Young Crystal Palace FC Prospect Freed After Bloody Nightclub Bottle Attack

"On Me 'ead Son": Ryan Inniss

Young Crystal Palace FC star Ryan Inniss has been freed from prison despite admitting smashing a bottle over a fellow nightclubber’s head during a drunken brawl.

The victim was left covered in blood after the early hours attack, but yesterday the footballer successfully won an appeal against his 14 week sentence.

Six-foot five centre-half Inniss, 21, of Lait House, Albemarle Road, Beckenham, was jailed at Bexley Magistrates Court last Wednesday.

He pleaded guilty to assaulting George Bryan, by beating, at Time nightclub, Beckenham in the early hours of May 1.

Today Croydon Crown Court suspended that sentence for eighteen months and Inniss will also have to complete 240 hours community service work.

He must also comply with an alcohol treatment requirement and a twenty day activity requirement and has been excluded from entering licensed premises, except for work or buying food, for twelve months.

An order to pay the victim £300 compensation will remain.

Another Win In The Bag: Parish

The Penge-born defender, who represented England at U-16 and U-17 level on thirteen occasions, was unable to make his debut last Saturday for new loan club Southend United because he was in HMP Belmarsh.

He was not produced from the top-security prison for today’s hearing.

Even though this was his first criminal conviction Inniss has previously been arrested an cautioned for common assault, being drunk and disorderly and resisting a police officer last year and a public order offence in 2011. 

Prosecutor Mr. Matthew Bolt told the court: “This stemmed from an incident at Time nightclub in Beckenham.

“It was the Bank Holiday weekend at two in the morning and he was in Time, where Mr. Bryan had gone with a group of friends.

“Mr. Inniss, as well as being something of a public figure is distinctively tall and he has been part of the professional football club since he was fourteen years-old.

“There was a disagreement between the victim and the appellant, it was minor, but involved some pushing and shoving.

“Mr. Inniss took advantage of his height and reach to hit Mr. Bryan with a bottle as he was standing at the back of the group.

“The bottle broke, considerable bleeding was caused, but at the hospital it was realised the injury was not as serious as the amount of blood suggested.

“Mr. Inniss suffered a cut to his finger and door staff persuaded him to leave via a back entrance, but the recriminations between the groups continued outside.”

The police were called and Inniss admitted his finger had been cut on a broken bottle, but made no comment in interview.

In his victim impact statement Mr. Bryan says: “I am at an age when my social life is an important aspect of my life and involves being in tightly-packed pubs and clubs.

“I enjoy going out with friends and enjoy Beckenham, where there is a good atmosphere, but that all changed on May the first.

“It was excessively violent and I was bleeding heavily and in the ambulance on the way to hospital I was fearful about the extent of my injuries.

“I was left with a small scar and with anxiety about going out socially. I feared something could happen again.”

The victim did not leave home for a week, adding: “I am in a state of anxiety in Beckenham. I fear I will encounter the attacker or his friends.

“I used to enjoy going out, but feel that has been taken away from me.”

Mr. Bolt added: “There was a cut, causing heavy bleeding and a fear of much worse injury. An attack in the early hours in a crowded place, drink had been taken and a weapon used.”

Inniss’s lawyer Mr. Peter Hunter told Judge Adam Hiddleston his client’s employer, CPFC Chairman Steve Parish was in court along with the defendant’s mother, a recovering drug-addict, his agent and the club’s lawyer.

“Steve Parish sits here to give his support on behalf of the club. He’s been involved with Mr. Inniss since becoming Chairman of the football club.

“Mr. Inniss is devastated by his actions, he’s a young man with a very bright future and this act jeopardises that future.

“This is a defining moment for him and he realises this behaviour is unacceptable.

“He has not had the easiest of backgrounds. When he was a young teenager his mother was a drug addict and his father was in prison.

“Ryan had the responsibility for two younger siblings. He has worked very, very hard to give himself the opportunity he has now.

“His mother has gone through treatment that Ryan has funded and she has recovered.

