Suspect On The Run

Police are hunting this young Greenwich man, wanted for driving and burglary offences.

Police are appealing for the public’s assistance to trace Luke Cheal, 21, of no fixed abode is sought in connection with multiple offences.

They include driving offences on Boxing Day, December 26, last year in Woolwich, south-east London.

Cheal is also wanted for dangerous driving and failing to stop for police on February 1, this year in Woolwich.
He is also a suspect in an aggravated burglary on June 10 at an address in Abbey Wood, south-east London.

Cheal is also wanted on recall to prison for breach of bail conditions.

Members of the public are advised not to approach Cheal, but to call 999 for an immediate sighting, or 101 and quote CAD3172/8Nov with information about his whereabouts.

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Flying Squad ID Mayfair Smash-And-Grab Car

Flying Squad detectives are investigating an armed Mayfair smash-and-grab, which saw over £110,000 worth of designer goods snatched from a boutique. 

Police were called to Celine in Mount Street, at around 2.00am on Wednesday, October 30, after a silver S-Type Jaguar rammed the front door to gain access.

The occupants, four men, threatened two security workers with a knife and a shotgun before they went in and stole the designer goods before fleeing.

ANPR work has identified the vehicle travelling towards the scene from Finchley Road, while it was activated afterwards at around 2.09am, travelling north towards St. John's Wood Road and Park Road.

Detectives are releasing an image of the suspect vehicle as part of their investigation. 

It was displaying the number plate AP57 AVO and will have sustained damage to the front of the vehicle.

Officers ask anyone who may have seen the suspect vehicle before, or after the incident, to contact them. 

They also keen to hear from anyone who may have since seen it.

Detective Constable Kevin Parley, of the Flying Squad, said: “This was an abhorrent crime that involved a group of men, armed with weapons, threatening serious violence to two unarmed security staff before stealing goods that they had no right at all to take. 

“If you have any information about the vehicle in this image, no matter how insignificant it may seem, I urge you to contact us.

“Additionally, I am asking for anyone who works in the fashion industry who may have been offered a number of Celine designer goods for sale, but is unable to account properly for where they have come from, to also contact police.”

If you have information that could assist police, please call the Flying Squad on 020 8785 8655, or call 101/ tweet @MetCC reference Cad 532/30Oct19.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestopperson 0800 555 111.

Uber Driver Denies Ripping-Off Vulnerable Blind Passenger

An Uber driver took advantage of a blind female passenger by using her phone to give himself a £20 tip and a five-star rating, a court heard yesterday.

Romanian-born Cornel Mihai, 31, allegedly tricked the vulnerable woman into handing over the phone by claiming his own device was not working.

Mihai, of Thorpe Road, Barking denies giving himself the unauthorised tip and rating, claiming he only handled the phone briefly to plug it into a charger.

Prosecutor Julie Idowu told Wimbledon Magistrates Court: “The Crown put this case as deliberate targeting of a vulnerable victim.

“The defendant had been an Uber driver on that day and the complainant, who is registered blind, uses Uber to get around London.

“The defendant collected her and he asked her about her blindness, which has been from birth, throughout the journey and she said she did not want to talk about it anymore.

“He said he could not use his device and asked to use her phone to complete the journey.

“In that forty-five seconds he paid himself the fare, a twenty pounds tip she did not authorise and a five-star rating.”

Mihai pleaded not guilty to fraud by false representation, intending to make a gain, on June 26 in Glenthorne Avenue, Addiscombe, Croydon.

He was bailed to return to the same court for trial on February 21, next year.

Award-Winning Gardener Guilty Of Flicking Chair At Housing Official

An award-winning gardener, embroiled in a bitter feud with his downstairs neighbour, has been convicted of assaulting a housing association official, who was struck by an outside chair.

Retired employment agency boss Michael Oram, 74, fought the charge at yet another appearance before Wimbledon Magistrates Court.

