Evangelical Pastor Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting Female Followers During "Spiritual Discipline" Spanking Sessions

An evangelical pastor, who administered "spiritual discipline" by spanking female members of his congregation's bare bottoms with his hand, was convicted of sex offences last Friday.

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.

"An immediate custodial sentence is inevitable in this case," announced Judge Peter Gower QC. "I'm granting bail as a matter of mercy so he can put his affairs in order."

He told the first-time offender, who is banned from the church as a condition of bail, to return for sentencing on April 22, adding: "You have been convicted of some very serious offences."

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

He was convicted of five counts of sexual assault between January 2009 and July 2013 against one female worshipper; one count of sexual assault against another between 2007 and 2009 and two counts of child cruelty against two youngsters. 

The five counts regarded one woman he ordered 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.

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, although he was cleared of that particular charge.

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

The second 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."

He was convicted of 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.

The second child cruelty conviction relates 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."

He was found not guilty of two counts of indecent assault in relation to a third female worshipper; digital penetration; two child cruelty counts regarding a boy and causing actual bodily harm to a young girl.

Christian Holidays Boss Guilty Of Fraudulent Trading

A travel agent who specialises in Christian-themed holidays has been convicted of fraud after customers spent £26,000 on a 'Bible Lands Cruise'.

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 heard.

Fleming, the boss of Living Sun Holidays, of Selwyn Road, New Malden denied, but was found guilty of two counts of fraudulent trading between January 1 and November 30, 2014.

He will be sentenced on April 13.

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."

Road Safety Expert Caught In Charge Of His Vehicle While Twice The Alcohol Limit

A road safety expert with the City of Westminster and Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea was caught in charge of his car while double the drink-drive limit.

University of East London graduate Spencer Anienwelu, 40, is a Highways Safety Inspector with a company responsible for reducing risks on the two boroughs' roads.

Anienwelu, of Haskard Road, Dagenham was convicted at Willesden Magistrates Court of being in charge of a Citroen C4 on Aerodrome Road, Hendon on January 23 while above the alcohol limit.

When breath-tested by police he had 71 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

He was not charged with the more serious offence of drink-driving.

Last week Anienwelu was fined £300, with £150 costs and ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge.

His driving licence was endorsed with ten penalty points.

Anienwelu has many years experience in the highways/civil engineering sector  and is responsible for important safety inspections and maintenance of the roads.

The private company he is employed by, Colas VolkerHighways URS (CVU), also works closely with Transport for London maintaining their Red Routes.

Rookie Labour Politician And Wannabe Lawyer Caught Supplying Cannabis From His Car

A young Labour politician - with ambitions to be a lawyer - was caught supplying cannabis he had hidden in the roof lining of his car.

Student Firase Morgan, 24, of Rodmarton Street, Marylebone stood as the official Labour Party candidate for Hyde Park Ward in the City of Westminster council elections two years ago.

He was not elected a councillor and currently attends BPP University, where he is studying for an LLB law degree.

Morgan is also a senior ambassador for charity Just for Kids Law and lobbies businesses to employ people with criminal records.

He pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates Court this week to possessing 28 wraps of cannabis, with intent to supply, outside the Gloucester Pub, Sloane Street, Knightsbridge on March 5.

He also pleaded guilty to supplying a quantity of cannabis to a female member of the pub's staff.

Prosecutor Miss Jo Arnold told the court it was 4.30pm when police officers on routine patrol noticed a female running down the street.

"They observed her, initially suspecting there may have been a theft, and saw her go to a cashpoint and return to the pub.

"Inside she had the till open then left again and got into the passenger seat of a car parked in Harriet Street.

"They saw she had two twenty pound notes in her hand and there was a strong smell of cannabis coming from inside the vehicle.

"Sitting in the driver's seat was the defendant and the female left the car with two small white containers.

"The officers searched the car and in the roof lining found twenty-eight similar white containers."

She described them as tupperware-like and the police found the two Morgan sold when they searched the female's room - which contained drug paraphernalia - above the pub.

"She said: 'I bought the weed from the bloke in the car'," added Miss Arnold.

Morgan's bedroom was also searched and police seized £1,000 cash, which they suspect is the proceeds of drug-dealing.

However, the defendant complained it was his student finance and he had no other income.

Morgan was convicted of robbery in 2008 and in 2009 received a suspended prison sentence for theft from the person.

