Romanian Jailed For Stabbing Policewoman In Face With Pen

A crazed Romanian repeatedly stabbed a policewoman in the face with a pen while loitering in a back garden.

Adrian Popa, 40, was tasered, but continued attacking the officer last summer in the rear of a property in Manor Park Crescent, Edgware.

At the Old Bailey he received three years and ten months imprisonment after pleading guilty to inflicting actual bodily harm and making threats to kill.

The court heard police were called by a resident at around 10.25am on Sunday, August 16, last year after Popa was spotted in the garden of an address.

He was subject to bail conditions that prohibited him from being in the area.

Officers attended and Popa began jumping fences in a bid to evade police.

He was pursued and apprehended by an officer.

A police taser was deployed and discharged, but was unsuccessful.

Popa launched a ferocious attack on the officer, stabbing her in the face multiple times with a pen and threatening to kill her.

Colleagues arrived and a police taser was again deployed and discharged. 

He was eventually arrested and taken to hospital as a precaution prior to going into police custody.

The officer was treated at the scene by paramedics from the London Ambulance Service before being taken to hospital.

Following a period of recuperation the officer has since returned to work.

Detective Constable Huss Ahmed said: "The officer in this incident is incredibly lucky, but for sheer fortune her injuries may well have been life-changing or worse, and we could have been looking at a very different investigation.

"I am glad Popa has admitted his guilt, and will now serve a custodial sentence. 

“This serves a reminder that we will pursue anyone who attacks our colleagues, and will work to put them before the courts to face justice."

Chief Inspector James Noble, of the North West Command Unit, said: "This example highlights the risk that police officers face when they go to work. 

“No officer should expect to be attacked in this way. 

“Popa is a violent man who will now face the consequences of his abhorrent actions that day. 

“We have and will always work to pursue charges against those who assault emergency workers."

Drug Dealer Locked-Up For Third Conviction

An Islington drug dealer is behind bars after police caught him on the street with crack and heroin for sale. 

Sonny Doyle, 25, clocked-up his third drug-dealing conviction when he pleaded guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court.

He admitted two counts of possessing Class A drugs, with intent to supply, and was sent to Snaresbrook Crown Court, where he received five years and eight months imprisonment.

The court heard he had two previous convictions for possession, with intent to supply, Class A drugs in 2016 and in 2018.

On Tuesday, January 12, officers were called to Cantelowes Gardens, off Camden Road to reports of an altercation involving a group of males. 

Local officers attended and saw Doyle run from police. 

They gave chase on foot and detained him nearby. 

He was found to be in possession of ten rocks of heroin and three rocks of crack cocaine.

Superintendent Elaina Usher, from the Metropolitan Police's Central North Neighbourhoods Unit, said: “Under new legislation (Section 313 of the Sentencing Act 2020) defendants who are convicted on three occasions of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply, will face a minimum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment. 

In this case that was reduced slightly due to an early guilty plea.

“This should act as a major warning to those who inflict misery on our communities by dealing drugs. 

“You will be caught and you will spend a significant time in prison.

“I want to reassure those living or working in Camden and Islington that officers from the Met’s Central North BCU are always looking at ways to tackle drugs offending in our two boroughs.” 

Sex Offender Gets Sixteen Years

A sexual predator, who preyed on a young girl – forcing her to have oral sex – has been sentenced to sixteen years imprisonment.

Danny Randall, 31, was sentenced at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

He initially appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on the charge.

Randall, of Price Way, Hampton, Richmond-upon-Thames pleaded guilty to one count of orally raping a girl aged under the age of thirteen years-old.

He was charged with committing the offence between July 2, 2014 and June 22, 2018 at another residential address in Hampton.

The court also ordered Randall to remain on licence for an additional five years after his release and he must sign the sex offenders register for an indefinite period.

