"Sexual Predator" Science Teacher Jailed For Raping Schoolgirl

A science teacher who took a 14 year-old schoolgirl pupil's virginity when raping her in a hotel room - before embarking on a secret three-year affair with the teen - was jailed for twelve years yesterday.

Keith Ogunsola, 47, (pictured) of Banstead, Surrey repeatedly had sex with the girl in his car and even at her home, while she was wearing her school uniform, Croydon Crown Court heard.

"The effect you have had on that young girl is devastating," Judge Jeff Blackett told the father-of-three, whose wife has stood by him throughout the case.

"You are a sexual predator of the worst kind who abused your position as a teacher to satisfy your own perverted lust. You pose a serious risk to such girls in the future."

Prosecutor Miss Hannah Llewellyn-Waters said: "She feels her teenage years were stolen from her by a man she trusted, but took her innocence."

Judge Blackett told emotionless Ogunsola: "You offered to drive her home and forcibly kissed her on the lips and a month later asked her to meet you in a hotel room for extra tuition and raped her.

"When she threatened to break away from you two years later you raped her again. You forced her onto a bed and ripped her clothes."

The defendant was found guilty of two counts of rape, receiving consecutive eight and four-year sentences, three sample counts of engaging in sexual activity with a 14 year-old girl while in a position of trust, receiving four years concurrent and one count of sexual assault, receiving six months concurrent.

Ogunsola will have to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life and and Sexual Offences Prevention Order was made prohibiting him working with children aged under sixteen or having unsupervised contact with any child.

The victim only came forward after reading press reports of the defendant's conviction and suspended sentence at Snaresbrook Crown Court for sexually assaulting a teenage schoolgirl he taught in East London.

Miss Llewellyn-Waters told the jury at the start of the trial: "She turned to him for additional guidance and this defendant betrayed her trust by exploiting her naivety and respect for him for his own sexual gratification."

Ogunsola "groomed" the girl - a former pupil at Stanley Park High School, Carshalton - where he was employed between September 1998 and December 2001.

"He created a bond of trust in his capacity as her teacher and tested the water by kissing her and when she did not complain he escalated his grooming process and took her virginity from her with an act of rape.

"She was manoeuvred into a position where she did not tell anyone, believing her word would not be believed against a teacher and the defendant told her what to do, say and wear," explained Miss Llewellyn-Waters.

"She lied to her family about where she was going and what was happening and the defendant told her if anyone found out they would not believe her and her friends and family would consider her a slag.

"When she wanted to have a boyfriend he became jealous and when she refused to have sex with the defendant he ripped her clothes off and raped her again."

In January, 2001 Ogunsola "persisted" in offering the reluctant schoolgirl a lift in his car and when eventually persuaded he drove her to Beddington Park.

"He told her she was pretty and he really fancied her," explained the prosecutor. "He leaned over, pulled her toward him, and she remembers he was trying to stick his tongue into her mouth."

It was her first-ever kiss.

Under the guise of helping her with extra GCSE studies Ogunsola lured the girl to a Purley Way hotel.

"The defendant started to kiss her, pushed her back on the bed, and climbed on top of her," Miss Llewellyn-Waters told the jury. "She was telling him to get off, but he ignored her pleas and told her to be quiet.

"He puled her trousers and underwear down, had his weight against her, and then raped her.

"She repeatedly told him to get off her and that he was hurting her, but he told her to be quiet because she was resisting him and crying."

Ogunsola then pursued and under-age affair and would collect the girl after school for sex in his car in the Purley area and they stayed at local hotels and overnight in Southend, Milton Keynes and Gatwick.

He played her a pornographic dvd on his laptop in one hotel room, put her on 'the pill' and ordered her to wear skirts without knickers because it made sex more convenient for him, the court was told.

After leaving Stanley Park Ogunsola continued 'tutoring' the girl during her A levels and allegedly raped her again during a row about her new boyfriend in an Imperial Way hotel.

"He pushed her onto the bed and as he tried to pull her skirt up he ripped it," explained Miss Llewellyn-Waters. "He puled off her underwear and had sex with her."

Evil Paedophiles Pose As Train Enthusiasts To Snare Boys

Two men, who groomed and then systematically abused four vulnerable boys they met on train enthusiasts’ Internet forums, have been convicted of a catalogue of sex offences

Andrew George Mower, 67, (pic.top) of Tryfan Close, Ilford and his lodger Darren Leslie Smith, 39, (pic.bottom) were found guilty by a Snaresbrook Crown Court jury.

