Trio Of Bromley Drug Dealers Caught In Police Sting

Three young Bromley men caught in a police undercover operation, which targeted cocaine and ecstasy dealers, admitted a string of supply charges when they appeared at Croydon Crown Court.

They are: Martin Smith, 20; Sean Maurice, 19 and Charles Martin, 18, who were arrested after plain-clothed detectives posed as drug users in an operation centered around an address in Homesdale Road.

Smith pleaded guilty to possessing ecstasy, with intent to supply, on March 4 and possessing horse tranquilizer Ketamine - known as Special K - on the same occasion along with criminal property, namely £240.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of supplying ecstasy on April 8 and supplying 47 tablets of the drug on April 21.

Both Smith and Martin admitted supplying cocaine on May 4 and Smith alone admitted possessing ecstasy, with intent to supply two days later.

Martin further admitted possessing cocaine, with intent to supply, on May 6.

Maurice pleaded guilty to two counts of supplying ecstasy on April 20; supplying 11 tablets of the drug on May 4 and supplying cocaine on May 8.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing ecstasy, with intent to supply, on May 6 and possessing cocaine on the same occasion.

All three will be sentenced on a future date.

Cannabis Cultivator Caged

A get-tough judge - determined to stamp-out illegal DIY cannabis farms - has jailed a commercial grower for fourteen months after police found twenty-nine plants.

Salesman Peter Windle, 25, of Crossways, Middleton-on-Sea, West Sussex had installed heaters and lamps in the privately rented flat, but was exposed by a suspicious letting agent.

“The gravity of the offence is two-fold,” announced senior Chichester Crown Court Judge William Wood QC.

“People like you who get addicted to cannabis lack the motivation to work and there is also the long-term mental damage.

“It is a dreadfully serious problem, this growing of skunk cannabis.”

Windle pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis at the address, which was raided by police on October 9, last year, and Judge Wood rejected claims it was for personal use.

“I don’t believe that those who grow cannabis and distribute it to other people are going to get suspended sentences,” added the judge.

Windle confessed to having a heavy ten-year cannabis habit, smoking 6gms per day and having a conviction for possession of the drug last year.

“The reality is it is not practicable to think of a community sentence, we need to stamp out cannabis growth,” announced Judge Wood.

An order was made confiscating the cannabis plants and growing equipment.

Blaze-Threat Son Splashed Petrol Around Mum's Flat

A troublesome son who threatened to set his mother’s flat ablaze after dousing it in petrol – vowing he did not care if they died in the inferno - has dodged prison with a suspended sentence.

James Clements, 38, screamed: “You call the old bill and I’ll set this place alight and I don’t care if we die in it,” – prompting a stand-off with police who rushed to the address.

He pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to threatening to cause criminal damage to the flat in Waldegrave Road, Crystal Palace on March 15 and possessing a small amount of amphetamine.

Prosecutor Mr. Andrew Ramsubhag told the court there had been a long history of police call-outs to the address, because of trouble caused by drug-addict Clements to his mother Janet Martin.

Problems erupted again on the day with Clements branding his long-suffering mother: “No fucking use to me,” adding: “If you call the police, it’ll be the last thing you do.”

He emptied the contents of a red petrol can all over the hallway and lit a cigarette while shouting threats – resulting in his mother fleeing the flat and calling 999 from a phonebox.

She told officers: “I’m terrified of what James will do to me. I never want James to return to the address.”

Neighbours were evacuated at 9.45pm and police talked Clements out of the flat at 10.20pm.

“He was in a very emotional state,” explained Mr. Ramsubhag, adding a small amount of amphetamines belonging to the defendant were found in a kitchen dish.

Clements has been locked-up since the incident and has twenty-five previous offences, including an assault on his mother.

The mother of his child also has a non-molestation order against him.

“It is a pretty frightening experience having petrol in your living-room,” announced Judge Ruth Downing. “It is a heavy cross to bear when your son is in his thirties causing so much trouble.”

