Burglary Tragedy: Romanian Gang Targeted 98 Year-Old WWII Veteran

"Mentioned In Dispatches": Peter Gouldstone

A Romanian burglar, whose gang’s plot to break into the suburban home of a 98 year-old OAP resulted in the WWII veteran’s death, was jailed for six years and one month today.

Retired telephone engineer Peter Gouldstone was found by his son Simon, collapsed on the bedroom floor of the property he had happily occupied for over sixty years.

Living alone since the death of his wife in 2013 he suffered severe injuries, including two bleeds to the brain and extensive bruising.

The house was ransacked, including the bedroom the elderly man was sleeping in, and the gang escaped with a Panasonic tv and jewellery with only sentimental value.

Career burglar Nicolae Ion, 32, - aka Patrascu - was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to conspiring with persons unknown to burgle dwelling houses in New Southgate on or before November 6, 2018.

This included the Evesham Road home of Mr Gouldstone, which was targeted by the Romanian gang on Bonfire Night 2018, with Ion captured on a neighbour’s CCTV. 

Police found his fingerprints on the handle of a rear patio door, near another rear door, which had been forced open, but he has always insisted he did not enter the property.

“Two men are seen on CCTV in the garden of a property in Shrewsbury Road staking out a dwelling house, but instead broke into Mr Gouldstone’s rear garden,” said prosecutor Bartholomew O’Toole.

“The defendant’s fingerprints are found outside on the patio door handle and the rear kitchen door was forced and damaged.

Injured During Break-In: Peter Gouldstone

“There was an untidy search, both downstairs and upstairs. They opened drawers and threw items into the bathtub and searched the bedroom of the war veteran, who had been mentioned in dispatches.

“Mr Gouldstone’s son Simon, alerted by a neighbour, found him lying on the bedroom floor unconscious. He was taken to hospital, but never recovered consciousness and died on November 30.”

In his victim impact statement Simon Gouldstone said: “This was all a great shock to both me and my sister and after the burglary I participated in a press conference, gave an interview to the BBC and took part in the Crimewatch programme.

“This was all very challenging for me, but the police and hospital staff were very supportive as were the messages from family and friends and from people we did not even know.

“I have been a conduit for the other local neighbours, who are concerned by threats to their own safety and the police sealed the site for four months before we could enter the house and deal with my father’s affairs.

“My father’s situation was particularly distressing, to assault a ninety-eight year-old with poor hearing is beyond belief for an old tv and items of jewellery with only sentimental value.

“Nobody deserves to die in those circumstances and the toll on the family has been significant.”

Ion fought the charge until the day of his trial and was anxious to distance himself from Mr Gouldstone’s death, even insisting his defence barrister David Langwallner make a futile application for a press reporting restriction. 

He was eventually caught after flying into Edinburgh Airport on September 6, last year from his native Romania while on a Metropolitan Police wanted list.

Ion’s fingerprints were found at other break-ins and he also pleaded guilty to burgling 248 Oaks Lane, Ilford on August 4, 2019, stealing jewellery; two suitcases; a television and two jewellery boxes.

He further pleaded guilty to the attempted burglary, with others, of 32 Manor Drive North, New Malden, south-west London on July 30, 2019.

Ion also pleaded guilty to another burglary in August, 2019 when a conservatory door was smashed down and a television, laptop and cash taken in Waltham Abbey.

He was further sentenced for the burglary of an address in Bishop’s Stortford, where £7,900 worth of cash, laptops, phones, watches, plus a satnav and camera were taken.

He was able to legally enter the UK despite having served sentences of three years and three-and-a-half years in his home country for offences of theft and where he received a suspended sentence for robbery.

While the Gouldstone tragedy was being investigated Ion continued committing offences in this country, receiving 24 weeks for a north-west London burglary in August 2020 when he broke into a residential property and stole power tools.

He also received four weeks custody for breaking into a garden shed in 2020 and stealing a bike and eight weeks imprisonment for driving while disqualified.

Today, he was also disqualified from driving for six years after pleading guilty to dangerous driving during a 3am police chase on March 3, 2019 when his silver Vauxhall collided with a lamp post and parked car.

Two other men were in the car, along with power tools and the apparent proceeds of theft or burglary, but the items could not be traced to any owners.

“It is not the Crown’s case that this defendant caused the death of Mr. Gouldstone,” said Mr O’Toole. “He pleaded guilty on the basis he did not enter the premises, but was with other people who did.

“This was part of a spree carried out by this defendant and others and required a great deal of planning and organisation.

“It would have been apparent there was a vulnerable victim in the bedroom when they continued to steal and Ion is party to that joint-enterprise when the bedroom is entered.

