Stella McCartney Personal Shopper Admits Cutting Up Ex's Clothes

A personal shopper employed by Stella McCartney has pleaded guilty to cutting up thousands of pounds worth of her ex-banker boyfriend's designer clothing at his Chelsea apartment.

Lucia Hajnikova, 28, who works with the designer's VIP clients admitted taking a pair of scissors to Ege Akcasoy's wardrobe, but disputes his claim £25,000 worth of clothing and other property was destroyed.

Isleworth Crown Court heard there is more to the case than the anger of a jilted ex and she will return on October 12 for a one-hour Newton Hearing, which Mr. Akcasoy is expected to attend to determine the exact amount of damage and surrounding circumstances.

Hajnikova, who gave her address as The Wapping Project - Bankside Limited at 65a Hopton Street, Southwark - where she also works as a gallery assistant - also smashed a window at her ex's £725,000 property.

Wearing a black leather mini-skirt, white blouse and high-heel ankle boots she pleaded guilty to one count of criminal damage in that on July 22 at the flat in Bolton Lodge, Gilston Road, she destroyed clothing and other property belonging to Mr. Akcasoy.

Referring to her basis of plea Hajnikova's lawyer Mr. Richard Elliott told the court: "We would say that is the starting factor in this matter and what was going on in her mind rather than the jilted ex-lover scenario.

"There may need to be a Newton Hearing. The prosecution should try and gain receipts for any clothes as soon as possible and let a judge look at that position."

Prosecutor Miss Roxana Nasser presented a list of damaged items, which include a dinner jacket, tuxedo, winter coats, suits and shirts and ties.

"There is a basis of plea and Miss Hajnikova does not accept she criminally damaged all of that list," said Mr. Elliott. "Also the valuation of the items is not accepted and my application will be for a pre-sentence report."

Judge Robert Winstanley announced: "I'll adjourn for a Newton Hearing. I won't order a pre-sentence report because probation's hands are tied until they know the criminality of the matter.

"The complainant is to attend and provide all receipts available.

"I was going to put it off for a couple of weeks for the Crown Prosecution Service to get themselves together and for the complainant to gather his receipts."

Previously Hajnikova jumped bail at Hammersmith Magistrates Court to apparently holiday in Ibiza so she now must obey strict bail conditions of reporting daily to West End Central Police Station, not to contact her ex, surrender her passport and not go to Mr. Akcasoy's address, save for collecting her property.

"She has not yet collected her belongings," said Mr. Elliott.

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.

At a previous magistrates court hearing her 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."

Stolen Phone Snaps Incriminating 'Selfie' Of Robbery Suspect

Police hope this selfie taken by a mobile phone's security settings will identify a suspected mugger, who attacked a lone woman in east London.

Officers in the borough of Waltham Forest are appealing for help to identify the man, who they are keen to speak with in connection with the street robbery.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, 5 August, at 2:00pm in Westdown Road, Stratford.

The 25-year-old woman was approached from behind and pushed to the floor.

Her HTC mobile phone was snatched from her hand and the man then made off in an unknown direction.

The victim suffered minor injuries but did not require medical assistance.

Attempts later that day to access the phone were made.

By entering an incorrect password this triggered the phones front facing camera to take a ‘selfie’ photograph which was emailed to the victim.

Anyone with information or who can identify this man is asked to call police at Waltham Forest on 101 quoting reference 4915903/15. Alternatively, to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Paedo Bus Sex Pest Strikes: CCTV Released

Police are hunting this suspect after a 14 year-old schoolgirl was the victim of a sex attack on board a bus in south-east London.

On Tuesday, 30 June at about 5:30pm the teenager a was travelling on a route 422 bus between Bexleyheath and Charlton Road, Blackheath.

The suspect is described as an Asian man aged between 20 to 25 years of age of stocky build with a long beard and dark hair.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Roads and Transport Policing Command investigate and have released this CCTV image of the man.

Anyone with information is asked to contact 07771 306858 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 183447.

Teen Labourer Tragedy: Construction Company Guilty.

A loft-conversion company has been fined £325,000 after a teenage labourer plunged to his death from dangerous scaffolding.

Alfie Perrin ,16, from Enfield, north London was working for Rooftop Rooms Ltd when he suffered fatal head injuries in a fall from a rear roof.

