'Mary Poppins' Nanny Sentenced To Seven Days For Stealing Pensioner Churchgoer's Phone

St. Mark's Church, Wimbledon

A so-called 'Mary Poppins' nanny, jailed for nine months for stealing from her employers' £4m Belgravia home, has received seven days for pinching a pensioner churchgoer's iPhone.

Emma Jane Currie, 45, who was locked-up in HMP Bronzefield, Surrey still maintains the lie her ex-employer ripped her off and owes her wages.

She was sentenced to seven days in prison when she appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court.

She pleaded guilty to stealing the £300 phone, belonging to 82 year-old Pamela Royle, at St. Mark's Church, St. Mark's Place, Wimbledon on February 4, this year.

In June she was jailed at the Old Bailey for withdrawing £900 cash from the bank card of her employer, 41 year-old Zoe Appleyard-Ley and trying to take another £400.

Her lawyer Mr. Michael Sprack told the court: “The reason for the severe sentence was she stole from her employers and there was animosity. She was owed money by her employer.”

Prosecutor Miss Mary Atere said Currie was arrested as a suspected burglar when squatting in a Wimbledon property on March 20.

When searched at Sutton Police Station Mrs Royal's iPhone was found on her, which the victim had last seen at the church, where Currie was a regular.

“This defendant was there helping out,' explained Miss Atere. “The complainant was afraid the person who had the phone would find out where she was.

“There were a lot of homeless people at the church.”

Mr. Sprack said: “My client attended the church on a regular basis and found the phone and took it. There was no hint of confrontation.

“There was no attempt to use the phone.

“My client was of no fixed abode and had been for some time. She was arrested for squatting.”

Explaining the nine month sentence he added: “She was working for the person who was the complainant as a nanny/housekeeper.

“There was a dispute and she was owed a large amount of money from that person. The conviction is for taking money from that person.

“Her employer had threatened her with bad references.”

Investment banker Mrs Appleyard-Ley - who worked for Rothschild Ventures and Durlacher Ventures - was made to regret hiring Currie via internet site 'Gumtree' to live and work at her Chester Row property.

She told the Old Bailey of her “earth-shattering pain and sense of betrayal” at the hands of Currie.

She only realised something was amiss when Currie did not bring her a cup of tea in bed and then allegedly found her jewellery, laptop and iPad were missing from her home.

The former City high-flyer found her designer handbag containing her bank cards was gone and her car was missing from the drive.

Currie was accused of using her boss's stolen credit card to rack up bills of around £1,000 at several high street stores, including Oliver Bonas, Boots, Superdrug and Monsoon.

The court heard a total of £89,000 worth of stolen property was recovered, but another £81,000, including a Cartier watch, has never been found.

Mrs Appleyard-Ley is separated from her husband Sven Ley - a self-employed art dealer whose family founded fashion label Escada.

She hired Currie in May, 2013 to assist looking after her two children, aged four and six and assist the running of Life Neurological Research Trust, a charity launched in memory of her aunt Baroness Ziki Wharton, who died from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Currie was still driving around in the Mercedes ML350 - bought by the family nine days earlier - when police pulled her over near Gatwick.

After her arrest, Currie told police she took the car as her employer owed her £1,600 in wages, adding that she had worked for three weeks without a day off.

She told the court the figure included 'overtime, working seven day weeks without a break for three weeks and also holiday pay'.

She went on to claim she had consent to drive the Mercedes to the south coast to look for a mobile home to live in after handing in her notice to Mrs Appleyard-Ley on the agreement she would return.

She described the allegation she had stolen jewellery as “preposterous”, adding: “My personal feeling is that this is in the guise of getting a nice insurance claim for the person involved, the employer.”

She claimed: “This whole thing is a bit of a hoax with the jewellery because I've never seen expensive jewellery.”

Giving evidence, Currie also explained she had clothes from the Appleyard-Ley home in the Mercedes because she had been asked to take them to be dry cleaned.

She said that she had bought goods using her employer's credit card in shops such as Oliver Bonas because she had been asked to buy presents for her children's teachers and friends.

Doctor In Court Charged With Sex Assaults On Six Females At Two Hospitals

A doctor, accused of sexually assaulting six different females at two south-east London hospitals over a four-year period, appeared in court for the first time today.

