One-Time Teenage Sweethearts Split After Easter Stabbing

A woman who stabbed her long-term partner during an alcohol-fueled Easter Monday row over his reluctance to have a family has dodged prison.

Accounts executive Victoria Harrington, 32, of Saltash Close, Sutton was also accused of infidelity during the violent disturbance, which resulted in neighbours calling the police.

She pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court (pictured) to maliciously wounding 34 year-old Gregory Cox, inflicting grievous bodily harm, at her home address on April 5.

Prosecutor Mr. Nicholas Hall told the court: “The couple had an argument at their home in Sutton and as a result Mr. Cox was stabbed through the upper arm and required four stitches.

“It was all one blow and nobody else was present.”

The couple were teenage sweethearts and together sixteen years, but the relationship became strained after the defendant experienced two failed pregnancies in 2008.

Mr. Cox refused to fully co-operate with police and did not allow photographs of the wound to be taken.

“His relationship with her is now over,” added Mr. Hall.

When arrested Harrington confessed in the police car to the stabbing.

“Yes, it was me. We were arguing and I was so angry I hit him with the knife. I can’t believe what I have done,” she told officers.

Harrington’s lawyer Mr. Colin Aylott told the court: “This is the product of a damaging relationship, which friends and family told her to give up years ago, but due to strong feelings for Mr. Cox she didn’t.

“He admits he has treated her badly and subjected her to not physical, but psychological abuse.

“It was plain Mr. Cox did not want to be a father and made those feelings plain in a blunt fashion,” added Mr. Aylott. “It may explain the extreme reaction.

“He was also questioning her fidelity and using disgraceful language towards her.

“It is difficult for her to understand why she reacted in this extreme way.

“She is a young woman who everyone speaks so highly of, a young woman of intelligence who is hardworking and owns her flat,” added the lawyer.

Judge Daniel Flahive announced: “In other circumstances she could have killed him.”

He sentenced the first-time offender to 220 hours community service work and ordered her to pay £300 costs.

“Both of you were in drink and you lunged at him once with a knife,” Judge Flahive told the defendant. “This is out of character for you.”

Police Pursue Uncle In Nicked Super-Mini

A Sheerness man, pursued by police along three different motorways in a stolen £20,000 top-of-the-rang Mini Cooper he claims his nephew paid him £150 to deliver, has dodged prison.

Builder John McIlroy, 37, of Buckthorne Road, Minster-on-Sea was followed by officers on the M25, M26 and M20 as he drove the 148 mph vehicle.

He was convicted by a Croydon Crown Court (pictured) jury of dishonestly handling the stolen 208 horsepower red John Cooper Works Mini on November 26, last year.

Judge William Barnett QC sentenced McIlroy to 200 hours community service and ordered him to pay £500 costs.

McIlroy claims he was persuaded when short of cash to drive the car to a garage and did not know it was stolen.

“This was a motor car of considerable value and you contested this case,” Judge Barnett told the defendant.

“I suspect it was earlier than when you received police attention that you became suspicious and it was wishful thinking on your part that there was not something unlawful about the car.

“You were essentially conned by a member of your family into doing this and you have now fallen out with that member of the family who preyed on you because of your lack of money.

“You were to drive it to this garage and get one hundred and fifty pounds, which in fact you never did get.”

Pub Punter 'Bottled' After Dirty Look Sparks Brawl

A pub yob, who smashed a rival over the head with a beer bottle when a late-night brawl was sparked by a “dirty look”, has dodged jail with a suspended sentence.

Window fitter Robert Spinks, 20, of Comport Green, New Addington, Croydon left his victim covered in blood and needing emergency hospital treatment to a wound requiring five stitches.

The first-time offender pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to maliciously wounding Paul Carey, causing him grievous bodily harm, in Lloyds Bar, (pictured) Westmoreland Place, Bromley on September 17, last year.

Prosecutor Mr. Hamish Reid told the court it was 10.30pm when two groups – one including Spinks - who knew each other began fighting.

“It seems that one of the groups felt that the other was looking at them in a funny way. A dirty look,” explained Mr. Reid. “A scuffle then started.”

The victim moved in to save his brother who was surrounded by five members of the rival group.

