Wannabe Bus Stop Rapist Caught By CCTV Operator

A late-night wannabe bus stop rapist - caught solely by a suspicious CCTV operator - is starting a four-year prison sentence.

Student Rami Othmane, 21, was prosecuted despite the female victim refusing to help police and investigating officers relying heavily on the quality of the images.

The Sicilian resident of Arabic heritage was living in Hackney, east London, where he preyed on the lone woman at 4am.

Police have described him as “dangerous” and his behaviour as “atrocious”.

He pleaded guilty at Wood Green Crown Court to one count of attempted rape and was sentenced today.

The court heard the CCTV operator observed Othmane trying to force the woman to perform a sex act on him in Allerton Road on January 22, this year.

Police were alerted and rushed to the bus stop, but Othmane had already fled.

They spoke to the woman, but she refused to co-operate or give a statement to police.

However, officers were determined to track their suspect down, due to the seriousness of what was caught on CCTV, and launched an investigation.

Using local CCTV they tracked Othmane’s movements and a resident at one address he visited told officers on January 30 where they could find him.

Police attended his home and noticed the coat their suspect was wearing that night was at the residence.

Detective Constable Dave Barrett said: “It is with huge thanks to the diligent CCTV operator, who spotted this alarming incident and immediately called police, allowing the officers to act quickly and locate the victim and ultimately put this man behind bars.

“We fully respect the victim’s decision not to make a report, but we hope today’s outcome proves that we took this incident, like all sexual offences, extremely seriously and will work tirelessly to trace those who think they can commit atrocious crimes such as this.

“Othmane is dangerous individual and he may well have caused serious harm to others if he wasn’t apprehended.”

Grenfell Fraudster Who Moaned About Free Hotel Jailed

A greedy Grenfell Tower fraudster, who enjoyed a five-month 4-star hotel stay by lying he was an unofficial resident in the block, has been jailed.

Sheffick Brimer, 50, was a serving prisoner during the fatal blaze, but claimed he was in hospital for an operation.

He enjoyed £32,000 in accommodation and food after insisting he was staying with two residents, who died in the fire.

Audacious Brimer even complained about the first free hotel – forcing a move - and was constantly rude and aggressive to staff.

At Isleworth Crown Court he was convicted of fraud by false representation and sentenced to five years imprisonment.

Brimer claimed to have lived in a flat in Grenfell Tower along with two residents who sadly died in the fire. 

On the night of the fire he claimed to have been in hospital, admitted a few weeks earlier for an operation.

In reality he was in prison on the night of the blaze and for weeks before and after the tragic incident.

When he was released Brimer presented himself to council officials and was given emergency accommodation, intended for displaced residents of the tower block, paid for by the Royal Borough of Chelsea and Kensington.

He received four star hotel accommodation, with food, to the value of £31,776.59 between July 18, 2017 and December 11, 2017.

An investigation was launched after suspicions were raised when he failed to attend voluntary meetings to assess his housing needs. 

Also, the flat he said he lived in did not match the floor number he claimed to live on.

During interview, Brimer claimed he was provided accommodation as a result of his work with various charitable organisations and claimed he previously stayed with the deceased family and in several other flats within the tower.

Members of the deceased's family had never heard of Brimer before and said he was not living with them. 

Detectives made numerous enquiries with other residents of the tower and not one of them had heard of him.

Detective Constable Lucy Hall said: “Brimer was never a resident of Grenfell Tower and using this tragedy as a way to receive free accommodation and food at the cost of the council is completely despicable and appalling.

“He even had the audacity to complain about his initial accommodation and was moved to a second hotel. 

“Witnesses also said he was rude and aggressive to hotel staff.

“Brimer’s behaviour compounds the upset of individuals who have been traumatized by the Grenfell fire and is disrespectful to the victims who he claimed he was living with.”

Wanted: Smiling Sex Assault Suspect

Police are hunting this smiling suspect after a 13 year-old schoolgirl was molested on the deserted top deck of a north London bus.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Roads and Transport Command have released the CCTV image as they try and identify the man.

On Thursday October 24, last year the young teenager boarded a 302 double-decker bus travelling from Willesden to Mill Hill.

