Horse And Cart Traveller Tragedy: BMW Driver On Death Charge

Hiding: Budd

A BMW driver, accused of causing the death of a traveller, who was riding a horse and cart along a busy south-east London dual carriageway, appeared in court for the first time yesterday.

Billy Budd, 31, is accused of crashing into 32 year-old Mikey Connors, also killing the horse, on July 28, last year in Eastern Way, Thamesmead.

He appeared on bail at Bromley Magistrates Court and was sent to the Old Bailey for a plea and trial preparation hearing on July 1.

Wearing a blue suit, white shirt and blue tie Budd only spoke to give his name and date of birth, but was allowed to not give his address for fear of violent reprisals within the travelling community.

Budd is charged with causing the death of Mr. Connors by careless or inconsiderate driving and a second charge of causing criminal damage to the Connors’ family horse - ‘Big T'. 

The animal, worth £6,000, had to be destroyed as a result of injuries it sustained.

Mum Mary Connors With Mikey Portrait

Despite press objections magistrates granted a defence application - supported by the police and Crown Prosecution Service - for Budd’s address not to be disclosed.

Prosecutor Mr. Kavi Chooln told the court Mr. Connors was travelling in a horse and cart at 8.45am in the 50mph dual carriageway when in a collision with Budd’s white Series 1, 1.6 litre diesel BMW.

Mr. Connors was pronounced dead at the scene at 9.20am.

The deceased’s mother Mary Connors attended the hearing with a large picture portrait of her late son.

After the hearing Budd left court with his jacket covering his face and was whisked away in a car by family members.

Charity's Money Chief Jailed For £171K Fraud

The finance manager of a struggling charity that helps vulnerable people has been jailed for four-and-a-half years for taking £171,933 during an elaborate swindle.

Rushna Choudhury, 46, was a trusted employee of the Social Interest Group at their HQ at 1 Waterloo Gardens, Milner Square, Islington.

She claims she will kill herself in prison, but Judge Alexander Milne QC dismissed this, telling her: “You are somebody who seeks to manipulate the system.”

Choudhury, of Singlewell Road, Gravesend, Kent initially fought the charge and jumped bail, but eventually pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position between June 24, 2016 and August 17, 2017.

When police forced their way into her home, where she stashed designer label clothing and expensive accessories Choudhury was cowering in her garden shed, claiming she had taken an overdose of pills.

The judge told her at Blackfriars Crown Court: “You were employed in a position of responsibility and the fraud was sophisticated, involved substitution of invoices, transfers to your bank account and once to your son’s bank in a way that left a trail that covered yourself.

“You also used the log-ins of your colleagues to protect yourself. You did it to enrich yourself.

“By your actions you poisoned the atmosphere in the organisation and are responsible for the deputy chief executive ending his employment because he felt responsible that under his watch you had been stealing from a charity that helped those in need.”

Including investigation costs and hiring staff to cover those suspended during the internal probe the charity says they have lost £303,741 due to her actions.

Choudhury received three years for the fraud, plus eighteen months for breaching a suspended prison sentence she got for taking £77,750 from a housing organisation she worked for in 2013.

“You should not have been trusted ever again with other people’s money. You defrauded a previous employer and the sentence you received was lenient and you went out very rapidly and began doing the same thing again,” the judge told her.

Prosecutor Alex Krikler said Choudhury made 24 transfers from the charity, which is an umbrella organisation for other groups assisting those with mental health problems, substance abuse issues, plus ex-offenders, the homeless, poor, aged and disabled.

A colleague suspected the swindle, which involved doctored invoices from regular suppliers, with money even paid into an account Choudhury was using to repay a court order for the earlier fraud.

“She reset other staff members’ passwords and used them to access the system so it would look like others had entered the details on the system,” added Mr. Krikler.

The suspicious colleague quit and later told police: “The incident made me feel physically ill and uncomfortable in my place of work. Rushna had no problem ripping-off an organisation clearly there to help other people.”

