Drug Dealer Jailed After Police Swoop

A drug-dealer, caught with £67,000 worth of cocaine and 50 bullets, has been jailed for five years.

Michael Ade-Ojo, 30, of Sterry Crescent, Dagenham was convicted of seven counts of possession, with intent to supply, Class A and B drugs.

He was stopped by officers from Gooshays Neighbourhoods Policing Team coming out of a flat in Neave Crescent, Harold Hill on October 18, last year.

Officers searched the address and found 638 grams of cocaine and 610 grams of MDEA – known as 'Eve'.

They also seized 50 rounds of 7.65mm ammunition.

A search of Ade-Ojo's address recovered a further nine grams of high purity cocaine, 8.5 kilograms of chemicals used to cut cocaine and 328 grams of MDMA powder.

Sergeant Brad Scott of Gooshays Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "This really was a fantastic piece of policing by the officers concerned.

“A significant amount of drugs have now been taken off the streets of Havering, along with ammunition that had the potential to kill or cause serious injury.

“My officers work hard to keep their ward safe and their actions have shown they are proving successful in the fight against crime."

Night Bus Rapist Caged

A rapist who preyed on a drunken woman who fell asleep on a night bus – groping her before taking her back to his flat – has been locked-up for seven years.

Ecuadorian student Juan Calderon, 32, of Kidderpore Avenue, Hampstead pushed his hand inside the woman's jeans before leading her off the bus in the early hours.

The Kings College London student was convicted at the Old Bailey of rape and assault by penetration after a five-day trial.

The woman, aged in her thirties, had enjoyed a saturday night out drinking with friends and boarded the N13 bus at 2.00am on October 26, last year.

Calderon, who was also on the bus, sat down next to the victim and within a minute of doing so, sexually assaulted her by putting his hand down her jeans.

The victim has no recollection of the events on the bus or going back to Calderon's flat.

Her first recollection is of Calderon raping her and her saying no, and trying unsuccessfully to push him off her.

The victim then left, went home and called police.

Detective Constable Jacqui Burns from the Met's Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: "Calderon took advantage of a vulnerable woman who had been on a night out.

“As she travelled home, he sexually assaulted her, took her back to his home and raped her.

“I would like to take this opportunity to praise the victim for her courage and bravery in coming forward and I am pleased that he is now behind bars.

“I would encourage other victims of this type of crime to come forward, whatever their circumstances."

Detective Inspector Neil Rawlinson said: "The streets of London are that little bit safer now that Calderon has been imprisoned.

“He targeted a vulnerable woman and I want to assure the public that we will pursue all such offenders and bring them to justice.

“I would encourage anyone who has suffered in this way to report the matter to the police in the knowledge that they will be fully supported."

Scout Leader Who Worked At School 'Performed Sex Act' In Front Of Girls

A school caretaker and scout leader, who exposed himself to two sixteen year-old girls as they walked home late at night, has received a suspended prison sentence.

Timothy Klesel, 50, of Staines Road, Feltham, performed a sex act on himself in full view of the teenagers at 11.35pm.

Police then discovered he had been committing similar offences since the start of the year.

He pleaded guilty at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to two counts of outraging public decency and received a two-year suspended sentence.

He must also perform 70 hours community service work and is now subject to a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Klesel was first arrested by Richmond police on October 19, last year.

Two 16 year-old girls were on their way home after being out with friends and as they approached the church near Old Farm Road, Hampton they saw Klesel performing a sex act in the street.

One of the teenagers called police from her mobile phone and officers immediately attended and took the girls on a drive around in the area to see if they could find the suspect.

Klesel was seen by the two girls at the end of Oak Avenue, Hampton and he was arrested.

Following enquiries and statements by one of the girls it transpired he had committed similar offences in Hampton between January and October.

Detective Chief Inspector Barry Smith from Richmond and Twickenham CID, said: "Klesel's behaviour has clearly caused distress and alarm to two sixteen year-old girls.

“Local officers were alerted by the victims and we responded quickly, subsequently arresting Klesel.