Mower was convicted of 10 counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, an attempted rape and three rapes.

The counts relate to four boys aged between 13 and 16 years over a five-year period between 2006 and 2011.

He was also found guilty of 1 count of possessing indecent photographs of children.

Smith was convicted of 13 counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, 12 counts of rape and two counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child.

The counts relate to the same four boys in the same five-year period.

He was also found guilty of several representative counts of possession of indecent images.

The court heard how Mower would identify and contact potential victims by surfing the Internet and engaging in online chats with young boys.

He would specifically target young vulnerable boys on specialist rail forums before encouraging them to meet in person at train conventions or transport museums.

Once they had agreed to meet him Mower would begin to ask inappropriate questions of a sexual nature and invite them to visit his home in Ilford.

Here they were introduced to Smith whose apparent aim was to impress the boys with his knowledge of smart phones and computer technology.

The boys would be given mobile phones from Mower, which he used to maintain and control regular contact with them.

Mower and Smith would then manipulate contact the boys had with their family and friends in a bid to alienate them.

The jury heard how the men would allow the boys freedom within their home, offer them gifts and money and ply them with alcohol before persuading them to undress and perform sexual acts.

This progressed to both men sexually assaulting and raping the boys.

It was only when the boys came into contact with one another, both in person and on the computer rail forums, that they realised the scale of the abuse and felt compelled to report the offences to police.

An investigation was launched by officers from the Met’s Sapphire Command Complex Case Team and on August 2, last year both Mower and Smith were arrested at their home address.

Detective Chief Inspector Carl Mehta, who led the investigation, said at the conclusion of the case: “Sapphire aim to provide a supportive service to victims, whose care is at the heart of each investigation.

“We want all victims to know that we will conduct a thorough and robust investigation.

“We want all sex offenders to know that our dedicated teams are there to trace and pursue them until they are bought to justice.

“Mower and Smith deliberately targeted young and vulnerable boys by claiming to share their hobbies and interests.

“They gained their trust, alienated them from loved ones in a bid to exercise control over them and then sexually assaulted them.

“I pay tribute to the enormous courage of each victim who came forward and reported their abuse and supported this prosecution to bring these men to justice.

“We hope that this result will bring them and their families the sense of closure they fully deserve and we would urge any other victims to come forward and speak to us.”

Mower and Smith were remanded in custody and will be sentenced on July 6.

Violent Mugger Hunted By Cops

A young woman was repeatedly punched and kicked by a bag-snatcher in a violent broad-daylight mugging outside a busy West London bank.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the attempted robbery outside HSBC, Shepherds Bush Green (pictured) at 1.50pm on May 21.

The 22-year-old victim was subjected to a sustained attack during which she was punched and kicked.

She was taken to hospital suffering from facial injuries and subsequently discharged.



The suspect is described as black, aged late 20s to early 30s, and between 5' 4" and 5' 9" in height.



Officers are eager to speak with anyone who saw the assault, particularly two workmen who chased the suspect.



Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Mark Breeze at the Hammersmith and Fulham Priority Crime Unit on 020 8246 2655.

Two Teens Caged For Gang-Related Schoolboy Killing

Two teenage killers, who stabbed a fellow-youth in the neck because of gang rivalry while surrounded by shoppers in a busy South-East London suburb, have been locked-up.

Yemurai Kanyangarara, 16, (pic.top) suffered the fatal knife wound on July 1, last year in Upper Wickham Lane, Welling.

Osman Bangura, 16, (pic.middle) of Wilmot Close, Peckham was convicted of murder by an Old Bailey jury and was detained for a minimum of fourteen years.

His accomplice, Isaac Walters, 15, (pic.bottom) of Marchwood Close, Camberwell was convicted of manslaughter and received eight-and-a-half years.

Yemurai and a 16 year-old friend had travelled from Bexleyheath on a number 96 bus, which was following another bus, containing the two defendants.

Bangura had been slashed to the head three days earlier by the Cherry Boys gang and was on his way to Plumstead Police Station to identify his attackers.

After murdering Yemurai he continued travelling to his appointment, completed the identity procedure, and was even given a lift home by a police officer.

Yemurai and his friend got off outside a Superdrug store and Bangura and Walters got off in Welling High Street, outside Tesco’s and walked into the store.

Inside they were seen putting on gloves then approaching the victim, who was stabbed by Bangura

The defendants were traced by officers to the Brighton area and were arrested on July 5 and charged the following day.
A third boy, aged 16, was acquitted. 



