Special Constable Jailed For Stealing Police Equipment

A police-obsessed Special Constable, who stole equipment - including a bodybag - from multiple stations he worked at as a civilian employee, was jailed for twelve months today.

Special Constable and Acting Sergeant Toby Biginton, 24, also pinched police radios; batons; keys; computer equipment and warrant cards, Croydon Crown Court heard.

He fought the case and the jury were played recorded footage of the search of his home, which recovered £3,268 of stolen equipment, found amongst Biginton’s collection of Police Academy DVD’s and The Bill box sets.

“You don’t take these to add to your collection of police memorabilia,” Judge Deborah Charles told him. “A bodybag is not a collectable item.

“There is no evidence you used these items for a nefarious purpose, but having said that I heard your evidence and found it troubling and the jury were right to reject your explanation.

“I cannot come to a conclusion  about what you intended to do with some of these items,” the judge told the first-time offender, who became a first-time father to a daughter three weeks ago.

“I can’t think of any good reason why anybody would have a bodybag and the jury rejected your explanation that you took it home by accident.

“I accept there is no evidence you did anything nefarious with that item, but it is the potential opening of the door to other crimes that concerns me.”

Biginton, of Rosecroft Close, Orpington was convicted of six counts of theft between August 1, 2020 and September 10, 2021, plus two counts of possessing three police batons as offensive weapons on September 10, 2021.

He was a police civilian employee, working with the custody services team responsible for ordering and supplying uniforms to the Met and was a representative for special constables under investigation.

Biginton was sacked from his civilian job with the Met on August 31, last year and dismissed from his special constable role on December 16, 2023.

“This young man was a serving member of police staff, where he was a Team Leader and was also a volunteer special constable and supervisor, with the rank of sergeant,” prosecutor Shekinah Anson told the trial.

“Police officers attended the address he shares with his grandmother and during a search they recovered items of property belonging to the Metropolitan Police Service.

“The Crown say he was dishonest and had these items without authority or permission and without the knowledge of his line manager.

“Mr Biginton did not have the authority to have these items in his possession and he did not tell anybody or record that he had these items.

“He received training regarding the handling of Metropolitan Police property and equipment,” added Ms Anson. “He knew those policies and procedures as a member of police staff and volunteer police officer.”

Six stolen police radios were found. “They gave Mr Biginton access to live police communications in the entire Metropolitan Police area and the Kent force.

“There were two solid police batons and an extendable ASP baton.”

Biginton was questioned about having those batons. “He said he intended to donate them to the police cadets for talks, give them to Bromley Police Cadets,” explained the prosecutor.

“He was treating these items as his own to do with as he pleased. he had numerous opportunities to give the batons to the cadets, but failed to do so.

“He took these items in breach of trust over a period of time.

“He said the radios were for a charity event and he failed to return them and the computer equipment allowed him to access sensitive information.

“He said he had the computer equipment so he could work from home and the laptop was for his special constable work.”

Biginton also had keys for an unmarked police vehicle and master keys for police lockers and insisted he always intended to return them.

He claimed to not even know he had possession of a stolen bodybag. “He said it was at the bottom of a cardboard box he used to move stuff between Bromley and Bexley police stations.

“He was randomly taking things from police stations he was either working at or visiting.”

Today she told the court: “An unusual and aggravating feature is these offences were committed while Mr Biginton was a volunteer Special Constable and a serving member of police staff.”

Biginton, who was based mainly at Bexleyheath Police Station, is now fighting the convictions before the Court of Appeal and his next hearing is Thursday.

His lawyer Michael Chambers said: “From a very young age he was somebody who wanted to join the police force

“There is no suggestion he had these items for a nefarious purpose. He did not think he was doing anything wrong or dishonest.

“There is nothing sinister here about the purpose of taking Metropolitan Police property.

“The impact of his offending is particularly significant for him. It was a job that he loved and he was well-regarded within the Metropolitan Police.”

The court heard Biginton’s grandmother’s house, which he shares along with his father, was searched on September 10, 2021 by officers investigating a separate allegation, when the stolen property was found.

That allegation, which has not been revealed, was not proceeded with.

“The computer equipment you took gave you access to sensitive police information,” Judge Charles told bespectacled Biginton, who arrived at court wearing a smart suit, shirt and tie.

“These were sophisticated offences and property was smuggled out of police stations.