"An effective and comprehensive investigation has reduced the risk to future victims.

“This result clearly sends out a message that this behaviour will not be accepted in Richmond and we are committed to bring criminals to justice."

Actor Sir Michael Gambon Caught Jumping Red Light

Actor Sir Michael Gambon has been punished for jumping a red light under the new Single Justice Procedure initiative, which dispenses justice behind closed doors.

The 74 year-old Dublin-born star, who played Hogwarts headmaster Professor Albus Dumbledore in six of the Harry Potter films did not have to appear at Lavender Hill Magistrates Court, where the pilot scheme is being trialled.

Sir Michael, of Meopham, Kent admitted failing to comply with the signal while driving his 2.5 litre grey Audi on the A40 Westway, Shepherd's Bush at 11.32am on February 13.

The summons, which was dealt with last week, stated the red light was illuminated for 12.7 seconds.

Under the Single Justice Scheme cases are not dealt with in open public court, but administratively when defendant's are happy to admit the offence and not appear.

The court revealed Sir Michael was fined £135, with £85 costs and ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge.

His driving license was endorsed with three penalty points.

Flower Thief Stole Sousee Beach Massacre Tribute

A heartless thief stole a floral tribute left by relatives of a couple murdered in the Sousee beach massacre - then complained about having to pay a fine for taking the flowers, which he hoped would brighten up his room.

Iranian asylum-seeker Shayan Moradisohi, 31, reached over the police cordon outside West London Coroner's Court and grabbed flowers left in memory of John Stoker, 74, and his wife Janet Stoker, 63.

He pleaded guilty at Hammersmith Coroner's Court today to one count of theft of flowers from the Stoker family in Bagleys Lane, Fulham on July 6 and was fined £20, with £85 costs and was ordered to pay a £180 court charge and £20 victim surcharge.

The Stoker's both suffered fatal gunshot wounds to the pelvis while sunbathing in Sousse, Tunisia on June 26.

A total of thirty-eight people were killed and inquests into the thirty UK fatalities, including the Stoker's, were opened at West london Coroner's Court on July 6.

The bodies of the victims were lying in Fulham Mortuary, where the floral tributes were laid.

Prosecutor Mr. Kevin Christie told the court: "Police were on duty in a cordon at Fulham Mortuary in aid of victims of the Tunisian massacre.

"PC Hunt saw the gentleman before you reach over into the police cordon, crossing a police line, and took a bunch of flowers that were part of the memorial to the victim's.

"PC Hunt recognised Mr Moradisohi from his distinctive clothing and he did not have any flowers and then lent over and took the flowers.

John & Janet Stocker

"He followed him for several metres, before stopping him and when asked why he took the flowers he said they were his.

"He stated he took the flowers to put them in his room.

"He fully admitted taking the flowers and said he was sorry for what he did, saying he did not know where he was or what the flowers were for."

His lawyer Mr. Declan Adams said: "There's an aggravating feature here because of the tragedy that happened in Tunisia.

"He came to the UK as an asylum seeker and suffers from trauma and depression. He says he lives in a hostel.

"As a consequence he is not abreast of current affairs and was not aware of what a Coroner's Court was and did not realise the sensitivity of his actions.

"He took the flowers because he was depressed and wanted to brighten up his room.

"He wishes to extend his apologies to the victims and extend his sympathies. If he was aware he certainly would not have taken the flowers from that area.

"The value of the flowers is low and they were recovered. The main issue here is the sensitivity."

Moradisohi complained: "Why should I pay? I took a bunch of flowers. I don't wanna pay.

"I'm sick. i have a mental problem. They tortured me, they gave me poison. They made me disabled."

Magistrate Mrs Julie Baldwin told him: "This could have been more difficult for you and that full payment remains. We understand the financial pressures you are under."  

The Stoker's have five children and ten grandchildren and retired printer John, originally from Peckham and Janet, originally from Fulham, where she grew up with two brothers, had settled in Crawley.

The inquests were opened by HM Senior Coroner for West London Chinyere Inyama and adjourned.

