Wednesday 6 February 2013

Dinner Money Gobbled By School Employee


A junior school administrator, who swiped over £4,000 in children’s' dinner money during a nine-month fraud to pay debts and fund her cannabis use, escaped prison with a suspended sentence yesterday.

Single-mum Samantha Winn, 41, was a trusted employee of six years at Torridon Junior School, Lewisham (pictured) until she was caught, sacked and then returned to her native Bristol.

Winn, of Rookery Way, pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position between May 6, 2011 and February 10, last year while employed as an administrative assistant.

Prosecutor Miss Jackie Walker told Bromley Magistrates' Court: “A referral was made to the council by the head of the school, who was told of discrepancies by the school's business manager in regard to dinner money going back a year.

“The thefts were carried out by making incorrect entries on the balance sheet to show less money was being collected.

“The shortfall was not immediately picked up because the summary sheet, completed by Mrs Winn, matched the amounts in cash that were passed on.”

Records showed Winn stole money when she was not under the direct supervision of her manager and a total of £4,478 was taken.

She was arrested on March 13, last year.

“She admitted taking the money and manipulating the summary sheet to cover the shortfall,” explained Miss Walker.

Her lawyer Mr. Derek Connor told the court: “Financial hardship was the motivation and she was eventually evicted from her home because she owed rent.”

The court also heard depressed Winn, who has a sixteen year-old son, was spending £20-
£30 per week on cannabis.

“The money literally went up in smoke with the amount off cannabis you were smoking,” District Judge roger Ede told the first-time offender.

“You were a trusted employee and were trusted to collect and account for the dinner money.

“No one would have guessed you were keeping it for yourself, because you had been there for so long.

“You obtained quite a significant sum of money and you breached the trust of your employer.”

Winn was sentenced to twelve weeks imprisonment, suspended for twelve months, ordered to complete 100 hours community service and attend a compulsory fifteen-day women’s programme.

Jobless Winn was also ordered to pay £1,000 compensation to the London Borough of Lewisham at the rate of £5 per week.

Tuesday 5 February 2013

Show Me The Money: Drug Dealer's Asset's Stripped


A drug dealer, caught in an East End nightclub, has had his car confiscated along wth £19,485 cash and £14,509 seized from his bank account while continuing to serve a sentence of four years and eight months imprisonment.
Antony Hariades, 39, (pictured) of Bramshaw Road, Homerton was arrested at the Catch 22 nightclub in Bethnal Green on March 26, last year with cocaine, cannabis and a quantity of pills.
Police searched his home and founder larger, more varied, amounts of drugs including cocaine, cannabis, ketamine, MDMA, amphetamine and diazepam.
His assets were seized by Hackney Borough's Bantam and Payback Unit under the Proceeds of Crime Act and included all available money and his £4,225 Audi A3.
Detective Constable Nerys Lloyd George of the unit said: "This investigation has removed a substantial amount of drugs destined for the streets of London and the profits made from drug dealing.

"The case highlights the work that payback units do, working alongside operational teams, ensuring criminals to do not benefit from their activities.
Whatever your lifestyle, the police will pursue you through the courts and take money earned through criminal activity away." 

Monday 4 February 2013

St. Ormond Street Hospital 'Cancer' Swindler Jailed


A "despicable" conwoman, who posed as a cancer-stricken St. Ormond Street Hospital nurse and duped at least 54 victims into sponsoring her non-existent  charity walk, was jailed for six months today.

Mother-of-three Rosemary Cotter, 40, also claimed she was raising funds for St. Thomas's Hospital during the two-month door-to-door scam.

"One can hardly think of a more emotive line than: 'I'm collecting for children with cancer at St. Ormond Street.' It's despicable," said Woolwich Crown Court Judge Michael Topolski QC.

"What you did fifty-four times is particularly reprehensible," he told Cotter. "You knocked on the doors of members of the public and pretended to be collecting money for charity."

Street cleaner Cotter, of Woolwich pleaded guilty to defrauding a 72 year-old Bexleyheath pensioner of £10 by falsely representing she was a charity collector and asked for fifty-three similar offences between November 1, 2012 and January 4, this year to be taken into consideration.

'The charity you chose was Great Ormond Street Hospital. You lied to her about that, you lied to her that you were a nurse and that you were a charity collector for cancer research.

"You chose quite deliberately and cynically a well-known and well-loved institution," added the judge.

Prosecutor Mr. Gregor McKinley told the court (pictured) Cotter tricked her way into the 72 year-old victim's home. "Mrs Cotter said she herself was suffering with cancer and sat on the sofa and asked if she could smoke a cigarette."

