Caretaker Raids Residents' Apartments

A trusted residential caretaker at a landmark development raided unsuspecting residents flats while they were out, helping himself to thousands of pounds worth of jewellery and electrical equipment, a court heard.

Scottish-born Paul Cunningham, 47, even took a £4,000 car from one resident of Downings House,(pictured) a Grade II listed former school building at 21 Southey Road, Wimbledon, drove it to Gatwick Airport and fled to South Africa.

He pleaded guilty to burgling one female resident on or before April 9, stealing a diamond ring, sapphire and diamond ring, gold watch, gold ring, broche and chain, worth £7,200.

He also admitted taking a £1,000 Sony television and surround-sound equipment from another flat and stealing a set of car keys for a Toyota Yaris from a couple who were on holiday.

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard Cunningham, whose family emmigrated to South Africa when he was young, returned to the UK in 2007 and got the caretaker’s job on June 1, 2008.

The position came with spare sets of keys for all the flats and the first victim suddenly realised jewellery was missing from inside her ground-floor flat despite no evidence of a break-in.

Later that month a letting-agent noticed household electrical equipment was missing from an unoccupied flat and when a couple returned from holiday on April 11 their car was gone.

On each occasion the victims tried to call trusted Cunningham to report the crimes, but there was no response.

On April 12 the defendant sent a text to the couple, informing them their vehicle was parked at Gatwick Airport and it was recovered by Sussex Police.

He sent a follow-up text revealing he was returning to “face the music.”

He also revealed the jewellery had been pawned at a broker’s in Tooting and some of it was returned to the victim.

Cunningham was circulated as wanted on the Police National Computer, but he returned to the UK and handed himself into Wimbledon Police Station on May 8.

The defendant, who claims he has a heroin and sleeping pills addiction, told officers he only received £155 for the jewellery and sold the television for £500.

He was remanded in custody for sentencing on August 12.

Gay Heath Pick-Up Ends In Harrods Fraud

A swindler who embarked on a Harrods spending-spree with the bank card of a man he met on notorious gay haunt Hampstead Heath - triggering a break-up - was locked-up for a year today.

Deaf Abraham Icheke-Neal, 41, had already used the card behind the victim's back at nearby Hugo Boss, Sloane Square during the couple's shopping trip and days' earlier extracted cash during a day-trip to gay-friendly Brighton.

He was caught after the victim - a businessman from Richmond-upon-Thames - gave police a toothbrush the defendant used during their short fling and tell-tale DNA was found.

Icheke-Neal pleaded guilty to fraudulently using the card to obtain £300 from an Asda cashpoint on August 22, 2008; £299 worth of clothing from Hugo Boss on August 24 and £1,066 worth of items, plus £350 cash at Harrods (Pictured) the same day.

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard the defendant met his victim as they cruised Hampstead Heath, with Icheke-Neal virtually moving into the businessman's home immediately.

He watched his prey tap in his four-digit PIN number when using the bank card to pay for a meal then secretly used the card for himself as the couple went on trips to the coast and top London stores.

Prosecutor Miss Anne Davies told the court Icheke-Neal disappeared with the victim's wallet and mobile phone in Harrods and after giving-up waiting the businessman decided to drive home.

At nearby traffic lights the defendant suddenly appeared "carrying a large amount of shopping and flowers" and when challenged about the fraud said: "I suppose that means we're finished."

Icheke-Neal fled, but was arrested after the DNA match and refused to co-operate with police.

The bank have compensated the victim.

Nat West Cashier Nicked Customers Details

A crooked bank cashier in the heart of London's financial district who stole different customers' details eleven times - selling them to an accomplice for spending sprees - has dodged jail with a suspended sentence.

Disgraced Gary Paul Shale, 20, of Shrewsbury Street, North Kensington was eventually caught after swiping a lady customer's debit card after she left it in the branch's chip and pin machine.

He pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates' Court to defrauding the National Westminster Bank, New Bridge Street of £3,848.20 on October 2, last year.

