"I Wouldn't Put It In A Display Cabinet" : Alleged Money Launderer Claims Cash Was Betting Coup

An alleged money launderer, arrested after police raided his flat and seized large amounts of cash, told a jury today it was the proceeds of a successful gambling enterprise.

John Sidney Watson, 63, was in Spain when officers raided his home in Rusham Road, Balham, seizing £190,000 cash, plus another £250,000 when they searched the property again a year later.

He is on trial at Inner London Crown Court, accused of possessing criminal property, but insists the money was legitimately earned with the assistance of a gambling expert.

Watson claimed: “They were bets beyond my capability, doubles, trebles, accumulators. He would take the stake, invest it, and take a percentage if I won.”

The gambling expert, who he only knew as 'Mr. Longbottom' began placing bets in 2009 and Watson says he quickly found himself £30-35,000 down.

“I thought I'd try out for a few thousand and he lost five thousand in the first couple of weeks.”

In their first search investigators found bundles of cash inside a guitar case, up Watson's chimney and on top of a bedroom wardrobe.

“It makes sense to hide it,” he told the court. “I wouldn't put it in a display cabinet.”

The large sums are not unusual for a punter seeking good returns, Watson insisted.

“In the gambling world these sums are sloshing around. I had a target I was building towards.

“I would have liked a million, half a million. That would have been something.”

Trial continues............ 

Benefit Fraudster Caught Fleeing Justice

A benefits fraudster, who falsely posed as a student to avoid council tax, was caught trying to flee abroad after jumping bail.

Emmanuel Okonji, 44, was locked-up for a month as he continued fighting the charge, but eventually admitted the crime today after being refused fresh bail.

The Austrian passport-holder, of Waverley Road, Plumstead falsely claimed in 2015 he was a full-time student at EThames Graduate School, Ilford.

He used a forged student certificate as proof, but after a Royal Borough of Greenwich investigation was summonsed to appear at Bexley Magistrates Court on May 8, last year.

Okonji was bailed to appear at Woolwich Crown Court, but failed to show up for his July date and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

He was arrested at Glasgow Airport on October 8, this year and in court the next day claimed he lived and worked in Austria and had been returning there when stopped.

Okonji claimed he was not the man who jumped bail last year or made a fraudulent claim.

By now he was living in Northfleet and using his Austrian passport to claim benefits.

Today Okonji's application for bail was refused because he failed to prove he was living and working in Austria.

After hearing he would be remanded in custody for a three-day trial in March, next year Okonji decided to finally admit his guilt.

After chatting with his lawyer for an hour he pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation.

Okonji received four months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and was ordered to pay £1,200 costs.

He also received six weeks imprisonment for jumping bail, which he has already served on remand.

England Rugby Star's Second Drink-Drive Collision

An England women’s rugby star has been banned from the roads for her second drink-drive smash - this time while nearly twice the limit.

Marlie Packer, 29, a Word Cup winner in 2014 swerved onto the wrong side of the road and hit an oncoming vehicle while driving home from a boozy bash.

The loose forward, who plays in north London for Southgate’s Saracens was disqualified from driving for 17 months and fined £461, with £85 costs and ordered to pay a £46 victim surcharge.

Packer of Heritage House, London Road, Twickenham, pleaded guilty to driving her red Mercedes Benz work van in Kew Road, Richmond-upon-Thames on September 1.

She was behind the wheel of a HomeServeUK van, who support and sponsor her, with 67 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit is 35.

Employed as a plumber, the 51-cap international will now lose her job, Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard yesterday.

Prosecutor Mr. Chidi Ikwuakolam said it was 10.36pm when police were called to the scene of a collision.

“A HomeServe vehicle had veered into the opposite carriageway, where it struck an oncoming vehicle.”

In 2007 Yeovil-born Packer was convicted of drink-driving and failing to stop after an accident.

“The Crown say the offence is aggravated by the accident,” added Mr. Ikwuakolam.

