Greedy Mother And Daughter Carers Jailed For Swindling OAP

Greedy: Santos

A mother and daughter have been jailed for swindling an elderly infirm spinster, who employed them as her carers, out of £230,000.

The greedy pair even remortgaged the vulnerable OAP’s home after emptying her accounts, the court heard.

Maria Santos, 59, and Lucinda Johnson, 38, wrote themselves cheques for £5,000 a time, obtained a £67,000 equity release on the octogenarian’s Harrow apartment and even got themselves included in her will.

At Harrow Crown Court Santos received five years imprisonment and Johnson four and a half years after fighting the allegations for years.

Sadly Audrey Evans, of Woodgrange Court, Woodgrange Close died, aged 89 years-old in 2015, but the jury still heard from her via a police video-recorded interview she gave a year before her death.

Santos, of Haydock Green, Northolt and Johnson, of Westbury Avenue, Southall were both convicted of five counts of fraud by abuse of position between September 1, 2010 and December 31, 2012.

The charges include the equity release, plus £32,000 from LloydsTSB; £77,000 from Nationwide; £13,522 from Bank of Scotland and £41,000 from the Halifax.

Prosecutor Mr. Richard Hearnden told the court: “The case concerns a pensioner who had her hard-earned money stolen from her by two people she thought she could trust, carers, home-helps.

“The stealing was carried out in a number of ways, including equity release that allowed borrowing against the value of Ms Evans’ home and money she had in savings accounts was also taken.

“She trusted these defendants and they abused that trust to make gains for themselves.”

Miss Evan, who was engaged to be married in the 1980’s until her fiancé sadly died, had bone-weakening condition osteoporosis and needed a Zimmer-frame to get about.

She privately-employed Santos and Johnson to get her up in the morning and put her to bed, plus prepare meals and do her shopping and cleaning.

“She had a number of bank accounts and they ran down the balances and by 2011 more money was needed,” added Mr. Hearnden.

Swindle: Johnson

“The defendants were behind a plan to increase the amount of money they got from Miss Evans by equity release and the application form was filled-in almost certainly by Santos, who was the contact on the form.

“Ten thousand pounds was being withdrawn per month from her LloydsTSB account and there were ATM withdrawals of one thousand pounds a time and spending in restaurants and High Street shops.”

The jury were told the pair wrote cheques totalling £29,000 ‘to cash’ usually in £5,000 chunks. “This pattern was accompanied by a five hundred pound cash withdrawal.

“You cannot ignore the fairly large, substantial spending in shops and restaurants, plus a £9,400 car purchased by Johnson.

“Miss Evans said she felt scared of being left alone and they threatened to leave. She even changed her will in their favour, but changed it back when she realised she had been taken advantage of.”

Their employment ended in October, 2012 when Miss Evans had to go into hospital and her next-of-kin reported the mother and daughter to the police.

Johnson was arrested at home on June 12, 2014 and police noted she had a high-end washing machine and dryer, worth over £1,000 each.

She gave a ‘no comment’ interview and when her mother, who had treated herself to designer goods, expensive dinners out and theatre tickets was arrested she denied taking money without Miss Evans’ permission.

In her video-recorded interview Miss Evans said: “They were mother and daughter. I thought they were lovely people and they were with me for years.”

However, Santos persuaded the OAP to hand over her bank PIN after claiming to be embarrassed when subjected to security checks at the local branch when withdrawing money.

“She said it was embarrassing at the bank because she was asked all kinds of questions in front of people and said she could not do this so I foolishly gave her the PIN number.”

Ex-Volunteer Cop And Children's Home Boss Jailed For Sexually Abusing Young Boy In 1970's

A former volunteer police officer, who ran a children’s home in the 1970’s, has been jailed for abusing a young boy in his care.

Bernard Philip Collins, 73, Holly Court, Worcester Road, Sutton, was convicted of five counts of indecent assault at Fircroft Children’s Home, Kingston-upon-Thames between 1976 and 1978.

He was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court to four years imprisonment.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Homicide and Major Crime Command launched an investigation - known as Operation Trinity - after one of several victims came forward in 2014.

Another victim was found who revealed he was a resident of Fircroft in 1976 and had been abused by Collins when he was aged just eleven years-old.

