Award-Winning Gardener Back In Court Accused Of Breaching 'CRIMBO'

Oram Was Protecting Bush

An award-winning gardener, who overturned an order banning him from tending his blooms during a bitter dispute, has been arrested again for taking his neighbour’s shears as he tried to protect a flowering bush.

Pensioner Michael Oram, 74, is subject to a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order, (CBO) which prohibits him talking to his neighbours and interfering with their gardening.

On Tuesday the retired employment agency boss, of The Barons, St. Margaret’s, Twickenham, appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court charged with breaching the CBO on April 19.

He indicated a not guilty plea, elected jury trial and was bailed to appear at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court on June 3.

Oram was arrested when downstairs neighbour Jasmine McMurdo, 56, an NHS employee, called the police when Oram allegedly took the shears she was using to trim a bush on the pathway to her basement flat.

“You cannot cut a flowering bush, you have to wait until the flowers bloom for a few weeks,” said Oram in his garden, looking horrified at the results of his neighbour’s trimming.

Twice-married Kew Gardens volunteer Oram won Richmond-upon-Thames’s ‘Borough in Bloom’ silver prize before his communal garden ban, and vows to go one better this year.

His last arrest comes just weeks after successfully appealing the ‘Crimbo’ garden ban at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

Neighbour Jasmine McMurdo

“I have a six year-old grandson who I can now enjoy the garden with and my ex-partner’s six year-old can also enjoy it,” said Oram.

“I was delighted with Judge Stephen John lifting the restriction because I can now finish the projects to completely restore what had been a typically run-down social housing garden.

“I have transformed an area with bikes and bedsteads into a prize-winning cottage garden and I was not able to do that for a year and that showed.

“Brickwork around the flower beds was falling apart, the lawns were deteriorating, but now I am able to avert that and hopefully win the gold ‘Borough in Bloom’ award.

“For an Englishman to enjoy his garden is his birthright.”

Oram, who describes himself as a “peace-loving Buddhist”, moved into the housing association flat after losing his £3m Richmond Hill home in a divorce after having an affair with he and his wife’s Peruvian au pair.

He says he’s shed “blood, sweat and tears” restoring the front and rear gardens since 2006.

“These gardens are kept by me. I spend all my disposable income on it. I do love the gardens,” added Oram.

Not So Smart: Architect's Drink-Drive Shame

Off Ballance: Arriving At Court 

An architect, who downed three afternoon glasses of red wine, was caught drink-driving after an incident with a pedestrian.

Robin Charles Ballance, 58, was arrested when police saw him arguing with the other person by his silver Smart car.

The respected project manager, of Parkstead Road, Putney pleaded guilty to driving in a local Wandsworth borough street with excess alcohol in his breath on April 21.

He gave a reading of 61 microgrammes. The legal limit is 35.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard yesterday that there was an incident involving Ballance's vehicle and a pedestrian, who was told there was no need to call the police despite a suggestion of some minor injuries.

The prosecutor told the court: “This defendant was clearly drunk and smelling of alcohol, slurring his words and tripping over the pavement.

“He admitted he had alcoholic drinks in the afternoon, three glasses of red wine.”

Ballance told the court: “It was an isolated, foolish incident. At the time I got in the car I believed I was not over the limit and had sufficient time since my last drink.

“I am deeply embarrassed and ashamed,” added Ballance, who earns £5,000 per week renting out properties.

He was fined £692, with £85 costs and was disqualified from driving for 17 months.

Drugs Charges Linked To £1.7m Kew House

The middle-aged member of a leafy Kew community looks likely to avoid a court appearance on drugs charges.

Philip Gordon-Smith, 53, was originally due to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates Court today, accused of having two different drugs at his £1.7m home (pictured).

The case was listed, but the Crown Prosecution Service announced  the were considering dealing with the case by simply administering a police caution.

Gordon-Smith, of Pensford Avenue, Kew is charged with possessing a Class A drug at his home address on November 6, last year.

