'What a Plank': Yoga Teacher's Benefit Scam

Croydon Magistrates' Court

A yoga instructor and wannabe actress and model dishonestly pocketed £8,541 in benefits by secretly working additional hours.

Zelia Taitt, 43, continued claiming Housing Benefit and Employment Support Allowance when her earnings increased.

The mother-of-one, of Primrose Close, Wallington pleaded guilty to two counts of dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances to the London Borough of Sutton and the Department of Work and Pensions between November 14, 2017 and November 11, 2018.

She failed to inform her local council and the DWP when her hours changed and her income increased.

Croydon Magistrates’ Court heard Taitt dishonestly received an additional £6,487 in Employment Support Allowance payment and £2,054 in Housing Benefit.

She will repay the money via deductions from her current Universal Credit claim.

District Judge Nigel Dean told Taitt today: “You received money from the state that you were not entitled to. I give you credit for your guilty plea on the day of trial.”

Taitt has a new job at a studio in west London and that employer is aware of the court case, the hearing was told.

Her lawyer said she was in “straightened” financial circumstances.

Taitt was placed on a twelve-month community order, which includes 250 hours community service and was ordered to pay £300 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Driver On The Run

A suspected reckless driver is on the run after jumping bail.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police's South West Command Unit are appealing to the public for information to find the whereabouts of the wanted male. 

Ridwan Ali, 22, whose last known address is Northwick Road, Wembley, north-west London is wanted by police for failing to appear at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

He had been charged with two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving without insurance.

The charges relate to a road traffic collision in Garratt Lane, Wandsworth on Tuesday, July 21.

A warrant for Ali's arrest was issued by the court when he failed to appear on bail on October 30.

Anyone who has information concerning his whereabouts should contact police on 101 or Tweet @MetCC quoting 0314896/20 or emailp235964@met.police.uk.

To remain 100% anonymous, visit crimestoppers_uk.org or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Prison Sentence For Mosque Knifeman

A muslim convert, who stabbed a fellow-worshipper in the neck during mosque prayers, has been jailed.

Daniel Horton, 30, received eleven years and three months imprisonment for stabbing the 70 year-old man at Regent's Park mosque.

He pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm, with intent, and possession of a bladed article.

Detective Constable Daniel Jones of Central West CID said: “This was a shocking and brutal unprovoked attack in a place of worship where the victim should have been safe. 

“The sentence highlights the callousness of this attack on an unsuspecting victim.

“Horton had the audacity to smile when he was shown images of his victim’s injuries, not showing any remorse for his heinous actions. 

“I’m therefore pleased that Horton has been jailed for considerable length of time for his actions.

“I’d like to thank the worshippers who heroically detained Horton on that day, which possibly prevented him from causing further harm. 

“I’d also like to thank the victim for his courage and cooperation throughout the investigation.

“We may never know why Horton chose to viciously attack his victim, but there is never an acceptable excuse or reason for the use of violence. 

“The Met will continue to crack down on violence in London as well as on those people who think it is acceptable to carry an offensive weapon.”

Police were called to the mosque in Park Road, St. John's Wood at 3.10pm on Thursday, February 20 to reports of a stabbing.

The victim attended afternoon prayers at about 3.00pm and was acting in the capacity of a muezzin, whose responsibility it is to call all members of the mosque to prayer in the main prayer hall.

When he entered the main prayer hall the victim noticed Horton in the second row. 

The victim, who has been attending the mosque for about 25 years, recognised Horton by face but not by name as someone who often attends the mosque to pray.

When the second prayer was ending, the victim felt a sharp smack to the right side of the neck. 

However, he was not aware at this stage that he had been stabbed. 

The victim then saw blood on the floor so he stood-up, held his neck and made his way out of the main prayer hall. 

Many members of the mosque also realised this and rushed over to help him.

Other worshippers who were close by, witnessed Horton raise his arm and stab the victim in the neck. 

