Lady Tatiana Mountbatten Banned For Speeding To Horse Stables In Porsche

Lady Tatiana Mountbatten was banned from driving for six months yesterday after she was caught speeding in her new Porsche three times in ten days. 

The 29 year-old equestrian businesswoman, a cousin of the Queen, will now be forced to “beg, steal or borrow” to get from her multi-million pound Knightsbridge flat to her stables, a court heard.

Lady Tatiana, of Lennox Gardens, Knightsbridge admitted breaking the 60 mph speed limit in her £50,000 2018 grey 3-litre Porsche Macan diesel on the same stretch of the M4.

Lavender Hill Magistrates Court heard she was clocked at 70mph on March 1; 71mph on March 6 and 70mph on March 10 between Heston services and Windmill Lane.

She says she did not realise the motorway limit had been reduced from 70mph to 60mph for essential works. 

Lady Tatiana already had nine penalty points on her driving licence and after receiving three more for each speeding offence it took her over the disqualification threshold of twelve points.

She was also fined £150 for each speeding offence, with £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge and magistrate Bukky Okunade told her: “We have heard what has been said on your behalf and given you credit for pleading guilty in the first instance.

“They are serious matters of speeding, a multiple matter, three. Because of your totting you have to be disqualified for six months.

“If you drive while disqualified it is a serious offence and you can be sent into custody and disqualified again.”

Her father is peer and businessman George Mountbatten, the 4th Marquess of Milford Haven and cousin of the Queen and he is in the line of succession to the throne 

Lady Tatiana herself is a descendent of monarchs including Queen Victoria and Nicholas I of Russia and was educated at elite £12,000-a year Millfield private school in Street, Somerset.

As the only holder of a HGV licence within her business the court heard the ban will cause great inconvenience in transporting horses via a horse box.

Her lawyer Mark Haslam told the court “she was blissfully unaware of her offending,” not realising the motorway limit had been reduced from 70mph to 60mph.

“The defendant is a self-employed personal horse trainer and I ask the court to deal with her, whatever her other connections may or may not be.

“She works very hard and very long hours as a horse trainer. It is not a nine to five occupation.”

Lady Tatiana also competes and performs in the dressage discipline.

“The horses are outside London and it is a one hour drive and she is going to have to make other arrangements,” added the lawyer.

“She is going to have to beg, steal and borrow for lifts.”

The trip would take three-and-a-half hours via public transport.

“She is the only one in the organisation with a HGV licence. You will appreciate a HGV licence is essential for anyone working in the equestrian world,” said Mr Haslam.

“Her greatest worry is that those who wok for her may not keep their jobs if she cannot continue running her stables as she would like to.

“She is the author of her own misfortune and there is a knock-on as far as her employees are concerned.

“She has recently taken up training as a therapist. That is something she will have to put aside.

“For some time she has on a voluntary basis for the disabled, a charity. She has given up her own time to help children, handicapped and others with riding and that brings a great joy to their lives.

“She will do her very best to continue, but will have to concentrate on her business.

“It is going to have a significant effect so the defendant will learn a salutary lesson and she has found the process of dealing with this quite stressful.

“It has been a long and salutary journey for her and today is the end of the journey.” 

Her mother is Sarah Georgina Walker, the Marchioness of Milford Haven and Lady Tatiana is an ambassador for luxury fashion retailer Crofton & Hall.

Mr Haslam also told the court: “There is going to be significant hardship both to her and third parties, but in the overall picture I’ve advised her, even though there is that hardship, it doesn’t in my professional opinion about to exceptional hardship.

“I don’t want to use the court’s time for something that is worthless.

“The disqualification is or itself a considerable punishment for this defendant and for others.”

Regarding the speeding offences themselves the lawyer added: “They are not at the top end of the scale, but the lower end of the scale.”

He conceded the totting disqualification is there “to teach a lesson to those who behave in this way.”

“In each case the defendant indicated a plea of guilty at the first opportunity.

“I don’t want this court to sentence this person for driving around ignoring the speed limit. They were in a short pace of time in an identical location.