He faces a further charge of possessing cannabis resin on the same occasion.

Gordon-Smith did not appear in court and the case was adjourned pending the caution decision.  

Cyclist Fractured Pensioner Pedestrian's Elbow

Police have released this e-fit of a cyclist who pushed over a 70 year-old pensioner, fracturing his elbow, after he left a King's Cross pub.

At approximately 5.00pm on November 10, last year the victim left the pub in Mabledon Place having spent the early afternoon watching televised rugby.

Outside, he was almost struck by a cyclist who was riding without lights.

The victim made a passing comment and the cyclist returned and pushed the man to the pavement.

The victim attended hospital where it was discovered that he had fractured his elbow.

The suspect is described as white, approximately 6ft tall, of medium build with short hair and stubble.

Detective Constable Rob Griffiths, from the Central North Command Unit, said: "This was an unnecessary and violent incident which left the victim with serious injuries, requiring surgery and permanent plates to be fitted in his arm.

"Despite extensive enquiries, we have been unable to identify the suspect. We are now appealing for the public to help.

“Do you recognise the man in the e-fit? Or were you in the area at the time of the assault? Please call us."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the CID based at Islington police station via 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting reference CAD 2433/17Mar.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Deadly Arsenal Seized From East London Shipping Container

Detectives seized this arsenal of firearms – including an AK47 assault rifle – from a shipping container on an east London industrial estate.

It was the result of an investigation by the Metropolitan Police's East Area Crime Squad.

On March 26 the container was searched near Bretts Farm, Romford Road, Aveley.

The East Area Crime Squad had a search warrant and were assisted by firearms officers from the Trident and Area Crime Command.

As a result a 31 year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing firearms, ammunition and explosives with intent to endanger life.

The investigation is not terror related.

Enquiries continue.

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

Trustee Raided Tragic Teenage Orphan's Trust Fund

The trustee of a teenage orphan’s inheritance, who helped herself to up to £60,000 of the boy’s money, was jailed for 27 months yesterday.

Mother-of-three Melaney Watford, 39, was a close friend of the parents of the teen, who turns 18 years-old later this year, and had financial control of his trust fund.

However, she withdrew £250 cash on an almost daily basis and has none left to pay compensation.

Watford, of Spencer Road, Mitcham pleaded guilty to one charge of fraud by abuse of position between May 25, 2015 and January 19, last year.

Prosecutor Mr. John Reilly told Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court: “It has always been difficult to put a monetary value on this fraud.”

Investigators believe £30,000-£60,000 was stolen by Watford, who is also the boy’s legal guardian.

He was left a £125,000 lump sum, plus £200 per month following the tragic death of his mother and father from natural causes within months of each other.

Recorder Aiden Christie QC told Watford: “This offence is so serious only a custodial sentence can be justified.

“Obviously you are of limited means and no amount I could realistically order you to pay could compensate this young man for what you have put him through.”

Ordering Watford to pay just £1500 he added: “I know that will not compensate him for the monetary loss he suffered, never mind the emotional loss.”

Watford’s lawyer June Warwick said: “The defendant took on a young boy who lost two parents in tragic circumstances and for the first six months there was no income.”

Watford says her own money was used up initially and she had “no financial or emotional support.”

The lawyer added: “She has limited education and no knowledge of trusts and she had no guidance or information.”

Watford his two teenage children of her own, plus a toddler. “She then treated the money in the same way she treated the children and put it all together and mismanaged it.

“There were no luxuries, no holidays. All she benefitted from was the odd takeaway and a trip to the dentist.”

Mr. Reilly said: “The lump sum is reduced on an almost daily basis, two hundred and fifty pounds is withdrawn in cash on an almost daily basis.

“A lot of it seems to have gone on renovations and she employed relatives or boyfriends for work.”

The teenager, who is now studying for his A levels will inherit the house when he turns 18 years-old, but a surveyor says the work carried-out by Watford’s cronies is sub-standard.

