Customer Shot Up Garage During Jaguar Row

A gunman shot up cars in a garage he was in dispute with after wanting two Jaguars repaired and getting into a cash row with the mechanic.

Darius Lapinski, 26, forced the mechanic to flee for his life when he was struck with a baton and hid from shots fired in the garage.

Lapinsky, of Kingsway, Enfield received 14 years imprisonment after he was convicted of possession of a firearm, with intent to endanger life.

Harrow Crown Court heard the 28 year-old victim was confronted by a masked Lapinsky on June 13, last year at the premises in Hertford Road, Lower Edmonton.

He had an accomplice, also masked, and the pair were armed with a firearm.

The mechanic recognised the voice of Lapinski, a customer he had a disagreement with over the phone earlier that day regarding payments.

As he attempted to run away, the victim was struck with a baton before finding shelter behind a parked car.

Lapinski then proceeded to fire shots in the garage causing damage to a number of vehicles.

The two suspects then walked off down Hertford Road, smashing the window of another vehicle in the garage with a baton as they did so.

A police investigation commenced, led by the Met’s Trident Reactive Team.

Enquiries carried out by the team established that the victim and Lapinski were known to each other.

Approximately a month before the attack, Lapinski brought two Jaguar vehicles to the garage – one blue, one silver - and made an arrangement for the silver Jaguar to be fixed with parts from the blue Jaguar.

A price of £750 was agreed, but after the work was finished, Lapinski collected the silver car and only paid £200.

He also failed to collect the blue car.

The victim contacted Lapinski and asked for the remaining funds to be paid. After a delay, this was done.

However, on the day of the incident, at approximately 1.00pm, Lapinski called the garage demanding the blue Jaguar to be fixed free of charge.

When the victim explained this could not be done, Lapinski attended the garage with an accomplice armed with the gun.
Detective Sergeant Mark Attridge, who led the investigation, said: “This violent incident targeted an innocent man who was simply doing his job.

“Thankfully the victim did not suffer serious injuries, but Lapinski’s reckless actions could have easily caused a huge amount of harm.

“I hope the sentencing shows how seriously this type of brazen violence is taken and the Metropolitan Police's Trident commands commitment to tackling dangerous individuals who chose to arm themselves with a firearm and threaten the communities of London.

“This behaviour will not be tolerated and robust police action will be taken against them.”

Bogus Uber Cabbie Raped Female Passenger In Alley

A bogus Uber cabbie, who picked up a lone woman at midnight, is starting a prison sentence for raping and robbing her in a dark alleyway.

The 28 year-old victim didn't know her Uber booking had been cancelled and assumed the imposter was her cab driver.

Mohammed Awais, 28, just happened to be driving his white Toyota Auris when he spotted the woman in east London and picked her up.

He pleaded guilty to rape; assault by penetration; kidnap; robbery and driving while disqualified and without insurance.

Awais, of Wellstead Road, East Ham was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court to nine years and four months imprisonment.

At half-past midnight on October 20, last year the victim, who had been out with friends in Dalston, ordered a cab, via her Uber app.

She got into Awais's vehicle, believing it was her cab, but quickly voiced her suspicion because did not appear to know where he was supposed to be going.

Awais locked the doors and sped up, taking the terrified victim to a dimly lit alleyway in East Ham, where she was raped.

After the attack he robbed the victim of her possessions, including her phone, cash and a laptop, and ordered her to get out of the car.

He then drove away.

The victim fled and ran as far as she could, hiding in the front garden of a residential address to ensure that the suspect was not following her.

She was then able to alert two members of the public in the street, who called police.

An investigation was launched by officers from the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command.

Awais was identified as driving the vehicle by another man arrested as part of the investigation.

He was arrested on Wednesday, October 24 at his home address.

He was identified by a witness at an ID parade and was further linked to the crime by forensic evidence.

Detective Sergeant Emma Matthews led the investigation.

She said: "It was established the legitimate Uber vehicle the victim had booked had been cancelled without her realising.

"Awais, who had never worked as an Uber driver, arrived at the location purely by chance and, spotting a lone female, acted as an imposter to get her into his vehicle before carrying out his despicable attack.

