Hammer-Wielding Teen's Tube Train Rampage

"Dangerous": Walker

A hammer-wielding teen, who suddenly attacked three fellow tube train passengers – leaving one with a fractured skull – has been locked-up for twelve years.

Jamal Walker, 19, of Elizabeth Way, Harlow, Essex was travelling on a southbound Victoria Line train when his onslaught began for no apparent reason.

At Southwark Crown Court he pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm, with intent, grievous bodily harm and attempted grievous bodily harm, with intent, plus possession of an offensive weapon.

He was sentenced to twelve years custody with an extended licence period of five years.

On Thursday October 29, last year Walker boarded a train at Walthamstow Central.

As the train left Tottenham Hale he stood up with his hand in his bag and began to circle the pole in the middle of the train.

He took the hammer from his bag and launched a vicious and sustained attack on two men, hitting one over the head repeatedly with the hammer and attempting to strike the other.

Walker left the train at Seven Sisters, encountering his third victim who was waiting to board. 

He struck him across the head with the hammer, before then returning to the train and chasing his first two victims through the carriage.

Terrified passengers fled the carriage and Walker left the station, discarding the hammer and a screwdriver on the platform on his way out.

The first victim suffered lacerations and a fractured skull, spending ten days in hospital, and the third victim also received treatment in hospital for a head wound. 

The second victim suffered minor injuries, which did not require hospital treatment.

Walker was arrested at his home address a week later, having being identified through forensic enquiries on a carton of apple juice he left at the scene, along with the discarded weapons.

In his police interview, Walker couldn’t give any explanation as to why he attacked the men other than that he was “stressed” that day.

Detective Inspector Gary Pinner said: “This was one of the most shocking and senseless acts of violence I have come across in my entire career, and it was inflicted on three innocent men without any provocation.

“Walker is clearly an incredibly dangerous individual and it is only through luck that his victims weren’t more seriously injured.

“While this was a truly horrifying experience for them, I’d like to reassure the public that incidents like this are thankfully extremely rare on the railway network.

“We are also lucky to police a CCTV rich environment which captured the incident in its entirety and proved invaluable in helping to bring Walker to justice. 

“I am relieved to know he’ll now be spending the foreseeable future behind bars.”

Pickpocket Binned

This London Underground pickpocket was caught by undercover cops pinching a mobile phone from a female passenger's handbag.

The officers, part of the British Transport Police pickpocket squad, spotted Bilal Sennousni, 22, at Green Park station on Wednesday June 23 at around 5pm.

They watched closely as he positioned himself behind the unsuspecting woman passenger and within reach of her handbag.

He then dipped his hand into the bag, took her phone and quickly left for the station exit.

He was arrested before he could leave, and the victim was reunited with her phone.

Sennousni, of Rosebank Grove, Walthamstow, was also wanted for the theft of a laptop on a train at Paddington Station at the start of the year on Wednesday January 27.

He pleaded guilty to both offences the day after his arrest and was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison.

Inspector Matt Goldspink said: “Plain clothed patrols are just one way we protect passengers, staff and their belongings. 

“These patrols can be very effective in stopping pickpockets, as was the case here.

“We’re constantly patrolling the railway in London. 

“Whether you can see us or not we’re always nearby, so if you ever have any concerns text British Transport Police on 61016 or in an emergency dial 999.”

Teen Locked-Up For Policeman Hammer Robbery

This teenager has been locked-up after he and an unknown accomplice robbed an off-duty policeman of his uniform shortly after offering to sell the officer drugs.

He was linked to the robbery after the officer's police helmet was found during a search of his home during a separate investigation.

Bartlomiej Zielnski, 18, of Enfield, north London received three years custody when he was sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court.

The victim, a serving response constable attached to the Central South Command Unit, was on his way to work on January 10, last year at Edmonton Green Bus Station.

He was approached by Zielnski and another youth, who offered him drugs.

