Ticket Trick Backfires For Illegal Parker

An NHS administrator went to extreme lengths to avoid four parking tickets by doctoring a genuine RAC breakdown invoice to cover dates she was caught.

Her deceit was exposed by suspicious council enforcement officers, who noticed her vehicle’s milage never changed despite being ticketed over a period of six weeks.

Sharon Senyange, 27, repeated the same trick three times after it worked initially, when Lambeth council cancelled her first £130 ticket after incorrectly accepting she had genuinely broken down. 

The King’s College Hospital employee, of Chandler Way, Peckham pleaded guilty to eleven counts of fraud by false representation between February 27 and April 19, last year.

At Camberwell Green Magistrates Court she was ordered to complete 200 hours community service work and pay £746 costs to the council and an £85 victim surcharge.

Her white two-litre BMW was repeatedly ticketed in South Island Place and Patmos Road, Kennington, said prosecutor Mr. Jonathan Melnick.

“She appealed her first ticket, explaining that she had broken down and she had left a note in the windscreen.

“She attached an RAC invoice and as a result the Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) was cancelled.

“Three further PCN’s were issued and appealed using a similar RAC breakdown invoice with the job number and dates changed, but with the milage staying the same.”    

The council refused to cancel the next three appeals and contacted the RAC. “She did have a genuine call-out at one point and has taken advantage of that.

“These are quite serious offences,” added Mr. Melnick. “There is a degree of sophistication.

“They were changed to tailor the PCN and someone looking at them may have been taken in and they were on the first occasion.

“It was motivated by personal gain to get out of these PCN’s of £130.”

Senyange told the court: “It was stupid of me and since then I have changed. I was being influenced by others.

"I’m working for the NHS now and I understand the ramifications of my actions.”

Heathrow Exec Crashes Merc On Morning Commute While Over Methamphetamine Limit

A senior sales executive with Heathrow Express lost his job after crashing his Mercedes on his morning commute while three times the methamphetamine limit.

Australian-born Tate Williams Crawford, 37, a graduate of Queensland’s Griffith University is now sweating on a Home Office decision to allow him to live and work in the UK.

The commercial sales expert, of Crampton Street, Walworth pleaded guilty to driving the silver 2.1 litre vehicle with 30 micrograms of the drug per litre of blood on January 22.

Prosecutor Kate Seal told Camberwell Green Magistrates Court it was 8.35am when police were called to a collision involving Williams Crawford in Harleyford Road, Kennington.

“The officers conducted a preliminary impairment test test at the roadside, which he failed.”

At Brixton Police Station a blood sample was taken, which proved he was under the influence of the drug.

Williams Crawford’s UK residency is via his marriage to a British citizen and the Home Office are awaiting the outcome of the case before granting him another two years.

“I lost my job because of the incident. I was driving to work,” he told the court.

“The Home Office wrote to me and said they could not approve me until the outcome of the case.

“I have joined a couple of NHS community counselling organisations. It has been very stressful, something I don’t want to face again, I want to keep a clean record.

“Because of the Home Office I am not allowed to work at the moment and we have had to take out a couple of credit cards to help the shortfall.

“I drove, I tested positive, yes. I did not realise how long I’d have to wait, I do apologise, I’m remorseful.

“Will it effect my employment possibilities? Yes probably.

“I’m thankful I did not cause harm to myself or to other people.”

He was fined £120, with £85 costs, ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge and was disqualified from driving for twelve months.

Skunk Dealer Jailed For 10 Years After Police Guns Raid

A skunk cannabis dealer caught by gang-busting cops with four handguns and a fake firearm is starting a ten-year prison sentence.

Kaziem Ofondo, 32, was also caught with 60 rounds of live ammunition when Operation Trident officers, who investigate black-on-black crime, raided his south-east London home.

A search warrant was executed at the address in Halesworth Road, Lewisham on April 28, last year.

Police found five kilos of the drug, plus £9,790 cash in one of the bedrooms.

