High-Viz Sledgehammer Burglar Hunted By Police

A burglar disguised as a workman and armed with a sledgehammer tried to smash his way through a property's glass door during an early-morning break-in bid.

Wearing a high-viz jacket the would-be burglar was caught on CCTV at the address in Parmiter Street, Tower Hamlets, east London on November 16, last year.

Police were called at around 10.00am to a report of an attempted burglary, which occurred between 6.45am and 8.00am.

CCTV overlooking the entrance captured a man, in a high visibility jacket, use a sledge hammer to smash the glass door.

The same man is believed to have gained entry into the residential premises in the late evening of November 7.

The suspect is described as a man aged in his forties with short hair.

He is seen wearing a high visibility hooded jacket and dark coloured trousers.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise the man shown on CCTV.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police via 101 quoting reference number 200281 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Laptop Sneak Thief: CCTV Released

Police hunting a sneak-thief, who nicked a laptop from an east London florist's, have released this CCTV image of a suspect.

Detectives from Tower Hamlets are investigating the burglary and they wish to identify and speak with the unknown man in connection with the incident.

On October 6, last year police were called at around 1.25pm to a report of a burglary at a florist on Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green.

The burglary was reported to have occurred at some point between 1.25pm and 1.35pm that day.

A Sony laptop worth £500 was stolen.

The suspect was caught on CCTV entering the shop and walking around the store.

He then went upstairs to the first floor and left the flat minutes later.

The suspect is described as a man in his thirties with short hair and glasses.

He was wearing a black coat and jeans and was carrying a rucksack.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise the man shown on the CCTV.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 1999962 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Carer Thieved £54K From Dementia Pensioner

A carer, who paid a gastric band bill and private school fees for her two children with some of the £54,000 she took from her 82 year-old dementia client, was jailed yesterday.

Single-mum Maria McCalla, 31, preyed on vulnerable pensioner Vera Haselden convincing her to write cheques in sums of£10,000 and £6,000.

On top of that she withdrew cash sums totalling £13,400 and £24,760 from an elderly woman whose dream of independent living was destroyed by the defendant.

McCalla, of Carolyn Road, Wembley received two years and eight months imprisonment at Harrow Crown Court.

She pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud regarding the cheques and two counts of theft between June 4 and August 10, 2014.

There will be no pursuit of Miss Haselden's money under the Proceeds of Crime Act after the prosecution decided there was no prospect of recovering any assets.

"I have heard about gastric band surgery, school fees, computer equipment, including an X-Box and brand-new clothes," said Recorder Andrew Hearn.

"The consequences for Miss Haselden have been enormous because she lived in fear of entering a care home and the whole point of employing you was so she could stay at home.

"She now has no capital and as a consequence has gone into a care home," he told the first-time offender. "She told the police she feels like she is in a prison, ending up where she did not want to be."

The court heard McCalla, whose 17 credit cards are all in the red, only began working for Miss Haselden two months before she started defrauding her.

"You became depressed, started gambling, and got yourself into money problems.

"You say Miss Haselden offered to lend you money and you took sixteen thousand pounds in loans, knowing you couldn't repay it.

"You stole further money from her, cash withdrawn over the bank counter when she was with you and cash withdrawals after she had given you her bank card and her PIN."

Eventually a suspicious bank employee tipped-off police, but McCalla denied stealing when questioned.

"You're attitude was that you had been given the money and were entitled to accept gifts."

McCalla's lawyer Mr. Malik Aldeiri agreed she initially denied the offences. "She was living in a bubble of false reality and denial.

'She felt like a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders when she confessed her mistakes. She took responsibility."

The court heard McCalla's children are aged eleven and six years-old. "She has told them everything to teach them the error of her ways and they are distraught.

"Her living conditions were poor with mould in the bathroom, a boiler that gave up in the winter, leaving her without heat and hot water and she had mice and pigeons in the loft."

