Women Blackmailed Rugby Star Danny Cipriani With Tabloid Kiss-And-Tell

Fling: Lisa Murphy

A stripper and her fellow exotic dancer pal, who blackmailed former England rugby star Danny Cipriani for £15,000 after he got her pregnant, was spared jail today.

Lisa Murphy, 39, aborted Cipriani’s unborn child after their fling and then bombarded him with messages with the help of her friend Violet Smith, 29.

Murphy, of Montgomery Way, Wootton, Northampton and mum-of-three Smith, of Bath Road, Slough, both admitted blackmailing the 29-year-old Wasps fly-half between September and October in 2015.

Murphy contacted tabloid The Sun on Sunday to sell the kiss-and-tell story and demanded £15,000 from the rugby star's publicist.

She asked Cipriani to cover her £1,000 a week wages for five weeks after she suffered complications following the abortion.

She wanted compensation for loss of earnings at strip-club Junction Nine in St. Alban's, Hertfordshire.

Both woman received twenty-two months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

Judge Peter Lodder QC told Murphy at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court: “Danny Cipriani repeatedly offered to help, but nothing was forthcoming.

“He said he would pay for the abortion.

“Danny Cipriani did not act according to his early promises.

“Whether this was his own choice or in accordance with advice from a PR agency or something else is not for me to judge.

“He certainly does not appear to have fully appreciated the extent of your difficulties.”

The court heard the pair had a brief fling and neither sought a “committed relationship.”

Judge Lodder added: “I’m satisfied by that time Lisa Murphy was feeling increasingly desperate and continued to suffer from the emotional consequences of her condition.

“I’m satisfied that Violet Smith was motivated by concern for your well being.

Phone Calls: Violet Smith

“It is against that background the threat to go to the newspapers was made.

“This is a very unusual case, both of you have suffered, you now have a criminal conviction, and each of you have lost your jobs.

“It is an understatement to say nobody comes out of this episode very well.”

Wendy Hewitt, prosecuting, said Murphy told Cipriani on WhatsApp he was the father and he replied: “Hey baby that’s a shock to me too.”

Miss Hewitt said: “She said he did not have to worry and she wanted him to know she was not going to keep the baby.

“It is Mr. Cipriani who first brings up the subject of money and asks how much it would cost on the basis he would pay for it all.

“Ms Murphy tells him as far she understands it’s all free and on the National Health Service.”

Smith, who also worked at the strip bar, texted Cipriani demanding money on her pal’s behalf and began negotiating with the star’s publicist.

He refused to pay and then went to police after finding out the women tried to sell their story.

The story was not published and the pair did not receive any money.

Hannah Duncan, for Murphy, said she had been prescribed anti-depressants after the abortion, and had been “reluctant to ask for the money”.

Rugby Star: Danny Cipriani

She said: “She had no idea that what she was doing towards the end of this case was illegal.

“She was increasingly frustrated, increasingly desperate, and increasingly upset.

“After she had the abortion his interest fell off a cliff.”

Ms Duncan added that Murphy had struggled with depression, and wasn’t “a shameless cold and calculating schemer, as some have portrayed her”.

Nigel Mitchell, defending Smith, told the court she too did not realise what she was doing was illegal, and just wanted to help her friend.

He said: “She has never met Mr. Cipriani.

“She had heard that her friend was pregnant by him, he had offered to pay towards the abortion which she accepted.

“She was told by Ms Murphy that she had not received any.

“Her intention throughout was to support her friend, there was nothing in this for her to gain.”

Mr Mitchell added: “She’s not by nature a criminal – stupid maybe.”

College Tutor Pinned Seven Year-Old Daughter To Bed And Beat Her

Wimbledon Magistrates Court

A college tutor, who slapped his seven year-old daughter so hard her bruised thigh was detected at school, has been sentenced.

The 46 year-old man from Kingston-upon-Thames, who cannot be identified to protect the identity of his daughter, pleaded guilty to assaulting her at the family home on October 10, last year.

At Wimbledon Magistrates Court he was ordered to complete 200 hours community service and ordered to pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

The court heard the girl kept rubbing her painful right thigh, which was visibly bruised, when attending school the next day.

She said her father had held her down on her bed by her neck and slapped her.

Afterwards he was apologetic to her and applied a balm to the injured area.

