Boots Cashier Nicked £16K At Heathrow Airport

Rat In Trap: Libranda

A Boots cashier was caught on CCTV plundering the tills at his Heathrow Airport branch of £16,000.

In just one month Russell Libranda, 42, a duel Spanish and Filipino national, of Hanworth Road, Hounslow accumulated the cash during his day-to-day duties.

At Isleworth Crown Court he was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay £2,000 compensation to his former employer.

Police and store security trawled hours of CCTV footage to compile 130 clips of Libranda, pocketing cash for a month.

He resigned on November 9, last year and within three weeks he was reported to the police after the store launched their own investigation after noticing the dramatic shortfall in takings.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Aviation Command Crime Squad arrested Libranda within three hours, and executed a search warrant at his one-bedroom flat.

Investigating officer, PC Jon Houston, said: “When we arrived at Libranda’s flat it was patent that he had been living well beyond the means of a shop assistant. 

“Libranda had evidently been living in a lavish fashion. 

“His flat was packed with designer clothes and jewellery, numerous iPhones, computers and an expensive TV. 

“We also found a shoulder bag, filled with £6,000 in cash, down the side of his wardrobe.”

Cash In Hand: Libranda Nicked Thousands

The officers seized the cash under the Proceeds of Crime Act and it was subsequently forfeited.

During his first weekend working at the branch he stole almost £700.

PC Houston said: “Libranda’s confidence quickly escalated. 

“In his first full week at the branch he stole £3,500 and by week five he was taking almost £5,000. 

“When I watched the CCTV I was stunned to see he was doing this in view of customers and colleagues, who were distracted.”

Libranda pleaded guilty to one count of theft by employee, relating to all £16,191 he stole.

PC Houston said: “The sad reality is that sometimes staff at shops try to steal from their employers, but the security at this store did an excellent job of identifying Libranda as the perpetrator once they were aware that something was amiss.

“The Met has a really strong relationship with Heathrow Airport and the companies operating there, so staff have the confidence to report any suspicious activity to us. 

“We continue to work closely with security across the airport, to keep it safe from all types of crime, including thefts like these.”

Romanian Pickpocket Can't Believe He Got Three Years

Blackfriars Crown Court

A professional Romanian pickpocket looked shocked today when he was rightly sent down for three years for preying on an OAP and a commuter.

Christian Roman, 46, jumped bail after his arrest for the first theft and was locked-up in Germany for similar offences.

The painter and decorator, who claims he is an alcoholic, returned to the UK to continue his heartless crime spree after his release.

He was sentenced at Blackfriars Crown Court for picking the pocket of an 80 year-old woman of £200 cash he saw her withdrawing from a Post Office in Brecknock Road, Holloway in 2013.

Roman had an accomplice and the pair approached their elderly victim and used a cynical distraction technique to steal her money.

He continued thieving in Germany, where he received sentences of three months and eighteen months imprisonment.

When he returned to the UK he was caught with his hand in a female commuter’s bag in August by officers staking-out a central London tube station for pickpockets.

His accomplice received fourteen days imprisonment.

Judge Guy Mathieson rejected defence claims, which sought to diminish Roman’s offending, announcing: “I don’t accept that. He is a career pickpocket.”

Roman asked the court to place him on an alcohol treatment programme rather than send him to prison, claiming he needs to get sober for the sake of his four children aged 5 to 14 years-old.

“I don’t know when you first came to this country, but from 2013 on you have demonstrated you are a career pickpocket, observing and targeting victims for what you can snatch.

“In 2013 you saw that 80 year-old woman in the Post Office and followed her and took that money in a selfish and cynical way, leaving her confused, distressed and no doubt somewhat ashamed she could fall victim to someone like you.

“To avoid justice you left the country and in 2017 you were in Germany committing identical offences.

“You returned to this country to commit crime and whether you have a drink problem or not is no excuse. You came to this country to commit crime.

“You were seen on the station platform watching commuters to identify your next victim and there were a couple of others you tried to steal from.

