Woman Accused Of Blackmailing Rugby Star Danny Cipriani

A woman accused of blackmailing rugby star Danny Cipriani for cash has appeared in court for the first time.

Lisa Murphy, 39, of Montgomery Way, Wootton, Northampton was sent by Wimbledon Magistrates Court to appear at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on September 20.

She faces one count of blackmail in that between September 1 and October 31, last year, with a view to gain for herself or another or with intent to cause loss to another, made an unwarranted demand of money from Danny Cipriani with menaces.

Murphy, who lives in a three-bedroom end of terrace house, worth £213,000, only spoke during the brief hearing to confirm her name, age and address.

She was dressed in a white sleeveless blouse, black trousers, flat shoes and wore a wide-brimmed hat.

A second co-defendant is due to appear in court on August 31.

Murphy was released on bail by District Judge James Henderson on condition she does not contact Cipriani or a Violet Smith.

Prosecutor Miss Jackie Hughes did not explain the details of the case because the blackmail charge is indictable-only and is immediately sent to the Crown Court.

Roehampton-born Cipriani, 28, currently plays for Premiership team Wasps as fly-half or fullback.

The six-foot-one England international was educated privately at Wimbledon College prep school Donhead.

His mother Anne, who split with his Afro-Trinidadian father Jay soon after his birth funded Danny’s education by becoming a black taxi driver.

An all-round sportsman Cipriani played junior football for QPR, was offered youth terms by Reading FC and played schoolboy cricket for Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

He won 14 England caps between 2008 and 2015 and has also played for Melbourne Rebels and Sale Sharks.

Earlier this year he was convicted of drink-driving after crashing his Mercedes into a mini-cab after a night out and was banned for 18 months and ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £7,620 for being nearly twice the legal limit.

He has dated a host of famous women including Kelly Brook, Sky Sports’ Kirsty Gallagher, Katie Price, Cheeky Girl Monica Irimia and Aussie models Lara Bingle and Jesinta Campbell.

Friend Of Care Home Woman Denies Nicking £10K From Her

A Camborne man, accused of swindling a female care home resident with early dementia out of £10,000, denied the allegation when he appeared in court.

John Abrahams, 72, of Stardust, Genista, Copper Hill, Troon claims the complainant was lucid when she agreed to pay him for legitimate work.

He was bailed to return to London's Blackfriars Crown Court for trial on January 3, next year.

He pleaded not guilty to fraud between January 1 and May 12, last year in that he dishonestly, with intent to make a gain, abused his position of trust as friend and helper of Dorothy Arnold my making bank withdrawls.

The offence is alleged to have taken place at 1 Fortress Grove, Kentish Town.

Abrahams also pleaded not guilty to acquiring, using or possessing criminal property, namely £10,000 on May 19, last year at 5 Hamlet Court, 23 Village Road, Enfield.

The complainant will give evidence during the trial via a live link to her care home.

Former England Rower And Henley Regatta Champ Denies Sex Assault At Home Club

The ex-captain of the London Rowing Club has appeared in court accused of lifting a woman’s skirt and slapping her bottom before tipping a pint of beer over her head and allegedly calling her an: “Australian slut.”

Privately-educated City lawyer Alastair Main, 35, of Cobham Road, Kingston-upon-Thames denied the allegations when he appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court.

The married former competitive rower, who attended £30,000 a year Oratory School, Reading will return for a trial on November 31.

He pleaded not guilty to one count of sexually assaulting the 27 year-old woman at the London Rowing Club, Embankment, Putney on December 12, last year.

He also denied the racially aggravated assault of the woman on the same occasion.

Prosecutor Miss Ruth Alabaster told the court: “The defendant pulled up her skirt and hit her on the bum.

“There is an allegation of pouring a drink over her head and pushing and shoving and earlier in the evening he called her an: ‘Australian slut.’

“CCTV is to be relied upon in this matter. I’m sure this case will turn on that.”

Main does not deny pouring the drink over her, but insists it does not constitute an assault.

