Surfgirl Sentenced For £14K Disability Scam

Smoked Out: Hamlyn-Wright After Sentencing

A globe-trotting musician and competitive surfer, who exaggerated illness during a £14,000 disability benefits scam, was sentenced today.

Glastonbury performer October Hamlyn-Wright, 36, posted online videos and photos of herself surfing in Cornwall and Australia and performing gigs all over the country, which were seen by investigators.

When the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) ended her claim she immediately reapplied for benefits and after a two-year fight won her appeal and was awarded £5,800 in back pay.

Surrey-born Hamlyn-Wright, of Lewarne Road, Porth, Newquay, Cornwall wore a large surgical-style mask during the Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court hearing, which she immediately removed once outside to smoke a roll-up cigarette.

She was convicted by a jury of making a dishonest false representation about her mobility and care needs to the DWP in claims for Disability Living Allowance between October 14, 2015 and September 12, 2017.

Hamlyn-Wright was ruled unfit for physical work by the probation service and was sentenced to a 12-month community order, which includes up to ten days rehabilitation.

No compensation order was made and the DWP will make small deductions from her current benefits until the money is recovered.

Surfed Out: Hamlyn-Wright Caught By DWP Investigators

“The Crown would say an aggravating feature is the length of time over which the offending was committed and the proceeds of the fraud fuelled a degree of lifestyle that allowed international travel,” prosecutor Andrew Price told the court.

Hamlyn-Wright’s lawyer Patrick Harte said: “Her problems were compounded for two or more years waiting for this trial. That wait was tremendously difficult.

“The anxiety she has suffered day to day, without the stress of criminal proceedings, is difficult enough in itself and these proceedings resulted in stress above and beyond.

“She had her name and photograph and aspects of her life published from here in London to Cornwall, where she spends a lot of time.

“That is not something defendants usually have to deal with. The experience has been bruising and damaging and not something she would contemplate doing again.

“She says the risk of her re-offending is non-existent. She has already suffered considerably as a result of these proceedings.”

The self-styled ‘Rockchick’ and ’Surfgirl’ finished fifth in the 2016 British National Surf Championships and claimed the same position in the following year’s English National Surfing Championships. 

Prosecutor Mr. Andrew Price told the court Hamlyn-Wright, who performs simply as ‘October’ had posted pictures and videos of herself on Facebook, YouTube and her own personal website.

“She surfed across the world and Australia and performed at Glastonbury and the Isle of Wight festival and many other venues.

“In the biography on her ‘October Rocks’ website she says she is a professional singer, songwriter, surfer and shark enthusiast and a surfing competitor with ‘Boardmasters’.

“She says she splits her time between London and the south-west and had performed on nine stages at two festivals and at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, the ExCel, in Gothenburg, Birmingham Symphony Hall and Melbourne.”

Hamlyn-Wright has lived on benefits all her adult life and the court heard she was awarded the higher rate of the care component because she said she required 120 minutes a day for a carer to assist her getting in and out of bed and 60 minutes every day for washing.

“The benefit was awarded on the basis she was virtually unable to walk and needed full-time care,” added Mr. Price.

“There are videos and photos from 2013 onwards and she was also put under surveillance for a month and is walking, shopping, climbing stairs, performing and engaging with her audience between songs unaided and without obvious pain.”

Hamlyn-Wright wrote a lengthy letter, listing her multiple ailments when claiming benefits.

She said she had autoimmune disease lupus, which caused swelling in her lungs that made “breathing and existence agonising,” and suffered stomach pains and leg rash.

Hamlyn-Wright complained of nightly vomiting, pain in her jaw and groin and bleeding lumps on her head. “It’s a complete nightmare and prevents living a normal life.”

Her surfboarding dog Tia, who featured in the video wearing a doggie lifejacket, was trained to assist her by picking up the post and fetching her phone and handbag.

Lupus causes her inflammation to her kidneys and blood vessels and she suffers “unbearable shooting pain” in her nerves, she wrote.