Prosecutor Mrs Varinder Hayre told the court customer Catherine Doyle withdrew £50.00 at the counter, but after leaving her card behind Shale took it, swiped it and kept her details.

The customer's password was changed and card used to buy furniture, perfume and other items totaling thousands of pounds.

Shale was suspended by bosses on October 30 and arrested by police at home on December 9.

When quizzed he confessed to selling the card details for £200 to a man called 'Ty' at a railway station and doing it on ten previous occasions, pocketing a total of £1500.

Shale's lawyer Mr. Kingsley Nwokolo said: "This was a foolish action by a young man who had everything going for him and has lost a lot.

"He was pressurised, misguided, misled and exploited by friends and is full of remourse and regret for the shame he has brought on his family."

Shales, currently studying for a marketing degree at Roehampton University was sentenced to four months' imprisonment, suspended for twelve months', ordered to perform 100 hours community service and must pay £1,000 compensation within three years.

Afterwards Detective Constable Ian Whiting of the City of London Police's Cheque and Credit Card Unit said: "This is an excellent result for the woman victim whose personal details were violated."

Watch Your Bags! - Saadia's about.

An Arabic-speaking thief who sought-out soft targets in the West End and Chelsea - helping herself to female shoppers cash - has walked free from court with a slap on the wrist.

Saadia Zrideg, 54, of Cann House, Russell Road, West Kensington posed as a shopper in boutiques, pouncing when her victims tried on a pair of shoes and rifled through their handbags.

She pleaded guilty to stealing £5,000 from a woman in Next, Oxford Street on January 26 and attempting to steal a £200 Dior wallet from a shopper in Zara, Brompton Road, on April 10.

City of London Magistrates' Court (pictured) heard the victim in Next left her handbag on a chair and her sister fortunately spotted Zrideg rifling through it.

The defendant tried to bluff her way out of being caught red-handed claiming: "I have no money, there is nothing," as she held the wad of cash.

She tried to flee the store with the money and was held by security staff.

Despite her arrest Zrideg was at it again three months later, removing a woman's wallet from her handbag as she tried on a pair of shoes, concealing it inside a T-shirt.

Again she tried to flee and was stopped by security staff.

Zrideg, who has twelve theft convictions, was given an 18-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £225 costs.

Iran Military Man Facing Jail

A globe-trotting businessman who travels to war zones with the BBC was told he is going to prison today after being caught exporting 100 telescopic sights for firearms use in Iran.

Company Director Andrew Faulkner, 42, of Dog Drove, Sutton St. James, Spalding, Lincolnshire was arrested after Customs men swooped on the consignment at Heathrow Airport.

"I know precious little about you, but it is an extremely serious allegation you pleaded guilty to," Judge Nicholas Lorraine-Smith told Faulkner at Southwark Crown Court.

"I need to know how long to send you to prison for."

Faulkner pleaded guilty that on February 18, 2009 at Heathrow Airport, Hounslow and elsewhere in the U.K. he was knowingly concerned in the unlawful exportation or attempted exportation of goods, namely optical sights for firearms.

He pleaded not guilty to two further charges that between October 21, 2008 and February 19, 2009, he conspired with Alessandro Bon and others to export goods, namely optical sights for firearms and military lifeboats to Iran, with intent to evade the prohibition on exportation of military goods.

The prosecution will not proceed with those counts and they will lie on the file.

One hundred high spec German-manufactured Schmidt & Bender sights, worth 124,000 Euros, were packed into seven boxes seized by Customs and Excise at Heathrow on February 18.

They were bound for Dubai, but the prosecution allege the final destination for the scopes – which have 3 – 12x magnification - was Iran.

Faulkner was arrested on February 23 and charged at Snow Hill Police Station, City of London on September 1.

His lawyer Mr. Nicholas Bleaney told the court his client had travelled widely while on bail and was not a flight risk.

"He has got a fixed base, a wife and children. He has been abroad looking after BBC cameramen in Afghanistan and the like."

Regarding the life-raft charge Mr. Bleaney added: "There is such confusion regarding those who police this legislation my client, not being a lawyer, but a member of the public, could not possibly know what the rules were."

