Spanking Pastor: "I Believe A Smack At The Right Time And Place Can Be Beneficial."

A evangelical pastor who denies sexually assaulting female worshippers who say their bare bottoms were spanked told a jury today he was not cruel to young children he also disciplined.

The spankings dished-out to the women were to satisfy 73 year-old self-styled Reverend Howard Curtis's "desire for power and sexual satisfaction," Croydon Crown Court heard.

The father-of-three, of Bloxworth Close, Wallington ran the Coulsdon Christian Fellowship (CCF) as a cult, said prosecutor Mr. Toby Fitzgerald. 

He denies cruelty in relation to one nine year-old girl and told the jury: "She pulled her knickers down and I put her over my knee.

"It was six of the best, not that hard and she did not cry. She was a very precocious child."

Curtis admits he did not approve of her wearing short mini-skirts and that she needed some Christian discipline, but insists the slaps were with her consent.

"She came to me and said she was bruised and I told her that I did not mean that to happen.

"She said she was black and blue. She exaggerated things so much."

Talking in general about the disciplining of children Curtis told the jury: "I believe a smack at the right time and place can be beneficial."

The court heard he ordered one woman to strip naked before putting her over his knee to slap, continuing the beating when she collapsed to the floor - with one of the dozen or so sessions in front of her husband.

Curtis has pleaded not guilty to two sample counts of sexually assaulting her between January 1, 2009 and July 15, 2013 and one count of assault by digital penetration.

He introduced the student nurse to his version of "Christian domestic discipline" - following Bible teachings  of keeping women in their place.

"She trusted him completely as a man of God," said Mr. Fitzgerald, explaining the first disciplining - for untidiness - occurred in the defendant's office at the church.

"She pulled down her trousers and underwear and lay across his lap. He hit her hard about twelve times until she ended up on the floor.

"She'd become, in effect, a rag doll in the defendant's hands."

Subsequent discipline sessions were for "lacking femininity" and having a "frigid spirit," the jury were told.

"The defendant told her to strip completely naked and she lay across his lap and he slapped her. 

"He also smacked her not  only on her bottom, but between her legs for not recognising her femininity."

Curtis also took naked pictures of her on his mobile phone and fondled her between her legs, once inserting a finger, the jury were told.

When arrested he did not deny the spankings, insisting they were consensual.

Another woman was told it was "God's will" she be punished and she agreed to his form of discipline, which took place in another follower's house, next-door to the Chipstead Valley Road church.

"She leaned over a bannister in the hallway and took her trousers and knickers down so he could spank her bare bottom.

"She was told it was important not to tell him when to stop, he would decide when it was time to stop and he continued to beat her forcefully.

"There were twenty to thirty strikes with his bare hand and she felt it was going on forever and was crying. She was black and blue and told all these actions were in God's name."

Curtis has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault against the woman between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2009.

He also denies one count of child cruelty between March 1, 2007 and February 28, 2008 in relation to the woman's nine year-old daughter.

She was put over his knee and beaten "very hard" until she started crying, explained Mr. Fitzgerald.

A third woman, a 51 year-old mum-of-three, received so-called "healing sessions" from Curtis, who claimed her could help her come to terms with historic sexual abuse.

"She feels she was almost put into a hypnotic trance by the defendant, who quite deliberately preyed on the fact she had been abused to get her to relive it while he performed the acts her abuser did.

"Her reactions was often to scream and try to fight him off, but the defendant said this told him she needed more healing, allowing him to commit more abuse.

"The sessions were so physical and violent her clothes would be ripped and the defendant was so hot and sweaty he'd remove the top half of his clothing."

She was even attacked by Curtis with the help of other worshippers in the family room of a hospital her daughter was being treated at for a life-threatening illness.

"The defendant pinned her down to the bed and got on top of her while holding the Bible.

"Others had gone up there, supposedly to pray, and they assisted in pinning her down.

"The angrier she got the more the defendant said it was the evil spirit coming out."

Curtis denies two counts of indecently assaulting her between August 1, 1991 and April 1, 1996.

He also denies two counts of child cruelty between January 29, 2004 and January 28, 2006 in relation to a young boy, aged approximately eight years-old he spanked "very hard" up to five times.

