'Revenge Porn' Accused Denied Posting Pics Of Ex On Facebook

A man accused of publishing sexually explicit images of his ex-girlfriend on facebook six months after they split-up has appeared in court.

Michael Howard-Harrington, 30, of Kingshill Avenue, Hayes, Hillingdon took the pictures on his phone while they were dating.

He was bailed by Uxbridge Magistrates Court to appear at Isleworth Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on September 9.

Howard-Harrington is charged with one count of disclosing private sexual photographs, with intent to cause distress, and without consent on or about April 13.

Prosecutor Miss Jane Ndedi told the court the couple were in a relationship between july and October last year and during that time the complainant allowed the defendant to take intimate images of her in sexually compromising situations.

They separated and she asked him to delete the images from his phone and he assured her he had done so.

Without reason he posted nine images on his facebook account and added a message.

The court heard the images are very intimate and show the complainant's face, breasts, vagina, and in one she is lying naked while smoking a cigarette.


When Howard-Harrington was arrested his computer and phone were seized by police, but he denied offence, claiming his computer had been hacked. 

Pensioner Attacked Two Neighbours With Hosepipe

A pensioner, who attacked two neighbours with the metal end of a hosepipe and dowsed them with water, has received a suspended prison sentence.

Geoffrey Fussey, 84, of Byron Road, Wembley struck out several times, inflicting lacerations.

He pleaded guilty at Harrow Crown Court to assaulting Marcin Ktosowski, inflicting actual bodily harm, and assaulting Waldemar Glazer outside his home address on July 16, last year.

When Fussey first appeared at Hendon Magistrates Court he shook his head as the prosecution outlined the case against him, which they say left an eight year-old witness “traumatised.”

On that occasion he firmly vowed to fight the case and indicated not guilty pleas.

Recently widowed Fussey was sentenced to fifteen weeks imprisonment, suspended for twelve months and ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge.

'Revenge Porn' Ex's Court Date

A jilted boyfriend published 'revenge porn' photos of his ex on a special Facebook account he created and invited her friends to view.

William Nelson, 52, of Montacute Road, Catford, pleaded guilty at Croydon Magistrates Court to disclosing private sexual photographs, with intent to cause distress and without the consent of his former girlfriend on June 8.

He was due to be sentenced today, but was in Africa visiting his ill mother and will return to court on September 24.

Prosecutor Miss Jackie Hughes said: "The victim was in a relationship with Nelson for a year and it ended on June the third and on June the eighth she spoke to him on the phone, telling him she did not want to see him anymore and he became angry.

"She received information from friends in her native Hungary that they had received friend requests from a Facebook account that had naked photographs of her.

"The facebook account was under an assumed name and included approximately thirty naked photographs of her that was sexual in nature.

"She identified them as pictures she had taken with the defendant and suspected he was behind the account.

"He created a fake site and uploaded images of them having sex.

"She phoned Nelson the next day and he told her he had taken them off, but her friends said they were still there so she told the defendant she would go to the police."

Nelson sent out approximately sixty friend requests to attract people who knew his ex to the site, with the message: "Anyone know who ***** is? She's been having sex with black and Arab men."

Passage To India: Bus Sex Predator Ordered Back Home

A paedophile, who targeted a 15 year-old schoolgirl on an early-morning bus as she travelled to school, has been locked-up for fifteen months.

Harvinder Singh, 24, of Minterne Avenue, Southall initially groped the girl then forced her to perform sex acts.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register for ten years and was ordered to be deported to his native India upon release.

He pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court to sexual assault and causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent on the route 120 bus on February 11.

As the bus travelled between Hounslow and Southall Singh sat next to the schoolgirl and began to touch her before forcibly making her commit acts of a sexual nature.

The victim managed to press the 'stop' button and got away from Singh.

She left the bus but Singh also got off and followed her as far as her school where she was able to report the incident.

Police attended the victim and secured vital DNA evidence.

