Bus Creep Wanted For Flashing

Police are hunting this suspected flasher, who exposed himself on a bus in south-west London.

Detectives from the Roads and Transport Policing Command are appealing for information.

The exposure occurred on a Route 85 bus, at approximately 9.05pm on Monday, January 22.

After the offence, the suspect got off the bus at a stop near Asda in Roehampton.

The suspect is described as an Eastern European man, 5ft 8ins tall with shaved receding dark hair and dark facial stubble.

He was wearing a black jacket with a logo on the back of it and dark coloured jeans and he was also carrying a rucksack.

Detective Constable Clare Beauchamp, of the Roads and Transport Policing Command said: "The Met will not tolerate any form of sexual incidents and we strongly urge anyone who has been a victim of this crime to call police and report it.

"If you know who this man is, or can assist our investigation, please call 101 and quote reference 8111/22Jan18."

To give information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Prat In The Hat: Police Hunting This Suspected Bus Yob

Police are hunting this suspected bus yob, who shouted racial and sexist abuse at a 13 year-old schoolgirl and tried to thump a woman who intervened.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police's Roads and Transport Command are asking for the public’s help to identify the man.

On Tuesday, November 14, last year at around 4.00pm the victim was on the top deck of a route 174 bus travelling through east London, having finished school.

The bus stopped at Romford Station and the suspect on.

He began staring at the victim, causing her to feel uncomfortable.

The bus stopped again at Barking and Dagenham College and the male stood up and began shouting racial and sexual insults at the girl.

Another passenger, an adult female, went to the victim’s aid and tried to escort her downstairs.

The male said they could not get off and then attempted to punch the woman before another male passenger intervened and told the man to leave them alone.

The pair went downstairs and the woman stayed with the teenager until she got off at her stop and told her parents, who then alerted police.

Police have issued an image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with this incident.

He is described as a black male, aged approx 35 – 45 years-old.

He was wearing a distinctive leather jacket with white strips down the arm and a patterned cap.

Anyone who recognizes the male is asked to call police on 101 quoting 5119484/17.

Alternativey contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

Woman Took Pic Of Suspected Bus Groper

A 25 year-old woman took this picture of a suspected bus sex pest she says groped her as she stood near the baggage area.

The assault happened at around 4.40pm on Wednesday, March 7 on a Route 118 bus from Brixton Underground Station travelling south towards Morden.

The victim told officers the suspect sexually assaulted her with his left hand.

The victim shouted at him to stop touching her and was able to take a picture on her phone before he got off the bus.

The suspect is described as slim black man, aged in his mid-forties with black hair.

He was wearing a dark grey woollen coat.

Police Constable Jonathan Weller, of the Road and Transport Policing Command, said: "This man is sought in connection with a sexual assault incident onboard a bus.

“The Met will not tolerate any form of sexual assault and we strongly urge anyone who has been a victim of in this sort of situation to call police and report it.

"If you know who this man is, or may be able to assist us in our investigation, please call 101 and quote CAD 6996/07Mar18."

East London Stabbing: E-Fit Released

Police have released this e-fit of a suspected knifeman after a 28 year-old man was stabbed in the back and neck in east London.

Detectives would like to identify the male in connection with the stabbing in Ilford on Bank Holiday Monday, May 28.

The suspect is described as an Asian man, aged between 20 and 30 years old.

He was wearing a long green jacket and carried an eight-inch silver bladed knife with a brown handle.

He is believed to have left in the direction of Perth Road following the attack.

Police were called by the London Ambulance Service to Valentines Park on Perth Road, Ilford at 4.28pm to reports of an injured man.

At the scene a man was found suffering from stab injuries to his back and neck.

He was taken to an east London hospital where his condition was deemed not life-threatening and he has since been discharged.

Officers are also keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who who may have seen the suspect either before of after what appears to have been an unprovoked attack.

Anyone who witnessed this incident but has not yet spoken with officers should call police on 101 quoting reference number CAD5215/28May or tweet @MetCC.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Suspected Hit-And-Run Driver Wanted After Street Fight

Police are hunting an alleged hit-and-run driver after a car mounted the pavement and struck a 30 year-old man in north London.

Police were called at 11.13am on June 10 to reports of two men fighting in the street in Claremont Square, Islington.

Now officers wish to question 21 year-old William Jayes in relation to the incident. 

He is suspected of running to nearby Penton Street, jumping into a black VW Golf, mounting the pavement and running over the other unknown man.

