£20,000 Reward To Solve Mystery Thames Death

A £20,000 reward is up for grabs in a bid to solve the riddle of a young East London man, who suspiciously drowned in the Thames a year ago.

Ibrahim Gharib, 20, of Tarling Street, Poplar drowned in Shadwell Basin in nearby Garnet Street on March 18, last year.

Detectives from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command (HSCC) are appealing for witnesses to come forward with information.

Eight suspects have already been arrested and are currently on bail, but nobody has been charged with any offence.

Detective Chief Inspector Larry Smith said: “A lot of work has gone into this investigation but we still do not know exactly what happened immediately before Ibrahim fell into the water or what caused him to fall.

“We are hoping that this appeal might jog someone's memory or encourage people to come forward with information.”

Ibrahim's family said: “As a family, not a day goes by that we don't think about Ibrahim and wish that he was still here with us.

“We hope that the reward will prompt someone to share information about who is responsible for the incident at Shadwell Basin that caused Ibrahim's untimely and unnecessary death”.



Officers were called at 9:37pm to reports a man had fallen into the Thames.

The fire brigade, ambulance service, police and the Marine Policing Unit all attended the scene. 



It is believed Ibrahim, and a 17-year old female friend had been on the waterside and may have rowed with some other people.



A post-mortem examination gave cause of death as drowning.



The HSCC are asking for witnesses to call them on 020 8345 3734 or to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police arrested two men, aged 22 and 20, last year soon after the tragedy on suspicion of murder and a 22 year-old woman on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

Eight months later five young men aged 24, 20, 18 and two 19 year-olds were arrested on suspicion of murder and bailed pending further enquiries.

Slavery In The Suburbs

A housewife who kept a Tanzanian ‘slave’ in her Harrow bungalow for over three years – forcing the woman to work from 5am and sleep on a mattress on the kitchen floor – has dodged jail.

Widow Saeeda Khan, 68, (pictured) was ordered to pay £25,000 compensation to the victim, plus £15,000 costs after her conviction for trafficking people for exploitation, contrary to the Asylum and Immigration Act.

She was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, suspended for two years, following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s Human Exploitation and Organised Crime Command.

When they arrived at the property in Whitemore Road, Harrow, North-West London on February 11, last year they rescued the 47 year-old woman.

Later, after a search of the address they found a thin folded up mattress (pictured) in the hallway with sheets that looked like they were being used as a duvet cover.

The victim met Khan when she worked for her at a Tanzanian hospital before 2005 and after she was made redundant they put her in touch with the defendant.

She was told that there was one role working for Khan as a domestic help and assisting in the care of her grown-up children. 



The victim accepted the contracted job at 120,000 Tanzanian shillings per month - £38 – to be split between her daughter’s school fees, a bank in her home country and a £10 personal allowance.

She began working in October, 2006 and Khan immediately confiscated her passport and visa documents, locking up the rest of her belongings in the garden shed.

Every day the victim was given a long list of household chores, which included cooking, cleaning, gardening and caring for Khan’s grown up children and regularly worked through the night without sleep.

The victim was not given one of Khan’s three bedrooms and she was never allowed to eat with the family, often simply being given a portion of bread.

Khan controlled everything the victim did - she was rarely allowed out of the house alone, not allowed to make phone calls without the defendant’s presence and was forbidden time off.

On one occasion the victim wished to return to Tanzania to see her dying parents - she was prevented from doing so by Khan, and never saw her mother or father alive again.



From October 2006 until October 2007 the victim received the £10 monthly payments she expected, but suddenly they stopped.

A year later her daughter was unable to pay for her school fees as the money which she had previously been collecting from the hospital in Tanzania, was suddenly not available to her any more.



Whenever the victim attempted to ask for payment or enquire why she was not receiving the money she was owed, she would be shouted at or told that she should stop complaining and that she would be rewarded in the afterlife for her hard work.



It was only when the victim required urgent medical attention on February 1, last year that her dire living situation was uncovered.

The doctor demanded to see her without Khan’s presence and she revealed for the first time her living conditions and was rescued by officers and offered support by a number of different charitable organizations.

When quizzed by police Khan attempted a desperate cover-up, insisting the victim was happy and even transferred a lump sum to the Tanzanian account in a bid to show wages had been paid.



Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Martin said: “Human trafficking is one of the biggest generators of criminal finance in the world.