These witnesses bravely detained Horton and called the police.

Officers attended shortly after and arrested Horton on suspicion of attempted murder. 

Upon being arrested, Horton told officers: “This is not a religious attack and is not a racist attack.” 

Once in custody, Horton told a dedicated detention officer: “I don’t need a solicitor, I’m going to admit it.” 

When this was put to him in interview he said “I did this.”

He later said to the custody sergeant: “I had no intention of killing him. By the way I was standing I could easily have killed him, but I had no intention of that. 

“This was to send a message to him and the other associated with him.”

During his police interview when asked about the above statement, Horton simply smiled and nodded but gave no reply. 

He then gave no comment to all the questions put to him.

Aristocrat: "Go Back To Where You Come From"

An aristocrat, who is 65th in line to the British throne, told Sainsbury’s staff in the Strand: “Go back to where you come from. I’m going to kick you out of the country. You’re not English.”

Rowan Nash Lascelles, 43, is the son of The Hon. James Lascelles, The Queen’s first cousin, once removed and his great grandmother was the daughter of George VI and the Queen’s aunt.

It was Lascelles’ third racially-aggravated conviction and staff described him as “very aggressive” after his bank card was declined, Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court heard.

He pleaded guilty to using racially aggravated threatening behaviour towards store manager Shujel Ahmed and Sainsbury’s employee Mariluz Olmo on November 25.

Lascelles spent two days in police custody before first appearing in court last month, where he was bailed to King George’s Hostel in Great Peter Street, Victoria - ironically named after his great-great grandfather King George V.

“You are not very nice when under the influence of street drugs,” District Judge Susan Williams told him. “I wouldn’t have liked to have met you in Sainsbury’s in the Strand.”

He was sentenced to a twelve-month Community Order, which includes a six-month Drug Rehabilitation Requirement and a fifteen-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.

Lascelles was also made subject to a twelve-month Exclusion Order - prohibiting him from entering Sainsbury’s in the Strand for twelve months.

No order for costs or victim surcharge was made. “I’m not going to make you pay anything, you’ve got no money,” the judge told him. 

“Lets encourage you to stay away from street drugs, they’ll mess with your brain. Hopefully you will stay out of trouble for the next year.

“This was racially-aggravated. Not very nice,” she told him.

Prosecutor Zoe Hollingsworth told the court: “Officers were called to Sainsbury’s in the Strand to a report of a male, this defendant, being disruptive in the shop.

“He had tried to pay, but his card was declined and the defendant made some racist remarks.

“He said: ‘Go back to where you come from. I’m going to kick you out of the country. You’re not English.’

“Afterwards the store manager Mr. Ahmed said: ‘The man was very aggressive and racist towards me. I did nothing to provoke his behaviour.’

“The defendant was sentenced to imprisonment in December, last year for a racially-aggravated offence and there is a previous one.”

Those incidents involved a Leicester Square casino doorman he called a “Paki” and another man he racially abused at Victoria Train Station.

A court Probation Officer said Lascelles claims to have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) triggered by “physical and violent abuse” from his stepfather during his childhood.

Lascelles also claims to have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which results in him becoming angry very easily.

The court heard he is in contact with his mother, who resides in France and runs a theatrical business and hopes to join her when he sorts his life out.

Lascelles promised the Probation Service he has stopped smoking heroin and crack cocaine and has been on a methadone prescription.

He also blames the “emotional neglect” of his mother for his ADHD, which was not addressed in childhood.

District Judge Williams announced: “When he is not self-medicating with illegal drugs he is less likely to go into Sainsbury’s and turn into Mr. Angry and make all sorts of nasty racist comments.”

Top Deck Mugging: Three Suspects Wanted

A 15 year-old schoolboy was repeatedly punched and robbed of his mobile phone on the top deck of a bus in east London.

Police investigating the violent mugging have released these CCTV images of their three suspects.

The incident took place at around 3.00pm on Tuesday, September 15 onboard a route 474 bus near Savage Gardens, Beckton.

