Football Hooligan Shankly Claims: "It's Something That My Granddad Would Have Done"

The grandson of the late legendary Liverpool FC manager Bill Shankly has tried to defend himself today after being convicted of football hooliganism.

Season ticket holder Christopher William Shankly Carline, 33, was arrested after travelling down to Wembley with friends for last month's League Cup final against Manchester City. 

However, the facts given in court contradict his claim of only stepping in to help defend a friend who was being physically attacked.

Carline - the co-owner of the city's £20m football-themed Shankly Hotel - got involved in violent scenes involving his pal and opposition supporters.

The local government employee and chair of The Shankly Family Foundation - a charitable organisation involving kids and grass roots football - was ordered to wear an electronic ankle tag for a month.

First-time offender Carline, of Claremont Road, Seaforth, Liverpool and BT employee Matthew Evans, 33, of Classic Road, Liverpool were both sentenced at Hendon Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

They each pleaded guilty to one count of using threatening behaviour towards Man City fan Emilee Fullaway before kick-off, outside the stadium on February 28.

Liverpool went on to lose the game 3-1 on penalties after the match finished 1-1.

Each received a four-week community order, which includes an electronically-tagged night time curfew between 8pm and 6am.

After learning the case was going to be publicised in The Sun Carline scuttled to the Liverpool Echo in an attempt to change the narrative.

He told the city's paper, which failed to challenge his account,: "It turned ugly, seven or eight men started being violent towards my friend, I was worried for his safety so I made the decision to try and intervene.

"My friend was injured, he had a number of marks on his back and on his neck. He had a hooded top on and in the melee he had ended up with his hood pulled over his head so he couldn't see.

"I'd seen how serious and how violent it was getting. I ran in to separate it out and to try and stop it and more people ran in and it got more serious.

"I should have looked for a police officer, but in the heat of the moment and seeing the level of aggression that was going on between the guys and my friend, I made the decision to step in.

"I regret massively what happened, it's not in my nature at all, i've never acted like that at all in the past - I have no prior convictions and I've never had any dealings with the police.

"I couldn't stand by and see my friend violently hurt - from my side, I think anyone would make the same decision to try and intervene and help if they were put in that situation.

"It's something that my grand dad would have done. He'd have tried to intervene and help out his friend."

Prosecutor Miss Katrina Rennalls told the court it was 3.40pm when police on patrol were made aware of a disturbance.

"There were reports a fight had broken out and the victim was a Manchester City fan.

"Mr. Evans had been chanting and aiming abuse at her father, calling him a: 'Manc c***'

"She asked him to stop calling her father names and he grabbed her by the scarf.

"The father identified Mr. Evans as assaulting her and other fans witnessed the disturbance and he was arrested for assault and Mr. Carline with affray.

"Mr. Carline said he was Gary Aspinall, but his true identity was discovered.

"The girl was grabbed by the scarf and pulled to the ground and punched.

"This case was reviewed and the statements of both complainants  and it was decided to charge the defendants with threatening behaviour."

The defendants' lawyer Miss Ranji Hyare told the court: "Both had come for the football match with a couple of other friends.

"Mr. Carline had brought his girlfriend and they had been drinking.

"With the whole atmosphere Mr. Evans, who looking back says it was stupid, got involved in banter and pulled the scarf.

"His friend, Mr. Carline, saw what was going on and he gets involved as well."

The court heard Carline has an 18 month-old son, but is separated from the mother and intends to marry his new girlfriend this year.

Evans is married and has a six year-old daughter and handles customers complaints at BT, earning £1,800 per month after tax.

"They have both got jobs and families and this is something they would not want to get involved in," added Miss Hyare, referring to the incident.

"They have been in cells as well and they put their hands up during their interviews and here today.

"They have a lot to lose if they are put in this environment again."

Carline and Evans were interviewed by probation officer Miss B French, who said: "Mr. Carline went to help his friend, there were a lot of people there and he disagrees he used threatening words."

Ironically Carline works with offenders, and earns £2,000 a month after tax, who are given community service work, a sentencing option the magistrates considered.

"He actually works for the team and this will go against him in some way.

"On the day itself he says he had a few pints of beer.

"He is very remorseful for the offence and he denies pulling a scarf or threatening anybody."

Regarding Evans she added: "He does state he went over and pulled the young lady's scarf, not to cause a problem, but because of the banter that was going on.