Mark Haslam, defending, said of the former Bristol, Wasps and Bath player: “She had been to a social function and was driving the short distance home.

“A car pulled out at a junction, forcing her to swerve out of the way and into the oncoming lane.

“It was a fundamentally flawed decision to drive.

“She checked to see if the other driver and their passenger were okay and fortunately they were and admitted to the police she was driving.

“I have spoken to her employer and the harsh reality is because of the nature of her job requiring her to drive, that driving without a license is not an employable person as far as they are concerned.

“An internal disciplinary hearing will follow.

“The length of the disqualification will prove fatal to her job and will impact her financial position.

“In the next few days she will be unemployed and is concerned it will effect her and her partner’s ability to pay their rent.

“It is clear she is a capable member of society and very talented in her own sphere and capable of contributing to society.

"The first time was a long time ago when she was much younger, but of course she should have learned from that.”

Taking Liberties: HSBC Employee Ripped-Off Three Customers

What At Liberty: Staph

A trusted HSBC employee has been jailed for helping to transfer £67,000 belonging to her bank's customers into the hands of criminals.

Liberty Staph, 27, of Broadley Street, St. John's Wood received 18 months imprisonment after she pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by abuse of position.

Some of the money was withdrawn by Adam Chelfat, 21, of Albion Avenue, Nine Elms and he was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, after he admitted two counts of money laundering.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Fraud and Linked Crime Online (FALCON) unit began an investigation in March, 2016 after three of the bank’s customers had money removed from their accounts without their knowledge.

An internal investigation by HSBC identified that Staph had interacted with all three customers shortly before the withdrawals were made.

Staph, who worked in a HSBC contact centre and in a HSBC branch in central London, accessed the customers’ confidential data required to make changes to facilitate access to the accounts.

Greedy: Adam Chelfat

The security on the accounts was subsequently overridden and Chelfat received money taken from one of the HSBC customers into his bank account.

The money was withdrawn by Chelfat as cash or foreign currency within a couple of days and then passed on to another account.

He was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work when sentenced.

In total, more than £67,000 was transferred out of the bank accounts of the three victims.

A few days after each fraud had been completed Staph received payments into her bank account, totalling £8,000.

All three victims were refunded in full by the bank.

Detective Constable Mark Cresswell, of the Falcon unit, said:
“Staph abused her position to fraudulently obtain money from HSBC customers who she was supposed to be helping.

“Her criminal actions were uncovered thanks to a comprehensive internal investigation by HSBC.

“The prison sentence received by Staph should act as a deterrent to any other bank employees considering any similar actions.”

Moped Mugger Caged For Knifepoint Hold-Ups

A knife-wielding moped robber, who targeted two late-night couriers within twenty minutes, has been locked-up.

Kymani Goldson, 20, of Vermont Road, Earlsfield received five years and seven months after pleading guilty to two counts of robbery.

Goldson also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving; driving with no insurance and possession of a bladed article.

He will also be banned from driving for 33 months on his release from prison.

Isleworth Crown Court heard that at approximately 1.00am on Thursday, August 16 a delivery driver got onto his moped in North End Road, Kensington.

As he put the key in the ignition, three people on two mopeds drove past.

The two mopeds turned around and boxed in the victim.

A knife was pointed into the victim's back and he was forced off his bike before Goldson drove off on his moped.

The victim contacted police and the tracker on the moped was activated.

Twenty minutes later, a moped courier parked his moped on Mitcham Road near Tooting Broadway station to collect a food delivery.

As he went to his moped he was approached by Goldson who threatened him with a knife and demanded the keys to his moped.

Goldson drove off with two other moped riders into Longmead Road.

The victim contacted police and again a tracker on the bike was activated.

Following a police vehicle pursuit, Goldson crashed his moped in the vicinity of Standen Road whilst the other two mopeds drove off.

Goldson made off on foot but was detained and arrested.

