BTP Cop Meets His Career Waterloo

An off-duty British Transport Police Officer assaulted a woman at Waterloo railway station.

Police Constable Andrew Smith, 48, was hit with a £1,680 bill in fines and court costs.

Ironically, as a BTP officer his day-to-day responsibility is maintaining law and order on the country's railway and transport networks.

He was convicted at Hendon Magistrates Court of one count of common assault.

The court heard PC Smith assaulted the victim after an argument at the station on March 14, last year.

PC Smith remains on restricted administrative duties.

Now he has been convicted of a criminal offence PC Smith will be subject to misconduct proceedings.

If misconduct is proved he faces dismissal from the force.

Tram Bag-Snatch Bid: CCTV Image Released

Police are hunting this suspected bag snatcher after a tram commuter suffered broken teeth when she was dragged to the ground.

British Transport Police have released this CCTV image as they attempt to identify the man.

They are treating the offence as attempted robbery.

The woman was targeted at 11.30am on Tuesday February 4 at Reeves Corner Tram Stop, Croydon.

The suspect is reported to have tried ripping the victim’s bag from her hands. 

This caused her to fall over and suffer injuries to her face and teeth.

Witnesses challenged the man and he ran away empty handed towards West Croydon railway station, where he is believed to have boarded a train.

Officers would like to speak to the man in the image who may have information that can help their investigation.

Anyone who knows him is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40. 

In both cases, quote reference number 208 of 04/02/20.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Couple From Hell Jailed For Brutal Attack On Man

Caged: Cecil Phillips & Tarnia Piasecki

A violent couple, who savagely beat their victim after the female half of the duo invited him back to their place, have been locked-up.

Cecil Phillips, 46, and Tarnia Piasecki, 32, both of Warner Road, Camberwell, were both convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Their victim, aged 42 years-old, who was subjected to a violent twenty-minute beating, was left fighting for his life with severe head injuries.

At Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court Phillips received 18 years imprisonment and Piasecki 10 years.

Detective Constable Nicola Barker, from the South Central Command Unit, said:"The victim of this horrific assault fortunately made a full recovery, thanks to the aid administered by the initial responding officers, paramedics and NHS staff.

"But for their efforts the assault inflicted by Phillips and Piasecki could have proved fatal. 

“I hope the sentence we have received will allow the victim some closure as he moves on with his life."

Police in Southwark were called to Warner Road at 05.41am on September 15, 2018, following reports of an assault.

Officers attended and found a man suffering from a serious head injury. 

He was taken to hospital in a critical condition.

Both Phillips and Piasecki were arrested the same day in connection with the incident. 

They were charged and remanded in custody.

Enquiries were undertaken to identify the victim immediately after the assault, including the issue of a media appeal. 

However, in late September 2018 the man awoke and identified himself to hospital staff. 

It was established that the victim and the suspects were known to each other.

Piasecki targeted the victim, approaching him in Camberwell, and inviting him back to the address where the assault took place, in order to rob him. 

Phillips followed them and the victim was subjected to a sustained attack.

Judge Rajeev Shetty told the pair their victim as “attacked and beaten savagely,” describing Phillips as a “dangerous offender” and Piasecki as a “fairly manipulative person.”

Multiple Rapist Trapped By His Own Phone Recordings Of Abuse

A dangerous sexual predator, who filmed his repeated abuse of sleeping women, has been jailed for twenty-one years.

The seven victims did not even know they had been sexually abused by 33 year-old Jamie Rogers, who was trapped by his own sordid recordings.

Six foot-plus Rogers, of Vincent Drive, Shepperton pleaded guilty to multiple offences committed over almost a decade between January, 2009 and July, 2017.

At Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court Rogers was sentenced as a 'dangerous' offender, who must serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before parole is considered.

Once released he will be on licence for an extended period of seven years and and was placed on the sex offenders register for life.

