Kensington Palace Pest Guilty Of Harassing Royal Household

Pest: Jack Oliver Lyons

The granddaughter of Princess Alexandria and Royal Household staff at Kensington Palace were harassed on their personal social media by a pest, obsessed with contacting the Duke of Gloucester, a court heard.

Zenouska Mowatt, 34, the childhood friend of Princess Eugenie, who is 59th in line to the throne, gave evidence at City of London Magistrates’ Court, along with the other victims.

Jobless Jack Oliver Lyons, 31, was convicted of harassing her and former Army officer Alastair Todd, Chief of Staff and principal advisor to the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

He was also convicted of harassing Mr Todd’s PA Chelsea Pearce and Royal Household programme co-ordinator Jemima Hobbs.

District Judge Michael Snow found Lyons guilty of harassing Ms Mowatt - the great-great-granddaughter of King George V - between January 28, 2023 and May 9, last year.

She received three Instagram messages from Lyons in 2023. “She described that they unnerved her and she found them unsettling,” announced the judge.

“After unblocking him he was again following her within a day and she found that particularly unsettling.”

There was further Instagram contact on November 19, 2023 and earlier LinkedIn contact in March and April that same year.

Ms Mowatt told the trial: “I was unnerved and upset.”

“She was closely followed online by him and not surprisingly she was unnerved and upset,” added Judge Snow. “The conduct was calculated to achieve that end.”

Ms Mowatt was also contacted on her work email in September, 2023 and again on LinkedIn in May, last year.

Lyons was always polite, but persistent in trying to communicate with the Duke of Gloucester, who he was convinced could assist him with a legal music copyright issue.

The Duke’s private secretary Mr Todd told the court the constant phone calls from Lyons were “very annoying in a busy office” and he was concerned about the effect it was having on his young staff.

L to R: Jemima Hobbs; Alastair Todd; Zenouska Mowatt & Chelsea Pearce

Judge Snow convicted Lyons of harassing Mr Todd between February 13, 2023 and August 28, last year. “I am quite satisfied Mr Todd was alarmed and distressed by the continual contact.”

The first phone call was in January, 2023 and was followed-up by emails and contact via LinkedIn. 

Lyons even personally attended Kensington Palace, claiming he had an appointment with the Duke of Gloucester, HRH Prince Richard.

A total of eleven emails were sent from Lyons’ home and were blocked, resulting in the defendant using a new email address to continue contact.

Eventually an exasperated Mr Todd agreed to personally take a phone call from Lyons. “He told Lyons in no uncertain terms to stop the calls.

“The fact that there was no contact by Lyons after being told to stop is evidence that he was not delusional,” said Judge Snow.

“In fairness Mr Todd did not say he was caused alarm or distress, but found it very annoying. The conduct amounted to criminal conduct and contact continued in breach of his bail conditions.”

Ms Pearce, who attended Wiltshire’s private Stonar School, which has annual boarding fees up to £50,000, told the one-day trial she received two telephone calls from Lyons on April 2, last year, asking to speak to the Duke of Gloucester.

She received calls from two different phone numbers two days later. “The second call was slightly more forceful and aggressive,” she told the trial.

“He made contact via my LinkedIn, Instagram and twitter and also asked the office to be able to speak to Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.

“I was quite alarmed as it is rare someone would call three times in quick succession. It is quite alarming,” added Ms Pearce.

She did not reply to any of Lyons’ messages to her personal social media and dismissed his claim he met her in a Peterborough pub ten years ago, when she was underage anyway.

“I did feel it was an invasion into my personal life. I don’t live behind police-manned gates and I commute into work everyday.

“It is, in my eyes, harassment and very unsettling and I believe it could be potentially threatening with the amount of contact. I am a young woman and this is an older male.”

Ms Hobbs, who attended £57,000 a year private girls’ boarding school Benenden in Kent told the court she received four telephone calls from Lyons, using three different mobile numbers.

“It was quite unsettling because they were different phone numbers and it makes you feel quite uncomfortable.

“I had no idea who this person was and no idea of what he was talking about.”

