Son Of Olympic Gold Medalist Sprinter Linford Christie Denies Dealing Crack And Heroin

The son of former sprint star Linford Christie pleaded not guilty yesterday to dealing crack cocaine and heroin.

Liam Oliver-Christie, 32, of Lakeside Road, West Kensington appeared at Isleworth Crown Court.

He denied one count of possessing crack cocaine, with intent to supply, on November 9, last year.

Oliver-Christie also pleaded not guilty to possessing heroin, with intent to supply, at his home address on the same date.

He also denied two alternative lesser accounts of simply possessing the two drugs.

He was bailed unconditionally to return for a two-day trial on October 1.

His father won gold for Britan 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.

Executor Admits £77K Will Fraud

The trusted executor of a will cheated three beneficiaries of around £77,000 they were entitled to.

David Coddington, 79, of Ormonde Court, Upper Richmond Road, Richmond-upon-Thames admitted the fraud yesterday.

The life-long bachelor will return for sentencing at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court on May 15.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by abuse of position between February 12, 2012 and October 30, 2015 while the executor of the estate of James Brendan Connolly.

The three counts relate to failing to distribute the estate to Tony Connolly; Eileen Loakman and Anne Downey.

The first-time offender claims the sale of his sister’s flat - that he lives in - will compensate the beneficiaries.

Pensioner Accepts Restraining Order Against Ex

A pensioner, who was charged with harassing his ex, has been slapped with a restraining order which bans him from contacting the woman anymore.

Anthony Garrett, 69, of Tandridge Road, Warlingham, Surrey had always fought the charge and it was dropped yesterday on the day of trial.

Wimbledon Magistrates Court then made the order, which has the consent of both Garrett and his ex, for the next twelve months.

He was found not guilty of harassing Valerie Mair between July 31 and September 10, last year by sending messages and texts.

Prosecutor Carly Loftus told the court the couple's six-year relationship ended in June, last year.

“This defendant continued to contact the complainant and when she sent him an email confirming the relationship was over he replied: 'You're in trouble.'

“She heard a noise late at night at her home on August 18 and saw the defendant walking back to his car.

“He tried to add her to a WhatsApp group on August 31 and in September contacted her on WhattsApp.”

The court heard the woman also received bank transfers into her account of 69p which had the references 'Tony', 'Val' and 'Old Times.'

She was also sent fake tattoos and between September 3 and 6 Garrett tried to contact her via email and facebook.

The last attempted contact was on September 6, last year and there had been no complaints from the woman since.

Bouncer Put On Sex Offenders List For Cabaret Club Grope

Midnight Grope: Proud Cabaret

A bouncer at a landmark cabaret club in the heart of the City who sneaked up behind a female customer, held her hips and kissed her on the neck, has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for five years.

Desmond Augustus Young, 51, was convicted of sexually assaulting the woman, who attended the 1920's-themed Proud Cabaret with a group of friends, on January 27.

He claimed he was merely trying to usher her away from an area of the club she should not have been standing in.

However, City of London Magistrates Court rejected his claim and found him guilty of one count of sexual assault after a trial.

Young, of Aberdeen Road, Edmonton, north London was today sentenced to 150 hours community service and ordered to pay the victim £100 compensation, an £85 victim surcharge and £200 costs.

Prosecutor Miss Carly Loftus told the trial it was half an hour after midnight when the complainant arrived at the nightspot, which boasts burlesque and jazz amongst its live entertainment.

“The defendant was working as security staff and checked the woman and her friends' ID as they entered the club.

“Once inside he approached her from behind, held her hips, pressed himself against her and kissed her neck.”

The woman reported the incident to the club and the police were called.

CCTV was seized, which captured the incident.

Sex Video Boyfriend Of Woman Who Plunged To Her Death Gets Suspended Jail Sentence

A masters degree student, who shared a sexually-explicit clip of his girlfriend performing oral sex on him in a phone box a week before she plunged to her death, has received a suspended prison sentence.

