STOP!: Man Charged With Nicking 'Banksy' Road Traffic Sign

A man accused of stealing an original ‘Banksy’ anti-war street art piece - depicting three drones on a traffic ‘STOP’ sign - appeared in court for the first time this week.

Leon Lawrence, 45, of Maiden Lane, Southwark pleaded not guilty and elected Crown Court trial.

He is charged with stealing a STOP sign of value ‘unknown’ belonging to the London Borough of Southwark on December 22, 2023.

Prosecutor Nathan Paine-Davey told Croydon Magistrates’ Court: “This is suitable to be tried here. It is one matter of theft of a STOP sign, belonging to Southwark Council.

“The fact it is said to have been painted by ‘Banksy’ is irrelevant to the offence, apart from saying that perhaps that makes it more valuable.

“The police say bolt cutters were used to remove the STOP sign and it was taken away.

“The artist confirmed on instagram it was his work.

“As a STOP sign the value is nominal, but as an artwork it may be something else.”

A shocked crowd gathered on the junction of Commercial Way and Southampton Way, Peckham at just after 12.00pm on December 22, 2023 as they watched a male, standing on a Lime white bike, remove the sign.

Less than an hour before the elusive artist had confirmed on his official instagram account the drones were his artwork.

Lawrence was released on unconditional bail to appear at Inner London Crown Court on September 3.

Return From Oz: Accused Flies In To Face GBH & Strangulation Charge

A Somerset man, accused of GBH and strangulation, flew in from Australia for his first appearance at Croydon Magistrates’ Court this week.

Alexander Colyer, 30, of Vicarage Lane, Mark, Highbridge, Sedgemoore is alleged to have committed the offences against another man in Lambeth, south London.

He is currently working for a recruitment company Down Under on a work visa and will be allowed to continue living in Australia while on bail.

Colyer is charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm, with intent, plus a charge of intentional strangulation on July 30, 2022.

The magistrates declined jurisdiction, due to the seriousness of the charge and Colyer will appear at Inner London Crown Court on September 3.

Young Woman Molested On Underground Station Platform: Do You Know This Man?

Police are hunting this suspect after a young woman was followed and sexually assaulted on a London Underground platform.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this image and are requesting the assistance of the public to help identify him.

The female victim, aged in her early twenties, was catching an Eastbound District Line train at Mile End station between 9.00am and 9.45am on Thursday, May 1.

Despite the platform not being busy he stood extremely close to her before sexually assaulting her.

The man then followed the woman onto a bench to wait for a train, before following her onto a train, staring at her throughout.

He then followed her off the train at South Woodford station, but the woman jumped back onto the train as the doors closed to get away from him.

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

Anyone who recognises them is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016, or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 394 of 1 May.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

No Jacket Required: Assault Suspect Wore Wu Tang Clan Colours

Police are hunting this Wu Tang Clan fan after a ticket barrier assault at Vauxhall Underground Station.

At approximately 11.30pm on Friday, May 16 a passenger followed another man through the barrier before it closed.

The pair began to argue, before one of the men punched the other in the face and walked away.

Investigating officer PC Belcher said: "We would like to speak to the man in the image as we believe he may have information which could help with our investigation.

"While we know the CCTV image isn't the clearest, the man's yellow Wu Tang Clan jacket is very distinctive. 

“Anyone who recognises the man, or has information is asked to contact us by texting 61016, quoting reference 863 of 16 May."

You can also contact us by calling 0800 40 50 40, or can anonymously call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Watford FC Diversity Tsar Screamed At TfL Staff: "Go Back To Your Country You Bloody Indians"

John-Jules with Watford FC mascot 'Harry the Hornet' and at court

A Watford FC diversity officer screamed: “Go back to your country, you bloody Indians,” while throwing punches at Southall station, during a violent confrontation with railway staff, court heard last week.

University graduate Ebonnie-Rose John-Jules, 23, is the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the Championship club’s Community Sports & Education Trust.

She was travelling with friend Naomi Caruana, 23, on May 5, last year when they got into an ugly row with TfL employee Sasha Da Cunha, who was aided by her colleague Tom Kakeeto.

Prosecutor Tom Heslop told City of London Magistrates’ Court it was 6.30pm and Mr Kakeeto had just finished his shift at the Elizabeth Line station and was heading home on his bike.

“He was at the gate when he heard a verbal altercation between the two defendants and his colleague.

“He asked them to be civil and that attracted them towards him.

“Without provocation John-Jules kicks his bike into him and he grabs hold of her, causing John-Jules to fall over.

Da Cunha & Kakeeto

“She appears to then remove her earrings and launched into an attack on Mr Kakeeto, punching him to the face.

“This all occurs within the concourse of the railway station as the two defendants were coming out of the station.

“They are both attacking him, with the majority of the assault carried out by Caruana, but it did begin with John-Jules.

“Comments were made during this by John-Jules towards Ms Da Cunha, including: “Go back to your country, you bloody Indians.

“She also says: ‘I will not leave the station until I see him bleeding,’ and reference is also made to ‘go back’ and ‘f***ing Indians,’” explained Mr Heslop.

John-Jules had denied the charges for over a year, but on the day of her trial finally pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Kakeeto, plus a count of racially-aggravated threatening behaviour.

The court heard John-Jules, who graduated from the University of East London with a degree in Sports Physical Education and Development, has a previous conviction in 2022 for threatening behaviour.

She began her full-time role at Watford FC in April, last year, weeks before this offence, after a period employed by Children with Cancer UK as a Sports Events Administrator.

John-Jules, of Towers Road, Southall also obtained a Master’s degree in International Sports Management from the Global Institute of Sport.

Her co-defendant Caruana, of Renaissance Court, Prince Regent Road, Hounslow pleaded guilty to assaulting both Mr Kakeeto and Ms Da Cunha and also damaging the male victim’s EarPods.