"White Bitch" Racist Pushed Shopper Into Moving Bus

Amelia Doris

A woman dubbed the ‘Pimlico Pusher’ - who shoved a female shopper towards an oncoming bus as she continued a racially-charged row - has received a suspended prison sentence.

Amelia Doris, 40, initially clashed with Linda Lancaster, aged in her sixties, in a Tesco Express, calling her a “white bitch” after suspecting the victim’s basket bumped against her young son’s head.

The victim tried to avoid her on leaving the store, but was pursued from behind and shoved into a moving bus at a pedestrian crossing.

She fled the scene with her two children while Mrs Lancaster nursed a head wound near the bus, which came to an emergency stop.

Police released a CCTV image of Doris, plus moving video from the bus as they tried to identify her.

Doris, who has a Peabody Trust flat in Horseferry Road, Victoria pleaded guilty to inflicting actual bodily harm in Vauxhall Bridge Road, Pimlico on May 29, 2018.

She also pleaded guilty to the racially aggravated assault of Mrs Lancaster and the more serious charge of attempted grievous bodily harm was dropped.

Doris was sentenced to ten months imprisonment, suspended for a year and must attend a six-month mental health treatment programme, plus twenty days of rehab.

During the police hunt Scotland Yard described Doris as guilty of a deliberate “shoulder barge” on the victim into the path of the bus.

Mrs Lancaster was waiting at a pedestrian crossing and unaware of Doris approaching from behind when she was pushed.

The bus driver slammed on the brakes and the victim fell into the vehicle’s doors, leaving her stunned.

Shortly before the pair had rowed in the Tesco Express several streets away in Warwick Way, with Mrs Lancaster saying Doris also barged her then.

After the second shove Mrs Lancaster reportedly sustained bruises and grazes to her ankles, shins and knees, plus the head injury and an injury to her shoulder.

Announcing the hunt for Doris, Detective Constable Samantha Edwards said: “This was an unprovoked assault, which could have had much more serious consequences.

“A number of enquiries have been undertaken to locate the person responsible. If you recognise this woman i would ask you to contact police immediately.

“It goes without saying that the victim has been deeply effected emotionally by this whole incident.”

Cannabis Knife Fight: Police Hunt Two Suspects

Police are hunting these two suspects after an officer broke-up a Camden knife fight on New Year's Eve.

One man, believed to be in his late 20's, is described as black, with short black hair and a somewhat muscular build. 

He is described as wearing navy tracksuit trousers and a navy top with a yellow hood.

The second man is described as aged 20 to 25 years-old, of Arabic appearance, with short black hair and a beard, wearing a black puffer-style jacket with writing on the back.

Anyone who recognises these men is urged to email the investigating officer, PC Jake Loboda, of the Central West Basic Command Unit’s Gangs Unit, at Jakub.Loboda@met.police.uk or call him on 020 8246 0234.

At around 5.15pm, on December 31, last year the police officer noticed a man being chased around a flower stall in Rossmore Road, near Regent's Park by a small group of men.

The officer followed the group as they disappeared down Rossmore Court, where he found the men – some armed with knives – fighting.

He confronted the group and the men ran off. 

The officer pursued them while calling for back-up from his colleagues.

He managed to detain one of the men, a 20-year-old from Westminster, who was arrested on suspicion of affray, possession of an offensive weapon in relation to a knife found at the scene, and possession of a kilo of Class B cannabis resin, which was found at the scene.

He was taken into custody at a central London police station and subsequently released under investigation.

Detectives believe they have identified most of the men involved. 

They are now appealing for the public’s assistance to identify these two men seen on CCTV.

PC Loboda, said: “This was a violent fight which, had it not been for the quick and selfless actions of a nearby police officer, could have drawn to a much worse conclusion.

“The drugs trade is fuelling violent crime on London’s streets and causing harm to our communities. We need the public’s help to stop it.

“I’m urging anyone who recognises these men to contact me as soon as possible, so we can speak to them about the incident.”

