Car Boot Money Launderer Caught

The Metropolitan Police seized £450,380 cash in the car boot of a money launderer, who is now starting a prison sentence.

Their Proactive Money Laundering Team swooped on Bedford man Shane Cameron, 24, who received sixteen months imprisonment.

Cameron, of Ashburnham Road was arrested on December 8, last year when officers searched his vehicle in Gardenia Avenue, Luton.

At Luton Crown Court he pleaded guilty to possession of criminal property.

During the search officers found a large plastic laundry bag and several other plastic shopping bags, each containing large quantities of cash.

Detective Sergeant Steve Lambeth, of the Proactive Money Laundering Team, said: “I would like to assure the public that we take a zero tolerance approach to this sort of criminality within our community, and we are committed to bringing those involved to justice.

“The recovery of such a substantial amount of money was a great example of how officers are tirelessly working to disrupt organised crime. 

“This money was not only being used to finance serious organised crime across the UK, but also represents the proceeds of previous crimes undertaken to acquire such vast sums of cash. 

“This seizure has had a significant impact on those activities.”

Armed Drug Dealer Locked-Up

A knife-carrying drug dealer – finally caught during a police raid – has been jailed.

Tereece Ellis, 23, was eventually hunted down by the Metropolitan Police's Violent Crime Taskforce.

At Harrow Crown Court he received twenty months imprisonment.Ellis pleaded guilty to possession, with intent to supply, cannabis; possession of a knife and possession of criminal property, namely £3,100 cash.

He also admitted previously jumping bail when he failed to appear at court.

The court ordered the forfeiture of the cash, which represented the profits of Ellis' criminal activity.

Ellis had been wanted by police in relation to a drugs possession offence from November, 2020.

He was also wanted for a separate knife offence when his DNA was linked to a discarded knife from a stop and search encounter in September, 2020.

In response to this, officers from the Violent Crime Taskforce launched an investigation, named Operation Revati, to track Ellis down.

On Thursday, December 3, last year officers carried out a drugs warrant at an address in Willesden, where a quantity of cannabis, drug paraphernalia, cash and two large combat knives were seized.

Police Sergeant Purvak Vora said: “This operation highlights our dedication to relentlessly pursue high harm offenders and bring them to justice.

“It also demonstrates that violence and drugs go hand in hand, which is why investigations into those intent on supplying drugs are so important in our continued efforts to drive down violent crime.”

Crooked Siblings' "Uber Knowledge" Scam

Cindy Ughanze

Failed mini-cab drivers were sold secret test answers by a Transport for London employee and her brother to pass the ‘Uber Knowledge’ a court heard today.

University graduate Cindy Ughanze, 28, was employed by the Topographical Assessment Department and sold the information to struggling applicants seeking a private hire vehicle licence (PHVL).

She plotted with her engineering graduate brother Jordan Ughanze, 25, who approached the drivers, charging them £300 to £500 to cheat the test.

The Ughanze’s, both of Goldcrest Way, New Addington, Croydon pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud TfL between February 1, 2017 and May 31, 2018 and will be sentenced on April 29.

One cheat, who paid the Ughanze’s for the answers, passed their re-test with an 88% grade after flunking their first attempt with a miserable 43%.

Croydon Crown Court Judge Deborah Charles said: “This is not an equivalent of The Knowledge, but is the Uber-equivalent of The Knowledge.

“Both defendants should bring overnight bags when they return to be sentenced, they must be prepared. All options remain open.”

Prosecutor Shannon Revel said: “Applicants must show they have a working knowledge of the geography of London and the sealed test results are taken to TfL.

“Cindy gave the details of the failed applicants to Jordan, who offered them a way to pass the test for a fee and he filled-in the fresh examination papers and they would be swapped by his sister.”

The prosecution is limited to the twenty-two failed applicants, whose details were found in a sports holdall along with blank and completed test papers when police raided the Ughanze’s family home.

Those drivers have been permanently banned by TfL from applying for a PHVL, but not prosecuted, despite participating in a fraud on TfL.