The victim left the scene prior to the arrival of the London Ambulance Service and has not yet been traced.

Enquiries are ongoing to locate him.

Anyone who has any information is asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD 2529/ 10 June.

Alternatively, tweet @MetCC or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

McDonald's Customers Flee In Terror As Teen Knifeman Stalks Victim

A teenager armed with a fearsome hunting-knife caused children and families to flee in terror from a McDonald's as he pursued another male.

Arkeem Cabey, 18, of Meadow Close, Barking was sentenced to 18 months custody when he appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

He had pleaded guilty at the same court to threatening a person with a blade in a public place.

The incident happened on the evening of Sunday, April 29 in The Brewery, Romford.

Police received numerous calls that a youth was armed with a knife and attempting to attack another man.

He approached the victim on an upper floor of the shopping centre and chased him into the McDonald's, where customers fled in terror.

Local officers responded within minutes and Cabey ran off from police.

However, he was detained nearby and a large hunting knife that he had discarded was recovered nearby.

On his arrest, Cabey admitted to officers that he had been in possession of the knife for his own safety but when interviewed in police custody he refused to say anything further.

Officers analysed CCTV of the incident which clearly showed Cabey speaking to another man on the first floor of the shopping centre.

Cabey then produced the knife and began to pursue the man into the nearby McDonald’s restaurant.

On realising what was happening, families began to flee in terror as Cabey continued to stalk his victim.

After making unsuccessful attempts to get at the man, Cabey ran off before being arrested by police.

The man Cabey was trying to attack has not been identified.

Acting Detective Inspector Dean Grafton of the East Area Command Unit said: “Cabey’s actions, which took place in a public place where numerous families with children were enjoying an evening out, were utterly abhorrent.

“Armed with a large knife, he pursued his victim for a sustained period of time showing absolutely no regard for the safety and wellbeing of those around him.

“Knife crime will not be tolerated and thanks to the swift actions of officers from Romford Town Centre, an off duty officer and members of the public, Cabey was arrested.

“Good work during the subsequent investigation by the CID ensured Cabey was made to face the consequences of his actions.”

Knifeman Jailed For Triple Stabbing Of Target

A knifeman, who stabbed his target in the back three times after following him into a shop, has been locked-up for five years.

Jeffery Kachila, 21, of Sheen Park, Richmond-upon-Thames was convicted of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm, with intent and possessing an offensive weapon.

He was found guilty of both offences after a trial at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

Kachila carried out the planned attack at a shop in Kingston Road, Teddington on January 22.

At around 5.40pm the male victim walked into the shop, followed a short time later by Kachila.

He walked up behind the victim, produced a knife and stabbed him three times in the back before walking out.

The victim also left the shop, but was later traced by police and taken to hospital for treatment for his injuries before being discharged.

Officers spoke to the victim, but he made it clear he did not wish to support the investigation.

However, CCTV footage from the shop showed the incident and officers were able to identify Kachila as the assailant.

He was arrested the following day and a serrated knife, similar to the one used in the attack, was found concealed under his mattress.

Despite staying silent during his interview, the weight of evidence meant Kachila was charged.

Detective Constable Dave Tucker said: "Despite the victim not wishing to support our investigation, we managed to compile irrefutable evidence that Kachila was the person responsible for this attack.

"Whatever the motive was for this attack has never been established, but it is clear that Kachila set out that evening with the intent of attacking his victim.

"It is only by sheer luck that the injuries inflicted were not more serious.

"I hope this sentencing sends out a strong message that carrying a knife is not acceptable and those that do so will be arrested and put before the courts to face the consequences of their actions."

Fire Alarm Knifeman Caged For Neighbour Threat

A knifeman who threatened a neighbour he suspected of calling 999 when his fire alarm activated has been locked-up for two years.

Omar Jaiteh, 34, of Norbiton Road, Poplar became enraged when the fire brigade arrived at the block of flats he and the victim, a man in his twenties, share on July 23, last year.

He was found guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court of threatening a person in a public place with a knife and threatening behaviour.

A smoke alarm in Jaiteh's flat had been going off and the emergency services were called.

After they left he became agitated and, armed with a knife, he confronted the victim, blaming him for raising the alarm.

Jaiteh threatened to stab the victim and began moving towards him.

The victim fled into his flat and called the police.

Jaiteh was arrested in his flat and the knife was recovered.

Detective Sergeant Tomasz Patzer of Tower Hamlets CID said: "What started out as a fairly trivial incident ended with Omar Jaiteh arming himself with a knife and threatening his neighbour.