Ofondo pleaded guilty to five charges of possessing a prohibited firearm, four charges of possessing associated ammunition and one count of possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

In a locked shed, officers discovered the four handguns and an imitation firearm with dozens of cartridges and a silencer.

Woolwich Crown Court heard Ofondo was arrested and interviewed, stating ‘no comment’ to all questions.

Detective Constable Darren Eyers, said: “Ofondo was caught with an arsenal of lethal weapons that posed a potentially fatal risk to members of the public.

“Trident officers are working around the clock to arrest those involved in gun crime and seize the illegal firearms that only bring violence and misery to the streets of London.

“Anyone caught in possession of a prohibited weapon can expect to be arrested and subjected to a lengthy jail sentence.”

Cashpoint Robbers Snatch £200: CCTV Released

Police hunting a pair of cashpoint robbers, who snatched £200 from a young woman, have released these CCTV images of their suspects.

At approximately 2.00pm on Sunday, December 17, last year, the victim - a 27 year-old woman - used an ATM cash-point in Victory Parade, Woolwich.

As £200 in cash was dispensed from the machine, two males pushed past her and stole the cash before making off on foot towards Plumstead.

The first suspect is described as a black male, wearing a green hooded coat and blue jeans.

The second male was also black, wearing dark clothing.

Detective Constable Mark Day of Greenwich CID said: "We take robbery offences such as this extremely seriously, and I would urge anyone who recognises either of the suspects to call police.

“Both are wanted for questioning in relation to this incident.

"I would also like to remind the public to be aware of who is around them when they use cash machines.

"In addition, people are advised to shield their PIN and to avoid any ATM that seems to have been tampered with.

"If you see anything suspicious, please call police."

Anyone who recognises the suspects, or has information that may assist police, should call detectives at Greenwich CID on 101.

To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Pickpocket Targeted Lone Female Nightbus Passenger He Also Molested

Police are hunting this suspect after a woman was sexually assaulted and pickpocketed after stepping off a night bus in the early hours of the morning.

The woman had just travelled on a N73 to Walthamstow bus station on March 11 and was approached between 3.00am and 4.00am by a male.

He began walking with her and she pushed him away when he molested her.

The suspect ran off and the woman realised her mobile phone and bank card was missing.

Shortly afterwards the card was used to withdraw cash from an ATM in the area.

The suspect is described as a white man, approximately 5ft 8ins tall, of slim build, in his mid to late twenties.

He was wearing a grey hooded jumper, a black jacket and a baseball cap.

He was carrying a small ‘man bag’ and wore distinctive trainers with reflectors on the toecaps.

Anyone who recognises the man in the image or has information they believe could be of significance is asked to contact officers at the Child Abuse and Sexual Offence Command on 020 8733 5999, or via 101 quoting reference 1397/11Mar.

To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Jail Warning For Bogus-Funeral Fraudster

A liar told his new boyfriend he needed cash to bury his recently-deceased daughter and tried to extract more money with a false rape-claim.

Jobless Steven Dudley, 47, was warned yesterday to expect to be locked-up for the crimes when he returns to court for sentencing.

He pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation, namely that between September 5 and October 11, 2016 he dishonestly, with intent to gain £1,350, represented he needed to pay for his daughter’s funeral.

Dudley, of Park Parade, Harlesden, north-west London also pleaded guilty to blackmail, namely making an unwarranted demand with menaces for £3,000 on October 5, 2016.

The prosecutor told Inner London Crown Court: “Mr. Dudley, who met the complainant on a website entered into a relationship to get money out of him.

‘He lied that his daughter had died and threatened to report to the police that the complainant had raped him to get three thousand pounds.”

The court heard Dudley has been diagnosed with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder and acts impulsively without regard for the consequences.

Judge Michael Wood QC agreed to bail Dudley until July 18 for a pre-sentence report, announcing: “He is entitled to substantial credit for pleading guilty, but it is very serious and a community sentence is not appropriate.

