Prosecutors Continue Hunt For Assets Of 'Country Life Couple' Convicted Of £5.9M Scam

"Ron 'n Reg": Lansley & Meddes

Prosecutors were back in court today seeking details of an inheritance received by a socialite who gained notoriety for her role in a £5.9m black market veterinary drug scam.

Self-styled Princess Diana look-alike Regine Lansley, 64, a popular member of the equestrian community, who describes herself as an expert horse-rider and shot was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment in 2011.

Husband Ronald Meddes, 75, a disgraced ex-Lloyds trader also well-known in horse circles, received 28 months for the "industrial scale" operation.

Both are now subject to Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings, which were adjourned at Croydon Crown Court to a future date to be fixed by the parties.

The court heard the couple's eight-bedroom French farmhouse has been seized by the tax authorities in that country, but it's value will not meet the outstanding debt.

The prosecution say Lansley is not co-operating with the investigation, in particular with the details of the inheritance from her late sister, which she received in 2012.

They are seeking a court order to reveal the details of the estate and Lansley's assets and she and Meddes were given until March 10 to reply to the order.

Regine, an actress and model who is available for hire as a Di look-alike, shows no modesty in her online profile describing herself as "charismatic" with an obvious "wow factor" and is constantly told by admirers: "I wish I could be like you."

An 1800-strong UK customer list was seized during the DEFRA raid on May 15 2007 on the French farmhouse 80 miles outside Paris - La Petite Ferme - owned by the couple known to friends as 'Ronnie and Reggie.'

The property was her fiftieth birthday present from Meddes.

Judge Nicholas Ainley told Meddes: "You did very well in France, enjoying the country life, the hunts and the status you had in a very pleasant house and lived as a man of wealth.

"Your greed was such that after the raid you moved across the border to Belgium and after another raid you moved on undaunted and carried on while on bail.

"You could not resist trying to make money from this trade, you found a niche in the market and you exploited it."

The judge told Lansley: "You are an independent-minded woman and what you did, you did with your eyes open and carried on after you were arrested."

Prosecutor Mr. Andrew Marshall told the court: "It is the largest known attack on the  UK veterinary system and the seizure of goods in France represented the largest seizure of illegal veterinary products in Europe."

The customer list included farms, stables, kennels, hunts, shoots and veterinary practices and the medicines supplied included anti-inflammatories, anabolic steroids, tranquillisers, antibiotics, sedatives, painkillers and other miscellaneous products administered to horses, household pets and farm animals.

"They illegally sold vast quantities of veterinary medicine to customers in the UK," he added, revealing 130 cubic metres of black market products were seized from a three-storey barn conversion warehouse that also housed offices and a team of migrant workers.

"This is a highly-regulated area because there can be a great deal of damage done to animals from the misuse of medication if you do not know where it was made, how it was made and the precise ingredients," added Mr. Marshall.

The married couple evaded EU regulations by lying that the medicines, imported from all over the world from counties including Australia and India, were for export-only to Russia.

There was a threefold price mark up on some India-imported medicines and investigators discovered paperwork showing total sales of £13.5m over a six-year period.

Such was the scale of their illicit operation some medicines enjoyed the largest market share in the UK over legitimate products and just one of their delivery companies transported 8.5 tons of black-market drugs into the UK during a two-year period. 

The couple immediately restarted their illegal trade a month later from Belgium, covering their tracks with a string of foreign bank accounts in countries such as Cyprus and Malta, companies registered in Belize and Moscow-based company directors.

This was shut-down after another raid on October 2 2008, but the prosecution discovered the couple continued selling illegal medicines throughout 2009 and 2010 via a Hungary-registered company despite being subject to police bail.

"All these products go through the black market," explained Mr. Marshall. "They are being distributed by people not licensed to do it so others can administer them to animals who are not authorised to do so.

"It becomes a bit of a free-for-all and the food chain is placed at risk as well.

"These animals and their welfare are being placed at risk and the only reason for it is legitimate veterinary medicines are more expensive than smuggling these into the country or buying them over the internet."

Convicted fraudster Meddes, of Egg House, Charing, Kent pleaded guilty to nineteen counts of unlawfully supplying unauthorised veterinary medicines and Lansley, of Stadium Street, West Brompton pleaded guilty to two counts. 

Fatal East End Stabbing: Homeless Man Convicted Of Murder

A homeless Eritrean, who repeatedly stabbed a fellow hostel resident to death, has been convicted at the Old Bailey of murder.