Dr. Mahesh Vidyadhar Patwardhan, 52, of Alderton Hill, Loughton, Essex also faces an additional count in relation to an alleged insurance fraud.

He appeared at Bromley Magistrates Court who bailed him until November 20 for a preliminary hearing at Woolwich Crown Court.

Dr. Patwardhan faces three charges of sexual assault at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich on dates between July 2, 2008 and September 24, 2012.

He also faces three identical charges relating to Blackheath Hospital on dates between February 14, 2011 and August 31, 2012.

Dr. Patwardhan is additionally charged with fraud by false representation between February 14 and June 3, 2011 by submitting fraudulent invoices to AXA PPP insurance, intending to make a gain, namely £1195.

The court heard the fraud charge involved an allegation of claiming money for a treatment he did not perform.

Savile Row Tailoring Entrepreneur Sentenced For Boozy Stranger Punch

A privately-educated Savile Row tailoring entrepreneur punched a stranger asking for directions in the face while on a drink and drug-fuelled bar crawl, leaving his shocked victim with a bloody nose.

James Oliver Beckett-Dunn, 29, who attended £31,890 a year Pangbourne College, Berkshire was near Sloane Square at midnight when he launched the unprovoked attack and verbally abused the victim.

Beckett-Dunn, of The Maltings, Spring Grove, Kew Bridge, Chiswick, pleaded guilty to assaulting Ghali El Jalil Hamoudi on September 1 outside Chelsea Cloisters.

Today he received a twelve-month probation order, which includes a fifteen day activity requirement, and was ordered to pay £200 compensation to Mr. Hamoudi.

His former LinkedIn profile claimed he was a partner in Tom James, a global custom clothing company based in Old Jewry, Bank of England specialising in made-to-measure suits and home fittings.

The company own 170 year-old clothier merchant Holland and Sherry of Savile Row, whose luxury fabrics were transformed into suits worn by actor Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie The Great Gatsby.

Beckett-Dunn has now edited this profile, claiming he has not worked there for two years, and shut down his twitter account, which he regularly updated with glamourous pictures of his jet-set champagne lifestyle.

Tom James suits start at £779 and custom-made shirts at £99 and Oxford University graduate Beckett-Dunn portrays himself as a tailor to the stars.

Prosecutor Mr. Tom Gill told Hammersmith Magistrates Court it was 11.50pm when Mr. Hamoudi called the police. "He stated that he had been punched in the face and possibly broken his nose and had blood on his face."

Mr. Hamoudi had approached two men, one of whom was Beckett-Dunn, who was shifting his chin from side to side, and told him to: "Fuck off" when he asked for directions.

"He came close and stroked the complainant's face with his left hand and the complainant said: 'Don't touch me.'

"The defendant hit him in the face with great speed and strength as if he wanted to knock him out," added Mr. Gill.

Mr. Beckett-Dunn shouted at Mr. Hamoudi, calling him: "A piece of shit" and that was what he deserved.

He was later questioned by the police. "He said he was walking to a bar and had three Corona's at home, two on the train, vodka and tequila and: 'Lots of shots.'

"He mentioned taking medication and a recreational drug, but made no comment about the recreational drug."

When asked about mental health issues Beckett-Dunn told the officers: "I have seen a psychiatrist. I don't believe I've done this."

He said he had no recollection of the incident and was shocked and sorry to have hurt the man.

First-time offender Beckett-Dunn told the court: "I'm really very sorry. I deeply regret what I did and accept I have to face up to the circumstances."

During his first court appearance he claimed to be recovering from cancer and battling alcoholism and said: "I deeply regret it. I've been very poorly for two years and have not worked for two years.

"Cancer led to mental health issues. I am on twenty-one tablets a day. I'm struggling with alcoholism and with mental health issues."

His online profile also said he is on the Board of Advisors at Big Wolf Marketing Ltd and the owner of Bow Creek Cafe in Trinity Buoy Wharf, Docklands.

He also claims to be former volunteer street pastor with Christian organisation Ascension Trust.

Beckett-Dunn brought medical records with him to show to the court, but added: "This is not justification for anything I did."

