Schoolteacher Downloaded Thousands Of Child Porn Images

A secondary school teacher, caught with over 12,000 sexually explicit images of children during a sudden police raid, dodged prison with a suspended sentence yesterday.

Science teacher Kenneth Ring, 26,(pictured) of Poynter Road, Enfield taught at Edmonton County school, but he quit in disgrace and his promising career is in tatters.

The first-time offender pleaded guilty to twelve sample charges of possessing indecent images of children on January 19, last year when officers from the Met’s Paedophile Unit executed a search warrant at his family’s home.

“You say you started this out of some form of perverted interest, you say you did not get any sexual satisfaction. I think you are lying,” Southwark Crown Court Judge John Price told Ring.

“How you can look at these images, including a three year-old girl in a sexual act, God only knows. It is so wicked and perverted and you are contributing to a perverted industry.”

Prosecutor Miss Usha Shergill told the court (pictured bottom) an online investigation into an internet forum which posted indecent images led officers to the house Ring shares with his parents.

Fifteen computer-related items were seized and five contained still and moving images, which Ring immediately confessed he was responsible for.

When quizzed at Edmonton Police Station the defendant denied gaining sexual gratification from the material and insisted he had never personally abused a child.

“He said he became obsessed by the images and viewed them for several years,” added Miss Shergill.

A total of 12,130 indecent still and moving images were found on various computer equipment ranging from the lowest to highest levels of indecency.

There were 217 at Level 5 – the most serious – including a girl aged under twelve years-old involved in sexual activity with an animal.

Simon Ray, defending, told the court: “Mr. Ring recognises this is not a victimless crime and it does create a market for more images.

“It was easy for Mr. Ring to delude himself because the abuse had already taken place and he was insulated from the material he was using.

“His remorse is heartfelt and genuine,” added Mr. Ray. “He has made efforts to obtain help and counselling, even before his arrest.

“He was a hardworking and dedicated teacher and that career is irretrievably ruined by his disgraceful behaviour.

“He will never work with children again.”

Judge Price sentenced Ring, his head bowed in shame, to twelve months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered him to complete 200 hours community service work.

He was also ordered to attend thirty-five two-hour sessions with the community sex offenders group and pay £350 costs.

“My main aim is to protect the public and children,” added the Judge. “You did not directly interfere with children, but you encouraged those who do by subscribing to such sites.

“What can be done to stop you?”

Bespectacled Ring was made subject to an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order, banning him from contacting children aged under sixteen via the Internet or any other electronic device.

He is also disqualified from unsupervised contact with children aged under sixteen without the consent of their parent or guardian.

Ring, who told Judge Price: “It will never happen again,” will sign the Sex Offenders Register for ten years.

Mamma Mia! Mayhem At Family Matinee

An angry dad attacked staff during a family matinee performance of Abba-themed West End musical Mamma Mia! when theatre-goers complained about his two noisy children.

One member of staff was head-butted and another punched when they told Essex-dad Robert Francis, 41, his family would be forced to leave if they did not behave, City of London Magistrates' Court heard.

Francis, of Rose Barn Cottage, Fiddlers Hamlet, Epping attended the performance at the Prince of Wales Theatre, Coventry Street (pictured) with his wife Michelle Francis, 40, and their children aged five and six.

He pleaded guilty to assaulting Graham McAlpine and Salim Rehman on July 24, last year. A charge of racially aggravated threatening behaviour was dropped.

An assault charge against Mrs Francis, who allegedly slapped Mr. McAlpine across the face, was also dropped

Prosecutor Mr. Ijaz Malik told the court it was just before 4pm when staff received complaints from patrons sitting behind the family about their behaviour during the first half of the performance.

The theatre manager Graham McAlpine approached the couple during the interval in the American Bar.

"He decided to chat to them and advise them about their behaviour, but at this point Mr. Francis began to get aggressive towards the staff members," explained the prosecutor.

"He told staff he had paid money to attend and would behave how he liked."

The couple were warned again they would be removed if their behaviour continued.

"Mr. Francis then hit Mr. McAlpine on the arm with his clenched fist and as the manager moved back and attempted to request security a melee ensued," said Mr. Malik.

"Mr. Francis placed his face in Mr. McAlpine's face and aggressively asked for his money back."

At this point Mr. Rehman tried to remove the defendant from the theatre and was allegedly told: "Get your hands off me you Taliban," by Mr. Francis.

