'Sugar Daddy' Sentenced For Molesting Internet Date

A fake ’Sugar Daddy’ has been sentenced for molesting his graduate internet date at a four-star hotel after convincing her she needed to be intimately searched after he was drugged and robbed by another woman from the site.

Angelo Fernando, 46, claimed his “highly sensitive” work in the US aerospace defence industry made him a target and he feared his drink being spiked so the pre-date full-body search was necessary.

He has now been placed on the sex offenders register for five years after an Inner London Crown Court jury unanimously convicted him of sexually assaulting the drama student at the Park Plaza Hotel, Westminster Bridge Road on August 28, 2019.

In reality, tax records from that year prove Fernando, of Chifney Court, Bridle Close, Surbiton only earned £2,100 and on Friday the court heard he is £5,000 in debt and must move out of his rented flat.

Via the SeekingArrangement dating website Fernando told the woman, aged in her twenties, and known as ‘YorkshireBlonde’ that he was an economics graduate and had been a City investment banker, working in the world of private equity before establishing his own financial consultancy, specialising in defence, security and aviation.

After meeting for the first time at Waterloo Station, Fernando walked his date to the hotel, where he took her to a secluded area near a fire exit for the search, which she had consented to before meeting him.

“He said there was a search on every date he had with a female and it would be by a professional, a thorough airport-style security search. He said he didn’t have time to find anyone and would do it himself and I thought that was fine,” she told the jury.

“I thought he was some kind of spy that had a job that required you to have some sort of check. He painted a picture really well that excited me and he was someone that I’d like to meet.

“The story of what he was doing, what he did and how he had been spiked and needed this security operation just to go on a date sounded like a different world.

“There was a wet mop and bucket and cleaning sign there and anybody could have walked in, but he said it was a discreet space out of the public eye,” she explained. 

“He started from the ankle up, all the way up and I felt very uncomfortable and told him to stop and he carried on with the other leg and the same thing happened again.”

She said on both occasions Fernando touched her between the legs by running his hands up under her short mini dress. 

“He ran his hands down the side of my breasts and said: ‘Oh. You’re not wearing a bra,’ and then ran his hands down the front. It was a slow cupping motion.

“At the end he insinuated it was not as thorough a search as he would have liked.”

The site promised to match ‘Sugar Daddies’ with ’Sugar Babies’ but the woman denied asking Fernando for £3,000 per month. “I signed-up for the website because it sounded exciting. Maybe I went on it because I was bored.

“It was said of the site that you got taken for drinks and I guess there is a financial side to it, but I never asked for money,” she added, denying Fernando’s claim she sought funding for a vegan television project.

“I think it was a very well worked-out plan,” she told the court. “I was overwhelmed by what was going on, this guy had given me a massive story.”

Fighting back tears she added: “It was a scary situation. I thought I was going to be raped at one point.” 

Prosecutor Liam Gregory told the court: “He seems to be selecting people willing to be searched and this has almost become a fetish for him, according to the pre-sentence report, rather than necessary to preserve his safety and peace of mind.

“For his own sexual pleasure he sought to search gullible women and touch them intimately,” adding there was evidence of up to twenty dates who may have been similarly frisked.

Fernando’s lawyer Paul Webb said: “For someone with almost debilitating Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) what may be seen as his high-level planning was a symptom of his OCD.

“He is of good character, is well-educated and with a high-profile within his work. He is a professional man with the potential of having a good income, up to one hundred thousand pounds.”

Judge Freya Newbery sentenced Fernando to an 18-month Community Order, which includes up to 35 days of treatment and up to 30 days of a recommended activity requirement.

He must also pay a £1,000 fine, plus £3,500 costs.

“She thought the search was plausible because she thought you were a wealthy VIP-type person with safety concerns,” the judge told Fernando. “You took her into some sort of large cupboard or stairwell and thoroughly searched her over her clothes.

“You did touch her over her breasts and touched the gusset of her underwear with your hand.

“The victim was very upset about it and sat with you to try and find out more about you to report you to the police, which she did later with the assistance of the hotel staff.