Painful fibromyalgia was another illness and she suffered burns when suddenly dropping hot drinks, adding: “Sharp pains would leave me gasping for air.”

Insomnia was another issue, staying awake three days in a row before plunging into long sleeps of up to 21 hours.

She was wheelchair-bound for periods of her life, claimed Hamlyn-Wright, adding she’s had steroid injections into her joints and the base of her spine.

Chronic arthritis was another problem all her adult life as well as Crohn’s disease, an inflammation of the bowel.  

Chest inflammation is common, she wrote. “The pain is so bad my chest cannot move as it should. Lying down is excruciatingly painful and when that happens someone has to help me lie down and get up.”

Falls had resulted in fractured ankles an she has suspected gout and joints can seize up at any time. “Dressing and getting in and out of the bath is impossible on my own.”

A helpful neighbour puts her bin out, does her shopping and takes her bills to the Post Office to be paid, said Hamlyn-Wright, claiming her “legs burn” simply climbing stairs.

The investigation found her website detailing a hectic lifestyle at the same time she was suffering these ailments and the jury were played another video of her recording a song while playing her surfboard like a drum.

She gushed on ‘OctoberRocks.com’ : “I have to keep slapping myself. It’s real I’m playing Glastonbury for the sixth time this year.”

She also competed in the Red Bull surfing series and was featured in Surfgirl magazine. 

One of her tracks was played on Radio One and she performed with the BBC Big Band.

She updated her followers by breathlessly announcing: “I’m so excited. I’ll be playing and competing on the world surf tour. Complete madness.”

She plugged her album ‘Some of the Things’, telling followers: “I can’t keep up,” due to all the interview and promotional work she was doing.

She toured Australia in 2017 and posted a pic of her surfing near a legendary coastline, writing on Facebook: “So stoked to have surfed the legendary Bells Beach.”

She also wrote: “Had a lush four-hour surf at an Australian nature reserve today.”

There were other surfing and diving images of her all over social media, plus mentions of live performances in Newquay, Chepstow, Bristol, Penzance and Camden.

She was  featured artist on the ‘BBC Introducing…..’ live stage at the Royal Cornwall Show and she posted a pic of her giving Prince William a copy of her CD.

Judge Georgina Kent told her: “It was a claim that became fraudulent and is a serious offence.

“The benefits system is strained and is carried by those that are hard-pressed and burdened to pay taxes.

“You have expressed remorse and embarrassment about what you have done and the court has heard you suffer from a collection of mental and physical conditions that a doctor has described as rare.” 

Walking Stick Robber: Do You Know Him?

Police are hunting this suspected knifeman, who jumped on a mini-cab's bonnet and roof in the early hours and snatched the driver's wallet.

The suspect, who showed remarkable agility despite having a walking stick, tried to attack the driver with the blade when challenged.

British Transport Police have released this image of the man they are hunting, which was captured at 5.30am outside Euston station on January 6.

When the suspect leapt onto the vehicle the driver left the car in fear of his own safety.

The man then bizarrely tipped a packet of crisps across the vehicle.

He then entered the driver's side of the car, and the driver entered the passenger side to challenge him.

The man then pulled out a knife and made several attempts to attack the driver.

Thankfully, the victim was able to fend off the attack having taken the man's walking stick from him.

The man then ran off, stealing the victim's wallet which he'd taken from the car.

Officers believe the man in the dash-cam footage may have information which could help their investigation.

If you recognise him or have any information please contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 200002243.

Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

First Class Train Robbery: Suspects Wanted

Police are hunting these two suspected robbers, who threatened a passenger in the First Class section of a train in north London.

British Transport Police have released this CCTV image after a man was robbed between Mill Hill Broadway and Hendon station.

The incident happened at 1.25pm on Monday January 27.

The two suspects are reported to have sat opposite the victim in the first-class carriage of the train.

One of the men intimated that he had a knife and told the victim to hand over his ear phones.

The victim ran out of the carriage, dropping his earphones as he went.

The suspects left the train at Hendon station.

Officers would like to speak to the men in the images who may have information that could help their investigation.