Alessio Bianchi, 26, also admitted throttling her on the balcony of their eighth-floor flat - claiming he was trying to stop her jumping.

The Italian pleaded guilty to assaulting Miss Damilya Jossipaliyena, 24, on June 2, last year at his home at Sunken Beck Building, 5 Hermitage Street, Central London.

He says he was trying to save the life of Damilya, originally from Kazakhstan, who was threatening to jump, but she sadly apparently took her life shortly afterwards.

Bianchi, who studies at Regent’s College, also admitted disclosing private sexual images of her without consent, with intent to cause her distress on May 25.

He sent a clip to a friend of Damilya performing the sex act on him, which made its way back to her. 

At Southwark Crown Court he was sentenced to twelve weeks imprisonment, suspended for twelve months.

Bianchi must also complete a thirty-day rehabilitation activity requirement and pay £250 costs.

Prosecutor Mr. Edward Cohen told the court on a previous occasion: “In terms of the assault the Crown’s case is the assault started upstairs in the flat between the defendant and the complainant.

“He grabbed hold of her throat and hit her on top of the head and punched her several times.

“He says he was trying to stop her jumping out of the window.”

The struggle continued in a downstairs courtyard. “It is alleged by the Crown he grabbed hold of the complainant and pulled her into a fountain in the building and shoved her head onto a chair.

“He accepts there was a struggle downstairs and she ended up in the water.

“The complainant in this case sadly committed suicide not long after this assault allegation.”

Bianchi’s lawyer Mr. Steven Powles said: “The defendant’s position is inside the flat the complainant was attempting to jump off the eighth floor of the balcony.

“This was not the first time time she attempted to take her life. Outside she was attempting to re-enter and in the course of that is how she ended up in the water.

“In her own statement she says there was pushing into the water. She did not mention slamming into the chair.”

Heartbroken Mayfair Art Gallery Boss Slapped With Restraining Order For Stalking Ex All The Way To Australia

Perp Walk: Navratil

A heartbroken Mayfair art gallery boss, who flew 10,000 miles to Australia to continue stalking his terrified ex on a Sydney beach, will have to wear an electronic ankle tag for the next three months.

Jan Navratil, 35, shipping and bond manager at the Halcyon Gallery, admits he could not cope after the split with internet date Sophie Davis, a Cheam veterinary nurse with whom he had a six-month relationship.

The Czech-born university graduate, of Fleming Mead, Colliers Wood received a four-month community order, which includes a three-month tagged home curfew between 9pm and 6am when he appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court.

He was also made subject to an indefinite restraining order prohibiting any contact with Sophie and was also ordered to pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge after pleading guilty to stalking Sophie between February 7 and April 3.

“This is serious and we have all heard her personal statement and the effect your behaviour had on her,” District Judge Barbara Barnes told Navratil. “If you repeat this sort of behaviour you put yourself at risk of a custodial sentence.”

Australian-born Sophie moved in with Navratil while recovering from an operation, but reported him to the police for taking her passport and moved into Wimbledon’s Antoinette Hotel.

“Four hours later she started receiving messages that he was going to kill himself and received a picture of the hotel from the defendant saying he wanted to be close to her,” explained prosecutor Miss Dami Eniola.

“She received multiple messages throughout the night and he later sent a picture of himself wearing her clothing.”

Navratil says this was simply a unisex t-shirt and was an item of clothing they shared when living together.

“When she attended a medical appointment near Buckingham Palace she received a picture of the building and a message from the defendant saying: ‘I feel close to you.’

Pre-Split: Jan & Sophie

“She said she felt he was following her that day and later when travelling to Australia he was waiting for her, wearing a backpack, when she left the ladies toilet at the airport.”

The couple had booked the Oz trip - travelling a week apart - when they were together, but Sophie had split with Navratil by now and even if he decided to fly Down Under his flight was to Melbourne.