“There was a significant degree of planning to assault her under the guise of a legitimate search. It was not a genuine drugs search and all of your careful planning was aimed at getting her into that large cupboard.

“I cannot make a decision about whether this was a fetish or a ritual or what was driving you to plan this very carefully. You always viewed what you carried out as normal, but you did not have consent for the contact.

“You were previously a hard-working, professional man successful in your field and there are still women in your social group who you got to know from dating and consenting to the same frisking.”

Fernando told the trial the victim only complained when he refused to give her £3,000 per month and the search  was necessary after he was drugged and robbed of his watch and cash on another date.

They had a drink in the hotel bar after the search his date said she was working on a screenplay she hoped would become a sitcom.

“She said she joined the site in order to meet somebody who could provide her an allowance. Somebody who could help her fund the production of the screenplay and contribute towards her university expenses.

“Because the Masters in Acting was quite expensive she was looking for three thousand pounds a month.

“She would see me on a weekly basis in exchange for three thousand pounds a month and wanted the first instalment after the date.

“After I rebuffed that her body language changed and she became quite belligerent,” Fernando told the jury. “She was disappointed, it was written all over her face.

“She then started complaining about the search and said how uncomfortable it made her feel.

“She started scratching her leg and that made me subconsciously think: ‘Has she got drugs in her underwear?’

“I was not going to transfer three thousand pounds into the account of someone I had just met.

“She said: ‘I’m going home, this is a waste of time. She leaned in and I gave her a kiss on the cheek and she walked off and that was it.

“I thought she was flirtatious when she first sat down in the alcove. I did not think she was somebody who was mercenary.

“I was disappointed, but it is not unusual for women on that site to project one image, but whose motivations are completely different.”

Whisky Galore: £9,500 Bottle Nicked

A rare £9,500 bottle of Scottish single malt whisky has been spirited out of a specialist dealer in the heart of the Square Mile.

City of London Police have released these two CCTV images of the suspected thieves and are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying them.

The valuable bottle of Macallan was stolen at approximately 5.41pm on Monday, March 14 from Tomoka Fine & Rare, Royal Exchange.

CCTV images show a man and woman standing outside the store for around thirty minutes, before entering separately. 

The woman then left the store and was last seen walking towards Throgmorton Street.

After both suspects left the store, it was found that the £9,500 bottle of rare Macallan whisky was missing.

Police Constable Niall Bowes, of City of London Police, said: “Thefts from businesses aren’t victimless crimes, and this incident has caused significant financial loss to an independent retailer in the City.

“We are keen to speak to anybody who recognises the individuals in the CCTV images, or who may know anything about the incident which could assist with the investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the City of London Police by calling 0207 601 2107 and quoting 22000149693. 

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

Young Drug Dealer Caught By Police Visit

Drugs Find: Glencar Court

A young cannabis dealer was caught during a surprise police visit on his home, a court heard.

Malakae McEwan, 20, of Glencar Court, Beulah Hill, Upper Norwood was found with 168 grammes of skunk cannabis and another 60 grammes of the drug.

Officers also discovered £1680 cash and two mobile phones, containing a history of text messages indicating drug-dealing.

Police entered the block of apartments built on the site of the demolished official residence of the De La Salle Brothers who taught at the neighbouring St. Joseph's College secondary school.

McEwan pleaded guilty to possessing the quantities of the Class B drug, with intent to supply, on November 3, last year.

Prosecutor Tharshani Siva told Croydon Magistrates' Court police attended the address regarding another enquiry and found the cannabis, cash and phones.

Texts included conversations about “platinum cookies” and questions like “do you know what strain you gave me earlier?”

McEwan answered “no comment” when questioned by police.

Ms Siva added: “The defendant played a significant role in drug street dealing and the sentencing guidelines indicate a starting point of one year's custody.”

McEwan was bailed until August 2 for a pre-sentence report.

Ex-Goalie's Drink-Drive Collision

A journeyman former goalkeeper, who has signed for nine different football clubs, was over twice the drinks limit when his BMW collided with another vehicle, a court heard.