Yemurai’s mother Sharon said: “Time is a good healer, yet my wounds are open and bare for all to see.

“I realise no lengthy sentence will return my precious son.



“I hope the individuals that murdered my son understand that they have to live with the consequences of their actions for the rest of their lives and they are aware that they murdered my one and only child. 



“My son was not part of a gang and he didn't have any enemies.

“Yemurai played no part in the disputes between his school and Blackheath Blue coats.



“Yemurai died before his time in brutal circumstances an innocent victim murdered because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.



“I will remember Yemurai for the joy he gave to others.

“I am very proud of my son and the young man he was becoming. I would have given my life to have just a few more moments with my son.



“I am grateful that justice has been done.

“It was the last thing I could achieve for my son and I thank those who assisted in the court process.



“Yemurai will always be in our hearts and in our thoughts forever.”

Lady-Killer Gets Life For Battering Pensioner To Death

The killer of a widow, who she battered to death with a hammer and heavy glass jug during a row over unfinished gardening work, has been jailed for life – with a twenty-four year minimum.

Pensioner Jean ‘Pat’ Jobson, 86, (pic.top) was murdered in her South-East London home by 46 year-old Karen Williamson (pic.bottom) who also tried to strangle the victim and set fire to the property afterwards.

Williamson, of Rangefield Road, Downham pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to murdering Mrs Jobson between February 18 and 19, last year at the house in nearby Oakridge Road.

The crack-cocaine addict also stole the victim’s purse and several items of jewellery, which she pawned for £61.

Mrs Jobson, who was commonly known as Pat, had lived in the Downham area for much of her life. 



She was extremely popular with her neighbours, who knew her as a friendly and caring woman, who would not hesitate to help those in need.



On the evening of February 20, last year, Pat was found murdered in her home by police officers who had been contacted by concerned family members and friends who had been unable to contact her.



Mrs Jobson had been struck about the head with a hammer and a heavy glass jug, which had caused her skull to collapse and facture.

A post-mortem examination also revealed strangulation marks and various other bruises and fractures to Mrs Jobson’s hands and body.



An attempt to set fire to the house was also made by placing a tea-towel over the fire in the lounge.



A murder investigation was immediately launched and it was established Williamson had been hired by Mrs Jobson to do some casual gardening.

Following a disagreement concerning unfinished work Mrs Jobson had paid Williamson upfront for, she was brutally murdered.



Williamson a self-confessed crack-cocaine user also stole Pat’s purse and several items of jewellery, which she later pawned for just £61.



Detective Chief Inspector Cliff Lyons of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command said: “Pat Jobson was a popular and well loved member of the community.

“Her violent death caused shock and disbelief and many wondered why a lone and vulnerable woman would be attacked in this way.

“Karen Williamson, a drug user, killed Pat for a measly £61.

“I am pleased with the sentence she has received today and hope that this is some comfort to Pat’s family who have been left devastated by her murder.”

Two Jailed For Bolivian Cocaine Concealed In Drill

Two cocaine dealers, caught with over £1m worth of the drug cunningly concealed within a drilling tool shipped from Bolivia, have been caged.

Agim Recica, 39, (pic.top) of Douglas Court, Squires Lane, Finchley and Ilir Qefalija, 36, (pic.2^nd top) were caught in a police swoop empting the cocaine into a black bin liner.

Recica received nine years imprisonment at Harrow Crown Court for importing and intending to supply 6 kilos of cocaine and Qefalija received six years for possession, with intent to supply.

The operation was conducted by officers from the Middle Market Drugs Partnership (MMDP) - a unit made up of officers and staff from the Metropolitan Police Specialist Crime Directorate, the Serious Organised Crime Agency and the Border Force.

The court heard how on August 2, last year officers from MMDP observed Recica accepting delivery of a large wooden crate at the Fortis Green Car Valeting Services, East Finchley.

He dismantled the crate and removed a large metal industrial 'packer'- a specialist tool used in the drilling industry- before loading this into his van and driving away from the car wash.

Police watched him park at the rear of his home address, with his van parked towards the end of the parking area, in a position where the side of the vehicle could not easily be observed.

At this point he had been joined by his accomplice Qefalija and the men were actively dismantling the packer and decanting a white powder from within the heavy industrial tube.

Officers quickly moved in and arrested the pair.

The packer was found in the nearside side door of the van (pic.bottom) having been stripped down to reveal an extremely sophisticated concealment.

