Sunday 24 March 2019

Carer Nicked From OAP And Crash Victim

The trusted carer of a severely injured accident victim has avoided jail despite raiding his bank account of around £2,500 while also ripping-off a 93 year-old woman.

Catherine Berry, 30, was employed via agency Christies Care to look after brain-damaged, wheelchair-bound Stephen Burningham, who in 1992 was injured in a serious road traffic accident.

The mum-of-one, of Cornbrash Rise, Paxcroft Mead, Trowbridge pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position and was sentenced to twenty-two months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard south-west London resident Mr. Burningham is also severely weakened down the right side if his body, suffers shortage of breath and has serious pulmonary issues.

His food needs to be pureed to avoid choking and Berry, was employed to care for him and observe a strict protocol when handling his finances.

However, she withdrew up to £100 a time from his account, which she was not entitled to, spending the money on her boyfriend’s birthday and online gambling.

She was originally charged with defrauding Mr. Burningham between July 27, 2016 and July 10, 2017 and on June 19, last year was convicted of defrauding another client in Leicester.

For that offence Berry was placed on a community order and told to pay £150 compensation to the 93 year-old victim she was caring for.

Judge Sarah Plaschkes QC told Berry: “You abused your position, taking money out of the account.

“You used the account to gamble online, pay for a parking ticket and spend money on things for yourself.

“He could not manage his financial affairs and needed constant care.

“This was committed over a sustained period of time and you have previous convictions for doing the same thing.

“You made a deliberate attempt to cover up your criminal activity and six months of records went missing.”

Judge Plaschkes noted there were only a few days between Berry taking money from both Mr. Burningham and the Leicester OAP.  

Berry had fought the case and only admitted her guilty after the jury heard the prosecution’s evidence against her.

“You waited until all the prosecution evidence had been given,” the judge told a tearful Berry.

Berry’s partner remained outside court with their five month-old son as Judge Plaschkes added: “I have been told you are likely to lose your home family home if you are imprisoned.”

Berry was also sentenced to a three-month electronically-tagged home curfew between 7pm and 7am and she must complete a 20-day probation-ordered activity requirement.

There was no order for compensation.

Saturday 23 March 2019

Female Prison Officer Admits Exchanging Texts With Convicted Drug Dealer

Guilty: Paula Radley
A female prison officer today admitted exchanging “inappropriate” texts with a convicted drug dealer serving time at HMP Wandsworth.

Paula Radley, 45, was told she faces being locked-up herself for her communications with convicted drug dealer Adrian Woodhouse, 41.

One text he sent her read: ‘Feeling very low. You can give me a hug tomorrow if you feel like it.”

Radley, of Keyworth Close, Clapton pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office between July 2 and August 13, last year, namely communicating with inmate Woodhouse.

Both of them pleaded guilty to the unauthorised transmission of text messages at HMP Wandsworth between the same dates.

Woodhouse, who received ten years imprisonment in 2018, pleaded guilty to possession of a restricted item, namely a mobile phone on August 29, last year.

Prosecutor Alexandra Boshell told Kingston-upon-Thames Crown court: “These charges came about as a result of Woodhouse’s cell being searched at Wandsworth Prison.

“He was also searched and a mobile phone was found concealed on his person.

“Messages were identified as Radley having communicated wit him. She is a senior prison officer at the prison.”

The court heard she was convicted of seven counts of fraud in February, last year and Woodhouse has committed 55 previous offences.

“He is serving a lengthy custodial sentence for drug offences.”

In 2005 he was convicted on ten charges relating to drug supply and firearms offence and last year received ten years for drug offences.

“A prison term is highly likely,” said Radley’s lawyer Mr. Andrew Hill. 

“When one looks at the nature of the text messages there is a clear indication of their contact being inappropriate in this case.”

He said Radley was on anti-depressants after a skin cancer diagnosis in 2017 resulted in five operations and in October, last year she was diagnosed as bipolar and prescribed lithium.

Judge Georgina Kent told her: “These are very serious offences because they are against the discipline of the prison and impacts on the discipline and security of the prison.”

Woodhouse, currently locked-up at HMP Erlstoke, appeared via video link and Radley was bailed to return for sentencing on May 2.

