Foursome Hunted After Teen Stabbing

Police are hunting these four suspects after a 17 year-old male was stabbed in the chest in north London.

Police were called at 11.58pm on Saturday, July 11 after the teenager was stabbed in Muswell Hill Place, Muswell Hill.

He was taken to hospital, where his condition was assessed as not life-threatening or life-changing. 

He has since been discharged.

Extensive enquires have been carried out by detectives from the North Area Command Unit, but so far there have been no arrests.

Detective Constable James Green, investigating, said: “The victim became involved in an altercation with a group of males near the Mossy Well pub in Muswell Hill when he was set about and attacked.

“But for the speed and skill of emergency services workers, this incident could have had a very different outcome. 

“I am urging any members of the public who recognise any of these males to make contact with us immediately.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting reference 9656/11Jul. 

Alternatively tweet @MetCC or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Camden Pub Beating: Do You Know This Suspect?

Police are hunting this suspected thug after a pub customer was attacked in Camden, leaving him with multiple broken ribs and facial injuries.

Just after midnight on Monday, March 2 the 31 year-old victim was assaulted both inside and outside The Elephants Head in Camden High Street.

He had got into a verbal altercation with a group of three men.

The victim was taken to a London hospital, where he was treated for his injuries. 

He has since been discharged.

PC Sarah Parker, the office in the case, said: “This was a terrible attack in which the victim has sustained serious injuries. 

“We are hoping that by releasing this image a member of the public will come forward and identity this man.

“We are determined to get justice for the victim and to make sure those responsible face the consequences of their actions. 

“I encourage anyone who may have been in the area or seen the men involved to contact police.”

Anyone who recognises the man in the image or with information is asked to contact police by calling 101 quoting CAD 52/02MAR20.

Alternatively, tweet @MetCC or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Homophobic Mugging: Police Release E-Fits Of Suspects

Police investigating a violent homophobic attack in north London have released these e-fits of the suspects they are hunting.

Police were called at 1.00am on Sunday, July 26 to reports of a homophobic assault and robbery near the junction of Seven Sisters Road and Amhurst Park, Stamford Hill.

Officers attended the scene and spoke with the victim, a man in his twenties, who had suffered minor injuries and had his headphones stolen.

The victim was walking across the junction when he was approached by two men, who began shouting homophobic abuse before physically assaulting him.

The men are both described as white and in their mid-twenties. 

One man is believed to be around 5ft 6ins tall, with a beard and was wearing a green baseball cap at the time.

The other man is believed to be approximately 6ft 2ins tall with curly blond or ginger hair, and was wearing a leather jacket with a T-shirt underneath.

Once the men had left the scene the victim called police.

The two men then returned and stole the victim’s headphones. 

They also attempted to steal his phone.

Detectives also released CCTV footage of two men seen running from the scene shortly after the incident, as well as these two e-fit images.

Detective Sergeant James Rush said: “This was a vicious attack on the victim, all the more appalling because of the homophobic abuse the victim received. 

“I implore any witnesses to this incident to get in touch to tell us what you saw.

“I would also appeal to the men in the CCTV footage or anyone who knows them to contact us as we believe they could have significant information. 

“The victim has also worked with us to create e-fit images of the two suspects which we are also releasing in the hope someone may recognise them.

"Any information you have no matter how small may be pivotal to our investigation. 

“The Met stands against hate and will make every effort to track the suspects down and hold them responsible.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 101, quoting CAD 580/26Jul.

Wannabe Rapist Caged For Attacking Lone Female

A late-night predator, who tried to rape a lone woman as she walked home in the early hours, has been locked-up.

Khaled Argoub, 21, followed the woman, aged in her 20's, from Colliers Wood Underground Station at 3.00am on August 11, last year.

He dragged her into Wandle Park with his arm around her neck, where the victim fought him off by biting his hand.

At Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court Argoub, of Garratt Terrace, Tooting was sentenced to 22 years imprisonment – with a minimum of 14 years in custody.

He was convicted of two counts of attempted rape; attempting to choke, with intent; assault by penetration and three counts of sexual assault.