Clements was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months and ordered to attend eight sessions with an alcohol worker and attend a thinking skills programme.

Snapper's Glass-Smash Shame

A top photographer snapped during a row with his ex-wife - smashing two glass panels in her front door with his bike helmet - as they clashed over their teenage daughter's care.

Iain Spears McKell, 53, of Highlever Road, North Kensington, West London was left in the lurch when his ex refused to take care of Jasmin, 15, while he travelled to Poland for an important shoot.

He pleaded guilty at City of London Magistrates' Court to causing £200 worth of criminal damage at the house in nearby Oliphant Street (pictured), on August 17, last year.

Prosecutor Sandra Sanchez told the court: "The defendant attended his ex wife's address after an argument on the phone and they continued arguing at the house.

"The defendant was angry and smashed two glass panels in the front door with his bike helmet."

The court heard the first-time offender, who Jasmin lives with, had arranged five days earlier for the girl to stay with her mother while he spent up to a week in Poland.

At 9pm the night before he was due to fly out at 5pm McKell received a call from his "screaming" ex insisting their daughter could not stay because she had an important dinner date.

The defendant's lawyer told the court his client felt his daughter had been "abandoned" and "was under great pressure and stress."

McKell was conditionally discharged for twelve months and ordered to pay £200 compensation and pay £150 costs.

Ex-Army Cop Who Bit Chunk Out Of Man's Ear Cleared

A respected ex- military policeman, who bit off part of another drinker’s ear during a violent West End barroom brawl, was acting in self-defence, a jury has ruled.

Christopher Vincent, 25, of Brook Square, Woolwich served the British army in tours to Iraq, Bosnia, Belize and Kuwait and left with an honourable discharge.

He was found not guilty at Southwark Crown Court of maliciously wounding Italian Simone Modesti, with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, at O’Neill’s, Covent Garden (pictured) on June 10, last year.

The prosecution claimed Vincent, a man of good character, was the troublemaker and became aggressive during a midnight confrontation with Mr. Modesti’s group.

The Italian told the jury he put the defendant in a headlock after a punch was thrown.

“He bit my right ear when he got free,” Mr. Modesti told the court. “I felt a tear and some pain and part of my ear was on the counter. Blood was gushing from my right ear.”

Witnesses claimed they saw blood in defendant’s mouth and part of Mr. Modesti’s ear stuck between his teeth as he tried to spit it out.

Vincent told the jury he was simply acting in self-defence after violence erupted when a girl in Mr. Modesti’s group screamed abuse and pushed him.

“Fingers were poking my eyes and were in my mouth,” said the defendant. “I could not breathe and thought I was in trouble.

“I clamped my mouth on what I thought was a cuff or a sleeve.”

A captain in the Grenadiers described Vincent as a “good leader” who always remained “very calm” in stressful situations.

The defendant’s former company commander, a major, told the court Vincent “served his country with destinction.”

Nigerian Student's Work Visa Lies Exposed

A Nigerian who used a bogus passport stamp to get a four-year job with a property company attached to Westminster City Council dodged jailed with a suspended sentence yesterday.

Charles Imiavan, 39, of Medlar Street, Camberwell entered the UK on a student visa to study at Leeds Metropolitan University in 2005.

A year later he applied for a job with Dunlop Heywards, supporting his application with a photocopy of a Nigerian passport page complete with Home Office stamp purportedly giving him indefinite leave and the right to work in the UK.

Imiavan pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court (pictured) to using a false instrument, with intent, between June 1 and 7, 2006.

He was exposed by an audit carried out by immigration officials within the council and arrested on October 2 and his home searched, where two similar photocopies were discovered.

The first-time offender was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for twelve months, and ordered to obey a condition of residence at his recorded address for the next seven days.