A large knife was found near to him matching the description given by the second victim.

Detective Constable Mark Cooper from the Venice Investigation team said: "Goldson identified his victims as courier drivers and targeted them for their mopeds, using the threat of violence to achieve his aims.

“Both of the drivers needed their vehicles to work, without which one of them lost his job as a result."

Imam Guilty Of Sexually Abusing Young Sisters During Quran Studies

A paedo Imam sexually abused two young sisters during Quran lessons a decade ago.

Hafiz Azizur Rehman Pirzada, 76, of Laughton Road, Northolt was convicted of ten counts relating to the girls when they were aged between nine and eleven years-old.

Snaresbrook Crown Court heard the abuse occurred in east London between 2007 and 2009.

The court heard the victims came forward to speak to police in July 2015.

Between 2007 and 2009 the girls were taught the Quran by Pirzada at an address in Newham when he was an Imam appointed by the family.

On July 28, 2016, Pirzada was arrested at his home address and bailed pending further enquiries.

He was later charged with all ten counts on March 16, this year made up of eight counts of sexual assault with a female under 13, and two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

Detective Sergeant Tony Killeen from the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Team said: "This is a case stemming back ten years, but despite the length of time since the incidents Pirzada has been convicted of his crimes.

"The victims have shown a great degree of courage, persistence and determination in securing the conviction, having persevered with the allegation and supporting the police investigation.

"The victims have had to live with this trauma and the absolutely horrendous abuse they endured for the years they were under the control of Pirzada and will have to live with these memories for the rest of their lives.

"Pirzada used his level of trust as a religious leader to assault the girls. I would urge anyone who has been a victim of Pirzada to contact police - specially trained officers are there to support you."

Grinning Leader Of Ammonia Robbery Gang Locked-Up

The ringleader of a ruthless band of robbers was caught smiling on CCTV moments before the gang twice squirted ammonia in the face of a terrified lone female supermarket worker.

Peter Brown, 29, of Hope Avenue, Stanford-Le-Hope, Essex is starting a ten-year prison sentence for the east London raid involving four masked intruders.

He pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and throwing a corrosive fluid with intent to burn, maim, disfigure or disable or to do some grievous bodily harm.

Wood Green Crown Court also ordered Brown to remain on licence for an additional four years once he is released.

On the evening of Friday, March 10, last year, the victim - a woman in her early fifties - was alone in the supermarket in Mare Street, Hackney when four males wearing masks and gloves entered.

Before making demands and in an effort to incapacitate the victim, one of the men squirted high-strength ammonia in her face, causing burn injuries.

The victim screamed for help and tried to resist and she was sprayed again with the substance.

She pressed the store panic alarm and the gang made off with no cash.

As the victim lay burnt on the ground, one of the gang stamped on her with such force it left a visible footprint on her body.

The court heard that Brown travelled from Essex to Hackney.

There he met with four other men - two of whom have already been convicted in relation to this offence - and Brown provided the gang with bottles of ammonia for them to commit the robbery.

CCTV footage showed that the gang had previously visited the supermarket to carry out reconnaissance before the robbery.

Detective Constable Ben Kahane from the Hackney Crime Squad, who led the investigation, said: "Peter Brown is a dangerous man.

“Even though he did not physically enter the shop and throw the ammonia, Brown provided it and planned the attack in detail so is equally culpable.

"It was shocking to see Brown grinning in CCTV footage seconds before the gang struck, knowing full well what was in store for their victim as he cowardly waited nearby.

“The level of violence used was unnecessary and barbaric."

Sadik Kamara, 25, of Booth Road, Newham and Joshua Jordan, 21 of Ruscoe Road, Newham were sentenced to extended sentences of 14 years each in October 2017 for the same offence.

Meet Mohammed: Your Local Bus Sex Pest Who Molested Schoolgirls

A bus sex predator, who molested teenagers and schoolgirls while travelling in north London, has been caged for two years.