She was sentenced to a twelve-month community order, which includes 70 hours community service work up to five days of rehabilitation and must pay a £50 fine.

Caruana was also ordered to pay a total of £120 compensation to Mr Kakeeto; £50 compensation to Ms Da Cunha, plus £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

“It is a group attack, unprovoked and is sustained for approximately forty-four seconds,” Mr Heslop told the court. 

“There were some injuries sustained, an injury to Mr Kakeeto’s chin although it is not known which defendant inflicted it, but they were acting in concert.

“The comments seemed to have been directed towards Ms Da Cunha.”

In his victim impact statement Mr Kakeeto said: “During the incident I was scared and fearful. It was a shock to be attacked like that and uncalled for.

“I do not wear my uniform to and from work anymore so I am not recognised and it has knocked my confidence.”

John-Jules was bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on September 11 for a pre-sentence report.

“We are going to keep all sentencing options open, including custody,” bench Chairman Paul Brooks told her.

“You have pleaded guilty to these offences and the most serious one is assault.”

Stabbing At Imperial Wharf: Do You Know This Man?

Transport cops investigating a group stabbing at Imperial Wharf station have released this CCTV image of one of their suspects.

A twenty year-old male sustained a stab wound and was taken to hospital with serious injuries, following the incident at approximately 5.20pm on Wednesday, June 18.

He has since been discharged.

British Transport Police (BTP) officers believe the unknown male in the CCTV image may have information which could help their investigation.

Officers urge anyone who recognises the man, or who has information that could help police, to get in touch by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 553 of 18 June.

Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Two men have previously been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.

Joseph Jakada, 21, of Cambridge Gardens, Kensington and Aidan Watts, 20, of Cremorne Estate, Kensington have both been charged with Section 18 GBH and Affray.

Watts was further charged with possession of a bladed article and Jakada was charged with possession of cannabis.

A two further men were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and later released on bail.

Square Mile Booze!

A tuk-tuk pedicab driver broke into the same City of London restaurant three times in six weeks – stealing £24,000 worth of wine.

Iuliu Kubola, 61, used his job as a cover to pedal around the Square Mile, targeting the restaurant, located near the Bank of England.

CCTV images captured him taking seventy-three bottles of wine on the first occasion; three the second time, before leaving empty-handed after the third raid.

Kubola, of Richie Street, Islington pleaded guilty to three counts of burgling the Threadneedle Street business and will be sentenced in September.

He initially burgled the business on Friday, May 6, loading the bottles into his pedicab and cycling away.

He returned on June 15 and 19.

He was arrested on June 22 at around 12:30am, when an officer recognised Kubola as a person of interest following a police briefing.

Police constable Jordan Felstead approached Kubola, who had stopped outside a bar on Cornhill.

After making further enquiries with the Criminal Investigation Department, it was discovered that Kubola was a suspect connected to a spate of burglaries.

City of London Police boast that they are one of the few forces where scenes of crimes officers go to every incident where forensics can be recovered and do not screen out ‘low level’ crime.

Detective Constable Marcus Fairclough, of the Criminal Investigation Department said: “Thanks to the good work by our officers, who spotted him and quickly made enquiries and the arrest, Iuliu Kubola will face the consequences of his criminality.

“Burglary has a significant impact on businesses and residential communities.

“We will attend all reports of break-ins in the City; giving us the best chance of making an arrest and collecting evidence from a scene.

“We will always take this type of criminality seriously and thoroughly investigate all evidential leads, including forensics, to bring those perpetrators to justice.”

Kubola also caused damage to the external door and locks, costing £1,000 to change locks and £425 to repair the damage.

Physical Forensics Manager Andrew Walker, of the City of London Police, said: “Our fast response is vital to maximise forensic opportunities and lessen the impact on the victims.

“Being burgled is horrendous; not being able to tidy up or open your business and resume trading exacerbates this massively.

“The victim is at the heart of everything we do. Delivering them justice, whilst minimising the impact that crime has on them, is the bedrock on which City of London Police Forensic Services operates.”

Victoria Station Robber Kicked Commuter In Face And Head

A violent mugger, who repeatedly kicked a commuter to the head and face outside Victoria Station, has been caged for three years.

Alistair Rutherford, 45, also kicked the male victim to the back and chest, snatching his bag and earphones.

When British Transport Police (BTP) officers successfully hunted him down nearby he headbutted one of them as he resisted arrest.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of robbery, plus assaulting a police officer and was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court.

The court heard how on April 3, just before 9.00pm, Rutherford approached a man stood outside the station station and kicked him in the face, knocking him down.

As the victim got back to his feet, Rutherford kicked him again several teams in the head, chest, and back. 

Rutherford then took the victims bag from the floor as well as his headphones, which were around the victims’ neck.

Rutherford fled the scene, and the victim reported what had happened to station staff who in turn called BTP.

Officers attended shortly afterwards and began to search for Rutherford, who was seen walking along a foot tunnel into the station.

He attempted to flee, but was chased by officers and was found to be in possession of the victim’s bag and headphones.

He struggled with the officers as he was arrested, headbutting an officer before being taken into custody.

Detective Constable Victoria Price said: “I’m extremely pleased with the result in this case. 

“Rutherford acted with extreme and unprovoked violence for his own personal gain, before again striking out at our officers. 

“We do not tolerate violence of any kind on the railway network, whether it be aimed towards passengers or towards our officers as they carry out their duties.

“I want to thank the victim for bravely and quickly reporting the incident to staff, meaning officers could immediately begin to carry out a search of the area that resulted in Rutherford being identified and arrested shortly afterwards. 

“We do not tolerate robbery on the network, and will continue to bring offenders to justice.”

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.