“As he moved in to assist he felt a sharp blow to his head and as he went outside blood was pouring from the left side of his head,” said Mr. Reid.

“This defendant had struck the blow with a beer bottle to the side of the victim’s head and the strike caused it to break.”

Mr. Carey was rushed to the accident and emergency department of the Royal University Hospital, Farnborough and was treated for a Y-shaped wound above his left ear.

He was kept in overnight to ensure he did not suffer any serious internal head injury.

Spinks claims he only drank two bottles of beer that night and lashed out after seeing his friend hit over the head with a bar stool receiving a wound that required seven stitches.

Recorder Richard Bruce told Spinks: “This was serious late-night violence in licenced premises. In your favour this was one blow, albeit with a bottle in your hand.”

He sentenced the defendant to eight months youth custody, suspended for a year, ordered him to complete 150 hours community service and pay Mr. Carey £300 compensation and to pay £350 costs.

'James Bond' Weapons Boffins Shaken By Years In Stir

Two crooks who ran an illegal firearms factory from a railway arch lock-up – producing James Bond-type weapons such as a pen and key-ring gun – have been jailed.

Paul Coke, 40, of Mayesbrook Road, Ilford, Essex (pic.l.) received 14 years and 26 year-old Fatmir Kadena of Flack Court, Leyton, East London (pic.r.) received 9 years.

They were arrested after Operation Trident officers – who investigate violent black-on-black crime in the capital – raided the premises, which were protected by a reinforced steel door.

Inside police seized nine firearms, including the lethal pen-gun (pictured) and the key-ring gun, which was hidden inside a ceiling beam.

They were convicted at Snaresbrook Crown Court of conspiracy to possess firearms and ammunition, with intent to enable others to endanger life.

Police armed with search warrants executed the dawn raid in Tilbury Road, Leyton on May 11, last year after discovering the pair ran a DIY gun-conversion business – turning imitation and blank-firing handguns into live weapons, which retail on the black market for £500 - £1,000.

Firearms seized included a Browning self-loading pistol, a Kimar Model 85 self-loading pistol, a ‘British Bulldog’ brand revolver, an ‘American Double Action’ brand revolver and an air pistol that had the appearance of a handgun.

Inside an electricity box officers discovered modified and converted 8mm ammunition.

Firearm parts and further ammunition were found inside drawers and a cupboard and a 5,000-volt stun gun was recovered from the top drawer of a filing cabinet.

The pen-gun, located inside a cardigan pocket and the key-ring gun had been modified from their original form and were both lethal-barrelled weapons capable of firing ammunition.

Two Olympic '38 starting pistols in the process of being converted were also discovered in the loft area.

A second premises further along Tilbury Road was searched and police found a silencer and further ammunition hidden inside the engine compartment of a Vauxhall Calibra.

Self-loading pistols and additional ammunition were found in a black bag stashed within a wall cavity at the location.

Officers estimate the pair had been running the operation for at least three months and whilst there was no evidence that they had been selling the items from the location, it is believed likely that they had already profited from their activity.

Ironically the CCTV cameras set up to monitor any unwanted guests ultimately assisted with the pair's incrimination - with footage showing Coke concealing what officers believe to be a firearm within a pool table.

“This was a highly organised operation whereby Coke and Kadena were converting and modifying firearms, doubtless with the sole intention of selling them on to those intent on committing serious crime,” said Detective constable Dan Bryant of Operation Trident.

“They were dangerous and ruthless individuals, content in the knowledge they were producing deadly weapons in order to line their own pockets and I am pleased that today's result reflects the danger their actions posed to the wider community.

“Trident is committed to tackling all aspects of gun crime and will continue in its determination to bring those who profit from it to justice.”

Costa del crime fugitive behind bars

Justice finally caught up with a drug-dealer today - who fled to Spain 10 years ago receiving a 1m Euro fine for similar crimes in Benidorm - when he received 19 months for the decade-old offences.

Gavin Mead, 47, from Beckenham, South-East London jumped bail in 2000 and headed for the Costa del crime, where he continued dealing drugs.

He pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court (pictured) to possessing 3928 gms and 701 gms of canabis, plus 971 gms of methylamphetamine - known as 'chrystal meth' - with intent to supply in Bromley on December 8, 2000.

Mead has been in custody since October 10, 2008 when arrested by Spanish police for drug offences and was extradited back to the UK.

While in custody drug-user Mead tested positive for heroin, cocaine and cannabis.

"You made a complete hash of this," Judge Simon Pratt told the defendant. "One is tempted to say: 'If you can't do the time. Don't do the crime'."

He sentenced Mead to fifteen months imprisonment for the three drug offences, plus four months for jumping bail.

Transsexual Prostitute Killed By Client

A vicious punter who strangled and robbed a transsexual prostitute – blowing the cash on two more hookers – is facing a life sentence after being convicted of the “brutal and pre-meditated” murder.

Prostitute Destiny Lauren, 29, (pictured) was born a man and was awaiting a sex-change operation when he was killed at his home address in Leighton Crescent, Kentish Town, North London on November 5, last year.

Leon Fyle, 21, (pic.bottom) of Laleham Road, Catford, South East London will be sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 17.

Investigating officer Detective Inspector Liz Baker of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command said: “The murder of Destiny Lauren was brutal and pre-meditated.

“Destiny lived alone in her flat in Kentish Town.

“She had a troubled history and had suffered depression following the death of her mother but was trying to turn her life around.

“Destiny was well known to many people in the Camden area and was regarded as a 'character' by those who knew her.

“She was close to her father and two brothers, who she contacted regularly, and she had a love for the finer things in life and appreciated beautiful things.

“Her life was abruptly ended when she met Leon Fyle, a young man she had never met before, who murdered and robbed her in her own home. She was found dead by her brother.

“Fyle has not shown one shred of remorse for this callous act nor for the suffering he has inflicted on Destiny's family and friends.”

Destiny was taken by ambulance to the Royal Free Hospital, but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

A post-mortem examination gave cause of death as manual and forcible compression to the neck (strangulation).

On the night of the murder, Fyle telephoned Destiny, before travelling across London to visit him for a sex.

Fyle had sex with Destiny, before strangling him and fleeing with items of his jewellery, his mobile phone and £350 cash.

Destiny's brother discovered the body soon after the attack and raised the alarm.

After the attack Fyle escaped to Kings Cross by bus, visiting a brothel and spending £250 of the stolen cash on two female prostitutes.

Horror In Woolwich: Woman Beaten To Death

A jobless teen accused of beating an innocent passer-by to death in a builder’s yard moments after storming out of a flat during a row with his girlfriend has been remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey.

Local woman Toni Rudman, 24, (pictured) suffered fatal head injuries in North Road, Woolwich, South East London on August 7.

Jobless Ryan David Lee Backhouse, 19, appeared at Woolwich Magistrates’ Court charged with her murder and will next appear on November 15.

A relative of Toni’s said from the family home in Erith: “We can’t believe it has happened. We are in total shock.

“My mother’s struggling to cope. We are utterly devastated and she is in pieces.”

Passers-by ran to help after hearing the victim’s screams and found her lying on the ground with “horrendous” head injuries.

Paramedics and an air ambulance were called at 8.10pm, but Toni was declared dead at the scene.

Techie Geek Caged For Nightclub Rape Bid

A balding video games geek – employed by industry giants Sega – is starting a two-and-a-half year prison sentence after trying to rape a woman outside a landmark West End nightspot.

Dean Powell, 33, of Gews Corner, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, who tested games such as Sonic the Hedgehog, was attending a Christmas party when he pounced on the woman after promising to take care of her.

Powell (pictured) pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court to attempting to rape the 34 year-old victim and sexually assaulting her outside the Hard Rock Café on December 18, last year.

He was placed on the sex offender’ register for ten years.

A doorman outside the club spotted Powell trying to have sex at 2am with the reluctant woman, took three pictures with his mobile phone for evidence and heard her say: “I don’t want to do that.”

The victim told police she encountered Powell by the club’s cloakroom and thought she could trust him to escort her home safely after he assured her: “I will look after you.”

Staff called police and Powell was arrested.

Detective Constable James Emeny, who led the investigation for the Metropolitan Police’s Sapphire Unit, said: “Thanks to the intervention of witnesses to this crime, this man has been brought to justice.