Traces of white powder were found inside the van and on the floor of the car park and close to the front passenger’s door there was a black bin liner containing six kilos of white powder that had been removed from the packer.

Recica was found in possession of a mobile phone and the screen showed that there had been four missed calls from a Bolivian telephone number.

Investigations revealed the packer had been sent from Bolivia and had arrived at Heathrow Airport on July 29. 


Laboratory tests were conducted on the white powder and revealed the substance to be 6 kilograms of high purity cocaine with a street value of 1.2 million pounds.

Detective Inspector Steven Miles of Middle Market Drugs Partnership said “The sophistication of the concealment methods used by this organised criminal network shows a determination to evade detection and flood the streets of London with harmful class A drugs.

“The vigilance of the United Kingdom Border Agency and Middle Market Drugs Partnership thwarted this criminal enterprise and resulted in these convictions.”

Assistant Director Peter Avery, of Border Force, said: “This smuggling attempt shows the lengths criminals are prepared to go to in their attempts to transport drugs around the world.

“Working with our law enforcement partners here in the UK and around the world, we are determined to prevent this terrible trade which can have such a destructive impact on the lives of so many.”

Killer-Rapist Jailed For Demo Deception

A killer and double-rapist, who had sexual relationships with unsuspecting women protestors at the Occupy London camps, was jailed for six months on Friday for using an alias and given a lifetime ban from similar demos.

Jobless Leeds-born Stuart Durkin, 50, (pic.top) received six years in Sweden for killing his wife, 12 years for the bedsit rape of a virgin and thirteen years for the rape and attempted murder of a 30 year-old tourist in Rome, who he beat with a rock when she resisted.

He was repatriated to the UK on April 14, 2003, released on June 1, 2007 and given a council flat in Derry House, Church Street Estate, St. John's Wood, where he has remained on housing benefit.

"You are someone who has a history of violent offences, including sexual offences, and you are at the highest-risk end of offences involving sexual matters and violence," Old Bailey Recorder Nigel Peters QC told Durkin.

"You were passing yourself off as someone known as 'Troy' at the Finsbury Square camp and were using that when texting and chatting-up other people."

As a dangerous sex offender Durkin must keep police informed of his address and is subject to spot-checks by the Met's Jigsaw Team.

He was given a police escort to collect his belongings from his tent (pic.mid. and bottom) after he was charged and bailed on the condition he does not visit the camp.

He pleaded guilty that being a relevant offender under the Sexual Offences Act, failed to comply with a notification requirement, namely tell police he was using the name 'Troy' between October 12 and November 14, last year.

"Mr. Durkin was involved in the community activity with the London Stock Exchange protest camp at St. Paul's Cathedral and had a tent pitched at the Finsbury Square camp, which he used as a base," said prosecutor Mr. Marcus Rickard.

"He had been attending at these locations and there was an occasion he was arrested for assault and there was a comment made by Mr. Durkin that he had been staying at the camp for three weeks.

"That was looked into further and as a result there were further investigations and the phone records of Mr. Durkin were looked into," added the prosecutor.

"The phone that was seized indicated there was the use of two names, 'Stoo' and 'Troy'.

"Troy is a name this defendant was using to befriend females at the protest camp and there were at least twenty-four text messages over that period to females predominantly using the name Troy.

"Troy is a pseudonym he uses to target women," added Mr. Rickard. "The pre-sentence report makes much of the manipulative character of this defendant."

Detective Constable Richard Butcher said: "He has informed us in interview that he has formed sexual relationships with women he does not want the police to notify. Mr. Durkin has made sexual relationships with women at the camp."

Durkin had been sharing his tent with one particular woman in Finsbury Square, but she left for a similar demo in the west country before his arrest.

Durkin has been in custody since April 24, when he was arrested by police at his flat for not obeying on two occasions his conditions of bail, which included an electronically tagged residence and night time curfew requirement.

He refused to answer his front door to police, who eventually smashed it open. "Inside Mr. Durkin was on a sofa with his head in his hands," explained Mr. Rickard.

Durkin received two months' concurrent for breaching his bail conditions.

A similar charge that he deliberately failed to inform police he set up residence at the Finsbury Square camp was dropped.

After his arrest at St. Paul's for assaulting a tramp on November 13 Durkin texted a friend from Bishopsgate Police Station the message: 'In the hands of the beast.'

Durkin's lawyer Mr. Stephen McCabe said: "Many people at these camps use false names and street names.

"He was not aware of the name condition of the order, but ignorance of the law is no defence.

