93 Year-Old Paedophile Gets Twelve Years For Decades-Old Crimes

A nonagenarian pensioner has been caged for sex offences against a young girl committed over fifty years ago.

Thomas Charles Windle, 93, of Midfield Way, Orpington must have thought he would never be punished for his sordid crimes, which remained a secret into a sixth decade until his brave victim finally came forward.

He continued to lie about his past and fought the case to the end, forcing the complainant to give evidence at Croydon Crown Court (pictured), where a jury convicted him.

Windle pleaded not guilty, but was convicted of raping a girl aged under sixteen years-old between 1960 and 1971 at an address in Orpington and was sentenced to twelve years imprisonment.

He was also found guilty of indecently assaulting the same girl at the same address between the same dates and was sentenced to four years imprisonment, to run concurrently.

Sacked BBC Techie's Revenge

A bitter BBC technical operations engineer used the corporation's account to order nearly £8,000 worth of electronics, which he placed in various offices to "implicate" the manager who sacked him, a court heard today.

Former BBC News team leader Dominic Di Chiera, 50, (pictured) of Battersea Bridge Road, Battersea admitted ordering a 3D Blu-ray player, LED televisions, a mobile phone, a camera drive and other electrical items as his contract neared it's end.

"When ordering these items the defendant had the electrical goods delivered to his home address," prosecutor Miss Amanda McCabe told Hammersmith Magistrates' Court.

"He said he committed the offences on being told that his contract would not be renewed and wanted to implicate a BBC colleague responsible for budgeting, who was responsible for not renewing his contract.

"He intended that the purchases would implicate him and he took items to the BBC to deposit them, but some were found at his home address."

Di Chiera was upset with technology operations manager Huw Davies, who said when contacted: "He was copped out. The police discovered that orders were going to a residential address."

Australian-born Di Chiera pleaded guilty to seven counts of fraud by false representation, namely fraudulently using a BBC account to make purchase orders totalling £7,773.63p between June 4 and 26.

He was employed at a variety of BBC sites and has also worked for Channel 4 and BSkyB.

"There is an element of breach of trust here and the items were of a high value," added Miss McCabe.

The court heard Di Chiera was close to a nervous breakdown after hearing his employment was coming to an end and is keen to receive help to ensure he does not repeat this type of behaviour.

He is currently working with police to locate the electrical equipment he says he left at BBC offices.

Di Chiera was bailed until September 24 for a pre-sentence report.

Drink-Driver Jailed For High-Speed Crash That Cost Passenger His Leg

A drink-driver from Northern Ireland, who crashed into a tree while speeding - causing devastating injuries to his passenger, who had to have a leg amputated - has been jailed for sixteen months.

Digger operator Barry Scollan, 30, tried to convince police he was not behind the wheel of his Subaru Impreza when it collided with a tree while travelling at between 42-53 mph, injuring his sister's boyfriend Jason McGarvey, 26.

Croydon Crown Court heard Scollan, of Portland Road, South Norwood had convictions for speeding in Enniskillen in 2004 and 2007 and moved to London four years ago.

He pleaded guilty to driving dangerously and with excess alcohol in his breath in Woodbastwick Road, Sydenham on November 11, last year.

Witnesses heard the Subaru's engine roaring as it sped along the residential road at 5pm, moments before colliding into the tree.

Scollan told people, who rushed to the scene, that his passenger was a "dickhead" and later told police he had given his car keys to a stranger in a pub earlier that night and just happened to stumble upon the crash while walking.

A blood sample taken four to five hours after the crash showed Scollan was still over the drink-drive limit and he told officers he had no more than three pints of beer that day.

He eventually admitted he was the driver, claiming he lost concentration at the wheel while changing a CD.

Mr. McGarvey said in a statement: "It's as if my whole body has shut down. I'm in bits. I have to live every day with what happened."

Judge Daniel Flahive told Scollan: "The consequences have been enormous for your victim, who suffered life-changing injuries, including brain damage, and will never again , Iive a normal day to day life.

"It is lucky that the two of you were not killed, but Mr. McGarvey's life has been changed forever."

Scollan was also disqualified from driving for three years.

Art Expert Sentenced For Slapping Wife In Front Of Young Kids

A former Christie's art expert, who slapped his wife across the face while driving in busy west London as their two young daughters watched from the rear seat, has escaped custody with a suspended sentence.