Mohammed Marinov, 27 of Enfield, pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual assault and one of outraging public decency.

At Wood Green Crown Court he was sentenced to two years imprisonment.

Marinov was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for ten years and was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Sergeant Edward Coleman, from the Roads and Transport Policing Command, said: “Marinov is an offender who has shown complete disregard to these victims, carrying out brazen and predatory assaults that left the young victims extremely distressed.

“I would like to thank all the victims and witnesses in this case for coming forward and finding the courage to speak about what happened to them.

“As a result of the reports received, the Metropolitan Police Service, working in partnership with Transport for London, were able to link all the offences and identify this serial sex offender and bring him to justice.

“We hope this sentence serves as some small comfort to the victims in knowing Marinov has been punished for the crimes he has committed.

“If anyone has been a victim of sexual offences on London’s buses, I would urge them to report the matter.”

The first incident occurred on Thursday, January 25 at 6.30pm.

An 18-year-old woman was travelling on a Route 279 bus from Ponders End towards Waltham Cross.

As she stood on the busy bus, near to the luggage rack, Marinov stood beside her and during the journey she felt her jacket being lifted and she was sexually assaulted.

The victim was shocked and scared and did not know what to do or how to tell anyone. She finally got away from him when a seat became available.

Marinov then told the victim to allow an elderly woman to sit in her seat.

She moved and stood near the luggage rack, where he again sexually assaulted her.

When she reached her destination, she ran from the bus and hid behind the bus shelter.

At 7.30am on Friday, February 2 a 14-year-old girl boarded a Route 279 bus at Ingersoll Road, Enfield, travelling to her school.

When Marinov boarded the bus he began to stare at the victim and stood close to her, making her feel uncomfortable.

He sexually assaulted her and got off the bus at the Enfield Highway bus stop.

On Wednesday, February 21 at 7.45am a 15-year-old girl boarded a Route 279 bus at Nightingale Road, Lower Edmonton with her brother and friend.

The bus was busy so she stood in the disabled bay area.

Marinov also stood in this area and brushed his hand against her.

The victim initially thought this was accidental, but a few minutes later he sexually assaulted her, forcefully enough to make her jump forward.

She was able to move away from him when passengers got off the bus at the next stop.

On Monday, March 12 at around 8.00am, a 16-year-old girl boarded a busy Route 34 bus at the Great Cambridge Road Roundabout area.

She was standing in the middle section of the lower deck when she felt something repeatedly touch her bottom.

As she tried to move away Marinov sexually assaulted her and she then got off the bus.

At around 8.50am on Thursday, March 15 a 17-year-old girl boarded a Route 102 bus on Fortismore Avenue towards Bounds Green.

She sat on the upper deck and noticed Marinov board the bus and sit on the seat parallel to her.

Out of the corner of her eye she noticed Marinov exposing himself.

On Wednesday, May 2 at around 8.10am a 16-year-old girl boarded a route 34 bus near the Millfield Theatre, Upper Edmonton with her friend.

The bus was busy and Marinov stood directly behind her and pressed himself against her.

At the time of the assaults some of the victims were dressed in their school uniforms.

All the victims reported the incidents shortly after the attacks.

Siwan Hayward, Director of Compliance and Policing at Transport for London, said: “The predatory actions of Marinov were appalling.

“With our partners in the Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police we are committed to eradicating sexual offences from London's public transport.

“We commend the victims for reporting and supporting the police investigation.

“This case sends a clear message that this behaviour is not tolerated on our network and offenders will be caught and have to face justice for their disgusting crimes."

Two sexual assault offences were Taken into Consideration when sentencing. They occurred on March 15 and May 2 on a Route 34 bus, in the Friern Barnet area.

Teen Knife Gangster Left Victim Brain-Damaged

Jeremiah Ntim

A cocky teenager, whose devastating knife attack left his victim brain damaged, has been locked-up for ten years.