"Why he chose that course of action is unclear.

“However, what is clear is that carrying a knife and threatening harm to others are not acceptable and Jaiteh has rightly been jailed for this."

Pedal-Powered Pervert Wanted: E-Fit Released

Police hunting a pushbike pervert, who twice molested an early-morning commuter in west London, have released this e-fit of their suspect.

On Wednesday, March 14 at approximately 5:40am to 5:50am, the woman, aged in her mid-twenties was walking through an alleyway, which runs between Barnes Bridge and Chiswick Station.

A man on a pedal cycle spoke to her as he passed and then returned.

He approached the victim and sexually molested her.

The victim pushed the suspect away and ran off.

However the suspect pursued and caught her, carrying out another sexual assault.

The suspect is described as a black man, approximately 6ft and aged between 25 and 35 years-old.

At the time of committing the offence the male is believed to have been wearing a dark beanie hat and a dark, thick sports jacket.

Police would like to speak to the male in connection with this incident and are appealing to the public to help identify him.

Officers from the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command investigate.

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC. Quote CAD 1047/14Mar.

To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Man Wanted For Punching Gay Internet Date

Police are hunting this “violent” man after a gay internet date ended with the victim being punched in the face and head.

Officers from Tower Hamlets Community Safety Unit in east London are leading the investigation.

They suspect Anton Ward, 28, from Hammersmith in west London travelled across the capital to the address in Bow, east London on May 9 for the online rendezvous.

However the date turned sour at the victim's home, where Ward is alleged to have struck the blows before leaving.

Fortunately the victim was not seriously injured.

Detective Constable Sajid Asghar said: "Anton Ward is a violent man who may represents a danger to those he meets through social media.

“I would urge anyone who recognises Ward or who knows of his whereabouts to come forward and speak to police."

Anyone with information is asked to call Tower Hamlets CSU on 0207 275 4507 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Vulnerable People's Charity Finance Boss Accused Of Fiddling £171K

The finance manager of a charity that helps vulnerable people appeared in court yesterday, accused of swindling £171,99.21.

Rushna Choudhury, 45, of Singlewell Road, Gravesend, Kent was employed by north London’s Social Interest Group, which aims to improve the health and social care and improve the opportunities of individuals.

She was bailed unconditionally to return to Blackfriars Crown Court on September 12 to enter a plea.

Choudhury is charged with one count of fraud by abuse of position between October 18, 2016 and August 17, last year at the charity’s HQ at 1 Waterloo Gardens, Milner Square, Islington.

Heathrow Employee Cleaned-Up On Nicked Scratchcards

A late-night cleaner at Heathrow Airport secretly swiped £2,643 worth of Camelot scratch cards while sweeping WH Smiths - cashing them in for £675.

Single mum Tracey Flitton, 40, of Birchdene Drive, Thamesmead was caught on CCTV clumsily trying to hide her face with a blue scarf, which quickly slipped off on camera.

She pleaded guilty to stealing the lottery scratch cards in Terminal 4 between January 12 and February 4 and acquiring criminal property, namely the winnings.

Flitton was sentenced to a three-month community order, which includes a weekend-only electronically-tagged night time curfew.

No compensation order was made at the Isleworth Crown Court hearing. 

Prosecutor Miss Fiona Willis told Uxbridge Magistrates Court, where Flitton originally admitted the offence: “This matter regards theft by an employee. She was a cleaner sub-contracted via a company called Turquoise.

“She took scratch cards from the display unit of the landside store on five occasions.”

WH Smiths realised scratch cards were missing on February 8 and began an internal investigation.

“The CCTV showed a cleaner removing large quantities of scratch cards from the display in the early hours of the morning and the company she worked for identified her.”

Jamaican-born Flitton, who claims she is stressed by her wayward 15 year-old daughter, snubbed a meeting on February 9 and never returned to the airport again.

“On the first CCTV clip she is seen sweeping the floor at 2.37am and going behind the counter while still holding her broom and taking scratch cards from the display and putting them into a small bag.”

Another clip showed Flitton in the deserted store at 2.16am removing cards and not paying for them.

“In the third CCTV clip she is seen wearing a blue scarf and after taking more scratch cards at 1.52am she removes the scarf, revealing her face,” explained Miss Willis.

The next day she repeated the theft. “She pulls a wad of scratch cards from the display.”