Mehretab Zemicael, 43, (pic.bottom) punged a knife into the neck of 42 year-old Gary Brisco (pic.top) several times at the East End hostel in Code Street, Spitalfields.

He was remanded in custody to be sentenced on March 6.

Police were called by a London Ambulance Service crew at 5:39pm on Saturday, June 22, last year after Gary was found deceased in his room.

He had suffered multiple knife wounds, including serious stab injuries to his neck, and was pronounced dead at the scene. 



Zemicael, a fellow resident of the hostel, was immediately identified as a suspect.

A man hunt was launched and the Metropolitan Police Service launched a public appeal to find him.



Zemicael was traced by detectives to a location in Southwark and arrested on July 9, having slept rough since fleeing the hostel.

He was charged the following day with the murder of Gary Brisco.

Justice Catches Up With "Predatory Paedophile" Forty Years On

A “predatory paedophile," who raped two young girls from the same family through the 1970's, is starting a ten-year sentence after justice finally caught up with him.

Derek Frost, 58, (pictured) of Southbourne Gardens, Ruislip abused the girls – aged between 11 and 15 years-old – at various locations in his local area as a young adult.

He was convicted at Isleworth Crown Court of six counts of rape and four of indecent assault.

Frost began manipulating situations in 1972 so he could be alone with the first girl, who did not know he was doing the same with another member of her family.

Again, he would make sure he was alone with the victim, for example offering her lifts in his car, before attacking her.



The abuse happened sporadically for around seven years and the first victim confided in a school friend about Frost's attacks, but the information did not go any further.



It was only decades later that the first victim approached the police and told them about Frost's abuse and mentioned she had told her childhood friend, many years ago.

Officers managed to track her down and it was confirmed that she had been told by her friend at the time that she had been abused by Frost.



Detective Constable Andrea Lenihan of the Metropolitan Police's Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, led the investigation.

She said: "I would like to pay tribute to the bravery of both victims for having the courage to come forward and speak to police - their evidence has put this evil man behind bars.



"Derek Frost is a predatory paedophile who abused two young girls who trusted him.

“He may have abused other girls and women - if you have been a victim of Derek Frost, please come forward and speak to police."



"I hope Frost's conviction sends out a strong message to any other victims - please put your confidence in the police; we will listen to you, help you and fight to get you justice."



Anyone with information is asked to contact their local police by calling 101. 

Sexual Predator Groped 8 Year-Old Girl At Madame Tussaud's

A paedophile, who targetted an eight year-old girl in the gift shop of world-famous Madame Tussaud's waxworks, has been convicted.

Algerian Oldkount Ballabbas, 42, groped the youngster's chest, kissed her and held her back by her shoulders when she tried to flee.

He was convicted by a Southwark Crown Court jury of abducting and sexually assaulting the girl at the busy central London attraction on August 5, last year.

He will be sentenced on March 6.

The girl was alone in the gift shop, having briefly left her mother and other family members in the adjacent café.

Ballabbas engaged the victim in conversation and moved her into a quiet area of the gift shop.

He then began touching the girl's chest area over her clothing and kissed her on the cheek.

The girl asked three times to return to her mother, but Ballabbas was holding her by the shoulders.

It was only when he was disturbed and lost physical contact with the victim that she was able to escape, crying, to her family.

Security staff were then alerted and called police but Ballabbas had already fled the scene.

A CCTV still provided by Madame Tussauds was then circulated.

Two days later a local Safer Neighbourhoods Team police officer recognised the suspect near the waxworks and Ballabbas was arrested.

Detective Constable Liz Clements said: "Ballabbas is a dangerous man and CCTV has revealed that he followed females of all ages prior to the attack on the little girl.

"It was fortunate that he was disturbed by another shopper.

“This then gave the girl an opportunity to run back to her family who then spoke to security staff.

"I would like to pay credit to the family who have remained dignified throughout this difficult period."

The detective team also thanked Madame Tussauds for their co-operation throughout the investigation.

Detectives believe Ballabbas also attempted to touch other females prior to the attack on the young girl.

Anyone with information are asked to call detectives on 0208 733 5999.

Businessman Jailed After Proceeds of £421K University Scam Are Paid Into His Account

The University of Manchester were successfully duped into paying £421,000 to scammers, who hijacked the identity of a technical supplies company and diverted payments for electron microscopes into a bank account under their control.

