Big Brother Star Fleed Paps While Nearly Twice Drink-Drive Limit

Big Brother star Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace was caught by police drink-driving at almost double the limit after colliding with another vehicle and continuing on as she fled paparazzi outside a charity event.

The wannabe model, fashion designer, magazine columnist, actress and television personality claims she had one large glass of wine at the function and only took to the wheel of her black Range Rover when her friend panicked.

Horgan-Wallace, 35, of Pioneer House, Britannia Street, King's Cross was fined £275, with £85 costs, ordered to pay a £27 victim surcharge and was disqualified for seventeen months.

She pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates Court today to driving the 2.2 litre 2011 Range Rover with 67 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35 - in Edgware Road, Bayswater on June 25.

A second charge of failing to stop after an accident with a ten year-old 1.8 litre silver Mercedes C180 was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.

She rose to fame in 2006 when finishing third in the seventh series of reality TV show Big Brother and told Hammersmith Magistrates Court she earns £10,000 a year, which is supplemented by £700 a time interviews, which pay her another £4,-5,000 a year.

Horgan-Wallace also needs some help with her geography after choosing a drink-drive rehabilitation course in Basingstoke, Hampshire, which she believed would be nearer her north London home.

"Hants is north isn't it?" she said as she nominated a course, which if she completes will reduce her ban.

Prosecutor Rav Chodha told the court: "At 11.30 in the evening there was a road traffic collision and the driver of a black Range Rover left the scene without leaving details.

"This was reported to the police and members of the public attempted to speak to the driver of the vehicle and it was picked-up by Automatic Registration Number Recognition in Edgware Road and was stopped.

"The driver eventually got out of the vehicle, gave a road-side positive breath-test and was arrested.

"She admitted driving the vehicle, saying she had one large glass of wine, but did not think she was over the limit.

"She also believed she had not hit any cars."

Horgan-Wallace was represented by the free duty-solicitor Miss Maya Lal, who told the court her client was attending a 'Fake Bake' skin cancer charity event at the Sanctum Hotel, Soho. 

"This was a business event and towards the end of the evening she had a large glass of wine and had not eaten at all.

"The journey was made difficult by all the press and paparazzi around the vehicle. Her friend Danielle, who has Crohn's Disease, kept stalling the vehicle and could not get it out of where it was parked."

Horgan-Wallace then took the wheel. "There were paparazzi on mopeds on both sides of the vehicle. She was being chased by paparazzi.

"She is a businesswoman with a portfolio of properties in north London and is embarking on a career as a comedy actress."

Raised as a Jehovah's Witness in north London Horgan-Wallace is also the patron of several charities and the court was told she is the  "face of" National No Smoking Day.

She told the court as they tried to asses the fine: "Tomorrow I have an interview and I'll get seven hundred pounds for that. It comes to probably an extra four or five grand a year."

After leaving the dock, where she was seen to wipe away tears during the proceedings, Horgan-Wallace told a female companion: "Oh God. That was horrific."

Ex-England Footballer Admits Boozy Assault At Ex's Home

Former England footballer Kenny Sansom struck his ex-girlfriend's nephew during a drink-fueled row at her suburban home, where the alcoholic ex-player was downing glasses of wine in the woman's bedroom.

The one-time Arsenal and Crystal Palace hero, who won 86 caps for his country between 1979 and 1988 and played in two World Cups, is now living in a Travelodge, paid for by the Professional Footballers Association.

The Camberwell-born 55 year-old pleaded guilty at Bromley Magistrates Court today to assaulting Brian Pitty at the Hastings Road, Bromley house on July 27 and was conditionally discharged for two years and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

The former left-back's gambling and alcohol problems have been well-documented and he makes a living from occasional pundit stints on radio and television and as a guide on the 'Legends Tour' of Arsenal's Emirates Stadium.

When asked where he lives he told the court: "No fixed address." 