He pleaded guilty to 12 counts of rape; 15 counts of assault by penetration and 19 counts of sexual assault.

Many of the offences involved Rogers penetrating the victims' with objects such as mobile phones; shoes; cigarettes and a baton.

The court heard Rogers carried out the attacks while the victims were asleep.

None of them were aware they had been sexually assaulted until police – who were examining his phone for an unrelated matter – discovered images and videos that Rogers had taken.

Following an investigation by detectives from Specialist Crime he was charged by post to attend Wimbledon Magistrates Court.

Detective Inspector Simon Dowling, said: “Rogers took complete advantage of these women to fulfil his own depraved sexual fantasies.

“The victims in this case were completely unaware of what had happened to them until they were notified by police.

“They were left utterly shocked by what was disclosed and they will have to live with the repercussions of this for the rest of their lives.

“We take all reports of sexual offences very seriously and we hope this shows our commitment to bringing offenders of this nature to justice.”

Detective Constable Kevin Newton, who led the investigation, said: “This has been a long and very challenging investigation and I am pleased Rogers is now behind bars and unable to subject anyone else to this kind of behaviour.

“Our thoughts remain with the victims – many of whom have been left traumatised by their ordeals – and we would like to take this opportunity to thank them for supporting this prosecution.”

Rogue Travel Agent Takes Flight: Wanted For £125K Swindle

Police are hunting a suspected rogue travel agent, who flew to the Canary Islands after taking £125,000 from unhappy holiday customers.

Fifty-six victims have been identified that paid Hayley King, 34, money for vacations that were never fully-booked.

The Feltham-based internet travel agent accepted bookings as 'Around The World Travel'.

It is alleged that King was taking money from victims and informing them that their holidays were booked.

However, victims subsequently found out that none, or only a small amount of the holiday had actually been paid for.

At this time officers have identified victims of fraud from across the country.

Police have information that King left the UK and travelled to Fuerteventura, Canary Isles, on March 24, last year and it appears she has not returned.

Detective Constable Ryan Maginnes of the Metropolitan Police's Economic Crime Command, said: “We urgently want to trace King and would ask anyone with information to contact police. 

“If she is abroad you can contact the local force and give them your information.

“We would also ask anyone else who thinks they may have been a victim of this fraud to contact police. 

“It is my fear that there may be other victims who are not yet aware that their holidays have not been paid for. 

“Anyone with information should contact police or Crimestoppers.”

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC. Please quote CAD 2225/13JAN.

To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

Rogue Traders Jailed For Scamming OAP Out Of £1.1m

Greed: Casey

Two rogue builders have each received eight years imprisonment for their plot to swindle an isolated WW2 veteran octogenarian out of his home and savings in a £1.1m scam.

Bachelor Henry James Bennett - known as ‘Jim’ - died aged 88 years-old in the Earlsfield house he had resided all his life and immediately the greedy duo tried to cash in.

Tony Casey, 34, of Brookes Place, Potters Bar and John O’Connor, 37, of Knatts Valley Homes, Sevenoaks, Kent both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud.

They had been employed by Mr. Bennett in the years before his death, with the pensioner withdrawing unexplained cash amounts totalling £32,500 from his bank in 2003.

Neighbours told police Casey and his associates would often take the pensioner, who worked for British manufacturer De La Rue until his retirement, to the bank.

Detective Constable Siobhan Cowlin said afterwards: “This was a truly horrible, calculated and predatory fraud investigation in which two men groomed and took full advantage of a vulnerable elderly man.

King Con: O'Connor

“Had it not been for a family member contacting the police then Casey and O’Connor might very well have got away with this crime.

“Although this investigation has taken years to complete, it was worth it to see these two men behind bars.”

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard Mr. Bennett received £20,000 from O’Connor in 2007 for the freehold in exchange for a 21-year lease that allowed him to continue living at 51 Brookwood Road.