Businessman Kevin White, 47, a specialist graphic and website designer, was sentenced to eighteen months imprisonment at Croydon Crown Court today for receiving the money into his account.

Four separate payments were made by the university and the fraud was only exposed when their suppliers, FEI UK Ltd, submitted invoices demanding their money.

White, of Park Heights, Constitution Hill, Woking, Surrey pleaded guilty to dishonestly obtaining credits of £279,826; £81,950; £59,529 and £482 between March 9, 2012 and February 23, last year.

Prosecutor Miss Shekinah Anson told the court: "An email was sent to the finance department of the University of Manchester purporting to be from one of their suppliers with a change of bank details.

"It was on headed paper, signed by the company's finance manger and the name of the manager was correct so the bank account details for the supplier were changed on the university's computerised finance system.

"This resulted in all future payments being paid to the new account details."

A total of £421,789.20p was paid into White's account for the scanning electron microscopes and £85,556.12p was withdrawn before a civil injunction froze the account.

The police were informed and an investigation revealed the account was for the defendant's Croydon-based company and he was the sole director and only signatory for the account, which had been overdrawn before the scam.

"After it had been credited Mr. White began to make payments to various named people, including the mother of his children, plus bills and loans and to restaurants and nights out," added Miss Anson.

When arrested in October, last year the defendant told police he kept a 20% commission for allowing the true fraudster to utilise his bank account.

Mr. Thomas Dauvergne-Cleve, defending, told the court: "He had no idea how his bank details were to be used. He was approached by someone he knew for eighteen months, a local businessman."

White was expecting the first transfer of £59,529, but the subsequent payments sat in his account untouched for several weeks before the civil injunction, the court heard.

"One would normally expect a transaction of sixty thousand to be noticed, but three more followed," said Mr. Dauvergne-Cleve. 

"By this time he had the creeping realisation this was something illegal.

"He regrets this entirely and he is very, very sorry. He's very sorry about the loss to the University of Manchester."

A hearing under Proceeds of Crime Act legislation was scheduled for August 22 when the prosecution will attempt to recoup the missing money.

Scarf Strangler Gets 8 Years For Trying To Kill Bus Passenger

Bus Strangler: Eric Mjola

A London bus passenger, who tried to murder the man sitting in front of him by strangling the victim with his scarf in an unprovoked attack, was jailed for eight years today.

South-Afrian Eric Mjola, 33, wrapped his scarf around the throat of Tesco's security guard Reynolds Quadjovie, 39, who was heard choking by another passenger and passed out.

Former hotel worker Mjola, West Brompton was convicted after just over an hour's deliberation by an Isleworth Crown Court jury of attempting to murder Mr. Quadjovie as they travelled on a single decker C1 bus through Earl's Court on December 1, 2012.

"The was for Mr. Quadjovie an extremely frightening experience that so far has not left him. He believed you were trying to kill him," The Recorder of Kensington and Chelsea Judge Richard McGregor-Johnson told the defendant.

Gay Mjola, who moved to London because he felt his lifestyle was more acceptable in the UK, claimed his powerful HIV medication, coupled with drinking vodka the night before, resulted in him believing Mr. Quadjovie was having a fit.

"He was going to and fro, front and back in the seat and I took out the scarf to restrain him, to stop him from hurting himself," he claimed from the witness box.

Judge McGregor-Johnson added: "This was not pre-planned, it was a spontaneous incident. Why it happened I don't know.

"The reports show you do suffer from deficiencies in thinking. but they don't explain or excuse your actions.

"I have to take into account the effect on Mr. Quadjovie and others who witnessed this, including a sixteen year-old boy on public transport."

Mjola was told he would be liable for deportation at the end of his sentence.

He was on his way to a gym in Hammersmith when security guard Mr. Quadjovie, who was starting his first day at Tesco's, sat in front of him on the bus.

Mr. Quadjovie had just asked another passenger if they were near Tesco's when Mjola said to him: "Are you crazy?" and the victim replied: "What do you mean, I'm crazy?" and turned back around.

The jury were shown CCTV footage of the defendant then placing his scarf around Mr. Quadjovie's neck and the pair struggling at the rear of the bus.

"He was killing me, there's no doubt about that," Mr. Quadjovie told the court. "He meant it and he meant what he was doing.

"He was in complete control of the bus, people were lying down afraid of their lives. You can see on the image how I was struggling, how he was killing me.

