Heart Patient Cocaine Dealer Gets Second Chance

Isleworth Crown Court

A young heart patient, who tried to raise money by selling cocaine, was caught by police driving around with four wraps of the drug and £420 cash stashed behind his car's visor.

Jobless carpet fitter Charles Hitchens Wooden, 23, of Pimpernel Road, Horsford, Norwich – who suffered a serious cardiac arrest a year ago – initially claimed the cocaine was for himself, but texts on his mobile phone revealed active dealing.

He pleaded guilty to possessing 1.19 gms of the drug, with intent to supply, in Hillingdon, west London on August 27 and at Isleworth Crown Court today was sentenced to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years.

“I hope I'm not going to be made to look a fool by passing that suspended sentence,” Recorder DCH Cartwright told the dad-of-one. “You can consider yourself extraordinarily lucky.”

The court heard Wooden has had an internal defibrillator fitted to regulate his heart rhythm and needs daily cardiac monitoring and has regular hospital appointments.

Prosecutor Mr. Charles McDonald told the court police stopped the defendant and detected a strong smell of cannabis within the vehicle.

They quickly found the cash and when told he would be searched Wooden handed over four wraps of 70-90% pure cocaine.

“His mobile phone contained texts strongly indicative of drug dealing and after claiming the cocaine was for personal use he admitted selling drugs on a social basis because he fell on hard times.

“It was a small quantity, but was street-dealing and it was clear from the texts he was involved in dealing other drugs at other times, but we do not know in what quantities.”

Wooden's lawyer Mr. Mo Dampha said: “there is a level of naivety and it was social dealing to friends and he is absolutely petrified of going to prison.”

Recorder Cartwright told him: “You were not candid with the police until faced with the phone evidence of dealing.”

He also ordered Wooden to attend a ten to twenty day rehab programme to address his cannabis misuse, attend a thinking skills programme and pay a £120 victim surcharge and £180 court charge.

Book Keeper Who Nicked Nearly £1/4M From Solicitor's Firm Is Jailed

A book-keeper, who stole £234,000 from a solicitor's firm to finance his daughters' private-school education, fund expensive holidays and and pay-off his mortgage, was jailed for three years and four months on Friday.

Ian Emmanuel Thomas, 53, of Kither Road, Ashford, Kent paid pre-signed cheques into his bank account over a seven-year period while employed at Croydon's Cook & Partners.

He pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court to stealing the sum between March 10, 2003 and August 10, 2010, plus one count of false accounting.

“It's got to be prison,” announced Judge Owen Davies. “Clearly this was a breach of trust.

“The fraud was extremely simple. Pre-signed cheques were filled-out by you to yourself because you wanted to send your daughters to a good school, have holidays and pay off the mortgage on your home.

“The fraud was only discovered because of a new system adopted by the firm of solicitors and the effect against the firm has been devastating.”

Prosecutor Mr. Shaun Espirit told the court first-time offender Thomas, who worked at the firm since 1986, was found out in 2010.

“He was trusted to pay suppliers and the VAT bill by cheque, but the defendant would fill-in the stub to pay, say HMRC, but paid it into his own bank account.”

Thomas was sacked after admitting to taking money for just two years, but when questioned by police in 2012 he tried to cast blame on the firm's office manager and claimed his innocence until day one of the trial.

“They were extremely annoyed someone they trusted was stealing money from them and this has had a major impact on the solicitor's firm.”

The firm faced conduct proceedings before the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) and was fined £15,000, with £15,000 costs and one of the partners, Ian Douglas, - said to be suffering “acute and chronic stress” - is facing bankruptcy as a result.

The second partner, Christopher Cook, has had treatment for depression. “It has had a major impact on his health,” added Mr. Espirit.

The partners won a County Court Judgment against Thomas and he has paid them £260,000 compensation.

His lawyer, Mr. Azize Chelliah, told the court the SRA have to give their permission for Thomas to be ever employed by a solicitor's firm again. “He will not be able to work as a book keeper in the future.”

