Conservative Club Treasurer Jailed For Nicking Over £50K

The treasurer for Sidcup and District Conservative and Social Club is starting an eighteen-month prison sentence for stealing over £50,000 by transferring the organisation's money directly into his bank account.

Mark Edmonds, 53, of Upper Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent plunged the club a quarter of a million pounds into debt and they were hit with a late tax bill of £20,000.

He pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court to one count of stealing £57,284.30p from the club over two-and-a-half years between 2009 and 2012, plus a count of fraud by misrepresentation in relation to the same sum.

"It started with the defendant transferring money to his account to pay a nine thousand pound bill to the brewery and then taking more than he was entitled to," said Mr. Matthew Buckland, defending.

"He started with honest intentions, but succumbed to the temptation to take, in small increments, money he was not entitled to.

"He has been made bankrupt and this debt is part of his bankruptcy."

The prison sentence means the £2,293 per month Edmonds was paying his creditors until mid-2017 will come to and end.

Prosecutor Miss Brinder Soora told the court: "The defendant was employed as a treasurer to the community club that has pensioner members and organises events such as darts, snooker and football."

A chartered accountant reviewed the finances in May, 2012. "She found the club owed over two hundred and fifty pounds, which on the face of it appeared not to be accounted for.

"The defendant had been misappropriating money from the club in the form of transfers from the club's Lloyds Bank account to his own bank account.

"He was given an opportunity by the club to explain, but was not forthcoming and the police were called. It was they're only option.

"The club were unable to meet it's tax liabilities and were fined."

When questioned by police Edmonds, who is not a qualified accountant, said he began borrowing small amounts to cover his own financial difficulties and would repay the money.

He has pension pots of £75,000 and £40,000, which he can access at the age of fifty-five years-old, but there are no court orders forcing him to repay the club.

"Whatever the balance is to the club will be paid from those two pensions," added Mr. Buckland.

"He was unable to resist the temptation in front of him, but is able to pay the money given time and repair the damage that has been done." 

Edmonds says £150,000 of the initial £250,000 unaccounted for was paid out by him in legitimate bills on behalf of the club.

"You took advantage of the trust placed in you and took that money over a long period of time," Judge Joanna Greenberg QC told Edmonds.

Notorious Football Hooligan Wins Away Court Victory

Police 0 Aaron Cawley 1

A notorious Leeds United football hooligan from the West Country enjoyed a rare away court victory yesterday when a charge relating to his banning order was dropped.

Labourer Aaron Cawley, 24, of Blenheim Square, Cheltenham was arrested on the day of his team's visit to Fulham FC for being within five miles of a football stadium Leeds United were due to play at that day.

He appeared before Hammersmith Magistrates Court charged with breaching his football banning order by being present in New King's Road, Fulham on March 18, within five miles of Craven cottage, where Leeds United won their Championship fixture 3-0.

However, the court heard the five-mile rule – imposed at Sheffield Magistrates Court on November 21, 2012 – only applied to England international matches.

Cawley, who infamously punched Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland during a Yorkshire derby against Leeds United on October 19, 2012, has a shorter, one mile, exclusion from club games.

After accepting he was just over one mile away from Craven Cottage prosecutor Mr. Martin Edwards announced: “It seems to have been charged on a false basis,” and withdrew the case.

The court heard Cawley, who has 'LUFC' tattooed on his neck, has “anxiety issues” and brought a doctor's letter with him.

He remains subject to controls enforced by the UK Football Policing Unit.

He received four months imprisonment for assaulting the ex-England goalkeeper and was banned from watching all Leeds United football matches for life.

Footage from Sky Sports captured him dealing Kirkland a two-handed blow to the face and then running back to the stands, grinning and laughing.

He said he was too drunk to remember his actions after an all-day drinking session, during which he downed ten pints of cider, strong lager and vodka.

Church Handbag Thief Hunted For Targeting 90 Year-Old

Police are hunting this heartless handbag thief, who snatched a pensioner's bag and emptied it of cash during an Ash Wednesday church service in west London.