“He is a person with a number of offences for fraud in the past and this is a serious one with the element of blackmail.

“I cannot see that a non-custodial sentence is appropriate here.”

Violent Watch Robber Wanted For Nicking £10K Breitling

Police are hunting this suspected violent robber, who punched a sales assistant in the face and ran off with a £10,000 Breitling watch.

On Saturday, January 6 the suspect entered a stockist of the luxury watch company in Westfield Shopping Centre, Stratford, east London.

He asked to try on the Breitling Super Avenger II, valued at over £10,000.

The suspect then assaulted the sales assistant by punching him in the face and fled the store taking the watch with him.

Detectives would like to hear from anyone who can name the male shown in this CCTV still, which were captured inside the shopping centre before the offence was committed.

The sales assistant, also male, did not suffer any lasting injuries.

Anyone who can name this person should call Flying Squad Detectives by dialling 101, quoting reference CAD5149/6Jan18 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Fake Taxi Driver Jailed For Double Rape Of Boozy Passenger

A fake taxi driver, who dragged his female passenger into a second-floor flat and raped her after a boozy night out, has been locked-up for a minimum of nine years.

Keith Gillings, 67, of Hanway Road, Hanwell was sentenced to life imprisonment for the offence and must serve that time until he can be considered for parole.

The court heard how on July 25, last year the victim, a 47-year-old woman was drinking with friends in Hammersmith.

At approximately 11.00pm, she left the pub and got into a vehicle she believed was her taxi.

The driver was Gillings, who took the victim to her home address, where she collected money and requested he take her to a local shop to get some tobacco.

Sometime later she realised Gillings was not going in the correct direction and when questioned he advised her that he knew a different shop that would still be open.

As the car approached traffic lights and slowed down the victim attempted to escape the vehicle, but it was locked.

Gillings grabbed her wrists and prevented her from getting out.

He took her to a block where he dragged the victim into a flat and raped her, twice.

After the attack the victim managed to escape from the flat and ran away.

Gillings gave chase, but could not catch her.

Detective Sergeant Trevor Struthes, from the Metropolitan Police's Child Abuse and Sexual Offences unit (CASO), said: "Officers carried out a thorough and in-depth investigation which brought a violent and depraved man to justice.

“They worked tirelessly to support the victim through this ordeal and got her the best possible result when they arrested and charged Gillings.

"He will be spending nearly the remainder of his life behind bars, where he will not be able to attack and harm any other women again."

Carer Punched OAP, 82, In Face

A care worker at an OAP home punched a dementia-suffering resident in the face, inflicting a bleeding cut to his cheek.

Velma Lahai, 23, was employed at The Pines Care Home, West Hill, Putney, where a colleague witnessed her landing the early-morning blow on the vulnerable resident, who is also bipolar.

She was convicted of ill-treating the resident during an early-morning wake-up on December 18, last year.

Lahai of Sprewell House, Lytton Grove, Putney was sentenced to six weeks imprisonment, suspended for twelve months and ordered to complete 200 hours community service work.

She must also comply with a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to twenty days and pay £200 compensation to the victim and £100 costs.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard resident Jeremy Kemp, 82, is unable to look after himself and needs help changing his clothing and cleaning himself.

When Lahai and a colleague entered his room at 6am they found he was covered in his own urine.

The defendant was heard asking him: “Why did you kick me in the eye?” and punched him in the face.

Mr. Kemp immediately put his hands up to his face and blood started pouring from a wound to his cheek, which healed after two days.

He did not require hospital treatment and was cared for on site, with the wound being cleaned and dressed.

Lahai complained Mr. Kemp flicked faeces and urine into her eye and said the injury was nothing more than a 1.5cm scratch to the cheek, which quickly healed.

The victim was described in court as “extremely vulnerable” and was not able to give an account to the police or attend the trial.

