Bus Stop Attack: Suspended Sentence For Triple Jaw Fracture

Hospitalised: Chris Goulding

An actor and musician, who suffered a triple jaw fracture during an unprovoked late-night bus stop assault, has “completely lost faith in justice,” after seeing his attacker avoid prison.

Chris Goulding, 33, was on the receiving end of a flurry of punches from drunken 30 year-old Ben Robertson, resulting in his jaw being wired for three months and restricted to a liquid-only diet.

A total of four metal plates and sixteen screws were required to hold his jaw together and two tubes were inserted into his neck to drain fluid away.

Apprentice welder Robertson, formerly of Belton Fields Lane, Belton, North Lincolnshire fought the charge, but was convicted by a jury of inflicting grievous bodily harm in Borough High Street, Southwark on September 1, 2020.

Since the attack he has served a separate ten-month prison sentence for assaulting his father and has been convicted of offences of criminal damage, possession of an offensive weapon, threatening behaviour and another assault.

Prosecutor Matt Ward told Inner London Crown Court: “This was a relatively prolonged assault while Mr Goulding was on the ground and the offence was clearly committed under the influence of some alcohol.”

Suspended Sentence: Robertson

Mr Goulding had just enjoyed an evening out with his girlfriend and after walking her home was set upon by Robertson as he waited for a bus near Southwark Police Station at 10.30pm.

Fortunately three off-duty police officers were nearby and broke-up the assault, but not before clearly seeing Robertson land at least three heavy punches on the prone victim.

In his victim impact statement Mr Goulding - who has been unable to work since he was attacked - confirmed he suffered a “life-threatening infection” and lost nearly two stones in weight.

He has needed at least twenty-seven return visits to King’ College Hospital and suffered bone loss, nerve damage and facial numbness.

Mr Goulding was a drummer on the London live music scene, but in his victim statement confirmed he has spent long periods of time “housebound” and had been left “physically and emotionally exhausted” by the ordeal.

He relied on home nursing visits and twice collapsed during his long recovery and was admitted to A&E with heart palpitations.

He has signed-off work with PTSD, has been diagnosed with depression and continues to have a fear of attack when in public.

Describing his recovery struggles as a “horrific catalogue of events,” Mr Goulding took to the witness box to tell Recorder Jonathan Richards he is now “resigned to a life of mundanity.”

He has permanent facial numbness, causing difficulty eating and drinking and now dislikes loud and busy places, in contrast to his former live music pursuits.

“I had a complete physical breakdown,” Mr Goulding told the court. “It has had a devastating effect on my future career prospects.”

He even saw a Harley Street psychiatrist after developing nervous ticks and twitches when under stress and was prescribed valium for stress.

Robertson’s lawyer Laura Stockdale told the court her Doncaster-native client’s once-promising future was ruined by mental health issues and cannabis use, forcing him to quit his Newcastle University degree course after two years.

Ordeal: Mr Goulding

He has been sectioned multiple times under the Mental Health Act, suffered depression and more recently was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic.

“At the time of the offence he was homeless, having been kicked out of his home in Doncaster and he did apologise in his evidence for the extent of Mr Goulding’s injuries.”

Robertson has now secured housing association accommodation in William Street, Scunthorpe.

Mr Golding says he was attacked by two men, with only Robertson prosecuted and has a clear memory of being kicked by the defendant and seeing the sole of his trainer coming down.

The trial jury cleared Robertson - who claimed self-defence - of the more serious offence of inflicting GBH, with intent, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Recorder Richards told him: “Three off-duty police officers saw you throwing punches. You punched him repeatedly in the face, causing really horrific injuries.

Outside Court: Chris Goulding

“Mr Goulding in no way posed any threat to you that night, yet you continued to punch a man who was on the ground. It was a really serious offence.

“The injuries are extremely serious. A triple-fractured jaw requiring plates and screws to be inserted and straws were inserted into his neck to drain fluids.

“Your mental health issues played a significant part in your assault on Mr Goulding and you caused grave injury to Mr Goulding that has resulted in a permanent condition.

