East London Bus Pervert Struck On Consecutive Days

A bus pervert molested two women on consecutive days on different routes in east London.

Police from the Roads and Transport Policing Command have now released these CCTV images of their number one suspect in the hope of identifying him.

The first reported offence occurred at about 6.00pm on Tuesday, August 11, when a 22-year-old woman was sexually assaulted while travelling on a Route 48 bus going towards Walthamstow Central Station.

CCTV from the bus shows the suspect also sexually assaulted a second woman on the bus, however, her details are not known and officers would encourage her to come forward.

The second offence occurred at about 5.30pm on Wednesday, August 12, when a 35-year-old woman was sexually assaulted while travelling on a Route 123 bus on Forest Road.

Officers are treating the incidents as linked.

The suspect is described as a white man, aged about 40 years-old, with short dark hair.

He was carrying a grey rucksack on both occasions.

Officers ask that anyone with information contacts Detective Constable Matt Poore on 020 3054 5401, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 188092.

Angry Cyclist Wanted For Trying To Mug Innocent Pedestrian: CCTV Released

A cyclist, who nearly collided with a pedestrian, pursued the man into a nearby shop and tried to snatch his wristwatch as 'compensation' for the incident.

Detectives investigating the attempted robbery in Commercial Road, Tower Hamlets have issued this CCTV image in the hope of identifying a man they are keen to speak with.

The 35 year-old victim was almost run down by a cyclist on the pavement as he stepped off a bus in the early hours of July 18.

The victim shouted at the passing cyclist to be careful and the suspect turned around and approached him aggressively.

Keen to avoid confrontation, the victim walked into a nearby food and wine store.

The cyclist followed the victim and tried to steal his wristwatch as 'compensation for breaking his bike'.

A fight broke out and the victim was able to restrain his attacker for a few minutes whilst the shopkeeper called the police.

The suspect was able to break free before police arrived.

He is described as an Asian man in his twenties and 5ft 9ins tall.

He had a short black goatee beard and a scar on the bridge of his nose.

He was wearing a dark puffer jacket, dark shoes, a dark cap and blue jeans.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise this man.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting image 187682 or anonymously on Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Couple Decked Outside Restaurant: CCTV Released

Police hunting a late-night thug, who kicked a couple to the ground outside a restaurant, have released this CCTV image of their suspect.

The woman needed six stitches to a split lip and suffered bruising to her head and elbow and her male companion sustained cuts to his face.

In the early hours of September 20 police were called to reports of violence outside a restaurant on High Road, Barnet, north London.

The assailant, believed to be a male aged in his thirties, shouted across the street towards the couple, who were outside the restaurant.

He then crossed the street and kicked them both, hitting them after they had fallen.

The victims were both taken to a north London hospital.

The suspect is described as 6ft tall, bald and wearing a grey top and shorts.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise the man or who witnessed the assault.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 170289 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Brothel Madam Jailed For £1.4M Prostitution Empire

The Jones's March Home

A brothel madam, who generated revenue of £1.4m during the decade-long tax-free illegal enterprise, has been jailed for four years.

Dorothy Jones, 64, of Dunvegan Close, Manea, March, Cambridgeshire rented three properties in south-west London, but was hunted down by HMRC, who says she dodged £386,000 in tax.

It financed the purchase of a luxury detached 2575 sq foot five-bedroom new-build house complete with an outdoor hot tub.

She pleaded guilty to managing the brothels between 2003 and 2014.

The first, named 'Sapphires', was located in a flat at 214A Burlington Road, New Malden and 'Annabella's' occupied next-door properties at 27 and 29 St. James Road, Surbiton.

Jones also pleaded guilty to cheating the public revenue of income tax between 2003 and 2013 and laundering criminal property via a Santander bank account, namely £137,000 between 2007 and 2013.

Luxury: Jones's Hot Tub

Along with her husband Stephen Jones, 52, she also admitted fraud by false representation, namely acquiring a £115,000 mortgage for their matrimonial home.

The couple produced forged documents for companies that did not exist to support the mortgage application in which Dorothy claimed to be a £48,000 a year masseuse and Stephen a £35,000 a year family entertainer.