The victim was heading home after a night out with friends and strolled along Colliers Wood High Street before turning into a residential road.

She noticed Argoub standing in the middle of the road behind her and described him as smirking at her.

Suddenly, he ran towards the victim, grabbed hold of her and dragged her into Wandle Park.

He held her from behind with his arm around her neck, chocking her before attempting to rape her. 

He also sexually assaulted her.

Biting his hand, which was covering her mouth, the victim was able to escape and ran to a nearby block of flats until officers arrived a short time after.

The victim was taken to hospital where she had significant cuts and scratches to her body and reddening to her neck. 

Her voice was hoarse from the strangulation and she struggled to speak.

A search was conducted for the suspect, with helicopter and dog support but there was no trace of him. 

Officers found a baseball cap with a ‘B’ logo on the front at the scene.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police's South West Safeguarding Team began an investigation. 

Officers began their CCTV trawl starting at the Underground station and found a man fitting Argoub’s description following and filming the victim as she got off the train. 

He was wearing the baseball cap found at the scene of the crime.

Twelve minutes later he was seen re-entering the station and is no longer wearing a baseball cap. 

He headed northbound and exited at Tooting Broadway tube station and entered a property on Garratt Terrace shortly after 4.00am, where he remained.

Back at the hospital, a nail clipping was taken from the victim. 

It was sent for forensic analysis and contained a partial DNA profile for Argoub.

Detective Constable Faye Castleman said: “On behalf of the victim and her family, I am pleased that justice has been served and I hope that this sentence can bring some closure for them. 

“The victim was immensely brave throughout the investigation and I highly commend her courage.

"This was an extensive investigation, with numerous officers working together to locate the offender and highlights good proactive police work. 

“This case also recognises the importance of forensics in helping to identify offenders.

"We take these cases very seriously and I would encourage anyone who has been through a similar experience to come forward and report it to us in confidence."

Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence is urged to contact police on 101. 

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 

Abuser Faces Justice Four Decades On

A paedophile, who abused two young boys four decades ago, has been jailed for eleven years.

Graham Brightwell, 69, of Peabody Hill, West Dulwich preyed on the pair in the late 1970's and early 1980's.

He pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court to six counts of indecent assault, which covered multiple incidents and one count of attempted buggery.

The offences were first reported to the police in September, 2017.

Both victims gave statements, detailing the abuse they suffered at the hands of Brightwell.

One victim said the abuse went on for eight years, ending when he turned 16 years-old.

Detective Constable Graham Blake from the West Area safeguarding unit, said: “Brightwell took advantage of his young victim’s vulnerability, sexually abusing them on numerous occasions when the opportunities presented themselves.

“I would like to praise the victims’ courage in reporting what happened to them to police. 

“A serious crime committed thirty years ago is still a crime. 

“While investigations into non-recent sexual offences can be challenging, we have specially trained officers who will follow up all lines of inquiry, and seek to prosecute when the evidence will support it.”

To report a rape or sexual offence, call police on 101, report it online at www.met.police.uk or visit a police station. 

Alternatively, call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Bus Stop Rapist Facing Prison

A rapist, who lured a 15 year-old girl away from a bus stop and attacked her in an alleyway, will be sentenced on November 3.

Deangelo Brown, 23, of Bank Close, Luton has been described by police as a “dangerous predator” following his conviction.

He was found guilty at Harrow Crown Court of rape and sexual activity with a child.

An investigation was launched after the teenage girl stated that she had been raped near Harlesden High Street in Brent on the morning of Tuesday, March 10.

Brown had approached her while she was standing at a bus stop and after asking her age, he demanded that she follow him. 

Fearing for her safety the girl went with him into an alleyway, where she was attacked.

Having witnessed the incident, a member of public came to the victim’s assistance and walked her to Harlesden police station where she reported the assault. 

Brown’s description was circulated to officers and he was arrested nearby.

The teenager was taken to a Haven and provided with support from specialist trained officers.

Detective Constable Samantha Wilton, from the North West BCU, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to praise the bravery and composure shown by this young girl after experiencing a horrifying ordeal.

“The impact of that morning simply cannot be forgotten. Brown is a dangerous predator who has rightly been found guilty.

