Train Station Fight After Palace v Millwall Cup-Tie

Police investigating a group fight at Norwood Junction railway station after a League Cup tie between Crystal Palace and Millwall have released these images of more suspects.

British Transport Police (BTP) are seeking the assistance of the public in identifying them.

Just before 11.00pm on Tuesday, September 16 a fight broke out between a group of people on Platforms Four and Five at the station.

Earlier in the evening at nearby Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace defeated south-east London rivals Millwall 4-2 on penalties after the match finished in a 1-1 draw.

BTP officers believe the four males in the images may have information which could help their investigation.

A boy in his late teens and a man in his fifties from Lingfield, and a man in his thirties from Horsham, have been arrested and bailed following the incident.

If you recognise any of the people pictured, or have any information, please contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 2500112790

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

Best Wishes At Christmas

Wishing a very Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year to all of our readers, old and new.

I hope you all enjoy this extremely festive photo we took today of City of London Magistrates' Court, here in the heart of the Square Mile.

There will be no crime and court posts for a few days.

However, we will be back at this courthouse, plus plenty of others all over London and the south-east come 2026.

Talking of which, have a great New Year everybody and don't become a Square Mile News headline!

Best wishes.

SMN

Train Depot Cable Thief Jailed

A railway depot thief, who used an angle grinder to cut free £2,000 worth of metal cabling, has been jailed for twenty-three weeks.

Frank Lane, 47, of Church Lane, Bedford pleaded guilty to the theft from Bedford Railway Depot, where he was captured on CCTV at just before 11.00am on Thursday, October 5, 2023.

Cambridge Crown Court heard Lane gained access to the depot via a pedestrian gate, carrying the angle grinder with him.

He approached the cable storage area, taking a moment to identify which roll drum of cable to steal, before using the angle grinder to free one of the drums, each of which contains high value metals.

After cutting it free, he rolled the drum out of the depot and down the street, into the back of a nearby white van that had a false registration plate on it before driving away from the scene.

After viewing CCTV footage and finding a clear image of Lane, officers arrested him in February and he was bailed before being charged in May, 2024.

British Transport Police’s investigating officer PC Alex Charge, said: "This conviction sends a clear message that dangerous, costly, and disruptive crimes such as cable theft will not be tolerated.

"Attempting to steal metal from the railway network or from depots can pose a serious risk of harm to the offender, and the costs incurred by the railway operator are passed on to the average commuter."

Dan Matthews, operations director at Network Rail, added: "Cable theft - even from our depots - can delay our upgrade work to make services more reliable and means we can't respond as quickly when things go wrong. It also makes running the railway more expensive for taxpayers.

"We're delighted that British Transport Police has secured this conviction which shows we're working ever more closely together to protect trains and passengers from the effects of crime."

London Underground Robber Gets More Time Behind Bars

A machete-wielding prolific robber, who targeted six victims on the London Underground system in just four days, will now be locked-up for even longer.

Teddy Kelt, 20, of Bower Close, Romford pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court to three counts of robbery and three counts of attempted robbery.

He also pleaded guilty to two public order offences, two counts of possessing a knife or bladed article in public, and common assault.

Kelt received eighteen months custody for the offences, which will be added consecutively to the three years and eight months he is already serving.

Once released he will be subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order (CRIMBO).

The CRIMBO will bar Kelt from wearing a face covering on public transport; being in possession of a mobile phone not registered in his name and his ability to travel on the national railway network will be restricted.

The court heard how on December 4, last year at around 9.30pm, Kelt followed a 22-year-old man onto the platform of Mile End Underground station and approached him, telling him he had a knife.

He said he would stab the victim if he called for help and demanded his mobile phone.

After the victim handed it over, Kelt patted down the victim and went through his pockets before slapping him in the face, pushing him onto the floor, and leaving the station.

The following day, Kelt sat next to a 16-year-old boy on a Jubilee Line train, where he asked about his mobile before showing him a machete and demanding he hand his phone over.

