Just Stop Oil supporter acquitted of criminal damage for spraying Scotland Yard sign
In a significant turn of events, Lora Johnson, a 38-year-old supporter of the Just Stop Oil movement, was acquitted of criminal damage by a Jury at Southwark Crown Court today. Johnson had been arrested on October 14, 2022, for spraying the iconic Metropolitan Police sign with orange paint in front of New Scotland Yard during […]
Natalie Elphicke Accused of Lobbying: Labour Asks Why Only Bring It Up Now?
Former Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke, who recently defected to the Labour Party, has come under scrutiny for allegedly lobbying the justice secretary during her then-husband’s criminal sex offences trial. Sir Robert Buckland, the former lord chancellor and justice secretary, revealed that Elphicke approached him before the hearing of Charlie Elphicke’s case. Elphicke reportedly expressed concern […]
London Fraudster Receives Suspended Sentence for Illegally Obtaining Covid Loan
Rian O’Keeffe, a 28-year-old resident of Lisgar Terrace, Hammersmith, has been handed a suspended prison sentence after fraudulently securing a £50,000 Bounce Back Loan intended to support businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic. The sentence, imposed by Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday, April 30, consists of 18 months in prison suspended for two years, along with […]
Police Officers Deny Assaulting 93-Year-Old Dementia Patient Despite Use of Taser and Other Force
In a shocking case that has stirred public outrage, two police officers have denied assaulting a 93-year-old dementia patient residing in a care home, despite deploying a Taser, incapacitant spray, handcuffs, and a baton on the elderly individual. Pc Stephen Smith, aged 50, and Pc Rachel Comotto, aged 34, faced charges of assault occasioning actual […]
A man has been jailed for five years after teamwork from Met and City of London Police officers at last year’s Notting Hill Carnival
It led to Officers seizing a firearm in a bum-bag. Jade Charles, 35 of Saltram Crescent W9, appeared at Southwark Crown Court on in September 2023, where he pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition.He was sentenced at the same on Friday, 19 April. Detective Constable Andrew Payne, the investigating officer from the […]
Police Officer Jailed for Misconduct in Public Office
A police officer, Matthew Longmate, 47, from Derbyshire, has had his suspended sentence quashed and been sent to jail after engaging in sexual activities with a woman while on duty. The decision came after the case was referred to the Court of Appeal, overturning his previous 12-month suspended sentence. Longmate’s misconduct occurred when he and […]
A criminal who conspired to launder money from victims of fraud has been jailed for five years
Detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate launched an investigation after receiving reports that trade customers had been tricked into paying money into the wrong bank accounts. Mayowa Christopher, 30, was a member of an organised group with links to Thanet that gained access to people’s finances by pretending to work for their […]
Former Met Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Misconduct Charges
Former Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) officer Ishmael Donegan, 26, has pleaded guilty to four counts of misconduct in public office (MIPO) at the Southwark Crown Court this week. The charges stem from repeated unlawful searches of personal information on policing systems, following an investigation directed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The investigation […]
Man Jailed for Sexual Assault on Woman in Wheelchair at London Hospital
A man has been jailed after he sexually assaulted a woman in a wheelchair in a London hospital.
The female patient was being wheeled back to a ward at St Mary’s Hospital by a porter on February 6 when 35-year-old Mukhtar Jama approached her, a court heard.
He took her right hand and kissed it while asking if she was ok, before he moved closer and groped her breasts.
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Police were called to the hospital, in Praed Street, Paddington, and Jama, of Pinkwell Lane, Hayes, was arrested and later pleaded guilty to sexual assault.
He appeared in the dock at Southwark Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday (March 5).
The court heard that Jama had four previous convictions for sexual assaults.
Judge Christopher Hehir said: “All of these previous incidents involved similar conduct, groping complete strangers in public places. One of the previous incidents also took place in a hospital.”
Rebecca Martin, representing Jama, said that in 2019 Jama suffered brain damage in a road traffic accident.
Three of the four sexual assaults committed by Jama took place after that accident.
Ms Martin said that as a result of the brain damage Jama has a lack of consequential thinking.
But Judge Hehir said that while the head injury had led to great changes in Jama’s life, there is evidence that he maintains self-control.
Judge Hehir said: “You knew what you were doing and you knew what you were doing was wrong.”
He sentenced Jama to one year in prison after concluding that an immediate custodial sentence was necessary due to the threat he poses to women.