“Forcing people to work as slaves is a deplorable part of this immoral trade and one that we will do everything we can to stop.



“This particular case highlights the lengths that traffickers will go to when trying to avoid prosecution.

“I would like to commend the victim who has shown incredible strength and courage by coming forward to the authorities to relay her terrifying and degrading ordeal.


“We continue to work closely with charitable organisations involved in this sensitive area of crime and hope to rescue other women, men or children who are being exploited by these despicable criminals.”


Where's Wally?: Prat In Hat Wanted For Bottle Attack

Police are hunting this New Year’s Eve suspect after a 17 year-old boy was slashed with a broken bottle during a midnight attack in a fast-food takeaway.

The victim was with friends in Carolina Chicken, Harrow Road, Paddington on December 31, last year when the man entered with a broken glass bottle in his right hand.

In an unprovoked attack the suspect assaulted the victim, leaving him with serious chest and arm injuries. 



The assailant was backed-up by eight thugs, who joined in attacking the victim and his friends before fleeing the scene.

Earlier the same day, the wanted man is suspected being involved in a separate incident where a 23-year-old victim was injured at a shop in Westfield Shopping Centre, Shepherd’s Bush.

Following this incident, the suspect was seen on CCTV travelling on a bus towards north Westminster.



Detective Constable Jorden Brewster from Westminster Police said: “Police wish to speak with this man urgently regarding these incidents.

“He is a black man aged around eighteen wearing a very distinctive striped hat and dark clothing.”



Anyone with information on the assault or who knows the whereabouts of this man are asked to call police on 0200 7321 6717 or to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Dapper Thief On The Run

A former employee of gentleman outfitters Moss Bros. – on the run since he vanished from two North London stores along with a large amount of clothing – has been identified by police.

Ifham Mohamed Farook Ali, 30, (pictured) of College Road, Harrow has not been seen since his last day at work on Friday October 26, last year.

He was employed at the company’s Harrow and Muswell Hill stores and police believe he also has links with Milton Keynes, York and Watford.

He is described as Sri Lankan, with an angular face, short black spiky hair and of slim build.



If anybody has any information or know the whereabouts of Ali, Detective Constable Talbot at Harrow CID wants to hear from you on 0300 123 1212, or if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Window Cleaner Caged For Stabbing Pensioner To Death

A money-hungry window cleaner who repeatedly stabbed an 88 year-old regular customer to death – ripping the rings from her fingers – has been caged for life.

Daniel Franklin, 34, (pic.bottom) of Felixstowe Road, Abbeywood, South-East London must serve a minimum of 32 years for murdering pensioner Irene Barrett (pic.top) at her flat in nearby Valient House, Sam Bartram Close, Charlton.

Franklin was allowed in at 7:00am on May 15, last year and when Irene either refused to give him cash or caught him stealing he launched a vicious knife attack.

She died of multiple stab wounds, receiving injuries to her chest, neck and groin area and was struck so hard to the mouth by Franklin her dentures were dislodged and fractured.

He ransacked her flat, also taking a packet of Mirtazapine tablets and other items, before hiding Irene’s body under bedclothes, where neighbours and carers found her a few hours later.

Two days later police arrested Franklin and he concocted an alibi with his girlfriend, 31 year-old Victoria Cordice of Littleheath, Charlton, that the couple were sleeping at the time of the murder.

She was sentenced to eighteen months imprisonment after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice and assisting an offender.

After the Old Bailey verdict Detective Chief Inspector Cliff Lyons said: “This was a horrific crime that saw the death of an elderly woman in her own home.

“Irene's family has been left absolutely devastated and I only hope that seeing Daniel Franklin brought to justice will provide some sense of relief.”

Irene's son said: “My mother had lived a good life and she deserved a better ending than the one which Daniel Franklin decided to inflict upon her.

“What he did was cowardly and cruel.”

Brands Hatch: Police Seize Stolen Motorbikes

A day’s racing at a legendary circuit was thrown into chaos when specialist police’s dawn raid seized sixteen stolen high performance motorbikes.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Stolen Vehicle Unit targeted the organised event at Brands Hatch, Kent on March 5, suspecting stolen bikes would be competing.

They swooped on the circuit at 7:00am, confident some of the many superbikes stolen in the London area over the previous three years would be found.