“It is, as you appreciate, a motorway. There had been a reduction from 70mph to 60mph for repairs to the motorway and I accept it is her responsibility to take this on board.

“She has a speed limiter on her vehicle and kept it at 70mph.”

Armed Drug Dealer's Police Chase Through Gardens

An armed drug dealer, who leapt from a high window when police raided his home,is starting a 14-and-half year prison sentence.

Heavily-tattooed Jamie Allen, 29, was chased over garden fences and into a field, where police caught him and took him to hospital for treatment on injuries caused by the jump.

Allen, of Hyde Road, Croydon was found guilty of possession, with intent, to sell Class A drugs, possession of criminal property and possession of firearms.

Detective Constable Hannah Worsley, said: “The long sentence handed down by the judge clearly demonstrates how seriously the courts take violent drug dealers and the danger they pose to communities.

“Anyone who thinks it is okay to deal drugs and carry guns would be wise to consider this.”

Allen’s home was raided by police at 6.30am on Thursday, April 25, after a warrant was issued by Uxbridge Crown Court. 

As officers entered the address, he jumped out of a window while attempting to evade capture.

He was eventually caught at 7.45am after a lengthy chase. 

An abundance of drugs was found in his bedroom during the search of the address, including cocaine and heroin, along with £40,000 in cash.

A sawn-off shotgun, a revolver, a handgun, a stun gun and ammunition were also found in various bags throughout his bedroom.

Allen, who had injured himself during his jump from the window, was taken to hospital where he remained for five days before being discharged and taken into custody at a Croydon police station.

On The Run: Sexual Assault Suspect In Hiding

A suspected sex offender, accused of molesting a 16 year-old girl, has gone on the run.

The Metropolitan Police's East Area Command Unit has released this custody image of the wanted man – 43 year-old Joao Francisco.

He is currently at large, having failed to surrender himself to bail at Barkingside Magistrates Court, east London on July 15.

On that occasion the court issued a warrant, without bail, for his arrest.

Francisco was due to appear on one charge of sexually assaulting the teenage girl.

He is known to frequent the Barking area.

If you have any information as to his whereabouts please call officers in the CID at the East Area Command Unit via 101.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

In the case of an immediate sighting of Francisco, please dial 999.

Everton FC Fan Denies Race Charge

An Everton FC fan, accused of hurling racist abuse during his team’s first Premier League game of the season away to Crystal Palace FC, denied the charge yesterday.

Darran Chadwick, 39, of Wallace Avenue, Knowsley, Liverpool appeared for the first time at Wimbledon Magistrates Court.

He pleaded not guilty to racially aggravated threatening behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress.

Chadwick was attending the 0-0 draw between the teams at Selhurst Park, south London on August 10.

A charge of specifically causing the racially aggravated harassment of Eagles’ winger Andros Townsend was withdrawn by the Crown Prosecution Service.

“My dispute is that I used no racial language,” Chadwick told the court. “I admit that I called him a diving c***, but there were no racial words used.”

Chadwick was bailed to stand trial at Croydon Magistrates Court on March 3, next year.

Unofficial Carer Accused Of £20K-Plus Fraud

An unofficial carer, accused of defrauding an elderly lady of over £20,000 appeared in court for the first time today.

Vicky McKinlay, 55, of Ross Road, Twickenham was never employed by the late Jean Livens, but was a friend who assisted her with shopping and other day-to-day tasks.

She appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court, which sent her to Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for a plea and directions hearing on December 19.

McKinlay is charged with fraud by abuse of position between January 1, 2015 and April 17, last year to make a gain of £20,000.

She is also charged with a similar count of fraud on November 23, 2015 to make a gain of £3,200.

West End VIP Party Drug Supplier Recorded Rape At £30m Mansion

A former West End socialite will be sentenced on December 17 after he recorded himself raping an unconscious woman at a £30m mansion.

Alex King, 43, who supplied drugs and hookers to the VIP party scene, was incriminated by his own recording, made on a digital camera twelve years ago.

He pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court to raping the woman at 32 Portland Place, Marylebone on July 27, 2007.

A second count of attempted rape at the 24-bedroom Grade II listed Edwardian property near BBC HQ, was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service. 

The address, currently registered to offshore company, is the new venue for sex parties hosted by disgraced fraudster ‘Lord’ Eddie Davenport, 53. 

King, currently serving eleven years imprisonment, has been described as Davenport’s former press agent.

Today, Judge Deborah Taylor, the Recorder of Westminster ordered a probation service report to asses King’s level of ‘dangerousness’ and whether an extended prison sentence needs to be passed.

He is already a convicted sex offender, who failed to sign the sex offenders’ register after being convicted fifteen years ago of having child pornography on his phone.

“There is a history of non-compliance,” prosecutor Mr. Paul Casey told the court, after King avoided pre-sentence probation interviews in prison.

“The offence he falls to be sentenced for today is a serious one and it is not his first offence of a sexual nature.”

King claims he didn’t see the probation service because his mother was visiting him at the time, but four attempts to interview him failed.

He still faces an extended prison sentence on top of the eleven years he is currently serving after Judge Taylor told him: “The court is considering this very seriously, considering the history.”

King, wearing a light blue short-sleeved shirt and black jeans, was supported in court by his Russian lingerie model wife Anna Shapiro, 31, who chatted to him through the reinforced dock security glass.

Judge Taylor said: “In the circumstances I am giving him one more opportunity to comply with the order I made to meet with the probation officer.

“It takes priority over everything else. No excuses.”

On sentencing day the judge will view the rape recording privately on a laptop, but said: “Part of it, not all of it, given the nature.” 

King went on the run after drugs police raided his home and arrested him on June 29, 2016, while sharing a bed with his wife.  

He was sentenced to eleven years for drug dealing last January while on the run, but was finally caught last June in Marylebone.

The drugs included cocaine, ecstasy and ketamine.

He was convicted of two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs; one charge of conspiracy to supply Class B drugs and one count of conspiracy to supply Class C drugs

During the police raid officers seized a block of 90% pure cocaine, MDMA powder, ecstasy pills bearing the Just East logo, crack cocaine, ketamine and diazepam.

Estimated to have a street value of £60,000, the drugs were stored in safe.

King has been involved in several bizarre incidents, including sparking a Salisbury-style major incident similar to the Novichok poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.

He had made the false claim in September, last year that he was poisoned in a branch of Prezzo, while dining with wife Anna. 

The month before King and his wife were rescued by the RNLI after running out of fuel in their boat off the Welsh coast.

His friend Davenport was jailed for seven years and eight months for a multi-million pound fraud, but following his early release from prison due to ill-health is back on the party scene.

These events are held at 32 Portland Place, across the road from ‘Fast Eddie’s’ former party HQ at number 33. 

Cocky Gunman Shot Cafe Worker

A cocky gunman shot a cafe worker in the hip while threatening and abusing staff and customers soon after brandishing the weapon at a nearby supermarket.

Ilyas Mohamed, 23 was convicted of possession of a firearm, with intent to endanger life and causing grievous bodily harm, with intent.

He had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to possession of a prohibited firearm, inflicting grievous bodily harm, plus two counts of affray.

He will be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on Friday, December 20.

Mohamed was arrested by officers following two incidents that took place in the early hours of March 9, last year in Ealing, west London.

Officers were initially called by staff at a supermarket in Acton after Mohamed and another man had entered the store and acted in an aggressive manner.

The pair were challenged by staff and after throwing cans of beer on the floor. 

Mohamed lifted his waistband to reveal a handgun and said he intended to rob the shop before being escorted out of the venue by his friend.

Once outside, Mohamed pointed the gun at staff before both left in a taxi.

Staff at the shop noted the registration number of the vehicle and called police.

A short time later, Mohamed and the other man entered a café in Drayton Green where again they were abusive to staff and threatened customers.

A worker ushered the pair of them out but Mohamed produced a gun and shot him once in the hip. 

Both suspects fled and the victim was taken to hospital where police were informed.

