Selfie Rapist Convicted

A lone predator, who took advantage of a drunken woman in a west London park, has been convicted of raping and sexually assaulting her.

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 always fought the charges, but was convicted by an Isleworth Crown Court jury after a four-day trial. 

Now bearded and wearing a turban Mangar looks little like his police custody photograph and will remain behind bars until he is sentenced next month.

Prosecutor Ross Cohen told the jury the victim fell into Mangar's clutches in the early hours of May 12, last year and she was captured on CCTV.

“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.

Four days later, the witness spotted Mangar again within the vicinity of the park and called police who arrested him.

Photographic evidence was found on Mangar's phone, including thumbs-up selfies taken by him and of the victim lying down, exposed and in an unconscious state. 

During the trial, the jury also heard that DNA evidence from a condom was recovered from the scene – it carried the profile of Mangar. 

There was also the profile of the victim found on a discarded and torn condom wrapper nearby.

Detective Constable Alan Wong, the investigating officer, said: “Mangar carried out an audacious attack on a vulnerable female in broad daylight whilst she was unconscious with no capacity to consent or defend herself until she remembered his breathing woke her up and him on top of her. 

“Thankfully, a member of the public witnessed part of the incident and called the police.

"Although Mangar fled the scene he was identified four days later by the same member of public and this time the police arrested Mangar and a thorough investigation ensued with a tremendous team effort of the West Area Sapphire Team.

"The victim in this case has shown tremendous strength and courage to engage with the police; her evidence and that of the male witness were vital in ensuring a dangerous individual has been brought to justice.

"We are pleased to have secured this verdict which will, I hope, give the victim some measure of comfort and closure as well as encourage other victims of sexual assault to come forward to police and be assured that we will thoroughly investigate.”

"Anti Social" School Run Solicitor Guilty Of Driving At Local Activist

Guilty: Bronfentrinker

A solicitor, who stopped on the kerb over double yellow lines during the school run, has been convicted of driving at a local parking campaigner, who was taking a photo of him.

Solicitor Boris Bronfentrinker, 43, was dropping off one of his two daughters at the Montessori Nursery, Marylebone Lane on January 18, 2019.

He was convicted at Southwark Crown court of driving his Mercedes C350E dangerously towards retired Mayfair entrepreneur Peter Bullen, 70.

Boris Bronfentrinker, who lives in a £1.6m Highgate house in Milton Park was fined £2,500, with £2,000 costs and was ordered to pay £350 compensation to Mr Bullen, the ex-Chairman of the Mayfair & St. James Residents Society.

He was also disqualified from driving for twelve months.

Judge Philip Bartle QC told Bronfentrinker, who may face professional misconduct proceedings: “He was standing in front of your car and you drove at him.

“He would not have known what you intended to do and I’m sure he was scared by what you did.

“My assessment is that you lost your temper. Why didn’t you speak to Mr Bullen and explain that the traffic wardens allow you to park there?

“Why you didn’t speak to him and explain that, I simply do not understand.

“There was this bad feeling between you and on this occasion it erupted in your irritation with Mr Bullen and you drove towards him and as a result he had to jump out of the way.

“I am sure you intended to scare him and you clearly succeeded in doing that, however short it was.”

Campaigner: Peter Bullen

Mr Bullen told the jury, during the four-day trial, he was enjoying his regular early-morning walk: “It was on the footpath, outside the school on double yellow lines. 

“I passed this car on a number of occasions and noted it for dangerous parking.”

He told the court father-of-two Bronfentrinker was dismissive of his complaints and shook his hand at him. ‘It was a negative hand gesture that can be interpreted in a couple of ways, a slightly rude gesture.

“He was sitting there in the car on his mobile phone, looking down on his phone. I took my phone out and stood in front of the car on the footpath and lined up my camera to take a picture.

“As I took the photograph I realised the car was accelerating towards me without making a sound and there was no horn.

“I was rather taken aback and realised it wasn’t going to turn away so I jumped to one side to avoid it hitting me.