The couple were shot by Tunisian engineering student Seifeddine Rezgui, 23, who was fatally wounded by police marksmen shortly afterwards.

Book Keeper's Gang Jailed For Brutal Home Invasion

Turkan & Tuncel Ibrahim

 A disgruntled book keeper, who masterminded a £300,000 jewellery raid on his ex-employers' home by hiring thugs who terrorised the couple with threats of rape and murder, has been jailed along with his accomplices.

Zahid Sait, 42, of was sacked from the catering company run by the victims after they suspected him of stealing £20,000 nearly a decade previously.

He recruited six-foot six Junior Miller, 36, and Kyio Scarlett-Hudson, 20, giving them instructions on the location and most opportune time to raid the large detached house, where he claimed £1m was kept in a safe.

Sait, of Mitcham Close, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, whose cousin is married to the couple's son, was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for what was described by Judge Peter Gower QC as: "A brutally and ruthlessly executed robbery of two elderly people."

He was convicted by a Croydon Crown Court jury of conspiring to rob Mr. Tuncel Ibrahim, 69, and 67 years-old Mrs Turkan Ibrahim at their home in Chislehurst Road, Petts Wood, Orpington on June 9, last year.

Both Miller and Scarlett-Hudson pleaded guilty to the same charge, with Miller additionally admitting two counts of false imprisonment and possessing a stun gun when his home was searched by police.

Former semi-professional basketball player, model and actor Miller, of Pyrland Road, Highbury, who pounced on Mr. Ibrahim as he left his house just after 5am and tied him up and beat him received 12 years.

Zahid Sait

Sales assistant Scarlett-Hudson, of Pound Lane, Willesden, who tied up the naked Mrs Ibrahim with her dressing-gown cord, received 8 years.

"You, Sait, identified the Ibrahim's as a wealthy couple. You were aware of their wealth because you worked for Mr. Ibrahim's catering company and believed they were likely to have a large amount of cash and personal possessions.

"You, Miller, threatened to rape Mr. Ibrahim's wife in front of him and you, Scarlett-Hudson, must have presented a terrifying sight to Mrs Ibrahim, who thought you were trying to strangle her and you threatened to kill her husband."  

Prosecutor Mr. Gino Connor told the court: "This was a planned robbery with the expectation of a second safe.

"Mr. Ibrahim was put to the floor, face-down, and struck on his side with punches and knees.

"He was tied-up with his own tie with his hands behind his back and was dragged along the hallway floor by Miller and suffered a dislocated shoulder.

"He was thrown face-down on the bed, a towel was shoved into his mouth and he was covered with a blanket.

Junior Miller

"She was in bed naked and was grabbed around the mouth and there were threats of strangulation by Scarlett-Hudson and threats her husband would be killed.

"She was very frightened and terrified."

Mrs Ibrahim also had a scarf tied around her neck and told: "Shut up or I will kill you, I'll kill your husband," by Miller.

"They threatened to rape her if the husband did not co-operate," explained Mr. Connor. 

Mr. Ibrahim gave the raiders his safe key from his briefcase and £300,000 worth of jewellery, much of it sentimental and in the family for generations, was taken.

They also helped themselves to £15,000 cash the couple had withdrawn for a foreign holiday.

The ordeal lasted twenty-five minutes and the couple were taken to Princess Royal Hospital with shock, where the husband was also treated for bruising and a laceration to his right eye.

Kyio Scarlett-Hudson

The gang were caught after Miller's DNA was matched to a button ripped-off his jacket and police were able to identify his accomplices via his mobile phone records.

Sait had the audacity to attend a family funeral in Edmonton he knew the Ibrahim's would be present at four months later and he was arrested on the spot.

He initially denied knowing the robbers, but later claimed he was "terrified for his life" and fed the gang information under duress to settle gambling debts.

"Mr. Ibrahim is still in a large amount of pain due to this vicious attack," added Mr. Connor.

The victim told police: "I still struggle to walk and will never regain full use of my body. My life has been turned upside down and I struggle to sleep because the pain is too much to bear.

