"Party's Over" For Jailed Hotel Credit Card Fraudster

A champagne-loving rookie hotel boss who stole guests’ credit card details and ran up a £14,000 bar bill at an exclusive Mayfair club during a spending spree that left American Express £100,000 out of pocket has been jailed for 18 months.

Private-school educated Saad Lakhdar-Ghazal, 23, began working at the luxury Durley House Hotel, Sloane Street, Knightsbridge, on July 1, last year and copied multiple credit card numbers until he left on October 28.

He then moved to the Queens Hotel, Bayswater and had access to an apartment in Beaufort Mansions, Beaufort Street, Chelsea.

When arrested by City of London Police outside a nightclub in Cavendish Square, Marylebone, on December 13, Lakhdar-Ghazal told officers he was living in North Mews, Chancery Lane, Holborn.

The French-Moroccan, (pictured) whose shocked parents – both doctors – offered £25,000 bail to get their son out of jail following his arrest remained lock-up due to fears he would abscond.

“You were sucked into this world of greed to have fun,” Southwark Crown Court Judge John Price told the defendant. “Well, the party’s over.

“You got a job at a leading hotel and worked in management and got your hands on information relating to people’s credit cards and fell in with a dishonest high-living group of people and you gave them information.

“It all went on high-living, girls, drinking, clubs and you spent large sums. Nothing was obtained, but a good time and it has all gone.”

Lakhdar-Ghazal pleaded guilty that on November 22, at the British Luxury Club, New Bond Street, he falsely represented he was entitled to use an American Express number to pay a £5522.50 bill for thirteen bottles of champagne.

He also pleaded guilty that on November 28, at the same club, he used another Amex number to pay bills of £2660 and £6000.

Lakhdar-Ghazal also admitted possessing a counterfeit American Express card, details of seventeen bank accounts on bits of paper and details of another fifty-four on his mobile phone, in connection with fraud on December 13.

He also admitted fraud at Durley House Hotel, namely obtaining bank details and falsely representing to Eurostar he was entitled to use a card to pay a £572.00 fare.

A search of his Queens Hotel room revealed Amex card numbers which had run up charges of another £85,000, plus attempts totaling £26,000.

Lakhdar-Ghazal insists his spending totaled only £15,000, but accepts associates used numbers he supplied to spend £85,000 at other top private members clubs, luxury retailer Luis Vuitton, Noura Brasserie and Piccadilly’s Moroccan Momo restaurant.

One of the victims is movie tough-guy Dolph Lundgren.

He attended a hotel management course in Marbella, Spain, and the Durley House management internship was his first job in the U.K.

Prosecutor Mr. Stephen Winberg told the court Lakhdar-Ghazal convinced the British Luxury Club his father was phoning him card details to pay the huge bar bill, but on all three occasions he was using victims’ details.

His collection of bankcard details included numbers, expiry dates and the three-digit ccv security code.

“He began to associate with gentlemen who were indulging in a lavish lifestyle and saw an opportunity that led him down a road resulting in disappointment for him and his family,” said Miss Rachel Ramez, defending.

“He noted down numbers and his benefit was several very expensive nights out. The cards were used much wider by other people, but he admitted he started the ball rolling.

“He is embarrassed and ashamed he went after a lifestyle of this sort at such cost,” added Miss Ramez. “All he wants to do is return home with his family. He is struggling being apart from them.”

DI Richard Fisher, head of the cheque and credit card unit at City of London Police said: "Today's sentencing is the result of hard work by our officers and again sends out a clear message that criminals will not be allowed to get away with credit card fraud "

Dad Killed Crying Tot Who Disturbed His Computer Game

A young father with a history of child neglect, who killed his 25-day old daughter because she cried as he played a computer game the first time he was left alone with her, was caged for five years today.

Relatives twice tried to alert Kent social services of the potential risk 24 year-old refuse collector Christopher Sellman posed, but information was not passed on.

“This is a tragic case,” Mr. Justice Bean told the defendant (pictured) at Inner London Crown Court. “Your daughter Tiffany was left in your care the first time and within one hour she was effectively dead.

“Playing a computer game you were an annoyed when she cried and slammed her down on a nappy-changing pad.”

Sellman – who was previously cautioned by police for child neglect – was convicted of little Tiffany Sellman Burdge’s manslaughter at the former family home in Greggs Wood Road, Tunbridge Wells.