“On the second of March she went to the beach in Sydney and saw the defendant waking along the path towards her. She confronted him, but he pretended he did not see her,” added Miss Eniola.

She was hospitalised while in Australia, where she was also communicating with another man, and received Facebook messages from Navratil. “He had accessed her account and wrote: ‘It’s Jan. You care more about this Sam.’

“Back in the UK she received multiple messages that he wanted to be with her and on the third of April he boarded her 93 bus as she travelled to work.

“He tried to sit next to her and she shouted at him to get off the bus and he followed her downstairs and tried to sit next to her again.”

"Anxious": Sophie Davis

When she arrived at work Sophie called the police and Navratil was arrested. “He said he was distressed and could not sleep and got pills from his doctor.

“He said he missed her and was angry that she left him. He said he had seen her in Australia, but that was accidental and they spoke for thirty minutes and she gave him a hug even thought at first she was not pleased to see him.

“He said he only wanted to giver her hairdryer back on the bus and apologise, but she did not take it well. He admitted taking the passport as an excuse to see her again.

“He went into her Facebook daily to read her messages and said he was very embarrassed he did that. He said he did not want to scare her and would not contact her again.”

Sophie told police: “He took it very hard. When I was in intensive care I think he thought this shared experience brought us together.

“I tried to end the relationship in December, but felt responsible for his mental instability.

“When taking my suitcase outside he secretly took my passport to have a bargaining tool to later meet up. He repeatedly threatened  his life and said I had destroyed his.

"Look Over My Shoulder": Sophie

“My sadness turned to concern for myself, I have been anxious and have not been able to sleep properly. 

“I feel it has put me back in a dark place and it has sadly impacted my life. I’d love to move forward and not have to look over my shoulder.

“I’m sad it has come to this, but it is necessary.”

Navratil’s lawyer Miss Danielle Burns told the court: “He wants to express his remorse and apologise to Miss Davis. 

“When she went to Australia he thought he was not going to see her again and it was too tempting not to check up on what she was doing in Australia.”

Tube Train Pest Filmed Women On Phone

A tube train commuter has been caught filming female commuters' legs on his phone.

Harry Joseph Hare, 32, of Old Park View, Enfield was travelling on the busy Northern Line towards Moorgate Station.

He pleaded guilty when he appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court to two counts of outraging public decency on November 3 and December 14, last year.

The court heard the first-time offender targeted a woman whose handbag was between her legs during the morning commute.

This resulted in them being slightly open and Hare pointed his phone towards them.

He was challenged and the one-minute clip was found on his mobile as well as a similar clip from the previous month.

The court bailed Hare for a pre-sentence report and he will return on April 30.

Drunk Eurostar Passenger Had Taken Five-Year Old To Disneyland Paris

A woman who got drunk on Eurostar while taking care of a young girl, who had just celebrated her fifth birthday at Disneyland Paris, has received a suspended prison sentence.

Abusive Yazmin Khan, 25, was filmed by shocked fellow-passengers and she was arrested when the train arrived at St. Pancras Station.

“Because of the language you used and the long period of time this lasted these offences are very serious,” District Judge Richard Blake told her at Westminster Magistrates Court.

“This was so serious members of the public filmed your behaviour,” he added, sentencing Khan to twelve weeks imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months.

Jobless Khan, of Spring Plat Court, Blackwater Lane, Pound Hill, Crawley pleaded guilty to being drunk in charge of a child on the train on November 15, last year.

She also pleaded guilty to neglecting the little girl in a manner likely to cause unnecessary injury or suffering and was also ordered to complete 25 days of rehab and pay a £115 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

Her lawyer Mr. Joe Davidson told the court: “She accepts this was an ugly and regrettable incident. She knows how wrong her conduct was.

“She made no attempt to hide her offending and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

“Her remorse is palpable and she feels the full weight of her guilt everyday.

