Lady Vera-Brigitte Bilek Von Sternberg appeared in court today charged with an £18,000 benefit fraud against the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea while renting out a £1.1m house to a string of tenants.
Vienna-born Lady Vera-Brigitte - known as 'BB' to friends - is accused of keeping a bank account secret and passing off the people who paid her rent as friends or family members.
The freelance arts and performing arts critic, of Thomas Darby Court, Lancaster Road, Notting Hill indicated not guilty pleas when she appeared at Hammersmith Magistrates Court.
She is the daughter of a former Cultural Attaché to the Middle East and moved to Chelsea in 1990 with her daughter Rebecca and became head of department at two educational establishments.
Lady Vera-Brigitte is a member of Chelsea Old Church and has been elected to the boards of a number of charitable trusts as a fund-raising trustee.
She was bailed to appear at Isleworth Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on May 26 after the court declined jurisdiction, based on the seriousness of the case.
All the money has been repaid to the local authority.
She is charged with two counts of fraud by false representation in that on September 17, 2009 and July 13, 2011 she made a false representation in a housing benefit and council tax benefit application relating to Ivy Cottage, Uverdale Road, West Brompton by indicating she had no bank account and failed to give details of a Barclays account.
She is similarly charged that on February 4, 2013 she made a false representation in relation to a benefit claim on the same property by telling the council she "never" had any subtenants, only visitors, guests, friends and members of her family and had no income except Pension Credit and Disability and Living Allowance, but had multiple tenants she charged rent between September 16, 2012 and September 18, 2013.
Lady Vera-Brigitte also faces two counts of dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances, namely that she was renting out Ivy Cottage between June 2, 2012 and September 18, 2013 and a flat in Philadelphia Court, Uverdale Road between September 16, 2012 and January 4, 2013.
She is similarly charged that on or about May 4, 2012 she dishonestly failed to notify the council she had a tenancy agreement with Anchor Trust and had moved out of Ivy Cottage, Uverdale Road into her current address.
Tuesday 12 May 2015
Monday 11 May 2015
Artist Denies Molesting Two Young Girls Four Decades Ago
An illustrator sexually abused two
young girls four decades ago – molesting one when he took her out
for ice-cream and groping the other as she lay in bed, a court heard
today.
Artist Henry Christopher Mendes, 64, of Park an Pyth, Pendeen, Penzance denies forcing the first girl, who was approximately eight years-old, to perform a sex act on him and running his hand up the body of the second girl, also aged around eight.
Prosecutor Mr. Shaun Esprit told Blackfriars Crown Court the offences occurred in north London's Kentish Town in the late 1970's and only came to the police's attention when the first complainant reported Mendes in 2013, encouraged by her friend revealing she was also molested.
“The defendant went out to go to the off-licence and he asked the first complainant if she fancied coming with him to get an ice-cream,” he told the jury. “He stopped off at a pub and left her outside while he popped in.
“She was left outside on her own and after what seemed to her an eternity the defendant returned and as they walked back he took her through an elevated area, which was higher up and had a swing and concrete blocks.
“The defendant made her sit down on one and she noticed he was mumbling to himself and fiddling with the zip on his trousers and she did not know what was going on.”
The girl then performed a sex act on Mendes, said Mr. Esprit. “Afterwards he seemed relieved and satisfied.”
The girl remained silent until 1989. “She blurted out what happened to her mother. It was an emotional outburst.”
The complainant later emailed Mendes. “She brought up what happened and expressed a lot of anger and was extremely emotional.”
The second complainant also told police she was targeted by the defendant, added Mr. Esprit.
“She was asleep in bed and awoke and was aware of someone next to her, a man, and could hear ponderous breathing.
“She did not open her eyes, but recognised the voice of the defendant saying: 'You're so beautiful' and she felt a hand under the duvet, which bit by bit moved up.
“It stopped short of between her legs when a man's voice outside her bedroom door said: 'Chris, let's go to the off-licence.'
“The defendant was known by his second name, Chris,” the prosecutor told the court.