“I was more concerned about getting out of the way than judging speed. I am lucky am a sportsman, an ex-sportsman so my reactions are pretty good.

“I could feel the wind of it as it passed rustling my tracksuit bottoms.

“My hand was shaking, I was glad not to have been hit.

“It could have been a lot worse for me than just walking away. I believe I would have been hit.”

He told the solicitor that he was going to report his parking to Westminster Council because he was fed up with the “anti-social” behaviour of motorists in the area.

“The road was narrow and everyone parks on the pavement. I am an active member of the local community and we have had problems with anti-social behaviour of drivers’ parking on the footpath.

“Wheelchair users and people with pushchairs have to go out into the road”, he complained. 

“For someone who was a long jumper and a high jumper I know how to move out of the way.”

He denied a suggestions from defence QC Patrick Gibbs that he deliberately exaggerated his movements to make a bigger issue of the incident.

“For me to move I had to jump out of the way to avoid getting struck.

“I was disappointed the police did not pursue a charge of attempted grievous bodily harm, which is what he was originally charged with.

“I am just delighted that I am still in one piece.”

Denying another defence suggestion he was a “scary” individual, who regularly raised his voice at local drivers he said: “I wear a long black coat sometimes and sunglasses and I’ve got long hair and sometimes wear a tracksuit, maybe that is scary, but that is what I wear.”

Bronfentrinker, who is an expert in complex commercial litigation with Holborn law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan was later questioned by police.

Prosecutor Mr Nick Wells told the jury: “He said the road was narrow and everyone parked on the pavement. He said the local parking officers were okay with him parking there.

“He said Mr Bullen was annoyed that he ignored him that day. He said he had driven normally from the pavement to the road and the way Mr Bullen stepped away was an exaggeration to make something of the incident.”

Bronfentrinker is the co-head of the firm’s Competition Litigation Practice and has represented clients at the High Court and Competition Appeal Tribunal. 

Industry publication ‘Who’s Who Legal’ named Bronfentrinker, a law graduate from King’s College London, a Global Elite and Thought Leader.

"I'll Break Your F***ing Head" Screamed Thames Marina Owner

Threats: Myck Djurberg

The boss of a luxury Thames marina, who screamed at a boat owner: “I’ll break your f***ing head,” while waving a heavy-duty roofing tool, was sentenced to mental health treatment yesterday.

Myck Djurberg, 60, had already whacked 52 year-old Dutch IT consultant Klaus Beversluis across the back of the head with a pair of gardening gloves when he shouted the threat.

Businessman Djurberg lives in a landmark £13m Swiss chalet at Hampton Riviera Boat Yard, Hampton Court Road, Richmond and is in dispute with Mr. Beversluis, who rents out his three boats via Airbnb.

He was convicted in his absence of assaulting Mr. Beversluis and using threatening behaviour towards him on May 8, last year.

Djurberg failed in his attempts to adjourn the trial and a warrant was issued for his arrest and his application to throw out the conviction was also dismissed.

Yesterday at Wimbledon Magistrates Court he was sentenced to a twelve-month Community Order, which includes a compulsory three-month mental health treatment requirement.

Djurberg must also complete up to twenty days of a Probation Service-ordered rehabilitation activity requirement and pay £250 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

Mr. Beversluis was upset by a £5,500 service fee and Djurberg’s order to evict the victim’s caretaker when he walked into the marina office at 10am.

He told the trial: “The second I came in he leapt up from behind his desk and almost ran towards me, shouting: ‘Get out of here! Get out of here!’

“He shouted at me and I said I could not get out and wanted to clarify the matter.

“He came up towards me and grabbed the nearest thing to him, which were a pair of heavy-duty gardening gloves, raised them and hit me on the back of my head and I also got a bruise on my arm.

“I got a smack on my head as I was trying to get out of there.

Tenant: Klaus Beversluis

“He hit me across the back of the head with as much force as as he could muster and the back of my head was red the next day, it did sting, but did not draw blood.”

Mr. Beversluis fled the office, but was pursued by Djurberg, the court was told.

“I turned around and Myck Djurberg came out of the office and had grasped a weapon that I had seen before,” he added.