The officer identified himself as a police officer and tried to stop them, but the second male pulled out a hammer and threatened him. 

They then stole the officer's suitcase, which had his uniform inside, before running off.

Five days later, Zielnski was arrested following an unrelated matter. 

A search of his address was carried out under Section 18 of PACE and the officer's helmet was located.

Zielnski was identified in an ID procedure and was charged with robbery.

The other male concerned has not been identified.

Detective Constable Daniel Trodden said: "A police officer is never off duty and when he was approached on his way to work by two males and offered drugs the officer in this incident answered his duty, only to be threatened and robbed of his suitcase, which contained his uniform.

"Thankfully the officer suffered no injuries, and in fact continued on his way to work to help protect the people of London after the incident.

"Zielnski may well have thought he had gotten away with his crime, but will now have a substantial amount of time to think about his actions."

Double-Decker Bus Thug Hunted

Police are hunting this suspected bus thug after a female passenger had a drink thrown over her and a male was threatened on another service minutes later.

Police have released this image of the man they wish to trace following the two incidents on buses in north west London.

Both incidents happened within minutes of each other in the Cricklewood area on Tuesday, April 20.

At around 12.45pm a woman, aged in her twenties, was on the top desk of a route 332 bus outside Cricklewood bus garage. 

The suspect approached her and, without warning, shouted at her and threw a drink he was holding over her. 

He then got off the bus.

Around 15 minutes later on another route 332 bus in Alder Grove, Cricklewood, the same man approached a male who was sitting on the top deck. 

The suspect intimated he had a knife, made verbal threats and demanded the male hand over his mobile telephone. 

The suspect then left the bus.

The suspect is described as a black male of large build, approximately 6ft 2inches tall with a beard. 

He was wearing a long black coat, a red and white scarf and was carrying a backpack.

PC Matt Cannon of the Brent Safer Transport Team said: “Thankfully no-one was physically hurt but both victims were left understandably shaken by these incidents. 

“I would appeal to anyone who recognises this man to get in contact with police immediately. 

“Also, if you were on either bus and witnessed what happened then please get in touch as your information could help progress this investigation.”

If you can help, please contact police on 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD 4855/20Apr. 

Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

100% Innocent: Three HMP Belmarsh Officers Cleared Of Assault

Rejected Evidence: Costa

Three HMP Belmarsh prison officers were cleared today of beating a brain-damaged inmate as he tried to throttle himself with a pair of jogging bottoms.

The trio were all reported by a fourth colleague, who gave a statement to police and evidence in court.

They are: Tracey Ferrari, 46; Ian Henderson, 65 and Andrew Morrison, 36.

After a trial at Bromley Magistrates’ Court they were all found not guilty of assaulting prisoner Ibrahim Noor at top-security HMP Belmarsh on June 26, last year.

The fourth prison officer, Dailcio Costa, told the trial he was working at the prison’s Health Care Unit, but struggled in giving evidence regarding the equipment he was using and details of the inmate’s cell.

He and the three defendants were returning Noor to his cell from a video link suite at 10am.

“I heard a commotion behind me and the officers had rushed into the cell,” he told the court. “I saw officer Morrison holding the prisoner and punching the prisoner, they were beating the prisoner.

“Officer Ferrari was throwing punches and officer Henderson was also throwing punches.

“Officer Morrison was punching and kneeing and it looked like he was very upset and angry and officers Ferrari and Henderson were also throwing punches.

Not Guilty: Henderson & Morrison

“Officer Morrison was holding the jogging bottoms and said: ’There’s no need for paperwork,’ and the prisoner was on his bed, looking dazed and confused, saying he was sorry.

“Officer Ferrari said he had tied his jogging bottoms around his neck.

“I was shocked and trying to work out what to do.

“The events were in my mind and I approached my senior manager to report what happened and he was shocked and told me I had to submit a report.

“It was a sensitive thing and I thought I would speak directly to the Governor, via email.