Mendes was arrested and questioned by police. “He denied the assaults.”
Mendes has pleaded not guilty to one count of indecent assault in relation to each girl between July 8, 1976 and November 27, 1979.
Trial continues..........
Artist Henry Christopher Mendes, 64, of Park an Pyth, Pendeen, Penzance denies forcing the first girl, who was approximately eight years-old, to perform a sex act on him and running his hand up the body of the second girl, also aged around eight.
Prosecutor Mr. Shaun Esprit told Blackfriars Crown Court the offences occurred in north London's Kentish Town in the late 1970's and only came to the police's attention when the first complainant reported Mendes in 2013, encouraged by her friend revealing she was also molested.
“The defendant went out to go to the off-licence and he asked the first complainant if she fancied coming with him to get an ice-cream,” he told the jury. “He stopped off at a pub and left her outside while he popped in.
“She was left outside on her own and after what seemed to her an eternity the defendant returned and as they walked back he took her through an elevated area, which was higher up and had a swing and concrete blocks.
“The defendant made her sit down on one and she noticed he was mumbling to himself and fiddling with the zip on his trousers and she did not know what was going on.”
The girl then performed a sex act on Mendes, said Mr. Esprit. “Afterwards he seemed relieved and satisfied.”
The girl remained silent until 1989. “She blurted out what happened to her mother. It was an emotional outburst.”
The complainant later emailed Mendes. “She brought up what happened and expressed a lot of anger and was extremely emotional.”
The second complainant also told police she was targeted by the defendant, added Mr. Esprit.
“She was asleep in bed and awoke and was aware of someone next to her, a man, and could hear ponderous breathing.
“She did not open her eyes, but recognised the voice of the defendant saying: 'You're so beautiful' and she felt a hand under the duvet, which bit by bit moved up.
“It stopped short of between her legs when a man's voice outside her bedroom door said: 'Chris, let's go to the off-licence.'
“The defendant was known by his second name, Chris,” the prosecutor told the court.
Mendes was arrested and questioned by police. “He denied the assaults.”
Mendes has pleaded not guilty to one count of indecent assault in relation to each girl between July 8, 1976 and November 27, 1979.
Trial continues..........
Sunday 10 May 2015
"Chatty Man" Window Cleaner Ripped-Off Residents All Over London
A
“likeable, chatty, charming” bogus window cleaner, who ripped-off
residents in four different London borough's, has been jailed for two
years.
Levi
Bradbury, 31, of Chilton Grove, Surrey Quays, Southwark was convicted
of six counts of burglary, three counts of fraud and four counts of
theft.
Between
May 2013 and September 2014, Bradbury visited blocks of flats on
developments in Lewisham, Southwark, Hackney and Tower Hamlets posing
as a window cleaner.
After
convincing residents to let him in to discuss having their windows
cleaned, he pretended to check the properties' windows were closed
saying this was necessary before cleaning could commence.
Each
time Bradbury told his victims that payment was needed up front,
resulting in several residents handing over money, usually £15 - 25
at a time.
Bradbury
told them he needed to get their change and would clean their windows
when he came back, however he never returned.
Bradbury
convinced some residents he was part of a larger team of window
cleaners on scene or working on behalf of their block's management
team despite having no identification or cleaning materials with him.
Occasionally,
Bradbury walked with his victims to a cash point so they could
withdraw money to pay him but did not return home with them.
During
three incidents in 2014 Bradbury offered to go to the cash point on
behalf of his victims to withdraw enough money from their accounts to
cover his window cleaning services.
The
victims handed over their PIN's and Bradbury withdrew £300, £200
and £50 from their accounts.
He
returned the card to one victim but not to the other two.
Bradbury
received a payment from one victim, and told her he would return with
her change and as he left the address stole £5 cash and a mobile
phone.
The
phone was located the following day buried under a tree a short
distance away from the victim's address using the 'find my phone
app'.
Detective
Sergeant Kelly George, of the Met's North East Detection Unit, said:
"Bradbury is a likeable, chatty, charming man who used his
friendly personality to gain the trust of his victims.