Spitter Jailed For Policewoman Attack

A suspected bail breacher, who spat and kicked at a policewoman when concerned officers took him to hospital, has been jailed.

Steven Bennett, 47, of Brick Lane, Whitechapel, east London was stopped in Kennington Park Road, Kennington on December 19, last year due to a bail condition prohibiting him from the area.

At Croydon Magistrates Court he pleaded guilty to assaulting the officer and using threatening behaviour.

He was sentenced to a total of three months imprisonment and ordered to pay £100 compensation to the policewoman.

After his arrest on suspicion of breaching bail Bennett was taken to hospital as he was showing signs of being unwell.

While at the hospital, Bennett became aggressive and spat at and kicked the officer.

Police Sergeant David Smith, of Central South Command (Lambeth and Southwark boroughs) said: “The standard of evidence against Bennett presented by the two officers resulted in him pleading guilty.

“The female officer whom Bennett spat at and kicked was not seriously injured, but that does not make his behaviour acceptable. 

“Police officers spend their working lives protecting the public and their property and for them to be attacked during the course of their duties simply cannot, and will not, be tolerated.”

NOT GUILTY: Power Boating Businessman Cleared Of Royal Thames Yacht Club Grope

A power boat record breaking businessman was cleared yesterday of groping a woman outside the Royal Thames Yacht Club after telling a jury he was arguing with her smoking companion.

Entrepreneur Peter Bonham Christie, 39, always maintained his innocence, insisting the motivation for the pair’s claims was to get him drummed out of the 245 year-old private members club.

The Isleworth Crown Court jury took less than three hours to unanimously find Bonham Christie not guilty of one count of sexual assault.

Privately-educated Bonham Christie, whose company transports expensive classic cars, was accused of “lunging” towards the 27 year-old fellow club-member in the early hours of November 30, 2018 and thrusting his hand between her thighs.

She told the trial she was left shaken and upset by the incident and her evidence was backed-up by another club-member, Andrew Sutherland, 60, who was enjoying a cigarette with her.

He told the four-day trial: “I thought he was going to shake her hand, but grabbed her literally in the crotch area…between her thighs…I was quite shocked.”

However, Bonham Christie, who attended £40,000 a-year Millfield School, insisted he never touched the woman, but had gone outside to confront Mr Sutherland about a cocaine allegation he made about him.

“It’s a nonsense, a complete nonsense. The whole thing is ridiculous,” he said. “I know that I didn’t do it. She’s convinced somethings happened, I didn’t do it, that’s it.

“All they wanted was for me to be thrown out of the Royal Thames Yacht Club. They got trapped in their lie. What they have done is wrong.”

The defendant had spent the evening at auctioneers Bonhams, where he had a contract to transport expensive cars for sale, before moving onto five-star Claridge’s and in total consumed two glasses of champagne, two vodka and tonics, plus a glass of wine.

At the Royal Thames Yacht Club he says Mr Sutherland told a female friend and senior business client of him: “Nice guy, nice guy, shame he takes too much cocaine.”

This prompted the confrontation outside. “I was fuming with what he said, but I got nowhere. He had just said to one of my senior clients a lie and I grabbed him and shook him.

“I said: ‘Andrew, what the f*** did you do that for? Why did you say that?’ That was it.”

Bonham Christie was immediately discharged by Recorder Annabel Darlow QC, following the jury’s verdict and did not apply for any costs.

"Nonsense, A Complete Nonsense" Says Businessman Accused Of Royal Thames Yacht Club Grope

A power boating businessman, accused of groping a woman between the legs outside the Royal Thames Yacht Club, told the jury the allegation was “a nonsense, a complete nonsense,” yesterday

Peter Bonham Christie, 39, denies one count of sexually assaulting the 27 year-old woman in the early hours when she was having a smoke outside the Knightsbridge club on November 30, 2018.

Isleworth Crown Court heard the woman - a fellow club-member - was left shaking and in tears after the sudden early hours grope outside the 245 year-old exclusive private members club.