“I would like to thank staff at the Hard Rock café who played a vital role in assisting this investigation.

“This sentencing is a message to those who commit these crimes that these will be dealt with robustly.”

Armed Drug-Dealing Club Bosses Snookered

Two drug-dealing snooker club bosses also caught storing two loaded guns at a nearby taxi firm have each been jailed for twelve years.

Police seized a SIG 9mm self-loading pistol and a Browning 9mm high-powered pistol plus ammo during a raid, which also netted cannabis and £5,000 in drug profits.

Ali Demirci, 30, of London Road, Enfield, North London (pic.top) and Metin Bolat, 30 (pic.bottom) were arrested on October 9, last year.

Demirci was convicted at Wood Green Crown Court on two counts of possessing a firearm, with intent to endanger life, three counts of possessing cannabis and possessing the proceeds of crime, namely £5,000.

Bolat was convicted of the same firearms offences, plus two counts of possessing cannabis.

The pair ran the Enfield snooker club as a front for their criminal activities and 96 bags of cannabis were found on the premises.

They rented a room at the next-door taxi office where further quantities of cannabis were found along with the two guns, stuffed inside a dressing-table drawers.

Detective Constable John Whiting of the Met Police’s Central Task Force said: “These men were storing guns and dealing drugs from their business properties in Enfield.

“This activity posed a significant risk to the community, which has now been eliminated by police to ensure public safety.

“We work tirelessly to keep drugs and guns off the streets and to bring men like this to justice.”

Demirci tried to fool police into believing the drugs cash found at his home was the result of his girlfriend’s recent insurance claim.

Balaclavas and scarves were also found in the taxi office, which police believe may have been used for criminal activity.

Big Man On Campus Facing Stretch At University Of Life

A promising student, targeted by police for drug-dealing on campus, is facing at least five years imprisonment after police caught him walking around with a gun and ammo.

Adamo Kizey, 18, of Cambridge Gardens, Kingston-upon-Thames even had a silencer for the weapon wrapped in a sock at the bottom of his wardrobe.

Kizey, (pictured) pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm, with intent to endanger life and possession of ammunition, with intent to endanger life at Kingston College on February 2.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing the silencer and twenty wraps of cannabis at his home address on the same day.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Central Task Force, acting on a tip-off, searched Kizey in a college office and found the black semi-automatic pistol inside his jacket and a magazine containing six bullets in an outer pocket.

His home was then raided and officers found the silencer, cannabis in a jacket pocket and a set of digital weighing scales.

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Beyer of the Central Task Force said: “This student was carrying a firearm on college property which posed a significant safety risk to students and teaching staff, as well as the wider community”

“Officers from the MPS's Central Task Force carried out a successful, targeted and discrete operation which has removed another gun from the streets of London.”

Kingston College Principal Peter Mayhew-Smith said: “Our main priority is the safety of our students and unlawful behaviour is not tolerated.

“The incident is the first of its kind and the college will continue working with the police to ensure students are educated on crime related issues.”

Kizey will be sentenced at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court on September 24.

Who's Laughing Now?: 'Hyena' Murder Gang Caged

A laughing teenage gang who killed a young stranger in a ferocious knife and hammer attack – leaving their victim with ten stab wounds – have all been caged.

Moses Nteyoho, 22, (pic.top) was walking with a pal to a local youth project on October 30, last year when ambushed on Tavy Bridge, near Tilehurst Point flats, Abbey Wood, South East London.

Convicted of murder are: Ahmed Ghele, 17, (pic.2^nd top); Osman Amin, 17, (pic.3^rd top); Liban Ali, 16, (pic.bottom) who all received 14 years and 17 year-old Burhan Yusuf who received 12 years.

Those sentences are the minimum the defendants must serve before being considered for parole.

The local gang had traveled by mini-cab to the estate armed with a machete-type knife and hammer intent on attacking any random youth and Moses was probably killed by the first stab wound.

However, the frenzied attack continued with the victim receiving a further nine stab wounds plus hammer blows to the head.

The defendants were heard by witnesses callously laughing as they ran from the scene through a car park underneath a parade of shops back to the mini-cab.