Prosecutor Miss Zoe Becker said: "Mr. Sansom and Denise Mullins had an argument and she contacted her nephew.

"Mr. Sansom was in the bedroom drinking wine when Mr. Pitty decided to leave and Mr. Sansom came out of the bedroom and was verbally abusive to Roy Mullins.

"There was a verbal altercation and the Crown say Mr. Sansom punched Mr. Pitty in the lower back area around the kidneys causing pain and discomfort."

Sansom claims it was a push, not a punch, but District Judge Dennis Lynch ruled: "It was a blow of sufficient force to cause back pain whether it was a push or a punch.

"Mr. Pitty would know if there was slight pain or discomfort. It was a blow, whether it was a punch or a push."

First-time offender Sansom's lawyer Miss Chloe Gardner said: "He had been living there on and off," adding the relationship with Ms. Mullins is now "finished."

"He accepts what he did was wrong. He is ill from alcohol.

"He has sought to reduce his alcohol consumption over the last few months and understands he has got to do more to address his alcohol problems and find permanent lodgings.

"He has shown remorse and made admissions at interview."

District Judge Lynch told Sansom: "I give you credit for your guilty plea and good character. I note this was a punch or a push, a blow that caused only slight pain or discomfort."

Sansom receives a monthly pension and was given three weeks to pay.

Writer From Acting Dynasty Family Stalked Ex

Hugo Davenport: Restraining Order

An author and journalist from an acting dynasty family was sentenced today for stalking his ex at her exclusive gated Thames side apartment, after she dumped him following the death of his father.

Hugo Davenport, 61, of Ann's Close, Knightsbridge was still grieving after the loss of his father, Chariots of Fire star Nigel Davenport, who passed away in October, last year, aged eighty-five.

Hugo, whose half-brother is Pirates of the Caribbean star Jack Davenport, 41, also has an actress sister, Laura Davenport, 58, and he told Wimbledon Magistrates Court he expected more support from his ex-girlfriend.

He pleaded guilty to stalking Rebecca Jallott between March 30 and July 17 and pursuing a course of conduct that amounted to harassment and was was placed on an eighteen-month community order, which will includes a 'better relationships' programme.

She told police she was left "anxious, worried" by Davenport, particularly after he turned up at her home without warning, after receiving a police caution for harassing her, leaving her too scared to go outside or answer her door buzzer.

A five-year restraining order was also made, prohibiting Davenport contacting his ex and going to the address at William Hunt Mansions, Harrods Village, Barnes, where apartments in her building are currently on sale with an asking price of £2.6 million.

Davenport, who is listed in top-people's guide Debrett's, will now lose his pied-à-terre home of ten years, where his late-father was the sitting tenant.

Westminster public school-educated Davenport has written for the Daily Telegraph, Mail on Sunday, The Observer and penned a book for the BBC based on their series 'Days That Shook The World.'

"I'd like to say I'm very sad and sorry that a relationship that was once very close and very loving has ended like this," he told the court. 

No Go Hugo: William Hunt Mansions

"I have had difficulties over the last nine months, my father's death, even though it was not expected and Rebecca's decision to end out relationship.

"I had hoped I would receive some sort of support from her."

Prosecutor Mr. Claudius Taylor-Sonko said: "The defendant and the complainant were in a relationship for eighteen months and during the last six months the complainant realised it was not working and ended it.

"The defendant kept sending her messages saying she was the 'best thing that had ever happened in his life' and wanted the relationship to start again."

Ms Jallott complained to the police, who in March cautioned Davenport for harassment.

"However, he resumed, sending messages and packages, including letters and compact discs and Barclaycards," added the prosecutor. "He said he 'felt complete darkness in his life.'

"The defendant attended her address which caused her fear and the police were called and the defendant arrested."

In her statement Ms Jallott explained: "Due to the incident where Hugo came to my place it has left me feeling not safe, anxious, worried and not wanting to leave my home or answer the buzzer.

"It is effecting my quality of life and I am concerned Hugo's stalking has persisted.

