Lone Woman Mugged In Early Hours: Suspect Named

Police are hunting this suspected mugger after a lone woman had a bicycle lock looped over her head during a terrifying early-hours attack.

She was approached from behind at 1.30am in Ecclestone Road, Victoria on November 12, last year as she spoke on her mobile phone.

When she began to resist, the man dropped the lock and ran off.

Officers at Westminster CID would like to speak with Scotsman Aaron Sinclair, 25, in connection with the investigation.

Sinclair also has links to the London, Surrey and Hampshire areas.

If seen, please do not approach but call the police on 999.

If you have any information regarding his whereabouts please call Westminster CID on 020 7321 7620 or via 101.

Alternatively information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Irish Burglar Wanted

Police are hunting this young Irish burglary suspect, wanted in connection with crimes in east and south-east London.

Officers in Barking and Dagenham would like to speak with 21-year-old Johnny Connors of Northampton following three burglaries in the Dagenham and Orpington areas. 

The offences occurred between March 1 and November 2, last year. 

As well as London, Connors is known to frequent the Kent and Northampton areas.

He is described as white, 5ft 7ins tall, of slight build, with short brown hair and green eyes.

Connors has a six inch scar down his right forearm and speaks with an Irish accent.

Anyone with information should contact Barking and Dagenham Borough's Fugitive Desk on 020 3276 1167 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

NOT GUILTY: Fireman 100% Innocent Of 'Rape' That Never Was

Carnival Threesome: Edwards 

A hunky fireman model was cleared yesterday of raping a drunken privately-educated young graduate in the entrance of a £3.6m house during the Notting Hill Carnival.

Kristian Edwards, 37, who has posed for Firemen Models - an agency specialising in genuine firefighters - claimed the 23 year-old scholar, currently studying for her Masters, consented to a threesome with himself and a mystery black man.

The DNA of a second man was found during tests on the young woman, which supported his evidence and he was unanimously acquitted by the jury in less than thirty-five minutes.

Edwards, of Nevendon Mews, Basildon, Essex, who is based at Poplar Fire Station, always denied raping the woman, who he had just met in a pub, on August 25, 2014.

Harrow Crown Court heard the student and her friend had been drinking all day when they arrived at the ticket-only party at the Prince Bonaparte pub.

Edwards told police: "They were being very flirty with a black guy and I thought: 'Okay, I may have a chance with these two.'

"They started touching my arms and playing with my muscles and kept undoing my top and putting their hands down there."

The muscular six-footer revealed to the jury it was the second time in a few years he had picked-up a woman at the carnival and had sex in the street.

His bio on the modelling website reads: 'Kristian is a charming hunk from the south east. He loves carnival (from Notting Hill to Rio), his pets and family.

"The cutest animal he has rescued was a little hamster stuck in her cage, from a smoke-filled house.'

Pose: Fireman Hunk

The young woman told the jury she had little recollection of events in the pub that night. "It was Carnival. We drank all day, every kind of alcohol under the sun."

She says she was grabbed from behind after leaving the pub at around 9pm: "He was forcing me down and his hands were pulling my tights.

"His arm was around my waist, pulling me towards him while I was bent over. I don't know why I didn't make more effort to get away at the time, I was so drunk."

The pub's CCTV shows the woman kissing Edwards, but she repeatedly replied: "I don't know" and: "I can't remember," when questioned about the night's events.

She had consumed rum, vodka, wine, tequila and sangria that day and prosecutor Mr. James Dawson told the jury: "She had so much she couldn't have agreed to have sex in the street.

"He pulled her tights and knickers down and she was pushed to the ground. She did not even know who raped her and was in a very poor way."

By the morning her mother had reported her missing to the police and the first thing she told her friend was: "I was raped last night."

She did not remember unzipping Edwards' sleeveless gilet to expose his tattooed bare torso and said: "He seemed quite proud of his fingerprint tattoo or maybe it was an excuse to take off his gilet.

