11/05/2007
A Dagenham man who accused Council benefit investigators of being 'unprofessional' and in need of 'managerial guidance' has been found guilty this week of benefit fraud.
Andrew Brace, of 44 Millard Terrace, Dagenham, wrote to the Council officers who were investigating his suspicious benefit claims, describing them as 'unprofessional' and their department as 'inadequate'.
Brace first came to the attention of Barking and Dagenham Council's fraud investigation team after a computer check revealed that he had found employment and was therefore no longer claiming job seeker's allowance.
Officers were concerned because Brace was still claiming housing benefit on the basis that he was not in full time employment.
An investigation revealed that he had taken a job as a store manager with Brasher Leisure Ltd on 17 April 2006, but had failed to let the Council know, a serious offence under the Social Security Administration Act.
It was when the Council wrote to Brace, inviting him to attend a cautioned interview to explain his actions that the prosecuting officers received the letter suggesting they needed 'management training' and accusing them of being 'sinister and threatening'.
Based on the evidence, and Brace's repeated denial of the offence, officers decided to pursue a criminal prosecution and the case was heard at Barking Magistrates Court on Friday, 27 April 2007.
After hearing in mitigation that Brace had undergone a problematic divorce and taking into account his guilty plea, magistrates ordered him to pay a fine of £800 and costs of £400.
Cllr Mick McCarthy, Executive Member for Benefits, said: "I am astonished that someone who knowingly committed a serious offence would be so audacious as to accuse Council officials of incompetence.
"I think the successful conviction here shows that our officers are far from 'unprofessional', but rather extremely capable of bringing people who to try to cheat the system to justice."
ENDS
Monday 28 December 2009
Monday 21 December 2009
Slough's hidden population in shanty town homes1
Slough's hidden population in shanty town homes
1:48pm Fri 11th Dec 09:: written by Terry Pattinson
A hidden population of at least 2,000 people are living in about 1,000 dangerous 'garden sheds' across Slough, it was officially confirmed this week.
Council bosses have started cracking down on the greedy landlords who rent out sheds for at least £150 a week to mystery tenants.
The guilty landlords face fines of up to £20,000 and could face other criminal charges relating to health and safety, benefit fraud, income tax and council tax evasion.
The extent of the problem, growing steadily for about eight years, was revealed by council housing standards manager Keith Ford this week.
The worst four wards with inhabited sheds are Chalvey, Baylis, Central and Upton.
The 'sheds' - not all of them wooden shacks - feature in a series of aerial Google Earth photographs released by the council.
It shows one road - Wellesley Road in the town centre - with a shanty hut in almost every rear garden.The makeshift homes are fitted out with kitchen sinks, bathrooms, toilets and electricity, as well as satellite television, but the occupants are not registered for health or education.
Landlords wanting advice should call Mr Ford on 01753 875263 while anybody wanting to report illegal shed accommodation should call 01753 875570.
1:48pm Fri 11th Dec 09:: written by Terry Pattinson
A hidden population of at least 2,000 people are living in about 1,000 dangerous 'garden sheds' across Slough, it was officially confirmed this week.
Council bosses have started cracking down on the greedy landlords who rent out sheds for at least £150 a week to mystery tenants.
The guilty landlords face fines of up to £20,000 and could face other criminal charges relating to health and safety, benefit fraud, income tax and council tax evasion.
The extent of the problem, growing steadily for about eight years, was revealed by council housing standards manager Keith Ford this week.
The worst four wards with inhabited sheds are Chalvey, Baylis, Central and Upton.
The 'sheds' - not all of them wooden shacks - feature in a series of aerial Google Earth photographs released by the council.
It shows one road - Wellesley Road in the town centre - with a shanty hut in almost every rear garden.The makeshift homes are fitted out with kitchen sinks, bathrooms, toilets and electricity, as well as satellite television, but the occupants are not registered for health or education.
Landlords wanting advice should call Mr Ford on 01753 875263 while anybody wanting to report illegal shed accommodation should call 01753 875570.
Thursday 17 December 2009
A HAPLESS pair of fraudsters
15/12/2009
A HAPLESS pair of fraudsters who were paid to take more than 40 driving tests across the country, including in Oldham and Failsworth, have been jailed. Between them, Ali Abdullah (28), of City Road, Hulme, and Muqtar Nuren (22), of Staycott Street, Moss Side, took 27 practical tests and 16 theory tests for 35 different candidates on a “no pass, no fee” basis. The pair only managed to pass seven practical and three theory tests between them between October, 2006, and July, 2008. The scam targeted theory test centres in Salford, Runcorn, Preston, Stockport, St Helens and Ilford in east London, as well as practical test centres in Oldham, Failsworth, Sale, Bury, Cheetham Hill, Huddersfield and Redditch in Worcestershire. Suspicions were raised because they looked nothing like the people pictured on the provisional licences they were using, and an investigation was launched by the Driving Standards Agency. The pair were arrested in July last year after being linked to the cheat tests by CCTV. Both were found to have two licences each and it is believed they were part of a ring of crooks. They pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud in October this year. At Manchester Crown Court yesterday, Abdullah was sentenced to three years in jail, and Nuren for a year, for conspiracy to defraud the DSA. Speaking of the “spectacularly unsophisticated” fraud Joe Boyd, representing Abdullah, said the success rate was abysmal. He added: “It was an enormous amount of effort for very little reward, the benefit is minuscule.” Benjamin Myers, for Nuren, said: “Staff at the centres appeared to be aware of what was happening. There were a number of times when Nuren was challenged.” The DSA will now seek to revoke all licences obtained by illegal means. Speaking after the sentencing, Michelle Moston, deputy head of DSA’s fraud and integrity team, said: “People like Abdullah and Nuren present a real risk to all road users as they provide an entitlement to drive to those who have not been assessed to show that they are competent to do so.”
A HAPLESS pair of fraudsters who were paid to take more than 40 driving tests across the country, including in Oldham and Failsworth, have been jailed. Between them, Ali Abdullah (28), of City Road, Hulme, and Muqtar Nuren (22), of Staycott Street, Moss Side, took 27 practical tests and 16 theory tests for 35 different candidates on a “no pass, no fee” basis. The pair only managed to pass seven practical and three theory tests between them between October, 2006, and July, 2008. The scam targeted theory test centres in Salford, Runcorn, Preston, Stockport, St Helens and Ilford in east London, as well as practical test centres in Oldham, Failsworth, Sale, Bury, Cheetham Hill, Huddersfield and Redditch in Worcestershire. Suspicions were raised because they looked nothing like the people pictured on the provisional licences they were using, and an investigation was launched by the Driving Standards Agency. The pair were arrested in July last year after being linked to the cheat tests by CCTV. Both were found to have two licences each and it is believed they were part of a ring of crooks. They pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud in October this year. At Manchester Crown Court yesterday, Abdullah was sentenced to three years in jail, and Nuren for a year, for conspiracy to defraud the DSA. Speaking of the “spectacularly unsophisticated” fraud Joe Boyd, representing Abdullah, said the success rate was abysmal. He added: “It was an enormous amount of effort for very little reward, the benefit is minuscule.” Benjamin Myers, for Nuren, said: “Staff at the centres appeared to be aware of what was happening. There were a number of times when Nuren was challenged.” The DSA will now seek to revoke all licences obtained by illegal means. Speaking after the sentencing, Michelle Moston, deputy head of DSA’s fraud and integrity team, said: “People like Abdullah and Nuren present a real risk to all road users as they provide an entitlement to drive to those who have not been assessed to show that they are competent to do so.”
Tuesday 8 December 2009
Soccer hooligan begs not to be jailed
Soccer hooligan begs not to be jailed as he would miss his 'little dog who is like a son'
Published Date: 28 October 2009
A SOCCER hooligan who breached his Football Banning Order for the third time when he went to a match at Blackpool pleaded not to be sent to prison because he would miss his little dog.