"I
would like to remind the public that they should not invite anyone
into their home unless they have the correct identification on them
and do not hand over your bank cards or PIN numbers to anyone."
Saturday 9 May 2015
Christie's Burglar Emptied Safe Of Over £750K In Valuables
A
Glaswegian burglar, who snatched Faberge jewellery from Christie's
auction house during a break-in, which saw over £750,000 worth of
valuables taken has been jailed.
Jobless
Richard Tobin, 45, of Kipling Estate, Lewisham received two years and
four months imprisonment after pleading guilty at Southwark Crown
Court to two counts of burglary.
Tobin
first burgled Muzinich and Co in Hanover Street, Mayfair on Friday
December 5, last year – offices on the fourth-floor of an office
block.
CCTV
showed a suspect entering the building at 00:44am and breaking into a
number of locked desk drawers.
He
left after apparently only stealing a rucksack and a pair of
headphones.
Two
days later on Monday December 7 at 9:00pm a man was seen on CCTV
entering Christie's in King Street, Mayfair.
He
left around 25 minutes later having stolen a number of high-value
items from a safe.
They
included a 1899 Faberge gold and guilloche enamel desk clock, a
Faberge gold and silver mounted aquamarine and diamond necklace, a
Faberge ring and a Mappin and Webb cutlery set, each worth £25,000.
Staff
discovered the break-in when they returned to work at 8:00am the
following day and police were called.
CCTV
images were circulated and Tobin was quickly identified as the
suspect for both burglaries.
He
was arrested on Wednesday January 7 and charged the same day.
Searches
of the address where he had been staying with a relative found a
distinctive red coat he had been pictured wearing on the CCTV during
both burglaries.
The
items stolen - totalling around £760,000 - have not been recovered
and efforts continue to trace them.
Investigating
officer Detective Constable Jim Groves, from Westminster CID, said:
"Tobin was an opportunist thief who stole a large number of
valuable items which have not yet been recovered."
A
Christie's spokesperson said: "Christie's would like to thank
the Metropolitan Police for their effective investigation into this
crime.
“It
is very disappointing that the thief has chosen not to disclose the
whereabouts of the stolen items, but given their unique nature, we
hope that they will be identified and returned to their rightful
owners."
Friday 8 May 2015
Notorious Tax Cheat Convicted Of Benefit Fraud
A notorious tax cheat, who hit the headlines for a £156,000 VAT swindle involving her "ethical" cosmetics company, was convicted today of ten counts of benefit fraud.
Monica Bircham, 47, of Abbott Court, Hartington Road, South Lambeth, was not jailed for scamming the taxman and was free to prey on her local council and illegally pocket hand-outs for two-and-a-half years.
An Inner London Crown Court jury found her guilty this afternoon of ten counts of fraud between December 9, 2010 and July 12, 2013 consisting of telling the London Borough of Lambeth she received no money from self-employment and on three occasions gave untrue information in a Self-Employed Earning Information form.
That she was a single-mother living alone; that she had no income; that she had no more income than tax credits; that she was the only adult living at her address; that she had not received full payment for part-time lecturing work and failed to disclose income.
She was convicted on a further count of dishonestly making a false representation on or about November 11, 2010 in an online application for Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit and one count of possessing an article for use in fraud on or about May 3, 2011, namely a profit and loss account for a business called Scoop SkinCare Ltd.
The new convictions put her in breach of a suspended prison sentence she received in April 2013 for the benefit offences she committed three months after get sentencing.
"The sentence the court will be considering will be custody," announced Recorder Adam Hiddleston. "She has a fifteen year-old son and tells us she is a single-mum.
"The sentence the court is thinking of will more than likely be one of custody," he added, telling Bircham directly. "A custodial sentence in your case is almost inevitable."
She was bailed until June 12 for a probation report.
"The sentence the court is thinking of will more than likely be one of custody," he added, telling Bircham directly. "A custodial sentence in your case is almost inevitable."
She was bailed until June 12 for a probation report.