"There are huge parts of the night I don't remember, which makes me think our drinks may have been spiked or whatever."

Police tests did not show any evidence of drugs in the complainant's system.

She agreed the pub's CCTV showed her throwing her arms around and "flirting" with Edwards, who claims he also enjoyed a three way kiss with her and her friend.

However, the young woman insisted she did not agree to sex: "We flirted, we kissed, but I did not consent to that. I asked him to stop."

Edwards told police Tanya's friend, referring to the complainant, said: "My mate likes black guys and I like mixed-race guys."

He saw both young women making-out with unknown black men in doorways outside the pub and joined in with the complainant and her companion.

They moved to the house entrance, where she gave them both oral sex and had full intercourse.

"He pulled her trousers and her knickers down slightly. 

"I'm having sex with her from behind, then swapped with the black boy and then we swapped again."

Edwards told the jury: "She seemed to be enjoying it. I did not rape her."

He admitted hoping to have a threesome with the complainant and her friend when he first saw them: "If I was lucky. Yes."

He denied "taking advantage" of the young woman and failing as a fireman to protect her. "There was no way of saying she needed protecting."

CCTV showed the pair returning to the pub afterwards and the woman did not say anything to the staff or many police who were still in the area. 

Pensioner Pickpocketed: Two Scumbags Hunted

Police hunting two heartless pickpockets, who stole £1,000 from a female elderly pensioner, have released these CCTV images of their suspects.

The 77 year-old woman, who is physically impaired, was followed from her bank, where she had just withdrawn the cash, to a Money Store branch, where the thieves struck.

Detectives from Barking and Dagenham Borough are investigating and have issued this footage of the two women they wish to identify and speak to in connection with the incident.

On December 1, last year police were called at around 2.50pm to a report of a theft in the Money Store on Station Parade, Barking.

The victim had placed the money in an envelope into her bag and then zipped it up when she was followed inside.

One of the suspects stood in front of the victim and pick-pocketed the envelope from her bag as they stood in the queue.

The suspects then left the shop and as soon as the victim got to the counter, she realised her envelope was taken.

The suspects are described as: 'Suspect 1' a slim built white woman, with long blonde hair. She was wearing a white scarf, a black jacket, blue jeans and carrying a black shoulder bag.

'Suspect 2' is described as a slim built woman with tied up brown hair held with a black band. She was wearing a black jacket and carrying a shoulder bag with a light coloured strap.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise the two women shown on CCTV are has any information that may assist officers.

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

Attempted Break-In: CCTV Released

Police hunting a camouflaged wannabe burglar in east London have released this CCTV image of their suspect.

Detectives from Tower Hamlets Borough investigating an attempted burglary at a residential address wish to identify and speak with in connection with the incident.

On December 15, last year police were called at around 7.00pm to a report of an attempted burglary at a flat at Boston Lodge on Canton Street, Poplar.

The attempted burglary was reported to have occurred at some point between 5.30pm and 6.30pm that day.

The front door to the flat was damaged.

Earlier that day a man aged in his twenties was seen to enter the secure communal front door before allowing another man into the premises.

Once inside the pair tried to break into a flat, and used tools to stop the internal security door from closing shut, to make good their escape.

CCTV on the ground floor from within the premises captured his activity.

His accomplice has since been identified.

The suspect is described as a thin man, aged in his twenties, with short black hair.

He was wearing a camouflage-style jacket over a blue hooded top, dark blue trousers and grey trainers.

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

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 200531 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Stylist To The Stars 'Keyed' Ex's Car During Drunken Domestic

A stylist to the stars 'keyed' her ex-boyfriend's car during a drunken late-night domestic during which she called 999, wrongly believing she had been locked in the vehicle.

Sharon Marie Ridoynauth, 42, has styled pop star Ellie Goulding and rapper Tinie Tempah for music videos and photo shoots.

She has worked for Cosmopolitan, Esquire and the Sunday Times Style magazine and other celebrity clients include model Naomi Campbell, actress Sienna Miller and Grammy award-winning singer Kelly Rowland.