When police questioned the tutor he admitted: “I shouldn’t have done it.”

The court treated him as a man of good character, although he was cautioned for a domestic assault on his wife ten years ago.

He had to move into YMCA lodgings and then shared housing while on bail for the offence.

He was suspended from work as a result of the offence and has only had supervised contact with his daughter.

District Judge James Henderson told him: “This is a serious offence. You could have been charged with child cruelty.

“I hope you don’t lose your job. I hope the college recognises your good work, you are working with older people.”

Wedding Guest Cleared Of Bloody Kitten Heel 'Elevator-Rage' Blow

Innocent: Katie O'Connor

A wedding guest has been acquitted of assaulting another woman in a hotel lift after claiming she was defending herself from attack in the early hours.

Katie O'Connor, 30, of Cross Heath Grove, Beeston, Leeds says her shoe heel accidentally caught the top of the woman's head as she fought her off.

She was found not guilty of assaulting Amy Bishop, causing her actual bodily harm, at the Safari Hotel, Chessington World of Adventures, on November 7, last year.

“She kept trying to grab my hair and I pushed her off,” O'Connor told Wimbledon Magistrates Court. “I didn't hit her with the shoe, I think as she's going for me she's grazed her head.

“I've gone up to push her with the shoe in my hand and obviously the kitten heel has caught her in the head.”

Work colleagues of Ms Bishop, who works for Chessington World of Adventures, described blood pouring down her face from a cut to her head and twice passing out on the lobby floor.

Prosecutor Mr. Ijaz Malik said it was 1.20am when the complainant and her colleagues, who had just attended an awards evening at Epsom racecourse, entered the lift, followed by the defendant.

“Ms O'Connor entered the lift with her partner as the doors were closing and there is a verbal altercation with Ms Bishop.

“That escalated to pulling her hair and hitting her across the head with the shoe heel, causing bleeding.”

Ms Bishop did not attend the trial and colleague Nicola Crust, who was also in the lift, told the court: “She's not well today due to the stress that has been caused since this incident.

“Amy and I got squashed at the back of the lift and Amy said: 'Can you move forward, you're crushing us.'

“A female voice said: 'Who do you think you are? We called the lift first.'

“We raised our eyebrows and suddenly an arm came from behind the male and the female tried to grab Amy's hair.

“Amy screamed out of shock and I shouted at the woman to let go, but she carried on.

“She was then kicking Amy and trying to grab her a the same time.

“I got out of the lift and she screamed my name. She had her hand on her forehead with blood streaming down her face.

“The lady was standing there with her shoe in her hand, she was holding the sole part of the shoe.

“I got Amy out of the lift and she collapsed on the floor and lost consciousness.

“The whole time the woman was swearing and screaming at the top of her voice, using the word 'f***' a lot.

“Amy had a gash to her centre-parting, it was horseshoe-shaped and the other lady lunged at me and tried to kick me.

“I felt sick, I was shaking, it was complete shock. I can't believe it happened.”

Another work colleague, Gaye West, told the court the blonde woman in the lift told them: “We're paying guests.”

“From nowhere the woman launched at Amy. She grabbed her hair and tried to pull her.

“She had her shoe in her hand and hit Amy with her high-heel on top of the head.

“Amy took her hands away and she was covered in blood.”

Police were called and described O'Connor as: “Intoxicated, volatile and verbally aggressive.”

They also concluded Ms Bishop was “drunk.”

City Lawyer Who Captained London Rowing Club Sentenced For Christmas Party Bum-Slap Sex Assault

Sex Offenders Register: Alastair Main

A disgraced City lawyer, who repeatedly slapped a woman’s bottom after drenching her in beer while calling her an “Australian slut” at the posh rowing club he once captained, has been sentenced.

Alastair Main, 35, who has rowed competitively for England, pursued her into the ladies toilet at The London Rowing Club’s Christmas dinner to carry-out the sex attack as she tried to clean herself up.

He was sentenced at Wimbledon Magistrates Court to a twelve-month community order and must sign the sex offenders register for five years.

He was also slapped with a five-year restraining order, prohibiting him from contacting the victim.

Prosecutor Mr. Paul Douglas said: “The defendant followed her into the ladies toilet, where she had gone to clean herself up, having had a beer thrown over her by the defendant.

“He pulled her hair and pulled up her skirt and smacked her approximately five times on the backside.