The suspect boarded at the same stop and followed her upstairs to the empty top deck and deliberately sat beside her despite all the other seats being available.

He attempted to strike up a conversation with the girl and made lewd suggestions.

The suspect then sexually assaulted the teenager before getting off the bus at Watling Community Centre in Orange Hill Road, Edgware.

Officers are requesting anyone who recognises the suspect to call police on 101 of tweet @MetCC and quote CAD 3328/24OCT19.

Alternatively, the independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Brute Locked Up

A man who subjected a woman to repeated violence and sexual abuse, claiming she inflicted the injuries herself, has been jailed.

Ian David Vacciana, 57, of Newham, east London received thirteen-and-a-half years imprisonment.

He was convicted at Snaresbrook Crown Court of two counts of grievous bodily harm, with intent, rape, attempted rape and assault by beating.

The court head the first incident happened in February, 2018 in Newham when he attempted to rape the female victim.

Between the summer of 2018 and spring 2019, Vacciana then subjected the victim to two serious assaults. 

In July he raped her, assaulting her again the following day.

Vacciana was arrested on July 24, last year and tried to claim the victim had caused the injuries herself.

Detectives from the North East Area’s Safeguarding team led the investigation.

Detective Constable Sally Ogden said: “Vacciana is a violent, dangerous, individual who put the victim through an absolutely terrible ordeal. 

“He has continued to deny the vile things he did to her. 

“I’m pleased that the jury agreed with the overwhelming evidence we built against him and chose to convict him.

“I’d like to praise the victim for her courage in contacting the police and for supporting our investigation throughout. 

“Her actions have helped to put a dangerous man behind bars where he is unable to cause harm to anyone else. 

“I hope the victim’s bravery inspires other victims of violence and sexual abuse to come forward. 

“Contacting the police can be an extremely daunting thing to do, but rest assured, you will be provided with support and compassion.”

Bogus Mini-Cab Brothers Sexually Preyed On Women

Nazmul Ahmed

Two predatory brothers, who sexually preyed on vulnerable lone women leaving bars and nightclubs - even looting their bank accounts - have been convicted of multiple offences.

Nazmul Ahmed, 26, and Selim Ahmed, 32, would pose as genuine mini-cab drivers and sexually assault the young women in their vehicles and take their bank cards.

Nazmul, of Cromer Street, Camden, north London is starting a 16-year prison sentence after being convicted of one count of rape; two counts of assault by penetration, plus counts of theft, fraud and money laundering.

His brother Selim, also of Cromer Street will be sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court on May 22 for sexual assault and kidnapping, plus using a bank card stolen by Nazmul.

Detective Inspector Louise Caveen, of the Metropolitan Police’s Central North safeguarding team said: “Nazmul and Selim Ahmed are predatory offenders, who have deliberately targeted vulnerable women to sexually assault and defraud them.”

Nazmul was placed on the sex offenders register for life and will spend an extended four years on licence once released.

When sentenced the judge described him as a “predator” and “a ruthless and callous serial sex offender.”

Four women, all in their twenties, gave evidence and the first victim, recalled being approached by men in a car following a night out with friends in Russell Square, Holborn on September 15, 2018.

She fell asleep in the vehicle and awoke to Nazmul sexually assaulting her. He dropped her off at her home and she reported the incident to police.

The second woman woke up in a Bedford Place hotel room in Holborn on March 2, last year after a night out in Tottenham Court Road.

Selim Ahmed

She was alone with no memory of the previous evening and her phone and bank cards had been stolen and cash withdrawn.

Police enquiries revealed she had been raped by Nazmul, who had also defrauded her of £3,000 with the help of his girlfriend Dora Vavrova, 26, from Dundee.

Vavrova was convicted of fraud by false representation and acquiring criminal property and was sentenced to a one-year community order, which includes 140 hours community service work.

The third victim accepted a lift home from Nazmul outside a Shoreditch bar on March 27, last year.

She fell asleep in the front passenger seat and woke up to find him sexually assaulting her.

He drove her home and she later realised he had taken money from her account.