She convinced the pensioner she was participating in a charity walk from Woolwich to Great Ormond Street, using a Woman's Own magazine cancer article to back up her story, and received £10 sponsorship.

The victim discovered £400 cash was missing from an ornament after the defendant had left, but a burglary charge was not pursued against Cotter.

The defendant was arrested in Sidcup and police found completed sponsorship forms for the 53 other victims during a search of her home.

"Maybe she was going to do it again with the same people who had given generously once already and ask them to double the money," commented Judge Topolski.

"It makes the charity giver more suspicious the next time someone genuinely asks them for money for charity, but of course you did not care about that. You just wanted to make some money."

None of the other 53 victims realised they had been conned at the time and Cotter's gain is estimated at approximately £550.

She was also ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge.

Sunday 3 February 2013

Burglar Caught Minutes After Late-Night Break-In


A burglar, caught by police who spotted him walking along the street with a laptop and a connected lead trailing behind him, has been jailed for four years.
Jobless Colin James Reid, 34, (pictured) of Weir Hall Avenue, Upper Edmonton also had a break-in kit of gloves, screwdriver and torch.
He was convicted of burgling a ground floor flat in Boundary Road, Wood Green and going equipped for theft on August 24, last year.
Wood Green Crown Court heard Reid was seen at 1.00am by officers from Haringey's Proactive Crime Team as he walked along Westbury Avenue.
He fled, but was caught in nearby Grainger Road and was linked to a burglary minutes earlier in which he jumped through an open window, waking the occupants as he landed on the floor.
He snatched the laptop and escaped via the front door.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Wendy Mason, of Haringey CID Aquisitive Crime Unit, said: "The officers that spotted Reid carrying the laptop and stopped and searched him before the burglary was even reported did a fantastic job.
“Without their instinct and professionalism this successful prosecution wouldn't have been possible."



Saturday 2 February 2013

Dying Man Dragged Down Stairs Into Street


A man who fatally injured his drinking-buddy of ten years with a flurry of punches after being spat in the face – then dragged his friend down flights of stairs and along the street – has been jailed for three years.
A crowd gathered in the East London street where the body of Zahir Bouchia, 43, (pic.top) had been dragged eighty metres by his long-time friend.
Nadeem Yasin, 43, (pic.bottom) of Shaw House, Claremont Street, North Woolwich pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to the manslaughter of Mr. Bouchia on May 21, last year.
Police were called to Woodman Parade, Woodman Street at 8.20pm, where the victim was lying and he was rushed to the Royal London Hospital in critical condition.
He died two weeks later on June 7 of head and chest injuries.
The Algerians had fallen out after Yasin moved in as a lodger with Mr. Bouchia's girlfriend.
During an argument Mr. Bouchia spat in Yasin's face and the defendant responded by punching him to the head three times.
The victim fell unconscious to the floor and Yasin dragged him down seven short flights of stairs and onto the street where he called for an ambulance.
He told the crowd who gathered that he had assaulted the victim.

Friday 1 February 2013

Where They Belong: Burglars Behind Bars


Two burglars, arrested after they were spotted breaking into a North London basement flat, have been caged.
Two crowbars and a screwdriver, used for forcing entry into residential addresses, were seized by police and their nearby getaway car was full of stolen loot.
Jobless John Pitkin, 48, (pic.top) of Fairbourne Road, Tottenham received thirty months imprisonment and jobless Richard Campbell, 48, (pic.bottom) of Green Lanes, Hornsey received thirty-six months.
Pitkin pleaded guilty at Wood Green Crown Court to burgling and attempting to burgle two flats in Oakfield Road, Finsbury Park on August 16, last year and going equipped for burglary.
Campbell pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial to burgling the same flat Pitkin admitted breaking into.
Police were called at 2.00pm by a member of the public reporting two men trying to break in through the window of a basement flat.
Officers from Haringey's Priority Crime Team arrived at the scene within minutes and searched the area for the suspects.
Nearby, in the driveway of an address in Albany Road, officers spotted two men, Pitkin and Campbell, matching the descriptions provided and stopped and searched them. 


Pitkin was found in possession of two crowbars, a screwdriver and a car key.
The car was found parked nearby and searched where police found property including electrical goods (mobile phone, photographic equipment, laptop), tobacco, clothing and toiletries.
This was identified as having been stolen in a burglary at a flat just moments before.