The charity had a £700,000 trading loss during the tax year Choudhury worked there, but managed to recoup £189,000 via insurance.

Her lawyer Susan Wright said the pressure of having to repay the first fraud overwhelmed Choudhury. 

“The reality of having to pay that money back and no means even though given a second chance meant she became increasingly panicked and saw the only way out was to do what she did before.”

No Angel: Hip Hop Star Fined For Canabis

Hip Hop star ‘Angel’ has been fined for possessing cannabis.

The singer-songwriter and producer - real name Sirach Charles - was sentenced at Westminster Magistrates Court.

The 31 year-old, of 20 Strode Road, Fulham is best-known for hit ‘Wonderful’ which topped the UK R&B chart.

He pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis at 49a Devonport Road, Shepherd’s Bush on March 5.

Charles failed to appear on time for his initial court appearance and a warrant was issued for his arrest, but this was later withdrawn.

He was fined £200, with £85 costs and ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge.

The cannabis resin was ordered to be forfeited and destroyed.

His other hits include ‘Go In, Go Hard’; ’Time After Time’ and ‘The World’.

He has released two albums with Island Records, ‘About Time’ and ‘Woman’ and collaborated with artists including Tinchy Stryder and Fuse ODG.

Angel was part of ‘Artists For Grenfell’ who had a UK Number One with charity single ‘Bridge over Troubled Water.’

Attempted Kidnapping Of 9 Year-Old Schoolgirl: Suspect Image Released

Police are hunting this suspected wannabe kidnapper, who chased a 9 year-old girl and grabbed her hair after offering sweets at a bus stop.

At around 4.45pm on Friday, November 2, last year the girl left school and boarded a bus on Putney High Street.

Approximately 15 minutes later, she got off the bus at Dover Park Drive where she noticed a man sitting at the stop.

He started a conversation and tried to convince her to come home with him, promising her sweets if she did so.

She refused and ran away but was chased down the road by the man until she reached her address.

As she neared the building, the suspect grabbed her by the hair but she managed to get inside and close the door behind her, stopping him from entering.

He is described as a tall black male, wearing dark clothing at the time of the incident.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police's South West CID are investigating and have released an image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the incident.

Detective Constable Matt Morse, leading the investigation, said: “While incidents like this are rare we are very keen to trace this man and would urge anyone who can identify him to come forward.

“Anyone with information should call 101 with CAD reference 5937/02NOV.”

Convent-Educated Accountant Published Love-Rival's Naked Shower Pic Online

Video: Dobla

A jealous convent-educated accountant posed as a male model admirer to trick her love-rival in sending a naked shower video, which she then published on Instagram, court heard yesterday.

Blerina Dobla, 26, of Melliss Avenue, Richmond-upon-Thames published the video, plus more semi-nude pics of the young woman, tagging in friends and family of the victim.

She pleaded guilty at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court to sending a communication of an indecent or offensive nature on January 30, 2017, namely an Instagram video of the victim naked in the shower.

Dobla also admitted a similar charge of sending the same shower video to victims’ friends and family via Instagram on November 1, 2017, plus additional images of the young woman in various states of undress.

The court heard Dobla’s ex-boyfriend began dating the victim, who she contacted online under a false identity, and persuaded her to send the images.

The victim believed because she used Snapchat the material would be only visible for a few seconds and could not be saved by the recipient.

Prosecutor Mr Chidi Ikwuakolam told the court: “Twice in 2017 Ms Dobla tagged the complainant in a series of posts.

“Ms Dobla had been in a relationship with a male that ceased and he then entered into a relationship with the complainant.

“Ms Dobla formulated several social media accounts and contacted the complainant under the alias of a male.

“The contact between them continued and Ms Dobla persuaded the complainant to send videos and photos of a sexual nature of herself on a number of occasions.

“This was via Snapchat and the complainant thought they would be deleted automatically, but they were retained.

