Speeding Driver Keeps Licence For Daughter's 'Daddy Time'

Bromley Magistrates' Court

A Kensington interior designer, caught speeding in his Land Rover, has dodged a driving ban so he can continue visiting his nine year-old daughter, whose mother relocated to north Norfolk.

Samuel Birch, 50, boss of Picturesque Productions, clocked-up twelve penalty points on his driving licence, which usually results in an automatic six-month disqualification.

However, at Bromley Magistrates’ Court he successfully argued that a ban would cause ‘exceptional hardship’ and walked away with his licence and a fine of £123, with £110 costs, plus a £49 victim surcharge and three penalty points.

Birch, a Fine Arts graduate, of Radford House, Pembridge Gardens pleaded guilty to driving his Land Rover Discovery over the 20mph speed limit in Grosvenor Road, Pimlico on June 25, last year.

The hotel, club, restaurant, bar and retail specialist told the court: “I was coming across lanes and did not realise the speed limit had changed.”

Arguing it was vital for family life that he retains his licence Birch explained: “My daughter lives with her mother near the north Norfolk coast, one hundred and fifty miles away.

“I have rented a second property in the area for ‘Daddy time’ every other weekend and without a car that is a six to none hour journey with a three-hour wait in the middle of the night.

“I also need to drive for the equipment I use that I cannot take on public transport.

“I apologise. I know speeding is dangerous.”

Bench Chair Brenda Henderson announced: “We have taken into consideration your circumstances, your work and your heavy reliance on driving and the impact a disqualification would have on your staff.

“More importantly a disqualification would impact your ability to maintain contact with your daughter and on this occasion we will not impose a disqualification.”

Speeding Lord Stevenson: "I Feel Like A Total Plonker"

Lord Stevenson & wife Charlotte leaving court

Former HBOS bank Chairman Lord Stevenson told a court yesterday: “I feel like a total plonker,” after being caught speeding along Vauxhall Bridge Road on four separate occasions.

The 79 year-old Life Peer - full name Henry Dennistoun Stevenson - appeared at Bromley Magistrates Court, where he successfully fought a driving ban.

He was elevated to the House of Lords in 1999 as Lord Stevenson of Coddenham and sat on the cross benches until his retirement in 2023.

The father-of-four, who was accompanied by his wife Charlotte Vanneck - daughter of former Lord Mayor of London Sir Peter Vanneck - had accumulated twelve penalty points on his licence.

He pleaded guilty to driving his 1.6 litre blue Mini Cooper over the 20mph speed limit twice on May 19, last year.

Lord Stevenson already has six penalty points on his licence for two similar speeding offences on the same stretch of road, committed on August 20 and 24, last year.

The two speeding offences on May 19 each carry three penalty points, bringing his total to twelve and triggering an automatic six-month disqualification.

However, drivers can claim special circumstances to avoid a ban and Lord Stevenson told the court losing his licence would impede his charity and business work and commitments to his grandchildren.

He was caught on camera driving at 24mph and 27 mph on May 19 while driving one of his eleven grandchildren to a piano test, near his home in Ashley Gardens, Thirleby Road, Westminster.

“I am a musician, although not a very good one, an amateur and I do like playing the piano with my grandchildren and on this day there was a piano grade test,” he told the court.

“So blame my grandchildren,” he joked. “Up until recently the speed limit on that stretch of road had been 30mph.

“In the words of my grandson I feel like a total plonker and a complete idiot. I feel extremely silly and I am very sorry on behalf of my fellow citizenry.”

When asked by his lawyer Sasha Laurel if he was a man of “good character” Lord Stevenson quipped: “Well, I’m not sure everybody would say that,” before confirming he had never been in trouble with the police.

The loss of his licence would impede his “love and joy of visiting the grandchildren,” the peer told the hearing.

“I have eleven grandchildren and I am often asked by one of my daughters-in-law to do a pick-up and often find myself sitting and waiting while parked outside of a school.