Campbell was found in possession of foreign currency and two mobile smart phones, also identified as having been stolen in the burglary at the flat.
Forensic officers found footwear marks at the scene of the burglary matching the trainers worn by both men.
Tool marks at the point of entry resembled that of a crowbar and a flat headed screwdriver, as found on Pitkin, and glove marks were found around the edge of the victim's television where somebody had attempted to move it.
Both suspects were in possession of woolly gloves at the time of arrest.


Detective Chief Superintendent Sandra Looby, Borough commander for Haringey, said: "Two burglars have been taken off our streets as the result of a 999 call from an alert member of the public and the subsequent police response. 


"Police officers responding to the call stopped the right men and obtained good early evidence.
“This, together with the findings of our forensic officers, and the work of our detectives to prepare a solid case against them, led both men to realise they had no option but to plead guilty. 


"Ultimately we are grateful to the member of the public who made that call to police and enabled us to provide a response that resulted in these convictions and contributed to making their neighbourhood safer."


Investigating officer, Detective Constable Warren Ingrey, said: "These convictions show the continued pressure police in Haringey are putting on those who commit burglary and should reassure residents of our total commitment to bringing offenders to justice."

Thursday 31 January 2013

Woman Caged For Mugging Pensioner


A heartless bag-snatcher, who dragged an 83 year-old pensioner to the ground in East London, has been jailed for four years.
Samantha Murray, 34, (pictured) of Genas Close, Ilford attacked the victim from behind, leaving her sprawled on the ground with back and hand injuries.
She was convicted of robbing the woman in Longwood Gardens, Barkingside on June 8, last year.
The victim vainly tried to hang onto her bag, but it was violently wrenched away by Murray.
A passer-by found her on the ground and flagged down a passing police car.
Officers drove the victim around the local area and she identified Murray at a bus stop in Cranbrook Road – still in possession of the woman's property.
Sergeant Matt Taylor from Redbridge Borough, said: “This was a violent robbery on an elderly lady going about her business.
“She has found the whole incident distressing and it has had a profound effect on her and the way she lives. It has saddened all involved in this case.
“Whilst I do not want this type of crime to happen, I want the public to know we will robustly investigate any robbery and see that those responsible are bought to justice.”

Wednesday 30 January 2013

Pharmacist Found Not Guilty


A pharmacist was cleared today of deliberately duping a sick, vulnerable pensioner into believing the government had dramatically increased the price of her medicines.

After a three-day trial Jaspal Singh Cheema, 45, was found not guilty of defrauding the local woman out of £5,000 over a four-and-half year period.

Cheema was accused of cashing a total of sixty-seven cheques for extra migraine and irritable bowel syndrome medication and then trying to talk the victim out of pursuing the prosecution against him.

Cheema, of Cheyham Way, Sutton, boss of Imperial Pharmacy in nearby Epsom Road supplied the 65 year-old pensioner with extra doses of medicine when her prescription supply ran out.

He was cleared of defrauding Florence Harrison between January 15, 2007 and July 11, 2011 by dishonestly making false representations.


Tuesday 29 January 2013

Fourteen Year-Old Fractured Wrist When Headbutted


A New Addington teenager headbutted a local rival four years his junior outside his family home – resulting in the youngster fracturing his wrist as he tried to break his fall.

Clude Gomes, 18, of Underwood (pictured) stormed out of his home after learning the 14 year-old was talking about a dispute involving their respective families.

The first-time offender pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on the boy on September 14, last year and received a nine-month community order, which includes 36 hours at an attendance centre and a three month night time curfew.

Prosecutor Miss Shahnaz Ahmed told Croydon Crown Court the victim was chatting in the street with another 14 year-old about the dispute, but was overheard by the defendant's seven year-old sister who went inside and repeated what she had heard.

“The defendant left his house, came outside and head butted the victim once, connecting with the victim's nose and forehead and causing him to fall to the ground.

“He tried to break his fall with his right arm and injured his wrist, which became swollen and bent.”

The police and an ambulance was called and the victim was treated for a fracture.

“You ought to be thoroughly ashamed of headbutting that fourteen year-old,” Judge Peter Gow QC told Gomes.

“Matters could have been worse. People have killed other people by landing a single blow by either a punch or a head butt.”

Gomes was also ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge.

Monday 28 January 2013

Pharmacist Accused Of Scamming Sick Pensioner


A pharmacist deliberately duped a sick vulnerable pensioner into believing the government had dramatically increased the price of her medicines in a £5,500 four-and-a-half year scam, a court heard today.

