Alleged Paedophile Denies Abusing Autistic Teenage Boy

A man repeatedly sexually-abused a severely autistic teenage boy, believing he would not complain or be taken seriously if he ever did, a jury were told today.

Christopher Williams, 62, of Selhurst Road, South Norwood denies the claims, insisting the allegations against him have been fabricated.

The complainant says he was aged between fourteen and sixteen years-old when abused at the hands of Williams several years ago at the defendant's flat.

Williams had pleaded not guilty at Croydon Crown Court to five counts of sexual activity with a mentally disordered male between September 10, 2004 and September 11, 2008.

“He has been diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder and learning difficulties and experiences high levels of anxiety,” said prosecutor Mr. Mark Gadsen.

“Because of his mental disorder he was not able to give informed consent to the sexual activity that occurred.

“The defendant knew all about him and his learning difficulties, but says nothing improper ever happened.”

The jury were told Williams had sex with the boy, touched him intimately and made the complainant touch him.

“He says sexual activity occurred on a number of occasions and took different forms,” added Mr. Gadesen.

“The defendant took advantage of him, knowing he had autism and learning difficulties, believing he would get away with it and that it was unlikely the complainant would tell anyone or be believed.”

In April, 2009 the complainant reported the allegations to a relative, who informed the police and Williams was quizzed.

“He flatly denied the allegations. He said the complainant had come to his house three times, but nothing sexual had occurred.

“The defendant says he has made it up for whatever reason.”

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

Tights-Fetish Rapist Begins A Stretch

A sexual predator with a fetish for women's tights – who pounced on two lone women in west London – has been caged for nine years.

Myles Thompson-Edwards, 25, was eventually tracked-down by police, who found a large collection of tights in the bedroom of his home in Murray Road, Ealing.

He pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court to raping a 36 year-old woman in the early hours of January 22, last year as she walked near his home in Blondin Park, Windmill Road.

He also admitted sexually assaulting a 27 year-old woman, who he grabbed in an alleyway off nearby Swyncombe Avenue on November 3, last year.

Detectives from the Met's Complex Case Team investigated the incidents and arrested Thompson-Edwards on November 4, last year.

He was bailed while forensic enquiries were carried out and charged on February 8, this year.

Detective Chief Inspector Adam Lowe of the Complex Case Team within the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, led the investigation. 



He said: "The evidence recovered identified Thompson-Edwards as having a fetish for women's tights and he clearly acted on this fetish when he attacked his victims.



"The streets of west London are safer without him.

“The offences he has been linked to span a twenty-month period and it is possible that others have been the victim of this man. 



"If you believe that this may be the case, please contact police locally by calling 101 or through my team on 020 8217 6538." 

Serving Cop Groomed 13 Year-Old Girl

A serving police officer, caught canoodling with a 13 year-old girl he groomed on the internet and met for park trysts, will be sentenced at the end of the month.

Andrew Gouge, 34, who was based within the Met's Territorial Policing was caught kissing and fondling the teen in public and reported by a member of the public.

He pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court (pictured) to meeting a child following grooming and sexual activity with a child.

Gouge, of Charing Close, Bromley was arrested on April 24 after he was spotted with the girl in Orpington.

Inquiries established that Gouge had first met the victim, who was aged thirteen years-old at the time, via an internet chatroom.

After exchanging BBM details they met up on a number of occasions, usually in public parks, where they would kiss.



Detective Chief Inspector Pete Thomas, from the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: "Andrew Gouge has shown himself to be someone who has targeted, groomed and exploited a vulnerable young child for his own sexual needs.

“His conduct has caused significant harm and the investigation highlights the need to remain vigilent to the risks posed by social media and the internet in order to safeguard children.

“The Metropolitan Police Service is committed to protecting children and bringing sexual predators like Gouge to justice."



Commander Allan Gibson, Directorate of Professional Standards, said: "Gouge signed up to protect and serve his community; but seriously failed in that commitment and has caused untold harm to the victim, her family and his own friends and colleagues.

“He has tarnished the reputation of both the organisation and his colleagues.

“All members of the police service are expected to behave impeccably whilst on and off duty. Gouge did no such thing."



He will be sentenced on September 30.