Singh was identified through on-bus CCTV and arrested the following day.

Singh gave a no comment interview, but was charged with sexual assault and remanded in custody where he remained until his trial.

Detective Superintendent Adnan Qureshi of the Metropolitan Police's Roads and Transport Policing Command, said: "This was an excellent result, which has seen the perpetrator of an appalling crime receive a lengthy time in jail and deportation on release.

"If you commit an offence on the transport network, we will pursue and arrest you."

Steve Burton, TfL's Director of Enforcement and On-Street Operations, said: "We take crimes of this nature incredibly seriously.

“Thanks to the bravery of this victim in reporting this terrible offence the MPS were able to track down and subsequently help convict this predatory criminal.

“We will continue to work closely with our policing partners to rid our transport network of this kind of behaviour.

Care Worker Repeatedly Slapped Dementia Resident

A care worker repeatedly slapped a resident who had dementia across the face after he spilt a cup of tea on the floor and was assisted by another member of staff in trying to cover-up the assault by begging a 'shocked' visitor not to call the police.

Afua Donkor, 48, was employed at White Farm Lodge Care Home, Vicarage Road, Whitton, where she was seen striking the elderly male resident - who has since died - three times.

She was sentenced at Wimbledon Magistrates Court today to a twelve-month community order, which includes 110 hours community service work, and must pay £310 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Donkor, of Danesbury Road, Feltham was convicted of assaulting Mr. Patrick Austin at the care home on February 5.

Prosecutor Miss Amanda McCabe told the court: "The victim was particularly vulnerable and this was a sustained assault with three slaps in an aggressive way.

"She said: 'Don't tell anyone. Don't call the police'."

During the trial eye-witness Lynne Collyer, who was visiting her mother, told the court she was "in shock" as a result of the dining-room incident.

"I saw Afua hit Patrick. She slapped him in the face and shook him. I remember he had quite a bright green jumper on and I remember her shaking the jumper.

"It was with a flat hand and not really hard, but controlled softer slaps, definitely slaps to his face.

"There was absolutely no indication of any aggression from Patrick."

The witness said another care home worker, who she knew as Julia, also begged her not to report the offence. "The nurses were pleading with me not to say anything to anyone.

"Afua, who was sat in the corner of an office, was crying and saying: 'Not the police, not the police'."

The court heard Mr. Austin had earlier become agitated and threw a cup of tea onto the floor, which Donkor had to clean up.

She later told police the resident had punched her first and she only held his wrists to prevent him hitting her again.

Donkor told the court: "Once he punched me I knew he was going to punch again. I know Patrick is very aggressive so I held him and shouted: 'Help, help'

"Even when I held him he tried to kick me and then I heard: 'Afua, I have seen you hitting Patrick' and that was Lynne Collyer."

The first-time offender, who had been employed for sixteen months, was sacked.

Care UK, which runs the home, said: "Following these allegations being made against a member of our team we immediately suspended the carer in question and notified the relevant external authorities, who we have fully co-operated with during their investigations."

NOT GUILTY: Solicitor Wrongly Accused Of Breaking Restraining Order

A solicitor, accused of flouting a restraining order by phoning his ex-wife's house on his twelve year-old son's birthday, has been cleared.

Jonathan Frederick Woodroffe, 49, of Great Austins, Farnham, Surrey, who is employed by Fulham's Excelsior Solicitors, was found not guilty after the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence.

He appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court after pleading not guilty earlier this year to one count of harassment by leaving a voicemail on his ex's landline on November 17, last year, breaching a restraining order imposed at Richmond Magistrates Court on June 17, 2011.

The order was made after he was convicted of assaulting his ex-wife.

It is believed she failed to appear in court last week to give evidence in the trial.

The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal also took their own steps and reprimanded Woodroffe for being convicted of assault in non-professional domestic setting and ordered him to pay them £2,226 costs.