The woman was attending St. Nicholas' Church, Church Street, Hounslow on the evening of February 18 and left her handbag unattended while she approached the alter.

When she returned to her seat she found her handbag had been stolen.



The victim and others from the church searched the local area and found the bag and the woman's personal belongings on the street.



All the money in her purse had been taken.



The suspect was caught on CCTV entering the church and sitting at the back, before taking the victim’s bag and leaving.



The suspect is described as a black man, approximately 30-years of age and 6ft tall. He was wearing blue jeans, white trainers and was carrying a bag.



Anyone with information about the identity of the suspect is asked to call the police on 101, or to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

Rare Special-Edition Mini Cooper Nicked

A cherished and rare special-edition classic Mini Cooper – one of only three hundred made – has been taken after being parked in a posh part of west London.

The owner of the John Cooper LE left the vehicle – manufactured in 2000 – in a parking bay in Royal Hospital Road, near the junction of Sloane Avenue, Chelsea on January 29.

When he returned two hours later the car, worth approximately £10,000 and sporting rare 'Brooklands Green' livery, was gone.

If you have any information contact Detective Sergeant Lindsey Vieira from Kensington and Chelsea CID on 020 8246 0215.

If you wish to remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Fashion Designer To The Stars Drove After Cyclist And Deliberately Knocked Him Off Bike

A fashion designer to the stars pursued a cyclist in her Audi TT after a roundabout confrontation and deliberately knocked him off his bike because he kicked the side of her car.

Lamis Khamis, 42, whose designs have been worn by celebrities including model Cara Delevingne and musician Chris Brown launched her self-named brand in 2001 after graduating with a Fine Art & Sculpture Degree from the Camberwell College of Arts.

Khamis, of Iveagh Avenue, North Kensington, whose label rose from her popular stall on Portobello Road Market, Notting Hill pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and a valid MOT on May 17, last year.

The prosecution dropped a more serious charge of dangerous driving against the designer, who describes her work as just as much art as fashion and is sold in leading boutiques all over the world.

Isleworth Crown Court heard she was behind the wheel of her black 2.0 litre Audi when she got into a row with a man riding an electric-powered bicycle at a roundabout near Shepherd's Bush Green.

The cyclist kicked the side of her car during the argument, causing a dent that needed a £300 repair, and Khamis pursued him, driving her car into the bike at low speed and knocking the rider to the ground.

"There was an incident between the pair of you at the roundabout and at some stage your vehicle was kicked and you followed him," Recorder John Gallagher told Khamis today.

"He rode off, but because his cycle had no registration plate you followed in an attempt to obtain details from him.

"You, in an attempt to stop him, drove into him and he fell off his cycle. Your actions were deliberate, but it was not a case of running a person down because you were only travelling at 10mph and he sustained no injuries.

"However, this was a deliberate act and he might well have been injured and you did not consider the risks and alternatives.

"You are a mature lady who has never been in trouble with the police in the past and you have a clean driving licence and in twenty years have had no disqualifications.

"It was a deliberate act that resulted in a cyclist being knocked off his bicycle and you failed to consider the alternatives.

"I accept on your part it should not be described as road rage."

Khamis, who also consults for leading fashion brands and has styled some of the biggest stars in the music and film industry, was fined a total of £600 and given six penalty points on her licence.

Trio Charged With Money-Laundering Plot

Charged: Jasmeet Bhatia

Two men, accused of a large-scale money-laundering fraud plot, have appeared for the first time at City of London Magistrates Court.

They are: Jasmeet Singh Bhatia, 30, of Lower Field Road, Reading and Fareed Mohammed, 33, of Huntly Road, Fairfield, Liverpool, who will both appear at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing on April 13.

A third defendant, Sobhanadreshwar Uppalapati, 31, of Rosebery Avenue, Manor Park, east London, who is unwell in India had his bail extended to appear at the magistrates court on April 9.

