Thursday 13 August 2015

Blackmailer Guilty Of £15,000 Bank Cashier Threat

A sinister blackmailer, who tried to intimidate a female bank cashier into paying him £15,000 by threatening to report her to the police for stealing from her employer, has been convicted.

Initially posing as a detective and then a bank supervisor 23 year-old Iqbal Miah, of Hamlet Road, Southend-on-Sea called the woman's personal mobile phone while she was working at a branch of Santander.

He was found guilty at Harrow Crown Court of blackmailing Melinna Yanni at the Kilburn High Road, Kilburn branch on September 24, last year and will be sentenced on September 11.

Prosecutor Mr. David Ryan told the jury the blackmail calls were traced by police to Miah's phone and had been made near his address at the time in nearby Mortimer Crescent.

Two days before the demand for money Miss Yanni received a call from an unknown number and the caller spoke with an Asian or African accent saying he was a police officer from Holborn Police Station.

He asked her if she worked in the Kilburn branch of Santander and still lived in Elephant and Castle.

Two days later, just before 9am, she received another call from this unknown number claiming to be from the bank's regional manager, accusing her and a colleague of stealing fifteen thousand pounds.

The caller said this is how they were able to buy two new Audi cars,” explained Mr. Ryan. “He was aware Miss Yanni did not have money, but was now in credit.

She said her mother had transferred twenty thousand pounds into her account in August.”

The mystery caller became angry and the call ended, but later in the day the employee received another call.

There was a demand that Miss Yanni give him fifteen thousand pounds within forty-eight hours or he would report her to the police and she could go to jail for a couple of years.

She handed the phone to her manager, who told the caller to contact the fraud team and stop harassing Miss Yanni.”

Miah was arrested in November and replied “no comment” to all police questions.

Wednesday 12 August 2015

Head Teacher Awarded MBE Charged With Sexually Abusing Young Boy

A former headteacher – awarded the MBE for services to youth work – has appeared in court accused of a sex act on an underage boy four decades ago.

John Coatman, 74, of 8 Leyburn Gardens, Croydon was the head of St. Andrew's School in the town's Warrington Road and became a Member of the British Empire in 2012.


He appeared on bail at Croydon Magistrates Court yesterday charged with committing buggery on a boy aged under sixteen years of age between January 1 and December 31, 1973 at the Leyburn Gardens address.


He joined youth group the Croydon Cusaders – now named Urban Saints – in 1949 and rose to represent the club at national and international level.


Since retiring he has dedicated his time to the youth club and has worked with more than 100,000 young people leading expeditions to Austria, a project which has secured European Union funding, and on countless Duke of Edinburgh Award trips.

He will next appear at Croydon Crown court for a preliminary hearing on August 25.

Head Teacher Awarded MBE Charged With Sexually Abusing Young Boy

A former headteacher – awarded the MBE for services to youth work – has appeared in court accused of a sex act on an underage boy four decades ago.

John Coatman, 74, of Leyburn Gardens, Croydon was the head of St. Andrew's School in the town's Warrington Road and became a Member of the British Empire in 2012.

He appeared on bail at Croydon Magistrates Court yesterday charged with committing buggery on a boy aged under sixteen years of age between January 1 and December 31, 1973 at the Leyburn Gardens address.


He joined youth group the Croydon Cusaders – now named Urban Saints – in 1949 and rose to represent the club at national and international level.


Since retiring he has dedicated his time to the youth club and has worked with more than 100,000 young people leading expeditions to Austria, a project which has secured European Union funding, and on countless Duke of Edinburgh Award trips.

He will next appear at Croydon Crown court for a preliminary hearing on August 25.

Tuesday 11 August 2015

Blackmailer's £15,000 Bogus Police Threat To Bank Worker

A sinister blackmailer tried to intimidate a female bank cashier into paying him £15,000 by threatening to report her to the police for stealing from her employers, a jury were told yesterday.

Initially posing as a detective and then a bank supervisor 23 year-old Iqbal Miah, of 26 Hamlet Road, Southend-on-Sea called the woman's personal mobile phone while she was working at a branch of Santander, the court heard.

