This will be the only post today.
We have traditionally not posted any stories on Christmas Day and this year will be no different.
Better to count our blessings and appreciate the good things in our lives.
From 2022 onwards we will no longer be committed to posting daily reports on this site.
Stories will simply be posted whenever we cover them.
Merry Christmas to all.
Officers were called to reports of a racially-aggravated assault at approximately 7.35pm on Thursday, December 2 outside West Hampstead Overground station in Heritage Lane.
The victim, a male aged in his twenties, was approached by the suspect who made anti-Semitic comments towards him.
The suspect also damaged a religious display, erected to celebrate the Jewish festival of Chanukah.
The man assaulted the victim while intimating he was armed with a knife.
The victim was not seriously injured.
Anyone who recognises the suspect is asked to call police via 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting reference CAD 6588/02Dec.
Alternatively independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.
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| Eden Miller |
When officers then raided the property they seized another 16.1 kilos of cannabis and found a quantity of high-value goods.
The investigation was launched after UK Border Force seized the drugs on November 20, last year.
Eden Joshua Miller, 25, received four years imprisonment.
Saul Miller, 22, received sixteen months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months.
Their home in Princess Gardens, Acton was raided by officers from the West Area Violence Suppression Unit (VSU).
A search of their property revealed numerous boxes, wrapped in similar packaging to the intercepted parcel.
Jobless Eden, was in possession numerous high value goods, which were seized by the officers, who suspected they had been purchased with the profits of drug-dealing.
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| Saul Miller |
Saul Miller was convicted of possession of cannabis, with intent to supply, cannabis and being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of a Class B drug.
He must also forfeit over £1,000 and complete 300 hours of unpaid community service work.
PC Shaw-Hill of the West Area VSU said: “The Miller brothers wrongfully believed that they had a fool proof plan to supply west London with vast amounts of cannabis.
“Swift action from both the West Area Violence Suppression Unit and the UK Border Agency has prevented this and resulted in the seizure of over 32 Kilos of cannabis.
“The supply of controlled drugs drives violence and destroys lives, the results of this operation are testament to the Metropolitan Police’s persistence in targeting and stopping organised drug supply throughout the region.”
Former bus driver Keith Bettison, 73, throttled 48 year-old Ildiko in the bedroom of their home in Ranyard Close, Chessington, south-west London on October 31, last year.
Neighbours would often hear arguing inside the suburban home and Ildiko told others her husband was physically abusive.
Yesterday an Old Bailey jury unanimously convicted Bettison and he was remanded in custody until his sentencing next month.
Bettison called police at 1.18am claiming to have killed his wife.
When officers arrived at the address he said: “I killed the bitch. What more do you want to know?”
On the night of the murder the couple had been drinking heavily and had been heard by neighbours to be arguing loudly inside their home.
A friend of Ildiko told the trial how the couple’s relationship had deteriorated after Bettison resigned from his job, becoming unemployed in June, 2020.
Arguments and alcohol abuse escalated in the months leading up to the murder.
Detective Chief Inspector Vicky Tunstall, of the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime Command, said: “This was a needless act of extreme violence fuelled by uncontrolled anger and alcohol.
“No amount of remorse on the part of Keith Bettison will bring Ildiko back to her family.
“Due to his actions their extended family has lost them both and our thoughts are with them today.”
Retired John Beaufort Sadler, 73, yesterday received a suspended prison sentence and a one-year ban from his local.
He pleaded guilty to wounding David Lyon, inflicting grievous bodily harm, at The Crown, High Street, Sutton on December 1, 2019.
Prosecutor Nicola Grindey told Croydon Magistrates Court Sadler, of Green Wrythe Lane, Carshalton joined the victim for a chat in the pub.
“The victim offered to buy Mr Sadler a drink and went to the bar to order them and realised he had no money on him.
“He left the drinks on the bar and refused to pay for the round and Mr Sadler paid.
“Later, as Mr Sadler went to leave he pulled an item out of his coat pocket, a pen, and punched the victim in the face twice as the victim tried to kick him back.