All three are charged with conspiring to defraud between June 25 and December 28, 2012 by transferring money electronically between bank accounts, knowing or suspecting it represented the proceeds of criminal conduct.

They are also all charged with acquiring, using or possessing criminal property between the same dates, namely £186,058.

Bhatia alone is charged with conspiring to conceal criminal property between the same dates, namely £45,730 and both Mohammed and Uppalapati face the same charge in relation to £157,902.

Ex-Lord Mayor Of London Caught Drink-Driving Near Bank Of England

Sir Francis leaving court

Former Lord Mayor of London Sir Francis McWilliams was caught drink-driving when officers from the police force he was once boss of stopped his Jaguar in the early hours near the Bank of England.

Retired civil engineer Sir Francis, 89, claims he enjoyed some wine during a family dinner in the Square Mile and when officers stopped him at 2.30am his "eyes were glazed" and "his speech was slurred," City of London Magistrates Court heard.

Edinburgh-born Sir Francis, who lives in an exclusive apartment within 'A' listed Georgian mansion Whittingehame House, Stenton, East Lothian - where a flat once sold for £2.5m - pleaded guilty to driving his blue 2.7 litre Jaguar XF with excess alcohol in Threadneedle Street on March 15.

The court was told City of London police on patrol pulled him over and Sir Francis, who was appointed to the historic role in 1992, failed a roadside breath-test after alcohol was smelled on him and he was arrested.

He later gave a reading of 42 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

"Mr. McWilliams attended a family dinner and came down from Scotland," explained his lawyer. "He had some wine and did not feel impaired in the slightest.

"That was an unfortunate error of judgement and brings him to court today. Something he regrets."

Sir Francis, who is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and became involved in Square Mile politics via the Barbican's residents association, was fined £500, with £85 costs, ordered to pay a £50 victim surcharge and was disqualified for twelve months.

The court heard he has been driving since 1953 and has never received an endorsement on his licence and has no previous convictions.

The magistrates proceeded to sentencing after retiring while legal checks were made to confirm a driving disqualification made in an English court would also apply to Scotland.

No mention was made of his previous position of Lord Mayor during the hearing and he identified himself as "Mr. McWilliams."

The magistrates court is next-door to the Mansion House, where Sir Francis would have presided over many ceremonial functions during his term of office and is also on the route of the annual Lord Mayor's Show.

While Lord Mayor Sir Francis described his role as: "Ambassadorial in representing the financial City to the world outside."

Sir Francis ran his own consulting engineering practise for many years then became legally-qualified to rule on disputes within the industry and is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Ex-Junkie Rewarded For Kicking Drug Habit

Angus Duncanson

A self-medicating addict, caught with a cocktail of drugs after a passer-by spotted him snorting a suspicious substance in his parked van, has been rewarded for his efforts to kick his habit.

Angus Duncanson, 45, of Smenham Farm, Icomb, had cocaine, heroin, magic mushrooms and cannabis on him, which police estimated to originally have a street value of £1900.

He claims he needs the drugs to alleviate the pain of a decade-old injury and this week was finally sentenced after a nine-month deferment period.

Duncanson appeared at Hammersmith Magistrates Court and received a twelve-month conditional discharge with an order to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

He previously pleading guilty to four counts of possessing the drugs in Linden Gardens, Bayswater, west London on August 17.

Duncanson attended all appointments with the North West Drugs Project and stayed off all drugs, except those prescribed.

“You have done all that has been asked of you over the deferment period,” District Judge Paul Goldspring told him.

After admitting the offences last year prosecutor Miss Louise Burnell told the court: “It was 4pm when police were called to Linden Gardens after reports from a member of the public of a man in a van sniffing something.

“The police found the defendant in the van, along with several different drugs.”

Officers seized two packages of cocaine weighing 1.1gms; a 2.22gm package of heroin; 3.89gms of magic mushrooms and 380gms of both herbal and cannabis resin.

“Combined the drugs had a street value, according to the police of one thousand nine hundred pounds, but a lot of it was covered in mould so was worthless,” added Miss Burnell.