Prosecutor Mr. Nicholas Alexander said a company owned by John O’Connor provided the funds and the property was signed over to his brother Jeremiah before ownership was transferred to Casey.

Now the ‘landlord’ Casey put the property up for sale in June, 2015 for £949,000, with Mr. Bennett a sitting tenant.

Isolated Mr. Bennett, who did not even have a home phone died, on March 23, 2016 and two weeks later Casey had possession of his death certificate and was arranging the cheapest cremation he could find.

He told the funeral directors Mr. Bennett was his uncle, but changed his story and claimed he was his grandfather to locksmiths and a solicitor.

When the solicitor questioned the whereabouts of Casey’s father, potentially the next-of-kin, the defendant said he disappeared to Ireland twenty years ago and had not been seen or heard of since. 

Target: 51 Brookwood Road

Casey insisted on “low key” marketing of the property, but once the estate agents persuaded him to advertise on the internet it was spotted by Mr. Bennett’s second cousin in Dorset.

She began investigating after her Christmas card to Mr. Bennett was returned.

“I found out the house was on the market and I was shocked and surprised and very curious,” Linda Sutton told the jury.

“It was very upsetting the cremation had taken place and the ashes were still with the funeral directors,” added Mrs Sutton, who paid the £2,000 balance Casey had avoided.

She had only met Mr. Bennett once, back in 1990, but exchanged occasional letters with him and sometimes received calls via a public telephone.

“I was seeking to right the wrong,” said Mrs Sutton, who reported the house sale to police and was awarded the property in civil court, a judgement unsuccessfully challenged by Casey.

Casey says he was “treated like a grandson” by Mr. Bennett, who he gave “friendship and emotional support.”

He also claimed Mr. Bennett was of “sound mind” when the freehold was transferred. 

Surfgirl Rockchick Guilty Of £13,000 Disability Benefits Scam

Surfing Up A Claim: Hamlyn-Wright

A globe-trotting musician and competitive surfer has been convicted today of a £13,000 disability benefits scam after lying she was so disabled she couldn’t dress or wash herself.

Glastonbury performer October Hamlyn-Wright, 36, toured Australia and Scandinavia and made a music video featuring her surfing skills, which was played to the jury during her trial.

The self-styled ‘Rockchick’ and ’Surfgirl’, of Phoenix Court, Dukes Avenue, New Malden finished fifth in the 2016 British National Surf Championships and claimed the same position in the following year’s English National Surfing Championships. 

Surrey-born Hamlyn-Wright was convicted by a Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court jury of making a dishonest false representation about her mobility and care needs to the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) in claims for Disability Living Allowance on October 3, 2015 and will be sentenced on March 10.

Judge Georgina Kent told the first-time offender today: “What is important is that you attend court and co-operate with the probation service. They are the best people to help the court in dealing with your case.

“You do not have to concern yourself with an immediate custodial sentence.”

Court Date: Hamlyn-Wright

She split her time between New Malden and the UK capital of surfing Newquay, Cornwall, sometimes sleeping in her car, but now has a more permanent address in the area in Lewarne Road, Porth.

Prosecutor Mr. Andrew Price told the court Hamlyn-Wright, who performs simply as ‘October’ had posted pictures and videos of herself on Facebook, YouTube and her own personal website.

“She surfed across the world and Australia and performed at Glastonbury and the Isle of Wight festival and many other venues.

“In the biography on her ‘October Rocks’ website she says she is a professional singer, songwriter, surfer and shark enthusiast and a surfing competitor with ‘Boardmasters’.

“She says she splits her time between London and the south-west and had performed on nine stages at two festivals and at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, the ExCel, in Gothenburg, Birmingham Symphony Hall and Melbourne.”

Hamlyn-Wright has lived on benefits all her adult life and the court heard she was awarded the higher rate of the care component because she said she required 120 minutes a day for a carer to assist her getting in and out of bed and 60 minutes every day for washing.