“I had never been to Bromley before, but two weeks ago my twelve year-old granddaughter was playing a soccer match here. It was absolutely freezing cold.”

Lord Stevenson now also requires the assistance of a walking stick.

“I blame my wife really. After twenty years I agreed to move home and I was picking-up something heavy and slipped a disc.

“At the hospital they found, could you believe, five fractures in my spine.”

He told the court he founded a mental health charity after finding himself in a mental health crisis, aged fifty years-old and also founded an international mediation group.

He was founding Chair of MQ: Transforming Mental Health and is a trustee of Inter Mediate, which works in dangerous conflict zones and brought him in contact with the President of Colombia.

The ability to drive would allow him to quickly visit suicidal individuals he has met via his charity work, Lord Stevenson told the magistrates and also to get to his office a mile away from his home near Westminster Cathedral.

The peer said he also often had other business meetings to attend during the day.

Bench Chairwoman Brenda Henderson told Lord Stevenson: “These six points would ordinarily lead to a disqualification, because you have twelve penalty points.

“We are mindful of your mental health charity work and the reliance on members of your charity to have access to you in a short period of time so we are not going to disqualify you.

“You mentioned in your evidence ‘hurrying around’ a lot and we suggest you do not hurry around. Twenty mph is a good speed to be going at, even in a thirty mph zone.”

Lord Stevenson was fined £500 for each of the two speeding offence, plus £110 costs and was ordered to pay a £400 surcharge 

“Thank-you for your advice about not hurrying around. My wife has been saying that for years,” he told the magistrates. “Thank-you for being so understanding.”

Ms Henderson warned the peer: “If you find yourself in court again you cannot put forward the circumstances you have today to avoid a disqualification.”

“I will not be back in court,” he replied, before leaving with his wife.

Cambridge-educated Lord Stevenson established the SRU Consultancy Group after he graduated and has also sat on the boards of Tyne Tees and Thames Television and BSkyB.

He was a Trustee of the Tate Gallery for over ten years and in 1999 became chairman of Halifax and stayed as chairman of HBOS after a merger with Bank of Scotland.

Victim Repeatedly Punched And Kicked At Queensway Station

Police are hunting a London Underground thug, who was part of a group that repeatedly punched and kicked their victim.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released these two
CCTV images of their suspect.

They are requesting members of the public assist the investigating officers in identifying him.

At approximately 7.50pm on August 9, last year a man was attacked by a group at Queensway station on the Central Line.

The victim was repeatedly punched and kicked, causing a facial injury.

Officers believe the man in the CCTV images may have information that could help their investigation.

Anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV, or has any other information, is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016.

Members of the public may also call 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 2400116013 of 9 August 2024.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Booted Out Of The Square Mile: Shoplifter Who Targeted Health And Beauty Chain

A prolific shoplifter, who targeted the same City of London Boots store, stealing expensive skincare products and razors, has been banned from entering the Square Mile for five years.

Homeless Victor Leahu, 32, hit the Cheapside branch between November, 2024 and January 2025, stealing around £1,835 worth of items.

He was sentenced at Westminster Magistrates’ Court to 10 weeks imprisonment for five counts of theft and was handed a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), banning him from the City from five years.

Officers from the Proactive Acquisitive Crime Team were out in the City when they recognised Leahu from his distinctive hand tattoo and made the arrest.

Sergeant James Wood, of the City of London Police, said: “Prosecuting shoplifters is important to the City of London Police. Retail crime is not a victimless crime.

“Leahu targeted this store, stealing expensive items in a brazen fashion, often causing distress to customers and shop workers.

“We fully support retailers to come forward and report any crime and through the store’s CCTV, and our extensive camera network in the City, we will bring criminals to justice.”

CCTV footage captured Leahu entering the store and heading straight to specific aisles and snatching items off the shelves.