Thursday 21 March 2019

Lawyer Denies Thumping German Fashion Designer At Royal Opera House Wagner Performance

Court Date: Feargrieve
A corporate lawyer repeatedly punched a leading fashion designer he accused of insulting his wife during a seat row at the Royal Opera House, a court heard yesterday. 

Barrister Matthew Feargrieve, 43, is accused of thumping couturier Ulrich Engler, 56, who tried to climb into the better seat where his wife had left her coat.

They were at the landmark Covent Garden venue to enjoy the six-hour performance of Richard Wagner’s ‘Siegfried’ - the third of four operas in the composer’s ‘Ring’ cycle.

University of Oxford law graduate Feargrieve, of Lonsdale Road, Barnes pleaded not guilty at Westminster Magistrates Court of assaulting Mr. Engler on October 7, last year.  

The independent legal expert, who advises asset managers, plus corporate and private clients on investments and wealth planning was bailed to attend City of London Magistrates Court for a two-day trial starting on May 9. 

Prosecutor Victoria Murphy told the court it is customary for audience members to return to the same seats they occupied throughout the performance.

However, trouble began when German-born Mr. Engler, who owns a boutique in Moreton Street, Pimlico climbed into an unoccupied seat next to Feargrieve’s wife.

“The seat next to her was empty and she placed her coat on the seat. Mr. Engler was sitting directly behind the empty seat and as the lights went down and the performance started Mr. Engler climbed over onto the empty seat to get a better view.

“Then the accounts begin to differ, with the account of Mr. Engler who says he asked if it was okay to sit there as it had not been an issue at a previous show,” explained the prosecutor.
Couturier: Ulrich Engler

The designer asked Feargrieve’s wife: “Have you paid for this seat?” and she replied: “No, I have not.”

“He picked up the coat and put it in her lap and a short time later she said: ‘My coat is on the floor.’

“Mr. Engler did not look at her and Mr. Feargrieve punched him several times saying: ‘How dare you talk to my wife like that.’

“There was bruising, a possible fractured rib, a visit to an osteopath and the x-ray showed there was no fracture.”

In her account to police Feargrieve’s wife says: “He threw the jacket onto the floor.”

Ms. Murphy added: “She says Mr. Engler placed his hand on her arm and pushed her backwards, hard into Mr. Feargrieve.

“The defendant’s account is that he does not agree with what has been said by the other witness and gives his version of events that he was pushed.

“He says Mr. Engler was being physical with his wife.” 

Law Society member Feargrieve is originally from Stockport, Cheshire, where he attended The Kingsway Comprehensive School.

Wednesday 20 March 2019

Drunken Theatre VIP Shut-Down 'Othello' Performance Amid Chaotic Scenes

"Very Angry": Mike Fox
An all-female theatre performance of ‘Othello’ was cut short amid chaotic scenes after a cast mutiny against a VIP guest, who then shoved one actress into the front row of seats, a court heard.

The drunken disruptive behaviour of creative arts schoolteacher Mike Fox, 56, who continually disturbed the performance, resulted in a shout of: “Stop the show. Call the police.”  

The part-time theatre producer was invited to attend the London Theatre production in New Cross, which he planned to take to the south coast until causing the dramatic shut down.

He told Bexley Magistrates Court the cast formed a human barricade to block his return to his seat and the performer playing Othello gave his wife the “middle finger” during the fracas.

Fox, of Beechfield Road, Bromley - a graduate in Arts & Entertainment - was convicted yesterday of assaulting Jo Sharifi, who was playing Cypriot governor ‘Montano’ at the October 20 performance last year.

The trial heard Fox, a well-known performer and writer on the fringe scene, dodged past the actors who tried to block him as he continued to try watching the play.

The cast wanted theatre owner and director Harry Denford to throw his guest out for his disruptive behaviour and Ms Sharifi said: “He’s trying to get him to leave and he’s not leaving.

“They started jostling and had a hold of each other and Mike said: ‘Do you want to fight Harry?’

"Immediate Pain": Jo Sharifi
“I felt a hand come onto my waist to move me out of the way, it was Mike’s hand and I said: ‘Get your hands off me.’

“I called out: ‘Stop the show. Call the police’ and Mr. Fox’s wife goes onto the stage and there is shouting between her, the audience and the cast members.