“The offences are at night, there is a vulnerable victim and the group came to the UK from Romania.”

Mr Langwallner told the court: “There is no doubt this is a spate of burglaries by a criminal gang.

“He would show up and be designated a role in this floating community and is not sure of their identities, but there were always two or three people. 

“He is a burglar and he has been involved in a gang that causes terror in people. It is behaviour that is not to be approved or condoned.

“He is specific he did not enter Mr Gouldstone’s home and I do not wish to diminish the honour of this war veteran. It is a horrific set of circumstances.

“He has always maintained he had nothing to do with the elderly victim’s death and was outside.

“He did not learn any lessons from the burglary, he is a persistent burglar and continued to be so.

“The monies were sent back to his family in Romania, where he has three young children.

“He will inevitably serve some of his sentence in Romania and hopefully not be allowed in this country again and hopefully find a better way to be a breadwinner for those children.

“He accepts he is a burglar and has done wrong. He puts his hands up, but says he knew nothing about what happened to Mr Gouldstone.”

Judge Louise Kamill told bearded Ion, who needed the assistance of an interpreter: “You are a burglar, a dishonest man and since 2010 have committed many offences.

“You served prison sentences in Romania before coming to this country and associating with a criminal gang here.

“Their aim was always burglary and you make no secret of it. You sent the money home and from time-to-time you went home.

“This was a particularly serious burglary. The occupant of the house was sleeping upstairs, was hard of hearing and aged ninety-eight years old.

“It is accepted you did not enter, but you were part of the gang when things were taken, including from the bedroom of the man with items piled up in the bathtub.

“Afterwards that gentleman died and you are not responsible for his death, but it was a consequence of the shock and terror of burglary.”

Mr Gouldstone, who worked for the Post Office until retiring in 1980, passed away in hospital three weeks after the break-in.

A post-mortem confirmed the cause of death as complications of a traumatic head injury.

Tube Train Passenger Wanted For Male-On-Male Sex Assault

A tube train passenger says he was sexually assaulted by a mystery man after approaching him for directions.

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

At approximately 10.25pm on Sunday, August 6 the complainant boarded a northbound Northern Line train at Kennington Underground Station. 

While onboard the complainant approached another man, who also boarded at Kennington, to ask whether he was on the correct train. 

He was then sexually assaulted by the man. 

The complainant then moved to another carriage.

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 2300092243.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Instagram Phone Snatch Trick: Suspects Sought

A teenage boy's mobile phone was snatched out of his hand by robbers - who claimed they had a knife – using a social media trick.

The youngster was targeted at the relatively quiet West Dulwich railway station in south London.

British Transport Police (BTP) have begun a robbery investigation and released these CCTV images of their suspects.

They are appealing to members of the public to identify the two mystery males.

At approximately 4.00pm on Tuesday, June 27 the teenager was approached at the station by two young men, who asked him to follow them on Instagram. 

When the boy took his phone out, they snatched it from him. 

When the victim tried to take the phone back, one of the men verbally threatened him by saying that he had a knife.

On the same day, the men used the same tactic to carry out another robbery and attempt one more.

Detectives would like to speak to the men in the image, who they believe may have information that could help their investigation.

Anyone who recognises them is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference number 455 of 27 June.

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

Slambo For Rambo

A knife-wielding teenager has been locked-up for stabbing a youngster with a huge 'Rambo' knife on a busy Victoria Line Underground train.

Amarjay Nkemayang, 19, of Crawshay Road, Brixton, was with a group who followed the 16 year-old victim down to the northbound train, resulting in a knife fight in front of other passengers.

He pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to wounding, with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, between Brixton and Stockwell stations and possession of an offensive weapon on November 23, last year.

Nkemayang, who inflicted a 3cm wound to the victim's left side, was sentenced to six years and four months custody.

Nkemayang and 3 other males met the victim outside a sports shop in Brixton and followed him into the nearby Underground station. 

Both the 16 year-old and Nkemayang entered the same carriage via different doors.

Once on the train, Nkemayang took out his 'Rambo' knife and stabbed the victim.

The 16 year-old armed himself and a knife fight ensued in front of members of the travelling public.

British Transport Police (BTP) officers intercepted the train at the next station, Stockwell, where Nkemayang was arrested and the knife seized. 

He answered no comment in his police interview.

The victim and Nkemayang were not known to each other.

BTP Detective Sergeant, Mike Blakeburn, commented: “This was an extreme and unprovoked act of violence and we are truly fortunate that the outcome was not murder.

“What was especially disturbing was the fact the victim was pursued for no apparent reason into Brixton station by Nkemayang other than for the sole purpose of a knife attack. 