“It is called a lead dresser. It is a very heavy roofing tool, roofers use to hit lead flashing around chimneys.

“He had it raised up high and said he would break my f***ing head in.

“I had no doubt he would use it. I was absolutely terrified and ran away as fast as I could.

“It’s heavy enough to cave someone’s skull in, in my opinion.

“I suppose it has effected my confidence. It shook me up tremendously for a while and I had medical advice for increasing my anti-depression and anti-anxiety medication.”

The entire incident was captured on Mr. Beversluis’ camera and played during the trial, including a still of Djurberg holding the tool.

Mr. Beversluis even bought a replica of the tool and brought it to court to show the magistrates.

“There was no need to to hit me or in my view pick up a deadly weapon and threaten to hit me in the head,” he told the court.

Djurberg was questioned by police the next day and claimed he was scared and asked the victim to leave, but he wouldn’t.

He denied hitting the victim with the gloves and said his tenant elbowed him in the chest and his mind was blank about what else may have happened.

Djurberg said the object in his hand was a pencil case and denied using the threatening words.

East London Rape Hunt: Do You Know This Suspect?

Police are hunting this suspected rapist after a woman was bundled into a car by two men in the early hours and attacked inside the vehicle.

At around 3.30am on Wednesday, November 25, last year the complainant was driven away on Ilford High Road, east London.

She was driven a short distance away, where she was raped inside the vehicle.

The woman, who is aged in her twenties, also sustained facial and other injuries as a result of being repeatedly punched.

The males drove off with the woman, but she managed to escape from the car in the Ilford area and seek help. 

Police attended the location and the woman has been receiving the support of specialist officers.

Two days later three men were arrested in Lincolnshire in connection with the investigation, one of whom has since been charged with rape. 

The other two men have been released under investigation.

Detectives from the East Area Public Protection Unit are investigating, and they are appealing for assistance in tracing another male in connection with the incident.

A CCTV image of a man was obtained from a shop near to the scene of the attack. 

Officers are appealing for anyone who can identify this man shown in the CCTV image to contact them.

Anyone who recognises the man is asked to call 101 and quote CAD 5887/15FEB.

To remain anonymous, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Electoral Roll Officer Forged Returns

A frustrated electoral roll official with Lambeth Council, who was fed-up with unsuccessfully knocking on local residents’ doors, forged the returns himself, a court heard yesterday.

Emmanuel Ofori Atta, 51, returned 60 fraudulent forms after failing to get door-to-door responses in the south London borough.

The dad-of-three, of Violet Lane, Waddon, Croydon pleaded guilty to one count of misconduct in public office between October 14 and November 11, 2017.

Inner London Crown Court heard Atta, a Day Centre assistant project manager with the council, also worked in the evening to complete the electoral roll.

“Your roll was door-to-door canvassing to complete the electoral roll,” Recorder David Holland QC told the first-time offender.

“Your role was to ensure a public document was accurately maintained so those with the right to vote can and those who do not have the right to vote are removed.

“You were paid £2.50 for each signed form and a number of these forms were fraudulent. The gain you were seeking to make was in the hundreds of pounds.

“Those that would have lost their vote means there would have been a high impact.”

Atta was sentenced to an 18 month community order, which includes 80 hours community service work.

He was also ordered to pay £2,070 compensation to Lambeth Council, plus £100 costs.

Prosecutor Mr Neil Mercer told the court names on the returns were misspelled and did not properly match, with obvious handwriting errors.

“The integrity of the register is really  important so people do not lose their right to vote at elections and it is also used by other agencies like credit reference companies so residents could have lost their credit rating.

When questioned Atta claimed he was “depressed” at “knocking on doors all night” and felt “under pressure” because he could not get enough confirmed signatures.

He also knew he would not receive a payment if he returned empty-handed, but claimed his motivation was “frustration, not greed.”

Machete Robber Locked-Up

A machete robber, who snatched a gold chain from a householder's neck during a violent break-in, has been caged.

