Metropolitan Police Volunteer Acquitted of Sexual Assault Allegations
A Metropolitan Police volunteer has been acquitted of sexual assault.
Special Constable (SC) Sergeant Ben Smith had been charged with a sexual assault against two females which was alleged to have taken place off duty in April 2017, and was reported to the Met in 2022.
On Wednesday (February 7) SC Smith appeared at Woolwich Crown Court where the case was discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service.
SC Smith is attached to the south east command unit.
A spokesperson for the Met said that now that criminal proceedings have concluded, misconduct matters will be considered.
SC Smith remains suspended from duty.
Mother Jailed for Attempting to Cover Up XL Bully Attack on Daughter’s Friend
A mum who tried to cover up a devastating XL Bully attack on her daughter’s 10-year-old friend has been jailed.
Danielle Roberts, 42, was out shopping when her boyfriend’s dog mauled the young girl at her home in Erith.
When her panicked daughter phoned to tell her about the attack, Roberts said “sort that girl out or we’ll be in trouble”.
The seriously injured young girl was then told to hide in the bathroom from police, who had been called by a neighbour.
Roberts initially refused to let police inside the house until the injured girl staggered downstairs and called out “help me”.
As she drifted in and out of consciousness, the girl told officers: “If I die tell my parents I love them.”
At Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday (February 8), Roberts wept as she was sentenced to 20 months in prison for perverting the course of justice and being in charge of a dangerously out-of-control dog which caused injury.
Danielle Roberts told officers ‘get lost if you don’t have a warrant’ (Image: Met Police)
‘Covered in blood’
Outlining the case, prosecutor Jade Sodipo said the 10-year-old victim went to Roberts’ house on Byron Drive, Erith, for a playdate on April 1 last year.
The two girls were in the bedroom when Charlie, an XL Bully belonging to Danielle’s then-boyfriend Dean Roberts, started barking at another dog out the window.
Charlie then turned around and started to attack the 10-year-old girl.
The horror attack continued for a sustained period until Roberts’ daughter managed to get Charlie off and put him outside.
The victim was covered in blood with puncture wounds across her body.
‘Sort that girl out or we’ll be in trouble’
As no adults were in the house, Roberts’ daughter phoned her mum.
They spoke on the phone for 13 minutes as Roberts rushed back to her house from Charlton.
Ms Sodipo said that during that time Roberts told her daughter not to call emergency services but to “sort that girl out or we’ll be in trouble”.
Giving evidence in court, Roberts said she was not aware of how serious the injuries were at the time.
“I just thought that he’d nipped at her,” Roberts said.
But Judge Philip Shorrock refused to accept this explanation.
He said: “I find it absolutely inconceivable that you weren’t told how seriously injured she was. I am confident you knew exactly how badly this young girl was injured.”
Byron Drive, where the horror attack took place (Image: SWNS)
‘Get lost if you don’t have a warrant’
Seeing the huge XL Bully outside the house covered in blood, a troubled neighbour phoned the police.
Roberts arrived home just as police got there.
Ms Sodipo said Roberts took Charlie back into the house and locked him in the living room, and told the wounded girl to lock herself in the upstairs bathroom.
Roberts then told officers everything was fine and that nobody else was in the house.
When officers insisted on coming inside she told them to get lost unless they had a warrant, the court heard.
Meanwhile the young girl was passing in and out of consciousness in the bathroom.
The officers heard her call out “help me”, Ms Sodipo said.
Judge Shorrock said: “When the officer explained that he didn’t need a warrant and the criminal evidence act would get him inside, Ms Roberts stood aside because she knew the game was up.”
As Roberts stood aside, the young girl came staggering downstairs covered in blood.
‘Tell my parents I love them’
The young girl believed she might die and told officers: “If I die tell my parents I love them.”
She was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
Ms Sodipo summarised a victim statement from the girl.
“She says she’s okay with her injuries and doesn’t care what anyone will think about them,” Ms Sodipo said.
“But she said that if the injuries to her face don’t heal she’ll feel bad as she won’t be able to smile again.”
The young girl also explained how she was once happy to see big dogs, but now freezes and feels nervous around them.