The investigation also revealed abuse at Rowan House, Shirley Oaks and Walker House, Llanishen, Wales.

Collins’s co-defendant Patrick Grant, 69, of Partridge Road, Roath, Cardiff is already serving eight years imprisonment after being convicted at the same trial of ten counts of indecent assault.

Recorder of Southwark Judge Usha Karu told Collins that as a special constable he enjoyed a “close relationship with the local police” and the young boy felt there was nobody he could complain to.

“He said he was aware you were a special police constable and any time there was any trouble with the police it was dealt with by you,” said the judge.

“He was too scared to come forward. This was a gross abuse of trust.”

Collins has previous convictions for child abuse in the 1970’s and admitted in 1980 to abusing three boys at two homes in Kingston-upon-Thames and was fined £450.

This conviction ended his career as the superintendent of children’s homes.

However, in 2015 he received four years for spanking and sexually touching a child at his residence.

The eleven year-old Fircroft victim recalled his abuser’s hand covered in gold rings and old home videos revealed Collins wearing extravagant jewellery, despite his claims he wore nothing more than a gold wedding band.  

Both Collins and Grant were exposed by an investigation into Lambeth social services employees in the 1970’s.

The duo’s stint at another home, South Vale, ended after six months when they were arrested in July, 1978, with Collins going on the run until 1980. 

Gaming Arcade Robbery: Suspect's Image Released

Police are hunting an armed robber who held up a west London gaming arcade.

The Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad have released this image of their number one suspect

On Saturday, March 16 at 9.50pm, a male entered Silver Time on Earl's Court Road, Earl's Court.

The suspect spent time on a number of gaming machines within the arcade before approaching a cashier and demanding money.

Staff refused the demands and the suspect left.

However, he returned a few minutes later and threatened staff with a firearm.

The suspect obtained a quantity of cash and fled the store.

Detective Constable Thomas Grimshaw said: “I am requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the individual pictured.

“This was a terrifying incident for the members of staff within the store, who were threatened with a firearm.

“The sooner we can identify the person who carried out this violent offence, the sooner we can prevent him from inflicting the same terror on anyone else.

“I would urge anyone with any information about this incident, or who recognises the individual pictured, to get in touch with us as soon as possible.

“You can contact the Flying Squad directly on 020 8785 8655 quoting the picture reference 023947, or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Christmas Day Attempted Rape: Do You Know This Man?

Police hunting a wannabe rapist, who struck in a north London alleyway in the early hours of Christmas Day, have released these images of the suspect.

Sometime between 3.45am and 4.45am on Tuesday, December 25, last year, the victim – a 52-year-old woman – was in Fore Street, Edmonton.

As she approached an alleyway between Edmonton Supermarket and a restaurant the male pulled her to the ground and into the alleyway.

He then attempted to rape her.

A member of public passed by which startled the male, and he then made off back along Fore Street towards Edmonton Green Bus Station.

The suspect is described as being a white male, with short black hair and around 5ft 11ins tall.

At the time of the offence he was wearing a white shirt with blue trousers.

Detective Constable Bruce White, of the Metropolitan Police's Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command, said: “This despicable incident has left the victim shaken.

“If you have any information that could help us find this man, then please get in touch.

“It is believed that a member of the public passed by at the time incident, and we are particularly keen to speak to this individual as they may have vital information which could assist our investigation.”

If you can identify this man or offer any information to assist the investigation, please contact police on 0208 2177477 or 101 quoting CAD 1721/25DEC18, or tweet @MetCC.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Range Rover Row Ends With Late-Night Shooting

Car Trouble: Emeh

A gunman involved in a dispute over a Range Rover ambushed his victim in the early hours, shooting him in the thigh.

John Paul Emeh, 35, of Sixth Avenue, North Kensington tried to pump a second bullet into his target, a 50 year-old man, but his handgun jammed.

He was convicted at the Old Bailey of inflicting grievous bodily harm and possessing a firearm, with intent to endanger life.

The jury cleared Emeh of a charge of attempted murder.

He is due to be sentenced at the same court on Friday, April 26.

The court heard that on July 22, last year Emeh lay in wait for his victim as he left a venue in Western Road, Harlesden alongside four friends.

Shortly before 4.30am he confronted the victim and pulled a small handgun from his pocket, which he used to shoot him in the thigh.

