Somalian Wins Right To Fight £39K Benefit Fraud Plea

A Somalian refugee, who admitted continuing to receive nearly £39,000 in benefits after returning to his homeland because he missed the sunshine, won the right to reverse his own plea yesterday.

Pensioner Mohamed Qoomaal, 71, had pension credit payments sent to him for two-and-a-half years and a mystery person enjoyed rent-free living in his council-funded home, Isleworth Crown Court heard.

He even forged an immigration stamp on his British passport in a failed attempt to trick investigators into accepting he had been residing in the UK, say the prosecution.

Incredibly Qoomaal, of Archery Close, Harrow continues to receive benefits, minus a £44 per-week deduction to compensate the Department of Work and Pensions.

At that rate it will take Qoomaal, who also burdens the NHS with heart and renal issues, seventeen years to repay the £38,869.97p total.

He will return to court on October 30 after Judge Jonathan Ferris reluctantly agreed to hear an application to set the guilty pleas aside and have a jury trial instead.

“If you read the pre-sentence report the dishonesty is acknowledged. The defendant accepted to the probation officer that he failed to declare a change of circumstances and dishonesty was at the heart of that discussion,” said the judge yesterday.

“It was not until I started to sentence him and he realised what I was saying about custody that there was a hiatus caused by his actions and then a contradicted basis on which he had pleaded guilty in the first place.”

Despite arriving in the this country fifteen years ago he also needed a taxpayer-funded interpreter during the court hearing.

“Why does he live here? Why is he entitled to benefits? What’s he doing here?” asked Judge Ferris during a previous hearing.

“He can’t have made much of a contribution to the pension credit he is receiving.”

Qoomaal pleaded guilty to two counts of dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances regarding Pension Credit and Housing Benefit between August 20, 2013 and February 22, 2016.

“He failed to notify the fact he was living abroad in Somalia and in order to mislead investigators he fabricated an immigration stamp in his passport,” said prosecutor Miss Lisa Matthews.

The court heard Qoomaal wanted to live in a warmer climate for health benefits and only returned to the UK when he heard he was wanted for questioning.

“He left the UK on an open ticket and did not return. He gave the keys to his privately-rented flat to a third party, who lived there while he was abroad,” added the prosecutor.

When quizzed Qoomaal tried to lie his way out of trouble, but finally confessed when his legal representative informed him the evidence was overwhelming.

He currently receives a large quantity of free prescription medication and has a series of hospital appointments with departments specialising in cardiology, dialysis and infectious diseases.

“He also has problems with his legs,” said Qoomaal’s lawyer Miss Mariska Van Leeuwen. “He had a heart attack last year and another this year and he has a vast amount of medication with him.”

Qoomaal claimed asylum on the basis he was in danger in his homeland, but this did not prevent his return trip.

“He’s just gone back there, how does that work?” asked Judge Ferris. “He came here as a refugee fifteen years ago and then goes back to Somalia to enjoy the nice weather.

“Someone was living in his flat that the public purse paid for or it was rented out.

“I don’t see why a person who took nearly thirty-nine thousand pounds and went to another country and fabricated an immigration stamp on his passport should not go to prison immediately.

“How can there have been any possible misunderstanding? What ties does he have in this country apart from the benefits system.” 

'Dr. Strange' Banned From Taking Pics On Trains After Caught Snapping 'Upskirt' Shots Of Women

Picture Ban: Dr. George

A PhD-qualified researcher, who now reads books on public transport to distract himself from filming up female commuters’ skirts, has been sentenced.

Dr. Richard Anthony George, 49, was a regular on four different lines and police found multiple creepy images he had taken when his phone was forensically examined.

The majority of pictures taken were of between women’s legs seated opposite him on the tube, but sometimes he would stand over them and take snaps of their busts.

On Monday he was placed on a twelve-month community order, which includes 150 hours of community service work. 