“I was apologising to the audience when I felt a big push with two hands behind me. I lost my balance and fell onto three empty front row chairs.

“They were metal chairs and really painful. My knees hit the metal in between them and there was immediate pain. I started crying and said: ‘He pushed me.’

“Everyone in the theatre was shouting: ‘Oh my God, you pushed her’ and he replied: ‘I didn’t push her, she fell.’

“I felt shocked and burst into tears, I was tense and for the following weeks felt very vulnerable,” an emotional and tearful Ms Sharifi told the trial.

Actress Isaura Barbe-Brown - who played ‘Othello’ - said: “He was shifting around and making too much noise, getting up a lot and getting in the way.

“When he was asked to get out of the way for the actors to get on and off the stage he was quite rude.”

The ‘Fantastic Beasts’ star didn’t recall giving Cheryl Fox the “middle finger,” but said: “There was a lot of arguing and yelling from her.

“I was being yelled at and sworn at quite a lot and told them they should leave if they were in that mood and that the police had been called, but they did not want to.”

PC Anwar Khan described Mr. Fox as “hostile and aggressive” and clearly drunk, slurring his speech and smelling of alcohol. “He was getting very angry for very little reason.”

'Othello': Isaure Barbe-Brown
Fox told the court he only had a small glass of wine before the play, which he described as “inordinately long” and left the first time when Mr. Denford incorrectly accused him of filming.

He then left for the toilet. “I felt I needed to go. I tried to hold on, but unfortunately wasn’t going to make it so I nipped through the curtain.

“When I returned I was immediately blockaded by four or five people. My heart raced for a moment because I thought they were people from the street.

“It was members of the cast trying to block me and when I stepped sideways I was grabbed. I said: ‘This is ridiculous. What’s going on?’

“I saw an opening and nipped back to my seat when somebody threw the curtain open with great gusto and the house lights came up immediately, full blast, and everyone was wincing.

“I was getting shouted at and assailed on all sides by hostile people saying: ‘You’ve ruined the play; You stupid idiot,’ and various swear words were going back and forth.

“I was mortified they had stopped the play and had no reason they had taken against me. I’d gone to my friend’s theatre and was being blamed.

“I did not know what was going to kick off when somebody lunged towards me and I instinctively put my hands up and they fell over these chairs.

“She jumped back up and was in my face, shouting at me.”

His wife Cheryl Fox said: “There was chaos everywhere, everyone was up. The cast seemed very aggrieved and were angry about something.
"There Was Chaos Everywhere": Cheryl Fox

“They were surrounding Mike like a mob, I was scared for Mike. They kept saying: ‘This is your fault. You’ve ruined our play.’

“It was an intimidating situation and utterly confusing. The woman who played Othello was quite aggressive and was pointing at my face and gave me a one-fingered gesture.”

Fox produced ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ with Harry for Bromley’s ‘Shakespeare in the Park’ last year, which he told the court was attended by the local mayor and MP.

“We have also put on some theatre and comedy shows together. I am a producer, writer and composer,” he said.

He is an events organiser at London’s ‘Fat Jesters’ comedy club and has taken shows to the Edinburgh Festival and other fringe projects.

Fox’s credits include bit parts in EastEnders and Casualty, plus work with the BBC News and BBC Radio One.

He and wife Cheryl did not have to pay and were also given a complimentary bottle of wine by Harry before the show, but say they did not drink it, having visited a local pub beforehand.

“We’d had a few drinks. I still knew what I was doing and was quite coherent,” he said. 

Fox was sentenced to a 12-month community order, which includes 50 hours community service work must pay £200 compensation to Ms Sharifi, plus £215 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Tuesday 19 March 2019

Boozy Investment Banker Thumped Barman After Insulting Woman

A drunken investment banker made a lewd gesture to a woman in a Chelsea gastropub then leered at her bum when confronted and punched a barman in the head when refused more alcohol, a court heard.

Nicholas Dyte, 53, who lives in a £1m apartment on a private estate overlooking Wentworth golf course admits he has a “smart arse mouth” which he and his pals enjoy.

He was convicted of assaulting both the the female customer and barman and using threatening behaviour at the Admiral Codrington pub, Mossop Street on December 18, last year.