Married Main joined the London Rowing Club (LRC) during the 2005/05 season after rowing competitively for Nottingham University, Notts & Union and Britannia Boat Club.

He was elected captain for the 2013/14 season.

Six-foot plus Main was a national champion in 2003 and represented England at that year’s Home International Regatta.

He retired from competitive rowing in 2006, having won the Thames Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta.

His wife Rebecca, with whom he shares a £900,000 detached home with will give character evidence at the trial.

Main, who is privately funding his defence, only spoke to confirm his name, date or birth and address and enter his not guilty pleas.

He was not arrested, but summonsed for the offences and was bailed unconditionally to return for trial.

Main is a graduate of the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Law School and is currently employed by a global asset management firm, having previously worked for Coutts private bank.

IPCC Boss Fiddled £17,000 In Free Rail Travel

A senior manager with the Independent Police Complaints Commission, who scammed £17,000 in free rail travel to work for seven years, has received a suspended prison sentence.

Ian Every, 50, of High Trees, New town, Uckfield, East Sussex was so “nonchalant” about expenses fiddles within the organisation a casual unguarded comment exposed his swindle.

Blackfriars Crown Court heard he was employed as the Procurement Manager at the IPCC's HQ at 90 High Holborn, central London and had been with the body since 1992.

The first-time offender pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by abuse of position, between March 1, 2009 and January 1, this year when he made dishonest claims for travel and hotel expenses.

He was not entitled to free travel, but fraudulently claimed £17,701 worth of rail tickets for his daily commute, plus £2,656 to cover hotel bills.

Prosecutor Miss Maureen Flaherty told the court: “He was in a responsible position within the IPCC and the fraud was committed over a considerable period.”

A routine annual audit meeting on November 12, last year with a Home Office official was the beginning of the end for Every.

He made the throwaway comment: “I encourage people to claim for train tickets whenever they can.”  

“The nonchalance of this defendant alerted the Home Office auditor. It caused apprehension and the auditor looked into things more diligently than maybe he would have.”

An investigation revealed 1,948 bogus transactions by Every to cover rail travel from Uckfield to his London office.

Now living on benefits with his mother and father after blowing his earnings gambling, Every has paid back the entire amount with money from his parents and sister.

He claims to have had significant outstanding debts to individuals, depression and a gambling addiction.

“He was arrested and questioned and and admitted his guilt and said that he was the sole person involved,” added Miss Flaherty. “He said he had to tell his family and that was something he was very ashamed of.”

Every’s lawyer Miss Josie Sonnessa told the court: “He is remorseful, he regretted it and he immediately tendered his resignation.

“He had an exemplary career record and in many ways he has hit rock bottom and waiting for this day has been an ongoing ordeal.”

Judge Peter Clarke QC told Every: “You have admitted a serious breach of trust while you were the senior procurement manager at the IPCC.

“This leaves a bad example to anybody working at an organisation like that.

“It was brought to your employers attention by your nonchalance and you avoided seventeen thousand pounds in travel costs.”

Every received 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years and was ordered to complete 200 hours community service.

He will be under probation supervision and must also pay £750 costs.

Six Years For Callous Conman Who Cheated Pensioner Out Of Her Home

Rosemary Straker

A bogus financial advisor who “bamboozled” a 75 year-old pensioner out of her £650,000 home will begin a six-year prison sentence once police catch him.

Tony Trivett, 48, quickly blew £46,000 in a couple of weeks after remortgaging the property and treating himself to a luxury holiday in Phuket, Thailand.

The absent Trivett, of Milton Road, Brentwood, Essex, who a judge said was motivated by “pure greed”, was convicted on two counts of fraud.

Instead of being left with half a million pounds from the sale of the flat all retired Rosemary Straker, had to show for it was £15,000.

She agreed Trivett could have 5% of the sale price once the flat in Elmwood, North End Way, Hampstead was sold after her death in return for him paying off her mortgage.

However, the flat, which she shared with her son and a lodger, ended up in Trivett’s name and he immediately remortgaged it for £425,000 and disappeared.   