He has pleaded not guilty at Harrow Crown Court to blackmailing Melinna Yanni at the Kilburn High Road, Kilburn branch on September 24, last year.

Prosecutor Mr. David Ryan told the jury the blackmail calls were traced by police to Miah's phone and had been made near his address at the time in nearby Mortimer Crescent.

Two days before the demand for money Miss Yanni received a call from an unknown number and the caller spoke with an Asian or African accent saying he was a police officer from Holborn Police Station.

He asked her if she worked in the Kilburn branch of Santander and still lived in Elephant and Castle.

Two days later, just before 9am, she received another call from this unknown number claiming to be from the bank's regional manager, accusing her and a colleague of stealing fifteen thousand pounds.

The caller said this is how they were able to buy two new Audi cars,” explained Mr. Ryan. “He was aware Miss Yanni did not have money, but was now in credit.

She said her mother had transferred twenty thousand pounds into her account in August.”

The mystery caller became angry and the call ended, but later in the day the employee received another call.

There was a demand that Miss Yanni give him fifteen thousand pounds within forty-eight hours or he would report her to the police and she could go to jail for a couple of years.

She handed the phone to her manager, who told the caller to contact the fraud team and stop harassing Miss Yanni.”

Miah was arrested in November and replied “no comment” to all police questions.

Trial continues............

Monday 10 August 2015

Lifelong Drinker Who Kicked Cop Ordered To Beat The Booze

A lifelong binge drinker, who kicked a police officer in the leg during a wine and vodka bender, screaming: “You can't arrest me in my f***ing home,” has been ordered to beat the booze.

Officers had been called by 43 year-old Fiona Connolly to her home in North Pole Road, North Kensington because she wanted to report her alcoholic boyfriend for smashing her table.

The officers arrived and the defendant was drunk and slurring her words,” prosecutor Miss Simma Khan told Hammersmith Magistrates Court. “She became abusive and resisted arrest.”

Connolly, who has previous convictions for racially-aggravated criminal damage, assault, threatening behaviour and being drunk while in charge of a child, shouted: “Shut up you f***ing moron. I'll have you struck off.”

Miss Khan added: “She kicked the officer with her right leg, connecting with the officer's knee and causing pain.”

Connolly pleaded guilty to assaulting Police Constable Todd Alsop on May 7 and was sentenced to a twelve-month community order, which includes an alcohol treatment requirement.

She was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to PC Alsop and a £150 court charge.

Sunday 9 August 2015

West Wickham Burglary: Police Hunting Watch

This distinctive £2,000 watch has been stolen during a burglary in a leafy suburb of south London.
The IWC Pilots Chrono-Automatic was snatched between May 15 and 16 from a property in Copse Avenue, West Wickham.
Detectives from Bromley borough have released this image in an attempt to trace the watch and catch those responsible for the break-in.
Anyone with any information should contact Bromley CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting reference 3309310/15.

Saturday 8 August 2015

Late-Night Gunman Caught By Police Eye In The Sky

A late-night prowler, caught by a police helicopter throwing away his loaded gun, which was fitted with a silencer, has been locked-up for fourteen years.
Mohammed Alasow, 24, of Mount Pleasant Lane, Redbridge was tracked using heat source technology and filmed by the helicopter.
The alarm was raised after he was spotted climbing a garden fence in St. Thomas' Garden, Redbridge just after midnight on October 21, last year.
The police helicopter tracked his movements and guided officers on the ground to his location and he was arrested.
When police from the Air Support Unit reviewed the footage they noticed Alasow had discarded an object.
Officers searched the area and the gun, containing five bullets was found, and DNA evidence linked it to the defendant.
He was convicted at Snaresbrook Crown Court of possession of a firearm with intent, plus possession of ammunition and the silencer.
Detective Constable Mark Ellis of the Trident and Area Crime Command, said: "Thanks to the quick thinking of the member of the public who spotted Alasow acting suspiciously, this dangerous man is now behind bars for a significant period of time.
"This was an example of excellent teamwork by officers in the police helicopter, local officers on the ground and Trident detectives who investigated the incident.


“The conviction of Mohamed Alasow demonstrates our continued commitment to targeting dangerous criminals who carry firearms."

