Cashpoint Robber Smashed Victim Over Back Of Head

A 35 year-old man was smashed over the back of the head and had £220 he had just withdrawn from a cashpoint snatched by this suspect.

Detectives from Bexley Borough have issued this CCTV image of a man they wish to identify and speak to in connection with the street mugging.

On Monday, January 11, police were called at around 4.00pm to a report of a robbery on Blackfen Parade, Blackfen Road, Sidcup.

The victim had visited the cashpoint earlier that day and withdrawn the money.

As he walked along Blackfen Road, he became aware that a man was following him.

Moments later, the suspect approached him from behind and hit him over the back of the head, knocking him to the ground.

The suspect ran off down the road towards Bexley Village with the money.

The suspect is described as a white man of a large build and 5ft 10ins tall.

He was wearing a long black coat, beige trousers, white trainers and a dark coloured beanie hat.

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

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 201991 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Nightclub Horror: Victim Needed 25 Stitches After 'Bottling'

A Hackney nightclubber needed over 25 stitches after this suspect smashed a bottle into his face after the pair bumped into each other.

Detectives have issued this CCTV image of a man they wish to identify and speak with in connection with the horrific attack.

In the early hours of Sunday, September 6, last year the 32 year-old victim was in the Basing House nightclub in Kingsland Road.

At about 2.30am a man bumped into him before attacking him, hitting in the face with a bottle.

The bottle smashed causing serious cuts to his face which required over 25 stitches.

Bouncers at the venue intervened and ejected the suspect.

The victim was then taken by cab to an east London Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries.

He was released two days later following treatment.

The suspect is described as a black man, with short black hair, wearing a dark coloured jumper.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise the man shown in the CCTV footage or who witnessed the assault.

Anyone with information is asked to contact investigating officer DC David Leitner on 07825 793 215 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting ref 194451.

Laptop Robbers Sprayed 9 Year-Old Boy With Chemical

Two Eastern European robbers sprayed a chemical into the faces of two women and a nine year-old boy when snatching a pair of laptops advertised for sale.

Detectives from Barnet Borough have issued these video images of two suspects they wish to question in connection with the raid.

On Wednesday, March 2, police were called at around 4.00pm to a report of a robbery at a residential address in Brent Street, Hendon.

The two suspects had responded to an internet ad the seller had placed and were invited into the home.

When a price was agreed, one of the men sprayed a chemical into the face of the 28-year-old victim.

As the two men tried to escape, they were confronted by a 26-year-old woman and the young boy at the address.

Both of them were sprayed with the same chemical and the men ran off.

The victim recorded the two men on her phone as they looked at her laptops.

Suspect One is described as an Eastern European man, of stocky build, aged in his thirties, with short hair and blue eyes.

He had an ‘X’ shaped scar on his right cheek and tattoos on his neck and left arm and was wearing a black leather jacket.

Suspect Two is also described as an Eastern European man, aged in his thirties, of stocky build with short hair.

He was wearing a black jacket.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise the two men or who witnessed the men in Brent Street.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police via 101 quoting reference number 205697 (suspect 1) or 205700 (suspect 2).

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

TK Maxx Cleaner Denies Filming Young Changing Room Woman On His Phone

A TK Maxx store cleaner claims he was washing skirting boards when he got down on his hands and knees to film a young woman trying on yoga pants in the store’s changing room, a court heard today.

The customer, an attractive brunette in her early twenties, spotted 45 year-old Vincenzo Mittica’s hand, clasping his mobile phone, emerge from under the partition.

“I was on my own in a changing room and had no idea of his intentions. I was scared,” she sobbed at Wimbledon Magistrates Court, where she gave evidence from behind a screen.

“I don’t believe it was a misunderstanding,” she added, rejecting the defendant’s claim he was simply checking his phone.

Italian Mittica, of Darwin Road, Ealing has pleaded not guilty to attempted voyeurism for the purpose of sexual gratification on July 31, last year at the Kew Retail Centre, Richmond-upon-Thames.

He will continue to be banned from every TK Maxx store in the country until his trial continues on October 14.

Prosecutor Mr. Bhavin Patel told the court it was 11am and the victim was shopping with her boyfriend’s mother for gym clothes and took two pairs of yoga pants and a third item to the changing room.