“This was a sophisticated and audacious fraud designed to deprive a seventy-five year-old woman out of her home,” said Recorder Nicola Shannon.

“It represented her current and future security and she hoped to pass it onto her son. She worked very hard for many years to buy the property.

“She feared the mortgage would not be paid and he exploited that trust for financial gain. He bamboozled her and took the property from under her nose.

“His callous disregard, patronising manipulation and sheer greed is expressed by him even reneging on giving her fifteen thousand of the thirty thousand pounds she expected for improvements.

“He absconded with the proceeds of the mortgage he took out on the property and spent forty-six thousand in the first few weeks, another demonstration of his shameless greed.

“He knew the power he had and he deliberately abused it.”  

Prosecutor Mr. Jonathan Loades told the jury: “These documents show the title of the property had passed to him for a fraction of what the property was worth.

“She was done out of her property, he obtained it for less than half the market value. He acted fraudulently and had not carried out her wishes.”

She believed her £145,000 mortgage would be wiped out by Trivett and she would have £30,000 cash for improvements while retaining ownership.

“I wanted to hang onto the flat, I did not want to sell it,” she told the court. 

However, a £290,000 sale went through and as the new owner Trivett immediately borrowed £425,000 against the flat and £114,500 was paid into his bank account, which had a balance of 32p.

“He’s got the property and now he’s going to charge it up to the tune of four hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds,” added Mr. Loades.

“That’s greatly to his benefit isn’t it? Mrs Straker had a valuable property and now it is in the hands of someone else.

“It’s been sold for a fraction of its worth, remortgaged and that happens as a consequence of fraud on Mr. Trivett’s part.

“Mrs Straker cannot tell precisely how it was done. The secret of a good conman, fraudster is leaving the victim not knowing how they’ve been fleeced.

There is only one beneficiary, and a considerable one at that, Mr. Trivett.”

The sale was completed on December 20, 2013 and Trivett was arrested on March 20, 2014.

“He says there was no fraud or dishonesty and he was acting honestly and legally to carry out the wishes of Mrs Straker.

“The evidence points clearly that this man was dishonest and fraudulent in relation to these charges.”

The jury were told the defendant even held back half of the £30,000 Rosemary expected for improvements, claiming it was too much money for her to handle.

She suddenly received a letter telling her the flat had been sold for £290,000. “I was astonished. i had not agreed to sell him anything.

“It was totally opposed to what I wanted to do.”

Forgery was not proved, but the trial heard one witness suggest Trivett somehow had versions of Rosemary’s signature that was transferred onto documents.

Rosemary continues to reside in the property, but because Trivett defaulted on the mortgage payments she is under threat of repossession.

Outside court she said: “I’m feeling very vulnerable at the moment,” adding her next fight was saving her home from repossession.

Trivett was unanimously convicted of fraud by false representation and fraud by abuse of position on or before January 24, 2014.

He was sentenced to six years imprisonment on each count to run concurrently.

He was cleared of one count of acquiring criminal property.

A warrant remains outstanding for his arrest.

Masseuse Denies Fondling Women At A Wellness Centre And Hotel Spa

A male masseuse launched copycat sex assaults on two female customers over two years apart - once at a wellness centre then at a Hilton Hotel spa, a jury have been told.

Both woman were fondled between the legs by 34 year-old Mohamed El-Alfie, who told the second woman he simply wanted to give her pleasure, Isleworth Crown Court heard.

Self-employed El-Alfie, of Brackenbury Road, Hammersmith is said to have committed the offences at The Happiness Centre, Uxbridge Road, Shepherd’s Bush and the Hilton Hotel, Syon Park, Brentford.

He has pleaded not guilty to one count of sexually assaulting the first woman and one count of assault by penetration on September 12, 2012 and one count of assault by penetration in relation to the second woman on January 2, last year.

Prosecutor Mr. Alisdair Smith said the first complainant, a married woman in her late thirties who cycles to her job in the West End, specifically booked El-Alfie for a sports massage.

She visited The Happiness Centre after work for treatment on an old back injury. “She was dressed just in her knickers with a towel around her.