Bonham Christie, of Gosport Street, Lymington, Hampshire, who runs a company that specialises in the transportation of classic and luxury cars, said he was angry with the woman’s companion, 60 year-old Andrew Sutherland.

Bonham Christie told the court: “I was f***ed off. Anger got the better of me.”

The former University of Portsmouth student, an old boy of £40,000 a-year Millfield School, said Mr Sutherland had described him as a cocaine-user to a female friend and business client.

He told her: “Nice guy, nice guy, shame he takes too much cocaine.”

Bonham Christie told the court he did not touch the complainant, who was standing next to Mr Sutherland when he angrily approached him outside the club.

“I know that I didn’t do it. She’s convinced somethings happened, I didn’t do it, that’s it.

“It’s a nonsense, a complete nonsense. The whole thing is ridiculous.

“All they wanted was for me to be thrown out of the Royal Thames Yacht Club. They got trapped in their lie. What they have done is wrong.”

During the evening Bonham Christie consumed at least two glasses of champagne, two vodka and tonics and a glass of wine and said Mr Sutherland was “hitting” on his female friend.

“He is someone I know and prefer to keep at arm’s length. He’s not a particularly nice person, he’s a drunken idiot.”

Bonham Christie said the complainant clearly took Mr Sutherland’s side in their dispute. “She was looking after him, she took him away from me.

“I was fuming with what he said, but I got nowhere. He had just said to one of my senior clients a lie and I grabbed him and shook him.

“I said: ‘Andrew, what the f*** did you do that for? Why did you say that?’ That was it.”

Earlier Bonham Christie described himself to the jury: “I am a high achiever. I like to have fun, I work very hard.

“I like to win, I like to have goals and achieve them and I have, quite a lot.”

Bath-born Bonham Christie, a self-styled entrepreneur, sold his first office water cooler company for over £1m, utilising water sourced on his family’s Dorset property.

Bonham Christie represented GB in sailing and skiing, aged 13 years-old and once received an award from the Royal Yachting Association for breaking the offshore powerboat world speed record.

Trial continues…………

Businessman Grabbed Woman "Between Her Thighs" Says Royal Thames Yacht Club Member

Peter Bonham Christie

A power boating businessman left a fellow Royal Thames Yacht Club member “obviously distressed, physically shaking” when he groped her between the legs, an eye witness told a jury today.

Peter Bonham Christie, 39, denies one count of sexually assaulting the 27 year-old woman in the early hours when she was having a smoke outside the Knightsbridge club on November 30, 2018.

Giving evidence from his Cotswold home club member Andrew Sutherland, 60, told Isleworth Crown Court he attended the club following a City banking function earlier that night.

He said was outside smoking with the complainant when Bonham Christie emerged: “I was about to introduce him and before I could he made his lunge to her.

“He turned around without any provocation, quite an aggressive move without any reason, I think with his left hand.

“I thought he was going to shake her hand, but grabbed her literally in the crotch area…between her thighs…I was quite shocked.

“She was visibly distressed and physically shaking after it. The shaking turned into tears then.

“After the initial shock I turned around to him and said: ‘What are you doing?’ and he tried to apologise to me and I placed myself as a physical barrier between the two of them.

“I have to assume he was quite drunk, it was so unexpected what he did. He seemed to apologise and he was doing it to me, not her.

“She was pretty shocked by the whole thing and was obviously distressed, physically shaking over it and crying.”

The woman then told Bonham Christie’s girlfriend what happened. “She was still shaking and increasingly angry about it and his girlfriend was quite shocked about it as well.”

Mr Sutherland called a taxi for the complainant and checked on her the next day. “I phoned her up to check she was okay. She was still very upset by it all.

“It’s an embarrassing situation for a member of the club to do what he did.”

The witness also spoke to the defendant the next day. “He specifically mentioned he had done something silly and I had to get him out of a significant hole.

