Dogs Of War: Pooch Poo Stabbing

A passer-by was stabbed in the Square Mile after complaining to a dog-owner his pet had soiled the pavement.

Fortunately, the victim's injuries – inflicted during an early hours confrontation - are not life-threatening.

However, City of London Police are treating what they describe as a “knife attack” seriously and are hunting the perpetrator.

They have released this CCTV image and are requesting the public's assistance in identifying the suspect.

The victim challenged an unknown male on Saturday, December 16, near the junction of Ropemaker Street and Moorgate.

During the subsequent disagreement the victim was stabbed.

Detective Sergeant David Honan, of the City of London Police, said: “We would like to speak to anyone who recognises the man or has any additional information about the knife attack that took place in the City of London in the early hours of Saturday 16 December.

“If you see this man, please do not to approach him, instead contact the police on 020 7601 2222.

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

Alternatively, people can email cidmain@city-of-london.pnn.police.uk using the reference 770896 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Knifepoint Robbery Of Designer Jacket

A train passenger has been robbed at knifepoint of their designer jacket at Peckham Rye station.

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

The frightening incident happened on Platform 2 at around 3.20pm on Tuesday, November 14 at the south London railway station. 

An unknown male approached the victim, ordering them to hand over their expensive jacket and then threatened them with a knife.

The victim handed over their jacket and the man left the station towards Rye Lane.

Officers would like to speak to the man in the image who they believe may have information that could help their investigation.

Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference number 369 of 14/11/23.

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

Season's Greetings & High Court Update

Happy Christmas to all of our readers.

Best wishes for this holiday season and we hope you had a positive 2023 and will enjoy an even better 2024.

Some of you may know that a year ago a convicted fraudster, whose case was published on this site, pursued a totally unmerited High Court claim that was dismissed in its entirety after a one-day contested trial.

A year on that fraudster, who habitually and falsely complained that the editor of this site did not comply with High Court rulings, has continued to ignore one of the most important of all – the payment of costs.

Identified only as “Ms C” during the trial (what an appropriate title) the highly-respected Mr Justice Griffiths said of her: “Ms C now denies that she was dishonest or guilty. She is stating a false case....”

Since the ruling this editor's conduct has been quoted in legal texts and in advice to professional journalists as to how conduct oneself regarding accuracy; evidence gathering and retention of records.

A tremendous amount of time and work was committed to defending this false claim and thousands of pounds in costs are still owed by “Ms C” to the editor.

“Ms C” was fanatical about adhering to court orders during this case, but does not seem so keen on obeying this one.

Funny that, isn't it?

Best Wishes, Editor.

Bald Cheek: Are There More Victims Of This Train Sex Offender?

 A “predatory” train sex offender, who deliberately targeted lone female passengers – molesting them while pretending to be asleep – has been finally caged.

Adriano Repetti, 46, struck while travelling on trains between his Cambridge home and London's King's Cross.

He was eventually caught when his final victim texted British Transport Police (BTP) during the assault and officers were waiting at the journey's conclusion.

Another of Repetti's victim's witnessed the police arrest and told officers he had molested her during a previous train journey.

At Inner London Crown Court Repetti, of Manor Way, Fulbourn, was sentenced to four years and three months imprisonment.

He also received a seven-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, prohibiting him sitting near lone females on any form of public transport.

Four victims of Repetti were identified, but BTP believe there are more.

He pleaded guilty to offences of sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault.

In a clear pattern of deviant and predatory behaviour, he would choose a seat next to a lone woman, trapping them by the window. 

He would then pretend he was falling asleep and reach out and touch his victims.

At around 7.30pm on the August Bank Holiday, Monday August 28, Repetti targeted a woman on a train from Cambridge to King's Cross station. 

He started to touch her and ignored her when she asked to leave her seat. 

Despite being very scared, the woman bravely texted BTP on 61016, while Repetti was sitting next to her. 

At 7.37pm, the victim texted 61016: “I have no idea where to report this to but some guy is touching me on the train.” 

At 8.05pm, BTP officers met the train at King's Cross station, where they arrested Repetti.

In a fortunate coincidence, another woman saw Repetti being arrested and came forward to tell officers he had also assaulted her on Saturday August 19. 

A BTP investigation revealed Repetti had targeted women throughout July and August.

He was identified as the offender in two further incidents:

• On 22^nd July 2023, Repetti targeted a 25-year-old woman. She took a photo of him as she left the train and later sent it to British Transport Police.
  

• On 23^rd August 2023, Repetti sexually assaulted an 18-year-old woman on a train to Kings Cross. Upon arriving at Kings Cross, the woman bravely came forward to officers at the station to report the assault.

Detectives believe that Repetti is likely to have committed other offences and urge other victims to come forward.

In his police interview, Repetti was unrepentant and, while he admitted his actions, said he did not think he was targeting women.

Detective Constable Mark Luker said: “Repetti’s predatory actions have traumatised his victims and they have all been deeply affected.

“Despite this, they were brave enough to come forward to police and, thanks to their testimony, a dangerous sex offender is now behind bars.