He was cleared of murdering the tot who died at King’s College Hospital, Camberwell, South-East London on November 1, 2008 from a pre-existing fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.

With time on remand and the usual discount Sellman will walk free in eighteen months.

Sellman, of The Hurst, Tonbridge was arrested on suspicion of murder the next day, but throughout the police investigation he could not give an accurate account of what had happened to Tiffany prior to his 999 call.

“You intended her no harm, but you treated her roughly and unlawfully killed her,” Mr. Justice Bean told the defendant.

“I accept she was more than usually vulnerable because of a skull fracture received at birth, but any one month-old baby is tiny, fragile and vulnerable.”

The court heard how Sellman had told a number of people at least five different accounts of what had happened.

Relatives twice sought to alert agencies that Sellman's partner, Pamela Burdge, was pregnant with Tiffany, an executive summary of a serious case review by Kent Safeguarding Children Board said.

On the first occasion they spoke to a health visitor but the information was not passed to Kent children's social services (CSS). The second time relatives raised concern a social worker failed to register it.

Two other children under his care had been taken away from him and a former partner in the past by children's social services following concerns about them.

The report concluded any child born to the couple would be “high risk.”

Sellman’s QC Sarah Forshaw told the court: “All the evidence is that this man was a loving and devoted father to Tiffany. He was delighted at the news they were to have a baby.”

The QC said the death occurred during a “momentary” lack of care. “A single moment in an instant. Not pre-meditated.

“The baby before this incident was well cared for and well loved.

“Nothing will bring back Tiffany in this case. If he could Mr. Sellman would.”

While in custody the defendant has been attacked twice by other inmates. “He has been treated as something of a pariah,” added Miss Forshaw.

Sellman’s ABH conviction was for attacking his older uncle, who had a previously dated the defendant’s then girlfriend, and reportedly tried to rape her.

The neglect caution was for bringing up the same girlfriend’s young son in “untidy and unsanitary” conditions.

Phone-Box Thug Stabs Young Dad To Death

A knife-wielding thug, who brutally stabbed a young dad-of-two to death in an unprovoked late-night attack in historic Greenwich, is starting a life sentence with a 22-year minimum.

Local man Paul Martin, 25, was stabbed five times by 28 year-old stranger Michael Bowden who suddenly emerged from a phone box in an agitated state and launched his deadly attack.

He was convicted by an Old Bailey jury of murdering Mr. Martin, who has a daughter Elle, 3 and a son Tommy, 2 in Greenwich Church Street on March 29, last year.

Police were called at 2:15 am to reports of a fight and found Mr. Martin (pic.top) – who had been enjoying a quiet night out with friends - with stab wounds.

He was taken to Kings College Hospital, Camberwell where he died later that morning.

Self-employed plumber Paul had been out with his partner Jesca Ryan – the mother of his two children - and another couple, enjoying a meal before moving on to a nightclub.

They left the club and were waiting for a friend to pick them up and take them home when Bowden (pic.bottom) came out of a nearby phone box and started verbally abusing Paul for no reason and moved to attack him.

The killer - who was undergoing treatment for drink-related anger issues - had failed to get in touch with his girlfriend on the phone and took his frustration out on the first person he saw - Mr. Martin.

Paul's friend tried to intervene by standing between Paul and Bowden and as he did so Bowden kept lunging at Paul as if he was punching him.

During the attack Bowden shouted to the friend to 'move your girlfriend out of the way' before lunging at Paul again who put his arms up to try and block him.

The incident only lasted a minute before Bowden ran off from the scene towards Roan Street.

It was at this point that Paul's friends realised he had been stabbed and that he was bleeding profusely from his face, neck and chest and soon lost consciousness.

Paul's friend's tried to stem the blood loss as best they could before the ambulance arrived but he sadly died later that morning in hospital despite having undergone emergency surgery.

The post mortem examination gave cause of death as massive blood loss caused by stab wounds to the neck and chest.

Detectives from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command launched a murder enquiry and calls made by Bowden from the phone box to his girlfriend led police to him.

Detective Inspector Chris Stanley said: "This was a heinous crime. I would like to thank the CPS and police team for a professional prosecution, and I would like to express my admiration for Paul's family who have shown great dignity and courage throughout this trial.

"Bowden was a vicious and calculating thug who deserved to face the full force of the law."

Paul’s mother Lydia Martin said: “I have found it difficult to put into words how I feel and I don't think there are words which express how Paul's death has affected us as a family.

