the busy train and targeted the Plumstead victim.

Judge Henry Blacksell QC told the defendants: “You have watched the train CCTV with me and it was a shocking thing to watch.

“Those other passengers are entitled to travel without being put in fear.

“You did not intend to attack those people, but they did not know that and you did not care or give a hoot.

“It must have been absolutely terrifying because this is public transport and they cannot go anywhere and you, Gbenoba, are waving a bottle.

“You got on and you immediately went for your victim. 

"You knew what you were doing.

“The third man was brandishing the most offensive weapon imaginable.

“You, Animashaun, said that your summer has been ruined, well your summer’s going to be a bit more ruined.

“Uncontrolled violence on public transport to the shock and horror of other users deserves custody.”

BBC Help Hunt For Wannabe Assasin Of Russian Businessman

The attempted assassination of a wealthy Russian businessman outside his Canary Wharf apartment has been recreated in a BBC Crimewatch appeal.

German Gorbuntsov, 46, (pictured) who has owned banks in his homeland and Moldova was shot six times outside the block in Byng Street, Poplar, East London on March 20.

He has founded approximately forty companies involved in finance, security, construction and other fields and had just travelled home from his office by taxi when ambushed by a lone gunman at 7.20pm.

Speaking from an unnamed hospital, where he is under armed guard Mr. Gorbuntsov said: “My future is uncertain. The worst feeling is - that guy shot me and ran away and probably thought that he had killed me.

“This incident has changed my whole life.”



Detective Chief Inspector Russell Taylor of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command is leading the investigation. 



He said: “We are continuing to examine CCTV footage from the area and are keen to speak with anyone who may have been in the Byng Street area shortly before or after 7.20 on Tuesday March 20.



"Did you see anyone acting suspiciously in the area? 



“I urge anyone with information about the attempted murder of Mr. Gorbunstov to contact the incident room.”



The suspect is described as white, 6ft tall and of slim build, wearing a dark hooded top.

He was seen running from Byng Street away from Westferry Road, believed through Bellamy Close, towards the Marsh Wall area.



A hooded top, along with a gun and a fake leather bag were found in bushes nearby.



Any witnesses or anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8721 4868. If you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 



There has been no arrest at this time and officers retain an open mind regarding a motive.

Predatory Paedo Pair Get 20 Years Apiece

Two men, who groomed and then systematically abused four vulnerable boys they met on train enthusiasts’ Internet forums, have been locked-up for a minimum of twenty years for a catalogue of sex offences

Andrew George Mower, 67, (pic.top) of Tryfan Close, Ilford and his lodger Darren Leslie Smith, 39, (pic.bottom) were found guilty by a Snaresbrook Crown Court jury.

They were both given indeterminate sentences, but must serve at least twenty years before they can be considered for parole.

Mower was convicted of 10 counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, an attempted rape and three rapes.

The counts relate to four boys aged between 13 and 16 years over a five-year period between 2006 and 2011.

He was also found guilty of 1 count of possessing indecent photographs of children.

Smith was convicted of 13 counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, 12 counts of rape and two counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child.

The counts relate to the same four boys in the same five-year period.

He was also found guilty of several representative counts of possession of indecent images.

The court heard how Mower would identify and contact potential victims by surfing the Internet and engaging in online chats with young boys.

He would specifically target young vulnerable boys on specialist rail forums before encouraging them to meet in person at train conventions or transport museums.

Once they had agreed to meet him Mower would begin to ask inappropriate questions of a sexual nature and invite them to visit his home in Ilford.

Here they were introduced to Smith whose apparent aim was to impress the boys with his knowledge of smart phones and computer technology.

The boys would be given mobile phones from Mower, which he used to maintain and control regular contact with them.

Mower and Smith would then manipulate contact the boys had with their family and friends in a bid to alienate them.

The jury heard how the men would allow the boys freedom within their home, offer them gifts and money and ply them with alcohol before persuading them to undress and perform sexual acts.

This progressed to both men sexually assaulting and raping the boys.

It was only when the boys came into contact with one another, both in person and on the computer rail forums, that they realised the scale of the abuse and felt compelled to report the offences to police.

An investigation was launched by officers from the Met’s Sapphire Command Complex Case Team and on August 2, last year both Mower and Smith were arrested at their home address.

Detective Chief Inspector Carl Mehta, who led the investigation, said at the conclusion of the case: “Sapphire aim to provide a supportive service to victims, whose care is at the heart of each investigation.

“We want all victims to know that we will conduct a thorough and robust investigation.

“We want all sex offenders to know that our dedicated teams are there to trace and pursue them until they are bought to justice.

“Mower and Smith deliberately targeted young and vulnerable boys by claiming to share their hobbies and interests.

“They gained their trust, alienated them from loved ones in a bid to exercise control over them and then sexually assaulted them.

“I pay tribute to the enormous courage of each victim who came forward and reported their abuse and supported this prosecution to bring these men to justice.

“We hope that this result will bring them and their families the sense of closure they fully deserve and we would urge any other victims to come forward and speak to us.”