Jeremiah Ntim, 17, penned lyrics boasting about stabbing 30 year-old Dwayne Buchanan, who needed heart surgery and will require full-time care for the rest of his life.

Ntim, of Opal Street, Kennington pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm in nearby Kennington Road on March 23.

Blackfriars Crown Court also ordered he must remain on licence for an extended period of five years after his release.

Mr. Buchanan, originally from Birmingham, spent four months in hospital and then needed to stay at a rehabilitation centre.

Police were called to reports of a man being stabbed in an unprovoked attack at 11.38am.

Members of the public reported seeing two men arguing in the street, with one shouting loudly and the other asking to be left alone.

One of the men stabbed the other and made off, with officers attending and finding the victim with critical injuries.

He received medical attention at the scene before being taken to a nearby hospital in a critical condition.

The suspect fled the scene prior to police arrival, but witnesses reported he had spat at the victim before stabbing him.

The victim's clothing was taken away by police and sent off for forensic analysis and Ntim's DNA was recovered from saliva on the victim's jacket.

Evidence recovered from his address included a folding knife that was thrown from a window and a mobile phone.

The phone contained photos of Ntim with members of a gang and text messages indicating his possible membership.

Also found on the phone in the 'Notes' section were song lyrics believed to have been written by Ntim.

They read: "Man can't talk abt chinging. I love hittin chest or belly. Any sort of disrespect I'm leavin the whole street messy […] Funny boys us wanna play clown No Joke when u bump into one of my team. I Ching man n don't make a sound Den I take a rest next to the crime scene."

Dwayne Buchanan

Extensive enquiries by local officers and the invaluable information provided by witnesses who saw the attack provided the prosecution with a very strong case against him.

In a statement, Dwayne's family, said: "Dwayne is a loving and caring man with the best personality we have encountered.

“We are absolutely devastated about the fact he was attacked on the streets of London, so far away from home and the people who love and care for him.

"It is difficult to put into words just how heartbroken we are, we felt that we have lost the best bits of Dwayne.

“His mind that is left behind is so very weak and fragile and he becomes vacant before your eyes.

"We are left with so many questions, many of which might never be answered, and such uncertainty over his future.

“We are not sure if he really remembers who he is and how much he means to everyone.

"We deeply miss having him around to talk to and share our daily life with him.

“Words cannot begin to express the emptiness and hurt his family feels inside.

“We retain hope and have our prayers, as we all need to be strong for Dwayne, because he needs us all now to be stronger than ever."

Detective Constable Philip Boon, from Lambeth CID, said: "Dwayne was subjected to a horrific assault and it was only thanks to the outstanding efforts of medical staff on the scene that he survived.

"His injuries will affect him and his family and friends for the rest of their lives.

"Those who carry knives must face the consequences of their actions and we will continue to relentlessly pursue offenders intent on committing serious violence in the capital."

Killer Stabbed Fellow Hostel Resident To Death

A murderer is starting a life sentence after he repeatedly stabbed another resident at their supported living hostel in south London.

Steven Thwaites, 62, of Marmora Road, East Dulwich, must serve a minimum of twenty years for killing 60 year-old Vincent Douglas.

Blackfriars Crown Court heard Thwaites picked up a kitchen knife in the early hours of December 1, last year and stabbed the victim in the abdomen, liver, face and hands.

Police were called at 2.32am following reports of a male suffering from stab injuries.

Officers attended and discovered Vincent in the garden of the address.

They immediately began to administer first aid prior to the arrival of colleagues from the London Ambulance Service.

Despite subsequent efforts from paramedics, Vincent was pronounced dead at the scene and a crime scene was established.

As officers spoke to residents at the scene, Thwaites claimed Vincent had inflicted the wounds himself.

However, he gave differing accounts of where he had seen him, first claiming he had been on the ground floor but later stating Vincent had been on the top floor.

