Notorious Night Tube "Predator" Sentenced For More Offences

A night tube predator, who targeted multiple sleeping women in the early hours, has received four-and-a-half years imprisonment.

Salman Yousaf, 46, pleaded guilty to nine charges in total – eight counts of sexual assault and one of outraging public decency.

Inner London Crown Court also ordered an extended licence period on release of a further four years.

Yousaf was also placed on the sex offenders register for life and handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

He is already serving a seven-and-a-half year sentence for a sex attack on a lone female he targeted as she slept on a late-night tube train in April, 2023.

While living in Woodgrange Road, Forest Gate, east London he was convicted on that occasion of sexual assault and assault by penetration.

The Metropolitan Police (MPS), working with the British Transport Police (BTP) linked him to a series of similar offences involving lone females travelling late at night on the London Underground network.

Extensive enquiries resulted in Yousaf being linked to a total of nine offences committed between 2017 and 2021 all on board tube trains at night.

The first took place at around 5.00am on March 11, 2017 when he masturbated in front a woman on a Central Line service near Stratford.

Then on eight separate occasions, all on Central Line and Jubilee Line services, Yousaf singled out women and sexually assaulted them.

He made a conscious effort to target women who had fallen asleep on night tubes. 

Detectives arrested Yousaf in prison and he offered no comment to all questions put to him.

BTP Detective Constable Iryna Cuthbert said: “Salman Yousaf is a calculated predator who deliberately exploited the night-time rail network to target lone women, using their isolation to commit a series of premeditated crimes.

“Even when confronted, he showed a complete lack of remorse – the same absence of remorse he demonstrated at his sentencing.

“Thanks to the information provided by our colleagues at the MPS, we were able to link him to a catalogue of vile sexual offending and ultimately extend his stay behind bars beyond 2030.

“Yousaf’s crimes will have a lasting impact on the women he targeted. 

“I want to acknowledge their bravery in coming forward and reporting what happened, and I hope his sentence brings them some measure of justice.”

Seven Sisters 'Upskirter' Suspect Hunted

A female London Underground passenger was the victim of 'upskirting' as she stood on an escalator.

An unknown male targeted the woman at Seven Sisters Underground station at approximately 10.45pm on Friday, March 27.

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

Investigating officers are appealing to the public to assist them identify him.

It is suspected a male standing behind the victim used his mobile phone to record images underneath her clothing.

Anyone who recognises the suspect is asked to text BTP on 61016, or call 0800 40 50 40, using the reference 885 of 27 March.

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

Museum Vandal Given Time To Return Valuable Map

A vandal, who caused £30,000 worth of damage to an antique atlas at the National Maritime Museum, was today given a chance to return the map he cut out of the valuable tome.

Melvin West, 70, used a Stanley knife to cut the page out of the world map at the landmark Greenwich Museum and now has the cheek to say he will return it in better condition.

He pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to the atlas, belonging to The Caird Library, National Maritime Museum on February 26, last year.

West also pleaded guilty to stealing a 100 Nova Orbis antique map, worth £6,000 from The Caird Library on the same occasion and being in possession of a knife or blade, namely a yellow and black retractable Stanley knife.

On Friday, at Woolwich Crown Court, West, of Old Church Road, Chingford, east London was bailed until July 22 to give him an opportunity to return the stolen map.

Outside court he claimed: “They will get it back in much better condition. I have spent five hundred pounds restoring it.”

Staff museum were horrified to discover a page had been cut out of the world atlas and West was identified as the last person using the room.

On a previous hearing at Bromley Magistrates’ Court prosecutor Tharshani Siva said: “The defendant damaged a valuable map book by cutting the map out of the book with a Stanley knife.

“The knife was found in one of the viewing rooms at the museum and the staff had noticed the defendant had used the room last.

“Staff identified one of the books had suffered cuts and damage and one of the twelve maps in the book was missing.

“The map is worth six thousand pounds and thirty thousand pounds in damage had been caused to the atlas.”

West’s lawyer Daniel Dilein told the court on that previous occasion: “There is just one thing Mr West wants me to say and that is he is willing to return the map, but is not able to at the moment because it is with his friend, who is out of the country.

“When he can he will convey the map to the police.”

On Friday, West’s lawyer Jessica Flain said: “The police officer in the case has had a discussion with the Crown Prosecution Service. The main concern for them is the recovery of the stolen item.

“They have not recovered it yet, but by July 22 it will be recovered and will be with the officer.”

Recorder Nigel Sangster KC asked: “Why do you think it will be handed back?”

“He says he has access to it and will have it within seven days and will be able to hand the item back before the date,” replied Ms Flain.

“I’m told you are going to return this map and if you do the prosecution may take a view on the charges you face,” Recorder Sangster told West.

Disabled Train Passenger Assaulted And Robbed Of Mobile Phone

A disabled train passenger was left “shaken and extremely distressed” when attacked for his mobile phone.

