Self-Styled Antiques Expert Denies Ripping-Off Elderly Residents

A rogue antique dealer deliberately targeted elderly homeowners in the poshest parts of London, flogging their valuable collectibles without permission or simply keeping them, a court heard yesterday.

Peter Taylor, 61, printed up convincing-looking flyers and business cards, presenting himself as a legitimate expert, who could obtain good prices at auction for the victims’ property, the jury were told.

Isleworth Crown Court heard the estimated loss to the 14 customers was approximately £195,920-plus.

Trading under his previous legal name of Peter Tillott he operated in and around Kensington; Fulham; Chelsea; Notting Hill and West Brompton in West London.

One victim, the jury were told, is Lady Patsy Alliott, who is still missing her valuable candlesticks and prints. “She doesn’t know what happened to them,” said prosecutor Katrina Charles.

Taylor, of St. Margarets Road, St. Margarets, Twickenham, has pleaded not guilty to fourteen counts of fraud relating to each individual complainant between March, 2016 and February, 2019.

“This case involves the targeting of elderly and vulnerable complainants,” said the prosecutor. “He posted flyers and business cards, purporting to be from an established auction house, offering to collect, value and sell items.”

Taylor operated under the company name ‘Chelsea Auction House’ and ‘Muck2Brass’, listing his 23 year-old son as a director.

“The defendant changed his name for a fresh start because the reputation attached to Peter Tillott had become a liability,” said the prosecutor.

One customer, company director Sheila Newsum, 83, who lives in a £1m West Brompton apartment responded to Taylor’s business card, which he shoved through her letterbox, the court heard.

She is the Chair and Managing Director of Hunters Associates, an international events company and allowed Taylor to remove valuables from her home, suffering a £11,340 loss, she says.

“She felt she was dealing with a knowledgeable professional,” added Ms Charles, but regretted dealing with Taylor as her property was “sold at a huge loss.”

Also replying to his business card was Austrian-born psychoanalyst Karin Syrett, 79, who lives in a £800,00 apartment in Royal Crescent, Notting Hill.

She complains her property was sold by Taylor without her permission.

Also swindled, say the prosecution, was businesswoman Caroline Shamash, 50, boss of Saffron interior arts, which provides “luxury items” to high-end interior designers.

She says Taylor disappeared with £5,295 worth of her property, including an expensive chandelier of hers she discovered he was selling on eBay.

The businesswoman hunted the evasive Taylor down to his business unit, where she met his son. “He told her the defendant was either out, unwell or in hospital,” explained Ms Charles.

Elderly gent Arnold Rosen says he lost £2,285 worth of furniture Taylor removed in a hire van from his garage to sell at auction, the trial heard.

Another gentleman, Roy Turner, allowed Taylor and two assistants to walk out of his home with a treasured collection of thirty watercolours and prints, resulting in an estimated loss of £5,000-£10,000.

“He made repeated attempts to contact the defendant, but did not hear anything.”

French restauranteur Eric Payet, 44, allowed Taylor to clear his two old premises of all their contents and fixtures and fittings, resulting in an estimated loss of £112,000, he claims.

Taylor also cleared the home of a Helen Ford’s deceased mother and she found property, including a clock; mink coat; silver coffee pot; music centre; tankards and pair of glass carafes on his eBay account.

He had claimed the property was worthless and the complainant estimates the loss at £2,500, added Ms Charles.

Another woman, Gill Miller, contacted Taylor after he put his business card through her letterbox and later saw her property for sale online, estimating her loss at £2,500.

Veteran antiques dealer Maria Gabriela Ponce de Leao, under pressure from her children to relieve pressure on space, allowed Taylor to walk out of her home with 83 antique items.

She had already handed him over her “best antiques” earlier and claims valuables, including bookcases, chairs and a bureau were sold for rock-bottom prices at Lots Road Auctions Chelsea, resulting in a £30,000-£50,000 loss.

A Fulham property businessman, 72, plus two more men and a woman also say they were defrauded by Taylor.

The trial is expected to last six weeks.