Dobla: Guilty Plea

“At 11.30am on January 30 a video was posted on Instagram that tagged the complainant. It was the victim naked in the shower.”

On November 1 the complainant received a call from a friend that an Instagram account tagging her family and friends contained photos of her undressed.

“However, by the time she was alerted to the second post she was unable to view the material,” added Mr. Ikwuakolam.

Dobla, who lives in a £1.2m house, was traced by police and arrested at work in February, last year and her phone was seized by officers who were also able to investigate her online history.

“She was questioned and denied the offences.”  

Magistrate Pamela Donovan told the first-time offender: “We are not excluding committal for sentence to the Crown Court or any sentencing options, including custody.”  

Dobla, who attended the Catholic Gumley House Convent School - moto ‘Vive Ut Vivas’ (live that you may live) - founded in 1841 was bailed to return for sentencing on June 28.

New Cocaine And Crack Sentence For Linford Christie's Son

Can't Run From The Law: Oliver-Christie

The drug-dealing son of former sprint star Linford Christie has picked-up yet another prison sentence while in the middle of serving one.

Liam Oliver-Christie, 33, appeared via video link from HMP Highpoint, Suffolk, where he is serving time for dealing crack cocaine and heroin.

At Isleworth Crown Court he pleaded guilty to possessing 45.2 grammes of cocaine, with intent to supply, in Goldhawk Road, Shepherd’s Bush on June 1, last year.

Christie, of Lakeside Road, West Kensington also admitted possessing crack cocaine on the same occasion.

He received four years imprisonment for the cocaine supply charge, with one month concurrent for possessing crack.

The good news for Christie is the court decided not to add it to the sentence he is already serving, but allow him to serve both concurrently.

He committed the new offences while on bail for other drugs charges, for which he received four years imprisonment in September, last year.

On that occasion he pleaded guilty to possessing crack cocaine, with intent to supply, on November 9, 2017 and possessing heroin, with intent to supply, at his home address on the same day.

In 2015 he received two months imprisonment, suspended for twelve months, when police found heroin and crack cocaine, worth £1,400, hidden under the floorboards of his council flat.

Dad Linford won gold for Great Britain in the 100m at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona and was also victorious in the event at World, European and Commonwealth championships.

Liam’s mother is former typist Yvonne Oliver, who had a short relationship with the athlete and he has a twin sister Korel.

Ex-Army Military Expert Fined For Royal Navy Bum Slap

Guilty Of Assault: Forsyth

A military consultant, who slapped a young woman’s bum at a Royal Navy charity event, was cleared of sexual assault today, but fined for striking the blow.

Former Army Staff Sergeant Mark Forsyth, 58, who consumed two pints of beer and “five or six” glasses of wine was told his behaviour was “bullying”.

He was fined £750, with £250 compensation to the victim by Judge Martin Griffith for the offence of common assault at the Admiralty House fundraiser in Whitehall for the National Museum of the Royal Navy on February 15, last year.

“I have no idea, well in fact I have a pretty good idea, why it is your are standing in this dock in this court after over twenty-one years in the Army and working in the defence industry,” the judge told Forsyth.

“Finding yourself in drink at this event and for reasons I don’t quite understand you hit that young lady, a young woman employed  as an organiser for the charity event for the benefit of the Royal Navy Museum and you helped yourself to alcohol there.”

Forsyth, of Millennium Close, Frampton Cotterell, Coalpit Heath, Bristol - boss of MRDFORSYTH Consulting Limited never disputed smacking the woman’s rear, but always insisted there was no sexual motive.

“This young lady was young enough to be your grand daughter, she is an attractive young lady and when collecting badges with her bottom towards you in a forceful attack because you were in drink and just felt like it you struck her.

“It was bullying thing to do in drink, which I am sure you are thoroughly ashamed of doing.

“You sought to explain it as some sort of service camaraderie, but I can’t imagine you would strike a serviceman or marine. If you did you’d have to go to the dentist afterwards.