He contested the case, but was found guilty of assaulting Jenna Gould in the garden of his home in The Barons, St. Margaret's, Twickenham on June 12 after an all-day trial.

Twice-married Oram, whose gardening skills at the property has secured him Richmond-upon-Thames's 'Borough In Bloom' silver prize is currently subject to a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order prohibiting contact with his neighbours.

The trial viewed CCTV footage taken at the property, which showed Oram flicking the garden chair towards Ms Gould, an official of Richmond Housing.

A nearby garden table only remained upright during the row because an umbrella held it in place.

Oram was fined £60, with £60 costs and was ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge. 

Premier League Star Accused Of Fleeing Cafe Crash

Ibe: Bee Back For Trial Next Year

Premier League star Jordon Ibe demolished the front of a coffee shop after crashing into it in the early hours of the morning, a court heard yesterday.

The 24 year-old AFC Bournemouth winger pleaded not guilty to failing to stop after his £133,000 Bentley 4x4 crashed into The Pantry coffee shop in south-east London.

Ibe, who lives in a £1.1m six-bedroom detached house in Haven Road, Poole, Dorset, appeared at Bromley Magistrates Court. 

He pleaded not guilty to failing failing to stop after an accident in Plaistow Lane, Bromley on July 30, which also involved a parked black Mercedes-Benz.

Prosecutor Mr. George Crivelli told the court Ibe waited at the 4.50am scene of destruction only four minutes before reversing his white 4-litre Bentley Bentayga luxury SUV and driving away.

“He caused such damage that the front had to be razed (corr) from the foundations and was rendered unsafe. He left part of his car inside the shop.”

It has been reported Ibe’s vehicle was identified from a broken wing mirror found in the debris. 

A second charge of driving the 2.4 tonne 187mph vehicle without due care and attention was not put, but Ibe’s lawyer Mr. Jonathon Morrissey indicated his client would plead guilty at a later date.

The Bermondsey-born winger, who in 2016 joined AFC Bournemouth from Liverpool for a then club record of £15m, spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth during the short hearing.

The England U-18, U-19, U-20 and U-21 international, who was wearing black jeans, a black v-neck pullover and trainers will stand trial at Bexley Magistrates Court on February 10, next year.

Rebuilt: Crash Scene Cafe

“The Crown say in Plaistow Lane, Bromley Mr. Ibe was the driver of a white Bentley Bentayga. At around 4.50am the defendant was involved in a collision,” explained Mr. Cravelli.

“His vehicle has left the road, collided with a parked car and crashed into the shop front.

“It is said to have remained there a short time and then reversed and left the scene.

“The actions of the defendant have not been to the required standard expected of someone driving on the road. He has not waited at the scene.”  

Ibe says he waited ten minutes at the scene, but there was nobody to exchange details with, a claim disputed by the police, who responded immediately to a 999 call.

“Police were at the location in four minutes and he had already left the scene.”  

Ibe’s lawyer Mr. Morrissey told the court: “Mr. Ibe waited for a considerable time at the scene. At that time nobody made themselves available to exchange details.”

The damage was reportedly approximately £15,000 and cafe owner Sarah Dickson only discovered the destruction the following day.

“In her statement she says she was at the shop at midday the next day and nobody had left a note,” said Mr. Cravelli.

Magistrate Mr. Philip Widdowson released Ibe on unconditional bail and told him to be on time for his morning trial.

The crash occurred eleven days before AFC Bournemouth’s first  Premier League match of the season on August 10, a 1-1 home draw with Sheffield United in which Ibe did not feature.

The £38,000-a-week forward has failed to impress since his big-money transfer, making a total of 89 appearances in all competitions and only scoring 3 goals.

This season Ibe has only made two Premier League and two League Cup appearances for the club and has failed to find the net.

Robbery Lookout Banged Up

A knifepoint robbery lookout has been caged for three years and five month for her role in the terrifying raid.