'Dog Whisperer' Fined For Martial Arts Weapon

An award-winning self-styled ‘Dog Whisperer’ has been fined for being caught with a martial arts weapon, despite claiming he needed it to ward off “vicious” pooches.

On his professional profile Bruce Clanford, 46, describes himself as: “the ONLY qualified and registered Dog Whisperer in the World!”

He told police when taken into custody for having the wooden baton - known as a ‘Tonfa’ - : “I took it out years ago when I was dealing with vicious dogs.

“I am a genuine, harmless guy, a pillar of the community. I am a Dog Whisperer.”

Clanford, of West Road, Emsworth, Hampshire, who graduated from the University of Greenwich with a degree in Animal Behaviour and Ethology, was stopped by police for parking on a double yellow line.

When officers searched his blue Mitsubishi Lancer they found the foot-and-a-half long weapon by the drivers’ seat.

He did not appear for his trial at Croydon Magistrates’ Court, where he was convicted of possessing an offensive weapon in Bristow Road, Sutton on March 3.

Two days later the warrant was withdrawn and Clanford was fined £625, with £300 costs and ordered to pay a £63 victim surcharge.

Clanford is the Managing Director of Dog Whisperer World and a registered therapist specialising in aggression; barking; anxiety; separation issues; pulling on the lead and recall.

He charges £75 for one-on-one dog counselling and other services are available on application on a base-by-case basis.

He is due to collect his 2021 gong for ‘Dog Behaviour Specialist of the Year’ at the Prestige Awards for small businesses, hosted by Corporate LiveWire.

PC Julie Mustart told the trial there were suspicions concerning Clanford’s female passenger and the vehicle was subjected to a drugs search.

No illegal substances were found.

However, the martial arts baton was found lying next to the drivers’ seat and Clanford told police at the roadside: “I didn’t know it was a problem. I do training.”

PC Mustart told the court: “He’s a dog trainer, he said. Quite well-known as a dog behaviourist.”

Clanford claimed in his police interview he did not even known the baton was by his side and had just transferred all of his property from an old car into this new one.

He claimed to have brought it with him once to treat an aggressive Rottweiler, who had hospitalised four members of the same family.

“I have scars and scratches on my arms from when I have handled vicious dogs.

“It is what I have done for twenty years and I thought it would aid my protection when dealing with vicious dogs and would save my arms.”

However the magistrates ruled Clanford had no lawful reason to have the weapon in public and convicted him.

Race Abuse On Train

A man travelling on a late-night train from Central London to the suburbs was racially-abused by a mystery passenger.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this CCTV image of their suspect and request the assistance of the public in identifying him.

The complainant was sitting on a Victoria to Bromley South train at 10.55pm on Tuesday, October 5.

He has reported to the BTP another male passenger sat next to him and made racially abusive comments.

Officers believe the man in the image 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 541 of 09/10/21.

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

Passenger Attacked On Train Platform

A train passenger in south-east London suffered a split lip and broken tooth when suddenly punched while waiting on the platform.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this CCTV image of their suspect and request the public's help identifying him.

BTP have described the incident at Woolwich Arsenal Docklands Light Railway as a “violent assault.”

At around 11.55am on Friday, September 10 a man got off a train at the station and punched a passenger waiting on the platform. 

As the victim ran away, the man chased him and pulled him to the ground where he continued to punch and kick him in the head and upper body before walking away.

The men were not known to each other and the victim attended hospital for treatment to severe facial injuries, including a broken tooth and split lip.

If you recognise him, or have any information, please contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 50 quoting reference 261 of 10/09/21.

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

Female Guest Victim Of Hotel Thief

A female four-star hotel guest in the City of London has been targeted by an audacious thief, who tricked staff into giving him her room key.

The victim was sexually harassed and had personal items stolen by the intruder, who is being hunted.

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

Between 2.30am and 3.30am on Sunday, September 3 at the Dorsett City London, Aldgate staff were deceived into giving the unknown male a key, after he claimed to be the victim’s partner.

Detectives are keen to speak to anybody who recognises the man in the CCTV footage, or who may know anything about the incident which could assist the investigation.

The victim is being supported by specially trained officers as the investigation continues.