“After reflecting over the weekend the events did bother me and I decided to submit the report.”

When cross-examined officer Costa admitted failing to disclose a previous police caution he received for assaulting an emergency worker when applying for his prison officer job.

Not Guilty: Ferrari

He denied a defence suggestion he was not telling the truth to the court, explaining; “It took me three days to reflect if I should go ahead and report my colleagues.

“It has not been easy since I made that report and I don’t think I have made anything up.”

Noor was subjected to a medical examination, but no injuries were found on his body consistent with an assault.

When questioned by the police Henderson said: “He tried hanging himself,” and insisted “no force” was used against the prisoner.

Morrison also told police he used no force and entered the cell because Noor was using his jogging bottoms as a ligature.

Ferrari said she only entered the cell to retrieve a t-shirt from Noor, who needed to wear ‘anti-ligature’ clothing.

Car Ambush: More Suspects Wanted

Police hunting a gang of wannabe robbers, who rammed a victim's car with their vehicle, have released these images of two suspects.

At approximately 11.20pm on Tuesday, March 2 a man had stopped his car in Lopen Road, Edmonton, north London when he was approached by several men who attempted to gain access to the vehicle.

He remained in his car and was able to drive away. 

The suspects followed him in another vehicle and rammed the victim's car several times.

The man drove to Edmonton Police Station and reported the incident. 

There were no injuries.

Two men – aged 28 and aged 20 – have been arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery. 

Both have been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

Police are now issuing these images of two further men they would like to identify and trace.

PC Tom Barker, from the local policing team in north London, said: "This was a frightening experience for the victim who was lucky not to have been injured through such reckless behaviour.

"We have carried out a number of enquiries to track down those responsible and we are now asking for public's help to find the other men in these images."

If you can help please call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting CAD 7855/02Mar. To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Hyde Park Machete Fight

Police are hunting these Hyde Park suspects, who brandished fearsome weapons during terrifying violence that resulted in a 17 year-old being stabbed.

Police were called to the Central London park at 9.00pm on June 1 when a large number of males produces machete blades.

On arrival officers found the male 17 year-old, who had been stabbed. 

He was given immediate first aid and taken to a London hospital where he remains in a stable, non-life-threatening condition.

One teenager has been arrested on suspicion of affray in connection with the incident.

Detective Superintendent Alex Bingley said: "We urge anyone who knows or can identify the men in these pictures to come forward. 

“No piece of information is too small.

"The brazen violence that was witnessed by many people enjoying the sun in Hyde Park was both shocking and unacceptable.

"We appreciate the images and videos that were widely shared following the incident will have caused concern to people in the area and to those who visit the park regularly.

"I want to reassure the public that we are committed to ensuring our parks remain a safe space for everyone to enjoy. 

“We are doing all we can to track down the individuals involved and bring them to justice.

"Visitors to the park will see an increased police presence and if they have concerns I would encourage them to speak to officers."

Information can be provided to the police by calling 101, or to Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111 and providing the reference CAD7861/01JUN.

OAP Bag Snatcher Wanted

Police hunting a bag-snatcher, who targeted an OAP, have released this CCTV image of their suspect.

On Monday, April 26 at approximately 11.30am, the elderly woman was walking along Norwood Road, Herne Hill, south London.

Suddenly her bag was pulled from her, causing her to fall heavily to the floor. 

She sustained minor injuries.

Police would like to speak to the man pictured in connection with this incident.

They are urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact 101 or tweet @MetCC, quoting CAD 7430/01JUN21.

Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.

TV Producer's Online Live Sex Shows

A television producer, who has made documentaries with survivalist Bear Grylls, abused his company debit card to enjoy over £100,000 worth of live online sex, a court heard yesterday.

Mark Johann Insanally, 55, was involved in a multi-million pound production with the National Geographic channel and claimed the live sex payments were for “archive footage”.