Sapphire Anderson, 39, pleaded guilty to the robbery, which involved a masked male knife-wielding accomplice. 

Isleworth Crown Court heard on Friday, May 31, Anderson and the unknown accomplice, who was wearing a balaclava, went to a gambling venue in North End Road, Fulham at around 4.30am.

As Anderson kept lookout by the door, her partner-in-crime entered the venue and threatened a staff member, holding a knife to her back and marching her to the cash office.

The terrified staff member handed over £2,000 and the suspects quickly fled after Anderson held the door open to allow their quick escape.

Officers from Central West Priority Crime Team began an investigation and identified Anderson.

She was arrested on Tuesday, October 8, charged, and remanded in custody.

Work to identify Anderson's associate continues.

Police Constable Steven Priestley said: "The staff member in this incident was left distraught by what happened to her. 

“The actions of Anderson and her associate were incredibly callous.

"This conviction is proof that police are committed to tackling robbery and will work to put offenders behind bars. 

“Anderson now has time to consider the consequences of her actions.”

Bus Passenger's Teeth Knocked Out: Do You Know Couple?

Police are hunting this couple after another bus passenger had his teeth knocked out during a late-night row.

At approximately 0.40am on Saturday, June 22, the 46-year-old victim attempted to board a Route 210 bus on Hornsey Road, Islington after a night out with a friend.

An altercation occurred with another male passenger, who was boarding the bus with a woman at the same stop.

The suspect punched the victim in the face, causing him to fall over, before continuing to punch him and grab him by the throat.

The victim sustained facial injuries resulting in the loss of teeth. 

He was treated by the London Ambulance Service and has required extensive dental work.

The suspect is described as 5ft 5ins tall, of stocky build, with short dark coloured hair and a beard. 

He was wearing a blue T-shirt and jeans.

Officers from the Roads and Transport Policing Command would like to speak with anyone who witnessed the assault or recognises the suspect, or the woman he was travelling with. 

The woman was not involved in the assault.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 07795 052 609 or via 101 quoting reference 371/22Jun.

There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.

Church Break-Ins: Suspect Wanted By Police

Police are hunting this suspected church burglar after two places of worship were broken into on the same night last summer.

Jamie O’Neill, 42, from Orpington, Kent is wanted for questioning in connection with the two the burglaries.

Both break-ins took place in two different churches on the evening of Monday, June 10 in the Orpington area.

O'Neill is described as white, 5ft 6ins tall, of medium build, with short brown hair. 

He has a two inch scar on his chin and a tattoo on his right arm.

Detective Constable Ben Briselden, from the South Area Command Unit, said: "We have carried out extensive enquiries to locate O’Neill and these are ongoing. 

“I would like to remind the public that harbouring a wanted offender is an offence.

“I would urge anyone who knows of his whereabouts to contact police so that his attempts to evade justice can be stopped. 

“I would also encourage O’Neill to hand himself in.

“He should not be approached by members of the public. 

“If you have information on his movements or whereabouts, please call police on 999 quoting CAD 3517/28OCT19"

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111 or tweet police via @MetCC.

Drug Dealer Suspect Fled During Police Raid

A suspected drug dealer and robber, who fled police during a swoop on an address, remains on the run.

Zeno Mich-Onyibe, 26, was charged with criminal offences, despite not being in police custody and failed to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates Court.

The Metropolitan Police's South West Command Unit have now released this image of Mich-Onyibe and appeal to the public to identify his whereabouts.

He is charged with being concerned in an offer to supply heroin, the supply of cocaine, and robbery.

Officers executed a search warrant at Mich-Onyibe’s address in Stormont Road, Battersea, south-west London in September. 

During the raid he made off from police and further enquiries have failed to establish his location.

Anyone who knows where Zeno Mich-Onyibe is should call police officers based on the South West Command Unit via 101, Tweet @MetCC or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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.