Officers arrived in the area and began chasing after the defendants, who were also being pursued by the victim and witnesses from the cafe.

Mohamed was arrested after attempting to evade officers by jumping through back gardens in Seaford Road. 

Following a search of the gardens a Browning handgun was located along with a spent cartridge lodged in the gun.

Detective Constable Ismail Akkaya, from Trident, part of Specialist Crime, said: “Mohamed’s actions were reckless in the extreme and it is only by sheer luck that no one was more seriously injured as a result.

“He intimidated staff and customers at two venues that morning, showing an utter disregard for their wellbeing.

“I am pleased that a dangerous man has been convicted of firearms offences and a live weapon has been taken off the streets.

“I would like to thank the staff at the supermarket, whose quick thinking in noting the taxi’s details and phone call alerting the police helped officers find the pair quickly.

“Lastly I would like to thank the bravery of all who came forward to assist police and to those who gave witness, all of which enabled the conviction today.”

Mobile Phone Deal Gone Bad: E-Fit Of Robber Released

Police hunting a robber, who snatched £4,000 cash at gunpoint from a mobile phone customer, have released this e-fit of the suspect.

Officers were called on October 28, last year to reports of a robbery at a residential property in the Manor Park area of east London.

The victim, a man in his thirties, reported that at around 6.10pm he allowed two men into his home after a mobile phone sale had been agreed.

The two men came to his address to sell him six phones – a deal that had been agreed over the phone earlier that day.

When they sat down to make the sale, he asked to see the items before handing over any money.

At this point, one of the suspects pulled a gun out of his bag and pointed it at the victim, ordering him to hand over the money or he would shoot him. 

He then handed over £4,000 in cash and the suspects left the room and fled the scene.

Detectives from North East CID began an investigation and have carried out extensive enquiries. 

They are now releasing an e-fit image of one of the men involved. 

He is described as an Asian man, aged between 20 and 25 years old, with short black hair and a short black beard.

His accomplice is described as a black man, aged between 30 and 40, with a short beard. 

He was the man who held the firearm.

Detective Constable Kevin Hollins, who is leading the investigation, said: “The victim in this case was threatened in his own home, a place he should have been safe.

“We need to make sure that this man – and the firearm involved – are removed from the streets of London, and we are appealing for the public to help us identify him.

“Anyone with information on the incident itself, or anyone who thinks they may know who this man is, should call us immediately.

“Just one conversation could provide the details we are looking for.”

Anyone with information should call 101 with CAD reference 1703/28OCT18 or alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Mayfair Art Gallery Boss Admits Assaulting Wife

A Mayfair art gallery owner has been banned from his apartment after finally admitting assaulting his wife there.

Bernard Jacobson, 76, boss of the gallery that carries his name located in Duke Street, St. James's, was due to stand trial today.

However, he changed his plea at Westminster Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to assaulting Karin Jacobson at their three-bedroom apartment in Montagu Square, Marylebone on May 19.

He had originally entered a plea of not guilty and the case had been adjourned for trial.

Jacobson was conditionally discharged for three years and made subject to a two-year restraining order prohibiting contact with Karin or visiting the former matrimonial home.

He was also ordered to pay £775 in court costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

No order for compensation to Karin was made in a case the court treated as one of domestic violence.

Founded in 1969 the Bernard Jacobson Gallery has held major exhibitions by Robert Motherwell, Helen Frankenthaler and Pierre Soulages.

It is described as a commercial gallery showcasing British and international painters and sculptors.

The restraining order may potentially create some business problems for Jacobson, who along with Karin is the named company secretary for Bernard Jacobson Limited. 

Hooded Sexual Predator: E-Fit Released

Police have released this e-fit of a wannabe rapist, who pounced on a lone woman in the early hours when she got off a bus in north London.

The incident happened at approximately 2.40am on March 10 when the victim, a woman aged in her thirties, got off a bus in Caledonian Road at the junction with Market Road, Holloway.

As she walked along Market Road in the direction of York Way she heard a male voice attempting to get her attention. 