He complained about having a pre-booked university society sports trip to Andorra on the same day of his sentencing date.

"I don't understand why I can't go on holiday," he moaned, but District Judge Mike Snow told him: "If you intend going on holiday I will remand you in custody.

"You are not going on holiday. If you commit serious crime that's one of the things you miss out on.

"When I sentence you it could either be a starting point of one year's imprisonment or I could send you to the crown court."

Morgan will return to court on March 31.

Online Pervert Locked-Up For Four-And-A-Half Years

A young Wiltshire father-to-be, who engaged in online sex acts via Skype with a 13 year-old girl, is starting a four-and-half year sentence.

Grant Boyd, 21, of Kingsbury Square, Melksham played with himself and forced the under-age Scottish teenager to reveal her breasts during face-to-face internet communication.

He also sent offensive, obscene, indecent or menacing texts to a 14 year-old girl.

Boyd, whose girlfriend is due to give birth, called the 13 year-old girl a “bitch” when she did not comply to all his sexual demands.

He pleaded guilty at west London's Isleworth Crown Court to engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child; causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual grooming between October 1, 2014 and January 1, last year.

He had already pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates Court to three counts of causing to be sent by public communication a grossly offensive message on April 22; 23 and 24, last year.

Road-Rage Solicitor Dragged School-Run Mum Alongside Car

Rage: 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.

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.

He will now have to wear an electronic ankle tag to enforce a three-month night-time curfew after being sentenced at Bromley Magistrates Court. 

The three children in the back seat, aged eleven, eight and six years-old, screamed in terror during the heated confrontation.

McLarney, of The Landway, Kemsing, Sevenoaks denied, but was convicted of assaulting Lyndsey Gunning near St. Olave's Preparatory School in Southwood Road, Eltham on March 13, last year.

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

"I regard this as a particularly serious incident and it is only sheer luck this lady, who was dragged alongside a moving vehicle, did not suffer severe injuries," said District Judge Louise Balmaine.

"I take into account this was a moment of madness on your part and even though I excluded custody previously in the cold light of day I regretted that."

McLarney, who repeatedly shook his head on hearing the sentence, must obey the curfew between 9pm and 6am, pay a £500 fine, with £620 costs, £200 compensation to Mrs Gunning and a £60 victim surcharge.

He was also disqualified from driving for six months.

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.

Mums: Jane Green & Lyndsey Gunning

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.'

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

His lawyer Mr. Edward Henry told the court: "He is self-effacing and mild-mannered. This is a bewildering episode in a blameless life.

"He's been in practice thirty-eight years without even a warning and has now lost his good character, his reputation and maybe his job."

The conviction will be reported to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

"He has been disbelieved on oath and that goes to integrity, it undermines his career. He is the compliance officer at his firm.

"The loss of reputation is a significant punishment itself.

"He is looking towards his legacy and what he stands for and this has been a severe dent in how people see him.

"He has brought all this on his head and since he was notified of prosecution in August last year there has not been a day he has not been traumatised by the prospect of it.

"The SRA will take its own course and that stigma and humiliation will be great."

Housing Estate Book Keeper Nicked £239K

A book keeper, who swindled a landmark housing estate out of £239,000, has been jailed after claiming the money was spent largely on day-to-day expenses.

Carol Scott, 67, tried to cover her tracks and even blamed fellow-employees while overseeing the finances on Islington's De Beauvoir Town estate.

Scott, who lives with her ill mother in Spellbrook Walk, Islington pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position between August 1, 2007 and June 11, last year.

Blackfriars Crown Court heard she was employed by Englefield Estate Trust Corporation - the latest company to manage the estate during her thirty-nine years of employment.

She was sentenced to two years and ten months imprisonment after the sentencing Judge Raj Shetty gave her forty minutes to make care arrangements.    

"I hope your mother's care has not been cynically put in front of me for the purposes of mitigation," he told the first-time offender.

No money has been recovered and Scott claims it all went on day-to-day living expenses, plus the odd gift for family members.

Prosecutor Miss Rebecca Lee told the court: "She had considerable responsibilities, including the handling of money and cheques for rent.

"She dealt with the banking, receipts, all the finances of the estate."

Englefield's finance director Chris Ferguson noticed a balance shortfall nearing £100,000 in 2014.