Art dealer Damian Brenninkmeyer, 42, is the ex-head of the Old Masters department in Christie's Amsterdam, having been their specialist in New York and also worked at New Bond Street auction house Bonhams and Butterfields.

He was sentenced two four months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months, and made subject to a six-month restraining order, prohibiting contact with wife Fiona, 40, and visiting the Fulham family home.

He pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates' Court to assaulting his wife of ten years, Fiona Brenninkmeyer, on July 7, two days after receiving a police caution for throwing water over her.

Brenninkmeyer, who is currently is residing with his father at The Water Gardens, Warren Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, must also attend a domestic violence rehabilitation course and pay £120 costs.

"Slugging his wife across the face while while driving on a busy road with two children in the back is one of the most dangerous things you can do," District Judge Susan Williams told Brenninkmeyer after he admitted the offence. "Things must never come to fisticuffs."

Brenninkmeyer's lawyer Mr. Mark Haslam told the court: "This is a marriage both parties think can be saved and there is an email from his wife to that effect."

Prosecutor Mr. Paul Mitchell previously told the court the family were planning to drive to Mrs Brenninkmeyer's mother's home in Buckinghamshire on that Sunday afternoon.

"Mrs Brenninkmeyer could sense a bad mood and was afraid the defendant would get angry with her, but he assured her everything was going to be okay.

"They were driving along Fulham Palace Road when the defendant became aggressive and started shouting: 'I want to punish you for what you did to me'."

The court heard Brenninkmeyer was still angry with his wife for calling the police two days earlier and told her: "I'm going to break your phone and tell the accountant not to allow you to have another.

"She said: 'Please calm down for the kids', but he started to bash his fists on the steering wheel while they were still moving," explained Mr. Mitchell.

"He then back-hand hit her across the right side of her face.

"He was driving erratically so she decided to call the police and grabbed her phone, but Mr. Brenninkmeyer grabbed her hand, clawing at her hand.

"He gave up, but grabbed her sunglasses from her lap and threw them out of the window.

"The right side of her face was throbbing and she could see bruising as the journey continued and at Beaconsfield Services she took the two girls into a service area and cried.

"Mr. Brenninkmeyer said: 'Why don't you get back in the car? You're causing a scene'."

There was another row back at the family home that night when Brenninkmeyer discovered his wife had taken money from their joint account to pay a cleaner and he pushed her down onto a sofa.

The court heard Brenninkmeyer has been undergoing treatment for anxiety.

City Broker Headbutted And Slammed Cabbie's Head In Door After Dodging Taxi Fare

A young City broker headbutted a black taxi driver before slamming his head in the cab's door - inflicting wounds that needed a total of sixteen stitches - after jumping the late-night fare.

University of Sussex graduate James Browning, 26, an associate on the London Metal Exchange, had consumed five pints and two vodka cocktails, but denies he was high on cocaine.

Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court heard: "In the words of the driver, Browning was jumping up and down like Tarzan, ripping his shirt off and spoiling for a fight."

Browning, of Keppel Row, America Street, Southwark is employed by the Newedge Group, of Bishops Square, Bishopsgate and avoided jail after the probation service recommended an unpaid work order.

He pleaded guilty to assaulting Essex cabbie Dean Wendleken, 49, causing him actual bodily harm,  in Great Guildford Street, Southwark on April 5 and making off without paying his £24.80 fare.

Prosecutor Mr. Christian Wheeliker told the court Browning (pictured) hailed the taxi in Stratford at 3am and asked to be taken to an address behind the Tate Modern.

"When asked if he had a good night the defendant replied: 'No. I've had a crap night. I always do when my friends get me on charlie.'

"That is slang for cocaine," Mr. Wheeliker told the magistrates. 

The cabbie did a u-turn outside a Shell petrol station cashpoint so Browning could withdraw money for the fare, but Browning returned to the cab, claiming he had lost his wallet and bank cards.

"He then ran off down a one-way street that Mr. Wendleken could not drive down, but the victim found him and after parking the cab walked over and held him by the coat to stop him running away.

"The taxi driver said: 'Look this is stupid. Give me your details, give me a business card and let me have thirty pounds tomorrow.'

