Art Expert Who Thumped Wife Given Marriage Counselling Thumbs-Up

A former Christie's art expert, who slapped his wife across the face while driving in busy west London as their two children watched from the rear seat, had a restraining order amended today to allow the couple to seek marriage counselling.

Art dealer Damian Brenninkmeyer, 43, a member of the Dutch dynasty that owns the C & A chain store is the former 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 pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates' Court last August to assaulting his wife of ten years Fiona Brenninkmeyer, 40, on July 8 and was sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months and made subject to a six-month restraining order, banning him from their luxury Fulham home and contacting his wife.

He was also ordered to complete a domestic rehabilitation course and pay £120 costs after the court heard violence against his wife stretched back to their honeymoon when she was eight months pregnant.

Today, Brenninkmeyer, who now lives with his father at The Water Gardens, Warren Road, Kingston-upon-Thames appeared at the same court along with Fiona and the order was amended to allow contact between the couple for the purposes of counselling.

"There is a letter from Mrs Brenninkmeyer saying why she wants the order varied," said Miss Stephanie Roe, defending. "The variation is to amend the terms to allow counselling."

The order was due to expire on February 28, but Miss Roe added: "They want to start marriage counselling before then."

Agreeing to amend the order bench chairman Mr. S. Elia told Brenninkmeyer: "We have read the original witness statement from your wife and read her letter and we are satisfied that you have abided by all the conditions of your restraining order and there does seem to be a genuine wish by you and tour wife to have a go at salvaging your marriage.

"We all wish you all the best and hopefully this will be the last time you are here Mr. Brenninkmeyer."

Prosecutor Miss Helen Clutton did not oppose the application, explaining: "Mr. Brenninkmeyer was of previous good character and this is his only conviction.

"There was a caution on July 6, last year when Mr. Brenninkmeyer admitted he threw water on Mrs Brenninkmeyer a few days before this incident and punched her.

"The police assessed the risk at the time as standard. It has not changed and there have been no other incidents.

"They have not seen each other, there has been no other contact."

After Brenninkmeyer pleaded guilty last year prosecutor Mr. Paul Mitchell said 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.

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."

  

The court also heard Brenninkmeyer has been undergoing treatment for anxiety.

On the sentencing date Mrs Clutton revealed there was a long history of domestic violence, explaining: "Mrs Brenninkmeyer says that she has been a victim of domestic violence since she was pregnant with her first child.

"When she was eight months pregnant they were on their honeymoon when he hit her, put his hand around her neck and pushed her onto the bed and hit her."

Law Firm's Bean-Counter Sentenced For £12K Benefit Fraud

A financial controller with a solicitor's firm kept his job a secret from his local council during a £12,000 benefits swindle in which they paid his rent and waived community charge payments.

Lee Graham, 56, (pictured) whose original £10 a-week compensation offer was rejected by Isleworth Crown Court was told to start making arrangements to immediately pay back the money, which would have taken twenty-three years under his plan.

Graham, of Warwick Road, Earl's Court pleaded guilty to dishonestly making a false statement on October 19, 2007 to obtain benefit from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

He received £10,655 in housing benefit and £1,325 in council tax benefit while earning up to £2,000 per month on a self-employed basis with Marylebone solicitors Julian Young & Co.

Graham was sentenced to a twelve-month community order, which includes 150 hours community service work, and a £1,200 compensation order was made.

He admitted the offences months earlier and on that occasion was told to stop feeling sorry for himself, find employment, and start repaying the money.

"He plainly has skills and works in the middle of London and there are a host of people out there looking to employ people with Mr. Graham's skills so he could pay compensation if he wanted to," said Judge Robert Winstanley.

"I am looking for conduct that shows he is willing to make financial reparations," added Judge Winstanley. "I will defer sentence in the expectation that Mr. Graham will find a job and do so in a realistic time."