“The benefit was awarded on the basis she was virtually unable to walk and needed full-time care,” added Mr. Price.

“There are videos and photos from 2013 onwards and she was also put under surveillance for a month and is walking, shopping, climbing stairs, performing and engaging with her audience between songs unaided and without obvious pain.”

Hamlyn-Wright wrote a lengthy letter, listing her multiple ailments when claiming benefits.

Board Life: Hamlyn-Wright

She said she had autoimmune disease lupus, which caused swelling in her lungs that made “breathing and existence agonising,” and suffered stomach pains and leg rash.

Hamlyn-Wright complained of nightly vomiting, pain in her jaw and groin and bleeding lumps on her head. “It’s a complete nightmare and prevents living a normal life.”

Her surfboarding dog Tia, who featured in the video wearing a doggie lifejacket, was trained to assist her by picking up the post and fetching her phone and handbag.

Lupus causes her inflammation to her kidneys and blood vessels and she suffers “unbearable shooting pain” in her nerves, she wrote.

Painful fibromyalgia was another illness and she suffered burns when suddenly dropping hot drinks, adding: “Sharp pains would leave me gasping for air.”

Insomnia was another issue, staying awake three days in a row before plunging into long sleeps of up to 21 hours.

She was wheelchair-bound for periods of her life, claimed Hamlyn-Wright, adding she’s had steroid injections into her joints and the base of her spine.

Chronic arthritis was another problem all her adult life as well as Crohn’s disease, an inflammation of the bowel.  

Chest inflammation is common, she wrote. “The pain is so bad my chest cannot move as it should. Lying down is excruciatingly painful and when that happens someone has to help me lie down and get up.”

Falls had resulted in fractured ankles an she has suspected gout and joints can seize up at any time. “Dressing and getting in and out of the bath is impossible on my own.”

A helpful neighbour puts her bin out, does her shopping and takes her bills to the Post Office to be paid, said Hamlyn-Wright, claiming her “legs burn” simply climbing stairs.

The investigation found her website detailing a hectic lifestyle at the same time she was suffering these ailments and the jury were played another video of her recording a song while playing her surfboard like a drum.

She gushed on ‘OctoberRocks.com’ : “I have to keep slapping myself. It’s real I’m playing Glastonbury for the sixth time this year.”

She also competed in the Red Bull surfing series and was featured in Surfgirl magazine. 

One of her tracks was played on Radio One and she performed with the BBC Big Band.

She updated her followers by breathlessly announcing: “I’m so excited. I’ll be playing and competing on the world surf tour. Complete madness.”

She plugged her album ‘Some of the Things’, telling followers: “I can’t keep up,” due to all the interview and promotional work she was doing.

She toured Australia in 2017 and posted a pic of her surfing near a legendary coastline, writing on Facebook: “So stoked to have surfed the legendary Bells Beach.”

She also wrote: “Had a lush four-hour surf at an Australian nature reserve today.”

There were other surfing and diving images of her all over social media, plus mentions of live performances in Newquay, Chepstow, Bristol, Penzance and Camden.

She was  featured artist on the ‘BBC Introducing…..’ live stage at the Royal Cornwall Show and she posted a pic of her giving Prince William a copy of her CD.

HMP Wandsworth Screw Denies Keys Mould Charge

A HMP Wandsworth prison officer, accused of making moulds of keys at the jail, denied a charge of misconduct in public office today.

Lithuanian-born Andrej Martynov, 40, appeared on bail at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court, where he will return for a five-day trial on September 28.

He pleaded not guilty to one count of while a holder of a public office, namely ‘lock and key controller’ he made moulds of prison keys and removed them from HMP Wandsworth on or before September 12, last year.

Martynov, of Routh Street, Beckton, east London told Judge Judith Coello from the dock: “I am guilty of making moulds, but I didn’t want to sell them.”

His lawyer Mr. Thomas Beynon told the court: “It seems he may have just been foolish, but the Crown’s case is that he may have been doing this for financial reward.