The company, also based in Enfield, was convicted of failing to to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employee Alfie at the Camden Road, Leytonstone site on November 14, 2012.

An employee of the company, Andrew Voy, 36, was found not guilty of manslaughter.

The company pleaded guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court and was also ordered to pay two sets of costs, totalling over £19,000.

The London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance helicopter attended and treated Alfie, but he later died in hospital.

The death was investigated by officers from the Metropolitan Police's Homicide and Major Crime Command together with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

It was established Alfie had been instructed to clear rubbish and timber off-cuts from the rear roof area of the two storey house.

He did this by transferring them over the flat roof of the dormer extension and down the pitched roof at the front of the house, from where he was told to throw the material into the skip on the ground.

There was no edge protection around the flat dormer roof and the scaffold platform had a large gap at one end where a ladder should have been fitted or scaffold poles used to reduce the risk of falls.

Neither a ladder nor scaffold poles were in place.

Alfie fell to his death after throwing a bag of rubble from the scaffold platform into the skip.

Harassement Charge Against Former UKIP Researcher Dropped

A former researcher for UKIP MEP Gerard Batten, who was charged with harassing him on Twitter, had the case against her dropped this week.

Divorced mum-of-two Jasna Badzak, 43, of Russell's Wharf Flats, Harrow was due to stand trial at City of London Magistrates Court.

She had been charged with one count of harassment without violence between May 5 and September 4, last year by posting comments on Twitter in relation to Mr. Batten, 60.

The former British Telecom salesman was a founding member of UKIP in September, 1993 and is a London representative, residing in Forest Gate, east London.

Ms Badzak fled war-torn Yugoslavia twenty years ago and her relatives died in Nazi concentration camps.

It is believed her relationship with Mr. Batten deteriorated when asked to work on policy document entitled: 'Dismantling Multiculturalism' in February, 2011.

She was convicted of forgery and fraud and received twelve months imprisonment, suspended for two years, in October, 2013

Mr. Batten offered her a second three-month contract, but not a third and was taken to Employment Tribunal, which Badzak lost.

She reported Mr. Batten to the police for fraud, but it was decided there was no evidence to investigate further.

Sex Pest Who Preys On Female Bus Passengers: CCTV Released

Police hunting a bus sex pest, who has targeted three young teenagers and a woman in west London, have released these CCTV images of the suspect.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police's Roads and Transport Policing Command are appealing for information after four sexual assaults in Hounslow and Ealing. 



The first offence occurred on Tuesday, 10 March at about 8:00am when the victim, a 18-year-old girl, was on a route 120 bus between Northolt and Heston College.



The second offence occurred on Saturday, 9 May at about 11:20am when the victim, a 15-year-old girl, was on a Route 116 bus between Bedfont Green and Hounslow. 



The third offence occurred on Saturday, 25 April at about 10:45am when the victim, a 17-year-old girl, was on a Route 607 bus between Bromyard Avenue and Uxbridge.



The fourth offence occurred on Monday, 11 May at about 10:45am when the victim, a 35-year-old woman, was on a Route 192 bus travelling to Hayes.



Officers are treating the incidents as linked and the suspect is described as an Asian man, aged between 40-55 years, between 5'3" and 5'9" in height, with dark brown / black hair and a moustache.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Constable Emma Jones, who is leading the investigation on 0203 054 6181 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

East London Doorstep Attack On Woman: E-Fit Released

Police in east London investigating the violent doorstep attack of a woman have released this e-fit of the suspect.

The 39 year-old victim answered the door to her home in Carter Drive, Romford just after 6.30pm on December 23, last year and was assaulted by a man.

She was rushed to hospital by ambulance for treatment to facial injuries.

Officers on Havering Borough have compiled this e-fit as their hunt continues.


The suspect ran off along Carter Drive towards Collier Row Road before getting into a vehicle.



He is described as Asian, around 5ft 9ins tall with facial stubble.

He is said to have been wearing a plain woolly hat and dark clothing. 



Anyone who can assist police is asked to call officers from Havering CID on 01708 779110 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.



A 53-year-old man has been arrested for conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm.

Woman Falsely Accused Ex Of Rape In £200K Blackmail Bid

A woman accused of a £200,000 blackmail charge against her ex, who she claimed raped her, appeared in court today.