Friday 7 August 2015

Spurned Lover Stabbed Ex-Boyfriend During Murder-Suicide Bid

A dumped lover, who stabbed his ex-boyfriend nine times and slashed his own wrists during an attempted murder and suicide bid, has received ten years.
Sivharta Camacho-Vallejo, 32, of Greet House, Frazier Street, Southwark broke into his ex's home through a kitchen window and launched the frenzied attack when found.
He pleaded guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court to attempting to murder his 27 year-old former partner on July 6, last year.
Camacho-Vallejo alternated between stabbing himself and the victim, saying: "If I can't have you no one will. We will die together."
The victim received nine stab wounds to his chest, right arm, neck and back and both his lungs collapsed.
He also needed stitches for gashes to his face and chest as well as defensive wounds to his hands.
The court heard the pair were in a relationship for almost a year before splitting up the previous month.
However, Camacho-Vallejo repeatedly tried to contact the victim, turning up at his work, gym and home and phoning and Skyping him constantly.
On July 5 he again went to his ex-boyfriend's workplace in Bow, east London, pleading with him to take him back, and followed him into the building.
In an attempt to resolve the situation the victim agreed to meet Camacho-Vallejo and they talked for three hours at a café in Mile End.
They parted on a good note and the victim thought Camacho-Vallejo understood their relationship was over.
But the following day Camacho-Vallejo again tried to ring the victim and turned up at his work with a rose, begging him to come back.
Back home in Alfred Street, Bow ,after his shift, the victim was upstairs when he heard loud noises coming from the kitchen.
He went downstairs to find Camacho-Vallejo had broken in through his kitchen window and was slitting his wrists with a knife.
He then attacked the victim with the knife and repeatedly stabbed him.
Camacho-Vallejo used so much force when stabbing the victim that the blade of the knife snapped off.
He then took a flick-knife from his pocket and carried on the assault.
The victim managed to stagger away and out of the flat where he was helped by passers-by.
Police were called and found Camacho-Vallejo still inside the premises, locked in the bathroom.
They forced entry and found the defendant in his underwear in the bath, repeatedly asking: "Leave me to die".

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Abi Mallett said: "Camacho-Vallejo would not and could not accept his relationship was over and stalked his ex-boyfriend before committing this horrific act.”

Thursday 6 August 2015

Wimbledon Tennis Security Guard Ripped-Off Fans

An official G4S security guard scammed tennis fans during the Wimbledon championship by imposing a fivefold charge on bags they had to hand in before entering the grounds.

Hyacinth Reid, 48, was in charge of looking after belongings, but routinely charged £5 instead of the mandatory £1 fee.

The Jamaican national - a convicted shoplifter - of Kettlebaston Road, Leyton claims Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and was only hired for the two weeks of the championship.

During today's Wimbledon Magistrates Court hearing Reid was tearful and seemingly on the brink of collapse, but afterwards was seen outside laughing while on her phone after receiving a conditional discharge.

She pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation in Somerset Road on July 8, namely overcharging for cloak facilities.

Prosecutor Miss Colette Hannah told the court: "Mrs Reid was working for G4S during Wimbledon and her job was to take baggage at a temporary site and every bag was a one pound fee.

"Some customers said they had been charged more than one pound and a test purchase was made and a red suitcase handed over to Mrs Reid."

The defendant said: "What you got in there? It's five pounds babe."

A second test also resulted in an overcharge when a large suitcase and rucksack was handed in and Reid said: "Wow. Why are you straining yourself? I was going to take five pounds, but I'll charge you four pounds."

Reid also failed a third test, overcharging again and she was arrested and questioned.

"She said her float was twenty pounds down and she was trying to make up the shortfall," explained Miss Hannah.

"She admitted she knew the charge was one pound and said she overcharged only once to make up the loss.

"She said she received tips from the customers and that was why she had extra money on her."

Probation officer Philomena McFadden said Reid moved to the UK with her husband in 1997, but he passed away four years later.

"She is very isolated, she has no family, no friends. She suffers from depression, but does enjoy work when she can do it.

"She comes across as naive lady and says she was overwhelmed by the crowds.

