Benefit Fraudster Wins Freedom

Freed: Croydon Crown Court

A council-funded carer, jailed for claiming nearly £10,000 for looking after her father when he was visiting his native Somalia, has been freed on appeal after a court ruled prison Covid conditions resulted in too harsh a sentence. 

Suban Hashi, 35, submitted time sheets on six separate occasions while her dad was out of the country during the four-year fraud, Croydon Crown Court heard.

The Royal Borough of Greenwich prosecuted Hashi, of
Charles Grinling Walk, Woolwich, who they paid to look after her father when he suffered a stroke.

She is also the £500 per-month paid carer of her sister, who has Down’s Syndrome and she received approximately £20,000 in legitimate care payments for looking after her father when he was in the UK.

Hashi pleaded guilty to six counts of fraud by false representation, namely providing false information on care time sheets between March 1, 2014 and August 28, 2017.

She also pleaded guilty to one count of dishonestly failing to disclose information between May 15 and August 11, 2018, namely that she had not provided personal care to her father.

Last February Bromley Magistrates Court sentenced her to twelve months immediate imprisonment, but on appeal to Croydon Crown Court this period was suspended for eighteen months and Hashi was released.

Recorder Joshua Swirsky, sitting with two JP’s, announced: “It is clear the magistrates were taking the starting point from the sentencing guidelines, deducted half and crafted the sentence accordingly.

“We agree that was a permissible amount and the sentence of twelve months was the correct sentence to reflect the seriousness of the offending.

“They could not have considered the effect of an immediate custodial sentence during Covid, resulting in individuals being locked-up for twenty-three-and-a-half hours per day.

“We think it is right in our judgement, given the effect jail is likely to have on an individual that is of good character and has pleaded guilty, that sentence ought to be suspended.

“She has served the equivalent of a four month prison sentence and given the time she has been in custody we do not impose any other conditions.”

Ordering Hashi to repay the £9,712 she defrauded the council of at the rate of £10 per fortnight the Recorder added: “This was public money that was taken out of the Adult Social Care budget, which is under a great deal of pressure do to local government cuts in spending, plus the pressures of the pandemic.

“There is no reason the full sum should not be repayable.

“This lady has no income and she is in custody and will have to contribute to the compensation from limited means.”

 

Royal Borough of Greenwich prosecutor Catherine Rose told the appeal: “She was employed by her father for personal care and received payments from the council after submitting time sheets.

“She claimed a large number of hours over four years when her father was abroad and when she clearly was not caring for him because he was outside the UK.”

The appeal dismissed the council’s application for £7,416 in costs for bringing the prosecution, due to Hashi’s limited means.

Her lawyer Chris Whitehouse told the appeal: “She has served the equivalent of four months imprisonment in conditions that are so much more different due to the pandemic.

“She is a single lady from a relatively large family with sisters and brothers, including a seventeen year-old sister with Down’s Syndrome, who she is the carer for.

“Her computing college course ceased in 2010 and she has not been working since, picking-up the responsibilities of the family.

“She has found the time in custody particularly difficult, confined to her cell twenty-three hours a day with half-an-hour exercise in the morning and half-an-hour in the evening for showering.

“She has no income or savings and neither do have members of her family,” added Mr Whitehouse, confirming Hashi will immediately claim Universal Credit on release.

“She has no income apart from the potential to claim benefits.”

Hashi was caught when Greenwich Council tried to arrange a meeting with her father on multiple occasions in 2018 and were told he was in Somalia.

An investigation revealed he was abroad for a total of nearly two years while the care claims continued to be made by his daughter. 

Early-Morning Crack Smoker Caught By Cops

A crack user caught by police smoking with a group in public told officers: “I'm just having a pipe with the lads,” a court heard.

Jobless Christopher Newton, 49, who claims he served in the British Army, says he suffers with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and uses drugs to treat himself.

He had travelled down from his home in Hornsey Road, Liverpool to Brixton, south London, where he was arrested.

Newton pleaded guilty at Croydon Magistrates' Court to possessing Class A crack cocaine in Bernay Road on April 3.