“You were stopped from ruining someone else’s day.

“This is a group activity in which you played a leading role.”  

Shot Across The Bows For Team GB Gun Expert

The owner of a high-precision rifle manufacturing company has received a slap on the wrist after he was cleared of illegally importing two twelve bore pump-action shotgun from the USA.

Miodrag Maksimovic, 55, the boss of Boston-based Dolphin Gun Company, always fought the case and appeared at Isleworth Crown Court.

He was prosecuted after the weapons, DP-12 shotguns, arrived at Heathrow Airport on June 21, 2017.

Maksimovic, of Bank House, Scalp Road, Fishoft was cleared of being concerned in the importation of a prohibited weapon between May 11 and June 21, 2017.

However he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of purchasing the guns without the authority of the Secretary of State.

On that count Maksimovic was conditionally discharged for two years and ordered to pay £6,000 costs.

Maksimovic claims there was nothing fraudulent about the online purchase, which was made in his name and under the belief the guns were lawful.

He is well-known within the shooting world, having competed all over the globe, often representing Team GB and is currently their manager.

Pharmacist Sentenced For Arranging Baby's Illegal Circumcision

A pharmacist, who posed as the mother of an 11-month old boy to ensure he was circumcised without his parents consent, received a suspended prison sentence for GBH yesterday.

Martina Obi-Uzom, 70, was entrusted to look after the child, but was determined he conform to her Nigerian Christian beliefs and employed the skills of a Jewish mohel to perform the procedure.

Obi-Uzom, of The Lighthouse Pharmacy, The Street, Little Clacton, Clacton-on-Sea was convicted by a jury of causing grievous bodily harm to the boy on September 3, 2017.

At Inner London Crown Court she was sentenced to fourteen months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months and ordered to pay £1500 costs and a £140 victim surcharge.

The court heard she recruited a male to pose as the child’s father and travelled to Bridge Lane, Golders Green, north-west London, where she signed the parental consent form, which was accepted on face value by the mohel.

Judge Freya Newbery told her: “You have a Christian belief in circumcision that has great cultural and religious significance to you.

“You wanted the boy circumcised and the mother of the boy did not agree with you.

“She and the boy’s father went away for the weekend and they left you both of their children to look after and you booked the Jewish mohel to perform the circumcision.

“You went with a male friend and pretended to be the parents of this boy and the mohel took on face value the parental consent form.

“The circumcision was a significant physical step with irreversible consequences.

“However, there was no parental consent and that is what is missing here. 

“You imposed your will, ignoring the mother’s objections to the circumcision and as the boy’s father describes it was a massive violation.

“Circumcision can only be lawful with the consent of parents.

“There is high culpability here, plus the vulnerability of the boy and this was planned and carefully organised.

“You acted quickly to bring into effect your will, using the deceit that I have found you have. 

“It was an arrogant, imperious decision for what you wanted in place of the mother. It was a serious breach of trust.

“The probation officer you spoke to found the offence was controlling and manipulative on your part.”

Judge Newbery said the offence merited a prison sentence, but there were circumstances that allowed her to suspend it.

“I accept your intention in your mind wasn’t to harm the boy and you are a woman of impeccable character.

“You have worked in the community promoting the needs of less fortunate children. You are a professional person, a pharmacist, highly qualified and devoted to your family.

“Both of the parents gave evidence and there has been a deep impact on you because of these criminal proceedings, but you brought it on yourself.

“As a pharmacist I recognise your profession is under jeopardy as is potentially your ability to travel to family in America with this conviction.”

NHS Consultant Denies 'Moonlighting' Fraud

An NHS consultant with University College London Hospital also worked lucrative private shifts while collecting her NHS salary during a £130,000 fraud, a jury were told today.

Paediatric radiologist Dr. Maria Klusmann, 47, of Southwood Lane, Highgate deliberately deceived bosses at the Bloomsbury hospital during the two-year scam, the court heard.