“Mr Lyon was taken to hospital and an x-ray showed the spring from the pen lodged in his jaw and needed an operation to remove it, leaving stitches in his face.
“The victim now has two visible scars to his cheek, which caused him pain and discomfort following the operation when eating and trying to sleep for a few weeks.
“Mr Lyon says he is afraid to return to the public house due to perceived repercussions.
“The pen was used by the defendant as a weapon and he has convictions, but they are over thirty years old.”
Sadler’s lawyer Bruce Reid told the court: “If he was a younger man I wouldn’t ask for it to be dealt with in this court.
“For someone able bodied there is no reason they should not serve a period of custody, but you have someone at the age of seventy-three, out of trouble for thirty-five years.
“If he received a custodial sentence it would be far in excess of what would be merited.
“He had a heart attack a few years ago and a bowel operation.
“Too much alcohol had been consumed by both parties, certainly my client, but it is not an issue for him.
“He is at a loss to describe why he did this and he could not have predicted the damage it would have done to the victim.
“It must have been traumatic to have a spring dug out of his face.
“This is a gentleman who would suffer considerably if he was remanded to custody.
“For someone in his state of health and advanced years, not getting the full care of the NHS in custody it would be a severe sentence indeed.”
District Judge Hina Rai told Sadler: “You pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to this serious matter that is out of character, although you have convictions thirty years ago.
“It is a real shame to see you in this court at the age of seventy-three and this victim was left with injuries that will be lifelong for him.”
Sadler was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months and must complete twenty days of rehabilitation.
He must pay Mr Lyon £500 compensation, plus £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.
The court also imposed a twelve-month exclusion order, banning him from The Crown pub.
British Transport Police (BTP) have released this CCTV image of their suspect.
The assaults occurred on November 4 and 9.
A woman entered the station and kicked two separate female passengers at the station’s ticket barriers before boarding a train from Platform One.
Officers believe the woman in the CCTV images may have information which could help their investigation.
If you recognise her, or have any information, please contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 176 of 04/11/21.
Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Police responded to reports of loud banging and woman in distress at the Richmond address in south-west London.
Christopher Malone, 44, is starting a sentence of three-and-a-half years imprisonment.
At Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court he was convicted of threats to kill and assault, causing actual bodily harm.
On the of May 2 police were called to Malone's address in the early hours of the morning to reports of screaming and banging at the location.
On arrival, police were approached by the victim, who revealed Malone had pointed two kitchen knives at her, pulled her by her hair and strangled her.
Malone was arrested and taken to police custody.
He received two-and-a-half years for the charge of threats to kill, plus one year to be served consecutively for the assault.
Detective Constable Charlie Jones said: “This was an excellent result, and I hope it can reassure the public that we will tenaciously investigate violence against women and girls at the hands of dangerous and predatory offenders.”
Adil Reguibi, 42, converted two bedrooms into cultivation rooms at the property in Harrison Close, Northwood, west London.
At Isleworth Crown Court he was sentenced to three years and four months imprisonment after pleading guilty to production of cannabis and possession of cannabis, with intent to supply.
On Monday. March 15 officers from West Areas violence suppression unit executed a drugs search warrant at the address.
On gaining entry, it immediately became clear the address was being used to cultivate a large amount of cannabis.
The two bedrooms had been converted to grow cannabis with approximately 100 plants being recovered along with, packaging materials and a large quantity of cash.
The whole address was being used as a cannabis production factory.
Reguibi was found lying on a sofa inside the address and was detained and arrested by officers.
He was taken to a west London police station, where he was later interviewed, answering no comment to all questions put to him.
Andre Campbell, 28, has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.
As well as having 60 wraps of heroin for sale he was also armed with two knives while riding while banned around the suburbs of west London.
He pleaded guilty to possessing the Class A drug, with intent to supply; possession of an offensive weapon; driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.
Isleworth Crown Court heard officers from the Ealing Tasking Team on Thursday, August 12 were conducting mobile patrols around the Greenford area.
Their attention was drawn to Campbell, who was seen dealing drugs on a moped.