The victim reported the incident and when Nazmul was arrested the next day he was linked to the two earlier offences.

The same investigation exposed his brother Selim as a similar offender, who picked-up a woman in Great Eastern Street, Shoreditch just after midnight on January 27, last year.

She was waiting for a bus when Selim pulled up, posing as a mini-cab driver, offering to drive her home.

Another man in the car, Levi Croll, 19, of Euston posed as a legitimate customer and backed-up Selim’s claims and the woman got in.

She was driven around residential streets while Selim tried to obtain money from her bank account and he sexually assaulted her when they both briefly left the vehicle.

Croll was convicted of one count of kidnap and will also be sentenced on May 22.

DI Caveen added: “Through a large scale and detailed investigation my team were able to link the Ahmeds to this pattern of behaviour, which they continued to deny in the face of overwhelming evidence.

“Thankfully my team were able to prove their involvement beyond doubt. We continue to investigate whether they have committed other offences.

“I would like to thank the four women who gave evidence in these cases and I hope that the sentences passed will be of some comfort to them, as well as ensuring other members of the public are protected from these men.

“My officers are trained to give specialist support to victims of sexual assault and I would urge anyone who has been the victim of such behaviour to come forward and speak to us.”

Layer Cake Actress Nicked For Car Tampering

Nathalie Lunghi-Joffe & Cherie Lunghi

It will be easy for police to check if actress Nathalie Lunghi-Joffe is at home after she was ordered to wear an ankle tag when caught interfering with cars near her £1.45m Chelsea home.

The 33 year-old ‘Layer Cake’ star, who comes from a showbiz family, was acting suspiciously around a Range Rover and Vauxhall Zafira.

She is the daughter of actress Cherie Lunghi, 67, and film director Roland Joffe, 74 and is the half-sister of film maker Rowan Joffe, 48.

Lunghi-Joffe, of Rossetti Garden Mansions, Flood Street appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court, where she was represented by a duty solicitor.

She pleaded guilty to interfering with the two vehicles in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea on January 5.

Lunghi-Joffe also pleaded guilty to failing to appear for an earlier hearing at City of London Magistrates Court.

She was fined a total of £360 and made subject to a one-month community order, which includes obeying an electronically-tagged night time curfew between 6pm and 6am.

"Top Secret" Molester Jailed For Teen Abuse

A pervert who preyed on a 13 year-old girl, warning her his abuse was “top secret” had been jailed.

Nikunjkumar Vaidh, 36, of Prince Regent Road, Hounslow received three-and-a-half years.

He was found guilty at Isleworth Crown Court of two counts of sexual touching of the girl child after a trial.

The court heard how Vaidh attacked the girl – who was known to him – on two separate occasions, within her own home in Hounslow.

On both occasions, Vaidh waited for an opportunity when other adults were not present to carry out the attacks. 

After the second assault, he told the girl that what had happened was “top secret” and she couldn’t tell anyone.

However, the girl confided in her mother who then confronted Vaidh. 

Police were called and an investigation was launched. 

When arrested and questioned, Vaidh denied the allegations and claimed the girl was making up the claims.

The victim received specialist counselling and support by specially trained officers throughout the investigation

Detective Constable Emma Rogers from the West Area Safeguarding Team, who led the investigation said: “Nikunjkumar Vaidh is an opportunistic abuser who took advantage of situations where he had won the confidence of others, and used them to carry out two sexual assaults on a young girl.

“I would like to pay tribute to the bravery of the girl and her family who had the confidence to speak to the police and support this investigation to its conclusion.”

Victoria Embankment Gardens Rape: Suspect Hunted

Police hunting a late-night rapist, who pounced on a teenager in a Thameside park in London’s West End, have released a CCTV image of their suspect.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Central West safeguarding team are appealing to the public for information.

A young woman in her late teens reported being raped in Victoria Embankment Gardens, Villiers Street in the early hours of Friday, August 16, last year.

Villiers street is near Charing Cross station and is home to several bars and restaurants and would still be busy at that time of night.

A member of the public came across the victim after she had been raped and assisted her before police were contacted.