Thursday 7 May 2015
Pick-N-Mix Crime Blitz
A
mugger, joyrider, thief and sex offender has been jailed for thirteen
years after committing an impressive range of offences during a
four-month crime blitz.
Alan
Denny, 25, of Fladbury Road, South Tottenham targeted a mini-cab
driver and man outside a pub on Halloween – robbing them both –
during his spree.
Wood
Green Crown Court heard Denny attacked the mini-cab driver, aged 47,
at 6.00am on July 26, last year in his home street, snatching the
victim's jacket, which contained cash.
He
threatened a 35 year-old man outside the Jolly Angler pub, Brabant
Road, Wood Green at 11.40pm on October 31 with a screwdriver, taking
the victim's car car and other property.
Denny
was also guilty of witness intimidation after threatening a 34
year-old woman at a flat in North Kensington with a knife on November
9
He
also stole from rooms at theme park Alton Towers in Staffordshire
between June 30 and July 2 and failed to comply with the requirements
of the Sex Offenders Register.
Denny
was also guilty of dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and
without third party insurance.Wednesday 6 May 2015
Suspected Burglar Wanted By Police
Police
have released this image of a suspected burglar wanted in connection
with a north London break-in.
Officers
in Haringey borough would like to hear from anyone who knows the
whereabouts of 23 year-old Derya Gulsoy.
He
is suspected of burgling a property in Seaford Road, South Tottenham
on March 29.
Anyone
with any information is asked to call local police in on 101 or
anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
You
can also send an anonymous message to Crimestoppers via their
website:
https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information-online
Tuesday 5 May 2015
CCTV Images Of Burglary Released
The
burglary occurred at 4.00am at Fresh Store, Broad Street, Dagenham on
March 13.
A
quantity of money, drinks as well as a cash till was stolen during
the raid, which was captured on the owners security camera.
No
arrests have been made and investigating officers hope the images
will help identify the burglars.
Alternatively anybody with information can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 11 quoting crime reference 5104007/15.
Monday 4 May 2015
Thirsty Gold Burglar Left DNA On Drink Can
A
thirsty burglar, who left his DNA on a fizzy drink can he took from
his victims' fridge while ransacking their home in the search for
gold, has been locked-up for three years.
Nadim
Younus, 33, of Gloucester Avenue, Slough suspected the Indian
occupants had high-value gold and even cut into their sofas and
emptied cupboards before leaving with £15,000 worth of jewellery and
passports.
Kingston-upon-Thames
Crown Court heard Younus broke into the house in Heston Road,
Hounslow via a back door on September 3, last year.
He
went into every room emptying out all the cupboards as well as
turning sofas upside down and cutting them up, in a bid to find
gold.
When
the family returned they found their house had been completely
ransacked, however they were surprised to find that all the
electrical items such as televisions and tablets were still there.
Police
and forensic officers arrived on scene to carry out their
investigation.
A
drink can was found in the kitchen sink, which the victim stated that
they had not drunk from and was previously in the fridge.
The
can was forensically examined and traces of Younus’s DNA were found
on the rim of the can.
Detective
Constable Darren Young, from Hounslow borough, said: “This
investigation demonstrates that we will do everything in our
capability to identify a suspect with every resource available to
us.
"Our
forensic colleagues will work with us to find anything, be it a drop
of blood or saliva that may help us find a suspect and, in this case,
leaving behind a drink can has resulted in us putting the suspect
before the courts.”
Sunday 3 May 2015
Bangkok Holidaymaker Jailed After Returning With Suitcase Full Of Weapons
Karen Pal Singh Roth, 58, of Cefn Coed Crescent, Cockett had just arrived at Heathrow Airport after visiting Bangkok.
He pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court to three counts of possessing firearms, namely two stun guns and a stun baton – disguised as a torch - at the airport on January 28, last year, plus one count of unlawfully importing the three weapons.
Roth also pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing an offensive weapon, namely a flick-knife, plus a separate three counts of possessing an offensive weapon, namely a knuckleduster; throwing star and nunchucks.
