Hackney Al Qaeda Terrorist Caught By Syrian Video

An Al Qaeda terrorist – questioned by police for acting suspiciously in Whitehall – was identified as a combatant filmed in Syria six years ago.

Mohammed Yamin, 26, featured in an online video by VICE news posted on YouTube of armed terrorists in Syria.

Yamin, of Southwold Road, Hackney, east London was investigated by the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command.

At the Old Bailey he was sentenced to 10-and-a-half years and ordered to serve a further year on license for Engaging in Preparation of Terrorist Acts contrary to Section 5(1) Terrorism Act 2006.

He was also sentenced to four years consisting of three years imprisonment and one year on license for Membership of a Proscribed Organisation contrary to Section 11 Terrorism Act 2000. 

Both sentences are to run concurrently.

On July 10, 2013 Yamin left the UK and travelled to Syria via Romania.

On May 32, 2014, upon returning to the UK, Yamin was arrested at Heathrow Airport under Section 17, TACT 2000 as officers believed he had travelled to Syria in order to provide clothing and equipment to others involved in terrorist activity in the region. 

Yamin denied this, and in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, he was released with no further action.

In 2015, a VICE news film, which had by this time been posted on YouTube, was brought to the attention of police. 

The film, which had been taken in 2013, featured interviews and footage of various people said to be fighting alongside Al Qaeda in Syria. 

Two of the men interviewed on the film wore combat clothing and spoke with British accents. 

One of these men was also seen in the film brandishing an automatic rifle. 

However, the faces of the men were covered and officers were unable to identify who they were at this time.

In 2017, police officers were alerted to a man acting suspiciously by the ‘Women at War’ memorial in Whitehall. 

The man – who was later identified as Yamin – was spoken to by officers. 

Whilst he was not arrested at this point, the encounter was flagged to Counter Terrorism officers and, given his suspicious behaviour and the account he gave to the officers, further enquiries into Yamin were made.

As a result of the further enquiries, the officers identified that Yamin may have been one of the men in the VICE news video. 

The news video was compared to body-worn video footage taken when police spoke to Yamin in Whitehall, and further enquiries with experts in facial and voice analysis confirmed that the man in the VICE news video was likely to be Yamin.

Further enquiries were carried out, which led to Yamin’s arrest on January 30, this year and he was charged the following day.

Detective Chief Superintendent Alexis Boon of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “The Met’s Counter Terrorism Command is absolutely committed to investigating and bringing to justice anyone who travels to Syria, or anywhere else in the world, to join or engage in terrorist activity.

“Anyone who is thinking of returning to the UK having been involved in terrorism abroad can expect to be investigated and as we’ve shown with this case, we will examine all evidence available so that they are held to account for their actions.”

Any suspicious behaviour or activity can be reported via the Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) website at www.gov.uk/ACTor alternatively, call the police in confidence on 0800 789 321.

'Dangerous' Knifeman Guilty Of Pub Attempted Murder

'Dangerous': Bryden

A vicious knifeman, who repeatedly stabbed another pub customer during a late-night murder bid, has been caged for 22 years.

Jamaine Bryden, 31, stabbed the 25 year-old man in the neck, chest and abdomen and his life was saved by a female vet who gave the bleeding victim emergency first aid.

Wood Green Crown Court ruled heavily-tattooed Bryden is a dangerous offender, who will not be automatically released after serving half his sentence and will need parole board approval before he can walk free.

He was convicted by a jury off attempted murder outside the Sporting Green pub, Green Street, Enfield in the early hours of February 25 and possession of a knife.

The victim was rushed to a specialist trauma centre with life threatening injuries.

The investigation team were able to piece together the events of the evening, which involved speaking with witnesses and meticulous CCTV enquiries.

The victim and his friends had been drinking at the pub during the evening. 

One of the victim’s friends was assaulted by the defendant earlier in the evening in an unprovoked attack. 

A short time later the men were outside the pub when a fight broke out.

The victim was stabbed in the neck, chest and abdomen by the defendant.

Bryden, who was local to the area, was identified as the suspect. 

Initial enquiries revealed he was not at the addresses known to him and had fled Enfield.

A major manhunt was launched to attempt to locate him and he was arrested on Thursday, March 28 in Hertfordshire. 

