Judgement Day For Born-Again 'Witchfinders'

Day Of Reckoning: Leonora & Mark Joseph

A born-again Christian mother and son, accused of shouting “death by fire” chants at their upstairs neighbour, will discover their fate on July 10.

Leonora Joseph, 76, and her son Mark Joseph, 56, who claim they are “born again”, targeted 45 year-old Samantha Ginsburg and her 7 year-old autistic daughter, believing they were witches, a court heard.

Yesterday District Judge Andrew Sweet announced at the conclusion of their trial he would deliver his verdict on that date.

The Joseph’s, of Cromwell Road, Wimbledon have both pleaded not guilty to harassing upstairs neighbour Ms Ginsburg between August 27 and November 30, last year.

The charge accuses both Joseph’s of shouting: “Death by fire,” playing their television loudly and calling their neighbour’s young daughter a: “Witch.”

After Ms Ginsburg eventually reported them to the police she logged 38 separate incidents between August 28 and making a second police statement on January 4, this year.

Mrs Joseph told the trial today: “Somebody in witchcraft will not like the name of God and in particular Jesus. I will call her a witch, because that is what she is, that’s not hateful, that’s her occupation.”

Mrs Joseph claimed Ms Ginsburg was exposed as a witch when she “reacted in horror” upon first meeting her, behaviour a local “Godly” woman said was a tell-tale sign.

Samantha Ginsburg

“The woman, who I met in Waitrose, told me: “She sees Jesus in you. No-one will know, only a witch will know you are a follower of Jesus.”

During prayers for her failing health Mrs Joseph said she saw an image of Ms Ginsburg on her bedroom wall and said flatmate Klaudius Barran was also involved.

“How can they say we are chanting? Christians don’t chant. We fight against the spirit, we don’t fight against the human.”

She conceded playing religious Trinity Broadcasting Network and God TV at high volume so the neighbours would hear the words.

Quoting Exodus Mrs Jospeh told the court: “Thou shall not suffer a witch to live. That is the word of God.

“We want to destroy this witchcraft. It doesn’t just attack us, but also non-believers and they wouldn’t be aware.

“It comes to us this witchcraft and it is the work of Satan.”

She confirmed the loud prayers and TV were designed to be heard. “It was intended to upset the spirit in them. These are people dealing with evil, with Satan. They are haters of God.”

Her son Mark told the court: “We are in spiritual warfare. They are practicing witchcraft. This is not something a court or police force can deal with.

“We have had a life of hell with them as neighbours. They are tracking us, eavesdropping, all our activities are monitored.

“They are trying to murder us.”

Neighbour Feared Born Again Christian Mother And Son 'Witchfinders' Would Set Building Ablaze

Leonora & Mark Joseph Today

A full-time mum feared her devout Christian mother and son neighbours - convinced she was a witch - would set their building ablaze after hearing repeated “death by fire” chants, a court heard today. 

Leonora Joseph, 76, and her son Mark Joseph, 56, who claim they are “born again”, targeted 45 year-old Samantha Ginsburg and her 7 year-old autistic daughter, the trial was told.

The Joseph’s, of Cromwell Road, Wimbledon have both pleaded not guilty to harassing upstairs neighbour Ms Ginsburg between August 27 and November 30, last year.

The charge accuses both Joseph’s of shouting: “Death by fire,” playing their television loudly and calling their neighbour’s young daughter a: “Witch.”

After Ms Ginsburg eventually reported them to the police she logged 38 separate incidents between August 28 and making a second police statement on January 4, this year.

She told Wimbledon Magistrates Court: “I think they believe I am a witch and I am teaching my daughter to be the next witch.

“They put crosses in the window every time I pass by as well as Jesus signs.

“Last summer I began hearing chanting asking for an angel to come and slay the witch, who is me, and the landlord was also mentioned.

“They asked for our deaths by fire, to slay us and this went on for some time, louder and louder, angrier and angrier going from room to room.”