"Browning told Mr. Wendleken he worked at ten Bishops Square, then said: 'I aint giving you fuck all.'

"Mr. Wendleken says he was then headbutted by the defendant to the left side of his jaw and there was a scuffle, but he decided it was not worth it and returned to his cab.

"In the words of the driver Browning was jumping up and down like Tarzan, ripping his shirt off and spoiling for a fight.

"As he tried to get into his taxi the door was shut on his head between the door and the frame and he realised he was covered in blood.

"He says he felt dizzy and saw blood pouring."

Mr. Wendleken was seen by a plastic surgeon at St. Thomas's Hospital, who treated lacerations to both ears and above the left eye.

"The defendant left his coat and phone at the scene and that is how he was tracked down by the police," explained Mr. Wheeliker. "He told the officers: 'It's one of those situations I'd like to apologise to the person.'

"He said he was drunk and did not dispute there was a fight. He said that he was sorry and in parts of the interview he was crying.

"He denied the use of drugs, but admitted to drinking since the afternoon."

Emphasising the seriousness of the charge the prosecutor told the court: "The shutting of the taxi door on the victim's head could be called use of a weapon, causing cuts that required stitches and the headbutt comes under use of a weapon."

In a victim impact statement Mr. Wendleken said: "I was a lot more apprehensive when I got back in the cab, but I have learned to cope with this even though I feel apprehensive at times."

Dr. Tracey Elliott, a law lecturer at the University of Leicester, who has known the Browning family for many years told the court: "He's a nice young man and the last young man I would expect this to happen to as a result of his actions.

"He is the sort of guy who would be in control of friends who were drunk and incapable and does not have a reputation for violence.

"This has come as great shock and surprise to those that know him."

The court heard Browning has paid privately to see a psychotherapist since the attack and has addressed his drinking.

"This was a nasty offence," bench chairman Mr. John Verdon told the first-time offender. "We don't often see category one actual bodily harm cases like this at the higher end of our sentencing guidelines.

"You have enrolled in counselling, you are of good character and you have made admissions to the police, which has been taken into consideration.

"You are very lucky because it passes the custody threshold."

Browning was sentenced to 240 hours of community service, ordered to pay £725 compensation to Mr. Wendleken of which £650 covers loss of earnings for three days off work, £60 costs and a £60 victim surcharge."

Shard Conqueror Appears In Court After Arrest For Greenpeace Protest

A Greenpeace protester, who climbed the 310 metre high Shard building - Western Europe's tallest structure -  appeared in court for the first time yesterday charged with obstruction.

Alison Garrigan, 27, (pictured) of Hamilton Road, Manchester was part of a six-strong team of environmental activists who were arrested after scaling the building in protest at arctic drilling by Shell.

They accessed The Shard in the early hours of July 11 via the roof of London Bridge Station and reached the top at around 3pm.

The Nottingham native is the only one of the six to be charged after the Crown Prosecution Service considered Southwark Police reports, but now a caution is being considered, which would be consistent with her fellow-protestors.

Garrigan appeared with two supporters at Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court charged with obstructing or disrupting a person engaged in a lawful activity and did not enter a plea.

Prosecutor Miss Cara Pickering said: "The defence wrote to us about a possible caution. There were five other people involved in this case who have been cautioned."

She asked for time for the reviewing lawyer to consider the case. "There are considerable representations made by the defence."

Garrigan was bailed until September 16 on the condition that she does not involve herself in climbing protests.

A condition that she not be in possession of any climbing equipment outside a climbing wall other than in Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria was dropped.

District Judge Mr. Richard Blake announced: "If other persons were cautioned I can understand why this lady would want the same.

"I can understand the wisdom of the lawyer making a decision in the other cases to consider this.

"It is regrettable this case can't proceed today. I'm told there are compelling reasons why. I am persuaded, just, that a further delay is in the interests of justice.

"This application is by the defence, but supported by the crown."

Bailing Garrigan he told her: "You can have the freedom to have your climbing equipment, but you must not be involved in any climbing protest."

Online Horse Trailer Conman Sentenced

An online conman swindled a £1,000 deposit out of an unsuspecting buyer, who contacted him to buy a horse trailer advertised on the web.

Russell Barrie, 55, (pictured) of Beulah Road, Sutton posted the ad on second-hand website 'pre-loved.co.uk'.

