£2M School Arsonists Receive Suspended Prison Sentences

Louis Hall-Simper

Two young arsonists, responsible for burning down a £2m school building, received suspended prison sentences today.

Louis Hall-Simper, 23, and Harry Shearman, 22, are former pupils of Hinchley Wood Primary School, Esher, Surrey and fought the charge.

They were both convicted of arson by a Kingston-upon-Thames Crown jury, who found they were to blame for the fire in the early hours of September 26, 2021 when The Woodies Building was destroyed.

Unfortunately court staff failed to comply with the direction of Recorder Aiden Eardley QC, who ordered a live online link of the sentencing hearing to be made available to the media.

Hall-Simper received ten months imprisonment, suspended for twelve months and Shearman nine months imprisonment, suspended for twelve months.

Hall-Simper must also complete 200 hours community service work and Shearman 180 hours.

Both defendants were also each ordered to pay £1200 costs.

When prosecutor Tim Sleigh opened the trial he told the jurors both defendants had been drinking that night and later told police they lit a disposable BBQ to keep warm on the school premises.

However, the prosecution say there was no evidence of a BBQ in the debris and even if the ex-pupils’ account is true they were at least reckless in starting the fire.

“On that night the wooden building burned down, causing over two million pounds worth of damage,” said Mr Sleigh. “These two defendants were past pupils of the school some years earlier.

“They had met that night, drank some alcohol and decided to break into their old school at 11.00pm and having entered the grounds they sat in a courtyard.

Harry Shearman

“That area was partly covered by wooden struts and having sat there for a while they broke into the school building and CCTV evidence shows them looking around.

“Meanwhile, a fire developed outside the building while the defendants were inside and when they realised this they fled.

“The fire brigade extinguished the fire, but were not able to save the building and it was destroyed,” explained Mr Sleigh. 

“You will have to decide if their behaviour was reckless or deliberate,” he told the jurors.

“No disposable BBQ was found, but one would not necessarily be discovered. 

“Experts will tell you the fire could have burned at 430 degrees centigrade.”

When initially questioned by police neither defendant mentioned anything about a BBQ.

“Shearman initially said they had sat in the area, but he did not know how the fire started and then he said in his second interview they had lit a disposable BBQ to stay warm.

“He said they left it when they decided to enter the school , but he had urinated and poured water onto it.

“In his second interview Hall-Simper gave a similar account about the BBQ and that they had left it pretty much extinguished.

“Did these defendants see a risk at leaving that BBQ there and was it unreasonable to take that risk?” asked Mr Sleigh. 

“You will be invited to consider by the prosecution that these two defendants committed arson on that day.”

Banned: Speeding Mayfair Art Photography Gallery Owner Caught On Camera

Caught On Camera: Art Photography Dealer Jefferies

The speeding Bentley-driving ex-husband of Koo Stark was banned from driving today, despite fighting for his licence to save his teenage children from mobile phone thieves.

Mayfair art gallery-owner Tim Jefferies, 63, was caught on camera speeding in a 20mph zone while behind the wheel of his silver 6.75 litre Bentley Continental.

Known as a smooth talker, who sells valuable photographs
for up to £500,000 to wealthy customers, he failed to talk his way out of a six-month disqualification.

Wearing a smart blue jacket, jeans and a mauve shirt he told Lavender Hill Magistrates he needed to keep his licence for the school run; to continue operating his gallery and visiting his 83 year-old mother at her Sussex retirement village.

He married Prince Andrew’s ex Koo when he was aged twenty-one years-old and she was twenty-eight, but the marriage barely lasted a year.

Jefferies, who lives in £4.2m West House, Addison Crescent, Kensington reportedly went onto date pop star Kylie Minogue, and models Claudia Schiffer, Sophie Dahl and Elle ‘The Body’ Macpherson.

He pleaded guilty to speeding at 25mph on the A4 Cromwell Road on February 22 in the twenty-four year-old luxury vehicle, which brings three penalty points.

With nine points already on his licence for speeding on May 8, 2022 and using his mobile phone while driving on July 20, 2022 that brought him to twelve points - triggering an automatic six-month ban.

He told the court his licence was vital to enable him to drive his 16 year-old daughter and 13 year-old son to their school in Barnes, a responsibility he shares with their Swedish model mother Malin Johansson, 48.

Asking not to be disqualified under exceptional hardship grounds Jefferies told the court: “They live with their mum and they come to me every other weekend and once during the week.

“We share the responsibility of taking them to school. She has a business making cashmere jumpers, cashmere clothing and falls back on me and vice versa, it is an important thing.

Court Out: Jefferies Leaves Lavender Hill Magistrates'

“The school is in Barnes and Hammersmith Bridge is closed so that makes it forty-five minutes each way, using Chiswick Bridge.

“As the evenings are drawing in I am concerned for the kids walking home in the dark for thirty-five minutes. 

“Some have had their phones taken from them by other kids.

“Their mother’s work commitments are fluid and that is why we split it between the two of us. If I did not drive it would impact her business.