Police believe their motive was no other than to ‘hunt’ down some boys that they could attack and injure.

Throughout their interviews and the trial the defendants gave no other indication as to why they attacked Moses, who did not even know them and was a totally innocent victim in their violent pack mentality.

Detective Inspector Cliff Haines from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command said: “Moses was in the wrong place at the wrong time and died in the most tragic way.

“Throughout this process his family have behaved with such dignity, it is humbling to think that they have suffered such a terrible loss.

“I would like to thank the local community for all the information and assistance they gave to this investigation, allowing us to bring these offenders to justice and I truly hope that everyone, including those connected with the Youth Awareness Programme (YAP), Tevy Bridge, can now begin to move forward with their lives.”

£800,000 Fraud Suspect On The Run

A suspected fraudster, whose audacious bid to swindle £800,000 out of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets was exposed just before he could get his hands on the cash, is being hunted by police.

Dave Don Thompson, 37, posed as a major contractor in negotiations with the local authority, but his scam was thwarted and the money transfer frozen and returned.

Tower Hamlets police are appealing for help in securing Thompson's arrest and indicate he has close links with South-East London, particularly Bexleyheath and Plumstead.

Teen Jailed For Storing Gang's Gun

A teenage student arrested during a police raid for storing a handgun and hundreds of bullets for a North London gang has been jailed for five years.

Forensics student Mary Boateng, 19, of Northumberland Park, Tottenham hid the Derringer-type pistol (pictured) in a rucksack and 300 bullets – 149 of which matched the firearm – in a bag in her kitchen.

Police from the Serious and Organised Crime Command executed a search warrant after an intelligence-led operation.

Before the search she confessed to detectives knew there was "something bad" in the rucksack.

The live ammo included magnum bullets and .22 short, .22 rifle, .32, .38 and 9mm caliber rounds.

DNA-testing by the Forensic Science Service matched a hair found caught in a knot of the plastic bag containing the ammunition with Boateng.

Boateng pleaded guilty at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to possession of a prohibited firearm, prohibited ammunition – three ‘dumb dumb’ bullets - and a further charge of unlawful possession of the remaining bullets.

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Beyer, from the Central Task Force, said: “Whether or not Boateng knew the exact contents of the bag in her home, she, in her own words, knew it contained ‘something bad’.

“We have removed a gun and a large quantity of ammunition from the streets of London, which would no doubt have caused injury or death.

“The Met Police Service has said loud and clear that people who store guns for others will face time in jail.”

Shoebridge 'On His Toes'

A notorious Torquay troublemaker is now on the run from police again after jumping bail when failing to turn up for sentencing on burglary and criminal damage charges.

Graham Shoebridge, 37, (pictured) formerly of Old Torwood Road was recently made subject to a court-imposed restraining order after making a series of nuisance phone calls to the Key West Hotel, Meadfoot Sea Road, Torquay.

He received seventy days imprisonment in June for calling the hotel fifty times in just three days and has a history of similar offences, including restraining orders he did not obey.

Shoebridge, now of Sumatra Road, Camden, North London failed to appear at Blackfriars Crown Court after being committed there for sentencing by Highbury Corner Magistrartes’ Court.

Prosecutor Mr. Philip Jones’s application for a warrant without bail was immediately granted by Recorder Miss D Champion who announced: “Clearly he is not here.”

Shoebridge’s lawyer Miss Jenny McVeigh told the court: “I spoke to him yesterday and told him to be here so we could discuss the pre-sentence report.”

He previously jumped bail in Torquay when convicted of harassment after throwing a pizza box into a delivery woman’s face and hurling a torrent of abuse.

“His friend is here who spoke to Mr. Shoebridge on the phone and he made it clear he was not coming. I do not know what the reason is,” added the lawyer.

Later, a rambling fax sent by Shoebridge explaining his non-attendance arrived, but was intercepted by his lawyer who did not want Recorder Champion to read it.

£20,000 Reward For Year-Old Shooting

A £20,000 reward is now being offered by police for help in solving the execution-style shooting of a 24 year-old man in South-East London a year ago.