"I have not contacted Hugo since January and I have not led him to believe it is okay to contact me and I have not asked for items to be sent or to attend my address.

"I can say that I am feeling harassed."

Davenport told the court: "I only rang on her doorbell because I was delivering something to a friend nearby and there was no letterbox.

"I had no indication there should be such an impact or feeling of fear.

"I now know all of these things and I bitterly regret my ill-considered actions and interpretations, which were because of my depression.

"This was someone I cared for very much, but now realise they don't want anything more to do with me and I'll abide by that."

District Judge James Henderson told Davenport: "I accept you are showing genuine remorse, but there was a degree of pre-planning and it was over a long period and on one occasion you went to her address."

He ordered Davenport to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Rapist Who Preyed On Prostitutes And Lone Women Caged

A sexual predator, who targeted prostitutes and other lone women, has been caged for seventeen years for a series of violent attacks.

Romanian Florin Cozma, 46, of Taylor Close, Holloway was convicted at Wood Green Crown Court of two rapes; one attempted rape and three robberies.

The investigation was conducted by the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command's Serious and Complex Case Team after a series of unprovoked assaults on vulnerable lone females in the Haringey area. 



The victims, most of whom were sex workers, were taken to isolated areas of public parks where they were violently attacked.



One prostitute, who refused to participate in sexual activity, was raped vaginally and orally by the defendant before being robbed and two other sex workers were robbed and physically assaulted.

Another female was taken to a park in Haringey where Cozma attempted to rape her, but she managed to fight him off.



Extensive enquiries were carried out using CCTV and ANPR to establish potential vehicles that were involved.

Despite DNA being present on two of the victims, the defendant was not known and worldwide enquiries also proved negative.



Officers carried out night-time enquiries, speaking to sex workers in the Haringey area and subsequently identified the defendant and he was arrested at his home address.



Detective Constable Anthony Shaw said: "This investigation involved a dangerous individual who preyed on vulnerable lone women in the Haringey area.

“His successful conviction sends out a message that the police will work tirelessly to protect the public from those who feel they are above the law and show no respect for others."



Detective Chief Inspector Adam Lowe, from the Serious and Complex Case Team said: "Cozma preyed on vulnerable women in the Haringey area, he did not show any of his victims empathy or compassion.

“A dangerous individual has been removed from the streets of London due to the hard work of officers from the Met's Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command." 

Jail For Phuket Holidaymaker Who Returned With Stun Guns And Flick-Knife

A holidaymaker, who was stopped by customs after returning from a romantic getaway in Phuket with his girlfriend, was jailed for sixteen months yesterday after two stun guns and a flick-knife were found in his luggage.

Andrew James Smith, 39, of Bray Close, Crewe, bought the stun guns – disguised as torches - for only £9.00 on the Thai island and paid £1.00 for the flick-knife, which doubled as a cigarette lighter, because he was desperate to light up after his 13-hour flight.

He pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court of unlawfully importing the two firearms at Heathrow Airport on Christmas Day, last year and possessing the offensive weapon after stepping off his El Al flight.

The court heard the items were found among gifts he had bought for family and friends, which included soft toys, remote-controlled cars and framed pictures.

“There was no intention of ever using these for self-defence or ever harming anyone,” said Mr. Stephen Mejzner, defending. “As soon as he got off the plane in Thailand he bought the lighter outside the airport because he wanted a cigarette.

“Every cigarette lighter there was a similar novelty item and these torches were on every stall and even children were buying them.

“The Thai locals were playing around with them and Mr. Smith thought they were a joke item. They were not even called stun guns, but 'zappers.'

“He had no idea they were illegal or could cause harm and intended giving one of the torches to his brother.”

Smith has since split with his legal secretary girlfriend. “The last few months have been an absolute nightmare for him and he has returned to drinking as a coping mechanism.

“An immediate custodial sentence will probably result in him losing his house of ten years.”