Michael Lewis was put on the order after drunkenly invading the pitch during a match at Burnley Football Club's home ground where he assaulted two police officers.Lewis, a jobless 47-year-old grandfather, of the Station Hotel, Earby, admitted failing to comply with a Football Banning Order. He was sentenced to eight weeks' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work for the community, put on a year's supervision and told to pay £85 costs by Blackpool magistrates.Prosecutor Mr John Beggs said, in 2005, Lewis was made the subject of a 10-year Football Banning Order by Burnley magistrates after being convicted of invading the pitch at Turf Moor, behaving in a threatening manner and assaulting two police officers.One of the order's conditions prohibited him from attending football matches but on August 15th, Blackpool were playing at home at Bloomfield Road against Cardiff and Lewis was a spectactor.At 4-20 p.m., police saw Lewis, who appeared to be arguing with a steward. The steward told officers he believed Lewis had had too much to drink and had asked him to leave.When Lewis's details were checked he was found to be on a Football Banning Order. He had two previous convictions for breaching the order.Lewis told magistrates he had come to the resort with his dog for a four-day break. He met a man who invited him to go to the match.He bought a small bottle of wine at the game, which he put in his back pocket, but a steward saw the bottle and called the police.Lewis said: "I was not drunk, I was just a bit fresh. I thought my banning order was just for Burnley matches and international matches."I would not like to go to prison today. Years ago, I would not have bothered, but I now have a little dog, who is like a son to me, and I would miss him."Miss Leisa Splaine (defending) told magistrates: "He says he has supported Burnley from age three to four. They have been his team for life."He says he has tried to comply with the order. He did not go to Wembley last season for what he described as the biggest game of Burnley's history, where they got promotion. He says he thought the order only applied to Burnley and international matches."
Published Date: 28 October 2009
A SOCCER hooligan who breached his Football Banning Order for the third time when he went to a match at Blackpool pleaded not to be sent to prison because he would miss his little dog.
Michael Lewis was put on the order after drunkenly invading the pitch during a match at Burnley Football Club's home ground where he assaulted two police officers.Lewis, a jobless 47-year-old grandfather, of the Station Hotel, Earby, admitted failing to comply with a Football Banning Order. He was sentenced to eight weeks' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work for the community, put on a year's supervision and told to pay £85 costs by Blackpool magistrates.Prosecutor Mr John Beggs said, in 2005, Lewis was made the subject of a 10-year Football Banning Order by Burnley magistrates after being convicted of invading the pitch at Turf Moor, behaving in a threatening manner and assaulting two police officers.One of the order's conditions prohibited him from attending football matches but on August 15th, Blackpool were playing at home at Bloomfield Road against Cardiff and Lewis was a spectactor.At 4-20 p.m., police saw Lewis, who appeared to be arguing with a steward. The steward told officers he believed Lewis had had too much to drink and had asked him to leave.When Lewis's details were checked he was found to be on a Football Banning Order. He had two previous convictions for breaching the order.Lewis told magistrates he had come to the resort with his dog for a four-day break. He met a man who invited him to go to the match.He bought a small bottle of wine at the game, which he put in his back pocket, but a steward saw the bottle and called the police.Lewis said: "I was not drunk, I was just a bit fresh. I thought my banning order was just for Burnley matches and international matches."I would not like to go to prison today. Years ago, I would not have bothered, but I now have a little dog, who is like a son to me, and I would miss him."Miss Leisa Splaine (defending) told magistrates: "He says he has supported Burnley from age three to four. They have been his team for life."He says he has tried to comply with the order. He did not go to Wembley last season for what he described as the biggest game of Burnley's history, where they got promotion. He says he thought the order only applied to Burnley and international matches."
Wednesday 2 December 2009
British workers are swindling bosses out of £1bn a year in spurious expense claims.
British workers are swindling bosses out of £1bn a year in spurious expense claims.
New research reveals cheeky British workers are swindling their bosses by over a £1bn a year on spurious expense claims, including plastic surgery, a new car, a diamond engagement ring, escorts, council tax, a honeymoon, Viagra and even a goat.
Findings also revealed workers are embezzling their employer’s money to add a touch of glamour to their homes in the name of work. Respondents admitted buying furniture, home entertainment, refurbishing their homes with a new bathroom, kitchen, gym and wallpaper and paint to spruce up their homes.
Listed below are some of the other outrageous claims highlighted in the Travelodge research:
· New motorbike
· Private number plate for a BMW
· Hiring a private investigator to find evidence to start divorce proceedings
· Pet hamster called Barry for the office
· Lapdancers
· £1,000 hair extensions
· A new garden shed which was converted into an office
· Charity donations
· Luxury holidays to Africa, USA and Europe
· Dancing lessons
The budget chain survey of 3,000 British employees identified the typical worker pockets an extra £17 each month that they claim. This means claimants make an extra £204 a year through dodgy expense claims, totalling a whopping £9,078 over a working lifetime.
Further findings identified a smug 43% of British workers believe swindling expense claims is a legitimate way of making extra cash and 45% of people said all their colleagues are ‘doing it’. An astonishing 84% of those polled said they didn’t feel guilty about inventing claims.
More men (22%) have used their expense account to wine and dine the opposite sex at prestigious restaurants in contrast to just 9% of women.
New research reveals cheeky British workers are swindling their bosses by over a £1bn a year on spurious expense claims, including plastic surgery, a new car, a diamond engagement ring, escorts, council tax, a honeymoon, Viagra and even a goat.
Findings also revealed workers are embezzling their employer’s money to add a touch of glamour to their homes in the name of work. Respondents admitted buying furniture, home entertainment, refurbishing their homes with a new bathroom, kitchen, gym and wallpaper and paint to spruce up their homes.
Listed below are some of the other outrageous claims highlighted in the Travelodge research:
· New motorbike
· Private number plate for a BMW
· Hiring a private investigator to find evidence to start divorce proceedings
· Pet hamster called Barry for the office
· Lapdancers
· £1,000 hair extensions
· A new garden shed which was converted into an office
· Charity donations
· Luxury holidays to Africa, USA and Europe
· Dancing lessons
The budget chain survey of 3,000 British employees identified the typical worker pockets an extra £17 each month that they claim. This means claimants make an extra £204 a year through dodgy expense claims, totalling a whopping £9,078 over a working lifetime.
Further findings identified a smug 43% of British workers believe swindling expense claims is a legitimate way of making extra cash and 45% of people said all their colleagues are ‘doing it’. An astonishing 84% of those polled said they didn’t feel guilty about inventing claims.
More men (22%) have used their expense account to wine and dine the opposite sex at prestigious restaurants in contrast to just 9% of women.
Tuesday 1 December 2009
Dad starts blaze trying to destroy documents
Dad starts blaze trying to destroy documents
12:55pm Monday 8th January 2007
By Christine Sexton »
A dad worried about identity fraud unwittingly set his home on fire as he tried to burn personal documents.
The man, his wife and their two young children fled the home in London Road, Benfleet, after he set fire to documents in a saucepan near a wooden garage attached to the house.
Firefighters were called to the semi-detached house shortly after 9pm on Thursday after the fire spread to the house through a window.
Hadleigh fire station sub officer Alan Hockett said his crews arrived to find the building well ablaze.
Although the family had already got out of the building, their cat was trapped inside and had to be rescued by fire officers, who also managed to prevent the fire spreading to the roof.
Fire investigator Martin Pullen said: "The husband bravely attempted to tackle the fire with a garden hose, but it was too developed.
"He did what the fire service advise - he alerted the family and they got out safely.