Insanally, of Climsland House, Duchy Street, Waterloo, appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court and was sent to Inner London Crown Court for sentencing.

He pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by false representation, namely using the Ventureland company debit card between October 1, 2019 and November 30, last year for £108,137.86 worth of online sexual services.

Insanally has worked on ‘Banged up Abroad’ as well as Channel 5 productions ‘Make or Break’ ‘Eva Braun’ and ‘Cleopatra’ as well as BBC1’s ‘Surviving Disaster’ and ‘Sinking the Lusitania’ and More4’s ‘When Boris Met Dave’.

He was the Line Producer on 2016’s ‘Absolute Wild China’ with Bear Grylls, shooting in that country and the USA.

Production shoots have also taken him to Morocco, Colombia, Romania and other international locations. 

Prosecutor Nahiedh Khan told the court: “Mr Insanally worked for Ventureland and was assisting in a documentary for National Geographic that had a budget running into the millions of pounds.

“It was millions of pounds over budget and this defendant had a company debit card that he used when he logged in to chat rooms to watch live sex shows.

“His addictions was to such and extent he spent over one hundred thousand pounds on that debit card and when asked about it by the company accountant he said it was for archive footage which employees in America were servicing.  

“The payments were found to be fraudulent and the card was cancelled and the police called  and there was an investigation by Barclays,” said Ms Khan.

On June 14 this year Insanally’s laptop was seized by the police, which showed he had used it to regularly visit the sex sites.

When interviewed Insanally initially protested his innocence, denying he used the card, but eventually admitted he had an addiction to viewing online sex.

His lawyer George Manu told the court: “This was not sophisticated. He admits he used the card and admits he has done wrong and is awaiting a referral for therapy for his addiction.

“He admits he has an addiction and is seeking help.”

Insanally has offered a £21,000 lump sum in compensation, plus £500 per month to his former employer.

Magistrate Adrienne West bailed Insanally to the crown court for sentencing on a day to be fixed, telling him: “We view this as a Category A offence because there is a position of trust and you have breached that and our sentencing powers are not sufficient.”

Cannabis Seized During Police Operation

The Metropolitan Police are celebrating a proactive operation, which resulted in this seizure of cannabis from a random motorist.

On Saturday May 29, officers deployed a series of tactics to combat violence, drug offences and thefts, whilst also providing crime prevention advice in north Westminster.

Units from the Central West BCU – which covers Westminster – were joined by officers from the Roads and Transport Policing Command, Violence Suppression Units and Operation Venice.

Static stop sites were implemented at two locations in Westminster to target any offenders who may use London’s roads to distribute drugs. 

Officers also patrolled the area on foot and in cars to crackdown on violence and knife crime.

Six vehicles were seized for offences including driving without insurance and driving not in accordance with a licence.

Officers were also joined by members of the Met’s Volunteer Cadets, who carried out test purchase operations to discover whether any shopkeepers sold knives or alcohol to underage customers. 

Two premises will be prosecuted for selling alcohol.

One person was arrested on suspicion of possession, with intent to supply, Class B drugs.

Rapist/Flasher Wanted In East London

Police are hunting this suspected east London rapist, believed to have exposed himself to another woman two weeks later.

Police were called at approximately 7.20pm on Wednesday, April 28 after a woman made an allegation of rape by an unknown male. 

A crime scene was established in Orchards Playing Field, off Goodmayes Lane, Ilford. 

The woman continues to be supported by specialist officers.

Approximately two weeks later, police were called on Thursday, May 13 by a woman who reported that a man had exposed himself to her between 8.00pm and 9.00pm in Goodmayes Park.

On both occasions the man is described as white with short dark hair and stubble.

Detectives have carried out extensive enquiries and following a thorough search of local CCTV cameras have released two CCTV images.

The CCTV image from April shows a man wearing either a dark/blue jacket with red sleeves, or a gilet over a red top.