Michael Poke, 36, who was appointed as Portsmouth FC's goalkeeping coach a year ago, kept going after hitting the black Ford Fiesta in King's Road, Chelsea.

The former Southampton and Torquay United stopper, of Horsham Road, Feltham appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

Poke pleaded guilty to driving the white two-litre diesel with excess alcohol in his breath on April 14.

He had 89 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. 

The legal limit is 35.

Poke also pleaded guilty to driving without due care an attention; failing to stop after an accident and without insurance.

He was placed on a twelve-month Community Order, which includes an Alcohol Abstinence Requirement to be alcohol-free for a period of thirty days.

Poke must also obey a twenty-eight day, electronically-tagged, home curfew between 9.00pm and 6.00am.

The court also disqualified him from driving for twenty months and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

IT Consultant's Taxi Race Row

Westminster Magistrates' Court

An IT consultant has received a suspended prison sentence after a late-night train station race row with a taxi driver ended with an assault on a police officer.

Maxwell Foord-Paton, 30, of Holmesdale Gardens, Hastings was sentenced at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

He pleaded guilty to using racially-aggravated threatening behaviour towards Mohammed Farhat outside London Bridge Station on February 20, 2020.

Foord-Paton also pleaded guilty to causing £188 worth of criminal damage to the inside of a taxi.

He was arrested and taken to Brixton Police Station and pleaded guilty to assaulting PC Jordan O’Sullivan on February 21.

Foord-Paton was sentenced to a total of twelve weeks imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months and ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid community service work.

He must also comply with a three-month electronically-tagged nighttime curfew to remain at home between 11.00pm and 5.00am.

Foord-Paton must also attend up to twenty days of a Probation Service-ordered rehabilitation activity requirement.

The court also ordered him to pay £188 compensation for the criminal damage; a further £150 in compensation; £85 costs and a £128 victim surcharge.

Foord-Paton will pay at the rate of £50.00 per month.

Master Tailor's Midnight Mayfair Assault

Cut Up Rough: Benettello

A master tailor, who has worked with the world’s leading designer brands, had to be dragged off his girlfriend as he bashed her head on the pavement outside a luxury five-star Mayfair hotel, a court heard.

Richard Benettello, 41, claims they were drunk after eating and drinking at a landmark Peruvian restaurant and he was guilty of nothing more than “excessive self-defence.”

Benettello, who has worked with Giorgio Armani; Dolce & Gabbana and Burberry, was pulled off girlfriend Solankhe Tchikaya, 37, by a security guard outside The Athenaeum, Piccadilly on May 27, last year.

He pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates’ Court to assaulting the graduate marketing and communications specialist, who attended the University of Westminster and King’s College London.

Benettello, of Fulham Road, West Brompton was bailed to July 29 for a pre-sentence report on condition he does not contact his ex or visit her address in Munster Road, Fulham.

Prosecutor Robert Simpson told the court the couple had just dined at the nearby COYA Mayfair restaurant, leaving at half past midnight.

“The restaurant manager Filomena Clarizio says she heard a call and thought something was happening outside the restaurant.

“She saw the defendant and his partner and he was on top of her and she describes him hitting her head against the pavement.”

The manager gave a police statement explaining: “I saw the male on top. He had hold of her hair and was smashing her head on the ground and security staff came out and separated them.”

Pavement: Tchikaya

Ms Tchikaya told the witnesses: “He gets like that when he is upset,” and Benettello said: “I did nothing.” 

Mr Simpson added: “Security staff from The Athenaeum came out and separated the couple and the defendant was overwrought at the time and there was blood on his hand.”

The blood was Benettello’s and Ms Tchikaya suffered no visible injuries.

“The police were called and he was arrested,” added Mr Simpson. “When he was interviewed the defendant gave a prepared statement and made no further comment.

“The complainant has not supported the prosecution at any time and did make a statement that nothing had happened and would have been a defence witness today if there had been a trial.”

