Cycling Pro Alexander Richardson Attacked For Bike In Richmond Park

Professional cyclist Alexander Richardson has been left bloodied after a masked machete-wielding motorcycle gang robbed him of his £6,000 bike in Richmond Park.

The four robbers rammed into the 31 year-old, who rides for UCI ProTeam Alpecin-Fenix, at nearly 40 mph and dragged him along the ground for 100 metres, injuring his leg.

The former stockbroker, who competed in last month’s Tour of Britain, shared a photo of his bloodied leg with his Instagram followers and details of his ordeal.

He had just finished training on his Canyon racing bike at around 3pm in the south-west London park when the robbers targeted him.

“Pretty shocking experience today in Richmond Park,” Richardson wrote yesterday. “Was finishing my training around 3pm when two motorbikes with four men and balaclavas started following me.

“I knew exactly they wanted to take my bike and started to think what the best thing I could so was.”

The sprint specialist tried to reach the safety of a local cafe, but was no match for the motorbikes, one of which deliberately crashed into him at nearly 40mph.

“I turned around at East Sheen roundabout and started riding full speed to the cafe about 500 metres away.

“They simply rode one of the motorbikes into me at 60kph.

“I came off the bike and the first motorbike lost control. I held onto my bike, however the second motorbike then dragged me and the bike along the floor for another 100 metres.

“After this they pulled out a 15 inch machete at which point I thought better and let the bike go.

“I’m pretty cut up and bruised with a swollen hip, but tomorrow is another day.

“Please be careful in the area and note this is becoming a common occurrence in parts of London.

“The police have taken their notes down as armed robbery and hopefully the criminals are found.

“Please raise awareness. At least I got most of the ride in even if no file to show for it!

“Once again the wife to the rescue to pick me up.”

Richardson only started cycling seriously in his mid-twenties and took the bold move to turn his back on a successful career as a stockbroker to follow his dream in the professional ranks.

He shook up the cycling world when as an unsponsored rider and with no team support he won the 2018 Lincoln Grand Prix, leading to professional contracts with Canyon dhb p/b Bloor Homes and now Alpecin-Fenix.

Richardson has two more wins on his cycling palmares, the Arno Wallaard Memorial in the Netherlands and and a stage of the Tour de la Mirabelle in France.

Train Ticket Inspector Shops Crims To Police

Two 'County Lines' criminals, caught on a train from Cornwall to London with £5,000 in illicit cash, are starting prison sentences.

Ahmed Abdulla, 24, (l) and Mohammed Aden, 27, (r) were investigated by British Transport Police (BTP).

Abdulla, of Anthill Road, Bow, east London and Aden, of Newland Road, Hornsey, north London were also in possession of burner phones they utilised for drug dealing.

At Plymouth Crown Court Abdulla received five years and six months imprisonment for supplying Class A drugs and money laundering.

Aden received four months for money laundering.

On the evening of Thursday February 4, officers from BTP and Devon and Cornwall Police were deployed on a joint operation when they boarded a train at Bodmin Parkway station.

Officers were tipped-off by a ticket inspector, who informed them of two men travelling from Par to London with no luggage, who had paid for their tickets in cash.

The officers approached Abdulla and Aden and they were searched under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Abdulla was in possession of £3,705 in cash and a burner style phone and Aden was in possession of £2,073 and two burner phones.

Messages downloaded from the seized phones included references to a County Line named ‘Rocky’ as well as the supply of heroin and crack cocaine.

One of the messages, sent to 154 recipients, read “on with both guys, 3 for 25. ROCKY”.

Detective Inspector, Graham Moss, said: “This result is an exemplary example of successful partnership working with our policing colleagues in the South West.

“These joint operations are vital to disrupting the County Lines business model and prosecuting those supplying harmful drugs to our communities.

“The hard work of the investigative team after the arrest of Abdulla and Aden has resulted in a deal line being dismantled and two offenders behind bars.

“I would like to thank the ticket inspector for sharing his concerns with our officers on that day.

“We rely on rail staff and the public to be our eyes and ears on the railway, so if you see something that doesn’t look right, report it to us by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40.”