GUILTY: Blackmailer Who Threatened Female Bank Worker

A sinister blackmailer, who tried to intimidate a female bank cashier into paying him £15,000 by threatening to report her to the police for stealing from her employer, has been convicted.

Initially posing as a detective and then a bank supervisor 23 year-old Iqbal Miah, of Hamlet Road, Southend-on-Sea called the woman's personal mobile phone while she was working at a branch of Santander.

He was found guilty at Harrow Crown Court of blackmailing Melinna Yanni at the Kilburn High Road, Kilburn branch on September 24, last year and will be sentenced on September 11.

Prosecutor Mr. David Ryan told the jury the blackmail calls were traced by police to Miah's phone and had been made near his address at the time in nearby Mortimer Crescent.

“Two days before the demand for money Miss Yanni received a call from an unknown number and the caller spoke with an Asian or African accent saying he was a police officer from Holborn Police Station.

“He asked her if she worked in the Kilburn branch of Santander and still lived in Elephant and Castle.

“Two days later, just before 9am, she received another call from this unknown number claiming to be from the bank's regional manager, accusing her and a colleague of stealing fifteen thousand pounds.

“The caller said this is how they were able to buy two new Audi cars,” explained Mr. Ryan. “He was aware Miss Yanni did not have money, but was now in credit.

“She said her mother had transferred twenty thousand pounds into her account in August.”

The mystery caller became angry and the call ended, but later in the day the employee received another call.

“There was a demand that Miss Yanni give him fifteen thousand pounds within forty-eight hours or he would report her to the police and she could go to jail for a couple of years.

“She handed the phone to her manager, who told the caller to contact the fraud team and stop harassing Miss Yanni.”

Miah was arrested in November and replied “no comment” to all police questions.

NOT GUILTY: Three Men Cleared Of Sex Abuse Charges

L to R: McNally, Stone & Titcomb

Three men accused of preying on a schoolgirl over three decades ago were cleared by a jury of all charges yesterday.

They are: Michael McNally, 72, of Hughenden Road, Hastings.

George Stone, 68, of Halton Terrace, Hastings.

Gary Titcomb, 61, of Woodland Road, Maple Cross, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire.

All three had pleaded not guilty at Harrow Crown Court to two counts each of indecently assaulting the girl on dates between August 7, 1976 and August 7, 1983.

When they were arrested all three denied abusing the girl, with Stone saying the furthest anything got was the youngster flashing her breasts at him in return for money.

Prosecutor Mr. George Heimler told the jury Titcomb was responsible for the initial abuse of the girl, who lived at two different addresses in Harrow during the period of the charges.

"He called her into the bedroom and he was in bed naked and instructed her to get into bed. Fearing she would be punished again, she got in."

The jury were told Titcomb thrust himself between her thighs and ordered her to rock back and forwards, saying: "That's nice. Faster, faster."

The complainant, now aged 44 years-old, first reported the allegations to police late last year and gave a video interview to officers, recalling the incidents with Titcomb.

"I must have been five or six years-old and I can remember it happened twice. If it happened more I don't know, I have blacked it out.

"When I was twenty years-old I had a panic attack and thought I was having a heart attack.

"The last few years the feelings have come back, I hate myself. That's why I have to report it, I hate the feeling, it cost me my childhood."

She added that Titcomb was also physically abusive. "He use'd to hit me with a belt."

Mr. Heimler told the court McNally started abusing the girl a few years later. "He started to touch her when she was ten or eleven years-old.

"He would go into her room and put his hand under the duvet and under her knickers and touch her and she pretended to be asleep.

"It happened on countless occasions and when eventually confronted his response was to savagely beat her."

The complainant said of McNally. "He touched my boob while play fighting and I always thought it was an accident, but then he started a week later coming into my bedroom.

"He put his hand under the covers and under my knickers."

She said McNally's friend Stone also groped her. "He would buy alcohol and sweets and things and grab my boobs and put his fingers inside me and give me money."

Mr. Heimler added: "Stone got use'd to putting his hand under her clothes and fondling her. This happened two or three times.