He further pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawfully importing the three flick-knives and a charge of importing the martial arts weapons.
Saturday 2 May 2015
Company Director Illegally Pocketed Benefits
Isleworth Crown Court |
Philip Huntley, 45, of Yew Tree Hollow, Boxhill Road, Tadworth, Surrey was a director of PTH Solutions from May 22, 2009 and the company was registered at his home address.
He was sentenced to twenty-four weeks imprisonment, suspended for twelve months and was ordered to complete 150 hours community service work when he appeared at Isleworth Crown Court.
Huntley was charged with six counts of dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances to the Department of Work and Pensions between March 8, 2008 June 23, 2013, namely that he was working.
Failing to declare he was working resulted in Huntley being overpaid Housing Benefit; Income Support and Employment and Support Allowance.
Friday 1 May 2015
School Caretaker Caught With Child Porn On Work Computer
A school caretaker with
twenty-three years service is now banned from working with kids after
he was caught with child porn on his computer.
David Freeman, 69, of Lower Richmond Road, Richmond was reported to police after some of the images were spotted on his work tablet, issued by The Queen's Church of England School, Cumberland Road, Kew.
He pleaded guilty at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to three counts of making indecent images of children between January 1 and May 30, last year.
The vast majority of the images – 318 – were Category C, the lowest in terms of seriousness, but there were also 14 Category B and one Category A – the most serious.
Prosecutor Mr. Bill McGivern told the court officers executed a search warrant at Freeman's home and seized his home computer, which contained the majority of the images.
“This is a school janitor and he had been issued the tablet by the school and when the images were seen his home computer was examined.
“The images were on his home computer and because of a link they were available on the school computer.
“There will be a prevention order barring him from working with children.”
Today Freeman was sentenced to a twelve month community order, which includes 180 hours community service and was made subject to a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
David Freeman, 69, of Lower Richmond Road, Richmond was reported to police after some of the images were spotted on his work tablet, issued by The Queen's Church of England School, Cumberland Road, Kew.
He pleaded guilty at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court to three counts of making indecent images of children between January 1 and May 30, last year.
The vast majority of the images – 318 – were Category C, the lowest in terms of seriousness, but there were also 14 Category B and one Category A – the most serious.
Prosecutor Mr. Bill McGivern told the court officers executed a search warrant at Freeman's home and seized his home computer, which contained the majority of the images.
“This is a school janitor and he had been issued the tablet by the school and when the images were seen his home computer was examined.
“The images were on his home computer and because of a link they were available on the school computer.
“There will be a prevention order barring him from working with children.”
Today Freeman was sentenced to a twelve month community order, which includes 180 hours community service and was made subject to a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Thursday 30 April 2015
Burglar Caught By Watching Police
A
house-breaker under police surveillance who was caught committing his
second burglary in a week has been locked-up for three years.
Clive
Lindsey, 40, of Knights Place, Noke Drive, Redhill, Surrey was only
in the second property two minutes when officers saw him leaving with
a bright pink carrier bag containing two stolen laptops.
He
was arrested on November 25, last year as a result of an intelligence
operation by Merton Burglary Squad.
Lindsey
broke into a house in Graveney Road, Tooting at 1.20pm then ran to
his parked car in nearby Fishponds Road.
Officers
followed the vehicle, a green Ford Ka, into Lessingham Avenue, where
it was stopped at the junction with Francisan Road.
Lindsey
was arrested and officers seized the pink carrier bag, which
contained two laptops and a pair of socks from the address.
Lindsey
was taken to Wimbledon police station for questioning and linked to a
further burglary, which occurred on November 17 at an address in
Reigate, Surrey.
Detective
Constable Ian Griffith, from Merton Burglary Squad, said: "The
evidence against Lindsey was so overwhelming and strong that he was
given no other choice then to plead guilty to both offences.
“In
this case we were able to recover the stolen items and return them to
their rightful owners within a matter of hours, a real result for the
victims in this matter.
"
Lindsey has now been brought to justice for his crimes and the
message is clear - we will use all the intelligence and resource
available to us to disrupt criminals and gather the most compelling
evidence to present before the courts."