He then attempted to shoot him for a second time but due to a mechanical failure, the gun did not discharge and he fled the scene on a moped.

The victim - who required surgery to his leg - told police he had been in a dispute with the suspect over the purchase of a Range Rover and that he had known him only as 'Mustafa' and 'Yousef.'

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Trident and Area Crime Command began an investigation and following analysis of CCTV and mobile phone footage, Emeh was arrested on September 28, 2018 and charged.

Detective Constable Michael Clinch said: "This was a pre-meditated and targeted attack, the consequences of which could have been far worse.

"This type of violence has no place on our streets and I am pleased Emeh has now been brought to justice."

West London Bank Robberies: Do You Know This Suspect

Police hunting a knife-wielding bank robber who threatened he had a bomb have released an image of their main suspect.

The Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad are investigating two robberies in Hounslow and Brent, last year.

The first raid occurred on January 19, 2018 when the male suspect entered the Bank of India on High Street, Hounslow at 2.40pm.

He approached the front counter and handed staff a letter which threatened that he had a bomb.

The suspect then told staff this was a robbery in progress and demanded cash whilst repeating he was in possession of a bomb.

He then walked into the middle of the reception area and threatened staff with a knife whilst ordering them to hand over cash.

The suspect fled with a bag containing just over £12,000 in cash.

He made off on foot towards Alexandra Road.

During the second incident on February 12, 2018, a male suspect entered the ICICI bank on Ealing Road, Harrow at approximately 4.10pm.

He ordered the staff to stand together whilst intimating he had a weapon in his pocket.

The alarm was activated and the suspect made off on foot empty-handed.

Detective Constable Alan Mears, from the Met’s Flying Squad, said: “These were violent and brazen robberies carried out in broad daylight on busy high streets.

“The ordeals understandably left the victims terrified and in one case, a substantial amount of cash was stolen.

“The Flying Squad has been working tirelessly to identify the person responsible and I am urging anyone who recognises the man pictured in the images released to contact police.

“I appreciate a significant amount of time has passed since the incidents but there were a lot of people in the area when the robberies took place and I would like to hear from anyone with information that could assist us with our enquiries.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Alan Mears via 02082477948 or 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

West End Race Attack In Gay-Friendly District

A Soho pedestrian, who started recording a middle-aged yob's racist abuse, had his phone slapped out of his hand and was punched in the face.

Police investigating the attack, which they are treating as racially-aggravated assault - have released this blurry image of the suspect in the hope he can be identified.

The victim, aged in his forties, was walking along Dean Street towards Old Compton Street at 7.12pm on February 18.

As he passed the Soho Theatre, he stopped to confront the suspect - a white male in his forties - who was making racist comments about some people inside a restaurant and pointing at them.

The victim challenged him on his behaviour.

The suspect then became aggressive and the victim got his phone out and began to record.

The suspect slapped the phone out of the victim’s hands, causing it to fall to the floor.

The victim bent down to pick his phone up and was punched in the face by the suspect, who racially abused him before leaving the area.

Members of the public came to the victim’s aid, who suffered some injuries to his face which required medical attention.

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

Detective Constable Chun Hong Wu, of the Central West Command Unit, said: “This was a horrible assault on a man who took exception to the suspect’s needless use of racist language, at which point he was assaulted.

“I would urge anyone who recognises this man to contact police immediately.”

Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting CAD 6324/18 Feb, or tweet @MetCC.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Late-Night Pimlico Rape: CCTV Released

Police hunting a rapist, who attacked a lone woman in the early hours, have released this CCTV image of their suspect.

At approximately 3.10am on Tuesday, March 5, the suspect approached the 30-year-old victim as she was walking along Causton Street near the junction with Mead Mews.

The suspect violently attacked the woman before raping her and stealing personal property.

He was last seen running towards Vauxhall Bridge in the direction of the bus station.

The woman suffered bruising to her arms during the attack.

She continues to be supported by specialist officers.

The suspect is described as a black man, aged in his thirties and approximately 6ft tall.

He was wearing distinctive clothing, comprising of a black baseball cap with white writing, a jacket with a large red pattern on the front, grey jeans and black trainers with red stripes.

Detectives would like to speak with anyone who was in the area at the time of the attack and who may have seen where the suspect went.