“He asked me to provide him with her phone number so he could apologise and I told him it was not appropriate for me to give him the phone number.”  

Mr Sutherland denied Bonham Christie’s assertion both he and the complainant were “very drunk” and that he was an associate of a social circle known as the “drink and curry crowd.”

Denying he was a “big drinker” the witness also denied telling one guest that night: “Peter Bonham Christie is a good bloke, but takes too much cocaine.”

Bonham Christie’s QC Felicity Gerry put to Mr Sutherland: “He didn’t lunge at her and did not grab her at all.

“What you say about him lunging at her is not true. Your recollection is mistaken because you were drunk and maybe you grabbed her Mr Sutherland?”

“That’s ridiculous,” he replied.

Bonham Christie admits he was angry at Mr Sutherland’s alleged comments and behaviour that night and approached him outside, saying; “You f***ing idiot, why did you do that? You’re a f***ing idiot.”

“That’s a complete fabrication,” said the witness. “I have no animosity against Peter Bonham Christie at all. I am certainly not lying and I’m not mistaken.”  

Bonham Christie, of Gosport Street, Lymington, Hampshire, runs a company that specialises in the transportation of classic and luxury cars.

The former University of Portsmouth student is an old boy of £40,000 a-year Millfield School and a member of the 245 year-old exclusive private members-only Royal Thames Yacht Club.

Bath-born Bonham Christie, a self-styled entrepreneur, sold his first office water cooler company for over £1m, utilising water sourced on his family’s Dorset property.

Bonham Christie represented GB in sailing and skiing, aged 13 years-old and once received an award from the Royal Yachting Association for breaking the offshore powerboat world speed record.

The trial continues………..

"Cuckooing" Killer Jailed For Brutal Murder Of Flatmate

Mohammed Assri

A predatory homeless thug took over a vulnerable middle-aged man's life, inflicted 60 injuries on his victim during a deadly beating.

James Dowdell, 55, fought for his life when attacked by Mohammed Assri, 47, who was found with the deceased's bank card and a large amount of bloodstained cash.

He moved into Mr Dowdell's address in St. Mark's Grove, West Brompton and took over his finances and tried to exclude his carers.

He was convicted of murdering Mr Dowdell on February 17, last year and received life imprisonment, with a twenty-one year minimum.

Assri made a frantic call to police, reporting he had returned to the property to and found the frail Mr Dowdell dead.

Officers and paramedics attended to find Mr Dowdell with head injuries. 

He was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Assri was arrested and detectives began an investigation, which found the relationship between him and Mr Dowdell to be unclear. 

Assri claimed his name was Adam and that Mr Dowdell was his uncle. 

Assri had been homeless prior to moving into the flat in late January.

Having moved into the flat, Assri quickly established control, seeking to exclude James’s carers. 

He took over his finances, including using his Halifax debit card regularly and pawned a valuable watch-strap belonging to Mr Dowdell.

Officers found Assri lied about his whereabouts in the hours before Mr Dowdell's death.

James Dowdell

A post-mortem examination revealed bruising on Mr Dowdell's wrists and marks to his hand suggesting he had tried to defend himself from the fatal attack.

The cause of death was blunt force trauma and compression of the neck.

Assri claimed Mr Dowdell's injuries were sustained by falling and were self-inflicted. 

This was disproved by pathologists and medical evidence.

Detective Inspector Maria Green, from Specialist Crime said: “This has been a truly tragic case and my thoughts are with James Dowdell’s family as they continue to come to terms with their loss. 

“I pay tribute to them and the strength that they have shown.

“Assri is a violent and manipulative man, who has taken no responsibility for his actions. 

“He used his court appearance as an attempt to dishonour the memory and life of James and delay the trial causing great upset to James’ family.

“I hope that this conviction, and the sentence imposed, will send out a clear message to those intent on committing violent acts – that tackling violence in London is a top priority for the Metropolitan Police and we will continue to apprehend those responsible for causing misery and fear in our communities.