However, Ms Clarizio and the security guard attended and were prepared to give evidence against Benettello.

Milad Shojaei, defending, told the court: “The complainant did not support this prosecution and never has.

“He accepts there was excessive self-defence when they were intoxicated and they had a stumble.

“He accepts he behaved excessively. The paramedics confirm there were no injuries to her head and the blood was the defendant’s.”

Unwelcome Visits: Police Sergeant Banned From Matrimonial Home

A Police Sergeant received a restraining order today, banning him from the matrimonial home he once shared with his fellow-officer wife, who felt harassed by his visits.

Robert Ferguson, 51, an officer with Suffolk Constabulary claimed that because he still part-paid the couple’s mortgage he was entitled to let himself into the property, despite their split.

He was arrested and charged with harassing Emma Ferguson, causing her upset, anxiety and distress on November 15 and December 12, last year by entering the address on a number of occasions.

Today, at City of London Magistrates’ Court Ferguson, of
Ringshall, Stowmarket, Suffolk was due to stand trial, but the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence.

However, the father-of-three’s career will be effected after Deputy District Judge Alex Stein made him subject to a two-year restraining order.

Ferguson is prohibited from contacting Emma, except via solicitors or their three children; going within 100 metres of the former matrimonial home in Cattsfield, Stutton, Ipswich and not entering the curtilage of the property.

Prosecutor Micaila Williams told the court: “The defendant and complainant were a couple for twenty years until October, 2019 and are both serving police officers.

“They have separated and Emma remains in the family home with their three children, two of whom are adults and a thirteen year-old son.

“Mr Ferguson continues to contribute to the mortgage and although their divorce was initially civil it became acrimonious.

“Mr Ferguson would attend to pick-up or drop-off his son and use his key to let himself in or enter through an unlocked door.

“She says she does not want him coming in, but Mr Ferguson said he was entitled because he is still paying part of the mortgage.”

Representatives of Suffolk’s Professional Standards Department were in court and Adam Budworth, defending, said: “The restraining order is going to have a long and lasting impact on his employment.”

Asking for a shorter, six month period, the lawyer added: “Mr Ferguson will effectively lose his employment while subject to the order.

“Since his arrest in December, last year there has been no suggestion of wrongdoing and Mr Ferguson just comes to a lay-by outside the house to pick-up his son and drop him off.”

The judge told Ferguson: “You have been acquitted and you walk away an innocent man, but it is necessary and proportionate to issue the restraining order on acquittal.”

City Workers' Valuables Stashed In Walthamstow

A suspected City thief, who police believe struck in the pubs and bars of the Square Mile, had over 100 stolen items stashed at his home.

Katien Rejise, 39, had 48 mobiles phones; 33 laptops and tablets; 6 sets of Apple Airpods; 2 Rolex and Tag Heuer watches, plus wallets and bank cards nicked from a variety of victims.

City of London Police suspect he targeted licensed establishments, but did not catch him in the act of stealing.

Rejise, of Penrhyn Grove, Walthamstow pleaded guilty to six counts of handling stolen goods and received twenty weeks imprisonment.

It is believed that the total amount of goods seized from Rejise’s address were worth in excess of £100,000.

This included 29 mobile phones stashed in a garden chest of drawers.

During his police interview, Rejise claimed the items must have belonged to his roommate who, he said, repairs items such as laptops and mobile phones. 

Rejise refused to comment when officers asked why the items were being stored in his wardrobes.

Officers are continuing to work through the recovered items to repatriate the stolen property to their rightful owners.

Detective Sergeant Gary Moore said: “Rejise could not provide a realistic explanation as to why he had all these stolen goods in his possession, which ultimately has landed him with a prison sentence.

“This case should serve as a warning to anyone who thinks they can get away with stealing or handling stolen goods that officers will find you and you will be brought to justice.

“We want the City to be a safe place for everyone to work, visit and enjoy and we’d encourage everyone to follow some essential crime prevention advice to deter opportunistic thieves.

“For example, if you’re enjoying after work drinks, try to leave any valuables in a work locker or secure place. 