“The house was put on the market against his wishes and the Crown say the work on the house was not done and the house, as it stands, is a shell,” added Mr. Reilly.

“A relative of the boy found out about the sale and it was stopped.

“The defendant treated the trust money as her own.”

Naked Hotel Girl Sentenced For Wine Bottle Assault

A young veterinary assistant caught on a hotel’s CCTV during a drunken naked wine bottle attack on her boyfriend has been sentenced.

Amelia Oxenford, 21, had been out drinking all night with Alex Buttigieg, but turned on him during a 2.45am row at the Ascot Hyde Park Hotel, Bayswater.

CCTV footage - pixilated to protect her modesty - was played during her trial showing Oxenford pursuing her boyfriend from the room.

Oxenford, of Cheyney Close, Steeple Morden, Cambridgeshire was convicted of assaulting Mr. Buttigieg on January 16 and causing £300 worth of criminal damage to his spectacles.

Yesterday she was sentenced to a twelve-month community order, which includes 160 hours of unpaid work and must complete up to ten days of rehab.

Oxenford must also pay £620 court costs, £250 compensation to Mr. Buttigieg and an £80 victim surcharge.

District Judge Ken Grant told her: “I can quite understand having the trial reported must have been upsetting for you.

“The offences are clearly serious enough for a community punishment to be imposed.

“I am in no doubt at all that you will find it difficult to comply, but you must comply.” 

Prosecutor Mr. Trevor Green told the original trial she threw the empty wine bottle at the victim and slashed him across the face with a shard of broken glass when they returned to their room.

When police arrived they saw Mr. Buttigieg nursing a 2cm cut to his bleeding nose with a tissue, describing him as “shocked” and “rambling” as he unsuccessfully tried to stop the flow of blood.

The couple had dated for nine months and reunited after a one-month split, during which time Oxenford had seen another man, triggering the hotel row.

“This resulted in Ms Oxenford pushing him into the corridor and on the CCTV she can ben seen naked and lunging  at the victim,” explained Mr. Green.

“He said she threw an empty bottle of wine at him and there was a brief tussle when she reached out for the spectacles on his face and one of the arms were snapped off.”

Nude Oxenford locked herself out of the room and Mr. Buttigieg went to reception for a spare key, but the couple continued rowing when back inside.

A small glass was smashed in the bathroom and Oxenford armed herself with a shard. “Mr. Buttigieg told the police she attacked him with a piece of broken glass that caused the injury to his nose,” said the prosecutor.

When police arrived they heard her shouting inside the room that she was going to harm herself and jump out of the window and when the door was opened to officers she was now only wearing a bra. 

One officer said: “She was agitated, under the influence of alcohol, she was drunk. She was slurring her words and there was an overwhelming smell of alcohol on her breath.

“He said she came at him, punching him and picked up the piece of glass and swiped it at him, causing the cut.”

Oxenford told the court the couple began boozing early, polishing off a bottle of wine during the train journey to London, another during dinner and she had four more cocktails that night.

“I can’t remember a lot of what happened, but I do remember Alex shouting at me and pinning me down to the bed.

“I was terrified and vulnerable and he was very aggressive.

“I have a good job and work hard and like to think I’m a good citizen. I’ve never committed a crime.

“I felt like I was defending myself in all honesty and felt he did hit me as well.”

Tunisian Internet Bride Claimed Asylum After Saying Hubby Forced Her To Wear Burqa

Not Guilty: Ruhullah

A muslim husband accused of bullying his Tunisian wife into wearing a burqa has walked free from court after she failed to give evidence against him.

Mohammed Ruhullah, 29, always denied the allegation, 

claiming he was exploited by his spouse's wish to obtain a British passport after their whirlwind internet romance.

He says she made the false claims and put in an asylum application after discovering he could not fulfil this wish because he is not a UK citizen.

His wife complained to a police officer while in hospital recovering from a miscarriage and internal injuries she claimed were inflicted by Ruhullah's kicks.