Detention Officer Jailed For Sex Encounter With Burglary Suspect

A police station detention officer, who received oral sex from a female burglary suspect, has been jailed for two years.

Kyle Adams, 24, was employed by the Metropolitan Police Service at east London's Bethnal Green Police Station (pictured).

He pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court to misconduct in public office while the suspect was in detention on October 3, last year.

She reported the incident to the on-duty custody sergeant and Adams was arrested the next day.

He was suspended on October 5 and charged on April 10, this year after an investigation by the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards.

Fine Wines Investment Broker Scammed Clients For £25K

A fine wines investment broker funded his own champagne lifestyle with over £25,000 he conned from clients by claiming he could secure them lucrative auction slots for their collections at Sotheby's sales.

Sammy Rooks, 20, of Randolph Road, Bromley was employed by Encarta Fine Wines, who handle valuable wine portfolios for investors, and went behind their back to charge customers extra fees.

He was sentenced to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to perform 300 hours community service and must obey a six-month night time tagged curfew.

Croydon Crown Court heard he blew all the money during a busy night life, spending the majority to pay a huge bar bill at his favourite club.

Rooks pleaded guilty to defrauding Anthony Gambling of £2,740; John Wear of £10,690; Alistair Campbell of £4,700; David Causton of £4,470 and stealing £3,000 from 80 year-old stroke victim William Jarrett.

“The defendant, without authority, and on his own initiative contacted clients,” said prosecutor Mr. Hamish Reid. “It all seems to have been spent on bar bills etc.”

One of the victims was told by Rooks £500 would get him a preferential auction slot for the sale of his wine collection and gave the details of his own Metro bank account for payment and made follow-up requests for more money.

“All those requests were not legitimate and the clients were contacted personally by Rooks.

“One of the payments was made directly to a nightclub to pay the defendant's bar bill.”

The older victim's money transfer was highlighted by his concerned son, explained Mr. Reid. “Mr. Jarrett may have been targeted due to his age and infirmity and no money was repaid.”

Rooks' lawyer told the court his client has curbed his lifestyle and is determined to repay all of the money with an initial £2,000 lump sum, followed by payments of £300 per month.

Recorder Gregory Mitchell QC said: “There were a number of offences, a breach of trust and one of the offences was against a vulnerable victim.

“Encarta Wines have lost money and it has tarnished their reputation.

“There are particularly bad features to this case, however there are factors in your favour,” the recorder told first-time offender Rooks.

“You have shown remorse and wish to pay off the debt.

“You entertained people at nightclubs and spent large amounts of money on alcohol.”

Transexual On The Run After Admitting Hate-Campaign Against Doctor

A transexual, who bombarded his consultant plastic surgeon with abusive emails and texts after unsatisfactory treatment, is on the run after fearing he would be sent to a male prison.

Alexandra Charles, 36, of Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff was a patient of leading surgeon Dr. Brian Mayou, founder of the Cadogan Clinic, 120 Sloane Street, Belgravia.

Charles pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates' Court to harassing Dr. Mayou between December 16, 2010 and April 14, this year by sending numerous unwanted insulting messages.

The court heard Charles (pictured) made unfounded allegations that Dr. Mayou was a peadophile during a campaign against him that lasted nearly two-and-a-half years.

District Judge Mr. Paul Clarke told Charles the offence crossed the custody threshold and bailed him for a pre-sentence report.

The defendant told the court: "I am halfway through a sex-change and sending me to a male penitentiary would be sexual abuse."

He failed to appear for sentencing and a warrant without bail was issued for his arrest and he remains at large.

Blackmailer Jailed For Sex Pics Threats

A blackmailer, who threatened to stick sexually-explicit images of an internet one-night-stand on local lamp posts and her work colleagues' cars if she didn't pay him £1,000 has been jailed for eighteen months.

Chef Craig Farquhar, 28, told the Tesco's manageress he would have 20,000 copies of intimate pictures she sent him produced and distributed - leaving the young mum "extremely frightened."

Farquhar, of Brighton Road, Purley pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to making an unwarranted demanded for money, with menaces, between April 25 and 30.

