Savile Row Tailoring Entrepreneur Sentenced For Boozy Stranger Punch

A privately-educated Savile Row tailoring entrepreneur punched a stranger asking for directions in the face while on a drink and drug-fuelled bar crawl, leaving his shocked victim with a bloody nose.

James Oliver Beckett-Dunn, 29, who attended £31,890 a year Pangbourne College, Berkshire was near Sloane Square at midnight when he launched the unprovoked attack and verbally abused the victim.

Beckett-Dunn, of The Maltings, Spring Grove, Kew Bridge, Chiswick, pleaded guilty to assaulting Ghali El Jalil Hamoudi on September 1 outside Chelsea Cloisters.

Today he received a twelve-month probation order, which includes a fifteen day activity requirement, and was ordered to pay £200 compensation to Mr. Hamoudi.

His former LinkedIn profile claimed he was a partner in Tom James, a global custom clothing company based in Old Jewry, Bank of England specialising in made-to-measure suits and home fittings.

The company own 170 year-old clothier merchant Holland and Sherry of Savile Row, whose luxury fabrics were transformed into suits worn by actor Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie The Great Gatsby.

Beckett-Dunn has now edited this profile, claiming he has not worked there for two years, and shut down his twitter account, which he regularly updated with glamourous pictures of his jet-set champagne lifestyle.

Tom James suits start at £779 and custom-made shirts at £99 and Oxford University graduate Beckett-Dunn portrays himself as a tailor to the stars.

Prosecutor Mr. Tom Gill told Hammersmith Magistrates Court it was 11.50pm when Mr. Hamoudi called the police. "He stated that he had been punched in the face and possibly broken his nose and had blood on his face."

Mr. Hamoudi had approached two men, one of whom was Beckett-Dunn, who was shifting his chin from side to side, and told him to: "Fuck off" when he asked for directions.

"He came close and stroked the complainant's face with his left hand and the complainant said: 'Don't touch me.'

"The defendant hit him in the face with great speed and strength as if he wanted to knock him out," added Mr. Gill.

Mr. Beckett-Dunn shouted at Mr. Hamoudi, calling him: "A piece of shit" and that was what he deserved.

He was later questioned by the police. "He said he was walking to a bar and had three Corona's at home, two on the train, vodka and tequila and: 'Lots of shots.'

"He mentioned taking medication and a recreational drug, but made no comment about the recreational drug."

When asked about mental health issues Beckett-Dunn told the officers: "I have seen a psychiatrist. I don't believe I've done this."

He said he had no recollection of the incident and was shocked and sorry to have hurt the man.

First-time offender Beckett-Dunn told the court: "I'm really very sorry. I deeply regret what I did and accept I have to face up to the circumstances."

During his first court appearance he claimed to be recovering from cancer and battling alcoholism and said: "I deeply regret it. I've been very poorly for two years and have not worked for two years.

"Cancer led to mental health issues. I am on twenty-one tablets a day. I'm struggling with alcoholism and with mental health issues."

His online profile also said he is on the Board of Advisors at Big Wolf Marketing Ltd and the owner of Bow Creek Cafe in Trinity Buoy Wharf, Docklands.

He also claims to be former volunteer street pastor with Christian organisation Ascension Trust.

Beckett-Dunn brought medical records with him to show to the court, but added: "This is not justification for anything I did."

Pangbourne College alumni include late film director Ken Russell; journalist Jefferson Hack; writer Jeffrey Bernard and double Olympic gold medal yachtsman Rodney Pattisson MBE.

Magistrate Mrs Celia Ansdell told him: "We have looked at the report from probation and take into account you were drunk and this was an unprovoked attack, a single blow and that you are of good character."

Beckett-Dunn was also ordered to pay a £150 court charge, £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Wearing a blue suit, blue shirt and tie, union flag socks and carrying a Louis Vuitton briefcase he asked to pay £50 immediately, followed by £100 a month. 

He also edited his LinkedIn profile and made this statement regarding publicity surrounding the case: " I am a former employee and partner in Tom James, but have not been with the company for over two years due to illness.

"I am deeply disturbed at the article and it's blatant invasion of my personal life and health issues. 

"I was not made aware any statements I make in court or otherwise are to be made public and I am also mortified at the circumstances in which the article came about. 

"Please accept my sincerest apologies. And please note I am not and was not a current employee since 2012. 