Ruhullah, of High Street, Harrow had been charged with engaging in a controlling or coercive relationship with Rafika Amri between February 1 and October 26, 2017.

This also allegedly included taking control of his care worker wife's money and passport.

At Harrow Crown Court this week he was found not guilty of the charge when the Crown Prosecution Service agreed they could not present their case without Ms Amri's evidence.

“There has been no contact this morning and I have asked the police what has happened in the last couple of months,” said prosecutor Maureen Flaherty.

“At the first adjourned trial the complainant was fully co-operative throughout and was last spoken to on the phone on April eleventh, confirming she knew the new trial date and that all was well.

“Clearly the complainant has not attended and enquiries have been made with witness care and they last tried to ring her on April twenty-sixth and there was no answer.

“They spoke to her in the first week of March and she did not raise any points as to her potential non-co-operation.

“The office tried to make a call late last week and the phone was essentially off.

“At her last place of work the manager said Ms Amri left two weeks ago and gave no information.

“The officer attended the address where it is thought she was residing and was met there by a person who knew the complainant, but said that she left in December, last year.”

Regarding how the couple got together the prosecutor added: “They met via the internet and Mr. Ruhullah had a short three-day visit to Tunisia and they married and Ms Amri moved to the UK in January, 2017.

“The following month the relationship deteriorated and the allegation was made.

“The defendant says the complainant inflicted injuries on herself, falsified her account and wants residence in this country.

“The complainant had exhausted all avenues of appeal to remain in this country by December, last year.

“It may well be that she's now an overstayer and feels if she attends she could be detained,” explained Ms Flaherty.

“The Crown's case was that she was kept in the matrimonial home for five days while injured and not allowed to get medical treatment.

“She then went to hospital after work and was kept in for four nights with internal vaginal bleeding and bruising to the body.

“There was bruising to the stomach that the Crown say is consistent with a kick to the stomach causing vaginal bleeding.”

While in hospital Ms Amri explained her situation to a police officer. “She was entirely alone in this country, bar her relationship with her husband.

“She was controlled by her partner and forced to wear the burqa, something she did not do in Tunisia.

“She was only allowed to leave the house to go to work. She is a vulnerable complainant.

“There are photographs of Ms Amri fully covered in a burqa and apparently fully comfortable with it.

“She says she was forced to wear the burqa and that is part of the controlling coercive environment she was forced to endure.”

After her hospital statement to the officer Ruhullah was arrested as he arrived. “He's somewhat taken aback and denies all matters put to him”

His lawyer Matthew Pardoe submitted Ms Amri's absence made a fair trial impossible.

“There is no way of challenging what is said in her statements and this is a case that needs a good deal of challenge.

“The top and bottom of it is she's unlawfully at large.

“The complainant wanted a spousal visa and the relationship lost energy when she realised he could not provide her with British nationality because he is here on a visa himself.

“Shortly after the police complaint she applied for asylum, making allegations against her family in Tunisia.

“The application has been refused and she has gone to ground.”

Judge Ann Thompson agreed no fair trial was possible. “She says after a happy period the relationship turned sour and she makes various allegations against the defendant, including that he forced her to wear the burqa and controlled her movements, her money and was violent towards her.

“She says in September, 2017 he kicked her in the back and she fell on the bed then fell face-first on the floor and suffers a miscarriage.

“In October she says the defendant assaulted her and she suffered further vaginal bleeding and he kept her from receiving medical assistance, however texts and WhatsApp messages undermine her evidence.

“This defendant would not be able to receive a fair trial. It would not be possible to test that evidence.”

Jailed: Notorious Fraudster Gets More Time For Rolex And Jewellery Swindle

Jason Shifrin: £44K Bar Mitzvah

A notorious fraudster, who’s cynical Rolex and jewellery con funded his son’s £44,000 Bar Mitzvah celebration, has received an additional 18 months behind bars.

High-living salesman Jason Shifrin, 49, preyed on two investors, swindling £93,560 from one businessman and the £5,930 life savings from an unemployed man.