Prosecutor Miss Alexandra Boshell told the court Farquhar, who has a three-month old son with his current partner of four years, chatted with the victim on a dating web-site three years ago and they met once for sex.

"It would seem during their brief affair she sent pictures to the defendant's phone of her breasts and vagina.

"He started making demands for money, threatening he would show the pictures and plaster them on every lamp post on her road and every car at her workplace.

"He said he had a friend who owned a printing shop and could have twenty-thousand copies at the end of the day and if she told her current boyfriend he would make sure she went missing.

"She describes herself as being extremely frightened by the messages and was not able to sleep and lost her appetite."

The victim reported Farquhar to police and when arrested he admitted having an "on-off affair" with the woman.

"He said he had no intention of claiming the money and wanted her to leave him alone," explained Miss Boshell. "When told off the effect it had on the complainant he did show some remorse."

Farquhar's lawyer Mr. Derek Barry told the court: "It has had a deep impact on the victim and can be described as wicked and malicious.

"There was no loss to the victim and her face was not on any of the images and the defendant was self-consumed by excess alcohol intake and could be described as stupid."

Recorder Alastair Hammerton rejected the probation service's recommendation of a suspended prison sentence and told Farquhar: "This message caused your victim extreme anxiety and you accepted that you wanted to frighten her in order to leave you alone.

"This was a relatively unsophisticated blackmail, but it was pre-planned and there was a financial motive.

"The courts regard blackmail as a particularly repugnant offence because of the mental anguish caused to the victim."

Angry Farquhar violently kicked the door to the secure dock shouting: "I've got a three-month old son," before he was taken to the cells.

Ten Years Behind Bars For Sex Crimes

A sex offender is starting a ten-year sentence after he was jailed at Croydon Crown Court yesterday.

Daniel Cheesman, 32, of Dunley Drive, New Addington was convicted of offences committed against a woman at a local address in Central Parade.

A large amount of people attended the court (pictured) to see him receive the lengthy sentence.

He was originally charged with four counts of rape against the unknown adult complainant between May 1 and September 21, last year.

Bank Fraudster Cashed OAP's Pension Cheques

A bank fraudster, who cashed £1,000 worth of an 85 year-old woman's stolen pension cheques, dodged prison with a suspended sentence today.

Florist Anna Forrest, 30, of Mayfair Buildings, Durham Road, Sunderland was visiting her mother in Croydon when she became involved in the swindle.

She was convicted at Croydon Magistrates' Court of three charges of fraud by false representation, namely cashing three Department of Work and Pension (DWP) cheques belonging to a Miss E Casedi on November 7, 2011.

The court heard she entered a bank in the town with a man later charged with fraud offences totalling £12,000 and convinced staff she was entitled to cash the cheques on behalf of Miss Casedi, using her own genuine driving licence as proof of identity.

Forrest (pictured) claims she had spent the afternoon in a local pub with people she did not know very well and her involvement was limited to one visit to one bank and she received no financial reward for carrying out the fraud.

She says she did not know she was associating herself with people, who were “working the area” and involved in a much wider fraud and as unaware of the scale of their offending.

Forrest has been employed as a florist for nine years – the last six with the same firm – and the court heard she has made efforts to “move away from her juvenile behaviour.”

Until recently her partner was on benefits and she was the family's sole breadwinner, supporting her young child.

“We believe these offences are very serious,” bench chairman Mr. James Philips told Forrest. “It was an offence involving an eighty-five year-old lady's pension money and would have caused her a huge amount of distress.

“We considered an immediate custodial sentence to show you how bad these offences were.

“You came perilously close to going straight into custody today.”

Forrest was sentenced to twenty weeks imprisonment, suspended for twelve months, and ordered to complete 180 hours community service work.

She was also ordered to pay £1,002 compensation to the DWP and £300 costs at the rate of £10 per week.

Law Firm's Finance Boss Was £12K Benefit Fraudster

A benefit fraudster, who kept his finance job with a law firm a secret during a £12,000 swindle, was given a deadline by a judge yesterday to find new employment and start paying back his local council.

In a rare move, ex-financial controller Lee Graham, 56, had his sentence deferred for three months after his £10-a-week compensation offer was turned down by Isleworth Crown Court Judge Robert Winstanley.

