Convicted Fraudster Hired By Prison Reform Trust Swindled Over £300K

A convicted fraudster, who swindled the charitable Prison Reform Trust out of over £300,000 when given a job after her jail sentence, has again been locked-up.

Mum-of-two Samantha Jane O’Sullivan, 57, made a total of 170 fraudulent transactions, directing the charity’s money to her own bank account while employed as Head of Finance.

She is now starting a new sentence of three years and eight months imprisonment for taking money splurged on foreign holidays, electrical goods and the student costs of her children.

Divorce O’Sullivan, of 96 Mill Green, Mitcham pleaded guilty that between July 1, 2016 and October 31, 2023, committed fraud by abuse of trust with intent to make a gain, namely money transferred to her bank account.

One trip was to the five-star Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort on Cape Verde amongst holidays to Dubai, Lisbon, Barcelona and Split.

The Prison Reform Trust (PRT) were forced to launch a private prosecution after Action Fraud failed to act, despite a proven loss of £307,414.28p.

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard O’Sullivan was employed by the trust in 2013 and quickly promoted, but from 2016 on added her own bank details to invoices the PRT paid out.

The trust employed her despite knowing she had received twelve months imprisonment in December, 2012 for a fraud committed while employed as deputy official receiver of Croydon.

On that occasion she pleaded guilty to six counts of fraud, by abuse of position, defrauding £85,000 from people facing bankruptcy.

Some of the money was blown on a Far East holiday to Cambodia and furnishing her home.

O’Sullivan served three months behind bars and then applied for her role with the PRT on her release.

Speaking from the dock yesterday, she told Judge Simon Heptonstall: “I am not sure what is appropriate to say.

“I am so sorry to all those affected by my actions.

“I never recovered from my actions in 2012. I lost my home and did not realise how difficult it would be to start from scratch at my age.

“Instead of focusing on my mental health I was anxious to obtain work when I was released from prison in 2013.

“I did not lie about my conviction and they gave me a chance and I worked hard.

“I was often under the spotlight as a former prisoner handed a responsible role, which I did not find comfortable and felt that the fact I had been to prison would always define me.

“I did not have the resilience or guts to make steady progress.

“My children took precedence over everything else. 

“I had failed as a parent and panicked and made terrible decision after terrible decision and thought I would make up for parental mistakes, but made new ones.”

Her former home was seized to repay the first fraud and O’Sullivan claims she found it impossible to even get a phone contract and had to pay for her children’s student accommodation up front.

“I was shocked by the total amount of the fraud and the time frame, although any amount is a gross betrayal of trust,” she told the court.”

When she leaves prison O’Sullivan says she will devote herself to the care of her ailing mother, if she is still alive and will never seek paid employment again.

Regarding her now adult children, she added: “They are in disbelief and disgust, learning of my actions.

“They don’t trust me. I am broke and have nothing to pay restitution with.”

Judge Heptonstall asked her: “Where has all this money gone? I cannot see where hundreds of thousands of pounds have gone.”

O’Sullivan replied: “I don’t know. A large part went to pay student housing and rent. I had to start all new again with no belongings, not a stick of furniture.”

Confiscation proceedings will follow and Judge Heptonstall announced: “What you did when you were promoted to the position you accepted relatively quickly was to start directing money.

“It was not easy to see initially, but over a period of seven years and three months there were 170 transactions. That is almost every week.

“You took various amounts in a way that was designed to deceive.

“You say that you were trying to make up for deficiencies in the lives of your children, but they did not ask for it and you knew they had assessments about what they could afford for student loans.

“That does not explain the very great amounts you have taken.

“The effect of what you took was to virtually double your salary, it was 88% more.

“It has taken a toll on the team and with the Charity Commission.

“You recognise that it must be prison today and I have to move up because of the impact on the charity and your similar previous conviction.”

The Judge took into account O’Sullivan’s troubled upbringing and failed marriage, plus the fact she was a single-mum for so many years, adding: “You do now show remorse for what you have done.”

The PRT will also receive £159,000 for their investigation and legal costs from central funds.

Eight Years For One-Punch Tube Station Killer

Samuel Winter (L) was killed by Rakeem Miles (R)

A London Underground thug, who killed another passenger for brushing against him on the escalator, has been jailed.