The Met’s team have asked the public to call 07584 593 393 if they  they recognise the suspect, quoting CAD1003/16AUG19 or contact them on the non-emergency 101.

Alternatively independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

On the same day as the complaint a 30 year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape.

He was questioned and released under investigation.

Nine Years For Drug Dealer Caught With £3m In Cocaine And 'E'

A high-end drug-dealer, caught with £3m worth of cocaine and ecstasy in his van, is starting a nine-year prison sentence.

Dean Garland, 46, of Sunnyside Road, Epping, was pulled over by police in London's East End on October 24, last year.

At Snaresbrook Crown Court Garland pleaded guilty to possession, with intent to supply, a total of 29kg of cocaine and 46,000 MDMA tablets.

Detective Inspector Glenn Butler, from the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime North Command, said: “Thanks to the hard work of Met officers, a massive quantity of drugs that were heading for our streets have been seized and destroyed. 

“These drugs would have fuelled the violence and stabbings that have taken place across London and the rest of the country.”

At approximately 2.10pm Garland was stopped by officers in Havannah Street, Tower Hamlets.

As officers approached his vehicle, a white Ford Transit, Garland was seen to discard a set of keys in the passenger foot well.

A search of the vehicle resulted in four large blocks of what was suspected to be cocaine found within a black rucksack inside.

He was searched and found to be in possession of £465 cash, a Nokia mobile phone, and a car key, which was later identified as being the key for another the white Ford Transit.

Once Garland was in custody officers conducted a thorough search of the first vehicle. 

They discovered a hide in the rear of the car that had a hydraulic door controlled by a key fob attached to a set of keys which included the key to the van.

Within the hide a significant quantity of suspected drugs and cash were seized. 

These were then tested and found to be 12kg of cocaine; 200g of Cannabis Resin; 45,000 MDMA tablets and £38,000 cash.

Later the same evening officers conducted a search warrant at his home address. 

At this search the other white Ford Transit was located and parked outside the address. 

Another hide was found in the back of this vehicle that contained a further 13 blocks of class A drugs as well as £5,000 cash.

Garland was interviewed and answered “no comment” to all questions. 

Romford Bus Sex Pest Suspect: CCTV Released

Police hunting an early hours bus sex pest, who exposed himself to a young woman have released this CCTV image of the suspect.

The 22 year-old woman boarded a 175 bus in Romford, east London at 2.10am on Friday, November 9, last year.

She sat on the top deck near the front of the Dagenham-bound service and at the next stop the suspect boarded and sat behind her.

The man then indecently exposed himself for some time. 

Once the woman realised what was happening she exited the bus.

Once she had exited, the man then left the bus at the next stop.

The man is described as of Asian appearance, medium build around 5ft 8ins tall and aged in his early twenties.

He has dark, slightly curly hair described as ‘messy’ and a stubble.

He was wearing a red hooded jacket, blue jeans, black trainers and a black bag on his right shoulder.

Please contact Detective Constable Darren Barlow if you recognise him or have any information on 07825 378289 or local police by dialling 101.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or tweet @MetCC with any information.

Kennington Park Rape: Image Of Suspect Released

Police are hunting a rapist after a young woman was attacked in a south London park in the early hours.

The Metropolitan Police's Central South Safeguarding Command Unit have released this CCTV image of the suspect.

The victim, aged in her twenties, was walking along Kennington Park Road at 2.00am on December 29, last year.

She was approached by an unknown male, who struck her on the head and raped her in nearby Kennington Park.

Shewas taken to hospital as a precaution and later discharged. 

She is being supported by specialist officers.

Detective Inspector Ian Kenward said: “Enquiries are ongoing and we are keen to speak to the man in the attached footage. 

“We are urging anyone who may have been in the area or who recognises him to contact police.”

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC. Quote CAD 783/29DEC19.

To give information anonymously go to crimestoppers-uk.org or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Night Bus Pervert Wanted

Police are hunting this suspected late-night bus pervert after a female passenger was molested.

The 28 year-old woman boarded a route 136 bus at 2.10am on Friday, November 9, last year and sat on an aisle seat near the exit doors.