A group, all male, boarded the bus and went up to the top deck, where they approached the teenage boy. 

One of the group sat next to him and the others surrounded him. 

They demanded he hand over his phone.

When the boy got up and tried to leave he was dragged back to his seat by his collar and repeatedly punched. 

He was able to break free and get off the bus, but was punched again to the back of the head as he did. 

He suffered bruising to his face in the incident.

One person has been interviewed under caution in relation to this incident, but officers are still trying to identify others they believe were involved.

Detective Constable Nick Kortright, from the Met’s Roads and Transport Policing Command, said: “This was an unprovoked and unacceptable attack. 

“The victim has been left scared to get on a bus and tries to avoid going out unless an older family member is with him.

“Public transport in London is very safe and thankfully, incidents like this are rare. 

“We are determined to identify those responsible. I’d ask anyone who recognises the three people in the images released today to get in touch.”

If you know anything about this incident, or if you can identify any of the three males in the pictures, please call 101 quoting CAD 1585/08DEC. 

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

Pervert Strikes On Dancefloor

Police are hunting a nightclub pervert after a woman was molested on the dancefloor.

Officers are asking the public to help them identify this suspect as they continue investigating the sexual assault complaint.

The incident occurred during the early hours of Sunday, January 5 at a nightclub in Old Street, Islington, north London.

A woman was on the dance floor of the club when she was sexually assaulted by a man. 

She reported the incident to police later that day and continues to be supported by specialist officers.

While the investigation continues, there have been no arrests at this stage.

After exhausting all other reasonable lines of enquiry, detectives are now releasing an image of a man they would like to identify and speak to.

Anyone who recognises this man or has information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact police on 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD4117/05JAN20.

Alternatively, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Prisoner On The Run

A convicted jailbird is being hunted by the police, who want to put him back behind bars.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police's North Area Command Unit are appealing for the public's help to locate him.

Danny Tyndall, 39, (pictured) is wanted on recall to prison.

The police say he has connections to the Haringey area of north London.

If you see him in public, do not approach, call 999 and inform police immediately.

Anyone who has information regarding Tyndall's location, should call police on 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Jeweller Caught Selling Illegal Elephant Valuables

A jewellery shop boss, who advertised the sale of valuables containing banned elephant hair, has been sentenced.

Rajtharan Mahalingam, 40, of Down Lane, Isle of Wight received a suspended prison sentence when he appeared at Harrow Crown Court.

He was convicted of seven counts of purchase / offer to purchase / sell / keep for sale / commercial use of products containing specimens derived from endangered species.

This was contrary to the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations 1997.

Mahalingam received 32 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 16 months and was ordered to complete 200 hours community service work.

He was also fined £200, with £1,500 costs and all the seized jewellery, containing elephant hair was forfeited.

The court heard in 2017, the Metropolitan Police's Wildlife Crime Unit discovered via online research that a jewellery shop on Ealing Road, Wembley was selling jewellery claiming to contain elephant hair.

Enquiries were conducted and established the jewellery had been illegally imported as there were no permits in place for the premises to import, sell or commercially use specimens derived from elephants.

A warrant was carried out on the premises on May 15, 2018, and a large quantity of jewellery containing elephant hair was seized.

Mahalingam was interviewed under caution on May 21.

Forensic analysis was conducted on samples of the seized jewellery and hair. 

Results from the hair samples matched DNA from both an African and Asian elephant.

Detective Constable Sarah Bailey, of the Met’s Wildlife Crime Unit, said:“There are legal requirements in relation to the import, sale and commercial use of specimens derived from protected / endangered species and these had not been complied with.

“African and Asian elephants continue to be poached and it is worrying that the derivatives of such activity may appear for sale in London.” 

Man Denies Raping And Biting Woman's Lip

A woman was raped at a Carshalton address, where she was so badly beaten her jaw was fractured and lip left hanging off following a savage bite, a court heard.