"I also would like to point out the case has many facts not laid out in the article and hold hope that the public do not leap to conclusions based purely on tabloid press."

'Arab' Wanted After 14 Year-Old Girl Sexually Molested On Bus

Police are hunting this suspect after a 14 year-old girl was molested on a south London double-decker bus.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Service's Roads and Transport Policing Command are appealing for help in identifying the man after the girl was sexually assaulted.

On Thursday, 9 October, last year at about 3:20pm, the girl was assaulted by a man as she travelled on the route 250 bus between Green Lane, and Streatham High Road, Streatham.

The victim challenged the man and got off the bus with a passenger, who came to her aid, but was followed by the suspect into a nearby supermarket.

The victim alerted security staff and the suspect made off.

He is described as aged 35-40, of Arab appearance with a large nose, wearing a black Adidas baseball tracksuit and cap and trainers.

Police officers are releasing a CCTV image and ask anyone with information to contact Sergeant Jeremy Collins, who is leading the investigation on 07824 545 723 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 164640.

Carer Jailed For £27K Theft After Veteran Crime Writer Solved Her Own Missing Money Mystery

Behind Bars: Vicky Stallon

An award-winning crime writer solved her own case after deducting her friend and former carer - who was jailed today - had emptied her bank account of £27,000.

US-born novelist Marian Babson, 86, - real name Ruth Stenstreem - has penned forty-five books and received the prestigious Dagger in the Library award from the Crime Writers Association for her body of work.

She is now suffering dementia and is wheelchair-bound, but retains her independence at her central London flat with the help of carers, employed via social services.

Vicky Stallon, 27, of Varndell Street, Regent's Park was her paid carer and over a five-month period took envelopes, stuffed with thousands of pounds, blowing the lot gambling online.

She was sentenced to fourteen months imprisonment after pleading guilty to stealing the sum between April 1 and September 30, last year.

Life's A Drag: Vicky Stallon

"You found a soft target and repeatedly preyed on that lady," Judge Peter Clarke QC told the first-time offender. "She did not know what was going on until she could not find three thousand pounds.

"You must have recognised the vulnerability of Ms Stenstreem and the least you could do as her carer was respect that. The money was spent on self-indulgence.

"Once you found you had an easy victim you returned several times and took money. This is an offence that can only be described as callous."

Stallon was employed to help Ms Stenstreem, who lives in an apartment in Trinity Court, Gray's Inn Road, and kept seeing her and stealing money after this came to an end.

After the author discovered the missing money Stallon was quizzed by police. "She said she continued to see her because she felt like family, denying she took money from her," said prosecutor Miss Mary Loram.

It was only when police found she paid £13,680 into her own bank, often within an hour of Ms Stenstreem's withdrawals, that she partially-confessed.

Stallon maintained the remaining £13,320 was nothing to do with her - even suggesting other carers had taken it - but eventually admitted she had blown it in betting shops.

Mystery Writer: Marian Babson

"She stole significant amounts of money from her and after the period of employment came to and end she carried on visiting on a regular basis under the guise of friendship," added Miss Loram.

"Ms Stenstreem regularly withdrew large amounts of cash from two bank branches and the defendant would accompany her to these banks.

"After her employment began the withdrawals became much larger and in particular there were ten, which were in the thousands of pounds.

"Ms Stenstreem was a very successful crime writer. She is not bankrupt or destitute and does have savings."

The court made no compensation order because Stallon has no assets.

Her lawyer Mr. Richard Barratt said: "She spiralled down into significant depression and the best way to alleviate that was gambling, which she describes as an out of body experience.

"She realised there were large amounts of cash in envelopes sitting around the home and that became an easy source of money and went back time and time again.

"She accepts it is utterly appalling what she did. She has tried suicide once and the probation report says in a custodial environment she is at risk of trying again."

High Court Victor Fighting Stalking Conviction For Using Electronic Trackers To Pursue Debt

High Court Victor: Jimmy Vigh

A convicted stalker, who placed trackers on vehicles owned by his late-mother's ex-boyfriend in his bid to pursue a High Court debt, has begun his attempt to clear his name.

Jimmy Vigh, 48, of Saxby's Lane, Lingfield pursued a £70,000 debt against Subhash Patel, who says he was forced out of the home he shared with Celsa Vigh in Mosslea Road, Whyteleafe until her death on December 4, 2008.