“He is a man of good character and was a prison officer. He did accept in his police interview that he did make the moulds.”

“It is particularly serious,” said Judge Coello, adding after hearing Martynov needed a Russian court interpreter: “He was a prison officer at HMP Wandsworth and he needs an interpreter.

“How was he able to do his job?”

Ghanaian Tourist Nicked Identity In £72K Benefit Scam

A Ghanaian visitor, who overstayed and stole another woman’s identity to claim £72,263 in benefits, has won permission to live in the UK after giving birth to a daughter here, a court heard.

Elizabeth Guyamfuah, 56, claims she paid £7,000 to a bent solicitor with a Home Office contact to obtain the paperwork, which ruined the other woman’s life.

She arrived in the UK on a one-year visa in 2004 on condition she did not seek employment or claim benefits, but over four years later she was still here and applied for income support with the bogus identity.

At Inner London Crown Court Guyamfuah, of London Road, Croydon pleaded guilty to possessing false identity documents, namely a passport and certificate of naturalisation on October 22, 2008.

She also pleaded guilty to dishonestly making a false statement to obtain Universal Credit; Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit during a claim from 2009 to 2018.

Guyamfuah received twenty months imprisonment, suspended for two years and was ordered to complete 150 hours community service work.

The court heard Guyamfuah assumed the identity of Ghana-born Hilda Quainoo, of Reading, Berkshire, who did have permission to live in the UK.

She and her children were evicted from their home when unable to claim their legitimate benefits, she was unable to renew her passport and her GP surgery refused to see her, assuming she had moved to Croydon.

Once the victim reported her identity had been hijacked Guyamfuah was quizzed by the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) and still tried to pass herself off as Hilda Quainoo.

“Her story unravelled and she gave her full name and said she bought the identity from a lawyer, now deceased,” said prosecutor Matilda Robinson-Murphy.

Guyamfuah gave birth to her daughter Christina, who is a UK citizen, in 2008 and still claims she does not know who the father is.

Using the documents supplied by lawyer ‘Francis’ and civil servant ‘James’ she successfully got her hands on a Ghanaian passport with a ‘permanent leave to remain in the UK’ stamp.

“The claim began because of her personal circumstances,” said Robin Harrison, defending. “She was a young woman with no money and with a young daughter.”

Guyamfuah now has leave to remain in the UK until October 8, 2021 and is currently receiving £500 a month Universal Credit, plus NHS care for high blood pressure and osteoarthritis.

“That money was effectively stolen from others who needed it and that in my judgement is serious criminality,” announced Recorder SJ Phillips QC.

“These offences were sophisticated and involved planning. 

“The lady whose identity you stole has suffered very significantly as a result of your actions,” the Recorder told Guyamfuah.

“She to has children and because of difficulties she faced claiming benefits she and those children were evicted from their home and that cancels out any personal mitigation on your behalf.

“I have read you are an outgoing person and a valuable member of your community and your church and you have a daughter for whom you are the sole carer.

“Were I to send you into custody today there is the possibility your daughter would have to go into care.

“You are a church member and must have been in no doubt about the immorality of your behaviour, disgraceful conduct on your part, taking money others deserved.”

The DWP intend to pursue compensation under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Belsize Park Assault: Woman Sentenced

A woman has been fined for an assault at a Hampstead address.

Apple Jin, 48, appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court, where she admitted the offence.

Jin, of Regent's Park Road, Regent's Park was fined £76, with £85 costs and ordered to pay a £32 victim surcharge.

She pleaded guilty to assaulting Eric Schachter by beating at the address (pictured) in Steele's Road, Belsize Park on August 12, last year.

City Law Firm IT Boss Sentenced For £175K Fraud

The IT boss of an international City law firm abused company cash to buy £175,000 worth of high-end mobile phones, which he sold to fund his online gambling habit, a court heard yesterday.