He received a twelve-month community order for the offence, which includes 180 hours community service work and was ordered to pay £250 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

A third defendant, Denise Oliver, 46, of 61 Springfield Place, New Malden pleaded guilty to possessing criminal property, namely £1,221 cash from the brothels, which police found during a raid of her home.

She also received a twelve-month community order, which includes 120 hours community service work.

Prosecutor Miss Sarah Selby told Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court: “These businesses were owned by Dorothy Jones. She rented the properties and received most of the profits they generated.”

Annabella's Brothel

She did not declare the brothel income throughout the period, only disclosing minor amounts of revenue from other sources.

The couple's joint mortgage application to the Yorkshire Building Society was false, but it has been paid off and they now face selling their home to cover HMRC's application for unpaid tax.

Documents seized during the investigation revealed an estimated £1.4m turnover from the brothels, explained Miss Selby, with profits of £950,000 giving an approximate yearly income of £95,000.

Also seized was evidence she made cash deposits of £137,000 into her bank account to cover the mortgage payments.

When Oliver's home was raided the cash was found stuffed in four separate envelopes marked with the name of the prostitute who had earned it.

“She was seen at the brothels on a number of occasions,” said Miss Selby.

“How has it been allowed to go on for so long?” asked Judge Peter Birts QC, who was told the brothels were relatively low-key with only a handful of local complaints about unusual coming-and-goings.

The court heard confiscation proceedings have been initiated and a large amount of valuable personal possessions had been seized from Mrs Jones.

Her lawyer estimated she could make £70,000 to £100,000 available to the taxman after the sale of her home.

Kingston-upon-Thames Assault: Police Identify Suspect

Police are hunting this assault suspect after a man was hospitalised in south-west London.

Officers are trying to trace Tim Reddin, 23, of Walton Road, East Molesey, Surrey, in connection with the September 19 attack, which occurred in Kingston-upon-Thames.

He is a white male, around 5ft 11ins and is known to frequent Kingston-upon-Thames, Walton-on-Thames and the Surrey area.

Police were called to Charter Road, Kingston-upon-Thames to reports of an assault on a 26-year-old man at approximately 3.30pm.

London Ambulance Service was called to the scene and the man was taken to a south London hospital.

He has since been discharged.

Anyone with information of Reddin's whereabouts is asked to call police non-emergency line on 101.

Members of public are advised not to approach him but call 999 immediately.

Enquiries continue and there have been no other arrests.

Kingston-upon-Thames CID investigate.

Merry Christmas To All Our Readers

Welcome to the site and please allow us take this opportunity to wish all our readers, regular and new, a very happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

I hope the stories and news reports on here over the past twelve months have been informative and interesting to you.

We promise to continue covering crime and court stories all over London and the surrounding areas throughout 2016.

We hope you will also continue to visit us regularly and contribute your own comments to the cases we have covered.

Happy Christmas!

Bus Ticket Inspector Repeatedly Punched In Face: CCTV Images Released

A bus ticket inspector was repeatedly punched in the face when he asked a passenger for proof he had paid his fare.

These CCTV images – taken on the double-decker – have been released in the hope of identifying the suspect.

A Transport for London Revenue Protection Inspector, aged 58 years-old, was checking tickets in central London on Tuesday July 21.

He was on board a route 148 bus at 12.30pm as it travelled around Parliament Square when he approached a passenger to check his ticket.

He was punched in the face several times, sustaining bruising and cuts to the face, but he did not require hospital treatment.

The suspect is described as a tall black man, with short black hair.

He wore a light coloured t-shirt and shorts.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Neil Webb, who is leading the investigation on 020 3054 6712.

Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting ref: 186262.

Rolex And Bvlgari Watches Snatched During Violent Armed Home Invasion

Police investigating a violent armed home invasion, during which one victim was pistol-whipped and lost expensive Rolex and Bvlgari watches, have released this image of two suspects.

The 33 year-old male needed hospital treatment for a head wound and along with his girlfriend was tied-up by two masked raiders, who also snatched mobile phones, a tablet and credit cards.

At 10.15pm on Monday, July 20, police were called to reports of a robbery at a flat on Shooters Hill Road, Greenwich.

While in his living room the male occupant was startled by two men who are believed to have entered through an open window.

The suspects entered the premises without alerting the victim or his girlfriend, who was in another room.