They would also like to hear from anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV footage.

Detective Constable Jason Anderson, from Westminster CID, said: “This was a terrifying attack on a lone woman by a stranger.

“I would like to reassure people in the area that attacks like this are very rare.

“We are working to catch the culprit and bring him to justice. Extra neighbourhood patrols have been stepped up.

“A number of enquiries - including the review of local CCTV footage and forensic work - are ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call officers based in Westminster via 101or 07748 985378 quoting reference 1722/05Mar.

Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Postie Stalked Ex-Wife After Marriage Collapsed

A heartbroken postman stalked his ex-wife at her local gym, restaurant and pub, quizzing the newly-single woman about pictures she posted of herself online, a court heard yesterday.

Ricky Amos, 39, of Broadwater Gardens, Farnborough also repeatedly sent texts to his ex Donata Amos after the collapse of their fifteen-year marriage.

He was convicted of stalking her between November 29 and December 22, last year and received a twelve-month community order and must complete up to twenty-five days of rehab.

Amos was also made subject to a two-year restraining order prohibiting contact with his ex-wife and visiting her address in Stapleton Road, Orpington, except for contact with their daughter.

He must also pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Prosecutor Denise Clewes told Bexley Magistrates Court the couple separated in March, last year and divorced in November.

“She called the police and said her former husband was contacting and harassing her and turning up at places at random times.”

On November 25 Mrs Amos suddenly received an unexpected tap on the shoulder from her ex while shopping and reported receiving ten texts a day from him asking to be taken back.

“When leaving her gym in Orpington Mr Amos approaches her and attempts to talk to her and grabs her arm,” explained Ms Clewes. “She pulls away and tells him to go away, but he follows her to her car.”

She also told police Amos looked at her as she dined in an Orpington restaurant while he was on bail with conditions not to contact her.

“She says he has been pushing those bail conditions to the limit.”

He also approached her in a pub at Christmas, claiming he was “lonely” and asked her about pictures she posted of herself online.

In a statement to police Mrs Amos said: “I'm very disturbed by Ricky's behaviour and don't know what he's capable of.”

District Judge Vanessa Lloyd told Amos: “This must have been extremely frightening for your ex-wife.

“You have shown remorse in the probation report. Make sure a similar thing doesn't happen with anyone else you form an intimate relationship with.”

Heartbroken Lorry Driver Flouted Court Order To Continue Chasing Ex

"I Just Called To Say I Love You": Sliackus

A love-sick lorry driver who couldn't handle splitting with his ex flouted the court order she took out against him by continuing to send her texts, emails and flowers, a court heard today.

Lithuanian-born Jonas Sliackus, 52, of Towermill Road, Ipswich pleaded guilty to breaching a Family Court's non-molestation order between January 10 and July 12, last year by continuing to contact his girlfriend of four years Birute Pilypiene.

He was placed on a twelve-month community order, which includes rehab of up to forty days and must pay an £85 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Bexley Magistrates Court imposed a new three-year restraining order, prohibiting Sliackus from contacting Ms Pilypiene or visiting her address in Grove Park, south-east London.

Prosecutor Denise Clewes said the couple split in December, 2017 and following an incident the following month Ms Pilypiene successfully applied for the non-molestation order at East London Family Court.

“A week after the court order she started getting text messages from him and the context of them implied he still loved her and wanted to be with her.

“She was getting messages every day for six months. She ignored them at first , hoping he would lose interest and then became scared.”

On June 29, last year she received a text from Sliackus, which read: 'You look good.'

“This made her scared he was watching or following her and he sent flowers on at least two occasions, including St. Valentine's Day.”

On March 8 something was left on the windscreen of her car and she found her fuel cap had been broken.

She told the police: “I am scared, anxious and paranoid and afraid of walking in public in the evening. I am driving instead of walking and cannot relax and live the life I want to live.”

A probation officer told the court Sliackus “struggled to cope with the end of the relationship” and “tried to win her back with lots of affection.”

Sliackus admitted using his ex's sister and neighbour as ways of contacting her, blaming his own “emotional instability.”

He told the court: “I'm sorry.”

District Judge Vanessa Lloyd noted there had been no incidents since Sliackus's arrest, adding: “None of the communications were threatening in nature, but that does not mean they did not feel threatening to Ms Pilypiene.