Duncanson was arrested on suspicion he was a drug-dealer, but an analysis of his mobile phone failed to find any evidence of “criminal activity” and he was charged with simple possession.

When questioned by police the first-time offender admitted the drugs were for his own use, claiming he had a fall ten years ago and suffered chronic pain, which was alleviated by the use of cannabis and heroin.

“He said he smoked heroin on a daily basis and spends one hundred and twenty pounds a week on drugs, using the money he received from a house sale.”

His lawyer Mr. Mark Haslam told the court: “There is a variety of drugs, but the amounts are small.”

He estimated the cocaine to be merely £37 worth, the heroin £100 and the mushrooms £38.

Construction Worker Attacked Safety Inspector Who 'Red-Carded' Him

Red Card: Joseph Fitzgerald

A construction worker 'red-carded' by a Health and Safety inspector at a landmark Mayfair construction site lashed-out with his fists at the decision, aiming a kick at the supervisor for good measure.

Joseph Fitzgerald, 50, of Northumberland Park, Tottenham shouted: “Nobody says 'Oi' to me,” before turning his anger on the inspector.

The supervisor ruled he was not wearing appropriate safety equipment at the Berkeley Square site of a new Blackstone Group building.

He denied, but was convicted at Hammersmith Magistrates Court, of assaulting Gordon Ogilvie on August 12, last year and was ordered to pay a £150 fine, with £620 costs, plus a £20 victim surcharge.

Prosecutor Miss Arlene De Silva told the court yesterday it was 10.30am when the inspector visited the site and was unhappy Fitzgerald was not wearing the correct gloves and found other safety issues regarding the defendant being properly equipped.

He issued a 'yellow card' warning, but after Fitzgerald “became aggressive” he followed-up with a red, which meant the defendant had to immediately leave the site.

“Fitzgerald swung a fist and Mr. Ogilvie was backed into a corner and punched, which caused a small cut where his glasses were knocked off and he received a kick to the thigh and was held in a bear hug,” explained Miss De Silva.

Mr. Ogilvie tried to take cover in the basement, where Fitzgerald followed him, throwing items.

The police were called, but the defendant did not wait around and was arrested later, denying the assault when questioned by officers.  

Web Designer's Late-Night Train Abuse Of Lone Woman

Kurtis Fehr

A drunken young web designer, whose “disgusting” abuse of a woman travelling alone on an underground train was described by a judge as “unforgivable”, was spared jail for the sake of his home and career today.

Kurtis Mortan Fehr, 22, of Sundon Park Road, Luton screamed: “You ugly f***ing c***” and “dirty whore” during a barrage of abuse near Leicester Square station on March 17, last year.

His employers, web hosting company LCN, of Whittle Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire told him he would be sacked if sent to prison for the offences – his first criminal convictions.

Fehr pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates Court to assaulting Jade Nagi and using threatening behaviour and was sentenced to a three-month, electronically-tagged, night-time curfew and was ordered to pay £300 compensation to the victim, £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

“His behaviour that night was unforgivable and some of the things he said were disgusting,” announced District Judge Paul Goldspring. “It was not an aberration and was obviously something he had thought about because he had said it previously.”

Police on the underground had warned Fehr previously about his behaviour that night when similar comments had ben made.

“The effect on this woman must have been substantial and was a result of how drunk you were,” added the judge.

“What aggravates this offence is that she was sitting alone on a tube late at night and was confronted with a disgusting torrent of abuse by a drunken man.”

During the confrontation Fehr touched Miss Nagi's knee and she quickly pushed his hand away, but this inflamed his temper and he shouted: “Who would want to touch you whore?”

“That sort of behaviour when you are drunk is frightening,” added judge Goldspring. “To compound it you laid your hand on her.

“I was going to send you to prison, but I have reflected and ordinarily you are a well behaved, sensible young man and sending you to prison would effect your accommodation and a promising career would be blighted.”

Deadly Blades Hidden In South London Bush

Two sixteen year-old boys have been arrested after these ferocious-looking knives were hidden in a bush near a south London block of flats.