“This was a small young lady. The courts have to stand up for woman who while carrying out their work have to deal wit bigger people like you who strike them.” 

Forsyth Pictured Earlier During The Trial

Earlier that night Forsyth touched a waitress serving canapés and was warned by pal Major Cliff Allun, but insisted this was simply to get her attention and was not another bum grope.

However, the judge said: “You had a go at the waitress. I have no doubt about that.

“Mr. Allun told you to stop doing that, but you carried on. There was a warning and you certainly carried out this offence after consuming alcohol.

“She was vulnerable and you took advantage of it.

“You are were good character and exemplary behaviour, representing this country, if not in war zones, then Bosnia, the closest to a war zone and have let yourself down completely.

“That slap has cost you, leaving aside continuing to carry out the work you have done well so far in the interests of this country.

“You can go now. I’m sure I won’t see you again. Don’t drink so much at events. Hit a man, he might hit you back.”

Turning to the jury the judge added: “I’ve tried to hit him as hard in the pocket as he did to that bottom.”

Forsyth’s lawyer told the court: “There’s a lot of positives with this man. Since leaving the army he’s been involved in charities raising money for soldiers with PTSD and with Help for Heroes.

“He is thoroughly ashamed of himself and accepts it was disgraceful conduct.”

As a £300-a day consultant Forsyth fear the assault conviction may ruin his career. “The problem he’s got now is that with a criminal conviction he may not have security clearance.”

Outside court Forsyth said the trial’s publicity had wrecked his career: “I’ll never work in the defence industry again.”

The woman told the Southwark Crown Court trial: “I turned and felt a large hit on my left buttock.

“I turned and looked at him in shock and said: ‘What are you doing?’ and his business friend said: ‘What the f*** are you doing? You can’t keep doing this.’

“Mr. Forsyth laughed and lit up a cigarette outside and then tried to come back in, but his friend took him away.”

On his professional profile Forsyth describes himself as an experienced Defence and Business consultant seeking new challenges.

He was an electronics engineer for twenty-four years, specialising in tanks with the Army Technical Support Agency.

He has worked on projects here in the UK, plus Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Singapore.

Forsyth previously worked as a specialist for the Australian Defence Forces and the New Zealand Defence Force in their delivery of heavy recovery military vehicles.

He is a former parish councillor for Frampton Cotterell Parish Council and an ex-town councillor at Bradley Stoke.

Forsyth is a graduate of Worcester University, Farnborough College of Technology and the School of Electronic Engineering.

He currently resides in a four-bedroom £550,000 detached home.

Admiralty House is used for government functions and houses ministerial apartments.

It backs onto Horse Guards Parade and was once home to Winston Churchill while serving as First Lord of the Admiralty

John Prescott had a grace-and-favour flat in the building when he was Deputy PM and it has been home to several Prime Ministers during 10 Downing Street renovations.

Ex-Army Man Accused Of Sex Assault: "I Often Slap Colleagues On The Bottom"

"Mortified": Forsyth

A military consultant, who slapped a young woman’s bum at a Royal Navy charity event told a jury today: “I regretted hurting her or offending her if I had, but there was no sexual intention whatsoever.”

Former Army Staff Sergeant Mark Forsyth, 58, consumed two pints of beer and “five or six” glasses of wine the night he attended the Admiralty House fundraiser in Whitehall for the National Museum of the Royal Navy.

Forsyth, of Millennium Close, Frampton Cotterell, Coalpit Heath, Bristol - boss of MRDFORSYTH Consulting Limited - has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting the woman on February 15, last year at the landmark Grade 1 listed building.

He told the Southwark Crown Court jury he has no memory of slapping the woman’s rear, but accepts her evidence and that of his friend and business colleague Major Cliff Allen, who saw the incident.

“It was a spur of the moment thing,” said Forsyth. “I’ve accepted it is common assault, there was no sexual intention. I often slap colleagues on the bottom or the back.”