The robbers demanded cash and fearing for his safety the man opened his safe and handed over a Bvlgari watch worth up to £3000.

When he refused to hand over the Rolex he was wearing the suspects pistol-whipped him, tied him up and took his watch.

The victim's girlfriend was also tied up.

The suspects then searched the flat and left with the watches, mobile phones, a tablet and credit cards.

After the suspects left the flat, the victim managed to get free and call police.

He required hospital treatment to a minor head injury. His girlfriend was unharmed.

Both suspects are described as men aged 25-30 years-old wearing dark clothing and balaclava’s.

Suspect [A] is described as a black man 5ft 6ins tall.

Suspect [B] is described as a white man, 6ft 3ins tall.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who recognises either or both of these suspects who were caught on camera when they tried to use the stolen credit cards in Peckham.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or anonymously on Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Car Passenger Attacked Warden After Vehicle Received Ticket

A car passenger flew into a rage – grabbing a warden's hand-held terminal and assaulting him - when the vehicle received a parking ticket.

The vehicle's heavily tattooed driver initially argued about receiving the fine, but his passenger escalated the aggression, kicking the terminal across the road, scratching its screen.

Police have released this image – recorded on the warden's body camera – in the hope the suspect can be identified.

On Sunday, July 5 at 2.46pm the traffic warden issued a parking fine to the driver of a white car parked near Southwark Underground Station, Southwark.



The passenger got out of the car and started to shout at the male traffic warden who was working for the local authority. 



The passenger then grabbed the warden’s mobile data terminal out of his hands and threw it onto the floor and kicked it across the road, causing criminal damage to the screen.

He then assaulted the traffic warden.



The victim did not require medical attention.

The suspect is described as a tall, black man wearing a white t-shirt.



Anyone who can identify the man shown in the CCTV footage or who has information relating to the incident is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference 185776 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Bus Passenger Headbutted And Punched: CCTV Of Suspect Released

A Croydon bus passenger was the victim of a midnight headbutt and punch from this suspected thug, now being hunted by police.

The victim, aged 37 years-old, had just boarded a route 466 bus in the High Street, which was travelling towards Purley, at 11.55pm on July 21.

Police have released these CCTV images of the man they believe was responsible and are asking members of the public to identify him.


Both the victim and the suspect boarded the bus at the same time and soon after the suspect headbutted and punched the victim before making off. 



Police were called later by the victim who suffered several cuts to his mouth and facial bruising.

He did not require hospital treatment. 



The suspect is described as a white man, with light coloured hair.

He wore jeans and a dark coloured top.



Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Neil Webb, who is leading the investigation on 020 3054 6712.

Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting ref: 186741.

Everton FC Fan Supplied Cocaine To Fellow-Supporters On Away Trip

An Everton FC supporter, caught on CCTV selling cocaine to a fellow fan during an away cup-tie, has received a suspended prison sentence.

Father-of-two Liam Gray, 29, of 42 First Avenue, Fazakerley, told Isleworth Crown Court Judge Simon Davis: "The quality was a lot better than it was in Liverpool.

"It was a one-off, knocking out the gear, not a regular thing. It was so everyone could have a good time.

"I only bought it to sell to my friends and bought it in London so we could have a good time on the coach on the way home."

He pleaded guilty to possessing twenty-five wraps of cocaine, weighing nearly 20 gms, with intent to supply and supplying two wraps to the fan at Craven Cottage during his team's 2-1 Capital One Cup defeat to Fulham FC on September 24, 2013.

He was sentenced to twenty-four months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and placed under the supervision of the probation service for two years.

Gray claimed he paid £750 for the drugs to a dealer he originally bought from at the Glastonbury festival earlier that year and had arranged to meet at a pub near the football ground.

He was filmed selling two wraps for £30 to Kevin Keating, 40, of Ennerdale Close, Kirkby and both were arrested son after.

Gray had £105 cash on him, plus the twenty-five wraps of cocaine concealed in his underpants and initially tried to convince police he was only selling Mr. Keating a coach ticket.

The defendant organises his own coach trips for Everton fans throughout the UK and abroad and buys all the match tickets via the supporters club.

Many of his regulars enjoy getting high, confirmed Gray. "I was going to take the cocaine on the coach on the way home and sell it at cost price to anyone that wanted any and use the rest myself.