"He does not agree he was using threatening words and says he will never go to a football match again."

Evans has a police caution on his record for invading a football pitch during a match.

Magistrate Mrs J alexander announced: "This is very serious because it is football-related."

Each defendant was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

The prosecution did not apply for football banning orders.

Carline is the son of Bill Shankly's daughter Jeanette.

Scots-born Shankly managed Liverpool FC between 1959 and 1974, winning three league titles, two FA cups and the UEFA cup.

Norfolk Farmer Accused Of Nightclub Headbutt

A young Norfolk farmer has appeared in court accused of head-butting another customer – breaking his nose - at a Cuban-themed west London nightclub.

Mitchel Britten, 23, of Cavick House Farm, Cavick Road, Wymondham indicated a not guilty plea at Hammersmith Magistrates Court.

He is charged with wounding Neil Brotherston, inflicting grievous bodily harm, at Embargo Republica, King's Road, Chelsea on May 25, last year.

Prosecutor Mr. Narinder Behal told the court evidence was captured on CCTV.

“They are not known to each other. The defendant approached the complainant and head-butted him.

“He suffered a significant injury, a broken nose that required surgery and he spent two days in hospital.”

Britten, dressed in a country-style green hacking jacket, checked shirt and blue striped tie claims it was 'pre-emptive' self-defence.

District Judge Karim Ezzat told Britten: “I've heard a summary of the facts and this is so serious it should be heard at the crown court.”

Britten was bailed unconditionally to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on April 14 for a preliminary hearing.

Cavick House Farm describes itself as a working farm that has been in the same family since the 1970's.

It boasts 16,000 free range hens on the two-acre site, with a specially planted woodland and grassland to produce the best eggs.

The farm is registered Lion Code Quality and with UK Egg Packers and is part of the environmental Natural england higher Level Stewardship scheme.

It has a caravan site, a self-service egg shed and a farm cafe, gift shop called The Hen house and pop-up lamb shop.

Britten runs a pedigree Charollais flock of sheep alongside his commercial Lleyns flock and encourages visitors to view the livestock.

Christian Holidays Boss Spent 'Bible Lands Cruise' Bookings On Hotel Venture

A travel agent, who specialise in Christian-themed holidays, defrauded customers who booked a 'Bible Lands Cruise' out of £26,000, a court heard.

Bob Fleming, 62, didn't use the booking fees he charged to secure berths on the 'Thomson Spirit', but ploughed the money into a Turkish hotel venture.

He then encouraged his customers to fork out extra cash to extend their holiday to include a stay at the hotel he had leased and repaired, Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court was told.

Fleming, the boss of Living Sun Holidays, of Selwyn Road, New Malden has pleaded not guilty to two counts of fraudulent trading between January 1 and November 30, 2014.

He has also pleaded not guilty to two counts of engaging in misleading commercial practice and failing to provide evidence of a security between March 1 and October 31, 2014.

Prosecutor Mr. Richard Hallam told the jury: "Mr. Fleming was a travel agent and tour operator, who for thirty years arranged holidays in the UK and abroad.

"His specialism was Christian holidays and he was the director of Kyrilios Ltd and Living Sun Ltd., which traded under the name Living Sun Holidays.

"There was improper use of customers funds who had booked the cruise and he carried on the businesses for a fraudulent purpose."

Fleming was investigated by Trading Standards from the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames after receiving a complaint on October 17, 2014.

There was already an existing complaint from tour operator Thomson about Fleming using their name on his brochures.

He advertised the ten-day eastern Mediterranean cruise to his existing customers, which was due to begin in Turkey and conclude in Israel.

It would visit such historical destinations as the site of the Colossus of Rhodes; Byblos, Lebanon and the tour would also visit Jerusalem's Garden of Gethsemane.

The brochure claimed the cruise would include full-board, three meals a day, transfers and be led by Biblical experts Rev. Brian Fishel and Fleming himself.

"Mr. Fleming presses Thomson again and again for a free place for himself and by the time of the cruise his business is on the verge of failing."

Trading Standards traced fifteen customers who paid £26,000 to Fleming. "They thought they were securing a berth on a cruise ship.

"He should have paid for the cruise with that twenty-six thousand, but he didn't.

"It was channeled to his other business, a hotel he had leased in Turkey and he asked his customers to stay in that hotel.

"He used the money to renovate that hotel. It is dishonest, but Mr. Fleming said he did not see it as fraudulent," added Mr. Hallam.