Vigh was convicted at Croydon Magistrates Court of stalking Mr. Patel on or before November 19, 2014 and was conditionally discharged for two years, ordered to pay £350 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

He appeared at Croydon Crown Court last week, representing himself, to appeal the conviction and Mr. Patel gave evidence from the witness box to maintain he was being stalked and the hearing will resume on a future date.

The pair endured an acrimonious court case, which Vigh eventually won in November, 2013, with Mr. Patel ordered to leave the address and pay his opponent's costs.

Mr. Patel told the court he found five trackers hidden on his Vauxhall Zafira, which Vigh fully accepts he placed in an attempt to discover where his late mother's ex was living.

Vigh claims Mr.Patel uses aliases and has defrauded his late mother's estate by writing cheques on her account, cashing in her share certificates and stripped her flat clean before he was forced out.

Pursued: Subhash Patel

The appeal was told Mr. Patel did not report the first tracker he found to police, but brought them the second, which he found attached beneath his vehicle on August 14, 2014.

The police analysed the device and found it was linked to a mobile phone number Mr. Patel knew belonged to Vigh.

Police removed a third tracker on October 1, which had its own battery and was attached using a magnet and a DNA sample was taken, but no match found.

A fourth was found on November 16 and Vigh was arrested three days later and freely admitted placing trackers on Mr. Patel's vehicle so he could monitor his whereabouts and enforce a High Court judgement.

Vigh said he had no faith in police or solicitors to enforce the order.

“The first tracker was fitted in 2010 during the dispute over the property,” Mr. Patel told the court during the original trial. “The second tracker was found on the rear frame by a mechanic in August, 2014 and when I found the third on October 1 I reported it to the police.”

He said he found the fourth on November 16 and the fifth at the end of the same month. “It was a very small flat one and very difficult to see. So many tracking devices have been fitted to my car.”

Mr. Patel insists he does not owe Vigh a penny. “It has been settled. He's been paid a large amount in cash. He wanted seventy thousand by the way.”

He is still bitter about losing the flat he shared with Mrs Vigh. “I was evicted forcefully. The house was repossessed.

“He (Vigh) started extorting more and more money from me. I don't want to pay him any more.”

The legal bill which Vigh continues to pursue totals £33,723.

Mr. Patel refused to give his current address when he was in the witness box, explaining: “I don't want to say where I live in case he breaks in. When someone has threatened to kill you three times you don't give your address.

“He has made threats to me and the first threat was after I reported his money laundering and tax evasion.

“The second was when he was trying to evict me from the property.”

NOT GUILTY: Doctor Cleared Of "50 Shades" Bamboo Cane Assault On Fiance

Not Guilty: Dr. Elvira Blakemore

A doctor, who claimed injuries she inflicted on her businessman fiancé with a bamboo cane were part of a sex game he encouraged, has been cleared of assault.

Dr. Elvira Blakemore, 41, an NHS GP, says she and 57 year-old ladder entrepreneur James Edmund Austin used the cane on each other at least ten times at £3.65m Oak Manor, which sits in an exclusive private gated estate.

Father-of-five Mr. Austin, boss of BPS Access Solutions, which claims to be the UK's number one ladder company, told Croydon Crown Court he was the victim of a sudden attack which left the bedsheets covered in blood.

Dr. Blakemore, of 23 Bournemouth Road, Holland-on-Sea, Essex, who until recently owned cosmetic surgeries in Switzerland and at her home, was found not guilty of causing actual bodily harm on June 7, last year.

She was also cleared of a separate count of common assault on July 8 at the five-bedroom house in Wood Way, Locksbottom Village, which sits in one acre of grounds and has an indoor swimming pool, gym and sauna.

The jury took just fifteen minutes to find Dr. Blakemore not guilty on both counts.

Doctor Says Her Businessman Fiance Told Her: "Go On Baby" During Bamboo Cane Spanking Session

Naked: Dr. Elvira Blakemore

A doctor has told a jury she stripped-off all her clothes and straddled her naked businessman fiancé to beat him with a bamboo cane as he said: "Go on baby."

Dr. Elvira Blakemore, 41, continued telling the Croydon Crown Court jury from the witness box how spanking was an integral part of her sex life with millionaire ladder entrepreneur James Austin, 57.

She has pleaded not guilty to causing him actual bodily harm on June 7, last year at his £3.65m home, Oak Manor - situated in the grounds of a gated community near Locksbottom Village.

She also denies a second count of assault , when she is said to have repeatedly punched Mr. Austin in bed on July 8.