"It Has Been Difficult": Says Trainee Solicitor Accused Of Party Rape And Sex Assaults

A former trainee solicitor, accused of raping a drunken law student at a house-warming hosted by a new work colleague before molesting another young woman snoozing on the couch, today told the jury the accusations have ruined his career.

Graduate Tom Hagyard, 29, had just started at one of the worlds’ largest corporate law practice’s in the City of London and earlier that same night treated his parents and two sisters to a celebratory three-course meal with his first paycheck in the legal profession.

“It has been difficult,” he told the Isleworth Crown Court jury. “I lost my job at the law firm.

“I told the senior partner I had been arrested, but did nothing wrong and I had no idea it would take this long.”

Hagyard was questioned by the police on October 17, 2017, just two days after the party and on December 6, 2017 they told him there would no “no further action” regarding the rape allegation.

However, he was charged with assault by penetration and sexual assault nearly three years later and the rape count was added at his first Crown Court appearance.

“They suspended me on full pay and after a few months asked me to resign,” added Hagyard, who also told his parents and two sisters what happened.

“They were devastated of course. I told them all that had happened. I do believe I was innocent and had done nothing wrong.”

After graduating from university with a First Class philosophy degree he was just six weeks into a two-year training course with the City practice when another trainee at the firm invited him to her Fulham house-warming party.

In the early hours she invited him to sleep alongside her and her old private school friend, 26, who was already passed-out on the bed and claims she was woken by Hagyard raping her.

Now working for an intellectual property-specialist law firm she admits she was “nine or ten out of ten drunk” and did not consent to any sexual activity with the defendant.

“She was wearing black skinny jeans and a black lace top,” Hagyard told the jury. “She immediately rolled towards me and kissed me. It did surprise me, but I did like her and thought she was attractive.

“From our conversation earlier during the party I was not surprised she may have formed the same opinion of me and I kissed her back.

“I began to rub her back gently and she was moving in a way that indicated she was enjoying it. She rolled over so I could reach her and clearly it is what she wanted me to do.

“My hands went lower to her buttocks and legs over her clothing, we did not speak. She moved to allow me to reach the front of her body and I put my hands on her chest and I reached down to her zip fly, her button.

“She was moving with excitement and anticipation and I put my hand between her legs.

“She gasped quite loudly. I tried to give her pleasure and she was moaning.

“I began to take her jeans off and she lifted her hips.

“I was enjoying this moment because she was enjoying it. I would not have continued for a moment if she wasn’t.

“She opened her legs and bent her knees. She pushed my head down to the lower part of her body.”

Hagyard explained a consensual sex act then occurred, but did not lead to intercourse. “I was fully-clothed for the whole thing.

“I believe at some point she had an orgasm. She was tired, satisfied, finished and then I thought she did not want this to continue.”

Hagyard told the trial he decided to sleep on the living-room floor until the trains began running when the second woman, also 26, caught his eye.

“I saw her on the sofa and had got on well with her that evening. She said: ‘You can share the sofa with me.’ It was a very small sofa and I got on as best I could.”

Hagyard started massaging her chest. “She seemed to be enjoying it and was breathing pleasurably and I slipped my hand under her top and unbuckled her belt.

“At that point she said: ‘What are you doing?’ and I thought she was worried because we did not know each other very well and there were other people in the room.

“She was having second thoughts and I sought to reassure her that she did not need to worry and I kissed her ear.”

Prosecutor Richard Job asked Hagyard: “It was your good fortune wasn’t it that she enjoyed being touched by you as much as the first woman you touched-up and was equally as delighted as that first woman?”

Regarding the rape complainant the prosecutor asked: “It might be more accurate to say she had passed out? She was practically comatose, you must have seen that?

“She was in no position to consent to sex with you and you sought to take advantage of the poor state this woman was in.”

Hagyard denied the suggestion, replying: “I would never do that.”

“You gave up having sex with the sleeping woman and looked for another source of sexual relief,” suggested Mr Job. “Did you think these women would wake up to you pawing at their bodies and be delighted by that?”

Regarding the first woman Hagyard replied: “She was actively participating the whole time,” and regarding the second he said: “She invited me to join her on the sofa.”  