Curtis has also pleaded not guilty to causing actual bodily harm to a thirteen year-old girl he spanked a dozen times with a slipper for disobedience until she was "black and blue" some time between January 4, 1969 and January 3, 1971.

He denies another child cruelty charge relating to a worshipper's baby, whose bottom he is accused of pinching, some time between January 1, 1986 and January 3, 1989.

Curtis was ordained in 1988 under the umbrella of the Elim Pentecostal church.

"He presented himself as an inspirational man of God," said Mr. Fitzgerald. "The Crown say the church was run for this defendant and he cloaked himself in the trappings of a religious leader.

"In reality he was nothing of the sort. He deceived his congregation, including children.

"He said he was going to cast out evil spirits from people and that discipline had to be administered by striking bare flesh with the bare hand."

Trial continues…………. 

Pensioner Targeted By Bogus Council Trickster

A cruel and heartless conman snatched an 85 year-old pensioner's purse after claiming he was from the council and needed to check her home's windows.

At 9.30am on Friday, 27November, last year police were called to reports of a distraction burglary at a residential address on Dagenham Avenue, Dagenham.



A man knocked on the door and told the woman that he was checking windows on behalf of the council.



The woman let him in and was asked to move her wheelchair into her bedroom so that he could check her windows for faults.



Curious to know what he was doing, she went to her hallway to find him going through her side cabinet.

When she asked him to leave he grabbed her purse containing £35 and ran out of the house.



CCTV in Dagenham Avenue captured a man matching the description of the suspect.


Police are keen to hear from anyone who recognises the suspect.

He is described as a white man, aged in his mid-twenties, wearing a grey hooded top, blue jeans and black trainers with white stripes.



Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting image 197407 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Bus Stop Hand Shandy: CCTV Released

Police hunting a bus passenger who played with himself as he waited for the service have released this CCTV image of their suspect.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Roads and Transport Policing Command are appealing for help in identifying the man who was seen masturbating at a bus stop in Bromley.

The incident occurred on Saturday August 15, last year at about 9.00pm at a bus stop on South Road, at the junction with Boundary Street, Erith.

The suspect is described as a white man, approx 40 years old, who was wearing grey shorts, black trainers and a blue hooded top at the time.

Police officers are releasing these CCTV images of the suspect and ask anyone with information to contact Police Constable Natalie Baynes on 07826 536166 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 187820.

Gilet-Wearing Perv Suspect Wanted By Police

Detectives investigating the sexual assault of a woman in Barnet have released CCTV of a man they wish to speak to.

At approximately 10.00pm on Saturday, October 3, last year a man approached the victim from behind as she walked home along Hamilton Road, Brent Cross.

As the man grabbed her, she screamed alerting passers by.

The suspect then hastily walked off down the road.

The suspect is described as a white man of stocky build, aged in his mid-twenties with a lightly tanned complexion.

He is 5ft 8inches tall with short brown hair and large eyes.

He was seen wearing a baseball cap, a gilet, jeans and trainers.

CCTV from a nearby store captures the man following the victim as she walked home with shopping bags.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who recognises the man captured in the CCTV footage.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting image reference 197440 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Late-Night Bus Yob Wanted

Police are hunting an aggressive man who forced his way onto a late-night bus stopped at traffic lights in south-east London and tried to get at the driver.

Officers investigating the public order incident in Bromley have issued CCTV footage and this image in the hope of identifying a man they are keen to speak with.

In the early hours of Sunday, October 11, last year the suspect forced his way onto a Route 160 bus stopped at traffic lights at the junction of Centre Common Road and Bromley Lane in Chislehurst.

He then verbally abused and threatened the 46-year-old male driver.

During the incident the suspect tried to climb into the driver's cab and force open the cab door.

The suspect then forced open the bus doors and ran off.

The suspect is described as a white man, aged between 28 and 35 years-old.

He was wearing dark coloured jeans, a light jumper and a navy blue jacket.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Constable Martin O'Donnell, who is leading the investigation on 07826 536152, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 194931.