Russell Stowell, 40, of River Gardens dialled 999 at midnight after biting through the woman's lip at the home he shares with his father, the jury were told.

“He kept squeezing and squeezing my neck and biting my face and whacking my head off the wardrobe and walls,” she told the Croydon Crown Court jury.

“He bit my lip and there was blood eveywhere.

“He pulled me by the hair and punched me in the face and kept hitting and strangling me and said I was going to die.”

Prosecutor Mr Andrew Copeland said it was one second after midnight on June 1 when Stowell dialled 999, claiming the woman had fallen and cut her lip.

The ambulance crew took her to the nearest hospital.

“Her lower lip was hanging away and the crew's suspicions were aroused,” said the prosecutor. “She was frightened, petrified and made the allegation the defendant assaulted her.

“At the hospital she said she was raped.”

The ambulance crew called the police and the woman spoke to an officer.

“She said she had been sexually attacked, raped and assaulted.”

The woman told police she asked Stowell to stop during sex because it was so rough and painfull and he told her: “That's how I like it.”

She said she was pulled off the bed by her hair.

“He bit me on my bottom lip and there was blood eveywhere and he panicked.”

The prosecutor told the court: “He continued to fulfill his gratification against her wishes, even though it started out as consensual.

“He hit her so hard he broke her jaw. There was strangling of her neck, leaving red marks, biting of her lower lip, leaving it hanging off while threatening to kill her.

“It was all the blood pouring from her lip that made him think again.”

Stowell has pleaded not guilty to one count of rape; two counts of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and one count of making a threat to kill on May 31.

Trial continues.........

Suspended Sentence For Drunken Pest

Westminster Magistrates' Court

A local drunken pest, who repeatedly shouted abuse at a woman who lives a few streets away, has received a suspended prison sentence.

Stephen David Waite, 60, visited her address on three occasions in the first half of the year.

He was convicted at Westminster Magistrates' Court of harassing Erica Kovac between January 16 and July 4.

Waite, of Hurlingham Road, Fulham was abusive and threatening and refused requests to leave the woman's home in nearby Mimosa Street.

The court heard the victim was vulnerable and Waite's behaviour was aggravated by alcohol.

Waite, who has previous convictions, did not attend his trial and was found guilty in his absence.

He was sentenced to eighteen weeks imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months and must comply with an electronically-tagged home curfew for ten weeks between 7.00pm and 5.00am.

Waite must also comply with a Probation Service-ordered rehabilitation activity requirement of up to twenty-five days.

He was also made subject to a three-year restraining order, prohibiting contact with Ms Kovac, visiting Mimosa Street or any other address he knows she may reside at.

Jobless Waite was ordered to pay £100 costs and a £122 victim surcharge, which will be deducted from his benefits at the rate of £5 per week.

Hospital Order For Probation Officer Stalker

Bromley Magistrates' Court

A south London man, charged with stalking and harassing a female probation officer at her workplace, has received a hospital order and court ban not attend the office.

Sebastian Lucas, 35, of Victoria Crescent, Crystal Palace was sentenced at Bromley Magistrates' Court.

He was charged with stalking Shannon Sawyer, causing her serious alarm and distress, between May 11 and May 20 at her office in Stockwell Road, Stockwell.

Lucas was charged with making multiple visits between those dates and on one occasion cornered Ms Sawyer in a hallway and made demands.

He will now receive court-ordered medical treatment in Lambeth and was made subject to a five-year restraining order, prohibiting contact with Ms Sawyer and visiting the Stockwell office.

Lucas must also pay £85 costs.

Graduate Denies Helping Murderer Boyfriend Who Stabbed Cousin To Death

Megan & Mary Armstrong-Challinor

The graduate daughter of a retired academic helped shield her bad-boy murderer boyfriend from police after he stabbed his cousin to death in broad daylight, a court heard.

