Bad Santa Gets Three Years For Pointing Gun At Teen Girl

A Father Christmas look-a-like who pointed a gun in the face of a taunting 15 year-old girl outside his suburban home - and pulled the trigger - after she shouted: "What's up Santa Claus" was jailed for three years today.

Hugh Vipond, 60, of Crichton Road, Carshalton - the long-standing chairman of Carshalton Fields Residents Association - was woken by four noisy girls and put on his dressing gown and armed himself with an unloaded German-made 5.5 calibre cartridge-loading air-gun.

"Four giggling teenage girls were was passing your house making a noise and that behaviour irritated you to the point of rage," Croydon Crown Court Judge Simon Pratt told tearful Vipond.

"You took your father-in-law's old gas powered cartridge revolver and went out to confront those girls, one of whom made the mistake of making fun of you. She called you Father Christmas.

"You pulled the gun out of the pocket of your dressing gown, held it to her face within a foot and said: 'Look what I can do,' and pulled the trigger.

"That terrified the life out of her as well as having a serious psychological effect on her."

First-time offender Vipond,(pictured) who needs two walking sticks due to severe arthritis, was recovering from a painful hernia procedure that day and had taken a cocktail of painkillers and whiskey to help him sleep.

He was convicted by a jury of possessing a firearm, with intent to cause fear of violence, on December 4, 2009 and avoided the usual five-year minimum due to 'exceptional circumstances'.

He maintains his innocence - claiming to have no recollection of the incident outside his CCTV protected house - and told the jury he would never be upset by being called Santa Claus.

"I have been called Santa lots of times. At work I used to dress up and turn the operations room into a grotto," said the former London Underground Inspector. "I got told off for it, but that didn't bother me."

Vipond's lawyer Mr. Anthony Bell told the court: "His home in Carshalton is somewhere he loves more than he can explain. His award-winning garden is a place he has devoted hours to.

"It is a gun that could have been used to fire pellets, but there were no pellets and no gas to fill the cartridge," added the lawyer. "It was used over a short period of time as a threat, rather than anything else.

"This was not pre-meditated, but used on the spur of the moment, there was no prolonged use and it was over in a couple of minutes.

"The gun was kept in a safe and there is no evidence the gun had ever been fired," said Mr. Bell. "There was no ammunition found that could have been fired using that gun.

"The effect of any prison sentence is likely to be far more significant than on a normal able-bodied man of his age.

"He is a popular man that gets involved in the community. He is honest, good company, reliable and hard-working when he is able to."

In his twenties Vipond helped rescue a woman from a burning building and suffered a fractured skull and ribs when assaulted on the Underground.

"It is clear that her life has been difficult since this incident and her school work and grades have dipped alarmingly to the point she has to have a school counsellor," said Judge Pratt.

"There has never been an apology from you and you made her relive the experience in court. You tried to bluster and charm your way out of this case."

"Nothing To Do With Me" Claim Equine Bosses Accused Of Illegal Vet Med Scam

A stud farm boss and a riding school owner accused of dealing in illegal veterinary medicines - playing a key role in a £6m scam - have told a jury they had no knowledge of the illicit trade.

Management consultant Richard Jones, 60, of Winchcombe Road, Sedgeberrow, Evesham, Worcestershire - founder and owner of Henry Field Stud, Naunton Beauchamp, Pershore - insisted he never bought veterinary medication.

His co-accused, road haulage boss Peter Lock, 53, of Knaves Hall, Warren Lane, Doddinghurst, Brentwood, Essex - owner of Colmar Farm Riding School, Colmar Farm, Weald Park Way, South Weald, Brentwood, Essex, also claims the purchases had nothing to do with him.

Jones told Croydon Crown Court his partner June Connelly, 68, who has pleaded guilty to similar charges, was responsible for buying the medicines and the welfare of the horses.

"It's her money. It has got nothing to do with me or the Henry Field Stud," said Jones. "We have different accounts and banks.

"June did not tell me about it, it was her business. I had never seen one of these cheques used or raised. I did not know what they were for."