“I would also like to thank the person who helped the victim and kindly escorted her to the police station so that she wouldn’t be alone.

“I would urge anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence to contact police and report it so that we can bring those responsible before the courts.”

Bus Passenger Mugged And Stamped On

A bus passenger was robbed of his wallet and stamped on the head after boarding a service in north-west London.

Police have released this CCTV image of their suspect as the hunt to trace him continues.

The 33 year-old victim boarded a route 483 bus at 8.15pm in Ealing Road, Wembley on July 19.

He was assaulted as soon as he boarded by a man, who stole his wallet. 

He fought back and the pair ended up at the back of the bus, where the suspect forced him down into a seat.

He then knocked the victim to the floor and stamped on his head before fleeing the scene. 

The victim sustained cuts and bruising to his head, but did not require hospital treatment.

PC Nick Kortright, from the Roads and Transport Policing Command, said:"Although the injuries sustained were not serious ones, this was a sudden and violent attack that left the victim severely shaken. 

“We need the public's help to identify the man in the image - please contact us as soon as possible if you have any information."

Anyone who has information should call 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting reference CAD 7931/19July. 

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

There have been no arrests; enquiries continue.

Caught In The Act, Fact

A thieving employee has been caught on camera helping himself to over £6,000 cash from the company's safe.

Scott Smith, 45, of Windsock Close, Rotherhithe worked in Westminster and during a two-week period helped himself to the money from the office safe.

At the Old Bailey he was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months; ordered to complete 80 hours community service work and pay £2,000 compensation.

On December 4, last year Smith began stealing the cash after clocking out of work.

He stole varying amounts of cash totalling £6,855 and on the final occasion helped himself to two bottles of Belvedere Vodka, worth £250 each.

On December, 23 Smith failed to show for his shift. 

After several phone calls, Smith answered and confessed he had stolen some money from the safe.

The following day, a safe check was completed by the staff and more than £6,000 was recorded to be missing.

Smith, who was staying in Cardiff at the time, handed himself in to a police station on December 28 and was then interviewed.

The following day, he was transferred to a London police station to be questioned further by officers from the Metropolitan Police's Central West Basic Command Unit.

On December, 29 officers searched his other home address in London, where they found the two bottles of vodka, but no trace of the money.

CCTV from the workplace showed Smith stealing money from the safe 19 times, including the two bottles of vodka.

Sawn-Off And Drugs Found In Abandoned Vehicles

Police stumbled upon a sawn-off shotgun, Class A drugs and a dealer's mobile phones when they checked-out two abandoned vehicles in east London.

At 5.39pm on Tuesday, September 15 officers on patrol in Burdett’s Road, Dagenham found the two unattended vehicles.Officers searched one of the vehicles and recovered the firearm alongside a quantity of drugs and mobile phones suspected of use in drug dealing.

There have been no arrests at this time.

Detectives from the East Area Command Unit are investigating.

Detective Inspector Dean Grafton said: “Myself and my officers are committed to bearing down on violent crime and are now conducting various enquiries to establish whether the vehicle and firearm are linked to any other incidents.

"The officers concerned who carried out this search are probationers and have exhibited that although they are new to policing, from the very outset we as police officers are determined to remove drugs and firearms from our streets.

“Anyone who has information that could assist us is urged to call police. 

“Members of the community and officers must work together to tackle violent crime and remove offenders from our streets.”

Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 ref CAD 6145/15 Sept.

Ex-Private School Teacher Dies Before Court Appearance

Wimbledon Magistrates' Court

A former schoolteacher at a private prep school has died before a court appearance on historic child sex offences charges.

Timothy Harbord, 67, was a sports coach, who taught English and history at Colet Court – the junior division of St. Paul's – in Barnes, south-west London.

He was due to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on four counts relating to one boy, aged under fourteen years-old.

Harbord, of Waunci Crescent, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk was charged with four counts of indecent assault between July 6, 1987 and July 8, 1989.

He was arrested as part of police enquiry Operation Winthorpe, which has been investigating allegations of historic sexual abuse at the school. 

It has been reported Harbord taught at the school for twenty-five years and left in 2013, following his first arrest.