“This is a case about money and greed,” prosecutor Leila Gaskin told Blackfriars Crown Court. “The prosecution say the defendant was paid by the NHS, but instead she chose to work elsewhere at exclusive private clinics.”

Dr. Klusmann received a total of around £130,000 from the NHS and her private work, with approximately £60-£70,000 defrauded from taxpayers, the jury heard.

She diagnosed sick children using CT scans, MRI’s, x-rays, ultrasound scans and by taking biopsies.

Dr. Klusmann has pleaded not guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of position between April 3, 2014 and August 2, 2016 and the trial is expected to last five weeks.

She denies dishonesty, insisting much of her private work was during periods of leave from UCLH with the remainder of time paid back to the NHS.

The court heard Dr. Klusmann also worked at Highgate Private Hospital; The Wellington Hospital and Hospital of St. John & St. Elizabeth in St. John’s Wood; Aspen Healthcare and HCA Healthcare.

“Senior doctors were able to see the defendant was not working at the times and places she was contracted to on numerous occasions,” explained Ms Gaskin.

“She admitted no wrongdoing and did not alter her conduct and an internal investigation revealed extensive gaps when she was working for other private clinics when she should have been working for the NHS.

“The prosecution case is over two years she did not work for hundreds of hours for the NHS and during that time was working in the private sector, earning additional sums and was doing this dishonestly and deliberately covering it up.

“She was effectively being paid by both the private clinics and the NHS at the same time. The defendant was being dishonest, working at private clinics on days she should have been working for the NHS.

“She was deceiving the NHS, she was acting fraudulently.”

The court heard Dr. Klusmann reacted negatively when confronted by UCLH. “She became agitated and evasive and did not answer questions she was asked and there was an attempt on her part to manipulate the data.

“She says if there is a deficit there is a fault in the computer software of the hospital, which was prone to crash.”

Trial continues…………

Trainee Solicitor's Double Rape Rampage

A trainee solicitor repeatedly raped a young woman he pounced on from behind in the early hours and attacked another woman 60 minutes later, a court heard today.

Wilfred Marodza, 28, of Kingston Road, Eastbourne pleaded guilty to four counts of raping a 21 year-old woman in Dickens Fields, Great Dover Street, Southwark on July 20.

He also pleaded guilty to kidnapping a 25 year-old woman from a bus stop in nearby Borough High Street, plus an additional charge of kidnapping her, with intent to cause a sexual offence. 

He denied one count of kidnap in relation to the first victim and this was dropped by the prosecution.

Prosecutor Mr Edward Lucas told Inner London Crown Court: “The offences are incredibly serious, snatching strangers from the street.”

He said of Marodza, who has never been in trouble before and was employed by solicitors firm Cripps Pemberton Greenish : “The details are extremely serious, the most serious of this type of offence.” 

The first victim was walking home at 2.37am after a night out when she was approached from behind by Marodza, who was unknown to her and marched to a nearby wooded area.

She was then threatened and raped multiple times by the suspect.

The victim managed to escape and ran, fearing for her life, to a nearby street. 

A passing motorist stopped and the suspect claimed that they were having a domestic argument.

The victim got into the motorist's car and was taken to a local police station.

So traumatised and desperate to get to safety was she that she ran into an adjacent fast food restaurant, where staff called police.

Just an hour later, the second woman was waiting at a bus stop when Marodza approached her and began speaking to her offering to escort her to a nearby cab office.

The victim began walking with him before he grabbed her and pulled her into a side street, where he threatened the victim to do as she was told. 

He pushed her to the ground before the victim managed to scream and Marodza fled.

Officers from the South Central Command Unit launched an immediate investigation and Marodza was identified and arrested that same day.

He was charged and remanded in custody, where he remains and will be sentenced on October 11. 

Mobile phone and CCTV evidence linked him to the offences and he answered ‘no comment’ during interviews for both offences.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Jonny Norman from the South Central Command Unit, said:"These two young women were subjected to ordeals that no person should ever have to endure. 

“Marodza is a dangerous predator whose actions left both victims in fear of their lives.