Faulkner was bailed until September 8 for sentencing and Judge Lorraine-Smith added: "It is difficult to see how it can be anything other than a custodial sentence. The question is how long."

Banksy Art Conmen Scammed Collectors Worldwide

Two Internet art fraudsters who sold fake ‘Banksy’ prints on eBay to a string of unsuspecting victims in a £200,000 scam have dodged prison with suspended sentences.

Grant Howard, 44, (pic.top) of Birdhurst Rise, South Croydon and Lee Parker, 45 of Caroline Way, Eastbourne (pic.2^nd top) were responsible for 120 fakes seized by police.

They both pleaded guilty at Kingston Crown Court to conspiracy to defraud and each received a 12 month suspended sentence, ordered to perform 240 hours community service work and were banned from selling anything on the internet for five years.

The court heard the pair were both keen Banksy enthusiasts who exploited the weaknesses of the anonymous artist.

They sold fake artwork to victims across the UK and overseas, predominantly through the global marketplace of eBay.

The pair orchestrated the fraud by setting up multiple eBay accounts, Paypal accounts and email addresses, thus allowing them to carry on with the deception over a long period of time.

If they were challenged by a buyer they would simply refund their money.

They also registered with discussion forums and duped other members into buying fake prints.

The screen prints they sold bore limited edition numbers and several bore fake Banksy signatures and Tag stamps.

Many buyers were given fake provenance documents (supporting authenticity), to add plausibility to the prints.

The pair created the fake provenance documents, including sales receipts, fake bank statements and fake emails purportedly from Pictures on Walls (POW), the company instructed by Banksy to exclusively make and sell screen prints based on his existing graffiti designs.

The emails detailed sales history for the pieces and in essence authenticated the artwork as genuine.

The pieces were then sold to victims throughout the world via numerous accounts held with Internet auction site eBay.

Detective Constable Ian Lawson, of the Metropolitan Police's Art and Antiques Unit, said: “This was a lucrative and unscrupulous scam in which the culprits had no qualms about ripping off collectors, sometimes to the tune of several thousands of pounds.

“They set up e-Bay accounts using details of relatives and friends thus spreading suspicion onto these innocent people.

“The gang went to great lengths to deceive their victims and it is only right that they should face the consequences of their actions.

“The harm done by the defendants in undertaking their fraud goes beyond the immediate losses to their individual victims.

“Buyers' confidence is vastly important in the legitimate collectors' market in art.

“When fraudsters infiltrate fakes into those markets, that confidence is dented, with an inevitable effect on prices, an effect that is bound to be felt by all collectors in the market.

“We would advise anyone looking to invest in art to check each and every piece of provenance right back to the original owner and if possible find an independent authenticating body to check if the piece is genuine.

“If buying from Internet forums and online action sites then take additional care and proceed with caution - names, emails and conversations can all be manufactured for sale purposes.”

Officers became aware that fake Banksy prints with limited edition number were being sold, mostly on eBay via accounts linked to Howard and Parker.

By working closely with the Internet sites involved and POW, officers were able to build the evidence picture against the two defendants.

An eBay spokesperson said: “We are delighted to hear of today's sentences, having worked closely with the Metropolitan Police since September 2008 to bring this case to court.

“Our long-standing commitment to this case highlights our intolerance for those fraudsters who attempt to sell fake items on our site.

“We will continue to build on our work with law enforcement agencies to make sure that justice is served if anyone decides to try their luck."

Several purchasers came forward with prints and provenance documents which were found to be fake, and search warrants were executed at the suspects' home addresses.

Searches later took place at the homes of friends and relatives whose names had been used to register some of the E-Bay accounts.

During their searches, officers recovered numerous fakes along with tracings of limited edition numbers, tracings of the stamps used by POW on genuine Banksy art work and impressions of the Banksy 'tag' stamp used on the prints.

Six months after their original arrest Howard was caught attempting to sell another fake Banksy print in a hotel in London.

This particular victim was targeted as a potential buyer via a Banksy discussion forum and later contacted with the purpose of arranging to meet for a sale.