She was followed onto the bus by the suspect, whose CCTV image has now been released.

The bus was travelling from Lewisham Hospital towards Elephant and Castle in south-east London.

A few minutes into the journey, the suspect approached the woman and sexually assaulted her. 

She challenged him and the man got off the bus by Lewisham station.

The suspect is described as male of Mediterranean appearance, slim build, around 5ft 10in and aged from mid to late twenties.

He has black hair in a slicked back style and was wearing a blue hoodie/jacket, jeans and a light coloured cap on backwards.

The victim is currently being supported by specially trained officers.

The Metropolitan Police's Roads and Transport Policing Command are investigating.

Anyone who recognises the man in the image or has any information is urged to contact Detective Constable Darren Barlow on 07825 378289 or local police by dialling 101. 

Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or tweet @MetCC with any information.

Ten Years For Hammer Murder Bid On Sleeping Missus

Murder Bid: Vladislav Ravinskiy

A husband, who tried to kill his sleeping wife during a frenzied hammer attack, is starting a ten-year prison sentence.

Vladislav Ravinskiy, 44, of Forge Square, Isle of Dogs, east London struck as she dozed on the sofa of their home.

He was convicted at Southwark Crown Court of attempted murder.

At around 6.30am on the morning of the assault, Ravinskiy’s wife, aged in her thirties, was asleep in the living room of their flat.

As she slept she was suddenly hit a number of times with a hammer, the blows striking both her body and her head.

She struggled and fought to get away and initially managed to get out of the flat, before being dragged back in by Ravinskiy.

Further physical assaults took place, before she was finally able to escape.

A witness told how they had heard screams and saw the victim running away from the flat. 

Wife's Injuries

She was then able to raise the alarm and the emergency services were called.

The court heard that when officers arrived at the scene, Ravinskiy was found in the hallway and immediately arrested.

Blood stains were found in various places around the flat and the hallway – these included several of the victim’s bloodied handprints.

The hammer Ravinskiy used to attack her was found in the living room.

She had sustained a number of injuries, including cuts to her hands, bruising to her head, throat and legs, in addition to a skull fracture.

The victim is no longer married to Ravinskiy. 

She has not fully physically recovered as she is still suffering from the effects of the skull fracture and this is affecting her greatly on a day to day basis.

Hammer Used

Detective Sergeant Tomasz Patzer, from the Central East Safeguarding Investigations Team, said: “This was a shocking example of domestic violence with the victim being attacked while she was helpless and asleep.

“The attack resulted in multiple physical injuries, thankfully the victim was assisted by members of the public who came to her aid once she had managed to escape the flat.

“Ravinskiy entered a not guilty plea, but the jury at Southwark Crown Court found him guilty of attempted murder.

“In the sentencing hearing, His Honour Judge Hehir describing the circumstances of the offence as, ‘both shocking and tragic’.

“I hope the victim feels safer now that Ravinskiy will be jailed, and that it has brought her closer to moving on from what was an incredibly traumatising event.”

“I also hope this shows the determination of the Met to tackle domestic violence.

Heartless Fraudster Scammed OAP

A callous fraudster, who mocked his octogenarian victim after spending £1,800 on his bank card, has avoided being locked-up.

Remarkably greedy Mohammad Hussain, 37, left court via the public entrance and not in the back of a custody vehicle on the way to prison.

He posed as a police officer to trick his vulnerable victim into handing over the cards and went on a Christmas spending spree.

When the victim's granddaughter picked up the phone from the fraudster he told her: “Tell your grandad to be careful who he gives his card to and that he should have a lovely Christmas.”

Hussain, of Ben Johnson Road, Whitechapel, pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation. 

At Inner London Crown Court he was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years.

He was arrested after police stopped him on an unrelated incident and matched his image to CCTV that caught him carrying out his crimes.

The court heard that at around noon on November 17, 2017 Hussain rang the man and told him he was a police officer investigating a fraud involving the victim’s bank card. 

He asked the man a number of questions about his cards and bank accounts, including the PIN's.

Hussain then told the man, who lived in Southwark, to go to a bank to withdraw £4,000. 

