Office Girl From Hell Wrecks Company By Gambling Online

An office assistant, who wrecked a respected property company by looting twenty accounts of £346,000 - blowing it all playing Internet bingo - was jailed for four years by a Judge who condemned online gambling.

Despite only earning £18,000 per year 29 year-old Claire Elizabeth Gilbody wagered £430,000 during a seventeen-month spell in which she desperately attempted to cover up her crimes.

"I'd like to get these betting people here so they can see the misery gambling wreaks," announced Croydon Crown Court Judge Heather Baucher. "She was caught up in an awful addiction."

Mum-to-be Gilbody, of Inglethorpe Street, Fulham pleaded guilty to abusing her position with Wandsworth's A. Mansell & Co. to make a gain, namely £346,250.28, between October 14, 2008 and April 3, last year.

She also admitted similarly making a gain, namely £39,385.50, while a mortgage administrator with Hammersmith-based MIL Finance between November 21, 2007 and April 1, last year.

The court heard A. Mansell & Co., a one-woman firm run by Andrea Kilcawley, who hired Gilbody via website 'Gumtree' went into liquidation after the defendant plundered the accounts.

"This person went from one company to another wreaking havoc and misery in her wake," added Judge Baucher. "When she discovered what happened it seems Andrea Kilcawley was in abject panic."

One £50,000 account saved-up by residents of a private block to fund refurbishment's was almost emptied by New Zealand-born Gilbody.

"They will be lucky now if they have enough money to paint the front door," said the Judge. "They must be devastated they have been robbed by a sophisticated fraud."

Prosecutor Mr. David Povall told the court Gilbody was immediately given access to the company's debit card, emails and twenty accounts which held money for various residential management committees.

Gilbody's boss noticed bank statements were suddenly missing and complained to the Royal Mail about her postal service which the defendant was secretly intercepting.

The true horror was only revealed when Gilbody was arrested at the office on April 2, last year by City of London Police's Economic Crime Department for defrauding previous employers MIL Finance.

There she had instructed Legal and General to pay mortgage commissions into her personal Lloyds TSB bank account - even changing the address to a P.O. Box under her control.

Gilbody's lawyer Mr. Thomas Garner told the court all the money was lost on Internet gambling.

"She thought the only way she could repay the money was to continue gambling and there was a rapid escalation in her gambling.

"She was robbing Peter to pay Paul, but the money was coming from other people's accounts."

Since her arrest Gilbody, who is due to give birth to her first child in August, spent five months at a charity-run residential gambling programme, paying just £10 per week for treatment.

"It's an absolutely gross breach of trust," Judge Baucher told Gilbody "It was to A. Mansell and Co.'s detriment that they took you on, took you into their arms.

"Funds were being transferred into your account instead of A. Mansell and Co. and you prepared a colour-coded Excel spreadsheet listing all then names and the figures.

"The fact you were able to place deposits of £430,000 while on an income of £18,000 beggars belief.

"I hope no one ever employs you where you can access accounts. You have sophistication and intelligence and means to perpetrate a fraud and no doubt will do so in the future if given the opportunity."

The prosecution will not pursue compensation.

NHS Money Man Ripped-Off Taxpayers

A "greedy" £350 per day NHS finance guru has been jailed for claiming benefits while pocketing £212,000 in professional fees in just three years.

Zahid Ali, 46, was arrested at his gated house in an exclusive stockbroker belt neighbourhood for a variety of false claims including incapacity benefit for depression, jobseekers allowance and housing benefit.

Ali, of Nightingale Court, Sutton, was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment at Croydon Crown Court after pleading guilty to seven charges.

"This is a substantial fraud over a substantial period of time and manifestly greedy," Judge Heather Baucher told the defendant. "You are a deliberately manipulative fraudster."

His company received consultancy fees from a variety of NHS General Practitioners for assisting in their budgets.

Ali admitted failing to notify the Department of Work and Pensions he was working between September 27, 2004 and November 21, 2006 while receiving incapacity benefit for depression.

He also admitted failing to declare to the London Borough of Sutton he was working while receiving housing benefit and failing to declare he was living with his girlfriend when applying for Jobseekers Allowance.