Croydon Crown Court heard yesterday that after agreeing a sale with Neil Medows he took the deposit, but never delivered the trailer.

The buyer reported Barrie to the police and he was arrested.

He was convicted of fraud by false representation on February 23, last year, namely selling the Ifor Williams horse trailer, but never delivering the goods, with intent to make a gain, namely the £1,000 deposit.

Barrie was sentenced to a 100 hour community service work order and must pay £1,000 compensation to Mr. Medows.

ASBO Accountant In Bitter Parking Dispute Facing 13 New Charges

An accountant involved in a bitter long-running dispute with his neighbours over an access road behind his suburban office appeared in court yesterday, accused of multiple ASBO breaches.

Roger Gloucester-Trotman, 74, (pictured) of Devon Road, Sutton was made subject to an Anti-Social Behaviour Order after making the lives of local residents a misery near his office in nearby Westmead Road, Carshalton.

He claims the dispute cost him the life of his son Ian, who killed himself, aged 44, by carbon monoxide poisoning inside a drain on the road over three years ago - plus £200,000 in legal bills.

Planning permission was successfully won - despite local objections - by the family for the construction of two three-storey townhouses at each end of the road, which Gloucester-Trotman believes only he has lawful access to.

He appeared at Croydon Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on thirteen charges of breaching his ASBO by reporting parking and motoring issues concerning the access road to police and blaming police for the death of his son.

Many of the charges involve Gloucester-Trotman telephoning the 101 police non-emergency number with complaints or going to Sutton Police Station in person and span from October 24, last year until February 19.

Bar Thug Spared Jail For Glassing DJ

A violent bar customer, who hurled his glass at the resident DJ – inflicting a cut above the victim's eye – after being told not to place his drink on the mix desk at the landmark west London venue, has dodged jail with a suspended sentence.

George Harry Schwartz, 28, of Ixworth Place, Chelsea was easily traced because he had booked a booth at Henry J Bean's (pictured) in King's Road.

He pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates' Court to assaulting resident Friday night DJ Anil Marajh, causing him actual bodily harm, on June 29.

The court heard it was 10.30pm when Schwartz placed his glass on the DJ's booth, but was told to remove it because any spillage could cause damage to the expensive equipment.

Schwartz was handed the glass by Mr.Marajh and immediately threw the contents over the DJ before hurling it at the victim, causing a one and a half inch laceration above his right eye, which required stitches.

He was sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for twelve months, and ordered to complete 200 hours community service work, plus a twelve-day specified activity requirement.

Schwartz must also pay Mr. Marajh £1,000 compensation, plus £85 costs and an £80 victim's surcharge. 

Abusive Boyfriend Strangled And Dumped Long-Suffering Girlfriend's Body In Canal On Xmas Day

A woman, who restarted her relationship with her abusive boyfriend on Christmas Eve was strangled by him within 24 hours and dumped in a canal.

Ruby Love, 23, (pic.top) had suffered domestic violence at the hands of Manzar Juma, 28, (pic.bottom) but left the safety of her mother's home to rekindle their turbulent union.

He is now starting a life sentence – with a sixteen-year minimum – after he was convicted at the Old Bailey of her murder.

Juma, of Hexham Gardens, Northolt, west London strangled Ruby with a ligature on December 25, 2011 and threw her into a nearby stretch of the Grand Union Canal.

He had collected her the day before, Christmas Eve, from her mother's home in Harrow at 5.30pm.

Shortly afterwards, Ruby sent a text message to a friend confirming she and Juma were back together again and he was going to take her out for a meal.

Ruby indicated they planned to visit the friend's house for a drink beforehand.

The couple never arrived and later Ruby's friend rang Juma to see where they were.

Juma answered, but denied any knowledge of such plans or having had any contact with Ruby since their last split.

Between 1:30am and 1:45am on Christmas morning a couple living next door to Juma heard shouting coming from his flat.

They also heard a faint female voice pleading "no".

Around three hours later the same neighbours were woken by Juma re-entering their block of flats before leaving again and driving away in his Vauxhall Zafira.

At 5:40am CCTV captured the vehicle traveling along the Uxbridge Road in Southall before turning into Bankside, a quiet cul-de-sac which runs parallel to the Grand Union Canal.