“My son was only with us for 25 years and no mother or father should have to bury their child.

“The news of the death of our son in such a needless and violent end was absolutely devastating.

“I could not believe what I was hearing and I was in a state of disbelief. I have found the situation so hard to come to terms with.”

Jesca said: “When I had to explain to my two year old daughter, Elle, that her daddy had been taken from us by a bad man my heart just sank and I died a little inside.

"This has had a permanent overbearing effect on our daughter's life. She is always asking me about her daddy. She doesn't sleep properly at night because she worries that the bad man is going to come and take her away.

"Our son Tommy's birthday is just two weeks after the anniversary of Paul's death and although he may not have any memories of his father, his birthday is always going to be tainted with a sadness which will never be forgotten.

"I lost my best friend and my soul mate. Our children lost a father and a role model, and the world lost the most genuine and original person I have ever known.

“Paul will never be forgotten by any of us. Rest in peace Paul, I will always love you."

Gang-Rape Accused: "She Was All Over Me"

A Heathrow Airport security guard accused of taking part in the gang-rape of a young woman he picked-up that night denied the claim today.

Tunisia-born Anouar Ben-Rejab, 36, of Tithe Barn Drive, Bray, Maidenhead allegedly raped the girl with two fellow-countrymen after she agreed to spend the night with him.

The twenty-five year-old Crawley office worker, who had downed wine and vodka before going to the town’s Bar Med nightclub (pictured), claims she shouted: “No, no, no,” when the others joined in.

Ben-Rejab and 31 year-old taxi driver Nizar Baccar, of Climping Road, Ifield, Crawley, West Sussex have both pleaded not guilty to raping her at a two-bedroom flat in nearby Fenchurch Street in the early hours of October 25, 2008.

Ben-Rejab, employed by BAA, alone has also pleaded not guilty to an additional count of rape and a charge of sexual assault on the same occasion.

A third suspect, Ahmed Farjallah – the flat’s occupier - jumped police bail before he could be charged and is still wanted.

Ben-Rejab told Croydon Crown Court the alleged victim immediately made a beeline for him when he arrived at the club and invited herself back to the flat.

“She made it plain she liked me from the start, she was touching and caressing me,” he told the jury. “She said: ‘I want you to f*** me. I want you inside me’.”

Baccar drove the couple, who were kissing on the back seat, to the flat.

“She was all over me again, touching my crotch. She was showing her cleavage as well. She was wearing a low top.

“When we got out of the car she unzipped my trousers and gave me a blow job in front of Mr. Baccar who said: ‘What the hell are you doing? This is a built up area’.”

The prosecution say the woman, Ben-Rejab and Farjallah all shared a joint of cannabis, with the victim forced to slap Farjallah’s hand away when he tried to grope her breasts.

Ben-Rejab and the woman then retired to the bedroom, explained prosecutor Miss Alexandra Healy. “They proceed to have sexual intercourse and she consented and was a willing participant.

“Two other men came into the bedroom and began to join in. She protests and makes it clear she doesn’t want to be involved sexually with three men.

“Despite her protests the three men continue to sexually assault and rape her,” the prosecutor told the jury.

“She had made it quite clear in her actions that she no longer consented to sexual activity. She was crying and said ‘No’ over and over again.”

Ben-Rejab agrees he had sex with the complainant, who he insists also had consensual sex with Farjallah after he suddenly entered the bedroom.

“At no stage was she crying or in distress at all. She was happy, she was fine.”

Bank Security Guard Dodges Prison For Bloody Boss Beating

A Royal Bank of Scotland security guard – angry following a reprimand – dodged prison with a suspended sentence after launching a vicious attack on his boss who was left covered in blood.

Mark Chantel, 34, of Barnsley Street, Whitechapel, pleaded guilty at to assaulting Ken Fisher, causing him actual bodily harm, at the Bishopsgate branch on October 30, last year.

The first-time offender destroyed seven years’ service at the bank when he was sacked a month later.

The shaven-headed victim was left with two bleeding cuts to the back of his head, a lacerated lip, bruising, swelling and his glasses and £380 watch were smashed in the attack which has left him suffering panic attacks.

The Old Bailey (pictured) heard Chantel confronted his boss at 7pm in the bank’s security room because the victim had reported him five days earlier for failing to carry out his duties.

Chantel challenged him for reporting him and the defendant began striking Mr. Fisher with his clenched fist and he fell off his chair onto the floor.