Judge Dugdale was pursuaded the five-year minimum sentence did not apply in the circumstances, but told Smith, who has convictions for grievous bodily harm and affray, importing such weapons brings the risk they could fall into criminal hands.

“It may seem more of a laugh when you are a long, long way away in Thailand, but then the reality comes crashing down when you return.”

Local Predator Extracted Cash From Soft-Target Family

Crowborough Road, Hastings

A “dangerous” convicted blackmailer, who preyed on a vulnerable Hastings family and demanded payment for so-called sexual favours she performed for their disabled son, has been jailed for five months.

Chantelle Williams, 35, of The Close, Rye, extracted at least £400 from the family after befriending the son, who has a learning disability and the mental age of a ten year-old, outside the front of the house.

On the first occasion she invited herself into the property in Crowborough Road and took the son into his bedroom, where she performed a sex act on him, and demanded payment of £40.

She then returned two to three times a week during the first half of last year, taking similar sums of money on each occasion.

Married Williams, who has a string of convictions, was once sentenced to seven years for blackmailing and robbing a St. Leonards-on-Sea man and was described by the judge as: “A dangerous young lady.”

She denied, but was convicted of two counts of harassing the father and son in their home between January 14 and June 29, last year.

Williams, who is currently receiving treatment for Hepatitis C at a London hospital, pleaded guilty to possessing a small amount of cocaine while in police custody on June 16, this year.

Prosecutor Miss Caroline Mungal told the court a housing officer raised her concerns with local police about what was happening at the family's home.

“There were concerns about a woman constantly visiting and taking money from them and there were concerns about their vulnerability.”

The elderly parents had both suffered strokes and their son was described as “child-like.”

“The father believed £300-£400 had been taken, but it was likely to have been more,” explained Miss Mungal. “She was told to go away, but continued to return and ask for money.

“The son was encouraged to take her into his bedroom and on occasions she exposed her breasts to him.

“She threatened that if she was not given money she would go to the police and the family paid her to go away.”

Sadly the father has since passed away.

A third harassment charge against an unrelated woman, who says she was approached in the street for cash by Williams and handed over £15 before she was followed home, where threats and more demands were made was dropped.

District Judge James Henderson told tearful Williams: “You have shown absolutely no remorse and you still blame the victims.

“This was cynical and manipulative and there were threats and coercion.”

She received a total of five months for the harassment charges, plus a fine of £100 with the alternative of serving one day in custody for possessing cocaine.

An indefinite restraining order was made, prohibiting Williams from contacting the son and attending his family's home address.

Anti-Fascist Counter-Demonstrator Hurled Object At English Defence League Supporters

An anti-fascist demonstrator, who hurled an object towards a group of chanting English Defence League supporters near Downing Street, was convicted of threatening behaviour yesterday.

James O'Brien, 30, of Eastfield Road, Peterborough was part of a group standing in the central reservation of Whitehall exchanging chants with the EDL protesters, who had gathered outside a pub.

He denied, but was convicted at Hammersmith Magistrates Court, of using threatening behaviour on March 15 and was bailed until August 13 for a pre-sentence report.

It was a day of multiple planned ptotests in the area and the EDL had been attracted by a gathering of the right-wing English Volunteer Force, which in turn drew counter-demonstrations.

The court heard the EDL group had gathered outside the Red Lion pub and the counter-demonstration – which included O'Brien – stood in the middle of Whitehall separated by a line of British Transport Police.

The opposing groups were chanting and gesticulating at each other and a beer can was thrown from the EDL supporters towards towards O'Brien's demonstrators.

The defendant was then seen hurling an unknown object overarm and with force towards the EDL group.

The object was never identified and it is not known if it struck anybody or caused any damage.

Hooded O'Brien immediately turned and fled, but ran straight into another group of police officers, who had just emerged from a van as the tension between the opposing groups escalated.

He was detained and arrested and the court rejected his defence that the police were incorrect in their identification of him.