“She obtained an order against you and was entitled to feel safe,” the judge told Sliackus.

“By you breaching that order she lost that feeling of safety. I am sure she felt she was constantly under attack from you.”

City Accountant Accused Of Cruising Square Mile For Sex Kicks

A City accountant drove around the Square Mile pleasuring himself while staring at young women - amassing a collection of similar material on his phone - a court heard yesterday.

Panos Pallikaropoulous, 40, was reported by a pedestrian, who spotted him exposing himself while behind the wheel near Moorgate, City of London Magistrates was told.

When police arrested him they found short clips on his phone of Pallikaropoulous pleasuring himself while strolling along another City street; while a passenger on an airplane; in his car and at home.

He enjoyed positive publicity two years ago for dropping two-and-a-half stone of desk bound fat in just twenty weeks and transforming his health and appearance.

Pallikaropoulous, of Westside, Priory Road, Kilburn pleaded not guilty to two counts of exposure on December 3 and July 23, last year and will stand trial at Hendon Magistrates Court on May 21.

Prosecutor Mr. Trevor Green told the court it was 2.35pm on December 3 when a witness in London Wall spotted Pallikaropoulous’ blur Toyota.

“They saw this defendant driving with his penis exposed, which he was holding with his left hand and slowed down near two females.”

The witness filmed Pallikaropoulous and reported him to the police, who stopped him as he drove into the City at 6pm.

“The officer says the defendant was using both his hands to adjust his trousers in the crotch area,” explained Mr. Green.

Police seized two mobile phones and memory stick from Pallikaropoulous.

“There were a large number of videos of the defendant filming himself masturbating at home, in his car, in the street and while sitting in an airplane.”

The July 23 charge relates to a clip on the phone.

Bad Back Man Back In Court

Court Date: Hodge

A struggling lorry driver, dogged by severe back pain, was caught behind the wheel of his car while over three times the limit for cannabis, which he was using to ease his symptoms, a court heard.

Colin Hodge, 37, of Old London Road, Harlow, Essex claims his life has been ruined by the condition.

He appeared at City of London Magistrates Court today, where he pleaded guilty to driving in Norton Folgate, Bishopsgate with a blood cannabis level above the legal limit.

Prosecutor Mr. Trevor Green told the court Hodge's level was 7.1. The legal limit is 2.0.

It was 7pm when police, alerted by Hodge's nervous behaviour at a security point, decided to speak to him further.

Hodge, who was caught drink-driving a decade ago failed a saliva test and was arrested.

“For the past two to three years I've been suffering really bad back problems and have spent thousands trying to fix it and been to the NHS.

“When I was a stopped I was on five different prescription drugs.

“I struggle from day-to-day to live. The last four months have been absolute hell and I don't sleep at night, I'm deeply, deeply sorry.

“I have been doing a lot of heavy lifting and could not keep my job. My back is absolutely destroyed.

“I sleep on my partner's sister's sofa every night. That's the only thing that helps me with my back.”

Hodge was disqualified from driving for two years and fined £120, with £85 costs, plus a £30 victim surcharge.

Geordie On The Run After Charlton Assault

Officers want the public’s help to trace a man being sought in connection with a violent assault.

Liam Cowan, 30, of no fixed address, is wanted for questioning in connection with a violent attack at an address in Charlton on December 30, 2018.

He has links to Croydon and Greenwich and it is believed that he is working as a labourer, possibly in the Eltham area.

He has dark hair, is of slim muscular build, and he may have grown a beard in the months since the incident.

He is from the north east of England, and speaks with a Newcastle accent.

Detective Constable Matthew Wain from the South East Command unit said: “Our efforts to find Mr Cowan have so far been unsuccessful, and we need information from the public to help locate him.

“If you have seen Mr Cowan, we would urge you to get in touch with us as soon as possible.

“We will treat any information provided in the strictest confidence.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting CAD 199/30DEC18 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police Appeal: Young Woman Approached For Sex By Flasher

Police are hunting this suspect after a young woman was followed and pestered for sex in Camberwell by a man who also exposed himself.

The 19 year-old was shopping in Camberwell Road at 8.45pm on January 28 when she noticed a man staring at her through the window of the convenience store.

As she left the shop, the man approached her and tried to engage her in conversation.