The Sunday race meeting ground to a halt as officers examined 144 high performance motorbikes, which had engines above 599cc.

Sixteen of them were identified as either stolen or 'rung' (pictured) with a false identity and some were made up of stolen parts.

Officers did not make any arrests, but seized the 16 bikes, one of which was a sidecar.

The operation aimed to ensure unsafe and stolen bikes were not being used on the racetrack.

Police accept some of the bikes seized may well belong to completely innocent victims who were unlucky enough to have been duped into buying stolen vehicles. 



Detective Chief Inspector Will Young, who heads the Stolen Vehicle Unit, said: “The purpose of the operation was to recover as many stolen motorcycle engines and frames as possible and restore them to their rightful owners.

“However, we also want to use the successful results over the weekend to send a clear message to anyone who thinks that they can use stolen machinery to enter race events - this is illegal and any stolen vehicles or parts will be seized by police. 



“This is the start of a continued piece of work the Stolen Vehicle Unit is leading on in order to remove stolen bikes from racing circuits.

“We will continue to work closely with the sports governing bodies to try and introduce processes whereby the industry can effectively prevent stolen bikes being used on their race tracks.”

Gay Cruising Rape-Bid: E-Fit Released

Police have issued this E-fit of a would-be rapist who attacked a lone man in a notorious gay cruising haunt in woodland at the edge of North-East London.

Officers from Ilford’s Sapphire team want witnesses to identify the man responsible for the late-night attack in Whipps Cross Forest.

The 27 year-old victim was in the forest at approximately 11:00 pm on October 20, 2009 when the stranger approached and suggested sex.

The victim refused and insisted he was leaving, but as he walked away the assailant grabbed his arm and forced him to the ground.

He then attempted to rape the struggling victim who managed to push the suspect off him and run away.

An e-fit of the suspect has been complied from a description given by the victim.

He is described as a white male in his early thirties with a London accent and short blonde hair.

The suspect is also described as having heavy acne scarring on the right side of his face, with slight acne scaring on the left side of his face.

He was wearing a blue tight fitting T-shirt with a "Superman" emblem on it and dark trousers.

Detective Constable Graham Alger said: “We are releasing this e-fit in the hope that someone will recognise the suspect and come forward.

“We would like to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and may have information that will assist our investigation, or to anyone who recognises the suspect from the e-fit.

“I would like to reassure the community that incidents of this nature are rare, but, understandably, cause great concern.

The Metropolitan Police Service takes all allegations of rape and sexual assault extremely seriously and this case is being investigated by dedicated officers from the Sapphire command.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sapphire unit on 0208 345 3562 or if you wish to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The "Dirty Business" Of The Fake-Medicine Five

Five businessmen accused of plotting to sell fake Chinese-manufactured medicines in a multi-million pound scam were determined to "protect their dirty business" despite the risk to public health, a jury were told today.

In his closing speech, after over three months of evidence, prosecutor Mr. Andrew Marshall told Croydon Crown Court the defendants continued importing the fakes - even after a respected drug wholesaler raised concerns that eventually contributed to their downfall.

They are: Accountant Peter Gillespie, 64, of Carey Close, Windsor, Berkshire; Pharmaceutical wholesaler Richard Kemp, 61, of School Lane, Y Waen, Flint Mountain, Clwyd; Peter's accountant brother Ian Gillespie, 58, of The
Green, Marsh Baldon, Oxford; Salesman Ian Harding, 58, of Lower Westwood, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire and pharmaceutical wholesaler James Quinn, 69, of Gillespie House, Holloway Drive, Virginia Water, Surrey.

Medicine watchdogs ordered a Class One recall of all suspected drugs -taken by heart and cancer patients and the mentally ill - resulting in shelves cleared in pharmacies all over the country and half of the 73,000 fake packs recalled.

AAH Pharmaceuticals told Kemp the medicines he supplied were "tatty" and "well travelled" as the defendant tried to rush the deal through, Mr. Marshall told the jury.

"The urgency Kemp showed only heightened their concern. That is what put them on guard," said the prosecutor. "Why was Kemp so keen to get approval so quickly and get them through?

"This business, Kemp's second business, this bent business is never offered to AAH again to avoid scrutiny. This is their first close shave.

"Their priorities were to protect their dirty business and continue to sell counterfeit pharmaceuticals."