Harrow Crown Court heard £18,000 was also splashed on a Mini Cooper; £6,000 on a family holiday and the remainder deposited in the savings account of his wife Nicole Shifrin, 48.

The couple, of Stanborough Avenue, Borehamwood were both arrested and charged, but money laundering counts against Nicole were dropped and they exchanged a kiss as she left the dock a free woman.

Jason, who is currently serving three years and ten months at HMP Wormwood Scrubs for a similar scam involving a £40,0000 gold investment, had this sentence added to that term.

He pleaded guilty to defrauding Reza Zoje, 56, of £93,560 between March 1 and October 4, 2015 by falsely representing it would be invested in watches for profit.

He also pleaded guilty to defrauding the second man of £5,930 between February 1 and October 31, 2017 by falsely representing it would be invested in a Rolex, four necklaces, two rings and a bracelet for profit.

Nicole was charged with laundering the money from both cons through her bank account, but after pleading not guilty the prosecution offered no evidence.

“That’s a decision for the Crown Prosecution Service, but for me she is extraordinarily lucky on this occasion,” announced Judge Lana Wood.

Jason is the author of ‘Money, Money, Money’ in which he boasts of his goal to be as wealthy as his idol Alan Sugar, whose gold Rolls Royce he used to wash.

"Extraordinarily Lucky": Nicole Shifrin

He told the victims he specialised in selling expensive jewellery and watches to celebrities and footballers. 

Prosecutor Ms Leena Lakhani said: “The defendant persuaded these two individuals into investing into deals that didn’t exist and transfer money into his wife’s bank account with the proceeds spent on a luxury lifestyle.

“He chased these two men to invest in these deals on the agreement the money would be returned, plus profit.”

Jason duped the investors into believing his real name was ’Shipman’, even producing a passport in that name to prove his identity. 

“The money was not returned to the first victim within ten days as agreed and he used many excuses for the delay, even claiming he may have cancer,” added the prosecutor.

Eventually the first victim found an internet article on Shifrin, revealing his true identity, and won a civil case against him, but no money was ever recovered.

By the time the second victim asked for his money back Shifrin told him he was on the verge of bankruptcy and the cash was in his wife’s frozen bank account.

That man says “my life savings have been taken” and the first investor had to scrap a family trip to Australia and plans to buy his daughter a flat.

Nicole is still serving a two-year community order and 300 hours community service for laundering the profits of the gold scam.

“He has realised he has brought his wife’s good name into disrepute,” said Mr. Philip Sutton, defending. “She is an enabler as opposed to an instigator.”

Their son, now aged seventeen years-old has recently dropped out of school. “He realises the effect his behaviour has had on his wife and his son.”

The flamboyant salesman is now bringing his personality to smooth relationships between staff and prisoners at Wormwood Scrubs, the court heard.

“It is encouraging to see he is using his undoubted charisma and communication skills for good,” said the judge, who ironically spotted Shifrin when she visited the prison last week.

“I have seen with my own eyes what has been written about you and somehow out of this you are going to have to recover your self-respect.” 

“You persuaded both these men to invest in deals that were fictitious and used that money to fund your family’s luxury lifestyle.”

Sixty Year-Old Man Downloaded Sick Pics Of Kids

Trundell was sentenced at Croydon Crown Court

A Carshalton man, charged with downloading multiple videos containing sexually-explicit material involving children, has received a suspended prison sentence.

Paul Trundell, 60, of Buckhurst Avenue pleaded guilty when he initially appeared at Croydon Magistrates Court and was sent to the nearby Crown Court for sentencing.

After his arrest he was charged with three counts, covering Category A, B and C in levels of seriousness.

Trundell was charged with making an indecent photograph of a child on or before July 27, last year, namely 11 still and 50 moving images within Category A – the most serious level of abuse.

He was also similarly charged in relation to 38 still and 55 moving images within Category B and 256 still and 50 moving images within Category C, on or before the same date.

At Croydon Crown Court last Friday he was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months.