“My daughter is very involved in her school’s drama and that is going to keep her occupied for several months, staying at school until 6.00pm.

“They are at an age, thirteen and sixteen and I do not have that bond of living with them. 

“The driving, taking them back and forth and driving them around is time I cherish and that time, if it were taken away, I would not want to think about.

“To not see them as frequently for six months if I couldn’t drive is a long time in kiddie years.”

His Hamiltons Gallery business would also be hit if he was disqualified, claimed Jefferies, explaining he personally takes his valuable photographs to Islington framers approximately once a week or three times a month.

“My Mayfair gallery specialises in exhibiting and the sale of late twentieth century photographs and some paintings to, but the photography is what I am best known for.

“I take the photos for framing to Islington. I know how they should look and none of my seven employees are qualified to do that.

“They can be extremely valuable, five to ten thousand pounds up to half a million pounds.

“I also need to collect and deliver to clients in and around London and the countryside and they expect to see me, I’m front of house, I make the sales and I am at the beginning and end of the transaction.

“I do not have an insurance policy that allows me to transport the art by taxi and certainly not by bus or the tube.

“There is no doubt in my mind the business would be affected. It is a tough time to be an art dealer or in any business at the moment and losing my licence would definitely have some impact on my business.

“I am looking at ways to cut corners and costs. Maybe I would have to let somebody go and it concerns me not being able to conduct the business as I always have.”

His licence is vital to continue visiting his octogenarian mother Hilary, who depends on his visits for her mental health and spirits, said Jefferies.

“My mother had a catastrophic breakdown and was in a mental ward for six months,” he told the magistrates.

“She is in a facility with other elderly people and lives there now and I see her twice a month. I drive there.

“She refers to it like a prison, but there are no bars on the windows and she likes it if I take her out to lunch or for a coffee.”

Both Hilary and Malin wrote letters to the court, with his mother saying it would cause her “upset, anxiety and pain,” not to see her son.

“I see how much she responds to and enjoys my visits and I also take my kids once a month and that brings great joy to her.

“She says I am her only contact with the outside world.

“I am not a medical professional, but I see the difference my visits make to her demeanour and she would be very depressed for sure if I did not visit.

“It is really in the middle of nowhere. It is quite isolated,” added Jefferies, saying his sister visits every six weeks from her Devon home.

Earlier prosecutor Susan Carnegie told the court it was 4.12pm when Jefferies was caught on a speed camera driving at 25mph in a 20mph zone.

His lawyer Ben Langley said: “We ask for full credit for the guilty plea. You have heard there were nine points on the licence at the time and it is a clean licence now.

“Mr Jefferies had to loan away his BMW for six weeks and he only uses this car very occasionally and that is maybe why he edged over the limit.

“He has never been to court before and has had a licence for forty-five years and asks you not to disqualify him today.”

Bench Chairman David Simms announced: “We have carefully considered everything that was said and we are not persuaded on the balance of probabilities that a disqualification would cause exceptional hardship.

“As for your business there are alternatives to get to the framers and clients and for your children there is public transport and taxis.

“For visiting your mother there are alternative means of transport and you could co-ordinate visits with your sister and there are visiting facilities on the site.”

Jefferies was fined £317, with £130 costs and ordered to pay a £127 victim surcharge and disqualified for six months.

“You must not attempt to drive or actually drive while you are disqualified,” Mr Simms told Jefferies. “Driving while disqualified is a very serious offence.”

Finally: Hefty Prison Sentence For Scourge Of Square Mile

A prolific City of London thief, who brandished a knife at a female shop assistant when she tried to stop him stealing expensive perfume, has been locked-up.

Samuel Anouer, 34, entered the Square Mile despite two banning orders, prohibiting him entering the City due to serious previous offending.

Once he pulled the deadly weapon he turned a shoplifting offence into a robbery and is now starting a prison sentence of four years and nine months.

He pleaded guilty to robbery; theft and possession of a bladed weapon.

On Tuesday, February 11 at approximately 6.45pm he entered the store, located in Octagon Arcade, near Liverpool Street railway station.

Anouer brazenly began taking fragrances from the shelves, prompting a smaller female assistant to intervene.

He pulled out the knife and continued helping himself to perfumes before leaving with around £640 worth of stock.

Following CCTV enquiries and a positive identification, officers attended an address the following morning and arrested Anouer.

Detective Constable Emma Martin, of the Criminal Investigations Department at the City of London Police, said: “This would have been a frightening ordeal for the shop staff and to the shoppers who had witnessed Anouer wielding a knife.

“No one should have to fear violence or threatening behaviour while at work or simply going about their daily business.

“We investigate all offences thoroughly and we’re committed to keeping people safe and making sure those responsible for criminal activities are brought to justice.”

Anouer also pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching his Criminal Behaviour Order which banned him from entering the City of London.