She ignored the voice and continued to walk, but was then grabbed from behind and dragged towards an alleyway by 14 Market Road.

A struggle ensued and the woman managed to fight her attacker off although she sustained a facial injury during the fight. 

The man then fled down Market Road towards York Way.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact officers in the Central North Command Unit on 101, quoting CAD949/10Mar or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.

Council Estate Drug Dealer Banged Up

A drug dealer, who brought misery to a notorious crime-ridden council estate near Regent's Park, is starting a prison sentence of three years and nine months.

Alex Rocha, 24, dealt crack cocaine and heroin on the City of Westminster's Lisson Green Estate, which has experienced increasing incidents of gun and knife crime.

He lived in the nearby Church Street Estate, St. John's Wood and is described as selling drugs “brazenly” in the local area.

At Southwark Crown Court he pleaded guilty to three counts of supplying Class A drugs; two counts of possession of Class A drugs, with intent to supply; one count of breaching a restraining order and one count of possessing criminal property.

Detective Constable Colin Moore, from the Central West Command Unit, said:“Rocha clearly thought he was above the law, dealing drugs brazenly, and targeting vulnerable people around him for financial gain.

“His actions will have had a very negative impact within the local community and to wider London as well.

“I’m happy with this sentence and I hope it sends a message to anyone else involved in dealing drugs that they will be targeted by officers, they will be caught and they will have to face the full impact of their actions in court.”

Rocha was arrested following an operation launched by officers from the Central West Gangs Unit and Territorial Support Group in response to community concerns around drug dealing in the Lisson Green Estate.

The court heard how on Monday, August 19 a drugs warrant was executed at Rocha’s home.

On searching the property, officers found a large amount of drugs, including almost 400mg of crack cocaine and 255mg of heroin, cash and a number of mobile phones.

Sick Leave Cop Accused Of Defrauding Met While Running Dog-Walking Business

A policeman moonlighted as a professional dog-walker while defrauding the Met of over £100,000 in full sick-pay, claiming he could barely move, court heard yesterday.

Police Constable Richard Williams, 40, told a senior officer he would probably need a wheelchair or at least two walking sticks after two car crashes while on duty.

He served the Metropolitan Police on the Estates Police Team, based in Dagenham, but after the second collision was hospitalised with back, pelvis, groin and side injuries.

Southwark Crown Court heard he repeatedly used correction fluid to alter genuine medical certificates from three GP’s, resulting in him being declared unfit for work.

Williams, of The Olde Walnut House, Aylesbury Road, Bierton, Aylesbury grimaced and struggled to rise to his feet with the aid of a walking stick when told to stand for the jury.

He has pleaded not guilty to eight counts of defrauding the Met by providing fraudulent and altered medical certificates between April 24, 2015 and November 27, 2017.

He also denies an additional fraud of dishonestly representing to a doctor he received police sick notes for the debilitating condition fibromyalgia and possessing articles for use in fraud, namely a quantity of medical certificates.

Prosecutor Mr. Daniel Higgins told the court: “Mr. Williams had been working as a professional dog walker, a profession you may feel one needs to be physically active for.

“There were some positive reviews from the customers of ‘DreamyDog Complete Care’ and of ‘DreamyDogWalking’ with one customer saying: ‘I’d highly recommend Richard to everyone’.

“There are other glowing recommendations for Mr. Williams,” said the prosecutor, adding the defendant was paid nearly £11,500 by dog owners while on £100,000 sick pay, plus pension contributions.

“What the Crown say is this is a case of fraudulent activity by Mr. Williams, who while a service police constable, presented fraudulent or altered medical certificates to the Metropolitan police.

“This was in order to obtain extended sick leave on full pay and ultimately be pensioned off.”

Williams was involved in a traffic collision in early 2014, suffering back and knee injuries and again on March 26, 2015 when another vehicle reversed into the drivers’ side of a police car he was a passenger in.

“This was a low impact collision, but Mr. Williams was taken to Queen’s Hospital, Romford and on discharge he seemed to be in pain and not able to walk properly and it seemed the accident aggravated his old injury,” explained Mr. Higgins.