Prosecutor Mr. Paul Sharkey told the court Graham's jobseekers allowance claim was legitimate when it began in 2004 and the rent and council tax bills on his housing association flat was covered by the local authority.

After learning he was working the council wished to interview the defendant, but he failed to turn up to speak to investigators at the town hall on three separate occasions.

Graham's lawyer Mr. James Dennis said his client returned to work after caring for his now-deceased mother and because his confidence was low did not come off benefits.

"He was not sure how it was going to work out and he decided, very stupidly, not to inform the local authority. It snowballed and he buried his head in the sand.

"The sums earned were relatively modest, but he should have declared them. He was not living an extravagant lifestyle.

"Mr. Graham is not claiming benefits or working anymore and relies in friends to get by. He is a man of very little means.

"He realises this is money that has to be paid back and he wants to pay the money back, but his financial circumstances are what they are."

Romanian Big Issue Vendor Snatched £50 From Blind Pensioner Customer

A Romanian Big Issue seller, who stole £50 from a kindly blind pensioner, who was buying a copy of the homeless magazine, was jailed for four months today for the "deeply nasty" offence.

Razvan Dumitru, 22, has fifteen aliases and six bogus dates of birth and has been offending since he arrived in the U.K. without a visa as an eleven year-old along with his father and five siblings.

The father-of-two, of Victoria Road, Lower Edmonton was selling the Big Issue outside Morrisons supermarket in High Street, Sutton on November 30.

Under the old EU rules the job gave him self-employed status, a national insurance number and the right to claim benefits.

When 66 year-old Jane Phillips, who recognised his voice, stopped to buy a copy he reached into her purse and snatched five £10 notes.

A mother with her two children saw what was going on and a male witness noticed the pensioner was distressed.

Dumitru denied taking the cash and started packing up, but was detained after a struggle with the man, who was assisted by a member of the store's security staff.

Police were called and the sergeant was assisted by two passing off-duty police officers.

Dumitru had £23 cash in his pocket and the five tenners hidden between copies of the Big Issue in his bag and pleaded guilty to theft when he appeared at Croydon Magistrates' Court.

Police revealed the pensioner was "over the moon" with the help she received from members of the public and the police and thanked them for their support although the incident has shattered her faith in human nature.

She told police she would regularly give the vendor £1 while shopping, but never took a copy of the magazine because she cannot read.

Dumitru was remanded in custody to Croydon Crown Court for sentencing, where Judge Barbara Cameron told him: "You have pleaded guilty to a deeply nasty opportunistic theft in the street from a blind woman.

"The offence was committed out of greed when she kindly tendered to you a one pound coin and then felt you touching her purse, exploiting her vulnerability to take fifty pounds.

"This was an appalling and reprehensible crime, committed two days after a suspended prison sentence hanging over you ran out."

Dumitru's lawyer Mr. Graham Lloyd told the court: "Looking at his record it is quite appalling. Between the ages of fifteen and seventeen there are a large number of dishonesty offences and he went into custody for the first time aged seventeen."

The court heard the defendant has never learned English during his eleven years in the UK or held down a steady job, except earning £280-£500 per month selling the Big Issue.

Judge Cameron told Dumitru, who has convictions for burglary, theft and attempted theft: "You exploited your position of trust as a Big Issue seller, wrecking the reputation of those vendors.

"Your income relies on these nasty opportunistic incidents of theft and you have demonstrated little remorse.

"You have failed to understand a blind woman is highly vulnerable in the street and these offences cause enormous distress and effect the confidence of vulnerable people." 

Detective Constable Lee Blunden said:  "At this time of festive cheer and goodwill, it's hard to imagine a less charitable act than stealing from a blind person.

"We would like to thank those members of the public who came forward to help this victim." 

Drug Dealer Jailed After Police Probe Home-Invasion

A drug-dealer, who was attacked during a home-invasion at his address, has been jailed for three years after £90,000 of cannabis was discovered by investigating officers.