Dr. Blakemore described her gift of an Ann Summers 'Christmas Cracker' as "quite vulgar," adding: "There were a set of handcuffs that were furry and one side of a spanking paddle was furry.

"I was totally and utterly against it and broke the paddle and threw it away."

However, she says she softened for the good of the relationship. "I was trying to find ways to please James and he introduced this. I wanted to please him, we had lost this closeness.

"Go On Baby": James Austin 

"I willingly participated, but I did not really enjoy it, whereas James enjoyed being spanked and on his birthday his friend gave him a whip as a present."

Describing their caning sessions she told the jury: "I'd be bending over the bed or lying on the bed and we would both be naked.

"The most frequent way was me sitting on his buttocks looking at his back or sitting on his legs and we agreed the safe word: 'Stop'."

After their red wine and champagne post-engagement blessing soiree Mr. Austin retired to the bedroom. "He was lying in bed, with his back facing up, with the cane.

"He told me to get on with it and I came in and sat on him and caned him. The point of caning is the contrast between painful stimulation and touching the body and he said: 'Go on baby'.

"I poured champagne on his back after. It's part of the pleasure, the cold champagne cools the skin. It's a nice sensation.

"James was making noises like he was orgasming, like he was enjoying it."

On an separate occasion she recalled: "James said he was always so tired and said: 'It's not easy to make millions'."

Showing her a photo of Mr. Austin's whipped back prosecutor Mr. Dennis Kavanaugh asked her: "You seem to have taken leave of your senses and battered him, haven't you?

"That's sadistic isn't it? That's enjoying pain? You are into this sort of stuff."

Trial continues…………..  

"He Was Enjoying It": Doctor Accused Of Bamboo Cane Beating Of Fiance Told Police

'50 Shades Fan': Dr. Elvira Blakemore

A doctor accused of beating her fiancé with a bamboo cane told police her ex was "enjoying" the 50 Shades-inspired sex thrill, a jury heard yesterday.

Dr. Elvira Blakemore, 41, of Bournemouth Road, Holland-on-Sea, Essex denies assaulting 57 year-old businessman James Austin, causing him actual bodily harm, at his £3.65m home on June 7, last year.

She also denies a second assault at the gated property in Wood Way, Locksbottom Village on July 8, when she allegedly repeatedly punched him as he lay in bed.  

Mr. Austin told the jury the six-foot long bamboo garden cane broke into two or three pieces, but rejected Dr. Blakemore's lawyer Mr. Philip McGee's suggestion: "Every stroke of that cane is what you wanted."

He answered the door to police in his dressing-gown after dialling 999 just before 1am and in a statement PC Daniel Madigan said: "He removed his gown and his back was covered from buttocks to shoulders in red, raised lines, some of them bleeding."

The officer noted Mr. Austin saying: "I asked her to stop, but she didn't. She had a look of hate in her eyes, but I love her."

A sleeping Dr. Blakemore was woken upstairs and told police: "I don't trust him. He lied about this."

Paramedics also noted injuries they described as "extensive abrasions and welts" that looked like "they had been caused by a whip."

Dr. Blakemore prepared a statement and told police: "James started to use whips, canes and paddles to spice up our sex life. We used these objects on each other during sex and it was consensual and James always initiated it.

"Enjoying It": James Austin

"James caused me serious bruising to my chest during sex. I reported it to the police, but it was not investigated.

"He brought the cane to our bedroom and that means he wants to be whipped. I usually caned him first and he was making encouraging sexual noises, he was enjoying it. 

"Afterwards he jokingly said if he called the police and showed the marks how would I explain it."

When arrested for the second alleged assault Dr. Blakemore told police she was the victim of "five to seven" punches from Mr. Austin and blood officers saw on his chin must have been a shaving cut.

Chechnya-born Dr. Blakemore, who is divorced from her first English husband, told the jury she met Mr. Austin on Match.com. "It was a whirlwind, fairytale romance.

"On the fifth date James invited me to Paris, he was very charming and that's where he proposed. He went down on one knee.

"I had never met such a strong person as James. He's very powerful, a cut-throat businessman, but to me so caring and protective.

"I was absolutely in love with him."

Dr. Blakemore moved in with Mr. Austin, resigning from her £85,000 a year GP job in Sudbury, Suffolk and quitting her two cosmetic clinics, which brought in another £150,000 per year.