“The community will be a lot safer as a result of Assri now being behind bars. 

“People must remember that they can play a really important role in tackling violent crime and if you have information about crime, we urge you to tell us, so that we can tackle violence together and help keep our neighbourhoods safe.”

Mr Dowdell's Mother said: “As a family we arrived expecting a two week trial. 

“In the event it ran to six weeks. 

“One of the traumas of this was that it appeared that the timetable could be puppeteered by a lying manipulative murderer who seemed to thrive on all the attention. 

“It felt that the defendant could simply produce a new story at will to keep everyone dangling.

“James' body riddled with more than sixty injuries shows how courageously he fought for his life. 

“It highlights the levels of venom and savagery within this murderer that he could almost casually and for no possible motive brutally destroy James. 

“The blood splatters on every wall and devastation in James' room are graphic testament to that.

“It is simplistic to say life is made up with two types of people those who "give" and those who "take", but I know which one James was and it isn't the same as his murderer. 

“So I suppose, it was inevitable that someone like James with no hatred or violence in his soul was too late in recognising such evil in another. 

“We have heard how he was slowly becoming aware of the increasing threat, but when asked by his friend Grainne if he would survive until she came to him, he replied: 'Hopefully!!!!' 

“This will resonate with us for ever more."

Businessman Accused Of Royal Thames Yacht Club Grope

A dashing businessman, who excels in sailing and powerboat racing, groped a young woman between her legs outside Knightsbridge’s Royal Thames Yacht Club, a jury heard today.

Peter Bonham Christie, 39, is accused of “lunging” at the 27 year-old fellow club member when she was having a smoke in the early hours of the morning. 

Bonham Christie, of Gosport Street, Lymington, Hampshire, whose company specialises in the transportation of classic and luxury cars, has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting the woman on November 30, 2018.

Earlier that evening the he dined at auctioneers Bonhams, where he also gave a speech and took a client to five-star Claridge’s in Mayfair, Isleworth Crown Court was told.

Former University of Portsmouth student Bonham Christie is an old boy of £40,000 a-year Millfield School and a member of the 245 year-old exclusive private members-only Royal Thames Yacht Club.

Prosecutor Emma Smith told the jury Bonham Christie followed the woman - who was attending a drinks evening - and fellow-member Andrew Sutherland, 60, outside.

She had attended a function for younger club members with her boyfriend, but he had left and it was the first time she had been introduced to Bonham Christie.

“You will hear from her how he went up to her, put his hand between her legs and how he grabbed her crotch.

“She did not say anything because she was so shocked, but pushed him off and said: ‘What are you doing?’

“The defendant apologised to Mr Sutherland, but not to her and went back into the club.

“Mr Sutherland will describe being outside and having a cigarette and the defendant coming outside and coming up to the complainant, lunging at her and grabbing her crotch.

“The following morning he received a call from this defendant, who apologised and said: ‘You’ve got to get me out of a hole’.

“He asked for the woman’s phone number and Mr Sutherland thought it was not appropriate to hand over her details.

“What was the hole Mr Bonham Christie had to get out of?” the prosecutor asked the jurors. “Was it because he sexually assaulted her in the way she and Mr Sutherland will describe to you?”

The woman reported the incident to the club and in March, 2019 told the police.

Bath-born Bonham Christie, a self-styled entrepreneur, who sold his first office water cooler company for over £1m, utilising water sourced on his family’s Dorset property, attended Kensington Police Station on March 26, 2019.

“He described Mr Sutherland as being very drunk and that Mr Sutherland had made comments about he, Mr Bonham Christie taking cocaine.

“In that background Mr Bonham Christie went outside to ‘have a word’ with Mr Sutherland and they had a friendly argument and he went back into the club

“He said he had been drinking, but had not touched her.”