Ridoynauth, of Ashleigh House, Curtis Field Road, Streatham pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to Dwight Graves-Andy's black 1.8 litre Toyota Avensis outside her home on April 10.

Prosecutor Mr. Brinkman May told Camberwell Green Magistrates Court it was 1.08am when Ridoynauth phoned the police.

"It was during an argument with her ex-partner and she called the police to tell them she had been locked inside the vehicle.

"That was not the case, in fact Mr. Graves-Andy had left the area leaving the car unlocked.

"When the officers arrived she was out of the car, clearly drunk and nearly falling over and told them she thought she had been locked in the vehicle."

Officers left, but there was a second call thirty minutes later from a witness who reported Ridoynauth 'keying' the car.

There were scratch marks to the bonnet, boot and side of the vehicle.

Ridoynauth was questioned by police and immediately admitted causing the damage, explaining there was a disagreement with her former partner.

He later estimated the damage to be £1,000.

Ridoynauth was conditionally discharged for six months and ordered to pay £300 compensation to Mr. Graves-Andy, plus £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

She was Ellie Goulding's personal stylist on the video shoot for the star's first UK Number One hit 'Burn'.

Machete-Wielding Parakeet Snatcher Caught Up Park Tree

Up Before The Beak: Jesurajah

A machete-wielding dad-of-four was caught by police hacking his way to a parakeet nest and snatching four baby birds for his children.

Food factory worker Jenistopher Jesurajah, 42, claims the youngsters were thrilled by the bright green birds in Wembley's Barham Park during a family day-out.

Sri Lankan Jesurajah, of Pleasant Way, Wembley went home for the knife before scaling the tree to slash through the foliage and reach the protected nest.

He pleaded guilty at Hendon Magistrates Court last week to intentionally taking the wild birds, contrary to the wildlife and Countryside Act, on May 1.

He also pleaded guilty to damaging or destroying a wild bird nest and possessing a blade.

Jesurajah was sentenced to a twelve-month community order, which includes 160 hours community service work, plus £85 costs and a £100 contribution towards the birds welfare.

Prosecutor Miss Indira Gohlar told the court: "Police were called just before 8pm to a report of a man hacking at a tree with a meat cleaver.

"He was seen up the tree hacking a hole and a large amount of branches and debris were falling to the ground.

"He was asked by the police officers to come down and after first trying to hide the machete he dropped it.

"He was holding two baby parakeets and in his pocket two further parakeets were found.

"They were all very small and were taken to a local vet and are now at a wildlife centre, where they will stay until they are strong enough to be released back into the wild.

"He told the police he was from Sri Lanka and had been in the UK for twelve years and lives with his wife and four children.

"They had all been in the park earlier in the day when the family noticed the birds and he decided that he wanted them.

"He returned with the meat cleaver and hacked a hole in the tree and took the birds to keep them as pets even though he had nowhere to keep them or nurture them or any cages. 

"He said he did not know it was illegal to take wild birds and during his interview police officers noticed he was visibly upset and remorseful."

First-time offender Jesurajah, who had a Tamil interpreter, told the court it was not illegal in Sri Lanka to take and keep wild birds.

Magistrate Mrs Joy Kay told Jesurajah, who could have received six months imprisonment for taking the birds: "We protect our birds very carefully in this country.

"They cannot be removed from their natural habitat and you cannot go around in public with a machete."

Everton FC Fan's Wembley Flare Burned 10 Year-Old Girl

An Everton FC fan's illegal flare singed a ten year-old girl's hair and burned through two layers of clothing during the club's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium.

Thomas McGill, 26, lit the flare moments after an own goal by Manchester United's Chris Smalling brought Everton level at 1-1 just fifteen minutes before full-time.

They eventually lost the match 2-1.