Prosecutor Amanda McCabe told the court it was 9.25am when plain-clothes police officers driving in the local area saw Newton amongst a group of approximately five males.

“When the officers approached him he was aggressive and swore and tried to walk away and was difficult with the officers.”

Eventually Newton admitted: “I've got crack cocaine on me. I'm just having a pipe with the lads.”

He admitted buying the crack for £500.

The court heard Newton has thirty-five previous convictions, including three drug offences.

He told the magistrates: “I was smoking some cocaine with some mates in Brixton and it seemed the police were just out for me.

“I had a PTSD episode and use it to self-medicate and I've not had any since.

“I don't want to be Mother Teresa'd. I don't want to be looked after.

“I am a grown man, I eat well.

“I was involved in a bombing aged twenty-one and have not been the same since.

“Why didn't you look after me when I was in Ireland and in the jungle? Nobody gave a shit.”

After hearing Newton remained in police custody for at least eleven hours the court fined him £50, with the alternative of time served, leaving Newton with nothing to pay.

Thai Life Benefit Fraudster In Court

A Thai expat, whose sun-drenched lifestyle was funded by taxpayers during an audacious decade-long £66,000 benefit fraud, was told “all options are open” regarding his sentence yesterday.

Joseph Peter Marcel Fougere, 75, rented out his council house, which he was also claiming housing benefit for as well as Pension Credit and council tax benefit.

Fougere, of Thorpe Close, New Addington appeared on bail at Croydon Crown Court, where he will return on June 1 for sentencing.

His lawyer Len Furlong told the court: “The loss is calculated from the amounts transferred to his bank account.

“Taking into account his age, his good character even though this offence has crossed the custody threshold any custodial sentence could be suspended.”

Requesting the defendant sees the Probation Service for a pre-sentence report, the lawyer added: “The court needs to know more about Mr Fougere and this offence.” 

Last year at Croydon Magistrates’ Court Fougere pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances to the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) between January 25, 2010 and February 10, last year, namely that he was living in Thailand and sub-letting his home.

He also similarly pleaded guilty to failing to notify the DWP between August 22, 2011 and March 31, 2013 relating to council tax benefit and between April 1, 2011 and February 3, last year relating to housing benefit.

The court heard Fougere has medical issues, including osteoarthritis to his knees and shoulders.

Recorder Paul Keleher QC told Fougere: “You are bailed to the first of June for sentence. The court needs to be provided with information and a pre-sentence report is needed.

“You need to co-operate with that pre-sentence report. It will be in your best interests to do so.

“That is no indication to the potential sentence it is just so that the sentencing court can be full appraised of all the information in relation to you.

“There is no indication as to the final sentence. All options are open.” 

Violent Mugger Causes Miscarriage: E-Fit Released

A vicious mugger is being hunted after kicking a pregnant woman – causing a miscarriage – and snatching her phone at an east London bus stop.

The case was featured on BBC One’s ‘Crimewatch Live’ as detectives continue their investigation to identify the violent robber.

On Wednesday, July 29, last year between about 2.30pm and 3.00pm, the victim was waiting at a bus stop in Cambridge Park, Wanstead.

She was on the phone to her mother when a man on a white bike rode towards her, from the direction of the Green Man roundabout. 

As the man got level with the woman, he kicked her in the stomach and snatched her white iPhone X from her hand before riding off at speed towards Wanstead Tube station. 

The phone had a silver Swarovski case on the back.

At the time, the victim was eight weeks pregnant and she sadly suffered a miscarriage a short time later. 

She shouted at the suspect that she was pregnant, but that did not stop her attacker.

The suspect is described as mixed race, around 30 years old and of stocky build with tattoos covering his left arm. 

He was wearing dark blue shorts, a dark blue baseball cap and a white bag. 

His bike was white and had no rear mud guard.

Detectives have released this e-fit of a man they are keen to identify in connection with the robbery.

Detective Constable Lea Bethmann, from the East Area Burglary and Robbery Investigation Team, appeared on BBC One’s ‘Crimewatch Live’ in a bid to appeal for information.