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

Officers are appealing to members of the public to assist them identify the mystery male.

The victim was onboard a train service approaching Bromley South railway station at approximately 11.30am on Wednesday, May 6.

BTP officers are treating the incident as assault and robbery and have stated the disabled victim was left “shaken and extremely distressed.”

The victim was approached my an unknown male, assaulted and had his mobile phone taken.

Detectives would like to speak to the man pictured, as they believe he may have information which could help their investigation.

Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 245 of 6 May.

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

City Lawyer Cleared Of Assaulting Wife

Court Arrival: Boris Telyatnikov

A partner in a leading City law firm, who lost his career when charged with assaulting his wife during a money row at their £2m home, has been cleared by a judge who condemned the woman’s lies.

Solicitor Boris Telyatnikov, 42, always denied grabbing the arm of pharmaceutical executive Sophie Voigt-Firon, who claimed he arrived home drunk, demanding she transfer £4,000 to his account.

“She previously lied to the defendant in the course of their relationship,” announced District Judge Rebecca Saillet. “She lied about having an affair, she lied about her bonus money and lied about hiring a private investigator.”

The intimate details of the power couple’s troubled marriage, during which they both had secret affairs, was publicly laid bare at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court during a tense trial last Friday.

Privately-educated Telyatnikov, the son of former Soviet Union diplomats, was found not guilty of assaulting Sophie on July 21, last year at the five-bedroom former matrimonial home in Surrey Lane, Battersea.

The lawyer arrived at the trial with a large entourage of legal experts and professional supporters, some of whom gave character evidence on his behalf.

He now lives in nearby Albany Mansions, Albert Bridge Road, but in January was forced to quit his partnership with Blackfriars firm Enyo Law, which specialises in ‘advising corporations and high net worth individuals in complex high-value proceedings.’

“I was in shock and did not know how to react,” Telyatnikov told the trial. “This was made up stuff and she seemed to be doing it to gain an upper hand in the divorce.”

Before their marriage in 2014 Sophie insisted on a pre-nuptial agreement. “She was worried about her family’s wealth and me having a claim on that,” Telyatnikov told the court.

“We had a substantial income. I am unemployed at the moment.”

Sophie Voigt-Firon & Catherine Pritchard-Gordon

The wife also lied her annual £50,000 bonus had not been paid and on the evening of the row Telyatnikov was demanding she pay half of the couple’s £8,000 per-month mortgage.

Giving evidence behind a screen she told the trial she was home with her mother, nanny Catherine Pritchard-Gordon and her eight year-old son asleep upstairs, when Telyatnikov returned at 9.30pm.

“He was unhappy to see my mother there and made a cut-throat gesture with his finger,” claimed Sophie. “He told my mother: ‘I want you out now.’

“I could tell he was drunk. I could smell the alcohol on his breath and he was angry, the expression in his eyes and the tone of his voice was angry, his body language was very angry.

“He said that as we were divorcing he could not keep giving me money and I should pay half of the mortgage.

“He said: ‘This is my f***ing money you c***. I’ve spent so much f***ing money on you, you c***.’

“Our marriage had broken down,” admitted Sophie. “I had an affair that I am not proud of and he had an affair with a colleague at work.”

She said during the row Telyatnikov said the couple would have to sack their £1,000 per-week nannies if she did not make the online bank transfer.

“I was holding my phone, but my hand was shaking with nerves as I was fumbling trying to open the banking app, but I think he thought I was recording him and went to grab my arm.

“I dropped my phone and said: ’Ouch, stop, this is hurting me and he did let go.’ It did hurt, it scared me, but excruciating pain? No.

“I was really scared and overwhelmed. Things got out of hand and I was worried about what would happen next, he was self-righteous in his anger.”

She called the police on the insistence of her nanny, with Telyatnikov having already called the emergency services to have his mother-in-law removed from the property.

“Do you think you have exaggerated some of the things that happened?” asked Christine Agnew KC, defending. “You’re exaggerating what happened for your own ends and see this allegation as a weapon in your divorce proceedings.”

Sophie insisted the assault occurred and was critical of her ex’s behaviour during the marriage. “I found out via a private detective he was having an affair.

“I suspected it for many years, it was with someone at work. The detective followed Boris twice and my family told me not to give him any more money.”

That is one reason she lied to Telyatnikov about not receiving her £50,000 annual bonus. “He clearly had enough money to come home drunk and took the money away from the nannies.”

The nanny, Mrs Pritchard-Gordon was also a prosecution witness, even though she was upstairs when the alleged assault occurred.

“I he
ard the door slam and footsteps downstairs and then the shouting, the confrontation between Boris and Sophie. I heard raised voices, particularly Boris and he was demanding money.

“He definitely referred to her as a ‘f***ing c***’ several times. Boris sounded really angry and I was worried for the child’s safety and my safety. I was scared actually.