Anyone who knows them is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40.

In both cases, quote reference number 2000010333.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Sister Pulled Out Clump Of Sibling's Hair

Wimbledon Magistrates Court

A young woman pulled out a clump of her sister's hair in front of police when officers were called to the family home on a domestic call on Christmas Eve, a court heard.

Atlanta Louise Chester, 21, of De'Arn Gardens, Mitcham was conditionally discharged for eighteen months when she appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court.

She pleaded guilty to assaulting Jade Taylor, 23, at the address in Singleton Close, Tooting on December 24, last year.

The court heard police were called to the address at 11.40am when Chester began rowing with her boyfriend.

Despite the presence of the officers Chester continued arguing and reached out and pulled a small handful of hair out of her sister's head.

The incident was captured on a police body-worn camera.

Chester was arrested and refused to answer police questions.

In her victim impact statement her sister said she was uncomfortable in her own home and that Chester had nowhere else to go and would always end up at the family address, which was a stressful environment.

Chester's lawyer Roz Olason told the court the victim had no other injury, but for the missing clump of hair and had withdrawn her police statement, but the Crown Prosecution Service continued regardless.

Chester claimed the offence was committed in the “heat of the moment” while under considerable stress.

She was rowing with her boyfriend and lashed out when upset about what was being said. 

Company Director Drove Volvo After Drugs Cocktail

Croydon Magistrates Court

A Buckinghamshire company director, caught behind the wheel of his Volvo after consuming a cocktail of drugs, has been fined and banned from the roads.

Management consultant Stephen Richard Winspear, 48, had taken cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis before he was stopped by police on the Old Kent Road in south-east London.

He was also caught with a small quantity of ecstasy in his possession.

Winspear, of George Farm, Marsh Road, Little Kimble, Aylesbury was sentenced at Croydon Magistrates Court.

He pleaded guilty to driving on November 3, last year with a proportion of a controlled drug, namely benzoylecgonine – a metabolite of cocaine – in his blood.

Winspear also pleaded guilty to driving with a quantity of MDMA (ecstasy) in his blood and THC (cannabis), plus a count of possessing ecstasy.

For driving under the influence of the illegal drugs he was fined £1,500 and disqualified for twelve months.

Winspear was also fined £100 for possessing the ecstasy and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

Barbican Pub Assault: Woman Convicted

An Essex woman has been fined for assaulting a man in a Barbican gastropub.

Ashleigh Sharp, 31, of Coombewood Drive, Thundersley, Benfleet, fought the case, but was convicted.

She was found guilty at City of London Magistrates Court of assaulting Marc Biebuyck at The Shakespeare public house, Goswell Road on July 12, last year.

The landmark pub specialises in Anglo-Italian cuisine.

Sharp was fined £1,033, with £775 costs and ordered to pay £250 compensation to the victim Mr. Biebuyck.

She must also pay a £103 victim surcharge.

Boozy Everton FC Yob Guilty Of Racially Abusing CPFC Star Andros Townsend

Abuse: Darran Chadwick

An Everton FC fan, who shouted: “You black c***,” at Crystal Palace’s Andros Townsend as the winger was taking a corner, was banned from football for three years yesterday.

Lidl store manger Darran Chadwick, 39, rushed to the pitch side during the Premier League season opener and was heard by a steward hurling the vile abuse.

The dad-of-one, of Wallace Avenue, Knowsley, Liverpool was convicted of racially aggravated harassment at the Selhurst Park fixture, which ended 0-0 on August 10, last year.

Former Everton FC steward Chadwick, who had three ciders before the kick-off, claimed he merely shouted at the player: “You diving c***.”

He was fined £1,050, with £625 costs and ordered to pay a £105 victim surcharge and made subject to the football banning order, which prohibits him watching any designated match.

Steward Bruce Moy told Croydon Magistrates Court: “I did notice the gentleman two or three rows back and he stepped down towards the pitch and started shouting.

“I heard him shouting: ‘You black c***,’ at the point Andros Townsend, a black player, was getting ready to take a corner for Crystal Palace.