Two days later, Kelt attempted to rob three people on a Northern Line train towards Totteridge and Whetstone Underground station, sitting opposite a 21-year-old man and a 13-year-old boy and asking about the man's watch, threatening the pair.

He then approached a 19-year-old man and asked about his headphones before threatening to stab him for his phone.

He dropped his knife on the floor in front of the man before leaving the train.

The next day, Kelt approached another man on the platform of Finchley Central Underground station and asked to use his phone to call a friend.

He then followed the victim onto the train showed him the handle of a knife in his waistband, threatening to kill him.

The victim handed over his phone, laptop, and iPad out of fear before Kelt demanded the victim get off the train at Tufnell Park with him.

Kelt led the victim into a newsagent before further robbing him of his headphones and rucksack.

Later that day, Kelt attempted to rob a 17-year-old of their phone on an Elizabeth Line train, again threatening to stab him.

When other passengers intervened, Kelt attempted to punch one of them.

Not long after, on another Elizabeth Line train, Kelt tried to rob another man of his phone and said he would "slash his neck" before walking off.

In total, over four days Kelt robbed three people of items worth nearly £4,000.

Kelt is already serving a 3-year and 8-month sentence for three more robberies of items worth around £2,000, two more attempted robberies, two counts of possessing Class C drugs, and possessing a corrosive substance in a public place.

These robberies and attempted robberies took place at Ilford, Gidea Park, Goodmayes, Bexleyheath, and Seven Kings between November 29 and December 9, 2024.

Officers identified Kelt after they were called to Gidea Park on December 9, following a robbery he had committed.

Officers recognised him in the CCTV footage and attended his address early in the morning, finding him in the garden wearing a stolen coat with several stolen phones in his home.

Detective Sergeant Steven Ridpath-Mitchell said: "Kelt is an exceedingly violent and dangerous individual, who spent four days mostly targeting teenagers, threatening them at knifepoint, for his own benefit.

“I hope that his guilty plea provides some sense of closure to the victims after he put them through such an awful ordeal.

"He's shown no remorse for his actions, either refusing to be interviewed or providing no comment or reply.

“The threats that he made against innocent commuters and the violence he used to rob them of their belongings is frankly sickening.

"There is absolutely no tolerance for robbery on the railway network, and we have regular patrols on trains and in stations of uniformed officers alongside our specially trained plain-clothed officers to detect and deter robbery around the clock."

Justice Catches Up With "Vile Predator" Who Raped 14 Year-Old Girl At Train Station

A “vile predator", who groomed an underage girl and raped her in a railway station shelter, has been locked-up for four years.

Marvin Ogbogbo, 23, of Millstone Close, Stratford fought the charge, but was convicted by an Isleworth Crown Court jury.

The victim, who was 14 years-old at the time of the offence on 2019, came forward and reported Ogbogbo last year.

He must also sign the sex offenders register for life and obey a restraining order, prohibiting contact with the victim.

In 2019, Ogbogbo, aged 17 years-old at the time, met the girl through social media. 

After interacting online for a few months, he invited the girl out shopping.

They met for the day at Lakeside shopping centre in Essex before heading to Chafford Hundred station so Ogbogbo could travel back to London.

He took her to a sheltered seating area on the platform and repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap before raping her.

Ogbogbo then fled the scene on a London-bound train, leaving the victim at the station.

Five years later, the victim reported the attack to police who launched a full investigation.

In interview he denied what had happened and tried to make out to detectives that he only kissed the girl at the Essex rail station in 2019.

British Transport Police Detective Constable Jennifer Brown said: “Putting Ogbogbo behind bars for this abhorrent rape is testament to the victim who showed immense bravery in reporting what happened to her.

“Ogbogbo is a vile predator who targeted an underage girl and groomed her for his own sexual gratification.”

Saudi Arabian Tube Train Sex Predator Jailed

A tube train predator, whose sexual assault on a 17 year-old female was interrupted by another passenger, has been locked-up.

Saudi Arabian national Muslih Alotaibi, 40, deliberately sat next to the victim on the near-empty Central Line carriage and used his jacket to hide his sordid actions.