Bonham Christie represented GB in sailing and skiing, aged 13 years-old and once received an award from the Royal Yachting Association for breaking the offshore powerboat world speed record.

The trial continues.......

Man Denies Park Rape

A lone man took advantage of a drunken woman he raped after taking her to a west London park, a court heard today.

The victim, aged in her late twenties, had been drinking and taking cocaine the night before with two friends and ended up in Hitherbroom Park, Hayes.

Thomas Mangar, 36, of nearby Bourne Avenue has pleaded not guilty to raping and sexually assaulting her on May 12, last year.

Now bearded and wearing a turban Mangar looks little like his police custody photograph as he fights the charges at Isleworth Crown Court.

Prosecutor Ross Cohen told the jury the pair were identified the night before.

“This was the last time she could have been rescued,” he explained. “The defendant took her to a local park out of view of any witnesses and CCTV.

“This is where the offences took place.

“The complainant was not able to remember anything about the night before, about arriving at a hotel and getting stuck into drink and drugs.

“She woke up with the defendant on top of her, having sex with her. She remembers her bra was undone and her underwear had gone missing.

“She says she shouted and screamed at her attacker and recalls public in the park were alerted and and her attacker got off of her and moved away.”

The witness was described as being “scared” and heard the woman tell the man later identified as Mangar: “F*** off. Get away.”

Another witness meditating in the sunshine saw the woman pulling her trousers up while a man knelt beside her.

“The witness saw her push the man and strike him around the head,” explained Mr Cohen. “She started crying, saying: 'I don't know where I am.'

“The woman then accused one of the witnesses of standing aside and watching her being raped.

“She was extremely upset and very angry.”

Mangar was seen “hanging around” and was followed by a park user before breaking into a run.

When the witness caught up with him Mangar claimed he thought the man was a “black robber” targeting him.

Mangar claimed there were four black men in the bushes near the woman, who he thought was having a heart attack and when he offered her water she told him to “fuck off”.

The woman called 999 and told police she had been raped.

The trial continues...........

Caught: Scum On The Run Who Tricked Way Into OAP's Home

A heartless burglar, who preyed on an octogenarian by tricking his way into her home to steal, has finally been locked-up again.

Peter Kerrigan, 33, was on the run after escaping from a secure mental health facility in 2015, after a burglary conviction.

He avoided capture for five years, despite a national manhunt to trace him, but was finally caught after being identified on a doorbell camera.

Kerrigan, of Queens Crescent, Kentish Town pleaded guilty at Wood Green Crown Court to the Hampstead distraction burglary and escaping custody.

He received four years imprisonment.

Kerrigan absconded the Homerton facility in March, 2015 and remained free until he was caught after posing as a council labourer on March 17, last year to enter the OAP's home.

During the burglary the victim caught Kerrigan in her bedroom looking through her purse.

He fled without stealing any of her property.

Fortunately, the victim had a doorbell, which recorded Kerrigan's arrival and entry into the address.

An investigation was launched by officers from the Metropolitan Police's Central North Basic Command Unit (BCU). 

With an image of the suspect and forensic evidence left behind at the scene, detectives were able to identify Kerrigan.

On Thursday, July 2 Kerrigan was arrested in Camden after being identified by officers.

DC Stacey Whitaker, who led the investigation, said: “Distraction burglary is extremely upsetting and traumatic for those involved therefore it is only right that Kerrigan – who has a history of offending - has received this sentence. 

“I’d like to thank the local community for providing vital information regarding the whereabouts of Kerrigan which led to his arrest.”

Police Smash £1/4m Cannabis Farm

Police have smashed a huge cannabis-growing operation in west London after responding to suspect activity around a building.

Officers were called to the Hillingdon property at 9.36am on Wednesday, January 27 after the suspicious activity report.

When they entered the property, they found approximately 5,000 plants, along with growing equipment.

One room alone had 1,800 plants.

The plants are thought to have had a street value of around a quarter of a million pounds.