“For this to occur on a busy Underground train on an otherwise normal Wednesday afternoon in suburban London is truly frightening.

“Every single person who travels on the London Underground, and on the wider rail network, deserve to do so without fear of violence in any form.

“Today’s sentence should send a very clear message to all that we will work tirelessly to bring violent offenders like this before the courts to face justice.”

Drunken Wine Importer Accused Of Groping Off-Duty BA Hostess On Business Flight

A drunken award-winning wine importer groped an off-duty British Airways hostess during an overnight flight to Cape Town, a court heard.

Daniel Grigg, 37, who was on a business trip to South Africa, consumed beer, wine and a Bloody Mary cocktail, boasting to the woman: “I get paid to drink,” the jury were told.

The 35 year-old complainant told Isleworth Crown Court from behind a screen: “I was trying to get some rest and turned my back and I felt a hand tickling me on my leg and thigh.

“It was the top of my thigh area and then the hand went under my blanket. I did not think it was happening at first.

“He was tickling and rubbing my leg and then it was like a groping. He knew where his hand wanted to go.”

Grigg, of Gorringe Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire - boss of Museum Wines, Tarrant Hinton, Dorset - has pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual assault on January 15, last year.

A three-time winner of the Decanter Awards Best Specialist Retailer South Africa and the International Wine Challenge South African Specialist of the Year, Grigg was seated next to the woman for the twelve-hour flight.

The multiple texts she sent her husband during the flight were shown to the jury which read: “The bloke next to me is pissed.” “He is doing my head in.” “This bloke next to me is virtually lying on me.”

She told the trial: “He made an odd comment that he was glad that I did not stink and that he was not sitting next to someone smelly and that he was glad he was sitting in that seat, having booked last minute.”

Grigg watched as she face-timed her 18 month-old daughter and he talked about his five month-old twin boys.

“He was very friendly and chatty and told me he was in the wine industry and that he got paid to drink.

“He smelled, he smelled of alcohol. He had been drinking a lot of alcohol and his behaviour changed and he was making odd comments.”

Grigg says he had no more than four alcoholic drinks during the flight and his chatting was merely “light-hearted and jovial.”

“He was shouting and the passengers were telling him to be quiet. The lights were off and the meal service was over,” added the woman.

“His demeanour really changed from the person who got on the flight. I told him to be quiet because people were sleeping and he said he did not care.

“When I came back  from the toilet he said: ‘Where have you been?’ as if I belonged to him and asked what was the craziest thing I had ever done.

“The cabin crew told me to put my earphones in and ignore him and I turned my back on him to discourage him.

“I have a blanket with a picture of my daughter on it that I carry everywhere and he said: ‘Isn’t an economy blanket good enough for you?’

“His hand went around me and I just shot up and woke the lady next to me and went to the back cabin. It made me want to get off the plane, but I was stuck on the aircraft.”

She told the jury the touching was over her clothing, with Grigg’s hand moving below her stomach after tickling her thigh and leg.

“I went to the galley and I burst into tears and then he came to the galley for more alcohol  and was told because of the incident he would not be served any more.”

She was moved to another seat at the rear of the plane. “I put the blanket over my head so he wouldn’t see me.”

A BA colleague advised her it would not be worth reporting Grigg to the local South African police. “I watched a man leave the aircraft after assaulting me and nothing had been done.”

She immediately filed an Air Incident Report and told her union what happened.

The BA employee denied a defence suggestion she was “disenchanted” with her role, due to the time spent away from her daughter. “I do like my job, I love my job.”

Grigg’s lawyer Hannah Beer also suggested she was unhappy about being seated in economy. “Everyone would prefer Business Class, but we have to take what we are given.”

She denied recommending Grigg try a Bloody Mary, but did agree she did not eat her airline meal and texted her husband: “The food was disgusting.”

Grigg’s lawyer also asked if she was angry about fellow-cabin crew not bringing her food from Business Class. “No, I would get into trouble if I ordered a meal from Business Class.”

The defence say the woman gave different accounts of the incident to different people.

Trial continues…………  

GUILTY: Sex Therapist And Church Youth Worker Convicted Of Grooming 13 Year-Old Boy

A sex therapist and church youth group leader was today convicted of trying to meet an imaginary 13 year-old boy after online sexual grooming and communication.

Psychotherapist Giles Dee-Shapland, 51, did not know the under-age youngster had been created in a citizen-led operation, believing he was communicating with a genuine teenager.

After engaging in sexually-explicit conversations with the ‘boy’ Dee-Shapland was detained in a sting operation.

After a trial at Isleworth Crown court the jury of six men and six women unanimously convicted him on two counts and Dee-Shapland was bailed to return for sentencing on December 4.