He would then make a quick exit out of the store. The main items he would take in bulk were higher priced skincare items and razors.

Leahu preyed on Boots, Cheapside the following days.

On 22 November 2024, he stole around £532 worth of goods;

On 17 December 2024, he stole around £393 worth of goods;

On 19 December 2024, he stole around £132 worth of goods;

On 7 January 2025, he stole around £133 worth of goods; and

On 21 January 2025, he stole around £635 worth of goods.

Octogenarian Accused Of Historic Sex Offences

An octogenarian, accused of molesting a teenager decades ago, has appeared in court.

Raymond Hollis, 84, of Briar Close, Westbury, Wiltshire indicated he will fight the charges.

Currently in custody at HMP Bure, Hollis appeared via videolink at Croydon Magistrates’ Court.

He was not legally represented and complained: “There is no-one on my side. I haven’t seen no-one.

“I shall be pleading not guilty. I’m not going to run away am I?”

He is charged with committing buggery, without consent, with a male aged 16 year-old between April 17, 1968 and January 1, 1994 in the London Borough of Southwark.

He is further charged with two counts of indecently assaulting the same complainant in Southwark on or about April 17, 1984 and between April 17, 1984 and July 1, 1992.

Hollis is also charged with assault, with intent to commit buggery, on the same male in Southwark on or before April 17, 1989.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Inner London Crown Court on March 7.

Drug Dealer Fought Police At Railway Station

A County Lines heroin and crack cocaine dealer, who attacked police when challenged at a railway station, has been caged.

One officer was bitten, another kicked to the groin and the third bashed into a wall at Preston Park Station, Brighton.

Kelvin Thompson, 27, of Cambridge Road, Bournemouth was sentenced at Hove Crown Court to four years and nine months.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of possession, with intent to supply Class A drugs, causing actual bodily harm and two counts of assault, with intent to resist arrest.

The court heard how, on September 3, last year plain clothes officers from the British Transport Police’s County Lines Taskforce spotted Thompson acting suspiciously at the station.

When officers spoke to Thompson, he was evasive in answering their questions and continued to act suspiciously. 

Grounds were built for a search and Thompson was detained. 

He was found to be in possession of three mobile phones, one of which he said belonged to a friend.

Additionally, officers also felt something similar to a package hidden underneath his clothes. 

When this was mentioned, Thompson – still handcuffed – attempted to escape and in doing so managed to get a hand free.

He proceeded to struggle with officers and when on the ground, he kicked one in the groin, caused another to hit their back against a wall and bit a third, refusing to let go.

Officers managed to regain control and Thompson was placed back into cuffs and taken into custody. 

Here, he was searched again and two packages containing crack cocaine and heroin worth approximately £1500 were discovered.

Investigating officer DC Chris May said: “Thompson’s behaviour in this case was totally unacceptable.

“We won’t tolerate attacks on our officers, or other emergency workers, and we will seek to prosecute those who choose to attack people for simply doing their job.

“Our County Lines Taskforce are specially trained to notice behaviours that will make criminals stand out from everyday passengers and we will ensure they are brought to justice. If you are using the rail network to transport drugs, we will find you.”

Disabled Blue Badge Parking Cheats Named And Shamed

Another round of blue badge parking cheats have been named and shamed after being caught abusing the disabled scheme in London.

On a busy morning at Westminster Magistrates’ Court this week, fines and costs totalling £4920 were imposed on drivers’ who gave a variety of excuses, ranging from innocently finding a badge to not understanding the small print.

First up was father-of-four Tilal Mohammed, 63, (pic. bottom right) of Twynholm Mansions, Lillie Road, Fulham, who pleaded guilty to unlawfully using a blue badge in Rockley Road, Shepherd’s Bush on April 22, last year.

Prosecuting for Hammersmith & Fulham council Champa Gurnani told the court the local authority has a “zero tolerance policy” towards abusers of the blue badge disabled parking scheme.