“This was a stupid one-off mistake and she does not remember what happened, but did not try to wriggle out of responsibility.”

District Judge Blake added: “I have been in court many years and find this case upsetting. This trip should have been a good memory for her.

"Don’t go on adventures to Paris that are going to end in difficulties because you are under pressure.”

Moped Mugger Caught In 'Hue And Cry' Jailed

Moped Mug: Dean Flemming

A moped bandit who snatched a mobile phone, has been jailed after his victim gave chase and beat him up with the help of passers-by - all captured on video.

Serial thief Dean Flemming, 23, threatened to stab the have-a-go-heroes in Knightsbridge and spat into the face of one man who joined the old-fashioned hue and cry.

“People in London are frightened to get their phones out,” said Westminster District Judge Richard Blake, jailing Flemming for twenty-six weeks.

“These type of offences are prevalent throughout the UK and particularly in London,” he told him. “People get their phones out and they are snatched from them.

“I’m sorry you received injuries when invoking the rage of the person you stole from.”

Fleming, of Riversdale Road, Highbury appeared in custody wearing a hospital gown, with his right arm bandaged, describing his nationality as ‘white British.'

He pleaded guilty to stealing the phone from Omar Mahmoud; assaulting Patrick Mascott and riding the moped while disqualified and without insurance on April 6.

Caught In The Act, Fact: Flemming

Flemming, who has 50 previous convictions and was on licence from his latest prison sentence at the time, whined about his treatment from his captors.

“The victim and two friends beat him up so badly he ended up in hospital with injuries to his arm and ribs,” said Miss Sonia Antolin, defending.

The video clip, filmed in Cadogan Square, Knightsbridge, shows three men holding balaclava-wearing Flemming down on a car bonnet. 

Prosecutor Miss Carly Loftus told the court Mr. Mahmoud was out strolling with his girlfriend and was talking on his mobile phone.

“This defendant approached from behind on a black moped and snatched the phone and rode off.

“The victim and other passers-by gave chase, keeping the defendant in sight, and they caught up with him when he crashed the moped into an Audi car, ripping off it’s wing mirror. 

“He resisted their attempts to try and restrain him, by flailing his arms around and spat in the mouth and face of Mr. Mascott.

“He was shouting at them: ‘I’ve got a knife, I’ve got a knife.’

“He asked them to let him go and told Mr. Mahmoud: ‘Your phone is over there.’

Future Not Bright: Flemming 

“It was an opportunistic snatch although there is some planning and he has previous for it and was aggressive when detained.”

This was recorded and posted on the internet by a passer-by.

The moped’s VIN had been erased to prevent proper identification and Flemming was already disqualified from driving until July 6, next year.

The court heard his last prison sentence was for a series of thefts and attempted thefts, plus aggravated taking and driving away and dangerous driving.

He has now also been recalled to prison to serve the remainder of that sentence after being released early on licence last September.

Fleming received twenty-six weeks for the theft, plus sixteen weeks for the assault and driving while disqualified offence to run concurrently.

He must pay a fine of £500 or serve one day in custody for having no insurance, pay £300 compensation to Mr. Mascott, £85 costs and received six penalty points on his driving licence.

Blackmailer Stalked £130m Hedge Fund Boss After Pool Game Headbutt

A blackmailer stalked a £130m hedge fund boss as he tried to extract £15,000 for a nose job after the finance expert headbutted him during an ill-tempered game of pool.

Waiter Alexander Khlaf, 20 - posed as ‘Charlie Rich’ from Goldman Sachs -  as he pursued the pay-out while making threats to the victim.

He pleaded guilty to making an unwarranted demand with menaces between December 19, 2016 and January 17, last year and was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

“It’s obviously really scary for someone, the amount of money was ludicrous in the extreme,” said Southwark Crown Court Judge Joanna Korner QC told Khlaf.

“For over a month you subjected him to a form of terrifying blackmail that amounts to a stalking campaign.”