McGill, of Mallory Road, Whitby, Ellesmere pleaded guilty at Hendon Magistrates Court to assaulting the young fan on April 23.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing the flare at a designated sporting event and possessing a small amount of cocaine.

Prosecutor Miss Indira Gohlar told the court: "The victim was with her sister and father and when Everton scored the defendant lit a flare and started waving it.

"Sparks from the flare singed the ten year-old's hair and clothing, two layers of clothing were burnt through, and luckily there was no contact with the skin."

The girl's father complained to McGill, who said he was unaware of what had happened.

"On seeing security guards coming towards him he tried to discard the flare and was ejected and arrested," explained Miss Gohlar.

"When McGill was searched class A drugs were found in a tissue, which were tested and confirmed as cocaine.

"He admitted to the police he had lit the flare, saying he had got it from someone inside the stadium who had offered it to him.

"He also said he got the cocaine from someone inside the stadium, but did not pay for it, agreeing he would give them forty or fifty pounds on the next occasion.

"He said he did two lines of cocaine and throughout the day had consumed seven to eight pints of lager.

"He said he was not paralytic, but was a little bit drunk and said he lit the flare when he got carried away by Everton scoring.

"He admitted it was a stupid thing to do and he was sorry about the assault and said he only realised what had happened when the child's father told him.

"He said he was sorry and did not intend to hurt anybody.

"The incident could have escalated, but for the actions of the girl's father and the stewards," added Miss Gohlar, who also applied for a football banning order."

McGill confirmed to the court he was a long-term Everton FC fan and a banning order would punish him.

He also told police his actions were "idiotic".

McGill was bailed until June 8 for a pre-sentence report.

Detective Sergeant Jailed For Harassing Ex With Fake Prostitute Ads

Sex Leaflets: Ian Mangham

 A detective sergeant has been jailed for sixteen weeks for harassing his ex-girlfriend by distributing fake leaflets advertising her services as a prostitute.

Ian Mangham, 50, who wooed the mother-of-two when she reported her ex-husband to police placed the ads in local pub toilets and phone boxes.

It was revenge after business development manager Agnes Collowey, 38, dumped him and as a result she received phone calls and knocks on her door at all hours of the night.

"You are a serving police officer with a long and distinguished record over twenty-six years," District Judge Quentin Purdy told him.

"You are a man of good character and everything that goes with it facing custody for a disgraceful episode that was cruel and vindictive."

Mangham, of Baldwins Hill, Loughton, Essex denied, but was convicted of harassing her between October 23, 2014 and April 1, last year.

Hammersmith Magistrates Court heard Mangham was also the author of a hand-written note Agnes found stuffed in the letterbox of her Highams Park, Chingford home which read: 'Romanian whore. Dirty prostitute, get out of our street.'

She was also bombarded with junk mail, catalogues and brochures after Mangham completed hand-written coupons in her name for products and services.

"Far more aggravating were these leaflets advertising for those seeking sexual services and giving her full name, phone number and address.

"She had people knocking on her door in the middle of the night and phoning her and she knew they were seeking sexual services," added the judge.

Harassed: Agnes Collowey

Mangham was also ordered to pay Agnes £3,000 compensation and £500 prosecution costs and was made subject to an indefinite restraining order prohibiting him contacting her or her children.

He is now suicidal, revealed Mr. Alisdair Williamson, defending. "He was and remains ill and after the trial was admitted to Princess Alexandra Hospital.

"They were concerned about self-harming and that he would take his own life and as the probation report says, he is a broken man."

Mangham's house is for sale and he intends moving back in with his parents in Leamington Spa. 

"Please do not send him into immediate custody, he needs help and the clang of the prison door will not serve justice, but contribute to his ill health.

"Sometimes a man's life is a fragile edifice held together by the fragile bond of love and when that goes, everything goes and that happened to this man.

"It's pathetic and sad, but he'd return home to an empty house, lonely, and despite the support of the police service he could not admit to his colleagues the loneliness he felt."

Mangham began drinking heavily and his doctor put him on medication.