"The name is used in the context of a demo camp so is not as serious," added the lawyer. "He has brought this on himself. He knows that.

"He says he has suffered an awful lot of stress during these proceedings and has had trouble with the neighbours since his name was published in the Evening Standard in November.

"He has been suffering depression and feels hemmed-in and thought to go out and join the camp was no problem.

"There was no sinister intent. This was a casual camp, with people coming and going."

Businessman-From-Hell Gets Another Six Months For C.V. Lies

A notorious bankrupt rogue trader was jailed for an additional six months yesterday for lying on his c.v. to secure a sales job he was subsequently sacked from.

Royston Rees, 61, (pictured) of Glanmor Road, Llanelli was fired by mobility scooter firm Forever Active for "gross misconduct" and was sued for the return of a company van.

He pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to fraud on or before February 16, 2007 by dishonestly misrepresenting to the company he had been employed by Windmill Plastic Injection Mouldings (WPIM) of Sunbury-on-Thames between 1999 and 2004.

Rees, who was made bankrupt in 1986, 1992 and 1998, was brought from HMP Ford open prison where he is currently serving a thirty-month sentence for illegal trading, which he received in December, last year.

Prosecutor Mr. Edmund Burge told the court Rees landed the £15,000 a year sales job, plus bonuses, after a successful interview with the managing director on February 16, 2007.

"He deliberately lied on his c.v.," added the prosecutor, explaining Rees had only been with WPIM four months when remanded in custody on other offences.

Those nineteen charges, which included fraud, deception and illegal trading, landed the defendant with a five-year jail term at Cardiff Crown court in January 2001.

Rees was fired by forever active after six months. "He was dismissed for gross misconduct following complaints by customers concerning his dealings with second-hand mobility scooters," said Mr. Burge.

"He also retained the company van for four months and they had to take legal action to secure its return."

As well as £7,500 in wages the company lost up to £5,000 in compensation they had to pay disgruntled customers and the van's hire fees.

"This offence, to which you have had the good sense and decency to plead guilty to is so serious only an immediate custodial sentence is justified," Judge tim Stow told Rees.

"This was a totally separate offence, involving you deliberately deceiving your employers by stating that you had been employed, when in fact you had been dismissed by WPIM after four months.

"Forever Active would not have dreamt of employing you had you told them what the true position was.

"You have a bed criminal record and you worked all this out in advance, exactly what the deception would be.

"You were dismissed for gross misconduct for an allegation of theft of a mobility scooter, which you apparently took."

The six month sentence is consecutive to the thirty months Rees is already serving.

On Monday he is being allowed to travel alone from HMP Ford to an open prison in Wales to complete the sentence nearer home.

Rees also has nine-and-a-half years of a ten-year company director disqualification to run.

"Gold Dust" Cocaine Courier Caged

A cocaine smuggler, who had £423,000 worth of the drug stashed in a side panels of his cases as he stepped off a plane at London City Airport, was jailed for four-and-a-half years today.

Malcolm Sayers, 49, (pictured) of Bute Street, Cardiff initially claimed he thought he was smuggling gold dust, but this was dismissed as "hogwash" by a judge.

He pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to importing almost 3.5 kilos of cocaine on January 30.

Prosecutor Mr. Julius Capon told the court Sayers was stopped after flying in from Paris, which was the final leg of a journey, which began in Dakar, Senegal.

"The drug were found in the side panel of his suitcase and briefcase," explained Mr. Capon. "The defendant claims he believed he was smuggling gold dust and the prosecution say that proposition is ridiculous."

Judge Jeremy Gold QC agreed, announcing: "It sounds like hogwash."

Sayers' lawyer told the court his client has a girlfriend in Dakar, but did not have enough money to fly home.

"He did not have the funds to return to the U.K. to his eighty-three year-old mother who lives alone. Initially he was told it was gold dust and did not ask any questions.

"He does accept there was something suspicious about these cases."

Ex-heroin addict Sayers was also suffering withdrawal symptoms after running out of his methadone prescription in Dakar and was anxious to return home for more medication.

"He has a history of drug abuse in his earlier years," added the lawyer, revealing Sayers has been on heroin-substitute methadone for ten to fifteen years."

The defendant was also ordered to pay £300 prosecution costs and £240 cash seized from him at City Airport was forfeited.

Cocaine Bulk Brothers Jailed For Supplying Chemicals

Two brothers, who supplied over one tonne of cocaine cutting agents to large-scale dealers who sold up to £90m worth of the drug, have been jailed.

