"Pure Evil": Hospital Health Carer Who Exploited Cancer Patients

A former hospital health care assistant, who went on spending sprees with cancer patients' credit cards, has been locked-up for fifteen months.

Mira Solmaz, 33, of Mare Street, Hackney was described as “pure evil” by one victim – a former NHS nurse – who was fighting for her life while under her care.

She was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court after pleading guilty to five counts of fraud and three counts of possession of articles for use in fraud.

She also pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering, which will remain on file.

Solmaz, who had direct access to the victims’ wards, admitted her crimes following a police investigation, which found the cards were linked to her via email addresses, telephone numbers and home addresses.

Investigators also obtained Solmaz’s screenshots of her transactions.

In early April, 2021, 65-year-old Hazel Longhurst, a cancer inpatient at St Batholomew’s Hospital, became aware of transactional activity from her cards, despite being in hospital at the time. 

The patient’s daughter made a police report on April 7 and it was discovered approximately £1,660 worth of fraudulent purchases were made on those cards.

Hazel said: “She targeted me while I was fighting for my life. For a person who is supposed to be in a position of care and trust to do this is just pure evil.

“I've worked for the NHS as a nurse my whole life, I'm just in disbelief that someone can do what she did and the actions of this one person has made me uneasy and more wary of people now.”

Another cancer inpatient at St.Bart's, Todd Mallonee, 48, realised on December 21, 2020 his credit card and other items were missing.

Solmaz spent £360 on his card and his wife contacted the police. Sadly Mr Mallonee passed away on April 28, 2021.

Detective Constable Stacie Cottrell, of City of London Police said: “Mira Solmaz violated the trust and confidence of two vulnerable patients placed in her care, where the families of the victims expected their loved ones to be looked after.

“I would like to extend my condolences to Todd’s family and friends. I’m saddened that he wasn’t able to see Solmaz brought to justice.

“I’m very grateful to the families of these victims in reporting this to the police and supporting this investigation.”

"Dangerous Individual" Tried To Throw Young Woman Onto Live Rail Tracks

A “dangerous individual”, who tried to drag a young woman onto live railway tracks when she rebuffed his advances, has been locked up.

Matthew Griffin, 24, of Russell Close, Bexley dragged the woman towards the live rail at New Eltham station, but was thwarted by another passenger and the victim slipping out of her coat.

Investigating officer DC Gemma Lee said: “To say this was a terrifying incident is an understatement. The woman was literally fighting for her life as Griffin tried to drag her onto the tracks.

“The impact of this attack has been immeasurable - she has been mentally scarred from what happened and continues to have flashbacks and panic attacks.

“Griffin is a dangerous individual who is now behind bars. It is hoped this will provide some comfort to this brave woman and allow her to begin her recovery.”

At Inner London Crown Court Griffin received two years and four months imprisonment after pleading guilty to attempted grievous bodily harm.

He must also comply with a five-year restraining order, which prohibits him contacting the victim.

The court heard how on Thursday, October 26, last year, Griffin approached the young woman at the suburban south-east London railway station. 

When he attempted to engage her in conversation and she refused he became aggressive and threatened to throw her onto the tracks.

He repeated the threat before dragging her from behind in an attempt to throw her onto the live rails. 

Griffin’s attack only ended when a member of the public intervened and the woman managed to slip out of the coat she was wearing.

Perverted Swimming Pool Voyeurs Preyed On Girls

Dennis (L) & Morgan (R)

A pair of perverted voyeurs have been sentenced for recording thousands of girls and teens in swimming pool changing rooms and cubicles.

Adam Dennis, 38, (pic.l) and Robert Morgan, 32, (pic.r) were only caught when police investigating an assault onboard a train seized a mobile phone containing the images.

The pair visited leisure centres and pools all over London and south-west England and police identified approximately 6000 victims, many of them unidentified.

They would hide in cubicles and position a hidden camera under the partition to secretly record the next-door female changing. 

Dennis, of Ernest Fitches Way, Littlehampton received twenty-two months imprisonment and Morgan, of Bradmore Park Road, Hammersmith received twenty mont
hs, suspended for two years.

At Inner London Crown Court Dennis pleaded guilty to a voyeurism conspiracy; conspiracy to make indecent images of a child; conspiracy to distribute indecent images of children and possessing indecent images of a child.

Morgan pleaded guilty to voyeurism; conspiracy to make indecent images of a child; conspiracy to distribute indecent images; three counts of possessing indecent images; possessing a prohibited image of a child, plus drug possession.

He was also ordered to complete 120 hours community service work and a attend a rehabilitation programme.