A/Detective Inspector Hannah Sydney, from the City of London Police’s, Public Protection Unit said: “This was an awful incident, which we are thoroughly investigating and are supporting the victim at this difficult time.

“I want to reassure City residents and those who come into the City to work and socialise, that a full and thorough investigation is underway.

“We are now asking the public for their help - if anyone was in the area or in the hotel and saw this man please get in touch. “Any information you provide could be significant to our investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the City of London Police using the form on the public portal or by calling 020 7601 2222 and quoting 21513648. 

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Bus Arson Attack: Do You Know This Suspect?

Police investigating a deliberate arson attack that set a double-decker bus ablaze have released these images of their suspect.

Sutton borough officers in south-west London are in charge of the enquiry and are appealing to members of the public to assist in identifying the male.

On Friday, October 8 a group of young men boarded a 154 bus outside the Fairfield Hals, Croydon at 9.45pm.

One black male from the group sat in the rear of the upper deck smoking a cigarette.

At 9.54pm he made his first attempt to set fire to the plastic of the seat in front of him.

Three minutes later he switches seats and appears to watch as the fire takes hold.

One minute later he gets off the bus in Meteor Way, Roundhaw Estate and stands watching as the bus is engulfed in flames.

Police suspect the same young man tried to set a similar fire on the top deck of another 154 service five days earlier on October 3.

On that occasion the damage was minimal.

If you can identify this individual or have any other information you are asked to call 101 with the reference CAD 8509 of the 8th October 2021.

Comedian Alan Carr's Husband Denies Driving Over Four Times The Drinks Limit

Paul Drayton (L) Alan Carr (R)

The husband of comedian and tv presenter Alan Carr was reported to the police for nearly colliding with a mum pushing a pram and reversed into the patrol car when stopped for driving over four times the limit, a court heard yesterday.

Paul Drayton, 50, of Toat Farm, Bashurst Hill, Itchingfield, Horsham appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court, where he indicated he would fight the charge.

He was stopped three miles away from the home he shares with the entertainer, which was bought for £2m in 2011 and is now valued at £2.75m.

Drayton is charged with driving a silver Mitsubishi 4x4 on October 9 in Wickhurst Lane, Broadbridge Heath, Horsham with 153 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit is 35.

He will claim the police breathalyser was incorrect.

Prosecutor David Holman told court: “Police received a call, reporting a suspected drink-driver outside a Co-op.

“The vehicle almost struck a female with a pram and the officers began searching for the vehicle and fifteen minutes later police noticed a silver Mitsubishi and stopped the vehicle.”

Paul Drayton leaving Crawley Magistrates' Court

Drayton claims the Co-op report was another driver with the witness to that incident only matching four out of seven of the numbers and letters on his plate.

“The police noticed the Mitsubishi was swerving from one side of the road to the other and suspected the driver may be impaired,” explained the prosecutor.

“The vehicle was stopped and then reversed into the police vehicle, a light touch with no damage caused.

“The acting Police Sergeant says the vehicle that was swerving from side to side had damage to the rear driver’s side.

“He activated the blue light and siren and indicated for the vehicle to stop.

“The officer then saw the reverse lights come on and back up and make contact and shouted at the driver to stop.

“When he went to the driver’s side he turned off the engine and says there was a strong smell of intoxicating liquor and ordered the driver out of the car.

“The driver was unsteady on his feet and lacked co-ordination. His speech was slurred and his eyes were glazed and he was arrested.

“This is a very high reading and police imposed a condition of bail that Mr Drayton does not drive any vehicle.”

The court bailed Drayton unconditionally - dropping the police-imposed requirement - to appear for a case management hearing at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on November 23.

Drayton went to remarkable pre-arranged efforts not to be photographed outside the courthouse.

He left wearing a facemask and a beanie-style hat pulled down, almost covering his eyes.

A female driver was employed, who parked in a restricted area as close to the court building as possible in a vehicle with blacked-out windows.

A rear passenger-side door was opened in advance and the driver sat with the engine running as Drayton quickly ducked inside the vehicle, his eyes fixed on the car.

He could not be seen in the back as it sped away.