"If you do have to take these items with you, keep them close by and don’t leave anything unattended. 

"Criminals are very organised and will seek to blend in to their environments to take advantage of unattended belongings.”

NOT GUILTY: Oil Trader Cleared Of Glassing Recruitment Headhunter

Cleared: Albie Crathern

A young oil broker, accused of deliberately smashing a whiskey glass into another City professional’s head - slashing his ear - was cleared yesterday.

Albie Crathern, 22, claimed the complainant -  a recruitment headhunter celebrating his birthday - and his work colleague were “taking the Mickey” and dismissing his claim to be a Square Mile broker.

Crathern, of Heather Drive, Romford was found not guilty of one count of wounding Juan Carlos Roberts, 27, in the Nickel Bar of The Ned, a luxury five-star hotel, near the Bank of England on February 18, 2019.

The Crown Prosecution Service offered no further evidence on day two of the trial and the not guilty verdict was entered.

Graduate recruitment specialist Mr Roberts changed his version of events during his evidence at Inner London Crown Court, claiming the CCTV showed Crathern snatching the glass from his hand instead of his initial claim the defendant picked it up off the table. 

He had consumed five whiskey cocktails and a beer during his birthday celebration with workmate Tom Andrews when the defendant and a friend sat nearby at 9.30pm.

Initially Crathern seemed interested in what smart-suited Mr Roberts was wearing and what he and his friend did for a living in the City, the trial heard.

“They started speaking to us and it got progressively more aggressive. He asked me where I went to university and told Tom if he had gone to university he would have a better job than recruitment.

“He made some sort of derogatory comment about us working in sales and I told him broking is also a sales job.

“It escalated and the defendant said to Tom: ’Shut up, or I’ll knock you out,’ and I asked for the bill and started leaving and I stood in between both of them.

“He picked up my whiskey glass and swung it and I saw it at the last second and turned my face away and the glass smashed my ear and neck.”

However, after watching CCTV from the witness box Mr Roberts changed his evidence and admitted Crathern and his friend were face to face.

He also conceded the whiskey glass was in his own hand. “He takes it from my hand and hits me in the head, you can see it clearly,” added Mr Roberts.

“I had a laceration. My ear was hanging down and a shard of glass went through the back of my head and I had two surgeries.

Birthday: Juan Carlos Roberts

“A few seconds after I lost some sort of consciousness and was ushered to the back of the hotel. When I took the shard of glass  out of my head blood started gushing everywhere.”

An ambulance rushed Mr Roberts to the Royal London Hospital. “It was a fifty fifty chance they could save my ear and the first surgery was to reconnect the ear and the second surgery to remove broken glass.”

He denied a defence suggestion of “making up” the university jibe from Crathern and “talking bull****” about the defendant being a legitimate oil trader.

Crathern’s lawyer Josh Normanton said: “The suggestion is you are taking the Mickey out of this defendant, ribbing and bullying him that he is making up being an oil trader.”

Mr Roberts denied this, saying: “I disagree that we antagonised him about his profession,” also denying Crathern accidentally knocked the whiskey glass into his head.

Crathern says he was striking at Mr Andrews and accidentally caught Mr Roberts’ arm.

“You walk into this and as the defendant strikes across he hits your whiskey glass into your face,” suggested the lawyer.

“Is it true you are standing up to get in the defendant’s face? It is an accident. You have gone into the confrontation and that glass has got knocked into your head.”

Mr Roberts insisted: “It was not accidental.”

“You are trying to find a way to ensure this defendant pays the penalty for the injuries you have suffered,” suggested Mr Normanton. “It is a far from honest account. You have lied.”

Mr Roberts quit his City job after the incident and no longer works in the area. “I have slight paranoia about being outside and in the first year or so it was very challenging.

“I have a large amount of scarring where the shard of glass went through the back of my head.”

He told the court he turned down the option of further cosmetic surgery.

Earlier prosecutor John Livingston told the jury: “He suffered tear injuries to his left ear and Mr Crathern inflicted the wound.