“The paranoid schizophrenia diagnosis goes a long way to explaining your conduct that night and you were of good character up to that point.

“You now appear to have turned something of a corner and started to build a better life for yourself and get your life back on track and have stayed away from alcohol and drugs.

“The prisons are, as everyone knows, overcrowded at this time and that makes a custodial sentence harder on you, given your mental health.

“The pre-sentence report says that you are at low-risk of re-offending and are determined to stay on the right track.”

Robertson was sentenced to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years and must comply with a two-year mental health treatment order and a twenty-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

Mr Goulding did not remain in court after hearing Robertson’s prison sentence would be suspended and outside said: “I have completely lost faith in justice and have lost faith in my country.

“I am also concerned for the public as we now have a violent paranoid schizophrenic on the streets who poses a danger to the public.

“He is getting on with life. He’s been given a housing association flat, I can’t get a council flat, he has an apprenticeship and I have had four years of hell and s***.”

BLM Supporter Denies Damaging RAF Memorial Poppies

A Black Lives Matter supporter, accused of deliberately destroying poppy wreaths at an RAF Bomber Command WWII memorial, has
denied the charge.

Soulman Cosmic Freedom, 58, also shouted: “I am innocent,” from the dock at Southwark Crown Court, where he will return for trial on June 1, 2026.

Freedom, of Beech Avenue, Acton arrived at court wearing a forensic-style fully-length body overall adorned to the rear with an image of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence and the words: ‘Black Live Matter’.

He changed out of the outfit for the court hearing itself and also swapped his ‘Black Lives Matter’ facemask for a plain white alternative.

Freedom is charged with causing criminal damage to the poppy wreaths at the Green Park memorial, belonging to the City of Westminster, on June 30.

The memorial, which features seven bronze statues of Bomber Command airmen, was unveiled by the late Queen Elizabeth II on June 28, 2012 to commemorate the 55,573 aircrew who lost their lives.

Woman Beaten By Farringdon Station Beggar In "Brutal Attack"

A lone woman received these injuries when she was repeatedly punched in the face by a beggar near Farringdon rail station.

City of London Police have released the image and are appealing for members of the public who witnessed the disturbing assault or think they may know the suspect to come forward.

On July 3, between 9.00pm and 10.00pm the woman was walking near the station when a man, who had been sitting on the floor, approached her and asked her for money.

The man then went on to attack the woman.

The suspect pulled her arm and hair and repeatedly punched her in the face and arms. 

She sustained multiple bruises from the assault.

Detective Chief Superintendent Mandy Horsburgh, head of specialist operations at the City of London Police, said: “This was a brutal attack on a woman in the City. 

“No woman or girl should be made to feel unsafe or threatened while walking in public. 

“We are extremely grateful to the victim for allowing us to show the extent of her injuries for this appeal.”

“Although we believe this to be an isolated incident, it is still a terrifying assault on a woman and we want to catch the person responsible.

“I am asking for anyone who may have witnessed this incident, or know the suspect, to come forward to help our investigation.”

Anyone with information can contact us on 020 7601 2222 with reference 406747. 

Shoplifter Jailed And Banned From Square Mile

A shoplifter who plagued the City of London has been jailed and banned from the Square Mile.

Oyas Ali, 53, of Barnet Grove, Shoreditch regularly made the short journey to Boots, Moorgate in particular, stealing over £1600 worth of goods.

Described by City of London Police as a “professional thief” he already had twenty-five convictions when sentenced for five new counts of theft.

Ali received fourteen weeks imprisonment and was made subject to a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order 'CRIMBO', which bans him from entering the City.

Inspector Dan Green, of the Proactive Acquisitive Crime team said: “This is another great result in banning a prolific thief from coming into the City and a reminder to criminals that we will bring them to justice.

“We will use all our resources in keeping businesses and members of the public safe. 

“Oyas Ali had committed these offences and anti-social behaviour, with no thought or consideration to anybody he had come across.

“This Criminal Behaviour Order will act as a deterrent to reoffending. If Ali breaches it he could face further jail time.”