Woman's Bum Groped By Bus Flasher: CCTV Released

A sex pest groped a woman's bum and exposed himself as she departed a bus in north London.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Roads and Transport Policing Command have released these CCTV images of their main suspect.



On Sunday, November 8, last year at about 8.25pm, the suspect groped the 31-year-old woman as she got off a route 143 bus on Briarfield Avenue, Finchley. 



The suspect is described as a white man aged about 23-years-old.

He wore a beanie style hat, checked shirt and dark coloured trousers. 



Officers are releasing CCTV images of the man taken from the bus.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Constable Martin O'Donnell on 07826 536146 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 07826 563152, quoting reference 194717.

Actress Rula Lenska Flipped Car While Driving Toddler Grandson After Vodka-Session With Polish Builders

Actress Rula Lenska was banned for drink-driving today after celebratory lunchtime vodka with her Polish builders put her over the limit, causing her to flip her car, while driving her three year-old grandson home.

The 68 year-old former Eastenders star, who that afternoon toasted the completion of a garden fence, crashed her car into a parked vehicle and was dragged out via the boot, along with the child, by worried passers-by.

Lenska, of Hazledene Road, Chiswick was arrested when breath-tested thirty minutes after the crash, which left her blue Kia on its side.

She pleaded guilty to driving the 1.6 litre diesel, with excess alcohol in her breath, on February 22 in Hospital Bridge Road, Twickenham and was disqualified for 16 months, fined £410, with £85 costs and ordered to pay a £41 victim surcharge.

Lenska, born Countess Roza Lubienska and descended from Polish aristocracy, had 47 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

She appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court and did not face any charge in relation to the child - the son of her daughter Lara, 26, from her first marriage in the 1970's to actor Brian Deacon.

In a statement to police she said: "All of a sudden something flashed up on the dashboard about tyre pressure and I heard a noise of something clicking.

"All of a sudden the car turned on its side. I was in shock and worried about my grandson.

"The airbags did not engage. I was terrified and in shock.

"I drank some alcohol at lunchtime, but it was only a shot of vodka. If I had been unfit there is no way I would have driven with my grandson in the car.

"When I got out of the car I was understandably unsteady on my feet, having just come out of an overturned car.

"I think anybody in a similar situation would have been unsteady on their feet.

"I remain very upset by the whole situation and feel very upset about putting my grandson, daughter and her husband through this whole ordeal.

"I am on medication and fear this my have caused some problem with me." 

Her lawyer miss Seema Parikh told the court: "The irony is if she had waited a couple of hours or eaten something she would not be in this situation.

"She spends time with her cherished grandson and her daughter and on this day they went to a workshop in the local church and had high tea. She cherishes these moments."

Unfortunately earlier that day Lenska had opened a bottle of vodka at home. "She toasted the completion of her garden fence with her Polish builders."

Because her daughter had to take her cat to a vet Lenska was asked to drive her grandson to his Teddington home.

"She agreed and set off in the car, she felt normal and did not feel incapable of looking after the child or driving.

"Had she known she was over the limit she would not had risked her grandson's life. She thinks about this on a daily basis, causing huge remorse and regret.

"The whole event has had a crushing effect. The thought of her grandson dying in  the car is too much to bear."

Earlier prosecutor Miss Mary Atere said it was just after 7pm when Lenska, whose only previous offence was speeding two years ago, struck the parked and unattended vehicle.

The locals who came to her and her grandson's aid detected a smell of alcohol on her breath and called the police.

Magistrate Miss Bukky Okunade told Lenska, who was dressed in a black trouser suit with a green top and indicated she could not hear proceedings from behind the secure glass-panelled dock: "This has been aggravated by causing an accident.

"You had a passenger, your three year-old grandson and have an accident when colliding with a parked vehicle, causing your vehicle to overturn."

Because of these aggravating features the magistrates increased the ban by two months.  

She was married to Minder star Dennis Waterman between 1987 and 1998 until like her first marriage that also ended in divorce.

Lenska is also known for a memorable appearance alongside then-MP George Galloway in 2006's Celebrity Big Brother in which he played the role of a cat lapping-up imaginary milk from her cupped hands.

Following her arrest she said on twitter: 'I feel ashamed and disgusted with myself, there is no excuse.