He has not yet confessed to being the author of the prostitute leaflets, but now concedes he was behind the avalanche of junk mail.

"He admits through me being the author of those coupons, it was one night of filling-in coupons in bitterness.

"It's difficult for a man to come to terms with the complete destruction of his life."

Before he was jailed Mangham, dressed in smart blue suit, white shirt and tie, said from behind the dock's security glass: "I am very sorry."

A handwriting expert confirmed there was a "very strong" probability he was the author of the coupons and prosecutor Mr. Michael Mallon said: "It's clear there is an obsession here."

One order was for jewellery engraved with the words: 'To My Best Lover' and 'To My Beloved Friend,' and another was for adult films.

They were together over four years after Agnes, a biology and chemistry graduate, was forced to attend Hornsey Police Station when her troublesome ex-husband reported her missing.

Their first date was on December 9, 2009 and in the early days Mangham slept on her couch.

She described their relationship as: "on-off", agreeing she ended it. "I did not see the point in continuing this relationship

"A few months after we broke up he was trying to persuade me to get back together with him," she told the court. "I tried to tell him that we were so different there was no point continuing."

She moved out in July, 2014, but Mangham turned up on the doorstep of her new home at 10.30pm three months later. "I was angry," she recalled

He then launched the harassment campaign, initially with the junk mail bombardment. "Letters were coming every day from different companies.

"They usually started with the words: 'Thank-you for your enquiry' when I had not made any enquiry

"Some were very upsetting, like one which offered to look after my dog after my death and I received a letter from an undertaker's and a mobility company."

Calls from local men seeking sex then began. "One called for sexual services and said he found my number in the mens toilet of a Chingford pub.

"I was constantly receiving text messages and some were very rude and I had people knocking on my door in the middle of the night."

One call was from a pub at the end of her road and another from a phone box opposite Highams Park train station, where a leaflet advertised Agnes's address and phone number.

"It made me feel scared and uncomfortable in my own home with my son. I feared for my safety," Agnes told the court, adding she also received mystery "aggressive" texts.

The dustbins outside her home were also pushed over late one night and someone applied for a credit card in her name.

Mangham told the court he was not behind the harassment campaign and denied there was anything inappropriate about having a relationship with a woman who had gone to the police.

"We just got talking and I believe her son took a liking to me," he said, denying there was ill-feeling after the split. "I had moved on and wished her well."

Mangham told the court he bought a home for himself and Agnes to live together in.

He agreed sending her a text, which read: "I want to marry you in Venice and be a father to your son."

When she moved out he loaned her £3,600 to cover a deposit and rent for her new home, plus another £500 to help her set-up a massage business as a sideline.

They continued to exchange texts and see each other in local pubs, even kissing on one occasion, which Mangham took as an indication they were back together.

"It was on," he told the court, explaining Agnes finally split with him in a text message.

He only turned up on the doorstep of her new home on October 24, 2014 to collect the money owed and not to harass her, Mangham claimed.

He agreed receiving a text from Agnes, which read: "This is harassment, I will report you to the police."

From that point on he said he had nothing more to do with her and the leaflets and junk mail must have been orchestrated by someone else.

He did admit reporting her to the benefits agency in November, 2014 and looking-up her new boyfriend's linkedIn page.

Tipper Truck Driver Accused Of Cocaine Pedestrian Death

A lorry driver accused of killing an elderly female pedestrian while under the influence of cocaine has appeared in court for the first time.

Anthony McArdle, 53, of Newham Way, Canning Town was driving a 32 tonne tipper truck, which struck Sushilaben Patel at 9.20am in Lewisham Road, Lewisham on October 9, last year.

She died two days later.

McArdle appeared at Bromley Magistrates Court and was bailed to appear at Woolwich Crown Court on June 2.

A condition of his bail is that he does not drive any vehicle on a public road.

He is charged with causing the death of Mrs Patel by careless driving and driving with a proportion of a controlled drug, namely cocaine, over the specified blood limit.