"It is disturbing to know a family member is behind this sick and vicious attack. We did him no harm.

"This attack has shattered my mobility, confidence and self-esteem and I still fear opening my front door every morning."

Mrs Ibrahim said: "I still struggle to sleep and go to bed in constant fear and am terrified of the dark. I regularly break down and cry.

"I constantly visualise the incident over and over again and as long as I live I will never be able to erase these images from my mind.

"We have never done anything to Zahid. We have never bore him ill will, but were subjected to this violence."

Gay Neighbour Performed Sex Act On Late-Night Guest

A gay sex pest took advantage of his drunken neighbour by performing oral sex on the man after he passed out on the couch during an all-night drinking-session.

Andrej Korda, 35, of Butterfield Close, Twickenham had invited the neighbour, 30, and his wife to the flat he shared with his boyfriend then pounced when they were left alone.

The Slovakian-born technical operator, who is employed by a company that provides services to the deaf, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault at his home address on March 18 and was bailed until August 6 for a pre-sentence report.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard he received a police caution the same month for the sexual touching of another male.

Prosecutor Miss Katrina Rennalls said the victim and his wife watched a film at the address and the man remained chatting with Korda until 5am.

“He woke up to find Korda giving him oral sex and reacted by pushing him off and punching him in the face and pushing him over a coffee table.”

Korda also falsely claimed to have taken photographs of the act.

Forensic swabs confirmed oral sex, which was not consensual, had occurred.

Korda's lawyer said the defendant: “Had a considerable amount to drink and could not recall the act itself.”

The court was told the defendant was at a: “Low point,” and was: “Extremely remorseful,” and blamed alcohol, money troubles, long work shifts and difficulties with his partner for his state of mind.

Korda's five-year relationship has broken down and he says he would like to write an apology to the victim if allowed.

Children's Sports Coach Accused Of Internet Sex With 14 Year-Old Girl

A children's football and P.E. coach, attached to Chippenham's award-winning Stanley Park Sports Ground, has appeared in court charged with internet sexual activity with a 14 year-old girl.

Philip William Boore, 35, of Dover Street, Chippenham is accused of encouraging the girl to expose her breasts and perform sex acts on herself during webcam sessions that lasted three to four hours.

On the local authority's website he is described as a Football in the Community Coach, who has a Bsc degree in Bsc Sports & Exercise Science and holds coaching certificates for Football Level 2 and Cricket Level 2.

He also holds Level 1 certificates in hockey, rugby, badminton, tennis, emergency first aid, child protection and disabled football and works with local schools as a football coach and main P.E. teacher.

Boore gave no indication as to plea when he appeared on bail at Wimbledon Magistrates Court, where he was sent to Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on July 29 after jurisdiction was declined due to the seriousness of the charges.

The court heard Boore allegedly sent intimate images of himself to the girl, who lives in Mitcham, south-west London and they also exchanged mobile phone numbers and were facebook friends.

It is said he encouraged her to pour wax over her breasts and attach clothes pegs to them and was allegedly in possession of extreme pornography when police raided his home.

Boore is charged with two counts of causing or inciting a child, between May 1 and July 31, last year, to engage in sexual activity and one count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

He is also charged with possessing extreme pornography between the same dates; namely acts involving people and animals, which threatened a person's life.

Nightclub Troublemaker Gets Two Years For Hurling Heavy Blocks At Doormen

Convicted: Elizer Palmer-Lewis

A Peterborough man, who led “chaotic scenes” outside a landmark club, where he was caught on CCTV hurling heavy fencing blocks at security staff is starting a prison sentence.

Door staff came under a hail of objects – including traffic cones - thrown by angry customers and one doorman was stabbed during the early hours disturbance.

Elizer Palmer-Lewis, 25, of Goffsmill, Bretton was convicted by a Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court jury of violent disorder outside Club Colosseum, Vauxhall on March 23, last year and received two years imprisonment.