Jaspal Singh Cheema, 45, (pictured) cashed a total of sixty-seven cheques for extra migraine and irritable bowel syndrome medication and then tried to talk the victim out of pursuing the prosecution against him, the Croydon Crown Court jury were told.

Cheema, of Cheyham Way, Sutton, boss of Imperial Pharmacy in nearby Epsom Road, cashed-in when the 65 year-old pensioner ordered extra doses of medicine when her prescription supply ran out.

"He has run the pharmacy with his parents for over twenty years and has known Florence Harrison since he took over and a relationship has grown. They get on very well," prosecutor Miss Shekinah Anson told the court.

"She had been buying this medication for many years, but in 2007 Mr. Cheema told her the prices had gone up and he has been overcharging her ever since. He told her the government had increased the prices and they were being passed on to her."

The inflated charges ranged from £16 to £350 for MigreLief  and Diocalm and were discovered by Mrs Harrison's unofficial carer.

"She noticed a number of large cheques had been paid out of the account and telephoned Mr. Cheema and accused him of stealing from a vulnerable woman and told him he would have to pay the money back."

Cheema initially protested that he had simply provided the medicine Mrs Harrison asked for, but on July 7, 2011 a £3,000 cheque was posted through her letterbox.

Despite this police were called, prompting action by the defendant. "He phoned Mrs Harrison and asked her to persuade her carer not to take the matter to court," added Miss Anson.

Cheema has pleaded not guilty to fraud in that between January 15, 2007 and July 11, 2011 he dishonestly made a false representation to Mrs Harrison with intent to make a £5,509 gain.

Trial continues……

Sunday 27 January 2013

Carer Illegally Pocketed £21K In Payments


A single mum-of-three illegally obtained £21,000 in carer's allowance payments by keeping her part-time job quiet.

School cleaner Gaynor Richardson, 46, (pictured) of Bracken Avenue, Croydon pocketed the extra payments for nearly seven years.

She pleaded guilty to failing to notify the Department of Works and Pensions (DWP) of a change in her financial circumstances between June 2, 2003 and January 10, 2010, plus two charges of making a false statement to the (DWP) on or about May 2006 and April 2008.

The claim began in 2000 and Richardson started work three years later. The first-time offender may now face civil proceedings if the DWP pursue compensation.

“You made false statements or representations that your carer's allowance be continued over a long period,” Recorder Freya Newbery told Richardson at Croydon Crown Court.

“You have been overpaid by twenty-one thousand pounds. That is a substantial amount of money.

“You did not act out of dishonesty, but you casually failed to give the right information to the DWP in order to be paid the right amount of benefit.

“Your home circumstances are that you are a single mother with three children, two of them are under eighteen years-old and your eldest has returned to live with you, with your grandchild.”

Richardson was placed on a twelve month community order, which includes 40 hours community service work and was ordered to pay £150 costs.

No compensation order was made by Recorder Newbery who announced: “There is no reasonable prospect of you paying back to the DWP what you owe them in a reasonable time frame.” 

Saturday 26 January 2013

Footballer Punched Nightclub Girl After Double Grope Accusation


A footballer, who slapped an punched a young nightclub woman, who accused him of pulling down her bra and groping one of her breasts was fined £200 yesterday.

Ex-Crystal Palace FC pro Nathaniel Pinney, 22, of Leybourne Court, Manor Road, South Norwood was alleged to have pulled down the 23 year-old woman's top twice earlier in the evening at Sutton's Wonderland nightclub, Croydon Crown Court heard.

Pinney, a product of Palace's celebrated youth system, was released by the club last summer and now plays in Ryman's Premier Division for Carshalton Athletic.

He was cleared by the jury of sexually assaulting the woman and her friend, who he was accused of slapping on the bottom, but had already pleaded guilty to common assault after being caught on the club's CCTV on August 7, last year.

"You slapped her once and you punched her once and on the basis of the jury's verdict you had been accused of something you had not done," Judge Peter Gow QC told Pinney.

"There was an element of provocation in what you did and I take into account the remorse you showed during your evidence.

"You described it as a stupid over reaction. Mr. Pinney ensure that if you find yourself in a similar situation again you control yourself."

The woman, who says Pinney pulled her top down three times, told the jury the first incident occurred as she chatted with a friend in the club.

Pinney told the court he was the victim of mistaken identity and did not sexually assault either woman, but admitted lying to police about slapping and punching the first complainant.

He told the jury he downed seven glasses of wine during the evening, explaining: "I was tipsy. I was not drunk off my face.