The bottom of the jacket has a distinct band, which is white, red and blue. 

He was also wearing dark coloured trousers and carrying a rucksack.

In May the man appears to be wearing a dark coloured gilet over a grey top. He is also wearing black trousers.

Detectives from the East Area Command Unit, which covers Redbridge, are investigating. 

They would like to speak with anyone who has information about either incident.

Detective Constable Chris Maxim, said: “Whilst we cannot say for certain that it is the same man in both images, his physical description is the same, and the items of clothing are clearly very similar.

“We are working closely with our partners, including the local authority, and I would urge anyone who can help our investigations to come forward and speak with us. 

“Please take a look at these images - it is vital that we catch whoever is responsible.”

There have been no arrests and enquiries continue.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or tweet @MetCC and quote CAD 6760/28Apr or Cad 8257/13May.

Caterer Sexually Assaulted Teen Three Times

A boozy cocaine-snorting caterer sexually assaulted a 16 year-old girl after providing food and drink at a funeral wake, a court heard yesterday.

Maurice Fuller, 53, who claims his business is now in ruins, struck three times after taking a cocktail of drink and drugs.

He appeared at Inner London Crown Court, telling Judge Benedict Kelleher he has now completed 195 days of cocaine rehab.

Fuller pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assaulting the teenager on November 15 and twice on December 5, last year.

The locations were outside Fenstanton Primary School, Tulse Hill; outside an industrial unit in West Norwood and at a residential address in Upper Norwood.

Fuller told the court he and others were drinking heavily while catering the funeral.

“A bottle of Hennessy was given and everybody helped themselves,” he said, insisting he had no sinister intention to get the young victim drunk.

“I had a bit of vodka, half a pint and half a bottle of rum and cocaine, about for of five lines,” said Fuller.

Before one of the assaults Fuller was in a local park at midday doing drink and drugs.

“I was in the park drinking rum,” he told the court. “I had about two or three lines of cocaine. I regret it.

“Now my business has gone.”

The prosecution suggest Fuller deliberately drove the teenage girl somewhere “dark and secluded” to sexually assault her on one of the occasions.

Judge Keller bailed Fuller for a pre-sentence report, telling him: “All options are open. You are at risk of going to prison.”

Ghana-Born Illegal Raped Brain-Damaged Woman He Was Paid To Care For

Inner London Crown Court 

A illegal overstayer, who raped a 31 year-old brain-damaged woman, he was employed to care for - fathering her son - was sentenced to twelve years and eight months imprisonment today.

The Ghana-born 63 year-old, took advantage of the vulnerable woman, disabled since being starved of oxygen at birth, when supposedly assisting at her Kennington home.

The church-going assistant pastor of Rotherhithe New Road, Rotherhithe, an illegal in the UK for over twenty-one years, pleaded guilty to raping the woman between February 1 and March 1, last year.

He also pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation, namely using a false identity to obtain employment with a cleaning company - earning £19,500. 

The Court of Protection ordered that doctors could deliver the baby in November, last year via caesarean section and he is currently in the care of the local authority. 

Inner London Crown Court heard the victim’s IQ is between 39 and 45 and she is also autistic and epileptic and unable to look after herself.

“She needs support walking for more than short distances and is incapable of independent living and incapable of communication, except for a few words,” said the Recorder of Southwark Judge Usha Karu.

“You were fully aware of her conditions and limitations and you were in a position of trust,” the judge told him.

“She would not have had the capacity to consent to sexual relations.” 

The defendant and another carer were paid by Lambeth council, via the victim’s mother, to assist her when lock-down resulted in less visits to her local day centre. 

She trusted the defendant, having previously dated him and knowing his connections with the church, but took her daughter to her GP when her stomach swelled up.

When the doctor confirmed the pregnancy all males who had access to the victim - including her brother - came under suspicion and the defendant even tried to shift the blame to two lodgers.