Nathan Williams (pictured) was shot several times in the early hours of July 28, last year in Ludwick Mews, New Cross.

Police were called to reports of shots fired at 1:30am and Mr. Williams, from Kennington, was found with serious injuries in a VW Golf and rushed to Kings College Hospital, where he died the same night.

Operation Trident officers – who investigate violent black-on-black crime – believe four men were involved in the shooting.

Detective Chief Inspector Gordon Allison said: “It's now a year on from Nathan's murder and we believe that the local community hold the answers as to who did this.

“This was a brutal execution of a young man and those who did this should not be tolerated by the community - if you have information I would urge you to come forward and work with police, who can protect your identity.

“Nathan's family deserve justice for their loss and the community deserve to live without fear of those who commit these terrible crimes.”

Polish Knees-Up Ends In Brutal Fatal Beating

Four Polish thugs have been caged for killing a fellow-countryman in a vicious group attack after the victim objected to two of them using hard drugs during a drinking-session in a North London squat.

The victim, 46 year-old Wieslaw Czyrak of Newlyn Road, Tottenham suffered a heart attack as a result of the beating and was left behind Aldi’s, Tottenham High Road, on June 17, last year.

Marek Rutkowski, 27, of Vicarage Road, Tottenham (pic.top) received 10 years.

Jurand Glowacki, 27, of Pembury Road, Tottenham (pic.2^nd top) received 10 years.

Marian Glowacki, 31, of Hertford Road, Enfield (pic.3^rd top) received 10 years.

Krystian Majewski, 21, of Leaside Road, Clapton (pic.bottom) received nine years.

All four were convicted of manslaughter at the Old Bailey.

Investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Tony Nash of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command said: “Wieslaw Czyrak was subjected to an act of mindless violence which led to his fatal heart attack.

“This case is another illustration of pack mentality where despite it being unclear who delivered the fatal blow, the four involved, who have shown no remorse, are guilty and will now spend time behind bars.

Mr. Czyrak, who had been in the UK for several years, lived in the local area and worked casually.

On the night of his death he visited a squat in Tottenham High Road to drink with pals when Rutkowski and Majewski arrived and began preparing drugs.

Mr.Czyrak objected and after a brief argument the defendants returned with the Glowacki’s and the group attacked him with a length of wood and repeatedly punched and kicked his head and body.

Three Caged For Human-Torch Death Bid

Three “sadistic bullies” who tried to burn an acquaintance to death after beating and dousing him with lighter fluid in an East End park have all been jailed for life.

Rizwan Ahmed, 25, (pic.top) suffered 44% burns to his legs, abdomen, arms and hands in Mile End Park in the early hours of November 2, last year – later developing septicemia and pneumonia.

The trio are: Jermaine Joseph, 23, of Ida Street, Poplar (pic.2^nd top); Shane Dedman, 21, of Pennyfields, Poplar (pic.3^rd top) and Kieren Bruff, 22, of Merchant Street, Bow (pic.bottom).

Investigating officer Detective Inspector Luke Marks of Tower Hamlets CID said: “This was a callous, violent and pre-mediated attack on Rizwan Ahmed.

“The reason for the attack remains unknown. Only those found guilty truly know why they chose to beat Mr Ahmed to the point of unconsciousness, before pouring accelerant over him and setting him alight.

“Mr. Ahmed received 44 per cent burns to his body and it was only the specialist care provided by the staff at Royal London Hospital and the Specialist Burns Unit at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford that saved his life.

“Mr. Ahmed is a quiet, unassuming man who appears to have been targeted for no better reason than some extreme form of sadistic bullying.

“Mr. Ahmed is now trying to rebuild his life, however the physical and psychological injuries he sustained will remain with him forever.”

The victim, who knew Joseph and Dedman, was beaten to the point of unconsciousness and left lying on the ground.

The defendants ran away, but returned moments later to set Mr. Ahmed alight, having doused him with two bottles of lighter fluid- stolen by Joseph from a petrol station earlier.

Despite his injuries, Mr. Ahmed managed to put out the flames and was spotted by members of the public staggering near Burdett Road and police were called.

Each defendant was ordered to serve a fifteen-year minimum by an Old Bailey judge before being considered for parole.