Security Boss Denies Flogging Luxury Stock On eBay

The deputy security manager of a landmark department store sold over £59,000 worth of luxury items stolen from the retailer on eBay, a court heard today.

Daniel Clarke, 35, sold expensive handbags, Armani jumpers, Chanel perfume, Mulberry wallets and keyrings, plus iPads the Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court jury was told.

When police raided his home in Alice House, Laleham Road, Staines-upon-Thames they also seized £12,000 worth of watches and three Ralph Lauren shirts.

Clarke, of Brackenbeds Close, Pelton, Chester le Street, Durham has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of fraud by selling items on eBay totalling £59,104.

He also denies three counts of handling stolen goods; two counts of theft and three counts of possessing criminal property.

Prosecutor Miss Corinne Bramwell said Clarke was employed by Bentalls department store, Kingston-upon-Thames between December, 2012 and May, 2014.

Two months before starting he opened an eBay account called ‘The Gingerbreadman’ later changed to ‘Part-time Trader’.

“Clarke sold approximately four hundred items on eBay, mostly designer goods, handbags, clothing, perfume and Apple products.

In January 2015 the store identified a “substantial volume of stock missing” and identified ‘Part-time Trader’ as selling identical goods.

“The pattern and timings of loses is clearly linked to Clarke’s eBay account.”

After he was arrested on May 6, last year the defendant claimed he bought luxury items cheaply for cash and sold them online.

“As for the watches he said he liked them,” added Miss Bramwell.

Trial continues……….. 

Suspect Caught On CCTV Using Mugging Victim's Bank Card

Police hunting a street mugger, who robbed a cashpoint user in the early hours of the morning, have released this CCTV image of their suspect.

The incident occurred on Sunday October 4, last year in Woodbury Street, Tooting.

The victim, a 40-year-old man, was walking with a friend after using the cashpoint and was approached by two men.

One of them grabbed the victim who then attempted to flee, but was chased and then robbed of his wallet and mobile phone.

Later that day, at about 11.00am, the victim's card was used in a store in Colliers Wood, Merton.

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

Anyone with any information is asked to contact DC Shelli Byrne on 020 3276 2603 quoting reference numbers 207491 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Sex Pest Hunted For Flashing Women

Police hunting a serial flasher, who has exposed himself to four women, have released this e-fit of the suspect.

The first incident occurred on Monday, March 7 at 6.30pm, when two separate women were approached by the same man on Exford Road, Lee Green, Lee, south-east London.

The man performed a sexual act on himself in front of both women.

On Tuesday, March 15 another woman was approached at about 10.00pm on Tudway Road, Blackheath, close to Kidrooke Railway Station.

The man politely asked for directions and, while the victim was replying, she noticed that he was exposing himself.

On Thursday, March 31 at about 1.30am another woman was walking home from New Eltham Railway Station when she exited an alley on to Dulverton Road.

A man called out to her: "Excuse me, can you help me?" and when she stopped she noticed he was exposing himself.

Detectives believe the same man may be responsible for all the offences.

The man is described as white, in his early 20s and of solid or chubby build.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the CID at Lewisham police station via 101.

You can also contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you do not want to give your name.

OAP Tricked Out Of PIN And Bank Card At Cashpoint

Police are hunting two callous thieves, who preyed on an 84 year-old pensioner and used his bank card to run up a £5,000-plus bill.

These CCTV images have been released of the suspects after the victim was tricked at a cashpoint machine and his PIN and card taken.

The OAP was using a cashpoint in Mitcham Road, Tooting on March 7 when two men pounced.

He had entered his card and PIN when a male standing behind him informed him the machine was out of use.

While the victim was distracted the male cancelled the transaction and took the card from the machine before walking off.

The victim - unaware of what had just taken place - waited for his card to be returned.

When it became apparent it wasn't coming out he went inside the branch to report that his card, as he believed, had been retained by the machine.

The theft only became apparent when the victim's bank contacted him to inform him more than £5,000 had been taken from his account in a series of transactions.

These included a cash withdrawal of £300 and three purchases totalling £4,763.

PC Markeljan Ferizaj based at Tooting Police station said:

"Distraction thieves can target anyone but they often focus on vulnerable members of society, selecting them as easy targets.

“In this instance, the victim has been left highly distressed and the theft has knocked his confidence.

"We are issuing images of two men we need to speak to in connection with this incident.

“I would urge anyone who recognises either, or both, men to call police with information.

"I would also urge anyone using a cash machine to be aware of their surroundings and, if they think someone is hanging around trying to watch them enter their pin, then cancel the transaction and inform police."