Jordan Ughanze

“The investigation was to target those at the top of the conspiracy,” added Ms Revel, revealing one failed applicant anonymously tipped-off the police when approached by the Ughanze’s.

It is unknown if there are currently more PHVL-holders driving customers around London, who cheated the test. “There was not a queue of applicants outside the police station door because they have also committed fraud.”

Each sibling claims to be the instigator of the conspiracy and mum-of-one Cindy, who has a fraud conviction for trying to avoid parking tickets, say they received £8,000 for their services. 

She was employed by TfL on a £32,000 salary, having abandoned her Masters degree course and is currently in receipt of Universal Credit.

She would log-in to her work computer for up to two hours out-of-hours and was arrested at her desk on May 31, 2018 and taken to Charing Cross Police Station.

Dad-of-one Jordan, an assistant project manger for Network Rail, has convictions for robbery, battery and fraud and is currently having the family council house transferred to his name.

“They have both participated in a thoroughly dishonest enterprise, having been given a chance by the courts after previous offences,” announced Judge Charles.

Referring to Cindy, the judge added: “Having been caught twice in her life for being dishonest, surely now is the time to show some honesty.”

Santander Manager Admits Nicking £180k

A Santander manager, who targeted the bank accounts of “mostly elderly and vulnerable customers” received a prison warning today when admitting her £179,900 fraud.

Customer account manager Charlotte Mills, 33, of
Titchener Close, Bicester, Oxfordshire was responsible for a four-and-a-half year swindle at the high street bank.

She pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court to one count of fraud by abuse of position between June 30, 2015 and December 1, 2019, namely dishonestly making dishonest withdrawals from customers’ accounts.

Prosecutor Mr Peter Lancaster told the court: “The loss to Santander was one hundred and seventy nine thousand nine hundred pounds, that’s the loss.

“The fraudulent activity involved more by swapping and changing around customers’ accounts, but the Crown are not going to go behind that figure.”

Judge Benedict Kelleher told Mills, who was on video link at her solicitors’ office: “I’m sure you will have been advised this is a serious matter and you are at risk of a custodial sentence.”

Mills was bailed to attend court on May 21 on condition she continues residing at her Bicester address.

The sentencing range for the offence is three to six years imprisonment and Mr Lancaster added: “This is high culpability, bearing in mind the activity of the defendant and her position in the bank.”

Her lawyer, Mr Nadesh Karu, who successfully applied for a probation pre-sentence report said: “Ms Mills is of previous good character.”

Spending Spree With MP Nadine Dorries' Credit Card

Quick Getaway: Cory Chin

Government minister Nadine Dorries’s credit card was cloned and used to try and buy an expensive jacket in a West End store as well as other goods, a court heard today.

The 63 year-old Conservative MP for Mid Bedfordshire is the Minister of State for Mental Health, Suicide Prevention and Patient Safety.

At Westminster Magistrates Court trainee engineer Cory Dominic Chin, 24, of Palmerston Road, Walthamstow pleaded guilty to using her Lloyds credit card to try and buy a £958 jacket on October 16, 2019.

Korri George McLean, 30, of Rayfield, Epping pleaded guilty to using the minister’s Lloyds credit card to buy £1,080 worth of items the following day on October 17, 2019.

It was not said if if that transaction was successful and McLean was bailed to appear for sentencing at Wood Green Crown Court, where he is in breach of a twelve-month suspended prison sentence.

Chin was placed on a 12-month Community Order, which includes 120 hours community service work and was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £90 victim surcharge.

The court heard Chin was originally charged with further failed uses of the card, totalling over £3,000, but these were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Prosecutor Mr Jason Seetal told the court: “The complainant, Nadine Dorries is a senior member of parliament, representing the Conservative Party.

Cornered: Korri McLean

“The Lloyds credit card belonging to her was retained and a fraudulent copy made.

“This attempt was unsuccessful, but a phone number and email address was given and that is how the defendants were tracked down.”

Chin’s lawyer Daniel Jones said: “The acquisition of her details while the card was in her possession must have had some degree of sophistication.