Both men were also made subject to a nine-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

This prohibits them sharing explicit images of women and children; entering any leisure centre female or mixed sex changing room; contacting each other or anybody they suspect or know has committed a sexual offence regarding children.

The two men came to detectives’ attention as a result of a separate investigation into an assault, which happened onboard a train in March, 2017 when a mobile device was seized. 

They were both subsequently arrested for voyeurism offences in November, 2017.

Forensic examination of items seized from their addresses showed covert filming of victims in the bathroom and images of victims in changing room cubicles. 

Online chats showed them sharing and trading images of victims filmed covertly in swimming pool changing rooms and creating profile documents for them.

Officers have been able to trace a number of victims, some who were children at the time of the footage being captured, to inform them of the investigation. 

None of those who were spoken to were aware of being filmed or had given anyone permission to film them whilst they were getting changed. 

The investigation flagged at least 6000 potential victims and detectives have identified a number of these, however a large number of the photos are unidentifiable.

Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Claire Jackson-Harwood, said: “This has been a long running investigation with officers working tirelessly to ensure the victims get the justice they deserve. 

“Dennis and Morgan’s insidious actions will have a life-long impact on the victims who were preyed upon while they innocently enjoyed a hobby.

“They have given no thought to the victims and simply acted for their own gratification. 

“Not satisfied with just recording the images, they have worked together to go on and create profile documents and researched their victims on social media. 

“These actions make this offending even more shocking. I hope this outcome gives the victims the closure they deserve.”

'Mr & Miss Black And Beautiful' Boss Emptied Friend's Inheritance

A social justice entrepreneur avoided prison yesterday with a suspended sentence for stealing a one-time friend’s £23,249 inheritance she was entrusted to look after.

Nichola Dame Hartwell, 50, is the Director of ‘Mr and Miss Black and Beautiful’, a “community focused non-profit social enterprise” aimed at assisting the career prospects of the young and underprivileged.

She was happy to assist her lodger Paul Atherton when he inherited the money from his late mother, but had no bank account of his own for it to be paid into.

He planned to give the entire sum to his son when he turned eighteen years-old.

Hartwell, of Kennings Way, Lambeth - a Social & Policy graduate from South Bank university - vowed to look after the money in her own account, but instead spent the lot.

She spent years fighting the case, but after an Inner London Crown Court trial was convicted of two counts of theft between July 19, 2015 and March 11, 2019.

“This is in breach of trust,” Recorder Leo Seelig told a tearful Hartwell, who was sent to prison in the nineties for similar offences. “He trusted you to safeguard his inheritance and you stole it.

“It must have been painful for him that you used that money as your own.”

Hartwell was sentenced to two years imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months and must complete 120 hours community service work, plus fifteen days of a rehabilitation activity requirement.

She was described as having a “long term” friendship with Mr Atherton, who suffers with chronic fatigue and had stayed at her address on different occasions.

He did not have or want a bank account and arranged for the inheritance to be transferred to Hartwell’s “dormant account” without any written contract or agreement.

Over the next four years Hartwell says she used the money for day-to-day expenses, but always intended to repay Mr Atherton, until the balance was reduced to just £6.00.

She told the court: “It was not malicious or calculated. It was for living costs, for food and items for my accuser, I remain innocent in this instance.

“I felt I had borrowed the monies and I was always going to pay it back.”

Hartwell continues to maintain her innocence and is appealing the conviction at the High Court, insisting Mr Atherton was impossible to find to repay the money.

She told the court a prison sentence would destroy her plans for motherhood and interrupt her private fertility medical treatment as well as the care she provides to her 94 year-old grandmother. 

“The money stolen was of substantial value to Mr Atherton and there was financial harm as a result of the loss of that money and emotional distress to him and, no doubt, his son,” said Recorder Seelig.

“You continue to deny these offences, but I must do justice to the jury’s decision,” he told Hartwell. “You agreed to hold this money in one of your bank accounts on his behalf.

“At some point you decided you could treat the money as your own. If you did borrow it with the intention to repay you have not done so.”

None of the money has been repaid by Hartwell, who will now be subject to a Proceeds of Crime Act investigation in an attempt to identify any of her assets.

Train Creep Hunted For Sexual Assault

A female train passenger was deliberately targeted by a mystery male, who sat next to her and sexually assaulted her.

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

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

Between 7.10pm and 7.40pm on Saturday, February 24 the victim was travelling on a train from Woolwich Arsenal to Cannon Street.

She was approached by a man who sat next to her. 

He stared at her before sexually assaulting her and verbally harassing her.

The woman left the service at London Bridge with the man following her onto the platform before reboarding the train towards Cannon Street.

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

Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 783 of 24 February 2024.

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

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.