XL Bullies have now been banned (Image: PA)
‘I’ve got no excuse, I panicked’
Abigail Penny, representing Roberts in court, said: “Ms Roberts had no hint that this dog would behave as he did. The dog had always been very good around her children.”
Roberts explained that the dog belonged to her then-boyfriend, Dean, who was keeping it at her house until he could get rid of his other XL Bully which lived at his home.
She said that his reaction to the news had influenced her actions.
Roberts claims that when Dean heard about the attack, he told her: “If anything happens to me or my dog I will come for you.”
Ms Penny told the court that Roberts had taken precautions before going out, including locking Charlie in the kitchen and telling her daughter not to have friends round.
Regarding her lies, Roberts told the court: “I’ve got no excuse. I was panicking. I was anxious. I was scared.
“When she appeared at the top of the sta..
Second Man Charged in Connection with Bexley Woman’s Death
A second man has been charged in connection with the death of a woman in Bexley.
Leila Young, 33, was found injured on Penhill Road just after 4pm on January 16.
She was rushed to hospital in a critical condition but died from her injuries on the evening of January 23.
Tony Curant, 33, of Penhill Road, was arrested on January 20, before she died, and charged with attempted murder.
Now Richard Ray, 33, of St George’s Road in Swanley, has been charged with assisting an offender.
Court documents state that he’s accused of facilitating travel for an offender and concealing evidence, namely three mobile phones, on January 16.
Ray will appear at Woolwich Crown Court next week.
On Monday (February 5) Curant appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from HMP Thameside.
Wearing a green t-shirt, he spoke to confirm his name and date of birth.
Prosecutor William Emyln Jones KC told the court that since Curant was charged, Ms Young died.
He said the cause of death was stab wounds to her head and neck.
Mr Emyln Jones indicated that the charges will be changed now that Ms Young has died.
During the short hearing, Judge Philip Katz KC set a provisional trial date for December 2024.
Curant will be asked to enter pleas in April.
Floral tributes at scene of Bexley stabbing (Image: Newsquest)Candles, bouquets of flowers, and handwritten notes were left at the scene of the incident.
One of the notes says: “So heartbreaking. I am so sorry this has happened to you.
“Sleep tight and may you rest in peace.”
Another one read: “Leila you will always be remembered for the loving brilliant mum you are.
“We will never forget you.”
A sex offender from Sidcup has been jailed after targeting a child for two years
Danny Mackney subjected his young victim to countless instances of sexual abuse between 2018 and 2020. Mackney, of Harman Drive, Sidcup, Greater London groomed his victim before bombarding them with sexually explicit messages and images, demanding they then send some in return. He was arrested in November 2020 and pleaded not guilty at Woolwich Crown […]
Trial Set for Prisoner Accused of Murder at HMP Thameside
A prisoner is set to face trial accused of murderering a fellow inmate at HMP Thameside.
Roland Viaroade, 22, is accused of killing 29-year-old Quang Hguyen at the category B prison in Thamesmead.
Metropolitan Police previously said officers were called to the prison at just after midday on February 7, 2023, after “reports of an unresponsive male” and suspicions of an “altercation” the night before.
On Monday (January 29, 2024) a hearing at Woolwich Crown Court was told that Viaroade has not yet been asked to enter pleas.
However, a trial date has been fixed for September this year.