She said: “This is a particularly sad case that has had devastating life-changing consequences for the victim. Needless to say this has caused much heartache and pain to the victim and her family and understandably she is still struggling following the attack.

“We are still tirelessly working to identify the person responsible for this heinous crime. 

“I am keen to hear from anyone who recognises the man in the e-fit. 

“I’d also like to make a direct appeal to the robber and urge them to do the right thing and come forward.

“I know that some time has passed since this incident, but I would ask anyone who witnessed it or saw the man on the bike after robbery took place to get in touch. 

“I’d also like to hear from anyone who was offered a white iPhone X, possibly still in the silver Swarovski case, after the attack.

"No matter how insignificant you may think your information is, it could be the missing piece to our investigation and help us to get some justice for the victim.”

If you recognise the person in the e-fit or have any information about this incident, please call police on 101 and quote CAD 4366/29JULY2020. 

Alternatively tweet @MetCC, or to remain 100 per cent anonymous call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Violent Hotel Sex Assault: Suspect Hunted

Police are hunting this suspect after a woman was molested in a Paddington hotel and knocked unconscious in the early hours.

Police are appealing for help to identify and trace the man they wish to speak with in connection with the sexual assault allegation.

On Sunday, November 29, last year at approximately 3.15am, a man sexually assaulted a woman at a hotel in Paddington.

The man also hit the victim, causing her to lose consciousness momentarily.

Following the assault, the suspect ran out of the room and left the hotel.

The victim immediately called police and was taken to hospital for treatment. 

Her injuries were not life threatening.

The suspect is described as black man, around 6ft tall, of medium build, with receding short curly hair and brown eyes, light to mid-complexion, slight beard and moustache and appears to be aged between the mid to late twenties.

At the time of the incident the male was wearing a black cap, black and grey striped scarf, dark blue hooded jacket, dark blue jeans, black trainers.

Anyone who thinks they may know this man or has any information that could assist the investigation should call police on 101 or Tweet @MetCC quoting 888/29NOV/20.

Bank Worker Swindled Relatives Out Of Over £68K

A bank employee conned three relatives out of £68,000 by claiming she had access to lucrative investments and property deals.

Hien Ly, 40, of Sanderling Court, Abinger Grove, Deptford demanded more and more money from the family members to save the fictitious investments.

She appeared at Woolwich Crown Court where she pleaded guilty to ten counts of fraud and will be sentenced on May 11.

Ly worked at a bank branch in Greenwich High Street and between November, 2012 and May, 2019 convinced relatives she could get good rates for them. 

Once the victims were trapped into a deal with Ly, she would continue to request further funds, stating costs had changed, more finance was needed or the property or investments would be lost if more money was not paid in.

The victims lost a combined total of £68,499.

Ly was arrested at her workplace by officers on May 20, 2019 after being reported via Action Fraud.

Police Constable Stewart Bold, from the Economic Crime Team, said: “Ly used her position as a bank employee to fraudulently steal money.

“She was deemed a success by her family, which she used to gain their trust. 

“Her family members invested their money with her, believing it was not only safe, but it was going to gain them profits in the future.

“Ly did not invest any of the money and despite supplying the victims with documents showing financial returns and property purchases, she had in fact used the money to fund her own lavish lifestyle. 

“She has left the victims without savings and at a great financial loss through her greed and selfishness. 

“This case is all the more shocking given she targeted her own family in the crime.”

Vodka-Drinking Bus Driver Caught Over 4 Times Limit

A drunken bus driver, whose “off the scale” reading was over four times the drinks limit, avoided prison with a suspended sentence.

Police found a vodka bottle in 49 year-old Dominik Niedzwiadk’s bag when they stopped his damaged bus, which had struck parked cars, after the alarm was raised by one of his supervisors.

He pleaded guilty to driving the red 12 tonne double-decker with 161 micrograms of alcohol in his breath - the legal limit is 35.

Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court heard Niedzwiadk, of Bridges Court, Beldam Way, Hounslow was arrested in May Road, Twickenham on February 19.