Zeke Allen, 20, of Caroline Court, Reading and an unknown accomplice smashed their way into the property in north-west London.

The victim, a man in his forties, was stabbed in the head and shoulder and also lost cash to the duo.

Allen was convicted of aggravated burglary at the address in Broadfields Way, Neasden and inflicting grievous bodily harm, with intent, on June 15, last year.

At Reading Crown Court he received nine years custody.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police's North West Basic Command Unit begun an investigation after the occupier was attacked at around 5.55pm.

They arrived to find the man with stab injuries and he was taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service, where his injuries were confirmed as not life-threatening.

He told officers two men had broken down the door to his property and demanded money. 

When he told them he didn't have any money, they attacked him several times with a machete.

They pulled a gold necklace belonging to the victim's grandfather from around his neck and stole an amount of money before leaving the property. 

The victim was then able to call for help.

Detectives began an investigation and forensic officers were deployed to recover evidence from the scene. 

This was examined and one of the fingerprints matched with records for Allen.

He was arrested on July 17 and taken into police custody. 

He refused to provide any comment during interview and was subsequently charged and remanded in custody.

Detective Constable Jenny Whelan, said: "This was a shocking attack on a defenceless man who was lucky not to have been seriously injured.”

Uniformed Sainsbury's Employee Sentencing For Filming Up Girl's Skirt

A Sainsbury’s employee in full uniform, who was caught by a customer and the store’s CCTV using his phone to film up a teenage schoolgirl’s mini-skirt, has received a suspended prison sentence.

Alex O’Halloran, 33, was arrested and an investigation revealed he had a huge collection of 388 ‘upskirt’ pictures he had taken of women, plus images from a secret camera he installed in the staff ladies’ toilet.

At Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court he was sentenced to sixteen months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

O’Halloran must also comply with a two-year Community Order, which includes 35 days on the Probation Service’s Horizon programme for sex offenders.

He must complete 30 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement and 120 hours of unpaid community service work.

O’Halloran, of Tankerton Terrace, Mitcham Road, Croydon pleaded guilty to outraging public decency at Sainsbury’s, The Green, Twickenham on July 18, 2018 by taking an ‘upskirt’ photo of the girl, wearing her school uniform.

At a previous hearing the court was played a short clip from the store’s CCTV, which plainly showed O’Halloran blatantly approaching the girl - wearing a plaid mini-skirt and white shirt - from behind.

As she was looking at items on the store’s shelves he leaned forward and, using his mobile phone, filmed up her skirt.

A male customer, who entered the store at 3.15pm, also witnessed O’Halloran with his phone in his hand taking a picture up the schoolgirl’s skirt.

The customer complained and the police were informed, revealing further similar crimes O’Halloran committed.

Further clips were found on his phone and computer

O’Halloran also pleaded guilty that on or before July 18, 2018 he outraged public decency by behaving in an indecent manner, namely taking 388 upskirt photos of women.

He also pleaded guilty to voyeurism on or before July 18, 2018 at Sainsbury’s Local, Friars Stile Road, Richmond in that he recorded three people doing a private act, for the purpose of sexual gratification.

He also admitted taking indecent photos of a children on or before July 18, 2018, namely 16 Category C moving images of a child.

Three clips, totalling approximately thirty minutes, show the female staff toilets at Sainsbury’s, with the victims entering and removing their trousers and underwear and sitting down on the toilet.

First-time offender O’Halloran must also obey a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and sign the sex offenders register for ten years.

He was also placed on an official barring list, which limits his employment and activities with potentially vulnerable groups, including children.

"Anti Social" School Run Solicitor Accused Of Driving At Local Parking Activist

Boris Bronfentrinker

A partner in a top London law firm, who was parked on the kerb over double yellow lines during the school run, deliberately drove at a local campaigner, who complained about his persistent “anti-social” behaviour, a court heard today.

Solicitor Boris Bronfentrinker, 43, has pleaded not guilty to driving his Mercedes C350E dangerously outside the Montessori Nursery, Marylebone Lane on January 18, 2019.