Gray, who has a previous conviction for supplying the drug added: "Now I don't take cocaine anymore because of the effect it has had on my life."

Queen, PM & Home Secretary Letter Threats Man's Court Date

The prosecution of a man accused of sending threatening letters to The Queen, PM David Cameron and Home Secretary Theresa May was adjourned yesterday.

Ahmed Elgaber, 35, of no fixed abode, did not appear at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court and his case was fixed for an Actus Reus hearing on March 4, next year.

Elgaber is not fit to plead and the two-hour hearing will determine if he committed the offences he is accused of.

He is charged with three counts of sending a letter conveying a threatening message for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety on March 23 to the three public figures.

Prosecutor Mr. Dominic Hockley told the court: "The charges are maliciously communicating threats to the Queen, David Cameron and Theresa May and the Crown are proceeding."

It is understood the Crown Prosecution Service decided to proceed with the case after a review at the highest level.

Elgaber is currently held in a mental health unit within the South Essex NHS Trust.

"He may well be in hospital for some time," added Mr. Hockley.

It is the third time the troubled case has been listed.

"On the first day he refused to attend and on the second day he did attend, but refused to come up from the cells."

The specific details of the alleged threats were not disclosed.

Dad Sentenced For Groping Princess Fiona At Shrek Attraction

A dad groped Princess Fiona when he took his wife and two kids to a Shrek-themed attraction - grabbing the bum of the young actress playing her and planting a kiss on her neck.

IT engineer Srinivas Boreddy, 36, told police: "She looked very good" and now claims he was trying to break the awkward silence with a UK-style greeting he observed during his short time in the country.

The young actress, aged in her twenties, who was playing the character - Shrek's love-interest in the hit movie franchise - agreed to a friendly hug, but was left in tears and says she was "shocked" and "violated" by Boreddy's grope.

Indian-born Boreddy, of Pleasant Place, Barker Lane, Chesterfield, Derbyshire pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the woman at Shrek's Adventure!, County Hall, Southbank, London on October 25.

Today at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court he was sentenced to a twelve-month community order, which includes 150 hours community service work and was ordered to pay £85 costs, a £60 victim surcharge, a £180 court charge and £50 compensation to the victim.

Prosecutor Mr. Edward Aydin told the court: "This is a sexual assault on a children's character, Princess Fiona. The victim is a female actress playing that role in a family amusement park."

The victim was in charge of a magical bus ride Boreddy wanted to take his wife and two children, aged eight and two-and-a-half years-old on, but he had to wait with the youngest because the child was too small.

"He then came back alone to go on the bus ride and the victim, Princess Fiona, is standing there and she said he had to wait a few minutes.

"Then all of a sudden, without any provocation from the Princess, he's asked for a hug.

"The victim thought it was unusual, but agreed and all of a sudden, during the course of the hug, Boreddy grabs both the victim's bottom cheeks in that encounter then pulls the Princess into his groin area forcefully."

The victim told police: "I felt no erection," and Mr. Aydin added: "He could have had one as the coat is quite thick, the coat she wears as part of the costume.

"He also leant down and tried to kiss the cheeks on her face and as she moved away to avoid the kiss on the cheek he managed to kiss her on the neck, a small bite, she says.

"His thick moustache also brushed her neck and caused a rash and some small irritation, slight scarring, she says, and some pain. 

"She was extremely shocked, she says, extremely violated.

"No one would expect a character in a children's theme park to be sexually assaulted at 2pm on a Sunday. He's come back alone to target the Princess.

"For this type of activity he should be ashamed of what he has done.

"She's just doing her job and and not expecting someone to kiss her and touch her on the bottom."

Boreddy, who speaks Telugu, a tongue common to south-eastern Andhra Pradesh, India and needed an interpreter, arrived in the UK on a work visa in July and has a £2,000-plus a month position.

Probation officer Patrick Acres told the court: "I get a sense of his lack of experience being outside his native India. 

"Before the offence he had made the observation that people on the Underground greeted each other with hugs and a kiss on the cheek."

Boreddy claims he only returned to go on the ride and had not targeted the victim.

"He said the operator told him to wait and she was staring at him, he felt…..Mr. Boreddy felt there was an uncomfortableness of being there with this woman and not communicating," explained Mr. Acres.