He urged the court to follow the probation service's recommendation of a suspended sentence with community service work, but Judge Davies said: “That's completely unrealistic, the offence is much to serious. Clearly a breach of trust was involved.”

The judge told Thomas: “You blamed a person who was blameless and the nightmare of every solicitor is being taken to the SRA.”

Stuffed Arctic Wolf Worth £32,000 Nicked By Mystery Houseguests

This £32,000 stuffed Arctic wolf vanished from a woman's flat along with three mystery men her and her pal picked-up in Soho during a night out.

The two women invited the trio back to the Chelsea address in the early hours of August 3 and they smuggled out the expensive rare piece an hour later.

Detectives from Kensington and Chelsea Borough CID are investigating the burglary.

The female victim had been out with a friend in the West End, returning home at about 4.00am with the three men they met that evening.


The three men left at about 5.00am and later in the morning, the victim discovered her stuffed Arctic wolf was missing.



The stuffed wolf is about 6ft long and 3ft high and was bought six years earlier from a taxidermy shop.

It has an open 'snarling' mouth and yellow glass eyes.

It has white fur with black speckles on back, shoulders and ears.



All three suspects are white men believed to be aged in their early twenties.



Detective Sergeant Sean Lyons, said: "This is a unique item and I am appealing to anyone who may know the three suspects or have information about the stolen Arctic wolf to contact police." 



Anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact DS Sean Lyons at Kensington and Chelsea CID on 020 8246 0189 or police on 101.

To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Bus Stop Sex Pest: CCTV Released

Police are hunting this bus stop suspect after a teenage girl was molested last in north London summer.

A CCTV image of the wanted young man has been released by the Metropolitan Police Service's Roads and Transport Policing Command.

On Wednesday, 29 July, at approximately 91.15hpm, a 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by a man as she waited at a bus stop in Church Street, Edmonton.

The man is described as a white, aged about 19-years-old and has short blond hair.

Officers are asking anyone with any information to contact Detective Constable Anthony Okadigbo on 07787 669278.

Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 186377.

Who's Beardy?: 14 Year-old Girl Molested On Bus

Police are appealing for help to identify a suspected pervert after a teenage girl was molested on a bus in Bexley.

On Tuesday, 30 June at about 5:30am a 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by a man as she travelled on a route 422 bus between Bexleyheath and Charlton Road, Charlton, south-east London.

The suspect is described as an Asian man aged between 20 to 25 years-old and 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 a CCTV image of the man.

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

Twiggy Photographer Accused Of Molesting Eight Women

The sixties photographer who discovered Twiggy carried around his portfolio of work - which included his iconic picture of the model - to help him sexually assault women, a court heard.

Legendary fashion and style photographer Barry Lategan, 80, approached his victims mainly on buses, engaged them in conversation about his pictures of the rich and famous and groped them, the jury were told.

He claimed to miss "skin on skin" contact and touched them both over and under their clothing, rubbing their breasts. legs, thighs, backs, arms and hair.

He has been ruled unfit to enter a plea to eight counts of sexual assault allegedly committed between February 1, 2013 and June 18, this year.

The Isleworth Crown Court jury have heard this week Lategan, 6 Grosvenor Park, Camberwell has "evolving dementia" and they will have to decide if the offences occurred.

Two of his photographic portraits of Twiggy hang in the Victoria & Albert Museum and he has photographed among others HRH Princess Anne, Paul and Linda McCartney, Iman, Germaine Greer, Margaret Thatcher and Salman Rushdie.

Prosecutor Miss Teresa Hay told the jury four of the eight women reported Lategan, whose c.v. includes front pages of fashion magazines Vogue and Harpers Bazaar, after reading press reports of sexual allegations against him.

The first woman was walking to Virgin Active, Fulham Road when she smiled at fellow gym member Lategan. "He grabbed both her arms and gave her a firm kiss on both cheeks."