"This all stemmed from a woman leaving a suitcase and walking off without paying and she panicked and stupidly and naively tried to balance the books.

"She is on ESA so is not suitable for community service work as a punishment."

Her lawyer told the court Reid has been employed by G4S at Hyde Park concerts and at the London Olympics, describing her as: "very genuine."

He said she was very popular amongst fellow members of staff and the public and during the championship received tips, souvenir tennis balls and glassware and sandwiches.


Reid was conditionally discharged for twelve months, with £50 costs and was ordered to pay a £180 court charge and a £15 victim surcharge.

Wednesday 5 August 2015

Three Men Deny Molesting The Same Young Girl Over Three Decades Ago

Gary Titcomb
Three men preyed on a schoolgirl over three decades ago - molesting the youngster by groping her under her clothes, with one man inviting her into his bed when she was only five years-old, a court heard today.

They are: Gary Titcomb, 61, of Woodland Road, Maple Cross, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire.

Michael McNally, 72, of Hughenden Road, Hastings.

George Stone, 68, of Halton Terrace, Hastings.

All three have pleaded not guilty at Harrow Crown Court to two counts each of indecently assaulting the girl on dates between August 7, 1976 and August 7, 1983.

Prosecutor Mr. George Heimler told the jury Titcomb was responsible for the initial abuse of the girl, who lived at two different addresses in Harrow during the period of the charges.

"He called her into the bedroom and he was in bed naked and instructed her to get into bed. Fearing she would be punished again, she got in."

The jury were told Titcomb thrust himself between her thighs and ordered her to rock back and forwards, saying: "That's nice. Faster, faster."

The complainant, now aged 44 years-old, first reported the allegations to police late last year and gave a video interview to officers, recalling the incidents with Titcomb.

George Stone (L) & Michael McNally (R)
"I must have been five or six years-old and I can remember it happened twice. If it happened more I don't know, I have blacked it out.

"When I was twenty years-old I had a panic attack and thought I was having a heart attack.

"The last few years the feelings have come back, I hate myself. That's why I have to report it, I hate the feeling, it cost me my childhood."

She added that Titcomb was also physically abusive. "He use'd to hit me with a belt."

Mr. Heimler told the court McNally started abusing the girl a few years later. "He started to touch her when she was ten or eleven years-old.

"He would go into her room and put his hand under the duvet and under her knickers and touch her and she pretended to be asleep.

"It happened on countless occasions and when eventually confronted his response was to savagely beat her."

The complainant said of McNally. "He touched my boob while play fighting and I always thought it was an accident, but then he started a week later coming into my bedroom.

"He put his hand under the covers and under my knickers."

She said McNally's friend Stone also groped her. "He would buy alcohol and sweets and things and grab my boobs and put his fingers inside me and give me money."

Mr. Heimler added: "Stone got use'd to putting his hand under her clothes and fondling her. This happened two or three times.

"According to the complainant he apologised to her for what he had done."

When all three defendants were arrested they completely denied abusing the girl, but Stone did add one detail.

"He said she exposed her breasts to him in return for money."

Trial continues…………. 

Tuesday 4 August 2015

Performing Clown Denies Being Drunk In Charge Of Car

One of the country's oldest performing clowns – whose act involves a customised vintage vehicle – denies being in charge of his car while over the drinks limit.

Rudi Wallenda, 79, of Wesley Avenue, Harlesden, who performs all over the country with his Comedy Car Act – 1926 BullnoseMorris - pleaded not guilty at Hendon Magistrates Court today.

He is charged with being in charge of a Ford Granada outside the Ramada Hotel, London Gateway Services, Mill Hill on January 7 with 196 milligrammes of alcohol in his urine – the legal limit is 107.

Wallenda, who was born into the famous European Flying Wallenda's high wire and trapeze act family, was bailed to stand trial at Willesden Magistrates Court on November 3.

He says he was not in charge of the vehicle after pulling into the services with a flat tyre and had no intention to drive the vehicle away.

The court heard Wallenda fell over and cut his face when trying to deal with the tyre and relieved his situation by drinking whiskey he had in the vehicle.

He had called his son Anthony for help, but the police turned up and arrested him.