However, prosecutor Mr. Paul Casey suggested: “You were seeking some small element of sexual gratification. A little thrill.”

Forsyth denied this and a suggestion he danced and waved his arms around afterwards - recorded on CCTV - as a diversionary tactic to cover up the sexual assault.

“That’s all a performance isn’t?” asked Mr. Casey. “To make a buffoon of yourself so nobody would take it seriously?”

Forsyth replied: “I was randomly waving waving like an idiot. I accept I’m acting like and idiot, but I’m not waving at her boss.”

Earlier that night he touched a waitress serving canapés, but insisted this was simply to get her attention and was not another bum grope.

“She had her back to me and I noticed the canapés were quite enticing and touched her on the lower back to attract her attention.

Forsyth: "No Sexual Intention"

“She was a bit….shocked is the wrong word, she had not expected it.”

“One of the guys made a comment like: ‘Careful, she nearly dropped the canapés’

“Cliff said: ‘Gosh, she nearly spilled the tray’. He likes to put me in my place.”

Forsyth had two pints with Major Allen in the pub before walking to the event and consuming more alcohol. “I had five or six glasses of wine. It made me a bit happy shall we say,” he told the court.

He chatted with the complainant, an organiser at the event, earlier that evening. “I asked her if she had been in the military and she said she had been a naval bandswoman.

“I said she was the prettiest naval bandsman I had seen because I had never seen a female bandsman and she took it in the light-hearted manner it was intended.

‘That’s the sort of thing you do in the military, saying: ‘You are the ugliest or prettiest guy I’ve ever met’ whatever.

“I went to give her my name badge and thank her for a great evening. This is when we had the discussion about who I could have been, the head of a multinational defence company or whatever.

“I don’t recall much apart from thanking her for the evening and that was about it really.”

Regarding the bum slap he said: “I don’t recall it, no. I don’t dispute it, I’m happy to accept.”

Regarding his dancing afterwards, which was played to the jury Forsyth added: “That’s something I do when I’m a bit tipsy.”

The woman reported him to the police five days later and Forsyth was interviewed at Belgravia Police Station on April 3 after receiving and email from the investigating officer.

“I thought this was a bit odd. I thought I’d received it in error.”

He told the police: “I’m mortified. I’m more than happy to write her a letter and apologise.”

When asked by Judge Martin Griffith if he ever slapped Major Allun’s bum or other colleagues Forsyth replied: “Someone may be climbing the stairs slowly and you slap them on the bottom and say: ‘Shift your arse.

“I Think I’ve been open and honest in my dealings with the police in this case. I have no reason to lie.”

On his professional profile Forsyth describes himself as an experienced Defence and Business consultant seeking new challenges.

He was an electronics engineer for twenty-four years, specialising in tanks with the Army Technical Support Agency.

He has worked on projects here in the UK, plus Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Singapore.

Forsyth previously worked as a specialist for the Australian Defence Forces and the New Zealand Defence Force in their delivery of heavy recovery military vehicles.

He is a former parish councillor for Frampton Cotterell Parish Council and an ex-town councillor at Bradley Stoke.

Forsyth is a graduate of Worcester University, Farnborough College of Technology and the School of Electronic Engineering.

He currently resides in a four-bedroom £550,000 detached home.

Admiralty House is used for government functions and houses ministerial apartments.

It backs onto Horse Guards Parade and was once home to Winston Churchill while serving as First Lord of the Admiralty

John Prescott had a grace-and-favour flat in the building when he was Deputy PM and it has been home to several Prime Ministers during 10 Downing Street renovations.

Trial continues…………

Military Consultant Denies Bum Slap At Royal Navy Fundraiser Was Sex Assault

Bum Slap: Forsyth 

A military consultant touched the bum’s of two young women while drinking at a Royal Navy charity event at Whitehall’s Admiralty House, a court heard today.