The second woman, 44, was on a 211 bus in Fulham when Lategan began showing-off his portfolio. "He was touching and stroking her forearm and said: 'It's so lovely to be able to touch someone.

"He asked if he could hug her, but she felt the embrace was too firm and lasted too long and he swiped his hand over her breasts," explained Miss Hay.

Referring to his erect penis Lategan told her: "Look what you've done to me."

The third woman, an artist, was persuaded by Lategan to leave Cafe Nero and go to her flat in Redcliffe Square, West Brompton to take photos for a project.

"He asked her to recline on her sofa and pose and open her legs wider. He sat newt to her and started rubbing her thigh and put his hand on her breasts over her clothing."

The fourth woman was approached on a 211 bus. "He put his hand inside the arm of her coat. He said: 'I do miss skin on skin.'

"He put his hand on her leg under her trousers and also stroked her hair and head."

He gave most of the women his business card, which allowed police to easily trace him, and the fifth woman was also approached on 211 bus and shown his portfolio of work.

"He touched the hem of her dress and moved his hand up her leg to her thigh."

The sixth woman was an a route 68 bus. "He showed her pictures of Twiggy and other photos from his portfolio and ran his hand down her hair.

"He followed her off the bus and put his hand up her back under her clothing and said: 'I'm sorry, my wife died. Can I have a hug?'

"The seventh woman, a former art student he gave an autographed picture of Twiggy to, was on a 211 bus in the evening. 

"He put his hand up the back of her top and stroked her skin," explained Miss Hay. "He asked her if he could kiss her."

The final woman was on a bus travelling towards Camberwell. "He told her about his now legendary portraits of Twiggy and she used her phone to look him up on the internet.

"Mr. Lategan touched her thighs over her jeans and said: 'At the gym they're into tits, but I'm into legs.'

"He slid his hand between her legs, up her thighs and towards her groin."

Hearing continues………… 

Designer Wardrobe Shredded By Snubbed Ex-Girlfriend Who "Lost Control"

A personal shopper once employed by Stella McCartney, "lost control" and cut up £12,000 worth of her ex-boyfriend's designer clothes because he snubbed her and hooked up with another woman during a night out.

Lucia Hajnikova, 28, who worked with the designer's VIP clients admitted taking a pair of scissors to Ege Akcasoy's wardrobe, but was ordered to pay only £1500 compensation.

"You got upset about your former boyfriend enjoying himself too much with another woman and took revenge by entering the home you once shared with him and destroyed his wardrobe of designer clothes," Judge Philip Matthew told her yesterday.

"You lost control in a manner that was wholly unacceptable, but I'm not going to ask you to pay the full amount because you haven't got any money." 

Slovakia-born Hajnikova, a £900 per month gallery assistant with 'The Wapping Project', Hopton Street, Southwark, pleaded guilty to one count of causing criminal damage on July 22 at the flat in Bolton Lodge, Gilston Road, West Brompton.

She was sentenced to a two-year community order, which includes 140 hours community service work and must comply with a four-week night time curfew between 8pm and 6am.

Isleworth Crown Court heard Mr. Akcasoy returned to his £750,000 flat to find windows smashed and expensive clothing, including a dinner jacket, tuxedo, winter coats, suits shirts and ties cut into pieces.

Prosecutor Miss Caroline Paul told the court: "The defendant and Mr. Akcasoy were split-up at the time when one evening, by chance, they bumped into each other in a bar in the King's Road.

"They went out drinking and they met another female and Mr. Akcasoy went out with her for the rest of the night.

"The prosecution case is the defendant was jealous he was staying out with the other female and took revenge by destroying his clothing and smashing windows. They were designer suits and jackets."

Mr. Akcasoy initially claimed £30,000 worth of clothing was destroyed.

Her lawyer Mr. Richard Elliott said: "She went to university in Slovakia at the age of sixteen under a fast-track scheme for the gifted.