There were no passengers onboard the service when Niedzwiadk hit the unoccupied vehicles at approximately 10.30pm, three hours after coming on duty.

“We have been discussing your case for some time,” bench Chairwoman Pamela Stocks told Niedzwiadk.

“That is because the reading of alcohol in your breath on the night of this incident is off the scale on our sentencing guidelines.

“We have taken into account you were a public service vehicle licensed bus driver and that there was a collision, you actually hit another two vehicles.

“We thought it was lucky it was vehicles you hit and not people or vehicles with people in them.

“Your offence goes straight into the custody bracket.”

Prosecutor Aaron McCallister told the court: “Police got a call from a manager with London United Busways to a report one of their drivers had caused damage to a bus.

“When the officers arrived they saw damage to the front of the bus and the driver appeared to be drunk. He smelled of alcohol and was unable to stand up by himself.

“Police had also received a report from a member of the public that a bus had hit parked vehicles.

“At the police station the defendant said he remembered hitting something, but did not know what it was.”

Niedzwiadk’s lawyer Ania Grudzinska said: “He knows he needs to address his alcohol issues and this incident has been a reality check for him.

“He is genuinely remorseful for what he has done and has started to address his issues.

“He is no longer employed as a bus driver and does not intend to be employed as one again.

“He has worked extremely hard and has done nothing wrong for many years, serving an important public role.”

Niedzwiadk received six months imprisonment, suspended for twelve months and was disqualified from driving for three years.

He was ordered to complete 150 hours community service work and must observe an electronically-tagged home curfew for three months between 8pm and 8am.

The court also ordered Niedzwiadk to comply with twenty days of Probation Service-ordered rehabilitation and pay £85 costs and a £128 victim surcharge.

“We had a look at you and your circumstances and read the pre-sentence report and listened to the representations of your legal representative,” Ms Stocks told the first-time offender. 

“We have taken into account you have no previous convictions and that you are genuinely remorseful and in the past have displayed exemplary conduct.

“We feel there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and that you have taken the steps to address your behaviour and that you had difficulties with depression."

Ex-Boxing Champ Shoved Ticket Inspector Aside

Ticket Punched: Camacho

Former Commonwealth cruiserweight boxing champion Wadi Camacho has been convicted of assaulting a petite ticket inspector when caught travelling in First Class on the wrong train.

The six foot three 35 year-old, who has 21 victories, including 12 KO’s on his record, shoved the woman to one side when confronted on the platform of Euston Station.

He was found guilty after a trial at City of London Magistrates’ Court and was conditionally discharged for two years, ordered to pay £300 costs and £100 compensation to the victim.

Camacho, of Hopwood Court, Leven Road, Walthamstow was caught enjoying tea from a china cup in First Class, despite only having a Standard Class ticket for a later train on November 27, 2019.

Another ticket inspector told him to get off at the next stop or pay for the Birmingham to London journey and Camacho refused, resulting in Euston staff being alerted.

“It was the wrong train, wrong class, wrong time,” Andrew Simpson told the trial. “He was unwilling to buy another ticket.”

At Euston ticket inspector Olya Muzyka was waiting with a colleague. “He was not interested in talking to her and wanted to be on his way," added Mr Simpson.

“He physically pushed Olya out of the way to get past. She was shocked and is quite a bit smaller than the gentleman and said: ’Stop. That’s assault.’

“He mumbled something and kept walking. He did push her physically out of the way.”

Ms Muzyka told the court: “He was walking towards my face like I didn’t exist and was not stopping, just moving forward.

"Pushed": Ms Muzyka

“I was walking backwards and he put his hand on me, on my elbow and pushed me to one side. It was not aggressive, but it was an unwanted touch and is still an assault.

“There was an element of force and I lost my balance. He did move me out of the way, he did push me and did not have any intention to stop and just kept going.

“I was knocked off balance, causing me to drop my equipment and was squashed into another passenger.

“He completely ignored me. I was non-existent as a person.”

Her colleague Noah Young told the trial: “When Olya asked him for his ticket he laughed and walked away and pushed her out of the way with two hands.”