“This was an attempt to deflect blame from himself and onto others,” said prosecutor Gino Connors. “He said he did not know who the father of the baby was.”

However DNA tests proved he was 41 million times more likely to be the father than anybody else.

In his immigration application he lied that he was “destitute” and relying on the support of his pastor and possessed perfect English, despite a translator being needed in court.

He has a wife and six children in Ghana, but claimed he was single with no dependents.

George Payne, defending told the court: “He describes it as a spontaneous and unplanned act and takes responsibility and has shown genuine remorse.

“He was clearly working illegally in this country and was sending money to Ghana to support a large family.

“He had a respectable life and religion played a very important part of his existence.”

Describing the rape as a “life-changing event” the victim’s mother said: “It has devastated my family. There is unbearable pain within my heart. It is heartbreaking that my daughter is unable to say what she endured.”

She also received “threatening letters” from the defendant in the period before he was charged.

Judge Karu told the first-time offender: “She was aged thirty-one, but was really a child. This was the most serious breach of trust and you cast blame upon others.”

OAP Couple Targeted By Conman Again

A callous confidence trickster – who targeted a vulnerable elderly couple for the second time – taking £1700 from their home, is being hunted.

Police have released this CCTV image of the suspect, who struck in east London.

On Wednesday, February 10 at around 2.00pm, a man knocked at the couple’s house in Newham and falsely introduced himself as a police officer.

He showed the couple a fake lanyard and warrant card and was allowed into the house.

The suspect then explained to the victims that he was investigating a fraud from 2020, which they had been victims of a few months before. 

This previous incident is also believed to have been conducted by the same suspect.

The suspect claimed that some counterfeit cash - which needed to be seized as part of the investigation - was inside their house.

He convinced the victims to let him inspect the property for the cash. 

Upon finding £1,700, the suspect told the victims that they were legally not allowed to keep more than £1,000 of cash in their house and so it would have to be taken to the police station.

The suspect called a car which he claimed to be an ‘unmarked police car’ which would take all of them to the station for interview.

As the victims were getting ready, he made off with the £1,700.

The suspect is described as a white man, aged around 30 years old and approximately 5ft 9ins tall. 

He has dark, curly hair and introduced himself as “Officer Adam Morrison”.

The car the suspect used to drive off in was black and believed to have been showing false plates. 

It had a registration of OY55NFF and ANPR cameras suggest it could be a Volvo.

Anybody with information, or who may know this man, is asked to call police on 101 or tweet @MetCC providing the reference CAD 3571/10FEB21.

Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Rape Investigation: Do You Know This Man?

Detectives investigating the rape of a woman in south-east London have released this image of a man they want to speak to.

Between the evening of Tuesday, May 11 and the early hours of Friday, May 14, a woman in her twenties was assaulted and raped inside a residential address in Blackheath.

She is being supported by specialist officers.

A 22-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man have been charged in relation to the incident.

Detectives believe a third person, a man who was not known to the victim, was also present at the time of the offence.

He is a black male, who appears to be aged in his twenties. 

He is seen in the images with short hair and a beard.

Anyone who can identify the man is asked to call police on 101, providing the reference Cad 423/14May.

Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111.

Seven Years For Child Molester

A sexual predator, who befriended a family and molested their daughter while threatening to tarnish her as a child prostitute if she reported him, was jailed for seven years yesterday. 

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, Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard.

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

He was found guilty of 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 the jury 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.”

Retired Civil Servant Shoots Dead OAP Neighbour's Rescue Cat

Shot: Ethel

A retired civil servant, who ran his local Neighbourhood Watch, fatally shot his neighbour’s cat, which had been given a second chance of life after being rescued from Romania, a court heard.

Patrick Medford, 80, claimed four year-old Ethel was a danger to the wild birds he enjoyed feeding in his suburban back garden.

The cat sadly suffered an agonising death, with internal puncture wounds to her colon and intestine and died from sepsis the next day, despite veterinary surgery.