Saleh Ahmed, 29, (pic.top) and Siddique Ahmed, 23, (pic.bottom) both of Herbert House, Old Castle Street, Whitechapel supplied the chemicals via a company they created.

Saleh received five years-and-seven months and Siddique three years at Snaresbrook Crown Court for committing an act capable of assisting the commission of an indictable offence, namely drug supply.

Whilst cash seized from the Ahmeds was found to be heavily contaminated with cocaine, no actual controlled drugs were seized. 



The jury heard that the brothers formed a company, Simply Benzo Limited, that sold benzocaine (an anaesthetic), phenacetin (a painkiller) and procaine (an anaesthetic), as well as other chemicals via the Internet.

Saleh also sold cutting agents from his car. 



Following information provided by the Serious Organised Crime Agency Project Kitley, the Met
investigation, named Operation Amo, took action on March 29, last year.

On that date officers from the London Regional Asset Recovery Team (LRART), part of the Specialist and Economic Crime Command, supported by units from the Territorial Support Group, executed a series of search warrants.

At the Ahmeds’ home 38kg of cutting agent were found plus a further 213kg of cutting agent at a rented storage facility.

A 1kg-measuring jug and a large quantity of self-seal bags were also recovered.

The chemicals, in powder form, were imported by the Ahmeds from China.

Saleh had earlier admitted that he had possibly sold cutting agent to drug dealers, but insisted that he supplied the bulk of it for legitimate medical uses in the UK and overseas. 



Extensive enquiries with the pharmaceutical and medical supply industries showed that there was no legitimate commercial use for the chemicals in the form the Ahmeds sold them in.



Analysis of sales made, often using PayPal to receive payment from Internet sales, showed that the cutting agents were supplied to customers across the UK and as far away as the United States.

At least 900kg of cutting agent, in addition to that seized, had been sold by the Ahmeds before their arrests.



A confiscation investigation is now underway to recover the profits made by the Ahmeds.



The officer in the case, DC Steve Everson, of the Economic and Specialist Crime Command, said: “This conviction and sentence serves as a stark warning to those thinking of starting a trade in these types of products outside the pharmaceutical industry.

“In their raw form, they are destined for one purpose only, the illegal drugs trade.

“The London RART and its partner agencies will actively pursue those involved in this trade.”



DI Jeremy Tizard, Head of the London RART, said: “The overwhelming evidence showed that the brothers knew they were supplying cutting and bulking agents to be used in the supply of cocaine.

“Whilst the chemicals imported, in a prepared form, have some legitimate medical uses, pharmaceutical manufacturers were never going to buy 1kg bags of raw powder from an unlicensed dealer operating from a storage facility. 



“The sheer scale of the activity is staggering. They imported more than one tonne of cutting agents over a two year period which, mixed at a conservative ratio, assisted in the production of 1800kg of street level cocaine valued at least £90 million.

“Whilst neither brother was ever involved in the physical sale of cocaine, their ability to source and import cutting agents in these quantities contributed hugely to the drug trade in London and beyond.”



Top Lawyer Jailed For £1.2M Travel Expenses Scam

A top City lawyer, who masterminded a £1.2m travel expenses scam after spending a fortune on his Lebanese lover, has been jailed for three years.

Christopher Grierson, 60, (pictured) of Rodean Crescent, Putney pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court to a £1,274,414 travel expenses fraud in relation to 57 bogus claims for international travel.

He admitted furnishing false information to Hogan Lovells Solicitors of 50 Holborn Viaduct between January 1 and December 31, 2008 in relation to 11 travel claims totalling £167,211.

He pleaded guilty to three similar counts regarding 25 claims relating to £526,887 between January 1 and December 31, 2009; 19 claims relating to £516,705 between January 1 and December 31, 2010 and 2 claims relating to £63,611 between January 1 and May 12, last year.

Grierson was litigation partner instructed in collapse of Bank of Credit and Commerce International and runner-up in 2010's Lawyer of the Year competition.

Also acted for Sultan of Brunei's brother and advised the Financial Services Authority on the administration of Lehman Brothers.

He was sacked from his £830,000 a year position in May, last year and reported to the Solicitors Regulatory Authority.

Grierson repaid the money to the firm before his arrest in June.

The father-of-four gave his lover £280,000 cash and paid her rent at a New York apartment for eighteen months, totalling over £300,000.

Grierson's monthly outgoings totalled £40,000 and he began the bogus travel fraud to cover his losses.