Dilrushi Mendis, 40, of Manstone Road, Cricklewood allegedly made a malicious complaint against her former boyfriend and sent embarrassing photographs of him to her family.

They split-up last year and the ex was arrested when he returned to the UK from abroad.

She is charged with blackmail between March 30 and April 30, last year in that she made an unwarranted demand with menaces for £200,000 in order for sexual assault charges to be dropped.

Mendis is also charged with perverting the course of justice between the same dates by making a malicious allegation of sexual assault.

She was bailed to return to Blackfriars Crown Court on November 6.

'Ponzi' Scam Used London 2012 Olympics To Swindle £40m From Investors

Spencer Steinberg

Three Ponzi fraudsters used fake contracts with the London 2012 Olympics and international hotel chains to swindle £40m out of family, friends and other investors, a court heard today.

A small east London electrical wholesale company was the vehicle used in the scam, which financed the purchase of Rolls Royce, Bentley, Ferrari's and Porsche cars for the organisers, plus yachts and million pound homes.

Chartered accountant Spencer Mitchell Steinberg, 45, of Lodge End, Radlett, Hertfordshire and garment storer Michael Strubel, 53, of Princes Manor, Royal Drive, New Southgate deny the charge in a trial expected to last two months.

Both men have pleaded not guilty to conspiring between January 1, 2006 and May 31, 2010 to defraud investors in Saunders Electrical Wholesalers Ltd; Zac Fashion; Camlet Capital Investments; Camlet Capital and Hole In One.

They are accused of falsely promising Saunders Electrical Wholesalers Ltd (SEWL) had high-value electrical contracts with blue chip hotel chains and with London 2012's Olympic Village. 

Jolan Marc Saunders, 39, of Almonds, Avenue, Buckhurst Hill, Essex has pleaded guilty to the same conspiracy charge and will be sentenced at the conclusion of the Southwark Crown Court trial.

Michael Strubel

He also pleaded guilty to contravening a company director disqualification order by running Saunders Electrical Wholesalers Ltd. between December 19, 2008 and May 31, 2010.

"Investment deals were around the massive supply of electrical goods to hotel chains and later on those involved in the construction of the Olympic Village in Stratford," said prosecutor Miss Sarah Foreshaw QC. 

"These defendants, using the vehicle of a small electrical company, were saying: 'We've secured the contract for the whole of the athletes village.' The contracts to supply were fictitious."

Investors put money in with the promise they would receive up to 7% interest on contracts to supply the Hilton and Marriott hotel chains with trousers presses, lightbulbs, air conditioning units, television sets and other electrical equipment.

"The vast pool of money was never used to buy electrical goods for hotels," explained the QC. "The defendants skimmed off huge sums of money for themselves.

Ironically some investors joked the scheme, which ran from 2006 until May 2010, was a scam similar to notorious Ponzi fraudster Bernard Madoff, 77, serving 150 years for an $18 billion fraud.

"You will hear the name Madoff in this case. Ironically his sentence in 2008 made the news and some of the investors joked whether this was a similar Ponzi scheme because it all seemed too good to be true.

"They were assured by the defendants that it was not. In their joke they had hit upon the truth.

Jolan Saunders

"This fraud involves persuading people to part with their money on the promise these defendants were going to invest it for them in a very good profitable business, but they effectively pocketed the money for themselves.

"It made them rich. Rich at the expense of their investors.

"You will hear about Bentley's, Ferrari's, Porsche's, Rolls Royce's, yachts and million pound houses. You will hear that these defendants, for a while, lived the life of Riley.

"When it all unravelled and the victims discovered what they had done there were tears and expressions of regret from both these defendants.

"Some of those tears may have been genuine because they knew by then they were in trouble, they had been found out.

"Many of those who lent money were friends, they trusted them. The defendants hoped the fraud would continue for longer so the closest of their friends and family members would cash out when the scheme imploded.

"The tears of regret were as convincing as the lies they told to convince professional people to invest money. They are conmen and they do it well."

   

The trio were arrested in December 2010 by the Serious Fraud Office, assisted by officers from the Serious Organised Crime Agency, Met, Essex and Hertfordshire police raided five residential addresses and one commercial premises during Operation Canon.