He was also given a consecutive nine-month sentence for an offence unrelated to the nightclub incident.

His friend, who travelled down to London with him, 26 year-old factory metal worker Guilherme Mendes, of

Spring Close, Huntingdon was found not guilty of violent disorder.

Violence erupted outside the popular club after the two defendants and a friend they met up with were forcibly ejected when trouble broke out inside.

Prosecutor Mr. Andrew Dowden told the jury CCTV shows Mendes taking off his belt and wrapping it around his fist before confronting the door staff with Palmer-Lewis hurling heavy-duty fence blocks in their direction.

“He was throwing very large rubber blocks used to secure temporary fencing and they were whistling past Mr. Mendes' ear towards the bouncers.”

Cross-examining Mendes in the witness box the prosecutor put to him: “You knew Mr. Palmer-Lewis was doing that and you were acting together with him and the people around you to attack those bouncers.

“You were shoulder to shoulder with a man in a bobble hat who had a knife. He's holding a knife in the video.

“You were standing next to him and when he lunged into the bouncers on three occasions.”

Not Guilty: Guilherme Mendes

The court heard the crowd also hurled traffic cones towards the door staff amid claims they had been heavy-handed when dealing with the trouble inside.

A large number of police officers were deployed to calm the scene, with one of them describing Palmer-Lewis as having blood on his hands, t-shirt and footwear.

Factory metal worker Mendes told the jury he and Palmer-Lewis had driven to east London to meet up with a friend named 'Idir' and they travelled to the club by taxi, where they met more people.

The prosecution say there was “tension” inside the club between the defendants and their friends and another group and trouble broke out in the early hours.

“I saw a lot of movement and Idir was covering his eye, I think he was hit,” explained Mendes. “People were pointing at the guy who hit my friend.

“We wanted to grab him and tell security, but he ran off and the bouncers grabbed all of us, about ten of them.”

Mendes said he was taken out and was walking towards a bus stop when he looked back and saw 'Idir' lying unconscious outside the club entrance.

“I ran to save him, I needed to get my friend out of there.”

CCTV shows Mendes removing his belt and wrapping it around his fist as he approached the door staff. “I did that to protect myself. They were getting closer and more and more aggressive.”

He also claimed seeing a can of CS gas in a bouncer's hand and an iron bar in another's.

Mr. Dowden told him: “You were on the front line and aggressive towards the bouncers.”

The prosecutor also suggested Mendes deliberately did not tell police about the friends he was with to protect them. “You were all in it together.”

The CCTV also shows Palmer-Lewis brawling with somebody on the the pavement and Mendes climbing a fence to get closer to the door staff.

“I was trying to help my friend,” he explained. “I was not thinking about everything that was going on around me.”

Arrested Policeman Threatened To Fight Fellow Officers If Handcuffed

"I'll fight you": PC Mark Toulson

A policeman's career with the Met is in ruins after he was arrested outside a cocktail bar for allegedly attacking two fellow officers then had to be overpowered by at least four cops when he resisted being handcuffed the next morning.

PC Mark Lesley Toulson, 34, had suffered a head injury and was being taken from hospital when he said: "I'll walk down to the van without a fuss, but if you handcuff me I'll fight you."

The Wandsworth Borough officer, of Summerhill Way, Mitcham pleaded guilty at Wimbledon Magistrates Court to obstructing police at St. George's Hospital on November 27, last year.

Yesterday he was fined £325, with £85 costs and ordered to pay a £33 victim surcharge.

Prosecutor Mrs Mary Lawrenson told the court: "Mr. Toulson swung around and started swinging his arms and it took the full strength of the Wimbledon officers, plus two Wandsworth officers to restrain him and take him to the floor."

Hours earlier PC Toulson had been arrested at Hemingways Lounge Bar, Wimbledon Village and was charged with assaulting two police officers and using threatening behaviour.

He pleaded not guilty to those counts and the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence

Hemingways Lounge Bar

because they had not replied to a defence expert who supported PC Toulson's claim he was suffering automatism and was not responsible for his actions.