Pangbourne College alumni include late film director Ken Russell; journalist Jefferson Hack; writer Jeffrey Bernard and double Olympic gold medal yachtsman Rodney Pattisson MBE.

Magistrate Mrs Celia Ansdell told him: "We have looked at the report from probation and take into account you were drunk and this was an unprovoked attack, a single blow and that you are of good character."

Beckett-Dunn was also ordered to pay a £150 court charge, £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Wearing a blue suit, blue shirt and tie, union flag socks and carrying a Louis Vuitton briefcase he asked to pay £50 immediately, followed by £100 a month. 

He also edited his LinkedIn profile and made this statement regarding publicity surrounding the case: " I am a former employee and partner in Tom James, but have not been with the company for over two years due to illness.

"I am deeply disturbed at the article and it's blatant invasion of my personal life and health issues. 

"I was not made aware any statements I make in court or otherwise are to be made public and I am also mortified at the circumstances in which the article came about. 

"Please accept my sincerest apologies. And please note I am not and was not a current employee since 2012. 

"I also would like to point out the case has many facts not laid out in the article and hold hope that the public do not leap to conclusions based purely on tabloid press."

'Arab' Wanted After 14 Year-Old Girl Sexually Molested On Bus

Police are hunting this suspect after a 14 year-old girl was molested on a south London double-decker bus.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Roads and Transport Policing Command are appealing for help in identifying the man after the girl was sexually assaulted.

On Thursday, 9 October, last year at about 3:20pm, the girl was assaulted by a man as she travelled on the route 250 bus between Green Lane, and Streatham High Road, Streatham.

The victim challenged the man and got off the bus with a passenger, who came to her aid, but was followed by the suspect into a nearby supermarket.

The victim alerted security staff and the suspect made off.

He is described as aged 35-40, of Arab appearance with a large nose, wearing a black Adidas baseball tracksuit and cap and trainers.

Police officers are releasing a CCTV image and ask anyone with information to contact Sergeant Jeremy Collins, who is leading the investigation on 07824 545 723 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 164640.

Carer Jailed For £27K Theft After Veteran Crime Writer Solved Her Own Missing Money Mystery

Behind Bars: Vicky Stallon

An award-winning crime writer solved her own case after deducting her friend and former carer - who was jailed today - had emptied her bank account of £27,000.

US-born novelist Marian Babson, 86, - real name Ruth Stenstreem - has penned forty-five books and received the prestigious Dagger in the Library award from the Crime Writers Association for her body of work.

She is now suffering dementia and is wheelchair-bound, but retains her independence at her central London flat with the help of carers, employed via social services.

Vicky Stallon, 27, of Varndell Street, Regent's Park was her paid carer and over a five-month period took envelopes, stuffed with thousands of pounds, blowing the lot gambling online.

She was sentenced to fourteen months imprisonment after pleading guilty to stealing the sum between April 1 and September 30, last year.

Life's A Drag: Vicky Stallon

"You found a soft target and repeatedly preyed on that lady," Judge Peter Clarke QC told the first-time offender. "She did not know what was going on until she could not find three thousand pounds.

"You must have recognised the vulnerability of Ms Stenstreem and the least you could do as her carer was respect that. The money was spent on self-indulgence.

"Once you found you had an easy victim you returned several times and took money. This is an offence that can only be described as callous."

Stallon was employed to help Ms Stenstreem, who lives in an apartment in Trinity Court, Gray's Inn Road, and kept seeing her and stealing money after this came to an end.

After the author discovered the missing money Stallon was quizzed by police. "She said she continued to see her because she felt like family, denying she took money from her," said prosecutor Miss Mary Loram.

It was only when police found she paid £13,680 into her own bank, often within an hour of Ms Stenstreem's withdrawals, that she partially-confessed.

Stallon maintained the remaining £13,320 was nothing to do with her - even suggesting other carers had taken it - but eventually admitted she had blown it in betting shops.

Mystery Writer: Marian Babson

"She stole significant amounts of money from her and after the period of employment came to and end she carried on visiting on a regular basis under the guise of friendship," added Miss Loram.

"Ms Stenstreem regularly withdrew large amounts of cash from two bank branches and the defendant would accompany her to these banks.