"He was destroying old receipts by burning them in a saucepan. He was concerned about fraud and, because they had not got a shredder, they had a habit of burning them."
12:55pm Monday 8th January 2007
By Christine Sexton »
A dad worried about identity fraud unwittingly set his home on fire as he tried to burn personal documents.
The man, his wife and their two young children fled the home in London Road, Benfleet, after he set fire to documents in a saucepan near a wooden garage attached to the house.
Firefighters were called to the semi-detached house shortly after 9pm on Thursday after the fire spread to the house through a window.
Hadleigh fire station sub officer Alan Hockett said his crews arrived to find the building well ablaze.
Although the family had already got out of the building, their cat was trapped inside and had to be rescued by fire officers, who also managed to prevent the fire spreading to the roof.
Fire investigator Martin Pullen said: "The husband bravely attempted to tackle the fire with a garden hose, but it was too developed.
"He did what the fire service advise - he alerted the family and they got out safely.
"He was destroying old receipts by burning them in a saucepan. He was concerned about fraud and, because they had not got a shredder, they had a habit of burning them."
Wednesday 25 November 2009
Albino rat saves man from justice
Albino rat saves man from justice
By JOEL TAYLOR - Monday, November 16, 2009
Rat's my boy: Man's pet saved him from punishment (not actual rat)
A rat owner has won an unlikely respite from a court sentence - thanks to his albino pet.
Allan Page had pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis, fare-dodging and begging on a train.
But magistrates were forced to postpone judgment after hearing that Rizla, a six-month-old albino, had been the unwelcome guest at a probation meeting.
When officials discovered the pet was in Page's pocket they refused to continue the meeting - so could not prepare their reports on the defendant.
'I had cycled from Hitchin to Bedford that day and I didn't realise that I couldn't bring the animal with me,' said 37-year-old Page, of Arlesey, Bedfordshire.
'It did annoy me because I didn't think it would be a problem.
'They said it was for hygiene reasons but I said it was my animal and he goes everywhere with me, even to the doctors.'
His lawyer told Bedford magistrates' court: 'He now knows that he cannot take his pet rat into the office with him.'
The magistrates gave probation officials a final chance to prepare their report and rescheduled the appointment for Thursday.
They told Page: 'No pet rat this time, please.'
By JOEL TAYLOR - Monday, November 16, 2009
Rat's my boy: Man's pet saved him from punishment (not actual rat)
A rat owner has won an unlikely respite from a court sentence - thanks to his albino pet.
Allan Page had pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis, fare-dodging and begging on a train.
But magistrates were forced to postpone judgment after hearing that Rizla, a six-month-old albino, had been the unwelcome guest at a probation meeting.
When officials discovered the pet was in Page's pocket they refused to continue the meeting - so could not prepare their reports on the defendant.
'I had cycled from Hitchin to Bedford that day and I didn't realise that I couldn't bring the animal with me,' said 37-year-old Page, of Arlesey, Bedfordshire.
'It did annoy me because I didn't think it would be a problem.
'They said it was for hygiene reasons but I said it was my animal and he goes everywhere with me, even to the doctors.'
His lawyer told Bedford magistrates' court: 'He now knows that he cannot take his pet rat into the office with him.'
The magistrates gave probation officials a final chance to prepare their report and rescheduled the appointment for Thursday.
They told Page: 'No pet rat this time, please.'
Tuesday 24 November 2009
Muggers left ID cards after subway attack
Muggers left ID cards after subway attack
TWO men who robbed a 16-year-old girl in a subway were caught by police after leaving their student ID cards at the scene.
Daniel Yates and Adam Owens struck at the underpass near Churchgate in Bolton town centre on April 22.
Yesterday they were each jailed for 20 months by a judge at Bolton Crown Court, who told them: “You made your victim suffer.”
Furthermore, in a bizarre twist, Yates, was jailed for an additional 20 months, to run consecutively, for an assault on Owens two months after the subway robbery.
Judge Charles Mahon said: “You are both now very sorry — but that is not a lot of use to your victim.
“She was not only very young, but also alone.”
On April 22, the victim was walking when she was approached by Yates, who asked for her phone number, the court was told.
He then pushed her against a wall and to the ground, prosecutor David Toal said.
Owens then rifled through the girl’s rucksack as Yates, who has a young daughter, punched her twice in the jaw and stole a mobile phone from her pocket.
Mr Toal said: “The victim said Yates told her ‘if we want, we can make you scream. We could drag you into the bushes’. She feared she would be raped.”
Police found two University of Bolton ID cards at the scene, belonging to the defendants.
The pair had enrolled in February but did not attend tutorials and were thrown off their courses.
After being arrested, they admitted drinking at least 13 pints of lager each before the attack.
Later, on June 12, Yates and Owens were drinking in The New Globe pub in Duke Street, Bolton, when an argument broke out.
Yates punched Owens to the floor, kicking his head and stamping on his chest, the court heard.
Owens, aged 24, of Bryn Walk, Halliwell, pleaded guilty to robbery.
Yates, aged 20, of Brunswick Court, Bolton, pleaded guilty to robbery and wounding.
TWO men who robbed a 16-year-old girl in a subway were caught by police after leaving their student ID cards at the scene.
Daniel Yates and Adam Owens struck at the underpass near Churchgate in Bolton town centre on April 22.
Yesterday they were each jailed for 20 months by a judge at Bolton Crown Court, who told them: “You made your victim suffer.”
Furthermore, in a bizarre twist, Yates, was jailed for an additional 20 months, to run consecutively, for an assault on Owens two months after the subway robbery.
Judge Charles Mahon said: “You are both now very sorry — but that is not a lot of use to your victim.
“She was not only very young, but also alone.”
On April 22, the victim was walking when she was approached by Yates, who asked for her phone number, the court was told.
He then pushed her against a wall and to the ground, prosecutor David Toal said.
Owens then rifled through the girl’s rucksack as Yates, who has a young daughter, punched her twice in the jaw and stole a mobile phone from her pocket.
Mr Toal said: “The victim said Yates told her ‘if we want, we can make you scream. We could drag you into the bushes’. She feared she would be raped.”
Police found two University of Bolton ID cards at the scene, belonging to the defendants.
The pair had enrolled in February but did not attend tutorials and were thrown off their courses.
After being arrested, they admitted drinking at least 13 pints of lager each before the attack.
Later, on June 12, Yates and Owens were drinking in The New Globe pub in Duke Street, Bolton, when an argument broke out.
Yates punched Owens to the floor, kicking his head and stamping on his chest, the court heard.
Owens, aged 24, of Bryn Walk, Halliwell, pleaded guilty to robbery.
Yates, aged 20, of Brunswick Court, Bolton, pleaded guilty to robbery and wounding.
Friday 20 November 2009
Man admits YouTube cannabis boast
Man admits YouTube cannabis boast
Wednesday, March 04, 2009, 10:00
A DRUG user caught after posting videos of his cannabis factory on YouTube under his real name and date of birth has been fined £275 .
Shane Burfield, 25, used the website to upload a string of film clips charting the growth of his £500 cannabis bush.
But instead of posting them anonymously the unemployed crook proudly displayed his name, date of birth and home town beside the footage.
Police received an anonymous tip-off and were able to trace his name to an address in Bridgwater.
When they raided the house they found a 5ft plant and specialist hydroponics equipment used to grow it.Yesterday Burfield pleaded guilty to cultivation and possession of cannabis at Sedgemoor Magistrates Court in Bridgwater.
Magistrate Alan Webb said: "I would hope that you go away from this court a little more sober and thoughtful and that you have stopped growing cannabis."
Donna Newton-Smith, prosecuting, said: "Allegations surfaced that Mr Burfield was cultivating cannabis at his home address.
"That information was received initially from an anonymous informant.