"At that time I was completely in his hands."

In his statement to police Mr. Quadjovie said the defendant told him: "I want to kill you," while strangling him. "He said this several times."

The CCTV footage showed the teenage passenger willing to intervene, but repeatedly being held back by his mother and another young man reportedly shouts: "You can't do that, you're killing him."

At one point Mr. Quadjovie slumps against the window to his left, but seconds later is seen on the CCTV running down the bus's aisle towards the driver.

"I was lucky enough and God was on my side," he told the court. "I made the scarf a bit longer and was able to get it over my head."

Another passenger told the jury Mjola chased Mr. Quadjovie down the aisle repeatedly shouting: "I'm going to kill you," confirming she heard choking behind her moments before.

The victim says a finger on his right hand is permanently damaged as a result of trying to loosen the scarf around his neck.

"I'm handicapped in that finger. I'm suffering emotionally and physically. I'm traumatised.

"I have suffered a loss of income from having to spend months at home, I still have debts and was not able to pay my rent.

"He has completely taken my life in a bad way."

Mjola told the jury: "His movements were not something I was used to, looking sideways and back at me so I asked him: 'Are you crazy?'

"There was some groaning and I thought he was not well and that he was going to faint. He had groaned earlier and started again as if he was choking.

"He was going to and fro, front and back in the seat and I took out the scarf to restrain him, to stop him from hurting himself.

"My aim was to put it around his chest, but it slipped up around his neck and at at that moment I let go and he slumped and I thought: 'Oh my God. He's having a fit.'

"If I did not help him further he would have fallen off his seat and I used the scarf to lift his head so he did not fall and bang it on the floor.

"It went around his neck again and that's when I decided to sit him on his chair.

"Someone shouted: 'You might kill him,' but I said: 'I'm not killing him. I won't kill him, I'm trying to help him'."

However, the defendant claims his strong accent was misheard and he was repeatedly saying: "I won't kill you."

He told the jury: "I was shocked that someone had said I was going to kill him, I wanted to restrain him."

After Mr. Quadiovie fled the bus Mjola remained on the back seat and now admits he misunderstood the security guard's behaviour.

"Maybe because I was on medication and had drunk alcohol the night before I misinterpreted the whole situation.

"He doesn't know I thought he was having a fit and for him it must have been very traumatic and distressing and I can only apologise to him."

"I Never Intended To Cause Him Any Harm," Says Bus Strangler

A man accused of trying to kill a fellow London bus passenger by strangling the victim with his scarf told a jury today: "I never intended to cause him any harm, my aim was to restrain him from hurting himself."

Eric Mjola, 33, (pic.top) was seen by CCTV and other passengers wrapping his scarf around the throat of Tesco's security guard Reynolds Quadjovie, who passed out on the C1 bus in Earl's Court.

"His movements were not something I was used to, looking sideways and back at me so I asked him: 'Are you crazy?'

"There was some groaning and I thought he was not well and that he was going to faint," Mjola told Isleworth Crown Court. "He had groaned earlier and started again as if he was choking.

"He was going to and fro, front and back in the seat and I took out the scarf to restrain him, to stop him from hurting himself.

"My aim was to put it around his chest, but it slipped up around his neck and at at that moment I let go and he slumped and I thought: 'Oh my God. He's having a fit.'

"If I did not help him further he would have fallen off his seat and I used the scarf to lift his head so he did not fall and bang it on the floor.

"It went around his neck again and that's when I decided to sit him on his chair.

"Someone shouted: 'You might kill him,' but I said: 'I'm not killing him. I won't kill him, I'm trying to help him'."

CCTV shows Mjola pursuing Mr. Quadiovie (pic.bottom) along the bus aisle towards the driver and the complainant and another passenger say he was shouting death threats.

However, the defendant claims his strong accent was misheard and he was repeatedly saying: "I won't kill you."

He told the jury: "I was shocked that someone had said I was going to kill him, I wanted to restrain him."

After Mr. Quadiovie fled the bus Mjola remained on the back seat and now admits he misunderstood the security guard's behaviour.

"Maybe because I was on medication and had drunk alcohol the night before I misinterpreted the whole situation.

"He doesn't know I thought he was having a fit and for him it must have been very traumatic and distressing and I can only apologise to him."

Mjola, of no fixed abode, has pleaded not guilty to attempting to murder Mr. Quadjovie as they travelled on the single decker bus on December 1, 2012.