Weapon Of Choice: Bryden's Knife

He was charged the following day and remanded in custody by the court ahead of his trial.

During the trial and giving evidence Bryden bizarrely claimed a meat cleaver discovered during a search of his home address was something he used to scratch his back with.

Judge David Aaronberg QC told Bryden: “You produced a knife and in a frenzied senseless vicious and entirely unprovoked attack you stabbed at him again and again. 

“He is an extremely lucky man to be alive. He continues to suffer and will always suffer physically. 

“This was a hideous attack for no reason that bears any sense on a young man that has done nothing other than help his friend.”

The veterinary surgeon who assisted the victim has been awarded a judge’s commendation for her actions in saving the victim’s life.

Detective Inspector Paul Ridley from North Area CID said: “The devastating events of this night have changed the victim’s life forever leaving him with permanent injuries.

“He was enjoying an evening in the local pub with friends when he was set upon outside by Bryden who was armed with a knife. 

“Bryden launched a savage and unprovoked attack on the victim, relentlessly stabbing him multiple times – it is clear his intent was to cause maximum harm. 

“He has shown no remorse, nor has he accounted at any stage for his actions and the finding of dangerousness reached is wholly appropriate in these circumstances.

“The victim showed great courage to attend court, face his attacker and relive the horrific events of that night as he gave evidence.

“I am confident that the actions of the member of the public, the victim’s friends as well as the first aid administered by police and London Ambulance Service, undoubtedly saved him and I want to praise them all for their efforts.

“I truly hope that this substantial sentence which has been passed today will serve as a deterrent from those intending to carry out these horrific attacks.

“We always will take robust action against any person found carrying a knife or using it to inflict harm on the streets of London.”

Businessman Denies Groping Fellow Cricket Fan In Lord's Pavilion

A businessman, accused of drunkenly groping and slapping a young woman’s bum in the exclusive Lord’s pavilion, was arrested a year later using a forged deceased member’s card during an Ashes test match, a court heard yesterday.  

Cleaning company boss James Lattimer, 51, a member of the Dorset Chamber of Commerce, admits he had been drinking heavily, but denies groping the woman’s rear.   

Lattimer, of Green Road, Winton, Bournemouth appeared for the first time today at Westminster Magistrates Court.  

He pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting the woman at Lord’s Cricket Ground on August 9, last year during the England v India test match.

He pleaded guilty to making or supplying an article for use in fraud on August 15, this year, namely a Lord’s members card, on Day 2 of the England v Australia test match.

Lattimer, who also owns a design company and has a background in marketing, was bailed to appear at Hendon Magistrates Court on January 24, next year for trial on the sexual assault allegation.

Prosecutor Ms Sophie Akister told the court today: “The Crown’s case is at 4.20pm the complainant was in the members pavilion of Lord’s Cricket Ground.

“It was during a test match and as she walked towards the toilet she was stopped by a male that introduced himself as ‘James’ and she says he was quite tipsy and flirty.

“She says he kissed her on both cheeks, grabbed both her bum cheeks and slapped her left cheek.

“She replied: ‘how dare you,’ and the matter was reported to security and the police.”

Nobody was arrested and the woman failed to pick out the man from a photo register of Lord’s members.

The court heard she identified Lattimer a year later and he was arrested. He says he has little recollection of the event, but insists he did not touch the woman’s bum.

“The defendant was in possession of a Member’s card that belonged to a deceased member and was altered to allow this defendant access to the members pavilion,” added Ms Akister.

The court heard there are 12,000 people on the 29-year waiting list for membership, which costs £1,000, plus £600 per year.

In her statement over a year ago the complainant, who cannot be identified, described herself as “feeling disgusted and isolated” by the incident.

“Just because I am a young woman, who is friendly and wearing a nice dress does not mean my body can be touched,” she said, complaining she felt “unsafe” in “a place that is so special to me.”

Hammer-Wielding Teen Guilty Of Cop Attack

Hammer Horror: Flanagan

A violent teenager has been convicted of smashing a claw hammer into the back of a policeman's head, inflicting a deep bloody wound to the officer's scalp.

Brandon Flanagan, 18, of Bell Lane, Twickenham, fled after striking the officer when stopped on a moped, even evading the PC's chasing colleague despite being tasered.