“While massaging her buttocks he asked her to take her knickers off and she was surprised that instead of allowing her to remove them he pulled her knickers down himself and took them off.

“He continued massaging her inner thigh and touched her between her legs five to seven times.

The jury heard the woman told the defendant - known as Alfie -: “No, I don’t think so. If I wanted that sort of massage I wouldn’t be here. Do it again and I’ll report you.”

However, he repeated the act say the prosecution. “He did the same thing and moved her arms away and massaged her breasts without asking,” said Mr. Smith.

“He asked her if she had a boyfriend and she said she was married. He asked her if she wanted to go for a drink.”

There followed a dispute about payment. “She said she did not expect to be ‘felt up’ during a sports massage and told the receptionist she had been ‘touched up’ in the room.”

The woman told the jury. “He was very close, I could hear his heavy breathing.

“He was pushing the towel further up as he came up my leg.

“There was a definite motion and his hand touched me intimately. It was not accidental, it was not a slipping of oil.

“It felt like fingertips running up with some pressure and there was some movement inside

“He shrugged and smirked as if to say: ‘I’ve tried it on. What are you making a fuss about?’

“He said: ‘I don’t do this all the time, but you’re very beautiful.’”

The police did not pursue a prosecution, but did charge El-Alfie when a second woman, who was visiting the hotel spa with her daughter twenty-eight months later, made a similar claim.

“She was sexually assaulted in a very similar way and it is no coincidence that the masseuse was the same,” explained Mr. Smith.

“He moved her legs slightly apart before slipping his hand between them and inside. 

“He pushed his fingers inside her four or five times and she said: ‘You’ve got to stop that now.’

“His response was that he just wanted to pleasure her.”

El-Alfie was arrested and again denied the claims. “He said it was: ‘Complete bullshit.’”

The trial is expected to last a week……….  

Life Ban For Jet-Set Virgin Flyer Who Abused Stewardess And Thumped WPC

The drunken jet-setting wife of a Dubai restaurant chain entrepreneur chinned a WPC after being hauled off a flight for abusing a stewardess and threatening to punch her.

Lauren Johnson, 23, will have to find another airline to jet her between her £470,000 Greenwich home and the United Arab Emirates after Virgin Atlantic banned her for life.

She had too much to drink during the seven-hour Dubai to Heathrow flight and told one stewardess: “You smug bitch, you wear too much make-up.

“Look at you, you old hag, old slag covered in fake tan.”

The first-time offender, of Dupree Road pleaded guilty to being drunk on an aircraft and assaulting the officer on June 17.

She was sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months, and fined £4,500.

She was also ordered to pay £500 compensation to the officer, who suffered swelling to her cheek, and £425 costs.

“We travel at least once a month and I have never done anything like this before, it’s completely out of character,” Johnson told Isleworth Crown Court.

“I’ve been banned from Virgin now and I’ve had social services involved as well,” added the young mum.

“We have a house here and a house in Dubai.”

Prosecutor Mr. Neil Guest said the plane was nearing Heathrow when an attendant heard banging on the cockpit door. 

“On the other side was this defendant holding a child and she said: ‘My baby wants to wave to the captain.’

“This was not allowed and later the same attendant saw Mrs Johnson standing up with her child as the plane approached Heathrow.

“She was asked to sit down and replied: ‘I won’t f***ing sit down. I need to find my husband.”

In earshot of the stewardess Johnson told her husband: “I’m going to punch her in the face.”

Mr. Guest added: “Johnson was shouting and swearing and waving her arms around, refusing to sit down and put on her seatbelt.

“This continued for ten minutes and throughout the time there was abuse and swearing.”

It got so bad her husband put his hand over her mouth at one point and she was met by police when the plane landed.

“She was still shouting and being abusive and had to be handcuffed and lifted up by the officers because she refused to walk.

“She kept hitting the door of the police van on her way to the station, where she struck the policewoman on the chin with her hand.”

The officer said afterwards: “I felt dazed and a pain in my jaw and teeth.”