“To become a professional footballer is not just talent, but commitment, hard work and dedication.

“As he said to the probation officer: ‘I have no other skill set.’ He accept his actions have been stupid.

“He is not someone the club would stand behind if he did not have these attributes.

“He’s not all bad and one stupid mistake has blighted his whole future.

“That night, in drink, he has let himself down.

“The alcohol is now the issue highlighted by the club and they have passed him on to counselling and an appointment has been made with a counsellor.”

Professional anxiety at season’s end contributed, added Mr. Hunter. “The fear of injury, the fear of what is going to happen.”

Inns has endured an injury-plagued career, which has often cut-short his numerous loan spells with other clubs.

“He understands after the last five days where this behaviour ends. In prison. He’s had a short, sharp shock.

“He earns good wages and can pay compensation. 

“He apologises and is very remorseful. He is ashamed of his actions, he is absolutely devastated.

“Custody would simply destroy his chances.”

Judge Hiddleston announced: “In the pre-sentence report he says he was so drunk he could not recall the events at all and his cautions for violent and unruly behaviour all seem to have occurred while he was in drink.

“He accepts alcohol has played a part in all his offending behaviour.

“Use of a weapon is utterly unacceptable and deplorable.

“Anyone, no matter how famous or popular, must accept prison will follow.

“Mr. Inniss needs to appreciate that with success comes responsibility.

‘He is in the public eye. He’s a role model to young people.

“There seems to be an underlying issue with alcohol that needs to be addressed.”

Inniss can now join-up with League one club Southend United, having missed their trip to Scunthorpe last Saturday, where they lost 4-0.

He turned pro in 2011, but has never made a first-team appearance for Crystal Palace and has had loan spells at Cheltenham Town; Luton Town; Gillingham; Yeovil Town and Port Vale.

A product of the Crystal Palace youth academy, which he joined aged fourteen, Inniss signed his first pro contract two years later.

West London Stabbing: Suspect Named

Alem Shah

A tattooed QPR fan is suspected of a stabbing, which resulted in a young man being taken to hospital.

Alem Shah, 24, who has the team's tattoo on the underside of his right wrist is suspected of involvement.

At around 7.00pm on March 25 the victim – aged in his twenties – was stabbed in Little Ealing Lane, Ealing, west London.

Fortunately his injuries were not the most serious.

Ealing CID would welcome information and can be contacted on 07825 114094 or via 101.

To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Reckless Epileptic Jailed For Tragic Car Crash

Life Ban: Stuart Lusher

An epileptic motorist, who ignored medical warnings not to drive, has been jailed for mounting the pavement and killing a pedestrian during an attack.

Stuart Lusher, 56, was locked-up for three-and-half years and has also been given a life driving ban.

He was driving his wife's car in the afternoon to visit her in hospital, where she was seriously ill.

Lusher, of Benhill Wood Road, Sutton pleaded guilty to causing the death of 48 year-old Philip Westnott by dangerous driving.

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard he was behind the wheel of his wife's Mazda SUV in Merantun Way, Merton on June 27, last year.

At about 1.40pm he stopped at a red traffic light and suffered an epileptic seizure.

The seizure caused him to drive onto the pavement and collide with Mr. Westnott, who was struck from behind.

He was trapped by the car and suffered a catastrophic head injury.

Mr. Westnott was pronounced dead at the scene.

A police investigation established that Lusher had a history of epilepsy and chronic sleep apnoea and had ignored numerous medical warnings from medical professionals not to drive.

Detective Sergeant Jeff Edwards, of the Metropolitan Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "I must firstly pay tribute to family of Mr. Westnott for their dignity and courage during this difficult investigation.

“Mr. Lusher's decision to drive, despite warnings from medical staff, resulted in a terrible collision that cost an innocent man his life.

“The consequences of that day have resulted in an innocent man losing a life and now Mr. Lusher losing his liberty."