“Anyone using the rail network to offend in this way should know that British Transport Police have officers looking for you day and night. You will not get away with it.”

Seventeen Year-old Girls Attacked By Mystery Females

Do you recognise these two females?

Police are hunting these mystery suspects after two seventeen year-old girls were attacked from behind at Benfleet railway station, Essex.

The victims were shouted at as they passed a pair of young women, who then participated in a joint assault.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this CCTV image of their unknown suspects and are appealing to the public for their assistance in identifying them.

At approximately 7.30pm on Tuesday, October 10 the two 17-year-old victims left their train service at the station. 

As they headed towards the stairs to exit the station, they walked passed two young women, who shouted several comments towards them.

At the bottom of the stairs, the first young women assaulted one of the victims from behind. 

When the second victim tried to remove her friend from the situation, the second young woman proceeded to assault her.

After a member of rail staff intervened the pair jumped over the station barrier and left the station.

Officers believe the two women in the images released may have information which could help their investigation.

If you recognise them, or have any information, please contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 2300119859.

Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Mercedes Driver In Court After Wandsworth Bridge Tragedy

Charlotte Sagnay de la Bastida

A Mercedes driver appeared in court today charged in relation to the tragic death of an engaged psychology graduate, described as a “true princess,” who was fatally injured on Wandsworth Bridge.

Charlotte Sagnay de la Bastida, 27, studied psychology at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland and graduated from King’s College London with a Master of Science in Psychology.

She was pronounced dead at the scene after being struck just to the south of the bridge while crossing Bridgend Road, Wandsworth at 10.00pm on March 16, last year.

Octavian Cadar, 38, of Exmoor House, Clydesdale Way, Belvedere, Bexley appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court charged with one count of causing death by dangerous driving.

He was bailed unconditionally to appear at the Old Bailey on January 16, next year.

Despite an Air Ambulance attending the scene, sadly nothing could be done to save Charlotte, who was employed by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust as a research assistant within their Department of Psychology.

She is the daughter of Ecuadorian politician Carlos Sagnay de la Bastia - uncle of private art collector Harriet Clapham, the wife of Sotheby’s director Harry Primrose, Lord Dalmeny. 

Her fiancé Michael Williams was allowed into court to attend the conclusion of today’s hearing, as Cadar was bailed to appear at the Central Criminal Court.

Octavian Cadar

Following the tragedy Charlotte’s closest friend Kristina Smirnoffa wrote: “It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Charlotte Sagnay de la Bastida at the young age of twenty-seven.

“Charlotte was everything, a loving fiancé to Michael, a caring friend, a kind daughter, a hard worker, a fantastic cheerleader.

“Charlotte was the main character in most of our lives. Charlotte lit up every room she walked into.

“She was a true princess and a fighter. She was beautiful inside and out…for the way she thought…for the way her eyes sparkled…for the way she lifted others up around her.

“She was taken from us so soon, so suddenly, without a goodbye. Charlotte will be missed dearly.”

At the time Detective Constable Jenny Burr, who led the initial investigation, said: “Wandsworth Bridge is a popular and busy route across the Thames and it is likely that people either witnessed the collision, or may have dash-cam footage that could assist our investigation.

“I am appealing to those people to get in touch. Our thoughts are with her family.”

Tube Station Attack: 16 Year-Old Girl Assaulted

A 16 year-old girl was beaten to the floor and hospitalised by two mystery females – currently hunted by police - at Bermondsey Underground Station.

The teenager had shared a lift with three other women – one with a child's buggy – and was attacked after leaving for the Eastbound platform.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released these CCTV images of their two suspects and are requesting the assistance of the public to identify them.

It was approximately 1.30pm on Sunday, August 27 when the girl entered the station via Jamaica Road, Southwark.

After the short lift journey she was approached on the platform by one of the women.

She was assaulted and pulled to the floor and a second woman from the lift joined in the attack.

All the three females then made their way to the Westbound platform and left the station onboard a train.

The victim was left with injuries that were treated at hospital.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact BTP by calling 0800 40 50 40 or texting 61016, with reference 2300100555.

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

Tarby's Car: Veteran Comic's Hit-And-Run Crash

Veteran entertainer Jimmy Tarbuck has been caught after a hit-
and-run crash into parked cars near his £5.5m home in one of south-west London’s most exclusive neighbourhoods.

The 83 year-old comedian was recorded driving his two-litre green Lexus away from the scene on a neighbour’s Ring doorbell - leaving a row of damaged vehicles behind.

Liverpool-born Tarbuck - affectionately known as ’Tarby’ - did not appear before Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to the offences by post.

The court heard the collision occurred in Coombe Gardens, New Malden, near Tarbuck’s home, New Hartwell, Coombe Park, Kingston-upon-Thames, a private gated community.

He pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention; failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident on May 15.

Tarbuck was fined £716, with £110 costs and ordered to pay a £286 victim surcharge.

His clean driving licence was endorsed with five penalty points.

Prosecutor Laura-Ann Harding told the court the incident occurred at approximately 3.30pm: “The defendant drove a vehicle without due care and attention.