The prosecution also say a mirror on his tipper truck was misaligned, which restricted his view.

Bus Stop Knife-Point Mugging Of Lone Woman: E-Fit Of Suspect Released

Police have released this e-fit of a knifepoint robber, who attacked a lone woman at a bus stop in the early hours of the morning.

The 31 year-old victim was waiting for a bus in Boundary Road, near the junction with Finchley Road, South Hampstead at 5.55am on September 20, last year.

A young light-skinned black male suddenly approached and uneasy at the sudden presence of the suspect, the victim moved away from him.

The suspect waited under the bus shelter for a few moments before lunging towards the victim with a knife in his hands.

He held the knife to the victims' upper body and demanded that she hand over her possessions.

Fearing for her safety the victim handed over her bag containing her mobile, purse and other items.

The suspect then fled the scene running off down Boundary Road.

The victim was so shaken by the robbery she only felt comfortable calling police once she had reached the safety of her home.

The suspect is described as a black man, aged between 17 to 21-years old, approximately 5ft 8ins tall and of skinny build.

He was wearing a loose-fitting, dark-coloured jacket with a hood and dark jeans.

He also is said to have a deep voice.

Detective Constable Jonathan Bradshaw said: "This was a frightening incident on a lone woman as she was making her way home.

“Despite this happening some months ago the victim still remains shaken by the incident and is fearful of being out by herself.

"The robbery took place on the borders between Westminster and Camden and I believe that the man responsible is possibly someone who lives locally or knows the area quite well.

"We're keen to hear from anyone who recognises the man in the e-fit or anyone who has any information that could assist us with our inquiry."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Westminster CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

'Emmanuel': Where Are You?

Police investigating the sexual assault of a woman at a residential south-east London address have released this image of a suspect.

He is being sought for questioning by officers from the Metropolitan Police's Sexual Offences and Exploitation and Child Abuse Command.

The victim, aged thirty years-old was attacked inside a property in the Peckham area on September 10, 2014.

It is believed that the man's first name may be 'Emmanuel'.

Anyone who can identify this man should call the investigating officers via 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference CR3025548/14.

Night Bus Thug Claimed Three Victims: CCTV Released

Police are hunting this suspect after a night bus thug attacked one passenger then robbed two more when they got of the early hours service in north-west London.

Officers from Brent's Safer Transport Team have released this CCTV image in the hope he can be identified.

Violence erupted at 4.40am on the route N18 bus, which was travelling from Piccadilly in the West End to Wembley.

A 44 year-old man was waiting to get off the bus when he was punched him in the face, causing a bloody nose, and the victim got off.

The suspect then re-boarded the bus, armed with some sort of weapon, and attempted to attack the victim, who used his rucksack to protect himself.

The victim did not require medical treatment.

Passengers shouted at the suspect who then ran away.

Moments later, two other passengers, aged 24 and 28 years-old got off the same bus and were assaulted and robbed of their mobile phones by the same suspect.

The 24-year-old victim was taken to hospital suffering cuts to his head, which required stitches.

The suspect is described as a Middle Eastern man, aged in his twenties, with short dark hair and a goatee beard.

He wore a camouflage hat and dark clothing.

Officers are releasing a CCTV image of the man and are asking anyone with any information to contact Police Sergeant Chris Simpkins on 020 8733 3856, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting ref 182666.

Wannabe Bus Arsonist: Police Hunt Continues

Police are still hunting a youth suspected of trying to start a fire on a Croydon bus.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Roads and Transport Policing Command continue to appeal for help to identify the teenager.

This follows a half-successful appeal issued on Wednesday, January 6, which identified one suspect.

The incident took place on a Route T31 bus travelling on Field Way at about 7.45pm on September 6, 2015.

As a result of the first appeal a 14-year-old boy from New Addington was arrested on Wednesday, January 20.

He has now been referred to a Youth Offending Team.