Rakeem Miles, 24, of East Street, Walworth pursued physiotherapist Samuel Winter, 28, and felled him with a fatal punch.

At Inner London Crown Court he received eight years, with an extended licence period of thirteen years.

He will be eligible for parole in just under five-and-a-half years.

British Transport Police (BTP) have not said one way or another if the killing was racially-motivated.

Miles was convicted of manslaughter following the attack at 9.30pm on Thursday, August 22, last year at Southwark Underground Station.

Charity volunteer Mr Winter had arrived at the station on an Eastbound Jubilee Line train, Miles was also travelling on.

There was no interaction between the pair until Mr Winter brushed against the defendant as he walked up the escalator.

Miles reached out towards Mr Winter, who continued towards the exit.

As Mr Winter walked through the ticket barrier Miles followed him.

He reached out, grabbing the innocent victim from behind, ripping Mr Winter's top in two as he pulled him to face him.

Miles punched Mr Winter once in the head, leaving him collapsed on the stairs.

Paramedics attended and Samuel received CPR before he was taken to hospital with a critical brain injury. 

Meanwhile, BTP had been made aware and an investigation was launched. 

Following overnight enquiries, it was discovered Miles had used the same card to top up his Oyster card in a shop near the station the day before.

Officers investigating attended the shop on the morning of August 23 when a member of staff informed them Miles had just left the shop. 

He was found outside and arrested on suspicion of Grievous Bodily Harm.

Sadly, on the evening of Saturday August 24, Mr Winter died at hospital with his family by his side.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Paul Attwell said: “Though nothing can bring Samuel back, I hope today’s sentencing allows his family some small measure of comfort as they continue to grieve for him. 

“Samuel’s family described him as gentle and kind, and he will be sorely missed by all those who love him. 

“We reiterate our requests to give the family privacy at such a difficult time.

“It only took one punch from Miles to end Samuel’s life and forever change the lives of those around him. 

“He showed no remorse for his action, leaving Samuel at the station and continuing on with his evening. 

“The quick-time and thorough investigation by the teams involved meant Miles was identified and apprehended quickly. 

“There is zero tolerance for violence on the railway and I’d like to thank my team for their hard work and determination to secure justice for Samuel’s family.”

Scourge Of Square Mile Behind Bars

A prolific Square Mile bag thief, who targeted pubs in the City of London, has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison.

Sid Rebai, 36, was the scourge of hard-working Londoners, relaxing with a drink and unaware of the heartless opportunist. 

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

On Tuesday, May 6, plain-clothed officers from the Proactive Acquisitive Crime Team spotted Rebai, who was known to police, at a pub in Aldgate.

Officers approached Rebai, found a stolen bag on him and arrested him for theft. 

The victim was identified and officers returned the bag and its contents to him. 

Inspector Dan Green, of the Proactive Acquisitive Crime Team at the City of London Police, said: “This is another great result in seeing a prolific bag thief behind bars and returning stolen items to victims.

“Our warning to criminals; don’t come into the City to steal bags. If you do, you risk being spotted by our plain-clothed officers, who will track you down, arrest you and bring you to justice.”

The investigation was led by the Volume Crime Unit who gathered all the relevant evidence, spoke to the victims and presented the case to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Ives, at the City of London Police, said: “This case highlights the excellent work of our officers in the Volume Crime Unit who work tirelessly in bringing criminals to justice.

“We hope that this sentence and CBO will act as a deterrent to others thinking of criminal activity.

“Our dedicated officers are out across the City, using covert and overt tactics to tackle acquisitive crimes such as bag thefts and phone snatching. 

“These crimes have significant impact on victims and we’re determined to prevent them.”

Rebai was also convicted of the stealing three bags on Tuesday, April 8 from pubs in the City and he was convicted of stealing a bag and a laptop from a pub in the Minories on Tuesday, April 29.

Six Women Molested By Public Transport Predator

A public transport sexual predator, who targeted females at train stations, has been locked-up.

Zevenor Gordon, 24, struck six times in just a four-month span with victims ranging from a girl in her school uniform to a middle-aged passenger.

At Woolwich Crown Court Gordon, of Glenton Road, Lewisham received sixteen months imprisonment after pleading guilty to six counts of sexual assault.