Ms Ginsburg shares her flat with a man and they both asked for the chanting to stop, she said. “They ignored us or laughed.”

Samantha Ginsburg

The Josephs also play their favourite Christian tv channel at a loud volume, said Ms Ginsburg, adding the chanting usually starts around midnight.

“Sometimes it starts at 11.30pm, sometimes at 1.00am and lasts forty-five to ninety minutes.

“On occasion I was woken up or my daughter was woken up.

“It was bringing death and destruction, using my name and the landlord’s name. Bringing death by slaying or by fire to me or my flatmate.” 

When asked if she was ever in physical fear Ms Ginsburg replied: “Yes, by fire.”

She added: “I stopped using the garden during the day because someone would be at the window chanting something.

“I did not want to go home. I can’t give my daughter freedom and independence. Was she safe?

“They would point fingers and say: ‘You’re evil. Jesus will punish you.’

“I was afraid, I did not know what to expect. I was mostly concerned for my daughter.

“I was shocked, saddened that people would do that.”

District Judge Andrew Sweet ejected Mrs Joseph from the courtroom after she ignored two warnings to be quiet and he overheard her saying: “….and kill them,” during Ms Ginsburg’s evidence.

However, this did not silence her and she told him: “May God be your judge. You have not done your homework. That’s why you do not know about spiritual matters.”

Prosecutor Mr. Philip Simpson told the court: “The Josephs believe the child is possessed by witches and the people who live in the flat upstairs are possessed by witches.

The Josephs Live Below Samantha

“There is a course of behaviour, shouting of abuse and incantations from the bible. 

“Some of these incidents were recorded on a mobile phone.”

Before the trial today Mr. Joseph claimed he and his mother were being persecuted for their religious beliefs. “We have found our Lord Jesus Christ in a new way and we have been true to our faith.

“We believe in our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ and we think it is unfair to be called delusional. It is very unfair that living as christians we have to endure spiritual warfare.”

During a previous court hearing Mrs Joseph said: “We are born-again Christians. This witchcraft is not practised openly and in past times they were burned at the stake. 

“The devil is the deceiver. He does everything in secret.

“They are always accusing the person they have attacked and they now use witchcraft as entertainment, magic.”

Mrs Joseph told the court she was simply quoting Psalm 94 Verse 1 of the Bible to protect herself from witchcraft.

Her son told the court they were living in “relative peace” with Samantha and her partner as neighbours for seven years until mysterious things began happening.

“There was a deterioration in our living standards that we have not experienced before.”

He claimed his mother was struck by a mysterious life-threatening illness in 2016. “Her vital signs were shutting down for a minute or so.

“For the first time in her life she had to go to hospital for a life or death issue.

“Over a period of time she was unable to walk. She was virtually bedridden for months, unable to go to the bathroom because she had becomes weak.

“There were a number of sicknesses and there was no diagnosis.”

Mr. Joseph said his mother spent 18 days in hospital. “They were unable to work out what was wrong with her.

“Now, thanks to God, she is able to move around and had her health.”

Regarding the charges he added: “This is a spiritual matter, not something that can be dealt with by any court of law or the police.

“We had been praying the word of God as our only defence, reading from the word of God. This is our way of dealing with it spiritually.”

Trial continues…………..

Poker Player Denies Molesting Fellow Church-Goer

A professional poker player sexually assaulted a female member of his born-again Christian church congregation when attending her flat to assemble a flat-pack wardrobe, a court heard today.

Daniel James Godwin, 31, picked-up the five-foot tall civil servant and stood her on her bed before pinning her to the living-room wall with her arms stretched above her head, the jury were told.

Afterwards he sent her a WhatsApp message, which read: “Sorry about the rapey incident earlier,” and effectively “confessed” to church elders when investigated by the pastor, say the prosecution.

Godwin, of Newgate Tower, Newgate, Croydon has pleaded not guilty to one count of sexually assaulting the university graduate on June 16, last year.