After the calls to the office in April and May, last year Ms Hobbs was contacted by Lyons via LinkedIn on May 9, claiming he had a “legal emergency” and needed to speak to the Duke of Gloucester ASAP.

“It is very distressing and quite concerning that he has stalked me online, found my surname and gone to the effort to message me.

“It is horrible and not very nice, especially as a young female and not knowing who this person is.”

Lyons has never denied he was the person making contact and was arrested by officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Royalty and Specialist Protection.

Lyons’ lawyer James Martin submitted the charges should be dismissed. “They are all public-facing media accounts and the whole point of them is to allow people to contact you.

“They are designed to make it easy to contact you.”

The trial heard medical evidence which described Lyons as “educated and intelligent” but unable to properly understand his contact was “legally or morally wrong.”

However, prosecutor Mr Jonathan Bryan said: “He was pushing the boundaries and seeing what he could get away with.

“Mr Todd may have struck you as a stiff upper lip person who would not exaggerate the situation,” the prosecutor told Judge Snow. “He made efforts to block Lyons’ phone.

“Lyons attempted to visit the Duke of Gloucester and all of the other three complainants give evidence that he sought out their social media and tried to contact them.

“The fact that a stranger can contact them is not an invitation to do so and all four witnesses have given evidence of the effect it has had on them, the effect the harassment has had on them.

“They found the calls to the office unsettling and Lyons was someone known in the office as constantly calling beyond annoyance and irritation.

“He knew what he was doing was wrong and used different numbers to call because he knew he should not have been calling in the first place,” added Mr Bryan.”

Mr Martin said there was a less sinister reason his client was utilising different phone numbers. “He is trying to make contact and his number is blocked.

“He is just trying to get around a practical impediment and his behaviour was always polite, but persistent.”

Judge Snow found Lyons harassed Ms Pearce between April 2 and May 9, last year. “These are her personal accounts and it is easy to see why she found this disturbing and alarming.”

The Judge also convicted his of harassing Ms Hobbs between April 15 and May 9, last year. “This is a man who was seeking out individual victims.

“Ms Hobbs said she was concerned she was being stalked. She found that quite horrible and upsetting and I am satisfied she found that alarming and distressing.”

Lyons, who has never worked and relies on family financial support was conditionally discharged for two years and ordered to pay a £26 victim surcharge.

“I have taken an exceptional course,”Judge Snow told Lyons, who did not give evidence in the trial.

He also made him subject to a five-year restraining order, prohibiting contact with the four victims; the office of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester; the Royal Household switchboard and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

“If you do contact the victims you will be in serious trouble,” Judge Snow told the first-time offender.

Taxi Driver Caught Supplying Cocaine In City Of London

A London black cab driver has admitted supplying cocaine all around the Square Mile.

Exploiting the anonymity of his taxi Michael Redgrave, 57, drove in and around the City of London, collecting and dropping-off the Class A drug.

Investigating officers eventually swooped on his taxi and arrested him outside St. Pancras railway station (pictured).

At Inner London Crown Court Redgrave, of Cornwall Road, Southwark pleaded guilty to the supply of cocaine.

He will be sentenced on a future date.

Between March 1, 2022 and July 5, 2023 he acted as a courier and dealer alongside his legitimate role of taxi driver.

He was arrested on August 3, 2023 after an extensive investigation by the City of London Police’s Serious Organised Crime Team.

Redgrave was arrested as part of a wider operation in connection to the sale of cocaine in the City.

Detective Constable Matt Cooper, of the Serious Organised Crime Team, said: “By using his position as a legitimate cabbie, Redgrave supplied drugs in the City, thinking he would be able to evade police. 

“Our extensive evidence proved vital in his guilty plea.

“The City of London Police’s Serious Organised Crime Team are taking action to disrupt and pursue those involved in the supply of Class A drugs on the streets of London.

“We continue to actively identify, investigate and prosecute all others attempting to do the same.”

Review of mobile phones seized as part of the investigation showed that Redgrave had been making multiple trips in the Square Mile to drop off drugs for clients.

GPS tracking from Redgrave’s taxi showed that his vehicle was at the locations the drug deals took place.