"It cannot be ruled out he was suffering the effects of a head injury and a CT scan was required at the hospital," said Miss Heather Oliver, defending. "This is a man who was not in his normal state of mind."

Once the hospital concluded their checks officers wanted to take PC Toulson to Sutton Police Station. "One of them told Mr. Toulson if it was the other way around then the handcuffs would be put on him," added Mrs Lawrenson.

Miss Oliver said: "Officers were seeking to transport him from the hospital to the van and it was his obstructiveness that led to this incident.

"He has been a serving Metropolitan Police officer since the age of twenty-six and served on the Safer Neighbour Hood Team, the Urgent Response Team and the Task Team.

"This is going to have huge consequences. This is a man who has not only lost his good character and name, but is very, very likely to lose his job as well.

"He is a man who faces the loss of his career."

Magistrate Mr. Jim Peters told PC Toulson: "This offence is in the middle category of seriousness because of the swinging of the arms and the threat to fight."

Clubbers Deny Leading "Chaotic Scenes" And Attack On Doormen

Guilherme Mendes

Two Cambridgeshire men led “chaotic scenes” outside a landmark club, where security staff came under a hail of objects thrown by angry customers, with one doorman stabbed, a court heard today.

Violence erupted outside Club Colosseum, Vauxhall in the early hours after the two defendants and a friend they met up with in London were forcibly ejected when trouble broke out inside.

They are: Guilherme Mendes, 26, of Spring Close, Huntingdon and 25 year-old Elizer Palmer-Lewis, of Goffsmill, Bretton, Peterborough.

Both have pleaded not guilty at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to one count each of violent disorder on March 23, last year.

Prosecutor Mr. Andrew Dowden told the jury CCTV shows Mendes taking off his belt and wrapping it around his fist before confronting the door staff with Palmer-Lewis hurling heavy-duty fence blocks in their direction.

“He was throwing very large rubber blocks used to secure temporary fencing and they were whistling past Mr. Mendes' ear towards the bouncers.”

Cross-examining Mendes in the witness box the prosecutor put to him: “You knew Mr. Palmer-Lewis was doing that and you were acting together with him and the people around you to attack those bouncers.

“You were shoulder to shoulder with a man in a bobble hat who had a knife. He's holding a knife in the video.

“You were standing next to him and when he lunged into the bouncers on three occasions.”

Elizer Palmer-Lewis

The court heard the crowd also hurled traffic cones towards the door staff amid claims they had been heavy-handed when dealing with the trouble inside.

A large number of police officers were deployed to calm the scene, with one of them describing Palmer-Lewis as having blood on his hands, t-shirt and footwear.

Factory metal worker Mendes told the jury he and Palmer-Lewis had driven to east London to meet up with a friend named 'Idir' and they travelled to the club by taxi, where they met more people.

The prosecution say there was “tension” inside the club between the defendants and their friends and another group and trouble broke out in the early hours.

“I saw a lot of movement and Idir was covering his eye, I think he was hit,” explained Mendes. “People were pointing at the guy who hit my friend.

“We wanted to grab him and tell security, but he ran off and the bouncers grabbed all of us, about ten of them.”

Mendes said he was taken out and was walking towards a bus stop when he looked back and saw 'Idir' lying unconscious outside the club entrance.

“I ran to save him, I needed to get my friend out of there.”

CCTV shows Mendes removing his belt and wrapping it around his fist as he approached the door staff. “I did that to protect myself. They were getting closer and more and more aggressive.”

He also claimed seeing a can of CS gas in a bouncer's hand and an iron bar in another's.

Mr. Dowden told him: “You were on the front line and aggressive towards the bouncers.”

The prosecutor also suggested Mendes deliberately did not tell police about the friends he was with to protect them. “You were all in it together.”

The CCTV also shows Palmer-Lewis brawling with somebody on the the pavement and Mendes climbing a fence to get closer to the door staff.

“I was trying to help my friend,” he explained. “I was not thinking about everything that was going on around me.”

Trial continues............     