The conman then claimed that the imaginary suspects, who had defrauded the victim had been caught, and the man would need to go to the bank and help verify fingerprints.

When the elderly man said he could not get there, Hussain told him he would send someone around to visit him. 

The man told the conman he wanted to call his daughter, but Hussain ordered him not to and instead told him to call 999. 

However, owing to a technique that kept the victim’s phone line open, when the victim did dial 999 he was put back in touch with Hussain.

Hussain made his way to the man’s home and was captured on CCTV walking up to his front door to convince him to hand over his bank cards in an envelope.

Hussain then went on a spending spree in Westfield Shopping Centre, Stratford. 

He was caught on CCTV going into two shops where he spent over £1,800 on the victim's cards.

Later that day the victim called his granddaughter and told her what had happened. 

She called his bank and the police. 

While she was there a man, probably Hussain, pretending to be from her grandfather’s bank called to ask if he had cancelled his card. 

When told the real bank had been spoken to, the caller made the mocking comment.

After this gross abuse of trust, the victim was left so frightened he struggled to eat, rarely left the house and was unable to trust people.

Moped Teen Caged For 'Brazen' Stabbing

A young moped knifeman, who stabbed a fellow-teen in the shoulder near a busy railway station, has been locked-up.

Police have described the stabbing as a 'brazen daytime assault' which hospitalised the victim.

Trevon McClymont, 19, of Edington Road, Greenwich, received eleven years custody after pleading guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon.

Woolwich Crown Court heard that on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 the 19-year-old victim was in a newsagents in Derby Road, Croydon, when he saw two men pull up on a moped outside.

McClymont immediately jumped off the stolen moped, ran up to the victim and pulled out a knife. 

Both men then engaged in a violent struggle and the victim was left with a stab wound to his shoulder. 

He was required to attend a local hospital for treatment.

Believing the job was done, the suspect ran back to his friend who was waiting on the moped and they sped off together. 

Later enquiries established that the moped had been reported stolen just weeks before the attack.

Shocked members of the public passing by captured the moment that both men fled the scene on mobile phones.

Detectives investigating the stabbing quickly linked McClymont and he was arrested three weeks later. 

The address he was arrested at was searched and a knife was recovered that visually resembled the one used in the offence. 

The driver of the moped was never traced.

Detective Sergeant Sam Bennett said: “This is a good result and proves that the Metropolitan Police is absolutely focused on locking up those who are violent or carry potential lethal weapons.

“Despite the indifference McClymont showed throughout this process, he will now spend a considerable amount of his young life behind bars. 

“No doubt he’ll look back at this in years to come and realise how foolish he was carrying that blade and stabbing his victim.

“Our victim was lucky in this case, but sadly others lose their life to senseless violence on the streets of the capital. 

“We all want to stop the bloodshed before it happens and I would urge anyone with information on violent crime or knife crime to report it.”

Pair Of Greedy Grenfell Fraudsters Locked-Up

Two Grenfell Tower fraudsters, who scammed nearly £50,000 in financial assistance after lying they were housed by a victim of the fatal blaze, have been caged.

Both Carmel Daly, 50, and Robert Kenneally, 52, of Warwick Lane, West Kensington claimed they resided unofficially at Grenfell for six months before the fire.

They were convicted at Isleworth Crown Court of fraud by false representation.

Daly received four years and three months imprisonment and Kenneally four years and nine months.

The pair told the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) and the Red Cross they had been sharing a flat with Dennis Murphy, who died in the fire.

As a result, Daly and Kenneally were provided with a room at a hotel, clothing and financial assistance. 

They were later provided with a rent-free flat, with no requirement to pay council tax or other bills.

After an initial investigation by the RBKC fraud team, Daly and Kenneally were interviewed by police on April 5, 2018.

Detectives analysed CCTV footage from Grenfell Tower, five days before the fire, and neither Daly or Kenneally could be seen.

The jury also heard evidence from Mr. Murphy’s neighbour, who was sure he lived alone.

Mr. Murphy’s son, sister and mother also said they had never heard him talk about Daly and Kenneally living with him.

Analysis of Mr. Murphy’s telephone records revealed he had not had a single contact with any of the numbers attributed to Daly and Kenneally.