Notorious Train And Railway Tagger Locked-Up

Bacari Adams

A notorious graffiti tagger, linked to 77 offences across the London railway network, has been locked-up for six months.

Heavily tattooed Bacari Adams, 33, spray-painted the same 'Tag' that was inked across the knuckles of his hand.

The clean-up costs for Adams' damage totals £130,000 and he had the audacity to claim he was creating work for the people employed to remove it.

Adams, of Sandcroft Close, Southgate pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court to conspiring to cause criminal damage.

He was caught on CCTV spray-painting his tag on a London Overground train in January, 2019.

Adams admitted to police: “Sorry, I’m not going to do it again. I can’t deny catching me red-handed, only an idiot would deny that.”

British Transport Police officers invested significant time investigating accounts of suspects trespassing onto the railway, sometimes in the dead of night, and scrawling tags on trains and other property.

They built enough evidence against Adams to link him with 77 offences, all committed across the railway in London.

A second man, Jake Martin, 31, was also tied to the same offences.

Martin, of Fenton Road in Tottenham pleaded guilty to the same offence. 

He was sentenced to 15 months in prison suspended for 18 months in December 2020.

The damage caused to the railway totalled to £133,817.

Both men were arrested at their homes in December 2018. 

Their phones included decisive evidence, including pictures of their vandalism which they had kept as trophies.

The phones also included text and WhatsApp messages they sent to each other as they planned more vandalism on trains and railway property.

The officer leading the case, Alom Uddin, said: “This was a long and thorough investigation. We were committed to securing enough evidence to link Adams and Martin to the dozens of crimes committed across the London railway network.

“Graffiti on the railway is inherently dangerous. It often involves trespassing onto the railway lines, which can be charged with electricity, or have trains constantly passing though. 

“It also costs the railway network significant sums of money and disrupts services while carriages are cleaned.

“We’re committed to identifying anyone committing these acts on the railway and will invest significant resources and time to ensure they’re brought before the courts.”

Train 'No Smoking' Assault

A late-night train passenger received a bloody nose when he complained about two men smoking in the carriage.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released these images of their suspects and are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying them.

Two men boarded the Charing Cross to Gravesend, Kent train at 0.45am on Sunday, October 10.

Despite the 'No Smoking' signs the pair immediately lit up.

The male victim moved away and challenged the pair about their behaviour as he walked past them.

One of the men jumped up and punched him repeatedly in the face, causing his nose to bleed.

The victim then got off the train at New Eltham station.

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

If you recognise them, or have any information, please contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 36 of 10/10/21.

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

Notorious Killer Call Girl Keeps Offending

A notorious former high-class call girl, jailed for killing an elderly client nine years ago, has been sentenced for her third violent offence since her release.

Natalia Woolley, 47, spat in the face of a pub manageress when refused service for being drunk in the middle of the afternoon, Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court heard.

In 2012 she received three years imprisonment for the manslaughter of 69 year-old Winston Fernandez, who suffered 17 fractured ribs and a broken neck at his £1m Epsom home.

She advertised her services on the websites ’24carat escorts’ and ‘Diamond Escorts’ and used a number of aliases, while passing herself as ten years younger than she actually was.

The sites described Russian-born Woolley - who is separated from her English husband - as “incredibly sexy” and “all things to all men.”

Now living in an apartment overlooking the All England Club in Lakeview Court, Wimbledon Park Road and receiving £800 per month Universal Credit she pleaded guilty to assaulting Hannah Hubbard on June 4.

Prosecutor Mr Luke Staton told the court Woolley turned up drunk at The Gardeners pub in Merton Road, Southfields at 2.15pm, ignoring their entrance and exit covid protocols.

“The victim was working as an assistant manager and was standing outside when she saw the defendant enter through the exit door.

“She was stumbling in and the victim was unable to understand what she was saying.

“She appeared to be trying to get served by staff and Ms Hubbard informed her she was not going to be served because she was intoxicated.

“The defendant left the pub whispering: ‘You’re so f***ing boring,’ as she passed Ms Hubbard, but returned five minutes later, again through the exit door.”

Mother-of-one Woolley confronted the victim again. “She kept following Ms Hubbard around the pub, while being verbally aggressive, saying words to the effect of: ‘You don’t have kids’.