"The message being conveyed is that Mr. Graham just wants to sit back and feel sorry for himself and say: 'You can't do anything about.'

"It has not come across strongly to me that he wants to make restitution," said the judge bailing first-time offender Graham to return to court on December 20.

Graham, of Warwick Road, Earl's Court pleaded guilty to dishonestly making a false statement on October 19, 2007 to obtain benefit from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

He received £10,655 in housing benefit and £1,325 in council tax benefit while earning up to £2,000 per month on a self-employed basis with Marylebone solicitors Julian Young & Co.

If the court had accepted Graham's offer it would take twenty-three years to repay the money.

"He plainly has skills and works in the middle of London and there are a host of people out there looking to employ people with Mr. Graham's skills so he could pay compensation if he wanted to.

"I am looking for conduct that shows he is willing to make financial reparations," added Judge Winstanley. "I will defer sentence in the expectation that Mr. Graham will find a job and do so in a realistic time."

Prosecutor Mr. Paul Sharkey told the court Graham's jobseekers allowance claim was legitimate when it began in 2004 and the rent and council tax bills on his housing association flat was covered by the local authority.

After learning he was working the council wished to interview the defendant, but he failed to turn up to speak to investigators at the town hall on three separate occasions.

Graham's lawyer Mr. James Dennis said his client returned to work after caring for his now-deceased mother and because his confidence was low did not come off benefits.

"He was not sure how it was going to work out and he decided, very stupidly, not to inform the local authority. It snowballed and he buried his head in the sand.

"The sums earned were relatively modest, but he should have declared them. He was not living an extravagant lifestyle.

"Mr. Graham is not claiming benefits or working anymore and relies in friends to get by. He is a man of very little means.

"He realises this is money that has to be paid back and he wants to pay the money back, but his financial circumstances are what they are."

Drug Dealer Who Operated From Bedroom Of Family Home Is Caged

A young drug-dealer, arrested during a police raid on his father's west London home, which yielded heroin, crack, cocaine and ecstasy was locked-up for two years today.

Rhys Mulikita, 20, of Attewood Road, Northolt, (pictured) was in his bedroom when officers executed a search warrant and found the drugs - with a street value of nearly £1,000.

He pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court to four counts of possessing drugs, with intent to supply, on October 11, last year.

There were others in the room when police arrived and all the various amounts of drugs were found in a denim jacket hanging in the wardrobe.

There were 37 wraps of heroin at 53% purity; 14 wraps of crack at 22%; 3 wraps of cocaine at 67% purity and MDMA at 28% purity.

In total there were fifty-nine separate deals ready for sale and £200 cash wrapped in cling film on top of the wardrobe.

At the time Mulikita was on licence from youth custody after serving a sentence for robbery.

He told police the jacket and was not his and must have been left behind by a guest and that the cash was not the proceeds of drug sales.

"This was commercial supply, fulfilling the function of selling drugs to the public," announced Judge Robert Winstanley.

'Charming' Double Rapist Posed As Gay Vogue Photographer

A smooth-talking rapist, who chatted-up two victims in exclusive Mayfair - plying them with suspected spiked drinks - has been convicted.

Fabio Moniz, 27, approached the first woman as she enjoyed a night out with a pal and the second, an American businesswoman, as she dined alone at luxury hotel Claridge's.

He was convicted at Snaresbrook Crown court of two counts of rape, plus one count of attempted assault by penetration and will be sentenced on September 30.

The first rape occurred after Portuguese-born Moniz approached two female friends enjoying an evening out on August 25, last year.

After taking them to a nearby nightclub Moniz bought them rounds of drinks.

The next recollection of the first victim is awaking in an unknown flat as Moniz raped her.

She and the friend left the flat and called the police.



The second offence took place on September 13 when Moniz befriended a woman and persuaded her to go a bar with him and bought her a number of drinks.

She awoke the next morning in a disorientated state to find Moniz in her hotel bed. 



Later that day she caught a flight back home and during the journey felt unwell and concerned about the events of the night before.

On her arrival she attended a medical centre where she informed staff she believed she had been raped during her stay in London.

She was examined and samples taken.