“The details were not acquired by Mr Chin, but provided by his co-defendant Mr McLean to obtain a high-value jacket.

“He did not know who Nadine Dorries was and that she was a member of parliament and she was not specifically targeted.

“His involvement is limited to this single relatively high transaction. It was blocked and there was no financial loss.

“He has no convictions, warnings, arrests or reprimands against him and he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

“Her gave little or no thought to the consequences of his actions. He recognises know the distress and inconvenience caused to her by these offences and the consequences to him is that he will now have a criminal record.

“His mother’s home was searched by police officers and that was distressing and embarrassing for him and has had a sobering impact.

“He takes full responsibility for his behaviour and has remorse.

“He is a well-educated and hard-working man, a trainee engineer with a large telecommunications firm and he does not meet the need for any probation intervention.”

District Judge Vanessa Baraitser told Chin: “This was a deliberate attempt to use this lady’s bank card and you knew it belonged to someone else to obtain a luxury item for yourself.

“You are a man of good character with no convictions or cautions and you pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and you.”

Young Offenders Employee Accused Of Molesting Teen

Oak Hill

A woman pleaded guilty today to molesting a 15 year-old boy at a young offenders’ institute.

Ashley Wright, 26, of Blunts Lane, Wigston, Leicestershire admitted four charges relating to her behaviour at Oak Hill Secure Training Centre, Milton Keynes.

She appeared on bail at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court and was sent to Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for trial after pleading not guilty to a fifth count.

The training centre, based in Chalgrove Field, Oakhill is operated by G4S Care and Justice Services.

It provides accommodation for up to eighty boys, aged twelve to seventeen years-old who are either serving custodial sentences or held on remand.

Education and healthcare are provided on site by G4S.

Wright, who wore a black polo neck to and black trousers spoke only to confirm her name, address and date of birth.

She pleaded guilty to abuse of position of trust at Oak Hill Secure Training Centre on May 13, 2019, namely caused or incited a 15 year-old boy to engage in sexual activity.

Wright also admitted engaging in sexual activity with the same 15 year-old boy, namely inciting him to touch her breasts on or before October 21, 2019.

She further admitted sexual activity with the boy by intentional touching on or before December 31, 2019, plus one count of engaging in sexual communication with the same boy for sexual gratification on October 13, 2019.

Wright pleaded not guilty to another count of engaging in sexual communication with the boy for sexual gratification between November 1, 2019 and January 31, last year, namely sexual comments in a hand-written letter. 

Prosecutor Mr Corran Helme told the court: “The charge is in the same factual matrix of the others. They are all linked.”

On this count she was bailed to appear at the crown court on April 20.

Magistrate Laura Boyle announced; “These five offences are very much interlinked and we have received a guilty plea on four offences and they need to be sent to the crown court for sentence.

“They need to be kept together so the one offence that is not a guilty plea should go to the crown court.”  

Wright was granted bail on condition she does not enter the boundary of the M25 motorway except for court hearings; be unsupervised with a child under the age of eighteen years-old and does not contact the boy complainant.

Victim Hit With Bike And Crate In Ilford

Police are hunting these two suspects after a shocking attack involving a storage crate and bike was caught on CCTV.

The 33 year-old victim was walking with a friend near Marks & Spencer, High Road, Ilford between 11.20pm and 11.50pm on November 5, last year.

They were approached by the two suspects, coming from the direction of Cranbrook Road.

The two men assaulted the victim by kicking and punching him and hitting him with a bicycle and a nearby storage crate.

The two men then left the scene towards Seven Kings.

London Ambulance Service also attended and the victim was taken to an east London hospital. 

He sustained a significant head injury. 

However, his injuries are not life-threatening and he has since been released from hospital.

Detectives from East Area CID are investigating.

Detective Constable Danielle Adams, said: “This was a seemingly unprovoked attack, which left the victim needing hospital attention for a serious head injury, which could have been much worse. 

“Thankfully the victim has not been left with any long term medical issues as a result of this attack.

“I would ask everyone to have a good look at this footage, do you recognise either of these men? 