“The defendant proceeded to take a big breath and spat at Ms Hubbard. The saliva landed on the right side of her forehead and her eyebrow.

“The defendant then headed out of the exit and Ms Hubbard was crying and upset about what happened and went to the bathroom to clean the saliva off her face.

“The pub door was shut to prevent the defendant coming back in and the police were called.”

In her victim impact statement Ms Hubbard said: “It was very frightening and triggered anxiety and I was shaken.

“I only stopped shaking two hours later. I do not come to work to be spat at and did not expect this in the middle of the afternoon.”

Woolley has a conviction in July, 2016 for battery and in July last year was placed on a two-year community order for assaulting an emergency worker and ordered to complete 120 hours community service.

Her lawyer Daniel Cavaglieri told the court: “Ms Woolley has struggled with alcohol for a number of years and after this incident it acted as a wake-up call and she appreciates she needs to address the issue.

“After her arrest she got in contact with alcohol services and has taken steps to address her alcohol abuse.”

The court heard Woolley has engaged with Wandsworth Community Drug and Alcohol Services and USA-based Big Book Alcoholics anonymous. 

Regarding her last sentence the lawyer added: “Very few, if not zero unpaid hours of community service have been completed, but she is not in breach. There has been a breakdown in communication.”

Woolley was sentenced to a twelve-month community order, with 25 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement and ordered to pay £50 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

She was also ordered to complete with an electronically-tagged nighttime curfew between 7pm and 7am for the next eight weeks and pay £200 compensation to Ms Hubbard.

“This is a nasty offence,” said magistrate Justine Johnson. “Spitting in someone’s face is as nasty as it can get and spit is regarded as a weapon in covid times.

“We have had a read of the paperwork you have submitted and read the probation report, a nice full report that helps our job.

“We have heard the nature of the offence. You went back time and time again and harassed the victim.

“We are not going to be putting you into custody. It has not breached the custody threshold.

“We are going to ask probation to look at any alcohol treatment element, which by your own admission is something that needs to be addressed to change your behaviour and protect the public.

“This individual was going about their job in the service industry, serving the public and they were assaulted in a very nasty manner during covid.”

Woolley - who now goes by the name Natasha - and has a new partner was cleared by a Guildford Crown Court jury of murdering retired accountant Mr Fernandez, who she claimed attacked her.

His decomposing body was discovered one month later and Woolley claimed he received the fatal injuries when she kicked out at his chest in self-defence and fell on top of him while attempting to flee his clutches.

Croydon Bus Perv Hunted

Police are hunting this suspected bus pervert after a female was sexually assaulted on the top deck.

Police have released the image of the man as they continue appealing for the public's help in identifying him.

The victim was sitting on a route 468 bus travelling towards Croydon at 10.15am on Tuesday, August 31.

She reported being molested by another passenger on the double-decker service.

Anyone who recognises the suspect or has further information are asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference CAD 2572/31AUG21.

Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously at www.crimestopper-uk.org or 0800 555 111.

GBH Investigation In Wimbledon

Police are hunting this suspected thug after a middle-aged woman was left unconscious in the early hours.

Merton Borough police are investigating and have released this image.

They are treating the offence as grievous bodily harm.

On Wednesday, August 26 2021 at 1.45am, the 54 year old female was walking along The Broadway in Wimbledon, south-west London.

She was assaulted by an unknown male and was left unconscious. 

Police would like to speak to the pictured male in relation to this incident. 

If you know who he is or have any information which may help us identify him, please call 101 and quote CAD668/25Aug. 

Alternatively, to remain 100% anonymous, please contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

End Of Road For 'County Lines' Drug Dealer

A 'County Lines' drug dealer, who used children to sell his crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis, is starting a sentence of five years and two months.

Donell Willis, 21, of Ascot Close, Northolt, west London pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court to conspiring to supply drugs.

The court heard that following a rise in gang tensions the Metropolitan Police's West Area crime squad commenced an operation to target gang drug lines. 

One such line, the “Billy line” was identified from a series of requests for communications data. 