Officers are still appealing for help in identifying this second boy, believed to be aged between 14 and 16 years-old and have re-issued a CCTV still of him.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Constable Alastair Middleton on 07909 877121 or Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 555 111, quoting reference 3826214/15. 

Pub Double-Stabbing: CCTV Released

Police are hunting a violent knifeman after two drinkers in an east London pub were stabbed.

This CCTV image of the suspect has been released by officers on Havering borough.

The double-stabbing occurred at the Shepherd and Dog pub, Shepherds Hill, Romford just after 10.30pm on January 15.

London Ambulance Service attended and treated two men for facial and stab wounds to the chest and they were taken to hospital.

Detective Sergeant Jay King said: "We are very keen to speak with the individual pictured and would encourage anyone who recognises him to contact us immediately.

“Both victims sustained a number of stab wounds and it was only by pure chance that they were not more seriously injured or killed.

"I would urge anyone with information concerning the stabbings or the man in the picture released today to contact police as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on the non-emergency line on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting CRIS 5400808/16.

Spanking Pastor Gets Six Years For Exercising 'God's Will' With "Christian Domestic Discipline"

An evangelical pastor, who claimed to exercise God's will when spanking naked devoted female members of his congregation in the name of "Christian domestic discipline," has been jailed for six years.

The spankings, which were also dished-out to children, were to satisfy 73 year-old self-styled Reverend Howard Curtis's "desire for power and sexual satisfaction," Croydon Crown Court heard.

The father-of-three, of Bloxworth Close, Wallington ran the Coulsdon Christian Fellowship (CCF) as a cult, prosecutor Mr. Toby Fitzgerald told the jury.

He was convicted of five counts of sexual assault between January 2009 and July 2013 against one female worshipper; one count of sexual assault against another between 2007 and 2009 and two counts of child cruelty against two youngsters. 

The five counts regarded one woman, a nurse aged 28, he ordered to strip naked before putting her over his knee to slap, continuing the beating when she collapsed to the floor - with one of the dozen or so sessions in front of her husband.

"You put forward different reasons for doing what you did, which included the untidiness of her flat, her own untidiness and her lack of femininity," Judge Peter Gower QC told him.

"On the first occasion you beat her backside repeatedly with the palm of your hand as she lay across your lap with her trousers and underwear pulled down, before she ended up on the floor in what she described as a 'trance like' state.

"On the second occasion the exercise was repeated. On this occasion you also smacked her on the outside of her vagina as she lay on the floor.

"In that occasion and all subsequent occasions she was completely naked.

"You told the jury you did so because God had told you that it would release a frigid spirit from her.

"She was desperate to make her marriage work, improve the sexual side of it and be able to start a family.

"You had persuaded her to believe that what she was agreeing to was some form of spiritual act designed to help her.

"In reality, as with the other woman, this was sexual abuse for your own sexual gratification. it involved a gross breach of trust by a man whose station within the church put him in a position of very considerable power."

The second woman, a single-mum and clothes designer in her late forties, was desperate to remain part of the church "inner circle."

"She regarded you and loved you as a father," Judge Gower said. "Someone who had taken her in and helped her.

"It was against that background that you exploited her vulnerability and prevailed upon her to submit to being smacked by you on her bare backside.

"She was persuaded by you and others this was a means of getting out of her, with God's assistance, what were described as bad or undisciplined spirits.

"At first she refused, but you persisted, and eventually she agreed to submit to this 'discipline', having been conditioned by you to think that she needed to be disciplined for some past disobedience such as not attending church and that it was something of which God approved.

"With the benefit of hindsight she described your interpretation of the bible as 'bizarre' and 'weird'……..You deceived her into thinking that what you were doing was in her best interests, that it had a spiritual basis and a biblical justification, when in reality it was a sexually abusive act performed for your own sexual gratification."

Curtis took her to the home of another female follower and in that woman's presence ordered the victim to pull down her trousers and underwear and lean over a bannister.