Detective Constable Ismail Mattar, of the Grenfell Tower investigation, said: “The aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire brought out the best in humanity, with members of the public and local services working round the clock to help survivors who had been left homeless.

“Unfortunately, a number of people like Daly and Kenneally cynically sought to abuse this kindness and personally profit from the tragedy, which killed seventy-two people.

“I am glad they have now been brought to justice. Fraud is not a victimless crime. 

“The money obtained by Daly and Kenneally was council taxpayers’ money that was intended to be used to help support local residents.”

Nuisance Police Caller Jailed

A notorious 999 phone pest, who flouted her emergency call ban when dialling police 39 times in just four hours, has been jailed.

Jelana Bobrova, 54, of Oaklands Estate, Clapham was sentenced to 10 weeks imprisonment.

She was convicted of breaching the Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) she received in November, 2019 for her nuisance and persistent calling.

On Sunday, February 16 a total of 39 calls were made to police by Bobrova within a four hour period. 

In every call she appeared to be rambling and challenged police to arrest her.

She was arrested on February 23 for breaching her CBO, which prohibited her from making false calls.

Bobrova denied placing the calls and said there was a technical glitch. 

Bobrova’s calls over a period of three years amounted to 1,278 at a cost of more than £10,000 to the Metropolitan Police.

Police Sergeant Terry Collman said: “The Metropolitan Police answers more than 4.5 million calls per year. 

“In 2019, there were 175,000 calls recorded as misuse calls. This amounted to a yearly cost to the Met of more than £1.3m.

“Nuisance calls to police are absolutely not acceptable, they are certainly not funny and are a huge waste of time and money.

“These calls prevent people who are in a genuine emergency from speaking to police and receiving help when they most need it.

“I hope the sentence given to Bobrova will send a message to anyone who thinks this immature behaviour is a form of entertainment.”

Heart Of Darkness: Knifeman Caged For Street Stabbing

A knifeman, who plunged a blade into his victim's heart during a street row outside a hospital, has been locked-up.

Mohammed Alinoor Uddin, 36, of Well Street, Hackney turned on the 34 year-old man when he intervened in a dispute.

Fortunately the victim survived because he was treated by medics in the reception area of the Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel.

Uddin received twelve years and nine months imprisonment after pleading guilty to wounding, with intent, and assault of an emergency worker.

He was also sentenced to six months imprisonment for possession of a bladed/pointed article, to be served concurrently.

On Saturday, October 12, last year the victim was stabbed in the heart as he attempted to intervene in an altercation between Uddin and another man in Turner Street, Whitechapel.

The victim’s injury was so serious that doctors were forced to operate in the reception area of the hospital. 

He required ongoing medical treatment, but has since made a full recovery.

The Old Bailey heard the outcome could have been far worse if not for the actions of PC Mat Evans, an off-duty officer from West Midlands Police.

PC Evans, based in Birmingham city centre, was walking down the road when he saw Uddin attacking the victim.

He ran towards the two men and identified himself as a police officer, causing Uddin to flee the scene.

The officer then chased him across the road and forced him to the ground, where he was bitten by Uddin while attempting to get the knife out of his hand.

He was restrained until officers arrived at the scene, at which point he was arrested and remanded in custody.

Detective Constable Gavin Markey, who led the investigation, said: “This was a brutal attack and it is only by sheer luck that the victim was in the grounds of the hospital and able to receive immediate medical treatment. 

“Had he not been so close by, doctors have made it clear he would have died.

“We must also recognise the vital intervention of the off-duty officer, who saw what was happening and acted instinctively, risking his life to try and prevent the attack becoming more serious.

“We are pleased Uddin is now behind bars and unable to inflict any further harm.”

PC Evans said: “Incidents like this make you realise being a police officer isn’t a job, it’s a state of mind you can never turn off, even when not at work. 

“When I saw the guy being stabbed, for me there wasn’t a choice to make, I had to stop him before he killed someone.

"I’m glad everything turned out well in the end. 

“The doctors, nurses, and hospital staff performed a miracle in saving that man’s life."