Monday 3 August 2015

Art Gallery Scammed In £23,000 'Banksy' Credit Card Fraud

A crook received original limited-edition 'Banksy' prints during a £22,950 credit card scam on a Brentwood art galley, a jury were told today.

Two valuable examples of the mystery street artist's work were sent to 23 year-old Sammy Afeeva, but he was arrested after an undercover police officer delivered two more, the jury heard.

Afeeva, of Cedar Court, Fairlawn, Charlton claims he did not know the artwork was the result of a scam on Brandler Galleries Ltd., Coptfold Road.

He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of handling stolen goods between November 13, 2012 and February 8, 2013, namely 'Banksy' prints 'No Ball Games' and 'Wrong War.'

He also denies attempting to handle two more stolen 'Banksy' prints on February 8, 2013.

Prosecutor Mr. Bartholomew O'Toole told Woolwich Crown Court gallery owner John Brandler sold authentic limited-edition 'Banksy' prints and 'No Ball Games' was ordered by a Shirley Galloway and delivered to Manthorp Road, Plumstead.

The credit card company had not authorised the transaction and Mr. Brandler lost the £5,250, along with £7,700 when the 'Wrong War' print was bought in similar circumstances.

When a third order was placed Mr. Brandler police launched an undercover operation and delivered a washing machine lid instead of the two prints and Afeeva signed for the package at the Manthorp Road address.

"Police identified themselves and spoke to Afeeva in the room he occupied and the fake package was there," added Mr. O'Toole. "He was then arrested.

"His home address was searched and the print 'Wrong War' was found in his bedroom along with an envelope addressed to the gallery owner John Brandler."

When quizzed at Plumstead Police Station Afeeva claimed he had been hired in a local bookies by a black male, in his thirties, known only as 'Stone' to sign for the two package in return for £130 and £150.

"He knew when he was signing for these prints this was property that had been stolen and he was telling lies in interview to disguise his involvement."


Trial continues………….. 

Sunday 2 August 2015

Care Worker Had Sex With Learning Difficulties Resident

A care worker, responsible for looking after the occupants of a residential home, has received a suspended prison sentence for having sex with a woman who has learning difficulties.

Mohammed Azam, 23, always admitted having sex with the 53 year-old woman, insisting it was consensual, despite her rape claims, which were rejected by a jury.

Croydon Crown Court heard he was the only member of staff at the assisted accommodation in South Way, Coulsdon that evening - staying overnight in case of any emergency.

The court heard Azam showed her pornography on his mobile phone moments before having sex with her. 

He pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity, while employed as a care worker, with a person with a mental disorder and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 2 years.

Azam must also sign the sex offenders register for ten years, was made subject to a two-year sexual harm prevention order and placed on the barring list, which prohibits him working as a carer or similar capacity.

"She says he undressed her and she did not like it and described it as: 'Very rough and horrible,' and she said it was hurting her," explained prosecutor Miss Dianne Chan.

"He said: 'Women are bastards,' and said he wanted to be her boyfriend and that she was sexy."

The woman took a shower afterwards, but Azam jumped in and joined her, explained Miss Chan. "He said it was their secret and he did not like his job anyway.

"After the shower he made her do it again and she was in a lot of pain and was crying and he laughed.

"She went to her room and did not tell anyone. She was scared stiff.

"On another day he asked her to do it again and she said no and when she told the manager the manager said she was a liar."

The house was run by a company called Direct Care and Support Services and Azam was hired by the manger, who had known him for five years, in November, 2012 and sex occurred within four months.

He was hired despite his poor English skills and needed an Urdu interpreter in court.

On March 25, 2013 the defendant was asked about the complaint. "He said sex had taken place in the staff bedroom and he thought she complained because she asked for sex again and he refused."

The defendant moved into a temporary hostel and one night chatted with a witness about the incident. "Mr. Azam said it was not a real rape because he was already having sex when he was asked to stop and carried on," explained Miss Chan.

Azam was found not guilty by the jury of two counts of rape between February 1 and March 25, 2013.