“In football there is a very high concern about racial abuse and the control room was informed and the man was identified. his manner was very much chest out, throwing his voice.

Andros Townsend

“Racial abuse is unacceptable.”

It is not known if the player, whose father Troy Townsend is the Head of Development of football’s ‘Kick it Out’ anti-racism campaign, even heard the abuse.

Chadwick was escorted from the ground and handed over to police and one officer noted he was visibly emotional with tears in his eyes.

He spent nine hours in a police cell and was released in the early hours of the following morning after he was questioned at midnight and told officers: “I know it isn’t nice, but sometimes you get lost in the tribalism of football.”

Chadwick told the court: “He went down relatively easily and I said: ‘You diving c***,’ and in retrospect it was not a nice word.

“It happened in front of us and we were agitated because we didn’t think it was a foul. I became emotional because it is a lot to be accused of racism, it sticks with you for the rest of your life.”

Regarding the steward’s evidence Chadwick added: “I don’t know why he thinks he heard those words, they weren’t said. He believes he did, but I didn’t say those words.

“If I am convicted today I will lose my job. I’ll never get a job again with racism on my criminal record.”

Prosecutor Nwanneka Ike said: “The defendant’s actions could be classified as a hate crime and demonstrating hostility based on a players’ race.

“Prior to using the words he was loud and rowdy and by his own admissions to the police stated he was targeting the footballer to: ‘put him off,’ those were his words.”

A visibly disappointed Chadwick shook his head when convicted and his lawyer Tim Spooner fought the CPS application for the banning order.

“This is not a football hooligan and there have been no incidents of violence,” said the lawyer. “This is someone who has attended football for many years without incident.

“He is a genuine football fan who also attends non-league and women’s football. This was very much a one-off incident and it is not necessary to impose such stringent order.”

The magistrates rejected a CPS application to award costs to both Townsend and the steward, reminding Chadwick he cannot be within one mile of a football stadium on matchdays four hours before and after kick-off.

Jailed: Bogus Plumber Who Nicked OAP's Jewellery

Plumb Scum: Doyle

A bogus plumber, who tricked his way into an octogenarian lady's home, where an accomplice nicked her jewellery, has been locked-up for five years.

Patrick Doyle, 54, aka Patrick Doran, of no fixed abode told the Purley victim he was investigating a water leak.

He was convicted at Inner London Crown Court of burgling the woman – aged in her eighties – at her home on October 29, 2018.

While Doyle kept the woman occupied in the kitchen, his accomplice went into the bedroom and stole items of jewellery. 

The pair then left the flat and it was only later the woman realised she had been burgled.

Detective launched an investigation and managed to obtain forensic evidence that placed Doyle in the flat. 

Initial enquiries failed to trace him and he was circulated as wanted.

In July, 2019 Doyle was traced to an address in Acton, where he was arrested and subsequently charged.

Detective Sergeant Aaron Champion who led the investigation said: “Patrick Doyle’s actions are disgraceful – he tricked his way into the flat of a vulnerable elderly lady with the sole intention of stealing from her.

“I am glad the jury convicted him and he will now serve time in prison.

“I would urge anyone who is approached by people purporting to be tradesman; don’t let them in and ask them for identification – you can use this to check they are who they say they are. 

Genuine tradespeople will not mind waiting a few minutes while you do this.

“If they are at all in doubt close your door and contact police.”

Teenage Girl Molested In Street: Do You Know This Suspect?

Police hunting a sexual predator, who molested a 13 year-old girl early one morning, have released this CCTV image of their suspect.

The teenager reported being approached by a man in Norfolk Road, Thornton Heath at 6.48am on November 21, last year.

The suspect grabbed the victim, dragged her along the road, and sexually assaulted her.

Following a struggle the girl managed to escape.

The suspect is described as a black male, 5ft 6ins tall, with hair in cornrows. 

At the time of the offence he was wearing a black puffer jacket, grey trousers and black shoes.