Firm's Manager In £8,000 Rip-Off

A manager with joinery giants Howdens, who pocketed over £8,000 from the company in a refund scam, has dodged prison with a suspended sentence.

Scott Spencer, 29, of Aylesford Road, Beckenham – now a Royal Mail delivery driver – made a total of twenty-four separate refunds into three different bank accounts he controlled.

He pleaded guilty at Bromley Magistrates’ Court to stealing £8,108.17 between August 2009 and April 2010 while employed at the Sydenham branch (pictured) at Unit 2, Kangley Bridge Centre, Kangley Bridge Road.

“I do not know why you did this and I have a feeling you do not know either,” Judge Ruth Downing told the first-time offender at Croydon Crown Court where he was committed for sentencing. “You do not have a drink or gambling habit.”

Married Spencer, whose wife is expecting their second daughter in a month, was employed by the company for almost a decade and also worked at their branches in Beckenham and West Norwood as a depot manager.

Prosecutor Mr. Andrew Ramsubhag told the court an audit revealed the refunds on sixteen separate sales Spencer was involved in and the defendant immediately confessed when confronted.

He has fully compensated the company.

He was arrested on January 14, this year and charged on March 23.

Spencer’s lawyer Miss Lorraine Freeman told the court: “He has been incredibly frank with his admissions and made repayments in full.”

She said her client’s offending began during a stressful period after his mother’s sudden death, aged 55, and father’s subsequent descent into depression and alcoholism.

He also took care of his elderly grandparents and 15 year-old brother.

“It does appear to be out of character,” added Miss Freeman.

Judge downing told Spencer, who also has ambitions to be a black cab driver and is studying The Knowledge: “The corrupt act of taking a commission seems to have escalated.

“If you do this while employed by the Royal Mail you will receive an immediate custodial sentence.”

Spencer was sentenced to five months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months and ordered to perform 150 hours community service.”

Company Run From Tiny Council Flat In £140M VAT Scam

A small Islington flat was the HQ of an electronics company, which combined with four other firms to cheat the vat man out of £140m, a jury were told on Friday.

Fix Electrics Ltd. of Catherwood Court(pictured), Murray Grove suddenly sprung up and in just three weeks purported to import £136m worth of mobile phones and computer processing units.

The company’s director Samuel Adeyemi,31, of nearby Evelyn Court, Evelyn Walk assured Customs and Excise his £23.8 VAT liability would be paid – but in reality the taxman did not receive a penny.

He has pleaded not guilty at Croydon Crown Court to cheating the revenue of that sum between August 24 and September 12, 2005.

“The prosecution case is that there was a large scale evasion and he was the front man for Fix Electronics Limited,” prosecutor Mr. Mark Bryant-Heron told the court.

“He ran Fix Electronics for a time and ran up this liability never intending to pay that amount.

“What fix did was part of a wider highly-organised scheme of five companies that defaulted on their VAT obligation consecutively in a combined sum of one hundred and forty million pounds,” added Mr. Mark Bryant-Heron.

“This was a sophisticated attack on the tax system and this flat was at the centre of this multi-million pound business.”

Adeyemi, who lived with his mother nearby applied for a VAT number in April 2005, claiming he was an electrical wholesaler with a projected annual turnover of £900,000.

The defendant does not deny a fraud took place, but insists he is the victim of mistaken identity.

Crooked Lawyer And Associate Jailed For Legal Aid Rip-Off

A criminal defence solicitor and a legal associate have been jailed for a £430,000 Legal aid scam motivated by "breathtaking dishonesty and greed."

They ruthlessly inflated and forged every possible expense - even claiming for 26 hours work per day - until exposed by their own greed.

Solicitor Reuben Ewujowoh, 44,(pic.top l.) of Blythe Vale, Catford, boss of Rae and Co. of Trinity Street, Southwark was sentenced to five years imprisonment and will inevitably be struck-off.