Officers from Lambeth recovered the blades, which are 11 and 12 inches long, following a tip off by a member of the public. 



Police were called on Tuesday, February 24 at approximately 9.30am by a member of the public who observed two males hiding the knives in Bentons Lane, West Norwood.



Officers attended and recovered the knives and stayed at the location to see if the suspects would return



Two youths were seen by officers to return to where the knives were hidden.



When the officers approached them they both made off.



Following a short foot chase, during which one of the officers sustained a broken arm, the two youths were detained and subsequently arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon.



The two males were bailed pending further enquiries.

Superintendent Neil Paton, the lead for Operations at Lambeth, said: "We have managed to take two dangerous weapons off the streets thanks to a call by a concerned member of the public. 



“We would encourage communities across London to make contact with police if they have any information that could help us to tackle or target those who are using, storing or carrying weapons in their neighbourhoods.”

Camouflaged Suspected Arsonist Hunted By Police Investigating Huge Blaze

Police are hunting this suspected arsonist in connection with a large fire that destroyed part of an industrial estate in the early hours of the morning.

Officers from Bexley are renewing appeals for witnesses to identify who was responsible for starting the blaze in Yarnton Way, Erith, south-east London on Saturday, 21 February. 



This CCTV image has been released of a man they wish to speak with who was at the scene of the fire shortly before it began. 



The man is described as white and is believed to be in his early twenties and was wearing distinctive camouflage clothing and a camouflage hat. 



Detective Chief Inspector Gary Holmes of Bexley Police, who is leading the investigation, said: "I am appealing to anyone who recognises the man in this footage to contact police, or Crimestoppers anonymously.



"I am sure that someone will know who he is. I would also ask, does anyone know or remember anyone of this description - wearing camouflage clothing - on Friday night into Saturday morning in Erith or the local area?



"I would also urge the man seen in the footage to come forward and speak with police.



"Thankfully, no one was hurt but the fire has caused vast damage in the area."



Police and London Fire Brigade were called at approximately 2:00am and
the fire was brought under control by 5:40am.



There were no reported injuries.

Anyone who has any information should contact the police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Carer Jailed For Attacking Wheelchair-Bound Victim

A carer has been jailed for slapping the wheelchair-bound man she was looking after – striking him twice on the back and trying to push him out of his chair.

Claudine Ingabire, 31, also smashed some of the 55 year-old man's property, including the mobile phone he was trying to call the police on when she arrived at his home demanding money.

Ingabire, of Stanley Road, Croydon received four months imprisonment for the assault, which occurred on July 18, last year and was also ordered to pay the victim £200 compensation.

Croydon Magistrates Court heard the victim needs 24-hour care to help with his day-to-day living. 



He has been using a wheelchair for the last 20 years following an accident which resulted in him sustaining spinal injuries causing him to lose the function of his legs, have limited mobility in his arms and none in his fingers. 



Ingabire was hired on a temporary basis to care for him.



She attended the victim's house to collect her belongings and once inside the property she demanded money which he refused to give to her. 



After seeing his property smashed and being hit the victim managed to escape to another room and lock himself in until the police arrived. 



The investigation was handed over to Lambeth's Community Safety Unit and on August 19 Ingabire was arrested whilst on a return flight from Belgium.



Detective Inspector Ian Kenward, from Lambeth Community Safety Unit, said: "This case involved the shameful abuse of a vulnerable man by someone in a position of trust. 



"I would like to pay tribute to the bravery and resolve shown by the victim throughout the investigation.

“His evidence and support along with the investigative tenacity of the officers involved were pivotal in bringing this case to a positive conclusion. 



"I hope this serves to illustrate that police will do everything within their power to deal with such offences in a robust and timely manner."

Man Accused Of Sleepover Grope

Court Date: Phillip Green

A Scunthorpe man, accused of groping a young woman during a night time sleepover at a south-west London address, has appeared in court for the first time.