"I just thank my guardian angels that were are both totally unharmed."

Witnesses to the crash described Lenska, who until 2011 appeared in Coronation Street as Claudia Colby, as being very shaken.

Retail manager Steph Pentreath, 26, ran out of her home when she heard the crash. "I heard a bang first of all and I came running out and saw the car on its side.

"It had clipped a car that was parked on the side of the road and flipped over onto its side.

"We were trying to get the doors open, but they were locked. We managed to get the boot open.

"There was a boy aged three to four in there. He was pretty terrified. 

"We tried to get him out of the boot. then she ended up coming out first of the boot.

"She was behind the bushes by my house.She was being breathalysed and then they arrested her."

Paul Mayhew, 54, was one of approximately fifteen people who tried to help. "It took quite a long time to get the woman calm.

"There was a child in a car seat in the back. The woman was very shaky. The child was fine."

A parked car damaged in the collision belonged to the family of 23 year-old Muneeb Ali Khan.

Lenska has appeared in various television shows since the seventies including Rock Follies; Take a Letter Mr. Jones; To the Manor Born; Doctor Who; Minder; Cludeo and One Foot in the Grave.

Greedy Buy-To-Let Couple With £1.2m Property Empire Sentenced For Fraud

Money, Money, Money: Savita & Naveen Seth

A VAT inspector and her husband, who deceived mortgage lenders and the taxman while claiming tens of thousands in benefits as they collected rents of £1.2m from their property empire, have been sentenced.

Buy-to-let barons Savita, 46, and ex-IT consultant Naveen Seth, 47, rented out twelve properties - often divided into bedsits to maximise profits - while swindling £68,352 in tax credits, Isleworth Crown Court was told.

The couple, of 7 Manor Waye, Uxbridge collected another £500,000 during the scam and even rented out three bedsits at the matrimonial home - plus parking spaces in their driveway.

Yesterday Savita was sentenced to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years.

Naveen received three years and eight months imprisonment last Friday.

Police found the book: 'A Guide To Becoming A HMO (Homes of Multiple Occupation) Millionaire' during a raid on their home and discovered they also had a Spanish villa in Malaga, a two-bedroom apartment in Orlando, Florida and a seaside caravan.

They added two commercial properties to their portfolio, bought at auction for £135,000 and £111,000 cash respectively while Naveen had no obvious income and Savita was a £20,000 a year civil servant with Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Home Seth Home: Fraud Run From Uxbridge Property

During this period the couple, who have two children, enjoyed holidays in in Spain, USA, Canada, Egypt, Turkey and Morocco.

Joff Parsons, Head of Internal Governance Criminal Investigations at HMRC said: "As an HMRC employee Savita was in a privileged position and knew better than to hide her income.

"She was motivated by greed and betrayed the trust that was placed in her and cheated the tax system she was employed to uphold.

"HMRC will not tolerate misconduct. We will thoroughly investigate any allegation of wrong doing and bring those responsible before the courts so justice can be served."

Prosecutor Miss Ailsa Williamson told the jury at the start of the couple's trial: "They lied about their incomes, they rented out most of the properties and got income, but never told the taxman about that income.

"They sold three of them, but did not tell the taxman about the profit they made and the icing on the cake was tax credits they claimed by lying about their income."

The Seth's falsely inflated their incomes to banks and building societies to get mortgages, with Naveen representing himself as a high-earning IT consultant even when claiming Jobseekers Allowance, the jury were told.

"Some of the lies were blatant because he was made redundant in 2002," added Miss Williamson. "What is galling is Savita was working for HMRC as a tax compliance officer specialising in VAT.

"Navita was earning a living running a property company with his wife, but not telling the taxman about it."

As well as their eight-bedroom matrimonial home the couple bought homes in Docklands; Hayes; Uxbridge; Harrow; Hillingdon; Colindale and Bracknell.

The two commercial buildings were in Bingley, North Yorkshire and Cumbria, consisting of a restaurant and takeaway with flats above.

"Savita played an active role in the renting of these properties and they both attempted to purchase many other properties.

"If they were just living on her salary as a VAT inspector they were making it go a very long way."