This remark, which Mr. Francis denied making, was not pursued by the prosecution.

"Mr. Francis then moved his head back and head-butted Mr. Rehman in the face, causing painful swelling to his nose," added Mr. Malik.

The couple fled the theatre, but were traced and arrested by prior appointment at Charing Cross Police Station.

First-time offender Mr. Francis was sentenced to forty hours community service work, ordered to pay £50 compensation to each victim and £100 costs.

Shame-Faced Ex Cop Jailed For Child Porn Pics

A disgraced police officer, who quit the Met when arrested for hoarding and peddling indecent images of young teenage boys, was jailed for twelve months today and placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

Ex-Lambeth PC Jordan Janssen, 38, of Atkins Court, Maryon Grove, Charlton, South East London was caught with 182 images following an online probe into paedophiles.

The first-time offender was arrested on July 15 by the Metropolitan Police’s Paedophile Unit and resigned later that month.

He pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court (pictured) to one count of making indecent images between January 1 and June 30, last year and distributing an indecent image via email on March 14, last year.

“These are serious offences,” Judge Deborah Taylor told bespectacled Janssen. “The making and distributing of these images are not victimless crimes.

“Children are often forced or trafficked into sexual crime and must be protected from exploitation.”

The court heard Janssen had a particular fascination with boys aged around thirteen years-old.

The majority of the images were Level One – the least serious – but did include all levels up to one Level Five image – the most serious.

The email he distributed included three images. One Level One and two at Level Four.

The court heard Janssen made no financial gain from his activities and fully co-operated with police, pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity.

“Having regard to the nature of the material only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate,” announced Judge Taylor.

The judge made a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for five years, which bans Janssen from inappropriate Internet use, professional and social contact with children under sixteen years-old without supervision and text messaging with children.

He will also sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for ten years.

Detective Inspector Noel McHugh, of the Paedophile Unit said: “This result demonstrates that those who are engaged in the production and distribution of indecent images of children will be discovered, no matter who they are.”

Paedo Footie Coach Caged For Thirty-Five Years Of Sex Abuse

An ex-football coach who sexually abused a string of young boys over 35 years – plying them with booze and showering them with gifts – has been locked up for a minimum of nine years.

Retired caretaker David Berry, 70, (pictured) of Jubilee Road, Greenford, Middlesex filmed himself having sex with the youngsters – aged between 8 and 17 years-old.

Berry exploited his position of trust while working in a school, even befriending some of the victims' families.

He first began abusing a teenage boy in 1975, and he continued abusing others until just weeks before he was arrested by the Metropolitan Police’s specialist rape investigation unit, Sapphire, on April 22, last year.

When police searched Berry's home they found videos and images of the pensioner sexually abusing young boys.

He was arrested and quizzed and as the scale of the abuse became clear, the investigation was transferred to the Child Abuse Command's Serious Case Team for further investigation.

He was charged with a total of 45 serious sexual offences against children including sexual assault, gross indecency and rape.

At Isleworth Crown Court he admitted 22 counts of serious sexual abuse, including repeated rape relating to five victims.

He referred to having relationships or "flings" with the boys, and even described sexual activity as being “mutual”.

All of the victims were known to the defendant, who deliberately targeted, groomed and abused them when they were very young.

His abuse continued until the boys reached the age of or 17 before turning his attention to another younger child.

The victims are now aged between 13 and 50-years.

Berry preyed on vulnerable victims, including a child with learning difficulties, plying some of them with alcohol to facilitate some of the abuse.

As a reward Berry showered his victims with gifts and provided them with pocket money.

A mother of a one of those abused by Berry as a child said: “I was so shocked and sad for him.

“It explained his behaviour in the past - his drinking and temper.

“When he was telling me [about the abuse] he was angry and upset.”

Wheels Fall Off Lavish Lifestyle Of Flash Car Crook

A flash conman with a love of fast cars, who used a variety of aliases to supply East London criminals with a fleet of top spec motors, has been locked-up for two years and nine months.

Tyrone Somerszaul,36, (pictured) of Kings Gate Mews, Hornsey, North London also pocketed £60,000 in incapacity benefit while running ‘Fineline’ and ‘Taylor Prestige’.

Between 2004 and 2009 he used at least three identities – Tyrone Simmons, Dean Miller and Sean Kimani – to run the vehicle leasing companies.

His fleet included a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Rolls Royce, Mercedes and BMW – all vehicles used by gang members.