Thug Footballer’s Cocaine-Fueled Rampage Unveiled in Shocking Court Case
A disturbing case was brought before Woolwich Crown Court, revealing the horrifying actions of Bobby Crawford, a 31-year-old former semi-pro footballer from Marbella, Spain. The court heard details of three violent and drug-fueled episodes from March to September 2023, during which Crawford assaulted his victim and engaged in a series of alarming actions. Crawford was […]
Guilty Verdict in Eltham Road Crash: Mansfield Convicted for Fatal Collision
In a heart-wrenching incident, a driver has been found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving after a catastrophic collision at a bus stop, which resulted in the tragic death of 14-year-old Logan Finch and serious injuries to his aunt. On December 21, 2021, Logan Finch was waiting for the 321 bus on Eltham Road, […]
Killer Jailed for Fatal Stabbing in West Drayton Street Fight
In a landmark verdict, Harley Dee Thompson, a resident of Hillingdon, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 24 years for the fatal stabbing of Dariusz Wolosz in West Drayton. The case, which led to Thompson’s conviction, comes as a testament to the tenacity of murder detectives who compiled an undeniable […]
Burglary Suspects Charged Medway and Gravesend
Four individuals have been charged in connection with a series of burglaries that plagued Medway and Gravesend, with reports indicating that 23 homes fell victim to these break-ins. The burglaries occurred between September 15 and December 31, 2023, resulting in the theft of various items, including cash, jewellery, and designer clothing. The investigation into these […]
Burglary Suspects Charged Medway and Gravesend
Four individuals have been charged in connection with a series of burglaries that plagued Medway and Gravesend, with reports indicating that 23 homes fell victim to these break-ins. The burglaries occurred between September 15 and December 31, 2023, resulting in the theft of various items, including cash, jewellery, and designer clothing. The investigation into these […]
A Lewisham drug dealer has been jailed after a search uncovered a rucksack with three pistols and almost a kilogram of cocaine
Shaun Bent, of Brindley Street, SE14, was arrested at his home address on 4 July last year as part of an investigation by a local proactive team, set up to tackle violent and organised crime within Lewisham. Officers found a rucksack that contained three pistols, each with 18 round magazines and 46 rounds of ammunition, […]
Former Soldier Daniel Khalife to Stand Trial for Alleged Espionage and Escape from Prison
Daniel Khalife, a former soldier accused of passing sensitive information to Iranian intelligence, is set to face trial next autumn. The 22-year-old’s trial, initially scheduled for November, was postponed after he allegedly escaped from Wandsworth prison in September by concealing himself under a food delivery lorry. The new trial date was set during a hearing […]
Serial Sex Offender Jailed Following Assaults on Lewisham Buses
A serial sex offender who committed multiple sexual assaults on board buses in Lewisham has been sentenced to imprisonment. 26-year-old Mohammed Aminu, of Nightingale Grove, Hither Green appeared at Woolwich Crown Court on Wednesday, 6 December, where he received a 30-month jail sentence for his crimes, which included three counts of sexual assault and one […]
Patrolling officers have arrested a suspected drug dealer in Gillingham
Officers from Kent Police Medway’s Community Safety Unit were near Woodlands Road on Wednesday 6 December 2023, when a man came to their attention. His behaviour led them to suspect he was involved in the supply of drugs and he was stopped for a search in an alleyway. The officers recovered a quantity of cash, […]
Intruder Jailed for Trespassing with Intent to Commit a Sexual Offence in Croydon Home
A chilling incident in Croydon has led to the sentencing of Frank Rawlings, 38, from Orpington, for trespassing with intent to commit a sexual offence. The unsettling event occurred in the early hours of September 8, 2022, when a woman awoke to find a stranger with his trousers down beside her on her sofa. The […]
A county-line drug dealer from Dartford has been jailed for more than four years
Kenneth Fenton, of Balmoral Road, was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court after he admitted being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin. Fenton, 39, was jailed for four years and four months on Monday 4 December 2023. An investigation was launched after a car owned by Fenton and driven by Matthew Smith was […]
Four Suspects Arrested Following Land Rover Theft in Edenbridge
Four suspects have been apprehended shortly after a Land Rover was stolen while its owner was paying for fuel at a service station in Edenbridge. The vehicle was reported stolen at approximately 11:30 am on Saturday, November 25, 2023, from a garage forecourt located in Station Road. Rapid response by law enforcement officers led to […]
A man who had devices at his flat containing over a thousand indecent images of children and sent sexual messages to children has been jailed
Asfandyar Saleem, 28 from Lewisham was sentenced to 52 months imprisonment at Woolwich Crown Court on Tuesday, 28 November. He had previously pleaded guilty to 11 offences:– one count of perverting the course of justice;– three counts of making an indecent image of a child;– six counts of attempted sexual communication with a child under […]