Local activist Peter Bullen, 70, who is ex-Chairman of the Mayfair & St. James Residents Society told Southwark Crown Court: “It was on the footpath, outside the school on double yellow lines. I passed this car on a number of occasions and noted it for dangerous parking.”

He told the court father-of-two Bronfentrinker was dismissive of his complaints and shook his hand at him. ‘It was a negative hand gesture that can be interpreted in a couple of ways, a slightly rude gesture.

“He was sitting there in the car on his mobile phone, looking down on his phone. I took my phone out and stood in front of the car on the footpath and lined up my camera to take a picture.

“As I took the photograph I realised the car was accelerating towards me without making a sound and there was no horn,” said the Mayfair retired entrepreneur.

“I was rather taken aback and realised it wasn’t going to turn away so I jumped to one side to avoid it hitting me.

“I was more concerned about getting out of the way than judging speed. I am lucky am a sportsman, an ex-sportsman so my reactions are pretty good.

Peter Bullen

“I could feel the wind of it as it passed rustling my tracksuit bottoms.

“My hand was shaking, I was glad not to have been hit.

“It could have been a lot worse for me than just walking away. I believe I would have been hit.”

He told the solicitor, who lives in a £1.6m Highgate house in Milton Park, that he was going to report his parking to Westminster Council.

“I was returning from my early-morning walk,” he told the jury, adding Bronfentrinker’s blue Mercedes was a common sight parked there.

“The road was narrow and everyone parks on the pavement. I am an active member of the local community and we have had problems with anti-social behaviour of drivers’ parking on the footpath.”

Mr Bullen sits on local committees and has led problem-parking campaigns locally and admonished parents outside the school for poor parking.

“Wheelchair users and people with pushchairs have to go out into the road”, he complained. 

“For someone who was a long jumper and a high jumper I know how to move out of the way.”

He denied a suggestions from defence QC Patrick Gibbs that he deliberately exaggerated his movements to make a bigger issue of the incident.

“For me to move I had to jump out of the way to avoid getting struck.

“I was disappointed the police did not pursue a charge of attempted grievous bodily harm, which is what he was originally charged with.

“I am just delighted that I am still in one piece.”

Denying another defence suggestion he was a “scary” individual, who regularly raised his voice at local drivers he said: “I wear a long black coat sometimes and sunglasses and I’ve got long hair and sometimes wear a tracksuit, maybe that is scary, but that is what I wear.”

Bronfentrinker, who is an expert in complex commercial litigation with Holborn law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan was later questioned by police.

Prosecutor Mr Nick Wells told the jury: “He said the road was narrow and everyone parked on the pavement. He said the local parking officers were okay with him parking there.

“He said Mr Bullen was annoyed that he ignored him that day. He said he had driven normally from the pavement to the road and the way Mr Bullen stepped away was an exaggeration to make something of the incident.”

Bronfentrinker is the co-head of the firm’s Competition Litigation Practice and has represented clients at the High Court and Competition Appeal Tribunal. 

Industry publication ‘Who’s Who Legal’ named Bronfentrinker, a law graduate from King’s College London, a Global Elite and Thought Leader.

Trial continues………..

Car Boot Money Launderer Caught

The Metropolitan Police seized £450,380 cash in the car boot of a money launderer, who is now starting a prison sentence.

Their Proactive Money Laundering Team swooped on Bedford man Shane Cameron, 24, who received sixteen months imprisonment.

Cameron, of Ashburnham Road was arrested on December 8, last year when officers searched his vehicle in Gardenia Avenue, Luton.

At Luton Crown Court he pleaded guilty to possession of criminal property.

During the search officers found a large plastic laundry bag and several other plastic shopping bags, each containing large quantities of cash.

Detective Sergeant Steve Lambeth, of the Proactive Money Laundering Team, said: “I would like to assure the public that we take a zero tolerance approach to this sort of criminality within our community, and we are committed to bringing those involved to justice.

“The recovery of such a substantial amount of money was a great example of how officers are tirelessly working to disrupt organised crime. 

“This money was not only being used to finance serious organised crime across the UK, but also represents the proceeds of previous crimes undertaken to acquire such vast sums of cash. 