Mark Forsyth, 58, admits consuming beer and wine at the fundraiser for the National Museum of the Royal Navy, where he groped the rear of a waitress and slapped an organiser, the jury were told.

Southwark Crown Court heard there was no further action regarding the waitress, but the second woman told the trial: “I turned and felt a large hit on my left buttock.

“I turned and looked at him in shock and said: ‘What are you doing?’ and his business friend said: ‘What the f*** are you doing? You can’t keep doing this.’

“Mr. Forsyth laughed and lit up a cigarette outside and then tried to come back in, but his friend took him away.”

Forsyth, of Millennium Close, Frampton Cotterell, Coalpit Heath, Bristol - boss of MRDFORSYTH Consulting Limited - has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting the woman on February 18, last year at the landmark Grade 1 listed building.

Prosecutor Mr. Paul Casey said: “It seems he did something similar earlier on when he touched the backside of a waitress and his friend told him he couldn’t behave like that.

“He did something foolish in drink once and went and did it again.”

It was a catered event with alcohol and canapés served to approximately fifty potential donors, who included ex-forces man Forsyth himself and a speech was given by the museum’s Director General.

Earlier in the evening he chatted with the complainant. “He asked if I was ex-military and when I said I was ex-Navy he said I was the prettiest female Marine bandswoman he had seen.

“I just laughed it off. He was friendly and not aggressive and made a couple of jokes.

“He came up to me and said how much he enjoyed the evening and how he was potentially going to give some money to the museum.” 

When Forsyth spotted the unclaimed name tags of non-attenders he asked her: “Who could I have been tonight?”

She replied: “You could have come as the Indian High Commissioner,” the court heard.

Seconds later she felt the slap, which Forsyth doesn’t deny. “His business partner came and grabbed him and Mr. Forsyth said: ‘It’s fine, she’s ex-forces. It’s banter.’

“In my six years in the military and as a reservist in the Army I have never had anything like that,” said the woman, aged in her twenties. “The fact I was ex-forces is invalid.

“It was such a force and it did sting afterwards, he had no right to touch me. It was wrong that a man of his age thought it was okay to hit a young woman if he felt like it.

“I was in shock after that, I felt it was completely unjustified.”

The jury was shown CCTV footage of Forsyth dancing around with his arms in the air immediately after the incident and hugging the woman.

She reported him to the police five days later.

On his professional profile Forsyth describes himself as an experienced Defence and Business consultant seeking new challenges.

He was an electronics engineer for twenty-four years, specialising in tanks with the Army Technical Support Agency.

He has worked on projects here in the UK, plus Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Singapore.

Forsyth previously worked as a specialist for the Australian Defence Forces and the New Zealand Defence Force in their delivery of heavy recovery military vehicles.

He is a former parish councillor for Frampton Cotterell Parish Council and an ex-town councillor at Bradley Stoke.

Forsyth is a graduate of Worcester University, Farnborough College of Technology and the School of Electronic Engineering.

He currently resides in a four-bedroom £550,000 detached home.

Admiralty House is used for government functions and houses ministerial apartments.

It backs onto Horse Guards Parade and was once home to Winston Churchill while serving as First Lord of the Admiralty

John Prescott had a grace-and-favour flat in the building when he was Deputy PM and it has been home to several Prime Ministers during 10 Downing Street renovations.

Trial continues…………

Suspected Afghani Rapist On Run

A suspected rapist, accused of attacking a woman near the shores of Lake Como in northern Italy, is being hunted in this country.

Afghanistan-born Abdullah Popalzai, 26, is wanted by officers from the Metropolitan Police's Extradition Unit.

The Italian authorities have issued a European Arrest Warrant for Popalzai.

He is accused of raping the woman in the city of Lecco on August 30, 2014.

It is believed he has links to Dagenham, east London.