Prize-Winning Gardener Cleared Of Damaging Neighbour's Lawn But Sentenced For Harassment Campaign

Gardeners At War: Oram

A pensioner has been banned from his communal rear gardens after a harassment campaign against his neighbour, who claims he was jealous of her collecting their leafy borough’s ‘In Bloom’ prize.

Retired employment agency boss Michael Oram, 73, can now only enjoy his plants and flowers from his living-room window or by peering over the garden wall.

The private Winchester College-educated Kew Gardens volunteer found himself in the dock at Wimbledon Magistrates Court charged with causing criminal damage to ‘grass’ belonging to his downstairs neighbour.

Twice-married granddad Oram, of The Barons, Twickenham was cleared after magistrates ruled basement neighbour Jasmine McMurdo, 55, exaggerated the alleged destruction on September 27, last year.

However Oram, whose King’s Road, Chelsea agency supplied domestic staff to the aristocracy and the rich and famous, was convicted of causing her harassment between January 19 and July 31, last year.

He was sentenced to six weeks imprisonment, suspended for a year and was made subject to a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order, which bans him from the rear gardens.

He must also pay £500 compensation to Ms McMurdo, plus £998 for damaging her floor, which he was convicted of deliberately flooding and £500 costs.

Ms McMurdo collected the silver prize from the mayor of Richmond-upon-Thames for their ‘Borough in Bloom’ competition last year, Oram having also received silver for the property’s front garden.

Neighbour: Jasmine McMurdo

“You did that out of spite didn’t you?” prosecutor Ms Roz Wardell asked Oram. “You deliberately pulled up her plants. You have a vendetta against Ms McMurdo don’t you?”

Oram was filmed on a security camera pulling at the lawn behind Ms McMurdo’s flat. “The CCTV shows and elderly man removing dead foliage and weeds,” he told the court.

“When I moved in it was a jungle of brambles, an utter mess. I’ve been tending this garden since 2006 when it was an utter wreck.

“Through blood, sweat and tears and my own cost and energy I have brought it back to the garden we have today.”

Oram says he was forced to move into his flat after losing his £3m Richmond Hill home in a divorce many years ago after having an affair with he and his wife’s attractive Peruvian au pair.

“Richmond prides itself on its green-fingered inhabitants and its parks and is one of the best areas to live in London.

“I was sad that I did not have the chance to collect the prize from the mayor.

“Ms McMurdo collected it and has been claiming it was a prize she gained, which I dispute. She’s not won an award for gardening, can you produce a certificate with her name on it?

“Ms McMurdo doesn’t know anything about plants whatsoever. In fact they were planted by a previous tenant who cared for that garden.

Prize-Winner: Oram Outside Court

“These gardens are kept by me. I spend all my disposable income on it. I do love the gardens.  

“This year I’m hoping to win the gold medal.

“I was removing plants that were past their prime and plants that were growing over the communal pathway. 

‘I was weeding the lawn, taking out dandelions and moss that are destructive to the lawn.

“This has been completely twisted. Everything is twisted against me.

“This case has been brought to damage and discredit me. Ms McMurdo is paranoid and has left signs for me next to plants on sticks.

“She also left me a note saying saying that she did not like to see me reclining in my bathing costume in the Summer.

“It is insulting for a man of my age and my high-birth and high-education compared to some people in this case who can’t even spell properly.

“I’m up against people who hate me,” added Oram, claiming his car and garden rockery has been vandalised.

“I’ve put up with hell and high water from this woman. It’s a vendetta.”

He denied deliberately drilling holes in his bathroom floor to flood Ms McMurdo. “There were faults with my washing machine.”

Even though still subject to a restraining order after a previous harassment conviction against the neighbour Oram insisted: “She issued death threats to me with a broken bottle to cut my neck.”

Clearing Oram of criminal damage magistrate Mr. David Martin announced: “Ms McMurdo said he tore up clumps of Umbrella Bamboo and Lavender, but we do not see that on the CCTV.”