Hagyard, of Fylde Road, Southport has pleaded not guilty to one count of raping the law student at the two-bedroom £700,000 Fulham Road address in west London on October 15, 2017, plus two counts of assault by penetration.

He has also pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexually assaulting the second young woman later that same evening.

Trial continues……………

Aggressive Duo Snatched Train Passenger's Bike

A train passenger was threatened by two men who snatched his bike onboard a service in south-east London.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released these CCTV images of their suspects.

At 11.15pm on Friday, July 9 the victim entered Woolwich Dockyard station.

Two men on the opposite platform began shouting at him.

They then crossed over to the same platform as the victim and boarded the same train as him.

One of the men took grabbed the victim's bike, pulling it away from him. 

The other man climbed on to the seats and shouted violent threats at the victim. 

The men took the bike and ran off the train with it, while the victim remained on the train.

If you recognise them, or have any information, please contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 2100049901 of 09/07/21.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Trainee Solicitor Accused Of Rape And Sex Assaults At House-Warming

A trainee solicitor raped a drunken law student at a house-warming hosted by a new work colleague before molesting another young woman snoozing on the couch, a court heard today.

Graduate Tom Hagyard, 29, who had just started at a commercial law practice in the City of London, was invited to the get-together at the Fulham two-bedroom flat by another female trainee.

Isleworth Crown Court heard the 26 year-old rape complainant passed out fully-clothed “nine or ten out of ten drunk” on the host’s bed in the early hours and woke to find a stranger raping her.

Hagyard, of Fylde Road, Southport has pleaded not guilty to one count of raping the law student at the £700,000 Fulham Road address in west London on October 15, 2017, plus two counts of assault by penetration.

He has also pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexually assaulting the second young woman, also 26, later that same evening as she slept on the living-room couch.

The first woman told the jury via her video-recorded police interview she had wine, Prosecco and vodka that night.

“We got very drunk and I don’t remember a lot. I took myself to bed and I woke up and there was a boy sort of on top of me,” she said.

“I was going in and out of consciousness and did not think I could move. I froze a bit, I didn’t fight him off or anything.

“I remember trying to push him away. I was staring at the wall for a while.

“I felt very drunk, nine or ten out of ten drunk. I kept my eyes closed for a bit and I remember feeling confused.

“He was on top of me and I was in pain. I felt like I could not move or fight him off and my memory goes in and out, I have flashes.”

Prosecutor Richard Job told the jury the trainee solicitor host invited people from work, plus her old school and university and drinking and dancing continued into the early hours.

The law student passed out fully-clothed alongside the host in her bed at around 3am.

“She woke up to find a man on top of her, but wasn’t sure who he was. That man was the defendant,” explained the prosecutor.

“The man was on top of her and having sex with her and her underwear had been pulled to one side.

“She was confused and felt unable to fight the man off her. She was passing in and out of consciousness.

“She attempted to push him away and then passed out.

“She had never met or spoke to the man before. She did not consent to any sexual contact, she could not have because she was asleep.”

Shortly afterwards Hagyard turned his attention to the second young woman, who was sleeping on the couch, the court heard.

“She had also had a bit to drink and was sleeping in her clothes. She was woken at 5.30am by someone touching her chest.

“The top of her bra had been pulled to one side and a man’s hand was on her breast. She felt his mouth next to her ear and the words: ’Shush. It’s okay.’

“He was crouched by her and having touched her breast he moved his hand to her belt and began to undo the buckle.

“She was scared and and she got up and went quickly to the host’s bedroom.”

The young woman later texted friends that she had been “sexually assaulted” at the party and messaged the host: “He was literally sucking on my earlobe.”

When the host confronted Hagyard via text about his behaviour to both woman, he responded: “It was a drunken, stupid mistake and I can’t say sorry enough. I misunderstood what people were thinking.”

He was quickly reported to the police, who did not order any DNA testing and was questioned two days later.

“He accepted sexual contact with both women, but denied rape,” said Mr Job. “Regarding the first complainant he said he thought she wanted sexual contact with him.

“He stated that she was a willing and enthusiastic partner.”