During the investigation more than 120 fake/reproduction prints were recovered, approximately half from the home address of the pair and the remainder from victims.

If sold as genuine on the open market, it is estimated they could fetch in excess of £200,000.

One of the prints sold was the ‘bomb hugger’ bought for £6,500 by an American collector (pic.bottom).

Under-Fire Currency Trader Arrested - Again

A foreign exchange dealer accused of a ‘Ponzi’ scheme that left 800 investors £17m out of pocket has appeared at City of London Magistrates’ Court facing three further charges relating to continued trading.

Terence Freeman, 62, of King’s Place, King’s Road, Horsham, West Sussex, formerly of 30 Whitehall Lane, Buckhurst Hill, Essex, is the former boss of City-based GFX Capital Markets Ltd.

He was arrested on Wednesday at his new office at 201 First Point, Buckingham Gate, Gatwick Airport and spent twenty-four hours in police custody.

He faces two new charges under the Company Directors Disqualification Act that between June 1 and July 14 he acted as a director of GFX Capital International while subject to bankruptcy and a disqualification order.

He is also charged under the Insolvency Act with engaging in a business between the same dates under a name other than the one he was adjudged bankrupt.

Freeman (pictured) was released on conditional bail to return on August 26 for Crown Court committal.

Freeman was investigated by the City of London Police’s Economic Crime Department, after initially reporting threats from investors to police.

He is also currently charged that between June 1, 2006 and September 30, 2007, within the jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Court, he was knowingly a party to the carrying on of a business, namely GFX Ltd., for a fraudulent purpose, namely the inducement of persons to invest in a ‘Safe’ exchange scheme by making false representations and statements as to the protection and profits of investments.

He is also charged that between October 1, 2007 and February 9, 2009, within the jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Court the business of GFX Ltd. was carried on with intent to defraud creditors by similarly making false representations and statements.

He also is also charged that between January 1, 2006 and February 9, last year, being an undischarged bankrupt, acted as a director of GFX Ltd.

Between the same dates he is charged with failing to disclose to business associates his former name, under which he was made bankrupt.

Freeman is further charged with stealing £120,590 between November 7 and 30, 2007, belonging to investors in GFX Ltd and between the same dates acquiring, using or possessing criminal property, namely a diamond bespoke ring and gentleman’s signet ring.

Thirty investors are alleged to have lost over £130,000, with one individual said to have lost £1.5m.

Bank Fraud Loot Blown At Casino

A gambler thought his luck had changed when proceeds from a £1 million bank fraud suddenly dropped into his account, blowing the lot at the casino before police closed in, a court heard.

Jobless Hamid Arif, 25, of Copster Hill Road, Oldham withdrew £17,700 cash in just two days following the windfall, which he later admitted was too good to be true.

He pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court (pictured) to unlawfully retaining a false credit, contrary to the Theft Act, and received a twelve-month community order, including twenty sessions with the ‘Thinking Skills’ programme.

Prosecutor Miss Mia Wellfare told the court the Royal Bank of Scotland were victim’s of an elaborate £1 million shares fraud last year and on September 4 were tricked into transferring £290,000.

Two £48,000 cheques from that transfer were paid into Arif’s account on September 10 and on September 17 the defendant withdrew £2,700 and £15,000 the next day.

The Royal Bank of Scotland’s internal fraud department froze the account, scuppering Arif’s further attempts to withdraw cash and he was arrested in Oldham on December 7.

“He said the cheques arrived in the post and he thought he had been very lucky,” explained Miss Wellfare. “He told police he filled-in a claim form for a man in the street after a minor accident in 2007 and thought it may be a result of that.

“He later admitted he knew the sums could not have come from a minor accident and accepted he should not have paid them into his account and spend the proceeds at the casino.”

Arif, who has convictions for dishonesty, including theft from employer, pleaded not guilty to the more serious charge of theft, which the prosecution accepted.

He claims he has turned over a new leaf since the birth of his daughter in January.

“While you were traveling down here from Oldham you probably assumed you would be going to prison and so would someone listening to these proceedings,” Recorder Jonathan Davies told Arif.