When making the ‘Crimbo’ order against Oram the pensioner told the magistrate: “They are trying to extinguish the basic right of an Englishman to be in his garden.”

Ban: Oram Cannot Set Foot In Garden

Ms McMurdo said: “I have suffered harassment over the years. Mr. Oram has targeted me to drive me out and I have often been in tears.

“He has tried to make my flat uninhabitable and had now turned to vandalising my vegetables and flowers.”

She said Oram sent her a text warning: “If we don’t find peace the future is going to be very grim for you and your son.”

The NHS employee added: “I’ve been torn in two. I feel so unsafe with Mr. Oram living above me.

“I feel on edge all the time. I have a feeling of dread in my chest. I never know what I’m going to walk into.

“I just wait for something to happen. I have no enjoyment at being at home anymore.”

Young Woman Accused Of Smuggling Cannabis Into Prison

A young Newton Abbot woman, accused of smuggling drugs into a mens' prison appeared in court today.

Lillian Baker, 22, of 25 Clifford Drive, Heathfield is charged with possessing cannabis resin at south London's HMP Wandsworth on May 26.

She is also charged with one count of giving a prisoner, Nicholas little, a prohibited article, namely herbal cannabis.

Baker was bailed to appear at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court on July 24 for a plea and trial preparation hearing. 

Benefit Cheat Gets Suspended Sentence For Claiming While Abroad

Thomas: No Smoke Without Fire

A woman who continued claiming four different benefits while abroad during a three-and-a-half year scam has received a suspended prison sentence.

Lorraine Thomas, 60, of Bevington Road, North Kensington claims she had to flee the UK due to violent domestic abuse.

Thomas pleaded guilty to five separate counts of dishonestly failing to disclose information to the Department of Work & Pensions and the London Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, namely that she was not a UK resident.

She was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months.

The prosecution were given seven days to consider any application for compensation.

The charges relate to claims for Income Support; Employment Support Allowance; Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit between February 22, 2012 and August 2, 2015.

Thomas, a first-time offender, displayed mobility issues entering and exiting the secure dock at Southwark Crown Court.

Bus Pervert Who Molested Five Teens Is Hunted

Police are hunting a north London bus pervert after five teenage females complained of being groped.

Officers from the Roads and Transport Policing Command are appealing for help to identify this man suspected of sexual assaults.

At 6.30pm on January 25, the suspect was seen to board the route 279 bus at Tesco Ponders End and got off at Angel, Edmonton.

Whilst on the crowded bus, the suspect sexually assaulted an 18-year-old woman standing up and later sitting down.

He continued to assault her until she got off the bus.

At 7.20am on January 29, the suspect boarded the route 279 bus at White Hart Lane.

When a 14-year-old schoolgirl boarded the bus at Scotland Green, the suspect sexually assaulted her before disembarking at Enfield Highway.

At 7.45am on February 21, a 14-year-old girl boarded the route 279 bus at the Nightingale Road bus stop.

Whilst standing on the bus, the suspect sexually assaulted her.

Only when the victim disembarked at Ingersoll Road did the suspect stop and go to the upper deck.

At 8.00am on March 12, a 15-year-old girl boarded the route 34 bus at Cambridge Roundabout.

Whilst standing on the busy bus, she was sexually assaulted. The victim alighted at Green Lanes.

At 8.55am on March 15, a 17-year-old girl boarded a route 102 bus at Fortismere Avenue heading towards Bounds Green.

Whilst sitting upstairs, the suspect sat in a nearby seat and played with himself whilst watching the victim.

The victim got off the bus at Palmerston Road and the suspect remained on the bus.

The suspect has short black hair and a thin beard along his jaw.

He was wearing a two-tone padded blue jacket and blue jeans.

Detective Sergeant Edward Coleman, leading the investigation says: "We know of at least five offences committed by the same suspect on crowded buses.

“We would like to hear from anyone who may know this man's identity.

"We also want to hear from anyone who may have been the victim of a sexual assault while travelling on a bus."