"However, it was then discovered Mr Burfield had taken videos of his hydroponic equipment over six months.
"Mr Burfield had used his own name as the user name and his own date of birth on his YouTube account."
The court heard when police raided Burfield's home on February 18, they found a cannabis plant with an estimated street value of £500.
They also uncovered specialist hydroponics equipment inside a "grow tent" in a bedroom of the flat and 0.8 grammes of skunk cannabis in his pocket.
During a police interview Burfield admitted cloning an "AK47" breed of cannabis plant from that of a friend in Devon and being a "heavy cannabis user".
He claimed he began growing and filming the plant in November 2008 and was due to begin harvesting it three weeks after the police raid.
The unemployed 25-year-old, who lives with his girlfriend and receives £125 incapacity benefits a week, claimed it was intended for personal use and not for sale.
Speaking outside court, he said: "I put the videos on YouTube because I saw other plants on there and wanted other growers to see what I was doing.
"I had over 300 comments on the videos and thousands of hits from people all over the world interested in growing – it was kind of like a hobby.
"It was a big surprise when the old bill came knocking on my door with two riot vans.
"Thinking about it, it was pretty silly to put my name on there. I've definitely learned my lesson – next time I won't be putting it on YouTube."
Burfield was fined £120 for cultivating cannabis, £80 for possession, £60 in court costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
He ordered the plant, hydroponics equipment and cannabis found in his pocket to be destroyed.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009, 10:00
A DRUG user caught after posting videos of his cannabis factory on YouTube under his real name and date of birth has been fined £275 .
Shane Burfield, 25, used the website to upload a string of film clips charting the growth of his £500 cannabis bush.
But instead of posting them anonymously the unemployed crook proudly displayed his name, date of birth and home town beside the footage.
Police received an anonymous tip-off and were able to trace his name to an address in Bridgwater.
When they raided the house they found a 5ft plant and specialist hydroponics equipment used to grow it.Yesterday Burfield pleaded guilty to cultivation and possession of cannabis at Sedgemoor Magistrates Court in Bridgwater.
Magistrate Alan Webb said: "I would hope that you go away from this court a little more sober and thoughtful and that you have stopped growing cannabis."
Donna Newton-Smith, prosecuting, said: "Allegations surfaced that Mr Burfield was cultivating cannabis at his home address.
"That information was received initially from an anonymous informant.
"However, it was then discovered Mr Burfield had taken videos of his hydroponic equipment over six months.
"Mr Burfield had used his own name as the user name and his own date of birth on his YouTube account."
The court heard when police raided Burfield's home on February 18, they found a cannabis plant with an estimated street value of £500.
They also uncovered specialist hydroponics equipment inside a "grow tent" in a bedroom of the flat and 0.8 grammes of skunk cannabis in his pocket.
During a police interview Burfield admitted cloning an "AK47" breed of cannabis plant from that of a friend in Devon and being a "heavy cannabis user".
He claimed he began growing and filming the plant in November 2008 and was due to begin harvesting it three weeks after the police raid.
The unemployed 25-year-old, who lives with his girlfriend and receives £125 incapacity benefits a week, claimed it was intended for personal use and not for sale.
Speaking outside court, he said: "I put the videos on YouTube because I saw other plants on there and wanted other growers to see what I was doing.
"I had over 300 comments on the videos and thousands of hits from people all over the world interested in growing – it was kind of like a hobby.
"It was a big surprise when the old bill came knocking on my door with two riot vans.
"Thinking about it, it was pretty silly to put my name on there. I've definitely learned my lesson – next time I won't be putting it on YouTube."
Burfield was fined £120 for cultivating cannabis, £80 for possession, £60 in court costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
He ordered the plant, hydroponics equipment and cannabis found in his pocket to be destroyed.
Thursday 12 November 2009
Driving ban for drunken mobility scooter woman
Driving ban for drunken mobility scooter woman
Thursday, January 15, 2009
A woman was banned from driving after she stole a supermarket mobility scooter for a 10-mile journey home following a drunken night out.
Amanda Leaff took the buggy - capable of a maximum speed of 2.4mph - from an Asda store in Chadderton and planned to drive through Manchester city centre to her address in Stretford.
Oldham Magistrates' Court was told she used the vehicle to save on a taxi fare.
An off-duty police officer spotted Leaff, 46, driving erratically in Oldham Road, Hollinwood, at around 10.45pm on November 12 last year as she was two-and-a-half miles into her journey.
She was breathalysed and gave a breath alcohol reading of 77mg - the legal limit being 35mg.
The court heard she had been drinking in a pub in Chadderton when the heel of her friend's shoe snapped off.
Leaff decided to take the scooter to give her friend a lift to the friend's house nearby. Two hours later Leaff set off for home - a trip which would have lasted at least four hours.
Leaff told the court she intended to return the buggy the following day. She pleaded guilty to driving a mobility scooter while unfit through drink and taking the vehicle without consent.
Magistrates yesterday banned Leaff from driving for 20 months. Chief Inspector Haydn Roberts of Greater Manchester Police's Traffic Network Section said: "It is extremely irresponsible to try and drive any vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
"This woman not only stole the scooter, she proceeded to try and drive it while over the legal alcohol limit down a main road. She not only put herself in danger but also other members of the public."
An Asda spokesman said: "We're disappointed that one of our disability scooters was misused in this way. Our scooters are there to provide help while shopping to those customers who need them."
Thursday, January 15, 2009
A woman was banned from driving after she stole a supermarket mobility scooter for a 10-mile journey home following a drunken night out.
Amanda Leaff took the buggy - capable of a maximum speed of 2.4mph - from an Asda store in Chadderton and planned to drive through Manchester city centre to her address in Stretford.
Oldham Magistrates' Court was told she used the vehicle to save on a taxi fare.
An off-duty police officer spotted Leaff, 46, driving erratically in Oldham Road, Hollinwood, at around 10.45pm on November 12 last year as she was two-and-a-half miles into her journey.
She was breathalysed and gave a breath alcohol reading of 77mg - the legal limit being 35mg.
The court heard she had been drinking in a pub in Chadderton when the heel of her friend's shoe snapped off.
Leaff decided to take the scooter to give her friend a lift to the friend's house nearby. Two hours later Leaff set off for home - a trip which would have lasted at least four hours.
Leaff told the court she intended to return the buggy the following day. She pleaded guilty to driving a mobility scooter while unfit through drink and taking the vehicle without consent.
Magistrates yesterday banned Leaff from driving for 20 months. Chief Inspector Haydn Roberts of Greater Manchester Police's Traffic Network Section said: "It is extremely irresponsible to try and drive any vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
"This woman not only stole the scooter, she proceeded to try and drive it while over the legal alcohol limit down a main road. She not only put herself in danger but also other members of the public."
An Asda spokesman said: "We're disappointed that one of our disability scooters was misused in this way. Our scooters are there to provide help while shopping to those customers who need them."
Monday 9 November 2009
Man provides photo for his own wanted poster
LONDON (Reuters) - A man on the run from police sent a picture of himself to his local paper because he disliked the mugshot they had printed of him as part of a public appeal to track him down.
South Wales Police had issued media with the photo of Matthew Maynard, wanted by officers investigating a house burglary, as part of a crackdown on crime in Swansea.
When it appeared in the South Wales Evening Post, the 23-year-old sent the newspaper a replacement photo of himself standing in front of a police van. They obligingly printed it on the front page.
The police thanked him for helping them in their appeal, saying: "Everyone in Swansea will know what he looks like now."
South Wales Police had issued media with the photo of Matthew Maynard, wanted by officers investigating a house burglary, as part of a crackdown on crime in Swansea.