Officers managed to detain him as he made an attempt to get back on his Moped.
PC Exworthy, of Ealing Neighbourhood Tasking Team, said: “This was good old school proactive policing.
“We were amongst the community in response to complaints about drug dealing, which ultimately led to us coming across Campbell.
“In light of the current issue we have of knife crime we managed to get a knife carrier behind bars.
“A thorough and comprehensive investigation let to Campbell being charged and remanded and no longer impacting in our community”.
The boy suffered cuts and bruises to his head.
The attack was prompted by the unknown trio questioning him about his mobile phone.
British Transport Police (BTP) have released these CCTV images of their suspects and are requesting the assistance of members of the public to successfully identify them.
The assault occurred at approximately 3.35pm on Monday, October 4 at Langdon Park DLR in Poplar, east London.
The young victim was approached by three males, who began speaking to him about his phone.
The youth put his phone in his pocket out of sight and an altercation broke out.
The men punched and kicked him to the floor.
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 2100079374.
Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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| Glass: Joseph Judsun |
Joseph Judsun, 27, of Blanchland Drive, Fulwell was seen climbing over a half-door and ascending a private staircase at The Montague Pyke pub in Charing Cross Road at 11.15pm on November 10, 2018.
Prosecutor Mr Wayne Cranston-Morris told the Southwark Crown Court jury bouncer Muhammed Haroon challenged Judsun and brought him back down the stairs, where he was attacked.
“He saw the defendant in possession of a fire extinguisher and a glass in his left hand and told him he was being escorted downstairs and would be ejected.
“As they reached the bottom of the stairs the defendant swung a blow with his left hand, while holding the glass, to the right side of Mr Haroon’s face.
“There was no cause or provocation for the attack.”
The victim was treated in hospital and received sutures to four wounds and discovered six months later a fragment of glass was still embedded in his face, causing “oozing” to the injury.
Judsun has pleaded not guilty to one count of inflicting grievous bodily harm, with intent. He has already pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of simply wounding Mr Haroon.
“Other security staff joined and took the defendant to the ground, where he resisted attempts to restrain him,” explained the prosecutor.
“When the police arrived he was very abusive and verbally aggressive and one officer asked him to put his foot down, which was raised.”
The jury was told an apparent threat by Judson towards police was recorded on their body cam.
“He was recorded saying: ‘If I was going to do it you wouldn’t have known about it. I would have been too quick.’
“He was taken outside by the police officers and was heard to say: ‘I’m going to kick off.’
“He denied hurting anyone and was put in a police van, where he continued shouting and swearing at the officers and kicked the van,” added Mr Cranston-Morris.
“At the station his behaviour continued and he threatened to ‘blow up’ the police.
“Mr Haroon was bleeding heavily and was taken to hospital for treatment to four wounds to the right side of his face, near his eye.
“When later questioned by the police the defendant said he was sorry and his behaviour was out of character.
“The Crown’s case is this defendant deliberately struck Mr Haroon with force and the glass was used as a weapon.
“The blow was aimed at the face of Mr Haroon and was quick and forceful, catching him unaware and defenceless.
“The defendant is a man that was violent and aggressive and spoiling for trouble that evening from the moment he was told to leave the private area and that he would be ejected from the public house.”
The trial continues and is expected to last three days.
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| Bin: Lee Momtahan |
Mother-of-two Sarah Boada-Momtahan, 43, told the jury her computer scientist husband Lee Momtahan, 47, continued striking her as hard as he could as the bin was smashed into pieces.
“He put me in a headlock with his arm around my neck. This was after I had been thrown into the wall of my daughter’s bedroom,” said Sarah, the owner of ‘Sanders of Oxford’, a landmark antique print and map shop.
“I was thrown into the wall with such force it caused my jaw to slam shut and my teeth to fractures,” she told Inner London Crown Court.
Momtahan’s father and his wife were visiting the £850,000 family home in Tulsemere Road, West Dulwich on October 26, 2019 and they had all enjoyed a family meal at a local Chinese restaurant.