The defendant kicked him to the torso three times and struck him on the back of the head, causing a bloody wound.

Mr. Fisher needed stitches to the back of his head and it took four weeks for the large amount of bruising and swelling to go down.

The victim says he suffers dizziness and panic attacks and has been unable to return to work, the court heard.

The victim also says he used to be happy go lucky, but now feels nervous, unsafe alone and depressed.

He says Chantel was a close friend, but since the attack he cannot trust anyone and seeks justice for an unprovoked violent attack.

Chantel claimed he felt the complainant was always putting him down and felt anxious about his position there.

The defendant was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment, suspended for twenty-four months, ordered to complete 180 hours unpaid community service work and pay Mr. Fisher £369 compensation.

Boozy Nightclub Girl Claims She Was Gang-Raped

A twenty-five year-old office worker, picked-up at a bar during a night-long drinking session, was raped by her date and his two pals, a court heard.

Despite the tearful woman shouting: “No, no, no” the two men joined in the attack, jurors at Croydon Crown Court were told.

The group had traveled from the Bar Med nightclub, Crawley, West Sussex (pictured) to a two-bedroom flat in nearby Fenchurch Street in the early hours of October 25, 2008.

One of the three suspects – the flat’s occupier – is still on the run, but the woman’s original date and his friend are in the dock.

They are: Heathrow Airport security guard Anouar Ben-Rejab, 36, of Tithe Barn Drive, Bray, Maidenhead, Berkshire and taxi driver Nizar Baccar, 31, of Climping Road, Ifield, Crawley, West Sussex.

The Tunisia-born defendants have pleaded not guilty to jointly raping the Crawley woman and assaulting her by penetration.

Ben-Rejab alone has also pleaded not guilty to an additional count of rape and a charge of sexual assault on the same occasion.

A third suspect, Ahmed Farjallah, jumped police bail before he could be charged and is still wanted.

Prosecutor Miss Alexandra Healy told the court the victim had downed a cocktail of wine and vodka before going to the club with a girl friend, where she met Ben-Rejab.

“They chatted at the bar and went outside for a cigarette and began kissing outside the nightclub,” explained the prosecutor.

“She agreed to go back to a flat and agreed to have sex with him.”

Baccar drove the couple, who were kissing on the back seat, to the flat, where they met Farjallah and all four went inside.

The woman, Ben-Rejab and Farjallah all shared a joint of cannabis, with the victim forced to slap Farjallah’s hand away when he tried to grope her breasts.

Ben-Rejab and the woman then retired to the bedroom, explained Miss Healy. “They proceed to have sexual intercourse and she consented and was a willing participant.

“Two other men came into the bedroom and began to join in. She protests and makes it clear she doesn’t want to be involved sexually with three men.

“Despite her protests the three men continue to sexually assault and rape her,” the prosecutor told the jury.

“She had made it quite clear in her actions that she no longer consented to sexual activity. She was crying and said ‘No’ over and over again.”

She scratched Ben-Rejab’s back in a bid to get him off her and police found marks there when he was examined the next day and the woman’s DNA was found under Baccar’s fingernails.

Just after 3 am she texted a pal saying: “I’ve been raped tonight. I’m still in their flat.”

At this time Ben-Rejab grabbed her by the hair and tried to force her to her knees to perform oral sex, said Miss Healy.

She left and police were called, who arrested Ben-Rejab at the flat just after 6 am. “He said she consented to all the sexual activity that took place,” explained Miss Healy.

“All three men are employed in a joint sexual attack,” she concluded.

The trial, before the Recorder of Croydon Warwick McKinnon is expected to last seven days.

HIV-Positive Algerian Thief Will Not Be Booted Out

A HIV-positive Algerian refugee's recommendation for deportation following yet another prison sentence was ignored by the Home Office because the serial thief - released early by the Court of Appeal - has already dodged expulsion for fourteen years.

Amine Mouad, 36, was free to lead a team of thieves who snatched passengers' luggage at King's Cross and Euston Station's after an eleven month prison sentence was slashed to five months and the Crown Court Judge's recommendation to boot him out of the country was not carried out.

Political refugee Mouad, of Manor Road, Tottenham - who has seventeen previous offences on his record - was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment at Southwark Crown Court after pleading guilty to five thefts of rucksacks and laptops worth £4,600.