He was convicted by a Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court jury of inflicting grievous bodily harm, with intent, and possession of an offensive weapon and will be sentenced on December 4.

The jury heard that on the afternoon of Monday, May 20 several members of the public called 999 to report two people on a motorbike behaving in a suspicious manner in the Kneller Park area of Twickenham.

Flanagan, who is now known to have been the pillion passenger, was reportedly openly carrying both a knife and a hammer.

Two PCs from the South West area’s Emergency Response Team attended and positioned themselves close to a nearby underpass in order to intercept the motorbike. 

When it emerged, the officers stopped the vehicle and took hold of the suspects in an attempt to detain them.

At this point, Flanagan used the claw hammer, which he was holding, to strike one of the PCs with considerable force across the back of his head before running away. 

The rider of the motorbike also escaped and enquiries continue to identify him.

As the officer lay injured, his colleague pursued Flanagan on foot. 

In a desperate bid to escape he jumped over a fence and started running through gardens. 

The officer successfully fired his Taser into Flanagan, who fell to the ground.

However, while the officer was climbing over a fence to arrest him Flanagan seized the opportunity and ran away – with the Taser prongs still attached to his jacket.

Wound: PC's Scalp

A short while later, police were called to a suspicious male matching the description of Flanagan at a nearby pub. 

Officers entered the premises and found Flanagan enjoying a soft drink and when challenged he lied about his name.

The injured officer’s colleague then entered the pub and identified Flanagan as the male he chased and Tasered. 

Flanagan was then arrested. 

The investigation was led by Detective Constable Ben Pierce, from the South West area’s CID, who established his case based on DNA evidence and witness accounts.

The injured officer is now fully recovered but required hospital treatment for a deep wound to his scalp.

Detective Sergeant Kara Moulds, from the South West area’s CID, said:“Flanagan has shown no remorse for his actions and has refused to admit his guilt throughout. 

“The evidence collected by DC Pierce was overwhelming and as a result the jury convicted Flanagan. 

“He is now facing a long stint behind bars where he can reflect upon his actions.

“This case highlights the very real risks with which police officers are confronted on a daily basis and the courage and professionalism officers demonstrate when doing their job. 

“Police officers do their job to protect the public, not to be viciously attacked by them.”

Anyone with information about the motorbike driver is asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD 4500/20MAY or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Scumbag Thrown In Prison For Targeting Elderly Women

Horrid Henry: Six Of The Best

A lowlife fake plumber, who burgled the homes of pensioners in their 80's and 90's – even snatching the ashes of an elderly widow's late husband – has been caged.

Christopher Henry, 54, of Blenheim Park Road, South Croydon, pleaded guilty to three offences when he appeared at Woolwich Crown Court.

He was sentenced at the same court to six years imprisonment.

The first of the incidents, which all happened during 2018, took place on the morning of Friday, July 27 at the home of a 98-year-old woman in Purley.

The victim had woken up after hearing noises and caught Henry riffling through possessions in her bedroom.

Henry made his escape and pushed the victim on his way out, as he fled with numerous items of jewellery.

She called her care button and police arrived shortly afterwards.

The second incident happened a few weeks later on Tuesday, August 14 in Greenwich.

Henry told the 83-year-old victim that he was a plumber and was there to fix a leak in the downstairs flat, which he said could be coming from her bathroom or kitchen.

The woman welcomed him in to take a look and he instructed her to remove everything from under her kitchen sink.

He then asked to see the pipes in another room and struck up a conversation with the victim about the decoration in a means to distract her.

He then directed her back to the kitchen, where Henry pointed out a leak under the sink, which hadn’t been there before.

Henry then made a swift exit promising he’d come back the next day to fix the leak.

The victim discovered that jewellery, £50 in cash and ornaments containing her husband’s ashes had been taken.

The third incident was on Monday, November 5, when an 86-year-old women was again home alone in her flat in St Albans, Hertfordshire.

At approximately 1.30pm the woman answered a knock at the door by a middle aged man, who explained that he was a plumber responding to a callout from her neighbours who had water coming into their property.

He said he needed access to her premises so he could check under the kitchen sink for the leak.

The victim accompanied the man into her kitchen and helped move items out from under it so he could access the pipework.