“This sort of criminality has a significant impact on the public’s confidence in the police service and potentially open the door to other offences and you have shown no remorse at all.

“I have come to the conclusion that despite the conditions in our prisons and the impact on your grandmother I would be failing in my duty if I did not mark these offences with an immediate custodial sentence.”

Biginton did not react or show any emotion he was sentenced to immediate imprisonment and taken into custody.

Canning Town: Determined Bag Snatch Victim Foils Wannabe Mugger

A woman was injured as she desperately clung into her bag when targeted at an east London underground station.

The victim was approached from behind by a mystery wannabe-mugger while waiting for a tube train at Canning Town at approximately 7.50pm on Monday, March 4.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this CCTV image of their suspect.

They are appealing to members of the public for their assistance in identifying him. 

The victim was sitting on a westbound platform bench with her friend waiting for a Jubilee Line train when a male approached from behind and grabbed her beg.

As he attempted to pull it from her she clung onto the bag and was dragged to the floor, suffering minor injuries. 

The man eventually gave up and ran away.

Officers believe the man in the image may have information which could assist their investigation.

If you recognise him, or have any other information, please contact BTP by texting 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 639 of 4 March.

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

Golders Green Rabbi Accused Of Molesting Young Female

Rabbi Aaron Halpern & barrister David Sonn

A Jewish Rabbi appeared in court today,
where he pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexually assaulting the same young woman.

Aaron Halpern, 65, of Bridge Lane, Golders Green, north London is charged with two separate counts of sexual assault between June 1, 2022 and July 31, 2022.

He appeared at Harrow Crown Court - sitting at Hendon Magistrates’ Court - which bailed him to return on June 4 for a further plea and case management hearing.

Prosecutor Emma Antonelli told Judge John Lodge, the Harrow Crown Court Resident Judge: “This is being treated as a serious sexual allegation.”

The investigation was led by the Metropolitan Police’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) unit following a December, 2022 television interview in which allegations were made.

Halpern was arrested on March 9, 2023 and first appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on April 19, this year where he indicated a not guilty plea and was bailed to the Crown Court.

Today, he was bailed again on conditions he does not contact the complainant; does not broadcast or communicate details about the case and does not engage in the proceedings of a Beth Din - a jewish religious court.

Train Pics Assault: Suited And Booted Suspect Hunted

A train passenger, who challenged another man for randomly taking pictures of female passengers was grabbed by the throat and violently shoved.

The victim was with his partner on an Elizabeth Line service just before 10.00pm on Saturday, March 16.

He confronted a mystery male he saw capturing images of women on the train as it travelled between Paddington and Ealing Broadway.

The couple challenged the man, who proceeded to assault the victim, grabbing him by the throat and pushing him back.

British Transport Police (BTP) are treating the incident as an offence of assault.

Investigating officers have released this image of their suspect.

They are appealing to members of the public to assist them in identifying them.

Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 843 of 16 March 2024.

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

Tube Train Passenger Knocked Unconscious

A tube train passenger was suddenly knocked unconscious from behind by a mystery attacker.

The man was walking through Highbury & Islington Underground Station in north London when felled by the blow.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this image of their suspect and are appealing to members of the public to assist identifying him.

It was shortly before 10.00pm on Sunday, March 31, when the victim was struck from behind, causing him to black out and collapse to the floor. 

Officers believe the man in the image may have information that could help their investigation.

Anyone who recognises him or has further information is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 554 of 31 March.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Speeding Star: Ex-Arsenal Forward Paul Merson Banned From Roads

Former footballer turned tv soccer pundit Paul Merson was banned from the roads for six months yesterday after being caught speeding four times in the space of eight months.

The 56 year-old ex-Arsenal star already had three speeding convictions on his driving licence and the additional penalty points triggered an automatic ban.

The Sky TV ’Soccer Saturday’ star, of Victor Road, Teddington, Richmond-upon-Thames, appeared at Guildford Magistrates’ Court, where he received three penalty points for each new offence.

He was repeatedly caught driving his silver three litre VW Touareg over the speed limit in south-west London and Surrey throughout 2023.

Merson pleaded guilty to exceeding the 50mph limit on the M3 motorway in Thorpe, Surrey on February 27, last year by driving 10mph over the limit.

He also admitted twice exceeding the 40mph speed limit on Great Chertsey Road, Twickenham by 7mph on both occasions on September 9 and September 11.