Afterwards, Hagyard explained he went to the kitchen for a glass of water and tried to wake up the gust sleeping on the couch.

“She appeared less than enthusiastic so he stopped.”

Trial continues……………

Grass Grower Grassed Up

The caretaker of a £50,000 cannabis grow operation in west London has been jailed for seven months.

Police were tipped-off about the property and Emiljan Ndreca, 25, was arrested during a police raid.

He pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court to production of cannabis.

On Monday, August 9, officers from the West Area Violence Suppression Unit (VSU) attended an address in Woodhouse Avenue, Perivale.

Once inside officers discovered it was being used as a cannabis factory, with multiple rooms set up for the growth of cannabis.

Homeless Ndreca was the only person there and was working on and supervising the crop.

The cannabis seized had a street value of approximately £50,000. 

PC Kevin Taylor of the Violence Suppression Unit team 2 said “This was a great result following vital intelligence passed to us by the public. 

“Cannabis production and the sale of it is a vital income source for organised crime groups and gangs. 

“The money from it is used to fund further criminal activities and fuels ongoing violence on the streets. 

“Shutting down this factory and imprisoning Ndreca who was being used to cultivate the crop has taken a tool out of the hands of the gangs to make money and fund criminal activities. 

“We will do our best to shut down as many of these as we can and imprison anyone we can identify in the involvement of setting up or running them. 

“This is just a small part of the work we are doing every day to help drive down drug related violence in the West Area.”

Street Punch: Suspect Hunted

Police are hunting a street thug, who suddenly punched another man in the face in a north London street.

The Metropolitan Police have released this image of their suspect.

Police were contacted at 1.00pm on Thursday, July 1 to reports of an unprovoked assault in Whistler Street, Highbury.

The 25 year-old victim was strolling along the pavement when, without warning, he was approached by a man and punched in the face.

The mystery suspect then quickly left the scene.

The victim reported he suffered a facial injury.

Police wish to speak to this suspect and are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying him.

Officers can be contacted via twitter @MetCC or by phone at 101, quoting the reference CAD 2818/06Aug21

Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.

Wannabe Rapist Hunted By Police

Police are hunting a wannabe rapist after a lone young woman was dragged screaming into a stinging nettles bush.

The 21 year-old victim was pounced on from behind in Raynham Road, Upper Edmonton between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on February 26 and forced into a field.

The Metropolitan Police have released this bus CCTV of their suspect, who they believe fled the scene on a route 149.

The victim later told officers she could feel someone very close behind her and turned to see a black male, aged approximately 25-35 years-old.

He was wearing a black tracksuit with three white stripes underneath a large coat and was carrying a backpack, which had reflective stripes.

The man grabbed the young woman’s mouth and waist and dragged her into a dip in the field.

As she tried to fight him off she fell into the bush and he stood over her, forcefully pulling down her jeans while covering her mouth.

The victim’s loud screams were heard by neighbours, who approached, scaring off the attacker.

If you recognise the suspect contact police on 101, quoting CAD 4419/05AUG21

Alternatively Crimestoppers can be called on 0800 555 111. 

Train Passenger Jailed For Intercity Sex Assault

Westminster Magistrates'

A Sheffield train passenger, who molested a woman onboard a service to London, was locked-up for the offence earlier this year.

Yasain Sulleman Egeh, 31, was sentenced to forty-one weeks imprisonment.

The British-national, of Coleridge Gardens, Greenland appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

He pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the female on the Sheffield to London St. Pancras service, by intentional touching, on February 3.

Egeh also pleaded guilty to a charge of threatening behaviour onboard the train.

He admitted the offences on his first appearance and was bailed for one month for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Egeh was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for seven years.

City Worker Jailed For "Ludicrous" Fraud

A City worker, who processed fake invoices totalling £668,000 during a two-month scam on his employer, has been jailed.

Shazeb Iqbal, 23, created a total of 29 fraudulent invoices, which were forged to appear as genuine documents authorised by the company CEO's personal assistant.

At Inner London Crown Court Iqbal, of Monarch Way, Newbury Park, Ilford was sentenced to two-and-a-half years imprisonment.