“If you do, or if you witnessed anything that night, please get in touch with police as soon as possible. 

“It is really important that we identify these two men as quickly as possible.”

Anyone who can help police is asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC, quoting CAD9770/05NOV20. 

You can also provide information anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Town Hall Petrol Protester Jailed

A local homeless man, who emptied a petrol can inside Kensington Town Hall while threatening to set himself and the building ablaze, has been caged.

Ako Ahmed, 45, who was in a housing dispute with the council, splashed petrol in the reception area and pulled out a lighter before police intervened.

At Isleworth Crown Court he received four years imprisonment for making threats to kill and threatening to damage property.

A jury acquitted Ahmed of attempting to commit arson, with intent to endanger life.

At around 11.30am on Wednesday, September 4, 2019 Ahmed attended Kensington Town Hall in Hornton Street and began shouting at staff.

He poured petrol on the floor of the reception area and all over himself.

Ahmed took out a lighter before threatening to kill a named employee as well as everyone in the building by burning it down.

Police were called and upon their arrival Ahmed was disarmed of his lighter by an officer. 

He was arrested on suspicion of arson and threats to kill and was later charged and remanded in custody.

During the trial, the court heard how Ahmed had been involved in a dispute with the council about his housing situation.

Detective Constable Nigel Pacquette of Belgravia CID, who led the investigation, said: “Ahmed had lost sight of the fact that he was attacking the very people who were trying to help him. 

“His actions could have resulted in serious injury to everyone present, including himself.

“I’m thankful this wasn’t the case and applaud the officer who bravely disarmed Ahmed of his lighter.

“Had it not been for the actions of responding officers who placed themselves in harm’s way, the outcome of this incident could have been far more sinister.”

Aggressive Drunk Ruins EastEnders Actress' Film Shoot

A drunken yob ruined ex-EastEnders actress-turned film maker Vanessa Bailey’s latest movie by spitting and smearing his blood on her and her team when he gate-crashed the set, a court heard.

The award-winning writer/director/producer, who also appeared in BBC’s ‘White Gold’ was shooting a short film on the subject of mental health and suicide by the Thames’ Teddington Footbridge.

Recovery truck driver Dean Lort, 38, suddenly found himself in the middle of the shoot as he walked along Teddington Lock and flew into a rage when challenged.

At Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court he pleaded guilty to assaulting Ms Bailey; sound supervisor Simon Hornett and photographer and sound technician Felix Jeager on March 7, last year.

He also pleaded guilty to causing £2,800 worth of criminal damage to the shoot and to sound equipment and possessing a small amount of cannabis.

Afterwards Ms Bailey described herself as “traumatised and shocked” and needed to have a hospital tests after Lort, of
Randle Road, Richmond smeared blood in her face.

“I did not know how far he would go and it was not something one would expect in a quiet residential area,” she said.

Prosecutor Jade Sodipo told the court trouble started when Lort began goading the crew with one of his arms outstretched. 

“Ms Bailey says she was trying to calm him down and he called her a ‘slag’ and ‘c***’ and spat at her and wiped his blood on her face.

“He had earlier hit himself with a piece of equipment and Ms Bailey had to go to St. Thomas’s Hospital.”

Ms Bailey, who runs Nine Yard Films, said the entire £2,800 shoot was ruined and would now have to be re-shot at her own expense after crowdfunding had raised the initial budget.

Lort had barged into the film crew, asking: “Do you want a fight?” He got in the victims’ faces and was shouting aggressively at them, the court heard.

When Lort started grabbing the equipment and pushing over the gear he was put into a headlock by one of the crew and continued trying to spit at the victims.

He continually shouted abuse at them, his face now covered in blood, spitting at the same time.

The two male victims said they were also “traumatised” by the incident and had lost work as a result and had their equipment damaged.

Police were called and Lort was taken into custody, where the cannabis was found when he was searched.

“He said he was walking along and saw the crowd and heard someone say something to him and went to confront them,” explained Ms Sodipo.

“He said he was pushed and a scuffle began and thinks he was hit by someone and admitted he was drunk at the time.