Former Manchester Metropolitan University student Megan Armstrong-Challinor, 27, moved Jerome Bailey, 38, into her parents’ £800,000 home while they were holidaying in Spain.

Croydon Crown Court was told he used his girlfriend’s mother’s Oyster card to travel to the murder scene and is suspected of using her dad’s old Scout knife to stab Tesfa Campell, 40, in Battersea on July 3, last year.

Bailey was convicted on January 21 of murdering Mr Campbell in Latchmere Road, Battersea on July 3, last year and is in custody awaiting sentence.

Prosecutor Mr John Price QC told the jury: “This trial concerns a third person, Bailey’s then-girlfriend Megan Armstrong-Challinor.

“The prosecution says that after the killing and knowing what Bailey has done, she helped him evade capture by the police.”

There was even evidence that Armstrong-Challinor, a graduate in film and global media, made internet searches if ‘conjugal visits’ were allowed to prisoners in the UK.

Officers raided her parents’ home in Victor Road, Teddington at 8.15am on July 7, 2019 and the defendant’s father Bruce Armstrong, 62, told the jury the first he knew about it was: “When they put the door in.”

Mr Armstrong, the retired Dean of Students at Kingston University and his wife Mary saw police arrest their daughter and Bailey and then search their home and garden.

He told the court the couple had lived in a variety of addresses during their three-year relationship, with Armstrong-Challinor holding down a variety of jobs to support the pair.

Murderer: Jerome Bailey

“It was fairly obvious he was not contributing his fair share,” said Mr Armstrong of Bailey. “That was my suspicion.”

He told the jury his daughter lied she needed to borrow the family car for a hospital emergency involving Bailey hours after the murder.

Now the director of an educational business, Mr Armstrong added: “I said if he’s being discharged from hospital he can make his own way back.

“He was a grown man and I felt she ran after him too much.”

His daughter had moved back into the family home after an ankle operation and an “incident” forcing her to leave her previous address, but on returning from Spain her parents found Bailey was also there.

Confirming he was not happy about it Mr Armstrong said: “They were looking for somewhere else to live and were due to leave in a week.”

After the arrests he phoned the police because his old Scout knife was not in its usual place.

“I noticed the knife was missing from the sheath. I used it for opening heavy parcels and packaging.”

It was later found in the kitchen. “That knife was similar to the description given by eye witnesses,” said Mr Price.

The prosecution say Bailey deliberately changed his appearance after the murder, ridding himself of his distinctive long locks.

The defendant’s mother Mary Armstrong-Challinor told the court: “It was very hot in July and I said to him it must be hot if you had your head shaved.”

She also offered him medical advice after the supposed 1.00am hospital dash. “I suggested he look after himself better and he said he had stomach problems, nothing more than that.” 

Bruce Armstrong

Mr Price told the jury the Oyster card used by the murder suspect was registered to Mrs Armstrong-Challinor at the Teddington address. 

Police attended four days after the murder. “There they found Bailey and arrested him at the home of this defendant’s parents.

“She too was in the house that morning when the police arrived and she too was arrested.

“Her involvement came in the aftermath of the killing, assisting her boyfriend to evade arrest by the police, knowing what he had done.

“In the Summer house in the back garden were two yellow plastic string bags of the same kind taken from Mr Campbell by his killer.

“Both of these were within another bag that contained a quantity of cannabis and items related to the use of cannabis.

“The Oyster card that was registered to Mrs Armstrong-Challinor and used to travel from Teddington to Clapham Junction was in one of the yellow bags. 

Armstrong-Challinor, of Victor Road, Teddington denies one count of perverting the course of justice and the trial continues.

Cross-County Trek To Harass Ex-Fellow School Pupil

Stefan Grys 

A Lincolnshire man sent an intimate picture of himself to a former fellow-school pupil and travelled halfway across the country to harass her at work while disguising himself behind a mask.

Stefan Mark Grys, 26, bombarded the woman with hundreds of facebook messages and repeatedly entered the cosmetics shop she worked in, despite being ordered to leave.