When it appeared in the South Wales Evening Post, the 23-year-old sent the newspaper a replacement photo of himself standing in front of a police van. They obligingly printed it on the front page.
The police thanked him for helping them in their appeal, saying: "Everyone in Swansea will know what he looks like now."
Sunday 8 November 2009
Sub-postmaster who stole £18,000 from Post Office avoids prison but gets pub ban for a month!
A former sub-postmaster who swindled thousands of pounds from the Post Office has been barred for a month from all the pubs in his village. A judge told Ian Warren he wouldn’t jail him because he wasn’t a burglar or a violent criminal.
Instead, he said the pub ban – along with a suspended jail sentence and a community service order – would make the 62-year-old feel “symbolically excluded” from the community. Warren, of St James Street, Castle Hedingham, admitted stealing £18,412 from Royal Mail.
Chelmsford Crown Court was told the defendant, postmaster at the village shop, in St James Street, for three years, pocketed money from scratchcards he sold, after falling heavily into debt.
He maintained he always planned to repay the money when his financial problems eased. Before that could happen, however, the theft was discovered. The Post Office took away his franchise, although he still ran the shop.
After reading testimonials a letter from Warren in which he spoke of his “utter shame”, Judge Goldstaub sentenced him to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered him to complete 75 hours of unpaid community service.
He also banned Warren from entering any public house within a mile of the centre of Castle Hedingham, specifically naming the Bird Inn.
Instead, he said the pub ban – along with a suspended jail sentence and a community service order – would make the 62-year-old feel “symbolically excluded” from the community. Warren, of St James Street, Castle Hedingham, admitted stealing £18,412 from Royal Mail.
Chelmsford Crown Court was told the defendant, postmaster at the village shop, in St James Street, for three years, pocketed money from scratchcards he sold, after falling heavily into debt.
He maintained he always planned to repay the money when his financial problems eased. Before that could happen, however, the theft was discovered. The Post Office took away his franchise, although he still ran the shop.
After reading testimonials a letter from Warren in which he spoke of his “utter shame”, Judge Goldstaub sentenced him to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered him to complete 75 hours of unpaid community service.
He also banned Warren from entering any public house within a mile of the centre of Castle Hedingham, specifically naming the Bird Inn.
Tuesday 3 November 2009
Bank Robber Caught Out By Personalised BMW Number Plate
28, 2009Source: Telegraph
Bank robber James Snell has been caught by police because of the personalised number plate on his BMW car that he used to stake out his target in Cardiff. Snell drove his car with the registration "J4MES" to set up the £100,000 raid on a Halifax branch.
His gang of four robbers was caught when a witness remembered admiring the distinctive plate on the blue BMW - and gave details to police.
Snell, 26, and his brother Wayne, 34, were traced to their hideaway and found red-handed with more than £30,000 of the cash in bank-notes.
The number plate blunder was revealed when Wayne was jailed for eight years for robbery. James will be sentenced later.
The gang decided to use heavy metal drain covers to smash their way into a Halifax branch in Roath, Cardiff.
They set off in James Snell's BMW to plan the bank heist - including watching the branch and planning their getaway.
But Cardiff Crown Court heard they were spotted by a passer-by who remembered the J4MES number plate because it stood out.
"A witness saw a passenger lean out, lift a drain cover from the road and the car drove off," Prosecutor Tim Evans said.
"Lee Norville, who works for the council's highways department, later identified one of the two covers used to smash the windows at a branch of Halifax as coming from that drain. It is clear their arrogance contributed to their undoing."
Cash was being delivered to the Halifax branch by the security guards just before midnight when the gang struck.
Two Group 4 Securicor workers were refilling the bank's cash machine ready for business the next morning when they were confronted by men dressed in dark clothing and balaclavas.
Two used the drain covers to smash through the glass while a third armed with a bat shouted threats.
The gang took a total of £104,910 - all in £10 and £20 notes. The empty cash boxes were later found dumped in woods.
The car, with its distinctive number plate, was spotted outside a rented home in Whitchurch, Cardiff.
Fellow gang member Carl Campion, 44, of Birmingham, denied robbery but was found guilty and was jailed for 12 years.
The Snell brothers admitted robbery along with accomplice Adam Abbot, 38, of Hyde, Manchester. Abbot and James Snell will be sentenced at a later date.
Judge Gareth Jones said it was a "professional, sophisticated, pre-planned robbery on commercial premises" - and that £70,000 is still missing.
After the case, Detective Inspector Paul Andrews, of South Wales Police, said: "I would like to thank people who contacted us with information including the details of the car number plate."
Bank robber James Snell has been caught by police because of the personalised number plate on his BMW car that he used to stake out his target in Cardiff. Snell drove his car with the registration "J4MES" to set up the £100,000 raid on a Halifax branch.
His gang of four robbers was caught when a witness remembered admiring the distinctive plate on the blue BMW - and gave details to police.
Snell, 26, and his brother Wayne, 34, were traced to their hideaway and found red-handed with more than £30,000 of the cash in bank-notes.
The number plate blunder was revealed when Wayne was jailed for eight years for robbery. James will be sentenced later.
The gang decided to use heavy metal drain covers to smash their way into a Halifax branch in Roath, Cardiff.
They set off in James Snell's BMW to plan the bank heist - including watching the branch and planning their getaway.
But Cardiff Crown Court heard they were spotted by a passer-by who remembered the J4MES number plate because it stood out.
"A witness saw a passenger lean out, lift a drain cover from the road and the car drove off," Prosecutor Tim Evans said.
"Lee Norville, who works for the council's highways department, later identified one of the two covers used to smash the windows at a branch of Halifax as coming from that drain. It is clear their arrogance contributed to their undoing."
Cash was being delivered to the Halifax branch by the security guards just before midnight when the gang struck.
Two Group 4 Securicor workers were refilling the bank's cash machine ready for business the next morning when they were confronted by men dressed in dark clothing and balaclavas.
Two used the drain covers to smash through the glass while a third armed with a bat shouted threats.
The gang took a total of £104,910 - all in £10 and £20 notes. The empty cash boxes were later found dumped in woods.
The car, with its distinctive number plate, was spotted outside a rented home in Whitchurch, Cardiff.
Fellow gang member Carl Campion, 44, of Birmingham, denied robbery but was found guilty and was jailed for 12 years.
The Snell brothers admitted robbery along with accomplice Adam Abbot, 38, of Hyde, Manchester. Abbot and James Snell will be sentenced at a later date.
Judge Gareth Jones said it was a "professional, sophisticated, pre-planned robbery on commercial premises" - and that £70,000 is still missing.
After the case, Detective Inspector Paul Andrews, of South Wales Police, said: "I would like to thank people who contacted us with information including the details of the car number plate."
One-legged Bristol thief caught in city centre
A one-legged thief was caught by plain-clothed police trying to make off with a bike in Bristol city centre.
Joquim da Silva, of Jamaica Street, was thwarted as he tried to steal a bicycle on Wine Street.
But it soon emerged the 35-year-old had a prosthetic lower limb on one of his legs.
Two men were being arrested for bike theft by two plain-clothed officers and two police community support officers.
"One of the support officers was scrabbling around under a parked car looking for a bike lock and bolt cutters that one of the thieves had tried to discard."
Project Bicyclette has made a performance stage powered by bikes and aims to take it to festivals around the country to educate people about reusable energy.
Da Silva appeared at Bristol Magistrates' Court on Wednesday and was sentenced to six weeks in prison for the theft.
Joquim da Silva, of Jamaica Street, was thwarted as he tried to steal a bicycle on Wine Street.
But it soon emerged the 35-year-old had a prosthetic lower limb on one of his legs.
Two men were being arrested for bike theft by two plain-clothed officers and two police community support officers.
"One of the support officers was scrabbling around under a parked car looking for a bike lock and bolt cutters that one of the thieves had tried to discard."