Nearby British Transport Police were alerted, but Camacho initially refused to give his name, insisting he had paid his fare and done nothing wrong.

He told the court he was only in First Class to get food and was happy to pay the £10 upgrade to sit there, but not pay for the journey.

“I told the inspector I was not going to pay because I already had a ticket.”

He denied pushing Ms Muzyka on the platform. “She said something about being a ticket officer and I showed her my ticket and they said I had to pay for a new one.

“I tried to move to the left and she had her arm extended and when I moved to the right she moved, so I went to the left and got past.

“I know how to conduct myself, I know how to deal with people.”

District Judge Karim Ezzat told Camacho, now a Marks & Spencer security guard: “Even now you say you would not pay one pound more for your fare.

“You were frustrated and you did push past although there was no great aggression to it.

“All of the witnesses say you made contact with the complainant and I am sure you moved her.”

In her victim impact statement Ms Muzyka said: “This has left me intimidated by customers who are taller and larger than me and I feel more vulnerable because of this incident.”

Dad Sentenced For Trike Assault

Wimbledon Magistrates Court

A dad, who threw a tricycle at his ex during a domestic row as she held one of their three children in her arms, has been sentenced for assault.

Tyrone Black, 41, was ordered out of the address as he started fixing himself a sandwich and the former 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, 2020 and was sentenced earlier this year.

Black received a six-month Community Order, which includes attending the Probation Service's Building Better Relationships course for up to forty days.

He must also comply with a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to twenty days.

The court also imposed a two-year Restraining Order on Black, prohibiting him from contacting the victim or attending her address. 

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.

He must also pay £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

Stalker Sentenced

Willesden Magistrates Court

A stalker, who continually pestered a woman with emails; letters and via instagram, was sentenced earlier this year.

Henry Reeve, 28, of Goddards Close, Sherfield-on-Loddon, Hook, Hampshire admitted the offence.

At north-west London's Willesden Magistrates Court he pleaded guilty to stalking the woman between September 12 and October 26, last year.

The offence was said to have caused the victim serious alarm or distress and had a substantial adverse effect on her day-to-day activities.

The first-time offender also made contact via the woman's work colleagues and her mother.

Reeve was sentenced to sixteen weeks imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months and must complete up to fifteen days of a Probation Service-ordered rehabilitation activity requirement.

He was also made subject to a five-year restraining order and ordered to pay a £128 fine, plus £85 costs.

Non League Footballer Drove Merc While Banned

A popular non league footballer, who squeezed university studies between stints with multiple teams, has been banned for driving his Mercedes while disqualified.

Ola Sogbanmu, 30, has made appearances for Carshalton Athletic; Woking FC; Wingate & Finchley FC and ironically the Metropolitan Police amongst others

A versatile player, Sogbanmu, of Coppin House, Tulse Hill, south London has played as a box-to-box midfielder; centre-forward and centre-half during his footballing career.

He appeared at Croydon Magistrates Court, where he pleaded guilty to driving his black Mercedes A Class, while disqualified, along Camberwell New Road on February 24.

Sogbanmu also pleaded guilty to driving without insurance on the same occasion.

He was fined £164, with £85 costs and ordered to pay a £34 victim surcharge.

He was disqualified from driving for nine months and the court ordered him to remain disqualified until he passes a driving test.

Sex Offender Beat Internet Ban

Bromley Magistrates Court

A convicted sex offender – now working for a community organisation assisting young people in the music business – has admitted breaching a public safety court order.

Terry Hoath, 66, of Romney House, Mulgrave Road, Sutton appeared on bail at Bromley Magistrates Court last Thursday, where he admitted the new offence.

He pleaded guilty to breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) by using his laptop in a private browsing mode known as Incognito to view a Sound Lounge facebook page on December 27, last year.

The SHPO was imposed at Snaresbrook Crown Court on May 25, last year.

The court heard Hoath was a registered sex offender after a conviction in 2007 and is subject to a SHPO, which prohibits private browsing on the internet.