McCalla receives Jobseekers Allowance, plus child benefit and has an income of £1,000 a month, which she said could be put towards compensation.

"She's is not living an extravagant lifestyle and comes away from this with no glory."

McCalla was also ordered to pay £500 costs.

Rookie Politico With Legal Ambitions Avoids Jail For Drug-Dealing

A young Labour politician - with ambitions to be a lawyer - avoided prison for drug-dealing after a judge decided not to ruin his bright future.

Student Firase Morgan, 25, of Rodmarton Street, Marylebone stood as the official Labour Party candidate for Hyde Park Ward in the City of Westminster council elections two years ago.

He was not elected a councillor and currently attends BPP University, where he is studying for an LLB law degree.

However, he was caught selling £40 worth of cannabis to a barmaid outside a Sloane Street pub and had another £1,120 worth of the drug hidden in the roof lining of his car.

Isleworth Crown Court Judge Robert Winstanley told Morgan: "You were playing a sophisticated part in a well-planned cannabis organisation.

"Because of your control of stock and commercial involvement you played a significant role.

"You are saved from a custodial sentence by three things: You have got problems and have done something to address them.

"You have pleaded guilty and your record does not help you, but it is seven or eight years since you were last involved, when you spent a period in custody for robbery.

"I'll give you this opportunity to pick things up in your life and continue with your studies and career ambitions and address your cannabis addiction."

Morgan was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 120 hours community service.  

He pleaded guilty to possessing 28 wraps of cannabis, with intent to supply, outside the Gloucester Pub, Sloane Street, Knightsbridge on March 5.

He also pleaded guilty to supplying a quantity of cannabis to a female member of the pub's staff.

Morgan is also a senior ambassador for charity Just for Kids Law and lobbies businesses to employ people with criminal records.

Prosecutor Miss Roxana Nasser told the court it was 4.30pm when plain-clothed police officers on routine patrol noticed a young woman running down the street.

"This young person ran to a cashpoint machine and dashed back to a pub where she works then dashes out to a car in a side street.

"Mr. Morgan is in the car and as the officers approach it they see the lady rush out with something.

"When they approached the car it smelled heavily of cannabis and when they searched it found twenty-eight white containers in the roof lining in a blue carrier bag."

Inside the two-and-a-half centimetre styrofoam condiment-style takeaway containers were small amounts of herbal cannabis.

The two Morgan sold the barmaid were in her room above the pub - which contained drug paraphernalia - and she said: "I bought the weed from the bloke in the car."

The barmaid had phoned a reliable number she knew and Morgan turned up.

Morgan's bedroom was also searched and police seized £1,000 cash, which they suspect is the proceeds of drug-dealing, but it will be returned to the defendant.

He claims it was his student finance and he had no other income.

Morgan received youth custody when convicted of robbery in 2008 and in 2009 received a suspended prison sentence for theft from the person.

His lawyer Miss Laura Miller told the court: "He played a limited role under direction with limited understanding of the operation.

"Since 2009 he has taken substantial steps to stay away from offending and has had assistance from 'Just for Kids' with education and housing.

"They placed him in a hostel and he moved away from his peer group."

Morgan's university knows about the two drug charges and have assured him he can continue a course that also includes a twelve-month partnership with Harvard.

"He's continued with his voluntary work with the charity, training solicitors and barristers through 'Just for Kids' to assist youngsters in youth courts.

"He attends a soup kitchen in Tottenham Court Road and assists.

"His depression and anxiety was exacerbated in the month before this offence when he started smoking cannabis and that led to these offences.

"He's ashamed of himself and feels he's let himself and others down, finding himself back before the courts.

"He intends taking a gap year from university to stabilise himself. Long-term he intends to work in the banking and finance industries.

"His career prospects will be effected by these convictions. The ramifications will be felt for him in the future if not his entire working life."  

Former Football Star Andy Roberts Denies Assaulting Wife

Former soccer star Andy Roberts has appeared in court, accused of assaulting his Footballer's Wives ex at his detached £1.8m home.