Saturday 1 August 2015

Birmingham City FC Sponsor Caught Nearly Four Times Over Drink-Drive Limit


A businessman, who sponsors Birmingham City FC, was caught driving while nearly four times the alcohol limit after a heavy lunchtime drinking session with a friend.

Former Army Officer Richard Dilworth, 44, is the co-founder and Vice Chairman of Zapaygo - a smartphone-based pre-order and payment platform - and their logo is currently emblazoned on the club's shirts.

Dilworth, of Home Farm, Bagshot Park, Bagshot, Surrey pleaded guilty to driving his Range Rover with 129 microgrammes of alcohol in his breath - the limit is 35 - in Upper Richmond Road, Putney on June 17.

Prosecutor Miss Caroline Mungel told Wimbledon Magistrates Court yesterday it was 8.45pm she police stopped Dilworth, who was an officer with the Royal Engineers from 1990 to 2000.

"There was a previous incident involving the vehicle and police smelled intoxicating liquor on the driver's breath and he failed a roadside test."

First-time offender Dilworth was seen by the probation service and their officer, Miss Jade Gale, told the court: "That day he decided to meet a friend for lunch, whose father had recently passed away.

"Mr. Dilworth's father is dying of Alzheimer's and they drank an awful lot and it was a very emotional time.

"He then decided to go back to his office and felt it was okay for him to drive and he got in  the car and that's when the police noticed him swerving.

"He says it is the worst mistake of his life and he is very ashamed and remorseful.

"He works for a family business that takes care of wealthy people and deals with the commercial side and has his own investments and does charity work.

"There are no drug or alcohol issues, he says, and he does feel very disgusted by this offence.

"It is going to effect the support he gives to his father, who is a very elderly and sick man. He supports his mother as well, who is his father's carer and drives them to and from hospital appointments.

"He has two step-children, aged fifteen and seventeen years-old, and is ashamed because he wants to be a good example and father-figure and it was difficult to tell them he had been arrested and in a police cell.

"He works seventeen hours a day and he would like to lecture people about drink-driving, how it can cause death and give something back to the community."

Dilworth's lawyer Mr. Jeremy McClintock told the court: "This is a man's who's deeply remorseful. I'm yet to meet a man so chastened.  

"Mr. Dilworth found himself speaking for the first time about his own father's health and several hours later made the mistake of getting into his car.

"He's at a loss to say why he did it. He'd been working long, brutal hours and had not had a break since Christmas.

"He is well-remunerated and has built a good career in  the business world."

The magistrates placed Dilworth on a twelve-month community order, which includes 200 hours community service. He was disqualified from driving for 29 months and ordered to pay £85 costs, a £150 court charge and a £60 victim surcharge.

The ban will prevent him driving to his parents home in North Yorkshire and regarding that Dilworth said: "For me, just one day not being able to do that as a result of my stupidity is a punishment that will remain with me for the rest of my life."

Friday 31 July 2015

Jilted Boyfriend Posted 'Revenge Porn' Explicit Pics Of His Ex On Facebook

A jilted boyfriend published 'revenge porn' photos of his ex on a special Facebook account he created and invited her friends to view the images.

William Nelson, 52, of Montacute Road, Catford, pleaded guilty to disclosing private sexual photographs, with intent to cause distress and without the consent of his former girlfriend on June 8.

Prosecutor Miss Jackie Hughes said: "The victim was in a relationship with Nelson for a year and it ended on June the third and on June the eighth she spoke to him on the phone, telling him she did not want to see him anymore and he became angry.

"She received information from friends in her native Hungary that they had received friend requests from a Facebook account that had naked photographs of her.

"The facebook account was under an assumed name and included approximately thirty naked photographs of her that was sexual in nature.

"She identified them as pictures she had taken with the defendant and suspected he was behind the account.

"He created a fake site and uploaded images of them having sex.

"She phoned Nelson the next day and he told her he had taken them off, but her friends said they were still there so she told the defendant she would go to the police."

Nelson sent out approximately sixty friend requests to attract people who knew his ex to the site, with the message: "Anyone know who Kitty is? She's been having sex with black and Arab men."


He was bailed until August 26 for a pre-sentence report.