"His disgusting behaviour is beyond comprehension. He left the victim in fear of her life.

"She has been extraordinarily brave throughout the entire process.

“I would like to thank her for supporting our investigation, and hope that eventually, and with our continued support, she will one day be able to leave this terrible incident behind her."

Man Denies Texting Sex Pics Of Ex To Her Dad

A man accused of distributing sexually-explicit pictures of his ex-girlfriend to her father appeared in court yesterday.

Kevin Bolenge, 30, of Ludovick Walk, Barnes, insists the images were not of the woman he dated for six years.

He appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court charged with disclosing private sexual images of the woman, with intent to cause distress, between October 8 and 10, 2017.

Prosecutor Mr. Trevor Green told the court it was a “revenge porn” case with separate elements that were also racially aggravated.

The prosecution say ten images of the victim were included in text messages Bolenge sent to her father.

The couple, who bought a flat together, split in May, 2017 and the woman attempted to block all means he could use to contact her.

The court was told Bolenge’s behaviour was reported to the police on September 11, 2017 and a month later he was told to leave the pub his ex works.

Additionally the prosecution say there was another exchange of messages in which Bolenge wrote: ‘Keep taking selfies with your Paki friend,’ and: ‘White slag.’

He was bailed to appear at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court on a date to be fixed.

Muswell Hill Murder Charge: Accused In Court

Kasim Lewis

A man accused of stabbing a 55 year-old woman to death at her £700,000 north London home appeared in court for the first time today.

Kasim Lewis, 32, is charged with murdering Catherine Burke - who was found tied up - on November 15, 2017 at her Hill Road, Muswell Hill, address.

He appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court via videolink from HMP Wakefield wearing a light grey sweatshirt and sweatpants.

Retired civil servant Catherine, who has a son at university, lived in the road for approximately twenty years and was often seen walking her pet dog in the area.

A post mortem confirmed the cause of death as stab injuries.

Catherine Burke

Montserrat-born Lewis initially spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and give his nationality as: “British.”

After District Judge Andrew Sweet remanded him in custody to appear at the Old Bailey on January 29 Lewis replied: “Cheers.”

Prosecutor Sarah Dale asked the court to remand Lewis in custody, confirming the custody time limit would expire on July 26.

Lewis’s lawyer Jim Skelsey gave a preliminary not guilty indication.

Shopper Shoulder Barged Into Bus: Woman Wanted

Police are hunting this suspect after a shopper in her sixties was injured when shoulder-barged into a bus after a Tesco's row minutes earlier.

The victim was in Tesco Express, Warwick Way, Pimlico at around 12.00pm on May 29, last year when she had a verbal exchange with the woman.

She was then barged by the woman, but left the shop uninjured.

As she walked along Warwick Way, she turned right onto Tachbrook Street Market and then left through a pathway onto Vauxhall Bridge Road.

While the victim stood at the traffic lights on Vauxhall Bridge Road outside Barclays Bank, the same woman came up and shoulder barged the victim into the path of an oncoming bus.

The victim fell forward into the passenger doors of the bus and sustained grazes and bruising to her ankles, shins and knees, a cut to the top of her head and muscle injury to her shoulders.

Detective Constable Samantha Edwards, said: “This appears to have been an unprovoked assault which left the victim very distressed.

“We have been carrying out a number of enquiries to locate the person responsible and would like to trace the woman in this CCTV image as part of our investigation.

“The victim has been deeply affected emotionally by this whole incident.”

Please contact the Serious Crime Unit Westminster on 101 or tweet @MetCC.

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 if you don’t wish to speak to officers directly.

Thug Jailed For Attacking Teenagers In Street

A hammer-wielding thug has been locked up for attacking two teenagers in the same street three weeks apart.

Fortunately Mohammed Kaka Khan, 29, did not use the weapon, but the 18 year-old female and 17 year-old boy were threatened with it.

However, both victims were punched and slapped by Kaka Khan, of Newman Street, Fitzrovia and he was jailed for four months.

Westminster Magistrates Court heard both incidents occurred in Alfred Road, Paddington.