“They collided heavily into stationary vehicles, causing severe damage and at the same time an accident occurred with another vehicle, a Vauxhall Corsa and they failed to stop when required and give their name and address.

“Multiple vehicles were hit and one was shunted forward three houses. Nobody was injured as all the vehicles were parked and empty at the time.”

The magistrates were played footage from the Ring doorbell, which showed Tarbuck slowly dragging along the Vauxhall Corsa beside his car and then continuing away from the scene. 

Tarbuck, whose sixty-year career in showbusiness includes hosting ’Sunday Night at the London Palladium’ in the mid-sixties, which enjoyed an eighties reboot as ‘Live from Her Majesty’s.’

He has also hosted tv game shows ‘Winner Takes All’; ‘Full Swing’ and Tarby’s Frame Game,’ and was the regular host of ‘Tarby’s Bar’ during ITV’s coverage of the FA Cup Final.

Tarbuck, who has three children, including actress Liza, sent a letter to the court apologising for his actions.

Bench Chair Dr. Samantha Cobb announced: “We have read his mitigation and the bench fully accept he is full of remorse and is deeply apologetic.

“We accept this was utterly out of keeping with his character and we take into account he had recently lost his sister and it had been her funeral in the preceding days.

“He says he cannot explain why he did not stop that day.”

Harley Street Sex Therapist Sentenced After "Public Shaming"

A Harley Street-trained registered sex therapist was trapped in an internet sting after grooming and trying to meet an imaginary 13 year-old boy after explicit online chats.

Giles Dee-Shapland, 51, also a registered psychotherapist and hypnotherapist encouraged ‘Ben’ to play with himself and promised to take him to gents’ toilets to witness or engage in gay sex.

Describing himself as a ‘Holistic Sex Therapist’ and member of the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis Dee-Shapland employed his skills and experience to groom the boy.

At Isleworth Crown Court he received twenty-two months imprisonment, suspended for two years and is now subject to a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, prohibiting unsupervised contact with children.

Church youth group leader Dee-Shapland, of Walham Green Court, Cedarne Road, Fulham describes himself as ‘Sexpert at SimplySxy’ with a special interest in trauma and psychosexual disorder.

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 unanimously convicted him 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.

Dee-Shapland was exposed by the citizen-led Phoenix group, who confronted him at Bayswater Underground Station, where he had arranged to meet the boy.

He has since complained about the “public shaming” aspect of his exposure as a sex offender.

“This was a decoy person operated by the so-called paedophile hunter group Phoenix,” explained prosecutor Oliver Wellings. 

Dee-Shapland was on an adult internet chatroom when he began communicating with ‘Ben’.

“This defendant engaged in extensive communication about his sexual experience and encouraged ‘Ben’ to pleasure himself and arranged to meet him to ’show him the sights.’

“In his evidence to the jury he sought to portray himself as a sexual therapist, assisting a young boy with his sexuality.

“There was extensive grooming with ‘Ben’ who was a real thirteen year-old boy as far as the defendant knew. The amount of chat was considerable over a three-month period and was persistent and prolonged.”

Judge Lindsey Rose told first-time-offender Dee-Shapland: “Ben stated that he was thirteen years-old, but that did not stop you for a moment.

“I do not accept that communication was for friendship, it was for sexual reasons and it lasted three months.

“I have seen the large amount of messages sent back and forth and within a few messages you started talking about sexual matters and your sexual urges.

“You continually pushed the conversation back to sexual topics for your own sexual gratification.

“You hoped that this would develop further and pushed him to say how he felt about you.

“You saw your opportunity to meet this young boy when he said he was coming to London. 

“You did not plan to just show him around, but to take him to mens’ toilets and your intention was for him to be involved or watch others engage in sexual activity.

“In clear manipulating behaviour you told him what to say to his mother about meeting you.

“You are a trained psychotherapist and sex therapist and you used your training and expertise in those online conversations. It is clear you used that knowledge and training to manipulate what you thought was a young child.

“I’m told you have been subject to shaming online and face-to-face and have not been able to assist at your church, where you have been an active member.

“You still do not accept you are sexually attracted to children and are someone who cannot face your criminal behaviour.

“These are very serious matters,” Judge Rose told Dee-Shapland, adding she was only able to suspend the sentence because she felt he was capable of addressing his offending.

“The defendant has been a member of a regulatory body and I want to check they are aware of these convictions and it is noted on their register,” added the judge.

“He is not practicing and has not been for some time,” said Dee-Shapland’s lawyer Helen Butcher. 

“This was one very unfortunate episode out of the blue. This has been quite a shattering experience for him.

“He felt he was of high regard and was seen by others in a high regard, but there has now been public shaming, which is perhaps unique to these offences, causing anxiety for his own safety and stress.

“He is assessed as a ‘low risk’ of re-conviction and there has been nothing since September, 2020.

“He is described as isolated, lonely and seeking meaningful relationships.”

Dee-Shapland was also sentenced to a six-month electronically-monitored tagged curfew between 9pm and 6am and must complete a thirty day rehabilitation activity requirement.

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