Carer Spent Vulnerable Woman's Money Online

Wimbledon Magistrates' Court

A carer has been sentenced for abusing her position of trust by using a vulnerable woman's money to buy goods on the internet and pay a credit card.

Leanne Julie Melborn, 30, of Suncroft Place, Green Lane, Chessington, Kingston-upon-Thames appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court.

She was charged with fraud by abuse of position between July 4 and 9, last year while employed as a carer at Calder Court, Britannia Road, Surbiton she acted against the financial interests of Pauline Higgins.

Melborn purchased items on the internet and made a payment to a Capital One credit card while employed to care for the victim, a housing association resident.

She was sentenced to a Community Order, which includes 120 hours unpaid community service, plus up to ten days of rehabilitation.

Melborn must also pay £85 costs and a £90 victim surcharge.

Wine-Drinking Lawyer And Pal Avoid Ban For Parking Merc

Danielle Amodio (L) & Sophie Stevens (R)

A solicitor and a HR manager, both caught drink-driving at over double the limit at 6am have avoided bans after convincing a court they were merely trying to avoid a parking ticket.

Lawyer Danielle Amodio, 31, and recruitment specialist Sophie Stevens, 32, both had a go at moving the Mercedes from a residents-only parking bay.

They argued at Wimbledon Magistrates Court they had special reasons no to be subject to the usual automatic disqualification of at least twelve months.

Amodio, the £72,000 a-year legal counsel to technology provider Genius Sports and £50,000 a-year Stevens both pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol in their breath in Dundonald Road, Wimbledon on May 19.

Amodio, who lives in a £675,000 apartment at nearby Tiffany Heights, Standen Road, Southfields had 90 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

Stevens, of William Road, Wimbledon had 76 micrograms in 100 millilitres of breath.

The court heard both women took to the wheel of the Mercedes with Stevens reversing a slightly longer distance as they attempted to move it from the residents bay, which came into force at 8.30am on a Tuesday morning.

Amodio had driven to her friend Stevens’ home and the pair had been drinking wine the night before.

However, a suspicious local called the police after witnessing them both moving the vehicle and officers stopped them as they strolled back to Stevens’ place.

Afterwards Stevens said: “We are not used to being in trouble, it is crazy. The whole thing was a bit odd.

“There was someone at the end of the road watching us try to get out of the space. They must have assumed we were drunk, I think they called the police.

“We were walking back when a police car pulled up. They asked: ‘Did you just drive?’ We said: ‘Yes, we were just parking’, thinking nothing of it. Then we were breathalysed.”

Instead of the usual disqualification the JP’s imposed 8 penalty points on Amodio’s driving licence and 9 penalty points on Stevens’ licence.

“Ms Amodio is a solicitor and she notified the Solicitors Regulation Authority two days later,” said Simon Harrison, defending.

“She is very resourceful and knows what she did was wrong.”

Amodio is now potentially subject to professional misconduct proceedings as she has a criminal conviction.

She was fined £1,392, with £250 costs and a £139 victim surcharge.

Stevens, who recently began claiming Universal Credit was fined £120, with £250 costs and ordered to pay a £34 victim surcharge.

NOT GUILTY: Couple Cleared Of Parking Row Assault Charge

Peter Joyce & Grecia Arancivia

A couple have been cleared of assaulting their neighbour during a parking row in their small cul-de-sac.

Tempers rose during a dispute about precious parking places and there was a confrontation involving several residents.

Account Manager Grecia Arancivia, 30, and Peter Joyce, 29, were both found not guilty of assaulting their female neighbour on October 24, last year.

Prosecutor Angela O’Dwyer told Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court: “The two defendants and the complainant Eldred Mathieson are neighbours in a cul-de-sac with limited parking.

“This has become a bone of contention and on October 24, last year there was a dispute over parking because there were only two spaces for all of the neighbours.

“After there is an argument there is a physical assault by pulling hair and clothes by Arancivia and Joyce joins in and is complicit in the complainant being pushed by them back against her car, where she bangs her head.”

However, Arancivia claimed Mathieson spat at her after flashing a two-fingered insult towards her and her boyfriend.