On April 6 Flitton agreed to be interviewed by Heathrow police. “She made full admissions and said she made about six hundred pounds by cashing in the winning tickets.

“They were cashed-out at retailers in rapid succession.

“This is an abuse of trust. She had access to the shop in the middle of the night when no one else was around.”

Greenwich Observatory's Public Astronomer Viewed Child Porn

Greenwich Observatory’s Public Astronomer, who wrote a book on the science behind tv’s Dr. Who, has received a suspended prison sentence for downloading 407 sick sexual images of boys.

Boffin Dr. Marek Kukula, 49, who has also worked for NASA and has a PhD in radio astronomy, blamed pressure on completing ‘The Scientific Secrets of Doctor Who’ on turning to internet child porn.

Police raided his £780,000 flat in Millennium Square, Tower Bridge, seizing 18 devices and finding the disgusting movie clips and still images on an old laptop and two USB sticks.

Dr. Kukula is the observatory’s official spokesman on astronomy and space science, having held senior research positions at UK universities and at NASA’s Space Telescope Science Institute.

He pleaded guilty to making 34 Category A indecent images of a child; 107 Category B and 266 Category C indecent images on or before October 5, last year.

“You are a man of exceptional intelligence and academic and professional success,” Inner London Crown Court Judge Freya Newbery told him today.

“You have excelled in your own field and you must be more disappointed than anybody to find yourself in this situation, but you have taken steps to put this all behind you to tackle your demons.”

At the Royal Observatory Greenwich he oversees science content and exhibitions and public programmes and is a spokesperson for the landmark institution.

He is also the author of ‘The Intimate Universe’ and while a project manager and researcher in residence at the University of Edinburgh he managed a national scheme to train young researchers and match them with secondary schools.

Prosecutor Rebecca Folks said officers armed with a search warrant told Kukula they suspected indecent images had been downloaded at the address.

“He said: ‘I’m gay and I have been chatting to people online.”

They found Kukula, who has a degree in Physics with Astrophysics, had downloaded and deleted the images between 2006 and 2009.

The worst material showed boys aged between ten and fourteen years-old having sex with each other and with adult men.

Kukula admits he clicked on search terms including: ‘man boy sex’ ‘pre-teen boy’ and young boy sex.’

“He has been open and honest he used the internet as a stress-reliever from work at the time. He was changing career, he was under financial pressure and was writing two books,” said Mr. Michael McAlinden, defending.

“To escape he started to binge on the net. He became addicted to surfing the internet and became addicted to pornography and unfortunately that addiction was the type of pornography you see.

“He is homosexual and looks at gay pornography. As he found to his cost searches revealed images that were not appropriate.

“He was not purposefully searching for Category A images and when he saw images of this type they were deleted.”

Kukula was sentenced to twenty-one weeks imprisonment, suspended for twelve months, must complete a sixty-day rehabilitation activity requirement and pay £535 costs.

He must obey a seven-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which limits his internet use and sign the sex offenders register for the same period.

“You used porn to deal with stress in the past during a difficult time for you,” the judge told him. “You were looking at a lot of adult pornography, you got bored and got drawn into the underage pornography sites.”

Pub Bottling: CCTV Image Released

Police hunting a pub thug, who bottled another customer, have released this CCTV image of the suspect.

It was 2.10am when the 27 year-old was repeatedly struck to the head with a beer bottle at the unnamed pub in Clapham High Street on November 23, last year.

Metropolitan Police detectives on Lambeth borough are now appealing for witnesses.

An ambulance also rushed to the scene.

The suspect approached the victim and accused him of harassing his girlfriend.

He pushed the victim and then carried out the assault with the improvised weapon.

Staff at the bar intervened and ejected the suspect from the venue.

The victim suffered head injuries that required medical treatment and caused scarring to his forehead.

The suspect is described as a white male, of a stocky or muscular build and balding blond hair.

He was wearing a white shirt with a green waistcoat, blue jeans and black shoes.

Detective Constable Christel Tchakounte, from Brixton's Crime Support Unit, said: "Due to the violent nature of this unprovoked attack it is important that we identify and locate the suspect as soon as possible."

Anyone who has information that can assist the investigation is asked to call Lambeth CID on 020 8649 2151, tweet @MetCC or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Missing Manchester Woman Cleared Of Hospital Race Charge

University College Hospital

A missing Manchester woman, accused of racially abusing muslims when police took her to hospital, has had the case against her dropped.

