Benefit Cheat Gardener Grassed-Up By Neighbour

A benefit cheat, whose £46,000 disability scam was exposed by damning photographs of him gardening and carrying heavy loads, has dodged prison because he now claims to be bed-bound.

Ex-bus driver David Port, 52, (pictured) claimed he could only walk a few steps without support and paid a relative to lift him upstairs to bed every night.

He was given a free motobility vehicle; sheltered accommodation; a carer's allowance and free designated parking spot after successfully exaggerating his condition to doctors.

Among the array of ailments he claimed to suffer were chest pain, shortness of breath, carpal tunnel syndrome, fits, vascular disease and brittle bone disease.

Ironically Port, of Kuala Gardens, Norbury, South London, suffered a genuine stroke awaiting sentence - although a judge indicated he is still exaggerating his symptoms.

Port failed to appear at Croydon Crown Court where he pleaded guilty over two years ago to dishonestly making false statements to obtain Disability Living Allowance (DLA) between February 15 1999 and July 20 2005.

Further benefit fraud charges amounting to approximately £100,000 will lie on the file because any trial would involve Port being brought before a jury in his bed and Judge Stephen Waller ruled this was not in the public interest.

Benefit fraud charges amounting to around £3,000 against the defendant's wife, Susan Port, 56, will also lie on the file.

Prosecutor Miss Wendy Hewitt told the court: "A neighbour became suspicious when the local authority painted a dedicated parking bay outside the defendant's sheltered accommodation.

"The neighbour took a series of photographs in 2006 that showed Mr. Port outside erecting a wooden structure, hanging a gate and sawing and hammering.

"In both the care and mobility sections of his claim Mr. Port was granted benefits at the very, very highest level, reserved for those who cannot walk or care for themselves."

While claiming he could not walk Port was cautioned by police in 2005 for kicking a motorist's car during a road-rage incident.

"That is further evidence that this is not a man who was disabled at all, but manipulated the system to obtain public funds," added Miss Hewitt.

Port's lawyer Mr. Nick Corsellis told the court: "This is a case right-minded people will find scandalous.

"For a man who wished to be disabled the fact is he now is after suffering a stroke and is now bed-bound and cared for by his wife and other carers."

Judge Waller, who agreed to scrap the trial on further benefit fraud charges, announced: "He would have recquired a stretcher or a bed in court. A trial may have been possible with his co-operation, but that was not forthcoming.

"The defendant was far from co-operative in seeing a prosecution medical expert and the court considered issuing a warrant for his arrest or having the trial in his absence.

"Although it is possible he exaggerates his symptoms he is now a man who is genuinely ill and spends his days in bed at home.

"He has done little to try and make himself better since suffering the stroke and if he exercised as the doctors have advised his condition would not be as bad."

Port was sentenced to ten months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to obey a nightime curfew and residency requirement for six months.

No compensation was ordered and Port continues to receive benefits.

Bent Solicitor Jailed For Audacious Mortgage Fraud

A disgraced solicitor who conspired to arrange 360 bogus marriages in a notorious immigration scam has also been convicted of falsely inflating his salary threefold and forging two mortgage application forms in a bid to borrow £323,000.

Nigerian-born Michael Adelasoye, 51, of Chapel Mews, Marianne Park, Old London Road, Hastings, will now serve additional time behind bars for lying to two different building societies and forging his manager's signature.

He was convicted at Croydon Crown Court that on or about September 13, 2007 he dishonestly falsely represented to the Principality Building Society an exaggerated salary of £78,000 and wrote his own reference from his line manager.

He was also convicted that on or about October 10, 2007 he dishonestly falsely represented to the Cheltenham and Gloucester Building Society an exaggerated salary in the same figure and wrote his own reference from his line manager.

The church pastor, who also preached at the Ark of Hope Christian Centre, Marine Court was employed by a Cooper, Carter, Claremont of Hailsham, East Sussex.

"This was an incident that was fraudulent from the outset and involved multiple frauds," Recorder Neil Saunders told Adelasoye. "You are not a person of good character and were sentenced for fraud last year at Lewes Crown Court to four years.