"After her employment began the withdrawals became much larger and in particular there were ten, which were in the thousands of pounds.

"Ms Stenstreem was a very successful crime writer. She is not bankrupt or destitute and does have savings."

The court made no compensation order because Stallon has no assets.

Her lawyer Mr. Richard Barratt said: "She spiralled down into significant depression and the best way to alleviate that was gambling, which she describes as an out of body experience.

"She realised there were large amounts of cash in envelopes sitting around the home and that became an easy source of money and went back time and time again.

"She accepts it is utterly appalling what she did. She has tried suicide once and the probation report says in a custodial environment she is at risk of trying again."

High Court Victor Fighting Stalking Conviction For Using Electronic Trackers To Pursue Debt

High Court Victor: Jimmy Vigh

A convicted stalker, who placed trackers on vehicles owned by his late-mother's ex-boyfriend in his bid to pursue a High Court debt, has begun his attempt to clear his name.

Jimmy Vigh, 48, of Saxby's Lane, Lingfield pursued a £70,000 debt against Subhash Patel, who says he was forced out of the home he shared with Celsa Vigh in Mosslea Road, Whyteleafe until her death on December 4, 2008.

Vigh was convicted at Croydon Magistrates Court of stalking Mr. Patel on or before November 19, 2014 and was conditionally discharged for two years, ordered to pay £350 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

He appeared at Croydon Crown Court last week, representing himself, to appeal the conviction and Mr. Patel gave evidence from the witness box to maintain he was being stalked and the hearing will resume on a future date.

The pair endured an acrimonious court case, which Vigh eventually won in November, 2013, with Mr. Patel ordered to leave the address and pay his opponent's costs.

Mr. Patel told the court he found five trackers hidden on his Vauxhall Zafira, which Vigh fully accepts he placed in an attempt to discover where his late mother's ex was living.

Vigh claims Mr.Patel uses aliases and has defrauded his late mother's estate by writing cheques on her account, cashing in her share certificates and stripped her flat clean before he was forced out.

Pursued: Subhash Patel

The appeal was told Mr. Patel did not report the first tracker he found to police, but brought them the second, which he found attached beneath his vehicle on August 14, 2014.

The police analysed the device and found it was linked to a mobile phone number Mr. Patel knew belonged to Vigh.

Police removed a third tracker on October 1, which had its own battery and was attached using a magnet and a DNA sample was taken, but no match found.

A fourth was found on November 16 and Vigh was arrested three days later and freely admitted placing trackers on Mr. Patel's vehicle so he could monitor his whereabouts and enforce a High Court judgement.

Vigh said he had no faith in police or solicitors to enforce the order.

“The first tracker was fitted in 2010 during the dispute over the property,” Mr. Patel told the court during the original trial. “The second tracker was found on the rear frame by a mechanic in August, 2014 and when I found the third on October 1 I reported it to the police.”

He said he found the fourth on November 16 and the fifth at the end of the same month. “It was a very small flat one and very difficult to see. So many tracking devices have been fitted to my car.”

Mr. Patel insists he does not owe Vigh a penny. “It has been settled. He's been paid a large amount in cash. He wanted seventy thousand by the way.”

He is still bitter about losing the flat he shared with Mrs Vigh. “I was evicted forcefully. The house was repossessed.

“He (Vigh) started extorting more and more money from me. I don't want to pay him any more.”

The legal bill which Vigh continues to pursue totals £33,723.

Mr. Patel refused to give his current address when he was in the witness box, explaining: “I don't want to say where I live in case he breaks in. When someone has threatened to kill you three times you don't give your address.

“He has made threats to me and the first threat was after I reported his money laundering and tax evasion.

“The second was when he was trying to evict me from the property.”

NOT GUILTY: Doctor Cleared Of "50 Shades" Bamboo Cane Assault On Fiance

Not Guilty: Dr. Elvira Blakemore

A doctor, who claimed injuries she inflicted on her businessman fiancé with a bamboo cane were part of a sex game he encouraged, has been cleared of assault.

Dr. Elvira Blakemore, 41, an NHS GP, says she and 57 year-old ladder entrepreneur James Edmund Austin used the cane on each other at least ten times at £3.65m Oak Manor, which sits in an exclusive private gated estate.