Merson further pleaded guilty to exceeding the 50mph limit in Country Way, Feltham on October 1 by driving at 7mph over the limit.

“We have heard what has been said on your behalf and take into account your guilty pleas and the circumstances and the speeds you were doing,” magistrate Joan Lindsay told him.

“However these were four matters in a relatively short period of time and looking at your driving record, which is not great we will add points and you will be a totter and be disqualified.”

The magistrates also fined Merson £2,640, with £110 costs and ordered him to pay a £1,056 victim surcharge.

Merson made a total of 749 club appearances, scoring 154 goals and won 21 full England caps, scoring three international goals during his playing career.

The Harlesden-born forward was a product of the Arsenal youth system and went onto play for Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, Portsmouth and Walsall.

Merson won two league titles with Arsenal; plus the FA Cup; League Cup and European Cup winners’ Cup and also managed Walsall for a brief period.

Three-times married Merson is a father-of-eight and currently shares a £900,000 house with his wife and their three children, aged nine, six and three years-old, with the eldest attending Chelsea FC’s football academy.

His lawyer Nicholas Maggs told the court: “There are no aggravating features beyond the fact of the speed and because of the number of offences, Mr Merson faces totting up.

“I wish to express his remorse. He pleaded guilty by post at the earliest opportunity and apologises to the court through me.

“In each case these are relatively modest speeds, compared to some these courts consider.

“These are roads with variable speed limits, they go up and down and Mr Merson did not appreciate at the time that they were varied.

“The disqualification will have a substantial effect on him and his family. He lives with his wife, who does not drive, and their three children.

“Mr Merson is responsible for the school run for the two oldest children  and his son, aged nine, plays for Chelsea Academy, which is a forty-five minute drive for him.

“This is a substantial commitment with matches and practice four times a week and Mr Merson is the only option for driving his son there.

“It is going to make things substantially more difficult.”

In 2021 Merson revealed his gambling addiction costs him almost £7 million, resulting in the losses of houses, cars, his pension, marriages and ultimately his self-respect.

“As a younger man Mr Merson suffered a number of difficulties himself and has tried to turn that around and speaks to different organisations every week.

“Sometimes these are charity events, not paid, and the purpose is to help young people address their own mental health problems, whether that’s gambling or alcohol addiction,” explained Mr Maggs.

“He has received a number of replies saying how positively he has effected them and his work has contributed to a government white paper concerning gambling.

“The advertising of the gambling companies had changed and they now take much more responsibility regarding their customers and how much money they are gambling.

“Mr Merson has played a significant part in general terms, specifically regarding gambling and mental health with young men who have an interest in football and know him.

“He is not seeking to say his son will not attend football and he will not attend speaking engagements as he sees that as an important part of his daily and weekly life, but the disqualification will make things more difficult for him and his family.

“These speeding offences were not significantly over the limit and he acknowledges it is not acceptable and expresses his remorse for that.”

“Driving while disqualified is a very serious offence so do not risk it,” the magistrate Mrs Lindsay told Merson. “Do not risk it, even for short periods as it is an imprisonable offence.”

Creepy Train Driver Targeted Sleeping Female Passenger

An off-duty train driver took upskirt images of a sleeping female passenger while riding a service after his shift.

Thameslink driver Paolo Barone, 51, of Brackley Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire was travelling home on Thursday, September 15, 2022 when he preyed on the unsuspecting woman.

Still wearing his Thameslink uniform on the Blackfriars to St Albans train he repeatedly captured the images on his mobile phone throughout the forty-five minute journey.

British Transport Police have described the offences as a “disgusting violation” and the victim was described as “horrified” when later informed of the shocking event.

As he prepared to leave the train at St Albans he then took more images, positioning his phone so that it was directed up the woman’s skirt.

His employer identified him and Barone was arrested at his home address.

Three phones and a computer were seized with one of the phones found to contain five images of the woman.

He was found guilty of voyeurism and sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for 12 months.

He must also complete a 55 hour Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and sign the sex offenders register for seven years.

Investigating officer DC Daryl Keogh said: “Wearing his work uniform meant Barone was in a position of trust when he committed this vile and disgusting violation. 

“Seeing the woman was sleeping and vulnerable he took the opportunity, not to watch out for her, but to commit this hideous act.

“The woman was horrified when she learned what had happened as she slept.

"We will stop at nothing to deter, pursue, arrest and bring sex offenders on the railway network to justice.