Chelsea FC Fan's Volley Of Racist Abuse

A racist football yob, who abused three people at a Chelsea v Arsenal Premiership fixture last season, was fined today.

Tree surgeon Matthew Semken, 26, of Thornbury Gardens, Borehamwood, directed his abuse towards Arsenal players, supporters and another fan leaving the stadium with him at the final whistle after the home team's 6-0 victory.

He pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates Court to three counts of racially-aggravated threatening behaviour at Stamford Bridge on March 22.

Prosecutor Miss Victoria Ojo told the court all three victims were fellow-supporters and the first was Osman Durrani, who witnessed Semken shouting: “You useless c****,” towards the Arsenal players.

“The defendant then directed abuse towards him, saying: 'Go back to Turkey.”

Another fan, Abid Durrani, urged Semken to calm down as he aimed abuse towards the Arsenal supporters, but this was met with: “Shut you're f***ing mouth, you f***ing Turk.”

As Semken left the Shed end of the stadium he was heard shouting: “w*****, c***” towards an unknown fan and Peter Essekj jumped in between them to calm things down.

“He then directed abuse towards this victim,” explained Miss Ojo. “He called him a black c*** and said he should go back to Africa.”

The court heard Semken was nervous about appearing in court and was concerned about the outcome of the case.

District Judge Kenneth Grant said: “The most serious offence was the one involving Mr. Essekj.”

He fined Semken £150 for that offence, plus £60 on each of the other two, with £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

There was no application for compensation or a football banning order.

Rapist Who Tried To Beat Pensioner Victim To Death Hangs Himself Before Sentencing

A handyman, who changed a 70 year-old woman's lightbulb then returned to rape her and attempt to beat her to death, has killed himself in his prison cell six days before he was due to be sentenced.

Robert Richards, 22, broke into the pensioner's suburban Chessington home in the early hours and left her with ten broken ribs, a fractured cheekbone and jaw, broken hip and vertebrae and bleeding on the brain.

He was convicted at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court of the rape, attempted rape and attempted murder of the brave woman on October 23, last year and was due to be sentenced last monday.

However, at 9am on July 29 Richards, of Pear Tree Close, Chessington, was found collapsed in his cell at Wandsworth Prison and rushed to St. George's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9.50pm.

The court heard he complained of bullying in a suicide note and had been prescribed anti-depressants.

Ironically his cell mate killed himself last March.

A post-mortem was carried out on Richards and an inquest will be heard at a later date. No indication has been given as to the cause of death.

Prosecutor Mr. Jonathan Loades told the court today: “It indicated that he had been bullied during the time that he was in prison.”

Judge Nicholas Price QC formally closed the case and said: “In my experience, both at the Bar and on the Bench I have never had to deal with a case of such gravity, with a victim of that age and in such frail health.

“She has to be commended for her courage in giving evidence in the way she did before the jury.”

Between 5:30am and 6:30am the women was woken by Richards, who put his hand across her mouth and threatened to kill her if she screamed.



He then raped and beat her severely and she suffered a cardiac arrest whilst being treated in hospital.



Following the attack Richards left the property via a back door and the victim was able to alert her neighbours by banging on an internal wall. 



Police enquiries quickly led to Richards being identified as a person of interest and he was arrested locally the same day.




When he was brought in to custody he was wearing two pairs of tracksuit bottoms.

His clothing was seized and officers found the first pair of bottoms were covered in blood.

Forensic analysis identified the blood as the victim's.



Richards lied that he found the bloodied tracksuit bottoms in the street and his DNA was also found under the fingernails of the women.



He tried to create an alibi when he bought tea bags at a local shop, knowing he would be captured on the store's CCTV.

Detective Inspector Nicky Arrowsmith said: “I would like to pay tribute to the spirit and courage displayed by the victim, who gave evidence during the trial.”

Cocaine Smugglers' £25m Banana Slip-Up

Cocaine with a street value of £25m hidden inside plastic bananas imported from Colombia along with the genuine fruit has been seized.