The drug line was attributed to Willis. 

It was believed that it was to control the line and use juveniles and other vulnerable people to sell drugs on behalf of the line. 

A variety of covert methods were utilised to identify the activity of Willis and his associates. 

In March officers from West Area Crime squad executed a drugs search warrant in Greenford. 

The residents of this address had been identified as conspiring with the line-holder, Willis to supply class A drugs. 

He was subsequently arrested. 

A search of the address revealed a quantity of crack cocaine, cannabis and amphetamine along with £2500 in cash. 

A total of 39g of class A drugs were recovered and 1KG of Class b including cannabis and amphetamine. 

Detective Inspector Jo Rajkovic, West Area Command said: “County lines activity has a devastating effect on young people, vulnerable adults and local communities, tackling County lines and disrupting gang activity is a priority for the West Area Proactive and Gangs teams. 

“This was a great piece of work undertaken by the Ealing Proactive Team led by ADS Smith and the officer in the case PC Mike Davey. 

“The Operation was protracted, detailed and utilised various covert methods, this is an excellent result with significant sentences imposed by the Judge.”

GP Guilty Of Gay Smears

Dr. Suthan Ulakanathan

A respected GP’s career is in danger after he was convicted yesterday of harassing his builder by advertising his services as a gay escort online when the pair fell out over money.

Dr. Suthan Ulakanathan, 37, twice posted the ‘Gay Escort’ ads on the Vivastreet website under the headline: ‘Free Open Glory Hole All Night And Day,’ Croydon Magistrates’ court heard.

“At the time I wanted to wind him up. I felt he had taken advantage of me and my family,” said the doctor, dismissing the posts as a “harmless prank.”

However, Deputy District Judge Adrian Turner did not agree and convicted Dr. Ulakanathan after a trial of harassing ex-soldier Steven Hay, 30, between September 9 and November 14, last year.

“A lot of thought went into how you got your own back,” he told Dr. Ulakanathan, who now faces a General Medical Council professional misconduct probe. “This was not a sudden reaction. It was planned and calculated.”

The University of London graduate, a partner at Downhill Medical Practice, Guards Avenue, Caterham was fined £2,000, with £720 costs and ordered to pay a £190 victim surcharge.

The trial heard Dr. Ulakanathan, of Holmwood Avenue, South Croydon added the builder’s name, genuine mobile phone number and residential address in Stafford Road, Croydon to the posts.

He added the words: ‘young 30 year-old male, all types welcome, confidential, if free come to mine, will be in all day most days,’ to both adverts.

Dr. Ulakanathan’s lawyer Susannah Stevens told the court: “There are proceedings before the GMC and whether he has got a job after this remains to be seen.

Steven Hay

“It has already been published in full technicolour with his photograph. His name has been ruined. His neighbours and patients will read about this.

“It is utterly humiliating. He has been punished.”

The builder told the court the pair fell out over a fence installation with the doctor only paying £300 of the £600 bill, however the GP claims he and his family were threatened into paying  an excessive amount.

Prosecutor Melanie Hardwick told the court: “The defendant employed Mr Hay, a roofer, back in late August, last year to do work on a fence. There was a dispute and the parties went their separate ways.

“Mr Hay received a phone call from someone saying that they got his phone number from Vivastreet, which advertises gay escorts and asked him if he wanted to meet up.”

The builder was enjoying a drink in the pub when the first text arrived. “They texted: ‘Hey You,’ with a kiss and I thought it may be an ex-girlfriend,” he told the trial.

“They proceeded to ring me and it was a man with an Indian accent who said he found me on Vivastreet.

“He said: ‘Do you want to meet up for a good time?’ and it continued from a number of people at different times and was quite intense for the first month, everyday and late at night and the early hours of the morning.

“It got fifty to sixty calls and texts for three months,” added Mr Hay, saying the anxiety triggered his PTSD. “I lost sleep and friends because I did not know who was doing it and missed work.”

On one occasion a man turned up at his house in response to the advert and spoke to Mr. Hay’s mother, causing the builder to dash home.

“The bloke was so embarrassed and I felt for them. I told the police it was a hate crime because these people would not know I might have been homophobic and attack them.”