Williams never returned to duty and his sergeant received medical certificates from three different GP’s Williams had found.

“Mr. Williams altered the second certificate, adding the words: ‘injury not fit for work’. He has written on this medical certificate for his employer to allow him to remain on sick leave.

“The Crown say the alteration of the medical certificate forwarded to his employer for sick leave is clearly a dishonest act,” added Mr. Higgins.

Williams was prescribed morphine and pain killers during the period and complained of constant pain to his back, knees, legs, arms and shoulders, headaches, stiffness, poor sleep, burning sensations, stabbing pain, dizziness and clumsiness and numbness and pins and needles in his hands and fingers.

He told one GP he was suffering musculoskeletal pain from fibromyalgia, but the prosecution say Williams simply lifted the symptoms from the NHS’s website.

Williams did not even sometimes visit the GP’s on days he claimed the medical certificates were issued. “He knew he could manufacture his own fraudulent one,” said Mr. Higgins.

He ruled out returning to work on restricted duties, claiming he could not sit or stand for longer than five minutes, struggled to get up in the morning and could not travel in on public transport, the court heard.

“He informed his sergeant there was even the possibility of needing a wheelchair or two walking sticks and a doctor had told him he may never walk properly again,” added the prosecutor.

One police doctor Williams had to see concluded after twelve months of physical and mental treatment he could return to duty and his planned ill-health retirement was scrapped, a decision the defendant appealed.

There was no neurological reason found for his condition and all Williams’ scans were normal.

When one senior officer googled Williams’ address for a scheduled home visit he found the defendant was the director of three companies involved in dog car and dog walking.

Officers from the Directorate of Professional Standards with a search warrant raided the address on October 3, 2017 and filmed their search.

“Mr. Williams appears to move about unaided and there were no signs of any aids to assist his movement.

“The copies of medical certificates with the hardened correction fluid on were seized,” said Mr. Higgins.

Trial continues………….

Spurs Star Caught Speeding

Tottenham Hotspur FC defender Davinson Sanchez Mina has managed to secure three points - after he was caught speeding in his luxury 4x4.

The Colombian star, 23, was clocked on a speed camera driving his three-litre diesel Land Rover over the speed limit on February 2.

Today Willesden Magistrates Court heard the £42 million signing was recorded driving at 62 mph on the 50mph North Circular Road in North Finchley at 11.00pm earlier this year.

Sanchez Mina, of Camlet Way, Barnet was fined £146, with £100 costs and ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge as well as his licence being endorsed with three penalty points.

Rape Near St. Thomas's Hospital: Image Of Suspect Released

Police have released this CCTV image as they continue their hunt for an early hours rapist who struck in south London.

Police were called to Royal Street, outside St. Thomas’ Hospital, Southwark at 1.23am on Tuesday, November 12 to a report of a rape.

A woman in her forties was physically assaulted before being raped by an unknown man on Royal Street, near the junction with Lambeth Park Road.

The woman is being supported by specialist officers.

Detective Sergeant Paul Barham is investigating the incident. 

He said: “This is clearly a horrific incident and we are doing all we can to support the woman and find who is responsible.

“The man in the CCTV is wearing distinctive clothing so I appeal to anyone who recognises these items of clothing or believes they know who the man is to contact us straightaway.”

No arrests have been made and enquiries continue.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference CAD 379/12NOV.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Top Accountant Sentenced For 'Upskirt' Pics

A young accountant, caught filming up a female customer’s skirt at Top Shop’s landmark Oxford Circus store, received a suspended prison sentence yesterday.

Leon Chan, 24, who holds a first-class degree and was at the time employed by industry giants PricewaterhouseCoopers, had a collection of 1700 ‘upskirt’ images on his phone.

A suspicious store detective was alerted to Chan during last year’s busy Christmas retail period as he loitered, with his phone in his hand, behind the woman who was bending over.

Chan, of Rampart Street, Whitechapel pleaded guilty to one count of outraging public decency, namely filming or attempting to film up the skirts of female members of the public on or before January 1, this year.