Andrew Howell, 52, (pictured) was targeted by two men, who suspected he had large amounts of cash, but the doorstep confrontation was reported by a local witness.

When officers arrived at the address in South Terrace, Surbiton, Surrey on November 13, last year they found the injured Howell who told them two men demanded: “Where's the cash?” and struck him.

Police had been flagged-down at 10.20pm by a concerned member of the public, who reported the assault.

However, oficers found large amounts of cannabis in the address, plus more at a rented storage unit.

A total of 8.17 kilos of cannabis resin; 4.05 kilos of skunk cannabis and 1.71 kilos of herbal cannabis were seized.

Howell pleaded guilty to counts of possessing cannabis, with intent to supply, and Detective Constable Alan Mears said: “This is a significant amount of drugs taken off the streets of Kingston involving someone who had not previously come to police notice.

“The case was successful thanks to the diligence of the member of public and the initial reactions of the attending officers.

“The thoroughness of the subsequent investigation conducted by Kingston CID led to the discovery of another location controlled by Howell where a further substantial amount of cannabis had been stored.

“The sentence reflects how the borough will deal robustly with anyone seeking to gain financial reward from drug dealing and supply.”

Drugs Gunman Wanted By Police

Police are hunting this alleged south London gunman and drug-dealer, but have warned members of the public to not approach him.

Officers from the Specialist Crime and Operations Command have released this image of 30 year-old Andre Chambers in a bid to aid their continuing hunt for the suspect.

He is described as black, approximately 6'0” tall, well built, with a scar on his face and a crucifix tatoo on his left arm.

He has links to the neighbourhoods of Camberwell and Peckham.



Anyone who sees Chambers should not approach him, but call police on 999.



Anyone with information as to his whereabouts should call officers from the Specialist Crime and Operations Command on 020 8721 4054.

To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

Smooth-Talking Ticket-Tout Conman With String Of Lovers Must Pay Over £300K

A bogus ticket agent, who accumulated a small fortune while living illegally in the UK, has been ordered to pay back £308,380 or go to prison for an additional three years.

Haiti-born U.S. citizen Samuel Ernest, 47, (pictured) posed as a high-end agent, even targeting children's charity 'Childline' during a complex scam.

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard Ernest accumulated the sum between 2006 and 2012 and must pay it within six months.

He originally admitted a £48,000 fraud involving 17 counts following an extensive investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service's Central Criminal Finances Team and was sentenced to four-and-a-half years.

He had pretended to run his own high profile corporate hospitality business and claimed to be associated to Prestige Ticketing Limited, the official provider of Olympic Hospitality Packages for the London 2012 Games, in order to convince people to buy non-existent tickets from him. 



The first of his victims to come forward was a 46-year-old woman who he dated with a view to defrauding her and her family.

The victim met Ernest at a Christmas party in 2011 and he persuaded her that he was credible by taking her to the British Independent Film Awards before convincing her to give him £3,900 for London 2012 Olympic tickets for herself and her family.

The tickets never materialized and Ernest disappeared after he got her money.



Other events that he convinced his victims he could get them tickets for included the MOBO Awards, Formula 1 Grand Prix, Champions League, the BAFTA Awards, the Wimbledon Championships, Cannes Film Festival, Cheltenham Festival Races, Les Misérables, a Harry Potter Film premiere, a Take That concert, a meet-and-greet with Bruce Springsteen and an Olympics charity dinner supposedly hosted by David Beckham, but which was completely fabricated by Ernest.



On one occasion, Ernest bid for London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony tickets, dinner with a celebrity chef and a night in a top London hotel, at a Childline silent auction.

He won the bid and claimed the tickets, which he then sold on for £4,000, however the money has never been paid to the charity.



The greatest sum of money he defrauded a single victim of was £9,250 - paid by a financial services firm for a combined total of 38 tickets for Take That concerts and Champions League matches. 