"We had sex every day, it was good, it was like a honeymoon period and the pregnancy was the most dream time I ever had in my life."

Trial continues…………     

Doctor Says Bamboo Cane Beating Was 50 Shades-Inspired Sex Thrill

Cane: Dr. Elvira Blakemore

A doctor, who enjoyed 50 Shades-inspired sadomasochistic sex with her millionaire businessman fiancé, claims injuries she inflicted with a bamboo cane were with his consent, a court heard yesterday.

Dr. Elvira Blakemore, 41, an NHS GP, says she and 57 year-old ladder entrepreneur James Edmund Austin used the cane on each other at least ten times at £3.65m Oak Manor, which sits in an exclusive private gated estate.

Father-of-five Mr. Austin, boss of BPS Access Solutions, which claims to be the UK's number one ladder company, told Croydon Crown Court he was the victim of a sudden attack which left the bedsheets covered in blood.

The couple had their engagement blessed in church earlier that day and invited guests to the house for a bbq and drinks, but according to Mr. Austin the evening was ruined by Dr. Blakemore's jealousy of his three grown-up sons from his first marriage.

"There had been snipes about my sons throughout and she referred to them as my 'daughters' as well as other insults and we both had quite a lot to drink," he explained.

"I went to bed and was more or less asleep when she entered the room raging and started hitting me with a garden cane.

"She was violently hitting me with the cane very many times on the back. There was a cut on my cheek also, but she just kept going and by the end there was blood on the bed."

He admitted previously taking the cane up to the bedroom as a joke about their mutual enjoyment of spanking, but insisted it had never been used before and was lying on top of the wardrobe.

Injuries James Austin

Mr. Austin did not initially respond to the blows, claiming he was too drunk and drowsy to fully appreciate what was going on.

"I was concerned I was being provoked and set-up and it was me that would be arrested so I did not respond and went downstairs.

"There was a further attack in the lounge. Elvira appeared in the room and she had another go with the same cane.

"When the cane broke she poured some wine on my back and said: 'Alcohol is good for the wounds.'

"There were a lot of marks on my back, there were twenty-five to thirty-five hits. I was hit as hard as she possibly could hit me. You can see how bad the injuries are.

"I was shocked at how bad my injuries were and the ambulance staff said I should go to A & E, but I did not want to leave the twins."

The pair had become engaged during a romantic stay at Paris's luxury five-star George V hotel and on the day of the blessing Mr. Austin bought a £20,000 ring and booked a £7,000 celebratory ten-day holiday.

Around midnight, according to Dr. Blakemore, she was naked and astride Mr. Austin on his insistence, reigning down blows with the cane, inflicting injuries, which she then poured champagne over. 

Dr. Blakemore, of Bournemouth Road, Holland-on-Sea, Essex, who until recently owned cosmetic surgeries in Switzerland and at her home, has pleaded not guilty to causing actual bodily harm on June 7, last year.

She also denies a separate count of common assault on July 8 at the five-bedroom house in Wood Way, Locksbottom Village, which sits in one acre of grounds and has an indoor swimming pool, gym and sauna.

"On that occasion Dr. Blakemore lost her temper and threw wine onto the carpet," explained prosecutor Mr. Dennis Kavanaugh. "Mr. Austin went to bed and she went upstairs.

"She followed him and repeatedly punched him in the left arm and punched him in the face and he ended up with a cut on his chin and called the police and locked himself in the en suite bathroom."

Divorced Mr. Austin met Dr. Blakemore via the internet in April 2012, she moved in with him six months later and he agreed to use his frozen sperm so his childless fiancé could have children and they now have two-and-a-half year-old twin sons.

"She expressed an interest in Fifty Shades Of Grey and I put it in her Christmas stocking and we both read it and she bought the second and third books herself.

"We went to Anne Summers in Bluewater Shopping Centre and bought certain items. One was called a spanking paddle and she produced certain stuff from her suitcase during the trip to France."

Mr. Austin also gave her a £500 Anne Summers gift voucher and bought a special Christmas Cracker from the sex shop, which contained lacy underwear.

She wore the underwear under a skimpy Mrs Santa costume she donned at Christmas when Mr. Austin's three sons were visiting the house.

The court also heard Mr. Austin signed a gift: 'Personal spanker to naughty Dr. Elvira' and she signed-off an email to him as: 'Personal Spanker.'

She administered anti-wrinkle botox to him and Mr. Austin admitted he also had the injections before meeting her as well as facial fillers and liposuction.