Celebrated Organist's Reputation Ruined After Finally Admitting To Molesting Teenager

A celebrated St. Martin-in-the-Fields organist has finally confessed to molesting a teenage music student a quarter of a century ago.

Paul Stubbings, 55, was Master of Music at the landmark Trafalgar Square church and taught the then 17 year-old, who he regularly invited to his nearby apartment.

On one evening he plied the youngster with gin and tonics, plus red wine before inviting himself into the spare room, where the teen was sleeping overnight and jumped into bed with him.

Stubbings, who has travelled the globe playing organ recitals and whose St. Martin-in-the-Field recordings are still available on CD, received two years imprisonment, suspended for two years.

He pleaded guilty to one count of indecently assaulting the schoolboy at his former Westminster address on December 15, 1999 and was also ordered to complete 300 hours community service, plus twenty-five days of rehabilitation.

Southwark Crown Court heard Stubbings, of Ellington Road, Ramsgate lost his most recent role of ‘Sessional Academic’ at Canterbury Christ Church University on admitting his guilt and is living with his mother in his native North Yorkshire and claiming benefits.

“You ought to be thoroughly ashamed of what you have done,” Judge Christopher Hehir told Stubbings. “Almost every aspect of his life has been affected by what you did.

“His parents say they feel ‘anguish’ that they were unable to protect their son from what you did. There was abuse of trust and use of alcohol to facilitate the offence.”

Prosecutor Nicole Shaw told the court the victim was an ambitious and enthusiastic young musician, who eventually studied at Oxford University.

“He was slowly coming out as gay and was regularly invited by Stubbings to his flat near the church, which he shared with his partner.

“They had dinners and alcohol was always provided and the complainant says it felt like a haven for like-minded individuals.

“On the day of the offence when the complainant was to stay overnight Stubbings’ partner was not there and they had two large gin and tonics and lots of red wine,” explained Ms Shaw.

“They were sitting on the sofa and Stubbings began rubbing his foot against the foot of the complainant, who by now was quite drunk.

“He went to the spare bedroom and this defendant appeared at the door and came in and got into bed with the complainant.”

It was then Stubbings repeatedly kissed the victim and molested him between his legs, flattering him in a mock camp voice.

“This lasted ten to fifteen minutes and the next morning Stubbings seemed ‘sheepish’ says the complainant, who felt the defendant was seeking assurance nothing would be said about it.”

The victim refused future invites to the apartment and reported Stubbings to the senior clergy at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, who gave the defendant the option of resigning or being fired.

He also reported Stubbings to the police, but refused to support a prosecution and the complaint went no further.

The victim sat a few feet from Stubbings throughout the two-hour hearing and went into the witness box to say: “It was impossible at the time to know what a detrimental effect this would have on my life.

“I had a strained relationship with my parents that Paul weaponised.”

The victim enjoyed several meals with Stubbings and his partner. “They filled my head with how gay life functioned and took advantage of my naivety.

“Because of the stories they were spinning me I felt like what happened was a consequence of gay life and I was made to feel like it was my fault.”

Following the indecent assault the victim’s A Levels suffered and he endured a three-month stress-related illness.

“Paul and his friends spread malicious rumours that I lied about the whole thing and the organist community of London turned rank against me.

“My love for music and playing the organ died and when I looked in the mirror all I could see was shadow,” the complainant told the court.

“In my first year of Oxford I was suicidal and almost asked the verger for the keys to the tower to throw myself from and I felt like that three times.”

Describing the last quarter of a century as a time of “pain and suffering” the man, now in his early forties said he came forward again to encourage other potential victims to do the same.

Stubbings’ lawyer Jennifer Dannhauser said: “This is a one-off offence that occurred twenty-five years ago and has not been repeated. 

“This was a one-off serious failure and it is not something he has done before or since.

“His hard work and illustrious career has been affected and he is now on benefits and the pre-sentence report says he is at low risk of serious offending or causing personal harm.”

Judge Hehir told Stubbings: “I am prepared to accept your genuine remorse, but you used your career to commit this offence, although no other complainants were made at the time or since.

“You lost your job, which was hardly surprising and have now lost your most recent job as a result of coming to court.