Customers started asking for refunds when the cruise itinerary was changed because of trouble in the Gaza strip.

"Refunds were chased, but there had been no protection in place in the eyes of the law and he had lied that flights were ATOL-covered."

"Mr. Fleming never paid or confirmed the bookings with Thomson.

"He had to invent reasons why there were delays in refunds, including blaming Thomson's trading standards investigation.

"He had no right whatsoever to plough the money into the hotel in Turkey and quite incredibly some customers were invited to loan money to the hotel.

"He misused and lost their money in the business venture and had to fabricate why he had to cancel a cruise he had never booked.

"Two weeks before the cruise Mr. Fleming purported to cancel the cruise on the basis of an unsatisfactory itinerary. The cruise went ahead."

When questioned by Trading Standards Fleming blamed the Gaza re-route for wrecking the cruise, but conceded he: "Screwed up."

"It all started to unravel," he explained. "Money just vanishes."

Despite his financial troubles the prosecution accept Fleming did eventually take care of customers.

"Refunds were made to some people many moths later," said Mr. Hallam.

Fleming told the jury no customer had been left out of pocket.

"There are no debts, no one's owed any money.

"Yes, we made mistakes, but did not intend to mislead, deceive or defraud people.

"I don't believe I am guilty of an offence."

Trial continues……………

Widow, 87, Conned Out Of £15K: Fraudster Sentenced

A Bognor Regis man played a key role in swindling an 87 year-old widow out of over £15,000 after fraudsters convinced her she was entitled to compensation.

Jobless Paul Welch, 56, of Shearwater Drive immediately drained every penny of the pensioner's money once it was transferred to his account.

He pleaded guilty at kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to one count of fraud by false representation, namely that he was entitled to withdraw £15,300 from his Lloyds bank account on April 10, last year.

The court rejected his claim he only became involved after threats by criminals were made to himself and his family.

The Wimbledon victim, who had approximately £75,000 in her account and had been scammed before, has been compensated.

She received a knock at her front door one day from a mystery fraudster calling himself 'Graham Sutton', who convinced her she was entitled to a share of £37,500 compensation after a Trading Standards investigation.

She complied with the condition she had to split the award with another recipient and agreed to transfer £15,300 to another account – Welch's.

Recorder Ian Gatt QC told Welch on Wednesday: “She was deceived and the next day you withdrew fifteen thousand pounds.

“You came well prepared to your bank with proof of identity, a council tax demand and a cover story about needing the money to place a deposit on a flat for your daughter.”

Welch took the remaining £300 from cashpoints.

He was arrested on May 12 and said two men confronted him outside his house and threatened to harm him and his family if he did not co-operate with the scam.

It is believed the £300 cash Welch withdrew was his reward for taking part.

“You played an essential part in the fraud, but had little knowledge of it. You were not the criminal mastermind behind this shabby fraud,” added Recorder Gatt.

“She was a well-off lady, she was not down to her last fifty pounds and is not someone that has suffered a significant impact.

“I describe Mr. Welch as a vulnerable individual who was preyed upon.”

Welch was placed on a twelve-month community order, which includes 180 hours community service work.

Liverpool FC Fan Nicked For Cup Final Flare Also Had Drugs On Him

Leaving Court: Josh Flood

A Liverpool FC fan, who discharged a flare during last month's League Cup final, also had cocaine and cannabis on him when searched by police.

Josh Flood, 26, of 23 Liddell Avenue, Melling had travelled to Wembley to watch the February 28 match, but was ejected at the start of extra-time.

Liverpool went on to lose a penalty shoot-out with Manchester City 3-1 after the game finished 1-1.

He pleaded guilty at Hendon Magistrates Court on Tuesday to possessing a firework at a sporting event, namely a distress flare.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing a small amount of cocaine and cannabis.

Prosecutor Miss Katrina Rennalls told the court: “It was 6.15pm when Flood was seen to release the flare and he was ejected from the stadium.

“He was arrested and when he was searched a wrap of cocaine and a wrap of cannabis was found on him.

“In custody he was further searched and another wrap of cocaine was found on him.”

When quizzed by police about the flare he said: “I didn't know I couldn't let it of.”

The magistrates bailed Flood to return to court for a pre-sentence report on April 8.

Grandson Of Liverpool FC Legend Bill Shankly Admits Threatening Behaviour At Cup Final

False Name: Carline

The grandson of the late legendary Liverpool FC manager Bill Shankly is now a convicted football hooligan after trouble flared before the team's recent League Cup Final.