Failed Ugandan-born asylum seeker Robert Odong, 33,(pic.top r.) a costs draughtsman of Bevin Court, Cruickshank Street, Gray's Inn, Islington was sentenced to two-and-a-half years and recommended for deportation.

Legal executive Lloyd McDonald, 68, of Collins Avenue, Sutton In Ashfield, Nottinghamshire was cleared by the Croydon Crown Court jury on both counts.

Ewujowoh and Odong were found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation in relation to two criminal trials.

Compensation proceedings against the pair will follow.

They plotted together between August 2 2007 and August 26 2008 to defraud Legal Aid in the case of Tsafack, which was heard at Leicester Crown Court and between July 30 2007 and August 26 2008 in the case of Rutayisere at Luton Crown Court.

"These three defendants all had a financial incentive to maximise the claims and in a clearly fraudulent scheme they massaged and amended every category of expense claimable in their financial favour," prosecutor Mrs Janet Weeks told the court.

The plot was exposed by chance when the same Legal Aid determining officer happened to be working on claims for both trials.

"She immediately noticed in the case of Tsafack it was far in excess of claims by others solicitors who represented other defendants in the same case," said Mrs Weeks.

In fact, Ewujowoh claimed 111 hours more preparation time than any other solicitor instructed.

"There was, in her opinion, clear evidence of fraudulent claims. Much of which were false and forged."

McDonald brought the two cases with him when joining Rae and Co. and stood to receive 40%-50% of all fees paid by Legal Aid.

"He attended Leicester Crown court from his home in the Midlands, but they claimed as if he had commuted each day from London and submitted forged taxi receipts," explained Mrs Weeks.

Odong is a freelance costs draughtsman who stood to receive 5% of the Legal Aid payment, the court was told.

"He appears to be responsible for hand-written alterations to attendance notes and taxi receipts."

A total of £163,769 was claimed for the Tsafack case - more than double any other solicitor - even though Ewujowoh had been instructed for up to nine months less than the other lawyers.

All preparation work was charged at the Category A rate of £167.25 per hour and a 200% uplift was successfully claimed on further expenses due to the complexity of the work.

"Mr. Ewujowoh is claiming to work more than twenty-four hours in a twenty-four hour period, claiming twenty-six hours day after day after day," said Mrs Weeks.

"The Crown say they sought to get as much as they could, the maximum out of these cases, but what caught them out is that they have done it for two cases side by side and there are not enough hours in the day.

Describing the defendants as "remourseless and ruthless in their behaviour" Judge John Tanzer announced it was clear they overcharged in five other cases - pocketing an extra £430,000.

Jewellery Shop Raiders Captured After Terrifying Sledgehammer Attack

Two smash-and-grab robbers’ sledgehammer raid on a Southend-on-Sea jewellery store was foiled by a have-a-go-hero plus reinforced glass, a court heard.

The North London duo pulled up outside Ernest Jones, Southend High Street on a scooter at 9.20am, targeting the 35 expensive Rolex watches – worth £2,000 to £18,000 - in the main display.

However, two panes of reinforced glass withstood their sledgehammer’s blows and they fled when confronted by a local drinking a cup of coffee outside a nearby café.

George Allpress, 21, of Frederick Street, Gray’s Inn, Camden and a 17 year-old, who cannot be identified, pleaded guilty to attempting to rob the store on March 9 and the aggravated taking of a scooter, removed from outside a King’s Cross shop the day before.

Prosecutor Mr. Hugh Griffiths told Blackfriars Crown Court four staff – two men and two women – were in the jewellery store when the raiders appeared outside.

“One of the women saw the scooter drive up with two men and she knew what was going to happen because there have been two previous robberies at the shop," (pictured).

“The passenger, wearing a blue boiler suit and a white crash helmet, was later identified as the juvenile and he entered the shop with a sledgehammer and hit the internal window four times.

“The women were extremely frightened and retreated to the back of the shop,” added Mr. Griffiths.