Ali (pictured) also admitted a fraudulent housing benefit application to Surrey's Reigate and Banstead council for a property his wife owned in Hooley - forging documents and inventing a phantom landlord.

He was arrested in Kingswood Surrey on June 10, 2008 and later repaid the £14,938 he unlawfully obtained.

"This was four separate frauds during which he time he has earned over £212,000 over three years and is living in a substantial property behind electronic gates," added Judge Baucher.

She also ordered Ali to pay £3,000 costs.

Rape: Park Pouncer In Prison

A violent rapist who pounced on a young female jogger as she ran through a small park – dragging her into bushes after grabbing her from behind – has been locked up.

Richard Shaw, 28, pleaded guilty to raping the twenty-something woman in Victoria Park, Finchley Central, North London on September 16, last year.

He was given an indeterminate sentence for public protection with a minimum three-and-a-half year term at Wood Green Crown Court and was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

Detective Constable Yolanda Rogers of the Metropolitan Police’s Sapphire Unit said: “Assaults of this nature are rare but this was a terrifying experience for the victim who was left traumatised as a result.

“I thank the victim and commend her for her courage in returning to this country to give evidence.

“I hope today's sentence goes some way to helping her overcome this incident but also reassures other victims of sexual assault that if they report the crime it will be investigated thoroughly.”

The victim was in the park at 8 pm when she became aware of a man jogging behind her who pulled her into the bushes and raped her.

During the attack she was also hit in the face.

After the assault she left the park, made her way to her employer’s home and called police.

Shaw was identified through forensic evidence left at the scene and was arrested at an address in North London on October 3.

Burglars Gold-Trail Leads To Jail

Three prolific burglars who funded a lifestyle of flash cars and homes by ruthlessly targeting the Indian community – trashing homes in the search for high-value gold jewellery – have been locked-up.

The North London trio are: Oladapo Ogboye, 22, of Bromley Road, Edmonton, (pic.l) Ricky Dunkley, 19, of Cool Oak Lane, Hendon, (pic.mid) and Dominic Brown-Lee, 21, of Claybrook Close, Barnet, (pic.r).

The Metropolitan Police’s Territorial Policing Crime Squad investigated over twenty similar burglaries in London and the Home Counties.

All three pleaded guilty at Reading Crown Court to conspiring to burgle between July and December, last year and Ogboye received three and a half years imprisonment; Dunkley two years and nine months and Brown-Lee eighteen months.

They led high-rolling lifestyles, renting a luxury apartment within a gated private estate and driving flash cars.

The suspects gained access to the rear of residential properties by using a side access or climbing over a fence.

They would then ransack the properties looking for high-quality Asian gold, stealing £30,000-worth during their crime wave.

On December 3 Ogboye and Brown-Lee were arrested while attempting to burgle a house in Slough, Berkshire.

Ogboye was spotted discarding gloves and a screwdriver as he tried to escape from police officers.

A witness saw a vehicle leaving the scene, which inquiries revealed had been hired by Ogboye.

Dunkley, who had been seen with the vehicle, was arrested later that day and an Asian gold ring in the vehicle was identified as having been stolen in an earlier burglary.

The court heard despite having no visible means of income the defendants were living in luxury.

Ogboye and Dunkley each owned Audi TTs, valued at £25,000 to £30,000, and lived within an affluent private gated complex in Princess Park Manor, Royal Drive, Friern Barnet (in addition to the addresses they gave officers).

When officers searched their homes they found designer clothing from Gucci, D&G and Louis Vuitton, a large quantity of cash and numerous bottles of champagne and Hennessey.

"The individuals involved tried to operate across several boroughs in the hope of avoiding police attention,” said Detective Inspector Bob Boggon.

“They specifically targeted high-value jewellery from members of the Asian community, leaving people's homes in a total mess, which added to their victims' anguish and distress.

"I would like to thank all the victims and witnesses for their cooperation and assistance throughout this investigation which lasted several months.

“The Territorial Policing Crime Squad is determined to increase public safety and confidence by intruding on the lives of those committing these heinous crimes."