“A shard of glass was smashed into his ear, causing a severe wound. He tears part of the outside of the lobe and part of the ear behind.”

Security staff detained Crathern and police were called to the hotel.

He claimed he was acting in self-defence and told the officers: “I have been provoked. I was reacting to what was said to me.”

Another Sex Offender Bagged?: BTP Release Image Of Suspect

Transport cops are hunting this suspected sex pest after a woman was molested.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this CCTV image and are appealing for the public's assistance in identifying the individual.

BTP are treating the complaint as sexual assault.

At 9.50pm on Sunday, June 19 the female was at Greenford Underground Station in west London.

A man approached the woman and began speaking to her about her bag. 

He then sexually assaulted her and ran away.

Officers believe the man in the CCTV 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 573 of 19/06/22.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Robber Threatened Shop Assistant With Scissors

A scissor-wielding robber, who snatched cash from a retail soft target then similarly struck again five hours later, has been locked-up.

David Jason King, 49, of Verdant Lane, Catford, south-east London picked on lone female shop assistants in Richmond, in the south-west of the capital.

At Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court he received a total of forty-eight months imprisonment.

King was convicted of robbing Claire's Accessories at 11.10am on March 27.

He approached the woman working behind the till and threatened her with a pair of scissors.

King took notes to the total value of £100.00 and left the shop.

Police attended, but King was not located and no forensic opportunities were identified. 

He was also convicted of attempting to rob Cards Galore at 4.20pm on the same day.

The female shop worker was putting the receipt from a payment into an open till. 

At this point, King rushed around to the side of the counter and shouted: "Don't close the till, I want money, I want money.” 

King pushed the woman to the side of the till whilst shouting. 

Despite this she was able to shout for help, for King to stop and held the till shut.

King continued to shout about needing money and demanded the key for the till. 

This lasted for 2-3 minutes before King stopped and left the shop, without stealing anything.

A passer-by heard a commotion and followed the male out of the shop and tried to keep an eye on him until police arrived. 

Officers arrived on the scene moments after the witness lost sight of King. 

However, as they were speaking to the witness, King was spotted by the officers and arrested for both offences.

"A Danger To Women And Girls": Train Predator Derailed

A train sex pest – branded by police as “a danger to women and girls” - has been locked-up for molesting a lone sixteen year-old.

William Roberts, 28, of London Road, Thornton Heath, Croydon harassed the girl and blocked her fleeing the train carriage.

At Reading Crown Court he was sentenced to twenty-four months imprisonment for one count of sexual assault.

He must also sign the sex offenders register for ten years.

At around 6.20pm on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 the teenage girl was travelling on a train between Oxford and Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire.

She went to the aid of a passenger who had fallen unwell and after the sick individual departed at Bicester the victim was left alone on the train.

Roberts, who was travelling in the same carriage, approached her and began repeatedly asking for her phone number. 

She refused to give it to him, insisting that she isn’t interested and was only sixteen years-old.

Roberts sat down next to the victim and continued to persist despite the victim stating that she is uncomfortable with his behaviour. 

He then sexually assaulted her.

Roberts got up and walked down the carriage, before returning to her seat and putting his arms out as if to block her from leaving. 

He attempted to sexually assault her again before the girl pushed him away and escaped.

Following urgent enquiries, Roberts was arrested at his home a month later and in interview claimed that he was only engaging in a “nice” conversation with the victim.

British Transport Police Detective Constable James Egley said: “It’s clear from Roberts’ persistent actions that he is a danger to women and girls and I’m pleased to see him off the network and behind bars.

“This was a truly distressing incident for the victim, who has shown immense bravery coming forward and giving an account of what happened to her.

“No one should be made to feel threatened whilst travelling on the network and we are actively taking serious action against sexual offenders.

“I urge anyone who experiences or witnesses sexual harassment or a sexual offence on the railway to report it to BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40. We will always take you seriously.”

Watch Your Bags: Pickpocket Targeted Grandmother

A female pickpocket, who targeted a grandmother outside busy Oxford Circus Underground Station, has been locked-up.