Father-of-five Mr. Austin, boss of BPS Access Solutions, which claims to be the UK's number one ladder company, told Croydon Crown Court he was the victim of a sudden attack which left the bedsheets covered in blood.

Dr. Blakemore, of 23 Bournemouth Road, Holland-on-Sea, Essex, who until recently owned cosmetic surgeries in Switzerland and at her home, was found not guilty of causing actual bodily harm on June 7, last year.

She was also cleared of a separate count of common assault on July 8 at the five-bedroom house in Wood Way, Locksbottom Village, which sits in one acre of grounds and has an indoor swimming pool, gym and sauna.

The jury took just fifteen minutes to find Dr. Blakemore not guilty on both counts.

Doctor Says Her Businessman Fiance Told Her: "Go On Baby" During Bamboo Cane Spanking Session

Naked: Dr. Elvira Blakemore

A doctor has told a jury she stripped-off all her clothes and straddled her naked businessman fiancé to beat him with a bamboo cane as he said: "Go on baby."

Dr. Elvira Blakemore, 41, continued telling the Croydon Crown Court jury from the witness box how spanking was an integral part of her sex life with millionaire ladder entrepreneur James Austin, 57.

She has pleaded not guilty to causing him actual bodily harm on June 7, last year at his £3.65m home, Oak Manor - situated in the grounds of a gated community near Locksbottom Village.

She also denies a second count of assault , when she is said to have repeatedly punched Mr. Austin in bed on July 8.

Dr. Blakemore described her gift of an Ann Summers 'Christmas Cracker' as "quite vulgar," adding: "There were a set of handcuffs that were furry and one side of a spanking paddle was furry.

"I was totally and utterly against it and broke the paddle and threw it away."

However, she says she softened for the good of the relationship. "I was trying to find ways to please James and he introduced this. I wanted to please him, we had lost this closeness.

"Go On Baby": James Austin 

"I willingly participated, but I did not really enjoy it, whereas James enjoyed being spanked and on his birthday his friend gave him a whip as a present."

Describing their caning sessions she told the jury: "I'd be bending over the bed or lying on the bed and we would both be naked.

"The most frequent way was me sitting on his buttocks looking at his back or sitting on his legs and we agreed the safe word: 'Stop'."

After their red wine and champagne post-engagement blessing soiree Mr. Austin retired to the bedroom. "He was lying in bed, with his back facing up, with the cane.

"He told me to get on with it and I came in and sat on him and caned him. The point of caning is the contrast between painful stimulation and touching the body and he said: 'Go on baby'.

"I poured champagne on his back after. It's part of the pleasure, the cold champagne cools the skin. It's a nice sensation.

"James was making noises like he was orgasming, like he was enjoying it."

On an separate occasion she recalled: "James said he was always so tired and said: 'It's not easy to make millions'."

Showing her a photo of Mr. Austin's whipped back prosecutor Mr. Dennis Kavanaugh asked her: "You seem to have taken leave of your senses and battered him, haven't you?

"That's sadistic isn't it? That's enjoying pain? You are into this sort of stuff."

Trial continues…………..  

"He Was Enjoying It": Doctor Accused Of Bamboo Cane Beating Of Fiance Told Police

'50 Shades Fan': Dr. Elvira Blakemore

A doctor accused of beating her fiancé with a bamboo cane told police her ex was "enjoying" the 50 Shades-inspired sex thrill, a jury heard yesterday.

Dr. Elvira Blakemore, 41, of Bournemouth Road, Holland-on-Sea, Essex denies assaulting 57 year-old businessman James Austin, causing him actual bodily harm, at his £3.65m home on June 7, last year.

She also denies a second assault at the gated property in Wood Way, Locksbottom Village on July 8, when she allegedly repeatedly punched him as he lay in bed.  

Mr. Austin told the jury the six-foot long bamboo garden cane broke into two or three pieces, but rejected Dr. Blakemore's lawyer Mr. Philip McGee's suggestion: "Every stroke of that cane is what you wanted."

He answered the door to police in his dressing-gown after dialling 999 just before 1am and in a statement PC Daniel Madigan said: "He removed his gown and his back was covered from buttocks to shoulders in red, raised lines, some of them bleeding."