The woman ignored him and walked away, but he followed her and began asking where she lived.

The woman was alarmed by this and the man then stated he wanted to have sex with her.

She responded by telling him to get away from her.

The woman walked along Burgess Park and into Addington Square when she became aware that she was being followed by the man.

At the junction with Rust Square, which was well lit, she made the decision to bravely confront the suspect and film him so that he would leave her alone.

She then noticed he had exposed himself.

At this point the woman threw water over the man, left the area and then called police.

The suspect is described as a dark-skinned black man, aged approximately 25 to 30 years-old, 5ft 6ins tall and of medium build.

He was bald on the top of his head and the remaining hair was very short.

He was wearing a grey hooded top under a dark coloured jacket, black tracksuit trousers and black trainers.

He spoke with what has been described as a ‘local accent’.

Detective Constable Nicky Dixon, said: "This was a very frightening incident, on a young woman who was picked out by a man who then followed, harassed and then exposed himself to her.

“She acted bravely and confronted him, and thankfully he left. We need to find and arrest this man and I am appealing to the public to assist.”

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC. Quote CAD 7332/28JAN19.

Dreamliner Flight A Nightmare During £60 Seat Row

Mackay: Dreamliner Nightmare

A globetrotting economist, who deliberately tripped up three members of Virgin cabin crew with “judo sweep” kicks received a suspended prison sentence today.

The dispute occurred during a legroom row on a flight from Johannesburg. 

Hilary Diana Mackay, 54, an international Finance and Project Manager with links to MP’s and senior lawyers and accountants was sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for twelve months.

She was found guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates Court of assaulting Lucey Downey; Leanne Palmer and Phillip Sumner on Virgin Atlantic’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

Mackay was also ordered to pay a total of £450 compensation to the three cabin crew workers, plus £625 court costs and a £115 victim surcharge.

Ms Downey said Mackay told her: “I don’t f***ing see why I have to move out of the seat. If you’re going to keep p***ing me around and I’m sat looking at three empty seats all night I’m going to make this flight difficult for you.”

She is the ex-Company Secretary of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, a think-tank that counts Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge amongst its members and promotes democracy all over the world.

Mackay, who lives in a £942,000 home in Trebovir Road, Earl’s Court was arrested at Heathrow Airport after her Virgin Atlantic flight landed on December 12, last year.

A charge of being drunk onboard Flight VS462 was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service. 

Chain-smoker Mackay told the trial she was approached by cabin crew after sitting in a Premium Economy seat she had not paid for.

£60 Row: Mackay

“I told her it was a ten-hour non-smoking flight so it is best that she doesn’t wind me up. I was sitting in an extra legroom seat because someone was sitting in mine.”

She had two wines, plus rum during the flight, but insisted the row was about good service and not securing herself free extra legroom.

“They were aggressive in the first place and had a primary interest in collecting cash for the seat,” said Mackay.

Mackay, a former Grants Officer for the Big Lottery Fund is currently a self-employed independent consultant/researcher specialising in international research and development and humanitarian assistance.

She has a BA in Russian Studies from the University of Leeds and a postgraduate degree from Birkbeck, University of London in Economics.

Mackay told the court: “I thought it was bad taste on the part of the airline to say: ‘We are keeping these three seats empty unless someone pays us sixty pounds to sit in them’.”

She denied aggressively “thrusting” her boarding pass into the face of another crew member, but admits telling the passenger next to her: “This bitch is asking me for sixty pounds.”

Mackay describes her foot “readily moved” into judo sweeps every time a member of cabin crew passed.

Ms Downey told the court she was deliberately tripped by Mackay, who she said thrust her foot into the isle with “force and anger” causing her to trip and sustain bruising to her leg.

This left her “upset and shocked” because she was just there doing her job.

Ms Palmer told the court she saw Mackay deliberately trip her up and she had to grab a seat to prevent falling over into the isle.

In her police statement Ms Downey said: “At 10.30 my attention was drawn to a female passenger. The customer had her leg in the isle, looking like she was stretching.

“She moved it in and then moved it out to deliberately trip me and I grabbed a headrest to break my fall. She made contact by my shin and I believe this was a deliberate attempt to trip me up.”

Mr. Sumner told officers: “At. 11.05 Ms Mackay tripped me up as I approached her and tripped me up as I approached her again. She looked at me and put her foot out.