Whilst she was distracted in the kitchen and unknown to her, a second male entered her property.

The second male searched her bedroom and took five gold rings and a £20 note.

Officers from the Specialist Crime south opened an investigation and Henry was found due to a combination of CCTV enquires, phone work and witnesses.

Officers from Croydon CID and Greenwich CID took the lead, while he was arrested and investigated by Hertfordshire Police for the third offence.

Detective Constable Robert Costigan, who led the investigation said: “This was an abhorrent crime planned on three vulnerable women. Two of whom were simply happy to help a plumber with his work.

“He carefully planned and targeted them in their homes, a place where they should feel the most safe and secure.

“Not only have these women been made to feel fear in their home, they have lost valuable items that hold memories for each. One women has even lost her husband’s ashes.

“I’m very happy with this sentence and I hope it can bring some closure to each victim.”

Group Accused Of Nobbling Jury With £20 Giveaway Outside Court

Patrick & Rita Cleere

A defendant facing a major Crown Court trial recruited family and friends to dole out twenty pound notes and business cards to potential jurors and successfully nobbled the case, a jury heard today.

Patrick Cleere, 66, had failed in his repeated efforts to adjourn his trial and with the help of his wife Rita Cleere, 66, great-nephew Adam Cleere, 23, and others tried to scupper it, the court was told.

The group congregated around Blackfriars Crown Court, handing out the unique wooden business cards for Patrick’s candle company. 

They also distributed the cash to everyone entering and leaving.

The defendants have pleaded not guilty at Harrow Crown Court to one count each of doing an act to pervert the course of justice on July 16, last year.   

Adam & Natalie Cleere

They are: Patrick and Rita Cleere, of Ealing Village, Madeley Road, Ealing.

Adam Cleere, of Wellesley Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.

Patrick’s niece Natalie Cleere, 45, of Vineyard Court, Kings Parade, Clacton-on-Sea.

Rajiv Netto, 51, of Rodden Road, From, Somerset and Hungarian national Hajnalka Romvari, 37.

The trial is expected to last two weeks

Jurors did take cash and many of the business cards were found in the jury room, resulting in the trial being postponed.  

Prosecutor Mr. Robin Sellers told the jury: “Patrick Cleere and five others were due to stand trial on criminal charges, which he asserted he was not ready for.”

Rajiv Netto

The jury were not given any information regarding the nature of that case.

“On the day of the trial Patrick and these defendants arrived together, some carrying clipboard and all wearing lanyards around their necks showing his business card.

“They approached individuals making their way in, explaining they were representing Candleverse Ltd. and were enticing people to look at the company website.

“Instead of discount vouchers they handed out twenty pound notes and the wooden Candleverse business cards.

“Most importantly and uppermost in Patrick Cleere’s mind were that these people were potentially to be selected to serve on the jury for his trial," Mr. Sellers explained to the jury.

“The company was in the evidence of the trial so jurors may have been compromised," continued the prosecutor.

“Any juror would recognise Candleverse if they received a card and maybe view the company in a positive light, known as bribing or tampering with a jury.

Hajnalka Romvari

“These defendants together carried out this act with the intention of derailing that trial that day.

“They were arrested that day outside Blackfriars Crown Court and Adam said he did not even know his great uncle was on trial and Rita described it as a: ‘charitable exercise.’

“All of this is nonsense. These defendants knew why they were there and what they were doing and that was to derail the trial.”

Trial continues………….

Fifteen Years For Brutal Home Invader Who Broke Victim's Jaw

A vicious robber, who borrowed money from his victim before returning with two accomplices to attack the generous man and ransack his home, has been caged.

Jason Brown, 41, repeatedly beat the victim – busting his jaw – and grabbed a knife from his kitchen to threaten him during the terrifying raid.

He was convicted of robbery and inflicting grievous bodily harm, with intent, at the flat in Reighton Road, Hackney on February 7.

At Snaresbrook Crown Court he was sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment.

The victim was inside his flat when Brown knocked on his door and asked if he could have a bit of money for the electric in his house, which he claimed was only two doors along.

The victim gave him some change, describing the man as “friendly” after the interaction.

No less than ten minutes later, at around 4.00pm, Brown returned to the victim’s home with another male. 