Connelly's name is on all the paperwork regarding the purchase of illegal medication from French-based 'Eurovet', but the prosecution insist Jones must have been aware of the trade.

"She was supplying to friends, I never saw any money changing hands," Jones told the court. "I was never involved. I did not know what June was buying.

"My involvement was not in the horses but to finish the buildings as quickly as possible. I have not had time to be running around worrying about a box of wormers."

However, the DEFRA investigation revealed the veterinary medicines included anti-inflammatories, anabolic steroids, tranquillisers, antibiotics, sedatives, painkillers and other miscellaneous products administered to horses, household pets and farm animals.

"I am amazed at the list. I cannot believe it," claimed Jones. "I believed June just bought wormers, I did not see volumes of medicine everywhere. We are not talking about warehouses and marketing."

The fifty-horse stud is Jones' retirement plan and he insisted his animals and those of his clients were not given illegal medicines.

"You are saying the horses were drugged up to the eyeballs, but they would not have been. To my knowledge we did not do it, I certainly did not."

Lock told the jury he bought the riding school, but was not involved in the day-to-day running of the business since 2002.

He is the named company secretary for the school and his ex-wife Michelle - who was not arrested - is the listed company director.

"I had nothing to do with it at all," insisted Lock. "It is a mystery to me, it has nothing to do with me."

When asked why his name appears on a Eurovet client list along with his phone number, Lock replied: "I can't answer that.

"I never went down the stables a great deal. My wife's words were: 'You run your business and I'll run mine'."

He suggested a mystery man known only as J Hawkins, who rented a stable at the school, may have been responsible for ordering the illicit shipments, but this individual has never been traced by the police or DEFRA.

The fact his mobile number pops up in Eurovet client lists does not mean he was importing medicines, insisted Lock. "My wife could have taken my phone and used it at any time."

The court heard the 18-horse school received deliveries of up to half a ton of medication.

Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to a combined total of 34 charges of illegally importing and distributing unauthorised or prescription-only veterinary medicines.

Lock is accused of buying £155,000 of veterinary medicines between January 2004 and September 2008 and Jones £61,000 worth from January 2004.

Married couple Ronald Meddes, 72, and Regine Lansley, 61, - nicknamed 'Ronnie and Reggie' - were the bosses of France-based 'Eurovet' and sold the medicines - many of which originated in Australia and India - and they will also be sentenced later.

Trial continues..........

Equestrian Bosses In Dock For Illicit Vet Med Scandal

The bosses of an equestrian centre and a stud farm were key players in a £6m illegal veterinary medicine scam - Europe's biggest ever - a jury were have been told.

"This is part of a massive case concerning the illegal importation and sale of unauthorised veterinary medicines and some prescription-only medicines," prosecutor Mr. Andrew Marshall told Croydon Crown Court.

"This case is the most serious attack on the UK veterinary system. When the warehouse in France was discovered it was the biggest seizure in Europe of veterinary medicine.

"This is a highly-regulated area because there can be a great deal of damage done to animals from the misuse of medication if you do not know where it was made, how it was made and the precise ingredients," added Mr. Marshall.

A total of nine defendants have already pleaded guilty to various charges on the 100-count indictment and will be sentenced at the conclusion of the trial involving the final two accused.

They are: Peter Lock, 53, (pic. bottom) of Knaves Hall, Warren Lane, Doddinghurst, Brentwood, Essex - boss of Colmar Farm Riding School, Colmar Farm, Weald Park Way, South Weald, Brentwood.

Richard Jones, 60, (pic. top) of Winchcombe Road, Sedgeberrow, Evesham, Worcestershire - boss of Henry Field Stud, Naunton Beauchamp, Pershore, Worcestershire.

The prosecution, brought by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), allege the defendants imported the illegal medicines from ringleaders based in France and unlawfully distributed them in the UK.

Lock is accused of buying £155,000 of veterinary medicines between January 2004 and September 2008 and Jones £61,000 worth from January 2004.

Married couple Ronald Meddes, 72, and Regine Lansley, 61, - nicknamed 'Ronnie and Reggie' - were the bosses of France-based 'Eurovet' and sold the medicines - many of which originated in Australia and India - and they will also be sentenced later.