Katie Fanning, 30, of Bourton Drive, Belle Vue never appeared at north London’s Highbury Corner Magistrates Court due to mental health issues.

After several adjournments the Crown Prosecution Service eventually offered no evidence against the absent defendant.

Fanning had been charged with racially and religiously aggravated harassment at University College Hospital, Euston Road on May 18, last year.

Prosecutor Mr. Gaspard Davies-Jones told the court: “This is a serious allegation involving police officers and hospital staff.

“The defendant threatened to kill two witnesses and the police officers and shouted racial slurs.”

Fanning was reported missing on May 18, last year and was visited by police officers the same day.

“The police were made aware and attended a location in central London, where they identified the defendant and she was compliant and co-operative with the police.

“As she is taken to the ambulance she threatens to harm herself and is detained for her own protection.

“At some point she asks for a cigarette and exited the ambulance and asks for a lighter.

“As one of the officer’s reached into a bag the defendant lunged at her and she is restrained with handcuffs.

“She is struggling and swearing and attempted to bang her head on the floor and attempted to bite officers.”

Fanning was taken to University College Hospital in Fitzrovia.

“Throughout the journey she is struggling and swearing and proceeds to assault one officer by trying to bite him,” explained Mr. Davies-Jones.

“She then shouts: “Do you know how high my IQ is? I’m going to memorise your numbers.

“Do you have kids? I’m going to kill all of them. Are you a paedophile? you f***ing islamic bitch.

“I’m going to get the guys of Manchester to firebomb all the police stations in Manchester.

“You evil islamic paedophile. I’m going to send the worst paedo for your kids.”

Mr. Davies-Jones added: “Once inside the hospital Fanning took offence to the staff nurse, who is muslim and was wearing a headscarf.

“She shouted: ‘Get the f*** out. Muslim indoctrination is evil.’

“She then threatens violence throughout.”

When later quizzed by police Fanning replied ‘no comment’ to all questions.

She has been diagnosed with bi-polar and post-traumatic stress.

Her defence lawyer said she was suffering from multiple mental health issues and a consultant psychiatrist concluded it was not appropriate for her to attend court.

The court heard an account that Fanning had placed a ligature around her neck and attempted to commit suicide.

That prompted a Home Intervention Treatment Team who supervise Fanning daily at her home.

They also concluded it would be a risk to take her to court.

Footie Star's Car Crash: Private Prosecution Dropped

A private prosecution against Crystal Palace footballer Pape Souare for the car crash that nearly ended his career has been dropped.

The 28 year-old left-back appeared at Isleworth Crown Court last year accused of dangerous driving by another motorist involved in the motorway smash.

The Senegal international suffered a broken right thigh and jaw and had to be cut from the wreckage of his £135,000 black Mercedes G63 SUV and airlifted to hospital. 

The court has now revealed the summons brought against the star of driving dangerously on the M4 on September 11, 2016 was dismissed earlier this year.

Souare always intended to fight the case and was prepared for a jury trial at the court.

The prosecution was brought by Darshan Dube, 35, of Cranbourne Road, Slough, who was charged by the police with driving his 2.5 litre BMW without due care and attention.

Souare, who recently returned to first-team action after 373 days out, was a prosecution witness in that case.

He lives in a Thameside apartment in Lambeth Embankment and was a £3.5m signing by the Eagles from French club Reims in January, 2015.

After dropping off a friend at Heathrow Airport he crashed the vehicle into the central reservation and firefighters had to slice off the roof to rescue him from the wreckage.

He was taken by helicopter to the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel.

Eddie Catz Kid's Soft Playcentre Boss Spied On Girls And Women Changing Clothes

Camera Lover: Johnson

The wealthy boss of a well-known children’s soft play centre chain is facing jail after filming women staff undressing and female toilet users through peepholes at his family-friendly business. 

Darren Johnson, 51, resigned in disgrace from Eddie Catz after his double life was exposed when caught filming two 14 year-old girls changing in a swimming pool cubicle.

He founded the nationwide play centre, which has a tie-in with Mothercare, with his wife Maria over a decade ago and the couple share a £1.3m home.

Police raided the house and seized nearly 700 clips, mostly made up of twelve years of recording his Earlsfield centre’s female staff changing room and toilets.

At Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court Johnson, of Rodway Road, Putney Village pleaded guilty to five counts of voyeurism for sexual gratification between January 1, 2005 and June 12, 2017.

His double-life was exposed when the teenage girls spotted Johnson filming them with his iPhone under the cubicle divider at Putney Leisure Centre on June 5, last year.