“Marodza will now, I hope, face a substantial amount of time behind bars, and I am sure London will be all the safer for it.

“I would like to thank the investigative team who worked tirelessly to track and arrest Marodza. Most importantly I would like to thank the victims, whose bravery and courage in supporting our investigation has been instrumental. 

“I hope that, in time, this will allow them some form of closure and that they can begin to move on with their lives.”

Marodza had been determined to pursue a legal career and had been employed in the corporate transactions department with his latest employer.

He has previously been employed as a paralegal for firms in London and Kent and has a law degree from the University of Kent and attended BPP Law School.

Judge Nigel Seed QC told Marodza: “The matters you have pleaded guilty to are serious as I am sure you understand.

“There will be a pre-sentence report to try and understand what led you to commit these serious criminal offences, having not committed any serious offences before.”

£1 Million Cannabis Grow Operation In Old Hospital A Casualty Of Police Raid

A £1million east London cannabis factory in an abandoned hospital building has been dismantled by police, who are continuing to hunt the growers.

Officers attended the building in Goodmayes Lane, Redbridge on Thursday, August 8 where they found a sophisticated cannabis farming system.

Over 1,000 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of in excess of £1,000,000 were being grown in 30 rooms within the derelict Mayesbrook Clinic.

At this stage there have been no arrests and the investigation by detectives from Redbridge Police continues.

Detective Inspector Gareth Gilbert said: “Taking such a large drug haul off the streets is a great catch for the Met.

“Violence is one of the main by-products of the illegal drug industry, so it is imperative that we continue to tackle this problem head on.

“We will continue with our enquiries to establish who was the architect of this illegal operation and who was involved in maintaining it.”

All plants and equipment have been removed from the property.

Jail For Armed Crack User

An armed crack user caught lying on his couch when police raided his north London home has been jailed for six years.

Olusegan Shobanjo, 20 of Penavia Court, Colindale had stuffed his pistol and ammunition down the back of the couch.

He was convicted at Harrow Crown Court of possession of a firearm and ammunition, plus possession of crack cocaine and £4,000 in illegal criminal profits.

The court heard that on the morning of September 13, last year officers executed a search warrant at Shobanjo’s home address. 

Upon gaining entry, the suspect was found lying on the sofa and he was immediately arrested.

Officers searched the back of the sofa and found the gun and a quantity of ammunition. 

A number of Class A and B drugs and cash were also found in the property.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Bryan Pontin said: “There is absolutely no reason a firearm like this and live ammunition should be on the streets of London. 

“I’m extremely proud of all the hard work that my colleagues have put in to identify Shobanjo and seize this weapon.

“I hope that this result sends a stark warning to anyone who is in possession of, or is thinking holding a firearm for a friend or family member.”

Art Gallery Owner Sentenced For Battering Young Girlfriend In Multi-Million Pound Apartment

Nahmad today after sentencing

The jealous and paranoid member of a famous art-dealing family, who twice left his young girlfriend battered and bruised after attacks at his luxury apartment, received a suspended prison sentence today. 

Joseph Nahmad, 31, who owns a Mayfair art gallery, repeatedly slapped and kicked 20 year-old Georgia Barry - even repeatedly banging her head against a wall during the drunken attacks.

Nahmad, of The Knightsbridge, 199 Knightsbridge, is the latest generation of a powerhouse art-dealing family, who made billions in impressionist and modern art. 

He owns Mayfair’s Nahmad Projects gallery in Cork Street.

At Southwark Crown Court Nahmad was sentenced to 14 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months and must attend twenty days of rehab.

Judge Jeffrey Pegden QC told him: “There are mitigating factors. You are of good character and have taken steps to address your offending behaviour, steps that you started before you were arrested.

“You have found yourself a counsellor that you have been going to twice a week and I take into account your lack of maturity that the psychiatrist refers to and the extensive character references I have seen.”

Nahmad pleaded guilty to assaulting Ms Barry, causing her actual bodily harm, on October 27, last year and March 8, this year at his multi-million pound apartment.