On November 15, last year at around 3.23pm, Kaka Khan assaulted the young woman by punching and slapping her.

On December 4 he punched and slapped the boy at around 1.25pm.

During both the assaults he used the hammer to threaten and intimidate the victims who were left with minor injuries.

They were not struck with the hammer.

Detective Constable Ken Mclelland said: “These were horrible incidents and I hope this result provides some comfort to the victims.

“Nobody deserves to be assaulted in this way and we will always use the full extent of our powers to bring violent offenders to justice.

“The arrest was made on December 4, following joint work with officers from British Transport Police, Westminster Police Schools Officers, Neighbourhood Officers, CID and the Territorial Support Group.”

Dodgy Driving Snares Drug Dealer

A drug-dealer arrested by police on a dangerous driving warrant desperately tried to hide cocaine between his legs at the station.

Reginald Goodhead, 26, of Clifford Drive, Brixton received three years and four months imprisonment.

He pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court to possessing cocaine, with intent to supply, being concerned in the supply of MDMA, possession of cannabis and possession of criminal property, namely cash.

In the early hours of November 24, last year, local officers from Coldharbour Ward saw Goodhead parked up in his vehicle in Heritage Close.

His engine was idling and his lights were on and checks by the officers revealed the registered keeper, address and insurance details were very inconsistent.

The decision was made to approach the driver and talk with him.

Goodhead was initially very evasive and only gave his first name.

Checks revealed he was wanted on warrant by Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court for the offences of dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving while uninsured and driving without due care and attention.

Goodhead was arrested at taken into custody.

Once back at Brixton Police Station, Goodhead attempted to conceal drugs in his genitals, but these were discovered upon a further search.

Fast time forensics of the drugs were obtained and his phones were seized and examined with references to the supply of drugs found in them.

He was convicted of the driving offences in his absence and was ordered to pay fines totalling £430.00 and disqualified from driving for six months.

WPC Accused Of Dodgy Insurance Claim

A female police officer appeared in court today, accused of defrauding her insurance company over her missing BMW.

Maisey Jayne Edmonds, 25, of Park Avenue, Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey, denies the allegation of fraud by false representation and will return for a trial.

She is based at Ealing Police Station, west London and was bailed to attend Hendon Magistrates Court on February 28.

She is charged that on May 9, last year she stated to Diamond Insurance that she left the BMW locked and secure in Matlock Lane, Ealing and that it was stolen while she was in possession of the vehicle keys, with intent to make a financial gain for herself.

Prosecutor Mr. Trevor Green told the court: “The defendant is a serving Metropolitan Police Officer at Ealing and the owner of a BMW insured since February, 2015.

“On May 8 the defendant reported to Diamond Insurance she parked the vehicle outside Ealing Police Station before duty and when she finished at 11.35pm the vehicle had been stolen.

“She retuned to Ealing Police Station and reported the matter.

‘The insurance company asked for both electric key fobs for the vehicle and the insurance company sent them to BMW for analysis and one didn’t belong to the vehicle.

“She said she had purchased a new key fob off eBay because the original one had broken.

“Believing the claim to be false the insurance company asked for £726 in investigation fees and she agreed to pay the costs.”

Her insurance claim did not proceed any further.

Bullet Shot Through Window In Lambeth: CCTV Image Released

Police are hunting this suspected gunman after a bullet was fired through the window of a Lambeth house.

At 10.10pm on July 25, last year police were called to reports of a gun being fired into the Opal Street address.

Officers attended with specialist firearms colleagues.

A bullet was found inside the address.

There were no injuries.

Upon inspection of the area, officers found a bullet casing within a car park on the opposite side of the road.

CCTV footage of the area has been studied and detectives are releasing a still of a man they would like to speak to in connection with this incident.

Detective Constable Melanie Burridge, from the Metropolitan Police's Trident and Area Crime Command, said: "Nobody should have to feel unsafe in their own home and especially should not have their safety compromised by a gun being fired.

"This was a reckless and selfish act that could have had fatal consequences.

"Do you recognise him or know who he is? Call police with any information. We are ready to take your call."

Anyone with information concerning the man pictured or the case is asked to call police via 101 quoting CAD8559/SEP15 or Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.