Dyte, of Dormy House, Portnall Drive, Virginia Water, fought the case, insisting he did not make a gesture with his mouth and fingers to intimate a sexual act and only pushed the barman.

Today at Westminster Magistrates Court he was placed on a 12-month community order, which includes 120 hours community service work.

He must pay £100 compensation to the woman; £500 compensation to the barman, plus £1,000 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Prosecutor Mr. Jonathan Bryan told the court: “The woman was with work colleagues enjoying a pre-Christmas celebration and at 9pm made eye-contact with Dyte, who was on the other side of the bar.”

She later told police: “He made a rude gesture. He made a V-shaped symbol with his fingers and licked in between them three or four times while looking at me.

“That was a sexual gesture. He was mimicking licking my vagina. I was disgusted and decided to challenge him.”

She says six foot five inch-tall Dyte asked: “How’s your f***ing p****.”

Mr. Bryan added: “He laid his arm on her, turned her around and bent down to look at her bottom.”

Ten minutes later Dyte was cut-off by the bar manager because he was so drunk and settled his bill.

“Before leaving Dyte leaned across the bar and threw a single punch that connects with the barman’s forehead, resulting in bruising.”

Probation Officer Christine Bradford interviewed Dyte and told the court: “He was having a pre-Christmas celebration and admits he has a ‘smart arse mouth’ when in drink.

“He and his friends think he is funny, but he knows other people don’t find him funny.

“The manager was refusing to serve him and his friends anymore alcohol. He admits pushing the bar manager, but not punching him.

“He is currently setting-up a new business venture, an investment fund in which he intends to be the investment manager, but feels these convictions will cause him problems with financial regulators.”

Dyte told the court: “I apologise for the upset I caused, particularly to the young lady. I am embarrassed about the whole evening and am ashamed of my behaviour.

“The lewd gesture is not something I did.”

Magistrate Mr. David Best told Dyte: “This was an awful incident that took place. The bar manager was doing his job and you were also grossly offensive to a customer in the pub.”

Monday 18 March 2019

Sixteen Years For Vicious Kitchen Knife Stabbing

A knifeman who attacked a vulnerable middle-aged man he knew – piercing his lung and spleen – has been jailed for 16 years.
Scott Slade, 21, of Yew Tree Gardens, Romford, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm, with intent, on the 56-year-old victim.
The victim was known to Slade and was considered vulnerable.
At 11.15pm on Sunday, September 9, last year Slade stabbed the victim several times with a kitchen knife at an address in Yew Tree gardens.
He fled the scene, leaving the victim bleeding heavily and warning him that if he told anyone he’d been stabbed he would kill him.
Police and London Ambulance Service were alerted when the victim’s family went to the address ten minutes after the attack.
The victim was taken to an east London hospital as police launched urgent enquiries to trace the suspect.
Slade was located at Rush Green Road, Romford leaving a mini-cab.
He was arrested at 11.50pm still armed with the knife.
Snaresbrook Crown Court heard the victim had been stabbed in the chest, arm and back with the knife piercing his stomach, lung, diaphragm and spleen.
This, along with a previously existing lung condition, meant that the victim’s health declined rapidly and he was in an induced coma for several days, followed by two weeks of critical care and the need for ongoing treatment.
Detective Inspector Jason Prendergast of the East Area Command Unit said: “It is only right that Slade will spend a long time in prison, having pleaded guilty to this violent and cowardly attack.
The victim has not fully recovered and he may not walk unaided again.
“I hope that the lengthy prison sentence that Slade is facing provides the victim and his family with some measure of comfort.”

Sunday 17 March 2019

Convicted Drug Dealer Still On Run

A drug-dealer is still on the run from a five-year prison sentence imposed in his absence.
Arthur Khanye, 29, of Newham, east London was sentenced on October 2, 2017 at Snaresbrook Crown Court for supplying Class A and B drugs.
Khanye was arrested following a raid on his home in 2016 by officers from the Trident and Area Crime Command.
A quantity of drugs was recovered.
Detective Sergeant Paul Deville, said: "We have carried out extensive enquiries to locate Khanye after he failed to appear at court. Unfortunately, these have proven to be unsuccessful.
"I would urge anyone who knows of his whereabouts to contact police so that his attempts to evade justice can be stopped."
Khanye was known to frequent the North Woolwich area of Newham as well as having connections with Essex.
Anyone with information is asked to contact officers at Trident on 020 8345 4125 or via 101.
Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 02SD/631436.