“The defendant told officers he did not intend to hurt anyone, but was surrounded and feared for his safety.”

Lort told the court: “I was walking along the footpath near the river and there was a film crew spread across the path and as I walked over the bridge I was in the middle of a crowd.

“Someone came over and started pushing me along to get out of the way, but there was no other way to get through and that’s how it started.

“I did think someone called me a swear word and I did turn around and felt I had been attacked and they hit me with their equipment.

“I was in a rush to see my son. I had a few drinks earlier in the day, but I wouldn’t say I was intoxicated.”

Lort was placed on a twelve-month community order, which includes a thirty-day recommended activity requirement and a three-month home curfew between 7pm and 7am.

He must also pay £2,800 compensation to Ms Bailey; £100 compensation to each of the male victims; £220 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

“These offences were particularly unpleasant. The spitting and the blood, even without Covid, carry hepatitis and other diseases,” magistrate Diane Chitty told Lort.

“These people would have been frightened of infection. This is viewed very seriously and is unpleasant.”

Driver Banned For Tragic Lane Change

Thomas Ruffy

A budding primary school teacher has put her career dreams on hold for two years after her lane-change resulted in the tragic death of a dad-of-two motorcyclist.

Isabelle Jane Mullarkey, 23, did not see 29 year-old Thomas Ruffy overtaking a line of slow cars at up to 54 mph when she suddenly pulled out in front of him.

He was catapulted into a pedestrian traffic island, suffering catastrophic head injuries and died the next day with his family at his hospital bedside.

On Wednesday, Mullarkey, of Handen Road, Lee, south-east London was disqualified from driving for three years and ordered to complete 200 hours community service.

She pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving on November 11, 2019 in Eltham Road, Blackheath.

Mr Ruffy was described as a “joker” and “cheeky chap” by his mother Esther Clark, 53, who attended the sentencing and heard Mullarkey was guilty of “momentary inattention”.

Prosecutor Mr Subhanur Chowdhury told the court Mullarkey and Mr Ruffy were travelling in the same direction at 11.27am when she pulled her white Skoda Fabia in front of him.

“He is separated from his motorcycle and strikes the pedestrian refuge and as a result receives fatal head injuries, brain stem and traumatic head injuries.”

Isabelle Mullarkey

In her victim impact statement Mrs Clark said: “My whole world changed in an instant. I knew my beautiful son would be either severely brain damaged or pass way.

“The most difficult thing I’ve ever done in my life was tell him: ‘Okay Tom. You can go now’.”

Mullarkey’s lawyer Sarah O’Kane told the court: “This is a very sad case for all concerned. Ms Mullarkey has asked me to extend her sympathy and remorse to the parents of Mr Ruffy and his wider family and friends.”

An expert estimated Mr Ruffy’s speed at 44mph-54mph, but concluded even if he was observing the 30mph speed limit a collision was inevitable and Mullarkey should have seen him in her wing mirror approaching from behind.

“The news he had died was difficult for her to deal with at her young age and it is something that will stay with her for the rest of her life,” added the lawyer.

“It had a devastating impact. She can’t see a future for herself and has extreme  remorse, guilt and sadness.

“The planned a career as a primary school teacher and had just started university before this incident, but has deferred for the last two years.”

Magistrate Heather East announced: “This is a very sad case. We have heard two young adults were travelling along the same road and collided.

“Perhaps if Mr Ruffy was travelling slower his injuries would not have been fatal. We will never know.

“Ms Mullarkey now has to carry that heavy burden that the actions of her driving took another life.”

Mullarkey must also attend twenty days of rehabilitation and pay £85 costs and a £90 victim surcharge.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

A tipsy pub customer shouted: “Bang! bang!” asking the bar manager: “Do you think I’ve got a bomb in my bag?” before throttling him, a court heard.

Jobless John Chitty, 65, had downed four to six pints during the afternoon drinking session when staff became worried about his unaccompanied rucksack.

Chitty, of Mason Close, Hampton, Richmond-upon-Thames was convicted of assaulting Joseph Clipsham at the William Webb Ellis pub in London Road, Twickenham on July 10, last year.