The Proactive Acquisitive Crime Team focuses on crimes such as theft of bags, phone snatches and shoplifting.

Female Canada Water Passenger Sexually Assaulted

A female passenger at Canada Water Underground Station has been molested while queuing for an escalator.

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

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

At approximately 7.20pm on Saturday, July 20 the woman was waiting in a line of fellow-passengers at the to use an escalator at the Docklands station when she was sexually assaulted by an unknown man.

Officers believe the person in the image, who they are anxious to trace, has information that could assist their enquiries.

Anyone who recognises the mystery male or has any information is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 653 of 20 July.

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

Sex Crime Detective Molested Female Colleague At Police Xmas Party

Croydon Magistrates' Court

A Detective Constable attached to a specialist sexual offences unit, who drunkenly molested a female officer during an off-duty Christmas party, has been sentenced.

Jose Poonsawat, 39, was attached to the Metropolitan Police’s Sapphire unit, which investigates rapes and serious sexual assaults in the capital.

He pleaded guilty at Croydon Magistrates’ Court to sexually assaulting the woman at the Lambeth event on December 15, 2022.

Poonsawat, of Schoolhouse Yard, Bloomfield Road, Plumstead, who was sacked three weeks ago for gross misconduct, received a four-month alcohol ban as part of the sentence and will wear an electronic ankle tag monitor.

It was a case of brief one-off inappropriate touching, which the fast-tracked police disciplinary hearing heard left the victim “horrified”.

Poonsawat was made subject to a Community Order, which includes an alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement until December 21.

He must also comply with a four-month electronically monitored curfew and remain at home between 8.00pm and 6.00am until the same date.

Poonsawat was also ordered to pay £85 costs and £114 victim surcharge.

Mum's Drink Drive Crash

A mother-of-two, who crashed into another car while over twice the drink-drive limit and with a pair young children in her vehicle, has received a court-imposed alcohol ban.

Ramune Gaigalaite, 37, was seen swerving all over the road and into the path of oncoming traffic before the collision.

“Police officers noted she smelled of alcohol, her speech was slurred, her eyes were glazed and she was unsteady on her feet,” prosecutor Pamela Ciesla told Croydon Magistrates’ Court.

Gaigalaite, of Rokewood Apartments, High Street, Beckenham pleaded guilty to driving a Vauxhall Mokka in nearby Westgate Road on June 13 with excess alcohol in her breath.

Her reading was 85 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

She also pleaded guilty to being drunk while in charge of two children, namely boys aged five and seven years-old, who cannot be identified.

Gaigalaite was sentenced to a Community Order, which includes a sixty-day Alcohol Abstinence Requirement monitored by the Probation Service.

She must remain dry until October 21 or can be prosecuted for breaching the order and re-sentenced - possibly to imprisonment.

Gaigalaite was also disqualified from driving for eighteen months.

“She was witnessed by officers driving erratically,” explained Ms Ciesla. “She was all over the road and crossed the centre line into oncoming traffic and collided with a black VW Golf.”

Gaigalaite failed a roadside breath-test and was arrested.

“She seemed incapable of keeping control of the children and the police officers had to ensure they did not step into the busy road.

“The offence is aggravated by carrying passengers and being involved in a collision.”

The first-time offender’s lawyer Bruce Reid told the court: “They are not the most serious offences, although I choose my words carefully because there are aggravating features to the excess alcohol charge.

“She was feeling overwhelmed and was drinking at home although she says alcohol is not a problem for her.

“She was under extreme pressure, looking after the children.”

GUILTY: Priest Convicted Of Nicking £200 Mass Collection

Court Out: Father Pantisano

A parish priest has been convicted of stealing £200 from his church’s Sunday collection after being caught on CCTV helping himself to the cash.

Father Fortunato Pantisano, 44, fought the charge, but was so unconvincing in the witness box magistrates said his evidence assisted the prosecution case against him.

The Italian-born priest, who was ordained at Westminster Cathedral in 2013, was based at Our Lady of Perpetual Help church in Tynemouth Street, Fulham.