Saturday 16 March 2019

Big Brother Star Repeatedly Punched By Beer Festival Pal

Gillman: "Flurry of blows"
Former Big Brother star Darnell Swallow was repeatedly punched to the back of his head by a drunken pal during an all-day beer festival drinking session.

New dad Luke Gillman, 35, of Queensland Road, Holloway was upset the reality star refused to visit his two month-old baby despite their twelve-year friendship and launched the attack.

“Gillman landed a tirade, a flurry of blows against Mr. Swallow,” prosecutor Mr. Charles Shelton told City of London Magistrates Court yesterday. “It was an attack from behind with several blows reigned down on the head.”

Partially-sighted Darnell, 37, told the trial he was not relaxed at Kensington Olympia’s Great British Beer Festival on August 11, last year.

“Up until the incident I’d say I was quite anxious. I believe Mr. Gillman may have been disappointed where our friendship was at.

“Luke was irritated and the point of escalation was when he arose, got up, came behind me and punched me in the head.

“I was discussing with him some personal problems in my life and how I admired where he had got in his life.

“I can remember multiple blows, mainly to the back and side of my head and afterwards he poured his beer on me.

Court Date: Swallow
“Instinctively I covered up. I was unsure what was happening and my next memory is of a glass being thrown at me and breaking.

“I was shocked and confused about what was happening and why it was happening.

“I had a cut on the back of my head and felt bruising.”

The Ipswich-born musician, who grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and finished fifth in 2008’s Series 9 of Big Brother, denied he was “aggressive.”

Darnell also denied saying: “F*** you and f*** your baby,” and throwing the first punch.

Gillman claims Swallow was agitated by his requests to see the new baby and told him: “Stop asking or I will stop you.”

They were sitting around a table with two other pals and the group had regularly attended the festival for a decade.

“There was an altercation and the defendant erupted in anger,” explained Mr. Shelton. “Gillman was offended that Mr. Swallow had not been around to see his new-born baby.

“There was no threat made by Mr. Swallow and the defendant had been drinking beer and cider all day.”

The pair had holidayed together and were described in court as “close friends,” but the relationship had soured.

When questioned by police Gillman said he had been “drinking all day” and had little recollection of the incident.

“He said he was blind drunk,” added Mr. Shelton, but did recall Darnell telling him: “I haven’t been around. What does that tell you?”

Gillman told the officers he expected to see Darnell down the pub to patch things up a couple of days later.

The magistrates rejected Gillman’s claim he acted in self-defence and found him guilty of assaulting Mr. Swallow.

He was fined £540, with £775 costs and ordered to pay a £54 victim surcharge.

Friday 15 March 2019

Nigerian Benefits Claimant Threatened Bloody Carnage During Taxman Passport Row

Deadly Threats: Osula
A frustrated Nigerian benefits claimant emailed the Houses of Parliament that he would carry out mass murder using a vehicle and a knife if he didn’t get his way, a court heard yesterday.

Father-of-four Daniel Osula, 30, was angry HMRC still retained his home nation’s passport for his tax credits claim, arguing this was destroying his life because he couldn’t travel to Belfast to continue his studies. 

He was found guilty of four counts of sending a threatening communication to various parliamentary email addresses on October 9, last year for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety.

His email to the Treasury Committee included the words: “I will get a knife and go through security in HMRC. Jump in a car and run over everyone until I am killed.

“Return my passport or I will spill blood on your streets. Be it threat or no threat, return my passport and I will walk away and never return to this hell.”

He also emailed the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, writing: “Now I am tempted to steal a car and smash as many people as possible. You don’t treat visitors to the UK like a piece of s***.”

Osula, of Valence Avenue, Chadwell Heath also emailed the House of Lords: “I will be forced to enter the street with a knife if that us what it takes…..this is a sick country.”

Up The Steps: Osula
The House of Commons also heard from him, when he emailed: “I will go through British blood for my passport. Don’t underestimate my resolve.