Both attended Redeemer Church, Cherry Orchard Road, Croydon, where two months later Godwin was summonsed to attend a meeting.

“He said he grabbed her by the arm and forced a kiss, dragged her to the bedroom and said his intention was sexual and he left when she fought him off,” prosecutor Mr. Mark Halsey told Croydon Crown Court.

“He tried to justify what he had done, saying all men have this motivation. 

“He said the solution was not to leave him alone with a woman. The Crown say that is a sort of confession.”

The woman, giving evidence from behind a screen, told the jury: “I did think if I didn’t say the right thing he was probably going to rape me.”

She told the court Godwin told her: “Lust came over me,” and advised her in order to avoid similar incidents again she should never be alone with a man.

Godwin visited her Croydon flat to do some odd jobs and they shared an afternoon bottle of wine.

“He asked me to kiss him and I don’t know why I said it, but I said: ‘You kiss me.’ He kissed me on my lips and picked me up and put me on the bed standing up, which I thought was really weird.

“I remember him staring at me and he had his hand around my waist. I took his arm off and walked off the bed and thought that was the end of it.

“That’s when he grabbed me and put his arms around me, around my waist from behind and I took his arms off again.

“He came after me in the living room, pinning me against the wall. He held my wrists above my head.

“I didn’t want him to get angry, it was like his face had changed. I said: ‘We can’t do this now’ and that’s when he let go of me and sighed.

“I think at that point he was kissing my neck. I told him to calm down and he stopped.

“My skin crawled a bit. It was just so gross, the whole thing, it felt disgusting.

“I felt he had violated me in my home and I did not even get the curtain tie backs done.”

When questioned by police Godwin said he stopped when it was obvious the woman did not want to continue kissing.

Trial continues………..

Prisoner Needs To Be Locked-Up Again

A violent prisoner, who flouted his parole after his release from custody, is wanted by police.

Alex Nurthen, 27, had been sentenced for inflicting grievous bodily harm and false imprisonment.

He has now breached the conditions of his licence and is wanted on recall to prison.

He is described white, 5ft 11ins tall, of slim build, with blue eyes and short straight blond hair.

He also has tattoos on his neck.

He has links to Greenwich and areas of East London, as well as Sussex and Cumbria.

He is also being treated as a missing person as officers are concerned for his welfare.

Anyone who sees Nurthen is asked not to approach him but to call 999 immediately.

Alternatively, information can be given to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Islamic Extremist Locked-Up For Terrorist Guides

An Islamic extremist, who phoned 999 and threatened to kill cops, has been jailed for two years and four months.

Mohammed Ghani, 28, downloaded terrorist guides at his north London home, which gave tips on how to build bombs and kill multiple people.

The Old Bailey heard counter terrorism police arrested Ghani on January 12 after he made the calls, which also included an anti-terror hotline.

Ghani was in the Channel intervention programme at the time, having expressed extremist views.

Commander Clarke Jarrett, head of the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command, said: “When my officers went to Ghani’s address, they questioned him about devices he had in his bedroom and he confessed they contained electronic copies of terrorist magazines.

“The officer seized his devices, including USB sticks and a laptop, and these were later analysed by digital forensic specialists.

“They did indeed contain terrorist publications, featuring horrendous articles about how to make different types of bombs, where to carry out terrorist attacks and how to assassinate people.”

When officers asked him about the magazines, which included an issue commemorating the September 11 terror attacks, Ghani said he considered them “entertaining and informative.”

Ghani was charged with eight counts of possession of a document containing terrorist information to which he pleaded guilty.

Commander Jarrett concluded: “The material Ghani downloaded is not ‘entertaining and informative’ as he stated, but is toxic, hate-filled and in the wrong hands would provide a person with sufficient knowledge to carry out an attack.

“We take the downloading of this material incredibly seriously and have a team of digital experts working to identify those viewing and sharing this kind of material, so that we can bring them to face justice just as we have done with Ghani.”