Father-of-two Justin Lowdon, 44, who was employed by US-based Proskauer Rose at their Bishopsgate office received two years imprisonment, suspended for two years.

At Inner London Crown Court Lowdon, of

Newfield Gardens, Marlow, Buckinghamshire pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position between January 1, 2013 and September, 2015.

Recorder SJ Phillips QC told him: “The amount was significant. You were employed as the IT manager and you ordered mobile phones, which were not required and sold them on for your own benefit.

“The reason you did this is because you were under a lot of stress in your job, you had an online gambling addiction and significant personal debt.

“There is no excuse for what you did and this criminal behaviour you know is wrong and you should not have done it.

“This is a serious crime that must be reflected in the sentence I hand down, but the fact that it has taken three years to come to court must be taken into account.

“You have not used money to fund a lavish lifestyle and if I sentence you to imprisonment today it would have a significant impact on your wife and children.”

The court heard an internal audit uncovered the fraud in 2017.

Also ordering first-time offender Lowdon to pay £1,500 costs Recorder Phillips QC added: “This was serious and extremely foolish.

“I would have been well within my rights to send you into custody for more than two years.”

City Manager Jailed For Swindling Over Half A Million Pounds From Employer

A Legal & General department boss was jailed for three years and four months yesterday for a half a million pound swindle on the company to fund his “luxury lifestyle.”

Father-of-six Anthony Murrell, 44, authorised payments to himself for IT cabling never supplied, spending the money on a dream home, jewellery, holidays and 4x4 vehicles.

The Hornchurch, Essex native was exposed just weeks after his redundancy from an £80,000 a year Infrastructure Manager position at the company’s City office in Coleman Street.

He sold his home conversion for £1.2m to repay L&G and moved to rented accommodation in The Paddock, Gleneagles, Perth and Kinross.

Judge Usha Karu, the Recorder of Southwark told him at Inner London Crown Court: “You had a poor start in life and it could be said you are a self-made man. 

“You are deeply ashamed and remorseful for what you have done. You are a family man with six children and that is said to be now gone, your wife has started divorce proceedings and the property you dreamed of has now gone.

“The offence was entirely motivated by personal gain and there is evidence of extensive planning, a deliberate and calculated fraud that you thought wouldn’t have been discovered.

“The proceeds are used to fund what some may see as a luxurious lifestyle.”

He pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation between October 21, 2014 and June 13, 2017, intending to cause a loss of £582,120.

The court heard Murrell was responsible for the maintenance of the IT department with a spending budget of up to £10,000 per order and over a two-and-half year span paid 53 bills to himself.

He invented a fictitious Brentwood-based cabling supply company called LillyPutts and using his wife’s name placed orders of around £9,900 - near his maximum budget - on all but four transactions.

Murrell used the Companies House number of a nursery school with a similar name and the VAT number of a stables.

He tried to cash in a few days before his redundancy on June 18, 2017 with a huge £50,000-plus order.

When quizzed by fraud police on January 25, last year Murrell admitted the offence, claiming he had to pay-off an aggressive builder he contracted to convert two adjoining cottages into one large family home.

“He was stealing money to get out of a financial hole,” said Alison Levitt QC, defending, explaining a £17,000 spend at a jewellers was to replace his wife’s engagement ring they were forced to sell.

The 4x4 cars were necessary to access their building site home and the holidays were merely ferry trips to the Continent, explained the QC.

Lying Murrell even forged a letter purportedly from his current employer to the judge, but withdrew it at the last moment. “Mr. Murrell wrote it himself because he is frightened of going to prison.”

Once L&G and the mortgage was repaid the family were left with £35,000 for their children’ trust fund and £10,000 cash for Murrell’s wife Vikki.

“The dream home that took thirteen years to realise is gone, his job is gone, his good character an reputation is gone and it looks like his marriage is gone, his wife is taking steps to divorce him.”