Project Bicyclette has made a performance stage powered by bikes and aims to take it to festivals around the country to educate people about reusable energy.
Da Silva appeared at Bristol Magistrates' Court on Wednesday and was sentenced to six weeks in prison for the theft.
Monday 2 November 2009
Benefits cheats claimed for kids in care
Published Date: 23 October 2009
By Jessica Forster
A mum conned thousands of pounds out of taxpayers by continuing to cash Giros for her children's upkeep after they were taken into care.
The 25-year-old – who can't be named for legal reasons – cheated the benefits system out of more than £11,000 by failing to declare that her sons no longer lived with her.She has been ordered to repay the cash she claimed over 18 months – but it will take her almost five and a half years to clear the debt.The mum, from Sunderland, admitted fraud when she appeared before the city's magistrates yesterday.The court heard her young children had been taken into social services care in January 2006.Paul Heron, prosecuting for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), said she continued to collect child benefit payments until September 2007.The mother, who has previous convictions, admitted ignoring several letters from the DWP after her children were taken into care.She was ordered to pay back the money at a rate of £40 a fortnight by city magistrates, but it will take her years to clear the debt.Bill Scanlan, defending, said his client never accepted losing her sons, who were fostered before potential adoptive parents were found.He told the court the woman had been the victim of "horrendous domestic violence" which has left her terrified of groups of people, especially men – and urged magistrates not to sentence her to unpaid community work for her crime.Mr Scanlan said the woman had been treated for depression and had taken her child care case to the Court of Appeal in London.Magistrates agreed ordering her to serve a community order would be setting her up to fail and instead ordered her to be tagged and put on a three-month curfew from 7am until 7pm, with a 12 month supervision order.They also cleared £482 in court fines, which she has not paid since April.The chairman of the bench said: "We are going to give you a clean slate in light of the hard circumstances you have had to deal with over the last few years."You do not owe the court anything, but you must continue to pay the DWP."The woman is still entitled to some of the benefits she received.
By Jessica Forster
A mum conned thousands of pounds out of taxpayers by continuing to cash Giros for her children's upkeep after they were taken into care.
The 25-year-old – who can't be named for legal reasons – cheated the benefits system out of more than £11,000 by failing to declare that her sons no longer lived with her.She has been ordered to repay the cash she claimed over 18 months – but it will take her almost five and a half years to clear the debt.The mum, from Sunderland, admitted fraud when she appeared before the city's magistrates yesterday.The court heard her young children had been taken into social services care in January 2006.Paul Heron, prosecuting for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), said she continued to collect child benefit payments until September 2007.The mother, who has previous convictions, admitted ignoring several letters from the DWP after her children were taken into care.She was ordered to pay back the money at a rate of £40 a fortnight by city magistrates, but it will take her years to clear the debt.Bill Scanlan, defending, said his client never accepted losing her sons, who were fostered before potential adoptive parents were found.He told the court the woman had been the victim of "horrendous domestic violence" which has left her terrified of groups of people, especially men – and urged magistrates not to sentence her to unpaid community work for her crime.Mr Scanlan said the woman had been treated for depression and had taken her child care case to the Court of Appeal in London.Magistrates agreed ordering her to serve a community order would be setting her up to fail and instead ordered her to be tagged and put on a three-month curfew from 7am until 7pm, with a 12 month supervision order.They also cleared £482 in court fines, which she has not paid since April.The chairman of the bench said: "We are going to give you a clean slate in light of the hard circumstances you have had to deal with over the last few years."You do not owe the court anything, but you must continue to pay the DWP."The woman is still entitled to some of the benefits she received.
Police war on fake ID factories as fraudsters net millions
Justin Davenport, Crime Correspondent13.10.09
Scotland Yard is battling to stop criminal gangs turning London into the identity theft capital of the world.
The gangs are setting up fake-ID factories using printers bought at high street shops. The Met has shut at least 20 “factories” in the last 18 months and believes more than 30,000 fake identities are in circulation.
Police examined 12,000 of them and established they were behind a racket worth £14 million.
One £750 printer was withdrawn from sale at PC World after detectives revealed it could produce replicas of the proposed new ID card and EU driving licences.
Commander Nigel Mawer, who leads the Yard's fight against fraud, said: “There are a significant number of fake-ID factories that are producing documents for lots of different purposes.
“We have dismantled over 20 in the last 18 months and we have 27 convictions with criminals being jailed for a total of 40 years. We have also built up a database of 30,000 fake identities which are currently in circulation.”
Crimes range from immigration and benefit fraud to money cons.
In some cases criminals are forging documents using the names of people whose identities have been stolen from credit reference agencies.
Many of the forgeries are “know your customer” documents such as utility bills and driving licences, which are then used to open bank accounts under false names.
Mr Mawer added: “There are people with dual identities, one real and one for committing crime.” He revealed that specialist printers capable of making convincing ID documents such as EU driving licences could be bought for £750, though others cost £5,000.
The cost of equipment needed to set up ID factories is falling, making them easier to establish. Scotland Yard is working closely with manufacturers and retailers on a scheme named Project Genesius to keep printers out of the hands of criminals.
At present it is voluntary but police want the system regulated so all manufacturers abide by the code.
Detective chief inspector Nick Downing, an ID fraud expert, said PC World was planning to sell one sophisticated £750 printer but was persuaded not to stock it. He said: “These machines can manufacture any form of ID card. The frightening thing is you can go on the internet and get all the computer bits you need to set up an ID factory in 24 hours.
“This is real bespoke equipment that can manufacture passports, National Insurance cards, passport entry stamps or driving licences.”
A spokesman for the Identity and Passport Service, said: "It is absolutely wrong to suggest that it is possible to copy or clone the National Identity Card."
Scotland Yard is battling to stop criminal gangs turning London into the identity theft capital of the world.
The gangs are setting up fake-ID factories using printers bought at high street shops. The Met has shut at least 20 “factories” in the last 18 months and believes more than 30,000 fake identities are in circulation.
Police examined 12,000 of them and established they were behind a racket worth £14 million.
One £750 printer was withdrawn from sale at PC World after detectives revealed it could produce replicas of the proposed new ID card and EU driving licences.
Commander Nigel Mawer, who leads the Yard's fight against fraud, said: “There are a significant number of fake-ID factories that are producing documents for lots of different purposes.
“We have dismantled over 20 in the last 18 months and we have 27 convictions with criminals being jailed for a total of 40 years. We have also built up a database of 30,000 fake identities which are currently in circulation.”
Crimes range from immigration and benefit fraud to money cons.
In some cases criminals are forging documents using the names of people whose identities have been stolen from credit reference agencies.
Many of the forgeries are “know your customer” documents such as utility bills and driving licences, which are then used to open bank accounts under false names.
Mr Mawer added: “There are people with dual identities, one real and one for committing crime.” He revealed that specialist printers capable of making convincing ID documents such as EU driving licences could be bought for £750, though others cost £5,000.
The cost of equipment needed to set up ID factories is falling, making them easier to establish. Scotland Yard is working closely with manufacturers and retailers on a scheme named Project Genesius to keep printers out of the hands of criminals.
At present it is voluntary but police want the system regulated so all manufacturers abide by the code.
Detective chief inspector Nick Downing, an ID fraud expert, said PC World was planning to sell one sophisticated £750 printer but was persuaded not to stock it. He said: “These machines can manufacture any form of ID card. The frightening thing is you can go on the internet and get all the computer bits you need to set up an ID factory in 24 hours.
“This is real bespoke equipment that can manufacture passports, National Insurance cards, passport entry stamps or driving licences.”
A spokesman for the Identity and Passport Service, said: "It is absolutely wrong to suggest that it is possible to copy or clone the National Identity Card."