"I was chilling with my friends and this girl came over accusing me and calling me every name under the sun, saying I've done this and that.

"She accused me of taking out her breast and palming it with my hand. I told her: 'Listen, you've got the wrong person. I haven't touched you.'

"I was upset and angry at someone coming out of the blue and accusing me of things," Pinney told the court. "I wanted to have a good night, but it was ruined 'cos of these allegations.

"That's when I lost my head and took it a bit too far and slapped her face.

"She hit me on the chest and I reacted stupidly and hit her again, once."

When quizzed by police Pinney told them: "I don't record hitting no girl 'cos I'm not like that."

He eventually admitted the crime after viewing the damning CCTV evidence.

Friday 25 January 2013

Country Lane Cocaine Dealers' Convoy


Three big-spending cocaine dealers were caught after a dramatic police swoop in Romford, which netted £178,000 worth of the drug, a jury have been told.

The gang, whose members enjoyed cash and luxuries beyond their legitimate means, had been under surveillance for much of the day, Croydon Crown Court heard.

Mark Boorman, 24, of Laurel Crescent, Romford and Toby Kallar, 26, of Airthrie Road, Ilford have pleaded not guilty to conspiring to supply cocaine on or before July 19, last year.

Daniel Skurr, 24, of Hornchurch Road, Hornchurch has pleaded guilty to the charge and driving a VW van dangerously and while disqualified in Rush Green Road, Romford.

He will be sentenced at the conclusion of the trial.

Prosecutor Miss Susana Stevens said police observations began in Little Gerpins Lane, Upminster, (pictured) where Kallar was sitting in his parked Vauxhall Astra.

"It is a remote location. There is nothing there other than some bins, it is a quiet country lane."

The vehicle was followed to Suttons Avenue, Hornchurch, where Skurr got out and chatted to another man.

All three defendants returned to the Little Gerpins Lane location, Skurr now driving a van and Boorman his Mercedes.

They set off "in convoy" and were stopped by police several miles away.

"Skurr accelerated hard and mounted the pavement and there is a police chase," explained Miss Stevens. "Skurr abandoned the van and was stopped and arrested on foot."

In the van police found one kilo of cocaine of 89% purity.

"The police officers drew their batons and approached Kallar as if they were going to smash his windscreen and ordered him to get out of his car.

"Boorman also mounted the pavement and tried to follow Skurr, but the police were too quick.

"They hammered on the front passenger-side window and he stopped the car and was arrested," added Miss Stevens.

Officers then searched the defendants homes and recovered "cash and luxuries."

"The investigation reveals a lifestyle that will help you determine whether they were truly innocent."

Trial continues………….

Thursday 24 January 2013

Pensioner Dodges Jail For Sick Porn Stash


A pensioner, caught by police with a collection of child porn, plus images of people having sex with animals, dodged jail with a suspended yesterday.

Derek Eastoe, 66, of Hurlstone Road, Selhurst had collected over 700 sick images, some depicting children as young as six being sexually abused.


He was sentenced at Croydon Crown Court (pictured) to eight months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to pay £428 costs.


The court heard Eastoe was not part of any active paedophile ring and did not distribute the material he found on the internet.


Eastoe pleaded guilty to multiple counts of making indecent images of children and one count of possessing an indecent image of a child on or before July 11, last year.


He also admitted possessing images of extreme pornography, namely people engaged in sexual activity with animals. 

Wednesday 23 January 2013

Pervert Hairdresser's Shampoo & Sex


The middle-aged boss of a popular Northwood Hills beauty salon is facing prison after he was convicted yesterday of groping a "shocked" 17 year-old trainee's breasts while conditioning her hair.

Hairdresser Shimon Alcobi, 44, the owner of SHD Beauty, The Broadway, Joel Street began massaging the girl's head before running his hands down under her top and bra.

He denied, but was convicted by an Isleworth Crown Court (pictured) jury of sexually assaulting the victim on a day between May 30 and June 30, 2011 and will be sentenced on February 25.

Alcobi, of Holders Hill Avenue, Hendon later sacked the teenager after falsely accusing her of forming a relationship with a male member of staff and she reported him to the police.

Prosecutor Miss Pamela Reiss told the jury: "He offered to do her hair and conditioned it while giving her a head massage.

"Then he started rubbing the top of her neck and the front of her chest and put both his hands under her top and under her bra and touched her breasts.

"She was shocked, but continued to work there until August when she was fired for purportedly being in a relationship with another member of staff.

"This was not true, but they ended up forming a relationship later."