Afterwards Detective Constable Daniel Ward, of City of Police Fraud Squad said: “Murrell betrayed the trust of his employer and exploited his position to steal more than half a million pounds.

“While he claimed he needed it for house renovations, it’s clear that he also used it to enjoy a luxury lifestyle, with items such as cars and jewellery.”

Suspended Sentence For Cynical Uber Driver Who Defrauded Blind Passenger

In Nick Of Time: Mihai Arrested Again

An Uber driver, who exploited a celebrated blind singer by using her phone to secretly give himself a £20 tip and 5-star rating, has received a suspended prison sentence.

Cornel Mihai, 32, tricked 39 year-old Victoria Oruwari into handing over her iPhone at the end of the £51 journey and awarded himself the bonus without her knowledge.

However, he did not walk free from Croydon Magistrates Court as detectives immediately arrested him after the hearing and he was taken into custody on other allegations.

“This is an offence of high culpability and harm. There are substantial aggravating factors,” said District Judge Susan Green.

“There is no doubt in my mind that your defence was properly rejected during your trial,” she told the married father-of-two. “You took advantage of a blind, vulnerable person who trusted you.

“If those people with disabilities and disadvantages cannot rely on the assistance of those around them then our society is in a sorry state.” 

Romanian-born Mihai, of Pettits Place, Dagenham fought the case, but was convicted of fraud by false representation.

Vulnerable: Victoria Oruwari

He was sentenced to five months imprisonment, suspended for twelve months, ordered to complete 240 hours community service and disqualified from driving for six months.

Mihai was also ordered to pay Ms Oruwari £200 compensation, plus the £20 tip, £775 court cost and a £122 victim surcharge.

Ms Oruwari was alone and desperate to get home from London Bridge Station at 10.00pm on June 29 last year and was forced to book the BMW Uber cab because there were no trains to East Croydon.

“It has reiterated the fact I am vulnerable and more susceptible to crime and being taken advantage of, but to lead a full life I have to trust people,” the soprano singer told the trial.

“That trust has been shaken, but I am determined to continue trusting in people,” added Ms Oruwari, who has performed at the Royal Opera House, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Guildhall London and international venues.

She was a finalist on BBC’s ‘All Together Now’ and has performed with the Birmingham City Orchestra, Perth City Orchestra and the Royal Navy Brass Band.

She told the court Mihai enquired about her sight loss during the journey, but he insisted this was not true. “I felt irritated because it was none of his business , but as I was in his car I thought it best to be polite.

“He said I was getting on with life well and was happy and I said: ‘Yes. There’s nothing to be sad about.’

“He told me he could not end the trip on his App and asked if could hand him my phone to end it. I thought it was a little odd, but there was nothing in his behaviour to make me think I wasn’t safe.

Uber Villain: Mihai

“I did not think anything fishy was going on, but I was handing him a lot of trust because of the information on the phone,” she told the court.

She turned off her phone’s screenreader function, which allows her to use it before handing it over to Mihai and only discovered the tip once she was home.

“I was shocked that I had been charged twice the fare, although I knew there would be a price surge, but also that the driver had been rated five-star and tipped twenty pounds.

“The only time I did not have the phone was when I gave it to him and had to switch off the screenreader so couldn’t hear what was happening.”

Uber immediately refunded Ms Oruwari the fare and reported Mihai to the police and removed him from their approved drivers’ database.

Mihai denied using Ms Oruwari’s iPhone. “I finished this journey on my phone,” he told the trial. “I want to work honestly.”

The court heard Mihai has lost his Private Hire Driver Licence and has not worked since the criminal proceedings began.

“You have shown no remorse at all for this offence,” the judge told Mihai. “I take into account your family, your children, a daughter aged six and a son, aged five, with health issues and your future employment prospects, which are especially dim and rightly so.

“You are saved from going to prison by your previous good character and the effect imprisonment would have on your wife and family.”