"Saunders Electrical Wholesalers Ltd (SEWL) was a one man and van set-up," explained Miss Foreshaw.

"It did sometimes do business with hotels on a small scale and that was useful because it had some genuine purchase orders and invoices from electrical suppliers.

"They provided useful templates to create documents that suggested SEWL was involved in a fantastic multi-million pound contract.

"The basic lie was that SEWL had mega-orders that required large short-term financing. 

"Bank statements and company accounts were falsified and emails doctored.

"Vulnerable victims parted with tens of thousands of pounds and sometimes their life-savings.

"Many were business acquaintances, many were from the Jewish community in north and east London, friends, family, people who trusted them, some knew them from childhood.

"The defendants, caught up in gold fever and with the trappings of wealth ploughed on."

Saunders rented space for SEWL at a warehouse run by Strubel in Hainault Business Park, Fowler Road, Ilford.

Strubel has a background in the garment trade and ran Zac Fashion - a storage company - and his accountant was Steinberg.

Both Steinberg and Strubel handed over cash-stuffed envelopes to investors. "They were, these three, the prosecution say, as thick as thieves.

"They bought properties together and went on holiday together during the fraud," said Miss Foreshaw.

"All grew rich from the fraud and Strubel, in particular, treated himself to luxury cars and a yacht."

Saunders forged genuine hotel purchase orders to impress investors, in one case doctoring a genuine £120 lightbulb order to show a fictitious £90,000 order and on another occasion a £4.71 order became one for £79,000.

Trial continues…………

Carer Thieved Off Mystery Novelist

A carer employed by an award-winning mystery author today admitted stealing from the 86 year-old woman, who has sadly developed dementia.

Vicky Mari Stallon, 27, of Varndell Street, Regent's Park, looked-after US-born novelist Marian Babson, who has penned forty-five books and in 1996 was awarded the prestigious Dagger in the Library award by the Crime Writers Association for her body of work.

She pleaded guilty to one count of theft committed between April 1 and September 30, last year, but disputes the prosecution case she stole £27,000, claiming the true figure is no more than £15,000.

Blackfriars Crown Court heard £13,680 was credited to Stallon's account while she was employed by the author – real name Ruth Stenstreem – at her home in Trinity Court, Gray's Inn Road.

Police have calculated £27,000 vanished from the victim's account, but Stallon's lawyer Mr. Richard Barratt said: “Other carers took the complainant to the bank and cashed large cheques.

“The habit of the complainant was to take large amounts of cash out of her bank account to put in envelopes for bills.”

He described the defendant as “a very vulnerable individual”, he added: “She became an online gambler. That is where the money went and mobile phone credits.

“She was not a carer for the full period. There was also a friendship.”

Judge Daniel Worsley told her: “You have done well to admit your dishonesty, but it's a terrible crime in breach of trust”

She will be sentenced on October 20.

Twelve Year-Old Schoolgirl Approached By Stranger: CCTV Of Suspect Released

Police have released this CCTV image of a suspected paedophile who propositioned a 12 year-old schoolgirl in the middle of the afternoon.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Sexual Offences Exploitation and Child Abuse Command continue to investigate.

The schoolgirl was walking along Euston Road, Camden at 1.45pm on April 26 on her way to meet her mother when she was approached by the stranger.

The girl ran off and told her mother what had happened.

She was not physically injured.

Detective Sergeant Sam Wood, who leads the investigation said: "We are keen to identify and speak to this man as soon as possible.

"From the CCTV he seems to be a light skinned man with long dark hair who wearing a distinctive grey sweatshirt and blue jeans.

"If you can identify this man call police on 020 8733 5999 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Bank Cashier Blackmailer Binned For Two Years

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 jailed for two years.

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.

The jobless father-of-two, who lives on benefits, was found guilty at Harrow Crown Court of blackmailing Melinna Yanni at the Kilburn High Road, Kilburn branch on September 24, last year.

“You made two calls from your mobile phone to her personal mobile phone, posing first as a police officer and then a branch area manager,” Recorder E Cohen told Miah on Friday.

“You told her to co-operate or: 'Your boys would be involved' and that she: 'would go to prison for two years.'

“Your victim was very frightened, she's lost weight and is still seeing a therapist.