At Wimbledon Magistrates Court yesterday Grys, of Cedar Road, Stamford was placed on a twelve-month community order, which includes up to ten days rehabilitation.

He was also made subject to a an indefinite restraining order, prohibiting contact with Grace Powell-Smith and entering the SW19 Wimbledon postcode.

Grys pleaded guilty to harassing the woman, who attended the same Peterborough school as him, on June 15 at Lush, Wimbledon Bridge.

Prosecutor Ms Sudara Weerasena told the court the pair were not schoolfriends, but Grys approached her in Peterborough in 2013.

“She felt uncomfortable due to the conversation and wanted it to end and went into a shop to avoid the defendant.

“The defendant contacted her in May, this year and sent multiple facebook messages and she did not understand why because they had nothing in common.

“He sent a photo of his penis, but there was no reason for this, it was unwanted.

“It included the message: 'If you had to choose money or a big dick what would you go for?'

“He also sent another message, saying: 'I guess I felt led on.'

“She says the facebook messages were in the hundreds and she blocked him.”

On June 15 Grys suddenly appeared at her workplace.

“He attended her work address in Wimbledon,” explained Ms Weerasena. “He was wearing a large mask and a beanie hat and she did not recognise him at first.

“He was acting strangely and asked: 'Do you recognise me?' and took off the mask and hat.

“He was asked to leave, but returned and then returned for a third time.”

When the shop closed Grys was loitering outside and the victim started looking for either security guards or police to assist her to the train station.

Wimbledon Magistrates' Court

Grys shouted at her: “Grace, you need to speak to me. You owe me that.”

In her victim impact statement Ms Powell-Smith said she was “shocked” by the intimate picture, adding: “When I saw him in the shop my stomach dropped.

“I panicked and was shaking all day and have hardly slept since. I am scared he will find out where I live and feel physically sick and upset.”

During the hearing Grys made rambling comments about plagues, trade deals and economic collapse, demanding the case be transferred to an Ecclesiastical court.

The magistrates heard Grys had difficulty picking up on the fact his attention was unwanted and failed to interpret the effect he was having on her.

He told the court: “I want to say I won't visit Lush or contact Grace again.”

He was also fined £40, with £85 costs and ordered to pay a £95 victim surcharge.

Drink-Drive Mum Over Three Times Limit

Wimbledon Magistrates' Court

A drunken mum-of-two, caught driving over three times the drinks limit after downing a bottle of vodka, has been banned from the roads for two-and-a-half years today.

Carla Sloman, 44, still owes £600 per month in payments for the next two years on her Audi Q5, which she is no longer allowed to drive.

The £82,000-a year IT professional, of Leigham Court Road, Streatham pleaded guilty to driving the blue two-litre vehicle in Roehampton Lane, Roehampton on August 26 with excess alcohol in her breath.

Her reading was 128 microgrammes. The legal limit is 35.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard she consumed the bottle of vodka over a couple of hours driving around the Roehampton area and ended up sleeping in the car.

“She was at rock bottom and that's how she feels today,” her lawyer told the court. 

“She has always used alcohol as a prop. She is a high-achieving lady, with a career, which she has held down while juggling family commitments.”

Sloman pays private school fees and owes a relative £40,000. 

Despite her husband earning £145,000 the court heard the couple have sunk much of their savings into renovating their home.

“They are not particularly flash, they have no savings,” added the lawyer.

The magistrate told Sloman: “You are obviously remorseful and have entered a guilty plea. It was a very high reading.

“There is always a high possibility people can be killed by drink drivers.”

Sloman was placed on a twelve-month Community Order, which includes 150 hours unpaid community service, plus up to 25 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement.

She was disqualified from driving for 30 months and must pay £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

Wash And Throw: OAP Floored In Launderette

Police are hunting this suspected thug, after a 78 year-old man was thrown to the floor in a north-west London launderette – suffering four broken ribs.