Metropolitan Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Child Indecency Charges
A Metropolitan Police officer has pleaded guilty to serious charges involving the creation and distribution of indecent images of children, as well as resisting arrest. PC Adam Merriman, a member of a proactive team covering Barnet, Brent, and Harrow, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, March 8th. He faced three counts of making an […]
Man, Who Preyed on Gay Men Sentenced to 11 Years and Six Months in Jail
Reda Zahri, a 22-year-old resident of Haverstock Road, NW5, has been sentenced to 11 years and six months in prison by the Southwark Crown Court. His crimes involved preying on men to rob them, leaving a trail of victims who fell prey to his cunning tactics. Zahri pleaded guilty to the following charges: Three counts […]
Former Chief of Staff to Madagascan President Convicted of Bribery
The former Chief of Staff to the President of Madagascar, Romy Andrianarisoa, has been found guilty of bribery following a fast-paced covert investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA). Andrianarisoa, 47, from Madagascar, and her associate, French national Philippe Tabuteau, 54, were charged in August 2023 after soliciting substantial sums of money in exchange for […]
A mastermind who ran an investment fraud scheme that defrauded victims of over £12m was jailed today for five years at Southwark Crown Court
A mastermind who ran an investment fraud scheme that defrauded victims of over £12m was jailed today for five years at Southwark Crown Court. Jonathan Arafiena, 35, of Embassy Gardens, Nine Elms, pled guilty to one count of money laundering and conspiracy to defraud. As well as a custodial sentence, he also received a serious […]
Iranian Money Launderer Involved in Migrant Smuggling Sentenced
Asghar Gheshalghian, a 48-year-old Iranian investigated by the National Crime Agency (NCA) for his involvement in laundering money made by people smuggling networks engaged in small boat crossings, has been sentenced to eight years in prison. Gheshalghian operated an unregistered money services business from an office block in Wood Green, functioning as a trusted middleman within a network of bankers using the hawala system.
His activities involved accepting payments from migrants or their families and releasing money to criminal gangs after the completion of their journeys to the UK, charging a commission in the process. The NCA arrested Gheshalghian in February 2021 based on evidence collected during a two-year investigation. He ran a rug company as a front for his money laundering operations.
Phone evidence revealed links with at least eight Iranian migrants who later arrived in the UK through boat or lorry crossings, claiming asylum. Covert recordings captured Gheshalghian admitting that a significant portion of his business was illegal. He boasted about being trusted by people smuggling gangs to handle financial transactions, underlining their confidence in his integrity.
Following his arrest, the NCA seized around £50,000 in cash from his business premises, a storage lock-up, and his home. Ledgers outlining transactions were recovered, and financial investigators traced approximately £1.6 million in payments into his bank accounts. Evidence from an ITV documentary, where undercover reporters discussed money transfers with a people smuggler in northern France referring to a broker named “Mr G” (Gheshalghian), further supported the case.
After a two-week trial at Southwark Crown Court, Gheshalghian was found guilty of five counts of money laundering and facilitating illegal immigration. The judge sentenced him to eight years in prison, highlighting the severity of his role in enabling organised crime gangs involved in dangerous Channel crossings. The NCA’s Branch Commander, Mark Howes, emphasized the agency’s commitment to disrupting and dismantling criminal networks engaged in organised immigration crime, targeting financial flows through individuals like Gheshalghian. The investigation received support from HM Revenue & Customs and the Crown Prosecution Service.
Michael Oatley, Unit Head for the CPS, stated that Gheshalghian knowingly operated an unregulated money service business to aid criminal gangs in smuggling people into the UK illegally. The prosecution’s message is clear: the CPS, alongside law enforcement, will tirelessly work to dismantle criminal networks attempting to facilitate illegal immigration.
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Flying Squad Nabs Jewel Thief: Serial Offender Peter Dixon Jailed for Violent Spree
A man responsible for a violent spree of robberies, including the theft of £400,000 worth of jewellery, has been sentenced to four years and eight months’ imprisonment. Peter Dixon, 44, of Swan Road, Southwark, was found guilty of robbery, attempted robbery, burglary, ABH (Actual Bodily Harm), and common assault in commercial properties. The sentence was delivered at Southwark Crown Court on Friday, January 12.
The Flying Squad’s painstaking CCTV enquiries and the recovery of a black glove worn by Dixon proved instrumental in tying him to a series of violent offences. Detective Sergeant Richard Watson, of the Met’s Flying Squad, underscored the severity of Dixon’s actions, stating, “Dixon carried out multiple offences in a short period of time, believing there would be no consequences for his actions.”
