Cash Point Con: Two Suspects Identified

Police from Barking and Dagenham investigating a theft at a cash point have issued CCTV footage of two men they wish to identify and speak to in connection with the incident.

The theft is believed to have happened between 5.00pm and 5.10pm on Monday, July 4, last year when an Asda employee using the cash point on the premises in Short Blue Place, Barking, did not have her card returned.

When she returned home, she contacted her bank and was made aware of £400 worth of transactions on her card.

The victim reported the offence to her manager and after looking at the CCTV identified two men tampering with the cash machine prior to the victim using it.

The two suspects are wanted.

Suspect 1 is described as an Asian man wearing a hooded black top with a white zip and cords, on top of a white T-shirt, green trousers and blue and white trainers.

Suspect 2 is described as an Asian man with a small black beard. He was wearing a green baseball cap, a dark blue quilted top over a white T-shirt, green trousers and red trainers.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise either man or who saw them by the cash machine.

Officers would also like to hear from anyone who may have been a victim of a similar crime in the area.

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

Butcher's Shop Break-In: Burglar Sought

Police have released a CCTV image of a burglary suspect wanted for breaking into a butcher's during the early hours via the office above,

Detectives from Newham Borough in east London are investigating and have issued this CCTV image of a man they wish to identify, regarding the £1,000 break-in.

On Sunday, March 13, last year police were called at around 1.50am to a report of a burglary at an address in High Street North, Newham.

The burglary was reported to have occurred at some point between 1100pm on Saturday, March 12 and 1.00am on Sunday, March 13.

CCTV within the first floor office above a butcher’s shop captured the moment a suspect broke through the front door of the office and covered the camera.

He was then able to remove the floorboards in the office, climb into the butcher’s shop and take cash from the till.

The suspect is described as a white man wearing a baseball cap, black leather jacket with a white zip on the front, a light coloured hooded top, light coloured trousers and black trainers.

He also wore black gloves.

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

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

Paintball Pest Who Shot Pedestrians From Car Hunted

Police hunting a paintball menace, who shot at least 18 people in north London from a Mercedes, have released this CCTV image of the suspected vehicle.

The white male, aged in his forties, was identified driving the white Mercedes 350GLE, which sported false number plates, during the two-hour spree last summer.

Male and female pedestrians have reported suffering bruising injuries to police while walking in Camden, Archway, Holloway, Islington, Clerkenwell and Canonbury.

The first incident took place at approximately 9.00pm on Friday, August 5, last year on Camden Road.

The last reported assaults took place at approximately 11.00pm close to St. Paul's Road.

It is believed that the suspect may have been in the company of one or more people who were driving a red Ford Focus.

Enquiries have established that the Mercedes has been seen parked in the N1 and EC1 areas of Islington.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Alex Simmons at Islington on 020 7421 0262 or via 101.

Cruel Duck Killer Twisted Mallard's Neck

Tartan Terror: Muir

A street drinker caught on CCTV killing a female duck in front of her mate by the Thames received a suspended prison sentence today.

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 at 6.15pm on May 25, last year when Glaswegian Muir grabbed the bird and twisted her neck.

He was investigated by the Metropolitan Police’s Wildlife Crime Unit, but made no comment  when questioned and tried to lie his way out of it during the trial by claiming the duck was injured.

Muir was sentenced to twelve weeks imprisonment, suspended for twelve months and must complete a twenty-day rehabilitation activity requirement aimed at tackling his drinking.

He must pay £300 costs and a £115 victim surcharge, which will be deducted at the rate of £5 a week from his Employment Support Allowance benefit payments.

“It was very unpleasant,” magistrate Ms Jane Spencer told him. “The offence took place in daylight with members of the public present and you did not hesitate in your actions and threw the duck to one side afterwards.

“It paints an unpleasant picture.”

Prosecutor Miss Mary Atere told Wimbledon Magistrates Court: “The circumstances being that this offence happens in Richmond Riverside and this defendant was intoxicated at the time.

“The entire incident is captured via CCTV. 

“Richmond Riverside is frequented by numerous members of the public and this incident happened in broad daylight.

“The defendant is seen with a group of street drinkers on a grassy bank and one of the group is identified throwing bread at the birds to entice them over.

“At the point the ducks come over the defendant is seen leaning over and grabbing one of the ducks by the neck.

“He’s captured using both his hands to wring the neck of the duck and immediately discard it in front of him.

“From the CCTV footage some of the group appear distressed and get up.”

The duck, which was probably nesting eggs at that time of year, was finished off with a second wring of the neck and tossed into a plastic bag.

Her male mate, who had just flown across the Thames with her to gather food, was far more cautious and did not go near the group.

The court heard Muir has twenty-four previous convictions, mostly for drink-related offences of violence.

The original trial Prosecutor Mr. Janaka Siriwardena told the court: “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.

“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.   

Mug Muir: Police Custody Shot

“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.

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.

However, he failed to remember his own lies 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.”

Today, his lawyer Mr. Steven Mould said: “Mr. Muir, even now, is adamant the duck was injured.

“He says the duck was injured and up in Lanarkshire he is familiar with hunting and fishing and has a liking for wildlife.

Caught On CCTV: Muir

“He says it gave him no pleasure and that it was not a callous act.

“He does have a drink problem and has been very honest with me about that and is currently seeking assistance in Twickenham.”

Police have been unable to confirm Muir’s claims he served in the British Army, something the defendant boasted of during the trial.

“He’s ex-military and served in Northern Ireland in the Eighties and suffers post-traumatic stress disorder, leading to the bottle,” said Mr. Mould.

“He has a flat and will lose that if he is sentenced to custody.

“He is not a lifetime criminal and not a danger to the public.”

Before the trial Muir told the prosecution team: “If I lose my house I hope you’re proud of yourselves, that’s a real possibility. This is a stitch-up.”

Today, he left saying: “Sorry it came to this. I’m trying hard.”

Suspect Wanted By Police: Don't Approach

Police in Haringey are appealing for the public's help in tracing a man wanted in connection with offences of assault and threats to kill.

Domaniecki Przenyslaw, 41 is being sought in connection with offences that occurred on Wednesday, September 7, last year at an address in Tottenham.

He is described as a white, 6ft 1inches tall of muscular build with blue eyes, short brown hair.

He is clean shaven with a large scar on his left arm and a tattoo of a flame on his left leg.

He is from the Tottenham area and also has links to other areas within north London.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Domaniecki should not approach him but contact police immediately on 999 or call police in Haringey on 101.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Burglars Hunted For Docklands Retreat Break-In

Police are hunting two burglars, who slashed their way into a yurt tent, grabbing a computer tablet at a hotel retreat near London's Docklands.

This CCTV image of the suspects has been released by detectives in Tower Hamlets.

They broke in the Royal Foundation of St. Katherine in Butcher Row on August 5, last year and police were alerted at 9.10am.

A CCTV camera within the canvas yurt captured the moment the two suspects cut their way into the tent and searched for valuables.

The suspects took a computer tablet before leaving through the hole.

Suspect One is described as a tall, slim white man.

He was wearing black trainers, light coloured trousers and a top.

Suspect Two is described as a tall, slim white man.

He was wearing a grey hooded zipped top, grey trousers and dark coloured gloves. He was also carrying a rucksack.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise the men shown in the footage.

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

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.