The OAP was suddenly attacked without warning when a man burst into the Harlesden launderette in Mordaunt Road and violently pushed him against one of the machines.

Detectives have released this CCTV image as they continue trying to identify the man suspected of the June 6 assault at 11.30am.

The sudden attack took place after the mystery man violently pushed open the door of the launderette and marched over to the retired welder, ripping his t-shirt and pushing him.

The pensioner fell hard onto the floor, suffering the four broken ribs, and the suspect ran away from the scene.

In a bizarre turn of events, the attacker returned shortly afterwards and kneeled down to apologise to the victim, telling him it was only a ‘joke’. 

He then attempted to give the victim £20, telling him he could use the money to finish his laundry.

The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he had to stay for a week and is still in pain months later.

Officers know the suspect arrived in a car outside the launderette with two other men, but they were not involved in this incident.

There have been no arrests to date.

Detective Constable Helen Moriarty of the North West Command Unit, who is investigating, said: "I ask people to look at the CCTV footage and see if they recognise this man, then do the right thing and contact police. 

“I believe someone out there will recognise the suspect and be able to tell us who he is. 

“This was a frightening and cowardly attack on an innocent victim and it is imperative we find the person responsible.

“The victim and his family were left terrified following the callous actions of a man who preyed on vulnerable, elderly people. 

“We are doing everything we can to find him are determined to get justice for the victim and to make sure those responsible face the consequences of their actions.

“Similarly, I ask anyone in the area at the time to please contact police orCrimestoppers and share that information with us.

Anyone who has information that could help police is asked to call 101 ref CAD 2717/05JUN20.

Alternatively tweet @MetCC or to remain 100% anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Concrete Case: Police Seize Heroin During Drug Swoop

Drugs cops found 24 kilos of heroin encased in a concrete block when they stopped a vehicle in east London.

Forty-eight packages of the Class A drug – each weighing 0.5 kilos – were seized.

During an ongoing proactive police investigation a 32 year-old suspected drug dealer was stopped by marked police vehicles in Dagenham on November 17.

The local man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and taken into police custody.

Commander Dave McLaren, from the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime Command, said: “This demonstrates the extent criminals will go to in order to conceal drugs trafficking activity from police. 

“However, we are committed to being one step ahead of these types of criminals to make sure we remove drugs from streets of London.

“Drugs supply is a driving factor in the levels of violent crime and by taking forty-eight blocks of suspected heroin out of the hands of criminals we will have made a major blow to organised drugs supply networks.”

Uzi Found In Stolen Car

This Uzi sub-machine gun – complete with silencer and ammunition – has been found in a stolen car parked in south London.

Police recovered the cache after removing the vehicle and carrying out a forensic search.

Officers from the Specialist Crime Proactive Syndicates seized the vehicle at 12.00pm on November 16 in Appach Road, Brixton Hill.

They were engaged in an operation to tackle serious violence.

The subsequent search of the vehicle found a bag containing an Uzi SMG, the silencer and the ammunition. 

The firearm will now undergo analysis.

Detective Superintendent Steve Ellen, from Specialist Crime South, said: “This is a significant recovery.

“A loaded machine gun has been taken off the streets thanks to the ongoing work of our officers tackling gang violence in the capital.

“Our investigation is in its early stages but we will be working to establish who left the firearm in the vehicle and whether it has been used in any criminality. 

“I would encourage anyone with information about violent crime to contact police or Crimestoppers.”

There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.

Trike Strike: Mum Hit By Kid's Three-Wheeler

Wimbledon Magistrates' Court

A dad threw a tricycle at his ex during a domestic row as she held one of their three children in her arms, a court heard yesterday.

Tyrone Black, 41, was ordered out of the address as he started fixing himself a sandwich and the couple began arguing.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court heard Black, of Bishops Grove, Hampton, previously breached a non-molestation order relating to his former partner Emma Huth.