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Ferizaj at Wandsworth Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Sentencing Date For OAP's Optician's Wrecking-Spree

An OAP who laid waste to an optician's after he was refused a refund on a pair of specs - causing £10,000 worth of damage with a metal chair - will be sentenced on November 3.

Alan Parkinson, 68, of The Beeches, London Road, Mitcham, insisted he was due a discount on his recent purchase and threatened: "I'll destroy your shop."

He pleaded guilty to causing an affray at John Lewis Opticians, 261 London Road, Mitcham on February 27 and causing £10,000 worth of criminal damage to display cabinets, spectacles and a computer.

Parkinson’s lawyer told Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court today: “He was under the influence when this took place.”

The judge told Parkinson to attend an interview with the probation service later in the day, warning: “You’re not helping yourself, you’re not helping the court.

“It’s out of the ordinary, this case.”

Parkinson was a regular customer and entered the opticians at 10am.

He wanted a refund for some glasses and was not happy and said his daughter told him he had paid too much.

Parkinson, who has 243 offences on his record, was told there was no discount due because the frames and lenses had been bought at different times.

The store manager Zaid Shoaib and the consultant refused to budge, causing Parkinson further irritation.

"He was huffing and puffing and his eyes were bulging," said prosecutor Mr. Paul Adams during a previous hearing. "He said: 'I know what I'll do, I'll destroy your shop.'

"He left but returned ten minutes later and said: 'Last chance. Are you going to give me a refund?'

"He picked up a chair and swung it around the store, destroying property including a glass cabinet, which shattered.

"He threw the chair in the direction of Mr. Shoaib and it missed.

"He picked up a glasses tray and threw it and then picked up a computer screen and smashed it."

As he left the scene of destruction Parkinson turned and warned the two men: "You don't know me."

Multi-Millionaire Businessman Avoids Prison For "Sustained Attack" In Motorist's Driveway

"Sustained attack": Hutchinson

The multi-millionaire owner of the company which built Big Ben’s clock received a suspended prison sentence yesterday for attacking a motorist while walking near his £3m Thamesside penthouse apartment.

Property developer and businessman Iain Catleugh Hutchinson, 51,  reigned down half a dozen blows on his 66 year-old victim, who says he was then kicked while on the ground.

A forensic psychiatrist says Hutchinson’s “near miss” with the motorist triggered the post-traumatic stress disorder he suffered after his brother’s death in a car crash nearby almost 14 years to the day. 

The Geordie entrepreneur is a director of E Dent & Co Ltd., a 202 year-old firm, which built the mechanism that chimes Big Ben.

Hutchinson, of Montevetro Buildings, 100 Battersea Church Road, Battersea pleaded guilty to assaulting Jeremy Lyons, causing him actual bodily harm, in nearby Whistlers Avenue on May 29.

CCTV in the driveway of Mr. Lyons’ £1.4m home captured the attack and the footage was played at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

“Nothing could excuse what you did that day,” Judge Tim Lamb QC told tearful Hutchinson, accepting his PTSD caused an “override in judgement and ability to control his emotions.”

"Shocked and scared": Jeremy Lyons

He sentenced him to ten months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months and ordered him to complete 100 hours community service with a fifteen-day rehabilitation requirement.

He must also pay £425 costs and a £140 victim surcharge. Mr. Lyons is pursuing compensation through the civil court.

“This was a sustained attack on defenceless man in his own garden,” the judge told Hutchinson. “Having found the vehicle you climbed onto private property and issued threats and followed those threats with blows with a clenched fist.

“You threw Mr. Lyons, a man of sixty-six to the ground and he offered no defence to the attack. It was a sustained assault and has had a sustained and prolonged effect on Mr. Lyons. 

Prosecutor Mr. Stephen Apted said: “The victim was returning to his home address at 1pm in the afternoon.

“He was driving his vehicle and as he turned into his road he stopped, having seen this defendant.

“Mr. Lyons drove on and in his rear-view mirror saw the defendant mouthing an obscenity to him.”

The victim, who has retired after working at Lloyds for twenty-five years as a reinsurer, says Hutchinson mouthed the word: “c***.”

He maintains he saved the defendant from serious injury by braking sharply and the pair exchanged glances for a few seconds.

Right Hook: Hutchinson throws punch

“He got out of his car and can be seen placing a low wooden fence across the driveway.

“Mr. Hutchinson approaches and says: ‘I’m going to get you. I’m going to kill you.’

“He grabs hold of Mr. Lyons and punches him with his clenched fist a number of times as Mr. Lyons tried to back away.