Prosecutor Sudara Weerasena told Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court: “Mr Chitty’s blue rucksack was unattended and the bar manager wanted to keep it for safekeeping.

“The defendant asked: ‘What? Do you think I’ve got a bomb in my bag?’ and made a loud: ‘Bang, bang,’ sound.”

Chitty pretended to throw the rucksack at the bar manager, shouting: “It’s a bomb!”

The bar manager ordered Chitty out of the pub, but he reacted violently. “He put his hands around the throat of the victim in a strangling motion,” added Ms Weerasena.

“He grabbed the bar manager my the neck and other staff and customers took him to the floor to restrain him.”

Chitty fought the charge, claiming he simply reacted to the bar manager spitting at him and intends to appeal.

His lawyer Ms Caroline Reeve said: “His previous convictions are of no relevance and this was a one-off incident.

“Mr Chitty simply does not accept he was responsible for any assault and maintains the manager spat art him and he pushed him away, fearing Covid.

“He had drunk four pints of lager on this occasion and alcohol may have effected his actions that day.

“He lives a quiet lifestyle and has several medical complaints, including diabetes, mobility issues and has stents in his heart.”

Magistrate Vanessa Weguelin told Chitty: “The court takes a serious view of someone who goes into a pub and having consumed four to six pints of lager behaves in a thoroughly reprehensible manner by claiming your bag had a bomb in it.

“That is not the way to behave in public and then you put your hands around Mr Clipsham’s neck.”

Chitty was placed on a twelve-month Community Order, which includes an electronically-tagged two-month home curfew between 6pm and 6am.

He was also ordered to pay £200 compensation to the bar manager, plus £350 costs and a £95 victim surcharge. 

Campaigning Musician Threatened To Slit Unhappy Female Employee's Throat

A women’s rights champion told a sacked female employee, who criticised him online: “When I find you and my people find you, I’m going to slit your throat,” a court heard yesterday.

Musician Warner Newman, 37, who teamed up with UK charity Women’s Aid when releasing single ‘Runaway’ dismissed the young victim from his trendy plant-based vegan cafe in Brixton, south London.

Croydon Magistrates Court heard she was critical in an online review of Blank Brixton, prompting New Zealander Newman to bombard her with 48 phone messages in one day.

The father-of-three, of Acre Lane, Brixton pleaded guilty to communicating a threatening message to Stephanie Scharfer on September 13, last year and harassing her with multiple text and phone messages on September 12.

The victim now fears leaving her home alone and looking at phone messages and has installed security cameras at her address.

Prosecutor Mrs Nwanneka Ike told the court: “The complainant was an employee of Mr Newman for a short period of time.

“She was asked to stop her employment and states she received fifteen messages and two video calls from Mr Newman.”

The defendant claims she was sacked for making an inappropriate comment to his Afro-Caribbean wife at the height of last year’s Black Lives Matter protests.

“The reason for his messages was she posted a review about her former employers online and described the working conditions as unfriendly and poor,” explained Mrs Ike.

“In response to her posts Mr Newman made the calls and she asked him to stop, but she received further messages and calls from him, a total of forty-eight.”

Newman left a final voice note, which he was able to delete immediately after Ms Scharfer listened to it, in which he said: “One more thing. “When I find you and my people find you, I’m going to slit your throat.”

Fortunately the victim recorded the message before Newman deleted it. 

He followed up the voice note with a text of a smiley face, wearing sunglasses.

In her victim impact statement Ms Scharfer said: “This has brought me great concern for my personal safety.

“I don’t know what Mr Newman is capable of or who he knows. I am scared.

“I feel personally attacked and harassed whenever I get a message on my phone and I dod not expect to get a message on my phone threatening to slit my throat.

“I cannot leave home alone in fear of Mr Newman following me and I have installed cameras at my own expense at my front door.”

Newman’s lawyer Mr John Briant told the court: “He has a wife and three children. He is a family man and bought a building in Brixton and converted it into a cafe.

“He has been building up the business for three years and has employees who have been with him for a number of years and it feels like a family.