"She has been working since she has been in this country and her former employers include the Royal Society of Sculptors."

He previously 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."

Previously Hajnikova jumped bail at Hammersmith Magistrates Court to apparently holiday in Ibiza and was convicted of failing to surrender.

She 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.

Street Sex Pest Stalked 15 Year-Old Girl: Picture Released

A sex pest, who followed women in east London - including a 15 year-old girl - is being hunted by police.

Officers in Hackney have released this image and are appealing for the public's help to identify the stranger who approached and followed the girl.

On Tuesday, June 23 at 6.00pm the girl was walking along Upper Clapton Road, Hackney.

As she walked a man shouted at her and then began to follow her.

He followed the girl to her friend's house and then waited outside.

At this point a member of the family confronted the man and took his picture.

The man left when he realised he was being photographed.

He was later seen pestering other members of the public and was heard asking a woman for sex.

Anyone who can help police identify the man should contact PC Manjit Bharj at Hackney police on 101 or contact CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 if you do not want to give your name.

Hunt For Would-Be Rapist: Image Released

Police are hunting this man after a woman was nearly raped at an address near Elephant and Castle in the early hours of the morning.

On Monday, April 20, the 28-year-old woman, her male friend and the man pictured were at an address in Newington Causeway.

At approximately 3.00am the man attempted to rape the woman, but she was able to fight him off and her friend came to her assistance.

The man then fled the scene.

He is described as a white, aged about 30 - 40 years-old and he had a shaved head.

Detectives from the Sexual Abuse, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command are investigating.

Anyone with information is asked to contact them on 020 8721 4640 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

'Foreign Accent' Bus Sex Pervert Wanted

A sex pest with a foreign accent is being hunted after a teenage schoolgirl was molested on a bus.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Roads and Transport Policing Command have released this cctv image in the hope of arresting their suspect.

On Sunday, June 7 at about 12.45pm a 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by a man on a route 16 bus between Edgware Road and Kilburn High Road, West Hampstead, where the suspect got off.

The suspect is described as a white man aged about 20 to 30 years of age, medium build with a short beard and light coloured hair.

He had a foreign accent and wore a white shirt, brown trousers and a blazer.

Police officers are releasing a CCTV image and ask anyone with information to contact 07825 378289 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 182236.

Suspected Sex Offender Still Being Hunted Three Years On

Police are hunting this suspected sex pest in relation to a woman being molested on a bus three years ago.

Officers from the Roads and Transport Policing Command wish to question 38 year-old Mohammed Salah Hassen Rabe.

The offence occurred on a route 148 bus in Shepherds Bush, west London on August 26, 2012, where the 34-year-old woman was sexually assaulted.

The photo of Rabe was taken in 2009 so his appearance may have changed and he may be using a different name.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Andy Barnard said: "We are keen to trace Rabe in connection with this incident. If anyone knows where he is please contact us.

"This incident happened almost three years ago but we remain committed to solving this case and have reviewed it several times to ensure all lines of enquiry are being explored."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0203 054 5406 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Shrek Pest Groped Woman At Movie-Themed Attraction

Shrek Pest: Srinivas Boreddy

A dad groped a young woman when he took his wife and two kids to a Shrek-themed attraction on London's Southbank - claiming "she looked very good" as he waited to board one of the rides.

The woman agreed to a friendly hug, but was shocked when 36 year-old Srinivas Boreddy grabbed her bum and tried to kiss her.

The IT specialist, of Pleasant Place, Chesterfield, Derbyshire pleaded guilty yesterday to sexually assaulting the unnamed woman at Shrek's Adventure!, County Hall on October 25.

Prosecutor Miss Colette Hanna told Camberwell Green Magistrates Court on Wednesday: "Mr. Boreddy tried to get on a bus-themed ride with his wife and two children.

"One child did not reach the required minimum height so Mr. Boreddy remained there while his wife and the other child went on the ride.