The court heard the couple deliberately avoided employing letting agents who deducted tax and investigators calculated their rental income as totalling £1.2m, with another £500,000 going into their bank accounts. 

Both Seth's claimed they did not know Capital Gains Tax was owed on the three properties they sold and denied telling deliberate lies in mortgage applications.

Naveen claimed he was "losing money" and made no profit from the rentals, explaining: "I live a frugal lifestyle. I went to a property seminar and got caught up in it."

He claimed the holidays were: "Cheap last-minute deals."

Savita and Naveen were convicted of obtaining a money transfer by deception only in relation to their Colindale and Hillingdon properties.

Both were convicted of cheating the public revenue between January 1, 1995 and February 12, 2012 by failing to declare tax on rental income and capital gains tax.

They were also found guilty of fraudulently obtaining tax credits between January 1, 2003 and January 31, 2011.

Naveen alone was convicted of forgery between April 10, 2006 and February 2, 2012, namely a letter from Vishaka Peitris solicitors.

They also face Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings.

Young Woman Molested During Early-Morning Bus Journey

Police are hunting this suspect after a young woman was sexually assaulted while travelling on a bus in south-east London.

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

On Monday, March 23, last year, at about 8.30am, the 21-year-old woman was sexually assaulted by a man as she travelled on a route 320 bus along Bromley Road, Bromley.

The suspect is described as a black man, who wore a grey flat cap, black jacket, dark coloured jeans and was carrying a laptop bag.

Officers are releasing these CCTV images of the man they would like to speak to in connection with this incident.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Detective Constable Sue Chalmers of the RTPC on 07826 535 575 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 175880.

Late-Night Bus Stop Sex Assault: CCTV Released

Police have released these CCTV images of a suspected bus stop pervert, who groped a woman just after midnight.

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

On Wednesday, October 14, last year at about 00.40am, the 43-year-old woman was sexually assaulted by a man as she waited at a bus stop outside Costcutter on Norwood Road, West Norwood, Lambeth, south London.

The suspect is described as a white man, aged between 40 and 45 years old.

He wore a green cap, dark zip-up jacket, jeans and white trainers.

Officers have released a CCTV image from a Route 68 bus, which the victim boarded after the incident.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Constable Michael Halifax on 07826 536146 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 192949.

Hard Rock Cafe Bus Stop Predator Wanted By Police

Police are hunting a bus stop pervert, who held down and tried to kiss a young woman outside a landmark Mayfair nightspot in the early hours.

This image of the suspect has been released by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Roads and Transport Policing Command.

The 20 year-old woman was waiting for a bus outside the Hard Rock Cafe, Old Park Lane at 5.30am on October 12, last year.

Suddenly the man approached and forcibly held her down, while trying to kiss her.

The suspect is described as an Asian man aged between 30 and 35 years-old, with short dark hair and a short beard.

He was wearing a blazer, a white T-shirt, a green cap, dark zip-up jacket, jeans and white trainers.

Officers have released this CCTV image from a Route C2 bus, which the suspect boarded after the incident.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Detective Constable Matt Poore on 020 3054 5401 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 190444.

Solicitor In Early Morning School-Run Road-Rage With Two Mums

John McLarney

A road-rage solicitor angered by having to stop for two school-run mums doing a three-point-turn with their three children grabbed and dragged one alongside his car, a court heard today.

John McLarney, 64, a partner with 100 year-old Dodd Lewis Solicitors, gave the mums the finger in response to a two-fingered gesture as the vehicle occupants screamed and shouted at each other.

The three children in the back seat, aged eleven, eight and six years-old, were screaming in terror, Bexley Magistrates Court was told.

McLarney, of The Landway, Kemsing, Sevenoaks has pleaded not guilty to assaulting Lyndsey Gunning near St. Olave's Preparatory School in Southwood Road, Eltham on March 13, last year.

He also denies driving his blue Vauxhall Astra without due care and attention and failing to stop after an accident.

McLarney, who works in Blackheath, was forced to stop during his 8.40am journey when a vehicle, driven by Mrs Gunning's sister Jane Green, blocked the road.