“I told her she could injure someone.”

Mackay told the magistrates: “I don’t feel guilty, I don’t feel a bit of remorse, I didn’t assault anyone. I was assaulted.”

In her statement she described the cabin crew as a line of “poo-faced blondes” who all looked alike staring at her as she was escorted off the plane by the police.

She added: “On the approach to Heathrow the captain had the gall to thank the cabin crew for their service.”

Ex-Children's Home Boss Gets Eight Years For Sexually Abusing Young Boys

Jailed: Patrick Grant

A former children’s home boss, who along with his special constable accomplice abused young boys four decades ago, was jailed for eight years today.  

Patrick Grant, 69, of Partridge Road, Roath, Cardiff was even acquitted of similar allegations in the late-70’s, but was allowed to return to the profession to abuse another youngster.

That victim, known as JH, 43, was a resident of Walker House Children’s Home, Llanishen, Cardiff, where Grant, the superintendent, would sneak into his room at night and molest him under the bedclothes.

Father-of-two Grant was convicted at Inner London Crown Court of three counts of indecently assaulting JH between September 1987 and June 1989 when he was 13 years-old.

He was also found guilty of three counts of indecently assaulting NN, 53, between January 1976 and May 1977 and two counts of indecently assaulting RM, 54, between February 1977 and February 1978. 

The offences involving NN, who was 11 years-old took place at Fircroft Children’s home, Thames Ditton Road, Surbiton and RM, who was also aged 11, was molested at Rowan House, Shirley Oaks Children’s Home, South Norwood.

Both those homes were run by Lambeth council, but were not within the borough boundary.

Charges relating to a fourth boy, who said he was molested at South Vale Children’s Home, resulted in a hung jury and there will be no retrial.

Grant’s co-defendant Bernard Philip Collins, 73, of Holly Court, Worcester Road, Sutton, a former special constable and fellow superintendent, was convicted of five indecent assaults at Fircroft between 1976 and 1978 and will be sentenced on April 23.

JH, who was abandoned by his mother, aged 9 years-old went onto abuse glue and sniff petrol, later turning to cannabis and heroin, which he blames on Grant’s abuse.

He often fled from the Cardiff home, but in his victim impact statement said: “Each time I ran away from the home I was picked up by the police and told them what was happening, but they did nothing.”

He spent twenty-four years homeless on the streets of London and once attempted suicide by slashing his neck. “Patrick Grant always said to me he would make me disappear. Words that have always haunted me,” he added.

Bernard Collins will be sentenced April 23

Recorder of Southwark Judge Usha Karu told father-of-two Grant, who is also a grandfather: “You went into JH’s bedroom and touched his private parts under the bedclothes, sometimes over.

“Once when he wanted to say: ’Stop’ you put your hand over his mouth.”

The duo were exposed by an investigation into Lambeth social services employees in the 1970’s.

“Each of these three victims have been severely traumatised by what happened to them,” added the judge. “This was undoubtedly a gross abuse of trust and use of threats, telling a child you would make them disappear and that nobody would believe them.

“Each suffered severe psychological harm that they will carry for the rest of their lives.”

Regarding his acquittal in the 70’s the judge told Grant: “It could be said there was a shot passed across your bows, but you continued to offend.”

The court heard NN was often the victim of bare-bottomed corporal punishment beatings carried out by Collins, who also molested him in his own living quarters.

“You Patrick Grant would enter the bathroom when he was having a bath and wash his private parts and you masturbated yourself at the same time.

“Once you slapped him in the face and pushed his head under the water.

“You told NN no one would believe him and there was no one for him to complain to.”

In his statement NN also says his life was destroyed by the abuse, suffering “flashbacks and sleep deprivation” and making two suicide attempts.

He spent eight years in prison as a young offender and found the trial of the duo “incredibly traumatic,” particularly when discovering for the first time he had been abandoned by his family aged just two years-old.

RM was similarly abused at bath time by Grant, who told them he would have to inspect they had properly washed between their legs.

He said he “locked the abuse away in my mind” and it turned him into “an angry boy and man.” 

The duo’s stint at South Vale ended after six months when they were arrested in July, 1978, with Collins going on the run until 1980 when he was convicted of abuse.