"According to the complainant he apologised to her for what he had done."

Stella McCartney Personal Shopper Accused Of Cutting-Up Ex-Boyfriend's Designer Wardrobe

A former personal shopper employed by Stella McCartney appeared in court today, accused of cutting-up thousands of pounds worth of her ex-boyfriend's designer clothes at his Chelsea apartment.

Lucia Hajnikova, 28, who worked with the designer's VIP clients, is accused of taking a pair of scissors to Ege Akcasoy's wardrobe after the couple fell out.

Hajnikova, who gave her address as The Wapping Project - Bankside Limited in Hopton Street, Southwark - where she is employed as a gallery assistant - is also alleged to have smashed a window at her ex's £725,000 property.

She is charged that on July 22 at the flat in Bolton Lodge, Gilston Road, she destroyed clothing and other property belonging to Mr. Akcasoy.

The case was adjourned after the prosecution applied to amend the charge from £10,000 worth of damage to £30,000 and the court demanded evidence of the clothing's value.

Hajnikova, who has a Master's Degree in Fine and Studio Arts from Chelsea College of Art and Design, also previously worked as a designer/creative director for fashion label Pandora In Case, as a showroom assistant for designer Gareth Pugh and as a studio assistant for Burberry.

Prosecutor Mr. Richard Doolan told the court: "The victim says the broken glass amounts to seven hundred and fifty pounds, plus damage to a wardrobe, a dinner jacket, tuxedo, winter coats, suits and shirts and ties."

Hajnikova's lawyer Miss Temi Johnson said: "She is said to have cut up a number of suits and a dress. They were designer suits, but they were four to six years old."

She was bailed to return in a week's time.

Hit-And-Run Driver Jailed For Late-Night Motorcyclist Death Crash

A hit-and-run driver, who left a young motorcyclist lying dying in the road, has been jailed for fifty-one weeks.

Mohammed Asim, 25, of Field End Road, Croydon drove off after colliding with 23 year-old Kamrul Hasan.

He pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of an accident in the early hours of December 29, last year in London Road, Croydon.

Croydon Crown Court heard Asim was driving a black Lexus car at approximately 1.00am when he crashed into Barnet man Mr. Hasan.

He was treated by paramedics but was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 1:45am.

A post-mortem examination took place the next day and gave the cause of death as a chest injury.

Asim's car was found abandoned nearby in St James's Road near the junction of Windmill Road.

On December 30 Asim handed himself in to police and was charged with the offence.

Teenage Girl Groped On Bus: CCTV Of Suspect Released

Police investigating a bus sex attack on a young teenage girl in central London have released this CCTV image of a suspect.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Roads and Transport Policing Command have launched the appeal after the Westminster incident.

On Tuesday, 24 February at about 4.00pm, the 14-year-old girl was travelling on a route 436 bus along Park Lane when she was sexually touched by a man.

The suspect is described as a middle-aged Asian man, with short dark hair, balding at the top.

He was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and a black rucksack.

Police officers are releasing a CCTV image and ask anyone with information to contact Detective Constable Clare Beauchamp, who is leading the investigation, on 07920 590195 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 173251.

Convicted High-Risk Sex Offender: Where Is He?

Police in Southwark are urgently seeking to trace a high-risk sex offender, who has failed to register with police after his release from prison.

Christopher Trinnaman, 37, is a registered sex offender who is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order that restricts his access to females under the age of 18 and restricts his internet usage.

He has failed to comply with the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

On May 29, Trinnaman was released from HMP Littlehey and driven to Kings Lynn in Norfolk.

He is believed to have caught a train from there, possibly towards Merseyside or Nottingham.

He may be using another name and may be planning to travel overseas.

Trinnaman is described as 5ft '9ins in height and of medium build with cropped brown hair, although he may be shaven headed now.

He usually wears glasses.

