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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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.”

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……….

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.”

Soldier-Turned-Bodyguard Attacked Inspector During Ticket Row

A former Lance Corporal turned private bodyguard, who boxed for his regiment, throttled a tube train ticket inspector during a fares row after pinning his arm and shouting: “I’ll snap it,” a court heard.

Close protection specialist Ian Paxton, 33, of Fels Avenue, Worcester, used his bank card to tap-in for his Piccadilly Line journey and refused to hand it over to be checked.

He was convicted of assaulting revenue inspector Vince Fitzsimonds on August 20, last year between Knightsbridge and South Kensington station.

Paxton told City of London Magistrates Court Mr. Fitzsimonds failed to properly identify himself then snatched his driving licence out of his hand when he demanded to see id for a penalty fare.

He served the Royal Logistic Corps for ten years, which included tours in Iraq, Afghanistan and Northern Ireland and represented them in boxing and rugby.

Mr. Fitzsimonds, who boarded the train with two colleagues, told the trial: “I asked to check his ticket and there was no response, so I repeated: ‘Can I check your ticket please?’

“He said: ‘I haven’t got a ticket, I’ve got a bank card’ so I asked to check his bank card with my card reader and he said: ‘I’m not letting you check my bank card with that machine, I don’t know who you are.

“I told him it would be a penalty fare situation and that he would have to alight at the next stop.

“He said he was going to Heathrow and if I wanted to go there it was up to me.

“I asked if he had any id on him and he handed me his driving licence.

“He jumped out of his seat and came right up into my face and said: ‘Give me my driving licence.’

“I thought he was possibly going to headbutt me and I turned my head. He was aggressive now.

“He grabbed me around the throat with his arm in a choking action. I felt he was trying to get his forearm around my throat.

“I was trying to stop him choking me and my two colleagues were trying to get him off me and I could hear them saying: ‘Get off him.’

“He threw me to the side and grabbed my right arm and was trying to force it up my back.

“Now he was shouting: ‘I’ll snap it, I’ll snap your arm. Give me my driving licence.’

“I felt really threatened now. It was a launched assault.”

Paxton denied threatening to break the inspector’s arm, insisting he feared for his driving licence and was saying: “Don’t snap it.”

Mr. Fitzsimonds said Paxton identified himself as a security expert during the struggle. “I could tell he was trying out a move, some sort of professional and controlling thing with my arm.

“I felt the arm could snap.

“I was pushed down onto the seats with force and then he had his hands around my throat. I couldn’t get up.

“It was the worst experience in the manner of the assault, the control, the choking, the move to the arm that I’ve experienced in twenty-five years in the job. I couldn’t fight back.”

Mr. Fitzsimonds said there was no credibility in Paxton genuinely suspecting he was the potential victim of a scam. “I’ve heard stories about cards being skimmed, but I’ve never come across a fake inspector.”

Paxton also claimed the inspector’s TfL polo short was excessively worn and he only saw a quick flash of his id card when the ticket demand was made.

He told the court he saw a hand coming towards him and took action to defend himself.

Mr. Fitzsimonds received a small injury to his lip, adding: “I had redness around my throat and by my ear and head.”

Today Paxton was sentenced to a twelve-month community order, which includes 100 hours community service work and he must pay £150 compensation to Mr. Fitzsimonds, plus an £85 victim surcharge.

Diner Thumped In Restaurant

Police are hunting this restaurant diner after a middle-aged man was punched in the face in a south-east London eaterie.

At approximately 11.30pm on Friday, January 18, the victim was eating in a restaurant on Broadway, Bexleyheath when the suspect punched him in an unprovoked assault.

The victim, a man aged in his fifties, was taken to hospital for treatment to a facial injury before being discharged.

Officers would like to hear from anyone who recognises the man in the photograph.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Constable Terry Powell at the South-East Command Unit via 101 quoting reference 8328/18Jan

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

There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.

Skilled Thief Nicked Rolex And Burberry Watches Off Victims' Wrists

A skilled distraction thief used sleight of hand during New Year celebrations to steal expensive watches from the wrists of two revellers.

Zajaria Lalouii, 29, mingled with the thousands of people who converged on central London for the celebrations to prey on his victims.

He was sentenced to eleven months imprisonment for two counts of robbery, during which he snatched a Rolex and Burberry watch.

Lalouii was caught in the early hours of News Years Day by officers from Westminster’s Operation Bobcat - a team designated to tackle violent crime in and around the borough.

They caught him in the act of taking the Burberry watch from his 23 year-old victim’s wrist in Heddon Street, Piccadilly.

Lalouii, taking advantage of the celebrations, had pretended to dance with the victim and wrapped his leg around the victim’s legs to distract him while at the same time taking the watch.

Officers arrested Lalouii and he was taken to a west London police station.

When searched, he was in possession of the Rolex watch that had been stolen on 24 hours earlier from a 35-year-old man in Marylebone Lane, Marylebone.

Police Constable Andy Marsh of Westminster Borough, said: "While nobody was injured as a result of these thefts, the effects of becoming a victim of robbery run far deeper than a loss of property.

"I hope that the conviction and sentencing of Lalouii brings a measure of comfort to the victims."

New Year Nightclub Shooting: Image Of Suspected Gunman Released

Police are hunting this suspected nightclub gunman after the New Year shooting of a woman by-stander.

The incident happened at 4.52am on January 1, inside Visions Nightclub, Kingsland Road, Hackney.

A man was seen to pull out a gun and approach another man in the club.

There was a struggle and the gun was fired.

The resulting bullet struck an innocent 28-year-old woman in the leg.

She was taken to hospital and although she has been discharged, she is still receiving medical treatment.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Trident and Area Crime Command have released this CCTV image of the suspect.