Anyone with any information is asked to call Detective Sergeant Edward Coleman on 020 3054 6710 or 101 quoting reference CAD 2343/12Mar or tweet @MetCC.

To call anonymously, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Teen Slashed By Sword-Wielding Gang: Four Suspects Wanted

Police are hunting a sword-wielding gang after a 17 year-old college student was chased and slashed in east London.

Police were called just before 6.00pm on Tuesday, April 17 to reports of a fight at Star Lane Park in West Ham.

The teen was found to be suffering from a slash wound to his right arm.

He had been making his way home after finishing college with his friends, when he noticed a group of hooded males running towards them, with one waving a sword.

His friends all ran off and he was chased into Birch Close, where he slipped and fell over.

The group caught up, surrounded him and slashed him as he tried to defend himself.

The group, were seen to board a train at the Star Lane Docklands Light Railway station.

The London Ambulance Service took the victim to an east London hospital where he received several stitches before being discharged.

The suspects are described as:

Suspect 1 is described as an Asian man, wearing a black hat, blue padded jacket over a green hooded top, green tracksuit trousers and brown shoes.

Suspect 2 is described as a black teenager, wearing a black jacket with ‘Crosshatch’ written down the left arm, black trousers and black shoes.

Suspect 3 is described as a white man, with a short brown beard. He was wearing a green hooded jacket over a dark blue hooded top, blue jeans and white trainers.

Suspect 4 is described as a black man with a beard. He was wearing a dark blue jacket over a grey hooded top, dark blue trousers and white trainers.

Detective Constable Georgina Hebron, from Newham Borough, said: “This is a nasty unprovoked attack on a teenager who was walking home from college.

We are appealing for anyone who may have seen the attack to come forward.”

Anyone with any information are asked to call detectives at Newham via 101 quoting reference CAD 6371/17Apr18 or tweet @MetCC.

To call anonymously, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Cop Charged With Credit Card Offences After Section House Shower Peeping Tom Accusation

A policeman accused of spying on a female officer taking a shower at their shared section house has appeared in court for the first time.

Oliver Levi Darby, 41, is also charged with receiving three stolen bank cards and stealing a provisional UK driving licence.

He indicated not guilty pleas to all counts when he appeared at South London’s Camberwell Green Magistrates Court.

Darby, of Sand Cottage, Docking Road, Burnham Market, King’s Lynn, Norfolk was bailed to appear at Inner London Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on July 19.

He is charged with observing a person doing a private act for his sexual gratification at Gilmour Section House, Kennington Lane, Kennington on January 9.

Darby is also charged with dishonestly receiving a stolen Halifax Mastercard and Halifax Visacard, belonging to Coral Atkinson, at the section house on January 11.

He is further accused of dishonestly receiving a stolen Visa Barclaycard, belonging to Daniel Donaghy, on the same occasion.

Darby also face one count of stealing the UK provisional licence, belonging to Gary Steel, at Randolph Avenue, Maida Vale on January 6, last year.

Prosecutor Jennifer Gatland told the court Darby had lived for some time in the same address that had also been occupied by Mr. Donaghy and Ms Atkinson.

“Mr. Steel was someone who’s property was searched by the defendant after he had died and these items were found in the possession of the defendant.”

The court heard there is no evidence the cards were ever used, although there was some fraudulent activity on Mr. Donaghy’s card. but this was not linked to Darby.

“It is unsophisticated, but significantly aggravated by his role as a police officer.”

The prosecutor said there was evidence of Darby “peering in” as a female colleague took a shower.

'Eddie Catz' Kids Playcentre Founder Charged With Spying On Girls And Women

The wealthy boss of a well-known children’s soft play centre chain has appeared in court charged with filming girls and women at his business’s toilets and changing rooms and in a swimming pool’s private cubicles.

Darren Johnson, 51, resigned from Eddie Catz after he was arrested and charged with nine counts of voyeurism, including the filming two 14 year-old girls at a local leisure centre.