The 42 year-old ex-Millwall, Crystal Palace and Wimbledon midfielder of St. Paul's Cray Road, Chislehurst denies the charge.

He is accused of assaulting 42 year-old Lee-Anne Roberts at the five-bedroom property on April 9.

She was an advisor to ITV's Footballer's Wives drama and appeared in ten episodes of the show.

The court heard the pair have now split and are divorcing.

Dartford-born Andy is a former England Under-21 international whose various transfers between clubs totalled £4.25m.

He will return to the same court for trial on July 8.

Sky TV Pirate Set-Top Box Accused In Court

A man accused of making £19,200 from selling pirate set-top boxes to customers wanting cheaper Sky TV has appeared in court.

Scott Aldridge, 36, of Petersham Drive, Orpington allegedly sold the twelve-month subscription for £59.99 via eBay.

He did not indicate a plea at Bromley Magistrates Court.

Aldridge is charged that between September 27, 2014 and July 29, 2015 he supplied articles for use in fraud, namely satellite boxes and software.

He is also charged with concealing or transferring criminal property between the same dates.

Aldridge was bailed to appear for a preliminary hearing at Croydon Crown Court on May 25.

Flare Fan's Double Liverpool FC Misery

A Liverpool FC fan, who discharged a flare during this season's League Cup final and had cocaine and cannabis on him when searched by police has been sentenced.

Josh Flood, 26, of Liddell Avenue, Melling had travelled to Wembley to watch the February 28 match, but was ejected at the start of extra-time.

Liverpool went on to lose a penalty shoot-out with Manchester City 3-1 after the game finished 1-1.

He had pleaded guilty at Hendon Magistrates Court on to possessing a firework at a sporting event, namely a distress flare.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing a small amount of cocaine and cannabis.

Flood received a twelve-month community order, which includes 80 hours community service work.

He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Prosecutor Miss Katrina Rennalls told the court: “It was 6.15pm when Flood was seen to release the flare and he was ejected from the stadium.

“He was arrested and when he was searched a wrap of cocaine and a wrap of cannabis was found on him.

“In custody he was further searched and another wrap of cocaine was found on him.”

When quizzed by police about the flare he said: “I didn't know I couldn't let it of.”

NOT GUILTY: Chinese Medicine Expert Cleared

A traditional Chinese medicine expert has been cleared of groping a female patient's breasts.

She was being treated for backache with massages and reflexology at the Natural Health Centre, Old Brompton Road, South Kensington.

Dr. Hui Li, 54, had taken over the £40-an-hour sessions, where the woman, aged in her thirties, sought help for a protruding disc.

Li said the woman made up the allegations after receiving an "accupressure" massage between the breasts and a head massage.

The clinic's manager told the Isleworth Crown Court jury Li also administers acupuncture and prescribes Chinese remedies.

He said the defendant has little command of english and UK customs and does tell women they are "beautiful" in an attempt to develop "rapport."

Li, of Valiant House, Plevna Street, Docklands was found not guilty of one count of sexual assault on April 11, 2014.

NOT GUILTY: Fresher's Week Student Is Innocent

Not Guilty: William Harrison

A new student at the UK's oldest catholic university has been cleared of sexually assaulting two young women minutes apart during drunken freshers week introductions.

William Kelsey Harrison, 21, had only been at St. Mary's University, Twickenham a week when he was arrested.

Harrison, of Victoria Street, Littleport, Ely, Cambridgeshire always denied the allegations and was found not guilty by a jury at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

He was cleared of one count of assault by penetration and one count of sexual assault on September 27, 2014.

Harrison was accused of following a 19 year-old into her room and forcing himself on her then grabbing another student, 20, minutes later.

The teenage student admitted she found the defendant attractive and was happy to kiss him as the pair sat on the edge of her bed late at night.