"He returned on his own later and asked if he could go on the ride and after waiting a few minutes he asked for a hug.

"He went to hug her and grabbed both of her buttocks, which he squeezed tight, and pulled her towards his groin.

"He went to kiss her face and she turned and he kissed her neck and she felt what she thought was a bite.

"She says she felt violated and started to cry."

The police were called and officer later questioned Indian-born first-time offender Boreddy.

"His account to the police mirrored the victim's, although he denied the bite," added Ms Hanna. "He said he thought she looked very good and thought they had been looking at each other and had made eye contact.

"He said he did not think it was inappropriate behaviour in England and when asked if it would have been acceptable in India agreed that it wasn't."

District Judge Timothy Stone bailed Boreddy until December 2 for a pre-sentence report, telling him: "I cannot rule out custody until I get a report and hear more about you. Be prepared for anything."

Uninsured Joyrider Flipped Pal's Car

Marian Scorghion

An uninsured joyrider, who flipped his friend's car after speeding away in the vehicle without permission, has received a suspended prison sentence and a driving ban.

Marian Scorghion, 25, of Alliance Close, Wembley took to the wheel of the 2.0-litre Chrysler Neon in the middle of the night and spectacularly crashed it in Lancelot Road just before 3am on August 16.

He was convicted at Brent Magistrates Court of aggravated vehicle taking and sentenced to eight weeks imprisonment, suspended for twelve months and ordered to pay compensation of £1,400 to the vehicle owner.

Scorghion was also disqualified from driving for twelve months and must pay £620 prosecution costs, a £520 criminal court charge and £80 victim surcharge.

He also pleaded guilty to driving without insurance.

No separate penalty was made for this offence.

Scorghion had passengers in the car when he crashed the black Chrysler, but claimed he had the owner's permission to make the short journey.

Dozens of residents rushed into the street in their night clothes after being woken by the crash.

One, Ruth Kent, said: “I heard the smash, it sounded like a big massive crash. It woke me and all the neighbours up.

“I looked out of my balcony and there were blue lights flashing with a group of people standing around a car on its roof and a man being treated by paramedics.”

Ambulance crews rushed one man, who suffered facial injuries, to St. Mary's Hospital and another male occupant of the Chrysler was taken to Northwick Park Hospital.

The overturned vehicle remained in the middle of the road until 7.30am.

Ex-Employee Must Pay For Late-Night Water-Dunk Damage

A disgruntled noodle bar employee, who sneaked into his workplace in the early hours of the morning and dunked electronic payment equipment in water during an on-going contractual dispute, has been ordered to compensate his ex-boss.

Simone La Barbera, 22, of Pipewell Road, Carshalton worked at the New Culture Revolution (pictured) restaurant in King's Road, Chelsea, where he was caught on CCTV entering with borrowed keys at 1.30am.

Hammersmith Magistrates Court heard he dunked two hand-held payment card readers in a tub of water and poured more water over a receipt printer and the till, causing £3,000 worth of damage.

He pleaded guilty to burgling the restaurant on September 19, with intent to cause criminal damage, and was conditionally discharged for six months.

La Barbera was also ordered to pay £1849.20 compensation, £85 costs, a £180 criminal courts charge and a £15 victim surcharge.

The court heard La Barbera did not have permission to be on the premises at that time and the owner did not know he had a key.

CCTV captured him filling a tub with water in the kitchen and placing the two card readers inside and causing more water damage to the other equipment.

The owner identified him from the footage and the first-time offender was arrested by police, although he initially claimed he had nothing to do with it.

La Barbera's lawyer said he was in a “contractual dispute” and the defendant accepts this was no way to resolve his employment issues.

Car-Driving Clown Gets Whiskey Road Ban

One of the country's oldest performing clowns – whose act involves a customised vintage vehicle – will not be able to perform on public roads for the next year after he was banned for being in charge of a car while over the drinks limit.