Southbank Homophobic Attack: Three Suspects ID'd

Police are hunting these suspects after a gay couple holding hands near the National Theatre were attacked on New Year's Day.

Officers on Southwark borough are treating it as a homophobic offence.

The male victims, aged 28 and 31 years-old were strolling in the Southbank at 2.30pm when they were set upon.

They suffered facial injuries and bruising as a result of the assault.

They did not require hospital treatment.

Four assailants took part, but one was not captured on CCTV.

The suspects are all described as white, aged in their mid-20's and wearing hooded tops.

They left in the direction of the OXO Tower.

Officers are issuing images of three of the four suspects in a bid to identify them.

The assault is being treated as a hate crime.

Anyone with information is asked to contact officers at Lambeth via 101 quoting reference 6108/1Jan or tweet @MetCC.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.

Convicted Professor Stalker Vows To Appeal

A fiercely ambitious account, convicted of stalking a London Business school professor she became obsessed with, vowed to appeal the case when she appeared at the Old Bailey today.

Zhaoyan Li, 41, stalked Oxford-educated Alex Edmans, 38, for approximately twenty months - demanding he be her lover and mentor - after she witnessed him addressing a career event.

She suddenly popped up at his church, gatecrashed his gym class, booked a holiday to follow him to Lanzarote and bombarded him with texts, emails and calls.

Now the professor, who has spoken at the World Economic Forum in Davos and testified to Parliament, will have to undergo the ordeal of giving evidence for a second time behind a screen.

At the height of Li’s campaign the professor was eventually too distressed to answer his office phone and quit regular activities. 

Li, of Rattan Apartments, Susannah Street, Canary Wharf was convicted of stalking Professor Edmans between February 1, 2017 and September 13, last year.

Li told City of London Magistrates Court, where she was found guilty, she may kill herself if convicted.

“I want to appeal,” she told the Old Bailey today, where she was due to be sentenced, and was bailed to return for an all-day hearing on April17.

Sentencing was postponed, pending the result of the appeal.

In the meantime Li has to obey conditions of bail not to contact Professor Edmans directly or indirectly or attend the London Business School.

“She is on bail and she needs to know if she breaches that she will be arrested,” announced Judge Rebecca Poulet QC. 

Professor Edmans told the court during Li’s trial last month that she  enjoyed taking photographs of him working out at a Hyde Park boot camp fitness club and groped his biceps after a class.

She began stalking him after he spoke at accountancy giants PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) ‘Finding Purpose In Your Career’ seminar early last year.

“She said she wanted to become a partner at PwC, which was strange because she wasn’t even a trainee,” he explained. 

“She asked me if I was happy to have dinner with her because she had some questions about her career and I told her I had to go home.

“I went to Marks & Spencer’s and when I left she was waiting for me outside and followed me on the westbound tube even though she lived in the opposite direction and sat next to me.”

Li then joined a Surrey getaway hosted by Professor Edmans’ All Souls Church breakfast club. 

“Every mealtime she’d sit next to me and try to talk to me, even if I was talking to other people and this way annoying. She was trying to encroach on me and continually interrupting conversations I was having.”

The professor admits he eventually resorted to getting physical. “I squeezed the pressure points on her knee to cause a bit of pain.”

However, Li claims she took this under-the-table knee squeeze as a “come on” of a sexual nature.

Professor Edmans was bombarded with WhatsApp ad Facebook messages from Li, who suddenly appeared at his workout class when a picture needed to be taken.

“Out from the shadows Ms Li jumped up and said: ‘I’ll take the group photo.’ She must have been on the sidelines watching.

“She started touching my biceps, which was not solicited and then started coming to the boot camp, not to participate, but to take photos, presumably of me working out.

“I blocked her on facebook, but and then she contacted me through other means, I blocked her on WhatsApp and saved her as ‘Dirty Pervert.’

“She wanted to be in a relationship with me. It was as if she thought she had the right to have a relationship with me.”

In one message Li wrote: “I want a Mr. Right who loves me and cares about my feelings.”

Eventually All Souls Church banned her and Professor Edmans reported her to the police, who gave Li an official warning in January.