“There is further CCTV footage of a light tap to the bottom on the stairs as she was leaving the premises.”

This followed an earlier incident that left the 27 year-old woman in fear of Main, who attended £30,000 a year Oratory School, Reading.

Two days after his conviction he was sacked by his global asset management firm employers, who he joined having previously worked for Coutts private bank.

“The beer was poured over her and she was cowering in the office,” said Mr. Douglas. “The defendant is behaving in an aggressive and intimidating way.

The London Rowing Club

“He walks out and repeatedly calls her an: ‘Australian slut’ and pursues her and assaults her again.”

The woman told the court she snubbed Main at the bar when he asked for a hug. “He was kind of leaning on the bar, like he was trying to be affectionate.”

She told him: “I don’t think so,” and after hearing her plans to continue the evening with another woman he said: “Off to find some men are we?”

The woman told the court: “His demeanour had changed, something had snapped and there was an anger about him.

“He told me to: ‘Get the f*** out’ and at that point Mr. Main poured a beer over me.

“I was drenched, my hair was so wet. In my handbag, my scarf. He called me an: ‘Australian slut.’

“I knew I was going to have to walk back through the room so tied my hair up so it wouldn’t be so obvious.

“There were other members of the club standing in the doorway. I remember feeling humiliated.

“I didn’t want a scene in front of the members. I was terrified he would cause a scene, particularly after calling me an: ‘Australian slut.’”

A member’s wife tried to tell the woman it was a “wonderful evening” as she tried to flee Main, she said.

“I was hoping she would not notice my hair was wet and make-up running down my face.

“Mr. Main came up behind me and pulled my hair and pushed me forward.

“I went to the bathroom to fix myself up. I could hear heavy footsteps coming into the ladies bathroom.

“He appeared and said: ‘Where do you think you’re going?’ He called me a slut again, I don’t remember having breath to say anything because of shock.

“He was pulling my hair, slapping my head and pushing me around.

“He pulled my skirt up, calling me a slut and asking me if I was wearing any knickers.”

She said the slaps to her bottom occurred before her dress was pulled up by Main and she only escaped momentarily when another woman came into the toilet.

“He was slapping me as I tried to get down the stairs and out of the building. My bottom my thighs.”

She told the court a pal of Main’s pulled him off her outside and she kicked-off her shoes to flee.

He continued calling her “slut”, she added and shouted: “You’d better start running ‘cos I’m coming for you.”

Main later messaged her: “It was totally unacceptable, I realise that. I need to sort my life out and stop ruining yours.”

Main, who shares a £900,000 detached home with his wife Rebecca in Cobham Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, denied the claims. 

He denied, but was found guilty of one count of sexually assaulting the woman at the club in Embankment, Putney on December 12, last year and the racially aggravated assault of the woman on the same occasion.

Married Main joined the London Rowing Club (LRC) during the 2005/05 season after rowing competitively for Nottingham University, Notts & Union and Britannia Boat Club.

He was elected captain for the 2013/14 season.

Six-foot plus Main was a national champion in 2003 and represented England at that year’s Home International Regatta.

He retired from competitive rowing in 2006, having won the Thames Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta.

Main is a graduate of the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Law School.

"I Was Having A Laugh": Phone Prankster Cleared Of Explicit Calls

NOT GUILTY: Lee Slater

A gay Dorchester man has been cleared of making indecent sexually-explicit nuisance phone calls to a homosexual friend after telling a court: “I was having a laugh.”

Lee Jon Slater, 46, of Heathcote Close claimed the calls were an innocent prank, explaining: “We're all a group of friends and all make funny phone calls to each other.

“It may sound silly, but that's the way it is. I'm sorry he is upset, but there was nothing malicious.”

He was cleared of sending a communication of an indecent or offensive nature between July 18 and August 2, last year to estate agent Stephen Giddings, 57, of Ancaster Crescent, New Malden.

Slater always admitted making the heavy-breathing phone calls in which he would repeatedly say: “F*** me,” in an exaggerated sexualised tone.

Mr. Giddings did not find the calls humerous and told Wimbledon Magistrates Court on Wednesday: “I thought it was weird and had no idea where they came from or why.

“I started to get concerned because I was receiving these calls when I was at home and felt it was possible I was being watched.