Afterwards, the guests heard the commotion upstairs and witnessed Oxford University graduate Momtahan using carpet cleaner to remove the blood.
Ironically Fine Arts graduate Sarah had intimate knowledge of the bin, telling the trial she academically studied that particular design over twenty years ago.
The row erupted at approximately 8.00pm during a dispute over getting their son and daughter to bed.
“He grabbed the bin and hit me over the head with it as hard as he could,’ she continued. “I just froze and he just kept hitting me.
“He was swinging the bin around and hitting my head repeatedly and the bin broke while he was hitting me with it. He kept hitting me with the broken bin.
“I felt the bin slice open the back of my head,” added Sarah, who left a trail of blood to the bathroom, where a towel was wrapped around her head.
She was taken to King’s College Hospital, where the wound was glued shut.
Momtahan’s lawyer Matthew Radstone asked Sarah: “You were the aggressor weren’t you? He says you punched him hard to the back of the head.”
She denied the claims, admitting she did not think she was still in love with her husband at the time and was investigating the possibility of divorce.
“You were blocking him from leaving weren’t you?” asked the lawyer. “There was never any chokehold or throwing you against the wall, was there?
“All he could do was strike you with the bin to get you off of him,” asked Mr. Radstone. “That’s not what happened,” replied Sarah.
Momtahan told the jury: “I felt a blow to the back of my head and thought she was punching me. She grabbed my left arm and started pulling.
“I instinctively resisted. I was totally freaked out, panicked and scared,”said the former IBM employee, who now heads a quantitative analysis department.
“I first saw the lampshade, but that was too heavy and I then saw the plastic bin, which was relatively lightweight and not that dangerous and managed to reach it.
“I picked it up and and just hit her to try and get her off me. I was not trying to harm her, just get her off me because my arm was being injured.
“I didn’t hit her very hard. The bin cracked and shattered into pieces and there was nothing left.
“I then saw blood and realised I was hitting her with a sharp object and I’m very sorry about that,” added an obviously emotional Momtahan.
“I then tried to clean up the mess.”
Manchester-born Momtahan, of Balham Grove, Balham, who graduated with a degree in Maths and Computer Science, has pleaded not guilty to one count of causing actual bodily harm.
Trial continues…………….
Nikki Darke, 37, - aka 'Public P***er' – recorded himself committing the vile acts while travelling on London tube trains.
He uploaded the content to twitter and the subscription OnlyFans website.
When British Transport Police (BTP) caught up with Darke, of Earlham Grove, Forest Gate they also found him in possession of sexualised images of children.
At Inner London Crown Court he received sixteen months imprisonment for one count of outraging public decency; four counts of criminal damage and three counts of making indecent images of children.
Darke was also made subject to a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, prohibiting him taking photos or videos in any public place.
The court heard Darke committed multiple indecent acts.
These included urinating on the seats and masturbating in front of other passengers while travelling on the Piccadilly Line between February and July.
He was arrested and taken to custody on Saturday, September 4 after plain clothes officers on patrol spotted him travelling on the Tube.
Upon arresting Darke, officers seized his phone and discovered he was also using his online platforms to obtain indecent images of children.
When asked in interview about the content he was sharing online, he explained: “It’s me doing really stupid things in public places.”
Darke explained he was publishing the videos and taking requests from online users to earn money, claiming: “The people that pay, that’s what they want to see.”
Detective Constable Christopher Pretty, said: “This was a foul and frankly absurd case and I’m pleased to see such a vile offender taken off the network.
“It’s clear Darke’s actions were for his own selfish amusement and gratification, yet a number of passengers were subjected to witnessing his odious behaviour.
“As a result of our extensive enquiries, we not only reprimanded Darke for the damage he caused to railway property and the indecent acts he was committing, but also for the utterly indefensible indecent images he gathered.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that if they ever witness such behaviour while travelling they can text us discreetly on 61016.”
The pervert was active in the Pinner and Hatch End areas of Harrow between Thursday, August 19 and Thursday, November 4.