Trundell must also complete up to twenty-five days of rehabilitation.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of two laptop computers and a computer hard drive owned by him that were seized by the police.

He was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, was added to the employment barring list for seven years and was ordered to pay £425 costs.

Policewoman Must Wear Electronic Home Curfew Tag For BMW Fraud

A female police officer, who defrauded her insurance company over her missing BMW, has been ordered to wear an electronic tag to keep her indoors at night.

Maisey Jayne Edmonds, 25, of Park Avenue, Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey, had originally denied the allegation and returned to court for a trial.

However, she instead admitted one count of fraud by false representation and received a community order, which includes a ten-week tagged curfew between 9pm and 6am.

Edmonds was also ordered to pay £400 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

She is based at Ealing Police Station, west London and after initially appearing at City of London Magistrates Court was bailed to attend a trial at Hendon Magistrates Court.

Edmonds was charged that on May 9, last year she stated to Diamond Insurance that she left the BMW locked and secure in Matlock Lane, Ealing and that it was stolen while she was in possession of the vehicle keys, with intent to make a financial gain for herself.

Prosecutor Mr. Trevor Green told City magistrates during that first hearing: “The defendant is a serving Metropolitan Police Officer at Ealing and the owner of a BMW insured since February, 2015.

“On May 8 the defendant reported to Diamond Insurance she parked the vehicle outside Ealing Police Station before duty and when she finished at 11.35pm the vehicle had been stolen.

“She retuned to Ealing Police Station and reported the matter.

‘The insurance company asked for both electric key fobs for the vehicle and the insurance company sent them to BMW for analysis and one didn’t belong to the vehicle.

“She said she had purchased a new key fob off eBay because the original one had broken.

“Believing the claim to be false the insurance company asked for £726 in investigation fees and she agreed to pay the costs.”

Her insurance claim did not proceed any further.

Naked Vet's Assistant Caught On Hotel CCTV In Wine Bottle Row With Boyfriend

Staff at a Bayswater hotel called the police after witnessing a naked female guest attacking her boyfriend in the corridor with a wine bottle, a court heard.

Veterinary assistant Amelia Oxenford, 21, had been out drinking all night with Alex Buttigieg, but turned on him during a 2.45am row at the Ascot Hyde Park Hotel.

CCTV footage - pixilated to protect her modesty - was played at City of London Magistrates Court showing Oxenford pursuing her boyfriend from the room.

Oxenford, of Cheyney Close, Steeple Morden, Cambridgeshire was convicted of assaulting Mr. Buttigieg on January 16 and causing £300 worth of criminal damage to his spectacles.

Prosecutor Mr. Trevor Green told the court she threw the empty wine bottle at the victim and slashed him across the face with a shard of broken glass when they returned to their room.

When police arrived they saw Mr. Buttigieg nursing a 2cm cut to his bleeding nose with a tissue, describing him as “shocked” and “rambling” as he unsuccessfully tried to stop the flow of blood.

The couple had dated for nine months and reunited after a one-month split, during which time Oxenford had seen another man, triggering the hotel row.

“This resulted in Ms Oxenford pushing him into the corridor and on the CCTV she can ben seen naked and lunging  at the victim,” explained Mr. Green.

“He said she threw an empty bottle of wine at him and there was a brief tussle when she reached out for the spectacles on his face and one of the arms were snapped off.”

Nude Oxenford locked herself out of the room and Mr. Buttigieg went to reception for a spare key, but the couple continued rowing when back inside.

A small glass was smashed in the bathroom and Oxenford armed herself with a shard. “Mr. Buttigieg told the police she attacked him with a piece of broken glass that caused the injury to his nose,” said the prosecutor.

When police arrived they heard her shouting inside the room that she was going to harm herself and jump out of the window and when the door was opened to officers she was now only wearing a bra. 

One officer said: “She was agitated, under the influence of alcohol, she was drunk. She was slurring her words and there was an overwhelming smell of alcohol on her breath.