“Although shattered the window was not broken so the defendant went outside and tried to smash the front window.

“Although the front window was severely damaged it held.

“A man sitting outside Costa Coffee shouted: ‘what the fuck do you think you’re doing. Stop.’

“He went towards the defendant who panicked, threw the sledgehammer down, jumped on the back of the scooter and was driven away by the driver.

“The witness chased after the scooter, but there was no chance of catching it.”

The duo dumped the scooter a mile away in Park Terrace and were watched by a local resident throwing their crash helmets and boiler suits over a garden fence.

The witness later picked Allpress out on an ID parade and his fingerprint was also found on his crash helmet.

The juvenile’s DNA was linked to his crash helmet.

They fled in a people carrier driven by a third man, but witnesses had raised the alarm and police followed the vehicle along the A127 and arrested the defendants in Basildon.

Both defendants were remanded in custody to be sentenced on a date to be fixed.

Robber Who Targeted Shopkeeper's Takings Jailed

A robber who pounced on an unsuspecting shopkeeper as he took his £16,990 weekly takings to the bank – blowing the lot on drugs and gambling within a month – has been jailed for five years and two months.

Removal man Robert Hannifin, 39, of King Henry’s Road, Primrose Hill, North London and an unknown accomplice targeted the victim who followed the same routine every Saturday morning.

The defendant snatched the rucksack stuffed with cash from the back seat of the victim’s car as his accomplice held the shopkeeper in a headlock.

Father-of-two Hannifin pleaded guilty at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to robbing Jitesh Patel – boss of Windmill Stores (pictured), Ilderton Road, South Bermondsey, South-East London – on September 25, last year.

Prosecutor Mr. Benjamin Holt told the court Mr. Patel had just put the rucksack on the back seat of his car outside the store when confronted by Hannifin’s accomplice.

“A male asked him if it was his car in an aggressive manner and at the same time a second man opened the car door and grabbed the rucksack.

“The first male grabbed Mr. Patel by the neck in a headlock and pulled him away from the vehicle and both men made their escape.”

Police traced Hannifin through a mobile phone he dropped during the escape and he was arrested on October 15 – asking his mother for a tenner as he was led away.

The victim was not insured and the money was not recovered.

The court heard Hannifin’s seventeen-year relationship with the mother of his children ended as he turned to drugs after the death of his father.

He insists believing he was only going to involve himself in a distraction theft and not a robbery when agreeing to the plan.

Bermondsey Murder: Two Teens Charged

Two teenagers have appeared in court today charged with the murder of a waiter who was fatally stabbed through the heart near a bus stop in the early hours of the morning.

Vitalijs Janovics, 38, (pictured) of Long Lane, Borough, Southwark was killed close to Bermondsey Underground Station, Jamaica Road just after 1am on July 22.

They are: Kai Taliana, 18, of Vauban Estate, South Bermondsey and Khaled Ait-Said, 18, of Guinness Court, Mansell Street, Whitechapel.

Both appeared in custody at Croydon Magistrates' Court charged with murder and were remanded to appear at the Old Bailey on August 2.

The victim was rushed to a South London hospital, but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Next of kin have been informed.

An incident room was set up at Sutton under Detective Chief Inspector Amanda Hargreaves of the Homicide & Serious Crime Command.

She said: “Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Mr Janovics following this needless murder.

“We are appealing for witnesses and any information that could assist our investigation and find who murdered Mr Janovics.

“Our early investigations lead us to believe that he was killed in very small timeframe between approximately 1:05am and 1:10am on Friday morning.

“Therefore we would like to hear from anyone who was in and around the area of Bermondsey tube station around that time.

“Specifically, we would like to hear from two groups of potential witnesses.

“The first is three white men, who are believed to have been sitting on steps behind and near to the bus stop where Mr Janovics died.

“The second is a group of approximately eleven people who got off the last tube train at Bermondsey station at around 01:00hrs.