“I was getting a bit paranoid that there was a neighbour or somebody watching me. You're kind of looking over your shoulder a little bit.

“It made me feel like I was being targeted, a bit vulnerable. It was unpleasant.

“I'm an openly gay man since the seventies and when I first got the calls I felt that's why I was being targeted.”

He told the court he did not realise it was Slater, who he had blocked as a facebook friend, on the other end of the line.

“He is a practical joker and has an off the wall sense of humour, but I don't think his sense of humour is anything like these calls at all.”

Police traced the calls to Slater, who claimed he was “tipsy” when he made them.

He told the court: “It upsets me that I have been brought to court. It was a joke, a silly joke and I regret it.”

The magistrates heard a character witness state Slater was known for joke calls and they agreed there was no malicious intent by the defendant.

Football Star Steven Caulker's Boozy Late-Night Arrest

Fined: Caulker

Football star Steven Caulker has been fined again after police were called to him drunkenly hurling objects at passers-by in the street just after midnight.

The 25 year-old QPR centre-half, who has two similar arrests on his record, pleaded guilty yesterday to being drunk and disorderly and was fined £650.

The former Tottenham, Liverpool and Cardiff England international, of Petersham Road, Richmond-upon-Thames says he is “deeply ashamed” of his behaviour.

Prosecutor Miss Mary Atere told Wimbledon Magistrates Court police were called to Clapham Junction Station in St. John’s Hill, Battersea at 12.40am on January 16.

“Officers were responding to reports by members of the public that the defendant was throwing object around, trying to hit members of the public.

“The defendant was seen by the officers to be drunk and disorderly. He was swaying around and acting drunkenly and they viewed CCTV and saw him acting similarly.”

The CCTV footage also showed Caulker pick up a red temporary barrier and try and place it over somebody’s head.

The court heard Caulker, who moved to Cardiff City from Spurs for £8m in 2013, was previously fined for a public order offence and also received a caution for the same offence.

His barrister Miss Sarah Le Fevre said: “He is a young man who is deeply ashamed that he is before the court and is sorry for his very silly behaviour that inconvenienced the public and the police.

“There’s little that can be said beyond the remorse he has shown for that conduct.

“You will see from the means form Mr. Caulker will be able to meet any financial penalty.”

Magistrate Mrs Elizabeth Hopper told him: “You have pleaded guilty and you accept you did the things you did.

“It is the third time you have been in trouble for doing things out in the street you should not be doing and we do not want to see you again.”

Feltham-born Caulker was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £65 surcharge.

The six foot three defender has represented England U-19’s and U-21’s and also played for Bristol City, Swansea City and Southampton. 

He has been linked with a move to Russia’s Lokomotiv Moscow this season. 

East London Stabbing: Two Men Hunted

Gang-busting cops in east London are hunting these two suspects after a man was stabbed in the early hours.

Detectives from the Trident and Area Crime Command have issued this CCTV image of two men they wish to identify and speak to in connection with the incident.

On Sunday, May 1, last year police were patrolling at around 5.10am near Gillett Square, Hackney.

A man aged in his mid-twenties ran towards the officers after being chased by the two suspects and said he had been stabbed.

Suspect 1 is described as a black man of average build with his hair tied back on top of his head.

He was wearing a grey hooded top with a yellow “A&Fitch” logo on the front, jeans and dark shoes.

Suspect 2 is described as a bald black man of large build.

He was wearing a light hooded top with a print on the front, dark coloured trousers and light shoes.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise the men or who witnessed the incident.

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

Terror At The Chicken Takeaway: Customer Smashed Over Head With Chair

A chicken takeaway customer smashed another man over the head with a chair when he was bumped into then returned to the back door with a knife.

Detectives from Newham Borough in east London are investigating and have issued this CCTV image of their Bengali suspect.

On Wednesday, July 27, last year police were called at around 9.00pm to Papa’s Chicken on High Street North in Newham.

Police attended and found a 25-year-old man being treated by London Ambulance Service.

He had suffered cuts to his head and eye lids, and a bruised jaw after being hit over the head with a chair.

CCTV from within the shop caught the moment when the victim paid for some food and turned to leave.

As he turned, he brushed shoulders with the suspect who started to shout and argue with him.

The suspect then attacked the victim and despite trying to protect himself, he was hit and kicked several times in the head.

The suspect ran off along Milton Avenue.