Johnson, speaking from the secure dock, added; “I’d like to apologise. I’m not the kind of person who goes out and gets drunk every weekend.

“It was a big mistake that I made and I hold my hands up and will take whatever sentence of punishment comes.”

Judge Robin Johnson told the defendant, who has a twelve month-old child: “Those who get drunk on an airplane and abuse staff often go to prison.

“The only thing saving you is that when you were violent it was after you left the plane. If it was on the plane you would have gone to prison.

“Those who behave like this on an airplane are a menace and a safety risk and I am not surprised Virgin have banned you for life.

“This will be an expensive trip and I hope this has been a lesson to you and you stay clear of alcohol when on an airplane.”

Tennis Racquet Spy-Hole Perv Sentenced For Filming Up Teens Skirts

A pervert, who taped mobile phones to the strings of two tennis racquets to film up young students skirts outside a busy tube station, has been placed on probation for a year.

Filming via a small hole he cut in one of the racquet's cover's 27 year-old Jake Hemming targeted women entering and leaving Tooting Broadway Underground Station.

The first-time offender, of Queenswood Gardens, Wanstead, east London ironically appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court, a short distance from Tennis’ All England Club.

He pleaded guilty to one count of outraging public decency by behaving in an indecent manner, namely filming up women's skirts with a mobile phone concealed in a tennis racquet in Tooting Broadway, Tooting on November 23, last year.

As part of his twelve-month community order Hemming will have to complete twenty days of rehabilitation and must also pay £85 costs and £60 victim surcharge.

The court was shown a photograph of the racquet, which had a mobile phone taped to the strings and then disguised when the cover was placed over the top.

The court heard he had compiled approximately twenty more hours of similar footage in the Tooting area, which was discovered during a police search of his home.

The court heard it was 4.15pm when Hemming was seen loitering near a group of around twenty students, aged 16-18 years-old.

The girls were unaware he positioned the racquet at an angle that allowed him to record images up their skirts.

A witness followed him and flagged over passing police.

District Judge Barbara Barnes announced: "The allegation is that in some way the defendant had rigged a camera up on a tennis racquet and was taking photographs of individuals, using the tennis racquet at an angle up individuals skirts at the tube station.

"When his home address was searched another racquet was found similarly set-up to take photos." 

Prosecutor Mr. Claudius Taylor-Sonko told the court previously: "After being seen at the station he was seen filming another girl."

Hemming's lawyer Mr. Niall Hearty said: "In short, he's found this a difficult period and cannot come up with a proper explanation as to why he committed the offence."

The defendant reported his perversion to his GP, who referred him to a counsellor and Hemming has completed 12 one-hour sessions and booked six more.

"The counselling is in regard to this behaviour in this instance," added Mr. Hearty.

"It does seem unusual at this age he's come to the attention of the criminal justice system for this offence," said DJ Barnes. "He's admitted the offence and now has a conviction."

Housemate Denies Spycam Voyeurism Charge

A man accused of installing a secret spy camera in his female housemate's bedroom for sexual kicks, denied the charge when he appeared in court.

Dean Horn, 37, of Cherry Way, Hatfield concedes he fitted the device, which was pointed towards the woman's bed, but insists there was no sexual motive.

He pleaded not guilty to one count of voyeurism between May 14 and 16 at 66 Elderfield Place, Tooting in that he installed equipment, with the intention of obtaining sexual gratification by observing another person doing a private act, knowing they did not consent.

Prosecutor Miss Jackie Hughes told Wimbledon Magistrates Court: “On May the fourteenth, the victim, a tenant at the same place at 2pm found a black recording device in the corner of her room, pointed at her bed.

“She took it away to be analysed and one of the videos was of her sleeping in bed.”

Horn was bailed until his trial at the same court on November 1 on condition he does not contact the complainant or visit the address.

His lawyer Mr. Christopher Pulman said: “The recording device was there to record a conversation rather than images.

“Rather odd decision-making took place to install this device. He has had counselling since and he admits he was behaving rather strangely.


“He felt unable to talk to his room mate about her leaving so sought to record her conversation.