Vasilka Stancheva, 22, of Sutherland Road, Edmonton was spotted lurking behind the woman - who was with her granddaughter - at 5.20pm on Wednesday, June 15.

Plain clothed British Transport Police (BTP) officers caught her using a leather coat and blue hat as cover, lifting it to hide her right hand as she rooted around in the woman’s rucksack.

Within 24 hours she had been charged with attempted theft, put in front of Westminster Magistrates Court and sentenced to 28 days in jail.

She had already been caught red-handed by BTP officers a month earlier, lurking behind another elderly woman at Tottenham Court Road.

They witnessed her using the same tactic to conceal her hand sticking into the woman’s rucksack, stealing a gold purse with medication inside.

The purse and medication were promptly returned to the victim.

For that offence, she was handed £369 in fines by the court.

Inspector Sharon Turner, of the Priority Crime Taskforce said: “It’s a common tactic for pickpockets to use bags, umbrellas and any clothing to block people’s view as they root around the belongings of an unaware victim.

“These criminals operate in large crowds, often close to major stations, and look to steal from anyone they believe is distracted.

“We have plain clothed officers regularly patrolling across London who are trained to spot this suspicious behaviour.

“For the public, simply just being wary that thieves are operating can make their job that much harder and help us tackle this offending.”

Midnight Tube Attack: Five Suspects Hunted

Police are trying to find these five suspects after two men were violently attacked at Queensbury Underground Station.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released the CCTV images.

Investigating officers are appealing to members of the public for their assistance in identifying the individuals.

One of the victims suffered a broken arm and his companion received bruising to his face and head during the midnight attack.

The two men were walking towards the exit of the Jubilee Line station in north-west London at 12.10am on Sunday, April 17.

They were suddenly attacked by another passenger and several other individuals at the station joined in, inflicting the injuries.

The victim who received a broken arm required hospital surgery to the injury.

Officers believe the people 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 16 of 17/04/22.

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

OAP Accused Of Five Decades Old Murder

Bromley Magistrates' Court

A pensioner, accused of the murder of a prostitute, who was beaten and strangled to death five decades ago, appeared in court for the first time today.

John Apelgren, 79, a dual UK and South African national appeared in custody at Bromley Magistrates’ Court.

Bespectacled Apelgren, of Bryden Close, Sydenham was dressed in a white shirt and blue Ralph Lauren Polo jacket.

He is charged with the murder of Finsbury Park sex worker Eileen Cotter, 22, whose body was discovered in front of a block of garages behind Hamilton Park, Highbury on the afternoon of June 1, 1974.

Apelgren is also charged with indecently assaulting an 18 year-old female guest at his wedding to ex-wife Ann Smythe in 1972.

Prosecutor Maureen Edwards told the court Apelgren - who has since re-married and has at least one son - was a “one in a billion” DNA match to evidence found on Eileen’s body.

He was allegedly matched after submitting to a DNA test on an unrelated matter in 2019.

Eileen was discovered face-down with her buttocks exposed in an area frequented by prostitutes and their clients, accessible via a single track.

A post mortem confirmed the cause of death as manual strangulation, and there was evidence she received a black eye and bruising to her face and neck.

A murder investigation was launched at the time, but nobody was ever charged.

Apelgren, who was arrested yesterday
on suspicion of murder, spoke only to confirm his age and address and indicate a not guilty plea to the indecent assault charge.

He is accused of pressing his penis into the hand of the complainant on his wedding day when she left the ladies toilet.

District Judge Sarah Turnock remanded him in custody on the murder charge to appear at the Old Bailey on June 27.

He was granted bail on the indecent assault charge on condition he does not contact the complainant, who is still alive, and a surviving witness.

"Juiced" Hair Stylist Nearly Four Times Drink-Drive Limit

A hair stylist blamed her juice-only diet for being nearly four times the drink-drive limit when she crashed into a car after leaving a pub, a court heard yesterday.

Gaynor Godwin, 41, had to hold onto one of the arresting police officers’ to steady herself as she staggered out of her vehicle, Bromley Magistrates’ Court was told.