Police Hunt Bag-Snatcher Who Broke Octogenarian's Arm

Suspect Using Stolen Card

Police are hunting this suspected bag-snatcher after an 87 year-old woman suffered a broken arm when robbed in south London.

The attack occurred at about 11.30am on Saturday, March 16 in Pendennis Road, Streatham.

The victim had been buying flowers and Prosecco in Streatham High Road as she was preparing to visit family later that day.

She met a friend, another elderly lady, and the two of them walked home together.

The pair parted ways when her friend reached her house and the victim continued walking, carrying her black handbag with the straps over her right forearm.

The victim later told police she then felt a ‘mighty blow’ from behind when she reached Pendennis Road that knocked her off her feet and onto the ground.

From the floor she glimpsed a male running away from her, heading back towards Streatham High Road.

He was slim, dressed in black trousers and wore a black jacket with the hood up.

She tried to get up, but realised that she could not as she was in so much pain from her right arm.

She then realised her handbag was missing and screamed for help.

Her cries alerted a member of the public, who came out of his home and assisted her.

Police and the London Ambulance Service were called and the victim was treated at hospital.

Her right arm was found to be to be broken and she needed stitches to her right hand.

Broken: OAP's Injured Arm

Shortly after the theft, a number of transactions were made using her stolen cards at shops in Streatham High Road.

Police are releasing CCTV footage of the person using these cards in an attempt to trace him.

The handbag was later recovered by police in a nearby street.

Detective Constable Caroline Benjamin of the Robbery Investigation Team based at Walworth police station, said: “This was a horrible and cynical attack on a vulnerable and defenceless woman.

“The victim is now too scared to walk around on her own and was left unable to sleep in her bed due to the pain of her injuries.

“She prides herself on being a person who looks after other people, but she now has to rely on others to bring her meals and help her with her affairs.

“No one should ever be left feeling frightened to walk out in their own community. I am sure bringing the person responsible to justice will help allay her trauma.

“This deplorable thug needs to be brought to justice as soon as possible and I am appealing to the public to help.

“I would ask anyone who recognises the suspect, saw the events leading up to the robbery, or saw the suspect later in the shops, to call police immediately.”

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC. Quote CAD 3130/16MAR.

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

Police Hunting Heartless Thief Who Nicked OAP's OBE

Police are hunting this suspected bogus builder, who snatched an 89 year-old retired pharmacist's OBE, plus cash, after tricking his way into her home.

At around 10.00am on Thursday, March 21, the victim was in her ground-floor flat in the Park Hill area of Croydon.

The suspect knocked on the door and claimed the flat above was flooding and asked to check her's for a leak.

The pensioner let him in and took him into the kitchen.

He asked the pensioner to clear out her cupboard and while she did this, the suspect suddenly claimed he had to leave.

A short while later, the victim realised that her purse, containing £120, had been taken from her handbag which had been left in the living room.

Her OBE medal, which she received in 1987 for her services to healthcare, as well as an OBE pin badge and her Evans Medal for Merit in Pharmacy, were also stolen from a drawer in her bedside table.

Five days later, her purse - without the money - was posted back through the letterbox.

The suspect is described as a white man aged in his fifties, approximately 5ft 7ins tall with grey hair and a grey beard.

At the time of the offence, he was wearing a light-coloured sports jacket, a red shirt, blue jeans, with light-coloured shoes, a black flat-cap and dark-coloured sunglasses.

The victim said: “I was very upset by the incident because it’s a friendly neighbourhood and I was trying to be helpful.

“It was not only the loss of the money, but the medal that meant a lot to me, the OBE having been awarded to me personally by the Queen.

“I would like to warn people to make certain they know the identity of anyone who comes to the door before letting them in.”

Detective Constable Claire Samy, of the Metropolitan Police's South Area CID, said: "The suspect took advantage of this vulnerable woman in her own home - somewhere that should be a place of safety.

"Not only was cash stolen, but so was the victim's OBE medal which has huge sentimental value.