Movie Couple Blame Each Other For Boozy Birthday Party Brawl

Birthday Bash: Catherine Quantschnigg

A film industry couple inflicted injuries on each other during a late-night drunken birthday party brawl outside their luxury £2.6m home, a court heard.

The evening turned sour when film financier Gregory Browne, 49, and movie executive Catherine Quantschnigg, 42, began rowing violently in front of thirty guests.

One invitee was pushed down the stairs of the six-bedroom Edwardian house by Browne, receiving a cut to his ear, when the host found him wandering around the first floor.

Police arrested the couple, who have a four year-old daughter, in the early hours of October 11, last year at the house in Kitson Road, Barnes with each accusing the other of assault.

Catherine was earlier cleared of assault when Browne did not appear for her trial and on Thursday he was found not guilty at Wimbledon Magistrates Court of assaulting her.

The incident finally brought an end to their turbulent five-year on-off relationship, which they had tried to save when moving into the £6,000 a month property a month before.

“It was my birthday and house-warming party for around thirty guests and my parents flew over from Austria,” said Catherine, who is Head of Sales for Cornerstone films - makers of recent Amy Winehouse bio ‘Amy’.

£2K Booze Bill: Gregory Browne

She is the former vice-president of international sales for Goldcrest Films and the ex-president of Hollywood film distributor IM Global.

“I was outside saying goodbye to some guests when I heard a really loud noise from inside. The sound of someone being thrown down the stairs and screaming.

“My friend Ramin was bleeding from the ear, he broke a finger and went to hospital. There was blood everywhere.

“Ramin said: ‘Your boyfriend is insane. I don’t know what’s wrong with him.’

“He was very aggressive and very drunk and I believe also on drugs, it was very scary.”

Browne does not deny his push caused the guest’s fall, but insists he was not bleeding heavily and that Catherine exaggerated the injuries.

She told the court Browne violently blocked her from returning inside. “He held my wrists, grabbed me and threw me out.

“He pushed me and kicked me and I fell down the steps at the front of the house. My arm was black and blue and my knee was bruised.”

Browne, who helped finance Robert de Niro and John Travolta’s ‘Killing Season’ told the court Catherine bit a chunk out of his left hand, bit his arm and kicked him in the back with her stiletto heel, causing a fracture to one of his vertebrae.

He told the court she had been knocking back strong cocktails and was speaking intimately with ‘Ramin’ and a hedge fund manager for most of the evening.

Guest Plunged Down Stairs

Browne, who had bought £2,000 worth of alcohol for the event, approached the men and told them: “Enjoy my house, enjoy my party and it looks like my girlfriend as well.”

This sent her into a “violent rage” said Browne and she followed him outside. “I heard Catherine screaming abuse and she launched into me with punches and kicks.

“I pushed her away with my foot and turned and then felt a thud to my back. When I grabbed hold of her she bit a chunk out of my arm.”

Browne went upstairs and found ‘Ramin’ emerge from his daughter’s empty bedroom. “I said: ‘What the f*** are you doing?’ and he started mouthing off.

Couple Brawled At Front Door

“I said: ‘Get the f*** out’ and pushed him and he slipped and went down the stairs.”

He then tried to block Catherine entering the house. “I grabbed her and pushed her. She was standing on the steps in high heels and fell backwards.

“She’s not a small girl. She packs a punch and takes a big bite.”

Guest Maxine Henshilwood, 48, backed-up Browne’s account of being attacked by Catherine. “Kung Fu Panda comes past, arms flailing.

“She’s kicking and punching him. Then she went to hit me and attacked him again.”

Browne called 999 to complain he had been assaulted and when police arrived he flagged down their car, saying: “I’m the victim here. Don’t judge me yet.”

Mr. Tony Wyatt, defending, told the court: “This is a woman that will do anything and say anything to get herself out of trouble and see Mr. Browne convicted.”

The magistrates found Browne not guilty and chairman Mr. Gordon Lawson announced: “We did not find Miss Quantschnigg to be a credible and reliable witness.” 