The robberies unfolded in various central London locations, leaving victims traumatiaed. On May 15, Dixon stole 510 Euros from a customer in a currency exchange shop on Victoria Street, SW1, inflicting facial and leg injuries through violence. Later, on May 25, he attempted to gain access to a supermarket’s cash office on Rochester Row SW1, threatening the manager but leaving without succeeding.
On the same day, Dixon tried to rob a Post Office on Vauxhall Bridge Road SW1, assaulting a customer before fleeing when police were called. In a daring burglary, Dixon targeted a jewelers on Burlington Gardens W1S, making off with up to £400,000 worth of jewelry. However, officers managed to apprehend him while fleeing in a taxi, recovering all stolen items.
The Flying Squad’s quick action included a fast-time CCTV investigation, conclusively linking Dixon to each of the robberies. The recovery of a black glove, matching the one seen in CCTV footage from the crimes, further solidified the case against him.
Detective Sergeant Richard Watson highlighted the frightening nature of Dixon’s offences, stressing the trauma experienced by victims. He stated, “Thankfully the victims recovered from their injuries, but the effects of these incidents can be very traumatic. We are pleased the victims have justice.”
© Copyright TSC International News Channel 2024
Film Alias Scam Gang Jailed for 5 Years in Ponzi Scheme Fraud
A criminal gang that adopted aliases from popular films and TV shows, including Suits, The Riot Club, and Hart to Hart, has been collectively sentenced to five years and eight months for orchestrating a fraudulent investment scheme. Sujanthan Sotheeswaran, Darren Peck, and Denis Deegan acted as ‘brokers’ on behalf of Choice Option and later Blue Crest Capital Options, luring unsuspecting individuals into a managed account scheme through cold-calling.
Financial records revealed that Sotheeswaran, Peck, and Deegan ranked among the top 20 percent of staff earners, receiving payments directly from investors who were coerced into joining the scheme through high-pressure tactics. Investors were told they couldn’t trade independently, and only the brokers had the authority to execute trades.
The trio faced sentencing at Southwark Crown Court on January 19, 2024, after being found guilty of one count of fraud by false representation. Sotheeswaran, 35, received a three-year prison sentence, while Peck, 43, was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation activities and unpaid work requirements. Deegan, 49, received a two-year eight-month prison sentence.
Hayley Wade, a Financial Investigator from the Civil Recovery Team at the City of London Police, warned against investment opportunities that seem too good to be true. She underscored the need for research and cautioned against yielding to pressure from brokers, highlighting the bullish tactics and insatiable greed behind such fraudulent schemes.
The fraudulent investment involved depositing funds with the company, purportedly trading them on the binary options market to generate profits for both investors and the company. However, the reality revealed during the trial exposed a Ponzi scheme, as the trading platform used by Choice Option was not connected to a banking system, leaving investors’ funds at the disposal of the defendants.
By October 2016, clients were unable to access their accounts, contact company staff, or withdraw their funds, leading to suspicions about the legitimacy of the trading company. The City of London Police were alerted in February 2016.
The ‘brokers’ used aliases when communicating with clients, drawing inspiration from characters such as ‘Jonathan Hart’ from Hart to Hart, ‘Miles Richards’ from The Riot Club, and ‘Harvey Specter’ from Suits. Former employees at Choice Option also utilized aliases ‘Alister Ryle’ and ‘Harry Villiers’ from The Riot Club.
The City of London Police urged potential investors to seek advice from independent financial advisors and exercise caution to avoid falling victim to such scams.
© Copyright TSC International News Channel 2024
A border officer who shared sensitive intelligence documents with incarcerated criminals has been given a suspended jail sentence
Jade Hearn, age 26, who worked on an anti-smuggling team at Gatwick airport was arrested by officers from the NCA’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) at her office in January 2021.It followed a tip off from the HM Prison Service that she had been sending pictures of herself in Border Force uniform to a prisoner serving a […]
A man who laundered money for people smuggling networks involved in small boat crossings has been found guilty, following a National Crime Agency investigation
Iranian Asghar Gheshalghian, 48, ran an unregistered money services business from an office block in Wood Green, as part of a network of bankers transferring money using the Hawala system.He acted as a trusted middleman, accepting payments from migrants or their families, and then releasing money to the criminal gangs following the completion of their […]