He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud between July and August, 2017.

Iqbal was employed by a City of London firm and the fake invoices purported to be from various companies.

Temporary Detective Sergeant Darren Norton, from the City of London Police, said: “This was a shameless and ludicrous attempt by an employee to defraud his employer out of a substantial amount of money. 

“This is a great result and reflects that cases like this will be pursued by law enforcement. 

“We will continue to work tirelessly to bring fraudsters to justice.”

The company conducted an internal investigation and discovered that all of the fake invoices were processed instantly by Iqbal. 

This was flagged as suspicious as most invoices were not usually processed until hours, or even days, after being received.

The company reported Iqbal to the City of London Police and he was arrested on Thursday September 7, 2017.

In his police interview, Iqbal denied all knowledge of the fake invoices and maintained that the speed at which he processed them was because he was a very efficient worker.

A search of a computer seized from Iqbal’s home uncovered a copy of a fake invoice that had similar features to those he processed.

Naked Scotland Fan Fought Police After Smashing Hotel Room

A Scotland fan, who leapt naked from his vandalised and blood-smeared fourth-floor hotel room, hours after his nation’s 0-0 draw with England at last summer’s Euros received a suspended prison sentence today.

Electrician Ross James Ferris, 27, suffered a “psychotic episode” after an alcohol and cocaine binge.

He wrecked his Central London room, causing £14,635 worth of criminal damage then assaulted police as they tried to handcuff him in the street.

Ferris, of Hill Street, Cowdenbeath, Fife pleaded guilty to damaging his room at the Corus Hotel, Lancaster Gate, Bayswater, near London’s Hyde Park on June 18.

He also pleaded guilty to three counts of assaulting three police officers, two he spat at and a third who suffered a cut and swelling to their hand, during the struggle to handcuff him.

Ferris, who was supported at Southwark Crown Court by his wife and parents also pleaded guilty to possessing a small amount of cocaine police found in his hotel room.

Prosecutor Mr. James Marsland told the court: “The hotel manager was alerted to damage being caused to one of the rooms, which had a broken window and items being thrown from it.

“The police were called and they found Ferris had barricaded himself in and by the time officers gained access Ferris had jumped from the window.

“The tv bracket and trouser press had been ripped from the wall, windows were smashed, mirrors were smashed and there was blood in the room and the bathroom.

“Officers in the street saw Ferris emerge from the window and jump onto a conservatory with a glass roof below and then down to the street.

“He was naked and he had to be tasered by the police and held down by multiple officers and he was shouting and struggling.”

The police concede Ferris appeared to be in the grip of some kind of mental breakdown. “He thought the police were there to hurt him and there was talk of grenades,”added the prosecutor.

“He spat at two police officers and caused an injury to another’s hand, a small cut and swelling caused by Ferris struggling with the handcuffs on.”

Ferris was questioned in police custody the next day.

“Having sobered up he said he had been drinking and taking cocaine and suffered an episode where he thought everyone was out to get him and feared for his life.”

Ferris has convictions for assault in 2012 and assaulting police in February, 2020.

His lawyer Roger Sahotra told the court: “This was a drug-induced psychosis that he brought on himself and is not an excuse, but an explanation.

“He is truly ashamed and found it very, very difficult to view the CCTV of himself.

“He apologises to the police and to the hotel staff for the distress and damage he caused and has offered to make restitution for the damage.

“He has emailed the hotel and his father has visited the hotel.

“Mr. Ferris owns his own business and is in a loving relationship. He is a loving father and son and the balance of his mind was not right at the time.

“He should abstain from alcohol permanently and use of cocaine could cause a repeat and damage to his health.”

Judge Alexander Milne QC sentenced Ferris to six months imprisonment, suspended for two years and ordered him to complete 150 hours community service work.

He must also pay the full compensation to the hotel within six months.

“As you recognise it was a shameful pattern of activity that must have been stressful for those that had to deal with you and clean up the room after you,” the judge told an emotional Ferris

“The damage to the room is horrendous and the behaviour in the street was horrendous.

”This was bizarre and I accept for the most part out of character and a result of the dreadful reaction you had to the illegal drug you took that evening.