"In his words he said: 'I thought I should introduce myself to her', bearing in mind a hug and a kiss is how he believes we introduce ourselves.

"He asked her first, but she was not expecting that. The only person he hugged and kissed before was his wife.

"He was not aware of the touching of the bottom. It was very clumsy.

"He said at the time of the hug she shied away and said: 'This isn't how you should be hugging'."

The teetotal post-graduate then spent six hours in police custody while his wife and kids travelled home.

"I don't believe there was a sexual intent at making a pass at the woman."

Boreddy's lawyer Mr. Denney Lau said: "He's not had a good night's sleep ever since. This matter was reported in the national press and there have been various unkind comments made by others on the internet."

Boreddy has been hurt by online user comments such as "pervert", "vile" and "go back to your own country.'

"He's ashamed of himself, for what has happened and is worried about his work and it has caused stress in the relationship with his partner and impacted the children.

"He accepts he went over the top."

Sentencing the first-time offender magistrate Mr. Tim Cohen said: "We know you're full of remorse for what happened."

Step-Dad And Step-Daughter Jailed For Brazilian Cocaine Run

Gatwick Airport

A step-father and daughter, caught smuggling over £15,000 worth of cocaine into the UK after a so-called fact-finding coffee trip to Brazil, were both jailed today.

Dainis Grinfelds, 46, and Aiva Skuja, 20, both of The Diamond, Middletown, County Armagh, Northern Ireland both swallowed sealed packets of the 75%-86% pure drug, but were stopped at Gatwick Airport.

They pleaded guilty at west London's Isleworth Crown Court to one count each of importing cocaine on September 9 and Grinfelds received four-and-a-half years and Skuja three-and-a-half years.

The court heard the pair had flown from Sao Paulo via Casablanca and when stopped by customs men Grinfelds claimed he was in South America obtaining coffee samples for his business.

However, a Nike bag in their purple suitcase tested positive for traces of cocaine and when x-rayed Grinfelds had six packets and Skuja seven packets.

Both have been held in custody since their arrest and the obviously-distressed first-time offender Skuja stood beside her step-father in the secure dock.

“He lives in Northern Ireland and has a young family,” explained Mr. Andrew Bullivant, defending. “He is established in Northern Ireland, he has convictions there since 2006.

“He runs a coffee shop and the purpose of the trip to Brazil was to seek out coffee samples and he took his step-daughter with him to source coffee.

“They got into difficulties with money, they were taking in the sights and spending money over what they budgeted for.

“He says they were robbed and their money taken off them and they missed their flight and had to live rough for one to two weeks in Sao Paulo, which was quite a frightening experience.

“He was threatened and felt pressured into agreeing to take the drugs. He agreed to carry the drugs back in exchange for tickets so they could get back safely.

“He has shown me injuries to his legs where he was cut with a knife.

Judge Phillip Matthews told them: “Importation of class A drugs is viewed very seriously and you both played a significant role in importing that cocaine and were motivated by financial gain.

“Neither of you gave any explanation whatsoever in your interviews.”

Caught On CCTV: Cashpoint Robbery

This is the moment two cowardly robbers targeted a woman at a cashpoint in east London – distracting her and snatching £250.

On Sunday, June 21, police were called to reports of a woman being robbed at an ATM on Green Lane, Dagenham, at 4.10pm.

As the 31-year-old went to the cash point, she heard two men behind her arguing.

One of the men told her the cashpoint machine was not working.

After entering her PIN one man reached over and pressed the £250 button.

The woman tried to cancel the transaction and return the card, but the second man pushed her out of the way as the first man tried to cover the cashpoint with his jacket.

The £250 was dispensed and the cash grabbed and both men then ran off.

The woman was not injured in the robbery.

The first man (suspect 1) is a black man of medium build, aged 20 to 30 years-old, wearing a white T-shirt.

The second man (suspect 2) is described of Asian appearance, muscular build and 5ft 7ins tall wearing a dark sports jacket and blue cap.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise the two men believed responsible or who saw the robbery.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 183846 (suspect 1) or 183847 (suspect 2) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Bald Cheek: Bus Suspect Molested 15 Year-Old Girl

Police hunting a bus pervert, who molested a 15 year-old girl, have released this image of their suspect.