She described Mathieson as “goading” and “provoking” and deliberately obstructing the area with her vehicle.

During her evidence Mathieson hardly mentioned Joyce at all and the court heard little evidence of any assault by him.

She told the court it was 10pm and her car was in a parking space, when another neighbour asked if she was leaving as the defendants turned up in their vehicle.

“The male defendant said something about the parking and I saw him push my neighbour.”

Events escalated with the pushed neighbour’s father leaving the house, adding to the numbers outside.

“Everyone had something to say and the female defendant shouted at me that I was a ‘slut’ and an ‘alcoholic’, and I told her she should be ashamed of herself.

Eldred Mathieson

“She came towards me and grabbed me by my clothes and hair and thrust me back onto my car.

“I felt the thrust of my head bang back onto the car and I could see him coming towards me with his hands as if the two of them were pushing me back.

“I felt dizzy and I had a pain in my head. It was hard to believe it had happened.

“I called the police when I got back inside my house because it was an assault on me and I had a pain in my head”.

When cross-examined Mathieson denied telling Arancivia: “Go back to Peru and get your father to pay child support”.

She also denied spitting. “No, I’ve never spat at anyone in my life”.

Kennington Park Rape: Hunt Continues

Police continue hunting a Kennington Park rapist featured in an appeal three days ago on BBC's Crimewatch Roadshow.

A reconstruction of the early hours attack in Kennington Gardens, south London was broadcast by the programme.

This CCTV image has also been released by detectives investigating the attack, which occurred between 2.00am and 2.20am on Sunday, December 29, last year.

The victim, a woman in her twenties, was walking in the street when she was approached by an unknown man who attacked her.

The woman, who also suffered a blow to the head, was taken to a London hospital as a precaution and later discharged. 

She is being supported by specialist officers.

Detective Inspector Ian Kenward, of the Central South Safeguarding Command Unit, said: “Enquiries are ongoing and we are keen to speak to the man in the 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 contact Crimestoppers at crimestoppers-uk.org or call on 0800 555 111.

Brewer Caught Driving After Drinking-Session

Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court

A brewer, caught driving his Audi at nearly three times the drinks limit, has received a suspended prison sentence.

Edmund Razzall, 31, who has resigned from his director role with Symmetry Brewing was the craft beer company's head brewer.

He appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court charged with driving, with excess alcohol in his breath, in Churchill Road, Kentish Town, north London on March 7.

Razzall, of Burnt Mill Brewery, Woodlands Dairy, Ipswich, Suffolk had 100 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit is 35.

He was also charged with driving the black Audi A3 diesel without insurance on the same occasion.

Razzall was sentenced to ten weeks imprisonment, suspended for twelve months and disqualified from driving for thirty-three months.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £122 victim surcharge.

Charity Thief Harassed Woman

A disgraced children's charity worker with a drinking problem has been convicted of harassing a woman last year.

Christopher Wiseman, 41, of Woodlea Drive, Bromley was sentenced to a twelve-month Community Order after fighting the case.

He appeared at Bromley Magistrates' Court charged with pursuing a course of conduct between June 15 and July 12, last year, which amounted to the harassment of Nicola Deane.

Wiseman was said to have continued contacting the victim after being asked to stop and also contacted her brother and mother and her place of work.

He was ordered to complete sixty hours community service work; an alcohol treatment programme and pay £500 costs and a £90 victim surcharge.

Wiseman was also made subject to a two-year restraining order, prohibiting contact with the victim.

He hit the headline two months ago when sentenced to twenty-one months imprisonment, suspended for two years, for offences including the theft of a laptop and three mobile phones from Mayfair-based charity Children's Investment Fund.

Wiseman was the Third World charity's IT boss and also abused the organisation's credit card by using it to buy cigars and alcohol during a works trip to the 4-star Sheraton New Delhi.

Attack At The Block

Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court

A Barnet resident has been convicted over a violent incident at his block of flats.

Anthony Mansi, 30, of Merlin, The Concourse, Colindale appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court.

He was charged with assaulting a Mr. Hassania, causing him actual bodily harm, at another flat in the block on July 3.