“He thinks he was punched seven times.

“Once on the ground he’s kicked a number of times by the defendant in the legs.

“He is then picked up by the defendant and thrown to the ground.”

The CCTV footage shows Hutchinson, who has a previous assault police conviction when failing to stop his bicycle, step over a low fence and confront bespectacled Mr. Lyons by his car.

Mr. Lyons’ own CCTV clearly shows Hutchinson grabbing him with his left hand as he aimed blows with his right fist.

Still Swinging: Hutchinson Continues Onslaught

Mr. Lyons circles his vehicle in a bid to escape and stocky Hutchinson drags Mr. Lyons to the ground off-camera, where the victim says he was kicked.

The CCTV then shows Hutchinson picking up Mr. Lyons and hurling him over the low fence onto the pavement in from of his house.

A neighbour intervenes and follows Hutchinson, who told him: “He nearly hit me. F*** off, he’s a c***.”

He was arrested after CCTV cameras at the Montevetro Buildings captured him entering the landmark complex and police obtained a warrant to force the images to be released.

Hutchinson made no comment when questioned. “He made a prepared statement that he felt threatened and was defending himself,” added Mr. Apted.

He claims none of his six punches connected and denies kicking Mr. Lyons and pleaded guilty because he admits dragging him to the ground, causing injuries.

The victim suffered a cut to his left elbow, left ring finger, bruising to his left leg, plus pain to his back and neck.

He told police: “The incident left me shocked and scared. I have been attacked in my front garden and now I am worried about going out of my house in case he is there again.

“My glasses were also damaged,” added Mr. Lyons, who had a CT scan before the incident for two bulging discs in his spine.

“I told him I had a bad back and he continued the onslaught.”

Mr. Lyons drove himself to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital at the 3am that night and he has received injections for back spasms since the assault.

“Mr. Lyons says it was unprovoked, he was terrified, feared he was going to be killed and couldn’t get away,” explained Mr. Apted.

Mr. Mark cotter, defending, said: “He wishes to advance an apology to the court and Mr. Lyons for what was unacceptable behaviour.

“It was perceived by him as not his fault that he was nearly hit by Mr. Lyons.

“He had no intention as to any violence. There has been a total lapse of judgement. He acted in a way that is wholly out of character.

“It’s already had a profound effect on him. It’s had an impact on his business and a repetitional effect on him.”

Mr. Lyons attended the hearing and was unhappy with the outcome. “A suspended sentence is not a deterrent or a punishment for this man.

“He clearly attacked me, it was clearly unprovoked.

“I assume the copper who gave him a character reference in court is not the policeman he assaulted in 1999.”

Mr. Lyons is now installing internal CCTV. “The last thing he said to me was: ‘I know where you live, I’m going to come back and get you.’” 

Speaking previously after Hutchinson admitted the attack, the victim said: “I stopped right in front of him and he nearly walked into my car.

“I looked him in the eye as if to say: ‘You were lucky.’ It’s not my fault he’s walked off the edge of the pavement.

“I drove into my road and in my rear-view mirror I could see he was ‘effing and blinding, swearing and shouting and thought: ‘That’s stupid.’

“He punched me seven times and I have a bad back, which previously needed two operations and the last thing I needed was him punching me.

“I was in agony everywhere and could not walk for two weeks and could not sleep for three nights.

“He said: ‘I’m gonna get you, kill you,’ and started punching me, kicking me and then picks me up and throws me over the gate and I ended up on the pavement.

Mr. Lyons says only a neighbour responding to his pleas for help ended the attack. “If the neighbour had not shouted I’d be dead or paralysed or in hospital.

“The man is an animal. At the time I thought I was going to die, I thought he was never going to stop.”

Dent supplied a timepiece to the 1st Duke of Wellington and built the new St. Pancras Station clock.

Former civil engineer Hutchinson’s dream was to build thousands of £300 per-week three-bed flats for Londoners.

He is currently an active director with 14 different companies.

£573K NHS Dialysis Fraud Denied

Lisa Green & Alan Hodge

An NHS Trust manager responsible for kidney dialysis equipment at three hospital’s awarded his cronies lucrative contracts during a £573,000 fraud, a court heard today.

Renal technologist Alan Hodge, 53, received “kick-backs” for paying his pals NHS money in return for either non-existent or exorbitant work, the Croydon Crown Court jury were told.

He was employed by Epsom and St. Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs services from Epsom Hospital; St. Helier Hospital and Sutton Hospital.