Trial continues……………

Would-Be Murderer Strangled Fellow Bus Passenger With Scarf

Bus Victim: Reynolds Quadjovie

A bus passenger travelling to his first day in a new job was the victim of a murder bid when a man sitting behind strangled him with a scarf while menacingly repeating: "I want to kill you," a jury heard today.

Eric Mjola, 33, wrapped his scarf around the throat of Tesco's security guard Reynolds Quadjovie, who was heard choking by another passenger and passed out, Isleworth Crown Court was told.

Mjola, of West Brompton, has pleaded not guilty to attempting to murder Mr. Quadjovie as they travelled on a single decker C1 bus through Earl's Court on December 1, 2012.

Mr. Quadjovie had just asked another passenger if they were near Tesco's when Mjola said to him: "Are you crazy?" and the security guard replied: "What do you mean, I'm crazy?" and turned back around.

The jury were shown CCTV footage of the defendant then placing his scarf around Mr. Quadjovie's neck and the pair struggling at the rear of the bus.

"He was killing me, there's no doubt about that," Mr. Quadjovie told the court. "He meant it and he meant what he was doing.

"He was in complete control of the bus, people were lying down afraid of their lives. You can see on the image how I was struggling, how he was killing me.

"At that time I was completely in his hands."

In his statement to police Mr. Quadjovie said the defendant told him: "I want to kill you," while strangling him. "He said this several times."

The CCTV footage showed a young male passenger willing to intervene, but repeatedly being held back by his mother and another young man reportedly shouts: "You can't do that, you're killing him."

At one point Mr. Quadjovie slumps against the window to his left, but seconds later is seen on the CCTV running down the bus's aisle towards the driver.

"I was lucky enough and God was on my side," he told the court. "I made the scarf a bit longer and was able to get it over my head."

Another passenger told the jury Mjola chased Mr. Quadjovie down the aisle repeatedly shouting: "I'm going to kill you," confirming she heard choking behind her moments before.

The victim says a finger on his right hand is permanently damaged as a result of trying to loosen the scarf around his neck.

"I'm handicapped in that finger. I'm suffering emotionally and physically. I'm traumatised.

"I have suffered a loss of income from having to spend months at home, I still have debts and was not able to pay my rent.

"He has completely taken my life in a bad way."

Mjola claims he was misheard, due to his accent, by Mr. Quadjovie and the witness and was saying: "I won't kill you."

Trial continues………….  

Hit And Run Cop Killer Caged

An unlicensed and uninsured killer hit-and-run driver, who mowed down a police officer signalling him to stop at a speed trap, has been caged for eight-and-half years.

PC Andrew Duncan, 47, (pic.top) was flung thirty metres, sustaining fatal injuries, when struck by Gary Bromige, 25, (pic.bottom) who was driving a black VW Golf at over 80mph.

Bromige, of Holland Road, South Norwood pleaded guilty at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to causing death by dangerous driving; death while unlicensed and uninsured; failing to stop at an accident and failing to report an accident.

He was also disqualified from driving for six years and must pass an extended driving test before he is allowed to get behind the wheel again.

Officers were deployed in Reigate Avenue, Rosehill in the early hours of September 20 on a speed enforcement operation when PC Duncan signalled for Bromige to pull over.

However, the defendant ignored this request and drove the vehicle into the officer, abandoning it a short distance later.

Father-of-two PC Duncan, who had served twenty-three years, had sustained multiple injuries and died in the early hours of September 22.

Detective Chief Inspector John McFarlane, said: “On the night of September 20 Bromige who was not legally permitted to drive, was doing so dangerously, recklessly and his actions led to the tragic death of PC Andy Duncan.



“He callously failed to stop leaving a critically injured officer at the scene." 

Road Rage Driver Kills Pensioner Crossing Road With Her Granddaughter

An unlicensed and uninsured road rage hit-and-run driver, who killed a pensioner when overtaking another vehicle on the wrong side of the road, has been jailed for six years.

Mariuzu Jusza, 36, (pictured) continuously beeped his horn and drove aggressively behind the car in front, which slowed down to allow 68 year-old Margaret Streeter to cross the road.

Jusza, of Greenford Avenue, Hanwell then roared past and collided with Mrs Streeter, who was walking with her seven year-old granddaughter, and suffered fatal injuries.