George, of Westbury Lane, Buckhurst Hill, Essex was also made subject to a strict five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

This prevents him taking any pictures on the public transport system, entering any train or station in the UK, save for travel and surrendering any image-storing device to police on demand.

George was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to one of his victims, £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of outraging public decency, namely taking a picture up a woman’s skirt at Leytonstone Underground Station on August 25, last year and taking multiple such pictures between August 4 and August 24.

Prosecutor Miss Olivia Bull told the court: “These offences took place in August, last year. On August twenty-five a woman was travelling on a westbound Central Line Underground train.

“Mr. George was taking taking photos up her skirt, using his mobile phone.”

A second woman saw him and they both challenged George at Leytonstone, where he got off the train.

When police traced his movements via CCTV they identified George via his Oyster card when he tapped in and out, because it was registered to his address.

He was questioned by British Transport Police. “He said he was on the phone and did not take any photos and got off the train because he felt he should not be there with two women and was embarrassed.”

However, police examined his phone and George’s lies were exposed. “It was found to have a number of images of upskirting.”

George continued to try and deceive police, claiming the images were taken of women he dated, who gave their permission.

“He said he took the photos with their consent and was seeing several girlfriends at the time and took them as a prank, a fetish.”

However, when officers questioned one of George’s supposed girlfriends she discredited his fabricated account.

“She said it was not her and she had met Mr. George, but it was not a date.”

She had met him on August 26, but the upstart image was dated August 12.

Miss Bull said police identified pictures taken on the Central, Metropolitan, District and Circle Lines.

“The photos are taken when females are sitting opposite and their legs are open and there are pictures from above, down low-cut tops.

“He did specifically target women. He’s aimed for up their skirts between their legs.”

Miss Bull successfully argued George must surrender any digital device, capable of taking pictures, to police on request and must have a valid fare on all trains as conditions of bail.

“My job as a prosecutor is to protect members of the public from serious sexual harm,” she told the court.

“The police have made these applications because they have concerns.”

George’s lawyer Miss Emma Stuart-Smith told the court: “The last photo was on October the fifth and most were deleted soon afterwards.

“He stopped that behaviour on his own accord.

“He is a professional man. He took his own course and realised what he was doing was wrong and now he takes a book whenever he travels.

“He is receiving therapy. He is extremely humiliated and remorseful for the position he finds himself in and his behaviour.

“He is extremely sorry and humiliated to be here. The court should not be concerned that he is going to commit any more offences.”

Plane Passenger Denies Groping Woman Sitting In Front Of Him

A mum travelling with her two young children had her breast groped by a drunken plane passenger sitting behind her, a court heard yesterday.

“I felt him putting his hand through the gap in the seats and he grabbed my right breast,” she told Isleworth Crown Court.

“On a scale of one to ten it was a five. It was not painful, but it was definitely felt.”

Saranjeet Bassi, 28, of Craiglea, Causewayhead, Stirling, Scotland has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting the woman on the Qatar Airways flight to London Heathrow on December 12, last year.

She said Bassi began playing with her eighteen month-old son between the seats just twenty minutes after taking off from Doha, Qatar.

“He said: ‘What a cute child, can I offer him a sweet?’ I said: ’No’ because I could smell alcohol on his breath and did not want anything to do with him.

“It was quite strong. I could smell it on his breath even when not talking to him.”

The woman, who was also travelling with her seven year-old, told the jury she confronted Bassi after being groped.

“I stood up immediately and said: ‘Excuse me, that’s not called for’ and gave him a look of disgust and he just stared at me.”

She complained to cabin crew, but Bassi refused to move, later telling police to do so would be an admission of wrongdoing.

Because she was in a baby seat with a cot the mum had to remain where she was. “I was helpless, upset, I couldn’t do anything about it and had no chance, but to sit there.”

Two hours later she felt further contact from Bassi, she said. “I felt a foot rubbing my foot under the seat.”

Again she complained to the flight crew and the defendant again refused to budge.

“When he was asked to move he became quite rude and aggressive and said he had not done anything wrong and had been asleep all the time.