Somerszaul pleaded guilty at Snaresbrook Crown court to eight fraud charges and confiscation proceedings will follow.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Matt Foy of Hackney Borough CID, said: “Today's sentencing brings to a close a long-running and protracted investigation by Hackney Police into the complex criminal dealings of Tyrone Somerszaul. 



“By bringing him to justice and calling time on his bogus vehicle leasing company, police have curtailed not only his freedom but his lavish criminally-funded lifestyle.”



Detective Chief Inspector Gary Bruce of Hackney Police, said: “This investigation has disrupted the activity of suspected gang members in Hackney who used Somerszaul's vehicles to get around the streets of the capital.

“I would like to commend the efforts of DC Matt Foy and PC Carrie Waller who have worked tirelessly on a complicated case, which has ultimately seen a serious criminal imprisoned for nearly three years.”

Police Track Down Murderer On-The-Run

An Albanian, who stabbed his sister’s black boyfriend to death after discovering their relationship, now faces 14 years in a top-security prison after being captured in Kosovo.

Gerald Mitre aka Aldo Aliaj, 25, (pic.top) killed 24 year-old Aaron Stokes (pic.bottom) in the Centrepoint Hostel, New Cross, South-East London on January 2, 2006.

The victim, who lived in the hostel where Mitre’s sister also resided suffered a fatal stab wound to the chest and the defendant fled before police arrived.

Mitre’s sister lied to officers, telling them an unknown intruder had stabbed Aaron and later confessed to the murder herself.

She was charged with murder and perverting the course of justice, but on the eve of her trial confessed it was her brother who killed Aaron.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Service's Homicide and Serious Crime Command launched a national manhunt to find Mitre, but by early 2007 intelligence suggested he had fled to Albania.

Albania accepted jurisdiction of the case and in June 2009 three Albanian Judges, a prosecutor and a defence lawyer appointed by the court on behalf of Gerald Mitre flew to London to take evidence from witnesses.

The hearings took place over a two day period at a specially constituted court presided over by a British District Judge.

After the hearing in the UK the Albanian judges returned to Albania to conclude the trial.

In January last year the parents of Aaron flew to Albania to hear the court find Mitre guilty of murder and sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment.

Mitre was arrested in Kosovo on December 29, last year and currently awaits extradition to Albania.

Detective Inspector Nick Sumner, who led the murder investigation, said: “I am pleased for Aaron’s family, they have displayed great patience, dignity and understanding in their wait to achieve justice for the senseless murder of their son.

“As Mitre awaits extradition to Albania to serve his sentence they are even closer to getting the justice they deserve.

“Whilst Mitre managed to flee the UK, he could not escape British law.

“The Metropolitan Police Service and Crown Prosecution Service in partnership with the Albanian authorities made sure of that.”

Reviewing Lawyer, Lorna Heger of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “This case is a very good example of different countries working together in the spirit of international cooperation.

“I am very grateful to the Albanian judicial authorities for their assistance. I am also very pleased for Aaron’s family that the person responsible for the murder of their son has been brought to account.”

Teenage Murder: £20,000 Reward Offered

A £20,000 reward is up for grabs for information that nails the killers of an East London teenager, who suffered fatal stab wounds when a fifteen-strong gang attacked him and a friend.

Isschan Nicholls, 18, (pictured) was stabbed in Parnell Road on January 13, last year by a mob armed with knives, baseball bats and lengths of wood.

His 17 year-old mate was also stabbed during the 9pm attack and was successfully treated at the Royal London Hospital and discharged.

Isschan was rushed to the same hospital in a critical condition and died two days later from stab wounds to the abdomen and thigh.

The teenager’s family have been left devastated by his murder and is urging anyone with information to come forward.



Isschan's mother, Jennifer, said: “It has been a year since Isschan was tragically taken from us and this alone has had a major effect on our lives.

“Coupled together with the fact that no one has yet been charged, it makes the whole incident even more unbearable. 



“We would like anyone that knows anything about what happened to Isschan to please come forward and give their information to the police.

“Someone knows who did this. Please come forward.”



Detective Chief Inspector Dave Manning of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command said: “A number of arrests have been made during the investigation into Isschan's murder.

“Unfortunately we have not been able to bring any charges against anyone. 



“I know there are people in the east London community who know what happened on that night last year, including the identity of the person who stabbed Isschan.

“I would ask that they examine their consciences and consider the trauma and devastation suffered by Isschan's family. 