Prosecutor Mr. John Fairhead told the court today: “They began a relationship in May, 2018 and after three months she moved into his flat in Knightsbridge.

“She describes the defendant as paranoid, jealous and controlling and would constantly go through her phone to see who she was talking to and messaging and there were arguments and assaults.”

The couple had been out with friends on October 27, last year. “She says he was very drunk and she was drunk and he became paranoid and started asking questions.

“She did not want an argument and asked to go home and when she went to sleep he started demanding to know why a male friend was calling her and demanded she unlock her phone.

Nahmad leaving court after guilty pleas

“He puled her by her t-shirt, grabbed her arms and threw her around the room and this continued in the bathroom as he demanded she unlock her phone.

“He put both his hands around her throat and Ms Barry says: ‘It was really hurting and I couldn’t breathe.’

“He apologised when she unlocked the phone and said: ‘Let’s go to sleep,’ and once he fell asleep she went home to her parents,” added Mr. Fairhead.

“They saw her in floods of tears and distressed and saw substantial bruises to her arms and neck.”

She sent pictures of her injuries to Nahmad, who replied: ‘My God. I’m so sad. My God, my angel. I feel s***.’

Georgia did not report Nahmad to police and the couple were back together on March 8 when they went for dinner with friends at a restaurant opposite his flat.

“She had her phone on the table and was receiving messages from friends and the defendant started getting paranoid and started interrogating her back at the flat.

“He seized the phone and ran into the bathroom and locked the door and she could hear him crying and wailing as he’d found out she kissed another man when they were not together.

“He came out asking questions and when she tried to take her phone back he grabbed her and slapped her face twice and held her down on the floor, kicking her legs.

“He grabbed her around the neck with both hands and pushed her against the wall and banged her head three times against the wall.

“He got in front of her to stop her leaving and pulled her into the kitchen and said he would not hit her if she answered questions.

“However, he slapped her twice in the face hard and took an energy drink from the fridge and sprayed it in her face and poured it over her head and back.

“She tried to leave, but slipped on the wet floor and he kicked her four times on the legs and Ms Barry says he picked up a knife and asked: ‘Are you going to say sorry?’

“She says he then put it down,” added Mr. Fairhead. Nahmad has always denied picking up a knife during the row.

“He then grabbed her under the chin, slapped her face and banged her head against the wall.

“She ran out of the flat and got a taxi home and her parents saw her injuries and her distress.

“She had bruising to both legs and all over her arms. Two bruises on her chin, one to her eye and a scratch on the side of her face and neck that she said was really sore.

“She is of very slight frame the Crown would say.”

Ms Barry told police: “The incidents made me fell betrayed and confused. I don’t understand how someone can do this and I am humiliated I am with someone who treats me this way.

“He has insulted my looks and degraded me during these incidents and did it throughout the relationship.”

The court heard Nahmad received a police caution for common assault against another girlfriend in June, 2010.

Nahmad pleaded not guilty to similarly inflicting actual bodily harm to Ms Barry at elite celebrity hotspot Tape London, 17 Hanover Square, Mayfair between January 31 and February 15, this year.

The CPS decided not to pursue the charge and Nahmad’s QC William Clegg said: “There was an incident in a nightclub where a scratch and bruise were sustained. Very minor injuries.”

During his probation interview Nahmad admitted using cocaine once or twice a month, but could not recall if he was under the influence of the drug during the assaults.

“They both took what are known recreational drugs, but are illicit drugs,” added Mr. Clegg. 

A psychiatrist told the court Nahmad sought counselling before the first assault, describing him as immature in dealing with adult relationships and lacking the development to cope emotionally.

He described Nahmad as having a difficult childhood due to shyness and bullying at school, adding his jealousy stems from insecurity and is worsened by alcohol. 

Mr. Fairhead said the energy drink incident was an aggravating factor. “The prosecution say that was gratuitous degradation of the victim.”