Southwark Crown Court heard the charge related to 97 sample images of ‘upskirting’ found on his iPhone’s memory stick, but a total of approximately 1700 were on the device.

Chan graduated from Leeds University with a first class degree in economics.

He was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for two years and ordered to complete 100 days of the probation service’s Horizon programme for adult male sex offenders.

Chan must also complete 60 days of a probation-ordered recommended activity requirement and he was made subject to a 5-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, prohibiting him from ’upskirting’.

When caught by the store detective Chan handed over his grey iPhone and gave the PIN straight away, revealing his library of ‘upskirt’ images.

Chan claims his behaviour was limited to the festive period last year and the convictions makes him subject to professional disciplinary proceedings. 

He says he was “embarrassed and ashamed” when he had to tell his employers about his arrest and charge and couldn’t bring himself to talk about it over the phone.

When he was arrested he told the police officers: “I’m really sorry, I’m really stupid.”

Prosecutor Mr Malachy Packenham said at a previous hearing: “To say there is no harm I disagree with. If women wearing skirts have a fear or trepidation that men near them may use devices to record them then that will have an impact on society.

“Courts when they sentence reflect the errors of society and the fact these women did not know what he was doing does not go in his favour at all.

“If the harm was non-existent it wouldn’t be a criminal offence would it?”

Rogue Trader And His Loyal Wife Guilty Of Nobbling Jury

Guilty: Patrick Cleere

A rogue trader and his loyal wife have been convicted of successfully nobbling a jury by handing out cash and business cards on the court steps.

The trial of roofer Patrick Cleere, 66, was scrapped after he and his wife Rita, 66, handed out twenty pound notes to potential jurors arriving at Blackfriars Crown Court.

The couple, of Ealing Village, Madeley Road, Ealing have both been found guilty of doing an act to pervert the course of justice on July 16, last year and will be sentenced on December 20.

A total of £920 cash was seized from people - including jurors - by the court’s listing officer and another £855 cash was confiscated by police from Rita Cleere.

Also seized were distinctive wooden business cards for Patrick Cleere’s company Candleverse Ltd.

Police are still searching for the £1,775 cash they seized from inside the courthouse and from Rita after it went missing from Walworth Stations’ secure property store.

Judge Justin Cole announced yesterday: “I’m not going to sentence now.

“In relation to Rita Cleere even though this offence inevitably leads to custody I will be fair to her and order a pre-sentence report.

“Regarding Patrick Cleere it will of course be a custodial sentence, consecutive to one he is serving now.”

The court heard Patrick has a record of 53 criminal offences.

Guilty: Rita Cleere

“His sentence will certainly be custodial,” added the judge. “My starting point is a consecutive sentence to mark this offence.”

The nobbling scheme was initially successful and Patrick Cleere’s trial was postponed, however he later received nine years for scamming eleven vulnerable victims out of a suspected £388,000.

The latest trial, at Harrow Crown Court, was told the Cleere’s recruited family and friends to dole out £20 notes and the business cards to potential jurors on the steps of the courthouse. 

Patrick Cleere had failed in repeated efforts to adjourn his rogue roofer trial and this was an attempt to scupper it by compromising potential jurors with cash handouts. 

The couple recruited family members and friends to help them and they were also arrested and charged, but were acquitted of perverting the course of justice.

They are: great-nephew Adam Cleere, 23, of Wellesley Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex.

Patrick’s niece Natalie Cleere, 44, of Vineyard Court, Kings Parade, Clacton-on-Sea.

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

The CPS dropped the same charge against Patrick’s brother John Cleere, 68, before the trial.

After the convictions John Cleere asked one of the defence lawyers: “What about the missing money?” but was given a shrug of the shoulders.

The acquitted defendants always maintained they were innocently working on a promotion scheme for Candleverse Ltd.

The group congregated around Blackfriars Crown Court, handing out the unique wooden business cards for Patrick’s candle company, plus the cash to everyone entering and leaving.

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.

“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.

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

“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.

“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.”