"What I do find aggravating is this was a planned event and you were in a position of trust as a solicitor," added the Recorder, sentencing Adelasoye to three-and-a-half years imprisonment.

"In the course of your evidence I find aggravating the the fact you sought to blame others, not only your wife with whom there is animosity, but Home and Search brokers."

Prosecutor Mr. Stephen Requena told the court Adelasoye - who was earning £25,000 a year - forged the signature of the firm's practice manager, Karen Goldsmith, to confirm he was earning a £78,000 salary in his Principality application.

"The crown say that was clearly dishonest and was something done to gain a mortgage for himself or cause loss to the building society.

"Those events did not bear fruit and less than a month later Mr. Adelasoye was at it again, making false representations that his salary was seventy-eight thousand pounds to Cheltenham and Gloucester.

"This time it worked and was approved on the basis of that salary figure he gave that had been certified by his manager."

The fraud was uncovered, the court heard, when Principality contacted Mrs Goldsmith for verbal confirmation and she revealed she had never completed a reference.

Significantly, Adelasoye had earlier tried to persuade his boss to complete a mortgage reference and include bonuses yet to be earned in a bid to inflate his salary, but this was refused.

Mr.Requena told the jury the defendant's marriage to wife Stella was breaking down and he needed to re-mortgage the matrimonial home to pay her of and allow him to remain.

"His twenty-five thousand a year salary was never going to give him a big enough mortgage to stay there. That is why he inflated his salary figure so he could pay-off his wife and continue living there."

The mortgage's monthly £1900 payments were funded by Adelasoye's lucrative immigration scam until that was uncovered.

"There was overwhelming evidence the documents must have been sent from the company you worked at," added Recorder Saunders. "You undoubtedly lied to the jury when you said there was no dishonesty in what you were doing."

The sentence will start immediately, pushing back Adelasoye's release date from April, next year until May 2013.

He was sentenced to four years imprisonment on September 6, last year at Lewes Crown Court for conspiring to facilitate the commission of breaches of immigration law in relation to 360 sham marriages between July 1, 2005 and September 1, 2009.

He introduced mainly African immigrants to Eastern European EU citizens and marriages took place at the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in St. Leonards.

Rev. Alex Brown, 62, and Vladymyr Buchak, 34, were also sentenced to four years.

Theatreland Assault Pair Punched Victim's Ticket

Police are hunting these two vicious suspects, who attacked a 43 year-old man in the early hours of the morning, in London’s busy Theatreland district.

The victim had just turned into The Strand from Villiers Street at 3:40am on July 22 when the duo pushed him to the ground and repeatedly kicked him in the head.

The victim was rushed to hospital with facial injuries and later discharged.

Officers from Westminster Community Safety Unit have released these CCTV images of two suspects they wish to quiz.

The pair are believed to have made off in the direction of Trafalgar Square after the attack.

They are described as a black woman, aged 25 to 30 years, of slim build, with shoulder length hair. She was wearing a red top and jeans.

She was with a black man, aged 25 to 30 years. He was wearing a white short-sleeved t-shirt, white trousers and black trainers.

Detective Constable Steve Beech, said: “This was a completely unprovoked attack on the victim.

“I am confident that someone will recognise the two people in these pictures.

“There were a lot of people in the area at the time and I want to ask anyone who knows who these people are, or who has any information about the incident, to come forward.

“Any detail, however small, could help us to piece together what happened.”

Anyone with information should call the Metropolitan Police Service non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

Two Robbers Jailed For Massage Parlour Raid

Two armed robbers who raided a North London sauna and massage parlour – snatching takings plus staff cash and valuables – have been locked-up.

Adrian Henry, 29, (pic.top) and Terry Heywood, 35, (pic.bottom) were both sentenced to minimum five-and-a-half year indeterminate terms for public protection.

Henry, of Hind House, Hornsey Road, Holloway and Heywood, of Burgos Close, Croydon both pleaded guilty to robbery and possessing a firearm at the premises in Kentish Town Road, Kentish town on January 12, 2009.

Blackfriars Crown Court heard it was 4:00am when the defendants, plus a third man, entered and threatened staff with a handgun and knife.

The Metropolitan Police’s Flying Squad eventually arrested Henry on November 2, 2009 and Heywood was tracked-down in September, last year after many months on the run.