Anyone who may have seen him or who knows his whereabouts should call officers from the Southwark Jigsaw Unit on 020 7232 6204.

West London Break-Ins: Suspected Burglar Wanted

Police are hunting this suspected burglar, wanted for a series of break-ins around west London.

Jaime Matthews, 23, is being sought for questioning in relation to burglaries in Isleworth, Syon Park and Teddington.

Detectives based at Hounslow Police Station have released this image in the hope he can be identified and arrested.

The offences occurred within the last twelve months.

It is possible that Matthews may also be using the names Jaime 'Goodrich' or 'Raider' and he is known to frequent the Feltham area.

Anyone with information regarding Matthews' whereabouts is urged to make contact with the offender management unit at Hounslow Police Station on 020 8247 6650.

If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Gay Sex Predator Pounced On Sleeping Married Neighbour

A gay sex pest took advantage of his drunken married neighbour by performing oral sex on the man after he passed out on the couch during an all-night drinking-session.

Andrej Korda, 35, of Butterfield Close, Twickenham had invited the 30 year-old neighbour and his wife to the flat he shared with his boyfriend then pounced when they were left alone.

The Slovakian-born technical operator, who is employed by a company that provides services to the deaf, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault at his home address on March 18.

He was sentenced to twelve weeks imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months, and ordered to complete a thirty-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

He must also sign the sex offenders register for seven years, pay £85 costs, a £180 court charge and an £80 victim surcharge.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard he received a police caution the same month for the sexual touching of another male and lied about the latest offence until DNA evidence proved he performed the act.

Prosecutor Miss Katrina Rennalls said the victim and his wife watched a film at the address and the man remained chatting with Korda until 5am.

“He woke up to find Korda giving him oral sex and reacted by pushing him off and punching him in the face and pushing him over a coffee table.”

Korda also falsely claimed to have taken photographs of the act in an attempt to intimidate the victim, who told police: “I was angry, shocked and disgusted.

“I was asleep and he took advantage of me.”

Korda's lawyer Miss Annette Dobson said the defendant: “Had a considerable amount to drink and could not recall the act itself.”

The court was told the defendant was at a: “Low point,” and was: “Extremely remorseful,” and blamed alcohol, money troubles, long work shifts and difficulties with his partner for his state of mind.

Korda's five-year relationship has broken down and he says he would like to write an apology to the victim if allowed.

“He didn't think he was capable of doing something like this,” added Miss Dobson.

“He was drinking as a stress reliever and has not consumed alcohol since this offence.

“The risk of re-conviction and harm is said by the probation service to be low.”

Not Guilty: Transexual Police Worker's "Sleepwalking" Defence Beats Murder Bid Charge

A transexual police worker, who battered her sleeping brother over the head with an iron bar, was cleared of attempted murder yesterday after the jury accepted her 'sleepwalking' defence.

Helen Doe, 53, of Montgomery Close, Mitcham, told police she woke up in the early hours of the home they shared with an "overwhelming hatred" for 64 year-old Kenneth Doe.

He received three wounds to his skull from the one and a half foot long metal bar as he lay in bed, plus received a broken finger as he tried to defend himself.

Doe, who is employed by the Metropolitan Police Uniform Services and is a vocal transphobia campaigner was found not guilty at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to the attempted murder of Kenneth on July 5, last year.

Doe's case was that she was suffering 'non-insane automatism' - involuntary movements she was not responsible for and medical experts backed her up.

"The defence will point to the conclusion Miss Doe was sleepwalking when she attacked her brother and that sleepwalking and violence was due to the drugs she was taking," said prosecutor Mr. Paul Cavin.  

Doe was taking hormone tablets, plus prescribed pills for anxiety and depression.

"Fortunately he did not die or suffer long-term injury at all, brain injury, however it is the prosecution case that in striking him several times with an iron bar she intended to kill him.

"It may be that she is not strong enough, maybe he blocked or parried the blows, he sustained a fractured finger.