“There were some difficulties with the complainant, who was on a work trial and there was a negative online review about the cafe.

“Having gone through lockdowns and the pressures of work and trying to support his family in difficult circumstances he admits he totally over reacted.

“He accepts he should not have sent the voice recording and accepts there was an impact on her.

“This course of conduct lasted less than twenty-four hours and as soon as the threatening message was sent, it was delated.”

Suggesting Newman was simply erasing evidence magistrate Mr Daniel Willis said: “That’s one interpretation.”

“There has been no further contact,” added Mr Briant. “There will be no further contact.

“He has started counselling to deal with his reactions and behaviour. Art is ongoing to deal with these issues.

“He had not thought things through and had an emotional response to the effect this would have on his business and his family being at risk.”

Newman, who has a conviction for battery, was sentenced to a twelve-month Community Order, which includes a ten-day designated activity requirement and up to thirty days of the Probation Service’s thinking skills programme.

He must pay £200 compensation to Ms Scharfer, plus £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

Newman was also made subject to a two-year Restraining Order, prohibiting contact with the victim.

Teen Robbed On Top Deck: Do You Know This Suspect?

Police are hunting this suspected robber after a teenager was threatened into handing over cash while travelling on a bus.

Detectives are appealing for help to identify the man, who told the 17 year-old victim he was armed with a knife.

At approximately 6.00pm on August 28, last year the teenager was on the upper deck of a route 89 bus as it ravelled through Broadway, Bexleyheath.

He was confronted by the suspect, who threatened to stab him.

The victim handed over a quantity of cash before the suspect got off in Ruskin Drive. 

The teenager was not injured.

Detectives from the Roads and Transport Policing
Command are investigating.

They have carried out a number of enquiries to trace the man and have now released a CCTV image in the hope that someone will come forward and identify him.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting reference CAD 5533/28AUG20.

Alternatively, to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Teens Held After Knife & Cannabis Police Raid

Two teenagers have been arrested after a police raid in west London, where cannabis, cash and a fearsome 'zombie' knife were seized.

Officers executed an early-morning warrant at a residential address in Chiswick High Road on Thursday, February 4.

A 17 year-old female was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possession, with intent to supply, Class B drugs. 

She was taken to a west London police station and was subsequently released on bail.

Officers involved in the same investigation arrested a 17 year-old male a week later on Thursday, February 11.

He is suspected of possession, with intent to supply, Class B drugs and conspiracy to commit robbery. 

He was taken to a west London police station and was subsequently released on bail.

The warrant was linked to an investigation into a series of moped enabled, knife point robberies committed in west London towards the end of 2020.

Enquiries continue.

Machete Seized From Suspected Car Vandals

This fearsome weapon was seized by police, who caught two young men suspected of vandalising cars with a baseball bat in south-east London.

They were arrested after a foot-chase by Violent Crime Taskforce (VCTF) officers.

At approximately 6.15pm on Thursday, February 11 officers from the Metropolitan Police's VCTF were called to reports of males armed with baseball bats damaging vehicles in Admiral Close, Orpington.

The calls stated the men were wearing balaclavas and armed with weapons while vandalizing multiple cars in the residential area before making off in a vehicle.

Officers attended the scene and conducted an area search for over an hour before locating a vehicle matching the description.

Upon seeing police, the two men inside the car quickly ran off.

A foot chase ensued before the men - both 22 years of age - were detained and subsequently arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon. 

They were taken to a south London police station and were bailed to a future date, pending further enquiries.

Officers searched the vehicle and recovered an array of weapons, including the large machete, a baseball bat and a sling shot with ball bearings.

PC Matt Murrant said: “These arrests serve as evidence of the zero-tolerance approach the Met takes towards violence in any form. 

“Thanks to the persistence of these officers, an array of dangerous weapons - including a knife - have been removed from our streets.

“Removing horrendous weapons like these and tackling violent crime remains our top priority. 

“There is no excuse for carrying knives and officers will continue to be out there detecting criminality and bringing those responsible to justice.”