Detective Constable Penelope Rea investigating said: “I am very keen to hear from anyone who can identify the male in the picture. 

“If you think you have seen this male or know who he is please get in touch.

“Your call could remove a criminal from your area or you could help eliminate someone from our enquiries.”

The child continues to be supported by specially trained officers.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting 3835365/19, Tweet @MetCC or call independently charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111.

NOT GUILTY: Ex-Met Cop Poster Girl Cleared Of Info Leak

A former poster girl for the Met’s firearms unit was cleared on Friday of leaking confidential information after claiming she was exposing ‘corruption and prejudice’ against BAME staff within the police watchdog organisation.

Carol Rita Howard, 41, worked on a short-term contract as an investigator for the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which she later took to an employment tribunal.

She lost the £144,000 race claim after the tribunal heard she complained of victimisation whenever she was unhappy at work.

Howard brought 33 allegations against the IPCC, but her ‘witch hunt’ claim was ruled to be groundless.

While at the IPCC she sent 101 emails from her work account to her personal hotmail account, which included sensitive personal information of police investigations, Croydon Crown Court heard.

Howard, of Coulsdon Road, Coulsdon always admitted then passing on the information to her solicitor, but insisted this was to assist her “whistleblower” case against the IPCC.

She claims the IPCC discriminated against Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) staff.

In 2014 she successfully won a £37,000 pay-out from her former employer The Metropolitan Police after it was ruled she was “bullied, harassed and victimised” while one of only two black officers in the 700-strong Diplomatic Protection Group.

The jury took around thirty minutes to unanimously acquit her of one count of unlawfully obtaining personal information under the Data Protection Act between March 28, 2017 and April 6, 2017, including victims, witnesses and service users.

They also found her not guilty of another count under the Act of unlawfully disclosing the same personal information to her solicitor between the same dates.  

The former Lambeth and Croydon borough officer’s gun-toting image was used on security posters at the 2012 London Olympics and she served The Met between 2001 and 2014.

The court heard she was hired by the IPCC on October 31, 2016 and did not deny accessing the information, which included the probe of a serving police officer, accused of sexual offences and sending it to her solicitor.

“She admitted forwarding the emails to herself and sending them to her solicitor,” prosecutor Eva Niculiu told the jury. 

“Her reasons for sending them out was to get legal advice for her ‘whistle-blowing’ employment tribunal claims of corruption and prejudice at the IPCC against BAME staff.”

Howard was employed by the IPCC for approximately five months. “Her employment ended on the basis of suspected security breaches,” explained the prosecutor.

“In the days up to April 6, 2017, 101 emails had been sent from the defendant’s IPCC email address to her personal hotmail address and all of these contained personal data.

“She also retained a copy of her ‘blue book’, which was used to report on her work at the IPCC during investigations.”

The IPCC reported Howard to the Information Commissioners Office, which prosecuted the case and interviewed her under caution on September 5, 2018.

“When she was questioned he said: ‘I clicked on the emails. I didn’t go through every document.’

“She had daily access to personal information,” added Ms Niculiu. “The IPCC is a public body overseeing complaints made against the police in England and Wales.

“On her first day at work at the IPCC the defendant signed a security procedure form, agreeing not to disclose information.”

The IPCC has since re-branded itself as The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

X-Factor Star Gets Suspended Prison Sentence For Iceland Race Assault

Former X-Factor star Rachel Hylton received a suspended prison sentence yesterday for screaming at an Iceland supermarket worker: “You f***ing black man. Go back to Africa.”

The 38 year-old singer, who made the Series 5 final, claimed the colour of her skin meant she was innocent of a crime, telling police: “How can I be racist? I’m black myself.”

Hylton, now living in a Croydon B&B was caught stealing £26 worth of food from the store and also grabbed the man’s neck and pressed her finger into the face of a female staff member.

“These were racial words. It is not acceptable is it?” magistrate Terry Carpenter told her. “You can’t abuse anyone racially.

“We have heard you say you can’t be racist because you are black, but it is possible to be racist to someone of the same colour.”