Mr. Marshall told the jury it was obvious Kemp knew the drugs purchased by Basingstoke-based Consolidated Medical Supplies, (CMS) which he funded, were from the Far East.

"He did know their source and he was prepared to lie to you," the prosecutor told the jury. "He saw the Air Singapore stickers and the invoices to Mauritius-based Multiscope.

"He has got no honest basis to say these products had been on sale in France and knew the source was Multiscope in Mauritius, which could never have had an official wholsesale dealers licence."

Kemp cancelled the purchase initially because the stock - anti-psychotic drug 'Zyprexa' - arrived in a Brussels warehouse water-damaged, but happily sold them once they were re-packaged, Mr. Marshall told the jury.

"The damaged stock was now being brought in by Peter Gillespie and Harding via the Eurotunnel. This was the first run and they wanted to make sure they got through and smooth out any wrinkles."

CMS's unsuspecting pharmacist had told the jury this first batch of imported medicines were re-packaged by the Gillespie brothers and collected by Kemp, who drove them away in the back of his car.

"They all knew each other going back years," said Mr. Marshall. "They spent so much time together in production and must have deliberately kept quiet and must have had an understanding to say nothing to make sure it did not leek out.

"That first production run was driven away by Kemp. That in itself is extraordinary and not the usual way of doing things.

"It shows Kemp physically handled the boxes containing the property, the labelling and packaging he had paid for."

Mr. Marshall dismissed the defendants attempts in the witness box to distance themselves from the scandal.

"None of them want to admit ownership of the goods. It is a real hot potato amongst them, but the drugs have got from China and in some cases to patients and there are a lot of steps on the way to ensure that.

"There has in this courtroom been a desperate last-ditch attempt to explain something that cannot be explained," added the prosecutor.

The second Brussels run -again by Peter Gillespie and Harding - was to collect a shipment of heart drug 'Plavix'.

"All the time Kemp caries on funding CMS and is keeping the company going," said Mr. Marshall.

Eventually AAH became so suspicious they sent a drug-sample for testing at an NHS lab at the same time another company - OTC - tested the sixth importation.

Approximately 100,000 doses of fake medication ended up in the hands of patients.

The charges relate to 'Casodex', used to treat advanced prostate cancer, Plavix', a drug prescribed to prevent blood clots and prevent heart attacks for angina patients and 'Zyprexa' a anti-psychotic drug prescribed to schizophrenic and bipolar patients.

All five defendants have pleaded not guilty that between January 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007, they conspired together and with others to defraud pharmaceutical wholesalers, pharmacists, the public and holders of Intellectual Property Rights in pharmaceuticals by dishonestly distributing for gain counterfeit medicines.

They also deny two counts each of selling or supplying the three drugs without authorisation and selling or supplying counterfeit goods, namely the three medicines, between January 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007.

Peter Gillespie alone denies one count of breaching a company director disqualification order between July, 2005 and June, 2007, following his bankruptcy.

The drugs were manufactured by the notorious Chinese pharmaceutical counterfeiter Lu Xu aka Kevin Xu, currently serving a prison sentence for a similar scam in the United States.

Mum-Of-Five Banned After Beeb Bust-Up

A mother-of-five has been banned from all BBC premises for a year and given a suspended jail sentence for attacking a chasing police officer after she was thrown out of the corporation’s radio HQ.

Hannah Oladele, 43, of Hewett Place, Swanley, Kent arrived unannounced at two BBC buildings in a bid to highlight her sense of injustice that her children have been taken into care.

She was convicted at City of London Magistrates’ Court of assaulting the policeman outside McDonald’s, Portland Place, Marylebone on June 5, last year.

Prosecutor Regina Naughton told the court today Oladele initially tried to force her way into the beeb’s Bush House, Aldwych building.

“She wanted to get on television to explain her difficulties with social services and Bush House sent her to the building near Regent’s Street.

“Once there she demanded to go on television to tell the nation of the plight of her and her children, but was told the building only did radio broadcasts,” explained Mrs Naughton.

“She then demanded to go on the radio and eventually security staff came down to the foyer and she was escorted from the building and the police called.

“When police arrived they saw her outside, obviously angry with security staff, before she made off towards Regent’s Street.”

Police followed in a van, but Oladele repeatedly ignored their requests to stop.