Black cab driver Mrs Gunning was a front seat passenger and told the court: "This car came from nowhere, racing up the road. 

"It was so quick we could not get out of the way. I thought it was going to hit us.

"It came to a stop within a feet of our vehicle. Everyone was gasping, we all thought: 'This is going to be a crash.'

Jane Green & Lyndsey Gunning

"Everything got a bit heated. My sister was motioning to him and he was quite aggressive.

"There were some choice words and some finger gestures as well.

"I remember the gentleman putting one finger up and I think it was a response to my sister putting two fingers up.

"My children were going crazy in the back, they thought the car was going to hit us. They were screaming.

"I got out of the car and did swear: 'What the f*** do you think you're doing?'

"There is a school within fifty yards and a lollipop lady.

"He was very angry, very angry towards me.

"He got hold of my fleece and his wheels started screeching, it was so loud and he was staring at me.

"I was thinking: 'What's going to happen?' and he just put his foot down.

"I said to him: 'What are you doing?' and tried to run to keep up with the car.

"He let go of me and sped off up the road. I was in a lot of shock.

"I went to the doctor and had a mild whiplash injury. I was aching because of the position my body was put into.

"The back of my neck and top of my shoulders were aching."

She admitted starting the row by saying: "I'm not having this," but added: "I'm a five-foot nothing woman and my seven year-old still asks me about it."

Her sister Jane, who was driving her eight year-old son along with Lyndsey's kids, told the court: "He had his window wound down and said I was a 'f***ing idiot.'

"He used the word: 'c***' to me and stuck his middle-finger up."

Jane admitted swearing at McLarney and watched as her sister approached his open window.

"I thought he was going to hit her. He sort of lunged forward and I realised he grabbed her coat up high.

"I just heard the screech of the wheels and she was dragged along and was running alongside the car.

"There was a noise and it just sped. She was trying to keep up with the vehicle so she didn't fall over."

She estimated her sister was dragged two car lengths.

McLarney denies speeding as he approached the women's car and speeding away with his wheels screeching.

Trial continues………….

Evangelical Pastor Spanked Female Followers Bottoms To Instill "Spiritual Discipline"

A "charismatic and dynamic" evangelical pastor administered "spiritual discipline" by spanking female members of his congregation's bare bottoms with his hand, a jury have been told.

The spankings, which were also dished-out to children, were to satisfy 73 year-old self-styled Reverend Howard Curtis's "desire for power and sexual satisfaction," Croydon Crown Court heard.

The father-of-three, of Bloxworth Close, Wallington ran the Coulsdon Christian Fellowship (CCF) as a cult, said prosecutor Mr. Toby Fitzgerald. 

He ordered one woman to strip naked before putting her over his knee to slap, continuing the beating when she collapsed to the floor - with one of the dozen or so sessions in front of her husband.

Curtis has pleaded not guilty to two sample counts of sexually assaulting her between January 1, 2009 and July 15, 2013 and one count of assault by digital penetration.

He introduced the student nurse to his version of "Christian domestic discipline" - following Bible teachings  of keeping women in their place.

"She trusted him completely as a man of God," said Mr. Fitzgerald, explaining the first disciplining - for untidiness - occurred in the defendant's office at the church.

"She pulled down her trousers and underwear and lay across his lap. He hit her hard about twelve times until she ended up on the floor.

"She'd become, in effect, a rag doll in the defendant's hands."

Subsequent discipline sessions were for "lacking femininity" and having a "frigid spirit," the jury were told.

"The defendant told her to strip completely naked and she lay across his lap and he slapped her. 

"He also smacked her not  only on her bottom, but between her legs for not recognising her femininity."

Curtis also took naked pictures of her on his mobile phone and fondled her between her legs, once inserting a finger, the jury were told.

When arrested he did not deny the spankings, insisting they were consensual.

Another woman was told it was "God's will" she be punished and she agreed to his form of discipline, which took place in another follower's house, next-door to the Chipstead Valley Road church.

"She leaned over a bannister in the hallway and took her trousers and knickers down so he could spank her bare bottom.

"She was told it was important not to tell him when to stop, he would decide when it was time to stop and he continued to beat her forcefully.