Jones' partner June Connelly, 68, who DEFRA say ran the stud farm alongside the defendant is currently on bail awaiting sentence and the prosecution jury were shown photographs of her enjoying a trip to the Meddes and Lansley estate.

The veterinary medicines included anti-inflammatories, anabolic steroids, tranquillisers, antibiotics, sedatives, painkillers and other miscellaneous products administered to horses, household pets and farm animals.

"All these products go through the black market," explained Mr. Marshall. "They are being distributed by people not licensed to do it so others can administer them to animals who are not authorised to do so.

"It becomes a bit of a free-for-all and the food chain is placed at risk as well.

"These animals and their welfare are being placed at risk and the only reason for it is legitimate veterinary medicines are more expensive than smuggling these into the country or buying them over the internet.

"It had persisted for years and when the main players were caught, arrested and charged they carried on despite strict orders and bail conditions. We have a full commercial enterprise that happens to be illegal," added the prosecutor.

The court heard Meddes and Lansley operated a series of companies under the 'Eurovet' banner and when veterinary medicines that covered 130 cubic metres were seized they restarted the operation from Belgium.

Colmar Riding School was also raided by the police and DEFRA, the jury were told. "There were certain veterinary medicines found there that should not have been there," said Mr. Marshall.

When Lock was quizzed at Brentwood Police Station on April 2 2008 he made no comment to questions.

Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to a combined total of 34 charges of illegally importing and distributing unauthorised or prescription-only veterinary medicines.

Trial continues.........

Murder On The Dancefloor: Three Convicted After DJ's Death

Three young men have been convicted of violent disorder at a Kennington club, where a popular local DJ was stabbed to death shortly after completing his set.

Carl Beatson Asiedu, 19, (pictured) suffered a fatal stab wound to the heart at Club Life, Goding Street on August 1, 2009.

The three are: Junior Ademujimi-Falade, 20, of Landor House, Elmington Estate, Camberwell; Bolaji Kako-Are, 20, of Inville Road, Walworth and Abu Mansaray, 20, of Merton Road, South Norwood.

The Old Bailey jury failed to reach a verdict on one count of murder against Ademujimi-Falade and the prosecution will announce if they seek a re-trial.

Two other were acquitted of violent disorder.

They are: Edwin Oppong, 20, of Consort Road, Peckham and Emmanuel Osei-Anane, 19, of Wyndham Road, Camberwell.

Pimp Family's 'Sauna' Empire Smashed

A brothel-owning family – who raked in £16,000 per week from Eastern European prostitutes who worked 24-hour shifts – have been jailed.

The Essex trio bought flash cars including a Bentley and a top-of-the-range BMW, splurged thousands on luxury foreign holidays and treated themselves to expensive jewellery.

They are: Clyde Standing, 68, (pic.top) and his wife Lyubov, 32, (pic.midle) of Thornhill, North Weald plus Clyde’s son James Standing, 42, (pic.bottom) of Willingale Road, Debden.

Croydon Crown Court heard they ran three ‘saunas’, which were a front for prostitution, plus a fourth brothel from a flat above a shop.

Seventeen mostly Romanian women were found at the various premises and revealed either father or son would attend daily to collect their 50% share of the cash-only business.

In just two years the family spent £75,000 on foreign holidays and police also found Lyubov’s £12,000 jewellery receipt.

Police swooped in June last year, arresting Clyde and seizing £2,770 cash as he left one of the ‘saunas’.

James was arrested at his father’s address and £12,700 in cash was seized from a bedroom safe, plus £1,000 from a drawer.

When asked why his name was on the tenancy agreement of two of the brothels James replied: “Because I’m stupid.”

Lyubov tried to claim all her money came from her native Ukraine, but was unable to explain why she visited all the brothels twice a day.

Detective Sergeant John O’Brien, of the Met’s Human Exploitation and Organised Crime Unit said: “These individuals exploited vulnerable women for their own profit, spending their ill-gotten gains on expensive holidays and lavish items.