Rudi Wallenda, 80, of Wesley Avenue, Harlesden, who performs all over the country with his Comedy Car Act – a multi-coloured 1926 BullnoseMorris – says he only started drinking whiskey after the car he was driving suffered a flat tyre.

He was convicted of being in charge of a Ford Granada outside the Ramada Hotel, London Gateway Services, Mill Hill on January 7 with 196 milligrammes of alcohol in his urine – the legal limit is 107.

North West London's Brent Magistrates Court disqualified him from driving for twelve months and fined him £85, with £200 costs and ordered him to also pay a £20 victim surcharge.

Wallenda was born into the famous European Flying Wallenda's high wire and trapeze act family.

He says he was not in charge of the vehicle after pulling into the services with a flat tyre and had no intention of driving the vehicle away.

The court heard Wallenda fell over and cut his face when trying to deal with the tyre and relieved his situation by drinking whiskey he had in the vehicle.

He had called his son Anthony for help, but the police turned up and arrested him.

'Sports Pro' Jailed For Violent Attack At Soccer Centre

Goals, New Malden

A young man, who describes himself as a sports professional, has been jailed for a violent attack on a footballer at a soccer centre.

Sebastian Luke Morally, 24, of Carmichael Close, Winstanley Estate, Battersea was sentenced to nine months imprisonment at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

He pleaded guilty to wounding Matthew Drage, 22, inflicting grievous bodily harm, at Goals Soccer Centre, Beverley Way, New Malden on October 13, last year.

On his LinkedIn profile Morally simply describes himself as a 'Sports Professional.'

He will also have to pay a £100 victim surcharge.

Mum Jailed For Mowing Down Cyclist During 'Road Rage' Row

Three Years: Natalie Pyne

A mum-of-six with a car full of screaming children, who mounted the pavement to mow down an autistic cyclist during a dramatic 'road rage' row in which she also demolished a beauty salon, was jailed for three years yesterday.

Jobless courier Natalie Pyne, 31, had five youngsters in her powerful three-litre Audi Q7 turbo-diesel, which weighs over three metric tonnes, when she cut-up Simon Edgely, 43, causing him to bump into the rear of her vehicle.

Judge Susan Tapping told her: "You lost your temper. You must have put your foot down, witnesses heard the tyres screech. The cyclist was knocked off an either went over the bonnet and rolled off or was dragged along.

"Unable to stop you ploughed into the ground floor of a beauty salon, which demolished the front and caused glass and debris to reign down in a frightening manor.

"You were out of control and in a rage it boiled over very quickly. You had five children in the car and they must have been terrified by your subsequent actions and it is a great pity you did not think more of them at the time.

"That is the terror you subjected them to," added the judge, also disqualifying Pyne for four years and ordering her to complete an extended driving test - her second - before she is allowed back on the roads.

As a friend of Pyne's sobbed in the Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court public gallery the defendant shouted as she was led to the cells: "Don't cry, don't cry. Kiss my kids for me. Don't let anything happen to them."   

The children will now be taken into care.

"Don't Cry": Natalie Pyne 

Judge Tapping added: "The car was used as a weapon. She was convicted of deliberately driving at the cyclist, with intent to cause him really serious harm, the prosecution put it as a road rage incident.

"What she did was gun her car into life, wheels spinning, and pursued him onto the pavement. She's been convicted of a deliberate attempt to mow him down on the pavement.

"She was driving so fast and in such a rage she clattered a Mercedes van and knocked it a metre out of its position."

Pyne's then 14 year-old eldest son was a front seat passenger and he told the court: "I thought I was going to die." 

Pyne reversed out of the ship front almost immediately. "The cyclist was still in the rubble," said the judge. "She could have run over him.

"Having the children in the car did not moderate her reaction to what happened with the cyclist."

Mr. Edgely, who was not wearing a helmet, suffered neck pain and abrasions to his right hip and wrist and tenderness to his right elbow and has suffered increased anxiety as a result of the court case.