Hodge, of Aulton Way, Sutton has pleaded not guilty to one count of defrauding the Trust between November 1, 2007 and October 9, 2013.

Company director Pierre Allen, 54, of Canon Farm Cottages, Canons Lane, Burgh Heath, Tadworth - boss of Main Contractors - and plumber Stephen Thompson, 47, of Warnham Road, Furnace Green, Crawley deny the same charge.

Pierre Allen

Hodge’s partner, Lisa Green, 49, is accused of laundering the money and has pleaded not guilty to converting criminal property between January 1, 2011 and October 9, 2013.

Prosecutor Mr. Stephen Hopper said Main Contractors was specifically set-up to receive money defrauded from the Trust and financed matchday trips to Stamford Bridge for Chelsea FC fans Hodge and Allen.

NHS money was also blown on a Butlins holiday, golf days and £1,200 worth of flights to Geneva.

“This case involves a fraud against the Trust,” he explained. “Hodge is the central figure, responsible for kidney dialysis equipment at three hospitals and patients’ homes.

“He engaged contractors to install and maintain equipment and was authorised by the NHS to make payments.”

The fraud was exposed when Hodge was suspended over an unrelated matter on October 8, 2013 and external payments immediately plunged by 50%, said Mr. Hopper.

“An investigation revealed a large number of invoices had been paid for work either not done at all or for prices that were excessive.

“Hodge was exploiting, abusing his position to employ friends of his who overcharged or had not done the work at all.

“Hodge profited from kick-backs from those contracts.”

Mains Contractors received £400,00 and SJ Thompson Plumbing received £130,000.

A third company, TWS Southern, run by Phillip Jones, 50, of Bullbeggars Lane, Godstone received £43,000.

Stephen Thompson

Jones is not currently on trial, but the prosecution say TWS received fraudulent money.

“Green was laundering some of the money generated in the fraud,” explained Mr. Hopper.

“She took payments into her Lloyds account from Main Contractors, SJ Thompson Plumbing and TWS. Her account was a buffer account.”

Two months after opening a bank account in February, 2010 Main Contractors began receiving payments authorised by Hodge.

“This company was set up with the prime purpose of receiving money from the NHS Trust.

“Allen was a figurehead, a front and the pair previously had a dialysis business for visiting tourists and had a property company.

“Some of the NHS money was used to pay for property developments.

“They were two men cooking up a scam to divert money from the NHS.”

The trial is expected to last six weeks…….

Robbers Prey On Late-Night Shoreditch Stranger

Police are hunting two robbers, who preyed on a lost man in so-called trendy Shoreditch, intimidating him into handing over cash.

Detectives from Tower Hamlets Borough have issued this CCTV footage of two men they wish to identify and speak with.

On Saturday, February 13, at about 2.00am, the victim, a 24-year-old man, got lost attempting to meet friends.

The victim asked two men for directions and they told him they would show him the way as they were heading in that direction.

The victim became suspicious after he was led down back streets, so advised them he would get a taxi home instead, at which point, the men asked him for money.

Feeling threatened, the victim went to a nearby cash point on Commercial Street, Whitechapel and withdrew cash, which he gave to them before walking away and getting a taxi.

While he made his way home, he realised his bank card was missing from his wallet.

When he called the bank to cancel the card, they informed him attempts to withdraw cash had been made.

Suspect 1 is described as a man of Asian appearance, aged about 25 years-old, wearing a black beanie hat. He also wore glasses.

Suspect 2 is also described as a man of Asian appearance, aged about 25 years. He was wearing a puffa-style jacket, light coloured trainers and a baseball cap.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise the men shown on CCTV.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 020 7275 4548 or via 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Trio Of Suspected Burglars Caught On CCTV

Detectives investigating a burglary at a residential address have issued CCTV footage of three men they wish to identify and speak to in connection with the incident.

On Friday, April 1, police were called at around 1.30pm to a report of a burglary at an address in Belvedere Drive, Wimbledon.

The burglary is believed to have occurred at some point between 3.00pm on Wednesday, March 30 and 1.25pm on Friday, April 1.

No property is believed to have been taken.

When the home owner was away, her alarm was activated.

CCTV overlooking the front of the house caught three men trying to gain entry into the house.

The suspects captured by the CCTV are described as: 'Suspect 1' a man of medium build, aged in his twenties.

He was wearing black framed glasses, a black body warmer over a green long sleeved shirt, dark jeans and black and white trainers. He was also carrying a black and white rucksack.

'Suspect 2' is a man of slim build, aged in his twenties. He was wearing a dark coloured padded jacket, blue jeans and blue and white shoes. He was carrying a black bag over his right shoulder.