She claimed the collision would probably have occurred even if she was sober, blaming the other vehicle for speeding into her path.

Godwin, of Colebrook Rise, Shortlands, Bromley pleaded guilty to driving her white BMW estate, with excess alcohol in her breath, on May 31 in nearby Glassmill Lane.

She had 130 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit is 35.

Prosecutor Maureen Edwards told the court it was late in the evening when police were called to the scene of the collision, which occurred on a bend.

Godwin appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and was very unsteady on her feet, explained the prosecutor.

The other driver, who was injured, was removed from their Toyota vehicle and taken to hospital.

Godwin’s speech was slurred and claimed she had no more than two white wine spritzers at a local pub and had been drinking up to 10.40pm.

“The police noted she was: ‘incomprehensible to understand,’ explained Ms Edwards and she was taken into custody.

She said she “felt fine” to drive and could not avoid crashing into the vehicle in front when it veered across her and suddenly braked.

Her lawyer told the court Godwin was on a “juicing diet” for weight loss, which she usually completes at a retreat and had not been eating solid food.

Godwin had panicked after realising she had left behind the cash takings from a hair salon she manages in the pub, the court heard.

She insisted she did not feel drunk at the time and was “shocked” to be involved in an accident.

The single-mum supports her widow mother and told the court via her lawyer that she was “extremely remorseful” and produced character references from her employer and a social worker client.

The magistrates made an interim disqualification order, preventing Godwin from driving, until she returns on bail for sentencing on July 13.

HMO "Black C***" Race Assault Row

Race Assault: Lisa Boni

A drunken HMO resident repeatedly called her neighbour a “black c***” and shoved her against a hallway wall during an ants infestation row, a court heard today.

Lisa Boni, 51, who now lives and works at the White Horse pub, High Street, Beckenham was recorded assaulting and racially abusing the woman.

At Bromley Magistrates Court she pleaded guilty to the racially aggravated assault of Jazmin Beaton at Brandon House, Beckenham Hill Road on August 3, last year.

However, Boni claims she was victimised by her neighbour and was on the receiving end of racist and homophobic abuse that was not caught on camera.

Prosecutor Maureen Edwards told the court Boni returned to the Home of Multiple Occupation at 11pm and according to the victim, appeared drunk.

Earlier that day Ms Beaton had taken photos of the ants infestation around the front door and shared them on the HMO’s WhatsApp social media group.

There was a polite discussion about how to rid the property of the ants and when Boni returned home that evening she asked Ms Beaton for a mop and bucket.

“She became quite rude and aggressive and was heard to say ‘black c***’ on many occasions,” explained the prosecutor.

“Boni was recorded saying: ‘You are the most insulting, disrespectful black c*** I have met in my life.’

“The words ‘black c***’ are used about three times and she also said: ‘I pay rent. You don’t, you black c***.’

“This occurred in the hallway of the communal area and the defendant used her hands to push the complainant in the chest against the wall.

“The complainant felt fear and went back to her room and Boni followed, kicking and banging on the door while shouting a barrage of abuse,” added Ms Edwards.

“She shouted: ‘If you have a backbone come out here and I will knock you out. Go back to where you come from, go back to Peck-nam.’

“Boni specifically said ‘Peck-nam’ instead of ‘Peckham’, comparing the area to Vietnam, due to its reputation for violence and black gang culture.”

When she was questioned by police Boni said Ms Beaton had previously subjected her to racial and homophobic abuse outside and had assaulted her.

She denied using the term ‘Peck-ham’ and insisted she said ‘Peckham’ normally.

The court heard Ms Beaton’s attitude towards Boni changed when she discovered she was gay.

Boni says her former neighbour called her a “white c***”; “a fanny licker” and told her she “needs a black man.”

She maintains she only pushed Ms Beaton because she was “in her face” and cannot believe her choice of words during the row.

Boni has not slept at the HMO since the incident.

The magistrates bailed her until July 14 for a pre-sentence report.