“She saw Mr. Mittica crouched down by the entrance and realised he was the cleaner. He looked up and carried on cleaning.

“She was concerned there was no female attendant then heard a lady’s voice.

“The complainant went inside, where there were two empty changing rooms and the cleaner was now inside and he made eye contact with her.

“She went to the furthest cubicle and began to undress and took off her trousers to try on the yoga pants.

“She heard someone come into the stall next to her and when she looked down saw  shadow.

“In the gap at the bottom of the partition she realised there was a smart phone being held up, with the screen facing up and light coming from it.

“It was titled at a thirty degree angle towards her and at times a part of the phone was on her side of the partition.

“She bent down to see what was on the screen and the phone moved out of sight and she heard someone leave the changing room.

“She looked out and saw the cleaner walking down the corridor away from her.”

The store manager was informed by the young woman who then called the police when she got home.

Mitotic was arrested and questioned a month later. “He said he was ordered to clean the skirting boards in the changing rooms.

“He was on his hands and knees when his phone made a noise and he took it out to look at it.

“He said he was not filming, but understood why someone would think that.”

Mr. Patel rejected this account and added: “He was not checking the phone, but using it to take photos of her in a state of undress.

“He was aware of where she is and it is unbelievable that he goes into the next cubicle to clean at that point in time.

‘When the complainant sees what is happening he leaves and does not go to another cubicle to continue cleaning.

“Stating that he was cleaning skirting boards is not a true account.”

DJ Elvis Accused Of Historic Sex Offences Against A Young Girl

A keen Elvis Presley fan, accused of serious historic sex offences involving a young girl, has appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court for the first time.

Graham Horrix, 59, - aka DJ Elvis - of Priestwood Avenue, did not indicate a plea and was bailed to Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on September 28.

He is charged with one count of raping the girl, who was under 16 years-old, between May 2, 1989 and May 2, 1995.

He is also charged with one count of indecently assaulting the same girl between the same two dates.

Horrix, who needs the aid of a walking stick, sported a dyed-black quiff in the dock and only spoke to confirm his name, age and address.

He was bailed on condition he does not contact named prosecution witnesses.

Suspected Sex Offender Appears On Court-To-Court Videolink

Wimbledon Magistrates Court

A Caernarfon man, accused of a string of historic sex offences involving three females, appeared via videolink at Wimbledon Magistrates Court yesterday.

Simon Tivers, 69, of Llanberis Road, was bailed to appear at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on September 14.

Bespectacled Tivers, wearing a white polo shirt, only spoke to confirm his name, age and address via a link from Llandudno Magistrates Court.

The charges span from April 9, 1965 until December 16, 1980.

Tivers faces one count of rape; two counts of indecent assault and one count of causing actual bodily harm in relation to the first female.

In relation to the second female, who is under 13 years-old, Tivers faces two counts of rape; four counts of indecent assault and one count of causing actual bodily harm.

He is also charged with two counts of indecently assaulting a girl aged under 14 years-old and causing actual bodily harm to a male complainant.

Tivers was released on bail on condition he does not contact prosecution witnesses.

Scottish Couple Battle It Out During Romantic Week At Luxury Hotel

In The Cab: James Smith

A couple's romantic weeklong trip to a luxury Kensington hotel ended in the husband's arrest for hitting his wife during a row in their room.

Musician and long-distance lorry driver James Smith, 54, has been forced to swap the four-star accommodation for night's in his vehicle's cab after being banned from the matrimonaial home.

He pleaded guilty yesterday to assaulting Amaya McKenzie-Smith at the 124 year-old Gore Hotel, which is near London's Royal Albert Hall on March 22.

Hammersmith Magistrates Court heard the couple – who married last year – travelled to the capital from their home in Park Avenue, Elderslie, Johnstone.

Prosecutor Mr. Robert Chambers told the court there was evidence the couple had been consuming alcohol and had an argument in their room after a day out shopping.

“There was pushing and Mrs McKenzie-Smith was pushed and slapped in the face.

“She left the room, but returned for her belongings and Mr. Smith told her if the police became involved he would tell them she had fallen over.

“She reported what had happened to the hotel staff and they called an ambulance and the police.”

A photograph of Mrs McKenzie-Smith was taken, which showed bruising to her face.