Mansi was sentenced to an eighteen-month Community Order, which will be monitored by the Probation Service.

He was also ordered to complete eighty hours unpaid community service work.

Mansi was made subject to an indefinite restraining order, prohibiting contact with Mr. Mansi.

He must also pay the victim £400 compensation, plus court costs of £85 and a £95 victim surcharge.

Non-League International Convicted Of Assault

A non-league footballer, who has played internationally for Montserrat, has been convicted of assaulting a woman at his home address.

Bradley Woods-Garness, 34, is currently on the books at Wingate & Finchley.

The forward was at Chelsea and Wycombe Wanderers as a youth.

He went on to be a successful goalscorer for Farnborough; Billericay Town; Sutton United and Canvey Island.

Woods-Garness represented Montserrat at the 2012 Caribbean Championship and has also found the net for his country.

At Highbury Corner Magistrates Court he was charged with assaulting Gabriel De'ath, causing her actual bodily harm, on July 27, last year at his home in Upper Handa Walk, Canonbury, Islington.

He was fined £60, with £100 costs and ordered to pay a £32 victim surcharge.

Disgraced Ex-Police Worker Convicted Again

A disgraced former police employee has been convicted of posting a threatening message on facebook.

Adrian Milton, 51, of Swallowdale, South Croydon was sentenced at Bromley Magistrates Court.

He was charged that between December 19, last year and April 1, this year he conveyed a threatening message to Colin Hillman, for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety.

Milton received a Community Order, which includes a twelve-week electronically-tagged home curfew between 9pm and 6am.

He must also comply with an indefinite restraining order, prohibiting contact with the victim and was ordered to pay £95 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

The former Metropolitan Police employee – who was based at Croydon – was jailed in April, 2017 to two yearas and eight months imprisonment for stealing shotgun ammunition and two mobile phones from a criminal exhibits store.

He was the subject of a Directorate of Professional Standards Investigation and when officers raided his home they also seized extreme pornography, much of it involving images of children.

NHS Demo Cop Bitten: Do You Know This Suspect?

Police want to identify this suspect after an officer was bitten at an NHS demo for better pay in central London.

On Saturday, August 6 a man bit the uniformed officer’s hand as the officer policed crowds attending the demonstration. 

The officer’s injuries were not serious.

In a continued attempt to trace the person responsible, police are re-releasing a CCTV image of the man they wish to speak with in connection to this incident.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting reference MINORCA 1 - FIMS 047066 and ask the call handler to email Detective Constable Steve Nicholls or Tweet @MetCC on Twitter.

If you wish to report anonymously please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or report online (http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/).

£1M-Plus Cocaine Conspiracy: Alleged Ringleaders Named

Organised crime police have named two suspected high-level cocaine dealers they are hunting in relation to the importation and sale of over £1m worth of the drug.

Officers from Specialist Crime North are involved in one of the Metropolitan Police's largest operations to tackle serious and organised crime.

They have released these photos of Aaron Wise, 30 (pic. l.) and James Lee, 54, (pic. r.).

Both men are suspected of being involved in a conspiracy to import/transport and sell wholesale quantities of cocaine.

Enquiries to locate them are ongoing.

Wise has links to west London and Hertfordshire. 

Lee has links to south east London, Merseyside, the West Midlands and Spain.

It is possible that both men are not currently in the UK.

If you know where either man might be or have seen them, call 999 or 101 quoting 'Operation Coequal'. 

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you would prefer to remain anonymous.

Sinister Disappearance Of Prostitute: £20K Reward Offered

A £20,000 reward is up for grabs for anyone who can help solve the disappearance of a prostitute ten years ago.

Mother-of-one Lana Purcell was twenty-seven years-old when she went missing in January, 2011.

Camden police have been reviewing leads and speaking to local people as they continue to investigate the mystery.

Officers were in the vicinity of Agar Grove and the Kentish Town area, where Lana lived, between Monday, September 14 and September 16 to dispense leaflets and appeal to members of the public to come forward with information.

Lana, who was also known as 'Nadia', was known as a family-oriented person, who was mother to her then six-year-old daughter, Megan. 