Judge Pegden told Nahmad: “When you were in drink and a state of paranoia and jealousy you assaulted this twenty year-old woman on two occasions.

“It is clear to me you were emotionally distressed. Nearly as emotionally distressed as the victim.

“At work and other areas of your life you are an entirely different person.”

Nahmad was also made subject to an indefinite restraining order, prohibiting contact with Ms Barry and was ordered to pay her £750 compensation and £1500 costs.

“That order for compensation is the best estimate I can make for the extensive bruising and emotional turmoil she has suffered,” added the judge.

Nahmad - who once made the Under-30’s Forbes rich list - has a brother Hillel ‘Helly’ Nahmad, who is also a New York gallery owner, as are two of his cousin’s. 

He is the son of Beirut-born billionaire art dealer Ezra Nahmad.

Brexit Supporter Jailed For Abusive MP Phone Calls

A Brexit supporter has been jailed for 18 weeks for verbally abusing eight Tory and Labour MP's.

Robert Vidler, 64, of Vaughan Road, Harrow, was convicted after a trial at City of London Magistrates’ Court.

He was found guilty of all eight offences against him; five of harassment and a further three of malicious communications.

He has also been granted a Criminal Behaviour Order with conditions of; not to contact directly or indirectly any Member of Parliament other than the MP representing a constituency where he is a registered voter.

Between January 8 and 24, Vidler left multiple voicemails on Palace of Westminster phones to Conservative and Labour MP’s, all using abusive language and aggressive threats of significant violence.

All of the voicemails left to MP’s made a reference to their involvements in Brexit and alleged Remain credentials. 

Vidler has since said he does not remember making the calls following his admission that he is an alcoholic.

After the messages had been reported, his arrest was sought by police.

He self-presented at Harrow police station on Sunday, January 27 and was arrested for harassment and then malicious communications.

Data taken from his phone through his internet search history revealed that he had searched the details of MP’s on multiple occasions. 

The number also matched that of messages left on the Palace of Westminster phones’ and call logs further incriminated Vidler in the case.

Punched Bar Teen Suffered Facial Fractures

Police are hunting this suspected bar thug after a teenager was punched to the floor, suffering facial fractures.

In the early hours of Saturday, April 13, the 19-year-old victim was drinking with friends at The Lighthouse Bar in Rivington Street, Hackney.

In an unprovoked attack, he was punched in the face by the suspect, which knocked him to the floor.

He attended hospital where he required surgery for a fractured cheek-bone and eye-socket.

Detectives have released this CCTV still of a man they wish to identify in connection with the assault.

There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call detectives from the Central East Command Unit on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC. Please quote CAD 3644/08Aug

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

Dead Men Do Tell Tales: Met Cop Nicked From Deceased's Home

A Metropolitan Police officer, who nicked a dead man’s driving licence and bank card when called to the deceased’s home after his sudden death, avoided prison today.

PC Oliver Levi Darby, 42, was on the uniformed response team in the northern part of Westminster Borough and was responsible for securing the deceased man’s property.

Blackfriars Crown Court heard the items were found when fellow officers searched his room in the Gilmour Section House, Kennington Lane, Lambeth on January 11, last year.

The search occurred because a WPC accused him of spying on her two days earlier while she was showering, a charge Darby was acquitted of last year. 

Also found during the search were three further bank cards he stole from the post of two people who formerly resided at a Wimbledon rented home once occupied by father-of-one Darby.

Today he was sentenced to a twelve-month community order, which includes 200 hours community service and twenty days rehab. He must also pay £1500 costs.

Ex-Royal Engineer Lance Corporal Darby, of Sand Cottage, Docking Road, Burnham Market, King’s Lynn, Norfolk pleaded not guilty, but was convicted, of stealing those three cards.

He also pleaded not guilty, but was convicted, of stealing the provisional driving licence and bank card belonging to the estate of Gary Steel, of Randolph Avenue, Maida Vale on January 6, 2017.