Pensioner Medford, of Yew Tree Close, Welling pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal on September 29, last year.

In 2019 he was invited to join the East Wickham Ward Panel, which discusses local policing and was later invited to join the Bexley Independent Advisory Group, which advises senior borough Commanders and Inspectors.

He was the local Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator for several years, but stepped down following the shooting.

Medford even handed in a reference to the magistrates from Sir David Simmons, the former Chief Justice of Barbados, who was also the Caribbean island’s former Attorney General.

Gun: Medford

Ethel’s owner, Jackie Richmond, 80, a retired police officer, who lives opposite Medford, paid £2,000 in vet bills in a desperate attempt save her pet’s life.

“She was such a nice cat, she was very loving and gentle,” said Mrs Richmond outside court. “She loved people and all the other people on the close loved her.”

Medford was sentenced to sixteen weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years and ordered to pay his neighbour £2,000 compensation, plus £600 costs and a £128 victim surcharge.

“I think he just hates cats and said she was a predator. He said she was disturbing birds in their nests.”

Neighbours rallied around to help find the culprit, with one checking their CCTV to prove Medford was at his £500,000 semi-detached house when the fatal shot was fired.

RSPCA prosecutor Andrew Wiles told Bexley Magistrates’ Court: “This case concerns a four year-old cat rescued from Romania in early 2020 that belongs to this defendant’s neighbour.

“She first became aware of a problem last June when she received an email from the defendant, which stated that ‘owners of predators should keep them under control’ because the cat had gone into his garden.

“In a second email he said he had to chase the cat from his house and in a third email referred to the case of a cat, which had returned home with a note attached to its collar threatening to kidnap it.

Neighbour: Jackie Richmond

“Last September Mrs Richmond was inside her house when she heard her cat howling and screaming and she returned home in distress through the catflap.

“She vomited and collapsed to the floor and was obviously in pain and distress with her eyes twitching and in the hallway vomited and collapsed again.

“Mrs Richmond sought urgent veterinary treatment and the vet states the cat was in severe shock , with severe abdominal pain and unable to walk.

“She had a weak pulse, low blood pressure and a slow heart rate.

“An x-ray was taken, which clearly showed an airgun pellet had punctured the abdomen and there was a fresh puncture wound.

“Surgery was performed and the cat recovered, but then succumbed to sepsis and died, despite all of their best efforts.”

Medford was reported to the RSPCA and police officers arrived on his doorstep on October 6.

“They found an air rifle that Mr Medford showed them that was in his back bedroom, propped by the window and a supply of ammunition.

Ethel's wound

“The gun was seized and ballistic analysis confirmed the pellet found in the cat came from Mr Medford’s gun.”

Medford told the Probation Service he used the air rifle to shoot pigeons, but enjoys other wild birds.

He claimed he did not intend to injure Ethel, but scare her away, but the Probation Officer felt he was “trying to minimise the offence” and “failed to appreciate the feelings of others.”

Medford insists tests on his air rifle’s scope would prove the weapon was inaccurate.

His lawyer Matthew Coxall told the court: “Clearly it is a serious matter, firing an air weapon at an animal in the garden.

“He did not intend to kill the cat, even thought he was the cause of the cat’s death.

Medford's weapon

“The scope was damaged and was 23cm off.

“He is a bird lover, wild birds and feeds them and felt the cat was preying on them and admits he did not like the cat.

“He aimed away from the cat, but the pellet hit the cat. It was a reckless, dangerous act.

“He is ashamed to be in court and custody would probably finish him off. He does not know how much longer he has left.”

Magistrate Phiroze Neemuchwala announced: “This is a serious matter involving a weapon and the prolonged suffering and death of an animal, with the owner suffering a degree of stress for a significant period of time.”

Medford’s air rifle was forfeited and the court disqualified him from owning any animal for an indefinite period of time.