She had downed five vodkas, five Jagerbomb shots and two alcopops that evening before ending up at the halls of residence in Waldegrave Road at 2.30am.

She was also new to St, Mary's and had spent her first week getting to know her fellow-students and was part of group that had invited Harrison to join them.

When questioned by police he did not deny there was consensual physical contact with both young women.

Cannabis Grower Gets Five Years

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court

A South Wales man, who organised the production of cannabis in London is starting a five-year prison sentence.

Peter Larter, 34, of Cromwell Road, Newport originally appeared on bail at Wimbledon Magistrates Court and stood trial at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

He was originally charged with being concerned in the production of 256 cannabis plants between June 26 and August 19, last year at 97 Gascoyne House, Gascoyne Road, Homerton, east London.

It was alleged Larter had a connection to the property, which was raided by police who arrested the 'gardener' present who later received eight months imprisonment.

Larter was also charged with being concerned in the production 60 cannabis plants between August 11 and 29, last year at 52 Priory Close, High Path, South Wimbledon.

The prosecution say it was a sophisticated operation using hydroponic equipment, lamps, ventilators and fertilizers.

Police confiscated £2,000 from Larter, which he was ordered to pay as a contribution towards court costs.

Chinese Medicine Expert Denies Fondling Female Back Patient's Breasts

Hui Li: Denies Claims

A traditional Chinese medicine expert, treating a woman's backache with massages and reflexology at a South Kensington clinic, groped her breasts, a jury heard today.

Dr. Hui Li, 54, had taken over the £40-an-hour sessions at the Natural Health Centre, Old Brompton Road, where the woman, aged in her thirties, sought help for a protruding disc.

As usual she had stripped down to her knickers and a full-length towel was protecting her modesty when the defendant suggested an abdominal massage to relieve tension.

"I said yes and he snatched the towel off," she told the Isleworth Crown Court jury. "He was staring at me, staring at my breasts.

"I covered my breasts with my hands and he said: 'Relax, I'm a doctor' and held my wrists and moved my hands down.

"Then he grabbed my nipples, they were between his fingers, each hand on each breast and started moving his hands in a circular motion.

"There was some force and he was staring like he wanted to touch me. He then stroked my back as I sat up and then stroked my cheek and said: 'You're beautiful.'

"I was so shocked and covered myself with the towel and he kept staring at me until I left the room. I trusted him as a doctor."

She continued her course of treatment with a female practitioner and only reported Li when she bumped into him at the clinic four months later.

"He was sneering at me and waved in a patronising way as if to say: 'I know what I did and got away with it.'

"I did not have the courage to speak up about it, but when he waved at me I got the anger and the courage."

Li says the woman made up the allegations after receiving an "accupressure" massage between the breasts and a head massage.

The clinic's manager told the jury Li also administers acupuncture and prescribes Chinese remedies.

He said the defendant has little command of english and UK customs and does tell women they are "beautiful" in an attempt to develop "rapport."

Li, of Valiant House, Plevna Street, Docklands, has pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual assault on April 11, 2014.

Trial continues……………

Finance Chief's £215K "Revenge" On Boss

She Striped Her Employer: Carly Hughes 

 A female finance chief, who stole nearly £215,000 from a small plastics firm to spite her boss, has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Carly Hughes, 34, fell-out with the owner of Arrow Plastics Ltd., 52 year-old Mark Wombwell and took her "revenge" by creating false invoices and transferring huge sums into her bank account.

"The only real reason she took this course was to get at Mr. Wombwell," her lawyer Nick Goss told Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

"The two of them do not like each other.

"The money is still sitting there and was stolen as an act of vengeance rather than Carly Hughes wishing to enrich her life or to fritter it away."

She believed promised bonuses had not been paid and she had been overworked by the company.

The finance and payroll manager, of Pennyfield, Cobham, Surrey pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position, namely the processing of fake invoices to gain £172,523.99p between October 15, 2013 and May 8, last year.