“It is an offence that is happening non-stop on double yellow lines and pay-and-display bays and legitimate blue badge holders are finding parking spaces taken up by the able-bodied.”

Mohammed’s black Nissan hybrid electric vehicle was found parked in a restricted area by an officer on patrol, with his absent autistic eight year-old son’s blue badge displayed on the dashboard.

“The officer believed the badge was being misused because the defendant was the sole occupant of the car and admitted it was his son’s badge.

“He said that his son was at school and he had parked to get himself a snack from Lidl. He disputed that he misused the badge and did not know it was an offence.”

The council asked for their full £554 costs in each case, but this was rarely awarded by the magistrates.

“Why should local taxpayers have to pay the prosecution costs? Mr Mohammed should pay the full costs of the case for using the blue badge,” said Ms Gurnani.

“I sincerely apologise, it was my fault,” he told the court. “We have an autistic child and life is quite hard.

“We had the paperwork and we did not look at it. I had no intention to break the law and have never been in trouble.”

The recent father of newborn twins, Mohammed, who also has an eighteen year-old complained money was tight regarding any financial penalty because he was still repaying a Universal Credit benefits loan.

“I did not realise the child had to be with me at all times to use the blue badge. I had just dropped him off at school.

“Our child does not sleep at night, we have to keep him occupied and life is too frantic to sit down and check the small print. I am not familiar with the blue badge.”

Magistrate Sonia Henley told Mohammed: “You have been straightforward and put your hands up and pleaded guilty.

“You are of good character and admit it was your fault and say you did not understand and only had the blue badge a couple of weeks.

“Your life is stressful and chaotic and that is not an excuse, but is a reason that can be put into the mix.”

He was fined £40, with £200 costs and ordered to pay a £16 victim surcharge.

Next up was self-employed Daniel Spiers, 64, (pic. top left) of Thompson Avenue, Richmond-upon-Thames who pleaded guilty to unlawfully using a blue badge in Southerton Road, Hammersmith on February 15, last year.

His white Citroen van was spotted by a warden parked in a RingGo parking bay with a blue badge displayed.

Checks revealed the blue badge had been cancelled thirteen months earlier as the holder was deceased and the van was towed and impounded.

Spiers had to pay approximately £350 to release his van and told the court the blue badge belonged to his deceased friend, who he had assisted with hospital visits and shopping for twenty years.

“I took care of him every night and took him to hospital.” he told the court.

“I parked there, yes. I apologise. I never had time for the RingGo and it was the only parking space.”

The magistrates fined Spiers £146, with £250 costs, plus a £58 victim surcharge and Chairperson Ms Henley told him: “You had the blue badge for a year and you made no effort to pay for parking your van in a restricted area.”

Nancy Chahine, 37, (pic. bottom middle) of Almond Avenue, Ealing had previously pleaded guilty by post to unlawfully using a blue badge to park her white Honda in Bulwer Street, Hammersmith on June 11, last year.

She was fined £250, with £554 costs and ordered to pay a £100 victim surcharge and appeared in court to negotiate an instalment plan, which was agreed at £50 per month.

Jamie Leonard, 35, (pic. top middle) of Evenwood Close, Putney used a disabled badge to conveniently park his white Citroen diesel while moving home.

He pleaded guilty to unlawfully using a blue badge that had been reported stolen in Tynemouth Street, Fulham on September 30, last year.

It had been canceled fifteen months earlier and when he returned to the vehicle Leonard was unable to give the correct name of the badge holder.

“The council’s case is not that he stole the blue badge, but was using it and we have a zero tolerance policy,” said Ms Gurnani.

Leonard was assisted by court duty solicitor Stuart Harris, who said: “He explained that he was moving and parked there to make it easier to load.

“He borrowed the badge from another and had no idea of its history and he lost his job a few weeks ago. He only had it for one night.”

Leonard was fined £146, with £250 costs and was ordered to pay a £58 victim surcharge.