“You now say it was a prank, but that is not the impression you gave to your victim and her manager. You had some personal knowledge of her circumstances and blackmail is a nasty offence.”

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.

Homeless Couple's Sex Act For Loose Change: "Sick" Youtube Man Sentenced

A man who posted "very sick" footage on the internet of him demanding a homeless couple perform sex acts, dance and do press-ups in return for loose change received a suspended prison sentence yesterday.

Laughing Adrian Cousins, 24, is heard ordering the man and woman to perform humiliating tasks in a McDonald's car park and says: "Make those motherf****** work for their money. Cheeseburgers, hamburgers, whatever burgers."

The father-of-one, of Mortimer Court, Friern Barnet Lane, Friern Barnet posted the clip on Youtube, Facebook and Twitter with the introduction: "Yo, this is crackheads go wild"

The UPS worker pleaded guilty to intentionally encouraging an offence of outraging public decency at McDonald's, Colindeep Lane, Colindale on June 13 and received twelve months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

Prosecutor Mr. Dipan Varsani told Harrow Crown Court: "The clip lasted seven minutes and Mr. Cousins is in the video and is heard encouraging the female to perform various sexual acts in public.

"He encouraged the lady to expose her breasts while the man kissed them and he encouraged the woman to perform oral sex on the man."

The homeless couple are heard saying they are desperate for money and Cousins replying: "What are you going to do for me to give you whatever coins I have?"

The couple stand in front of Cousins' headlights with the homeless male grinding against the woman as the defendant shouts: "Dance with each other. Slap that arse"

He then adds: "Both of you are going to do ten push-ups, I'm gonna give you money and gonna go…Actually no, 'cos you're a guy twenty. Twenty push-ups bro' twenty"

The couple are heard saying they will do anything "within reason" for money, but are persuaded, despite their obvious reluctance, to perform sexual acts.

Cousins tells them: "Alright, cool. Last thing, you gotta take out your tities. Come in front of the car and I want you to kiss her tities in front of the car…..Properly man!

"Listen, the money is right here, that's the last thing. Listen bro' you want the money? Do you want me to drive off and give you nothing?"

"Yo, give him some head as well. Suck!"

Mr. Varsani added: "Police were made aware of the offence by the national press and Mr. Cousins gave himself up at Colindale Police Station.

"As far as he was concerned it was a joke that went too far and he lost his previous job and is embarrassed."

Recorder Peter Herbert said: "This is really very sick behaviour and not in any world is this a joke. The aggravating element is putting this on Youtube for all to see."

He told Cousins: "Why somebody should seek to exploit the vulnerable you only will know. There is no good explanation why people descend to that behaviour.

"You sought to exploit these two people for your own gratification. It is not a joke and you compounded it by putting it on Youtube.

"There are people out there who sadly find other people's suffering amusing."

Cousins was also ordered to perform 200 hours community service work and attend up to thirty days of a thinking skills programme.

He must pay £200 costs, plus a court charge and victim surcharge.

NHS Lab Technician Downloaded Child And Extreme Porn On Work Computers

An NHS lab technician, who downloaded the most extreme category of pornography onto two health centre computers where he worked, was jailed for twenty months yesterday.

Anil Patel, 42, was employed at north London's Colindale Medical Centre within the Sexually Transmitted Bacteria Reference Laboratory.

He was sacked after an IT contractor discovered illegal pornography involving sick images of children as well as material involving animals within a computer file bearing his name.

Patel, of Charlton Road, Edgware pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing indecent images of children, plus one count of possessing extreme pornographic images at the Colindale Avenue centre. 

Prosecutor Mr. David Baird told Harrow Crown Court: "Mr. Patel was a lab technician employed by the NHS and in June last year outside contractors began working on their desktops and laptop computers.

"On June eleventh one contractor found pornography on a file called 'Anil Patel' and two computers were seized, a desktop and a laptop.

"One of the images involving a young girl was Category A, the most serious type an there was also one Category B and ten images under Category C.

"There were also one hundred and three extreme pornographic images."

Patel was arrested and questioned by police two days later. "He denied accessing or looking at the images."

Patel's lawyer Mr. Jeffrey Shine told the court: "We know from what happened in Rochdale that Asian men do have an issue and Mr. Patel does have a problem with adult pornography.

"The majority of material on these computers was of legal adult pornography.