"The prosecution say the evidence shows she intended that death would result, that she wished to kill him."

Miss Doe dialled 999 and told the operator at around 2.50am: "I've had an accident. I think I've killed my brother. I've hit him with an iron bar. Just now, I've been building up to it."

When officers entered the house the defendant was in the kitchen and told them: "It's me. I did it, he's upstairs."

Mr. Cavin added: "On the kitchen table was a metal pole about a foot and a half long with blood on it."

Police went upstairs to check on the brother. "His head and hair was covered in blood."

Mr. Doe told them: "I had an argument with her earlier and I woke up and she was hitting me with an iron bar……..I don't like her friends."

He was rushed to St. George's Hospital to be treated for the three wounds, plus a fractured middle finger on his left hand.

"Amazingly, fortunately, the wounds were stapled."

When Miss Doe was arrested she asked the WPC: "Can I have a cuddle?"

Mr Cavin told the jury Doe spoke freely in the van on the way to Sutton Police Station, confessing: "I wanted to do it. I wanted to kill him."

"She said her friendship with her brother was not a good one and woke in the early hours with an overwhelming hatred of her brother and she makes reference to muffled voices in her head.

"She describes a history of depression for which she was taking prescribed medication. She also said she was in the process of changing gender to that of a female and was having hormone therapy."

Doe has organised lectures for Croydon LGBT and has led the Croydon Trans Group and has been living as a woman since 2012.

Blackmailer Guilty Of £15,000 Bank Cashier Threat

A sinister blackmailer, who tried to intimidate a female bank cashier into paying him £15,000 by threatening to report her to the police for stealing from her employer, has been convicted.

Initially posing as a detective and then a bank supervisor 23 year-old Iqbal Miah, of Hamlet Road, Southend-on-Sea called the woman's personal mobile phone while she was working at a branch of Santander.

He was found guilty at Harrow Crown Court of blackmailing Melinna Yanni at the Kilburn High Road, Kilburn branch on September 24, last year and will be sentenced on September 11.

Prosecutor Mr. David Ryan told the jury the blackmail calls were traced by police to Miah's phone and had been made near his address at the time in nearby Mortimer Crescent.

“Two days before the demand for money Miss Yanni received a call from an unknown number and the caller spoke with an Asian or African accent saying he was a police officer from Holborn Police Station.

“He asked her if she worked in the Kilburn branch of Santander and still lived in Elephant and Castle.

“Two days later, just before 9am, she received another call from this unknown number claiming to be from the bank's regional manager, accusing her and a colleague of stealing fifteen thousand pounds.

“The caller said this is how they were able to buy two new Audi cars,” explained Mr. Ryan. “He was aware Miss Yanni did not have money, but was now in credit.

“She said her mother had transferred twenty thousand pounds into her account in August.”

The mystery caller became angry and the call ended, but later in the day the employee received another call.

“There was a demand that Miss Yanni give him fifteen thousand pounds within forty-eight hours or he would report her to the police and she could go to jail for a couple of years.

“She handed the phone to her manager, who told the caller to contact the fraud team and stop harassing Miss Yanni.”

Miah was arrested in November and replied “no comment” to all police questions.

Head Teacher Awarded MBE Charged With Sexually Abusing Young Boy

A former headteacher – awarded the MBE for services to youth work – has appeared in court accused of a sex act on an underage boy four decades ago.

John Coatman, 74, of 8 Leyburn Gardens, Croydon was the head of St. Andrew's School in the town's Warrington Road and became a Member of the British Empire in 2012.

He appeared on bail at Croydon Magistrates Court yesterday charged with committing buggery on a boy aged under sixteen years of age between January 1 and December 31, 1973 at the Leyburn Gardens address.

He joined youth group the Croydon Cusaders – now named Urban Saints – in 1949 and rose to represent the club at national and international level.

Since retiring he has dedicated his time to the youth club and has worked with more than 100,000 young people leading expeditions to Austria, a project which has secured European Union funding, and on countless Duke of Edinburgh Award trips.