Recorder Richard Smith told bearded Darby: “Your crime was carried out while on duty as a police officer, the very antithesis of what is expected of a police officer, let alone during a sudden death call which you are expected to deal with great respect and sensitivity.”

Darby told the jury he had little recollection of how he came into possession of the stolen property, which did not impress Recorder Smith.

“You may not have fully come to terms with the responsibility of your offending and I put little weight on your supposed remorse.” 

The recorder told Darby he would not be sending I’m to prison due to his personal circumstances. “You had an unblemished record until this point in your life and the convictions will continue to have consequences for your family and your risk of further offending is low.”  

Darby’s lawyer Heather Oliver told the court: “The offences seem spontaneous, opportunistic with little or no planning.

“He will also be punished by the termination of his career and the isolation from friends and  colleagues and the shame and humiliation of the public nature of these verdicts.

“They have been writ large in the press and his local community.

“He has found this whole process extremely traumatic and the stigma of his criminality is a real stigma for this man that will stay with him for the rest of his life.

“He is an Army veteran who served his country for sixteen years and his community as a police officer for five years.

“He faces the loss of employment and his income. He lives with his mother and step-father and cares for his mother who in the last twelve months has suffered a heart attack and had a hip replacement.” 

Prosecutor Mr. Oliver Doherty told the court today: “PC Darby falls to be sentenced on three counts of theft, having been convicted by the jury at trial a few weeks ago.

“The motivation the for offending in this case must have been financial. In the pre-sentence report Mr. Darby expresses what is described as remorse for the offences, but there is no explanation given as to why he stole the bank cards.

“You may feel he must have been financially motivated,” the prosecutor told the recorder. “The jury heard he had to take out a six thousand pound loan at the time and told people at the Wimbledon address he didn’t want to stay there due to financial pressures.

“At the time he was taking holidays abroad to Cancun, New York and Copenhagen that you may feel are not consistent with a police constable’s pay.

“The most serious offence is the theft of the Barclaycard and provisional driving licence belonging to the estate of Gary Steel.

“PC Darby and the other officer attended Gary Steel’s address when people who knew him were concerned for his welfare and they found him at the address.

“There can scarcely be a higher degree of trust put into a police officer, entrusted with going into someone’s house.

“He was an opportunistic thief who took that moment to steal the card. I put that to him in cross-examination.

“I do not think it is right to say there was any degree of planning in respect of Gary Steel’s card.”

Regarding the Wimbledon occupants Mr. Doherty added: “The theft of bank cards out of the postal system when one is sharing accommodation with these people is also a breach of trust.

“The reason the police officers searched his room was because there had been an allegation of voyeurism by another police officer at that location and he was found not guilty after a trial last year.”

Mr. Doherty told the jury during the trial: “The reason why Mr. Darby wanted these cards isn’t entirely clear, but at the time he was having some financial difficulties.

“He had cause to tell other people he had financial difficulties, but it is not the prosecution case he ever used the cards even though one was used to pay a Cyprus-based internet dating site.”

During the search a Halifax Visa and MasterCard, still attached to the original letters, were found in a shoe box and a Barclays Visa card was found on a shelf.

The late Mr. Steel’s Barclaycard and licence was found in a red bag by Darby’s bed.

He was one of two officer’s who attended the deceased man’s home where property was officially listed. “There was no recording of the licence or bank card later found,” explained Mr. Doherty.

“Darby does not dispute the items were in his room, but does deny dishonest possession.”

East London Shop Stabbing: CCTV Image Released

Police hunting a mystery knifeman, who stabbed another man in an east London shop, have released this CCTV image of their suspect.

Officers were called at approximately 2.20pm on Wednesday, July 10 to reports of a man stabbed inside a shop in Upper Clapton Road, Clapton.

London Ambulance Service also attended and the man, aged in his thirties, was taken to hospital for treatment – he has since been discharged.

Officers are keen to identify and speak to the man shown in the image who is thought to have been involved in this incident.

Anyone who recognises this man or with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact officers in the Central East CID on 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD 4702/10July.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

No arrests have been made and enquiries continue.