“I will commit a grave and bloody crime to bring attention.”

City of London Magistrates Court District Judge Richard Blake announced: “Driven by concerns and frustration over his passport Mr. Osula sent these very troubling emails to the Houses of Parliament.”

Referring to slain police officer Keith Palmer, who was stabbed to death, he added: “If I read them, my blood would have turned cold, given the circumstances. 

“People have been run over by drivers and someone was murdered at the Houses of Parliament.”

The judge bailed Osula until April 2 for sentencing at Westminster Magistrates Court and asked for a probation report and a mental health assessment.

“I want to know a great deal more about you,” he told Osula. “There has got to be a background here and information into what’s going on in your life.

“It is very serious to threaten people working in a place where there has been very serious incident and loss of life due to knife crime and terrorist activity to people they knew and worked with.

“I have in mind custody in this case. In fact it is my starting point. Have no doubt about the serious position you are in.”

During the trial Osula dramatically raised the Bible aloft while in the witness box stating: “I swear to Almighty God I did not send these emails to Parliament.”

He pleaded guilty to a separate charge of causing £7,000 worth of criminal damage to four glass windows and two iPads at the Royal Courts of Justice on September 20, three weeks prior to his email campaign.

Prosecutor Miss Sophie Akister told the court Osula was upset about being refused an application at the public counter because there was a Restraining Order against him.

“He became immediately angry and started shouting and picked up a chair and smashed it down on the bullet-proof windows and two iPads, causing them to be destroyed.”

Osula went to another public office and continued his rampage. “He picked up another chair and began striking the windows that separate the public from staff and destroyed three of them, cracked a fourth and damaged the frames.”

The judge warned Osula: “Should there be any communication by you or threats or the carrying of a knife or if you email or text any threat have no doubt you will be arrested and remanded in custody.”

Wednesday 13 March 2019

Black Cab Driver Accused Of Death Collision

Cabbie: Michael Amorsingh
A black cab driver ran over and killed a pensioner crossing the road because he was not paying attention behind the wheel, a jury heard.

Taxi driver Michael Amorsingh, 54, simply told police he did not see 67 year-old Robert Smith, who was struck while crossing Horseferry Road, Victoria.

Witnesses heard a “screech of brakes” and “loud bang” at 11am on December 29, 2017 as the taxi - travelling at approximately 27mph - hit Mr. Smith.

Amorsingh, of Spicers Place, Wickhambreaux, Canterbury has pleaded not guilty at Inner London Crown Court to one count of causing death by careless driving.

Local man Mr. Smith, a father-of-four, who worked closely with the homeless, suffered serious a serious injury to his forehead and the left side of his head and died in hospital a week later.

Prosecutor Mr. Paul Wakerley told the jury: “This is a sad case, someone has tragically lost their life.

“We say this incident was at least in part due to Mr. Amorsingh not driving to the standard the law expects drivers to maintain.

Tragedy: Robert Smith
“He was driving a black taxi in broad daylight in Central London when he hit Mr. Smith.

“He was a pedestrian crossing Horseferry Road on foot. He was struck, thrown into the air and obviously injured.”

The impact caused damage to the Mercedes Vita taxi’s bonnet and the windscreen smashed when it made contact with Mr. Smith.

Passers-by gave first aid to the semi-conscious pensioner, who was bleeding heavily.

The post mortem gave the cause of death as “in part” due to the injuries Mr. Smith suffered, coupled with his existing heart condition.

“It is possible both driver and pedestrian have some degree of responsibility. Mr. Smith was not crossing on a zebra or at lights.

“He was there to be seen by any driver on that road. Mr. Amorsingh did not see him at all until he hit him and we say that by itself shows he did not exercise competent, careful driving.”

CCTV cameras outside Channel 4’s HQ captured the incident and show Amorsingh hitting his brakes 0.3 seconds before impact.

“There are at least six seconds after Mr. Smith starts crossing where he is there to be seen by any motorist on the road.

“Mr. Amorsingh says he did not see him at all until a split second before striking him.

“Witnesses at the scene say Mr. Amorsingh was plainly visibly upset and distressed by what happened.”

When asked by police at the scene what happened the cabbie said: “I was driving down the road and he came in front of me and it was too late.