He will next appear at Croydon Crown court for a preliminary hearing on August 25.

Head Teacher Awarded MBE Charged With Sexually Abusing Young Boy

A former headteacher – awarded the MBE for services to youth work – has appeared in court accused of a sex act on an underage boy four decades ago.

John Coatman, 74, of Leyburn Gardens, Croydon was the head of St. Andrew's School in the town's Warrington Road and became a Member of the British Empire in 2012.

He appeared on bail at Croydon Magistrates Court yesterday charged with committing buggery on a boy aged under sixteen years of age between January 1 and December 31, 1973 at the Leyburn Gardens address.

He joined youth group the Croydon Cusaders – now named Urban Saints – in 1949 and rose to represent the club at national and international level.

Since retiring he has dedicated his time to the youth club and has worked with more than 100,000 young people leading expeditions to Austria, a project which has secured European Union funding, and on countless Duke of Edinburgh Award trips.

He will next appear at Croydon Crown court for a preliminary hearing on August 25.

Blackmailer's £15,000 Bogus Police Threat To Bank Worker

A sinister blackmailer tried to intimidate a female bank cashier into paying him £15,000 by threatening to report her to the police for stealing from her employers, a jury were told yesterday.

Initially posing as a detective and then a bank supervisor 23 year-old Iqbal Miah, of 26 Hamlet Road, Southend-on-Sea called the woman's personal mobile phone while she was working at a branch of Santander, the court heard.

He has pleaded not guilty at Harrow Crown Court to blackmailing Melinna Yanni at the Kilburn High Road, Kilburn branch on September 24, last year.

Prosecutor Mr. David Ryan told the jury the blackmail calls were traced by police to Miah's phone and had been made near his address at the time in nearby Mortimer Crescent.

“Two days before the demand for money Miss Yanni received a call from an unknown number and the caller spoke with an Asian or African accent saying he was a police officer from Holborn Police Station.

“He asked her if she worked in the Kilburn branch of Santander and still lived in Elephant and Castle.

“Two days later, just before 9am, she received another call from this unknown number claiming to be from the bank's regional manager, accusing her and a colleague of stealing fifteen thousand pounds.

“The caller said this is how they were able to buy two new Audi cars,” explained Mr. Ryan. “He was aware Miss Yanni did not have money, but was now in credit.

“She said her mother had transferred twenty thousand pounds into her account in August.”

The mystery caller became angry and the call ended, but later in the day the employee received another call.

“There was a demand that Miss Yanni give him fifteen thousand pounds within forty-eight hours or he would report her to the police and she could go to jail for a couple of years.

“She handed the phone to her manager, who told the caller to contact the fraud team and stop harassing Miss Yanni.”

Miah was arrested in November and replied “no comment” to all police questions.

Trial continues............

Lifelong Drinker Who Kicked Cop Ordered To Beat The Booze

A lifelong binge drinker, who kicked a police officer in the leg during a wine and vodka bender, screaming: “You can't arrest me in my f***ing home,” has been ordered to beat the booze.

Officers had been called by 43 year-old Fiona Connolly to her home in North Pole Road, North Kensington because she wanted to report her alcoholic boyfriend for smashing her table.

“The officers arrived and the defendant was drunk and slurring her words,” prosecutor Miss Simma Khan told Hammersmith Magistrates Court. “She became abusive and resisted arrest.”

Connolly, who has previous convictions for racially-aggravated criminal damage, assault, threatening behaviour and being drunk while in charge of a child, shouted: “Shut up you f***ing moron. I'll have you struck off.”

Miss Khan added: “She kicked the officer with her right leg, connecting with the officer's knee and causing pain.”

Connolly pleaded guilty to assaulting Police Constable Todd Alsop on May 7 and was sentenced to a twelve-month community order, which includes an alcohol treatment requirement.

She was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to PC Alsop and a £150 court charge.