The teenager was travelling on a route 8 bus along Wembley High Road, Wembley, north-west London at 4.05pm on May 11.

She was sexually assaulted and now police have released this CCTV image taken at the time.

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

The suspect is described as a bald white man, possibly eastern European, wearing a t-shirt, black jacket and jeans.

Officers are asking anyone with any information to contact Detective Constable Darren Barlow on 07825 378289 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 180354.

Two Wannabe Burglary Suspects Targeted Off-Licenses: Do You Know Them?

Police are hunting these two suspected wannabe burglars who disabled security alarms at two off-licenses in north London.

On Sunday, June 14 at around 7.50pm the two men approached an off licence on Russell Lane, Whetstone.

Whilst one of the men went inside to distract the shop keeper, the other stood outside on his mobile phone.

He was caught on CCTV pulling the alarm door contact off the top of the door, preventing the alarm activation when the shop shut.

CCTV overlooking the shop identified both men whom police would like to speak to.

The two men are described as black and aged 20 to 30 years-old.

The man outside the shop is seen wearing a black baseball cap, black sports jacket, dark blue jeans and blue trainers with white soles.

The second man who went inside to distract the shop keeper is seen wearing a dark hoodie with 'Nike' across the front and matching tracksuit bottoms with 'Nike' on the left.

On Wednesday, June 17 at around 9.45pm two men of similar description used the same method to break a door alarm strip at an off licence on Queens Parade, Friern Barnet Road.

Anyone who recognises either of these two men should call police on 101 quoting reference numbers 184191 or 184194 respectively.

Alternatively they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

15 Year-old Girl Molested On Bus: CCTV Of Suspect Released

Police are trying to find this suspected sex pervert after a 15 year-old girl was molested on a bus.

The schoolgirl was travelling on a route 235 bus in west London between Feltham High Street and Isleworth at 9.30am.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police's Roads and Transport Policing Command are appealing for help to identify the man for the Hounslow incident.

The suspect is described as an Asian man, aged about 18 to 20 years-old with short dark hair.

He wore a white and blue checked shirt and jeans.

Police have asked for anyone with information to contact Detective Constable Alastair Middleton on 07909 877121 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 182905.

Bank Worker Drained Retired Irish Couple's Account

A bank worker, who stole £56,000 from an old family friend's retirement pot when they moved back to Ireland, was jailed for two-and-a-half years yesterday.

Maura Kealy, 57, was a co-signatory on the HSBC account opened in 1992 by Christopher and Bridget Behan because the couple trusted her to take care of their retirement fund.

Spinster Kealy, of St. Peter's Place, Arklow, County Wicklow, a former senior customer services officer at the bank's Surbiton branch in south-west London will also have to repay the money.

She pleaded guilty at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to stealing £56,101 between June 26, 2001 and September 21, 2010 from Mrs Behan, 83.

Prosecutor Mr. Richard Germain told the court Mrs Behan, who now lives in Limerick, and her late husband had known Kealy's parents for forty years so went to see her to arrange their finances.

"The Behan's wanted their pension payments transferred to Ireland and the defendant advised them to open an account on which she would also be a signatory.

"Because she was trusted by them they agreed and £900 was to be transferred to Ireland every month."

Sadly Mr. Behan passed away and when Mrs Behan was hospitalised in 2010 her relatives took responsibility for her finances and discovered the thefts.

"They found a large number of unauthorised transactions had taken place on the account.

"There were a large number of withdrawals for lottery tickets, scratch cards, eBay purchases, Amazon, WH Smith's, Argos and credit cards."

Kealy was arrested at her then home in Brentford, west London on May 9, 2013.

"She denied she had been dishonest and said she mistakenly used the Behan account."

Kealy continued denying the thefts up until day one of her proposed trial, when she eventually pleaded guilty,but had forced Mrs Behan to make the unnecessary journey to Dublin to give evidence via video link.

Mrs Behan also had to travel to London during the investigation to collect her original bank statements from HSBC because Kealy refused to send them to her.

Following her arrest Kealy moved to Ireland to care for her ill mother and bought an ex-council property with her share of the inheritance when she died.

"Mrs Behan feels a great sense of shock at what happened because she regarded Kealy as a friend and feels let down," added Mr. Germain.