He also conned a dentist in Halifax, West Yorkshire, into paying £1,500 for tickets to a Harry Potter film premiere in London.

The dentist offered the tickets as a prize in a competition for his patients and when a 15-year-old girl won she and her family travelled to London for the premiere, only to find no tickets had been purchased. 



The vast majority of Ernest's victims were instructed to transfer money to a woman who he claimed was his accountant.

Ernest had the woman's bank card and PIN which he used to withdraw an average of £1,600 per month from cashpoints.

He also used the card to buy meals at luxury restaurants in London and Brighton.



In August 2012, police began investigating Ernest, who was of no fixed address and had been staying with women at various addresses across the UK.

Knowing that detectives were looking for him, Ernest rang one of the investigating officers to taunt him that he was not going to hand himself in, however detectives worked doggedly to track him down and just 19 days later they traced Ernest - who does have links to addresses in New York, San Francisco, California and Cannes - to a bed and breakfast in Birmingham. 



Police stopped him as he was leaving the bed and breakfast.

Ernest attempted to pass himself off as his twin brother by presenting his passport before unsuccessfully trying to run away. 



During the course of their investigation, specialist financial investigators gathered 67 witness statements in five weeks; scrutinized six years-worth of bank statements - an arduous task given that money was frequently being moved on an hourly basis - and analysed over 46,000 text messages exchanged between Ernest and his victims.

They also seized a number of genuine events tickets from him, including for Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday celebrations and a Heston Blumenthal supper night, which he had used as examples to convince people of his credentials.

Sometimes he gave these tickets to people by way of consolation or to placate them when he did not deliver the goods that they had actually paid for.



Detective Superintendent Nick Downing said: "Ernest convinced his victims that he was a high-flying corporate hospitality organiser with a network of high-profile contacts that included celebrities.

“In fact, he is an audacious confidence trickster with no feeling for his victims, including those women whose emotions he exploited to get to their money. 



"Such was the extent of Ernest's self-belief that he tried to pass himself off as his twin brother.

“It was only when he eventually came to court that he admitted who he was.

“Ernest didn't believe that we would find him but he underestimated my detectives' sheer determination and dogged pursuit.



"This confiscation order is an example to others that if you're making money from crime, we won't stop at convicting you - we'll also come after your cash."



The prosecution of Barbara Howell, 57, of Ilkeston Drive, Aspull, Wigan - who was originally arrested and charged in connection with this case was discontinued.

Rapist Created Fake 'Text Girl' To Aid Teen Sex Attack

A rapist, who tricked a teenage girl into befriending him and inventing a non-existent third girl to assist his sordid plan, has been jailed for seven years.

Opeoluwa David, 26, (pictured) of Durham Rise, Plumstead approached the 17 year-old at a bus stop, claiming he was a recent Nigerian immigrant hoping to meet new friends.

He was convicted at Inner London Crown Court of raping her at his bedsit on July 24, last year.

She had swapped numbers with him at a Thamesmead bus stop earlier in the month and exchanged text messages – also posing as 'Becky' to gain the victim's trust.

The teenager believed she was meeting the defendant and 'Becky' on July 24 and when she questioned the girl's wherabouts David reassured the victim the girl would be joining them later.

David took the teen back to his bedsit where he locked them both inside and raped her.

He then let the victim go and she immediately contacted a friend and reported the incident to police.



David was arrested the following day and charged with rape and false imprisonment.



The investigation was carried out by officers from Sapphire, part of the Metropolitan Police's Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command.

Detective Constable Jivan Saib, who led the investigation, said: "The successful conviction of David is largely down to the bravery of the victim in this case.

“David took advantage of this girl but she has shown immense bravery and resolve in supporting our investigation.



"I hope this conviction and custodial sentence encourages other victims to come forward and tell us what has happened to them."



Detective Inspector James Pryde said: "I would encourage all victims of rape to report what has happened to them to the police - together with our partners we will assist and support you.