When police investigated the complaint two other young girls, an 19 year-old former member of staff and her friend, also gave statements against Alcobi alleging sexual assault.

He was also charged in relation to them, but was acquitted by the jury.

The former employee said Alcobi quizzed her about her sex life while shampooing and conditioning her hair and touched her chest, just above her breasts.

The defendant was conditioning her friend's hair on another occasion when the young woman insists he touched her chest and encouraged the girls to kiss each other.

Tuesday 22 January 2013

Footballer Groped Nightclub Girls, Jury Told


A footballer pulled down a nightclub girls's top and groped her breasts - punching her in the face when she objected - and slapped her friend's bum, a jury were told today.

Ex-Crystal Palace FC pro Nathaniel Pinney, 22, of Leybourne Court, Manor Road, South Norwood had pulled down the 23 year-old woman's top twice earlier in the evening at Sutton's Wonderland nightclub, Croydon Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Miss Shahnaz Ahmed said: "The first complainant was sexually assaulted and hit in the face by this defendant and he also sexually assaulted the second complainant.

"He did not know either of these girls. He denies sexually assaulting them, but accepts during the course of the evening he hit the first complainant around the face."

It was a crowded free-entry night at the Cheam Road club, where the girls were drinking and enjoying themselves.

"He went up to her and pulled down her top and exposed her and she told him to leave her alone," explained Miss Shahnaz. 

"He did it again. He pulled her top down and exposed her bra and then did it a third time and pulled her bra down and placed his hands on her breasts.

"He continued by slapping her friend on the bottom.

"A fight broke out and he hit the first complainant in the face."

Pinney, a product of Palace's celebrated youth system, was released by the club last summer and now plays in Ryman's Premier Division for Carshalton Athletic.

He was followed down the street to a kebab take-away by a bouncer and identified to police.

He was arrested and questioned at Sutton Police Station.

"He denied sexually assaulting these girls," said Miss Ahmed.

The woman, who says Pinney pulled her top down three times, told the jury the first incident occurred as she chatted with a friend in the club.

"I felt a hand grab my top and pull it down the full length of my cleavage," she explained. "It was a passer-by as they were walking past.

'I did say: 'F*** off,' but I don't know if the person heard it."

She complained to the club's bouncers, who promised to "sort it," but shortly afterward the same thing happened again.

"I saw the same guy and he grabbed me in the same manner as the first time.

"It scared me a bit because I was not prepared for it. He just laughed.

"He grabbed me a little bit harder and got the whole breast out and grabbed it and held it. It hurt."

The tearful witness added: "He grabbed from the side and moved the bra down. It was my right breast.

"I pushed his hand away and went back to my friends.

"We went to talk to him and his friends were around and he hit me with an open hand and then I was hit in the head two or three times.

"It really hurt. He hit me for no reason."

Pinney has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting the young women, but has admitted a charge of common assault against the first complainant and will be sentenced at the conclusion of the trial.

Trial continues…………

Monday 21 January 2013

Screen Villain Faces Red Light Ban


Actor Steven Berkoff will have to appear in court next month if he wants to avoid a driving ban for jumping a red light in the City of London.

The Hollywood and theatre legend's case was adjourned today after the additional penalty points made him liable for disqualification under totting procedures.

Stepney-born Octopussy and Rambo star Berkoff, 75, of Narrow Street, Limehouse was caught jumping the light while driving his VW Beetle in Upper Thames Street at the junction of Queen Street Place on October 25, last year.

The charge was supported by photographic evidence that shows the light was red for 1.5 seconds when Berkoff drove through.

He is due to return to City of London Magistrates' Court on February 18.

Sunday 20 January 2013

Late-Night Muggers On CCTV: Can You ID Them?


Police are hunting these two late-night street muggers, who robbed two women of their mobile phones in East London.
The suspects were caught on CCTV stalking the victims, whose identities have been deliberately obscured.
Officers from Hackney's Robbery Squad have released the image in the hope both men can be identified.
The two women got off a route 243 bus on Kingsland Road, near the junction with Tottenham Road at 11.35pm on November 25, last year.
As they walked towards Bentley Road they were attacked and robbed.
Suspect one is described as a white male, approximately thirty years-old, of medium build, approximately six-feet tall, with short hair and wearing a light-coloured coat and dark woolly hat.
Suspect two is described as a black man, approximately thirty years-old, of slim build, five feet eight inches tall, with dreadlocks.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detctive Constable Alex McCullough on 020 7275 3232, quoting reference number 4631252/11.
Or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.