Attempted Abduction Of Toddler: E-Fit Released

Police in Enfield have released an e-fit of a man they would like to speak with after a two-year-old girl was grabbed in a park.

The incident happened at approximately 4.30pm on Thursday, March 17 in a playground near Albany Park.

The girl was in the playground when she was approached by a man who grabbed her arm.

The girl's mother challenged the man who then ran away from the scene.

The suspect is described as a black man, aged in his late twenties and of medium build.

He was wearing an Adidas hooded top, black trousers, dark coloured shoes and was carrying a black bag.

Detective Inspector Chris Rixon, of Enfield CID, said: "Thankfully the child was not hurt during this incident but both her, and her mother, were very shaken up by the experience.

“The motivation for the incident remains unclear, but I would ask anyone who was in the park, or knows who is responsible, to contact police."

Anyone with information is asked to call Enfield CID on 020 8345 3323 or via 101. Alternatively, they should contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Cashpoint Robber Smashed Victim Over Back Of Head

A 35 year-old man was smashed over the back of the head and had £220 he had just withdrawn from a cashpoint snatched by this suspect.

Detectives from Bexley Borough have issued this CCTV image of a man they wish to identify and speak to in connection with the street mugging.

On Monday, January 11, police were called at around 4.00pm to a report of a robbery on Blackfen Parade, Blackfen Road, Sidcup.

The victim had visited the cashpoint earlier that day and withdrawn the money.

As he walked along Blackfen Road, he became aware that a man was following him.

Moments later, the suspect approached him from behind and hit him over the back of the head, knocking him to the ground.

The suspect ran off down the road towards Bexley Village with the money.

The suspect is described as a white man of a large build and 5ft 10ins tall.

He was wearing a long black coat, beige trousers, white trainers and a dark coloured beanie hat.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise the man shown on CCTV or who witnessed the robbery.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 201991 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Nightclub Horror: Victim Needed 25 Stitches After 'Bottling'

A Hackney nightclubber needed over 25 stitches after this suspect smashed a bottle into his face after the pair bumped into each other.

Detectives have issued this CCTV image of a man they wish to identify and speak with in connection with the horrific attack.

In the early hours of Sunday, September 6, last year the 32 year-old victim was in the Basing House nightclub in Kingsland Road.

At about 2.30am a man bumped into him before attacking him, hitting in the face with a bottle.

The bottle smashed causing serious cuts to his face which required over 25 stitches.

Bouncers at the venue intervened and ejected the suspect.

The victim was then taken by cab to an east London Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries.

He was released two days later following treatment.

The suspect is described as a black man, with short black hair, wearing a dark coloured jumper.

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

Anyone with information is asked to contact investigating officer DC David Leitner on 07825 793 215 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting ref 194451.

Laptop Robbers Sprayed 9 Year-Old Boy With Chemical

Two Eastern European robbers sprayed a chemical into the faces of two women and a nine year-old boy when snatching a pair of laptops advertised for sale.

Detectives from Barnet Borough have issued these video images of two suspects they wish to question in connection with the raid.

On Wednesday, March 2, police were called at around 4.00pm to a report of a robbery at a residential address in Brent Street, Hendon.

The two suspects had responded to an internet ad the seller had placed and were invited into the home.

When a price was agreed, one of the men sprayed a chemical into the face of the 28-year-old victim.

As the two men tried to escape, they were confronted by a 26-year-old woman and the young boy at the address.

Both of them were sprayed with the same chemical and the men ran off.

The victim recorded the two men on her phone as they looked at her laptops.

Suspect One is described as an Eastern European man, of stocky build, aged in his thirties, with short hair and blue eyes.

He had an ‘X’ shaped scar on his right cheek and tattoos on his neck and left arm and was wearing a black leather jacket.

Suspect Two is also described as an Eastern European man, aged in his thirties, of stocky build with short hair.

He was wearing a black jacket.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise the two men or who witnessed the men in Brent Street.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police via 101 quoting reference number 205697 (suspect 1) or 205700 (suspect 2).