Tuesday 28 April 2015
Leading Church Music Composer And Respected Private School Teacher Secretly Collected Child Porn
One of the country's leading composer's of church music, who also taught at several top private schools - including one attended by Nigella Lawson and Kate Beckinsale - has received a suspended prison sentence after a police raid seized child pornography at his suburban home.
Cambridge University-educated John Barnard, 66, a fellow of the Royal College of Organists and associate of the Royal School of Church Music led a "tortured" secret double-life, Harrow Crown Court heard.
"It must be a humiliating experience for a man of your background to find himself before the courts," Judge Jeremy Barklem told Barnard, who taught German and French at the £18,000 a year all-girls Godolphin & Latymer school, Hammersmith.
"You are a cultured, educated, highly intelligent man, respected and loved by many and dedicated to church music, but also tortured by a publicly-repressed sexuality and an interest in images of young men that's never been expressed physically."
He was deputy head for fifteen years at £16,000 a year John Lyon boys school, Harrow, where he organised and led trips to Switzerland and went on to also teach at the co-ed £29,000 a year Aldenham boarding school, Elstree.
Barnard, of Queens Walk, Harrow, who has directed music for BBC Radio 2's Sunday Half Hour and in 2006 was a judge for a BBC hymn-writing competition was sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months, and must attend 60 days 'one to one' counselling.
He pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children and one count of possessing indecent photographs, which relate to twenty-nine pictures found in a chest of drawers in his bedroom.
The court heard there were a total of 118 images at category C; 13 at category B and 16 at category A - the most serious, which usually involves children being sexually abused.
The vast majority of the images depicted boys aged between fourteen and sixteen years-old.
Barnard presented two references to the court, one from a retired senior police officer and another from a barrister and member of the Bar Choral Society, who as a boy was a chorister taught by the defendant.
Prosecutor Miss Kate Blumgart told the court Barnard answered his door to police dressed in his pyjamas at 6.30am on May 13, last year and immediately admitted there were images on his computer.
Further printed images were found in the chest of drawers, which he admitted printing from his computer. "He said they were his and he had forgotten them.
"Officers also visited John Keble Church, Edgware, where Mr. Barnard was head of the choir, but nothing was found there. He is currently suspended from his role there."
His lawyer Miss Maria Dineen said: "Mr. Barnard is thoroughly ashamed of the conduct that brings him to court. He was aware that what he was doing was wrong, but was too embarrassed and fearful of the consequences to seek help.
"What has been a pretty solitary life for him up to now has been opened up and he has confided in others and he has sought out professional help.
"He accepts the damage that was done to the children in these images and his risk of reoffending and harm is low.
"There is no evidence he has acted upon his predilection or offers any threat of contact offending and he has dedicated his life to some sort of public service.
"He has always been regarded as a kind, caring individual. The loss of his good character alone is itself a considerable regret."
Barnard was also made subject to a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and must sign the sex offenders register for seven years.
He has been a successful composer, arranger, choir director and organist and sits on the council of the Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland and has been director of music at Emmanuel Church, Northwood; St. Alban's Church, North Harrow and St. John the Evangelist Church, Stanmore.
Barnard has composed and published over fifty original hymns, which are sung all over the world and contributes to and helps assemble publications including 'Hymns for Today's Church', Carols for Today' and Psalms for Today'.
Monday 27 April 2015
Bolton Wanderers Star Dean Moxey Beats Speeding Charge
Bolton Wanderers star Dean Moxey,
who was wrongly prosecuted for speeding in a leased Mercedes, has had the
charge against him dropped.
He previously told south-west London's Lavender Hill Magistrates Court by letter that he had returned the super-saloon and somebody else must have been driving it.
The 29 year-old left-back, of Farington Lodge Gardens, Farington, Leyland was prosecuted for failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver of the Mercedes C63, snapped exceeding the limit in the London area on August 27, last year.
Moxey appeared in court with his lawyer last week to hear the prosecution announce they were withdrawing the summons after they were satisfied he was not behind the wheel.