“Our officers are specially trained to support victims of rape. 



"In this case the victim has seen David convicted - he will now go to prison and, on his release, will be monitored as a registered sex offender."

Flying Club Veteran Jailed For Historic Sex Abuse Of Schoolboys

Biggin Hill Airport

The ex-member of a Biggin Hill Airport flying club is starting a two-and-a-half year prison sentence for taking advantage of his acccess to youngsters by sexually abusing two boys.

Benjamin Gavin Dix, 76, molested the children when they were aged either nine or ten years-old – often after inviting them for rides in his car and allowing them to steer the vehicle.

The pensioner, of Frith Hill Road, Godalming, Surrey pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court to five counts of indecent assault between 1969 and 1992.

Police were contacted by one of the victim's in September, 2011, who complained of abuse in 1969 or 1970 and the second man revealed Dix molested him in 1992.

Detective Constable Paul Hill said: "The two victims in this case were children when Dix assaulted them.

“They showed courage to come forward after so many years to tell us what happened to them.

“These were very disturbing assaults on very young children at the time and although these assaults took place many years ago, it shows that we will pursue sex offenders and bring them to justice.



"Dix thought he had got away with it, but the victims in this case were determined to see him brought to justice."



Detective Chief Inspector Pete Thomas, said: "Dix sexually abused two young boys who were vulnerable.

“This case may have happened many years ago, but in this case he was brought to justice because his victims came forward and they should be commended for overcoming their fears and disclosing these terrible crimes.



"With appropriate support from police and our partners, I urge other victims of sexual crimes to come forward and tell us what has happened to them. You will be supported."

Dix must also sign the sex offenders egister for life.

'Audacious Predator' Caged For Terrifying Late-Night Rape Bid

A wannabe rapist, who kicked a woman's front door off it's hinges after following her home from a night bus, has been locked-up for ten years.

Shane Lynch, 25, (pictured) of Aviary Close, Canning Town, is described by police as a: “predatory, audacious sexual offender.”

He demanded to know where the 26 year-old victim was during a terrifying face-to-face confrontation with her mother, then after finding her tried to pull off the young woman's tights and dress.

She was only saved when her mother tried to pull him off as their landlady screamed that she was calling the police.

In the early hours of Friday June 14, last year the victim was travelling home after a night out with friends.

Lynch approached her as she waited for a night bus to travel from Romford to Canning Town, east London and began chatting to her during the journey.

He asked to walk her home several times but she declined his offer, leaving him in Hayday Road.

She carried on walking to her house and was preparing a snack when she heard the front door being kicked open.

Terrified, she hid in the kitchen while Lynch hunted for her upstairs.

He confronted the victim's mother, demanding to know where she was.

He then came back downstairs and found the victim cowering in fear.

Lynch immediately attacked her, pulling her to the floor and trying to tear off her dress and tights.

He told her he wanted to have sex with her and ignored her pleas for help.

The victim's mother came downstairs and attempted to drag Lynch off her daughter, but was assaulted in the process, suffering minor injuries.

However, on being told the police were being called by the victim's landlady, Lynch finally made off after throwing a suitcase at the women.

He was arrested on the next day and claimed in a police interview that the victim had stolen his phone and he was trying to retrieve it.

He admitted assaulting the victim's mother, but claimed it was self-defence.

He was found guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court of attempted rape, having already admitted an unrelated charge of wounding, with intent, on another victim on January 25 in Newham Way, Canning Town.

He received seven years for the attempted rape, plus three years for the GBH charge.

Detective Constable Yvonne Rhoden, MBE, of the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: "This was a terrifying ordeal for the victim and the other female occupants of her home.

“I hope this conviction goes some way to restoring her peace of mind in the future.

"Lynch is a predatory, audacious sexual offender who, but for the brave actions of the victim's mother, would have carried out a violent rape.