The footage revealed the Vauxhall Zafira remained in Bankside for approximately four minutes before it drove out and back onto the Uxbridge Road.

Ruby's body was discovered by a dog walker at 11:42am that same day.

She was fully-clothed and floating face-down in the canal.

A post mortem examination later concluded that she had died from compression of the neck caused by a ligature.

Later that afternoon Juma drove to West Ealing where he dumped Ms Love's mobile telephone in a rubbish bin.

He was arrested on December 27 and his Zafira seized.

Forensic evidence linked Ruby's body to the boot of his car.

Despite claiming that he had driven Ms Love to a venue in Southall and had left her safe and well, Juma was charged with her murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Tim Duffield, of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, said after Juma was imprisoned: "Today the truth finally caught up with Manzar Jama.

“Not only did he strangle Ruby and callously dump her body in a canal, he then wove a web of lies to try to avoid capture.

"Our deepest sympathies go out to Ruby Love's friends and family as they try to come to terms with their loss and I hope that today's conviction provides them with some small measure of solace."

Cocaine Dealer Locked-Up For £200K Supply

A Lithuanian drug dealer, caught by watching police finalising a £200,000 cocaine deal, has been caged for six years.

Saulius Pilipavicius, 50, (pictured) was the target of a surveillance operation by the Metropolitan Police's Central Task Force.

He pleaded guilty to supplying 986 grams of 84% pure cocaine in Hampton Road, Leytonstone, east London on April 26.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard Pilipavicius had been monitored for two-months and was watched as he exchanged the block of cocaine (pictured) with another man.

Detective Inspector Rob Murray, of the Central Task Force, said: “We believe that Pilipavicius came to this country to sell significant quantities of Class A drugs on London's streets.

“In this case, he attempted to exchange almost one kilogram of cocaine, which has a street value of two-hundred thousand pounds.



"We welcome today’s sentence which has ensured that a drugs supplier - part of an international drugs supply chain - has been removed from our streets. 



"This operation is an example of the Met’s total commitment to tackling organised drug crime.”

Crooked Vet Jailed For £226K Pet Insurance Scam

A vet, who made fifty-three bogus pet insurance claims during a £226,000 fraud, was yesterday caged for two years.

Matthew Morgan, 38, (pictured) created bogus invoices for treatment and operations on cats and dogs at his practice in Blue Bell Hill, Kent.

He claimed pay-outs from Direct Line, Petplan, Pet Protect and one other company for treatment between September, 2009 and December, last year.

Morgan, of Foxboro Road, Redhill, Surrey used the money to fund a lavish lifestyle, which included expensive holidays and electronics,

He came unstuck in October, last year when his one and only claim to Direct Line, for surgery on a cat called ‘Jo’, was identified as fraudulent and referred to the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED), kicking-off a criminal investigation.

In an interview with IFED detectives on New Year’s Eve, Morgan admitted that the claim to Direct Line was phony but said he had not made any other fake claims.

However, fifteen days later Morgan telephoned Pet Protect to chase up a claim he had made for surgery on cat called ‘Dizzie’.

IFED detectives arrested Morgan at his home and executed searches at the address and new work place – a veterinary practice in St. Leonards-On-Sea, East Sussex – where they found documents that led to them uncover other fraudulent claims.

He pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to four counts of fraud by false representation, in that he made fifty-three fraudulent claims to four insurers with a total value of £226,360.67.

Detective Sergeant Craig Mullish, who ran IFED’s investigation, said: “Morgan was paid a good salary to help sick animals, but over three years he systematically abused his position to claim massive payouts for surgeries on pets that did not exist.

“His sole motivation was to maintain an image of being a successful vet through the portrayal of an extravagant lifestyle.

“Morgan’s sentence highlights again how IFED is working with industry to bring insurance fraudsters to justice wherever they are and whatever they do.”

A Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons spokesperson said: “We have been liaising with IFED about this case for some time.

“Now that a conviction against Matthew Morgan has been secured and sentence handed down, we will raise an allegation against him and invite him to respond.

“The case, as a conviction, will then be passed immediately to our Preliminary Investigation Committee, which will be able to consider the details of the case and decide the most appropriate course of action.”