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

TK Maxx Cleaner Denies Filming Young Changing Room Woman On His Phone

A TK Maxx store cleaner claims he was washing skirting boards when he got down on his hands and knees to film a young woman trying on yoga pants in the store’s changing room, a court heard today.

The customer, an attractive brunette in her early twenties, spotted 45 year-old Vincenzo Mittica’s hand, clasping his mobile phone, emerge from under the partition.

“I was on my own in a changing room and had no idea of his intentions. I was scared,” she sobbed at Wimbledon Magistrates Court, where she gave evidence from behind a screen.

“I don’t believe it was a misunderstanding,” she added, rejecting the defendant’s claim he was simply checking his phone.

Italian Mittica, of Darwin Road, Ealing has pleaded not guilty to attempted voyeurism for the purpose of sexual gratification on July 31, last year at the Kew Retail Centre, Richmond-upon-Thames.

He will continue to be banned from every TK Maxx store in the country until his trial continues on October 14.

Prosecutor Mr. Bhavin Patel told the court it was 11am and the victim was shopping with her boyfriend’s mother for gym clothes and took two pairs of yoga pants and a third item to the changing room.

“She saw Mr. Mittica crouched down by the entrance and realised he was the cleaner. He looked up and carried on cleaning.

“She was concerned there was no female attendant then heard a lady’s voice.

“The complainant went inside, where there were two empty changing rooms and the cleaner was now inside and he made eye contact with her.

“She went to the furthest cubicle and began to undress and took off her trousers to try on the yoga pants.

“She heard someone come into the stall next to her and when she looked down saw  shadow.

“In the gap at the bottom of the partition she realised there was a smart phone being held up, with the screen facing up and light coming from it.

“It was titled at a thirty degree angle towards her and at times a part of the phone was on her side of the partition.

“She bent down to see what was on the screen and the phone moved out of sight and she heard someone leave the changing room.

“She looked out and saw the cleaner walking down the corridor away from her.”

The store manager was informed by the young woman who then called the police when she got home.

Mitotic was arrested and questioned a month later. “He said he was ordered to clean the skirting boards in the changing rooms.

“He was on his hands and knees when his phone made a noise and he took it out to look at it.

“He said he was not filming, but understood why someone would think that.”

Mr. Patel rejected this account and added: “He was not checking the phone, but using it to take photos of her in a state of undress.

“He was aware of where she is and it is unbelievable that he goes into the next cubicle to clean at that point in time.

‘When the complainant sees what is happening he leaves and does not go to another cubicle to continue cleaning.

“Stating that he was cleaning skirting boards is not a true account.”

DJ Elvis Accused Of Historic Sex Offences Against A Young Girl

A keen Elvis Presley fan, accused of serious historic sex offences involving a young girl, has appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court for the first time.

Graham Horrix, 59, - aka DJ Elvis - of Priestwood Avenue, did not indicate a plea and was bailed to Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on September 28.

He is charged with one count of raping the girl, who was under 16 years-old, between May 2, 1989 and May 2, 1995.

He is also charged with one count of indecently assaulting the same girl between the same two dates.

Horrix, who needs the aid of a walking stick, sported a dyed-black quiff in the dock and only spoke to confirm his name, age and address.

He was bailed on condition he does not contact named prosecution witnesses.

Suspected Sex Offender Appears On Court-To-Court Videolink

Wimbledon Magistrates Court

A Caernarfon man, accused of a string of historic sex offences involving three females, appeared via videolink at Wimbledon Magistrates Court yesterday.

Simon Tivers, 69, of Llanberis Road, was bailed to appear at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on September 14.

Bespectacled Tivers, wearing a white polo shirt, only spoke to confirm his name, age and address via a link from Llandudno Magistrates Court.

The charges span from April 9, 1965 until December 16, 1980.

Tivers faces one count of rape; two counts of indecent assault and one count of causing actual bodily harm in relation to the first female.