“I was humiliated, embarrassed and very upset.”

Bassi was arrested at Heathrow. “He denied grabbing her breast and said he was rubbing his foot on the seat in front,” prosecutor Mr. Jonathan Wright told the jury.

“He said he did not move because that would be an admission of wrongdoing.”

Trial continues……………..

New-Born Baby 'Harry' Abandoned In East London Park

Baby Harry & Park

A new-born baby - named Harry by medical staff - was abandoned in an east London park last Sunday morning.

Police were called at 8.20am to Balaam Street, Plaistow after a member of the public found the baby.

Today the Metropolitan Police have released a photograph of the new-born, who was carefully wrapped in a white blanket, in the hope his mother will come forward.

An ambulance was also called to the scene and the baby was taken to a local hospital, where he continues to be cared for.

Detective Inspector Ian Baker said: “Baby Harry is doing well under the care of hospital staff, but we are very worried about his mother.

“If you see this appeal, please come forward and let us know you are safe.

“I know you must be feeling very frightened and alone to have done what you did, but please make contact with us or your local hospital or GP surgery so they can check you are okay and offer you medical care and support.

“Little Harry needs to be reunited with his mother so we would urge anyone else with information, or who saw anything out of the ordinary in the Balaam Street area on Sunday morning to please come forward.”

Anyone who can help is asked to call police on 020 8217 6528 or via 101.

Sea Cadet Leader Locked-Up For Decade Of Sexual Abuse

A Sea Cadet leader, who abused a 13 year-old boy under his care and continued the assaults for a decade, has received eight years imprisonment.

Michael John Dickson, 44, of Orpington, Kent was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which will control his behaviour on release.

He pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to five counts of indecent assault between 1992 and 2003.

The victim, a former sea cadet, told police about the abuse in December, 2014 and an investigation was launched immediately.

When Dickson was arrested on February 25, 2015 he denied abusing the victim and following a lengthy police investigation he was charged on June 13, this year.

Dickson was suspended from the Sea Cadets on the day of his arrest and has since been dismissed from the service.Detective Constable Mark Tarrant of the Metropolitan Police's Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command said: "I would like to acknowledge the courage of the victim in coming forward.

“He is now aged in his thirties and has coped for many years with a great deal of psychological stress due to the abuse that he suffered.

“Dickson abused his position of trust and groomed a vulnerable boy in order to abuse him.

“Anyone who has been affected by non-recent sexual offences can be assured that all allegations are fully investigated and every effort will be made to bring offenders to justice."

Predatory Handyman Who Ripped-Off Widow Jailed

A “commercially aggressive” handyman, who reduced a vulnerable widow’s life saving from over £70,000 to almost nothing has been jailed for four years.

John Abrahams, 73, preyed on 88 year-old Dorothy Arnold’s fear of strangers and going into care to exploit what was described as a “predatory relationship.”

Recorder Nicola Shannon told him: “It was a growing greed, a growing avarice, a growing ruthlessness that you took money from each and every source available to you.

“You became merciless and were intent on taking everything she had until her savings were extinguished and arrangements were made whereby you would benefit from the sale of her house.” 

Married Abrahams, of Stardust, Genista, Copper Hill, Troon, Camborne was convicted of defrauding the now-deceased Mrs Arnold of £25,650 between January 1 and May 31, 2015.

He was also found guilty to acquiring criminal property, namely £14,200 cash found under his bed when police searched his former home at in Hamlet Court, Village Road, Enfield.

Blackfriars Crown Court heard in the period before the charges Abrahams had received an additional £45,000 from the widow, but this could not be proved as fraudulent.

He was exposed when Mrs Arnold’s stepson found a bogus invoice Abrahams had prepared, purporting the widow agreed to pay him £60 per hour to run simple errands.

Prosecutor Mr. Archie Mackay told the court: “When Mr. Arnold passed away he started to help Mrs Arnold because she was an elderly lady struggling with day-to-day tasks.