He has previously breached the order and failed to comply with notification requirements.

Hoath's lawyer told the court he is employed by a Sutton “community interest” company, which was hosting a facebook live concert event.

Because Hoath is blocked from accessing facebook he used the Incognito setting to by-pass the ban and view the event.

The former lighting consultant was contacted by the police two weeks alter and attended Bromley Police Station.

Magistrate Elizabeth Worthington bailed Hoath until May 12 for sentencing, telling him: “We feel we need reports. We are not going to deal with this today.”

Cafe Charge: OAP Accepts Caution

Bromley Magistrates Court

A pensioner, charged with touching a woman outside a Bromley shopping centre cafe, has had the proceedings dropped after accepting an official police caution.

Francis Brendan McGillion, 73, of Hildenlea Place, Shortlands was due to appear on unconditional bail at Bromley Magistrates Court.

He was charged with sexually assaulting the woman outside Cafe Giardino, The Glades on December 20, 2019.

That charge was officially withdrawn by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Police Impersonator Sentenced

A drunken farmer, who repeatedly posed as a police officer on Wimbledon Common, even attaching a flashing blue lamp to his 4x4 during a bizarre obsession last summer, has been sentenced.

Marc Peter Dailly, 58, left his 142-acre property, which is also home to his wife’s horse livery stables, and drove up the A3 to the common in south-west London.

Yesterday at Wimbledon Magistrates Court he was placed on a twelve-month Community Order, which includes a compulsory Probation Service rehabilitation requirement of up to fifteen days.

He was also fined £250, with £85 costs and ordered to pay a £95 victim surcharge and the court made a confiscation order depriving Dailly of his handcuffs, cones, blue lights, warrant ward and high-visibility equipment.

Last February Dailly, of Slough Farm, Telegraph Lane, Claygate, Esher pleaded guilty to three counts of impersonating a police officer on June 24; July 15 and July 19, last year.

He also pleaded guilty to using his Mitsubishi Shogun, which was fitted with a blue warning beacon, contrary to the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations, on July 19.

The prosecution dropped an offensive weapon charge of possessing a police-style baton, submitting it was part of the main three impersonating offences.

Prosecutor Mr David Roberts told the court the alarm was raised on July 19: “Police were called to reports of the defendant driving a vehicle on Wimbledon Common, claiming to be a police officer.

“The police officers say he was drunk, slurring his words and produced a card, claiming to be a police officer.

“There were two other earlier incidents when a parks officer warned the defendant about having a vehicle with a flashing light.”

The arresting officers describe Dailly - who also has a background in veterinary farming - as “driving erratically and at speed.”

Mr Roberts explained: “The defendant introduced himself as ‘the Chief Inspector’ and admitted he had ‘one or two’.

“He was also in possession of a police-style baton that the Crown Prosecution Service say is part of the charge of impersonating a police officer.”

Dailly was separately prosecuted for drink-driving at three times the limit and last year was fined £500 and disqualified for two years.

The court heard Dailly has had personal struggles and a letter from his wife was presented to the court.

PE Assistant Smooched With Autistic Schoolgirl

An assistant PE teacher canoodled with a 15 year-old schoolgirl by the sports equipment shed and shared amorous messages with her, a court heard yesterday.

Luke Hagon, 27, secretly smooched with the girl and squeezed her bum at the Glebe School, West Wickham, while asking her if she “liked” it.

Bromley Magistrates Court was told the girl was vulnerable, due to her autism, and only reported the behaviour to her Army cadet leader after completing her education.

Hagon, of St. Peters Avenue, Berrys Green, Westerham, who is also on the autism spectrum, admitted kissing and groping the girl and will be sentenced on May 21.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual activity with an underage girl between July 1, 2018 and June 1, 2019.

Prosecutor Marcia Evans told the court: “The defendant was a teaching assistant for PE.

“The girl disclosed the defendant had behaved towards her in a sexual manner, starting with remarks like: ‘Oh, okay beautiful?’

“He took her to the shed area where the PE equipment was stored and kissed her and would grab her bum while kissing.