Jailed: Ruthless Thieves Who Infested The Square Mile

Binned: Ramzi (L) & Mamma (R)

Two ruthless pickpockets and bag snatchers – who targeted pubs, bars and fast food outlets during one night in the City of London – have been locked-up.

Daniel Ramzi, 26, and his accomplice Abderrahim Mamma, 29, brought misery to the Square Mile, stealing phones, laptops and other valuables from their victims.

They each pleaded guilty to four counts of theft within the City of London.

Ramzi received fourteen months imprisonment and Mamma received twenty months imprisonment.

Mamma additionally pleaded guilty to seven theft offences outside the Square Mile. 

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

Sergeant James Wood, of the Proactive Acquisitive Crime Team at the City of London Police, said: “This is another great result in seeing two prolific bag thieves behind bars. 

“We hope that these sentences will give reassurance to businesses and members of the public that we take such offences very seriously.

“Our warning to criminals; don’t come into the City to steal bags. We will bring those committing crimes in the City to justice and we will use all of our resources to help prevent and deter any further criminal activities.”

Ramzi and Mamma committed the following offences on January 15.

Ramzi and Mamma were at a fast-food restaurant on Bishopsgate and stole a mobile phone from their victim’s coat pocket before walking away.

The pair then stole a laptop from inside a bag at a licensed premises on Gracechurch Street.

They both went on to steal another laptop from a bag at a pub in Leadenhall Market and the two were seen on CCTV reaching over a barrier to take a bag, removing a laptop inside before putting the bag back in place.

On January 21 Ramzi and Mamma went into a pub on Old Broad Street, where Ramzi slid a bag out from a pile and replaced it with a different bag. 

They approached another group and carry out another bag swap before leaving.

Rogue Travel Agent Gambled Away £268K He Nicked From Victims

A rogue travel agent is starting a prison sentence of three years and four months after gambling away £268,000 he swindled from trusting business owners.

Miles Caldwell, 47, who shared an Orpington flat with his OAP mother, received huge payments to book hotel rooms and business class flights, but pocketed the lot.

Even after his arrest on the earlier frauds he targeted more victims, who believed they were dealing with a reputable agent.

The biggest victim was events planner Liz Linkleter - former PA to fashion designer Alexander McQueen - who paid £155,751 to Caldwell, who promised to book 73 wedding hotel rooms, plus flights.

She said: “I am very angry at the way Miles Caldwell has treated my staff and I. We trusted him so did not draw up any business contracts when working with him, which I regret and have learned from.

“Financially, we lost out significantly although I was more worried about how our business would look if I would have had to cancel the wedding event and make clients aware of what really happened.”

She was unaware of Caldwell’s previous convictions, adding: “This could have looked bad on us and had a devastating impact on us as a business.”

Caldwell, of Seven Stiles Court, Ranmore Path pleaded guilty to defrauding Liz Linkleter and her self-titled company between February 6 and May 8, last year.

He also pleaded guilty to defrauding logistics manager Sahra Mirreh, who paid him to book long haul business class flights, out of £52,096 between July 17 and August 27, last year.

Caldwell fobbed her off with lies about airline ticketing delays and even asked for more money, creating dummy booking references to keep her off his back.

“Whilst under an immense amount of pressure I chose to show Miles a lot of grace and patience, not out of naivety, but in the hope he could get this situation sorted, carry-on trading and return the funds,” she said.

“Being unaware of the severity and enormity of his situation I just knew Miles to be an excellent travel agent and a pleasant person when communicating with him.

“This whole incident has left me highly stressed and I feel very angry and frustrated by the situation. I am shocked and stunned that Miles did this to me.

“I felt like he betrayed my trust. I felt like I had built up a good working relationship with him over the years, but now I believe it was based on lies.

“The incident has taken its toll on my mental health and has put me in financial trouble.

“The stress of having to relay what had happened to my clients and trying to find solutions to pay them back their money has been embarrassing and is likely to affect my business relationships going forward.”

Caldwell also pleaded guilty to defrauding events company Hudson Born out of £5,012 between April 4 and 15, this year and £55,800 out of Hippocampus Media on April 10.

Boss Matthew Hudson expected Caldwell to book hotel rooms for a marketing festival and an event involving the Football Association, but quickly became suspicious.

“Nothing in his actions displayed responsibility and I have no doubt he’d do it again,” said Mr Hudson. “I am lucky that my bank has reimbursed me.”

Hippocampus Media were fortunately reimbursed by their bank after transferring money to Caldwell to book hotel rooms, which was never done.

In 2017 Caldwell received two years imprisonment on eight counts of fraud and these latest offences continued even after he made admissions to police.

Major gambling companies have contributed to a compensation fund and Liz Linkleter will receive approximately £15,000 and Sahra Mirreh approximately £5,000.

Recorder Samantha Presland said: “There’s an element of not being able to stop himself. This involves huge sums of money, with sophistication.

“A pre-sentence report will not get him out of a custodial sentence.

“You have brought your overnight bag so are ready to face the music,” she told Caldwell. “You are clearly a very bright man.”