Phillip Andrew Green, 55, of Cliff Avenue, Winterton was bailed by Wimbledon Magistrates Court to appear at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on March 27.

He faces one count of sexual assault on the woman, aged in her twenties, by touching at a flat in Churchill House, Station Road, Hampton on July 27, last year.

The court heard Green was sharing a room with the complainant and her friend, all sleeping on separate air-mattresses, when he allegedly edged closer during the night and made skin-on-skin contact under her clothing.

He was bailed on condition he does not contact the complainant or her friend.

Man Accused Of Sleepover Grope

Court Date: Phillip Green

A Scunthorpe man, accused of groping a young woman during a night time sleepover at a south-west London address, has appeared in court for the first time.

Phillip Andrew Green, 55, of Cliff Avenue, Winterton was bailed by Wimbledon Magistrates Court to appear at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on March 27.

He faces one count of sexual assault on the woman, aged in her twenties, by touching at a flat in Churchill House, Station Road, Hampton on July 27, last year.

The court heard Green was sharing a room with the complainant and her friend, all sleeping on separate air-mattresses, when he allegedly edged closer during the night and made skin-on-skin contact under her clothing.

He was bailed on condition he does not contact the complainant or her friend.

Fifteen Years For Ex-Bank Employee Who Tried To Stab His Topless Masseuse Girlfriend To Death

Virgin: Amish Kansagra

A recently-promoted Barclays Bank employee, who lost his virginity after falling in love with a topless masseuse - quitting his job to open a massage parlour with her - received fifteen years yesterday for attempting to murder the single mum.

University graduate Amish Kansagra, 28, who has an economics degree, was initially a regular customer of Anna Imporowicz, 35, who offered naked clients "hand relief", but slashed her throat with an eight-inch knife during a jealous rage.

She was a specialist in "sensual massages" and Kansagra kept their relationship a secret from his family, but knew her ex in Poland was still pursuing her and finally snapped after a man smiled at her during a night out at a Holborn salsa club two days before.

He was convicted at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court of attempting to murder Anna on June 22, last year at the home they shared in Clitherow Road, Brentford.

"It was his first sexual experience, the relationship he had with Anna, he fell in love with her," said Miss Cathy Ryan, defending. "He felt an enormous sense of betrayal that she may have been using him.

"He went in fully exposed with ridiculous expectations that everything was going to be perfect and put Anna on top of a pedestal after meeting her in very unusual circumstances."

Masseuse: Anna Imporowicz

Judge Susan Tapping told the first-time offender: "Anna provided sexual massages and you met her when you became a paying client. A month later sexual intercourse took place and that was your first sexual experience.

"You held down a good, steady job with a bank and had been promoted, but walked out on your job a month later.

"You were unsettled by other men flirting with Anna, her line of work was difficult for you to cope with.

"You began feeling Anna was using you for finance only and you said in evidence you did not believe Anna was ever in love with you."

Kansagra slashed the massage tables at their new business with the same knife earlier in the day and sprayed black paint all over the premises and posted a skimpy-clothed image of Anna on Facebook with the caption: "I'm a prostitute and proud of it." claiming she had sex with 200 men.

"The scars will be with her forever and the one on her neck was visible in court," Judge Tapping told the defendant. "You are essentially a good person being sentenced for a serious offence."

Prosecutor Mr. Julian Jones told jury: "She saw Amish with the knife in his hand and he shut the kitchen window and put the knife to her throat and said: 'You've made the wrong decision. You will die today.'

"He was trying to stab her neck and she felt him cut her neck and and she saw her blood and fell to the floor saying: 'I love you. Don't do this.'

"She described him as having gritted teeth and eyes: 'Like the devil' and he cut her neck again, harder and deeper, and used the tip of the knife to cut her gum."

After the attack Anna said: "I was screaming and could feel terrible pain in my left kidney and felt his hand on my neck.

"I believe the biggest change has been to my mental and emotional sphere, nightmares are a daily occurrence. I keep seeing his calm and determined face.