He was also slapped with a ten-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and must sign the Sex Offenders register for the next 10 years.

The SHPO bans him from approaching, gesturing, or making any action that can cause harassment, alarm or distress or be intimidating to a woman or girl in a public place or on public transport and he cannot enter any female public toilets.

He struck between December, 2023 and March, last year.

On Saturday, December 9, 2023, a 27-year-old woman was travelling to Dalston Junction when Gordon attempted to engage her in conversation, before sexually assaulting her.

Days later on Thursday, December 14 Gordon followed a woman in her fifties when she got off the tube at Dalston Junction before sexually assaulting her and jumping back on the tube.

On Wednesday, February 7, last year Gordon sexually assaulted a woman in her mid-twenties on the platform at Baker Street station.

On Monday, February 26 a 32-year-old woman was walking through London Bridge station when she too was sexually assaulted by Gordon.

On Monday, March 11 a young girl in her school uniform was sexually assaulted by Gordon as she boarded the tube at Cutty Sark station.

Just two days later he sexually assaulted another woman in her early twenties at Cutty Sark station, while was waiting on the platform to board the tube.

Gordon was arrested at his home, following positive ID checks by British Transport Police (BTP) officers.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Gemma Lee said: "Despite Gordon running away after each sexual assault, thanks to our fast acting officers we were able to ID him and bring him to justice.

“It is testament to the six victims who supported this case and by reporting their crimes that helped to build the picture of Gordon's predatory behaviour.

"The Sexual Harm Prevention Order should act as a warning to others that we take all reports of sexual offences and unwanted sexual behaviour seriously and will support victims throughout our investigations.”

Predatory Train Creep Molested Women On Packed Carriages

A train creep, who took advantage of packed busy carriages to molest female passengers on three separate occasions, has been locked-up.

Ahmad Ahmedzai, 30, of Great Road, Hemel Hempstead was sentenced to twenty-seven weeks imprisonment.

Police have described him as a “dangerous predator.”

He molested a 28 year-old woman on a Bushey to London Euston train; a 28 year-old on a service from Bermondsey and a 22 year-old on a Watford Junction to Euston train.

At Inner London Crown Court he pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the victims on September 10; November 2 and November 25, last year.

He was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for seven years and is on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

The court heard Ahmedzai targeted lone women on busy carriages, with the victims unable to move away due to the sheer crush of passengers.

All three victims reported the assaults to British Transport Police (BTP) and provided descriptions. 

Officers were able to obtain CCTV and Ahmedzai was identified through facial recognition.

The SHPO means Ahmedzai can only travel on the TfL network when using a registered Oyster card, a contactless debit or credit card linked to an account in his name.

When travelling outside the TfL network he must book any ticket in advance and notify the police in advance of travel.

He was also ordered to pay £687 cots.

Breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order is a criminal offence and can result in further custodial time.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Jack Leach said: “Ahmedzai is a dangerous predator, who targeted women on busy services in order to hide his sick antics, but due to the brave actions of those he targeted, by reporting the crimes to us we were able to catch him.

“There is zero-tolerance for sexual offences on the rail network and we will do everything in our power to bring offenders to justice.”

Balloon Goes Up For Square Mile Cocaine Dealer

A cocaine dealer, caught in the heart of the City of London, is starting a prison sentence after police were alerted to suspicious nitrous oxide balloon inhalation in his vehicle.

Twenty-seven wraps of the Class A drug were found, along with a large Rambo-style knife and approximately £10,000 cash.

Paul Crabtree, 43, of Lewisham High Street, Hither Green received a total of six years and eleven months imprisonment after a sentence for conspiring to burgle in Kent was added.

On Tuesday, July 2, last year police received reports of individuals inhaling from balloons while sitting in a car in the heart of the Square Mile in Bread Street.

The search also found twenty-one nitrous oxide cannisters.

Crabtree received two years and eleven months for possession of cocaine, with intent to supply and possession of a bladed article.

An additional four years was added consecutively for the burglary conspiracy.

PC Pradip Gurung, of City of London Police's Criminal Investigation Department said: “People carrying these Rambo-style knives are doing so to intimidate and cause fear. 