Nigerian's Criminal Career Cut Short

Two murderers who butchered a Nigerian drug dealer who immersed himself in South London’s underworld soon after arriving in the country have been jailed for life – with 30-year minimums.

Sunny Eze, 33, (pic.top) was stabbed three times by Michael Henry, 39, (pic.mid) and Mark Brown, 35, (pic.bottom) who arrived at his flat for a drugs deal, but in reality intended to rob the victim.

Both homeless men were convicted at the Old Bailey of murdering Eze on March 4, last year at a flat in Vyvyan House, Campbell Close, Plumstead and were sentenced to life imprisonment.

Police were called at 10pm and found dead Eze – who had been stabbed three times to the back and upper neck - slumped against the kitchen fridge.

He had allowed the defendants into his flat to negotiate a drug deal, but a gun was pulled and it is believed as Eze tried to grab the weapon from Brown he was stabbed in the back by Henry.

"Despite the circumstances of this crime, Sunny Eze died in a brutal and violent attack at the hands of these men,” said Detective Inspector Steve Keogh of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command.

“We have been committed to bringing these men to justice throughout this case and we are grateful to the witnesses that came forward despite being fearful of the consequences."

Boozy Vandal Smashes Up Parked Car

A drunken scientist caught on CCTV launching a Basil Fawlty-style attack on a parked car was arrested after police arrived and found him sleeping on the back seat.

Qamar Mahmood Khan, 31, of Kenelm Road, Birmingham caused £1,413 worth of damage to the Mercedes after a night out in the City of London.

He pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to the vehicle in Milton Street, Bishopsgate on March 28 and was conditionally discharged for twelve months and ordered to pay full compensation.

Prosecutor Mrs. Alexa Morgan told City of London Magistrates’ Court police were called by a passer-by after Khan (pictured) was spotted snoozing on the rear seat of the badly damaged vehicle.

“The driver’s side window had been smashed and he told police the car belonged to a friend,” explained Mrs. Morgan. “He said he did not know how he ended up in the car due to severe intoxication.

“CCTV showed Khan kicking the driver’s side window at 4.20 am then throwing a bottle at the window and then kicking the door another five times.

“He threw a mobile phone against the passenger side window and is then seen throwing the phone twice again before kicking the front and rear panels.

“He returns with a road barrier and uses it to twice strike the driver’s side window, then using hit foot, shatters the glass and gets into the car.”

When shown the footage Khan told police: “I wanted somewhere to sleep. I was thinking I’d get it fixed the next day.”

Khan, who has recently lost his job and is living with his parents, was also ordered to pay £75 costs.

Drugs Money Launderer Jailed After 8 Years On Run

A Dutch antique dealer who went on the run after Customs men caught him exchanging £5.13m in drug-tainted cash was jailed for five years today.

Lambertus Wolters, 67, was the target of an undercover surveillance operation investigating a drugs gang when he was arrested with £102,000 in cash on him.

He pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown court to transferring criminal proceeds, namely a quantity of banknotes between October 1, 1998 and January 25, 2001.

Wolters, who stayed in various West End hotels, was originally arrested by Customs and Excise on January 25, 2001 after he was observed collecting bags of cash from suspected drug dealers.

Under the guise of his antique business he exchanged British Pounds for Dutch Gilders, other European currency and U.S. dollars at Thomas Cook foreign exchange bureaus and TTT Moneycorp.

Notes he exchanged at Thomas Cook, Marble Arch (pictured) were drug-tested by investigators and were positive for traces of heroin and ecstasy.

He was released on £600,000 bail, but fled in February 2002 and a European Arrest Warrant was issued.

His sureties lost every penny.

Married father Wolters was eventually re-arrested in Holland on January 25, this year and extradited back to the U.K. on March 30.

Mercedes-driving Wolters originally told investigators he was exchanging cash at a favourable rate for Dutch gypsies who sold pots and pans all over Europe.

Violent Boyfriend Turned A Deaf 'Un During Attack On Partner

A violent Huddersfield man, who throttled his deaf pregnant girlfriend in the middle of London’s busy King’s Cross Station, was ordered to attend domestic abuse classes when given a community order.

Jobless Dean Stanton, 20, of Brent Street, Newsome ignored a police community support officer (PCSO) who tried to stop the assault and repeated the attack.