“She then started coming to the London Business School campus and using the internal phone and called me on February 14 to say: ‘Happy Valentines Day.’

“Normal things like checking emails filled me with horror and dread and each time I saw her number my heart sank because this ordeal was continuing.”

Eventually a panic alarm was fitted at the professor’s office and he quit the boot camp and church breakfast club after Li booked herself on their Canary Islands vacation.

“I thought: ‘There’s no getting away from her if she turns up in Lanzarote for the entire eight days.’”

Today Judge Rebecca Poulet QC told Li to consider her position: “The professor, the gentleman in question, would he to come to court so we’d have to fix a date for him.

“You can do so if you want to, but you may be penalised in costs if the court decided the magistrates were right and secondly if the court upholds the conviction it will then sentence you and the result would be that possibly your position would be more serious, the court having heard the professor give evidence.

“He would have to give evidence twice by then.”

The judge added: “If there is a total re-hearing of this case as there would be and if the court decided against her, if they upheld the conviction, she would have to pay quite substantial costs. Does she understand that?”

New Year's Day Sex Pest Locked Up

A “prolific offender”, who molested two women in the street on New Year's Day, has been jailed for a year.

Mohammed Abedin, 32 of Montana Road, Tooting Bec, preyed on the women – who he did not know – just minutes apart.

He pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the women in Upper Tooting Road, on January 1 and possessing a small quantity of cannabis.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard he tried to engage the victims in conversation and then sexually assaulted them.

Abedin was identified at the scene and arrested.

He was also be placed on the sex offenders register for ten years.

The court heard Abedin has a history of similar offending.

Detective Sergeant James Massey of the South West Command unit, who led the investigation, said: "Abedin is a prolific offender, and has shown that he is a risk to women.

"Due to the first victim quickly reporting the incident and then identifying him with officers present, he was detained very quickly.

“The following day he was jailed, where he poses no further risk to the public.

"We would urge any victims of sexual assaults to report them as soon as possible.

“We will do everything we can to identify the person responsible and hold them to account for their actions."

Female Shoplifting Gang: CCTV Released

Police investigating a suspected all-female shoplifting gang have released these CCTV images as they continue to hunt them down.

Officers on Newham borough, east London say they are keen to identify the trio, who they wish to question.

They are suspected of stealing over £2,000 worth of women's accessories from a retail shop in Westfield Shopping Centre, Stratford.

The suspects entered the store at 6.50pm on Monday, August 13, last year, accompanied by two small children.

They filled shopping baskets with stock from the store and left the venue without paying for the goods.

Anyone who can name the women pictured is asked to contact North East Command Unit by dialling 101 and quoting 5326132/18, Tweet @MetCC or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Woman Stabbed At Bus Stop: E-Fit Released

Police have released this e-fit of a suspect after a lone woman was randomly stabbed at an east London bus stop late one night.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses and information after the 32 year-old woman was attacked in Chadwell Heath.

Police were called at approximately 10.55pm on Friday, November 30, last year to High Road to reports a woman had been stabbed close to the bus stop on Albany Road.

The woman was taken by the London Ambulance Service to an east London hospital for treatment and she has since been discharged.

The suspect is described as a white man, aged in his early 30's, with a ginger beard and glasses.

He was wearing a dark coloured jacket, trousers and a baseball cap.

Acting Detective Inspector Dean Grafton, from the East Area Command Unit, said: "This appears to have been a random attack on a lone woman.

“Thankfully her injuries were minor and she was quickly discharged from hospital.

"I would urge anyone who recognises the man in the E-fit to contact us as a matter of urgency.

“I would also like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and who may have seen a man running from the scene."

Anyone with information is asked to contact officers via 101 quoting reference 8999/30Nov.

Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Knifepoint Sex Assault: E-Fit Released

Police have released this e-fit after a woman in north London was molested at knifepoint in the early hours.

The investigation was launched following the incident which occurred at approximately 1.00am on Saturday, November 10, last year.

A woman, aged 25 years-old, was approached by the suspect in Hungerford Road.

The man sexually assaulted her.

He also produced a knife during the incident.