They attempted to force their way into the flat, before the occupant let them in as he believed he was just coming back to pay him the money he had borrowed.

They pushed past him into the property and started searching through his belongings. 

Another taller male appeared at the doorway and also entered the property.

At this point, Brown, who had started taking things from the house, then hit the victim in the face multiple times, leaving him with a broken jaw.

Brown also threatened him with a knife before locking him in the bathroom.

The three continued to ransack the location before escaping out of the front door and out of sight. 

The victim, badly wounded and beaten, ran out of the house and flagged down some officers who were dealing with a nearby incident.

The victim read a statement in court that said: “During the robbery I was repeatedly punched causing me to have a broken jaw, as well as having property stolen.

“The more I was saying ‘don’t hurt me, just take my stuff’ the more he was beating me. 

“He then went to the kitchen and got a knife. I was really scared and thought I was going to have my throat cut.”

Detective Constable Tom Lockwood of the Central East Proactive Crime Squad led the investigation, and said: “This was a brutal robbery on an innocent victim who was just trying to enjoy his day off of work.

“Brown manipulated the victim into believing he was a friendly neighbour, before savagely beating and robbing him of many valuable items and equipment, as well as sentimental objects and jewellery.

“His actions have left more than just physical wounds on the victim – it will have been a traumatic experience which would leave anyone feeling unsafe and afraid in their own home. 

“I hope that his conviction and resulting sentence will provide a level of closure and peace and protect the public from this violent male.

“There were two other men involved in the attack who we are continuing to investigate. 

“If anybody has any information from the day, or saw the suspects leaving the location of the incident, please contact us and let us know.”

Rapist Jailed For Attacking 18 Year-Old Barmaid

A rapist who attacked a teenage barmaid in the early hours after she left work is starting a ten-year prison sentence.

Romanian Serban Scinteianu, 32, stalked the 18 year-old victim to a residential building in Brixton and raped her three times in the stairway.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of rape and was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court, which ordered he spend an additional seven years on licence post-release.

The victim left work at the pub at around 4.30am on June 2 2019 and walked along Somerleyton Road. 

She was followed by Scinteianu into a residential building.

He stood near her and stared at her, causing the victim to feel uncomfortable as she made her way to the stairs.

She was attacked by Scinteianu and raped three times. 

Scinteianu ignored her repeated pleas to stop and she was only able to escape when she convinced him to let her leave to get a drink.

She fled, followed by Scinteianu, and made her way to a busy area where she approached a member of the public and said what had happened. 

The member of the public directed her to nearby Brixton Police Station and assured the victim he would stop Scinteianu if he tried to follow.

Scinteianu, seeing this, turned around and began walking back to the scene while the victim reported the incident.

A description of Scinteianu was circulated and was identified by officers as matching that of a man ordered to leave the area in which the victim was attacked following reports of antisocial behaviour.

Officers returned to the scene and found Scinteianu asleep on a mattress around the back of the residential building in which the victim had been attacked.

He was arrested and refused to comment or give an account during interview. 

CCTV was recovered clearly identifying Scinteianu as being responsible.

Detective Constable Esther Pugh said: "This was a horrifying attack by Scinteianu on this young woman.

“I would like to comment on how brave she has been throughout this investigation. 

“Her swift initial actions in going to the police lead to Scinteianu being apprehended at the scene and valuable evidence being seized which was fundamental in securing a conviction against him."

Acting Detective Inspector David Adams said: “Scinteianu is a vile and opportunistic predator who carried out a sickening sustained attack. 

“The victim was courageous in making her escape and going straight to police, who quickly arrested Scinteianu.

“I would like to thank the victim who has displayed immeasurable bravery in supporting our investigation, and my investigating team, who have worked hard to put this man behind bars.”

Churchgoer Sentenced For 'Horseplay' During Flatpack Assembly

A professional poker player, cleared of sexually assaulting a female member of his born-again Christian church congregation, has been sentenced for what he described as “horseplay” and “banter”.

Daniel James Godwin, 31, had visited the petite woman’s flat to assemble a flat-pack wardrobe, but grabbed her as she left the bedroom and then pinned her hands above her head.

The five-foot tall civil servant victim claimed he also stood her on her bed and afterwards Godwin sent her a WhatsApp message, which read: “Sorry about the rapey incident earlier.” 