Season ticket holder Christopher William Shankly Carline, 33, had travelled down to Wembley with friends for the match against Manchester City. 

However, Carline - the co-owner of the city's football-themed Shankly Hotel - got involved in violent scenes involving his pal and opposition supporters.

The local government employee and chair of The Shankly Family Foundation - a charitable organisation involving kids and grass roots football - will now have to wear an electronic ankle tag for a month.

First-time offender Carline, of Claremont Road, Seaforth, Liverpool and BT employee Matthew Evans, 33, of Classic Road, Liverpool were both sentenced at Hendon Magistrates Court today.

They each pleaded guilty to one count of using threatening behaviour towards Man City fan Emilee Fullaway before kick-off, outside the stadium on February 28.

Liverpool went on to lose the game 3-1 on penalties after the match finished 1-1.

Each received a four-week community order, which includes an electronically-tagged night time curfew between 8pm and 6am.

Prosecutor Miss Katrina Rennalls told the court it was 3.40pm when police on patrol were made aware of a disturbance.

"There were reports a fight had broken out and the victim was a Manchester City fan.

"Mr. Evans had been chanting and aiming abuse at her father, calling him a: 'Manc c***'

"She asked him to stop calling her father names and he grabbed her by the scarf.

Guilty: Evans & Carline

"The father identified Mr. Evans as assaulting her and other fans witnessed the disturbance and he was arrested for assault and Mr. Carline with affray.

"Mr. Carline said he was Gary Aspinall, but his true identity was discovered.

"The girl was grabbed by the scarf and pulled to the ground and punched.

"This case was reviewed and the statements of both complainants  and it was decided to charge the defendants with threatening behaviour."

The defendants' lawyer Miss Ranji Hyare told the court: "Both had come for the football match with a couple of other friends.

"Mr. Carline had brought his girlfriend and they had been drinking.

"With the whole atmosphere Mr. Evans, who looking back says it was stupid, got involved in banter and pulled the scarf.

"His friend, Mr. Carline, saw what was going on and he gets involved as well."

The court heard Carline has an 18 month-old son, but is separated from the mother and intends to marry his new girlfriend this year.

Evans is married and has a six year-old daughter and handles customers complaints at BT, earning £1,800 per month after tax.

"They have both got jobs and families and this is something they would not want to get involved in," added Miss Hyare, referring to the incident.

"They have been in cells as well and they put their hands up during their interviews and here today.

"They have a lot to lose if they are put in this environment again."

Scarf Tug: Evans

Carline and Evans were interviewed by probation officer Miss B French, who said: "Mr. Carline went to help his friend, there were a lot of people there and he disagrees he used threatening words."

Ironically Carline works with offenders, and earns £2,000 a month after tax, who are given community service work, a sentencing option the magistrates considered.

"He actually works for the team and this will go against him in some way.

"On the day itself he says he had a few pints of beer.

"He is very remorseful for the offence and he denies pulling a scarf or threatening anybody."

Regarding Evans she added: "He does state he went over and pulled the young lady's scarf, not to cause a problem, but because of the banter that was going on.

"He does not agree he was using threatening words and says he will never go to a football match again."

Evans has a police caution on his record for invading a football pitch during a match.

Magistrate Mrs J alexander announced: "This is very serious because it is football-related."

Each defendant was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

The prosecution did not apply for football banning orders.

Carline is the son of Bill Shankly's daughter Jeanette.

Scots-born Shankly managed Liverpool FC between 1959 and 1974, winning three league titles, two FA cups and the UEFA cup.

Man Who Secretly Filmed Young Woman In Bathroom Denies It Was For Sexual Kicks

A voyeur spied on a 21 year-old woman after setting-up a secret camera in the bathroom of a suburban house, recording her using the shower and toilet, a court heard today.

Andrew Fulker, 43, of Woodlands Road, Isleworth denies doing it for sexual kicks, despite storing a vast amount of images of the young woman on his computer.

He has pleaded not guilty to ten counts of voyeurism for sexual gratification between January 1, 2013 and September 16, 2014 at an address in Mill Farm Crescent, Hounslow.

Prosecutor Miss Georgina Coade told Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court the woman was getting ready for work on September 16, 2014 when she discovered the recording equipment.