The woman managed to push the suspect away before making her way home and reporting the incident to police.

Detectives Chief Inspector Pete Wallis, said: "We are issuing this e-fit in a bid to identify this man.

“I would appeal to anyone who was in the area of Hungerford Road in the early hours of November 10, or who recognises this man to contact police immediately."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police in the Central North Command Unit on 101 and quote CAD 507/10Nov; alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Hackney Knifepoint Muggings: Three Suspects Wanted

Police have released images of three suspects they want to question in connection with a number of knifepoint muggings in the Hackney area during November, last year.

Detectives are investigating eleven robberies which took place near Rectory Road London Overground Station in Narford Road and Brooke Road, between November 5 and November 25.

All of the robberies took place between 6.00pm and 2.00am and in each case the victim was threatened with weapons, including knives.

Quantities of cash are reported to have been stolen, as well as a number of debit cards.

The suspects are described as black, between 18 and 25 years-old and wearing dark clothing.

Although each robbery was carried out by just one suspect, officers believed them to be linked and the men to be known to each other.

Detective Constable Alexander Cochrane-Dyet said: “The victims in these cases have faced a horrifying ordeal and we want to bring those responsible to justice.

“We are appealing for these men or anyone who recognises them to come forward and assist our investigation.”

Justice Catches Up With Child Molester Three Decades On

A paedophile, who preyed on two young boys aged just six to eight years-old three decades ago, has been jailed.

Christopher Posada, 47, of Malton, North Yorkshire was was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

He was found guilty of ten counts of indecent assault of a child after a Wood Green Crown Court trial.

The court heard that Posada - known as Chris Pope at the time of the abuse - targeted the two boys during the 1980's.

The boys, were known to each other, and were aged between six and eight when the abuse started.

Posada - who was a number of years older - befriended them and would invite them round to his parents' house in Hackney where the abuse would take place.

He also took the opportunity to sexually abuse them during games of hide and seek in a nearby churchyard.

The boys did not realise the other had been abused until one of them - then aged in his 30's - reported the matter to police in 2017.

Officers from the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command began an investigation and Posada was arrested but denied the abuse.

However, as the investigation continued the second victim came forward to police.

His allegations were put to Posada who again denied responsibility, but he was subsequently charged.

Detective Constable Ben Lucas, who led the investigation, said: "Christopher Posada is a predatory sexual offender who targeted two vulnerable young boys for his own gratification.

"Posada, a young man himself at the time of abuse, manipulated and controlled the boys, using his influence as an older boy to isolate and then abuse them.

"I would like to praise the courage of the two victims for supporting this case and I hope Posada's conviction can help them move on from the pain he has inflicted on them.

"It cannot be discounted that he abused other boys - I would appeal to anyone who believes they may have been abused by Christopher Posada, or Chris Pope as he was known, to contact police.

“Specially trained officers are here to support you."

Grenfell Tower Fraudster Jailed For £33K Scam

A bogus Grenfell Tower fraudster, who claimed he was living in the tower block when it caught fire, has been jailed for a £30,000 scam.

Muslim Abolaji Onafuye, 54, later claimed his Ramadan fast caused temporary insanity once his story had been exposed.

He received £33,000 in accommodation and financial assistance from the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea and the Rugby Portobello Trust charity.

Onafuye, of Gorleston Street, West Kensington was convicted at Isleworth Crown Court of two counts of fraud by false representation.

He received five years imprisonment.

Onafuye falsely claimed he lived on the 11^th floor of the council tower block and his brother died in the blaze.

During the trial he said during his police interview he only claimed to have been living in Grenfell as he was suffering from temporary insanity caused by not eating during Ramadan.

He later alleged that he had been volunteering after the disaster and was rehoused as a result of suffering trauma during that time.

Onafuye also stated he had never claimed to live in Grenfell Tower and disputed the evidence given by staff from various organisations.
Detective Constable Carlos Araujo, who led the investigation, said: “Onafuye shamelessly took advantage of the support being offered to those who were directly affected by the Grenfell tragedy and he has continuously failed to own up to his deplorable actions.

“We will continue to investigate and prosecute anyone who is exploiting what happened at Grenfell and our thoughts remain with the real victims of this tragedy.”