'Suspect 3' is a man of slim build, aged in his twenties. He was wearing a red jacket, tight fitting blue trousers and dark trainers. He carried a dark brown satchel bag over his right shoulder before swapping bags with Suspect 1.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise the three men or who saw them in the area.

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

Police Hunting £9,000 Handbag Thief

Police have released this CCTV image of a suspected thief after a handbag containing £9,000 worth of jewellery was snatched from a parked car.

Detectives from Croydon Borough wish to identify and speak to the man in connection with the incident.

On Monday, February 15 police were called at around 3.45pm to a report of a theft from a motor vehicle in Tudor Close, Coulsdon.

The theft was reported to have occurred at some point between midnight on Friday, February 12 and 10.00am on Sunday February 14.

The handbag was taken out of the boot of the owners' car, which was parked on the road.

Also in the stolen bag were a number of bank cards, which were later used by a man to purchase goods from a store on South Norwood Hill on February 14.

CCTV captured the man in the store.

The man is described as black and wearing a dark baseball cap worn back to front, a dark jacket and a grey hooded top.

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

Anyone with any information that could assist is asked to contact police on 101 or 020 8649 1401 ref 3805338/16 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Harrow Man Sentenced For Sex Assault

Harrow Crown Court

A Harrow man convicted of molesting a woman has received a suspended prison sentence.

Andrew Nicholas Passer, 59, of Old Lodge Way has also been placed on the sex offenders register for seven years.

He fought the case, but was convicted by a Harrow Crown Court jury.

Passer was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to complete 150 hours community service work and pay £2,000 towards prosecution costs.

Passer denied, but was found guilty of sexually assaulting the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, in Honeypot Lane, Harrow on December 9, 2014.

He was acquitted of driving his MGB GT dangerously at the same time and place.

Woman Denies Facebook Harassment Charge

A grandmother, accused of facebook harrasment, has appeared in court for the first time.

Melissa Watson, 46, of Abbots Gate, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk claims the messages have been doctored by the complainant to incriminate her.

"I've got all the undoctored messages. He's doctored what he wrote before he went to the police," she told Bromley Magistrates Court.

"In effect he's got off scott free and I'm standing here."

She will return to the court for trial on November 30.

Watson pleaded not guilty to one count of harassing Martin Gamby between June 9 and July 19 by also sending emails and instant messages to him, his friends, work colleagues and family.

Neighbour Finally Admits Trying To Frame Local Rival With Fake Facebook Page

Andrew Currie & Joanna Goodwin

A neighbour, who set-up a fake facebook page to frame a man living a few doors down, has been warned he will probably be locked-up.

Scotsman Andrew Currie, 48, created the bogus online account, which was full of offensive comments directed at himself.

Jobless Currie, of Newark Road, South Croydon pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice between April 5 and August 7, 2014 by claiming his neighbour had made the facebook insults.

His partner, Joanna Goodwin, 41, has always denied the same charge and the prosecution offered no evidence against her and a not guilty verdict was entered.

Croydon Crown Court heard that when aged in his twenties Currie was convicted of a similar offence when he tried to blame another person for criminal offences.

His lawyer Thomas Quinn told the court: “This happened in haste. He has been advised custody is almost inevitable.”

Currie is in poor health after suffering three strokes in the last six years.

Judge Daniel Flahive bailed him until October 24 for sentencing, announcing: “This can be nothing, but custody.

“At the moment it calls for an immediate custodial sentence.

“On a no promises basis I'll keep an open mind until I hear the opening of the prosecution.

“At the moment I see no option, but custody so prepare yourself for that.” 

Couple's London Trip Ends In Boozy Hotel Bust-Up

Blows: 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 touring production manager James Smith, 54, has been forced to swap the four-star acomodation for night's in his lorry's cab after being banned from the matrimonaial home.

He pleaded guilty 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, Scotland.

He was fined £800, with £620 costs and ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge.

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 night out.

“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 and she was taken to hospital.

Fortunately there were no serious injuries.

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

Bruises: McKenzie-Smith

“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 prosecution say there were several blows, but Smith denies this, claiming he only pleaded guilty to prevent his wife enduring the stress of giving evidence.

The court heard the couple are having a “time out” and the defendant was prohibited from contacting his wife or visiting the marital home while on 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.”

Smith says his wife's “violent mood swings” resulted in him often being a victim of her violence, claiming she also abused alcohol and drugs.

“It's a serious assault,” said magistrate Mr. Richard Duncalf. “We don't want to see you in court again.”