Anyone with information on Popalzai’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Met’s Extradition Unit on 020 7230 3191 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Rapist Caged For Preying On Seven Year-Old Girl

A violent paedophile has been locked-up for ten years for abuse which began a decade ago when his young victim was only seven years-old.

Anthony Huggins, 34, of Bellclose Road, West Drayton, Middlesex, was convicted of rape and sexual abuse.

He was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court after being convicted after a two-week trial.

The offences occurred over a four-year period between January, 2009 and December, 2013 in Shepherd's Bush and Ealing.

The incidents came to light on February 4, 2017 when the victim, then aged 17, told nurses of the abuse during a hospital visit.

The nurses then informed the police, prompting an investigation into the claims.

The court heard that Huggins carried out his assaults, unknown to the victim’s mother.

The victim told her family what had happened when she was aged around ten years-old.

The abuse stopped, but began again a few months later.

Both the victim and her family were too scared of Huggins’ persuasive and violent nature to report the abuse to police at that time.

Detective Constable Andrew Hargreaves, an investigator on the case, said: “We are relieved that Huggins has received a just prison sentence for his crimes.

“His abusive and unforgivable behaviour has caused potentially irreparable damage to his victim, who I can only hope will now be provided with some closure following his conviction.

“The ordeal he put her through is something no one should have to experience.

“The bravery shown by the victim will hopefully be a positive example to others, encouraging them to come forward and tell their stories to put these abusers away.”

Club And Bar Awards Boss Accused Of Drunken NYE Assaults

"Berserk": Armstrong

The founder and CEO of the London Club & Bar Awards appeared in court yesterday accused of going “berserk” on New Year’s Eve and drunkenly biting police officers.

Mark Armstrong, 53, who lives in a £3.3m house in Cheyne Walk, West Brompton, was told he faces “serious” charges.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court where he was bailed to return on June 5 for legal representation.

Prosecutor Mr. Robert Simpson told the court: “The incident started on New Year’s Eve, the defendant was very drunk and there was an incident between him and his partner.

“A member of the public intervened to protect the partner and he assaulted her.

“Police officers arrived and he went completely berserk and a number of them were bitten so blood was drawn.”

Armstrong, who gave his nationality as American is charged that on December 31, last year he assaulted Lauren Brothers at the junction of Sloane Street and Cadogan Place.

He is also charged with causing an affray at the same location and assaulting designated emergency workers PC Harvey Moser and PC Martin Moakes.

Armstrong is further charged with assault, causing actual bodily harm, to PC Ben Bancroft and PC Simon Moakes.

Magistrate Mr. Jonathan Saunders told Armstrong, smartly dressed in a dark grey suit, light blue shirt and dark blue tie: “The charges here are quite serious and you will need representation.”

The London Club & Bar Awards, which started in 1994, describes itself as: ‘the first, largest and definitely most important nightlife industry ceremony in the world.’

There is an annual celebrity bash overlooking Hyde Park, where as well as awards for best club and bar there are prizes for best DJ, cocktail maker, event organisers and ‘night time svengalis’ and ‘dandy gentry’. 

'Sneakbo' Banned From Driving His Range Rover

Rapper ’Sneakbo’ has been banned from driving for 21 months after twice being caught behind the wheel of his Range Rover while disqualified.

The Brixton-born performer - real name Agassi Odusina, 26 - fought the case, but was convicted of committing both offences within the space of three days.

He was also placed on a Community Order and must complete 100 hours community service work and pay £620 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Odusina, of Edmeades Court, Evenden Road, Meopham, Gravesend was convicted after a trial at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court.

He was found guilty of driving the white 2.2 litre vehicle in Loughborough Road, Brixton while disqualified on January 28 and again in nearby Angell Road on January 30.

Odusina was also convicted of driving without insurance on both occasions.

His first song ‘The Wave’ reached number 48 in the charts and two follow-ups ‘Zim Zimma’ and ‘Ring a Ling’ were both top forty hits.

His debut album ‘Brixton’, released last year, peaked at number twenty in the charts.