Hylton, of Japstow Hotel, Campbell Road pleaded guilty to stealing food items from the local Surrey Street store on February 16, last year.

She also pleaded guilty to assaulting Peter Njoku; using racially aggravated threatening behaviour towards him and assaulting Abigail Kelly.

Prosecutor Nahiedh Khan told Croydon Magistrates Court on Friday it was 2.50pm when Mr. Njoku spotted Hylton placing items into her shopping trolley and walk past the check-out tills.

“He approached her and asked to see inside the trolley, but she refused, claiming the contents had been purchased at another store.

Hylton: X-Factor to Z-Factor

“The trolley was opened and the food items found inside and then the defendant started shouting and arguing with the sales assistant and security guard.”

The court heard Hylton shouted: ‘He’s a f***ing African. You f***ing black man. Go back to Africa.”

The prosecutor explained: “She was arguing and pushed Mr. Njoku and threw two shopping baskets at him and shouted abuse at other members of staff.

“She grabbed hold of Mr. Njoku’s neck and demanded the return of her bag, saying her mobile phone was inside.

“She threatened a female member of staff, shouting in her face and poked her aggressively in the face with her finger, saying she would come back to beat her up.”

Hylton left, but when she returned hours later to apologise and retrieve her bag she was arrested.

She had taken chicken, strawberry cheesecake, ice cream, lamb chops and other food items.

Her lawyer Shelly Burroughs told the court: “She has struggled with substance abuse issues for some time and has voluntarily sought treatment after this incident.”

Hylton has attended sessions with Croydon’s Turning Point -  a drug and alcohol recovery service. “She is hoping to go into residential treatment.

“She is stable and has moved accommodation because where she was, was unhealthy and she has sought to live a drug-free life.

“She is not impressed by her behaviour that day and is remorseful. It was very unpleasant and she has seen herself on CCTV.”

Hylton was sentenced to twelve weeks imprisonment, suspended for twelve months, ordered to pay £50 compensation to each victim, plus £85 costs.

Rabbi Gets 8-Year Driving Ban For Mowing Down Two Pedestrians

Rabbi Berisch leaving Harrow Crown Court

A Rabbi, who lost control of a powerful Jag while parking it for an elderly lady - mowing down two pedestrians and demolishing a pharmacy - has received an eight-year driving ban.  

Ralph Berisch, 75, of Woodstock Avenue, Golders Green was sentenced to twenty-two months imprisonment, suspended for two years and ordered to complete sixty hours community service work.

He was captured on CCTV carrying one terrified man, 44, who thought he was going to die, on the bonnet of the car and colliding with an OAP, 79, who made what he thought was a final prayer.

A Harrow Crown Court jury unanimously convicted Berisch of two counts of causing serious injury while driving dangerously in Golders Green Road on March 28, 2018. 

He lost control of the lady’s car after agreeing to help her park it and kosher butcher David Richards suffered 13 fractures to his left leg and pensioner Simon Elkouby also received a leg break and broken toe.

“When asked for help you agreed and the roads and pavements were busy as Passover approached,” Judge Rosa Dean told the rabbi.

“You did not pause as you should have done to adjust the seat and familiarise yourself with a car far more powerful then yours. A car in the wrong hands is a lethal weapon.

“You reversed the car at speed, you put too much pressure on the accelerator and crashed into the car behind you. You should have paused, but you put it into drive and pressed the accelerator.

“This was very bad driving. The distressing footage clearly shows the devastation you caused and it is a miracle no-one was killed. Two people suffered serious injury and the shop was destroyed.

“Maybe because it was glass-fronted their lives were spared. I shudder to think what would have happened to those two men if it was a wall.

Rabbi mowing down pedestrians

“One onlooker thought a terror attack was unfolding and Mr. Richards still walks with a limp, needs a crutch and cannot walk long distances and I salute his remarkable stoicism and he holds no bitterness towards you.”

Over £70,000 of damage was done to ‘Victoria Pharmacy’ and the Jag remains damaged in a pound. 