Thumped: Amaya McKenzie-Smith

When questioned Smith denied striking his wife, claiming he had to escort her out of their room three times due to her behaviour.

“He said the last time she entered the room she had bruising to her face, which had not been there before and they must have been self-inflicted,” added Mr. Chambers.

Smith claimed his wife had attacked him first and pulled his hair.

The court heard the couple are having a “time out” and the defendant is currently prohibited from contacting his wife or visiting the marital home as conditions of his bail.

Smith told the court he is currently living in his lorry and spending most of his time in Portugal.

“We just bought a property in Roehampton and we bought a house in Portugal because that's where we want to live.

“We both have property concerns and I manage the properties.”

He was bailed to return to court on September 22 for a pre-sentence report.

Woman No.2 Accused Of Blackmailing Rugby Star Danny Cipriani

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

Violet Smith, 29, of Bath Road, Slough 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.

Wearing a lacy black dress, she only spoke during the brief hearing to confirm her name, age and address.

Her co-defendant, 39 year-old Lisa Murphy, of Montgomery Way, Wootton, Northampton appeared last week on the same charge and was bailed to appear at the crown court on the same date.

Smith, who indicated a not guilty plea to the charge, was released on bail on condition she does not contact Cipriani or Murphy.

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. 

Opticians Wrecking-Spree Pensioner Rushed To Hospital From Crown Court

An upset customer, who laid waste to an optician's after he was refused a refund on a pair of specs - causing £10,000 worth of damage - was rushed by ambulance to hospital minutes before he was due to be sentenced.

Alan Parkinson, 68, of The Beeches, London Road, Mitcham, arrived at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for a sentencing hearing, but was found collapsed in a stairwell.

He had been arrested and charged after utilising a metal chair during his wrecking spree after insisting he was due a discount on his recent purchase and threatening: "I'll destroy your shop."

Parkinson pleaded guilty to causing an affray at John Lewis Opticians, 261 London Road, Mitcham on February 27 and causing £10,000 worth of criminal damage to display cabinets, spectacles and a computer.

Prosecutor Mr. Paul Adams told Wimbledon Magistrates Court previously that Parkinson was a regular customer and entered the opticians at 10am.

"He wanted a refund for some glasses, he was not happy and said his daughter told him he had paid too much."

Parkinson, who has 243 offences on his record, was told there was no discount due because the frames and lenses had been bought at different times.

The store manager Zaid Shoaib and the consultant refused to budge, causing Parkinson further irritation.

"He was huffing and puffing and his eyes were bulging," added Mr. Adams. "He said: 'I know what I'll do, I'll destroy your shop.'

"He left but returned ten minutes later and said: 'Last chance. Are you going to give me a refund?'

"He picked up a chair and swung it around the store, destroying property including a glass cabinet, which shattered.

"He threw the chair in the direction of Mr. Shoaib and it missed.

"He picked up a glasses tray and threw it and then picked up a computer screen and smashed it."

As he left the scene of destruction Parkinson turned and warned the two men: "You don't know me."

District Judge James Henderson told Parkinson, who has convictions dating back to 1959, he would have to be sentenced at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

"This is all the more serious because it is a revenge attack. Mr. Parkinson did not like what was going on and took revenge on the store.

"This sort of behaviour is extremely serious. The criminal damage alone puts this in the Crown Court area, plus the affray, with a weapon, which is what this chair was."

Hedge Fund Boss Denies Bullying And Assaulting Fellow-Director Wife

A hedge fund boss has appeared in court accused of twice assaulting his fellow-director wife and bullying her at their £3.4m Knightsbridge home.

Former Deutsche Bank derivatives expert Guy Mitchinson, 38, runs Castilium Capital with ex-Merrill Lynch trader Alicia Vidler, 36, who says she was the victim of controlling and intimidating behaviour.

Mitchinson, who shared a house in First Street with Alicia appeared for the first time at Hammersmith Magistrates Court.

He no longer lives at the matrimonial home and has moved to an address in Holmdale Road, West Hampstead.

He is charged with engaging in controlling, coercive or intimidating behaviour towards Australian Miss Vidler between January 1 and July 23.

He also faces two counts of assaulting her at their home address on July 17.