Outside court he said: "I have not been able to go outside on my own and jump into the air whenever I see an SUV or large vehicle. Over a year later I have not been able to ride the bike and pushed it for two weeks.

"I don't want her to go to prison though. Why would I want to see a mother with six children go to prison."

Cyclist Simon Edgely

The court heard Mr. Edgely kicked the car twice and the pair had a screaming match in the middle of the busy road.

Pyne shouted: "You've hit my car," and Mr. Edgely replied: "I didn't hit your car. You didn't see me." After running him over she yelled: "Do you want to start making up more shit?"

During the trial prosecutor Mr. James Lofthouse said: "She got back in and chose to drive deliberately, in anger, at Mr. Edgely and drove into him, knocking him off his bike, with the car carrying on and ploughing into the shop."

Thirty minutes earlier a salon employee was folding towels at the front of the shop, which bore the brunt of the damage. 

The jury unanimously found Pyne guilty of attempting to cause Mr. Edgely grievous bodily harm, with intent, dangerous driving and causing over £26,000 worth of criminal damage to the salon.

Pyne, of Heatherdale Close, Kingston-upon-Thames has a previous conviction in March, 2009 for dangerous driving while over the alcohol limit, when she was pursued by police in the early hours at over double the speed limit, jumping two red lights and ignoring a no entry sign.

She was banned for a year and forced to pass an extended driving test to get her licence back and bought the Audi five months before running over Mr. Edgely.

A witness saw the cyclist rolling over the bonnet of the white Audi and heard Pyne shouting: "Shut up" at her crying children after the car came to rest in the wreckage of Park Salon, Park Road, Kingston-upon-Thames.

Mangled Bike At Crash Scene

She had just left Richmond Park, where the children had been playing, at approximately 5.30pm on June 7, last year, when Mr. Edgely, who was wearing a badge indicating his disability, bumped into Pyne when she suddenly pulled out.

"What happened was a road rage incident," explained Mr. Lofthouse. "Mr. Edgely remonstrated and kicked her vehicle and she got out and remonstrated with him."

A woman driving behind, Frances Teague, told the court: "The driver got out and they were shouting with hands flinging at each other, but there was no contact.

"The lady got back in and the cyclist was leaning down and shouting through the window and kicked the passenger side of the car. He then got on his bike and cycled off on the pavement.

"The Audi was revving and just zoomed off in the same direction as the cyclist. It shot off quickly and turned to the left very fast.

"I saw the cyclist's head and then it disappeared. A parked van juddered as if it had been hit and the car went straight into the building."

Fortunately Mr. Edgely was not seriously injured. "He was up and walking around in a daze. He was agitated."

Mr. Lofthouse told the jury: "By driving at him deliberately and knocking him off she intended to cause Mr. Edgely very serious harm.

"By driving into the front of the salon she was reckless about the collateral damage and her driving over that short period was very dangerous indeed.

"She also caused substantial damage to a silver Mercedes Sprinter van that was parked."

When questioned by police Pyne claimed it was an accident outside of her control.

"She said she had children in the car and was panicking because the car would not start and an involuntary motion caused it to lurch onto the pavement.

"The lurch onto the pavement was not caused by an involuntary movement of the car," said Mr. Lofthouse. "She got back into the car, in anger, the red mist descended and she chose to drive into Mr. Edgely."

Her lawyer, Miss Lisa Bald told the court: "Custody is avoidable in this case as a justifiable act of mercy. This was a flash of anger, it happened in seconds."

After eleven years on the council waiting list Pyne and her children, aged seven to fifteen years-old, have recently moved into a four-bedroom house. Her four eldest were with her first partner and the two youngest with her second.

The consequences for them are grim if a prison sentence was passed, added the lawyer. "It will look like all the children will have to go into care."

Bank Exec Guilty Of Brawling With Black Bouncer He Racially Abused At Speed-Dating Event

Guilty: Jonathan Le Roith

A drunk RBS executive, who turned violent and racially abused a black bouncer who ejected him from a bar's speed-dating event he gatecrashed, was convicted yesterday for what a judge called an: "appalling and regrettable incident."