Mr. Austin drives a £157,000, six-litre Mercedes Sls supercar and Dr. Blakemore claims he told her: "I don't want a big bird. That's why I have a small two-seater car."

He denied making hurtful comments about her figure post pregnancy and encouraging her to have cosmetic surgery herself.

The businessman told the jury spanking was Dr. Blakemore's idea and she was usually the recipient and the cane was never used until the attack on him.

"At the start it was mostly her receiving, it did not do a lot for me. It began with just hands and then the paddle and Elvira was the recipient."

She even discussed their sex life in front of a friend of Mr. Austin's, who in turn bought the couple a small leather cat-o-nine tails whip. 

In January last year he cancelled their joint bank account. "She made some very extravagant purchases, seven hundred pounds on make-up from John Lewis and two thousand pounds on a mattress.

"She also said she would bring men back to the house and f*** them."

Before the alleged assaults Dr. Blakemore's lawyer sent Mr. Austin a letter demanding he hand the house over to her, pay a £100,000 lump sum, plus 20% of his income.

"She sees the children as a meal ticket," he told the jury, denying he set-up the cane beating to frame his ex.

The jury were shown a photograph police took of his back, which was covered in red marks from his shoulder blades down to the waistline, which Mr. Austin said took two weeks to heal.

He denied looking at the injuries immediately afterwards and telling Dr. Blakemore: "If I called the police and showed them the marks what would you do then?"

Officers were called to the address and the defendant arrested, but Mr. Austin initially dropped his complaint for the sake of their relationship and the family.

In March, last year he received a police caution for assaulting Dr. Blakemore by grabbing her wrists while she was texting. "She was goading me quite theatrically," Mr. Austin said.

The couple are also involved in bitter Family Court proceedings and currently share custody of the twins until a final determination after a social worker's report. 

Earlier Mr. Kavanaugh told the jury: "Police were summoned to the house after Mr. Austin rang them and said he had been seriously assaulted in a sustained fashion to his back by Dr. Blakemore.

"He said she took a bamboo cane and repeatedly hit him across his back and the officers saw a series of marks on his back."

Police seized three bamboo sticks and arrested Dr. Blakemore. "She said it was a completely malicious allegation and that he had consented to receiving the injuries and that they were of a sexual nature.

"Mr. Austin said whilst the couple had experimented sexually they had not hit each other with a cane and only used a paddle lightly and there were no injuries.

"Later he said he did not want her prosecuted because it was not good for the relationship or the children."

Trial continues…………

Former Children's Home Deputy Super Set To Stand Trial On Historic Sex Charges

The former deputy superintendent of a children's home will stand trial next year, accused of the abuse of a young boy four decades ago.

Roger Laing, 68, of Lytton Avenue, Letchworth Garden City worked at the home, located in Bromley, south-east London in the 1970's.

Yesterday a date was set for him to return on bail to Croydon Crown Court for trial on June 20.

Laing has pleaded not guilty to six counts of indecently assaulting the boy on various dates between July 16, 1974 and September 8, 1978.

He has also pleaded not guilty to a single count of buggery between July 16, 1974 and September 27, 1975.

Schoolgirl And Women Attacked And Groped In East London: CCTV Of Suspect Released

Police hunting a predator, who has targeted females in east London - molesting two women and throwing a schoolgirl to the ground - have released these CCTV images.

Detectives in Newham are hunting the offender and hope these images will help them trace a man they wish to question.

The first incident was around 12.30am on 15 March when the male suspect grabbed a 15-year-old girl from behind in Green Street, Newham.

The girl was picked up and thrown onto the ground before the man used his foot to press her head against the pavement.

She was not seriously injured and did not attend hospital.

Despite a police investigation, the suspect for this assault has not been identified.

Several months later, at around 7.30am on Thursday, 2 July, the same man approached a 29-year-old woman in Well Street, Stratford.

He sexually assaulted the woman by putting his hand up her dress.

At the same time the following day, 3 July, the man committed a near identical offence of sexual assault on a 20-year-old woman in Sprowston Road, Forest Gate.

This suspect is described as a black man, aged around 20 to 30 years of medium build with 'afro' style hair.

Anyone with information about the suspect, or who can identify the man shown in the CCTV images, is urged to call Newham CID on 020 8217 5881.

To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Peckham Knife Attack: CCTV Of Suspect Released

Police hunting a knifeman, who with two other men attacked a teenager in busy Peckham, have released this CCTV still of the suspect.