"He has posed a real danger to lone females using the public transport system and we would appeal for members of the public to come forward with any information on similar offences."

Police can be contacted on 101. In an emergency always dial 999.

Witnesses Sought For Tower Bridge Motorbike Tragedy

Police are continuing to appeal for information concerning the tragic Tower Bridge fatality of a pedestrian who was struck by a motorbike.

Benjamin Sale, 32, (pictured) from Manchester was struck near the junction with Tooley Street, Southwark at 2:48pm on December 10.

Officers, the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance attended.

Mr. Sale was rushed to the London Hospital, Whitechapel with head injuries, but was pronounced dead approximately 24 hours later.

The motorcyclist stopped at the scene and was not arrested.

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact officers at Catford Traffic Garage via the Witness Appeal Line on 020 8285 1574.

Businessman Benefits Cheat Ordered To Repay Fraction Of Swindled Money

A partially-sighted escort agency boss, who illegally pocketed almost £176,000 in benefits - including a massive claim for approximately 60,000 miles in non-existent taxi rides - has been ordered to repay 7.5% of the money.

Under a government disability scheme businessman Andrew Pishides, 39, billed the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for daily 100 mile round-trip £180 fares for four years - supporting the claims with forged receipts.

After Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings Harrow Crown Court ordered him to pay £13,190 to the DWP within six months or serve twelve months imprisonment.

"You must have lived very well for those four years," sentencing Judge Jeremy Donne QC told Pishides, who ran 'Escort Emporium', 'Escort Solutions' and a letting agency for parking spaces called 'Park Let'.

"These offences reflect a moderately sophisticated and extremely persistent fraud that garnered you just shy of one hundred and eighty thousand pounds.

"The benefits represented an income of over forty thousand a year and in addition you had legitimate sources of twenty thousand a year, which would have been equivalent to a six-figure salary before tax."

Pishides, of Alexander House, Broadfields Way, Neasden was originally sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for two years, placed on a twelve month supervision order with a three-month electronically-tagged evening curfew.

"Is it right that you should go to prison for four-and-a-half months? I confess I find this difficult," announced the judge. "I have a clear public duty to deal with people who commit offences like these, but on balance i am persuaded a prison sentence can be suspended."

Pishides pleaded guilty to three counts of obtaining money transfers by deception, namely £106,000 in access to work payments; £37,328 in housing benefit; £28, 637 in income support and evading a liability by deception, namely £3,874 in council tax.

DWP investigators mounted a surveillance operation, which confirmed their suspicions that Pishides did not travel from his home in north-west London to Wrotham in rural Kent three times a week to work as a software salesman.

The access to work scheme offers financial assistance with travel costs to those with disabilities.

He also failed to declare all of his bank accounts, his business income and part-ownership of a mortgage-free Lewisham flat.

Investigators discovered hundreds of pounds a week were being paid into Pishides' bank account from a large number of women who had signed-up to be his escorts.

The DWP are pursuing compensation under the Proceeds of Crime Act and are currently deducting £100 per month from Pishides' disability living allowance payments.

Pishides' lawyer Mr. James Maloney told the court: "The risk of re-conviction is low, the public is not at risk from the defendant. 

"His disability would make imprisonment more stressful and difficult than able-bodied defendants and he would be vulnerable to those in the system with more know-how than him."

Pishides suffers from a genetic eye condition, which restricts his field of vision to only 10% and he needs times four magnification in his right eye - his best - to see normally.

"He lost a lot of his life skills, his confidence, his self-esteem and did fall into some form of depression," added Mr. Maloney. "He is genuinely resourceful about this."

Judge Donne added: "He was pretty well off compared to a lot of people and it must have been apparent to him that what he was doing was quite egregious.

"What is the court to do with someone who commits offences on this scale for this period of time?

"However, it is a simple fact prison would be more difficult for someone with his difficulties and I have wrestled in my mind as to the correct sentence in this case."