Deaf Stanton was convicted at City of London Magistrates’ Court of assaulting Siobhan Keogh at the station (pictured) on November 19, last year.

Prosecutor Mrs. Varinder Hayre told the court: “This case related to a domestic violence incident.

“The victim, who is the defendant’s partner, approached the PCSO at 5 pm and by a combination of gestures and sounds she indicated she had been grabbed by the throat and was pregnant.

“The victim pointed at Mr. Stanton who was walking towards the station and the PCSO asked him to stop, but Mr. Stanton ignored him.

“The victim then told Mr. Stanton to stop and he used his hand to grab the victims throat and pushed her to the ground.

“The officer asked him to stop, he ignored him and again pushed the victim to the ground.”

Police were alerted and rushed to the scene. “The officers say the victim was distressed and they had no doubt he presented a threat to the victim.”

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 has five police cautions, including one for assault against his girlfriend, and the couple remain together.

His lawyer, who refused to give her name, said: “Mr. Stanton does want to make a change in his behaviour. He takes this very seriously.

“They now have a child who is just a few weeks old.”

Stanton, who lives on disability living allowance, and Miss Keogh are being assisted by social services and foster carers.

“He is also being assisted finding housing in Huddersfield,” added the lawyer. “They are a family unit and they want to continue as a family unit.”

Magistrates placed Stanton on a two-year community order, which includes completing a domestic abuse programme and ordered him to pay £75 costs.

Iraqi's Dodgy Passport Paris Trip

An Iraqi asylum-seeker used somebody else’s British passport to take the Eurostar train to Paris and back - returning with a knife in his luggage.

Jobless delivery driver Mohammed Alipour, 30, of Davison Street, Stoke-on-Trent claimed he found the passport near his home and used it to visit a friend in the French capital for five days.

He was a stopped by a U.K. Borders Agency official at St. Pancras International (pictured) railway station and a search of his bag found the folding lock-knife hidden amongst clothing.

Alipour pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates’ Court to unlawfully possessing an identity document and a bladed article on June 9.

Prosecutor Mrs. Varinder Hayre told the court the passport photograph was clearly somebody else when Alipour showed it to immigration officers.

The defendant had stuffed his driving licence – revealing his true identity – down his sock.

The court was told Alipour’s immigration status was “unclear” and the cells confirmed the official form giving them permission to hold him was incomplete and missing a photo.

Alipour claims he bought the knife in a Paris antique shop to peel fruit in his hotel room.

The magistrates placed Alipour on a twelve-month community order, which includes 120 hours unpaid work and ordered him to pay £75 costs.

Silver-Tongued Robber Hunted

This is the face of a smooth-talking intruder who talked his way into a woman’s house in the middle of the afternoon – attacking and robbing her – then starting a fire before escaping.

He targeted exclusive Penfold Street, St. John’s Wood, Westminster – which includes ex-Beatle Sir Paul McCartney as a resident – stealing gold necklaces, bracelets, rings and cash.

The 40 year-old victim helped local police compile this e-fit after her ordeal on September 18, last year, which left her requiring hospital treatment.

The suspect is described as a light skinned black man, aged between 30 to 35 years, of large build and approximately 6ft in height.

He was wearing a grey jumper, blue jeans and brown shoes.

Detective Chief Inspector Alexis Boon said: "This attack left the victim traumatised and feeling unsafe in her own home.

“We have issued an e-fit which we hope someone will recognise and come forward.

“I would ask anyone who thinks they may recognise the man in the picture to call us at Marylebone police station on 020 7321 9314 or alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

East London Teen Gang Murder Appeal

The mother of a murdered teenager has joined detectives in renewing appeals for information and witnesses that will nail the culprits of a gang-attack on her son who was stabbed to death earlier this year.

Isschan Nicholls, 18, from Poplar, East London died after the attack in nearby Parnell Road, Bow on January 13 by a gang of up to fifteen youths armed with knives and baseball bats.

Police who were called to the scene at about 9.10 pm discovered Isschan (pictured) and another 17-year-old boy suffering from stab wounds and both were rushed to the Royal London Hospital.

Isschan died early on 15 January.