"He was working in a lab and part of his work was to deal with medical issues arising out of images he analysed, bacterial work.

"He abused the trust of his employers by downloading adult pornography and this sinister diversion, which is the subject of these counts.

"He has gone to his GP and admitted his problem and has sought help for his difficulties.

"This has blighted his marriage, which is all but over and he has not seen his children since his arrest.

"He has lost his job, of course and is on benefits, Employment Support Allowance and Housing Benefit."

Recorder Michael Caplan QC told Patel: "There was a vast amount of pornography held by you, some of it for two years.

"This is a significant period of time and there was an abuse of trust, you being employed by an organisation that allowed you to use computers for work purposes."

Patel was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for ten years and must pay a £100 victim surcharge.

Christian Holiday Company Boss Accused Of Fraud Over 'Bible Lands Cruise'

The boss of a Christian holiday company, which cancelled a Holy Land cruise, has appeared in court accused of spending customers money on his Turkish hotel.

Robert Flemming, 62, of Selwyn Road, New Malden, who ran Living Sun Ltd and Kyrilios Ltd, allegedly took booking fees totalling £26,000 and failed to reserve places on the ten-day eastern Mediterranean cruise.

He appeared at Lavender Hill Magistrates Court and was sent to Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on September 21.

Flemming says he has repaid every customer a full refund and retired from the industry after a thirty-year career.

He faces a total of six summonses brought by The Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames's Trading Standards department.

Flemming is accused of failing to provide information to customers of 'Bible Lands Cruise' between January 1 and November 30, last year; two summonses of engaging in misleading commercial practice containing false information; fraud by abuse of position, namely appropriating money for himself and two summonses of carrying on a business with intent to defraud.

Living Sun Ltd is accused of failing to provide information to customers of 'Bible Lands Cruise' and engaging in misleading commercial practice containing false information.

Kyrilios Ltd faces four summonses of engaging in misleading commercial practise containing false information.

Trading Standards began an investigation after a local resident complained of a last-minute cancellation and no refund of a cruise from Turkey to Israel on the 'Thomson Spirit' booked for October 13-22, 2014.

Customers paid a total of £26,000 and were told there money was ATOL-protected, but Trading Standards say it was at risk.

The money was instead used to repair a Turkish hotel Flemming had leased, say the prosecution, and no cruise was ever booked with Thomson.

Flemming is accused of issuing documentation to customers that flights had been booked with Thomson when there was no booking.

He told the magistrates: “I can't afford to go to a solicitor. I'm in the business thirty years and I'm well clued-up with ATOL regulations.”

He insisted he booked two cruises with Thomson, but the second was never properly recorded.

“There was no intention not to book the cruise with Thomson,” he told the court. “The cruise was cancelled because the itinerary was changed by Thomson.”

The cruise was ruined once Thomson canceled two days in Israel because of Gaza rocket attacks and opted to dock in Rhodes instead, he claimed.

Customers totalling 80-100 were planned, but only 26 booked because of new route said Flemming.

“We tried hard to make it viable. Everyone has been refunded, there has been no loses.

“I've not gained personally. I've closed the business down and retired.

“I regret the cruise could not go ahead.

“We ended up paying thirty thousand pounds in refunds.”

The ten-night cruise came at a cost of approximately £1,000 each.

“We have acted at all times in the interests of our customers. We have followed ATOL regulations.”

Hoddie Schoolgirl Predator Has Attacked Twice: E-Fit Released

A knifeman who twice pounced on the same schoolgirl – first demanding her phone then repeatedly hitting her two weeks later – is being hunted by police.

Officers in Wandsworth, south-west London have released this e-fit of the suspect.

The 15 year-old girl was walking along a footpath between Windmill Road and Trinity Road just after 4pm on November 13, last year

The suspect jumped out of bushes in front of her and threatened her with a knife, demanding her mobile phone.

Fortunately he was disturbed by a member of the public walking along the path and fled back into the bushes and escaped.

On Monday, December 1 at approximately 5pm the same girl was walking along Spencer Park after school to a bus stop.

She was suddenly grabbed from behind by the same man who held his gloved hand over her mouth.

The girl bit the man's finger, causing him to release his grip.

He then pushed her to the ground and hit her across the face several times, banging her head across the ground.