The court heard Khlaf, of Chatsworth Court, Kensington, was in a West End nightclub in the early hours of December 18, 2016 when he challenged the victim to a wager over a game of pool.

“The game escalated into an argument and there was shouting an pushing and shoving caught on CCTV,” said prosecutor Mr. Paul Addison.

“The CCTV captures the complainant head butting this defendant and they had to be separated by security, with this defendant refusing to shake hands afterwards.

“He then commenced for the next few weeks to extract a sum of money from the complainant for a claim of personal injury.”

Khlaf had read about the victim’s recent £130m City deal, quoting it during his blackmail of the Holborn-based hedge fund manager, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

He posed as a ‘Charlie Smart’ phoning from Goldman Sachs to get through to the victim and demanded money for an operation on his broken nose.

“He made comments about the complainant’s occupation, where the complainant’s parents lived and he would meet him with his own personal security team,” explained Mr. Addison.

There were multiple calls and emails, ending with a demand for £15,000 and on December 23 Khlaf turned up at his office building and phone from the reception area.

On January 11 the victim received two more calls from Khlaf, who was obviously in the building and the next day he tried to get in again, but was blocked by security staff.

He then sent a picture he had taken of the victim’s office boardroom to him to show he had access to the building.

On January 13 Khlaf phoned him at midnight. “He threatened to contact the complainant’s colleagues and finalise press coverage and call the police.”

By now the victim had reported Khlaf to police and he was arrested outside the office on January 19 while pretending to be on the phone to a private detective.

The victim told officers: “All these incidents left me worried. The threats were unjustified and I was scared at what he would do next.

“I was scared every time I left my office and would rush to a waiting taxi outside.”

Khlaf was also made subject to a five-year restraining order, prohibiting contact with the vicim, must pay him £500 compensation and attend 20 days of rehab.

Mayfair Art Gallery Manager Stalked Ex All The Way To Oz

Outside Court: Navratil

A heartbroken Mayfair art gallery manager flew all the way to Australia to continue stalking his terrified ex, even sending her pics of himself dressed in her clothes.

Jan Navratil, 35, showed up in Melbourne as his former girlfriend, veterinary nurse Sophie Davis, was making her way to the beach, claiming the meeting was a coincidence.

The Czech-born university graduate is the shipping and bond manager at the Halcyon Gallery and the couple had a six-month relationship after meeting online.

He appeared in custody at Wimbledon Magistrates Court last Thursday, where he pleaded guilty to stalking Sophie between February 7 and April 3.

Prosecutor Miss Amanda McCabe told the court: “She did live with the defendant for a short time when recovering from an operation and she reported him to the police for taking her passport and other items.

“No action was taken, but she ended the relationship and hours later began to receive messages from the defendant saying he wanted to take his life.

“She decided to stay at a hotel in Wimbledon and received a text from the defendant, with a picture that was clearly another room in the hotel.

“He said he wanted to be close to her, wanted to be with her and wanted her back.

“The defendant also sent her pictures of himself wearing her clothing that she had left behind his home.”

Happier Times: Jan & Sophie

While attending an appointment near Buckingham Palace Sophie received a pic of the royal residence from Navratil, which convinced her he was following her.

Before the split the couple had booked a holiday to Australia, with Navratil due to join her a week after her departure.   

“When she left the ladies lavatory at Heathrow Airport the defendant was standing there with a backpack.

“She told him not to follow her to Australia, but says while on holiday he was there and received a message after he accessed her facebook account.

“She was walking to the beach on March 3 and the defendant approached her, then pretended he had not seen her.”

He also became jealous about another man ‘Sam’ she was communicating with on facebook.

Stalking Victim: Sophie

Sophie collected the rest of her belongings from Navratil’s place on March 29, but received another email from him, saying: “If I want to see you it could be very, very soon.”

Two days later he hopped onboard the bus she was travelling on. “The defendant tried to take the seat beside her and she shouted at him, telling him to go away.