Fortunately, a passenger identified what was going on and was joined by others, who detained the asylum seeker.

At Inner London Crown Court Alotaibi received nineteen weeks imprisonment for sexually assaulting the woman as the train approached Mile End station on Monday, October 2, last year.

He must also sign the sex offenders register for seven years and was made subject to a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Alotaibi roamed the train carriage and deliberately chose to sit down next to the lone teen, despite many other seats being available.

He placed his jacket over his lap and proceeded to sexually assault her by rubbing her leg and trying to force his hand under her bottom.

The suspicious passenger sat opposite her and silently mouthed to ask if she was ok.

With tears in her eyes the victim responded no.

She got up and sat next to the other passenger and confirmed Alotaibi had touched her.

Alotaibi tried to get away, but was stopped by male passengers, who prevented him leaving the train and escaping.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Julie Skinner said: "Alotaibi acted in an abhorrent and predatory manner towards this young woman, but the selfless actions of those on the train who noticed something was wrong and offered to help her kept her safe from further assault and ensured we were able to arrest Alotaibi and bring him to justice.

"When a member of the public bravely intervenes to confront or call out callous behaviour and sexual assaults, it reminds the victim that they are not alone and helps to prevent further unacceptable behaviour. 

“I thank everyone who supported this investigation and supported the victim, and I hope that this result can bring her some comfort.”

TV Home Office Pathologist Caught Drink Driving

A television Home Office forensic pathologist - who has investigated some of the UK’s most notorious deaths - was caught at nearly twice the drink-drive limit after consuming over a bottle of wine the night before, a court heard.

Dr Olaf Biedrzycki, 50, who appeared on BBC’s documentary series ‘Death Unexplained’ has been axed by the Home Office and now fears for his career.

Ironically, it was the concerns of his wife Alexandra, 49, that led to his arrest as she informed police of his vehicle’s details, asking them to look out for him as his behaviour seemed off that morning.

He appeared at Staines Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to driving his red MG3 hatchback in Egerton Road, Guildford on November 28 with excess alcohol in his breath.

The pathologist gave a reading of 68 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

He was fined £500, with £85 costs, ordered to pay a £200 victim surcharge and was disqualified from driving for sixteen months.

The father-of-three had just left the £1.7m detached five-bedroom family home in Weston Green, Thames Ditton, where Alexandra felt his behaviour was out of character.

The doctor followed his father into forensic pathology and has spoken of his love for his role and how he enjoys waking at 5am each morning, excited about what challenges the day will bring.

“His wife contacted the police and she deeply regrets her over reaction because he was out of sorts that morning,” said Dr Biedrzycki’s lawyer Corinne Bramwell.

“He was stopped because his car was flagged that day, not because of the manner of his driving.”

Dr Biedrzycki conducted the post-mortem of former footballer Dalian Atkinson, who sadly died after being tasered by police officers, aged forty-eight years-old.

He also investigated the death of Anthony Walgate, 23, who was the first victim of East London gay serial killer Stephen Port.

Dr Biedrzycki also conducted the post-mortem of murdered Kent dog-walker Julia James, 53, and IT consultant Lee Pomeroy, 51, who was stabbed to death on a train near Guildford.

Prosecutor Rabbi Khan told the court Dr Biedrzycki was pulled over by police as he exited an A road.

“A member of the public had called the police, in this case the wife of the defendant, and he was seen driving at 14mph in a 30mph zone, drifting towards the near side.

“He told the police officers he had a few drinks the previous evening and was arrested after failing a road-side breath-test.”

Dr Biedrzycki was emotional as he sat in the secure dock during the twenty-minute hearing, which was also attended by his wife and a professional colleague.

“It is devastating for him to find himself in this situation,” explained Ms Bramwell. “It is extremely regrettable that he is here and it is not something that will be repeated.

“The last two weeks have been incredibly difficult to deal with and Dr Biedrzycki did not sleep for forty-eight hours after his arrest.

“The impact of a criminal record for this man is devastating. His career is his whole life.

“He has been suspended from Home Office work and that is fifty per cent of his income and he has referred himself to the General Medical Council (GMC).