“The court result is a testament of our commitment to pursue those involved in this type of abhorrent crime and hold them accountable for their actions."

All three were convicted of conspiracy to control prostitution.

Clyde received 18 months, Lyubov 12 months and James 12 months.

Street Stabbing: Teens Caged

Three teens have been locked up for the violent late night stabbing of a young football coach and his sister who tried to stop the petty row escalating.

They are: Teyon Smith, 16 (pic.top) and Ashwin Smith, 17 (pic.middle) both of St. John’s Way, Archway, North London and 17 year-old Carlton Samuels, of nearby Hazellville Road.

All three pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm after the 19 year-old victim was stabbed in the arm with a large knife and his sister, 23, received a cut to her hand.

Police were called to a fight involving a large group of youngsters in the early hours of June 5 last year in Davenant Road, Upper Holloway resulting in the two victims being rushed to hospital.

Teyon Smith received two years youth custody; Ashwin Smith ten months and Samuels one year with training orders for each defendant added.

Investigating Officer Detective Constable Marcus Johnson, said: “This was an unprovoked attack on an innocent young man and a young woman who was injured trying to protect him.

“Their sentences have taken into account time spent on remand. 



“Police in Islington will continue to actively pursue criminals who choose to engage in violent crime.

“I commend the victims for their bravery and hope that this sentence will in some way help them get on with their lives.”

At Blackfriars Crown Court Judge Aiden Marron QC, said knife crime all too commonly has a huge impact on families, destroys the lives of victims and the courts must be seen to be taking action to stop it.

Ta Ta Tara: Socialite Booted Out Of Royal Reception

Socialite Tara Palmer-Tomkinson was ordered to leave the Buckingham Palace reception, following the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, after less than an hour it has been revealed.

Due to her behaviour - the exact details of which have not been disclosed - the 39 year-old was escorted from the Palace as Royals and VIP guests celebrated inside.

Tara - known as 'T P-T' - received treatment at the Meadows clinic, Arizona in 1999 for cocaine addiction.

In 2006 her septum nasi collapsed due to her one-time £400-a-day addiction and she had £6,000 worth of cosmetic surgery to rebuild her nose.

She has been a long-time friend of the Royal family and Prince Charles in particular and her ejection seems to justify those who questioned inviting her as one of the chosen few to the reception.

Heathrow Supervisor Nicked Passenger's Laptop

A Heathrow Airport check-in boss, who helped himself to a passenger’s £1,000 laptop, has dodged prison with a suspended sentence.

Suraj Pardeshi, 41, of Eastcote Lane, Harrow, North-West London was trapped by a tracking device within the Apple Mac computer, which led police officers to his address.

He pleaded guilty to stealing the laptop from a female passenger, who had just arrived from Malaysia, on February 15 and was sentenced to three months imprisonment, suspended for a year.

Isleworth Crown Court heard Indian-born Pardeshi, employed in airport customer service for thirteen years, had just finished his shift when he noticed the unattended laptop left on a trolley in Terminal Four.

Prosecutor Mr. Gavin Kirkpatrick said the victim only realised she had left it behind when she reached the airport car park and immediately reported it to police.

With the aid of its built-in tracker, officers visited the defendant’s address ten days later to retrieve the laptop, and found it inside his house.

Pardeshi (pictured) eventually confessed taking it and resigned from Cobalt Ground Solutions, where he was a team leader, responsible for thirteen check-in staff.

Financial and matrimonial pressures, plus the death of his mother in India, had contributed to Pardeshi’s stress levels and he was under probation at work, where he was putting in 50-60 hours overtime per month.

“In a moment of madness he gave into temptation,” Pardeshi’s lawyer Miss Laura Bayley told the court. “He was going to hand in the laptop, but because of all the paperwork involved took it home.”

Since his resignation the defendant has unsuccessfully applied for up to 100 jobs, but refuses to claim benefits for himself and his jobless wife, living on family loans.

“This is an extremely serious offence,” Judge Georgina Kent told Pardeshi. “Airport passengers are vulnerable and this was a high-value computer containing valuable information.”