He was found guilty at City of London Magistrates Court of stealing the money, which was never returned, after the second mass of the day on January 7.

Father Pantisano, who has had to move to accommodation at St. Edward’s Convent, Harewood Avenue, Marylebone, was bailed for a pre-sentence report.

The trial heard he was reported to police by parish volunteer John McGranaghan, who had placed the two wicker baskets in a locked office, which could also be accessed from the priest’s house.

“This was the collection from the parishioners for the two masses that morning,” he told the trial. “We went back to count the offertory and there were two empty baskets and the collection had gone.”

He suggested collection money had been going missing at the church recently. “Because of what had been happening in the previous weeks I decided to go back to count the money that day.”

Fortunately CCTV in the office showed Father Pantisano enter via an adjoining door, remove the two baskets containing cash from the room, then return them empty.

Called Police: John McGranaghan

The Diocese of Westminster Director of Resources, Robert Walker told the court there are strict rules regarding the cash collections and individual priests cannot simply help themselves to the money.

“Basically I see the money going from one hand to the other and it is taken without authorisation,” he said regarding the CCTV. “He is taking individual notes from the baskets and leaves with the money.

“There is no reason for him to be in there at that time, particularly as he was suspended.”

Father Pantisano was arrested on April 30 and gave a ‘no comment’ interview at Hammersmith Police Station.

He told the trial he was not suspended and was entitled to be in the office, but could not recall if he had taken any of the collection money.

“I do not remember taking any money. If I did it was not my intention to be dishonest, it was to buy food maybe, I don’t remember.

“Sometimes there are emergencies like homeless needing money or charities or the priests need to buy food.”

Sermon: Father Pantisano

Prosecutor Nathan Paine-Davey asked the priest: “It is not credible to say you do not remember taking the money, is it? It is what has brought you here today.

“You have gone into that office by unlocking the door from your side and taken that money. That’s the truth isn’t it?”

Father Pantisano replied: “I am the parish priest and I have a right to be there. The money is given for the priests to decide what to do.

“I deny stealing and I have no other comment.”

Mr Paine-Davey told the magistrates: “The defendant cannot tell you why he had his hands in the baskets and took them out of view. That is not credible.

“The purpose of removing the baskets was to steal money out of sight of the CCTV and only today we hear this vague, rambling account of what happened.

“You just can’t put your hand in a collection basket. That is dishonesty.”

Guilty: Father Pantisano

Father Pantisano’s lawyer Nina Reinach said: “To be found guilty of this offence would be incredible serious. This is a man of good character who has never been in trouble and that has to be counted to his credit.”

Finding him guilty bench Chairman Stuart McCaighy told the priest: “You took money and envelopes of money from the wicker baskets into a room outside the view of the CCTV.

“You took money from those baskets and you could not give us any reason why you were in the office or a credible explanation why you were taking the money.

“You gave no reason for handling the money or any examples of why the £200 was missing. Your lack of credibility strengthened the case against you.

“We are sure beyond reasonable doubt you dishonestly appropriated this money. The bench find you guilty of this offence.”

In his impact statement Mr Walker said: “This has caused an incredible amount of mistrust between the church and the parishioners. It only takes one person to do something wrong to ruin the reputation of the rest.”

Mr Paine-Davey added: “Clearly this defendant holds a position of trust within the church community. That is an aggravating factor as far as sentencing is concerned.”

Two Eleven Year-Old Schoolgirls Molested On Underground

Two eleven year-old schoolgirls were molested while travelling together on a Central Line tube train.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this image of a mystery male they are hunting.

Investigating officers are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying him.

BTP are treating the incident as two sexual assaults.

Sometime between 3.00pm and 3.30pm on Tuesday, July 16 the girls were travelling between Bethnal Green and Holborn stations. 

During that journey they say they were molested by a unknown man.

As they left the train at Holborn the man then attempted to grab one of the girls and pull her towards him, but she managed to get away.

The man left the train at Holborn and boarded a Piccadilly Line train.

Officers believe the man in the image has information that could assist their enquiries.

Anyone who recognises him or has any information is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 491 of 16 July.

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