According to his online biography he studied at Exeter; Greenwich and Kingston Universities, is Harley Street-trained and specialises in trauma and psychosexual disorder.

Dee-Shapland, of Walham Green Court, Cedarne Road, Fulham describes himself as ‘Sexpert at SimplySxy’.

Before the trial he pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity on September 19, 2020.

The jury found him guilty of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child on August 8, 2020 and attempting to meet a child on October 3, 2020 after grooming.

“One has to take into account there was not a real child and it was an attempt. That has to be taken into consideration,” said Dee-Shapland’s lawyer Helen Butcher.

Asking that the sentences on each of the three counts are not added together she added: “There is a degree of totality that has to be taken into account.

“This is a man in his early fifties, without any convictions and my application is for a pre-sentence report.

“I ask for bail to continue. These offences date back to 2020 and nothing has arisen since and there was nothing on his devices that were seized.”

Judge Lindsey Rose announced: “There are also issues about his mental and physical health and in the circumstances I should have a pre-sentence report.

“I want to consider the risk of harm and re-offending and to know what risk this defendant poses.”

Dee-Shapland is already on the sex offenders register, having pleaded guilty to one count in July, last year and the prosecution confirmed they will be applying for a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Judge Rose told Dee-Shapland, who uses a walking-stick and was accompanied by a male companion: “You will be sentenced by me for the offence you pleaded guilty to and the two offences the jury convicted you of.

“I want to have information from the Probation Service regarding your background and risk and you should have no illusions as to how I deal with your case.

“I have custody in mind. These are very serious offences.”

Female Passenger Targeted By Tube Train Creep

A tube train pervert, who tried to expose himself to a female passenger and followed her to her stop, is being hunted by police.

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

At approximately 10.00am on Monday, May 8 the woman was travelling on a Central Line Underground train when she was targeted by the mystery man between Mile End and Bethnal Green stations.

He deliberately sat opposite her and raised his leg on to the handrail and began rubbing his groin. 

As he attempted to expose himself the victim loudly confronted the male and moved away.

She saw the individual leave the train at Bethnal Green as he shouted at her from the platform. 

However, when she alighted a stop later at Liverpool Street Station, the same man was on the platform.

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 181 of 08/05/23.

Tik Tok Troublemaker 'Mizzy' Back In Court

Leaving Stratford Magistrates' Court

Notorious Tik Tok prankster ‘Mizzy’ yesterday pleaded not guilty to four breaches of his ‘Crimbo’ order, which bans him posting online videos of people without their permission.

The 18 year-old, real name Bacari-Bronze O’Garro, of Manor Road, Stoke Newington, appeared on bail at Stratford Magistrates’ Court.

He will return for an all-day trial on October 26 and was bailed on condition he lives and sleeps at the home address he shares with his mother.

He is charged with two counts of breaching a court-imposed Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) on May 24.

On that date O’Garro is alleged to have uploaded video content to social media, without the prior documented consent of the people recorded, in Tower Hamlets and Westfield shopping centre, Stratford.

He is also charged with breaching a CBO on May 26 in Hackney by uploading video content to social media, without the written permission of those in the recording.

O’Garro is further charged with again breaching a CBO in Haringey on July 7 by uploading video content to social media, without the prior documented consent of the people recorded.

The prosecution today dropped a charge of failing to comply with a police anti-social behaviour Section 35 direction to leave Finsbury Park on July 7.

O’Garro has made a name for himself online after posting videos of forcing himself into other people’s homes and cars; taking a distressed elderly lady’s pet dog; kicking people off their bikes and being a nuisance in shops and libraries.

Busy Mizzy: Stratford Beware

Today his lawyer Paul Lennon told the court: “He did not upload the content directly or indirectly. That is the defence.”

The Westfield shopping centre charge concerns ‘Mizzy’ engaged in a “piece to camera” as passers-by walk behind him without having given their consent to be recorded and broadcast online.

He was ordered to remove his trademark red hat by District Judge Matthew Bone as he entered the secure dock and only spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address and to enter his pleas.

“This young man has been facing these allegations for some time so we are going to do this as soon as possible and have a quick trial,” announced the district judge.

Prosecutor Varinder Hayre confirmed the Crown’s case was that O’Garro was responsible for the content because it appeared on his social media accounts.

“They must be his, via someone else. How else would they get passwords etc. Is that your case?” asked Judge Bone. “There is no issue this material appeared on his account.”

The CBO does not ban O’Garro completely from the internet.

“The order was made so that he can still engage in other social media because preventing a young person engaging in social media is like cutting their hand off,” added the judge.

“We are dealing with a very young defendant facing serious allegations and he needs to know one way or the other what the verdict will be.”