Pardeshi was also ordered to complete 150 hours community service.

Young Woman Filmed Rape On Her Mobile Phone

Two rapists who carried out "horrendous sexual attacks" were encouraged to humiliate one terrified victim by a young woman who filmed the ordeal on her mobile phone, a court heard today (Tuesday).

Jermaine Kraftner, 27, of Berkley Manor, Poole Road, Branksome, Poole and his cousin Corrie Pinney, 35, of Yardbridge Close, Sutton, South-West London deny multiple counts relating to two separate victims.

Cassie Webb, 20, denies several charges, including aiding and abetting rape, in relation to the second victim.

"Kraftner and Pinney launched a series of horrendous sexual attacks on both victims at Yardbridge Close," prosecutor Miss Hannah Llewellyn-Waters told the Croydon Crown Court jury.

"The attacks were designed to degrade and instil terror in both women for the defendants sense of power and self-gratification."

The second victim - a 21 year-old mini-cab controller - had arrived at the address on April 20, last year for an alcohol and cannabis party and was introduced by the defendants to Webb, who is known as 'Mercy'.

"She was sexually and physically attacked and vaginally and orally raped and Cassie Webb encouraged the male defendants," explained Miss Llewellyn-Waters.

"She was subjected to prolonged violence and sadistic behaviour designed to humiliate, punish and petrify."

The victim was beaten with a belt and repeatedly punched in the face and head after Kraftner had accused her of "disrespect."

"Cassie Webb began to fan the flames by saying the victim was bringing bad vibes into the flat," added the prosecutor.

Webb remained as the defendants demanded the victim strip naked and was beaten when she initially refused.

She also watched as the victim was ordered to insert a broomstick into her vagina.

"Casie Webb was watching and filming the attack at this time on her mobile phone," added the prosecutor.

The female defendant egged on the attack as Pinney raped the victim, the jury were told.

"She was told if she was sick they would kill her and Kraftner was laughing," said Miss Llewellyn-Waters.

Webb then left the room as both Pinney and Kraftner raped the victim, who was left with black eyes and bruising to her chest and arms.

Both men also deny an earlier rape on a 17 year-old girl at the address on July 29, 2009.

"On that occasion Pinney and Kraftner simultaneously engaged in oral and vaginal rape."

Webb has pleaded not guilty to aiding and abetting rape; two counts of aiding and abetting sexual activity and aiding and abetting false imprisonment.

Both male defendants have pleaded not guilty to raping both women plus charges of sexual activity and false imprisonment.

Trial continues...........

Sikh Avoids Prison For Violent Religious Protest

A “frenzied” Sikh protestor, who threw bricks and a wooden pole at police during a violent demonstration against a controversial religious speaker, has dodged prison with a suspended sentence.

Debt advisor Jagjeet Dhesi, 25, of Springfield Crescent, West Bromwich travelled to the heart of the Sikh community in Southall, West London intent on peaceful protest.

However, approximately 100 rioters attempted to storm the Gurdwara where banned preacher Darshan Singh was preaching, despite his excommunication from the faith.

First-time offender Dhesi – an ex-Lance Corporal in the Territorial Army – pleaded guilty to affray outside the temple on March 19, last year and was given eight months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

Prosecutor Mr. Lyall Thompson told Isleworth Crown Court (pictured): “Police officers identified this defendant as a main aggressor, he was livid and shouting in a frenzied state.

“He was riling the crowd and encouraging them to throw objects at the Gurdwara and at the police.

“He threw half-bricks at police and a wooden pole at officers like a javelin.”

Police knew the event was a potential flashpoint, but were quickly overcome by the numbers of protestors and requested back-up.

“Officers lost control and have described being swamped by men screaming in their faces: ‘You are supporting criminals. He should not be in there’.”

Some protestors scaled the temple’s seven-foot wall as others tried to lift the gates off their hinges.

Tempers were enflamed as they watched some demonstrators who broke through to the temple grounds beaten with sticks and having their turbans knocked off by the event orgainisers.

Police saw a variety of objects including knives, chairs, sticks and fireworks hurled at the building by the mob.