A post mortem gave the cause of death as stab wounds to the abdomen and thigh and the second victim was treated and discharged.

"Isschan was loved by so many people,” said his mother Jennifer Williams. “He was a real family person who was passionate about his music, which was his main hobby whilst attending college.

"Our son has been put to rest, but the fact remains there are people harbouring others who have carried out this evil, vicious attack.

"This is what we, Isschan's family, are finding hard to comprehend. There are no excuses, reasoning or justification for this kind of violence and those involved must come forward to take responsibility for their actions and for the lives they have ruined.

"We have been robbed of someone precious to us and we will be grieving his loss for the remainder of our days. The emotional and mental pain that we go through daily is unexplainable, it is a surreal experience for us.

"We are asking if anybody knows anything regarding this incident, no matter how small the information- we are pleading with you to come forward and call police. Every piece of information is important right now, no matter how insignificant you may think it is."

"Exactly what sparked the fight which led to Isschan's death remains unclear at this time and we are keeping an open mind regards motive,” said Detective Inspector Dave Manning of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command.

"We know that shortly before the fight, Isschan and four friends had been traveling in a blue Rover which parked in Parnell Road.

"The vehicle was parked close to a Ford Fiesta which entered the road moments earlier containing four males.

"I appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident who may have seen what happened to contact police if you have not done so already.

Even if you feel you have no information to give, we would like to hear from you.

"There are people out there with vital details about what happened. I urge those people to tell us what they know.

“We understand some might have concerns about speaking to us, but it is important they do, so we can offer reassurance and support.

"Many may not see this as any of their business, but it is. You are all part of the community and have a vested interest in ensuring those who commit serious violence are held to account."

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 020 8721 4054; if you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

To date 12 people have been arrested in connection with the investigation. All were bailed to return to an east London police station pending further enquiries.

Watch Your Bags. Lithuanians About!

Two Lithuanian heroin junkies caught in CCTV rifling through a bag snatched moments earlier from a pub customer in the Square Mile were fined at City of London Magistrates' Court today.

The jobless couple, Marius Stokas, 26 and Jovita Novikovaite, 28, both of Western Road, Plaistow, East London pleaded guilty to dishonestly receiving a stolen shoulder bag on April 27.

The court (pictured) heard it was 9.15 pm when an office security guard spotted the couple looking through the bag in the street and called the police.

They were arrested in Newgate Street and Novikovaite admitted she was looking through the bag for cash before dumping it.

Both defendants tested positive for drugs and have previous convictions for theft.

Stokas was fined £75 with £90 costs and Novikovaite £50 with £90 costs.

Face Of G20 Demo Cleared

A Glasgow G20 protestor – arrested at last year’s City of London demonstration – was cleared of violent disorder by a jury today after telling them he was simply appealing to aggressive police.

Harvey Brown, 30, of Cathcart Road became the face of the demo after his bloodstained bare-chested image was shown all over the world and television cameras zoomed in as he confronted police lines.

“I was hit on the head with a baton after already having been punched and was trying to keep an eye on the officer who hit me and see any serial number,” he told Isleworth Crown Court.

“I could feel the blood coming down my face and I was a bit shocked and upset,” added Brown, who was arrested on April 1 outside the Bank of England.

“I was watching the police in case they came forward and tried to hit me again and was asking them why they had hit me because I had not done anything and why they were hitting other people.

“I said I was a peaceful protestor and that I was not going to hit them back.”

The prosecution alleged Brown had deliberately “inflamed” the crowd to be aggressive against the thin police line, which was bombarded with bottles, batteries, bleach, scaffold clips, bits of wood and other objects.

He admitted kicking out at the police line, but insisted it was in self-defence. “I thought the policeman was going to hit me with his baton so I kicked out towards him to keep him at bay.

“I was quite emotional about everything, crying. I was weak and tired by this point.

“I was knocked to the ground and kicked by a police officer as people tried to pick me up,” added Brown.

“I was trying to walk through the police line. I thought we had been there long enough and I wanted to continue the march.”

It took the jury ninety minutes to unanimously find the defendant not guilty of violent disorder, a charge that has seen other G20 protestors jailed for two years.