Thwaites then claimed he had taken the knife Vincent allegedly used to inflict his injuries and washed it before placing it in a drawer in his kitchen.

CCTV enquiries subsequently showed Vincent going downstairs from his room with a head injury; he was then captured with a stab wound to his abdomen visible before he went outside the building, pursued by Thwaites who was armed with a knife.

Thwaites required hospital treatment for laceration injuries to his hands that he claimed were as a result of taking the knife from Vincent.

He was arrested on suspicion of murder upon discharge from hospital.

During interviews he again gave differing accounts to police of what had happened.

He was later charged with murder.

Detective Inspector Will Reynolds, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "This was a very sad and unnecessary death.

“Both men were vulnerable adults, living in supported accommodation and without any history of conflict.

"Vincent Douglas posed no threat at all to Thwaites, as evidenced by the CCTV, played to the court.

“For reasons, still not understood today, Thwaites stabbed Vincent Douglas a number of times with a knife taken from the kitchen.

"On his arrest he gave a number of confused and conflicting accounts for how Vincent received his injuries and when interviewed tried unsuccessfully to suggest that Vincent stabbed himself whilst trying to take his own life.

“Vincent had no history whatsoever of self-harm and the jury rightly convicted Thwaites of murder.

"Vincent's family are deeply upset by his death and are still coming to terms with how he could have been taken from them in this way, so unexpectedly.

“I hope this verdict goes some small way to helping them come to terms with their loss."

Greedy Love-Rat Jailed For Swindling Girlfriend In £82,500 Forged Cheques Scam

Up In Smoke: Bohrer

A ruthless love-rat has been jailed for defrauding his girlfriend in a £82,500 forged cheques scam - even photocopying her disabled blue badge for free parking.

Alan Bohrer, 64, ripped-off Susan Franks, 59, by forging her signature on 42 cheques, continuing the scam when she dumped him for seeing a younger woman.

“I didn’t think he would steal off me. He still had the keys to my house even when we finished,” said Susan after Bohrer received four-and-a-half years imprisonment.

Bohrer, of Rushgrove Avenue, Colindale fought the case, but was convicted by a Harrow Crown Court jury of two counts of fraud and two of forgery between April 27, 2012 and June 6, 2016.

“I am very, very sad it has come to this. He is an ex-boyfriend and we had some really, really good times together,” added Finchley-resident Susan a property entrepreneur, model and actress.

“We use’d to go on cruises all the time and I paid because I did not want to go on my own and he would be in the casino morning, noon and night.

“He loved the casino and I would have to go to the shows on my own,” added Susan, who also got Bohrer involved in film extra work.

Exploited: Susan

The couple had dated as youngsters until Bohrer married Susan’s best friend then they got back together again in 1999 when they bumped into each other on holiday just before his divorce.

He managed her financial affairs, which included a generous inheritance from her late father that financed her lucrative property portfolio.

Prosecutor Mr. Nicholas Alexander told the jury: “She placed complete trust in him. He knew all her finances and assets and had the key to her house and the alarm code.”

However, this ended on June 12, 2016. “Bohrer telephoned Susan and asked her to lie to the police that she had been with him when he used her blue badge without her permission.

“She had not given him permission to use the badge and contacted the police because she was concerned.

“This caused her to lose trust and faith in Bohrer and she took back her keys.”

When one of her freeholders claimed they were owed money Susan began checking her bank records and discovered cheques were missing.

She added: “Loads of cheque stubs had been removed beautifully with a knife. He had taken out blank cheques.

“When the bank told me the signatures on the cheques did not look quite right and I had to check them, my heart sank. 

“It is so sad. What he did to me was such a terrible thing. To steal off an ex-girlfriend and a friend.

“It is unbelievable that someone I trusted has done that to me. I am so shocked.

“I was with him when he had two heart attacks. I was very, very good to him.

“I was with him for fifteen years, but the last three went down because he went to private card clubs four to five days a week and met a young girl there and would go to dinner with her sometimes.