“Every report is important. See it or experience it, you can report anything that makes you uncomfortable.

"We urge everyone to save 61016 to their phones and download the Railway Guardian app before you travel so you can discreetly get in touch with us if you need us.”

Jean Cockerill, People Director for Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “We were shocked and appalled to learn about this incident. 

“As soon as we were made aware we followed our internal procedures, which included suspending the individual as soon as he was identified.

“We hold our colleagues to the highest standards of conduct and this type of behaviour will never be tolerated.

“We thank the person for their courage in coming forward and reporting this crime, and we encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses this type of behaviour on the railway to report it to the British Transport Police.” 

No Love In This Elevator: Police Investigate Railway Station Assault

A teenage girl had her hair pulled and was struck to the face during a violent row with a mystery woman in a railway station lift.

British Transport Police (BTP) are treating the incident as a “serious assault” as their investigation continues.

Investigating officers have released this CCTV image of the suspect.

They are requesting the assistance of members of the public to help identify her.

At approximately 2.50pm on Friday, March 15, the 14-year-old victim entered the lift at Tilbury Town railway station. 

A woman with a small child then entered the elevator and an altercation ensued before the woman pulled the teenage girl’s hair and hit her in the face.

Officers believe the woman in the image may have information that could help their investigation.

Anyone who recognises her or has further information is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 435 of 15 March.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Actress Liz Hurley's Model Nephew Caught Drink-Driving

The model nephew of actress Liz Hurley was caught drink-driving by police, alerted to his erratic midnight driving in his two-litre BMW, court heard.

Miles Hurley, 27, was speeding up and slowing in the 20mph zone, tailgating cars in front after enjoying drinks with his football teammates.

The six-foot son of Liz’s older sister Kate Curren has strutted the Dolce & Gabbana catwalk and more recently was pictured with cousin Damian Hurley at the luxury Italian fashion brand’s DG Logo Bag cocktail party launch.

He also accompanied his famous aunt at ‘The Royals’ New York series premiere, the US series in which Liz plays an imaginary Queen of England.

Hurley appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Friday under his mother’s married name of Curran.

He pleaded guilty to driving his grey BMW Gran Coupe SE with excess alcohol in his breath in Lambeth on April 14.

Hurley had 45 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

He still resides in the same Nile Elms neighbourhood where he was stabbed in 2018, losing six pints of blood during a road rage attack for which nobody has been prosecuted.

Prosecutor Sophie Thompson told the court: “It was around midnight when officers’ attention was too drawn to a vehicle because the car was speeding up and slowing down and was very close to other vehicles.

“The driver was pulled over and alcohol was smelled on the breath of this defendant and he failed a roadside breath test for alcohol and was arrested and taken into custody.

“An aggravating factor is that there was an unacceptable standard of driving in that he was speeding and tailgating other vehicles.

“The officers said he was driving at an excess speed.”

Hurley’s lawyer Mark Haslam handed in character references on behalf of his client and said: “I am slightly troubled by the way the prosecution suggest the manner of driving was an aggravating factor.

“This took place just after midnight when there was not much traffic around in a 20mph zone so because of the nature of the road it is not possible for the defendant to have been travelling at a vastly excessive speed.

The officer simply says ‘at some speed’ without offering an estimate. It is not quite the picture that has been painted,” added the lawyer.

“The defendant accepts he should not have been driving, but when asked to stop he did so immediately and was fully co-operative with the police from the beginning.

“The defendant is of good character and the irony is he played in a football match and had some drinks afterwards and then a meal on the night in question.

“He did not drink for a while and then took the decision to go home, which he accepts was a misjudged decision to drive, although it was a relatively short journey.

“You will see a true assessment of the character of this young man in the references, his positive good character,” said Mr Haslam.

The court heard Hurley earns £750 per week from his employment with an estate agent and a property-related business he started with friends.

“He will not lose his job, but there will be a very significant impact everyday on his working life. Each day he will be restricted from what he was able to do.

“He is going to suffer financially because of the restriction of the disqualification. His income will be reduced as he will not be able to work to his full ability.”

Hurley was fined £750, with £85 costs, ordered to pay a £300 victim surcharge and disqualified for twelve months.

“It is very disappointing to see you here, the first time you have been in court and hopefully the last,” magistrate Stephen Roberts told him.

“This was a stupid mistake. An expensive mistake.”