She also pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position in regard to a £583.33 salary increase on March 31, last year and transferring criminal property, namely £22,898.56 between October 29, 2013 and May 19, last year.

Hughes was employed by the company, based in Hampden Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, in a senior position until her departure last year.

It was only after she left financial irregularities were spotted.

Pocketed Money: Carly Hughes

Prosecutor Mr. Bill McGivern told the court: "She was raising invoices in the names of other companies and then transferring the funds into her own account.

"The total loss is two hundred and fourteen thousand nine hundred pounds.

"For a relatively small company these were considerable sums.

"To keep the company afloat Mr. Wombwell loaned it one hundred and sixty-five thousand pounds and the next day the defendant stole eleven thousand pounds.

"As a result there has been a massive loss to the shareholders and the fifteen staff have had a two-year pay freeze."

When initially questioned by police Hughes made no comment, but during a second interview claimed £100,000 sitting in her bank account was the result of selling her house.

She had also enjoyed a £4,000 holiday to Mexico, another £1,000 vacation and spending sprees in department stores.

Judge Susan Tapping told the first-time offender, who has now moved in with her mother: "It is sad to see someone like you in court.

"You are from a good family, a decent background with a work history and you have thrown it all away.

"You grew to dislike your managing director and systematically took revenge for the wrongs you thought had been done to you.

"Your financial revenge was very personal against the managing director and by bleeding the company every month it was less profitable.

"Three times he had to put loans into the company to keep it afloat, loans you asked for."

Hughes has agreed to repay £172,523.99p. 

Excommunicated Jehovah Witness Jailed For Sex Crimes

A Jehovah's Witness, thrown out of the church for spying on a naked young woman with a secret camera, was jailed for three years and four months yesterday.

Insurance claims handler Andrew Fulker, 43, lost his job and home and was excommunicated from the church even before more historic sex offences came to light.

The father-of-two, of Woodlands Road, Isleworth denied, but was convicted of nine counts of voyeurism for sexual gratification between January 1, 2013 and September 16, 2014.

He pleaded guilty to four counts of indecent assault committed in the late 1980's and early 1990's against a girl when she was aged nine to twelve years-old.

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard the secret camera was set-up at an address in Mill Farm Crescent, Hounslow, where Fulker recorded the 21 year-old woman.

Much of the footage captured her naked when getting in and out of the shower and using the toilet.

Fulker also stored a vast amount of images of the young woman on his computer.

When aged between fifteen and eighteen years-old Fulker groped another female between the legs and encouraged her to touch him intimately.

His lawyer Mr. Gavin Pottinger, referring to the voyeurism offences, said: “He says he may be hiding something from himself.”

Before the police were informed Fulker was reported to church elders, who decided he was no longer welcome.

“He lost his job, he lost his house and moved in with his parents. He is only allowed to communicate with his parents on non-religious matters.”

Prosecutor Miss Georgina Coade told the court the victim of the voyeurism offences was getting ready for work on September 16, 2014 when she discovered the recording equipment.

“As she sat down on the toilet she heard a noise behind her that sounded like a camera focusing and saw a USB-type device on the window ledge behind her.

“Further footage had also been taken from an i-phone positioned on the floor near the bathroom cabinet.

“She plugged the USB device into the home computer and found varying video clips that showed intimate footage of her using the bathroom.

“In some of the footage she is naked, getting in and out of the shower and was horrified at what she had found.”

Fulker was confronted and there were discussions with his Jehovah Witness elders and he admitted setting-up the camera.

“He said he admired her body and curves,” added Miss Coade. “He said when he recorded her in her underwear it sparked his interest.”

The police were informed and found further moving images on his computer, with some transferred from the i-phone.

Fulker was sentenced to two years imprisonment for the indecent assaults, plus sixteen month consecutive for voyeurism.