The officer noted Mr. Austin saying: "I asked her to stop, but she didn't. She had a look of hate in her eyes, but I love her."

A sleeping Dr. Blakemore was woken upstairs and told police: "I don't trust him. He lied about this."

Paramedics also noted injuries they described as "extensive abrasions and welts" that looked like "they had been caused by a whip."

Dr. Blakemore prepared a statement and told police: "James started to use whips, canes and paddles to spice up our sex life. We used these objects on each other during sex and it was consensual and James always initiated it.

"Enjoying It": James Austin

"James caused me serious bruising to my chest during sex. I reported it to the police, but it was not investigated.

"He brought the cane to our bedroom and that means he wants to be whipped. I usually caned him first and he was making encouraging sexual noises, he was enjoying it. 

"Afterwards he jokingly said if he called the police and showed the marks how would I explain it."

When arrested for the second alleged assault Dr. Blakemore told police she was the victim of "five to seven" punches from Mr. Austin and blood officers saw on his chin must have been a shaving cut.

Chechnya-born Dr. Blakemore, who is divorced from her first English husband, told the jury she met Mr. Austin on Match.com. "It was a whirlwind, fairytale romance.

"On the fifth date James invited me to Paris, he was very charming and that's where he proposed. He went down on one knee.

"I had never met such a strong person as James. He's very powerful, a cut-throat businessman, but to me so caring and protective.

"I was absolutely in love with him."

Dr. Blakemore moved in with Mr. Austin, resigning from her £85,000 a year GP job in Sudbury, Suffolk and quitting her two cosmetic clinics, which brought in another £150,000 per year.

"We had sex every day, it was good, it was like a honeymoon period and the pregnancy was the most dream time I ever had in my life."

Trial continues…………     

Doctor Says Bamboo Cane Beating Was 50 Shades-Inspired Sex Thrill

Cane: Dr. Elvira Blakemore

A doctor, who enjoyed 50 Shades-inspired sadomasochistic sex with her millionaire businessman fiancé, claims injuries she inflicted with a bamboo cane were with his consent, a court heard yesterday.

Dr. Elvira Blakemore, 41, an NHS GP, says she and 57 year-old ladder entrepreneur James Edmund Austin used the cane on each other at least ten times at £3.65m Oak Manor, which sits in an exclusive private gated estate.

Father-of-five Mr. Austin, boss of BPS Access Solutions, which claims to be the UK's number one ladder company, told Croydon Crown Court he was the victim of a sudden attack which left the bedsheets covered in blood.

The couple had their engagement blessed in church earlier that day and invited guests to the house for a bbq and drinks, but according to Mr. Austin the evening was ruined by Dr. Blakemore's jealousy of his three grown-up sons from his first marriage.

"There had been snipes about my sons throughout and she referred to them as my 'daughters' as well as other insults and we both had quite a lot to drink," he explained.

"I went to bed and was more or less asleep when she entered the room raging and started hitting me with a garden cane.

"She was violently hitting me with the cane very many times on the back. There was a cut on my cheek also, but she just kept going and by the end there was blood on the bed."

He admitted previously taking the cane up to the bedroom as a joke about their mutual enjoyment of spanking, but insisted it had never been used before and was lying on top of the wardrobe.

Injuries James Austin

Mr. Austin did not initially respond to the blows, claiming he was too drunk and drowsy to fully appreciate what was going on.

"I was concerned I was being provoked and set-up and it was me that would be arrested so I did not respond and went downstairs.

"There was a further attack in the lounge. Elvira appeared in the room and she had another go with the same cane.

"When the cane broke she poured some wine on my back and said: 'Alcohol is good for the wounds.'

"There were a lot of marks on my back, there were twenty-five to thirty-five hits. I was hit as hard as she possibly could hit me. You can see how bad the injuries are.

"I was shocked at how bad my injuries were and the ambulance staff said I should go to A & E, but I did not want to leave the twins."

The pair had become engaged during a romantic stay at Paris's luxury five-star George V hotel and on the day of the blessing Mr. Austin bought a £20,000 ring and booked a £7,000 celebratory ten-day holiday.