In relation to the second female, who is under 13 years-old, Tivers faces two counts of rape; four counts of indecent assault and one count of causing actual bodily harm.

He is also charged with two counts of indecently assaulting a girl aged under 14 years-old and causing actual bodily harm to a male complainant.

Tivers was released on bail on condition he does not contact prosecution witnesses.

Scottish Couple Battle It Out During Romantic Week At Luxury Hotel

In The Cab: James Smith

A couple's romantic weeklong trip to a luxury Kensington hotel ended in the husband's arrest for hitting his wife during a row in their room.

Musician and long-distance lorry driver James Smith, 54, has been forced to swap the four-star accommodation for night's in his vehicle's cab after being banned from the matrimonaial home.

He pleaded guilty yesterday to assaulting Amaya McKenzie-Smith at the 124 year-old Gore Hotel, which is near London's Royal Albert Hall on March 22.

Hammersmith Magistrates Court heard the couple – who married last year – travelled to the capital from their home in Park Avenue, Elderslie, Johnstone.

Prosecutor Mr. Robert Chambers told the court there was evidence the couple had been consuming alcohol and had an argument in their room after a day out shopping.

“There was pushing and Mrs McKenzie-Smith was pushed and slapped in the face.

“She left the room, but returned for her belongings and Mr. Smith told her if the police became involved he would tell them she had fallen over.

“She reported what had happened to the hotel staff and they called an ambulance and the police.”

A photograph of Mrs McKenzie-Smith was taken, which showed bruising to her face.

Thumped: Amaya McKenzie-Smith

When questioned Smith denied striking his wife, claiming he had to escort her out of their room three times due to her behaviour.

“He said the last time she entered the room she had bruising to her face, which had not been there before and they must have been self-inflicted,” added Mr. Chambers.

Smith claimed his wife had attacked him first and pulled his hair.

The court heard the couple are having a “time out” and the defendant is currently prohibited from contacting his wife or visiting the marital home as conditions of his bail.

Smith told the court he is currently living in his lorry and spending most of his time in Portugal.

“We just bought a property in Roehampton and we bought a house in Portugal because that's where we want to live.

“We both have property concerns and I manage the properties.”

He was bailed to return to court on September 22 for a pre-sentence report.

Woman No.2 Accused Of Blackmailing Rugby Star Danny Cipriani

A second woman accused of blackmailing rugby star Danny Cipriani for cash appeared in court for the first time today.

Violet Smith, 29, of Bath Road, Slough was sent by Wimbledon Magistrates Court to appear at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on September 20.

She faces one count of blackmail in that between September 1 and October 31, last year, with a view to gain for herself or another or with intent to cause loss to another, made an unwarranted demand of money from Danny Cipriani with menaces.

Wearing a lacy black dress, she only spoke during the brief hearing to confirm her name, age and address.

Her co-defendant, 39 year-old Lisa Murphy, of Montgomery Way, Wootton, Northampton appeared last week on the same charge and was bailed to appear at the crown court on the same date.

Smith, who indicated a not guilty plea to the charge, was released on bail on condition she does not contact Cipriani or Murphy.

Roehampton-born Cipriani, 28, currently plays for Premiership team Wasps as fly-half or fullback.

The six-foot-one England international was educated privately at Wimbledon College prep school Donhead.

His mother Anne, who split with his Afro-Trinidadian father Jay soon after his birth funded Danny’s education by becoming a black taxi driver.

An all-round sportsman Cipriani played junior football for QPR, was offered youth terms by Reading FC and played schoolboy cricket for Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

He won 14 England caps between 2008 and 2015 and has also played for Melbourne Rebels and Sale Sharks.

Earlier this year he was convicted of drink-driving after crashing his Mercedes into a mini-cab after a night out and was banned for 18 months and ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £7,620 for being nearly twice the legal limit.

He has dated a host of famous women including Kelly Brook, Sky Sports’ Kirsty Gallagher, Katie Price, Cheeky Girl Monica Irimia and Aussie models Lara Bingle and Jesinta Campbell.