The Metropolitan Police Service was informed and officers from Sapphire, part of the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, travelled to the U.S. to collect the samples and take a full statement from her.



Moniz was arrested on September 19 and denied all allegations put to him.



Detective Superintendent Kate Halpin said: “Moniz preyed on young women in London’s West End, using initially his charm, and then alcohol as a means to sexually assault them.

“I would like to commend the victims for the courage they have shown in reporting the offences and re-living their ordeals in court to see justice.

“With the support of specially trained officers and other specialist agencies they have seen this case through to conviction.


"Given the nature of Moniz’s crimes, it is highly likely he has committed further offences and I would urge any victims to come forward.”

One-Man Crime Wave On Police Hit-List Jailed For Park Mugging

A prolific drug-addict offender – targeted by police in east London – is starting a twelve-month sentence for mugging two boys of £10 in a local park.

Steven Harris, 41, of Marston Road, Ilford was on the Operation Topple hit-list, a Metropolitan Police initiative aimed at the “most harmful” criminals.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard the defendant approached the terrified boys in the park near South Woodford Cricket Club in Highfield Road at 5.20pm on June 16 demanding cash and threatening violence. 


Harris was arrested on 20 June after Operation Topple investigations and was charged with robbery. 


Detective Inspector Craig Robinson from Ilford Police said: “Harris is a prolific drug addicted offender, who has rightly been targeted because of his offending.

“This offence - stealing money from children - shows the lengths that addicts will go to feed their habit and has resulted in this term of imprisonment.

“I would urge anybody with an addiction, to seek treatment rather than turn to crime”. 

Double-Killer Gets Life For "Massive Disrespect" Murder

A double-killer is beginning a life sentence after stabbing a man to death in a north-west London street for showing “massive disrespect.”

Ex-prisoner Dean Gabay, 23, (pic.bottom) plunged a knife into the stomach and thigh of 26 year-old Arron Payne (pic.top) and was ordered to serve at least twenty-five years.

The Old Bailey heard Gabay had already served a 21-month manslaughter sentence for killing Janusz Krason, 36, with a single punch.

He was convicted of murdering Mr. Payne in Chalkhill Road, Wembley, who was stabbed on September 5 and died in St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington eight days later.

The court heard the victim was targeted after his cousin had been involved in a clash the day before with an associate of Gabay's.

He was approached by a group of men, including the defendant, as he walked along the street at 7.00pm and fatally stabbed.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Partridge said: "Arron Payne was a decent hardworking young man, raised within a close-knit family and with an exciting future ahead of him.


"On any view, the attack on Arron was a senseless and cowardly act.

“Whilst no sentence imposed can make amends for their tragic loss, I hope that this conviction will provide some small degree of solace to Arron's family and friends.



"I wish to pay tribute to Arron's family who have shown immense courage and dignity since his tragic death last September. 



"Sadly, this case once again highlights the dangers of carrying knives and demonstrates that the Police and criminal justice system will vigorously pursue those who take part in such serious violent attacks.”

Arron's mother
Monica Campbell said: "Our son Arron Henry Payne was wise beyond his years.

“He had grown into a true gentleman. He was hard working, spoke his mind and despite the loss of his twin brother, Antone, at the age of thirteen he overcame considerable odds.



"Our family had to deal with the death of Arron's brother Antone which was beyond our control.

“Arron however has been taken from us. We had no time to prepare and his death has shaken every single one of us to the very core and turned our lives upside down.



"An act of senseless violence by a man hell bent on revenge has put us here and although this finding of guilt will not bring Arron back, it at least brings closure for us after a long and arduous twelve months of hurt.

“We hope now we can grieve in peace.”

Bus Grope Pervert Hunted By Police

Police are hunting this bus pervert, who groped a young woman and made gestures towards her.

The 25 year-old victim boarded the packed route 3 service in Brixton at 9.00pm on June 5 and decided to sit upstairs.

As she sat down she felt the suspect's hand beneath her and when she turned around he made the gestures.

The woman reported the incident to the driver, but the wanted man managed to leave the bus and escape the scene.

Police Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Safer Transport Command Sexual Offences Team are treating the incident as a sexual assault.