"She says she would like compensation, but makes the point time is not on her side."

Kealy's lawyer Mr. Charles Digby told the court his client had survived breast cancer and a stroke without family support.

"She's lived a rather solitary life," he said of the first-time offender. "Even today she has sat outside with her head down trying to hide from the world.

"She had a gambling problem, an addiction to scratch cards and things like that and is deeply ashamed of her behaviour."

Kealy may now lose her home under Proceeds of Crime Act Legislation and a confiscation hearing was fixed for April 1 next year.

Judge Georgina Kent told her: "You are remorseful and regretful, but continued to try to minimise your actions as some sot of mistake.

"This is a very serious offence in high breach of trust  and was a great shock to Mrs Behan. 

"They were vulnerable people facing retirement and were reliant on you. You were in a position of responsibility and that is why they trusted you.

"Far too many people prey on elderly and vulnerable people, which is what you did in this case."

Secretary's £200K Rape Blackmail Against Married Lover Ex-Boss

A vengeful secretary blackmailed her former boss and married lover by demanding £200,000 to drop a rape claim she made against him.

Dilrushi Mendis, 40, was cheating on her own husband with employer and wealthy businessman Nihal Seneviratne until he sacked and dumped her.

The Sri Lankan mother-of-one, of Manstone Road, Cricklewood received eight months imprisonment, suspended for two years, today.

"I pass a sentence on the basis you have used the criminal justice system to attempt to get a large some of money from your ex-lover," Blackfriars Crown Court Judge Peter Clarke QC told the first-time offender.

"There was obviously some bad blood between you and you demanded two hundred thousand pounds and it was linked to a rape allegation that would be withdrawn."

Mr.Seneviratne, who always denied the claim, was arrested and spent three months on police bail until eventually told there would be no charge.

Mendis was also originally charged with perverting the course of justice by making a malicious allegation of sexual assault, but this was dropped by the prosecution.

"There were matters where you were wronged and part of your motive was impure, it was revenge on a man you felt had betrayed you."

Mendis also sent sexually explicit "revenge porn" images to Mr. Seneviratne's friends and family and turned up near his house demanding to be seen when he was at home with his wife and daughter's on Valentine's Day.

Prosecutor Mr. Adam King told the court: "They met in 2008 when she began working for him. They were both married, but an on-off sexual relationship began and he helped her financially."

In September, 2013 Mr. Seneviratne ended her employment and the relationship after learning Mendis's husband was moving to the UK.

"She did not take it well and pestered him with phone calls and he felt she had somehow gained access to his email account because she knew about his restaurant plans one Valentine's.

"Later that evening in February, 2014 she telephoned Mr. Seneviratne, who was at home with his family, saying she was outside and demanded to be seen.

"He met her around the corner and agreed to see her the next day, but broke the date and Mendis phoned him hundreds of times.

"She sent him a text which read: 'If you do not come and see me I'll do something terrible to you.'

"She asked Mr. Seneviratne, knowing he was a wealthy man, for forty to fifty thousand pounds to open a hair salon."

Around this time Mendis reported Mr. Seneviratne to the police, claiming he struck her. "She admitted to him she lied to the police."

On the evening of March 2, 2014 she invited him to stay at her place and Mr. Seneviratne arrived with a friend of his, and still maintains they slept in a separate room.

However, Mendis told police the men arrived with alcohol and she had two or three drinks before Mr. Seneviratne entered her room later and raped her.

He was in his native Sri Lanka when the complaint was made and the same friend acted as a go-between, communicating Mendis would drop the case for £200,000.

He did not pay anything and was arrested on June 16, 2014 when he returned.

"She was not paid during her employment by this wealthy and successful businessman and was on benefits," said Miss Nerida Harford-Bell, defending.

"He did lead her to believe he would leave his wife and then live with her in Sri Lanka. That was a foolish dream.

"It was a demand for money so that she could be free.

"He had made threats to her family that he would make their lives difficult in Sri Lanka  and Mrs Mendis was told she was: 'One of many women in his life' and was a: 'Whore and prostitute'." 

Mendis pleaded guilty to one count of blackmail and the prosecution dropped a charge of perverting the course of justice.

She was also ordered to complete 80 hours community service work.