“Paul Crabtree was dealing drugs and carrying a lethal Rambo-style knife.

“Drugs in London severely impact our communities, drive violence and organised crime and can lead to vulnerable people being exploited.

“City of London Police are committed to bringing organised crime groups to justice and making our streets safer.”

Banned: Father & Son Plymouth Argyle Fans Arrested After Wee Row

Banned: Jordan & Raymond Brook

Father and son Plymouth Argyle fans have been banned from attending matches for three years after they abused a female supporter, who complained about the dad urinating near her seat.

Raymond Brook, 58, and son Jordan Brook, 24, had been drinking all day as they travelled to their team’s away FA Cup tie at Brentford on January 11.

Unfortunately for them they were arrested at half-time and missed Argyle’s 82nd minute winner in their 0-1 victory.

City of London Magistrates’ Court heard the pair spent five hours on a train, traveling from their home in Hawking Gardens, Plymouth.

Jobless painter and decorator Raymond told the trial he drank five ciders during the journey, had some more pre-match drinks and then another in the stadium with his son.

They denied, but were both convicted of threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress to off-duty police officer and Argyle fan Sarah Stephens.

Prosecutor Robert Simpson told the court the victim was walking to her place, with her 11 year-old daughter when she saw Raymond relieving himself and leaving a puddle of urine under her seat.

She told him: “If you want to do that go to the toilet,” adding: “You dirty old man.”

There is no suggestion Brook exposed himself.

He told the court he suddenly had to go due to recent keyhole surgery for a hernia and had already visited the toilet in the stadium.

Ms Stephens took out her mobile phone and began recording the pair, prompting Jordan to give her the middle finger.

Delivery driver Jordan also told her to “f*** off” and the victim says she was also called a “c***” and described as “stuck up and not even watching the football.”

Jordan maintained his comments were a private conversation with his father and not directed towards the victim, but she insisted the words were well in earshot and intended to be heard.

The son claimed his autism affected his behaviour and Mr Simpson added he also said out loud: “She should f***ing move.”

“The woman says she was ‘disgusted’ and that there was no explanation from the pair that can be acceptable,” explained the prosecutor.

She described the father and son as “football hooligans” and that she was “intimidated” by the pair and reported their behaviour to police.

At one point Jordan tapped Ms Stephens on the shoulder, asking: “Can we have a word,” but she did not want a discussion with him, although some words were exchanged at half-time.

Bench Chairwoman Margaret Diane Lennan announced: “We have spent some time considering what we have heard.

“The complainant was clear and consistent that there was verbal swearing ongoing in the presence of her daughter, which only ceased when she took a picture.

“Jordan says it was not his intention for her to hear, but it was sustained and he was asked several times to stop the abuse.

“These were thoroughly unpleasant offences and attendees at football matches are entitled not to hear swearing and abusive behaviour.”

“Raymond Brook started the actions and Jordan engaged with the poor behaviour.

“It is a very salutary lesson and the convictions will impact your lives. If you break the football banning order you will be committing another offence and could be sent to prison.”

Raymond was fined £101, with £325 costs and ordered to pay a £40 victim surcharge and Jordan was fined £230, with £325 costs and ordered to pay a £92 victim surcharge.

Playboy Model's Phone Smashed During Kensington Neighbour Row

"Horrified and Terrified": Galojan

A Playboy cover model’s ongoing decade-long feud with her Kensington neighbour erupted again when the ex-pin-up’s phone was snatched out of her hand and smashed to pieces, a court heard.

Estonian Anna-Marie Galojan, 43, was once voted one of the world’s most beautiful female politicians during her time with her home nation’s Reform Party.

Unfortunately, that political career ended in disgrace with a prison sentence for a €60,000 fraud, but she has resurrected herself with the Conservatives and is a member of their Campden Ward Committee within the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea.

She gave evidence at City of London Magistrates’ Court, claiming she was punched and pushed by upstairs neighbour Silva Manuela Odette, 52, outside their address.

Both reside in the seven-block Campden House, Peel Street - social housing surrounded by £3m homes - and clashed on the afternoon of March 24 when Galojan was with friend Paul Halloran.