They jointly founded Castilium Capital on January 19, 2012, with Mitchinson described as an investment manager.

Miss Vidler was an equity derivatives trader with Deutsche Bank in Sydney before moving to the UK.

Prosecutor Mr. Kevin Christie told the court: “She says there’s been bullying and coercive behaviour for five years and it has effected her mental well-being and she’s lost weight.”

The couple, who are divorcing, have no children.

He was granted bail on the condition he has no contact with Alicia except via solicitors, partners in Castilian or insolvency practitioners.

Big Ben Clock King's Road Rage Ding Dong

Police Mug: Hutchinson

The multi-millionaire owner of the company which built Big Ben’s clock attacked a motorist while walking near his £3m Thamesside penthouse apartment.

Property developer and businessman Iain Catleugh Hutchinson, 51,  reigned down half a dozen blows on his 66 year-old victim, who says he was then kicked while on the ground.

The Geordie entrepreneur is a director of E Dent & Co Ltd., a 202 year-old firm, which built the mechanism that chimes Big Ben.

Hutchinson, of Montevetro Buildings, 100 Battersea Church Road, Battersea pleaded guilty to assaulting Jeremy Lyons, causing him actual bodily harm, in nearby Whistlers Avenue on May 29.

CCTV in the driveway of Mr. Lyons’ £1.4m home captured the attack and the footage was played at Wimbledon Magistrates Court.

Prosecutor Miss Jackie Hughes said it was nearly 2pm when Mr. Lyons, who has retired after working at Lloyds for twenty-five years as a reinsurer, turned his car into his private gated estate.

“He had to brake suddenly to avoid the defendant, who had stepped out into the road, and they both looked at each other for a couple of seconds.

Attacked: Jeremy Lyons

“He saw the defendant, Mr. Hutchinson, mouth the word: ‘C***.’”

CCTV footage shows Hutchinson, who has previous criminal convictions, step over a low gate and confront bespectacled Mr. Lyons by his car.

Grabbing the victim with his left hand he aimed blows with his right fist at Mr. Lyons, who circled his vehicle in a bid to escape.

Stocky Hutchinson drags Mr. Lyons to the ground off-camera and then leaves the scene.

He was arrested after CCTV cameras at the Montevetro Buildings captured him entering the landmark complex and police obtained a warrant to force the images to be released.

He claims none of his six punches connected and denies kicking Mr. Lyons and pleaded guilty because he admits dragging him to the ground, causing injuries.

The victim suffered a cut to his left elbow, left ring finger, bruising to his left leg, plus pain to his back and neck.

He told police: “The incident left me shocked and scared. I have been attacked in my front garden and now I am worried about going out of my house in case he is there again.

“My glasses were also damaged,” added Mr. Lyons, who had a CT scan before the incident for two bulging discs in his spine.

“I told him I had a bad back and he continued the onslaught.”

Mr. Lyons drove himself to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital at the 3am that night and he has received injections for back spasms since the assault.

Hutchinson swings a right-hander

Speaking after Hutchinson admitted the attack, the victim said: “I stopped right in front of him and he nearly walked into my car.

“I looked him in the eye as if to say: ‘You were lucky.’ It’s not my fault he’s walked off the edge of the pavement.

“I drove into my road and in my rear-view mirror I could see he was ‘effing and blinding, swearing and shouting and thought: ‘That’s stupid.’

“He punched me seven times and I have a bad back, which previously needed two operations and the last thing I needed was him punching me.

“I was in agony everywhere and could not walk for two weeks and could not sleep for three nights.”

Mr. Lyons says only a neighbour responding to his pleas for help ended the attack.

"Onslaught" of punches continues

District Judge James Henderson said: “This is a sustained attack on a victim in his own front garden.

“The defendant chased the victim all around the houses as he tried to get away and the victim says there were kicks.”

Hutchinson was committed to Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for sentencing on a date to be fixed.

Since he was charged Hutchinson has been banned by the police from entering Whistlers Avenue, interfering with witnesses or otherwise obstructing justice.

Dent supplied a timepiece to the 1st Duke of Wellington and built the new St. Pancras Station clock.

Former civil engineer Hutchinson’s dream was to build thousands of £300 per-week three-bed flats for Londoners.

He is currently an active director with 14 different companies.

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.