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.

Enfield Murder: International Manhunt Continues

The family of a young Enfield man shot dead at midnight four years ago have begged for help in tracking-down the number one suspect – believed to have fled abroad.

Duane Tomlin, 20, (pic.top) was gunned down as he got out of a mini-cab in Dendridge Close on July 5, 2007.

Police are still hunting chief suspect Robert Bernard, 28, (pic.bottom) who fled to Thailand hours after the shooting and who has family ties to Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and St. Lucia.

A white Vauxhall Combo van began following Tomlin’s mini-cab and shots were fired as he got out near his family home and he was fatally injured.

The minicab driver was uninjured but was later treated at hospital suffering shock.

The van was found abandoned and on fire a short time later in nearby Lackmore Road. 



Detective Chief Inspector John Crossley of Operation Trident – which investigates violent black-on-black crime - said: “Duane's family deserve some justice and to be able to move on with their lives and see someone convicted of his murder.



“We would urge anyone with information, especially about Robert Bernard’s current whereabouts, to contact us as soon as possible.”



Bernard is described as black, 6ft 4ins tall and of heavy build. 



Anyone who can assist should call the Trident incident room on 020 8733 4212 (44 20 8733 4212 from outside the UK).

If you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 (44 800 555 111).

Information can also be emailed to: chetopa.appeal@met.police.uk 



Duane’s sister Tiffaney Shaw, 35, said: “Duane was a young guy who enjoyed living life to the fullest. He was very strong-willed and always stood his ground in whatever he believed in.



“He would always encourage my three boys to stay in school and gain an education as he didn't want them to live the life he was living.



“I know that my brother's lifestyle is looked upon as being unacceptable to the outside world but when he was with his family he was a loving and caring young man with a heart of gold.



“Our lives have been torn apart since the day Duane was taken from us. Words cannot describe the emotions and hurt we feel as a family and have to live with each day.



“Every day we live in hope that we get justice for Duane. I believe that everybody in life has a purpose here so please, I ask anyone that has any information regarding Duane’s murder to come forward.

“Your courage to speak out will not only help us as a family but could prevent another family from having to go through what we are going through now.”



Duane’s mother Gwen Forde, 52, said: “I would like closure and the time to heal. I'm emotionally scarred for life.



“I have to live with what happened to my son day to day.



“How many more of our young men do we have to lose before we say that's enough? Next time it could be your son, your brother that they take from you.



“I would ask if anyone has any information that will lead to the capture of the persons responsible for my son's death please, I beg of you, come forward.”

Prolific Criminal Walks Free After Yet Another Offence

A drug-addict burglar who smashed his way into a suburban family home – snatching £3,500 worth of valuables, including a sentimental wedding ring – somehow dodged prison today.

Hakeem Ojo, 42, who has 97 previous offences to his name, searched every room in the house and was caught when police matched blood he left after smashing a window to the national DNA database.

He pleaded guilty at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to burgling the house (pictured) in Gosberton Road, Balham on March 26, stealing a mobile phone; two Mac laptops; a watch; wedding ring and £25 cash.

The occupier returned home from the dry cleaners at 6:30pm to discover broken glass from a smashed window on the living room floor and evidence of a search.

Items were missing and have never been recovered.

When police tracked Ojo down on April 11 he denied the break-in, insisting he shared a needle with a known burglar when injecting heroin, claiming this is how his blood was at the scene.

The father-of-two, who has spent most of his adult life in custody, eventually confessed, revealing he sold the items to a mini-cab driver to raise cash for drugs.

“Their sanctuary was violated,” Judge Judith Coello told Ojo, after hearing the couple who own the house were left “scared”.

“You have a long and depressing record fuelled by an addiction to class a drugs,” she added. “I have decided to give you one last chance.”

Ojo breach two similar drug rehabilitation orders last year.

He was sentenced to an eighteen-month community order with a drug rehabilitation requirement, plus 100 hours community service work.

New Year's Eve Rape: CCTV Released

Police hunting a bogus cabbie New Year’s Eve rapist who attacked a lone woman in his car have released this CCTV image of the suspect and his vehicle.

The car cruised the area of Fortis Green Road and Colney Hatch Lane before picking up the victim, aged in her forties, between 2am and 3am in Muswell Hill Broadway, North London.

She had been celebrating the New Year and believed her assailant was a genuine mini-cab driver.