“It is time for them to come forward with the information needed to bring a successful prosecution for Isschan's murder and provide his family with some closure.”


Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 020 8721 4054.

If you wish to remain anonymous you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Twelve people were initially arrested in connection with the investigation, two women aged 28 and 43 and 10 males aged between 16 and 25.

Nobody has been charged.

Next-Door Neighbours Grass-Up £56,000 Benefits Cheat

A benefits cheat, shopped by her next-door neighbours for a five-year £56,000 scam, has dodged prison with a suspended sentence.

Mother-of-three Lesley Jane Harris, 48, of Ellis Road, Coulsdon claimed she was a single-mum living alone, despite sharing the family home (pictured) with her husband.

The first-time offender, whose three daughters are now aged 20, 26 and 29, began her income support claim in August 1989 and continued signing declarations she was a lone parent.

Harris pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to two counts of failing to notify a change in circumstances to the Department of Work and Pensions and Croydon Council between June, 2003 and September, 2008.

Prosecutor Miss Bridget Todd told the court Harris claimed her husband walked out after a series of rows, but failed to declare he returned to the family home.

Investigators questioned the immediate next-door neighbours either side of Harris and they confirmed the defendant’s husband shared the house and enjoyed family BBQ’s.

It was also revealed the couple shared the same local G.P., giving the same residential address and Harris’s vehicle was registered with DVLA at the family home.

When quizzed in September, 2008 Harris maintained she was not living with her husband or took money from him.

Harris has so far repaid £380 income support to the Department for Work and Pensions and £623 housing benefit to Croydon Council.

The court heard Harris, who has been prescribed anti-depressants since the age of eighteen, has also suffered four strokes.

She was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, suspended for twelve months and ordered to obey a nightime curfew between 7pm and 7am for six months.

Forced Marriage And Rape: Bengali Wanted

Police are trying to trace this man on suspicion of gaining British residency via a sham marriage to a 15 year-old girl four years ago – then raping the teen after the bogus ceremony.

Bangladeshi-born Monir Abdul Kashim, in his 40’s, married the girl in Bethnal Green, East London in April, 2007 and his current whereabouts is a mystery.

The victim first called police on June 26, 2009 complaining she was being forced into another sham marriage without her consent – then revealed the 2007 ceremony and subsequent rape.

The investigation, led by the Metropolitan Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Team discovered the victim’s sister, then aged twelve had also been sexually assaulted by the suspect.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to please contact officers on 020 8217 6499.

If you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Big Brother Convicted After Violent Family Reunion

A teen attacked his younger 14 year-old runaway sister during a stormy family reunion - punching her to the ground and kicking her in the head - outside a busy railway station.

The angry girl headbutted her older brother in front of their mother when suddenly dropped off by her 18 year-old boyfriend at South Croydon Station (pictured).

Albanian-born Shamet Kreku, 18, pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to assaulting his sister on August 7, last year.

The girl's boyfriend had secretly agreed to drive her to the reunion to then return to the family home with her mother and brother.

"Kreku launched an unprovoked attack on her," prosecutor Bridget Todd told the court. "She was punched to the ground and he kicked her in the head while she was lying on the ground."

She was left with a bruise to her right eye, swelling to the neck, wrist and forearm and grazing to her shoulder.

The girl was treated for her injuries at Mayday Hospital.

She was taken into care, but has since left social services.

The defendant, who entered the UK in 1999 with his parents and three siblings, had twisted his sister's arm up her back when their mother demanded she returned home.

Recorder Nicholas Heathcote Williams QC told first-time offender Kreku: "When she was on the ground you kicked her in the head, neck and back causing bruising."

Kreku was sentenced to complete eighty hours community service, including forty days education and training.

Tottenham Mugger Caught On CCTV: Police Appeal

Police are hunting this robbery suspect, who punched and kicked his victim during an attempted bag-snatch minutes after the target left a North London high street bank.

Detectives from Haringey’s Robbery Squad have released this CCTV image of the suspect who struck in Dowsett Road, Tottenham on July 16, last year after the 39 year-old male victim left Santander in nearby High Road.

He approached the victim from behind just after 4:10pm and tried to grab the bag the man was carrying, assaulting him in the process.

The robber fled empty-handed when passers-by shouted at him.

An ambulance took the victim to the North Middlesex Hospital and he has since been discharged.



The suspect is described as a black man, aged about 25 years, medium build and about 5ft 6" tall with a distinctive loping walk.



Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Shaun Carre-Brown on 020 8345 0870.



To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Autistic Serial Thief Dodges Prison After Being Caught Yet Again

An Autistic thief, obsessed with stealing strangers’ personal effects, dodged prison with a suspended sentence yesterday (Friday) for his countrywide crime spree.

Van Elvin Courchene, 31, of North Road, Stoke-on-Trent enters colleges, and hostels in his hunt for simple items, which he feels gives him his only connection with other people.

He pleaded guilty at London’s Blackfriars Crown Court to possessing two false identity documents, namely two U.K. driver’s licences, at St. Christopher’s Village hostel, Borough High Street, Southwark on May 9.

Prosecutor Miss Abigail White told the court staff became suspicious after catching Courchene searching through the hostel’s luggage room.

He insisted he was simply looking for his own bag and when it was checked by staff they found the two licences and called the police.

Officers at Peckham Police Station quizzed Courchene (pictured).

“He said he had a habit of collecting things,” added Miss White.

Courchene is currently under the supervision of North Staffordshire Probation Service after being sentenced to supervision orders for similar crimes.

He has been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome - a form of Autism

He received a three-year order at Oxford Crown Court for burgling student accommodation at a local college, helping himself to identity cards, concert tickets and foreign currency.

More recently he received a one-year order after being caught rifling through the luggage room at Baden-Powell House hostel, Kensington, West London.

Courchene was also recently sentenced at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court to three months imprisonment for theft.

“He has a sense of resentment. He is intelligent, but stymied and throughout his education was bullied and shunned and cannot bear that,” said Courchene’s lawyer Mr. Nicholas Cooper.

“It seems people believe he is stupid, but he is not stupid and feels bitterly disappointed,” added the lawyer. “He has a feeling of huge annoyance at suffering such inequality.

“He struggles to understand very basic principles and his conduct puts him on the outside and somehow contact with others can only be achieved this way.

“Behind all this is a bright young man who plainly has potential,” explained Mr. Cooper. “He is thinking about this all the time and is trying to control his impulses.”

Judge John Hillen announced: “There are those with the same syndrome who do not commit crime.

“It passes the custody threshold and he is in breach of two community orders. I could impose a lengthy further period of imprisonment.”

Courchene was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months, and was placed under an eighteen month supervision order.

B-O-B Squad Bin Two More

Two “dangerous offenders” caught red-handed during a dramatic armed police swoop with a pistol and bullets in their car have been locked-up.

Mark Griffiths, 35, (pic.top) of Banister House, Homerton High Street, Homerton, East London and Darren Brissett, 33, (pic.bottom) of nearby Shafton Road tried to flee, but were caught after a chase.

They pleaded guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court to possession of a firearm, with intent to endanger life, and possession of ammunition when stopped in Hackney on July 15, last year. Griffiths also admitted a second count of firearm possession.

When quizzed at Charing Cross Police Station Griffiths tried to keep his home address a secret, but officers discovered where he lived and found a second handgun in a wardrobe.

He was sentenced to seven years imprisonment and Brissett received five years.

Armed Operation Trident police – who investigate violent black-on-black crime in London – stopped the pair in a silver Ford Fiesta after receiving a tip-off.

They were detained after initially trying to escape police and inside the car officers found the pistol and three bullets.

Operation Trident Detective Inspector Chris Jones said: “We're pleased that two dangerous offenders, who thought nothing of driving around the streets of Hackney with a firearm in their car, are now behind bars for a substantial length of time.”

New Year's Eve Party Shooting: Eight Arrested

Police investigating a shooting outside an East London restaurant during a New Year’s Eve party, which left a 23 year-old man with a chest injury, have made eight arrests.

Operation Trident detectives – who specialize in investigating violent black-on-black crime - are still appealing for witnesses to the 6:20am incident outside Olympia Eatery, (pictured) Upper Clapton Road on January 1.

The wounded man was lying outside nearby Hendale House, Northwold Road and rushed by ambulance to a local hospital where he remains in a stable condition.

He had attended the party, which attracted between 100 and 150 revellers, and was shot following a row outside involving thirty people. He was not involved in the altercation.

Eight men, aged between 18 and 22 years-old, were arrested the same day and bailed to return to a north London police station in late February.

During the course of the investigation officers seized a handgun from an address in Harrowgate Road, Homerton, which will be subjected to ballistic tests to determine whether the weapon was used in the shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Trident shootings team on 020 8217 7377, or if you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.