“He helped traders fit her kitchen and helped getting food and the like and over four years was in a commercially aggressive relationship.

“Before the indictment period he had taken from her tens of thousands of pounds, which we don’t point to as criminality, but don’t say was a genuine service to an elderly woman.

“By January, 2015 it had become a situation where he was systematically emptying her bank account.

“She was essentially housebound and entirely dependent on Mr. Abrahams.

“He created an environment where she had to rely on him. She was fearful of other routes to assist her and he preyed on that. 

“The spectre of social care was a bogeyman as far as Mrs Arnold was concerned.

“It was a systematic attack on her savings. Pretty much every day he had contact with Mrs Arnold maximum withdrawals were made of seven hundred and fifty pounds a time.

“He left behind bogus invoices as a cover for when her money ran out.

“She had healthy savings that she and her late husband had spent a lifetime accruing to very little.

“Even along the way to the hospital to return her bank cards he could not resist withdrawing another seven hundred and fifty pounds.”

In June, 2015 a psychiatrist confirmed Mrs Arnold had signs of early dementia and when police finally explained the fraud to her she said: “Oh my God. I’m just being used.”

“These events and the shattering of her existence hastened her decline and she passed away before the trial began.

“This stopped only because of her hospitalisation,” added Mr. Mackay, describing it as a “predatory relationship.”

Abrahams, now a self-employed delivery driver, claims he was Mrs Arnold’s “beck and call.”

His lawyer, Mr. John Mitchell said: “It got to the point greed got the better of him…..He says on reflection he is ashamed of what he has done.”

A solicitor halted arrangements whereby Abrahams would benefit from the sale of Mrs Arnold’s £660,000 Kentish Town garden flat, which was destined to finance a property in Cornwall.

“You charged exorbitant rates beyond the work undertaken and what would have been charged by a professional carer,” Recorder Shannon told Abrahams.

“You took advantage of her trust. She did not pay much attention because you were a friend.”

When Mrs Arnold was hospitalised after a fall Abrahams had to fetch her bank cards. “It speaks of your callousness that your first action was to make another withdrawal.

“There are payments and withdrawals in previous years that are not explained and powerful evidence this is not an isolated incident.”

Confiscation proceedings will follow.

Party Hook-Up Arrest A Real Blow

Court In Act: Gallagher & Burrows

An amorous couple, who hooked-up at a boozy house party, were caught engaging in a sex act outside a nearby school by shocked passers-by at 8am on a Tuesday morning.

Three witnesses spotted the male standing with his back to a willow tree, with his female companion on her knees in front of him and called the police.

Painter and decorator Thomas Burrows, 44, and hairdresser Lauren Gallagher, 34, both pleaded guilty to outraging public decency outside Graveney School, Welham Road, Tooting on August 8.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard yesterday the couple got together at 7am at the Bank Holiday party and had been drinking heavily all night.

Burrows, of Smallwood Road, Tooting is currently off work with a slipped disc and Gallagher, of Ipswich Road, Tooting has been a local hair stylist for seventeen years.

Where There's A Will 

He was fined £80 and Gallagher £190. Both were each ordered to pay £80 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

Their lawyer Mr. Arif, who refused to give his full name, told the court: “Both are extremely ashamed and deeply sorrowful and both have lost their good character.

“That loss of good character in itself is punishment enough for both of them.

“Both are responsible adults, but acted irresponsibly on this occasion.

“They are friends and met in the pub and they had been drinking and went to a house party.

“They met at 7am and were heavily drunk an unaware of their surroundings and the offence and that three members of the public had seen them.

Prosecutor Miss Jessica Gill said: “They were seen by members of the public engaging in oral sex outside Graveney School.”

Magistrate Mrs M Marriott told them: ‘There are aggravating features, firstly the location being near the school, the time and the presence of others.

“This could have been a lot worse if the children had been around.”

Actor Redmayne's Stalker Gets Suspended Prison Sentence

Stalker Stieger

The stalker, who fell in love with Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne, abandoning her life in Germany to spy on the star, received a suspended prison sentence today.