“I have not found this an easy decision, but it is just appropriate to suspend the sentence.

“This was not an easy decision and you have avoided prison by a hair’s breadth and I hope you reflect on the damage you have done and I repeat my admiration of the victim who has attended today.”

Stubbings will also have to sign the sex offenders register and pay £150 costs.

Banned From Square Mile: Brazen Shoplifter Who Repeatedly Raided M&S

A brazen Marks & Spencer shoplifter, who helped himself to items in front of staff, has been locked-up.

Duane Moss, 42, repeatedly targeted the same High Holborn store in the Square Mile.

This recording of him casually helping himself to stock without paying was widely circulated on the internet.

Moss, of Highbury New Park, Islington pleaded guilty to five counts of theft.

He was also given a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), banning him from entering the City of London for five years.

Sergeant James Wood, of the Proactive Acquisitive Crime team, said: “This is a reminder to any shoplifter who thinks they can steal from businesses in the City: we will find you and bring you before the courts.

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

“Duane Moss had committed these offences with no thought or consideration to anybody he had come across.

“This CBO will act as a deterrent to reoffending. If Moss breaches his CBO, he could face further jail time.”

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

The dedicated team is successfully bringing criminals to justice who prey on those out in the City and proactive arrests are disrupting those involved in serious organised crime.

Sweet Smell Of Prison For Brazen Perfume Shoplifter

A brazen shoplifter, who repeatedly targeted the same Square Mile beauty store for bottles of expensive perfume, has finally been locked up.

Phillip Themistockli, 43, nicked thousands of pounds worth of fragrances in front of the store's female employees in the heart of the City of London.

He continued stealing despite being subject to a fifteen months suspended prison sentence, which has now been enforced, plus another thirty-five weeks on top for his latest crime spree.

Themistockli, of Helston Street, Camden stole approximately £7,000 worth of perfume from the Cheapside retailer between May and December, last year.

He pleaded guilty to seven counts of theft and was also made subject to a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), banning him from entering the Square Mile.

Detective Sergeant Helen Bentley, of the Suspect and Offender Management Team at the City of London Police, said: “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime; it can cause significant alarm and distress to retail staff, as well as members of the public.

“We want retailers to come forward and report any crime so we can start investigations. 

“Through the store’s CCTV, and our extensive camera network in the City, we will bring criminals to justice.

“CBOs are designed to tackle the most serious and persistent anti-social individuals and if Phillip Themistockli breaches his CBO conditions, we can arrest him and put him back before the courts.”

Themistockli was convicted of the following:

• 
  On Friday 24 May 2024, Themistockli placed bottles of perfume into a basket and walked out without paying. The products were worth stealing £1,750 in total.

• On Wednesday 29 May 2024, he took bottles of perfume to the total value of around £953.

• On Thursday 6 June 2024, he stole £1,033 worth of fragrances.

• On Friday 7 June 2024, he also stole from the shop with a value of £1,300.

• On Thursday 20 June 2024 he walked out the store with around £945 worth of perfume.

• On Tuesday 22 October 2024, Themistockli stole around £590 worth of fragrances.

• And on Thursday 12 December 2024, he took bottles of perfume with a total value of £450.

Escalator Rage: Underground Passenger Attacked Near Bank Of England

A London Underground passenger was punched in the face and thrown down an escalator after another passenger cut in front of him.

The victim was also repeatedly kicked by the unknown suspect, who is now being hunted by police.

The victim was exiting Bank Underground Station in the heart of the Square Mile at approximately 12.20pm on Saturday, January 18.

As he stepped into the escalator leading towards the Cannon Street exit a mystery male cut him up, resulting in a verbal confrontation between the pair.

The unknown man then punched the victim in the face, threw him down the escalator and kicked him several times.

British Transport Police have released this image of their suspect.

The suspect is a distinctive bearded individual, wearing all black, including a black leather waistcoat.

Investigating officers are appealing to the public to assist them in identifying him.

Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 278 of 18 January.

Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Square Mile Mobile Phone Snatcher Jailed

Custody Mug: Brady

A mobile phone snatcher – who even targeted a partially-sighted woman who crashed to the ground during his Square Mile spree - has been locked-up.

Riding around on an illegal electrical bike Oliver Brady, 27, got his hands on nine phones in the City of London.

He is now starting a prison sentence of two years and three months after pleading guilty to stealing two phones and handling seven more stolen phones.

His capture was assisted by a ceremonial Beadle outside Haberdashers' Hall, who grabbed a dropped phone as Brady was detained by private security officers.

Brady, of Grange Road, Edmonton was also convicted of assaulting Assistant Beadle Alex South in West Smithfield on February 6.

He further admitted driving without a licence and insurance and breaching his Criminal Behaviour Order, imposed for previous crimes.

The Old Bailey heard Nicola Jones was checking her location on her phone when it was snatched by Brady.

Mr South, who fulfils a ceremonial role and is a Toastmaster blocked the thief, causing him to drop the stolen phone.

Afterwards Ms Jones said: “I picked up my phone and called 999. I’m so glad I was able to get back my phone back and I am also grateful for the police for coming so quickly and arresting him.

“I was quite shaken up and shocked when he took my phone, it happened so quickly. I was already really careful about having my phone out in public before this incident, but this experience has made me even more cautious.”

Earlier that morning, Neda Rana had her phone snatched by Brady on Fetter Street.

“I have a visual impairment, so I cannot see further than two metres,” Neda said.

“I felt my phone being removed from my hand. The force of this caused me to fall to the floor and I landed on my left side.”

Neda added: “I couldn’t even process what was happening. The shock, the pain, the aftermath and the disbelief. 

“The stress of then having to navigate myself and then still having to go to work. I was very distressed throughout the entire day.

Nicked: Brady

“It caused me a lot of stress as I didn't know where to go and I couldn't call someone and ask for help. This was an emotionally exhausting incident and feels surreal.”

Brady continued onto Cock Lane where he attempted to steal a mobile phone from another member of the public. 

The phone was dropped and recovered by the victim six of the phones found on Brady have been returned to the victims.

Detective Sergeant Amy Westall said: “The successful capture and prosecution of a prolific phone snatcher shows City of London Police’s focus on detecting and bringing to justice those who steal from people on our streets.

“Thanks to members of the public who intervened before officers arrived shortly afterwards, we were able to return some of the mobile phones and bring Brady to justice.

“Phone snatching has a significant impact on victims and our key priority has been to reduce the number of phones stolen and relentlessly target those criminals responsible.

“It is important for us to get any recovered phones back to their owners.”

The other six phones were snatched from victims outside of the City of London, in the Metropolitan Police area.

One of those was Tim Collier on Malet Street, Bloomsbury. He was on a video call to his father when Brady took his phone.

Further phones were snatched from outside the Virginia Woolf Building at King’s College London and Oakley Square, near Camden Town.

The three victims have had their phone returned them after turning up to collect them at Bishopsgate Police station.

Kingston University Student Caught With Fake Disabled Blue Badge

Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court

A brazen Kingston University student was caught using a forged disabled blue badge to enjoy free parking for her studies.

Maryah Kamran, 21, was exposed during a local authority operation targeting abusers of the scheme.

She appeared at Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court, where she pleaded guilty to using a parking device, with intent to deceive on April 30, last year.

In a statement to investigators Kamran, of Mercian Way, Slough said: “I accept my actions were wrong. I am sorry, I should never have taken possession of the badge or displayed it.”

She was conditionally discharged for twelve months and ordered to pay £1,033 costs, plus a £26 victim surcharge.

The court heard council investigators observed Kamran park outside Kingston University and display a blue disable badge, purportedly issued to a 64 year-old woman in the London Borough of Islington.

Ninety minutes later she returned to her vehicle and was approached by the investigators, who inspected the blue badge and noticed it was obviously “lighter and thinner” than a genuine one.

Kamran claimed to have been given the blue badge by a friend who she refused to identify.

She confirmed she was not disabled and had been using the blue badge to utilise convenient parking for her studies.

When asked about paying the costs Kamran told the court: “I’m about to finish university so hope to have a job soon.”