“I am sentencing you for not reporting the fact this money magically appeared in your bank account.

“I am glad I am not sending you to prison because you are the type of person on the cusp of spending the rest of your life in and out of prison, which is pretty ghastly.”

Recorder Davies ordered the £500 cash seized by police when Arif was arrested should be confiscated.

“Go back to Oldham, a horrible journey again.”

Globe-Trotting Benefit Cheat's £1/2 Million Home

A benefit cheat who bought a £540,000 home while fraudulently claiming income support and took her family on holidays all over the world has dodged jail with a suspended sentence.

Mother-of-four Joanne Elizabeth Garratt, 34, of Queen's Mead Road, Shortlands, Bromley, South-East London continued claiming she was a single-mum despite living with her on-off partner and unlawfully pocketed £31,554.67.

She pleaded guilty to obtaining a money transfer by deception, namely income support payments, between April 12, 2005 and August 29, 2008 and was sentenced to eighteen weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years and ordered to complete 200 hours unpaid community service work.

Croydon Crown Court Recorder Nicole Williams told Garratt: "You have accepted you have defrauded the State. It is not a stateless body, but is made up ordinary people who pay taxes. These are the people you have defrauded."

Garratt, (pictured) mother of Liam, 14, Lauren, 12, Henry, 6 and a nine-month old boy failed to inform the Department of Work and Pensions she was supported by roofer Steve Eldridge, the father of the three boys.

Prosecutor Mr. Daniel Benjamin told the court that in 2003 Garratt bought a house in Sydenham, South London for £200,000 and re-mortgaged it three years later for £205,000.

On August 1, 2008 she bought her current house for £540,000, putting down a £110,000 deposit, claiming she had a well-paid job in her mortgage application.

Between 2005 and 2008 over £200,000 passed through her various bank accounts.

In 2006 Mercedes-driving Garratt bought jewellery items worth £3,400; £2,105 and £235 and took a £2,600 holiday to Turkey with her partner and the two older boys.

She made a return trip the next year, which cost £2,200 and also in 2007 took her children to Australia then on a £4,000 trip to the USA along with Mr. Eldridge and other family members.

"That money could not have been spent without financial support from elsewhere," explained Mr. Benjamin. "That, in part, was Mr. Eldridge's wages."

The Department's surveillance operation filmed her partner coming and going from the family home at the same time Garratt claimed to be a single-mum.

Her lawyer Mr. James Sutherland told the court: "She is beside herself with shame to find herself in the position she is in.

"The house has been put up for sale, the car has been taken back, this is a woman with many debts."

The court was told since last year Garratt has been repaying the Department at the rate of £5 per week, rising to £10 per week.

"You have shown a high-level of remourse according to the pre-sentence report," Recorder Williams told Garratt. "You have lost your good character. That in itself is a punishment.

"This offence occurred over a number of years and it is a high claim with a high loss to the state."

Footballer Jailed For Punching Wheelclamper

Hot-head footballer Leon McDowall – whose promising career has been ruined by a series of bust-ups – has been jailed again for violently punching a wheel clamper, fracturing the victim’s eye socket.

The 27 year-old Whyteleafe FC striker, (pictured) of Burnell Road, Sutton was sentenced to nine months imprisonment at Croydon Crown Court and branded a “risk to the community.”

He denied, but was convicted by a jury of assaulting Ibrahim Jallah, causing him actual bodily harm, in Eldon Park, South Norwood on June 30, last year.

McDowall was a rising star who played for Surrey schools and was a YTS trainee at Fulham FC before going on to play for Croydon Athletic and AFC Wimbledon.

The court heard McDowall’s rental car was clamped in a car park and the defendant’s claims of having a valid permit were dismissed.

McDowall jumped in the clampers’ van to prevent them driving away without releasing his vehicle, but flew into a rage when Mr. Jallah snatched the keys from the rental car’s ignition.

He confronted the victim and landed a single punch – fracturing the victim’s eye socket – but when quizzed by police claimed he was acting in self-defence after the clamper grabbed him around the neck.