Sunday 1 November 2009
Cruel mother and 'Britain's sickest child'
Cruel mother and 'Britain's sickest child'
Saturday, October 24, 2009, 10:00
A CRUEL mother made her healthy son appear so ill that he won a courageous children award and she was able to lead a celebrity life.
Lisa Hayden-Johnson forced the boy to undergo surgery, use a wheelchair and breathe from an oxygen cylinder as part of her evil ruse. She also claimed more than £130,000 of benefits.
Doctors, celebrities and charity fundraisers were taken in by the 35-year-old mother-of-two's lies for six years. The mother and son met Tony Blair in Downing Street and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
The boy won an award for courageous children at a ceremony in London and later, Hayden-Johnson made money giving numerous TV and magazine interviews with her son. She even obtained free tickets to ITV's X Factor show after writing to Simon Cowell about their plight.
The Western Morning News can today finally reveal the identity of the woman behind one of the most shocking tales of deranged motherhood, after successfully overturning a court order banning her from being named.
We have also learned that Hayden-Johnson abused the boy's sister – her daughter – exaggerating a real medical condition so that she received more treatment than was actually required. It is also understood that she took both children on a cruise holiday paid for by a charity after she convinced staff that the two children were sick and would benefit from the trip.
She is currently on bail awaiting the results of psychiatric tests before she is sentenced. She appeared at Exeter Crown Court last Friday.
Detective Constable Mark Uren, who helped investigate the case, described Hayden-Johnson as a "cruel, manipulative mother".
He added: "She has continually lied to medical experts and people of high importance that her son is the most unwell child in Britain."
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, repeatedly attended Torbay Hospital, Bristol Children's Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital in London for treatment, despite being healthy.
But Hayden-Johnson claimed he had cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, the throat disorder dysphagia, and was allergic to wheat and gluten-based foods.
She even faked blood samples to convince medics her son was diabetic. Such was the power of her lies that the boy's sibling believed he was not going to live.
Hayden-Johnson pleaded guilty at Exeter Crown Court last week to child cruelty and perverting the course of justice by claiming she had been sexually assaulted in a bid to throw increasingly suspicious police officers off the trail of her deceptions. Charges of benefit fraud will stay on file.
Police say Hayden-Johnson lied to medical experts for six-and-a-half years about her son's fictitious illness.
Doctors were never able to make a diagnosis, but the boy needed a gastroscopy tube inserted into his stomach under general anaesthetic.
The boy had to take a trolley or portable rucksack around with him to pump-feed him, had oxygen regularly administered and was made to use a wheelchair when he was at school.
Detectives say his bedroom looked like a "TV medical drama", with medical equipment, including a tube, attached to his body at night.
His mother exaggerated her own training as a nurse, to impress medics, and complained her son was not receiving good enough care.
She also claimed around £20,000 a year in disability living allowance and a specially adapted car. There were also suspicions that she had faked urine tests to pretend he had diabetes and she tried to claim that he had cerebral palsy and cystic fibrosis.
An investigation was first launched in 2007 after Dr John Broomhall, a consultant paediatrician at Torbay Hospital, raised concerns with colleagues that the boy was receiving too much treatment.
Only weeks before, Hayden-Johnson feared she was about to be discovered and lied to police she had been pinned to the ground and sexually assaulted by a motorcyclist.
She even successfully asked that her specially adapted car was replaced with a new one, because she said the sex offender would recognise her old one and stalk her.
A time-consuming police investigation was launched and police were looking at potential suspects when she admitted her lies.
The defendant, wearing a silver crucifix necklace, black dress and jacket, wrung her hands and dabbed her eyes with a tissue, during the court hearing.
She was released on conditional bail to live at her Torquay address until she is sentenced on a date to be set next year.
Saturday, October 24, 2009, 10:00
A CRUEL mother made her healthy son appear so ill that he won a courageous children award and she was able to lead a celebrity life.
Lisa Hayden-Johnson forced the boy to undergo surgery, use a wheelchair and breathe from an oxygen cylinder as part of her evil ruse. She also claimed more than £130,000 of benefits.
Doctors, celebrities and charity fundraisers were taken in by the 35-year-old mother-of-two's lies for six years. The mother and son met Tony Blair in Downing Street and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
The boy won an award for courageous children at a ceremony in London and later, Hayden-Johnson made money giving numerous TV and magazine interviews with her son. She even obtained free tickets to ITV's X Factor show after writing to Simon Cowell about their plight.
The Western Morning News can today finally reveal the identity of the woman behind one of the most shocking tales of deranged motherhood, after successfully overturning a court order banning her from being named.
We have also learned that Hayden-Johnson abused the boy's sister – her daughter – exaggerating a real medical condition so that she received more treatment than was actually required. It is also understood that she took both children on a cruise holiday paid for by a charity after she convinced staff that the two children were sick and would benefit from the trip.
She is currently on bail awaiting the results of psychiatric tests before she is sentenced. She appeared at Exeter Crown Court last Friday.
Detective Constable Mark Uren, who helped investigate the case, described Hayden-Johnson as a "cruel, manipulative mother".
He added: "She has continually lied to medical experts and people of high importance that her son is the most unwell child in Britain."
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, repeatedly attended Torbay Hospital, Bristol Children's Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital in London for treatment, despite being healthy.
But Hayden-Johnson claimed he had cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, the throat disorder dysphagia, and was allergic to wheat and gluten-based foods.
She even faked blood samples to convince medics her son was diabetic. Such was the power of her lies that the boy's sibling believed he was not going to live.
Hayden-Johnson pleaded guilty at Exeter Crown Court last week to child cruelty and perverting the course of justice by claiming she had been sexually assaulted in a bid to throw increasingly suspicious police officers off the trail of her deceptions. Charges of benefit fraud will stay on file.
Police say Hayden-Johnson lied to medical experts for six-and-a-half years about her son's fictitious illness.
Doctors were never able to make a diagnosis, but the boy needed a gastroscopy tube inserted into his stomach under general anaesthetic.
The boy had to take a trolley or portable rucksack around with him to pump-feed him, had oxygen regularly administered and was made to use a wheelchair when he was at school.
Detectives say his bedroom looked like a "TV medical drama", with medical equipment, including a tube, attached to his body at night.
His mother exaggerated her own training as a nurse, to impress medics, and complained her son was not receiving good enough care.
She also claimed around £20,000 a year in disability living allowance and a specially adapted car. There were also suspicions that she had faked urine tests to pretend he had diabetes and she tried to claim that he had cerebral palsy and cystic fibrosis.
An investigation was first launched in 2007 after Dr John Broomhall, a consultant paediatrician at Torbay Hospital, raised concerns with colleagues that the boy was receiving too much treatment.
Only weeks before, Hayden-Johnson feared she was about to be discovered and lied to police she had been pinned to the ground and sexually assaulted by a motorcyclist.
She even successfully asked that her specially adapted car was replaced with a new one, because she said the sex offender would recognise her old one and stalk her.
A time-consuming police investigation was launched and police were looking at potential suspects when she admitted her lies.
The defendant, wearing a silver crucifix necklace, black dress and jacket, wrung her hands and dabbed her eyes with a tissue, during the court hearing.
She was released on conditional bail to live at her Torquay address until she is sentenced on a date to be set next year.
Saturday 31 October 2009
'Dumb' American criminals attempt robbery with ‘permanent marker pen disguises’
Two hapless robbers in America, Matthew McNelly and Joey Miller, have been arrested with the “worst disguises ever” after trying to hide their faces with permanent marker pen.