The 19 year-old was punched and kicked to the ground by the trio and suffered a cut to his hand as he tried to defend himself from the blade.

He was walking in Rye Lane at 3.15pm on April 22 when approached by the three males and after a brief verbal altercation, they attacked him - punching him to the ground then kicking him.

The victim managed to get to his feet and was chased by two of his attackers into a fast-food restaurant.

One of them pulled a knife and tried to stab him several times.

The victim received a cut to his hand as he defended himself and both men fled the venue.

The male suspect who remains unidentified is described as light skinned black male with long, braided hair, of slim build and approximately 6ft tall.

He was wearing a grey sweatshirt with the words 'Sneaker Freak' on the front and blue jeans.

The victim was taken to hospital where he was treated and later discharged.

A 21-year-old male was arrested on 20 May on suspicion of grievous bodily harm, with intent, and a second male was arrested on 14 July and released on police bail pending further enquires.

The third suspect, shown in the CCTV image holding a knife remains unidentified although it is believed that he may have links to the east London area.

Police are calling for help from the public to identify him.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Tessa Lyle-Meller of Southwark CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 3011268/15.

Bus Schoolboys Threatened With Stabbing: CCTV Released

Police are hunting this aggressive teenager, suspected of threatening to stab five twelve year-old boys on a bus in east London.

Officers from Havering Safer Transport Team have released this CCTV image as the hunt continues.

The route 372 bus was travelling along Wennington Road near Lakeside Shopping Centre at 5.00pm on May 16 when two youths boarded the top-deck.

The younger boys were told they would be stabbed and a concerned passenger intervened, forcing the five boys off the bus, before alerting the driver. 



A 13-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the incident and the second wanted suspect is described as white, aged about 16-years-old with a foreign, possibly eastern European accent.

He was wearing a black shiny Adidas jacket with white piping on the arms.



Anyone with information is urged to contact PC Kevin Sheppard on 07825 386 484 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting ref 179807.

Mum-Of-Six Guilty Of Running Over Cyclist In Her Powerful Audi And Demolishing Beauty Salon

Guilty: Natalie Pyne

A mum-of-six with a car full of children was convicted yesterday of the 'road rage' attempted wounding of a cyclist she mounted the pavement and ran over, also demolishing the front of a beauty salon.

Natalie Pyne, 31, had five youngsters in her powerful three-litre Audi Q7, which weighs over three metric tonnes, when she cut-up Simon Edgely, causing him to bump into the rear of her vehicle.

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard Mr. Edgely kicked the car twice and the pair had a screaming match in the middle of the busy road.

"She got back in and chose to drive deliberately, in anger, at Mr. Edgely and drove into him, knocking him off his bike, with the car carrying on and ploughing into the shop," said prosecutor Mr. James Lofthouse.

Thirty minutes earlier a salon employee was folding towels at the front of the shop, which bore the brunt of the damage. 

The jury unanimously found her guilty of attempting to cause Mr. Edgely grievous bodily harm, with intent, dangerous driving and causing over £20,000 worth of criminal damage to the salon.

Pyne, of Heatherdale Close, Kingston-upon-Thames, who has a previous conviction for dangerous driving while over the alcohol limit, was bailed until November 6 for a pre-sentence report.

She was also made subject to an immediate interim disqualification order, which prevents her from driving.

A witness saw the cyclist rolling over the bonnet of the white Audi and heard Pyne shouting: "Shut up" at her crying children after the car came to rest in the wreckage of Park Salon, Park Road, Kingston-upon-Thames.

She had just left a park, where the children had been playing, at approximately 5.30pm on June 7, last year, when Mr. Edgely, who was wearing a badge indicating his disability, bumped into Pyne when she suddenly pulled out.

"What happened was a road rage incident," explained Mr. Lofthouse. "Mr. Edgely remonstrated and kicked her vehicle and she got out and remonstrated with him."

A woman driving behind, Frances Teague, told the court: "The driver got out and they were shouting with hands flinging at each other, but there was no contact.

"The lady got back in and the cyclist was leaning down and shouting through the window and kicked the passenger side of the car. He then got on his bike and cycled off on the pavement.

"The Audi was revving and just zoomed off in the same direction as the cyclist. It shot off quickly and turned to the left very fast.

"I saw the cyclist's head and then it disappeared. A parked van juddered as if it had been hit and the car went straight into the building."