Lana has been described as someone who was cheerful and outgoing, but who had her routines and would keep in daily phone contact with her family.

The last confirmed sighting is believed to be on or about Monday, January 17, 2011 around Wellesley Road, Kentish Town. 

Officers believe Lana may have been heading to the West End/Soho area. 

It is known that at the time she went missing Lana was involved in drugs and was a sex worker.

Lana was reported missing after five days to Camden police who looked into her disappearance. 

Their investigation followed up on a number of sightings from people who claimed to have seen her in north London after she was reported missing.

Police also interviewed large numbers of people, made witness appeals and seized and viewed hours of CCTV footage.

The initial missing person’s report into Lana’s disappearance was later handed to the then Homicide and Major Crime Command after it was feared Lana had come to harm.

Detective Inspector Mike Stubbins, of Specialist Crime, is one of the lead investigators. 

He said: "Though nearly 10 years have passed, our determination to find out what happened to Lana remains undiminished.

“Her family have had to endure ten years of torment. 

“Her daughter, Megan, who was aged just six at the time of her disappearance and is now fifteen, has grown up without her mother. 

“We owe it to her and all of Lana’s family to find out what happened and if she has come to harm, to find those responsible and bring them to justice.

“I am very confident that there will be people who know full well what happened to Lana but have not yet spoken to us. 

“During my time in the police service I have seen many examples of years passing and then eventually the crucial piece of information we need is given that allows us to solve a case. 

“People change, allegiances change, or people who were once frightened of what they think might happen if they spoke to the police, eventually do speak to us in the strictest of confidence. 

“There is now a reward of twenty-thousand pounds on offer to the person who can give us that vital piece of information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator(s), or to Lana’s whereabouts. 

“That could be a life-changing sum to someone, but I know Lana’s family would give everything they have to know what has happened to her and find peace.

“We are looking at all the information we have and speaking to people who we know were acquainted with Lana in the area where she lived and worked, to not only go over old ground but break new ground too.

Lana’s father, John, said: “I am pleading to anyone who has any information concerning Lana’s whereabouts or anyone that knows anything regarding the circumstances of Lana’s disappearance to please help us.

“We as a family and myself as Lana’s father are so desperate to find out what has happened to our Lana. 

“This has devastated us as a family and torn our lives apart.

“The police have put up a twenty-thousand pound reward to find where Lana is or what has happened to her. 

“If anybody who knew Lana and knows anything at all that can help bring my daughter back home to us please, please call the number provided."

Anyone with information into the disappearance of Lana Purcell is asked to call the incident room on 020 8345 1570, or 101 quoting Op Kagal.

Alternatively, tweet @MetCC, or to remain 100% anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Walking-Stick Pensioner Wanted

Transport cops are hunting this suspected bus bully after a woman was racially-abused and spat at.

The 65 year-old victim was left “shocked and distressed” by the incident.

At 3.00pm on Saturday, January 25 a man boarded a Route 114 bus in Kenton Road, Harrow.

Whilst on board the bus he assaulted, spat at and racially abused the female passenger.

Although the victim did not suffer lasting injuries, she was shocked and distressed by the attack.

Officers from the Roads and Transport Policing Command are investigating.

Anyone who can identify this man is asked to contact police via 101 or Tweet @MetCC quoting Cad 4623/25Jan.

To remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Bus Meat Cleaver Threats: Dreadlocked Suspect Wanted

Police are hunting this suspected armed bus bully, who threatened passengers with a meat cleaver during shocking separate early-morning incidents.

At 6.50am on Sunday, August 9, a male passenger was chased from a Route 2 bus at bus stop J in Upper Tulse Hill, Brixton Hill in an unprovoked attack. 

He was not injured.

The suspect had been challenged regarding the non-payment of his fare.

Less than an hour later, at 7.45am, the same man threatened a number of people and made a homophobic comment at bus stop P at Elephant and Castle, Southwark before boarding a Route 196 bus.

Police are appealing for help to trace the man who was captured on CCTV.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Roads and Transport Policing Command via 101 quoting reference Cad 2611/09Aug.

If you wish to report anonymously please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or report online.