“The defendant gave a full account in interview.”

Travelex Consultant Defrauded Foreign Exchange Employer's

Heathrow Airport

A foreign exchange sales consultant, who worked at Heathrow Airport, has received a suspended sentence for defrauding his employer's.

Ali Hussain Chaudhary, 24, of Durdans Road, Southall worked for Travelex in the airport's Terminal Two.

At Isleworth Crown Court he was sentenced to ten months imprisonment, suspended for twelve months, and was ordered to complete 200 hours community service work.

He was originally charged with seven counts of fraud by abuse of position between April 20 and June 12, last year in that while occupying the position of sales consultant he dishonestly abused that position to make a gain.

The sums involved were £49615.48p; £2697.90; £2405.35; £671.30; £2745.00; £2611.60 and £2076.90. 

Retired Vicar Molested Parishioners' 14 Year-Old Daughter Four Decades Ago

A retired Church of England vicar took advantage of the hospitality of kind-hearted parishioners, who fed him while his wife was pregnant, by sexually abusing their 14 year-old daughter.

Grahame Leslie Humphries, 71, of Lees Heights, Charlbury, Chipping Norton finally admitted molesting the teen over four decades later and has received eight months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

He pleaded guilty at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to one sample count of indecently assaulting the girl between September 21, 1971 and September 21, 1972.

Humphries was a married curate at the time and worked at St. Michael's Church, Earlsfield south-west London and went onto become vicar of Blockley and Bourton-on-the-Hill, Gloucestershire until 2012.

Prosecutor Mr. Max Hardy told the court: “The victim, now fifty-eight years-old was fourteen at the time and she and her parents were parishioners in the parish where Mr. Humphries was the curate.

“At time came when his wife was away from home while she was pregnant and under the care of a midwife and the victim’s parents and others parishioners ensured he was taken care of, inviting him into their homes for meals.

‘While in their home and when her family were out of the room the defendant kissed the victim and put his hands in her great area above her clothing.

“This occurred more than once.”

Humphries would pick-up the teen in his car unannounced from the local train station and he also bought her vinyl records and took her to lunch.

He pounced in the car when when driving her back from a Surrey camp. “On the way back the defendant pulled over and an incident of kissing and touching took place for a number of minutes.

“The defendant turned up at the family house unexpected on a number of occasions, once in particular when the girl had glandular fever.

“She was alone and he asked to go to her room and in her room asked her to take her clothes off, insistent is one way of putting it.

“She has the strength of character to tell him to leave.

“She was distressed by what had occurred and when her mother returned she found her crying and her father spoke to the defendant.”

Humphries ignored the family’s request to confess to the parish priest and nothing more happened until - prompted by the Jimmy Savile scandal - the victim reported him.

“These incidents did have a serious effect on the victim,” added Mr. Hardy. “She wrote to him in 1993 and told him how his conduct had seriously effected her relationship with men.

“The victim has had many, many years counselling for what happened to her.”

The victim, who was in court with members of her family, was abused again in her youth by a second man, who was never prosecuted.

Judge Paul Dodgson told Humphries, who currently needs crutches for a debilitating foot condition: “You did something very wicked. You took advantage of your position of trust and took advantage of this girl of fourteen.

“By one way or another you ensured you were alone with her and kissed her and put your hands on her breasts over her clothing.

“On one occasion you isolated her in her bedroom and asked her to take her clothes off.

“She has lived wit these events for forty-five years and they have blighted her life. She had the misfortune to encounter two abusers in her young life.

“Your actions have caused her considerable damage.

“The other side of this case is since then you have led a blameless life and the references speak of your good works.

“There are no reported incidents or a history of suspicion. You have discharged your duties as a priest in an appropriate way.

“There is no suggestion you are a danger to the community, children or women and your conduct over the last forty-odd years is evidence of that.”

Humphries refused to accept being put on a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which would restrict his access to children, including his grandkids.

Judge Dodgson agreed announcing: “There’s nothing in the pre-sentence report that makes me think there is a danger.” 