Mother-of-two Gaby Stieger, 49, watched as he undressed at home and hung around a local park, hoping to spot him as well as following him to movie shoots, premiere’s and his local tube station.

The freelance translator and writer, of Hyde Crescent, Colindale pleaded guilty yesterday to stalking the 35 year-old actor between October 7, 2013 and August 23, this year.

Camberwell Green Magistrates Court heard Stieger convinced herself she had been married to the actor in a previous life.

The final straw was when she approached him in Mint Street Park, Borough, Southwark when he was with his 15 month-old daughter and tried to grab his arm.

Eton-educated Redmayne has been aware of Stieger since she approached him at the Donmar Warehouse Theatre, Covent Garden in 2012 and gifted him a book written in German.

He won an Academy Award, Golden Globe and BAFTA for portraying physicist Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything.

London-born Redmayne, who married Hannah Bagshawe in 2014, has also starred in The Danish Girl, Less Miserables and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

The court heard Hannah’s victim impact statement in which she said: “She would frequently be sitting on the wall in the park, watching us coming and going, we felt deeply unsettled.”

Stieger received four months imprisonment, suspended for two years and must obey a restraining order prohibiting her contacting Redmayne and his immediate family and coming within 200 metres of them.

Magistrate Novello Noades announced: “This is a very serious offence, which took place over a period of five years.

“There was significant planning involved, you moved from Germany to London to be near the victim.

Star: Redmayne

“You obtained work in the film industry and near the victim’s home in order to be in proximity to him.

“He told you he was distressed, but you ignored him.”

A court probation officer, Patrick Acres, interviewed the defendant. “Stieger is a sensitive person and she believes in spiritualism.

“She started believing then she had a connection to Eddie Redmayne. She believed in a previous life they were married.

“All she wanted to do was to try and connect with Eddie Redmayne and pass information to him.

“She believed he was going to reject her forcefully. She believed she had a message to give him.” 

It was at the West End premiere of that last film Stieger stalked him again and the actor spotted her behind the crowds.

Prosecutor Miss Sara Ashkboos told the court yesterday their first meeting was at the theatre. “She was waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs and gave him a book.”

She was a nuisance on film-sets as she tried to contact the actor again. “She asked for a photo and approached his driver and offered him cake so he would get the actor to sign a birthday card for her daughter.”

Stieger, from Bremen, has two daughters, aged 17 and 19 years-old.

Suspended Sentence: Stieger

She next showed up at an Eton carol service Redmayne was attending with Hannah. “The complainant and his wife felt very uncomfortable and left immediately.”

In a photo taken at the event Stieger is caught staring at Redmayne.

She and her dog became regulars at Mint Street Park, which overlooks the couple’s flat. “The park is opposite the complainant’s home address, the entrance can be seen from the park.”

In May, 2014 she managed to give Redmayne a note, which included her name and number. “She expressed her love and said she was in love with the complainant, but he did not reply.”

The actor also walked off home when Stieger approached him outside his local tube station, asking for a hug and on another occasion approached when he was with a group of friends.

After taking advice form his agent and a solicitor the actor approached Stieger in 2015 with a letter outlining his feelings and asked her to stop following him and this worked for a while.

However, he spotted her at the Leicester Square premiere on November 15, last year.

She was again seen by a local woman, who runs an arts and crafts-style cafe near the star’s home and revealed her deep feelings for the actor.

In his victim impact statement Redmayne says he is happy to share time with fans, but stated: “I regret meeting Gaby Stieger at the Donmar Warehouse.”

“She was spying on my flat, seeing me in a state of undress. 

“The safety of my family means everything to me,” added the star, who said Stieger’s face would “contort with rage” at the mention of his wife.

Actor Eddie Redmayne's Stalker Hell

Stalker Stieger

A stalker, who fell in love with Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne, spied on the star as he undressed at home and hung around a local park, hoping to spot him.