The suspect is described as a bald black man, wearing a light coloured top and light green framed sunglasses. He was carrying a rucksack

Officers have released this CCTV image of the incident in the hope the suspect can be identified.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Constable Anna Deighton on 020 7421 1074 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

DC Deighton said: "The bus was very busy and I am urging anyone who may have information to contact us.

“We do not tolerate unwanted sexual behaviour on the transport network and we take all sexual offences very seriously.

"If someone has made you feel uncomfortable, for example touched you in an inappropriate manner, please tell the police or a member of staff. It will help police to not only target the perpetrator, but also help prevent it happening to someone else."

Bus Pervert: CCTV Image Released

Police have released this CCTV image of a bus pervert, who played with himself while sitting next to a teenage girl.

The Metropolitan Police's Safer Transport Command Sexual Offences Team hope the suspect can be identified and arrested.

He deliberately sat next to the 19 year-old after boarding the 358 bus, which was travelling between Orpington and Penge on May 7.

The man began touching himself indecently and the teen got off the bus and contacted the police.

The suspect is described as a scruffy black man, aged between 30-40 years, wearing dark tracksuit bottoms, a dark jacket and Nike trainers.


Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Constable Anna Deighton on 020 7421 1074 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.



DC Deighton said: "I would like to reassure passengers that these types of incidents are rare.

“We do not tolerate unwanted sexual behaviour on the transport network and we take all sexual offences very seriously.



"If someone has made you feel uncomfortable, for example touched you in an inappropriate manner, please tell the police or a member of our staff.

“It will help them to not only target the perpetrator, but also help prevent it happening to someone else."



93 Year-Old Paedophile Gets Twelve Years For Decades-Old Crimes

A nonagenarian pensioner has been caged for sex offences against a young girl committed over fifty years ago.

Thomas Charles Windle, 93, of Midfield Way, Orpington must have thought he would never be punished for his sordid crimes, which remained a secret into a sixth decade until his brave victim finally came forward.

He continued to lie about his past and fought the case to the end, forcing the complainant to give evidence at Croydon Crown Court (pictured), where a jury convicted him.

Windle pleaded not guilty, but was convicted of raping a girl aged under sixteen years-old between 1960 and 1971 at an address in Orpington and was sentenced to twelve years imprisonment.

He was also found guilty of indecently assaulting the same girl at the same address between the same dates and was sentenced to four years imprisonment, to run concurrently.

Sacked BBC Techie's Revenge

A bitter BBC technical operations engineer used the corporation's account to order nearly £8,000 worth of electronics, which he placed in various offices to "implicate" the manager who sacked him, a court heard today.

Former BBC News team leader Dominic Di Chiera, 50, (pictured) of Battersea Bridge Road, Battersea admitted ordering a 3D Blu-ray player, LED televisions, a mobile phone, a camera drive and other electrical items as his contract neared it's end.

"When ordering these items the defendant had the electrical goods delivered to his home address," prosecutor Miss Amanda McCabe told Hammersmith Magistrates' Court.

"He said he committed the offences on being told that his contract would not be renewed and wanted to implicate a BBC colleague responsible for budgeting, who was responsible for not renewing his contract.

"He intended that the purchases would implicate him and he took items to the BBC to deposit them, but some were found at his home address."

Di Chiera was upset with technology operations manager Huw Davies, who said when contacted: "He was copped out. The police discovered that orders were going to a residential address."

Australian-born Di Chiera pleaded guilty to seven counts of fraud by false representation, namely fraudulently using a BBC account to make purchase orders totalling £7,773.63p between June 4 and 26.

He was employed at a variety of BBC sites and has also worked for Channel 4 and BSkyB.

"There is an element of breach of trust here and the items were of a high value," added Miss McCabe.

The court heard Di Chiera was close to a nervous breakdown after hearing his employment was coming to an end and is keen to receive help to ensure he does not repeat this type of behaviour.

He is currently working with police to locate the electrical equipment he says he left at BBC offices.

Di Chiera was bailed until September 24 for a pre-sentence report.

Drink-Driver Jailed For High-Speed Crash That Cost Passenger His Leg

A drink-driver from Northern Ireland, who crashed into a tree while speeding - causing devastating injuries to his passenger, who had to have a leg amputated - has been jailed for sixteen months.