The judge remarked on the change of attitudes to sex offences since the early 1970’s. “If the victim’s father was confronted today with your behaviour I think he wouldn’t just tell you to go away and never come back.”

Humphries will have to sign the sex offenders register for five years, pay £500 costs and be under probation supervision for two years.

The judge refused an application for compensation from the victim. 

His lawyer Miss Charlene Sumnall said Humphries’ wife Mary was in court and his children knew about the case.

She said his career spanned parishes all over the country and he had positively effected the lives of “hundreds and hundreds” of people.

Nigerian Illegal Immigrant Accused Of Baby Fraud To Stay In UK

Fausat Abolore

A mother facing deportation paid a acquaintance £1,000 to pose as the baby’s father so she and her newborn son could remain illegally in the UK, a jury has heard.

The British citizen’s name was falsely entered on the baby’s birth certificate as the father and a bogus passport application was also made.

Fausat Abolore, 29, of Colombus Square, Erith and Anthony Ezekpo, 44, of Litchfield Street, Winlaton, Gateshead have both pleaded not guilty to conspiring to breach immigration law.

A second man, nurse Samson Awoyinka, 29, of Havil Street, Southwark, who countersigned the passport application, denies one count of making a false statement.

Abolore gave birth at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich on August 6, 2014 and Home Office investigators found a picture on her phone of her partner, Peter Gentry, cradling the new born.

The Nigerian-born couple have no status in the UK and there are no records of them ever entering the country legally.

He is the true father, the Inner London Crown Court jury were told, but as he had no right to remain in the country a plan was hatched to find a stand-in citizen.

“It was necessary for Miss Abolore to find a British citizen  and that’s where Mr. Ezekpo come in,” explained prosecutor Mr. Adam Gardner.

“He was enlisted as part of a fraudulent scheme to get British citizenship for her to remain in the UK.”

However, online photographs of the baby’s naming ceremony on September 15, 2014 with Mr. Gentry in the role of doting father were found, exposing the fraud, the jury were told.

Anthony Ezekpo & Samson Awoyinka

“A man turned up with her at council offices in Greenwich to register the birth and get a birth certificate.

“The man putting himself forward as the father was not Mr. Gentry, but Mr. Ezekpo and they both said they lived together at 111 Chandlers Drive, Erith, a false address.

“Having obtained the birth certificate Miss Abolore makes an application for a passport and this is signed by Mr. Ezekpo and countersigned by Mr. Awoyinka.

“He said he knew Mr. Ezekpo for five years from his church congregation. This was not true, he barely knew the man.

“British-born Mr. Ezekpo has a separate life from Miss Abolore, he lives near Newcastle.

“When he was questioned he told a pack of lies and refused to give the PIN to unlock his phone,” added Mr. Gardner. “He said someone must have stolen his identity and he had never been to Greenwich.

“He was questioned a second time and changed his story. He said he had an affair with Miss Abolore and she became pregnant and told him the child was his.

“He then admitted he signed the passport application and went to Greenwich.”

Abolore was co-habiting with Mr. Gentry when she was arrested on September 17, last year. “On her phone was a picture of Mr, Gentry holding his newborn son as the hospital.”

The jury was told Abolore was under Home Office investigation and she had no legal basis to be in the UK.

“She said Mr. Gentry was not the father and that he (Ezekpo) was trying to save her face at the naming ceremony.”

Abolore refused consent to a DNA test.

“She had a great deal to hide. She knew if she gave consent to the DNA test it would reveal the truth that Mr. Ezekpo was not the father and her application for a passport and birth certificate were all lies.

Home Office investigators discovered a text jobless Ezekpo sent Abolore giving her his date of birth and bank details.

“He was going to get paid for lending his name to this commercial enterprise,” added Mr. Gardner.

The £1,000 payment was transferred to his account the same day he was entered on the baby’s birth certificate.

Both Abolore and Ezepko also deny one count of giving false information when registering a birth and Abolore alone denies seeking leave to remain in the UK by deception.

She has since had a second child with Gentry.

Trial continues………….