He must sign the sex offenders register for life and was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

New Student Denies Sexually Assaulting Two Young Women During Drunken Freshers Week

A new student at the UK's oldest catholic university sexually assaulted two young women minutes apart during drunken freshers week introductions, a court heard yesterday.

William Kelsey Harrison, 21, had only been at St. Mary's University, Twickenham a week when he followed a 19 year-old into her room and forced himself on her, the jury heard.

"He said: 'Don't be boring' and kept saying: 'You love it,' again and again," she told the Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court jury.

She said she did not want to go any further than kissing Harrison. "He was alright, a decent-looking lad, but he was forcing his tongue into my mouth and I closed my eyes and was shaking my head.

"He got on top of me and that's when I started to worry. He was kissing me down my neck and it was becoming forceful and he bit me and I flinched.

"He put two fingers into me and he is a lot stronger than me. He continued to the point I was flinching in pain.

"He started undoing his trousers and I unlocked the door and went out."

She admitted drinking five vodkas, five Jagerbomb shots and two alcopops that evening before ending up at the halls of residence in Waldegrave Road at 2.30am.

She was also new to St, Mary's and had spent her first week getting to know her fellow-students and was part of group that had invited Harrison to join them.

Prosecutor Mr. James Dawson told the court: "All the parties in this case had been drinking quite heavily and the first complainant had pre-drinks before going to the Student Union."

When she fled her room she told other students on the landing: "You've got to get rid of him," added the prosecutor. "It was plain she was very upset and very tearful."

Harrison returned to collect his coat and another female student, 20, went into the room to get it.

"He followed her in and put his hand over her mouth and started trying to kiss her and she resisted and said: 'What are you doing?'

"She pushed her way out of the room and now there were two very upset girls."

The police were called and officers arrested Harrison in his room.

When questioned he did not deny there was physical contact, insisting both young women were consensual.

Harrison, of Victoria Street, Littleport, Ely, Cambridgeshire has pleaded not guilty to one count of assault by penetration and one count of sexual assault on September 27, 2014.

Trial continues……………

Ex-Spurs Vice-Chairman Denies Harrods Assault

The former Vice-Chairman of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club appeared in court yesterday, accused of a violent attack on another man at world-famous Harrods department store.

Businessman David Julian Buchler, 64, of Brook's Mews, Mayfair pleaded not guilty at Isleworth Crown Court.

He was bailed to return for a trial on November 7.

He is charged with assaulting James Birrane, causing him actual bodily harm, at the Knightsbridge store on December 31, last year. 

Road-Rage Van Driver Used Vehicle As Weapon Against Cyclist

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court

A road-rage driver, who reversed at speed towards a cyclist he had clipped with his wing mirror after colliding with the bike, received a suspended prison sentence yesterday.

John Graham, 39, was behind the wheel of his van, which came into contact with the cyclist, who thumped the vehicle's bonnet in temper as a result during an ugly confrontation three years ago.

Recorder Ann Mulligan told the father-of-two at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court: "You accelerated and drove over the bike and your wing mirror clipped his head.

"The cyclist says if he had not moved your van would have hit him.

"You drove off a considerable distance then reversed at speed and deliberately used your van as a weapon and it is a miracle this was not more serious."

Graham had used cocaine the day before the incident and now claims he no longer uses the drug.

He was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months, and was ordered to pay 200 hours community service.

He must also pay £200 costs and a £100 victim surcharge.

Axe Charges Dropped Against Sisters Accused Of Targeting Family

L to R: Josephine & Barbara McFadyen

Two young sisters, accused of going to a rival family's home to attack them with an axe, had the charges against them dropped today.

Barbara McFadyen, 20, and Josephine McFadyen, 23, of Hounslow Road, Hanworth, Feltham, Middlesex appeared at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

They were accompanied by a large group of relatives.

The Crown Prosecution Service had no option but to offer no evidence when their witnesses failed to appear.

The sisters were both charged with aggravated burglary at an address in Starling Walk, Hampton on November 4, last year when after entering the property as trespassers they attempted to inflict grievous bodily harm upon multiple members of the Pender family while armed with an axe.