“The victim, who is now a retired pharmacist, received the medal over thirty years ago for her service to the NHS, having spent her career working in numerous hospitals in and around the capital.

"If you can offer any information which could assist the investigation, please get in touch as soon as possible.”

East London Break-In: CCTV Released

Police hunting a burglar, who smashed his way into an east London home after staking out the property, have released this CCTV image of their suspect.

The CCTV images were taken from the burgled property the in a residential street in the Woodford Green area of Redbridge, on October 18, 2018.

The suspect is described as a black male, around 5ft 10in tall, with black hair and beard.

He was wearing a green jacket, white gloves with dark coloured trousers and grey shoes.

He was also carrying a rucksack.

The suspect was seen sitting opposite and observing the house before approaching the front door and ringing the doorbell.

After no reply, he climbed over the side gate and into an alley between the two residential properties, before taking out a crowbar and attempting to pry his way inside.

After failing with this method, he smashed a window and climbed inside.

Officers believe he may have been looking for keys to a vehicle parked on the front driveway as nothing was stolen during the break-in.

No one was inside the address at the time.

Detective Constable Dave Van Der Valk, investigating, said: “Understandably the occupants were left feeling unsafe in their home and are afraid that they could be the target of another intrusion.

“We hope someone will recognise the man from the images and come forward so we can find him and bring the victims peace of mind."

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or anonymously through Crime stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Department Store Worker's 20,000 Child Porn Stash

An obsessed child porn addict, who lives with his mother, was given a prison warning today after finally admitting downloading over 20,000 sicks images and videos of young kids.

Matthew Costar, 33, also downloaded the disturbing publications: ‘The Pedophiles Handbook’ and ‘Kids and Sex Toys.’ 

The department store worker, of Elmcroft Road, Orpington pleaded guilty to three counts of making a total of 22,211 images; possessing the two manuals and distributing indecent images.

Judge Adam Hiddleston bailed first-time offender Costar to return for sentencing on July 19, announcing: “This is a case where the defendant must be prepared for an immediate custodial sentence. There can be no doubt about that.

“The sheer quantity of Category A material means that is inevitable.”

The judge adjourned the case for Costar, who has digestive condition Crohn’s disease, to attend important hospital appointments.

“There are medical matters I am assured are of importance that will only come clear after the scan and there are other physical matters,” he announced.

Turning to Costar Judge Hiddleston told him: “You must understand this is a case of such seriousness a custodial sentence will follow.

“It is inevitable and you must be prepared.” 

Suspect Sought After Ilford Pub Brawl

Police are hunting this suspected pub brawler after a peacemaker was knocked unconscious and suffered brain damage in the early hours.

Officers were called to High Road, Ilford, east London at 5.15pm on Friday, February 23 after reports of a fight outside the General Havelock Pub.

A 27-year-old man was found suffering from serious head injuries.

He was taken to an east London hospital where he remained for treatment for some time.

He has now been discharged, but has life changing injuries, with a permanent scar on his head and ongoing medical treatment for memory loss.

Enquiries established that a fight took place following an altercation between two groups of men outside the pub.

The victim was trying to stop the fight escalating when he was struck to the head and knocked unconscious.

Detectives are keen to trace the man whose image they have released today as part of their investigation.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is requested to call police on 101 quoting CRIS 4403988/19 or Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.

Xmas Club Organiser Wanted For Giving Himself £24,000 Festive Gift

A Christmas Savings Club organiser, suspected of nicking £23,000 from his friends, is still on the run.

Police in Islington have released this image of Paul Bridges, 54, who is wanted on suspicion of theft.

Bridges ran a Christmas savings club for more than 50 people.

Between November, 2016 and November, 2017 Bridges collected weekly payment from the members who expected to be paid out before the festive period.

Bridges never paid out the money and admitted spending it.

He has evaded police and his friends since.

Bridges is described as white, around 5ft 10ins tall, with salt and pepper hair, large build, often with a red face and wears dark rimmed glasses.