“I heard Sophie say: ‘No Boris, don’t touch me,’ and she was visibly traumatised and pale. I thought she was going to collapse.”

Telyatnikov conceded the marriage was dogged by infidelity on both sides. “I once saw that she received a message from an unknown number that was sexually explicit and years later she confirmed it was from the same person she was having an affair with.

“I was devastated by what I found out and how long it had been going on for. I had an affair with a fellow-partner between Spring and August, last year.

He discovered his wife had him followed after discovering a £2,000 payment to a detective agency on a bank statement. “That was the end. I decided on divorce.”

Telyatnikov denied making the ‘cut-throat’ gesture when returning home to find his wife and mother-in-law drinking and eating pizza in front of the tv.

“Sophie’s mother is very volatile. I would not be surprised if she started shouting at me and throwing things at me and yes, I called the police.

“I was not drunk. I am a big guy and half a bottle of wine and some snacks will not get me drunk.” aded the lawyer, insisting he was 2-3 metres away from Sophie when she was on the phone.

“I did not grab her arm.”

Judge Saillet did not accuse the wife of lying on oath, but concluded:“The complainant’s evidence was clearly embellished from the account she gave to the police and the words she used come from the evidence of Mrs Pritchard-Gordon.

“She told the court she has not spoken to Mrs Pritchard-Gordon about the incident and that seems incredible given their close relationship and the nanny says they did talk about the incident.

“Why would he grab her wrist when she was doing what he wanted in transferring the money?

“Mr Telyatnikov gave evidence in a clear manner and denied putting hands on his wife and was consistent in what he said to police on arrest and in interview.

“He is a man of good character and this incident would have been totally out of character had it occurred in the manner explained by Mrs Voigt-Firon.”

Forensic Psychologist Guilty Of Seventeen Years-Old Grudge

A forensic psychologist has been convicted of sending a foul-mouthed abusive text to a supervisor she last worked under seventeen years ago.

Bibi Cotman, 55, had not been in contact with the female victim for that same period of time until suddenly sending the evening text, which was full of historic work grievances and wishing a painful death on the victim.

“It was a nasty message, received out of the blue from an unknown number and was quite threatening,” announced District Judge Rebecca Saillet last week.

Mother-of-one Cotman, of Houblon Road, Richmond-upon-Thames fought the case, but was convicted of sending an offensive communication to Wimbledon resident Maureen Duffy on October 23, last year.

“Ms Cotman did not give any evidence today so I have no explanation as to what may have been going on with her that day,” added the judge.

The Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court trial heard the retired victim received the text from Cotman at 9.45pm, which read: “You, my dear are one of the nastiest, self-centred, most narcissistic, self-serving c**** I’ve met.

“I’ve never forgotten the trauma you caused me, thinking you could control people with your ridiculous work ethic to be like the Devil Wears Prada when in reality you were a spinster taking your anger out on others.

“I hope you die a slow cancerous death you c***. Cheers.”

Cotman claims she has no memory of the text and tried to beat the charge by insisting she had her own mental health challenges at the time.

However, Judge Saillet ruled: “Many that come before these courts suffer mental health difficulties, but that in itself is not a defence or having no memory of sending the message.

“There is no evidence she was going through a crisis and it was sent to an ex-employer with work grudges.

“I am satisfied Ms Cotman sent the message with intent to cause stress and anxiety and find her guilty of the offence.”

Prosecutor Lucy Bleichroeder told the trial the victim reported the text to police, who quickly identified Cotman as the sender as they had a record of her phone number from four recent calls she made to emergency services.

In her statement the victim, who lives alone, said: “I worry constantly about being attacked due to this message.” 

Cotman was questioned at Kingston Police Station on December 9, but refused to answer questions and sat in silence.

She suffered a brain aneurysm in 2023 and called her own consultant forensic psychologist Chireal Shallow, who told the trial: “This is a very nuanced and complex situation.”

Cotman’s lawyer Pat Lloyd said: “She had nothing to do with this woman for seventeen years and never saw her or spoke to her.

“She is going to be evicted shortly from her home, which she shares with her sixteen year-old daughter, because she has not paid the rent.

“She does not know where she is going and is in receipt of £1900 per month Universal Credit.

“She says she did not mean it and it is unlike her and it was a one-off and she is at the end of her tether today and she would love to have the chance to apologise.”

From the back of the courtroom Cotman said: “It was a horrible message and it was a shock when it was read to me. It is not okay.”

She was ordered to pay £50 compensation to the victim, plus £100 court costs by Judge Judge Saillet, who told her: “I’ve heard what you said and appreciate that you appreciate it wasn’t a nice message to receive.

“I know you have difficulties in your life, but I did find you guilty of sending a very nasty message to poor Mrs Duffy and the compensation is for the fear and distress you caused her that night.”