He supported the former model during the trial, but the neighbourly ill-feeling boiled over and he was ejected from the courtroom when Odette accused him of intimidation from the public gallery by constantly glaring at her in the dock.

In 2014 Odette was arrested at the block when Galojan called the police, but no further action was taken.

Odette claims Galojan does not even live there and keeps reporting her to management and calling the police in an attempt to have her evicted from the desirable property in the heart of an exclusive neighbourhood.

“I was standing outside, waiting for my friend to join me for lunch when the defendant came and approached us in a rude and aggressive way,” Galojan told the trial.

“She was shouting and screaming and being extremely aggressive as always and accusing me of following her, which I never did because I am terrified of her and avoid her.”

She was staying: ’Stop filming me,’ but it was the only way to defend myself. “I started filming when she approached and started screaming and shouting at me.

“She snatched my phone from my hand, took it violently and smashed it on the ground and then started to break my phone against a wall, causing the whole wall to collapse.”

Odette says the weight of Mr Halloran caused the wall to collapse as he leaned into her in an attempt to retrieve the phone.

“She punched me and pushed me twice in the chest.” continued Galojan. “It was very strong, she is very strong and was very angry.

Smashed Phone: Odette

“I was so horrified and terrified. She was extremely aggressive.

“We tried to collect what was left of the phone, but there wasn’t much left. There was nothing left.

“My friend called the police because I did not have a phone and Manuela was staring at us from the stairs, looking very proud and happy with herself.”

When cross-examined by Odette’s lawyer Hamza Adesanu, Galojan told the court: “It wasn’t the first time she has attacked me and she was arrested before.

“I never intended to provoke her and I didn’t approach her and she has an injunction to stop approaching residents of the block.

“I was shaking and crying. I had been attacked and I am not used to such aggressive behaviour.”

The trial heard Odette has complained about the ‘conduct and behaviour’ of Galojan, but the complainant replied: “She attacked me downstairs in 2014 and the police were called.

“It was not the first time or last time she has been arrested for being aggressive towards neighbours.”

Galojan was extradited back to her native Estonia in 2015 to serve five months of a twenty-two month sentence for fraud while the CEO of non-profit European Movement Estonia.

“You have a record for dishonesty don’t you? Are you an honest person?” asked Mr Adesanu.

Prosecutor Robert Simpson objected to the line of questioning, but Mr Adesanu submitted: “Her honesty is a matter of issue. Her trustworthiness goes to the heart of the case.”

The lawyer asked Galojan. “This complaint today is revenge against Ms Odette for making complaints against you, isn’t it?”

When questioned by police Odette claimed she was deliberately pushed into the wall by Mr Halloran while her hair was pulled by a ‘smirking’ Galojan.

Odette told the trial: “Since 2018 she has been filming me to get a reaction to get me evicted. She was filming and smirking and said she was in a public street.

“I got fed up and snapped and grabbed the phone, threw it on the floor and kicked it and then smashed it against the wall,” she admitted.

“The wall collapsed with the weight of Paul as she was grabbing my hair. With his weight he pushed me against the wall and the wall collapsed.

Galojan & Paul Halloran

“I never touched the lady. I took my anger out on the phone because she was filming me. That’s it, nothing else.

“I wish I could go to my home peacefully, without playing these games and smirking with the phone.

“She plays the victim and I just want a peaceful life,” added Odette, who volunteers at a community garden. “She is very good at creating stories and the distortion of reality.

“This has been going on for ten years, she is harassing me.”

Referring to Galojan and Mr Halloran she said: “Both of them are so dishonest and are liars.”

Earlier Mr Simpson told the magistrates: “The two of them are residents in the block and on the day the defendant approached the complainant in the street.

“Ms Galojan has her phone out and is filming and this defendant knocks the phone out of her hand and smashes the phone and pushes her in the chest.

“You will see a short clip of footage demonstrating the state of anger this defendant was in.”

The short clip, recorded by Galojan, was played in court, showing an angry Odette demanding the filming stops before she lunges forward to grab the mobile.

Odette was found not guilty of assault with bench Chairwoman Margaret Diane Lennan announcing: “There is a lack of credible evidence in this case and it is unproven.”

However, Odette had already pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to the phone and was conditionally discharged for twelve months and ordered to pay £500 compensation to Galojan.