Four men were arrested in Lambeth and Kent and 150 kilos of cocaine intercepted after an intelligence operation by officers from the Metropolitan Police's Special Projects Team.



The consignment of bananas arrived at Dover at around 6.00am on Thursday, 10 July.

It was then transported by lorry at around 9.00am to a unit at the Oast Park Trading Estate in Hartlip, Kent.



A 48-year-old Kent man unloaded the importation and locked up the warehouse.

The warehouse was kept under observation by detectives, while their colleagues continue to monitor other members of the criminal network.



The lorry driver was not part of the network.



At around 7.00pm that day, three Colombian men aged 36, 46 and 39 met at an internet café in Stockwell, south London.

They are believed to have accessed instructions relating to the assignment via email.

The men were kept under surveillance and were arrested half an hour later as they left the café.



'A' is from Kent. The other three men live in London.



Police forced entry to the warehouse at 10.30pm, and, following a search of the consignment of bananas, found cocaine compressed and hidden inside plastic bananas concealed within the fruit.


All four men remain in custody at a London police station. 

Jealous Husband Stabbed Wife To Death During Row

A jealous husband, who mistakenly believed his wife was enjoying a string of affairs, stabbed her over thirty times during a murderous rage at their west London home.

Richard Otunga, 37, of Taywood Road, Northolt, was convicted by an Old Bailey jury of murdering Shamim Gabriel, 33,

Police were called at 7.00am on December 29, last year and Shamin was pronounced dead at the scene at 7.25am.

The couple had been married since 2003 and they had an eight year-old daughter.

Otunga was arrested at the scene.

He had called his father-in-law to the address following the stabbing, stating he had had an argument with his wife. 





Otunga claimed his wife tried to attack him with a knife, which he took off her and in the course of the struggle she was fatally stabbed.



Detective Chief Inspector Chris Jones, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "Richard Otunga was a jealous controlling man who could not accept his wife having any contact with other men. 



"Otunga tried to convince the jury that he had feared an immediate threat of violence from his wife and then lost control.

“The jury clearly did not accept this and have returned a verdict of murder.



"He tried to state that his wife had been having affairs but there was no evidence whatsoever to substantiate this. 



"The family of Shamim who have had to give evidence at court have acted with great dignity and I hope that this conviction can be some comfort for them." 


Cosmetic Surgery Patient Fraudulently Used Credit Cards For Fat-Busting Liposuction

A cosmetic surgery patient fraudulently used six different credit cards to pay for fat-removing liposuction procedures at two Harley Street clinics - even obtaining a refund when she was unhappy with the outcome.

Graduate Thelma Idahosa, 29, of Durham Hill, Bromley swindled £8,500 worth of liposuction on her thighs, stomach, arms and 'love handles' as well as skin-tightening procedures and received a suspended prison sentence.

She was convicted at Woolwich Crown Court of three counts of fraudulently making false statements to the Harley Street Skin Clinic that she was authorised to use the cards in relation to £4,000 worth of cosmetic surgery.

She was similarly convicted of five counts in relation to the West One Cosmetic Clinic, regarding £4,500 worth of treatment, plus falsely representing she was entitled to a £1,000 refund.

Described as "incredibly rude and aggressive" by an employee of West One Cosmetic Clinic Idahosa - who was subject to a suspended prison sentence at the time - demanded a refund because only three litres of fat had been removed instead of six.

She phoned the clinic "shouting and ranting" and threatened to visit and cause a scene in front of other patients and the company suffered an additional loss after agreeing to refund her two sums of £500.

Prosecutor Mr. Arizuna Asante told the court today: "Other people's identity came into play when the cards were preferred for payment. This was fraudulent from the outset and consisted of multiple frauds."

Idahosa was seven months into a two-year suspended sentence when she embarked on the frauds in May and June, 2012.