Electrician Khalil Mohammed Salih, 48, (pic. top right) of Southam House, Adair Road, North Kensington claimed he found a discarded disabled blue badge on the pavement and intended to hand it in at a Post Office.

However, it was visible on the dashboard of his red Toyota parked in a RingGo bay in Bagley’s Lane, Fulham on April 30, last year.

The badge had been stolen fifteen months earlier and Salih’s RingGo parking time had expired, resulting in his vehicle being towed and impounded.

“When I got back I couldn’t find my car and the traffic warden told me they took the car,” Salih told the magistrates. “I found the blue badge on the pavement and was going to drop it off at the Post Office.”

Ms Gurnani said: “It was displayed on the dashboard and had not been put away in the glove compartment.”

Salih pleaded guilty to unlawfully using a blue badge and was fined £113, with £200 costs and ordered to pay a £45 victim surcharge.

“Even if you found it you shouldn’t have it displayed in your car,” Ms Henley told him.

Arriving hours late for court was jobless Onyekachi Onyebalu, 32, (pic. bottom left) of Gassiot Road, Tooting, whose blue VW was towed after he displayed a stolen blue badge.

The court heard the vehicle was parked in a restricted area in Tynemouth Street, Fulham on May 23, last year and was checked by a warden.

“The case is not that he stole the blue badge, but did use a badge that was not his,” said Ms Gurnani. “The vehicle was towed to a pound and Mr Onyebalu paid the release fee and admitted he was the driver.”

He pleaded guilty to unlawfully using a blue badge and was fined £40, with £250 costs and ordered to pay a £16 victim surcharge.

“I thought this had been dealt with a long time ago and paid £350 to get the car out,” complained Onyebalu. “I admit that I used a blue badge that wasn’t mine, I don’t deny that.”

Several blue badge cheats did not appear, including Chelsea & Westminster Hospital neonatal nurse Emma Azzam, 32, of Flora Gardens, Hammersmith.

She was alone when displaying her brother’s disabled blue badge to park her grey Vauxhall near Westfield shopping centre in Aldine Street, Shepherd’s Bush on February 20, last year.

“She told the officer that she was going to pick up her brother while parked in an area near the shopping centre, where there have been a lot of complaints about unlawful blue badge use,” explained Ms Gurnani.

“She said that she was in a hurry and her brother was the blue badge holder and she would return with him in five to ten minutes.”

After fifteen minutes she had not returned and the officer called a tow truck and the car was impounded.

The magistrates convicted her of unlawfully using a blue badge and fined the £1600 per month nurse, who also receives child benefit, £123, with £250 costs, plus a £49 victim surcharge.

West End property consultant Rafid Hanna, 59, of Middle Field, St. John’s Wood pleaded guilty by post to unlawfully using a blue badge when parking for a takeaway.

The court heard he used his absent aunt’s disabled badge to park his black Mini in a restricted area in Caxton Road, Shepherd’s Bush on October 6, last year.

“The blue badge was for a woman when the officer checked it and the defendant returned to the car alone with a takeaway,” said Ms Gurnani.

“He confirmed the badge holder was his aunt, who was at home in Kensington and he used the blue badge to purchase a takeaway.”

In a letter to the court the £6,400 per month property professional said he was running errands for his aunt and did not know it was an offence to use her disability badge.

“I did not lie or deceive or act disrespectfully,” he added before being fined £492, with £554 costs, plus a £192 victim surcharge.

Kurt Garwood, 34, of Ampleforth Road, Abbey Wood also failed to appear after being caught using a stolen blue badge to park his blue Smart car for free.

The court heard the badge was displayed in Pellant Road, Fulham on April 2, last year, twelve months after it had been pinched. 

He was fined £220, with £250 costs and ordered to pay a £58 victim surcharge.

Another eleven blue badge cases were either withdrawn, adjourned or given trial dates.