The Exeter-born star, who was signed on a free transfer from Premier League Crystal Palace at the start of the season, had already returned the vehicle around the time he moved from his former address in Caterham, Surrey.
He was still the registered keeper of the car when it was photographed over the limit, but failed to reply to two letters sent to him.
However, Moxey says he leased the vehicle for twelve months from June 27, 2013 explaining: “I don't believe the car was anything to do with me at this time and Mercedes know I did not have anything to do with the car.”
He previously told south-west London's Lavender Hill Magistrates Court by letter that he had returned the super-saloon and somebody else must have been driving it.
The 29 year-old left-back, of Farington Lodge Gardens, Farington, Leyland was prosecuted for failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver of the Mercedes C63, snapped exceeding the limit in the London area on August 27, last year.
Moxey appeared in court with his lawyer last week to hear the prosecution announce they were withdrawing the summons after they were satisfied he was not behind the wheel.
The Exeter-born star, who was signed on a free transfer from Premier League Crystal Palace at the start of the season, had already returned the vehicle around the time he moved from his former address in Caterham, Surrey.
He was still the registered keeper of the car when it was photographed over the limit, but failed to reply to two letters sent to him.
However, Moxey says he leased the vehicle for twelve months from June 27, 2013 explaining: “I don't believe the car was anything to do with me at this time and Mercedes know I did not have anything to do with the car.”
Sunday 26 April 2015
Singer Will Young Caught Speeding In West London
Singer Will Young clocked-up his second speeding conviction on Wednesday after his Mercedes-Benz Bluetech was snapped by a camera in west London.
The 36 year-old star, of Prince of Wales Drive, Battersea did not attend Lavender Hill Magistrates Court and was not represented.
The court heard it was 8.08am on the A4 Cromwell Road, Earl's Court on October 28, last year when Young's jeep-type car was recorded travelling at 38mph - 8mph over the sped limit.
He completed the form admitting he was the driver at the time, but did not pay a pre-court "conditional offer" or respond further.
Young already had four points on his licence for a speeding offence on August 31, 2011 and the magistrates added another three points for the latest offence.
Because it was his second speeding offence they announced they would increase the fine to £250, with £85 costs and a £25 victim surcharge.
Young was given fourteen days to pay.
Saturday 25 April 2015
Male Model Denies Spiking Nightclub Girl's Drink With 'E'
Not Guilty Plea: Riches |
He is accused of secretly spiking the woman's drink with MDMA - more commonly known as ecstasy.
The incident occurred at the Roof Gardens, Kensington High Street, Kensington.
Friday 24 April 2015
Son Of Olympic Gold Medalist Linford Christie Admits 'Crack' And Heroin Charges
The son of former sprint star Linford Christie has pleaded guilty to having 'crack' cocaine and heroin stashed under the floorboards of his council flat.
Police armed with a search warrant entered the property while 29 year-old Liam Linford Oliver-Christie was out and found the drugs - with a street value of £1,410 - in a box.
Oliver-Christie, of Lakeside Road, West Kensington pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court to possessing a quantity of cocaine and diamorphine on September 30, last year and was bailed for probation reports until May 19.
Drug-dealing charged were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service, who previously revealed 14.1 gms of 'crack' was seized along with 841 mgms and 6.9 gms of heroin.
The son of the 1992 Olympic 100 metres champion now claims he is successfully beating his drug problem with the help and support of his family.
Police, accompanied by a sniffer dog, search his empty ground-floor council flat at 2.30pm and also found drug paraphernalia on the living room table and an additional 23.6 gms of an unspecified white powder.
Officers left a note for Oliver-Christie and he surrendered himself at a local police station, which he attended with his solicitor.
Prosecutor Mr. Neil Griffin told the court: "There was a search warrant executed at the defendant's address. He was not home, but under the floorboards was a box containing drugs.
"The last time he was at this court he had been charged with possession with intent to supply class A, but was acquitted. He had over a thousand pounds cash and pleaded guilty to that."