He locked the doors and drove to nearby Sydney Road where he raped the woman and then forced her out of the car.

She made her way home and called police.

The Metropolitan Police’s Sapphire Unit are investigating and Detective Constable Alistair Woods said: “This was a frightening assault on a vulnerable victim and although the images are not clear, the two pictures together may enable someone to identify who the man is and give us a name.

“I would urge anyone with information to contact the police and can guarantee they will be spoken to in confidence.”



Anyone with any information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8733 5062 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Scout Leader Amassed Child Porn Collection

A scout leader caught by police with over 10,000 sickening child sex images on his computer – amassed during a thirteen-year porn addiction – was sentenced today.

Simon Tapsell, 29, (pictured) hoarded movies and images of boys and girls as young as six posing naked, masturbating and having sex with each other and adults.

He was trapped when police from the Met's paedophile unit raided the home he shares with his parents in Blackhorse Lane, Addiscombe, Croydon.

A total of 6,571 still images and 3,358 movies were on his personal computer – the most serious being a 14 year-old boy having sex with a dog.

Scout Association spokesman Simon Carter said: "Tapsell was suspended from any form of contact with the movement as soon as we were aware of his arrest.

"His appointment was subsequently cancelled and following his guilty plea he will never again be able to work as a volunteer in the Scout Movement."

However, the Scout Association would not reveal which scout group Tapsell was involved with.

He pleaded guilty to twenty-eight sample charges of possessing indecent images of boys and girls from the age of six upwards.

When quizzed by police Tapsell told them: "I have lived with indecent images for thirteen years. I have never shared them with anyone else."

Croydon Crown Court Judge Simon Pratt made a Section 37 hospital order, forcing Tapsell to continue undergoing treatment at the behavioural unit at Bethlem Hospital, Bromley.

The judge also made an order prohibiting the defendant from working with children and accessing the Internet.

"I am satisfied the requirements of the Mental Health Act are made out," announced Judge Pratt after reading medical and psychiatric reports on Asperger's Syndrome sufferer Tapsell.

"I am satisfied that you are suffering from a mental illness that will be treatable in the hospital you are staying."

The order will end when psychiatrists are satisfied Tapsell is fit to leave the hospital.

Toddler Plunges From Window As Mum Sleeps Off Drinking Session

A mother who was passed out drunk as her 18 month-old daughter plunged from a faulty first-floor window during sub-zero weather and wandered onto a main road angrily told police who woke her: "Little bugger. I'll fucking kill her."

Her daughter fell onto concrete, suffering facial injuries - which included cuts swelling and bruising - and was found wandering on the main road at 3.50am by a postman, who took her to his sorting office and raised the alarm.

The 37 year-old jobless mum-of-two (pictured) had downed 3-4 Bacardi doubles and an empty rum bottle was found on the floor of her housing association flat in Arden Grove, Harpenden, Hertfordshire.

St. Albans Crown Court heard on friday she knew the window lock was faulty, but did nothing about it, claiming it was the association's responsibility to fix it.

She pleaded guilty to one count of child cruelty and was sentenced to a twelve month community order, plus a three month 7pm to 7am curfew, which will be monitored with a tag.

"But for the grace of God your daughter could have been more severely injured, if she had landed on her head for instance," Judge Ronald Moss told the defendant. "It could have been appalling."

Prosecutor Mr Andrew Sarkany told the court the defendant put her daughter to bed at 10pm on March 18, but passed out in front of the television after drinking alone into the early hours.

"There is a toy box in front of a window that leads to a sloping roof and the lock on the window did not work.

"She knew it was faulty and said to was the responsibility of the housing association.

"The girl walked past her drunk mother, climbed onto the toy box and pushed the window forward and climbed onto the sloping roof," explained Mr Sarkany.

"She slipped from the roof and hit the concrete floor below. She suffered injuries on impact.

"She wandered around the building and into the main road."

The temperature that night was -2 to -3 degrees and when police eventually woke the mum they noticed her breath smelled of alcohol as she told them: "Little bugger. I'll fucking kill her."

The girl and the mother's other daughter, aged 14, now live next-door with their grandmother and the family cannot be identified for legal reasons.

"This happened because she was careless rather than evil," said Judge Moss, telling the mother: "I understand how you came into the position of drinking to get by.

"I am not sure why you said what you said to the police. Maybe it was because you were drunk."

After inspecting pictures of the girl's injuries he added: "Looking at those, it really does break your heart."