"I cannot sleep without painkillers and tranquillisers and I am frightened of new men I meet. Looking at the scars on my body I cannot think of having an intimate relationship with a man."

During the attack Anna tried to flee out of the front door, but was pulled back by the defendant. "He still had the knife in one hand and the other hand around her neck and stabbed her in the side," explained Mr. Jones.

"She escaped via a window and while she had one leg out Amish tried to stab her everywhere."

After quitting his customer advisor job he opened a massage parlour with Anna in South Ealing Road, but their "happy relationship" ended the day before the stabbing after the salsa club row.

"When they got home he was shouting that Anna was a whore and Amish grabbed her phone and laptop and destroyed them," said Mr. Jones.

Anna told the jury they met through her work. "It was sensual massage and the masseuse would maybe be in her underwear or without a bra and the client would be without their underwear.

"It ends with hand relief," she added, insisting sexual intercourse would not take place.

Kansagra received a concurrent three-year sentence for possessing a blade and six months concurrent for causing criminal damage.

Carer Employed To Help "Vulnerable" Woman Raided Her Bank Account Of £10K

Patricia Wilson

A carer employed by Merton council to look after a “vulnerable” woman despite having a conviction for child cruelty helped herself to over £10,000 from the victim's bank account.

Patricia Wilson, 55, of 32 Linton Close, Mitcham, forged a “third party notice” which purportedly gave her permission to withdraw the funds, which was never properly checked by the Nationwide bank.

She pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation between January 7 and March 16, 2013, namely transferring authority to withdraw a total of £10,255.39 to herself.

Prosecutor Miss Roz Wardell told Wimbledon Magistrates Court: “The victim is a vulnerable person unable to deal with her affairs. Mrs Wilson attended the Nationwide in Mitcham, pretending to be her guardian with a power of attorney already set-up.”

It was many months before the fraud was discovered and police identified Wilson, who was employed to provide cooking, cleaning and shopping services four days a week at the victim's address in Jessop Place, Tramway Path, Mitcham, as the main suspect.

In a phone conversation with the victim Wilson confessed: “I did it, I took the money.”

Miss Wardell added: “She said she would pay back the money and begged the victim not to call the police.”

Wilson, who has previous convictions for dishonesty, told police she spent the money on a new tumble dryer and clothes for her grandchildren. She also once received a suspended sentence for child cruelty.

She was sentenced to twenty-six weeks imprisonment, suspended for twelve months, must comply with a six-month curfew and ordered to pay £5,000 compensation.

Accountant Gets Four Years For Nicking £1.3M From Bosses

Employer: Hurford Salvi Carr

The trusted financial controller of a firm of estate agents, who looted £1.3m from under the noses of her bosses to fund expensive holidays and luxury goods, has been locked-up for four years.

Karen Chin, 45, of North Hill, Highgate was employed by Hurford Salvi Carr (HSC) at their HQ in Britton Street, Clerkenwell, where she diverted clients' funds into multiple bank and credit card accounts she controlled.

Her former employers claim much of the money has been blown on high-living, spending sprees and holidays, including the rental of a private plane and a £35,000 family vacation to Mauritius.

She ignored a High Court financial freezing order brought by her former employer and kept thirteen credit card accounts secret along with two bank accounts and a £20,000 cash transfer.

"This woman sought a psychological distraction by buying shiny toys in a pathetic effort to cheer herself up," her lawyer Mr. Neville Rudston told Blackfriars Crown Court on Friday. "There's nothing left worth talking about, she's in ruin."

The fraud cost the mother-of-one her marriage and the £1.2m family home will now be sold, with HSC receiving £400,000 and another £25,000 being raised from the sale of property seized from Chin.

"You syphoned money into your own accounts. Some of it was the tenants deposits, some was the company's money," Judge David Richardson told her. "Your first reaction when caught was to cover your tracks with fraudulent emails. 

"The impact on the company has been considerable and you committed the funds to an extravagant lifestyle, luxury holidays, clothing and the like.