The suspect is described as black, aged about thirty years-old with a tattoo on the right side of his neck of the word: “God” followed by a longer word that begins with letters: “Bless.”

Detective Constable Kerry Cooper said: “This man went armed and discharged a firearm in a crowded club.

“As a result of his recklessness an innocent woman was shot in the leg, but the consequences could have been fatal.

“We urgently want to arrest this man and take this weapon off the streets.

“Anyone with information should not hesitate, but call police immediately.”

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC. Quote CAD 3029/01JAN

To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Smiling Pervert Flashed 14 Year-Old Schoolgirl On Bus: CCTV Image Released

Police hunting a bus pervert who flashed a 14 year-old schoolgirl after she refused to give her number, have released this CCTV image.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Roads and Transport Policing Command want to identify the suspect.

At 3.13pm on Wednesday, September 12, last year the victim, dressed in her school uniform, was travelling on a route 473 bus on Plaistow Road, heading towards Stratford, east London.

She was sitting in an aisle seat on the top deck to the left.

She noticed the suspect, who was sitting on the right-hand side of the bus, staring at two other young girls.

The suspect then drew his attention to the victim, and proceeded to make eye contact with her and silently mouthed a request for her phone number.

The victim informed the suspect of her age and asked him to leave her alone.

He then stood up and exposed himself to her.

The victim was very frightened and quickly moved to the lower deck of the bus.

The suspect then got off the bus at Paul Street.

He is described as a black man, aged in his 40's, around 5ft 10ins tall, with a gold bottom tooth.

At the time of the incident he was wearing a blue checked shirt, a black bomber jacket and dark-coloured trousers.

Detective Sergeant Eddie Coleman, who leads the investigation, said: "This was an appalling act against a young girl, who was left shaken and distressed by the attack.

"I would urge anyone who recognises the man in these pictures to contact police immediately."

Anyone who knows this man, or has any information on his whereabouts, is urged to call police on 101 quoting CAD4698/12SEP2018. You can also tweet @MetCC with information.

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

Transport For London Employees "Cynical" £15K Oyster Card Scam

"Cynical": Cornel Dobbs

Two greedy Transport for London Oyster card customer call centre employees created bogus accounts to refund themselves a total of £15,482.

Ainsley Cornel Dobbs, 32, and graduate Melissa Cantoni, 25, created unique emails for non-existent customers and paid themselves Oyster and season ticket and travel card refunds.

Judge Alexander Milne QC said: “The charges reflect the combined efforts of the defendants to defraud Transport for London (TfL) over a considerable period of time using false names, concocted email addresses and Oyster card accounts.

“It was a cynical and well thought out fraud over a considerable period of time, breaching a position of trust placed in both of you.”

Today father-of-two Cornel Dobbs, of Loveland Mansions, Upney Lane, Barking received 14 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months and must complete 150 hours community service work.

Italian-born Cantoni, of The Manor, High Street, Hornsey received 6 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months and must complete 100 hours community service.

Prosecutor Mr. Mark Hunsley told Blackfriars Crown Court Cornel Dobbs was responsible for 57 bogus refunds totalling £12,634.85p and Cantoni 9 refunds totalling £2,847.65p.

"Breach Of Trust": Cantoni

“Both these defendants were employed at the TfL call centre in Greenwich and had access to the customer online accounts system and refund system for people who did not properly tap in or out or had to cancel a season ticket or travel card.

“It was their job to process these refunds to customers.”

Fraud analyst John Mulligan reviewed the high-value refunds on the TfL system. 

“It seemed to suggest these defendants were processing artificial refunds to their own accounts or to the accounts of people connected to them,” said Mr. Hunsley.

“They set-up online Oyster accounts using an email or a dormant account and drafted an email pretending to be a customer requesting a refund.

“They would then allocate these customers to themselves when they arrived at work and process them.”

They were both arrested at the Greenwich centre on June 5, last year and had their mobile phones seized, which contained incriminating messages.

“There were a number of messages sent to friends and family requesting or arranging for money to be paid into their accounts,” explained Mr. Hunsley.

Cornel Hobbs even paid some of the stolen money into his mother’s account, but said nothing to police when questioned.

Cantoni admitted everything. “She said Cornel Dobbs showed her how to do it and her boyfriend at the time had gambling problems and she did it for the money.”

Cantoni had never been in trouble before and Grenfell Tower fire volunteer Cornel Dobbs has convictions for assault.  

“The offences are relatively sophisticated and took place over a long period and they were in a position of responsibility,” added the prosecutor.

Cornel Hobbs’ lawyer Mr. Anthony Heaton-Armstrong told the court the defendant also has responsibility for his girlfriend’s two older children as well as their eight-month old baby and his older daughter.

“He is very sorry about the position he has put his dependants in. He is very chastened. His financial situation is pretty grim at the moment.”

Cantoni’s lawyer Mr. Martin Taylor said: “She has genuine remorse. The boyfriend she was living with had a serious gambling habit.

“It is not for TfL to shoulder the responsibility of her boyfriend’s gambling habit. 

“She tells me she always expected to be found out because it was all traceable, all there. An act of ridiculous folly on her part.”

Cantoni is now in a better-paid job. “She has gone back to a normal, honest life.”

Neither were ordered to pay compensation, but must pay £500 costs and a £140 victim surcharge each. “It lies in the hands of TfL to pursue you through the civil courts,” said the judge.

“These are perhaps exceptional circumstances. Theft from employer is taken very seriously indeed.”

Cornel Hobbs pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position between September 28 and October 31, 2017, plus fraud with Cantoni between October 30, 2017 and May 30, last year.

Cantoni pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position between October 31, 2017 and May 29, last year.