The first incident occurred in Roxbourne Park, Harrow at 3.55pm on Thursday, August 19.
The victim was walking her dog with her mother when a male jogger passed by and exposed himself.
The second incident, also in Roxbourne Park, occurred at approximately 3.00pm on Wednesday, September 1 when a lone female walking her do saw a jogger who exposed himself.
The third incident occurred at 4.15pm on Thursday, November 4 when witnesses reported seeing a man walking around the car park of Hatch End swimming pool, naked from the waist down.
Detectives from the North West area’s CID have been investigating and have released this e-fit of their suspect.
He is described as a white man, aged in his thirties to forties, about six feet tall, of average build and with short dark brown hair.
Detective Constable Josh Dwyer said: “I would encourage anyone who recognises the man in the e-fit to contact us as a matter of urgency.
“I would also encourage anyone who witnessed the incidents to speak to us if you haven’t already.
“Any information you can give us, no matter how small, will help us to ensure the person for these abhorrent crimes is brought to justice.”
Anyone who recognises the man in the e-fit or has any information about the incidents is asked to call police on 101, quoting CAD 1364/29NOV.
Homeless Stephen Keane, 30, struck at 4.48am on November 26 in The Drive, Isleworth, emptying the contents of the two vehicles.
Police recognised him via CCTV and the audacious crook was even wearing the expensive casual jacket he nicked when officers caught up with him.
At Uxbridge Magistrates Court he was jailed and ordered to pay £300 compensation to the victims.
He pleaded guilty to stealing a silver lock knife; two pairs of Aviator Rayban sunglasses, plus cases; a Superdry jacket; driving spectacles; £4.00 in loose change; a yellow rubber figure and four bags for life.
The total value was £600.
Hounslow Central Neighbourhood Policing Team recognised Keane via CCTV.
Seven days later Keane was arrested on Hounslow High Street, wearing the victims' Superdry jacket, which was seized and returned to the owner.
PC Dan Cheeseman, the Dedicated Ward Officer for Hounslow Central said: “This type of crime has a serious impact on residents when finding someone has entered their vehicle.
“Predominately theft from motor vehicle occurs overnight and residents come to find that someone has entered their vehicle without permission and carried out an untidy search and stolen property.
“If there is CCTV footage, officers will always try and identify the individual responsible if there is a clear image of the suspect and will consider forensic opportunities when available.”
The victim was walking in Englewood Road, Clapham South at 2.00am on Saturday, September 25.
She realised a lone male was following her and when she stopped to look for something in her bag he grabbed her from behind and sexually assaulted her.
The woman shouted at the male to get away and he walked off towards nearby Clapham Common.
Detective Constable Annie Henry of the Central South Command Unit said: “We are releasing this e-fit in the hope that someone recognises the person pictured.
“This attack would have been terrifying for the woman and we are continuing to support her as our investigation continues.
“If you can assist our investigation, please don’t hesitate to contact police - this man needs to be identified and held to account for his actions.
Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD 1268/25Sep.
Alternatively independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.
Samir Agoun, 32, actively stole bags in City of London pubs and other licensed premises, hoarding the loot at his home in Marquis Road, Haringey.
On October 22 police spotted Agoun acting suspiciously in Brune Street, Whitechapel – paying particular attention to anybody with a bag.
He was later seen nearby in Widegate Street, carrying a backpack, which he tried to discard.
Officers retrieved the bag and when they searched Agoun, they also found a bank card in someone else’s name.
In a search of his home, six stolen mobile phones, two false identification documents and a stolen passport were found.
As a result, police successfully linked him to a number of thefts of bags from licensed premises across the Square Mile.
Inspector Alexander Wisbey, from the Proactive Crime Team at the City of London Police, said: “This result follows a tireless effort to prove Agoun’s link to a number of crimes.
“His actions had a significant impact on the people who had their possessions and private information stolen.
“We are pleased that he is no longer able to cause harm to others.
“Our officers are here to protect people from criminals like Agoun.
“We are working closely with licensed premises across the City, providing training and advice to help prevent opportunistic crimes like bag and phone snatches, but we can’t do this alone.