He pleaded guilty at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to causing death by dangerous driving, causing death while driving uninsured and driving without a full licence.

Jusza was driving a red VW Bora when he struck the pensioner in Half Acre, Brentford at 4.00pm on October 28, last year and an hour later she was pronounced dead from multiple injuries.

He was frustrated with a blue Renault vehicle in front of him, driven by a woman, who he felt cut him up and held his hand on his horn continuously as they drove the length of nearby Alexandra Road.

The driver described him as aggressive, hunched over his steering wheel and driving closely behind her.




The Renault driver then slowed at the junction with The Butts to allow Mrs Streeter and her granddaughter to cross the road.



Jusza also slowed down, but suddenly accelerated hard and overtook the Renault on the wrong side of the road.



The girl managed to run across the road but Jusza's car hit the victim, throwing her over the roof, before speeding off with a shattered windscreen.



Jusza's vehicle was later found abandoned in a car park in Boston Manor Road.

He bought a bottle of alcohol and spent the night in a park before handing himself into Hounslow police station the following day. 



Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Jeff Edwards, of the Road Death Investigation Unit based at Hampton Traffic Garage, said: "Jusza behaved appallingly.

“He totally overreacted to a situation with a fellow driver and was then seen tailgating and edging his vehicle out into the opposite lane as he sought to speed past, overtake and make his point.

"He hit the victim at speed, sending her over the bonnet and then the roof of his vehicle such was the impact, all in front of her young granddaughter.



"He then drove off, not even stopping to deal with the consequences of his actions.

“He deserves the prison sentence imposed today."

Sexual Predator Caged For Night Time Break-In

A late-night prowler, who sneaked through an open ground-floor window last summer and sexually assaulted the lone young woman sleeping inside, has been caged for eight years.

Raymond Yates, 31, was captured on CCTV tying a t-shirt around his face in the early hours of July 25 before entering the property in Hurstbourne Road, Sydenham.

He was found guilty at Woolwich Crown Court of sexual assault, robbery, and trespass, with intent to commit a sexual offence.

Yates removed his shoes as he cased the property to prevent the 23 year-old woman hearing him sneaking around outside.

She awoke to find the defendant straddling her, pinning her to her bed.



Yates then subjected the woman to a sexual ordeal and threatened to kill her if she made a sound.

He then fled through the same window a minute later, having stolen two mobile phones.


Officers traced Yates using an app on one of the stolen mobile phones.

He was arrested, in possession of both phones, on board a bus in Brixton Hill approximately an hour after the incident at around 600am.



Detective Constable Corrado Di Mascio of the Met's Sapphire Unit, part of the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, led the investigation.

He said:
"This was a particularly harrowing attack on a lone woman whilst she slept in her bed at home. 



"The evidence shows that Yates was calculating in his attack, concealing his identity and taking off his shoes in an attempt to mask his approach. 



"I would like to praise the victim who has been committed to seeing her attacker brought to justice."



Detective Chief Inspector Pete Thomas, also of Sapphire, added: "The level of planning and thought Yates demonstrated while carrying out this offence shows he is a committed offender.

“While we have no concrete evidence of other offences we cannot discount the possibility that Yates may have carried out other attacks.



"If you believe you have been the victim of this man, please contact police.

“Sapphire have specially trained officers who will support you and strive to obtain justice for you.”



Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of Raymond Yates is asked to contact the Sapphire Unit on 020 8721 4678. 

Veteran Armed Robber Locked-Up For Fresh Trio Of Raids

A serial armed robber, who targetted betting-shops soon after his relese from prison for a copycat offence, is now starting an eight-year sentence.

Gary Lovett, 49, (pictured) donned a motorcycle crash helmet during all three raids and tried to scare staff into believing he had a real gun.

He pleaded guilty at Kington-upon-Thames Crown Court to attempted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm at William Hill, Garratt Lane, Earlsfield on July 27, last year.

Lovett also admitted robbery and possession of imitation firearm on July 19 at William Hill, Upper Richmond Road, Putney when he snatched £435.

Attempted robbery and possession of imitation firearm on July 7 at the same William Hill in Garratt Lane. 



An investigation was launched by the Flying Squad, who were able to match the clothing worn during the robberies with CCTV footage of Lovett. 



Lovett had been released on licence for a similar robbery with an imitation firearm at a different shop in Garrett Lane in 2010. 