He has links to North East London.

Detective Constable Darren Burt, from North Central CID, said: “The money saved by those involved in the club was hard earned and many of the victims are retired, leaving them stretched and at a huge loss.

“If you know where Bridges could be please do get in touch.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101.

To remain 100% anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Wanted In London And Essex: Thomas Reilly

Police are hunting a man wanted for multiple domestic abuse offences committed in London and Essex.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police's Offender Management team in Romford have released these image of Thomas Reilly, 29.

He is wanted in connection with making threats to kill, two counts of criminal damage, two counts of being in breach of a court order and two counts of common assault.

He is also wanted for racially aggravated assault.

He is described as a white male with short dark brown hair and brown eyes.

He is six foot tall and has an Irish accent.

He also has the letter ‘M’ tattooed on his lower left arm.

Reilly frequents Brentwood in Essex and Romford and Dagenham in London.

Police Constable Dave Whaley said: “If anyone is aware of Reilly’s whereabouts, I would urge you to call police at the earliest convenience.

“I’m sure that someone seeing his picture will recognise him – if this is you please contact the police.”

Anyone who knows of his whereabouts is asked to call police on 999.

Members of the public are advised not to approach him if seen.

Alternatively, email David.Whaley@met.police.uk or AbdulMojeed.Egbeyemi@met.police.uk.

You can also tweet @MetCC or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Bus Perv Hunted For Molesting 16 Year-Old Girl

Detectives have released this CCTV image of a man they wish to trace after a teenage girl was sexually assaulted on a bus in Wandsworth.

At around 3.25pm on Wednesday, January 2, the 16-year-old victim was travelling on the top deck of a route 270 bus, travelling from Wandsworth Park towards Wandsworth.

She sat on the right hand side of the bus, listening to music on her headphones.

She noticed the suspect as he came up the stairs and he turned his head and then opened his mouth and licked his lips in a suggestive manner.

She was intimidated by these actions and tried to ignore him. He moved closer to her and continued to stare at her.

The suspect then sat in front of the victim and turned to face her, leaning over the back of his seat. 

He then sexually assaulted her.

The victim became very upset and shouted for him to stop touching her.

Another passenger intervened.

She ran down the stairs and was comforted by another passenger who also called the police.

The driver stopped the bus and the suspect ran away in the direction of Wandsworth Plain.

The suspect is described as a black man, aged between 35 and 43-years-old, about 5ft 10ins tall with a bald head and had a large gap between his front teeth.

He spoke with an American accent and wore a sleeveless red puffa vest and hat.

Anyone with information should contact Leanne Bridgeman via 101, quoting CAD 4083/02Jan19. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

You can also Tweet information to police @MetCC.

Speeding Driver Killed Cabbie After Booze And Drugs Cocktail

A speeding motorist, who killed a mini-cab driver in a 76mph crash after a drink and drug session, has been caged for six years.

Jaskaren Dayal, 47, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving when speeding in the 30mph zone.

Wood Green Crown Court heard in the early hours of Saturday January 6, last year, Dayal had been drinking at a friend’s house when he decided to go to an off licence in Kensal Rise.

Dayal visited the off licence and withdrew cash before driving his Mercedes E220 along Chamberlayne Road, Harlesden.

Witnesses saw him driving at excess speed just before he collided with a Mercedes C180 driven by 55 year-old Anwar Ali.

Mr. Ali was driving his vehicle for his work as a mini cab driver and was attempting to turn right from onto Chamberlayne Road.

He was stationary, waiting for another vehicle to pass, when he was hit by Dayal.

Mr. Ali, from Stoke Newington, was treated by paramedics but died at the scene as a result of the injuries he suffered.

Dayal was arrested at the scene and was found to be over the drink drive and drug drive limit.

Dayal was taken to hospital for treatment to a leg injury before going into custody.

Dayal was also disqualified from driving for eight years and will required to sit an extended retest upon release before his licence is returned.