Teenage Student Gang-Raped By Trio

A rapist who participated in a gang attack on a teenage girl is starting a 7-year sentence while his two accomplices remain on the run.

Sadiq Ali, 23, (pic.top) of Blyth Road, Hayes was jailed at Isleworth Crown Court and 22 year-old Mohamed Abdihakim, (pic.bottom) of Mackay House, White City Estate, Shepherds Bush continues to evade justice.

Both were convicted of the rape and false imprisonment of the 19 year-old student, who was held against her will after visiting Ali's flat in Hayes, Middlesex on May 26, last year.

At 4.30am she was raped by both defendants and a third man, who absconded before the trial began.

Detective Constable Adam Lewis, said: "This was a horrific attack by three males on a lone female victim.


"The sentence reflects the severity of the ordeal the victim was put through.

“Police are still actively pursuing the two outstanding suspects in this case.

“The Metropolitan Police Service are committed to pursuing any allegations made to them of a sexual nature.



"If anyone knows the whereabouts of Mohamed Abdihakim please contact the Sapphire Unit on 020 8247 6520 or to remain anonymous Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111." 

Albanian Car Wash Wars Spark Triple Murder Bid

An Albanian, who armed himself with a loaded gun when attending a late-night business deal, is starting a 23-year sentence after shooting at three men in a horrific triple murder bid.

At least seven shots were fired by Admir Bregaj, 26, (pictured) who repeatedly tried to kill the trio as they desperately attempted to flee in their car.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of attempted murder at a petrol station in Chase Side, Enfield on September 7 and one count of illegally possessing a firearm.

The Old Bailey heard the three victims had attended at 10:20pm to discuss a car-washing business venture when a row broke out between them and two other men.

Bregaj approached and pulled a gun from the front of his trousers, which was initially hidden by his black leather jacket.

The defendant fired the gun and one of the victims, who avoided being shot, jumped into his car in an effort to escape.

Bregaj kept firing bullets causing damage to the vehicle.



The second victim tried to get into the same car, but Bregaj saw him and chased him around the vehicle, continuing to fire shots at him, wounding him in the buttock.

A third man tried to disarm Bregaj, but he shot him in the pelvis.

Bregaj fired another shot that hit the floor and rebounded - hitting the same victim in the ankle.

Bregaj then ran off. 



He was arrested on the October 8 by Operation Trident officers and subsequently charged and remanded in custody.



Detective Inspector Glenn Butler of Trident Gang Crime Command said: "This significant sentence reflects the serious nature of this offence.

“Bregaj fired numerous shots in a public area over a seemingly trivial argument about a business venture.

“This would have been a terrifying experience for the victims, who thankfully have now made a full recovery from their injuries. 



"I hope this result sends a clear message that Trident officers will continue to relentlessly pursue and bring to justice those individuals who bring harm to their communities through acts of violence, gun and gang criminality. 



“If you have any information on gun and gang crime please do not hesitate in contacting the police."

Night Bus Sex Attacker Wanted: Do You Recognise Him?

Police are hunting this pervert, who followed a young woman in the early hours after she got off a night bus.

Officers from Harrow CID have released an image of the suspect in a bid to catch and arrest him.

He followed the 21 year-old victim in St. Kildas Road, Harrow at 2:00am on November 21 after she got off the N18 bus at the nearby garage.

She was approached from behind and sexually assaulted and her attacker also snatched her mobile phone.

The suspect is black, approx 30-35 years old, approx 5' 10" tall and spoke with an English accent.

He wore a black beanie hat, a black woollen jacket and blue jeans.



Detective Constable Janine Stevenson from Harrow CID said: “I would like to speak to the man in the photograph in connection with this matter.

“It is believed he was travelling on the same bus as the victim.

“I am appealing to anyone who may know him or know of his whereabouts or has any information to call police on 101, alternatively, to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.” 