Detective Constable Vicky Bailey, the investigating officer from the Flying Squad said: "Gary Lovett committed a series of offences against betting shops in South West London causing considerable fear and distress to the members of staff.

“Had he not been arrested he would have continued committing these robberies. 



"The Flying Squad is committed to protecting the interests of commercial businesses in London, and in particular tackling violent crime."

Prince Harry's Would-Be Assasin Jailed For Death Threat

A Muslim convert, who hatched a plan to assassinate Prince Harry using a low-calibre pistol in a plot he named Operation Regal, has been jailed.

Belfast-born Ashraf Islam, 31, formerly known as Mark Townley, confessed to police he had “advanced plans” to kill the Prince.

He walked into a police station the day after Drummer Lee Rigby was killed in Woolwich, south-east London, and told an officer of his intentions.

“You pleaded guilty to making a threat to kill Prince Harry,” the Recorder of Kensington and Chelsea Richard McGregor-Johnson told bearded Islam.

“I have to remember this was not a threat in isolation, you had made research into his wherabouts and engagements and gave the matter considerable thought.

“Your view at the time was that those that served as officers in the army were morally accountable and you felt you had a moral right, which you continued to hold when you spoke to the doctor.

“There is no evidence of professional planning and your plan was vague and unlikely to have been successful.

“Even such an enterprise, if you tried to carry it out, would have involved the intervention of armed police in public.

“So it was not just the target that is important, but the wider public.”

Islam described Drummer Rigby as a “soft target” and said he didn’t agree with the attack on the serviceman.

He eventually revealed he intended to kill Prince Harry because the third in line to the throne “had blood on his hands”.

A document found on Islam’s computer said: “Aim for target. No civilians to be injured.

"Dress code is the the biker look. Use low-calibre pistol at close range. Not to be viewed as Islamist extremist.”

Islam, who changed his name by deed poll in 2010, arrived in the UK from Thailand the day before his arrest.

Prosecutor Lynne Townley previously told Isleworth Crown Court: “He said he has been watching the Horse Guards Parade and planned to disarm an officer whilst disguised as a tourist rather than bringing a gun into London.

“He spent ten days in Thailand searching Prince Harry and his whereabouts.

"He used his time in Thailand to get his fitness to a higher level. He planned to send a phone warning to create a diversion.”

Miss Townley explained Islam, after landing at Heathrow, checked into a Travelodge and at 11am the following morning went to Hounslow police station in west London.

“He told duty officer PC Boyne that he wanted to talk about a murder. Miss Townley added: “He said he was being monitored by UK security.

“He was asked for further details of what these plans were and he said it was the murder of a high-profile person.”

Islam, who is separated from his wife and young child back in Northern Ireland, decided to confess after feeling “scared and nervous” on the morning of May 23.

He said he believed hurting people was wrong but “Prince Harry had chosen his path and had blood on his hands for power and profit”.

He pleaded guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court to one count of making a threat to kill on May 25 and has been in custody ever since.

After analysing his laptop, police discovered a number of internet searches showing Islam had been researching Prince Harry’s protection team, his engagements and his general whereabouts.

A video showed him making threats to kill Prince Harry to camera whilst he was in Malaysia.

Judge McGregor-Johnson added: “You have spent a long time in custody to get reports on you to explore the possibility of a personality disorder.

“The position is now clear there is a diagnosis of personality disorder and in certain circumstances the continuation of your behaviour untreated could lead to an unecessary risk to others.

“Given the uncertainties that lie ahead it is my judgement you do present a risk,” added the judge, who was restricted by legal authorities from passing an extended prison sentence.

“I would have wished to pass an extended sentence for the protection of the public, but that is wrong in principal.”

Islam has at least three convictions for dishonesty and in Northern Ireland in 2000 he received a nine month suspended sentence for attempted robbery.

“A substantial sentence of imprisonment is inevitable, you have been before the courts on a large number of occassions for a large number of offences.

“In all the circumstances, and I wish these remarks to be passed on, I urge the prison authorities to address the anger issues caused by the personality disorder and those that supervise you on licence must bear that in mind.

“That is because you have to avoid getting into this situation again and is the best chance to protect the public.”

Islam's lawyer miss Roxanne Morrell said the medical reports showed Islam no longer felt the same way. “It is suggested that those matters have disappated.

“If the position remains in abayance the risk will remain at a low level,” but she did concede. “If there is no assistance, risk in the future cannot be discounted.”