Croydon Crown Court heard he effectively “confessed” to church elders when investigated by the pastor and is now banned from contacting the woman.

Godwin, of Newgate Tower, Newgate, Croydon always fought the charge of sexually assaulting the university graduate on June 16, last year and his trial resulted in a hung jury.

On the eve of the retrial the prosecution dropped the charge and he pleaded guilty to one count of simply assaulting the woman.

Yesterday he was sentenced to eighty hours community service and made subject to a five-year restraining order.

Both attended Redeemer Church, Cherry Orchard Road, Croydon, and the woman admitted there was consensual kissing between the pair.

“He asked me to kiss him and I don’t know why I said it, but I said: ‘You kiss me.’ He kissed me on my lips and picked me up and put me on the bed standing up, which I thought was really weird,” she told the trial.

“I remember him staring at me and he had his hand around my waist. I took his arm off and walked off the bed and thought that was the end of it.

“That’s when he grabbed me and put his arms around me, around my waist from behind and I took his arms off again.

“He came after me in the living room, pinning me against the wall. He held my wrists above my head.”

She added: “I did think if I didn’t say the right thing he was probably going to rape me.”

She told the court Godwin, who quit a degree in Medicine, told her: “Lust came over me,” and advised her in order to avoid similar incidents again she should never be alone with a man.

Godwin had visited her Croydon flat to do some odd jobs and they shared an afternoon bottle of wine.

“I didn’t want him to get angry, it was like his face had changed. I said: ‘We can’t do this now’ and that’s when he let go of me and sighed,” the victim told the trial.

“I think at that point he was kissing my neck. I told him to calm down and he stopped.

“My skin crawled a bit. It was just so gross, the whole thing, it felt disgusting.

“I felt he had violated me in my home and I did not even get the curtain tie backs done.”

When questioned by police Godwin said he stopped when it was obvious the woman did not want to continue kissing.

His lawyer Laura Hocknell said: “Both of them had a bit to drink and setting out his motivations after a couple of glasses of wine is not easy. He defendant says it was ‘horseplay’ or ‘banter.’

“He does not accept there was an intention of sexual motivation behind this. He accepts the contact was unwanted, but not sexually motivated.

Judge Elizabeth Smaller told Godwin: “Clearly at one stage you did have romantic intentions  and tried to kiss her. As she tried to get into the sitting room you pinned her against the wall in her own home.

“I suspect you were peeved after the kissing when her intentions changed. This is a serious offence against her when she was alone at home with you.”

Sister Of 'Jihadi Sid' Sentenced For Romantic Harassment Of Documentary Filmmaker

The sister of notorious ISIS executioner ‘Jihadi Sid’, developed a crush on and harassed a journalist documentary producer telling her family’s story, a court heard.

Konika Dhar, 32, of North Circular Road, Palmers Green, Enfield, is the sister of Siddartha Dhar, 35, who fled the UK with his wife and four children to join ISIS, and featured in ’My Son the Jihadi.’

She pursued a romantic relationship with Sunday Times Security Correspondent Richard Kerbaj, who received unsolicited heart emoji’s and flattering messages from Dhar.

She also turned her attention on his ex-girlfriend, Times reporter Katie Gibbons, setting up a fake Facebook account in her name and bothering her relatives.

She told Camberwell Green Magistrates Court she chased Mr. Kerbaj because it had been foretold to her by an imaginary black-clad seven foot-tall Nepalese woman.

She was sentenced to a 12-month community order, which includes 25 days of rehab and must pay £200 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Dhar was also made subject to an indefinite restraining order prohibiting any contact with the two victims, their friends, families and work colleagues and Mr. Kerbaj’s new girlfriend and was banned from going within 200m of The Times’ London Bridge HQ.

Prosecutor Mr. Terence Curtis told the court Law graduate Dhar sent messages including: ‘Looking beautiful Richard x’ and ‘You look beautiful Richard xx.’ 

Dhar pleaded guilty that between January 1, 2016 and April 4, this year she harassed Mr. Kerbaj with online threats.

She also pleaded guilty that between August 1, 2016 and April 4 she harassed Ms Gibbons with online threats.