“This seizure has had a significant impact on those activities.”

Armed Drug Dealer Locked-Up

A knife-carrying drug dealer – finally caught during a police raid – has been jailed.

Tereece Ellis, 23, was eventually hunted down by the Metropolitan Police's Violent Crime Taskforce.

At Harrow Crown Court he received twenty months imprisonment.Ellis pleaded guilty to possession, with intent to supply, cannabis; possession of a knife and possession of criminal property, namely £3,100 cash.

He also admitted previously jumping bail when he failed to appear at court.

The court ordered the forfeiture of the cash, which represented the profits of Ellis' criminal activity.

Ellis had been wanted by police in relation to a drugs possession offence from November, 2020.

He was also wanted for a separate knife offence when his DNA was linked to a discarded knife from a stop and search encounter in September, 2020.

In response to this, officers from the Violent Crime Taskforce launched an investigation, named Operation Revati, to track Ellis down.

On Thursday, December 3, last year officers carried out a drugs warrant at an address in Willesden, where a quantity of cannabis, drug paraphernalia, cash and two large combat knives were seized.

Police Sergeant Purvak Vora said: “This operation highlights our dedication to relentlessly pursue high harm offenders and bring them to justice.

“It also demonstrates that violence and drugs go hand in hand, which is why investigations into those intent on supplying drugs are so important in our continued efforts to drive down violent crime.”

Crooked Siblings' "Uber Knowledge" Scam

Cindy Ughanze

Failed mini-cab drivers were sold secret test answers by a Transport for London employee and her brother to pass the ‘Uber Knowledge’ a court heard today.

University graduate Cindy Ughanze, 28, was employed by the Topographical Assessment Department and sold the information to struggling applicants seeking a private hire vehicle licence (PHVL).

She plotted with her engineering graduate brother Jordan Ughanze, 25, who approached the drivers, charging them £300 to £500 to cheat the test.

The Ughanze’s, both of Goldcrest Way, New Addington, Croydon pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud TfL between February 1, 2017 and May 31, 2018 and will be sentenced on April 29.

One cheat, who paid the Ughanze’s for the answers, passed their re-test with an 88% grade after flunking their first attempt with a miserable 43%.

Croydon Crown Court Judge Deborah Charles said: “This is not an equivalent of The Knowledge, but is the Uber-equivalent of The Knowledge.

“Both defendants should bring overnight bags when they return to be sentenced, they must be prepared. All options remain open.”

Prosecutor Shannon Revel said: “Applicants must show they have a working knowledge of the geography of London and the sealed test results are taken to TfL.

“Cindy gave the details of the failed applicants to Jordan, who offered them a way to pass the test for a fee and he filled-in the fresh examination papers and they would be swapped by his sister.”

The prosecution is limited to the twenty-two failed applicants, whose details were found in a sports holdall along with blank and completed test papers when police raided the Ughanze’s family home.

Those drivers have been permanently banned by TfL from applying for a PHVL, but not prosecuted, despite participating in a fraud on TfL.

Jordan Ughanze

“The investigation was to target those at the top of the conspiracy,” added Ms Revel, revealing one failed applicant anonymously tipped-off the police when approached by the Ughanze’s.

It is unknown if there are currently more PHVL-holders driving customers around London, who cheated the test. “There was not a queue of applicants outside the police station door because they have also committed fraud.”

Each sibling claims to be the instigator of the conspiracy and mum-of-one Cindy, who has a fraud conviction for trying to avoid parking tickets, say they received £8,000 for their services. 

She was employed by TfL on a £32,000 salary, having abandoned her Masters degree course and is currently in receipt of Universal Credit.

She would log-in to her work computer for up to two hours out-of-hours and was arrested at her desk on May 31, 2018 and taken to Charing Cross Police Station.

Dad-of-one Jordan, an assistant project manger for Network Rail, has convictions for robbery, battery and fraud and is currently having the family council house transferred to his name.

“They have both participated in a thoroughly dishonest enterprise, having been given a chance by the courts after previous offences,” announced Judge Charles.