“As she sat down on the toilet she heard a noise behind her that sounded like a camera focusing and saw a USB-type device on the window ledge behind her.

“Further footage had also been taken from an i-phone positioned on the floor near the bathroom cabinet.

“She plugged the USB device into the home computer and found varying video clips that showed intimate footage of her using the bathroom.

“In some of the footage she is naked, getting in and out of the shower and was horrified at what she had found.”  

Fulker was confronted and thee were discussions with his Jehovah Witness elders and he admitted setting-up the camera.

“He said he admired her body and curves,” added Miss Coade. “He said when he recorded her in her underwear it sparked his interest.”

The police were informed and found further moving images on his computer, with some transferred from the i-phone.

Trial continues..............

Hotel Midnight K.O: CCTV Released

Police are hunting a violent midnight thug, after a man was punched unconscious at an east London hotel.

Detectives investigating the attack have issued CCTV footage of a man they wish to identify and speak with.

In the early hours of Saturday, September 19, last year police were called to a report of an assault at the Custom House Hotel on Victoria Dock Road, Newham.

Upon arrival, the London Ambulance Service were treating a 37-year-old man for a cut mouth and bruised eye having been knocked out by the suspect.

He was taken to an east London hospital and later discharged.

CCTV from the hotel captured the assault just before midnight on Friday, September 18.

The suspect is seen to argue with the victim, take the victim’s neck in his left arm before hitting him in the face.

He then let go of his neck, causing him to fall onto the hotel counter and then onto the floor.

The suspect is described as a white man wearing black shorts, black ankle boots, white/grey trainers, a baseball cap and a black top with a logo on the rear stating “No91 Criminal Damage London”.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who recognises the man caught on CCTV.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 020 8217 5039 quoting reference number 198721 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Bus Fare-Dodger Wanted For Attack On Ticket Inspector

Police are hunting a fare-dodger, who punched and kicked a ticket inspector on a north London bus.

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

The Transport for London Revenue Protection Inspector was checking fares on a route 73 bus traveling along Essex Road, Islington at 5.50pm on September 17, last year.

The 29 year-old inspector was punched and kicked after asking to check the suspect's ticket.

The victim received minor injuries, which did not require hospital treatment and the assault may have been more severe had his colleague not intervened.

The suspect is described as a light skinned black man, aged about 17 to 25 years of age.

He was wearing a grey cap, with long afro hair tied in a ponytail.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Constable Neil Webb leading the investigation on 0203 0546712 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting ref 192860.

Rare Books Obtained In Transatlantic Credit Card Fraud

A crook sold rare editions of novels by Ian Fleming, Rudyard Kipling and Stephen King to specialist booksellers after they were obtained during an international credit card fraud.

A first edition of 'For Your Eyes Only', a rare two-volume set of the 'Jungle Book' and an autographed 'Carrie' from 1974 were all sold to high-end retailers.

London Underground maintenance worker Manhattan Jayde Christian Essien, 27, of Tudor Road, Harrow sold them for £2550.

He also twice tried to sell a copy of Crutchley's map of London - once for £400 - to neighbouring bookshop's, but was forced to abandon the attempts.

The father-of-three pleaded guilty to three counts of converting criminal property and two counts of attempting to convert criminal property between December 19, 2013 and January 20, 2014.

Prosecutor Mr. James O'Connell told Isleworth Crown Court yesterday: "There had been a long-standing police investigation into fraudulent activity involving credit cards and high-quality, high-value books.

"Some of these unique books, which were ordered from America, were delivered to a mailing address in Woburn Place, Holborn.

"The victims had sent them before realising the credit cards used to order the books had been cloned.

"They were high-value books of some antiquity."

Essien was identified via CCTV selling James Bond-creator Ian Fleming's first edition for £400 in Berkeley Square, Mayfair and the two-volume 'Jungle Book' for £650 in Charing Cross Road.

He received £1500 for the autographed novel by U.S. horror writer Stephen King and left the Crutchley's map book behind when he failed to sell it.

Essien told a similar story to retailers that his uncle had tracked-down the books when travelling around the USA.

All three of the books he sold were recovered by the police.

The day before the first offence he had been sentenced for fraud after buying a saxophone online with a bogus credit card then selling the instrument on Gumtree.

He claimed to have sold the books for an accomplice in return for a cut of the proceeds.

Essien was sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for twelve months, ordered to complete 80 hours community service and pay £2550 compensation to the retailers.

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.