Mr. Kerbaj first met her in May, 2015 to make his documentary and there were no issues.

“In mid-2016 her behaviour changed and she began sending him heart emoji’s and inappropriate messages and he told her they were inappropriate and asked her to stop,” explained Mr. Curtis.

Dhar trawled social media to discover Mr. Kerbaj had dated Ms Gibbons. “She became obsessed about this and contacted Katie Gibbons and her family.

“She set-up a fake twitter account pretending to be Katie Gibbons.”

Dhar received a police harassment warning for her behaviour, but despite this she continued, only avoiding further actions because she was out of the country and the complaint was over the time limit.

However, she resumed her campaign in December, 2018. “It started up again and she sent WhatsApp messages to Mr. Kerbaj,” explained the prosecutor.

“She sent at least seven emails to The Times about Richard and Katie’s relationship and tried to get work at The Times with stories about herself.”

Dhar also sent messages to Ms Gibbons’ family on Facebook, including one to her sister, which read: ‘What is your sister doing with my husband? What the f*** is your sister doing?’

She also messaged Mr. Kerbaj’s father and mentioned the journalist’s new girlfriend, writing: ‘Your son belongs with me, not Marine.’

On April 2 this year she visited The Times HQ in person.

The Sunday Times successfully  applied for a High Court restraining order against Dhar, prohibiting contact with the two complainants and their friends and family and going within 200 metres of their Southwark HQ.

She must also unfollow the complainants on twitter and defriend them on Facebook.

Dhar was questioned by the police. “She said she was having a psychotic episode and that was the reason for her behaviour.”

In his victim impact statement Mr. Kerbaj says: “She was not threatening, but was very unnerving and much of it didn’t make sense.

“I don’t know what Konika is capable of, but she seems erratic in her behaviour. She visited my place of work and contacted my ex-girlfriend.”

Ms Gibbons says: “I have never met, spoke or responded to Konika Dhar. It has been relentless on me, my family and my career.

“I think she has become fixated on Richard. It doesn’t make sense that someone I don’t know has so much hate for me. I have had to change my work hours, it has taken it’s toll.”

Probation Officer Patrick Acres told the court: “Quite clearly Ms Dhar, at the time of committing these offences, was not well.

“The diagnosis is schizophrenia and these symptoms were present before the diagnosis.

“She first engaged with mental health services in 2016, but rejected the diagnosis due to the stigma and didn’t feel it matched her self-image.”

Dhar now receives 4 anti-psychotic injections a week. “She feels that has completely changed her way of thinking and she recognises her actions were obsessive.

“Now she is able to think straight she has no intention of contacting these people again.

“If she had been well she probably wouldn’t have behaved in this way.

“She has had a lot of pressure with the high-profile case of her brother and the press were hounding her, they were on her doorstep daily.

“She met the complainant when he was trying to get the views of the family and got involved because she was told she would be put in contact with other families. That was her motivation.”

Dhar, who is due to begin a Masters Degree in Company Law in January claim she just wants to put it all behind her.

Mr. Jon Ross, defending, told the court: “First I’d acknowledge this is a serious offence and highly unpleasant and and no-doubt highly distressing to Mr. Kerbaj and Ms Gibbons and will have a lasting effect on them.

“She is very remorseful and deeply ashamed at the way she behaved. She finds it very difficult to sit there and listen to these messages.

“She does not recognise the person who sent these messages. Her offending took place at a time she was suffering serious delusional behaviour.”

A psychiatrist report reveals Dhar’s belief the seven foot-tall woman was communicating with her telepathically and foretold of the relationship with Mr. Kerbaj.

She believed they were a couple “meant to be” and was in the grip of “bizarre delusional beliefs.”

Dhar also believed she had been or was in danger of being abducted by aliens and that a ghost was haunting her home.

“The greatest punishment will not be the court’s punishment, but the loss of her good character. She is a very proud woman and this loss of character will be a real damaging blow to her,” added Mr. Ross.     

Dhar appeared before the Commons Home Affairs Committee in January, 2016 to answer questions about her brother’s appearance in an ISIS propaganda video showed ‘British spies’ being executed.

Her brother, a former bouncy castle salesman converted from Hinduism to Islam and changed his name to Abu Rumaysah an is now on the US State Department’s global terror list.