Fortunately Mr. Edgely was not seriously injured. "He was up and walking around in a daze. He was agitated."

Mr. Lofthouse told the jury: "By driving at him deliberately and knocking him off she intended to cause Mr. Edgely very serious harm.

"By driving into the front of the salon she was reckless about the collateral damage and her driving over that short period was very dangerous indeed.

"She also caused substantial damage to a silver Mercedes Sprinter van that was parked."

Just thirty minutes earlier a member of the salon's staff was folding towels at the front of the shop Pyne wrecked.

When questioned by police Pyne claimed it was an accident outside of her control.

"She said she had children in the car and was panicking because the car would not start and an involuntary motion caused it to lurch onto the pavement.

"The lurch onto the pavement was not caused by an involuntary movement of the car," said Mr. Lofthouse. "She got back into the car, in anger, the red mist descended and she chose to drive into Mr. Edgely."

Sales Assistant Funded Vodka Binges With Cash From Till

A sales assistant, caught by a sharp-eyed customer pocketing cash from the till at the landmark department store he worked at, exposed a two-year £20,000 series of thefts to fund his vodka binges.

Adam James Harris, 47, of Redwood Place, Morewood Close, Sevenoaks immediately came under suspicion and CCTV cameras caught him trousering extra sums at the store, which had employed him for fourteen years.

He pleaded guilty at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to stealing cash from Elys department store, Wimbledon and was placed on a twelve-month community order, which includes 150 hours community service work.

Elys investigated the previous five-years and discovered a £94,000 shortfall, but Harris maintained he took no more than £20,000 and had returned half of that sum while working at the store.

Prosecutor Miss Elizabeth Schofield told the court yesterday Harris's luck ran out on January 9, this year. “He was seen by a customer pocketing money taken out of the till.

“That was reported and he came under suspicion and his employer used CCTV to monitor him.

“He was caught red-handed on CCTV taking seventy pounds form the till on January 13 and putting it in his pocket.

“The investigation revealed he had covered his tracks by making false refunds for supposed unwanted gifts.

“Over a period of two years a large sum of money had been taken.”

Harris was arrested on January 13 and when his home was searched by police they seized £6,146 cash, which the court ordered to be confiscated.

The court heard Harris, who was on a modest £14,000 a year salary, was drinking half a bottle of vodka five nights a week.

“He took cash to pay for drink and small items such as taxi rides and nights out and would return the money the next day,” said Aneurin Brewer, defending the first-time offender.

Bachelor Harris now claims he has not touched alcohol for the last eight months.

Judge Peter Birts QC, accepting Harris was responsible for a loss of £10,000, told him: “You pleaded guilty to a serious offence of theft involving a breach of trust.

“Your employers trusted you to handle money and look after it and secretly, over two years, you were removing cash for your own purposes when you developed a drink problem.

“It really does raise an eyebrow when we have an original indictment that says ninety-four thousand pounds then reduced to twenty thousand and then an acceptance you paid back ten thousand pounds without being dicovered.

“It shows a lax system by your employer and an impoverished attitude towards repayments.

“Had your employer had a correct system you would not have been able to do this.”

Harris was ordered to pay Elys the balance of £3,854 at the rate of £75 per month.

Noodle Bar Employee's Late-Night Water-Damage Revenge

Waterboy: New Culture Revolution

A disgruntled noodle bar employee sneaked into his workplace in the early hours of the morning and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to electronic payment equipment during an on-going contractual dispute.

Simone La Barbera, 22, of Pipewell Road, Carshalton worked at the New Culture Revolution restaurant in King's Road, Chelsea, where he was caught on CCTV entering with borrowed keys at 1.30am.

Hammersmith Magistrates Court heard yesterday he dunked two hand-held payment card readers in a tub of water and poured more water over a receipt printer and the till, causing £3,000 worth of damage.

He pleaded guilty to burgling the restaurant on September 19, with intent to cause criminal damage, and was bailed until October 16 for a pre-sentence report.

The court heard La Barbera did not have permission to be on the premises at that time and the owner did not know he had a key.

CCTV captured him filling a tub with water in the kitchen and placing the two card readers inside and causing more water damage to the other equipment.

The owner identified him from the footage and the first-time offender was arrested by police, although he initially claimed he had nothing to do with it.

La Barbera's lawyer said he was in a “contractual dispute” and the defendant accepts this was no way to resolve his employment issues.