Woman Lied To Police To Get Dangerous Driver Boyfriend Off Hook

Harrow Crown Court

A woman who's boyfriend abandoned her rented car after driving it like a madman in front of police later reported the vehicle as stolen in a failed bid to get him out of trouble.

Reena Popat, 40, of Waverley Road, Harrow tried to blame a mystery joyrider, but her lies were exposed and she was arrested.

She pleaded guilty at Harrow Crown Court to perverting the course of justice on September 10, last year in Oman Avenue, Willesden. namely falsely reporting to police her white Vauxhall Astra had been stolen when she knew it was driven by her partner Andrew Lewis.

Today she received eight months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months, was placed on a twelve month supervision order, which includes eighty hours community service work, and ordered to pay a £100 victim surcharge.

The court heard police officers witnessed the vehicle being driven dangerously and soon after found it abandoned.

Popat was “pressured” into making the false report and claims she was worried about what her boyfriend may do if she did not co-operate. 

Kids Illustrator Jailed For Sexually Abusing Two Young Girls Four Decades Ago

A disgraced children's books illustrator, who sexually abused two young girls four decades ago – molesting one when he took her out for ice-cream and groping the other as she lay in bed – has been jailed for three years and nine months.

Artist Henry Christopher Mendes, 64, of Park an Pyth, Pendeen, Penzance initially denied forcing the first girl, who was approximately eight years-old, to perform a sex act on him and running his hand up the body of the second girl, also aged around eight.

However, after hearing the two victims give evidence at Blackfriars Crown Court Mendes unexpectedly changed his plea to guilty .

Prosecutor Mr. Shaun Esprit told the jury the offences occurred in north London's Kentish Town in the late 1970's and only came to the police's attention when the first complainant reported Mendes in 2013, encouraged by her friend revealing she was also molested.

“The defendant went out to go to the off-licence and he asked the first complainant if she fancied coming with him to get an ice-cream,” he told the court. “He stopped off at a pub and left her outside while he popped in.

“She was left outside on her own and after what seemed to her an eternity the defendant returned and as they walked back he took her through an elevated area, which was higher up and had a swing and concrete blocks.”

This was later identified as the Lismore Circus children's play area.

“The defendant made her sit down on one and she noticed he was mumbling to himself and fiddling with the zip on his trousers and she did not know what was going on.”

The girl then performed a sex act on Mendes, said Mr. Esprit. “Afterwards he seemed relieved and satisfied.”

The girl remained silent until 1989. “She blurted out what happened to her mother. It was an emotional outburst.”

The complainant later emailed Mendes. “She brought up what happened and expressed a lot of anger and was extremely emotional.”

The second complainant also told police she was targeted by the defendant, added Mr. Esprit.

“She was asleep in bed and awoke and was aware of someone next to her, a man, and could hear ponderous breathing.

“She did not open her eyes, but recognised the voice of the defendant saying: 'You're so beautiful' and she felt a hand under the duvet, which bit by bit moved up.

“It stopped short of between her legs when a man's voice outside her bedroom door said: 'Chris, let's go to the off-licence.'

“The defendant was known by his second name, Chris,” the prosecutor told the court.

Mendes was arrested and questioned by police. “He denied the assaults.”

However, during the investigation police discovered his computer contained nearly 400 sick indecent images of children, proving despite the four decades that had passed Mendes was still an active paedophile.

Detective Constable Jo Dell of the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command said: “I would like to thank both victims for their bravery in reporting these incidents to police and their ongoing support throughout the investigation.

“They have shown resilience, which enabled the case to proceed to this successful conclusion. Mendes is a serial offender who has abused the trust of his friends and targeted vulnerable young girls.”

Police suspect the artist has abused more youngsters and Detective Inspector Neil Smithson said: “I would appeal to any other victims of Mendes to come forward. The Metropolitan Police will fully support you and seek to bring offenders to justice, no matter when the offences were committed.”

One of the victims said: “One of the things I would like to add is how well treated I have been by the Met Police. It has taken a long time to feel brave enough to come to the police with this, not only confronting what happened within myself, but also having to tell a total stranger.