Around midnight, according to Dr. Blakemore, she was naked and astride Mr. Austin on his insistence, reigning down blows with the cane, inflicting injuries, which she then poured champagne over. 

Dr. Blakemore, of Bournemouth Road, Holland-on-Sea, Essex, who until recently owned cosmetic surgeries in Switzerland and at her home, has pleaded not guilty to causing actual bodily harm on June 7, last year.

She also denies a separate count of common assault on July 8 at the five-bedroom house in Wood Way, Locksbottom Village, which sits in one acre of grounds and has an indoor swimming pool, gym and sauna.

"On that occasion Dr. Blakemore lost her temper and threw wine onto the carpet," explained prosecutor Mr. Dennis Kavanaugh. "Mr. Austin went to bed and she went upstairs.

"She followed him and repeatedly punched him in the left arm and punched him in the face and he ended up with a cut on his chin and called the police and locked himself in the en suite bathroom."

Divorced Mr. Austin met Dr. Blakemore via the internet in April 2012, she moved in with him six months later and he agreed to use his frozen sperm so his childless fiancé could have children and they now have two-and-a-half year-old twin sons.

"She expressed an interest in Fifty Shades Of Grey and I put it in her Christmas stocking and we both read it and she bought the second and third books herself.

"We went to Anne Summers in Bluewater Shopping Centre and bought certain items. One was called a spanking paddle and she produced certain stuff from her suitcase during the trip to France."

Mr. Austin also gave her a £500 Anne Summers gift voucher and bought a special Christmas Cracker from the sex shop, which contained lacy underwear.

She wore the underwear under a skimpy Mrs Santa costume she donned at Christmas when Mr. Austin's three sons were visiting the house.

The court also heard Mr. Austin signed a gift: 'Personal spanker to naughty Dr. Elvira' and she signed-off an email to him as: 'Personal Spanker.'

She administered anti-wrinkle botox to him and Mr. Austin admitted he also had the injections before meeting her as well as facial fillers and liposuction.

Mr. Austin drives a £157,000, six-litre Mercedes Sls supercar and Dr. Blakemore claims he told her: "I don't want a big bird. That's why I have a small two-seater car."

He denied making hurtful comments about her figure post pregnancy and encouraging her to have cosmetic surgery herself.

The businessman told the jury spanking was Dr. Blakemore's idea and she was usually the recipient and the cane was never used until the attack on him.

"At the start it was mostly her receiving, it did not do a lot for me. It began with just hands and then the paddle and Elvira was the recipient."

She even discussed their sex life in front of a friend of Mr. Austin's, who in turn bought the couple a small leather cat-o-nine tails whip. 

In January last year he cancelled their joint bank account. "She made some very extravagant purchases, seven hundred pounds on make-up from John Lewis and two thousand pounds on a mattress.

"She also said she would bring men back to the house and f*** them."

Before the alleged assaults Dr. Blakemore's lawyer sent Mr. Austin a letter demanding he hand the house over to her, pay a £100,000 lump sum, plus 20% of his income.

"She sees the children as a meal ticket," he told the jury, denying he set-up the cane beating to frame his ex.

The jury were shown a photograph police took of his back, which was covered in red marks from his shoulder blades down to the waistline, which Mr. Austin said took two weeks to heal.

He denied looking at the injuries immediately afterwards and telling Dr. Blakemore: "If I called the police and showed them the marks what would you do then?"

Officers were called to the address and the defendant arrested, but Mr. Austin initially dropped his complaint for the sake of their relationship and the family.

In March, last year he received a police caution for assaulting Dr. Blakemore by grabbing her wrists while she was texting. "She was goading me quite theatrically," Mr. Austin said.

The couple are also involved in bitter Family Court proceedings and currently share custody of the twins until a final determination after a social worker's report. 

Earlier Mr. Kavanaugh told the jury: "Police were summoned to the house after Mr. Austin rang them and said he had been seriously assaulted in a sustained fashion to his back by Dr. Blakemore.

"He said she took a bamboo cane and repeatedly hit him across his back and the officers saw a series of marks on his back."

Police seized three bamboo sticks and arrested Dr. Blakemore. "She said it was a completely malicious allegation and that he had consented to receiving the injuries and that they were of a sexual nature.