“A cyclist crossed me with no hand signal and then there was a bang.”

Mr. Wakerley added: “He said the incident would have been avoided if Mr. Smith had looked. It was his fault he had been hit.”


Trial continues……….

Tuesday 12 March 2019

Pharmacy Expert's Career Wrecked By 'Upskirt' Habit

A pharmaceutical expert, who uploaded ‘upskirt’ video clips he recorded of women on the London Underground to an adult website, was jailed for eight months yesterday. 

Father-of-two Sanjayan Nadarajah, 43, hid his mobile phone in his laptop bag to film young female commuters, plus shoppers and women in shop changing rooms. 

He claims his business has been ruined after his sordid habit was exposed, with contracts within the industry cancelled and postponed.

“The offences you committed were very numerous and were active and with forty-six videos of upskirting publicly available on the web,” Blackfriars Crown Court Judge Peter Clarke QC told him.

“I don’t understand why you decided to to make them available to anyone on the internet. That’s what makes these offences troubling and shocking.”

The pharmaceutical quality consultant, who has a chemistry degree and lives in a £775,000 home at

Shelvers Way, Tadworth, Surrey was hunted down by British Transport Police (BTP).

Officers discovered the online clips and traced Nadarajah - known as ‘MonkeyMan9’ - when the adult site disclosed his email address to the police.

He pleaded guilty to five counts of outraging public decency between May 17 and July 19, last year.

Nadarajah also pleaded guilty to two counts of voyeurism between January 1 and May 12.

Prosecutor Mr. Paul Rattigan told the court today: “The BTP were contacted by a member of police staff who reported that there were photos and video sequences of upskirting female members of the public travelling on the London Underground.

“Images were taken of their genital area by a covert camera by another passenger.”

Forty-six publicly-available upskirt video clips were posted by Nadarajah, plus another eleven were accessible with a password.

“The forty-six were visible to anyone in the wide world who had an interest in that sort of material,” said Mr. Rattigan.

During the investigation eleven more clips were uploaded after Nadarajah filmed up women’s skirts on an escalator at Lakeside Shopping Centre, plus more on the Underground.

He was arrested on October 9, last year and police seized a Samsung phone, plus two SD cards containing more ‘upskirt’ recordings.

“Following his arrest the defendant admitted uploading material to use as a sort of cloud storage for himself.”

Examples include a young woman on the Underground wearing a short black and white skirt, who was filmed from behind on an escalator.

Another was a female sitting opposite the defendant on a tube train, who was wearing a short skirt, who the defendant followed off the train and up stairs filming her buttocks and underwear.

At a clothing shop in Wimbledon he twice filmed women in changing rooms, with one in full view in just her bra and knickers.

“He admitted from the outset he was the person who uploaded the material and went into detail about how he recorded the material,” added Mr. Rattigan.

Nadarajah confessed he was fascinated filming females, knowing they would be in a state of undress and that if they knew they were being recorded they would have felt victimised.

“He admitted he did it over a wide range of time and on a large number of occasions.”

A total of 41 ‘upskirting’ videos were found on USB sticks seized by police when they raided Nadarajah’s family home, plus 27 more on his phone.

Nadarajah’s QC Mr. Ali Bajwa said: “Everyone who knows this man says he is outstanding and he makes no excuses. 

“His wife, who is here today, says he was under business stress for nine months to a year.

“Maybe putting them on the web was an extension of the voyeurism. There was obviously some sexual excitement.

“The defendant’s business is extremely successful and the impact on him has been considerable. Contracts have been cancelled or postponed after reporting in the media.

“The shame and loss to his reputation is unrecoverable. The effect on him has been profound.

‘The amount of forgiveness from his wife and family has been sobering and the long-term hope is that he never finds himself before a court again.

“If ever there was a man suitable for another chance it is this man.”

Judge Clarke told Nadarajah: “You have caused enormous damage to your business and brought punishment down on yourself by your actions.

“The aggravating harm has to be that they were viewed by others.

“There had to be a degree of planning when you got a video recording of a women’s changing area, where females were changing their clothes in what they thought was the privacy of a cubicle.

“Uploading onto the World Wide Web was particularly reprehensible.”