"It was a gross breach of trust, which involved planning and was sophisticated and you did not comply with court orders freezing your assets." 

Prosecutor Mr. David Markham told the court Chin was employed as a four days per week financial controller on a £38,000 a year salary and had been with the company since 1999 until she was sacked on June 25, 2013.

Chin made a total of 304 money transfers into her own accounts between 2008 and 2013.

"She was trusted with the company chequebook and all the online payments, but an audit report revealed she had been dishonestly syphoning off client account funds into her own accounts.

"She was authorised to make payments and transfers and was a co-signatory with the directors of the company."

When the huge shortfall was discovered Chin's email history was demanded by her bosses.

"She produced three emails that appeared to be doctored by cutting and pasting and inserting fake text. She falsified them to cover the theft of funds."

On June 28, 2013 the High Court froze Chin's assets, including her family home and a £50,000 cheque she wrote to her former employers bounced.

HSC say Chin ignored two High Court warrants to appear, moved money to secret accounts and has shown no remorse.

Chin was eventually questioned about the fraud. "She said she did not know why she did it and it was not as if she needed the money and said she would pay it back," added Mr. Markham.

"It is conduct that eventually was always bound to come to light and has resulted in the ruin of a woman who has worked herself up from a modest background to working as a book keeper and accountant," said Mr. Rudston.

"She is now a pariah and has lost her family, friends and social worker. She's disgraced after making the classic mistake of putting her fingers in the till."

Chin pleaded guilty to nine counts of fraud by abuse of a position of trust between February 19, 2008 and February 19, 2013 and asked for three offences under the Theft Act committed before 2008 to be taken into consideration.

No Luck For The Irish: Insurance Fiddle Lies Exposed By CCTV After Bus Crash

A mother-of-eight continued lying to insurers and police she was an injured passenger in a parked truck hit by a bus during a bogus whiplash injury claim until shown CCTV evidence the vehicle was unoccupied.

Mary O'Brien, 58, of Swan Road, Baglan, Port Talbot, Wales was in line to received a £1500 to £3500 insurance pay-out when she took advantage of a collision between a London bus and a relative's pick-up during a family trip to the capital.

She pleaded guilty at Hendon Magistrates Court to fraud by false representation on or before January 22, last year, namely claimed to have been a passenger in a VW involved in a traffic collision in Cricklewood Lane, Cricklewood on December 22, 2013.

The court heard a bus operated by Metroline Travel Ltd collided with an unattended parked pick-up truck and the driver remained at the scene until a Mr. John O'Brien identified himself as the owner.

He received compensation for damage to his vehicle, but the next month a personal injury claim was received from Mary O'Brien, claiming she was sitting in the vehicle's passenger seat and suffered whiplash.

An insurance investigation revealed CCTV footage, which proved the pick-up was unoccupied and O'Brien was arrested.

She continued insisting to police she was in the vehicle when it was hit by the bus, only backing down when shown the footage of the accident.

O'Brien told police she expected to receive £500-£1,000 from the claim.

The court heard she is asthmatic, has arthritis, high blood pressure and has suffered three heart attacks in the last three years.

O'Brien, who is married to a part-time scrap-metal dealer, claimed she needed to raise money to fund trips to Ireland to visit her sick mother.

She was conditionally discharged for three years and ordered to pay £85 cost and a £15 victim surcharge.

Pensioner Accused Of Attacking Neighbours With Hosepipe

A pensioner, accused of attacking two neighbours with the metal end of a hosepipe and dowsing them with water, has appeared in court for the first time.

Geoffrey Fussey, 84, of Byron Road, Wembley allegedly struck out several times, inflicting lasceratons.

He appeared at Hendon Magistrates Court charged with assaulting Marcin Ktosowski, inflicting actual bodily harm, and assaulting Waldemar Glazer outside his home address on July 16, last year.

Fussey shook his head as the prosecution outlined the case against him, which they say left an eight year-old witness “traumatised.”

Recently widowed Fussey was bailed unconditionally to appear at Harrow Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on March 30.