He pleaded guilty to assaulting her at her home in Air Sea Mews, Twickenham on April 18 and bailed to return for a pre-sentence report on January 21, next year.

The court heard Ms Huth began recording him on her phone when he refused to leave and he asked her to stop.

They continued arguing back and forth by the front door and Black picked up a kid's tricycle and threw it at Ms Huth, who received a glancing blow to her arm from the handlebars.

Black left and his ex called the police several hours later.

She did not suffer any injury.

When questioned by police Black admitted throwing the trike, accepting it may have made minor contact with Ms Huth's arm.

Twelve Years For Railway Station Rapist

A rapist who struck when a lone woman became lost after a night out – attacking her in a wooded area near Catford Bridge Railway Station - has been caged for twelve years.

Danut Bulboana, 21, preyed on the woman - aged her her late 20's – after her cab dropped her off at the wrong location at 11.30pm on August 27, last year.

He was convicted at Woolwich Crown Court of two counts of rape, plus another count relating to his attempt to choke her when she screamed out.

As she tried to find her way home the victim suddenly found herself in an unfamiliar wooded area with an unknown male - later identified as Bulboana.

He raped her twice and she tried to scream, but Bulboana stifled her cries by forcing something into her mouth, choking her.

She eventually managed to get away from Bulboana and called 999.

Police attended and spoke to the victim, who then assisted the officers in trying to locate where the offence took place. 

In doing so, they were able to trace Bulboana’s location and, despite altering his appearance by changing his clothing, the woman was able to provide a positive identification and Bulboana was arrested.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police's South East Safeguarding Team launched an immediate investigation.

They were able to charge Bulboana on October 25, after forensic examinations linked him to the crime.

Detective Constable Dean Young, who led the investigation, said: “This was a brutal and extremely sinister attack in which Bulboana preyed on the vulnerability of a lone woman at night. 

“I would like to commend the sheer bravery displayed by the victim, who quickly called police after being subjected to a truly horrific ordeal. 

“Her actions resulted in a dangerous man being detained by officers within an hour of the attack, and subsequently being brought to justice.

“Sexual offences often inflict lasting trauma on victims, but I hope that Bulboana’s conviction will help the victim’s recovery process.

“This case demonstrates our commitment to removing sexual predators from the streets of London and ensuring they are brought to justice. 

“If you are a victim of sexual crime, please tell us - you will be supported and the crime fully investigated.”

Nuisance Drunk Locked-Up

A nuisance drunk – banned from drinking alcohol in public – has been jailed for eight weeks for breaching the order.

John Coffey, 45, of Old Kent Road, Southwark is subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), which prohibits him drinking in the streets of Camden and Islington and entering the King's Cross area.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court, where he was convicted of breaching the CBO and also ordered to pay £128.

Coffey was issued a CBO on August 7 2020, but on September 7, just one month later, a British Transport Police (BTP) officer was patrolling King’s Cross Square, just outside King’s Cross station.

The officer was approached by an intoxicated Coffey, who started speaking to him in a slurred manner.

His breath smelt of alcohol, and he was in possession of a half-full bottle of whisky, which he continued to drink despite being asked by the officer to stop.

The officer undertook relevant checks on Coffey, discovering the conditions of Coffey’s CBO. 

He was then arrested for being in breach of his CBO.

BTP Police Sergeant, David Underwood, said: “The conditions in Coffey’s Order were clear; he wasn’t to be in the area and certainly wasn’t to be there drinking alcohol.

“The conviction is directly linked to ‘Operation Mammoth’ – a joint operation between BTP, Metropolitan Police and Camden Council to combat anti-social behaviour caused by street population.

“BTP will continue to deal with anti-social behaviour robustly, ensuring Orders such as Coffey’s are enforced.

“The operation’s primary goal is to house and support individuals such as Coffey. 

“If members of the public are concerned about a person’s welfare, please speak to a member of staff or contact BTP.”