"You were with a team targeting passengers' bags, rucksacks, laptops and the like," Judge Stephen Robbins told Mouad, also imposing a four-year ASBO on the defendant banning him from entering all of London's mainline train stations.

"You were sentenced to imprisonment in September, 2008 when deportation to Algeria was recommended, but not implemented and the Court of Appeal in it's wisdom reduced the sentence to five months, leaving you free to commit these offences.," added the Judge.

Mouad's accomplice, 24 year-old Mohammed Aross, of Falkland Road, Hornsey pleaded guilty to the same five offences and was sentenced to six months imprisonment.

The pair admitted stealing laptop computers and bags at Euston Station on January 20 and 27 and February 8 and 14 and a rucksack and contents at King's Cross Station on February 10.

Algerian Aross - who has been in and out of immigration detention during his time in the UK - and is deemed a suicide risk with a psychiatric history claimed he needed to raise cash to feed his drug and gambling addiction.

Mouad claims he is a talented fashion designer forced to flee Algeria because of his political connections with an opposition group.

"I have not been asked to make any further recommendations for deportation in either case," concluded the Judge.

Finance Boss Of Bust Housing Association Still On Run

Police are still hunting the former finance boss of the UK's largest and oldest black housing association - on the run for an alleged £200,000 fraud plot.

George Avwunu, 50, of Smithams Down Road, Purley, Croydon is the ex chief finance officer of Ujima Housing Association, which went bust two years ago.

From 2006-2008 Ujima received £47m from the Housing Association's national affordable housing programme.

He was probed by Metropolitan Police detectives investigating a plot between Avwunu and others swindle the organization which provides affordable housing.

Avwunu was arrested on March 19, 2008 on suspicion of money laundering and conspiracy to defraud Ujima.

He was bailed to return to a central London police station in May 2008 pending further enquiries, but fled.

The trial of two other defendants is due to begin in January next year.

Deaf Boyfriend Throttles Pregnant Deaf Girlfriend

A Police Community Support Officer was forced to break-up a violent domestic dispute involving a deaf Huddersfield couple, which saw the pregnant woman throttled by her partner at a busy London railway station, a court heard.

Dean Stanton, 20, of Brent Street, Newsome was convicted at City of London Magistrates’ Court of assaulting Siobhan Keogh at King’s Cross Station on November 19, last year.

Prosecutor Mrs. Varinder Hayre told the court (pictured) it was 5 pm when Miss Keogh rushed up to the PCSO and gestured with her hands that she had been attacked.

“She indicated that she had been grabbed by the throat and that she was pregnant and pointed at the defendant.”

Stanton walked off, ignoring the PCSO, and Miss Keogh chased him into the underground station.

“The victim tried to stop the defendant and he used his hand to grab her throat and pushed her to the ground,” added Mrs. Hayre.

“The PCSO tried to stop him, but he walked away.”

Police were called and Stanton was arrested, but could not be interviewed because of a lack of a sign-language interpreter.

He was re-arrested in Huddersfield on March 26 and charged.

Stanton, who has two recent police cautions, the last being a similar incident involving the same victim was bailed until May 18 for sentencing.

Boxer Uses Head Not Fists In Late-Night Street Attack

A boxing instructor who headbutted a party reveler dressed as a pirate during nightime horseplay in the West End dodged jailed with a conditional discharge yesterday.

Polish-born Marcin Marczak, 28, of Dollis Park, East Finchley left the victim bloody and nursing a swollen nose after taking offence at a pirate hat being placed on his head by the group.

Marczak (pictured) denied, but was convicted by City of London Magistrates’ Court of assaulting Thomas Winton in Denmark Street on May 17, last year.

Prosecutor Mrs. Varinder Hayre told the court the victim and his friends were in good spirits enjoying a birthday celebration and were walking near Charing Cross Road when they met the defendant and his friend.

“The victim noticed one of his friends’ hat’s had been placed on the defendant’s head and the defendant returned the hat and walked towards the victim and confronted him.

“The victim felt he was aggressive and the defendant headbutted him, leaving Mr. Winton feeling a pain to the bridge of his nose which began to bleed and swell.

“His shirt was bloodstained and he fell to the floor,” added Mrs. Hayre.

Marczak, who began training as an amateur boxer eleven years ago, coaches at Cityboxer - based at Southwark's legendary and historic Ring Boxing club.

He was cautioned by police in November 2008 for assault and for the headbutt was conditionally discharged for three years, ordered to pay £200 compensation to the victim and £200 costs.