“Otherwise you are a responsible father, businessman and employer.

“You are somebody capable of getting your life back into proper shape and you seriously wish to correct what you have done.”

Cunning City Phone Thief Jailed

A prolific City of London mobile phone thief, who perfected a newspaper distraction ploy, has been jailed for a year.

Vasile Mihai, 29, was hunted by Square Mile police, alerted to an active mobile phone thief on their patch.

He was eventually arrested in Ludgate Hill on June 23 by officers from City of London Police's Crime Squad.

Homeless Mihai would enter businesses and offices where he had spotted a mobile phone on the receptionist's desk.

He would engage the member of staff in conversation, such as asking about employment or requesting money while placing a newspaper over the phone.

Mihai would then remove both the phone and newspaper and leave.

Mihai targeted a number of business throughout the City of London between March and June, 2021 before his arrest.

At Inner London Crown Court he was convicted of seven offences, totalling over £5,000.

Inspector Caroline Hay said: “A custodial sentence is a great result for both our Crime Squad, and officers from our Force Resolution Centre (FRC) who have worked together scrolling through hours of CCTV to get this criminal off of our streets.

“Many of Mihai’s targets had no insurance for their devices, resulting in a substantial cost, as well as the devastation of losing all of their personal data on their phones, such as bank details or irreplaceable photographs.

“As restrictions ease and more people have returned to work in the City, we want criminals to know that our officers will do everything in their power to catch and convict offenders.”

Mihai was also given a criminal behaviour order restricting his possession of mobile phones, laptops and tablets for the next five years.

Mobile Molester Raped Young Woman

An “opportunistic predator” who kidnapped a vulnerable young woman from a group of friends and raped her in his car is starting a sentence of six years and nine months.

Farhan Akoo, 30, of Worcester Gardens, Cranbrook, Ilford confiscated the victim's phone so she could not raise the alarm as he drove around London molesting her.

The journey concluded in an unlit dead-end street, where Akoo further subjected her to sexual assaults.

He was found guilty after a trial at Inner London Crown Court of one count of rape; three counts of sexual assault by penetration; one count of kidnap, with intent to commit sexual offences and a further count of kidnap.

He was investigated by City of London Police.

In the early hours of Sunday, November 25, 2018, Akoo drove his victim away from her friends at speed.

He took her phone away from her so she could not make contact with the group. 

Detective Inspector Anna Rice, from the City of London Police’s Public Protection Unit, said: “I’d like to commend the young victim who bravely came forward and reported these appalling crimes. 

“Akoo is an opportunistic predator who took advantage of a vulnerable woman. 

Akoo led the woman away from her friends and then took away her phone, meaning that she had no way of contacting someone for help.

“The victim has shown incredible bravery and co-operation throughout what must have been a very difficult investigation.

“I hope these sentences provide some form of closure and comfort knowing Akoo will be behind bars and be on the sex offenders register indefinitely.”

If you have experienced a sexual offence, or are concerned that someone you care about might be at risk, you can report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. 

In an emergency always call 999.

Train Sex Pest Hunted

Police are hunting a train pervert who exposed and played with himself on consecutive days last month.

British Transport Police (BTP) are investigating and treating the incidents as sexual offences.

They have released this CCTV image of their suspect and are appealing for the public's help in identifying him.

On the morning of Monday, August 23 a man on-board a train travelling between Brixton and Orpington stations in south London exposed and touched himself inappropriately.

The same man is also reported to have committed sexual offences at Sydenham Hill railway station the following morning.

Officers believe the man in the CCTV images may have information which could help their investigation.

If you recognise him, or have any information, please contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 2100062814.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Construction Firm Boss Jailed For 'Girls Night Out' Sex Assaults

A visiting businessman, who crashed a girls night out after missing the last train home, has been jailed for sexually assaulting one of the women at various locations, including a hotel room.

David Horton, 47, of Pembroke Street, Rotherham is starting a three-year sentence for pouncing as the woman slept in a four-star City of London hotel.

At Inner London Crown Court he was convicted after a trial of four counts of sexual assault and one of assault by penetration.

Company Director Horton visited London on May 18, 2018 and was introduced to the victim, who was enjoying a night out.