“I hope that it is obvious the ramifications of his behaviour is huge. It is over and above the fine.

“He has to travel around to perform post-mortem’s. Often more than one in a day and he understands that a driving disqualification is a reality.

“He has had a good income and that has now been cut in half and is at risk because the GMC have the option of suspension or erasure for five years.

“Having been told he has high blood pressure he lost three stone in weight and was taking medication and not consuming any alcohol,” said Ms Bramwell.

“He started drinking when his wife was out and had not drank in months. He drank over a bottle of wine and went to bed and got up early.

“There are many mitigating factors. He is a person of good character, with an exceptional background.

“Taking into account the devastating impact this is having I ask the court to show as much mercy as possible.

“In reality he is now going to have to take taxis or rely on his wife.”

Dr Biedrzycki’s work regularly involved travel all over Kent and Surrey and to Poplar, east London and St. Helier, south-west London.

“The financial burden may run into many hundreds of pounds, increasing the financial burden of this family man,” added the lawyer.

“He works all of the time to support his family. He is busy and hard-working in a stressful job.”

Bench Chairwoman Jane Hargrave told Dr Biedrzycki: “We give you credit for your good character and your guilty plea and there are no aggravating features.

“Clearly you are a man of exceptional public service and your skills are in high demand.

“I am shocked that a man of your standing has to drive himself around south-east England, going from place to place and that obviously has had an effect on your health.

“You had a high income and that is now going to be halved.

“You will put this behind you. We see people such as yourself that reach a crisis and put it behind them and we wish you all the best.”

HMP Brixton Officer Charged With Drugs And Phones Plot

Leaving Court: Shannon Day

A female prison officer, accused of conspiring with two inmates to supply drugs and smuggle mobile phones into HMP Brixton, has appeared in court for the first time this week.

Shannon Day, 24, of Wells Park Road, Sydenham, south-east London appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court, where she is charged along with Bertil Baluba, 34, and Mark McBain, 62.

All three are jointly charged with conspiring between September 1 and October 31, 2022 to supply a quantity of cannabis.

They are all also charged with conspiring between the same dates to supply a quantity of synthetic ‘Spice Paper’ - a Class B drug.

All three are further charged with conspiring between the same dates to convey prohibited articles into HMP Brixton, namely three mobile phones and cables.

Day alone is charged with one count of misconduct in public office, namely while acting as a prison officer conspiring with an inmate to convey prohibited articles into the prison on October 24, 2022.

She is also charged with fraud by false representation between January 22, 2022 and February 9, 2023, namely failing to disclose she had visited a separate prisoner at HMP Lewis and HMP Maidstone, with intent to gain employment at HMP Brixton.

Day is also charged with possessing a quantity of cannabis on October 24, 2022.

Baluba, who appeared in court via videolink, is also charged with possessing a prohibited item in HMP Brixton on October 20, 2022, namely a mobile phone.

He is also charged with money laundering, namely transferring £2,170 of criminal property into the bank account of Day between September 1 and October 31, 2022.

All three will appear at Croydon Crown Court on January 7, next year with Day bailed on condition she does not contact her two co-defendants.

Ex-RFU Executive Banned From Twickenham

Twickenham Ban: Grenville-Jones

A former England Rugby executive has been banned from Twickenham - under threat of imprisonment - following the bitter break-up of his relationship with the sporting body’s legal chief.

Ex-RFU Commercial Director Robert Spencer Grenville-Jones, 47, was arrested and charged with stalking solicitor and mother-of-two Kate Mowbray and has now received a court-imposed five-year restraining order.

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court yesterday heard the couple had a turbulent relationship with Grenville-Jones smashing items; kicking glass door panels and throwing a wine bottle and suitcase at Ms Mowbray.

She is currently Head of Legal at England Rugby, having been senior legal counsel to the RFU between January, 2020 and March, 2024.

Grenville-Jones, of Clares Cottage, Higher Bockhampton, Dorset initially appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court last April, charged with stalking his ex on dates after March 2, last year.