"You beat her repeatedly with the palm of your hand, she said you did it twenty or thirty times with full force, causing her to become extremely upset and bruising her badly."

He was also convicted of one count of child cruelty between March 1, 2007 and February 28, 2008 in relation to the woman's nine year-old daughter.

"You took her upstairs, she said she was dragged, and smacked in a manner that she described as very hard and rough, at least four times, with the palm of your hand, leaving red marks, but no bruising," said the judge.

The second child cruelty conviction relates to a worshipper's baby, whose bottom he pinched, leaving the toddler "black and blue" some time between January 1, 1986 and January 3, 1989.

Curtis's lawyer Miss Julia Flanagan said: "He is a genuinely spiritual and in many ways a good man trying to do good in his community for forty years.

"He is sorry that his actions have caused any harm or upset to anybody and has lived an agonising three years for this trial to take place."

His wife Marilyn, who has supported him throughout, is now suffering with anxiety and the couple have had to downsize to a small flat and survive on Curtis's state pension.

She mouthed: "I love you," towards Curtis and the couple blew kisses at each other as he was led to the cells.  

"They have a great sense of shame and humiliation and Mr. curtis has the ignominy  of being a sex offender."  

During his evidence to the jury Howard said: "I believe a smack at the right time and place can be beneficial."

Curtis was ordained in 1988 under the umbrella of the Elim Pentecostal church.

"He presented himself as an inspirational man of God," said Mr. Fitzgerald. "The Crown say the church was run for this defendant and he cloaked himself in the trappings of a religious leader.

"In reality he was nothing of the sort. He deceived his congregation, including children.

"He said he was going to cast out evil spirits from people and that discipline had to be administered by striking bare flesh with the bare hand."

He was found not guilty of two counts of indecent assault in relation to a third female worshipper; digital penetration; two child cruelty counts regarding a boy and causing actual bodily harm to a young girl.

Curtis must also sign the sex offenders register for life and has been placed on the barring list, prohibiting him working with children and vulnerable adults. 

Ex-School Governor Gets Thirteen Years For Raping Young Girl

A former school governor, who the probation service say has a "high likelihood" of re-offending, has received thirteen years imprisonment for twice raping a 10 year-old girl.

Seemingly respectable Malcolm Greenaway, 68, an IT management consultant, struck at his £475,000 suburban home, where his wife had endured years of violence.

"These vile and unnatural acts were perpetrated by you against a wholly innocent child, you utterly stole her innocence," Croydon Crown Court Recorder John Gallagher told him.

Greenaway, of Stanley Park Road, Carshalton Beeches pleaded guilty to two counts of raping the girl between December 6, 2008 and December 5, 2010.

He must serve eight years and eight months before he can be considered for parole and then spend an additional five years on licence when the sentence expires.

Greenaway was a governor at Wallington High School for Girls between 1988 and 1997 and at Stanley Park Infants and Junior schools between1922 and 1988. 

"You pose a significant risk of serious harm. I suspect you are devious and manipulative and know how to work the system.

"You used and abused her sexually for your perverted lusts and feelings and groomed her into believing no one would believe her and as a result she sit this away for years."

The victim revealed to a schoolteacher in 2014 that she had been raped by Greenaway, who called her into his bedroom saying: "I need a hug."

When interviewed by police the girl could not bring herself to utter the words and instead wrote on a piece of paper: "He raped me."

Greenway told the youngster it would be their "little secret" and convinced her she would not be believed if she reported him.

He again raped her in his bedroom on a second occasion, after which the victim threw up.

She has since suffered panic attacks, suffered weight-loss, post-traumatic stress disorder and was hospitalised after taking an overdose.

The rapes were reported while Greenaway was serving a three years and nine months sentence for inciting two girls, aged thirteen and fifteen, to engage in sexual activity.

A probation report described the defendant as "controlling and dominant" and prone to "explosive anger."

"It's a great shame you felt no feelings for her except your unnatural and perverted feelings," Recorder Gallagher told him.