He later returned to the rear of the shop armed with a knife and left upon police arrival.

The suspect is described as a slim, muscular man, aged in his mid -thirties and 5ft 10ins tall.

He was wearing blue trousers and a blue hooded top.

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

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

Scottish Street-Drinker Convicted Of Killing Duck

Duck Killer: Muir

A street drinker caught on CCTV killing a female duck in front of her mate by the Thames is facing a ban from going anywhere near wildlife.

Robert Lyle Muir, 49, who lives in digs in Sandycombe Road, North Sheen was convicted of killing a wild bird, namely a female mallard, contrary to the Wildlife and Countryside Act. 

A council CCTV operator was filming a group sitting by Richmond Riverside near Heron Square when Glaswegian Muir grabbed the bird and twisted her neck.

He was investigated by the Metropolitan Police’s Wildlife Crime Unit  and today was bailed until February 10 for sentencing and faces six months imprisonment.

Prosecutor Mr. Janaka Siriwardena told the court: “There will be an application at the sentencing hearing for a restraining order for Mr. Muir not to approach wildlife within fifty metres.”

His lawyer Mr. Tim Sleigh-Johnson said the order would be unworkable. “He will have to stay inside with all his windows and doors closed.

“If a wild animal came close to him he would be in breach.”

Mr. Janaka Siriwardena explained: “It was a hideous, despicable unprovoked attack on a defenceless animal.

“He lured the duck near to him and then killed it for mere sport.”

Muir was with a group of drinkers being monitored by council-operated CCTV at 6.15pm on May 25, last year when the female duck and her male mate flew across the river towards them. 

Cruel: Muir Caught Killing Bird

“The ducks will seek out humans for food and one of the group was seen throwing bread to the ducks,” said the prosecutor.

“As the duck approached Mr. Muir lent over and took the duck by the neck and wrung the neck and threw the duck in front of him.

“It was then put in a white plastic bag and thrown away.

“It is likely that the ducks were mates for life and Mr. Muir killed this duck by luring it and without any justification whatsoever killed the duck by wringing its neck in a heinous manner.”

Detective Constable Sarah Bailey said: “The likelihood is that the female was nesting at that time,” explaining the ducks probably had a river nest laden with eggs.   

“Muir grabbed the bird and appeared to twist her neck, then grab a second time, apparently to finish her off.

“I assume the duck was exhibiting signs of life and he wings the neck again and wipes his hands,” explained the officer.

The remains were tossed into a nearby bin and a female member of the drinking group was seen fleeing in disgust.

Mug: Muir In Custody

Muir denied the charge based on the only possible defence available to him, namely that the bird was injured and suffering and he was carrying-out a mercy killing.

He continued lying in the witness box, claiming: “It looked like it had been hit by a propeller on the right side. The ribs were cut.

“It was cut to the bone, a clear cut on the left side.

“The girls I was sitting with were getting upset because of the injuries.

“I did the right thing in my eyes and I apologise if I got it wrong. I did it twice to make sure it wasn’t suffering.”

Before the trial he told Mr. Siriwardena: “If I lose my house I hope you’re proud of yourself, that’s a real possibility. This is a stitch-up.”

Should Have Gone To Specsavers: OAP Gets Two Months For Wrecking Optician's

Locked-Up: Alan Parkinson

 An OAP, who downed half a bottle of spirits before wrecking an optician’s during an alcohol-fuelled dispute, has been jailed for two months.

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."

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court Judge Tim Lamb QC did not buy the pensioner’s claim he was the sole carer for his wife, meaning a prison term would impact her as well.

“He’s an old hand, he’s got convictions for fraud, he’s been in prison. He knows his way around the system,” said the judge at a previous hearing.

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

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. "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."

Previously prosecutor Mr. Colin Banham told the court: “He was clearly intoxicated and staggering and was smelling strongly of alcohol.”

Parkinson told police when quizzed: “My head had changed. I went from mellow to feeling hot, my stomach felt hot.”

“He said that he ‘just lost it’ and was sorry about what happened,” added the prosecutor.”

Parkinson’s lawyer Mr. Ben Holt said: “He says there was provocation towards him and homophobic insults.

“He’s incredibly concerned about the prospect of a custodial sentence regarding his responsibilities.

“He has a wife to whom he’s a responsible carer.”