Recorder Michael Wood QC told the mother-of-two: "You really should be going to prison. There is only one reason you are not and that is because you have a relatively young child.

"A sentence of imprisonment that would amount to weeks or months is outweighed by your child's rights.

"However, you can't hide behind your children forever and if you commit an offence within the next two years you will go to prison whether you have a babe in arms or are pregnant."

Idahosa was almost certainly told the same thing when receiving her original suspended sentence seven months before the frauds.

She received six months imprisonment, suspended for two years, was placed on a two-year supervision order, must complete a thirty-one day accredited programme and perform 150 hours community service work.

"You are a very, very lucky woman," Recorder Wood told Idaho, who is not subject to a costs or compensation order.

Businessman Cleared Of Assaulting Drunken Nightclub Woman He Took To His Hotel Room

Ainura Dillon

A Cheshire businessman's late-night encounter with a drunken woman he met at a West end club ended with each accusing the other of wanting paid sex in his hotel room and the police being called.

Company director Paul Craven, 53, of South Downs Road, Hale, Altrincham, claimed Victoria's Secret employee Ainura Dillon, 39, asked for £200-£250 for sex, but she insisted it was he who offered to pay for sexual services.

City of London Magistrates Court heard Mr. Craven was arrested for assaulting the married mother-of-two at Searcys Hotel, Pavilion Road, Knightsbridge on March 7, but they cleared him after a trial.

“This is the fourth time I've flown in from Malaga. I've had to stay in hotels, it's cost me thousands of pounds and I am innocent,” he told the court.

Mrs Dillon admitted drinking beer, wine, cocktails and champagne, including a bottle bought by the defendant, and next remebered being in his hotel room after asking for their taxi to take her home to Wanstead.

“From the beginning he offered money, but I told him: 'No' and that I wanted a taxi. I knew what he wanted obviously. He wanted sex,” she told the court.

“He got angry and threw my bag from the room into the corridor. He pushed me in the back and started pulling down my pants.

“He held me and pushed me onto the carpet and started beating my left side. He was holding me with one hand and with the other was beating my left side without stopping.

“I was thinking I was going to die. I was thinking this man was not going to stop.”

She admitted she was drunk throughout the encounter, but insisted Mr. Craven had produced three £50 or €50 notes in the hotel room.

Mr. Craven's case was that Mrs Dillon approached him in the club and asked for a glass of wine and when they got into a taxi afterwards the driver refused to take her any further.

She then asked for another drink and the defendant invited her into the hotel bar where he was already staying, but because it was closed they decided to order wine and sandwiches via room service.

Mr. Craven insists she asked for payment for sex and at that point he immediately asked her to leave and did not assault her.

Mental Health Carer Sexually Assaulted Vulnerable Female Resident

A care worker, who sexually abused a vulnerable woman with learning and mental health difficulties during a secret night time visit to her room, has been jailed for twelve months.

Mustapha Aregbesola, 43, of Dock Head Road, Chatham, Kent was employed at a Royal Borough of Greenwich respite centre.

He was convicted at Woolwich Crown Court of sexual assault and cleared on two further counts.

On December 19, last year the victim confided to a member of staff Aregbesola sneaked into her room after she went to bed.

The allegations were reported to the police and an investigation was launched by specially trained detectives from the Met’s Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command (SOECA).




Detective Constable Sue McKenzie of SOECA, said: “Aregbesola was entrusted to care for this woman but instead he sexually assaulted her.



“The psychological damage and distress he has caused the woman, her family and carer is immeasurable.



“I would like to take this opportunity to commend them for having the courage to give evidence court, and am grateful for the assistance of the intermediaries who made this possible. 



“I would also like to urge any other victims of sexual offences who have not yet come forward, to contact the police where specially trained detectives will treat them with the utmost sensitivity.” 

Benefit Fraud Couple Jailed For £188,000 Swindle

Greedy: William Kapuya & Nicole Mwamba

A benefit fraud asylum couple, who masterminded a seven-year £188,000 swindle which involved multiple aliases and a secret property portfolio financed by taxpayers, were both jailed yesterday.