Digger operator Barry Scollan, 30, tried to convince police he was not behind the wheel of his Subaru Impreza when it collided with a tree while travelling at between 42-53 mph, injuring his sister's boyfriend Jason McGarvey, 26.

Croydon Crown Court heard Scollan, of Portland Road, South Norwood had convictions for speeding in Enniskillen in 2004 and 2007 and moved to London four years ago.

He pleaded guilty to driving dangerously and with excess alcohol in his breath in Woodbastwick Road, Sydenham on November 11, last year.

Witnesses heard the Subaru's engine roaring as it sped along the residential road at 5pm, moments before colliding into the tree.

Scollan told people, who rushed to the scene, that his passenger was a "dickhead" and later told police he had given his car keys to a stranger in a pub earlier that night and just happened to stumble upon the crash while walking.

A blood sample taken four to five hours after the crash showed Scollan was still over the drink-drive limit and he told officers he had no more than three pints of beer that day.

He eventually admitted he was the driver, claiming he lost concentration at the wheel while changing a CD.

Mr. McGarvey said in a statement: "It's as if my whole body has shut down. I'm in bits. I have to live every day with what happened."

Judge Daniel Flahive told Scollan: "The consequences have been enormous for your victim, who suffered life-changing injuries, including brain damage, and will never again , Iive a normal day to day life.

"It is lucky that the two of you were not killed, but Mr. McGarvey's life has been changed forever."

Scollan was also disqualified from driving for three years.

Art Expert Sentenced For Slapping Wife In Front Of Young Kids

A former Christie's art expert, who slapped his wife across the face while driving in busy west London as their two young daughters watched from the rear seat, has escaped custody with a suspended sentence.

Art dealer Damian Brenninkmeyer, 42, is the ex-head of the Old Masters department in Christie's Amsterdam, having been their specialist in New York and also worked at New Bond Street auction house Bonhams and Butterfields.

He was sentenced two four months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months, and made subject to a six-month restraining order, prohibiting contact with wife Fiona, 40, and visiting the Fulham family home.

He pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates' Court to assaulting his wife of ten years, Fiona Brenninkmeyer, on July 7, two days after receiving a police caution for throwing water over her.

Brenninkmeyer, who is currently is residing with his father at The Water Gardens, Warren Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, must also attend a domestic violence rehabilitation course and pay £120 costs.

"Slugging his wife across the face while while driving on a busy road with two children in the back is one of the most dangerous things you can do," District Judge Susan Williams told Brenninkmeyer after he admitted the offence. "Things must never come to fisticuffs."

Brenninkmeyer's lawyer Mr. Mark Haslam told the court: "This is a marriage both parties think can be saved and there is an email from his wife to that effect."

Prosecutor Mr. Paul Mitchell previously told the court the family were planning to drive to Mrs Brenninkmeyer's mother's home in Buckinghamshire on that Sunday afternoon.

"Mrs Brenninkmeyer could sense a bad mood and was afraid the defendant would get angry with her, but he assured her everything was going to be okay.

"They were driving along Fulham Palace Road when the defendant became aggressive and started shouting: 'I want to punish you for what you did to me'."

The court heard Brenninkmeyer was still angry with his wife for calling the police two days earlier and told her: "I'm going to break your phone and tell the accountant not to allow you to have another.

"She said: 'Please calm down for the kids', but he started to bash his fists on the steering wheel while they were still moving," explained Mr. Mitchell.

"He then back-hand hit her across the right side of her face.

"He was driving erratically so she decided to call the police and grabbed her phone, but Mr. Brenninkmeyer grabbed her hand, clawing at her hand.

"He gave up, but grabbed her sunglasses from her lap and threw them out of the window.

"The right side of her face was throbbing and she could see bruising as the journey continued and at Beaconsfield Services she took the two girls into a service area and cried.

"Mr. Brenninkmeyer said: 'Why don't you get back in the car? You're causing a scene'."

There was another row back at the family home that night when Brenninkmeyer discovered his wife had taken money from their joint account to pay a cleaner and he pushed her down onto a sofa.

The court heard Brenninkmeyer has been undergoing treatment for anxiety.