Detective Constable Rob Simpson, of the Metropolitan Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This was an awful incident in which the actions of an irresponsible man resulted in the death of an innocent man going about his work.

“There was simply no justification for the way Dayal was driving, as a result, it meant that the victim, Mr. Anwar Ali, did not stand a chance.

“Dayal will quite rightly spend a significant amount of time now in prison, but this will be of little comfort to Mr. Anwar’s family, who continue to grieve for his untimely loss.”

Serial Internet Dater Swindled Women Out Of Hundreds Of Thousands Of Pounds

A heartless fraudster, who wined and dined six women he met online during an £639,0000 swindle, has been locked-up.

Keyur Vyas, 32, of East Ferry Road, Tower Hamlets, east London received six years and one month imprisonment when sentenced at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

An investigation into Vyas's activities was launched in October 2014.

He befriend women online with the pretence of building a relationship with them.

He wined and dined them and would trick them into believing he was an affluent man working in finance.

Vyas exploited cultural commonalities such as religion and his wish to start a family.

Once he gained their trust Vyas would encourage them to invest in various business ventures for a large return.

However, the ventures didn’t exist and he was gambling the money away.

He even continued to put pressure and was abusive to the victims to continue to invest more money in order to get their investment back.

He used fear tactics and stated that if they went to the police they would lose all their money.

Vyas pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud by false representation and two other charges will lie on file.

Detective Constable Andy Chapman, of the Central Specialist Command, said: “Vyas used a tried and tested technique to commit fraud.

“He used the trust he had gained to get them to invest in non-existent companies.

“He went as far as having fake contracts drawn up with outlandish conditions, but essentially he used the relationship to get their money”.

“Vyas was selfish and cruel in his actions by emotionally involving the victims and conning them out of a combined loss of approximately £639,133.00.

“Unfortunately we see cases like this fairly often and my advice to anyone in an online relationship whatever the nature is never to send personal details or money to someone who you have never met in person.”

Heartless Church Burglars Steal Precious Christian Religious Artefacts

1595 Silver Chalice

Police are renewing appeals for information regarding several burglaries at a church in Chingford that included the theft of a historical and valuable silver chalice.

All Saints Church on Old Church Road has been burgled twice in a short period of time; the first on November 14, 2018 and the second on November 22.

Though nothing was stolen during the first burglary, there was damage to a window and doors totalling around £500.

On the second occasion, the suspect(s) made off with a safe containing thousands of pounds worth of church property.

Among the items taken, the church are very keen to recover one of their most prized possessions, a newly restored silver chalice – made in 1595 - which has extreme sentimental and historic value.

In total, six items of significant value were stolen from All Saints Church. Some of the property is believed to be more than 1,000 years old, with one item having distinct inscriptions and detailing.

Ciborium

Officers are looking for any information that the public may have on any of the missing objects.

Due to the unique features and significant age, it might be possible that someone has seen the silver chalice on social selling, web pages.

PC Nicole Garcia, who is investigating the burglary, said: “Since the first public appeal in February, we are sadly no closer to apprehending those responsible.

“These items hold significant spiritual and emotional value to the church and its community, who need them back.

“We once more appeal to anyone who may have witnessed when either of the burglaries occurred or have seen any items belonging to the church, to come forward and help our investigation.

“We need any information that can help return the missing items to their owners.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or anonymously by Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Suspected Burglar Wanted

A suspected burglar is wanted by police investigating five break-ins around south London.

Adrian Campbell, 45, is suspected of being responsible for the burglaries committed between February 7 and March 31.

They occurred in the boroughs of Wandsworth, Southwark and Lambeth.

He was last known to be living in Brixton and has connections to Walthamstow, east London.

Campbell is described as a black man and around 5ft 10ins in height.

He has three gold teeth and small scars on the centre of his forehead and on the bridge of his nose.

Anyone who knows his whereabouts is asked to call detectives at Walworth police station via 101 quoting reference 3842/31 March.