Detective Constable Siân Newell of Finchley Flying Squad said: “This was a frightening experience for the staff in the premises and I am pleased that the weight of evidence presented against the defendants at court resulted in them pleading guilty.

“This case demonstrates that the Flying Squad is committed to solving these crimes and putting repeat offenders in prison.”

OAP Left To Freeze To Death By Callous Burglar

A heartless burglar, who left his terrified 83 year-old victim to die a slow painful death on the cold floor of her North London home, could be free in just seven years.

Jewish spinster Eveline Kelmenson, of Leweston Place, Stamford Hill was bound, gagged and left for dead after her grandmother’s wedding ring was ripped from her finger and gold necklace and pendant ripped from her neck.

Polish-born Kuba Dlugosz, 33, was convicted of manslaughter by an Old Bailey jury and received an indeterminate sentence – with a seven-year minimum.

The serial burglar – wanted on a European arrest warrant – also ransacked the large five-bedroom house, looking for more valuables.

The victim – known as Lina – who had lived in the house all her life struggled to free herself, but eventually died of hypothermia and lay undiscovered for five weeks.

Dlugosz was trapped by DNA he left on a chisel handle during the break-in on November 27, 2008. Lena was not discovered until New Year’s Day, 2009.

An alleged accomplice, 26 year-old fellow-Pole Szymon Wyrostek will face a manslaughter and burglary retrial.

Detective Chief Inspector Stewart Hill said: “Miss Kelmenson was a defenceless and vulnerable woman who had lived at the address in Stamford Hill her entire life.

“She must have been absolutely terrified the night Dlugosz entered her home and restrained her on the floor.

“As he left her property, carrying her valued possessions, he didn't spare one single thought for her welfare. She had no means to escape, could not raise the alarm and died a slow death on a freezing floor.

“My officers worked tirelessly on this case and conducted some of the most extensive and detailed searches I have ever seen.

“Over 4,000 items were removed from the property to be examined by our forensic specialists.

“The determination and tenacity of all those involved in the investigation has helped to secure the conviction of a ruthless and wicked individual.

“I can only hope that this result today brings some solace to Eveline's family.”

Dad Jailed For Molesting Teen Twin Girls

A Littlehampton father-of-five, who began sexually abusing his twin daughters after their sixteenth birthdays – even paying one to visit his new flat – has been jailed for six years.

“These are sad and disgraceful offences committed by a father who has probably damaged forever the trust they would expect,” announced Judge William Wood QC at Chichester Crown Court (pictured).

“It is a course of conduct over a considerable period of time and with twin girls it makes it twice as bad,” added the judge. “Both girls are seriously affected.”

The 62 year-old dad, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to nine charges of sexual assault committed at the family home in Dean Close, Wick between March 2010 and April, this year.

Prosecutor Mr. Alisdair Smith told the court: “From the time they turned sixteen and as his marriage broke down the defendant sexually assaulted both of them with his finger and one of the girl’s with a metal tube.

“He told his wife she was too old for him and he preferred younger women and wished she looked as she did when she was aged sixteen.”

The first daughter assaulted told police her father fondled her breasts after encouraging her to sit on his lap as they watched television.

He similarly assaulted her as she prepared breakfast, but the abuse escalated to fondling her between her legs and became a daily occurrence.

As the family was torn apart the defendant moved to a flat nearby and paid the teen £50-£100 to visit him, when she was also assaulted with a thin metal tube.

He even forced her to strip naked and masturbate him on ten to twenty occasions and performed oral sex on the girl.

Her sister was similarly abused, but the assaults did not go beyond groping her breasts and forcing his hand between her legs.

When eventually arrested on April 4 the Polish-born father told police his marriage was “hell” insisting he was the victim of “lies.”

The first-time offender later admitted the offences, claiming he was always drunk when he committed them and did not gain any sexual gratification.

He has been locked-up since his arrest and both twins have insisted they never want to see him again.

“I need to impose a prison sentence on you,” Judge Wood told the defendant, also placing him on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

A sex offenders prevention order was also made, prohibiting the defendant having any contact with girls aged under sixteen without consent.

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.