Virgin Atlantic Passenger Accused Of Assaulting Three Cabin Crew With "Judo Sweep" Kicks

A globetrotting economist appeared in court today accused of assaulting three cabin crew with a “judo sweep” kick during a legroom row on a flight from Johannesburg. 

Hilary Diana Mackay, 54, an international Finance and Project Manager with links to MP’s and senior lawyers and accountants denies the charges, claiming she was practicing the martial art.

She is the ex-Company Secretary of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, a think-tank that counts Labour MP Dame Margaret Hodge amongst its members and promotes democracy all over the world.

Mackay, who lives in a £942,000 home in Trebovir Road, Earl’s Court was arrested at Heathrow Airport after her Virgin Atlantic flight landed on December 12, last year.

She pleaded not guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates Court to assaulting Lucey Downey; Leanne Palmer and Phillip Sumner on Virgin Atlantic’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.   

A charge of being drunk onboard Flight VS462 was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service. 

She was bailed unconditionally to return to the same court for trial on February 26.

Mackay, a former Grants Officer for the Big Lottery Fund is currently a self-employed independent consultant/researcher specialising in international research and development and humanitarian assistance.

She has a BA in Russian Studies from the University of Leeds and a postgraduate degree from Birkbeck, University of London in Economics.

Cabin crew had told her to she must pay an extra £50 charge for sitting in a seat with extra legroom.

Her lawyer Mr. Such Kahlon told the court: “She’s done a judo sweep in the isle of the airplane. The steward has tripped up and injured themselves.”

Prosecutor Ms Zara Khan explained: “Ms Leanne Palmer has said that: ’At 10.30 my attention was drawn to a female passenger. The customer had her leg in the isle, looking like she was stretching.

‘She moved it in and then moved it out to deliberately trip me and I grabbed a headrest to break my fall. She made contact by my shin and I believe this was a deliberate attempt to trip me up.’

“The next complainant Lucey Downey says: ‘A passenger was sitting in an extra legroom seat that costs fifty pounds.’

“She says Ms Mackay was aggressive towards her and offensive and Ms Mackay stared at her and says she deliberately put her leg into the isle with: ‘Force and anger to trip me up and was successful and I tripped down the isle.’

“Mr. Sumner says: ‘At. 11.05 Ms Mackay tripped me up as I approached her and tripped me up as I approached her again. She looked at me and put her foot out.

‘I told her she could injure someone’.”

Mackay told the magistrates: “I didn’t trip the people up in the way that’s been described. It was judo sweeps along the floor.

“They stated they did not fall. The aim of the judo sweep is to put someone on the flat of their back, so as a judo sweep I failed.

“It is not an assault. Battery is with the hand and not the foot and I used a foot.

‘I was practicing judo sweeps. It wasn’t to trip someone up or target these people.

“I did aikido for three years and judo for five years.”

Mr. Kahlon added: “An altercation did occur on the airplane, but Ms Mackay believes it is not the right concept of what she did that makes an offence.

“She is saying it is not guilty, but: ‘I did swipe my leg.’

“She wants to claim compensation from the police for wasting my time and your time,” Mr. Kahlon told the magistrates.

Mackay, who appeared wearing a green hooded parka, black trousers and flat black shoes confirmed her name, date of birth, address and nationality.

She was reluctant to enter a plea, claiming she had not seen any prosecution statements or had the complainants identified to her.

“It’s not a guilty or not guilty, it’s no case,” she told the court from the dock. “I have the right to see the witness statements of the person who said I assaulted them.

“How can I plead guilty or not guilty if I don’t know who the person is. I don’t know who these people are.”

Mackay was repeatedly told to be quiet by bench chairwoman Evadne Cookman, who told her: “This is now the time for the prosecution to speak. Please stay calm and don’t interrupt the prosecution again.

“You can’t come in this court and decide what a case is or not.”

Prosecutor Ms Khan told the court: “No defence has been put forward. I’m not sure what the defence is.”

In her defence case statement Mackay claims the prosecution’s timings are all wrong, concluding: “The whole situation is a set-up.”