Congo-born Mother-of-two Nicole Mwamba, 47, of Campbell Road, Caterham, who received two-and-half years, lied on mortgage applications that she was a well-paid professional then repaid the loans with illegally-claimed housing benefit, Croydon Crown Court heard.

She is responsible for bogus claims totalling £142,000 and her fellow-Congolese second husband William Kapuya, 47, of Campbell Road, who received fourteen months, another £46,000.

Mwamba was granted permanent leave to remain in the UK after claiming her first husband was persecuted for his political beliefs and had all his property and savings confiscated in their native country.

However, after he died his assets were all transferred to her in the UK without any problems.

Investigators discovered that as recently as 2012 she had also been receiving €736 per month in benefits from the French welfare system and was using the identity of a Congolese friend who obtained Belgian residency in her UK scam.

Needy: Kapuya & Mwamba

Prosecutor Miss Francesca Levett told the court Mwamba bought a house in Beulah Grove, Selhurst for £165,000 in November, 2004 in a different name to her housing benefit claim, which began in 1998.

She told lenders whe was earning £42,000 with a housing organisation, despite never working, and slapped down an £18,000 cash deposit even though insisting she had no savings or assets in her benefit claim.

“This case involves a number of identities and addresses and throughout her claims Mwamba said she had no savings or capital,” explained Miss Levett.

After buying the Beulah Grove property Mwamba continued claiming benefits in her different married name.

“She was keen to keep these two identities appart. This was a calculated and contrived decision by Mwamba to only give the Department and Work and Pensions (DWP) the information she wanted them to know.”

Meanwhile Kapuya was claiming housing benefit in Ferndale Road, Brixton and then in Partridge Knoll, Purley while keeping his marriage secret and claimed an extra severe disability premium while insisting he did not have a partner.

He continues to receive thousands of pounds of free dialysis treatment on the NHS.

When buying the second property Mwamba told lenders she was a £57,000 a year finance director.

“As a benefit claimant she was poor and needy, but as a mortgage applicant she was successful and employed,” said Miss Levett.

As long ago as December 14, 2005 Mwamba was called in by Croydon council for a compliance interview, but the frauds continued regardless.

Kapuya was still receiving housing benefit for the Ferndale Road address while living in Campbell Road when he was arrested on October 11, 2011.

Mwamba claimed £1,000 housing benefit from Tandridge District Council for the same three-bedroom house, with the money paid into a secret bank account she had failed to declare.

“It was to generate income for Mwamba to pay her mortgage. Mwamba has never worked and she needed to pay her mortgage somehow.”

She also had an income support claim under one of her aliases paid into the bank account of her fifteen year-old daughter.

Mwamba was convicted of two counts of failing to notify a change of circumstances to the London Borough of Croydon on or about November 3, 2004, in relation to a housing benefit and council tax benefit claim, namely that she had purchased 52a Beulah Grove.

She was similarly convicted of making false representations in relation to the two benefit claims regarding the property on or about December 15, 2004 and May 23, 2006.

She was also found guilty of failing to notify a change in circumstances on or about November 23, 2007, namely that she had purchased 66 Campbell Road and making a false representation in relation to the Beulah Grove and Campbell Road addresses, namely failing to declare she lived with her partner.

Mwamba was also convicted of three counts of fraud against Tandridge District Council between December 5, 2007 and February 9, 2011; two counts of making false representation to the DWP regarding property ownership and failing to notify a change of circumstances to the DWP.

Kapuya was convicted of four counts of fraud against Croydon council in that he failed to disclose he was living with Mwamba and that he needed housing and making a false representation to the council in relation to a housing benefit and council tax benefit claim regarding the Purley Knoll home.

He was also found guilty of making a false representation to the DWP regarding a severe disability premium claim, which would have inceased his existing income support payments.