"Mr. Austin said whilst the couple had experimented sexually they had not hit each other with a cane and only used a paddle lightly and there were no injuries.

"Later he said he did not want her prosecuted because it was not good for the relationship or the children."

Trial continues…………

Former Children's Home Deputy Super Set To Stand Trial On Historic Sex Charges

The former deputy superintendent of a children's home will stand trial next year, accused of the abuse of a young boy four decades ago.

Roger Laing, 68, of Lytton Avenue, Letchworth Garden City worked at the home, located in Bromley, south-east London in the 1970's.

Yesterday a date was set for him to return on bail to Croydon Crown Court for trial on June 20.

Laing has pleaded not guilty to six counts of indecently assaulting the boy on various dates between July 16, 1974 and September 8, 1978.

He has also pleaded not guilty to a single count of buggery between July 16, 1974 and September 27, 1975.

Schoolgirl And Women Attacked And Groped In East London: CCTV Of Suspect Released

Police hunting a predator, who has targeted females in east London - molesting two women and throwing a schoolgirl to the ground - have released these CCTV images.

Detectives in Newham are hunting the offender and hope these images will help them trace a man they wish to question.

The first incident was around 12.30am on 15 March when the male suspect grabbed a 15-year-old girl from behind in Green Street, Newham.

The girl was picked up and thrown onto the ground before the man used his foot to press her head against the pavement.

She was not seriously injured and did not attend hospital.

Despite a police investigation, the suspect for this assault has not been identified.

Several months later, at around 7.30am on Thursday, 2 July, the same man approached a 29-year-old woman in Well Street, Stratford.

He sexually assaulted the woman by putting his hand up her dress.

At the same time the following day, 3 July, the man committed a near identical offence of sexual assault on a 20-year-old woman in Sprowston Road, Forest Gate.

This suspect is described as a black man, aged around 20 to 30 years of medium build with 'afro' style hair.

Anyone with information about the suspect, or who can identify the man shown in the CCTV images, is urged to call Newham CID on 020 8217 5881.

To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Peckham Knife Attack: CCTV Of Suspect Released

Police hunting a knifeman, who with two other men attacked a teenager in busy Peckham, have released this CCTV still of the suspect.

The 19 year-old was punched and kicked to the ground by the trio and suffered a cut to his hand as he tried to defend himself from the blade.

He was walking in Rye Lane at 3.15pm on April 22 when approached by the three males and after a brief verbal altercation, they attacked him - punching him to the ground then kicking him.

The victim managed to get to his feet and was chased by two of his attackers into a fast-food restaurant.

One of them pulled a knife and tried to stab him several times.

The victim received a cut to his hand as he defended himself and both men fled the venue.

The male suspect who remains unidentified is described as light skinned black male with long, braided hair, of slim build and approximately 6ft tall.

He was wearing a grey sweatshirt with the words 'Sneaker Freak' on the front and blue jeans.

The victim was taken to hospital where he was treated and later discharged.

A 21-year-old male was arrested on 20 May on suspicion of grievous bodily harm, with intent, and a second male was arrested on 14 July and released on police bail pending further enquires.

The third suspect, shown in the CCTV image holding a knife remains unidentified although it is believed that he may have links to the east London area.

Police are calling for help from the public to identify him.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Tessa Lyle-Meller of Southwark CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 3011268/15.

Bus Schoolboys Threatened With Stabbing: CCTV Released

Police are hunting this aggressive teenager, suspected of threatening to stab five twelve year-old boys on a bus in east London.

Officers from Havering Safer Transport Team have released this CCTV image as the hunt continues.

The route 372 bus was travelling along Wennington Road near Lakeside Shopping Centre at 5.00pm on May 16 when two youths boarded the top-deck.

The younger boys were told they would be stabbed and a concerned passenger intervened, forcing the five boys off the bus, before alerting the driver. 



A 13-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the incident and the second wanted suspect is described as white, aged about 16-years-old with a foreign, possibly eastern European accent.

He was wearing a black shiny Adidas jacket with white piping on the arms.



Anyone with information is urged to contact PC Kevin Sheppard on 07825 386 484 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting ref 179807.