Thursday 30 July 2015

Crimewatch Ear-Bite Appeal: Accused In Court

A man accused of biting off part of the ear of another bar customer during a night time confrontation appeared in court earlier this week.

Ali Nariman, 34, of Chertsey Road, Twickenham appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on Monday.

The episode was the subject of an appeal on BBC's Crimewatch with a full recreation of the incident, which occurred at 9.50pm at the Be at One bar, Putney High Street, Putney on April 11.

Nariman is charged with causing grievous bodily harm, with intent, to 29 year-old Charlie Linard.

He was bailed until August 7 to appear for a preliminary hearing at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

Wednesday 29 July 2015

Psychotherapist Charged With Downloading Thousands Of Child Porn Images

A psychotherapist, who has worked with the disabled, appeared in court this week charged with having thousands of sick internet child porn images on his notebook and desktop computer.

Martin Hempel, 56, of York Road, Battersea appeared on bail at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on Monday.

He is charged with ten counts of making indecent photographs of a child on or before December 23, 2013.

These include four images on a Samsung Notebook; 139 on a Corsair Tower; 3078 on a Freecomm Drive and 2896 other images.

Hempel has a diploma in Integrative Therapeutic Counselling and has worked with the mental-health charity Merton Mind, running the Disabled People's Counselling Project.

He was bailed to appear at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on August 7.

Tuesday 28 July 2015

87 Year-Old Widow Conned: Accused In Court

A Bognor Regis man, accused of conning an 87 year-old widow out of £15,300, appeared for the first time at Wimbledon Magistrates Court yesterday.

Paul Welch, 55, of Shearwater Drive, is charged with fraud by false representation, namely dishonestly representing to Lloyds Bank on April 10 that he was entitled to withdraw the cash sum from his account.

The victim, who lives alone and had been previously scammed, was contacted by a 'Graham Sutton' who posed as a Trading Standards official informing her she was entitled to a share of £37,500 compensation.

She was convinced to transfer half of the pending award from her account to another bank account and Welch allegedly withdrew the money in cash the next day.

Welch was bailed to appear at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on August 7.

Monday 27 July 2015

Soldier In Dock Charged With Kidnapping Woman

A serving British Army soldier, accused of kidnapping his ex-girlfriend, appeared for the first time at Wimbledon Magistrates Court today.

Alvon Montgomery Tobias, 32, of Carver Barracks, Elder Street, Wimbish, Essex was bailed to appear at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on August 7.


He faces one count of kidnapping Monika Mikalak in Valley Mews, Twickenham on April 7, namely unlawfully by force or fraud took or carried her away.


Carver Barracks – formerly RAF Debden – is the home of 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) and 101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal).


Tobias was granted bail on the conditions he does not contact Monika Mikalak, does not enter Valley Mews and does not go within the vicinity of West Middlesex Hospital, Isleworth.

Sunday 26 July 2015

Burglar Jailed For Knifepoint Raid

A serial burglar, who subjected a pensioner to a terrifying knifepoint late-night break-in, has been locked-up for ten years.
Drug addict Stephen Broadfoot, 25, of Church Field, Snodland, Kent broke into the 83 year-old man's home in the middle of the night and demanded cash.
He pleaded guilty to burgling the Brockley property on October 1, last year and was convicted by a Woolwich Crown Court jury of attempting to rob the occupant.
Broadfoot woke the elderly victim and threatened him with a knife whilst demanding cash.
Luckily the pensioner's lodger, a man in his twenties, was alerted by the commotion and confronted Broadfoot, who then fled the scene.
The victim provided investigating officers with a detailed description of the suspect and detectives from Lewisham, aware of Broadfoot previous offending pattern, arrested him in Maidstone, Kent, on November 4.
In his interview with police, Broadfoot admitted burglary but denied using a knife or threatening the victim.
Detective Constable Andy Clark, who led the investigation, said: "The sentence imposed reflects the fact that Broadfoot is a prolific and violent offender who subjected his elderly victim to a terrifying ordeal.
"We will pursue anyone committing burglaries across the borough and we will do all we can to investigate them and bring them before a court.


“I would also like to pay tribute to the victim in this case, who demonstrated substantial strength of character in attending court and giving live evidence against his attacker."