“She went down to the lower deck and he followed her so later dialled 999.”

When questioned by police Navratil said he was “devastated” by the split, complaining he “could not sleep for days” and felt bad about how the relationship ended.

“He explained the meeting in Australia was completely accidental and that he had nightmares about the break-up,” added Miss McCabe.

Navratil the bus incident was merely an attempt to return Sophie’s hairdryer to her.

His ex told the police: “This has ruined my life and left me scared. I’m now looking constantly over my shoulder.”

District Judge Barbara Barnes said: “He has no insight whatsoever as to the distressing nature of this constant contact.”

After hearing the met on an online dating site she added: “Oh dear, I see. It worries me that he thinks this is appropriate when a relationship goes wrong.

“This is so serious an offence maybe only prison can be justified.”

Navratil was bailed for sentencing on condition he does not contact Sophie.

GUILTY: Cambridge-Grad Awards Boss With Rough-Sex Fantasies Convicted Of Raping Two Young Women

A Cambridge-educated hotel awards boss, who enjoyed dominant role-playing sex, has been convicted yesterday of raping a Swedish Tinder date and a drunken young woman he picked-up late one night.

Edward Gabbai, 30, who runs The World Boutique Hotel Awards, had enjoyed a fling with the young Swede, who adopted the role of his submissive, up until he took things too far one night.

The drunken 23 year-old stranger was taken back to an address he was house-sitting and also subjected to rough non-consensual  sex, Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court heard.

Gabbai, of Thornbury Gardens, Borehamwood, who has a PhD in microbiology and nanoscience, was cleared of raping a 17 year-old escort, plus two further rapes of the drunken young woman.

He will be sentenced on the two rape counts on May 4.

Prosecutor Mr. Simon Russell Flint QC said the Tinder date had agreed to consensual sex with the defendant that became rape and the second was a drunken woman he took home in a cab.

The jury were played mobile phone footage police seized from the defendant of the drunken woman on her on her knees in the bathroom of Gabbai’s Battersea house sit in the midst of the rape.

“It shows a naked girl on her knees, she appears to be distressed and has been assaulted. You can hear the defendant say: ‘Tell me you will do anything I want,’ and see him slap her violently.

“The footage shows him telling her to put her arms behind her back and bottom in the air.

“She can be heard saying: ‘Please don’t, ouch, please don’t, ouch.’”

“This being rough and violent in the course of sexual activity, we say, is a common and repeating theme,” said Mr. Russell Flint. 

“Edward Gabbai likes to dominate sexually and inflict hurt and violence on those who he engages in sexual activity.”

The Swedish woman did initially consent to sex with Gabbai until she was raped in the bedroom of a Stoke Newington address, the jury were told.

“He picked her up and put her on all fours and started giving her orders as what to do. He pinned down her legs, pushed her down and started to become very aggressive.

“He started strangling so hard she could not breathe, bit her neck and ear so it left a visible mark, turned her head so he could slap her face and pulled her hair.

“He said: ‘That’s my favourite bit.’ She was screaming out and he continued to have sex with her.

“Facial injuries were caused by the defendant beating her up, quite frankly.”

She reported Gabbai to the police after becoming embarrassed about her parents seeing her in such a state and having to cancel her passport picture appointment at the Swedish Embassy.

“He said she liked rough sex. He said he hit her about twelve times, but at no time did she tell him to stop.”

The second complainant had been drinking in Angel and agreed to get in Gabbai’s shared Uber cab at 3.30am because she had no phone power to call her own.

However, once in the address she court heard Gabbai told her in the hallway: “You have got to let me do whatever I want to you.”

She felt vulnerable and intimidated by the “very angry” Gabbai, the court heard. “He pushed her onto the bed and slapped her on both cheeks very hard.

“She started crying immediately and he called her lots of names, like slut,” explained Mr. Russell Flint.