The first ad was live for five days and the second two days.

“One person turned up at his house asking for sexual services and that made him anxious at a time his mother was at home shielding,” said the prosecutor.

On February 13, this year Dr. Ulakanathan was arrested and told officers Mr. Hay was a “cowboy” who failed to complete a fence job for a memorial garden dedicated to his late father.

“He fully accepted setting up the two accounts and did not think the first was saved properly and did it a second time and then wanted to delete them but did not know how to,” explained Ms Hardwick.

“He said the complainant was a cowboy builder and the work had to be redone.”

Mr Hay admitted: “I messed him about a bit,” confirming he walked off the job because the doctor did not want to pay for more labour and materials to finish the fence.

The ten-year GP told the court of his motives. “To peev him off in a harmless, childish way, a prank. 

“I thought he would find it silly and irritating. It was never my intention that anyone would come to his house or for him to be threatened or distressed.”

Dr. Ulakanathan said PTSD caused by the covid deaths of his father Ulaganathan Subramaniam, 65, uncle Sivananthan, 56 and cousin in quick succession last year was responsible for his behaviour.

He told the trial he was known for childish, silly pranks from his university and medical school days and one of his court references referred to his “childish sense of humour.”

He said the first advert was posted on his wedding anniversary and the second on a Hindu “auspicious day” when his toddler daughter was dressed in a traditional outfit bought by his late father.

“There were emotions I never fully understood at the time, leading me to behave in an inappropriate way.

“The emotions that I was going through triggered me to react in such a way and be childish an immature,” he told the trial.

Married Dr. Ulakanathan has a two year-old daughter and his wife is expecting their second child at there end of this year.

He claimed the stress of running his medical practice, where he has been a partner for five years, under covid conditions and seeing patients, who were positive had increased his anxiety.

The GP insisted Mr Hay threatened him and his family when demanding another £300 for the job, after he agreed and paid a total of £1600.

“I was scared he might do something and was prepared to pay anything to end the drama. He said if I did not pay him £300 he was going to tear down my fence and he knows where me and my family live.”

The doctor knew about Vivastreet from once searching for a pregnancy massage kit for his wife, but claims he only posted twice because he did not know if the first post was successfully published.

“I put it on there and did not get any confirmation it had gone through.

“Several months later I went back and searched on Vivastreet using some of the words I used to make the advert and I could not see anything in the gay escorts section.

“I thought it hadn’t gone through, that it had not worked so I put it on again.”

Police arrived at the family home to arrest Dr. Ulakanathan. “I was changing a nappy and getting ready for work when there was a knock on the door and I saw the police van from upstairs and thought: ‘Has something happened to my mother and sister?’

“Three police officers came into the house and took me into my living-room and in front of my wife and daughter told me I was under arrest and I was put in a police van and I was in a cell for several hours.

“It was a surreal, horrible experience. I was very confused and did not know what was going on.

“I thought what I posted was not abusive or threatening and Mr Hay’s name, address and phone number was already published on a public forum, that’s how I found him.

“I did not hide my details or hide my IP address. I did not disguise.”

The GP was asked what would happen if he knew it was a criminal act when he posted the ads. “It would be the end of my career,” he told the court.

“It was the grief that led to me acting in a childish and silly way.”

When cross-examined Dr. Ulakanathan insisted: “I wanted to wind him up. It was never my intention to get back at him.

“It’s not in my character to do that, to get revenge. I was not even expecting anyone to call him for these services to be honest.”

 Convicting Dr. Ulakanathan Deputy District Judge Turner announced: “He is a man with a distinguished professional record, a medical practice, is of good character and is highly regarded by his professional colleagues.

“The wedding anniversary was some sort of trigger against Mr. Hay that day. When you give someone’s name, phone  number and address it’s to cause maximum inconvenience.

“The means chosen for revenge were chosen for maximum effect. This was in no way a prank and it was never meant to be a prank at all.

“This was very, very serious and I have no hesitation saying it is conduct deserving to be marked by a conviction.

“It grieves me to see a man in his position, his background and of his character where he is now, but I can’t allow that to effect me.”