He was also charged with causing criminal damage to the glass panels to the front door of her south-west London property on March 2, 2024.

Grenville-Jones always denied the charges and was due to stand trial this week before a jury until Ms Mowbray refused to give evidence and the Crown Prosecution Service withdrew the case.

However, Judge Mark Bryant-Herron KC announced: “It is clear on the evidence I have reviewed that there is, in my judgement, an ongoing risk that in absence of a Restraining Order this defendant is likely to pursue a course of conduct in relation to this lady and her children that amounts to harassment.”

The court also heard Grenville-Jones made a completely false report of child abuse against Ms Mowbray to social services, which she described as “malicious.”

“She has made a statement, which I have to treat as hearsay, in which she describes how her ex-partner assaulted her during their three-year relationship and since it ended in March, last year he has been harassing and stalking her,” said the Judge.

“She describes this defendant becoming more physically and verbally abusive. In December, 2022 there was a heated argument, during which he accused her of cheating.

“In February, 2023 she recalls Mr Grenville-Jones throwing her out of their hotel room and a bottle of wine after her and there was criminal damage at her house.

Legal Chief: Kate Mowbray

“In August, 2023, after the defendant lost his job, there was an argument in a pub and when they got home Ms Mowbray says she was pushed hard into a wall, giving her a black eye.

“Also a porcelain object was thrown across the kitchen by this defendant and smashed.

“By September, 2023 she describes erratic behaviour and abusive messages.

“She describes the defendant grabbing her by the shoulders during an argument and she considered packing her bags and leaving the house and says he also cut up her work pass.

“He grabbed the suitcase and threw the contents across the room, with the suitcase hitting her in the face and she says he then smashed her computer monitor and put his hands around her throat.

“The relationship came to and end formally on March 2, last year and shortly afterwards he attended her property and she heard the doorbell going repeatedly, with Mr Grenville-Jones peering through the door.

“She says she opened the front door and asked him to leave and he barged into the house and was, in her words ‘angry and aggressive.’

“He picked up a Tesco shopping bag and threw it outside and she closed the front door on him. He kicked the door repeatedly, damaging the glass and she describes herself as ‘feeling petrified.’

“Between March and April he sent her messages, which she describes as nasty and some as loving. There were over two hundred WhatsApp messages between April 8 and 13.”

The court heard that since the formal break-up Grenville-Jones attended her property uninvited on four occasions.

This included a visit on April 12, last year. “He knocked on the door and she hid behind the sofa and he then messaged her from the doorstep. 

“She called the police and he was asked to leave.”

“She says in January, this year she was alerted to child services and it was explained to her that Mr Grenville-Jones made allegations off child abuse against her, regarding her own children.

“She describes his actions in reporting her to the police, who took no further action, as ‘malicious.’

“The prosecution are not proceeding against you and I have considered it appropriate to impose a Restraining Order on you,” Judge Bryant-Herron told Grenville-Jones.

“Five years is the necessary length of the order to meet the risk I have identified. This is a court order and any breach is an offence punishable by imprisonment.”

Grenville-Jones is prohibited from contacting Ms Mowbray and her two children from a previous relationship; attending their residence and school and Ms Mowbray’s workplace - Twickenham Stadium.

Earlier prosecutor John Clifford told the court: “The Crown have reviewed the case and in light of the withdrawal statement in which she makes it clear she does not wish to support the prosecution because she wishes to get on with her life, this is not a case where the complainant should be summonsed.

“There was a previous solicitors undertaking by the defendant not to contact the complainant and he breached that undertaking and breached his bail in May, last year when he contacted her.

“This defendant reported her in regards to allegations of child abuse that were totally fabricated and false.

“In her victim impact statement she describes how the events have affected her and she now wishes to move on and for her and her children to live in peace.

“She says: ‘I am absolutely terrified that someone I have not seen in ten months should try to impact my child custody.’

“The terms of the order have been agreed. The officer in the case has spoken to her and she supports the conditions.”

Grenville-Jones’ lawyer Danielle Borden said: “The defendant accepts it is necessary to make the order to ensure there is no contact between these individuals.”