“He said she came at him, punching him and picked up the piece of glass and swiped it at him, causing the cut.”

Oxenford told the court the couple began boozing early, polishing off a bottle of wine during the train journey to London, another during dinner and she had four more cocktails that night.

“I can’t remember a lot of what happened, but I do remember Alex shouting at me and pinning me down to the bed.

“I was terrified and vulnerable and he was very aggressive.

“I have a good job and work hard and like to think I’m a good citizen. I’ve never committed a crime.

“I felt like I was defending myself in all honesty and felt he did hit me as well.”

She was bailed for sentencing on May 2.

'Charmer' Who Once Ripped-Off Dates Nicked For Violent Row With Partner

Court Out: Holding

A notorious ladies man, once jailed for stealing from nine heartbroken lovers, has landed on his feet again despite twice attacking a young woman he started a family with, a court heard.

Christopher Holding, 30, has split with the mother of his ten month-old daughter, but moved into the home of a Kensington businesswoman, who has also sorted him out with employment at her company.

The Preston-native, formerly of Turpin Green, Leyland was convicted of assaulting girlfriend Jamie Anne Moutarde on September 27, last year at a flat they shared in Sydenham Road, Sydenham, south-east London.

He was also found guilty of causing £115 worth of criminal damage to her laptop, which he threw at her and possessing cocaine and cannabis on the same occasion.

After Ms Moutarde called police to their home she reported another incident at a wedding the week before to the officers and Holding was also convicted of assault at the County Hotel, Chelmsford on September 21.

Holding, who was sentenced in 2012 to 45 months imprisonment for stealing cash, jewellery and other valuables, worth over £8,000 from women he wooed, jumped bail after his latest arrest and skipped his trial.

Nicked Again: Holding

Prosecutor Denise Clewes told Bexley Magistrates Court: “Ms Moutarde called the police to say she had been assaulted by Holding, who had climbed back in through a window and was leaving when police arrived.

“She said they had an argument and he picked up her laptop and threw it at her. She moved so it wouldn’t hit her in the face and it struck her shoulder.

“She wouldn’t let him back in so he climbed through the window and when police stopped him leaving they found a small bag of cannabis in his jeans pocket.

“Ms Moutarde told the police they were at a hotel in Essex and Holding pushed on onto the bed and put one hand on her throat and while holding her arms above her head with his other hand gently head butted her several times.

“She also pointed out his room in the flat and police found a wrap that contained cocaine.”

When questioned at Lewisham Police Station Holding said things had been “very hard” after the birth of their daughter and he had lost his chef job.

After returning home from the local Jobcentre the coupled rowed about money and Holding claimed he simply pushed her laptop to her a little harder than he should have done.

It fell to the floor, admitted Holding, saying he didn’t know he hurt his girlfriend’s shoulder.

He returned via the window to collect the cannabis and grinder, but insisted the cocaine wasn’t his.

“Holding said they were at a wedding the week before and both of them had taken drugs and been drinking when they began arguing about her feelings towards another man,” explained Ms Clewes.

“He said they were screaming in each other’s faces so it was possible his head touched hers, but he was not sure.”

Afterwards Ms Moutarde told police: “The incident made me incredibly stressed and frustrated. The relationship was deteriorating and wearing me down.

“It is sad that it has come to this and that my child will not have her father in her life.

“I am paranoid about what he might do and my family is under pressure from him contacting them and I am embarrassed to tell my family and friends what happened.”

Holding told the court he had recently moved in with a woman, who also gave him a £400 a week admin job at the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour around the corner from his new home in Lots Road, West Brompton. 

“I have moved in with a friend who has her own business,” he said. “A chef is what I’ve always been, my father was a chef, but I want to get out of that environment. It is negative to my life.”

Holding received an eighteen-month community order, which includes up to 40 sessions of drug addiction treatment and was ordered to pay £200 compensation to his ex, plus £600 costs.

He was also made subject to an indefinite restraining order, prohibiting him using threatening, violent or intimidating behaviour towards Ms Moutarde.