They each faced an alternative charge of attempted aggravated burglary.

Both sisters pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Punter Wanted For Bookies Wrecking Spree

An angry punter caused £6,000 worth of damage to a pair of gambling machines at an east London bookies.

Detectives investigating the criminal damage caused have issued CCTV footage of a man they wish to identify and speak to in connection with the incident.

On Wednesday, October 14, last year police were called at around 1.00pm to a report of criminal damage at Betfred Bookmakers in High Road, Chadwell Heath, Romford.

As the suspect was playing a fixed odds terminal he became angry that he was not able to recover his losses and started to rock the machine.

When the machine did not dispense his money the suspect picked up a nearby stool from the shop floor and, using the base, smashed both the machine he was playing and the one adjacent.

The suspect then walked out of the shop and along the high street.

CCTV has captured the moment the machines were damaged.

The suspect is described as a white man in his late thirties, 5ft 6ins in height and wearing a grey blazer with black patches on the elbow and blue jeans.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise the man shown on CCTV.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the police non-emergency line on 101.

"Vicious" New Year Attack: Teenage Girl Hospitalised

Police are hunting a “vicious” New Year's thug, who left a young woman in critical condition hours into 2016.

Detectives have released this CCTV image of the man they want to speak with following the serious assault in Deptford, south-east London.

Police were called to a south London hospital at around 6.20am on Friday, January 1 after a woman had been brought to the hospital by family members.

The victim, in her late teens, had been subjected to a vicious assault that left her in a critical condition.

Following treatment she is now in a stable condition.

Detectives are appealing for help to identify and trace a man seen on CCTV.

They are also appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time of the offence to contact them with what they saw or heard.

In particular, they would like to speak to two potential witnesses who would have been in the immediate vicinity of Creekside, at the junction with Deptford Church Street, between 4.50am and 4.55am.

At this stage officers retain an open mind as to any motive and enquiries continue to establish the circumstances.

Detective Sergeant Donna Caesar, of the Met's Sexual Offences Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: "This was a vicious attack on a lone woman and we urgently want to find the man responsible.

"Were you in the area of Creekside and Deptford Church Street between 03:00hrs and 06:00hrs on Friday, 1 January? Did you see anyone acting suspiciously or running in the street?

"Do you know the man in these images? If you are this man in the images we would like to speak with you.

"Are you one of two witnesses who would have been in the immediate vicinity of Creekside junction with Deptford Church Street between 04:50hrs and 04:55hrs?

"If you can assist our investigation please contact us."

Any witnesses, anyone who can identify the man in the CCTV, or anyone with any information or who saw anything suspicious, are urged to contact the incident room on 020 8721 4617 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Brit Denies Racist Outburst At Heathrow Passport Control

Bust Up: Heathrow Airport

A Rickmansworth chartered engineer, accused of racially abusing Border Force staff at Heathrow Airport during problems scanning his UK passport, appeared at Ealing Magistrates Court for the first time today.

Timothy Wynne-Jones, 53, of Beechcroft Avenue, Croxley Green indicated not guilty pleas and elected trial at Isleworth Crown Court, where he was bailed to appear on May 13.

He is accused of telling one female officer: “You're going to let all the terrorists into the country. I know your kind,” and telling fellow-passengers: “You're not British, you've got a Mickey Mouse passport. You're all terrorists.”

Wynne-Jones pleaded not guilty to two counts of racially aggravated harassment towards Border Force officers Raja and Yaqub at the airport on January 22.

Wynne-Jones is then said to attempt to push through the gate, but is prevented by Border Force staff.

They wanted to ensure his passport was not a forgery, but the defendant is accused of continuing: “Look. Terrorists protecting our border.

“There are far too many Indians protecting the border.”

Wynne-Jones is then accused of telling staff: It's not a border. You wouldn't know what one was.”