“He pushed down on her neck, she couldn’t breathe, was gasping for breath and she really thought he was going to suffocate her.

“She says she was hysterical, crying and unable to speak and was told: ‘If you cry out or try to go away I’ll make it worse for you.’

“She slapped her face, her bottom, her legs.”

Gabbai raped, said the prosecutor, while instructing her to say she was only twelve years-old and announcing: ‘You’re a little twelve year-old girl.’

Later Gabbai unlocked the front door and took her phone number before she left and the young woman reported him to the police.

When examined she had thirty separate areas of injury.

Ex-Cop Rogue Trader Who Ripped-Off Homeowners Jailed For 18 Months

A disgraced ex-police officer turned rogue trader, who ripped-off homeowners he charged £112,900 for shoddy work, has been jailed for eighteen months.

Plumber Steven Trendell, 42, who admitted fraudulent overcharging, resigned from the Met a decade ago when prosecuted for moonlighting while on sick leave.

Last October he was given a five-month window of opportunity to start compensating his victims and save himself from prison, but did not pay a penny.

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court Judge Andrew Campbell told him: “I’m not going to describe in great detail the appalling consequences of those you cheated.

“It has caused them a great deal of anxiety and a great deal of money.

“You have left behind a trail of destruction. I gave you the opportunity to make some reparations, but you failed to do so.”

Trendell, of Monks Green, Fetcham, Leatherhead pleaded guilty to participating in a fraudulent business, namely Home Edge Plumbing & Heating, between August 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015.

The charge relates to work at neighbouring properties in Evesham Terrace, Surbiton for two loft conversions and an extension and trading standards say the overcharging equalled £51,200.

He also pleaded guilty to making a false representation to the occupiers of a property in Ravenscar Road, Surbiton, David and Elizabeth Anderson, namely that he provided a genuine gas safety certificate and was FENSA-registered.

“We have lost our entire life savings and are in serious debt and could lose our home,” said one of the Evesham Terrace couples, who paid Trendell £57,200.

The loft extension of their £800,000 home needed to be ripped down and rebuilt and the extension re-roofed, with an extra £30,000 needed to put things right.

The front door did not close properly, the hall floor was rising, the staircases did not comply to regulations, sink waste drained into their dishwasher and the drains were unfinished.

Their next-door neighbours also hired Trendell, who told them he was a former soldier, who served in Bosnia and protected the US President and other VIP’s for the Met’s protection division.

The court heard Trendell claimed he retired from the force on medical grounds and not because he received a suspended prison sentence for deception in 2006.

They paid him a total of £55,700, but an independent expert valued the work at £17,500 with more money needed to complete the project.

Judge Campbell said the first couple had lost over £90,000 and their neighbour’s Matthew and Rachel Williams £36,000.

He lied to the Anderson’s he was FENSA-registered - a window-fitting competency scheme - when charging £40,000 to convert their property to a single dwelling. 

Trendell also left behind a bogus gas safety certificate and when investigated by the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames refused interview requests.

He was also sacked by his solicitors because he refused to pay them and fought the case until shortly before his trial was due to begin.

Regarding the first couple Judge Campbell told him: “There is no doubt the effects have been devastating and they had to borrow money from relatives.

“It’s a trail of destruction and they’ve suffered torment.”

Trendell told the judge: “It is regrettable what happened. When I embarked on these projects I hoped they would come to a conclusion where everybody was happy.

“Thank-you for the opportunity you gave me to pay both the victims, but the job that was due to start in November was put back to January and it has not been finished yet, so I have not been paid.

“I was relying on that to pay back the money.”

Investigators found £120,000 his business received ended up in his wife’s bank account, but Trendell claimed: “There is very little left. Most was paid to sub-contractors and for materials.

“I have been suffering with depression. It has been a pretty tough time and I’ve just ben trying to support my family.

“I am regretful, remorseful and very sorry for everything that happened.”