“He was spending his money on her, making out he was going to the club.”

In her video-recorded statement to the police Susan said: “I trusted him. It was as if he was trying to help me.

“He must have had an ulterior motive, he was so keen. My dad could see it, he called him a ‘conman’, but I couldn’t see it.”

The prosecutor added: “A large number of her cheques have been forged and the beneficiary was Bohrer.

“He offered to help her regarding book keeping with her investments and properties.”

The arrangement continued when they split as a couple in 2014. 

When arrested on July 13, 2016 Bohrer denied the cheque forgery allegations, but a handwriting expert proved he was the author.

Burglar Who Raped Married Woman Caged

A burglar who broke into a shared house one morning and raped the 31 year-old female resident who bandaged his injured hand has been caged for life – with a seven-year minimum.

Andrei Makara, 40, of no fixed address, used his shoulder to force open the front door of the Brent property on July 24 as the terrified married woman tried to stop him.

He pleased guilty at Harrow Crown Court to two counts of rape; one count of assault by penetration and one count of robbery.

The victim was in her bathroom when she heard a loud bang downstairs and realised someone was trying to get into the property.

She managed to lock the front door, but Makara used brute force to gain access, injuring his hand.

The victim, fearful for her safety, bandaged Makara’s hand and also offered him her bank card.

Makara then became aggressive and threatened the victim with a pair of scissors before raping her.

Afterwards, Makara demanded the victim hand over her bank card and PIN, threatening to kill her if the PIN was wrong.

He then stole a bicycle belonging to the victim’s husband and left the address.

The victim reported the robbery to police the same day and two days later further reported she had been raped during the incident.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command (CASO) immediately launched an investigation.

Detective Constable Alan Wong, from CASO, said: “I hope today’s sentence gives the victim some measure of comfort and closure.

“I would like to commend her for her bravery and having the courage to report the incident to the police.

“Her evidence was vital in ensuring a dangerous individual has been put behind bars.”

"Prolific Burglar" Wanted By Police For South London Break-Ins

Police are hunting this “prolific burglar” who is suspected of striking a dozen times in south London, snatching jewellery, cash and electronics.

Michael Darnley, 54, of no fixed abode, is wanted in connection with twelve residential burglaries since March, 2017.

In each incident, homes in Croydon, Lambeth, Wandsworth and Merton were broken into during the day whilst homeowners were out.

Detective Constable Chris Tucker, from Croydon CID, said: “We believe the suspect is a prolific burglar who has targeted homes in south London for more than a year.

“Darnley is also wanted on recall to prison and failing to appear at Croydon Magistrates’ Court in relation to handling stolen goods.

“We believe he is known to frequent the Croydon, Wandsworth, Merton and Lambeth areas.

“We would like anyone who knows of his whereabouts to contact police as soon as possible.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Please quote reference 3812885/18.

Cocaine, Cash & Gun Seized In East London Raid

Blow To Gangs: Cocaine Seized

Gang-busting cops seized this £3.5m haul of cocaine during an east London raid, also confiscating £100,000 cash and a loaded snub-nosed handgun.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police's Violent Crime Taskforce executed the search warrant at a residential arrest in Heather Gardens, Romford at 6pm.

The cocaine weighed-in at 70 kilos.

Three men, aged 24, 27 and 53 years-old, and two woman, aged 25 and 53 years-old were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to Supply Class A Cocaine, possession of Ccriminal property and possession of a firearm and ammunition.

All were held in custody at separate east London police stations.

Detective Superintendent Sean Yates said: “This search warrant was carried out as a result of officers acting on fast time intelligence about the supply of drugs to east London gangs.

“A seizure of cocaine on this scale will disrupt the flow of class A drugs into the capital and demonstrates the commitment of the Violent Crime Taskforce to combat all levels of criminality in London.

“A potentially lethal firearm has also been taken off the streets.”