Court Date: Johnson

A previous court heard was told the girls were “very distressed” and police raided Johnson’s home on June 12.

Officers seized his computers, where they found images of women undressing during years of secret filming at Eddie Catz centre in Earlsfield.

Prosecutor Miss Lauren Sales told the court: “Two fourteen year-old girls had attended a school swimming class and reported seeing an iPhone 6 pointing at them under their cubicle while they were in a state of undress.”

They did not see Johnson, but spotted his distinctive rucksack in the cubicle, which was later picked up on the leisure centre’s CCTV.

“He was observed on CCTV walking around the leisure centre with no particular purpose,” added Miss Sales.

“He is the director of Eddie Catz, a soft play centre for children and more images were found that he had taken in public lavatories open to both adults and children at the centre via peepholes. 

“There are also images from the adult female changing room at the centre.

“They were found on computers, but from the way they were taken some would have been taken from a phone.”

There were also recordings of other unidentified women Johnson had filmed in the leisure centre’s cubicles over the previous six months.

Johnson’s lawyer Mr. Simon Ray said his client was married with children and of good character and receiving counselling from a psychosexual therapist.

“He resigned immediately as a director, gave up his shares and has not set foot in any Eddie Catz centre since.”

Judge Timothy Lamb QC bailed Johnson until August 28 for sentencing.

“I have not done a voyeurism case this extensive for a while, but the guidelines point towards custody,” he announced. “The likely penalties include an immediate custodial sentence.”

Until his sentencing Johnson is banned from all Eddie Catz centres; mixed use and womens’ changing-rooms; contacting victims, staff and witnesses and using a camera, phone or video recorder to take images.

NOT GUILTY: Rolls Royce Union Rep Cleared Of Hotel Room Sex Charge

A Rolls-Royce union rep, who climbed into bed with a drunken married woman at a hotel conference and fondled her between her legs, was cleared of sexually assaulting her.

Toolmaker Jon Brough, 46, who consumed ten pints during the evening, told police the woman had been flirting with him and sitting on his lap before they retired to her room at midnight.

The complainant, 46, had no recollection of the evening and the prosecution brought the case on the basis she was too drunk to consent.

Brough, of Winterley Drive, Accrington, Lancashire, who works at the company’s Barnoldswick site was found not guilty by an Inner London Crown Court jury of assault by penetration at Surrey’s Esher Place Hotel on October 4, 2016.

Much of the prosecution’s case was based on Brough’s own police interview in which he gave a full account of retiring to the woman’s room, where he admitted consensual sexual activity took place.

He gave the same account to the jury and a witness also saw them with their arms around each other in the hotel’s reception area earlier in the evening.

Brough had been at the hotel event as a representative of the Unite union.

The jury took less than three hours to find Brough not guilty, indicating even earlier they had a majority verdict.

The defendant was visibly relieved and his brother, who has been staying in a caravan with him on the outskirts of London during the trial, expressed his relief from the public gallery.

Prosecutor Catherine Patterson told the trial: “She consumed a considerable quantity of alcohol. She was so intoxicated she did not have the ability to consent to any sexual activity.

“Mr. Brough could see she was in a state of intoxication and decided to take advantage.”

After returning home the complainant reported him to the police two weeks later and Brough was questioned in Manchester on December 20, 2016.

“He admitted putting his finger into her vagina, but said she had consented to doing that.

“He said she was very drunk, siting on people’s laps, including his. He had seen her fall off a chair and saw her laughing and giggling and thought they would go back to her room for sex.”

Brough told the officers: “There was sexual activity. Mutual kissing and passionate touching.”

Ms Patterson added: “He also told police he had tried to pull her knickers and trousers down, but she would not allow it and in the morning seemed angry with herself.”

Another witness described the complainant as having “slurred speech,” “staggering about” and “looking very drunk.”

Another saw her chatting with Brough in a corridor. “He says she appeared to be leaning on him and another witness says they were in reception with their arms around each other.”

In a police video interview played to the jury the woman said she recalled drinking three pints of cider, a glass of wine and a vodka and coke that night.

“I got very drunk, very quickly,” she told the trial, recalling at one point she spilled alcohol over herself.

“I remember waking up and I was still in clothes. My jeans were unzipped and my bra unclipped.

“I don’t know how he got there. I was shocked to see him there and said: ‘F*** off.’

“I don’t know what happened, I panicked, I was stressed and felt really ashamed of myself. I’m married.”