"He spoke to Miss Scott about that and she gave an explanation that she was on holiday at that time."

There was a larger shortfall by 2015 and Scott was questioned again.

"She made admissions that she had been taking money over a period of years and falsifying records to cover up the sums she was taking.

"She estimated she had taken less than one hundred thousand pounds."

The police were alerted and they quizzed the defendant. "She made admissions that she had been taking money for a number of years.

"She said she spent money on day-to-day living and on family members.

"She said that she intended to pay it back, but it escalated and she lost control of the situation.

"There is nothing to indicate a lavish lifestyle and her bank records show she just withdrew money from her account."

Scott's lawyer Miss Marina Williamson said: "She is incredibly remorseful, held her hands up and did not intend to deceive her employers.

"It was a mistake that became a habit that became an addiction.

"She said she was almost relieved she got caught, which would assist her in not taking any more cash.

"She knew the family she worked for, for a number of years so she did feel some guilt.

"She is the sole carer of her mother, aged eighty-seven, who has dementia and kidney and heart disease and is taking eleven different medications.

"She has not explained to her family she is involved in these proceedings. They are not aware how long she will be away."

Judge Shetty announced: "I am a little dismayed. She should not have come here thinking: 'I've got a dependent mother, everything is going to be okay.'

"It is a huge sum of money that has been defrauded over a long period of time.

"This was over an eight-year period and you are paid a fairly healthy salary of just under thirty-eight thousand pounds," he told Scott.

"You blamed other employees while you were on holiday and you knew someone was on the verge of discovering the irregularities, but you carried on.

"There has been no satisfactory explanation as to what the money has been spent on. The maths simple do not add up.

"I accept you are the carer for your eighty-seven year-old mother. The impact of a custodial sentence on you in relation to her will be hard."

Voyeur Guilty Of Filming Young Woman In Bathroom

A voyeur, who spied on a 21 year-old woman after setting-up a secret camera in the bathroom of a suburban house, has been convicted of recording her for sexual kicks.

Andrew Fulker, 43, of Woodlands Road, Isleworth denied sexual gratification was his motivation, despite storing a vast amount of images of the young woman on his computer.

Much of the footage captured her naked when getting in and out of the shower and using the toilet.

Fulker denied, but was convicted of nine counts of voyeurism for sexual gratification between January 1, 2013 and September 16, 2014 at an address in Mill Farm Crescent, Hounslow.

He is due to be sentenced next month.

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.

Revenge Porn Ex Sent Explicit Video She Nicked From Former Partner's Mobile

A vengeful mum-of-three got in trouble again after sending a sex video involving her ex-boyfriend and his former girlfriend to the woman's brother.

Michelle Robson, 35, of Bannister Close, Greenford threatened her ex with promises to distribute copies of the footage at their local Jobcentre and to his 'Auntie Wendy'.

She pleaded guilty to disclosing a private sexual film, with intent to cause distress, on September 29, last year and communicating false information between September 11 and September 29.

The offences were the second time she had breached a suspended prison sentence for a race-hate attack on a shop worker, but again received community service.

Prosecutor Miss Marie Fieldman told Isleworth Crown Court: "Charles Ray had been her partner and Coral Nagle was an ex-girlfriend of his, who during the course of their relationship had made a private video.

"The video involved sexual behaviour and was stored on a device Mr. Ray had, but somehow it came into Robson's possession.

"She contacted Mr. Ray and told him she would burn copies onto a CD and give them out at the local Jobcentre.

"She then called Coral Nagle and told her Mr. Ray was showing the clip and had shared the video."

Eventually Robson contacted Coral's brother Marc and sent him the footage of his sister and Mr. Ray involved in sexual activity.

"Coral Nagle says she was terrified other images from the video may have been distributed and Mr. Ray says he felt violated."

The offences put Robson in breach of a two-year suspended prison sentence imposed for racially-aggravated actual bodily harm when she head butted a supermarket employee - breaking her nose - while calling her a: "F****** Paki."

She has already breached it once when convicted of battery and on that occasion was given more hours of community service work.

The court was told Robson is making good progress with social services and her kids are the subject of a Child Protection Plan.

"Imprisonment would have a hugely detrimental effect on the progress she is making with her three children," said Miss Hannah Beer, defending.

Robson received a community order, which includes 120 hours community service and was ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge.

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……………