“Eventually PC Bond put his arm out to hold her back and using her fingernails the defendant clawed at his throat and continued to maintain her grip,” said Mrs Naughton.

“Other officers assisted and the defendant was put on the ground as a result of her volatile behaviour.

“It took two months for the injuries to heal.”

The defendant’s children remain in care after allegations of abuse were made against Oladele.

First-time offender Oladele, who also denies abusing her children, was sentenced to six weeks imprisonment, suspended for twelve months and ordered to pay £200 compensation to PC Bond and £300 costs.

She was also banned from visiting any BBC premises for a year.

Bus Driver Bashed In Fare Row

Police investigating a violent Guy Fawkes Night attack on a lone bus driver – who was repeatedly punched in the face during a fare dispute - want to identify this suspect.

The 64 year-old victim had just finished his number 54 route at 7:30pm and stopped outside Tesco’s, Croydon Road, Bromley on November 5, last year.

There had been a dispute between him and a female passenger, which resulted in the suspect forcing open the driver’s cab door – punching him several times in the face – and running off.

The injured driver was treated in hospital for bruising and swelling to the eye and head and discharged the same day.

The incident is being investigated by detectives from the joint Metropolitan Police Service and Transport for London Safer Transport Command Workplace Violence Unit.

The suspect, who is described as a black man, was wearing a dark coloured hooded top.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Constable Dan Hippey leading the investigation for the Workplace Violence Unit on 020 3054 5403 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Man Strangles Girlfriend In Front Of Their Six Month-Old Daughter

A man who strangled his girlfriend in front of their six month-old baby, as he forced her head into a bowl of water used to cool the tot’s bottle, has been caged for life.

Basil Chawafambira, 36, (pic.bottom) used the straps of a nappy bag to throttle 21 year-old Czarina Baker (pic.top) at their flat in Hemans Street, Stockwell, South London.

He was convicted by an Old Bailey jury of the murdering Czarina on June 14, last year and was ordered to serve an eighteen-year minimum sentence.

The couple, who had been together five years, argued over the defendant’s reluctance to help with domestic chores and he had been violent towards Czarina.

Chawafambira tried to kill himself afterwards, but an overdose of sleeping pills simply made him excessively drowsy.

Three days later he walked into Brixton police station and confessed to the killing.

Officers went to the couple’s flat where they found the young woman’s body wrapped in a sleeping bag under a quilt.



Detective Chief Inspector Dave Manning of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said: “Chawafambira had a history of violence towards Czarina.

“I suspect that she believed that this would stop with the birth of their daughter.

“Tragically this proved not to be the case.

“Czarina’s murder was all the more cruel having been committed in the same room as her child.



“Chawafambira attempted to justify his actions by claiming provocation, however the jury disagreed and I am pleased that he has today been found guilty of her murder.



“I would like to pay tribute to Czarina’s family, especially her mother and father, who now care for Czarina’s child.

“They have displayed great dignity at court while being forced to listen to lies about their daughter.

“I hope that his conviction will go some way in comforting them.”

The victim’s parents said in a statement: “Our daughter was a happy-go-lucky girl who enjoyed life to the full until she fell under the control of a man who was determined to control her life and every move.

“It has been distressing having to listen throughout the trial to Chawafambira who told complete lies about Czarina and her behaviour.

“He also showed no remorse at all even when he was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

“As a result of Czarina’s murder we have assumed responsibility for the care of Czarina’s little girl, our grandchild.

“We try to be strong but still it’s hard to believe she has gone.”

White Wannabe And His Black Gang Wanted For Axe Attack

A token white thug in an otherwise all-black gang – who struck a teenager over the head with an axe – is being hunted along with his fellow masked attackers for the brutal East London stabbing.

The 18 year-old victim was descending steps from Plaistow tube station, which connects Lettsom Walk to Libra Road (pictured) at 8:30pm on February 28 when an altercation broke out.

Newham detectives have confirmed the victim was stabbed in the stomach, back and left arm as well as being struck with the axe.

Witnesses are being sought who can identify the gang – made up of approximately ten black youths and a young white male – all aged around 17 years-old.

Their faces were covered with white bandanas and four of them rode mountain bikes.

The victim was taken to an East London hospital with non-life threatening, but potentially life changing injuries.

He remains in hospital in a stable condition.

No arrests have been made and the investigation continues.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact the Serious Youth Violence Team on 020 7275 5839 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.