“Also we would like to hear from any of Mr Janovics friends and colleagues who could help us get a picture of what he may have been doing on Thursday night into Friday morning prior to his death.”

Anyone who can assist police should call the incident room on 020 8721 4155 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Do You Know Who Killed DJ Connoisseur?

Police are offering a £20,000 reward in a bid to solve the execution of a popular North London DJ – ambushed a year ago.

Father-of-six Wayne Powell, 38, (pictured) – aka DJ Connoisseur – was murdered by a mystery gunman in Higham Station Avenue, Chingford at 11:10pm on July 5, last year.

Detective Inspector Dave Rock said: “A year has passed and Wayne's family deserve to know who is responsible for his death.



“Wayne was a good man, he was not involved in criminality or gangs. He worked hard for a living and was universally popular. 



“If you have any information or suspicions about who killed him, please come forward.”



Wayne, who was also a keen bodybuilder and worked as a customer assistant for the London Underground at Seven Sisters, was in his car close to the gym he used when a lone gunman approached the vehicle.



Wayne, of Stonebridge Road, Tottenham got out of the black BMW to talk to him and the suspect fired four shots before calmly making off along a footpath in the direction of Coningsby Gardens.



He was taken by ambulance to the Royal London Hospital where he was pronounced dead.



Operation Trident – which investigates violent black-on-black crime in the capital – are leading the investigation.

Anne Boriel, Wayne’s partner and mother of their eight-month old son – also named Wayne - said: “My partner Wayne was a good hard-working man who loved his family.



“When he was killed I was pregnant with his child.
Baby Wayne will never get the chance to meet his daddy.

“Wayne's six children will never see him again. Neither will his parents or brothers and sisters who are equally affected by this senseless killing.



“In addition to his family, Wayne loved bodybuilding and DJing. As DJ Connoisseur, he was well-loved on the music scene but in particular on Energy FM.

“On the day after his murder we were touched by the sheer volume of listeners expressing their grief and sympathy. 



“The police have told us that during the course of their investigation they have not heard a single negative word said about Wayne. He was universally popular.

“We can think of no reason why anybody would want to kill him. He was a big strong guy but never used his physical presence to bully or gain advantage, he would shy away from confrontation and help anyone whenever he could do so.

“This was not a gangland murder. Wayne had no links to any gang, drugs, guns or crime. 



“Someone knew exactly where Wayne would be on the night of Monday July 5. That person had ready access to a gun and was prepared to use it - coolly and callously.



“We cannot believe that person has not bragged or expressed his guilt to another about what he did.



“It should not need money to encourage people to come forward but the police are offering a reward of up to £20,000.



“I am imploring anyone who can help identify the killer to contact the police so we can ensure no other family has to go through what we have experienced and that justice and closure can be achieved for Wayne.”



The Powell family said: “We, the family of Wayne Alexander Powell, are again appealing to the community for help in solving his murder and are asking that any information - no matter how small or trivial – be passed onto the officers dealing with this case. 



“The person or persons responsible for this crime, and those who have information, live in this community and we are asking you from our hearts to please help us find his murderer.



“We are appealing for your help in bringing to justice those responsible for this crime and his senseless death which has saddened his family, his friends and the community. 



“It has also robbed his children of having their father's guidance in their young lives. If there is anyone out there who knows something, anything, we are appealing to your conscience and hearts to please help us and the police to find his murderer.”



The gunman is described as possibly black, about 5ft 10ins and wearing a tracksuit. The weapon used is believed to be a handgun.



The motive for the murder remains unclear.



Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8733 4704. If you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 



On 12 July 2010, a man aged 29 was arrested in connection with the inquiry and was taken to a north London police station. He has since been released with no further action. 



On 1 November 2010, a man aged 37 was arrested on suspicion of murder. He has since been released with no further action.



On 17 November 2010, a man aged 34 was arrested on suspicion of murder. He has since been released with no further action.