Privately-educated Jonathan Le Roith, 31, was sacked from his role as Director of Capital Resolutions at Royal Bank of Scotland when charged earlier this year and his career in the financial sector is now over.

"You were a thoroughly respectable, bright, intelligent professional man with a good career in front of you," Blackfriars Crown Court Judge John Hillen QC told Le Roith, who attended £30,000 a year Reed's School, Cobham, Surrey followed by Bath University.

"Because you were drunk you have lost your good character and your profession. You either had more to drink than you said you had or the drink you had taken had a different effect on you.

"You were intoxicated and behaving out of character, both in the threats you were making and your disorderly behaviour and what it released from your mouth, which were very unimpressive words.

"You did utter those very unpleasant, racist words and you have to address the fact they were lurking in your mind and released by your use of alcohol."

The jury convicted Le Roith of assaulting bouncer Dean Platt, 35, manger Daniel Jennings and using racially-aggravated threatening behaviour outside the House of Wolf, Upper Street, Islington bar on November 27, last year.

He was found not guilty of the racially-aggravated assault of Mr. Platt.

Dean Platt

Le Roith, of nearby Richmond Grove was sentenced to a twelve-month community order, which includes 140 hours community service and was ordered to pay £3,500 costs, £500 compensation to Mr. Platt and £250 to Mr. Jennings.

His lawyer Mr. Daniel Pawson-Pounds said: "He lost his job with RBS earlier this year and will not be able to work in the financial sector again.

"Because of the press reports, and I'm not playing the violin here, there will be a social impact on him and he has been receiving messages from people he knows all day."

The trial heard Le Roith refused to budge despite being repeatedly asked to leave the private event, hosted by internet dating site 'Plenty of Fish', and grabbed the bar manager's shirt and doorframe to prevent his exit.

"He quite rudely shrugged me off twice, like I was nobody," explained six-foot three, sixteen stone Mr. Platt. "He told me he wasn't leaving and walked back to the bar.

"I took his left arm and was walking him out and it got into a bit of a frenzy."

Mr. Jennings tried to assist and told the court: "He was shouting and screaming and holding onto the doorframe.

"He grabbed hold of my throat, tried to grab my throat and was thrashing around. He ripped my shirt."

Outside Le Roith refused to leave. "He tried to knee me in the groin twice, but missed and kicked my inner thigh," said Mr. Platt, who is also a part-time actor.

"I looked at him and thought: 'Are you serious? Why would you want a fight with me?'

House of Wolf

"He told me he was coming in and took a swing at me and then swung a second time so I pinned his arms and he was shouting: 'You're hurting me.'

"Eventually we ended up on the floor. He was resisting and told me I should let him go because of what would happen to me.

"He called me a 'shit' and called me a 'black bastard' and told me I was worthless and that my people were nothing.

"He told me he could shoot me in my head and said he had a gun at his house and would shoot me.

"He told me I was lucky to be allowed in the country and I told him I was born in London and raised in London.

"He kept saying what would happen to me if I was in South Africa and that upset me."

Le Roith was restrained on the ground for up to thirty minutes until police arrived. "His whole line was: 'I'm a white man, I'm superior.'

"He was looking at me dead in the eye and you could see what he was like and he was saying: 'You won't get justice. I'll get let off'."

Mr. Platt denied referring to the defendant as "white boy" during the incident and ejecting him from the bar without warning.

Prosecutor Mr. Orlando Gibbons told the jury: "He wouldn't leave when asked to do so and wanted to stay because he had a drink."

There were additional offensive comments during the assault on Mr. Platt, said the prosecutor. "He said: 'You disgust me. I know why you are doing this, it's because we are suppressing you.

"'You are only in this country because we welcomed you. You're doing this because you're black and I'm white'."