Bus Death Tragedy: Did You See Anything?

Police are appealing for witnesses after a pensioner was struck and killed by a bus outside Tooting Broadway Underground Station.

Local man Dennis McGoldrick, 69, suffered fatal multiple injuries on December 16 and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the route 131 bus was stopped after the 6:15pm incident, but not arrested.

Anyone who witnesses the incident should call the Road Death Investigation Unit at Hampton Traffic Garage on 020 8941 9011. 

Happy Christmas To All Our Readers

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year from everybody here at Square Mile News.

We hope you are all safe and well and are enjoying a wonderful time with family, friends and loved ones.

This last year has been the most prolific in terms of breaking news stories for Square Mile News and our Christmas wish is to continue to be even more successful in the coming twelve months.

Hit-And-Run Driver Admits Killing Policeman In 80mph Tragedy

An unlicensed and uninsured killer hit-and-run driver, who mowed down a police officer signalling him to stop at a speed trap, will be sentenced next year.

PC Andrew Duncan, 47, (pic.top) was flung thirty metres, sustaining fatal injuries, when struck by Gary Bromige, 25, (pic.bottom) who was driving a black VW Golf at over 80mph.

Bromige, of Holland Road, South Norwood pleaded guilty at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to causing death by dangerous driving; death while unlicensed and uninsured; failing to stop at an accident and failing to report an accident.

He was remanded in custody until February 7.

Officers were deployed in Reigate Avenue, Rosehill in the early hours of September 20 on a speed enforcement operation when PC Duncan signalled for Bromige to pull over.

However, the defendant ignored this request and drove the vehicle into the officer, abandoning it a short distance later.

Father-of-two PC Duncan, who had served twenty-three years, had sustained multiple injuries and died in the early hours of September 22.

Detective Chief Inspector John McFarlane, said: “On the night of September 20 Bromige who was not legally permitted to drive, was doing so dangerously, recklessly and his actions led to the tragic death of PC Andy Duncan.



“He callously failed to stop leaving a critically injured officer at the scene. 



“Andy’s death has had a profound effect on his family, friends and colleagues and Bromige now faces a jail sentence to reflect on the devastation that he has caused.”

Graveyard Rapist Convicted Of Copycat Sex Attacks

A double rapist, who pounced on a second victim in a copycat attack while on bail for the first offence, is facing years behind bars.

James Isted, 27, (pictured) of Tintagel Road, Orpington stalked his victims, aged 17 and 27 year-old from behind – hitting the first over the head and threatening the second with a knife.

Both attacks ocurred in Church Hill, Orpington on September 30, 2011 and May 7, last year respectively.

Isted was convicted of two counts of rape and robbery against the women and assaulting a police officer on May 7 and will be sentenced on February 7.

Croydon Crown Court heard the first rape ocurred at 2.40am when the defendant struck the teenage girl from behind and dragged her into the graveyard of All Saints Church.

She was subjected to a harrowing and lengthy ordeal and Isted left with her handbag, which contained a mobile phone and other personal items.

Isted was arrested a few days later on October 4 and was on bail pending further enquiries when he struck again.

This time he approached the victim from behind at 1.30pm – threatened her with a knife – and raped her in the graveyard.

This time a witness reported the daylight attack and Isted was arrested by police after a short chase in possession of the victim's bank card and jewellery, including her engagement ring.

Detective Inspector Faye Churchyard, of the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: “Isted has shown a total disregard for both victims in this case, forcing them to re-live their ordeal by pleading not guilty to the offences.

“Both victims have shown immense courage in attending court and facing their attacker.

“I hope their determination and success in seeing him convicted will go some way in providing them with some closure.

“I believe there may be other victims who have not come forward and I urge them or any victim of rape to tell the police what happened to them.

“Specially trained officers together with our partners are here to support you throughout the process."



Anyone with information they believe may assist police is asked to call 020 8721 4614. To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.