“Mr. Elkouby said what he thought were his final prayers while trapped under the car and he suffered broken bones and severe bruising.

“I accept this was a dreadful accident and I accept you are sorry although I don’t think you have really taken responsibility for your actions and you were not a particularly impressive witness,” the judge told Berisch.”

The rabbi resumed driving short distances to his synagogue and to local shops three months after the incident, but this was criticised by the Judge Dean. “That you continued to drive some time after I think was unwise.”    

Although his own vehicle, a Toyota Yaris was also an automatic the X-type Jag was over twice as powerful and the rabbi lost control in a few seconds.

Mr. Richards said: “I heard a really, really loud excessive revving behind me and the next thing I was on the bonnet, hurtling at speed.

“I thought I was going to die and at the last second it swerved into a pharmacy. I realised my leg was broken and everything was blurry.

“I know the Rabbi behind the wheel, he is a good man it was one hundred per cent and accident and he will be suffering. It has effected my life, but I’m happy to be alive.”

Seconds from disaster: Berisch at the wheel

Mr. Elkouby saw the car coming toward him, but did not have time to avoid being struck and carried into the pharmacy.

He later told police: “A car came across the pavement and hit me directly as I tried to escape. I lost consciousness and woke up under the car and said a prayer as I thought I was going to die.”

An obviously distressed Berisch told police on the scene: “I put the car in drive, I don’t know what happened. It took off, I couldn’t control it.”

His lawyer Rachna Gokani told the court: “He wants the court to know how sorry he is for what happened and at the scene he was asking how were the injured individuals.

“Both men have been warm and kind and generous toward him and Rabbi Berisch visited the pharmacy and apologised to the owner.

“For six months his family say he was a shell of himself and depressed. He was trying to help someone he knew.

“He accepts he must be punished for these serious offences and community service gives him the chance to give back to the community he has harmed.”

Ex-Met Police Firearms Poster Girl Denies Taking Sensitive Info

A former poster girl for the Metropolitan Police’s firearms unit unlawfully took sensitive personal information to expose ‘corruption and prejudice’ against Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Staff, a court heard.

Carol Rita Howard, 41, worked on a short-term contract as an investigator for the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), which she later took to an employment tribunal.

The former Lambeth and Croydon borough officer’s gun-toting image was used on security posters at the 2012 London Olympics and she served The Met between 2001 and 2014.

Croydon Crown Court heard she was hired by the IPCC on October 31, 2016 and does not deny accessing the information, which included the probe of a serving police officer, accused of sexual offences and sending it to her solicitor.

“She admitted forwarding the emails to herself and sending them to her solicitor,” prosecutor Eva Niculiu told the jury. 

“Her reasons for sending them out was to get legal advice for her ‘whistle-blowing’ employment tribunal claims of corruption and prejudice at the IPCC against BAME staff.”

Howard was employed by the IPCC for approximately five months. “Her employment ended on the basis of suspected security breaches,” explained the prosecutor.

“In the days up to April 6, 2017, 101 emails had been sent from the defendant’s IPCC email address to her personal hotmail address and all of these contained personal data.

“She also retained a copy of her ‘blue book’, which was used to report on her work at the IPCC during investigations.

The IPCC reported Howard to the Information Commissioners Office, which is prosecuting the case and interviewed her under caution on September 5, 2018.

“When she was questioned he said: ‘I clicked on the emails. I didn’t go through every document.’

“She had daily access to personal information,” added Ms Niculiu. “The IPCC is a public body overseeing complaints made against the police in England and Wales.

“On her first day at work at the IPCC the defendant signed a security procedure form, agreeing not to disclose information.”

The IPCC has since re-branded itself as The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

The mum-of-one, of Coulsdon Road, Coulsdon has pleaded not guilty to one count of unlawfully obtaining personal information under the Data Protection Act between March 28, 2017 and April 6, 2017, including victims, witnesses and service users.

She also pleads not guilty to another count under the Act of unlawfully disclosing the same personal information to her solicitor between the same dates.

The trial is expected to last four days………..