Insurance Fraudster Filed Bogus Police Reports During £50K Scam

A notorious cyber-stalker turned insurance fraudster made fake crime reports to three different police forces during a £50,000 scam on eleven companies.

Anita Debnath, 44, (pictured) of Haymarket, Piccadilly claimed she had been mugged for cash, an Asus laptop, Chloe handbag, Louis Vuitton purse, Blackberry Bold 9900 and Motorola Aura.

The computer science graduate, originally from Hinckley, Leicestershire, received four years imprisonment in 2005 for taking out loans in the name of a former one-night-stand and his girlfriend.

During her latest scam she made twelve identical claims to the companies after taking out multiple travel and home insurance policies and pleaded guilty to fraud at the Old Bailey.

In February, last year she reported she had been mugged close to Trafalgar Square, then a month later that she was robbed in Leeds city centre.

In June she was holidaying in Ireland when she reported a Dublin mugging to the Garda and a month later reported a robbery in Kingston-upon-Thames.

She made multiple insurance claims in relation to all the 'crimes' – submitting the relevant police report on each occasion.

Her deception was exposed when an insurer identified one claim Debnath submitted to them as fraudulent and reported her to the City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED).

In August, IFED detectives arrested Debnath at her West End flat on and a search of her home revealed insurance claims documents, an Asus laptop and the police reports supplied to the insurers.

During the course of their investigation, the detectives liaised with the three police forces Debnath had reported robberies to and found no evidence of the crimes having ever happened.

Debnath was subsequently charged with 12 counts of fraud by false representation.

Detective Constable Cynthia Rushie, who led IFED’s investigation, said: “In a bid to avoid detection, Debnath spread her reports out across two countries, three police forces and eleven insurers.

“Unfortunately for her the new reality for fraudsters is that IFED is working in alliance with insurers and police forces to clamp down on people who still think they can make easy money at someone else’s expense, with little or no risk of ever being caught.”

Debnath will be sentenced on a future date.

Bag-Snatcher's Bottle-Attack Caught On CCTV

Police have released this CCTV footage of a late-night thief, who attacked a driver in the Square Mile with a bottle after snatching his girlfriend's handbag.

The suspect and an accomplice opened the victim's car door in Bishopsgate at 3.30am on February 10 and fled with the bag.

CCTV captures a confrontation between the duo and driver, who was struck with the bottle – causing a serious head wound that required hospital treatment.

The two suspects had been chased by the couple and three other men, who joined in the pursuit.

However, when confronted one used the large bottle as a weapon and both escaped after the injury was inflicted.

The first man is white, of medium build, clean shaven and wearing a black t-shirt with a large yellow or gold logo on the front.

He wore a black baseball cap with a white logo, a black waist-length hooded jacket, dark skinny jeans and white trainers.
 


The second man is white, of average built with short dark hair and was wearing a dark coloured hooded jacket with white drawstrings, blue jeans and black trainers with white soles.

City of London Police are appealing for anybody who can identify the suspects to call them on 020 7601 2222

Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police Hunt Thug Who Left Two City Drinkers With A Broken Jaw And Cheekbone

Police are still hunting this late-night thug, who inflicted facial fractures on two victims during an unprovoked attack in the Square Mile.

CCTV images of the suspect have been released by City of London Police in a bid to identify him.

Outside Revolutions Bar, Leadenhall Street, Bishopsgate at 2.30am on November 17, last year two men were struck by the assailant and required hospital treatment.

The first victim suffered a broken cheekbone and the second was punched unconscious and his jaw was broken in three places.

The suspect then fled from the scene towards Gracechurch Street and Bishopsgate.

Officers investigating the case are asking that If you saw this man or know him then please get in touch by calling 020 7601 2222.

Alternatively Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Greedy Rolex Fraudster Caught During Harrods Swindle

A teenage dad, who tried to swindle two Rolex watches worth a total of £13,850 out of Harrods using a cloned American Express card, described the fraud as: “The biggest mistake of my life,” when he was sentenced yesterday.

Picture framer Rian Merry, 19, of Akeman Street, Arbury, Cambridge claimed he bought the card for £1,800 from a contact known as 'Michael' to finance purchases for his five month-old daughter.

However, he says he felt guilty about putting the card to such use and instead tried to obtain the watches, worth £7,750 and £6,100, each during a trip to London.