“If you see something that doesn’t look right, trust your instincts and let us know by calling 101. In an emergency always call 999.”
Agoun was sentenced to 12 months in prison for theft and possession of false documents, after pleading guilty to five charges at the City of Westminster Magistrates Court.
The young group had attracted the attention of the wanted men by engaging in a traditional group Jewish dance on the pavement just minutes earlier.
Police received a report that unknown males were directing anti-Semitic abuse towards the group at approximately 8.00pm on Monday, November 29 in Oxford Street.
Officers stopped the private hire bus in nearby Grosvenor Place to check on the welfare of the passengers and confirm nobody had been injured.
Detective Inspector Kevin Eade, from Westminster's local policing team said: "Our investigation into this appalling incident continues and we are now in a position to release three clearer images of the men we would like to speak to.
"Despite extensive enquiries over the past week we are yet to make any arrests, however I am confident that somebody will recognise the people in the images and I would urge anyone who does to contact us immediately."
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting 6184/29Nov.
Alternatively, call the Charing Cross Hate Crime Unit direct on 07900 608 252.
Police first became aware of Michael Pym-Nixson, 54, after paramedics were called to his home to treat him for burn injuries.
Because of the suspicious circumstances, police launched an investigation, led by the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command.
No terrorism connection was subsequently found.
There was no evidence which indicated that Pym-Nixson was creating explosive material for any malign purpose, or had any intention to make an improvised explosive device (IED).
On the evening of Friday, March 19, paramedics were called to Pym-Nixson’s address in St. George's Road, Kingston-Upon-Thames.
He needed treatment for burns to his left hand, which he said were caused by a firework accidentally igniting.
The following day, officers visited the flat to check on Pym-Nixson’s welfare and he spoke to the officers, but did not let them into his house.
On the morning of Sunday, March 21, officers returned to the flat to conduct a search of the property and arrest Pym-Nixson.
Specialist officers from the Met's Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit remained at the scene throughout the week-long search.
They found large quantities of chemicals used to make explosive material in his house and shed.
On the day Pym-Nixson injured himself, he caused three small explosions by mixing these substances.
After making local enquiries, people in neighbouring properties subsequently told police they had heard loud bangs.
These weren’t reported to police.
Officers also discovered hand-written notes detailing the quantities of the substances needed to make explosives and how-to videos online that Pym-Nixson had saved.
Pym-Nixson initially pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing explosive substances.
He will be sentenced on December 10.
Viktor Kurtaj, 32, (pic.l.) and Illaijan Dautaj, 24, (pic.r.) were caught during three simultaneous police raids, the culmination of the seven-month Operation Aureum.
At Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court both received six years and nine months imprisonment.
Kurtaj, of East Street, Epsom and Dautaj, of Shrewsbury Close, Surbiton were investigated by the Proactive Crime Teams on the South West BCU, with the assistance of the Violence Suppression Unit, plus neighbourhood officers.
Both pleaded guilty to two counts of possession, with intent to supply, Class A drugs; one count of possession, with intent to supply, class B drugs and one count of possessing criminal property.
A large quantity of drugs were found during the raids, executed at three addresses in Surbiton on April 28.
Within the addresses officers found a large amount of cash, cooking cocaine, scales and large bricks of cocaine in laundry baskets and kitchen cupboards. In total around 3.5 kilograms of cocaine was found.
An amount of cannabis was also found, plus around £80,000 in cash.
The court agreed that both Kurtaj and Dautaj played a significant role in a commercial scale drug trafficking enterprise.
Judge Marcus Tregilgas-Davey told them: “There is no question that Class A drug supply causes significant harm.
“It destroys lives and rips families apart. You two were up to your necks in that wicked trade.”
The Metropolitan Police have released these images of their suspects – who disguised themselves with surgical masks.
They are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the two males.
Two men approached the driver at 9.00am on Friday, October 1 in Sarsfield Road, Greenford.
Two packages were taken and the males fled the scene.
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting 1905/01OCT.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