Parkinson claims a serious car crash forty years ago left her brain-damaged.

Actor's Rent Deposit Paint Revenge

A model and actor, who appeared in BBC’s Judge John Deed, found himself in the dock after splattering his old rented room with paint in a deposit revenge attack.

Spencer Burrows, 36, who has also appeared in EastEnders and Casualty smashed his way into the property after he was forced to leave due to non-payment of rent.

He pleaded guilty on Thursday to causing criminal damage to the bedroom in Coleridge Close, Nine Elms on November 2, last year.

Jobless Burrows, a product of the renowned Anna Scher acting school, is now claiming benefits and is believed to be living with his parents in Mousehole Lane, Southampton.

A charge of burglary, with intent to cause criminal damage, was dropped by the prosecution.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard his deposit of a few hundred pounds was not returned so Burrows forced his way in through a rear glass door, damaging it in the process.

He splattered his former room with paint, throwing it over the walls and furniture.

Landlord Alan Wen estimates the damage at £1,000, but has failed to produce evidence proving this.

Burrows told the court he has mental health issues and is currently taking medication for depression.

The magistrates conditionally discharged Burrows for six months and ordered him to pay £200 compensation, telling him: “You caused damage and we hope it’s a one-off.

“It’s a serious matter and we are giving you a chance. Don’t let us down.”

Burrows also appeared in movie High Heels and Low Lifes, starring Minnie Driver and Hugh Bonneville and tv’s Missing, starring Pauline Quirke.

Sacked UPS Driver Tagged After Road Rage Row With Bus Driver

A disgraced UPS driver, sacked after he was filmed ranting aggressively at a bus driver during a Knightsbridge road-rage incident, has been ordered to wear an electronic tag.

Darren Lee, 39, stopped his delivery van in the middle of busy rush-hour traffic to confront the driver and repeatedly punched the wing mirror.

He pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates Court to threatening behaviour on August 11, last year and received a three-month community order.

He must obey a night time tagged curfew between midnight and 5am for the period of the order and pay £350 compensation to bus driver Mohammed Wardheere.

Lee, of Fellows Court, Weymouth Terrace, Bethnal Green was originally charged with also assaulting Mr. Wardheere, but this was withdrawn by the prosecution.

“The victim was a bus driver and entitled to go about his work without fear,” District Judge Vanessa Barressa told him.

“The nature of the incident involved insulting words, throwing water, punching the wing mirror and inviting the bus driver to fight.”

Lee initially fought the case, only pleading guilty on the day of the trial and remained defiant in his probation service interview.

“There is little by the way of remorse of this offence and you blame the bus driver for starting the event and say he tried to spit at you and hit you from the cab.”

Following the ordeal Mr. Wardheere said: “I have come to peace with the assault.

“I am a spiritual man and I aim to live life as stress-free as possible and I have come to a personal peace with the incident.”  

The Chinese Are Coming: (With Dodgy Credit Cards)

A Chinese tourist has been jailed after he was caught at Harrods trying to buy an iPhone with one of his five fake bank cards.

Hong Kong-native Lipman Li, 30, claims he bought the counterfeit cards on the internet after arriving in the UK a month before his arrest.

He has swapped the comfort of the London House Hotel, Kensington Gardens Square for a small room at one of Her Majesty’s secure establishments.

Yesterday he pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates Court to one count of fraud by false representation on January 23, namely using a counterfeit HSBC card to purchase the £695 phone.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing fraudulent articles, namely two HSBC, two American Express and one Capital One card.

Li, who has been locked-up since his arrest, was sentenced to twenty-six weeks imprisonment and ordered to pay £115.

Prosecutor Mr. Tom Gill told the court the store cashier alerted security after Li presented the fake card and when police searched him four more were discovered.

The court heard he is an Economics and Finance graduate, who worked in that sector until 2014.

More recently he has used his language skills to teach English and took time off to visit London as a tourist and explore employment opportunities with friends who had opened a consulting business.

Li arrived in this country on December 23, last year and says he is “shocked” by what he did and now just wants to go home.

“What concerns me is the number of cards in his possession,” announced District Judge Vanessa Barressa. “Each and every one of these cards were counterfeit.

She told bespectacled Li: “You targeted a high-end store, Harrods, and a hi-end item, an iPhone priced at nearly seven hundred pounds.”