“Some time you are going to realize only you can control your anger,” Judge Simon Pratt told McDowall. “You cannot look to others to stop you.

“You have to learn how to control your temper, once you have done that you may become a good and useful person, but until then you remain a risk to the community.

“The offence is an example of you flaring up and losing your temper,” added the Judge. “You got angry because the car you rented was clamped and you thought the victim was a jobsworth because he would not unclamp you.

“You then hit him hard enough to break the bottom of his eye socket and that has had long-term effects on Mr. Jallah.

“When you are released go and play football, go and help youngsters,” added Judge Pratt.

The court heard McDowall has already paid £500 compensation to the victim and his football agent conceded his client has “a short fuse at times.”

He has previous convictions for robbing premiership footballer Anton Ferdinand of two mobile phones following a bust-up at a Croydon nightclub and also drove over a police officer’s foot when stopped with cannabis in his car.

Cannabis-Smuggling Businesswoman Avoids Prison

A struggling businesswoman, who tried to smuggle £18,500 worth of cannabis through Gatwick Airport after stepping off a plane from Jamaica, somehow dodged jail with a suspended sentence.

First-time offender and single-mum Shantelle Springer, 34, of Lilford Road, Camberwell, South London was caught with 6.43 kilos of the drug in her luggage hidden inside dinner trays.

She pleaded guilty to importing the class 'B' drugs at the airport (pictured) on February 7 and at Croydon Crown Court received twelve months' imprisonment, suspended for a year.

The court heard Customs men searched Springer's luggage after she arrived on a flight from Montego Bay and discovered the three sealed trays packed with herbal cannabis.

Her lawyer Iain Starke told the court Springer's Internet cafe was struggling with debts of £5,000 and faced liquidation after county court judgments against her.

"She met a man who said he could help with debts if she brought back weed from Jamaica," explained Mr. Starke.

"She refused, but he was insistent and preyed upon her situation and she relented and agreed to do what he was asking."

Recorder Ian Bourne QC told Springer: "You have been given what many would consider an exceptional chance so make the most of it.

"You were, I accept, under financial hardship and were approached and preyed upon by a person who knew your predicament

"Importation of drugs are very serious offences."

Sex-Trafficking Romanian Rapist Caged

This is the face of an evil pimp caged for ten years for raping a teenage virgin and forcing her to have sex with up to five punters a day.

Cezar Livius Murariu, 28, lured the 18 year-old Romanian girl to a house in Hendon Way, Hendon, North London where he raped her then forced her into prostitution.

He was convicted of rape and two counts of controlling prostitution for gain and was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Southwark Crown Court heard ‘Natalya’ was befriended by Murariu and left her hometown to start a new life in London – with the defendant paying her coach fare.

Just three days into the trip she was raped by the defendant then unwillingly sold to sex customers for £40 a time under the threat of her family being told she was a prostitute.

On July 31, last year officers from the Metropolitan Police’s former Human Trafficking Team and Operation Golf - a joint investigation team with Romanian police - mounted a fast incident response to rescue the young woman.

The police rescued Natalya within 48 hours of being contacted by the family, who had raised the alarm that she was in trouble.

Natalya had managed to send text messages to her family, which they passed on to the Romanian officer on Operation Golf, to get help.

Working with the family, officers instructed her to send over a number plate of a vehicle in the vicinity of where she was being held and this then helped pinpoint the location.

Two days later, Natalya was rescued from the local park, where she was made to exercise to keep in shape for their clients.

Officers surrounded the park to secure the area, then rescued Natalya and took her to a safe location.

Police said that she was visibly afraid when rescued from the scene and grateful that she had finally been saved.

Natalya had a number of missed calls on her phone from Murariu, who had been frantically searching for her.

Murariu was later arrested by officers from the team, in the vicinity of the residence, actively searching for Natalya.

“This vulnerable young European woman has been lured over to the UK, under the false promise of legitimate work and financial gain,” said Detective Constable Roddy Llewellyn of Operation Golf.

“She found herself being sold for sex.

“We work tirelessly both home and abroad to catch these criminals, to stop the exploitation of these young women.”