Referring to Cindy, the judge added: “Having been caught twice in her life for being dishonest, surely now is the time to show some honesty.”

Santander Manager Admits Nicking £180k

A Santander manager, who targeted the bank accounts of “mostly elderly and vulnerable customers” received a prison warning today when admitting her £179,900 fraud.

Customer account manager Charlotte Mills, 33, of
Titchener Close, Bicester, Oxfordshire was responsible for a four-and-a-half year swindle at the high street bank.

She pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court to one count of fraud by abuse of position between June 30, 2015 and December 1, 2019, namely dishonestly making dishonest withdrawals from customers’ accounts.

Prosecutor Mr Peter Lancaster told the court: “The loss to Santander was one hundred and seventy nine thousand nine hundred pounds, that’s the loss.

“The fraudulent activity involved more by swapping and changing around customers’ accounts, but the Crown are not going to go behind that figure.”

Judge Benedict Kelleher told Mills, who was on video link at her solicitors’ office: “I’m sure you will have been advised this is a serious matter and you are at risk of a custodial sentence.”

Mills was bailed to attend court on May 21 on condition she continues residing at her Bicester address.

The sentencing range for the offence is three to six years imprisonment and Mr Lancaster added: “This is high culpability, bearing in mind the activity of the defendant and her position in the bank.”

Her lawyer, Mr Nadesh Karu, who successfully applied for a probation pre-sentence report said: “Ms Mills is of previous good character.”

Spending Spree With MP Nadine Dorries' Credit Card

Quick Getaway: Cory Chin

Government minister Nadine Dorries’s credit card was cloned and used to try and buy an expensive jacket in a West End store as well as other goods, a court heard today.

The 63 year-old Conservative MP for Mid Bedfordshire is the Minister of State for Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and Patient Safety.

At Westminster Magistrates Court trainee engineer Cory Dominic Chin, 24, of Palmerston Road, Walthamstow pleaded guilty to using her Lloyds credit card to try and buy a £958 jacket on October 16, 2019.

Korri George McLean, 30, of Rayfield, Epping pleaded guilty to using the minister’s Lloyds credit card to buy £1,080 worth of items the following day on October 17, 2019.

It was not said if if that transaction was successful and McLean was bailed to appear for sentencing at Wood Green Crown Court, where he is in breach of a twelve-month suspended prison sentence.

Chin was placed on a 12-month Community Order, which includes 120 hours community service work and was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £90 victim surcharge.

The court heard Chin was originally charged with further failed uses of the card, totalling over £3,000, but these were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Prosecutor Mr Jason Seetal told the court: “The complainant, Nadine Dorries is a senior member of parliament, representing the Conservative Party.

Cornered: Korri McLean

“The Lloyds credit card belonging to her was retained and a fraudulent copy made.

“This attempt was unsuccessful, but a phone number and email address was given and that is how the defendants were tracked down.”

Chin’s lawyer Daniel Jones said: “The acquisition of her details while the card was in her possession must have had some degree of sophistication.

“The details were not acquired by Mr Chin, but provided by his co-defendant Mr McLean to obtain a high-value jacket.

“He did not know who Nadine Dorries was and that she was a member of parliament and she was not specifically targeted.

“His involvement is limited to this single relatively high transaction. It was blocked and there was no financial loss.

“He has no convictions, warnings, arrests or reprimands against him and he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

“Her gave little or no thought to the consequences of his actions. He recognises know the distress and inconvenience caused to her by these offences and the consequences to him is that he will now have a criminal record.

“His mother’s home was searched by police officers and that was distressing and embarrassing for him and has had a sobering impact.

“He takes full responsibility for his behaviour and has remorse.

“He is a well-educated and hard-working man, a trainee engineer with a large telecommunications firm and he does not meet the need for any probation intervention.”

District Judge Vanessa Baraitser told Chin: “This was a deliberate attempt to use this lady’s bank card and you knew it belonged to someone else to obtain a luxury item for yourself.

“You are a man of good character with no convictions or cautions and you pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and you.”