"There were twenty to thirty strikes with his bare hand and she felt it was going on forever and was crying. She was black and blue and told all these actions were in God's name."

Curtis has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault against the woman between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2009.

He also denies one count of child cruelty between March 1, 2007 and February 28, 2008 in relation to the woman's nine year-old daughter.

She was put over his knee and beaten "very hard" until she started crying, explained Mr. Fitzgerald.

A third woman, a 51 year-old mum-of-three, received so-called "healing sessions" from Curtis, who claimed her could help her come to terms with historic sexual abuse.

"She feels she was almost put into a hypnotic trance by the defendant, who quite deliberately preyed on the fact she had been abused to get her to relive it while he performed the acts her abuser did.

"Her reactions was often to scream and try to fight him off, but the defendant said this told him she needed more healing, allowing him to commit more abuse.

"The sessions were so physical and violent her clothes would be ripped and the defendant was so hot and sweaty he'd remove the top half of his clothing."

She was even attacked by Curtis with the help of other worshippers in the family room of a hospital her daughter was being treated at for a life-threatening illness.

"The defendant pinned her down to the bed and got on top of her while holding the Bible.

"Others had gone up there, supposedly to pray, and they assisted in pinning her down.

"The angrier she got the more the defendant said it was the evil spirit coming out."

Curtis denies two counts of indecently assaulting her between August 1, 1991 and April 1, 1996.

He also denies two counts of child cruelty between January 29, 2004 and January 28, 2006 in relation to a young boy, aged approximately eight years-old he spanked "very hard" up to five times.

Curtis has also pleaded not guilty to causing actual bodily harm to a thirteen year-old girl he spanked a dozen times with a slipper for disobedience until she was "black and blue" some time between January 4, 1969 and January 3, 1971.

He denies another child cruelty charge relating to a worshipper's baby, whose bottom he is accused of pinching, some time between January 1, 1986 and January 3, 1989.

Curtis was ordained in 1988 under the umbrella of the Elim Pentecostal church.

"He presented himself as an inspirational man of God," said Mr. Fitzgerald. "The Crown say the church was run for this defendant and he cloaked himself in the trappings of a religious leader.

"In reality he was nothing of the sort. He deceived his congregation, including children.

"He said he was going to cast out evil spirits from people and that discipline had to be administered by striking bare flesh with the bare hand."

The trial is expected to last four weeks. 

Care Agency Couple Convicted Of Running Multi-Million Pound Firm That "Exploited" Illegal Workers

A couple who ran a multi-million pound care agency, which employed "exploited" illegal workers who flouted and overstayed their visas, were convicted of breaching immigration law yesterday.

The Mauritian-born husband and wife team had a lucrative contract with Sutton Council that alone was worth £500,000 to their illegal operation and in just three years their bank account was swelled by payments totalling £2.5m.

Police chief's daughter Saraspedy Caussyram, 54, and her husband, nurse Mahendrasing Caussyram, 51, of Burdon Lane, Sutton were the bosses of CareFirst 24 Limited, which provided round the clock healthcare to the sick, disabled and elderly.

Prosecutor Mr. Andrew Evans told the Croydon Crown Court jury: "Their company employed overseas workers as self-employed contractors who worked as nurses and carers in order to service the company's lucrative private and public sector contracts.

"A significant number of these workers were working illegally beyond the terms and conditions of the visas that permitted them entry to the UK.

"The Caussyram's were responsible for ensuring those working under their remit were doing so legally. Instead they facilitated illegal working practises by continuing to allow them to work once their visas had expired"

Mrs Caussyram, a former midwife oversaw domestic care and Mr. Caussyram the nursing side of the business.

They were arrested after a Home Office investigation, which discovered the London Borough of Sutton paid their company half a million pounds for care provision between June 1, 2007 and January 13, 2013.  

The company's annual profits were between £123,585 and £393,793 and was run day-to-day with the assistance of Mauritian and Filipino managers.

"The rates of pay were not very good nor were the hours in particular instances. Some workers were live-in carers working twenty-four hours per day seven days a week," added Mr. Evans.