West Wickham Burglary: Police Hunting Watch

This distinctive £2,000 watch has been stolen during a burglary in a leafy suburb of south London.

The IWC Pilots Chrono-Automatic was snatched between May 15 and 16 from a property in Copse Avenue, West Wickham.

Detectives from Bromley borough have released this image in an attempt to trace the watch and catch those responsible for the break-in.

Anyone with any information should contact Bromley CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting reference 3309310/15.

Late-Night Gunman Caught By Police Eye In The Sky

A late-night prowler, caught by a police helicopter throwing away his loaded gun, which was fitted with a silencer, has been locked-up for fourteen years.

Mohammed Alasow, 24, of Mount Pleasant Lane, Redbridge was tracked using heat source technology and filmed by the helicopter.

The alarm was raised after he was spotted climbing a garden fence in St. Thomas' Garden, Redbridge just after midnight on October 21, last year.

The police helicopter tracked his movements and guided officers on the ground to his location and he was arrested.

When police from the Air Support Unit reviewed the footage they noticed Alasow had discarded an object.

Officers searched the area and the gun, containing five bullets was found, and DNA evidence linked it to the defendant.

He was convicted at Snaresbrook Crown Court of possession of a firearm with intent, plus possession of ammunition and the silencer.

Detective Constable Mark Ellis of the Trident and Area Crime Command, said: "Thanks to the quick thinking of the member of the public who spotted Alasow acting suspiciously, this dangerous man is now behind bars for a significant period of time.

"This was an example of excellent teamwork by officers in the police helicopter, local officers on the ground and Trident detectives who investigated the incident.

“The conviction of Mohamed Alasow demonstrates our continued commitment to targeting dangerous criminals who carry firearms."

Spurned Lover Stabbed Ex-Boyfriend During Murder-Suicide Bid

A dumped lover, who stabbed his ex-boyfriend nine times and slashed his own wrists during an attempted murder and suicide bid, has received ten years.

Sivharta Camacho-Vallejo, 32, of Greet House, Frazier Street, Southwark broke into his ex's home through a kitchen window and launched the frenzied attack when found.

He pleaded guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court to attempting to murder his 27 year-old former partner on July 6, last year.

Camacho-Vallejo alternated between stabbing himself and the victim, saying: "If I can't have you no one will. We will die together."

The victim received nine stab wounds to his chest, right arm, neck and back and both his lungs collapsed.

He also needed stitches for gashes to his face and chest as well as defensive wounds to his hands.

The court heard the pair were in a relationship for almost a year before splitting up the previous month.

However, Camacho-Vallejo repeatedly tried to contact the victim, turning up at his work, gym and home and phoning and Skyping him constantly.

On July 5 he again went to his ex-boyfriend's workplace in Bow, east London, pleading with him to take him back, and followed him into the building.

In an attempt to resolve the situation the victim agreed to meet Camacho-Vallejo and they talked for three hours at a café in Mile End.

They parted on a good note and the victim thought Camacho-Vallejo understood their relationship was over.

But the following day Camacho-Vallejo again tried to ring the victim and turned up at his work with a rose, begging him to come back.

Back home in Alfred Street, Bow ,after his shift, the victim was upstairs when he heard loud noises coming from the kitchen.

He went downstairs to find Camacho-Vallejo had broken in through his kitchen window and was slitting his wrists with a knife.

He then attacked the victim with the knife and repeatedly stabbed him.

Camacho-Vallejo used so much force when stabbing the victim that the blade of the knife snapped off.

He then took a flick-knife from his pocket and carried on the assault.

The victim managed to stagger away and out of the flat where he was helped by passers-by.

Police were called and found Camacho-Vallejo still inside the premises, locked in the bathroom.

They forced entry and found the defendant in his underwear in the bath, repeatedly asking: "Leave me to die".

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Abi Mallett said: "Camacho-Vallejo would not and could not accept his relationship was over and stalked his ex-boyfriend before committing this horrific act.”