German mum-of-two Gaby Stieger, 49, left her family to pursue the star, following him to movie shoots, premiere’s and his local tube station.

The freelance translator and writer, of Hyde Crescent, Colindale pleaded guilty today to stalking the 35 year-old actor between October 7, 2013 and August 23, this year.

The final straw was when she approached him in Mint Street Park, Borough, Southwark when he was with his 15 month-old daughter and tried to grab his arm.

Eton-educated Redmayne has been aware of Stieger since she approached him at the Donmar Warehouse Theatre, Covent Garden in 2012 and gifted him a book written in German.

He won an Academy Award, Golden Globe and BAFTA for portraying physicist Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything.

London-born Redmayne, who married Hannah Bagshawe in 2014, has also starred in The Danish Girl, Les Miserables and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

It was at the West End premiere of that last film Stieger stalked him again and the actor spotted her behind the crowds.

Prosecutor Miss Sara Ashkboos told Camberwell Green Magistrates Court their first meeting was at the theatre. “She was waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs and gave him a book.”

She was a nuisance on film-sets as she tried to contact the actor again. “She asked for a photo and approached his driver and offered him cake so he would get the actor to sign a birthday card for her daughter.”

Stieger, from Bremen, has two daughters, aged 17 and 19 years-old.

She next showed up at an Eton carol service Redmayne was attending with Hannah. “The complainant and his wife felt very uncomfortable and left immediately.”

Star: Redmayne

In a photo taken at the event Stieger is caught staring at Redmayne.

She and her dog became regulars at Mint Street Park, which overlooks the couple’s flat. “The park is opposite the complainant’s home address, the entrance can be seen from the park.”

In May, 2014 she managed to give Redmayne a note, which included her name and number. “She expressed her love and said she was in love with the complainant, but he did not reply.”

The actor also walked off home when Stieger approached him outside his local tube station, asking for a hug and on another occasion approached when he was with a group of friends.

After taking advice form his agent and a solicitor the actor approached Stieger in 2015 with a letter outlining his feelings and asked her to stop following him and this worked for a while.

However, he spotted her at the Leicester Square premiere on November 15, last year.

She was again seen by a local woman, who runs an arts and crafts-style cafe near the star’s home and revealed her deep feelings for the actor.

In his victim impact statement Redmayne says he is happy to share time with fans, but stated: “I regret meeting Gaby Stieger at the Donmar Warehouse.”

“She was spying on my flat, seeing me in a state of undress. 

“The safety of my family means everything to me,” added the star, who said Stieger’s face would “contort with rage” at the mention of his wife.

Stieger will be sentenced tomorrow.

Sledgehammer Used In Washing Machine Row

A sledgehammer thug, who battered his neighbour unconscious after accusing him of damaging his washing machine, has been locked-up for eight years.

Paul Hugh Johnson, 54, of Clarence Road, Canning Town, Newham struck the victim – another resident in their shared accommodation – three times across his head and shoulders.

He was found guilty by a jury at Snaresbrook Crown Court of grievous bodily harm.

The jury heard that at approximately 10.30pm on Sunday, January 22 the 39-year-old victim was approached by Johnson, who accused him of damaging his washing machine.

Johnson went into his room and used a sledgehammer to hit the man.

As the victim tried to wrestle with Johnson, he grabbed the hammer and fell down the stairs with the weapon.

The victim fell unconscious as he saw Johnson chase after him with a plank of wood.

As the victim lay bleeding at the base of the stairs Johnson returned to his room and played cards with his partner.

Only when the victim regained consciousness was he able to call police.

London Ambulance Service attended and took the victim to an east London hospital where he received six stitches to his forehead.

Johnson was arrested that evening and throughout the interview denied the allegation.

He was charged the following day and remanded in custody at Thames Magistrates Court.

Detective Constable Raf Patel said: "This is a horrible and sustained attack on a fellow resident in the house.

“The victim is still recovering from his ordeal and is grateful to see justice served."