Oliver-Christie's lawyer Miss Emma Fenn said: "The drugs problem is now under control. He has sought voluntary help and that has been resolved with family help.
"He is suitable for unpaid work if this passes the community threshold. This does not look like a case where a DRR (Drug Rehabilitation Requirement) assessment is appropriate, but probation may take a different view.
"He wants to explain he is already doing drugs work and wishes me to pass that onto your honour," Miss Fenn told Judge Martin Edmunds QC.
"I shall ask the probation service to prepare a pre-sentence report. It will have to be a full report," Judge Edmunds told Oliver-Christie. "You will be given an appointment and if you turn up late or not at all it is unlikely you will be given another chance."
His father also won gold for Britain in the 100m at the World, European and Commonwealth championships and his national record of 9.87 secs set over twenty years ago stands to this day.
Liam's mother is former typist Yvonne Oliver, who had a short relationship with the athlete, and he has a twin sister Korel, with neither child having much contact with their father during their upbringing.
He was bailed on condition he continues to reside at his address.
Thursday 23 April 2015
Groom Cleared Of Harassing Designer During Wedding Dress Row
Not Guilty: Pedro Makufi |
"Threatened": Samantha Benveniste |
Bride: Elisa Makufi |
"When I told her I was ready to do anything it meant doing all I can to take her to court to get back what belongs to me. It was not for her to take it as violence."
Wednesday 22 April 2015
Bogus Accountant Swindled £64,000 Destined For The Taxman
Vicky: A Payne To Her Employers |
Mother-of-two Vicky Payne, 40, of The Lodge, Station Road, Charlton Mackrell, Somerton claims a disastrous relationship “financially crippled” her.
The charges relate to Hammersmith-based M-PR Consulting of 13 Oxford Gate, Brook Green and its managing director Marc Prema-Ratner and account director Michael Mervyn-Jones.
Payne pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by false representation between August 31, 2009 and May 7, last year in that she lied to both bosses she had paid the company's tax liability and said she was a fully-qualified accountant and member of the Association of Accounting Technicians.
Prosecutor Mr. Don rogers told Isleworth Crown Court the total loss was £64,512.26p, of which Payne has repaid £2,000.
“An investigation by the Specialist Economic Crime Unit confirms she has no assets apart from a very old VW vehicle and there will be no Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings.
“It was a double fraud because she was posing as a trained accountant and while in that position diverted money that was due to HMRC.
“It caused great concern and the hiring of other accountants to speak on their behalf. It caused a lot of difficulty apart from the financial loss.
'The very person trusted to keep the company's tax affairs in order turned around and destroyed it.”
After the sentencing Mr. Mervyn-Jones said: “I am surprised that someone can get away with the theft of sixty-four thousand pounds.”
Payne's lawyer Miss Emma Fenn said: 'Mrs Payne knows what she has done is wrong and is incredibly remorseful. She attended the police station voluntarily and made admissions and said she wanted to put things right.”
The court heard Payne has an 18 year-old son and a 16 year-old daughter, who has hyper-mobility disorder, an eating disorder and self-harms. She also supports her mother and her current “vulnerable” partner.
“She herself suffers from a number of medical conditions and she is clearly not going to be allowed to work in the accounting industry again,” added Miss Fenn. “She says she was stuck in a vortex after a relationship financially crippled her.
“She wants to repay the money, however long it takes.”
Judge Andrew McDowall sentenced Payne to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered her to perform 250 hours community service work and a £100 victim surcharge.
The judge made no financial order for compensation or confiscation, announcing: “I don't want her to be put in a position where she is juggling debt or going to Wonga.
“This is a serious type of offending, a breach of trust and putting people in a position of owing money to HMRC and they only have prospects of small amount dribbling back over a period of time.
“If it was just you, you would be heading off to Holloway,” Judge McDowall told the first-time offender. “Because others in your family would be effected it will be suspended.
“It is regrettable you got yourself into the mess you did and have only just avoided a custodial sentence. Your employment prospects are hampered for ever and day.”
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