He founded the nationwide play centre, which has a tie-in with Mothercare, with his wife Maria over a decade ago and the couple share a £1.3m home.

The charges relate to filming at his Earlsfield play centre in south-west London and the nearby Putney Leisure Centre. 

Johnson, of Rodway Road, Putney Village appeared on bail at Wimbledon Magistrates Court, which sent him to Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

He is charged with five counts of voyeurism for sexual gratification between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2012.

Johnson is charged with two more similar offences relating to between January 1, 2016 and June 12, last year.

He is further charged with two more counts of voyeurism relating to the two 14 year-old schoolgirls at the leisure centre on June 5, last year. 

Prosecutor Ms Amanda McCabe told the court the teenage girls were in the same cubicle when they noticed somebody was holding an iPhone under the partition.

“The girls became very distressed,” added the prosecutor, explaining Johnson was identified via the centre’s CCTV and the distinctive backpack her was carrying. 

Officers raided his house on June 12, last year and seized a computer, iPad, a mobile phone and the backpack caught on CCTV.

“Images of several women in varying degrees of undress from the private staff changing room at Eddie Catz are found.”

The court was also told there were peepholes in the toilets at the play centre.

He was bailed on conditions he does not enter any Eddie Catz centre; uses mixed use and womens changing-rooms; contacts complainants, staff and witnesses or uses a camera, phone or video recorder to take images.

"Couple Of Glasses Of Wine" Put NHS PA Over Drink-Drive Limit

Wimbledon Magistrates Court

An NHS administrator was caught drink-driving after “a couple of glasses of wine” when police spotted her looking at her phone while behind the wheel.

Yvonne Stupple, 58, from West Brompton, a PA for Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust says she is “mortified” by her arrest and court appearance.

She pleaded guilty to driving her Chevrolet vehicle with excess alcohol in her breath in York Road, Battersea at 10.25pm on May 25.

Her reading was 41 microgrammes - slightly over the 35 limit.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard officers pulled Stupple over after seeing her phone in her hand although she says her vehicle was stationary at the time.

As far as the officers were concerned she failed to pull over satisfactorily and appeared confused.

They followed her around a large roundabout and she stopped opposite a petrol station.

When asked if she had been drinking Stupple confessed she had a few glasses of wine.

Her lawyer told the court: “It is a case of misjudgement. She did not feel she was under the influence of alcohol.

“She waited a few hours and thought she was fine to drive.

“She puts her hands up and takes full responsibility.

“She is very embarrassed and is remorseful. She was stationary when she looked at her phone.

“She is mortified she is in this position after a couple of glasses of wine.”

Stupple was disqualified from driving for twelve months and fined £500, with £85 costs and ordered to pay a £50 victim surcharge.

Greenwich Observatory's Public Astronomer Charged With Downloading Child Porn

A Greenwich observatory astronomer, accused of making indecent photographs of children, has appeared in court for the first time.

Marek Kukula, 49, who has had a senior role at the Royal Museums Greenwich for the last decade, holds the title of Public Astronomer.

Kukula, of Millennium Square, Borough appeared on bail at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court, which sent him to Inner London Crown Court.

He is charged that on or before October 5, last year he made 34 Category A indecent images of a child.

He also faces two further charges that on or before the same date he made 107 Category B and 266 Category C indecent images of a child.

Kukula describes himself as an experienced science communicator with a background in astronomy research at UK universities and NASA’s Space Telescope Science Institute.

At the Royal Observatory Greenwich he oversees science content and exhibitions and public programmes and is a spokesperson for the landmark institution.

He is the author of two books: ‘The Scientific Secrets of Doctor Who’ and ‘The Intimate Universe.’

While a project manager and researcher in residence at the University of Edinburgh he managed a national scheme to train young researchers and match them with secondary schools.

He has a degree in Physics with Astrophysics and a PhD in Radio Astronomy from the University of Manchester.

He was bailed to appear at the crown court on July 10.