"There was a significant mark up in the rates charged to public sector clients when compared to the rates paid to carers"

Mr. Caussyram was described as "forceful" when insisting to his managers the work was lawful.

The investigation found 54 carers - mostly Filipino's - under CareFirst 24 were overseas nationals subject to visas and were working illegally either overstaying or not permitted to work a self-employed.

None of them paid tax or National Insurance contributions.

"The fact that tax was not paid on earnings was something foreseeable by the defendants as a consequence of the arrangements they put in place for their illegal workers," added Mr. Evans.  

CareFirst 24 provided services for Woking and Walton hospitals in Surrey, Surrey Primary Care Trust and Surrey County Council as well as Merton and Sutton councils.

"If local authorities had known that CareFirst 24 was providing services via carers not working lawfully in the UK…..those services would have been terminated and no further payment made."

The company was registered with regulator The Care Quality Commission, but the organisation was not told workers were all self-employed.

After their arrests the couple told investigators it was up to the company's management team to check the immigration status of the workers.

"There is clear compelling evidence that CareFirst 24 was engaging migrant workers on a self-employed basis in breach of their visas and or after their visas had expired.

"Equally clear is that the directors of CareFirst 24 undertook an active role in the recruitment of such workers and in controlling the company's position as regards the legality of their working on its behalf.

"CareFirst 24 provided Mr. and Mrs Caussyram with a significant income and it may be that for the exploitation of these overseas workers, who often worked long hours and were paid considerably less than the rates at which the services were charged, their income would not have been so great."

The couple were both convicted unanimously by the jury of facilitating breaches of immigration law between January 1, 2011 and January 6, 2013 by engaging visa overstayers to work in the UK.

Mr. Caussyram alone was convicted of breaching immigration law between the same dates by engaging self-employed workers contrary to their visa restrictions.

Their accountant, Omid Nabbey, 37, of Hartley Down, Purley - boss of Apple Payroll Solutions - who the prosecution claimed assisted the couple laundering their profits - was acquitted halfway through the trial. 

The couple were bailed until April 8 for sentencing and Judge Peter Gower QC told them: "I want to make absolutely clear I have not determined the type of sentence I have to impose.

"It may be immediate custody for one or both of you or it may not."

There is no suggestion of sub-standard care provided by their staff.

Business Manager Of Catholic Education Trust Admits Defrauding Charity Of £245K

The business manager of a catholic educational trust, which runs four private schools, admitted defrauding the organisation out of £245,000 when she appeared in court for the first time last Friday.

Melanie Goodwin, 57, of Bath Street, Abingdon, Oxfordshire appeared on bail at Croydon Magistrates Court.

She pleaded guilty to five counts of fraud by abuse of position against PACT (Parents, Children & Teachers) on various dates between February 1, 2010 and August 29, 2014.

The sums in the individual charges are £28,632.21; £61,948.63; £66,843.38; £51,024.92 and £37,274.13.

Goodwin still maintains £20,000 of the total was made up of legitimate travel expenses.

PACT runs Oakwood School, Purley; Oliver House Preparatory School, Clapham and Croydon's Cedars Secondary School and Laurels Secondary School.

Her lawyer, Mr. Jake Taylor, told the court she has been paying back the money.

Goodwin's fraud was discovered after she left the charity and financial reports for 2013/14 were being prepared. 

Goodwin was committed on bail for sentencing at Croydon Crown Court on a date to be fixed.

District Judge Andrew Sweet ordered a probation report and announced: "My sentencing powers are not sufficient for the amounts involved here."

Ex-Scout Leader Accused Of Sexually Abusing Four Boys In The 1970's

A former scout leader, accused of molesting four boys aged between ten and twelve years-old four decades ago, has appeared in court for the first time.

Terry Figg, 67, of Cook Road, Chells, Stevenage, Hertfordshire faces sixteen separate charges of indecent assault.

The offences are said to have occurred in Orpington, south-east London between October 18, 1971 and December 2, 1980.

Bromley Magistrates Court declined jurisdiction and Figg was bailed to appear at Croydon Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on March 3.

He was released on condition he has no unsupervised contact with a child under the age of sixteen years-old.

If convicted he faces a maximum of ten years imprisonment.