She eventually ended up in the same hotel room as Horton and his girlfriend.

She complained Horton had groped her throughout the evening at a restaurant, pub and in a taxi.

She told the trial the final sexual assault was in the hotel room as Horton's girlfriend slept nearby in a single bed.

Detective Constable Vincent Baughan said: “I would like to thank everyone who has helped bring David Horton to justice, including those who provided CCTV evidence of his activities on the day, which played a considerable role in securing this conviction.

“David Horton is an opportunistic criminal whose blatant disregard for the damage he caused to the victim of this appalling crime is apparent.

“She has had to wait a long time to see that justice is done and she has shown courage and bravery throughout. 

“My message to anyone who has had a sexual offence committed against them is that your voice will be heard.”

Judge Usha Karu, the Honorary Recorder of Southwark noted Horton showed no remorse for his actions and when giving evidence portrayed himself as the victim.

"Are You A Muslim?": BTP Continue Probing Suspected Hate Crime

Transport cops investigating a suspected hate crime on the London Underground are continuing to appeal for the public's help.

British Transport Police (BTP) have again released this CCTV image of their number one suspect in the hope somebody will identify him.

Just after 8pm at Oxford Circus Underground station on August 23, last year the victim stepped off a southbound Bakerloo Line train and onto the platform.

He was approached by a young man he didn’t know who asked if he was Muslim.

A verbal exchange took place before the victim was lifted into the air and thrown to the floor.

This caused facial injuries and bruising to his limbs and body.

If you recognise him, or have any information, please contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 439 of 23/08/20.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Stabbed Train Passenger End Up On Live Tracks

A passenger waiting for a train at Waltham Cross station has been repeatedly stabbed in the head by a mystery knifeman.

British Transport Police (BTP) are investigating and have released this CCTV image of their suspect.

They are appealing for the general public's help in identifying him.

At 3.30pm on Monday, September 6 the victim was sitting on a platform bench.

An unknown male approached and engaged him in a short conversation. 

This man walked away, then returned pulling out a knife from his trousers.

He attacked the victim with the knife, stabbing him multiple times on the platform before they both fell on to the tracks. 

He then got back on to the platform and walked away.

The victim was taken to hospital after sustaining several stab wounds to his head, ear and shoulder.

If you recognise him, or have any information, please contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 335 of 06/09/21.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Virgin Exec Fined For Knocking Down Cyclist

Right Turn: Brander

A Virgin Atlantic executive knocked over a cyclist on one of London’s blue superhighways, causing permanent nerve damage to his elbow and snapping his bike in half, a court heard today.

University of Edinburgh graduate Laura Brander, 38, the Global Head of PR for the company, turned directly into the path of 49 year-old Daniel Steiner, who was sent crashing to the road.

He was travelling along the A24 Tooting High Road cycle superhighway on September 5, last year, but was struck by former BBC and ITN PR chief Brander as she turned her Mini Cooper into Totterdown Street.

Brander, of Moring Road, Tooting was convicted after a trial at Wimbledon Magistrates Court of driving without due care and attention and fined £1,000, with £750 costs and issued six penalty points on her driving licence.

Brander, who sits on the board of the Women of the Year Lunch award, claimed Mr Steiner was at fault for not braking and cycling into the rear of her car.

He told the trial he had already completed 100 kilometres of a club ride and was wearing a bright purple cycling top and his front light was on when he was struck.

“As I approached the junction all of a sudden I saw a car accelerating immediately in front of me. 

Cyclist: Steiner

“I remember thinking: ‘They are not going to stop,’ and I didn’t have time to brake and smashed into the side of the car with my shoulder and heard my bike frame snap.

“I smashed onto the ground and landed on my elbow and still have problems from that.

“I had a laceration down the front of my elbow and nerve damage at the end of my elbow, which is likely to stay,” Mr Steiner told the court.

“If I put my elbow on my desk in a certain position there is a shooting pain.

“The first thing she did was apologise and said she did not look to her left to see if there was a bike coming down.

“She offered to take me to hospital or drive me home. My elbow was bleeding and I was going into shock.”