Her clothing was cut from where a knife was used.

She was taken to a central London hospital and later discharged.

The man is described as a 16-19 years old black man who was wearing a black rain jacket, black hooded top and blue denim jeans.

He wore a silver chain around his waist, smelt of cigarettes and spoke with a London accent.

Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting reference: 0323441/14.

Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Keen Hunter Illegally Took Wild Deer Home And Slit Suffering Animal's Throat

Croydon Magistrates Court

A poacher, caught in the wilds of South Croydon dragging a dying deer to his pick-up truck - where he slit its throat - received a suspended prison sentence yesterday. 

Mian Zeshan Shahid, 32, denies shooting the wild deer with one of his powerful telescopic air rifles, but did film himself inflicting the fatal cut and posting images on Facebook.

Shahid, of Wattendon Road, Kenley pleaded guilty to intentionally taking a deer, without the consent of the land owner, in Mitchley Avenue, near Riddlesdown train station on December 23, last year.

He also admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, namely a deer, by transporting the animal and inexpertly cutting its neck.

Prosecutor Miss Rita Ali told Croydon Magistrates Court it was the day before Christmas Eve when a witness noted the defendant's registration number as he loaded the deer into his truck.

"The defendant was seen taking the deer from a field and the owner had not given permission for him to hunt in the field."

However, there was no evidence to support a criminal charge he killed the deer.

When police arrived at Shahid's home with a search warrant there was no sign of the deer, but they did seize hunting equipment, two air rifles, a telescopic sight, pellets, compressed gas, a lock-knife and tent.

They also discovered the gruesome footage he had taken on his phone and downloaded to his iPad.

Magistrate Mr. Richard Goold told him: "We have seen a copy of the Facebook posting, the content of the pictures and a statement from a vet who says that deer should have been taken to a surgery.

"You brought that animal home alive and you killed that animal in a way that was inhumane. This is a horrendous crime."

Shahid was sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 200 hours community service.

His lawyer Mr. Ovais Kadri said: "He is of good character and the father of a seven year-old girl. He has got a compassionate side.

"He accepts he should not have taken that deer and should have phoned 999 or contacted the RSPCA.

"The defendant never intended to go out killing any deer, but he does accept taking it away.

"He had no intention of hunting and in the past when he has gone hunting he has done it on ground he was allowed to.

"He is truly mortified. He enjoys the company of animals."

Croydon Wildlife Crimes Officer PC Ian Reeve told the court: The deer was collected from the field and between there and his home, a journey of thirteen minutes, it was killed."

The magistrates also made a forfeiture order regarding Shahid's hunting equipment and he was ordered to pay £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

Bogus Landlord's Dozen-Plus Victims: CCTV Released

Police hunting a bogus landlord suspected of ripping-off over a dozen wannabe tenants have released this CCTV image.

It was taken at a bank, where the heartless conman accompanied one of his innocent victims as she withdrew £4,200 to pay him a rental advance.


Police are aware of 12 victims so far, but believe there may be more.



The bogus landlord gave his name as Mustafa Bhatt, but police believe this is a false identity.

He is described as an Asian man in his 30's with short black hair, a short beard and dark framed glasses. 



Detective Inspector Rita Tierney from Islington CID said: "We have spoken to a number of concerned young adults, some from overseas who have been defrauded of their savings by this unscrupulous man and we are keen to identify him as soon as possible.


"If you recognise this man or have any information about the fraud please call 101 quoting 2721069/14 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."



"If you are about to secure a deposit on a flat, please carry out some basic checks before you hand over your money and your identity.

Bank Account Emptied Of £3,000: Two Suspects Wanted

Police hunting two suspects, who used a stolen credit card to drain almost £3,000 from the victim's account, have released this CCTV image.

The 29 year-old victim was using his card in the early hours of April 4 in Wandsworth Road, Vauxhall when it was taken from him.

Later that day the large withdrawal was taken from the victim's bank account.

The stolen card was then used to withdraw money at a cash point in Fore Street, Edmonton and to later buy goods at The Westfield Shopping Centre, Shepherd's Bush.

Detectives on Lambeth Borough would like the public’s help to identify the two men in the CCTV image.

Anyone with any information should contact the CID at Lambeth on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting reference 1210585/15.