Eventually the Territorial Support Group were needed to disperse the crowd and some officers were left with injuries to their arms and hands.

The Gurdwara organising committee identified four further suspects, who were arrested by police, but charges were never brought.

When quizzed Dhesi – easily identified by police due to his short stature – insisted only throwing a brick in retaliation after it was aimed at him.

“Mr. Dhesi takes his religion very seriously, but accepts the law is more important,” said Mr. Michael House, defending.

“He travelled down from West Bromwich to peacefully protest against the speech, but suffered a red mist and behaved out of character.”

Judge Andrew McDowall told recently married Dhesi: “I accept this incident was out of character and although you felt strongly about what happened at the temple you did not go there intent on violence.

“You did not start things and you yourself received some injury.”

Dhesi was also ordered to complete 180 hours community service work and pay £250 costs.

Secretary Jailed For Expenses Scam

A PA with accountancy giants Price Waterhouse Coopers - obsessed with being the centre of attention - has been jailed for nine months for a £33,000 expenses scam.

The scandal rocked the company's Birmingham HQ after single Angela Jayne Tilling, 44, also claimed she had a five-year affair with her married boss, who later made partial admissions of a sexual relationship.

Tilling, (pic.top) who lived with her parents at Heronway, Rednal, Birmingham conned the company into bankrolling a £50,000 celebrity appearance at their Christmas bash in a bid to boost her popularity.

She was a respected employee at their offices in Cornwall Court, 19 Cornwall Street and for years ripped-off the company behind the back of her boss John Minards (pic.bottom) - a full partner.

"She was a woman approaching middle-age, unmarried, without children and living with her parents and was essentially quite lonely," Tilling's QC Francis Laird told Isleworth Crown Court.

"There is plenty of scope, reading between the lines, that they were having an affair," added the QC. "They shared hotel rooms and he does admit sexual contact with her over a number of years, but denies full sexual intercourse.

"Some of the money was used to provide entertainment for others because what this lady craved was the respect of others.

"She liked to be the centre of attention, providing days and nights out, and the celebrity guest reflects that and it was described as the best party the company had ever known.

"She is a lonely lady who bought the friendship and affection of people with whom she worked. It was not salted away for a rainy day."

The prosecution began as a £167,000 scam involving a trip to Paris for the 2007 rugby world cup, plus a Malaga business conference, but those charges were dropped.

Tilling has not paid any compensation to the company.

She pleaded guilty to six counts of fraud, which often involved Tilling mirroring a genuine expenses claim to generate a second payment to herself supported by forged documents and e-mails.

Tilling falsely claimed £2,183.50 expenses for a 47-head staff lunch at Birmingham's Hotel Du Vin on December 7 2004 and £2,146.23 for a company hotel conference in June 2005.

She blew a strict £25,000 budget when organising the company's Christmas party on December 22 2005, fraudulently transferring two £29,375 payments to cover the celebrity guest's £50,000 appearance fee.

Tilling also falsely claimed a £15,000 payment by lying that she had paid the sum as a deposit to secure the guest - who the prosecution and booking agency refuse to name.

She was also paid a further £5,581.25 in bogus expenses on October 17 2006 and £3,706 in June that year for Solihull College support staff.

In December 2007 she fraudulently claimed £2,225 for 60 theatre tickets at Birmingham's Hippodrome - another company beano she organised.

An internal probe exposed Tilling and she was suspended in March 2008, resigned in May and was arrested during a dawn raid on January 13 2009.

When quizzed she denied acting dishonestly, claiming her behaviour was an attempt to prevent John Minards' wife spotting suspicious payments on his credit card.

Square Mile News, which had the only reporter in court heard Judge Richard McGregor-Thompson tell tearful Tilling, who dabbed away tears throughout the hearing: "It can never give the court any pleasure at all to deal with someone of your age and unblemished character.

"You were trusted to deal with expenses for very senior people in this organisation and submitted a variety of false documentation to get them paid.

"You used the proceeds to buy friendship and affection and knew from the time of your arrest you were guilty, but chose to lie and only pleaded guilty six weeks before your trial."