They have now been recovered and an investigation is underway to establish the circumstances of the find.

Police Sergeant Crystal Govers, of the West Area Basic Command Unit, said:"Drugs have a devastating impact on communities and individuals and we will do everything we can to remove them from the streets.

"We will act upon intelligence from members of the public and would urge anyone who is aware of suspicious activity in your area to report it to the police as soon as possible."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC. If you have information about this specific incident quote CAD 1677/27Jan.

You can also provide information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Drunken Farmer Posed As Cop On Wimbledon Common

A drunken farmer repeatedly posed as a police officer on Wimbledon Common, even attaching a flashing blue lamp to his 4x4 during a bizarre obsession last summer, a court heard.

Marc Peter Dailly, 58, left his 142-acre property, which is also home to his wife’s horse livery stables, and drove up the A3 to the common in south-west London.

Yesterday at Wimbledon Magistrates Court Dailly, of Slough Farm, Telegraph Lane, Claygate, Esher pleaded guilty to three counts of impersonating a police officer on June 24; July 15 and July 19, last year.

He also pleaded guilty to using his Mitsubishi Shogun, which was fitted with a blue warning beacon, contrary to the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations, on July 19.

The prosecution dropped an offensive weapon charge of possessing a police-style baton, submitting it was part of the main three impersonating offences.

Prosecutor Mr David Roberts told the court the alarm was raised on July 19: “Police were called to reports of the defendant driving a vehicle on Wimbledon Common, claiming to be a police officer.

“The police officers say he was drunk, slurring his words and produced a card, claiming to be a police officer.

“There were two other earlier incidents when a parks officer warned the defendant about having a vehicle with a flashing light.”

The arresting officers describe Dailly - who also has a background in veterinary farming - as “driving erratically and at speed.”

Mr Roberts explained: “The defendant introduced himself as ‘the Chief Inspector’ and admitted he had ‘one or two’.

“He was also in possession of a police-style baton that the Crown Prosecution Service say is part of the charge of impersonating a police officer.”

Dailly was separately prosecuted for drink-driving at three times the limit and last year was fined £500 and disqualified for two years.

The court heard Dailly has had personal struggles and read a letter from his wife before bailing him until April 8 for a pre-sentence report.

Santander Manager Accused Of £179K Fraud

A Santander manager, accused of raiding the bank accounts of “mostly elderly and vulnerable customers” of £179,900, appeared in court for the first time yesterday.

Charlotte Mills, 33, of Titchener Close, Bicester, Oxfordshire appeared on bail at City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

She is charged with one count of fraud by abuse of position between June 30, 2015 and December 1, 2019.

She gave no indication as to plea, but her legal representative indicated she would make admissions to a lower amount.

The customer service manager was bailed to appear at Inner London Crown Court on March 25 after the magistrates refused jurisdiction due to the seriousness of the case.

Prosecutor Mr. David Roberts told the court: “She defrauded mostly elderly and vulnerable customers.”

Nineties Pop Star Finley Quaye Smashed Bus Door During Fare Row

Troubled 90’s pop star Finley Quaye has notched up yet another conviction - this time for throwing a metal road sign through a glass bus door during a fare row.

Now living in the modest Abercorn House Hostel, 28-30 Bute Gardens, Hammersmith the 46 year-old Brit Award-winner appeared today at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

Edinburgh-born Quaye, whose hits include ’Sunday Shining’ and ‘Even After All’ got into a row with the driver of the bus in Hammersmith and threw food all over the interior.

He pleaded guilty to causing £249.14p worth of criminal damage on June 17, last year and was bailed until March 3 for a pre-sentence report.

The court heard Quaye, who has multiple alcohol-related convictions, tried to use his card to pay the fare, but there was a disagreement.

He started shouting and swearing at the driver and after throwing around the food, exited the bus and walked around to the drivers’ side to continue the row.

Quaye picked up a metal road sign and threw it through the glass door of the bus, damaging it completely.