“I would have no hesitation in recommending that anyone who has experienced any type of abuse to report it, in fact I would urge them to.

“It might be scary at first, but personally speaking it was a cathartic experience that has really helped me to process what happened to me.”

Mendes pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault in relation to each girl between July 8, 1976 and November 27, 1979.

He also admitted seven counts of making indecent photographs of a child and one count of possessing extreme pornographic images.

Chelsea Pensioner Kicked Out After Convicted Of Sexually Assaulting Drunken Woman In His Berth

A Chelsea Pensioner has been kicked out of the prestigious Royal Hospital after flouting strict rules by taking a drunken woman - four decades his junior - to his room, where he sexually assaulted her.

Patrick Noel Teegan, 72, played a key role in last year's closing ceremony of the Chelsea Flower Show and was wearing his trademark ceremonial scarlet uniform when he met the 29 year-old fund-raising executive in the hospital's club.

She had already consumed two glasses of champagne that day and says she blacked-out after Teegan bought her a couple of glasses of white wine.

The decorated former Warrant Officer, who joined the Army in Belfast in 1962 and served all over the world, was convicted yesterday of sexually assaulting the woman in the early hours of May 24, last year.

Isleworth Crown Court heard the next thing she remembers is waking up naked in Irishman Teegan's bed with the stripped defendant grinding against her.

"I felt very drunk and being in the club is my last memory," she explained.

"He had his arm around my waist and he was naked as well lying behind me," she told police. "I was shocked I didn't know where I was or who I was with."

She told the court semi-aroused Teegan - known as 'Paddy' - was rubbing his groin against her buttocks and invited her to remain until the morning, describing her as: "Wonderful."

"I just thought: 'What the hell is happening?'"

Teegan will be housed by charity Veteran's Aid over the weekend and plans to move in with family - leaving behind the 320 year-old Sir Christopher Wren-designed hospital and his veteran comrades.

"Because of that verdict as of this moment Mr. Teegan is no longer a Chelsea Pensioner and he will not be able to return to Chelsea Hospital," his lawyer Clare McGrath told the court.

"Arrangements have been made for alternative accommodation."

In return for £175 a week residents, who must be Army veterans over 65 years-old, receive a private berth within the seventeenth century Grade 1 listed building, plus three meals a day and enjoy an active ceremonial and social life.

Recorder Jonathan Davies bailed Teegan until August 28 for a pre-sentence report, telling the first-time offender: "You are obviously going to be low and I recognise you will have accommodation difficulties.

"I consider this passes the custodial threshold and the court will consider a custodial sentence."

Hours before the assault Teegan, who was a Ministry of Defence civil servant for a decade after his Army service, took part in the traditional bell-ringing ceremony, which closes the annual flower show.

The father-of-two spent the rest of the evening drinking in the Chelsea Pensioners Club, where he met the woman. 

"She was smiling and I said: 'Hello, would you like a drink?' I could see she was getting merry and her voice did get loud.

"She was not straight, you could tell she'd had a drink," he told the court.

"I took her out of the club because the barmaid suggested it and she said she was tired, needed a rest and did not want to go home.

"She said: 'Can I come to your room and have a rest?' I said: 'Yes, you can come to my berth and have a rest.'

"I knew I was doing wrong by letting her into my berth, that was breaking hospital rules, the no female rule.

"She started taking her clothes off and got into bed and she said: 'Come to bed.' I got into bed, wearing just my underpants. I wanted to have a rest.

"She took my right hand and placed it on her stomach, but I took my hand away. I think she wanted to initiate more, perhaps sex."

Teegan told the court she then threw up over herself. "I told her: 'I think it's time you went.'"

He walked her to the night bus, which she caught after 3am, but was seen by the police six days later.

Describing how it felt to be arrested Teegan said: "I went into shock," adding that it was "horrible" being on trial.

The woman asked her mother to take her to a psychiatric hospital the next day, fearing she would harm herself otherwise.