“The defendant asked her to touch him and showed off his chest and stomach and asked her if she liked it.

“Hagon sent her messages, including: ‘What turns you on?’ and there were other sexual conversations between the two.”

After Hagon was reported by the girl he was arrested and suspended by the school.

“It is clearly a case on the custody threshold, but could be suitable for a suspended sentence” said Helena Spector, defending. 

“He has mental health difficulties and they have been getting worse and worse leading up to today. He has anxiety and depression.”

The magistrates allowed Hagon to sit down when it appeared he may faint in the courtroom.

Bench chairwoman Elizabeth Worthington told the first-time offender, who was supported by his parents: “Probation are going to prepare a report for the court that will deal with you back here.”

Deep Release Massage Specialist Accused Of Groping Female Client

A massage therapist, accused of touching a female client between her legs at his south London premises, appeared in court for the first time yesterday.

Graham Stannard, 46, is a practitioner of Zen-Su deep release massage, specialising in injuries and muscular pain deep tissue work.

He appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court, which sent him to Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court for trial.

Stannard, of Fleetwood Avenue, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexually assaulting the customer on August 2, last year.

She was attending Stannard’s practice, Healing Zen Massage, 25a Bedford Hill, Balham.

Prosecutor Mr Arfan Ahmed told the court the complainant told police Stannard deliberately touched her twice during the same session, making a circular motion with his hand.

He was bailed unconditionally to appear on May 4.

Family Friend Denies Molesting Their Daughter

A sexual predator befriended a family and molested their daughter for four years while threatening to lie she was a child prostitute if she reported him, a jury were told today, 

The abuse began when the girl was 14 years-old and progressed from kissing to entering her bedroom at night and also groping her between her legs, the court heard.

Richard Kwabena Asubonteng, 49, of Latrigg Road, Carlisle denies ten counts of sexually abusing the teenager at various locations in south-west London between 2015 and 2019.

He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child; six counts of sexual assault;  one count of assault by penetration and one count of causing the complainant to engage in sexual activity.

Prosecutor Peter Clement told Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court the abuse began with touching and kissing in the girl’s bedroom when she was 14 years-old.

“This was no peck on the cheek, this was a kiss on the mouth by an adult.

“The nature of the sexual contact increased in intensity as time progressed.”

One charge covers an incident when Asubonteng pressed his crotch into the girl’s back when she was getting ready to go to church, the jury were told.

She was molested while doing the washing up and the abuse increased to Asubonteng exposing her breasts, said the prosecutor.

When she visited his flat he pushed his finger between her legs and made her kiss him intimately, it was alleged and groped her thigh during a church service.

The final incident was Asubonteng entering her bedroom one night when he was sleeping over as a guest, wearing just his boxer shorts, and telling the teen: “I want to lick you,” added Mr Clement.

“The defendant had befriended the girl’s mother and he was invited to the family home and to church.

“The prosecution case is he breached their trust for his own sexual gratification.”

There were early signs of Asubonteng’s interest in the girl, the prosecutor told the jury. “He made comments about how nice she looked.

“He was not challenged and his behaviour progressed to a sexual nature and contact over time.

“It began with a kiss on the mouth and he told her: ‘I want there to be a connection’.

“She said: ‘You’re so disgusting. No,’ but she did not tell anyone and felt ashamed at what happened and was scared to say anything and kept quiet.

“She was putting make-up on in the downstairs loo when he pushed his groin against her backside and other occasions when she was washing-up.

“He kissed her on the mouth after going out for a burger and also lifted her top and bra up and kissed her breasts.”

Married father Asubonteng also pounced when the girl was at his flat, the court heard.

“He grabbed her and said: ‘I want to sex you,’ and put his hand down her trousers and inside her pants.

“He exposed himself and forced her to the floor and pushed her head down to kiss him.”

A relative witnessed suspicious behaviour at a church service in Mitcham. “They saw Asubonteng reach out and touch her thigh  under her skirt and he stroked her hand.

“The defendant threatened her to keep quiet and if she did say something he would say she was a child prostitute.”

Trial continues……………