Merry pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates' Court to fraud by false representation on May 20, namely dishonestly tendering a fraudulent American Express card with intent to make a gain, namely two Rolex watches.

He was sentenced to a twelve-month community order and must complete 180 hours community service work and pay £85 costs, plus a £60 victim surcharge.

Prosecutor Mr. Tom Gill told the court Merry tried to buy both watches at the Knightsbridge department store, using the bogus platinum AMEX card, which bore his name.

Staff called the police and as Merry was arrested he said: “What am I gonna do about my eighteen hundred pounds?”

If the transaction had been completed the genuine cardholder, who had a Costco dollar account with the same number, would have been billed.

Merry told the magistrates: “It is the biggest mistake of my life. It was greed really.

“I just wanted to provide good money for my daughter, but did it the wrong way and felt guilty, but then when I went to London I saw the watches and wanted them.”

He served time in custody after failing to comply with a previous court order, but insists he is turning his life around with his new job and parental responsibilities.

“Six to seven months ago I stopped smoking cannabis and drinking heavily and I feel a lot better for it,” Merry added. “I now have honest wages and do not feel guilty about spending money on my daughter.”

Bench chairman Mr. Jeffrey Manton told him: “You know the form on this. You have been through the courts a few times and we have the power to send you to prison for eighteen weeks.

“You used a fraudulent card and you intended to buy high-value goods and that is on top of your record.

“We have listened to what you have said, you are nineteen and do you really want to spend your life in courtrooms?

“Isn't that a waste of time. It's not really a life is it?

“The reason you are not going to prison today is because we have heard about your child, your job and your desire to turn your life around.

“We hope you take control of your life and do not do things like this. It is just a stupid thing to do.

“Nobody wants to see you again.”

Benefit Cheat Was Secretly Hoarding Cash

A benefit cheat, who secretly hoarded thousands of pounds while continuing to borrow from sympathetic family and friends, was told today: "Taxpayers are not there to pay for your nest egg."

Jobless Mark Evans, 54, was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court by Recorder Kaly Kaur QC who told him: "You are the sort of person who lied to your family and friends when you probably had more money then they had.

"That is not an appealing feature of your character."

Evans, of Mabel Court, Lingfield Crescent, Eltham swindled a total of £36,894 from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) in income support payments and housing and council tax benefit from Bexleyheath council.

He pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances to the DWP between January 1, 2007 and June 22, last year, namely savings of up to £28,000.

He also admitted two counts of dishonestly making false statements to the local authority in January, 2010 and July, last year, namely failing to declare excess capital.

"Because his family and friends are now aware they helped him with money over the years while he had these savings they have turned their backs on him," said Evans's lawyer Miss Rebecca Foulkes.

"For a man that had a great deal of social interaction that has hit him very hard."

Prosecutor Mr. Ross Cifonelli told the court Evans was not entitled to the benefits, which began in May, 1998, once his savings exceeded £16,000.

"He said he accumulated the money through savings, which I would approach with a certain degree of scepticism.

"It would be a very successful investment consultant who was able to achieve those assets."

Investigators discovered Evans had an ISA and transferred his savings to a Credit Suisse account.

"He says he has given away much of this money that he had been given over time and was too ill to spend any of the money," added Mr. Cifonelli.

"It was just sitting there, with interest accumulating. There is no evidence of an extravagant lifestyle."

The court heard Evans, who is currently receiving jobseekers allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit, has £20 deducted weekly to compensate the taxpayer.

"Greed can take a number of forms and there is greed that arises out of concerns for the future," said Miss Foulkes. "He had been unable to work for some time and will probably never work ever again.

"He began saving or his future and for his children's future and it became a compulsion to save for that safety net.

"The confiscation proceedings are going to hit Mr. Evans very hard, but that money will have to be paid back."

In the last nine months £700 has been paid to Bexleyheath council.

"The deductions will be made for as long as his life probably," announced Recorder Kaur. "He was borrowing money from his family when he didn't really need it very much, which is not very attractive, but that is a matter between them and him."

Sentencing Evans to fourteen weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, the recorder told him: "For five years you persistently claimed benefits you were not entitled to.

"The wish to have a nest egg, savings for the future, is one you are not entitled to when you are claiming benefits.

"Taxpayers are not there to pay for your nest egg."