By Andrew HoughPublished: 9:25AM GMT 30 Oct 2009
Matthew Allan McNelly and Joey Lee Miller were caught in Iowa with permanent marker pen scrawled over their faces. Photo: AP
McNelly, 23, and Miller, 20 were arrested by armed police in Carroll, Iowa, last Friday after witnesses reported seeing two men trying to break into an apartment with fake beards and "masks" scrawled on their faces.
Police responding to a call about the attempted burglary later pulled over a car matching the alleged suspects' vehicle.
When they stopped their 1994 Buick Roadmaster, bewildered police discovered the drunk hapless pair – nicknamed “dumb and dumber” – complete with makeshift disguises.
Police issued-mugshots of the pair show the black ink scribbles on their faces, in what some commentators described as “the worst disguise ever”.
"We're very skilled investigators and the black faces gave them right away,” local police chief Jeff Cayler told CNN.
"I have to assume the officers were kind of laughing at the time.
“I've never heard of colouring your face with a permanent marker."
He added: "They probably were just not thinking straight and figured we'll go out and scare the guy or whatever.
“[They were] being dumb and combine that with alcohol and it was the perfect storm.
"I've been chief here almost 25 years, been with the department 28½ years and I've seen a lot of things that make me laugh and weird things but this was probably the best combination of the two - strangely weird and hilariously funny all at the same time.”
He had earlier told Radio Iowa: “It's a little weird.
"I've been here long enough that I've seen a lot of things, but this one's a little different compared to most ... I mean, just the face thing is what sets it apart."
The men may have been under the influence of alcohol when they devised the idea for their disguises.
"For what it's worth, it appeared they had both been drinking quite a bit and maybe weren't thinking quite rationally," Mr Cayler said.
McNelly and Miller were each later charged with attempted second-degree burglary and released on bail after appearing at Carroll County Magistrate Court on Monday.
McNelly was also charged with drunk driving.
Lawyers for the pair declined to comment.
The pair are due back in court next month.
Rubbish fine for bank
A BANK has been ordered to pay £3,645 in fines and court costs for leaving bags of waste at the rear of its Romford branch. The rubbish outside NatWest, in Exchange Street, included the personal bank details of a customer. Havering Council took action after enforcement officers found bags and boxes of documents on several occasions. Despite a number of written warnings and fixed penalty notices being issued, the offending continued. The bank pleaded guilty to an offence under section 34(6) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. It also admitted breaching its duty of care with respect to refuse disposal on dates between October 22 and October 29, 2007. It also asked for similar offences on February 11, March 3 and June 30, 2008, to be taken into consideration. NatWest was fined £3,000 and was also ordered to pay costs. The magistrates said that the fine would have been £4,500 had the bank contested the action and been found guilty. The maximum fine for such an offence is £5,000. Bob Wenman, head of Streetcare at Havering Council, said: “It is extremely disappointing that we had to take such a well-known high street bank like NatWest to court, but they had several warnings so legal action appeared to be the only way to solve this problem. “We are working hard to make Havering better with safer, cleaner and greener streets and will take individuals and companies - no matter how big - to court if necessary.”
Breakdancing council expert in £75,000 benefits con
Breakdancing council expert in £75,000 benefits con
Dan Thompson
October 30, 2009
A COUNCIL benefits adviser used his expert knowledge to plunder £75,000 of taxpayers' money - but was caught out when spotted break dancing at a town hall event.Laqad Yacoob, 40, who worked for Manchester council, fraudulently claimed income support, disability living allowance and carer's allowance for him and his family over five years, a court heard.A government investigation in 2007 discovered he was driving a new BMW and VW Golf through the Motability scheme.He was caught after a colleague raised concerns as part of a whistle-blowing policy.Yacoob pleaded guilty to 11 counts of making false representations to obtain benefits and was jailed for 14 months at Manchester Crown Court.
Plundered Judge Iain Hamilton said: "You have systematically, cynically and dishonestly plundered the state benefits system for the benefit of yourself and your family. That seems to me to be wholly and totally unacceptable. You lived to a standard well above many other families, both in employment and those who have to rely on benefits."Yacoob, of King's Road, Stretford, worked for the council for four years before resigning in October 2008 when the offences came to light. His previous jobs included a voluntary post at the Citizens Advice Bureau and as a financial assessment officer at Trafford social services. These roles gave him expert knowledge of the benefits system, the court was told.He claimed disability allowance for himself, saying he suffered panic attacks and severe spinal pain that caused him to fall over.
Dancing But, the court was told, he never showed difficulties walking at work and colleagues saw him dancing and spinning on the floor during a staff party in September 2007.Natalia Cornwall, prosecuting, said claims involving his family were `grossly exaggerated'.
"You have systematically, cynically and dishonestly plundered the state benefits system"Judge Iain HamiltonDepartment of Work and Pensions investigators found Yacoob was claiming more than £500 a week in benefits.Iain Johnstone, defending, said some of the claims were originally legitimate, such as the disability living allowance for son Jameel and daughter Zahida.But he failed to inform the DWP when their health improved.
Wept Yacoob's wife Shaida wept in court as he was sent to prison.His niece Shabana Khan told the M.E.N: "Because of his job they have tried to make him a scapegoat. Lots of other people have committed more serious frauds and have not been given such a long sentence. They want to make an example of him."Yacoob's job involved offering advice on a wide range of benefits, including claims for housing and council tax.Manchester council does not deal with the benefits he was found to be fraudulently claiming. Council spokesman Bernard Priest said: "I am pleased justice has been done."
Dan Thompson
October 30, 2009
A COUNCIL benefits adviser used his expert knowledge to plunder £75,000 of taxpayers' money - but was caught out when spotted break dancing at a town hall event.Laqad Yacoob, 40, who worked for Manchester council, fraudulently claimed income support, disability living allowance and carer's allowance for him and his family over five years, a court heard.A government investigation in 2007 discovered he was driving a new BMW and VW Golf through the Motability scheme.He was caught after a colleague raised concerns as part of a whistle-blowing policy.Yacoob pleaded guilty to 11 counts of making false representations to obtain benefits and was jailed for 14 months at Manchester Crown Court.
Plundered Judge Iain Hamilton said: "You have systematically, cynically and dishonestly plundered the state benefits system for the benefit of yourself and your family. That seems to me to be wholly and totally unacceptable. You lived to a standard well above many other families, both in employment and those who have to rely on benefits."Yacoob, of King's Road, Stretford, worked for the council for four years before resigning in October 2008 when the offences came to light. His previous jobs included a voluntary post at the Citizens Advice Bureau and as a financial assessment officer at Trafford social services. These roles gave him expert knowledge of the benefits system, the court was told.He claimed disability allowance for himself, saying he suffered panic attacks and severe spinal pain that caused him to fall over.
Dancing But, the court was told, he never showed difficulties walking at work and colleagues saw him dancing and spinning on the floor during a staff party in September 2007.Natalia Cornwall, prosecuting, said claims involving his family were `grossly exaggerated'.
"You have systematically, cynically and dishonestly plundered the state benefits system"Judge Iain HamiltonDepartment of Work and Pensions investigators found Yacoob was claiming more than £500 a week in benefits.Iain Johnstone, defending, said some of the claims were originally legitimate, such as the disability living allowance for son Jameel and daughter Zahida.But he failed to inform the DWP when their health improved.
Wept Yacoob's wife Shaida wept in court as he was sent to prison.His niece Shabana Khan told the M.E.N: "Because of his job they have tried to make him a scapegoat. Lots of other people have committed more serious frauds and have not been given such a long sentence. They want to make an example of him."Yacoob's job involved offering advice on a wide range of benefits, including claims for housing and council tax.Manchester council does not deal with the benefits he was found to be fraudulently claiming. Council spokesman Bernard Priest said: "I am pleased justice has been done."
Friday 30 October 2009
Tea-leaf jailed for biscuit theft
Published Date: 23 September 2009
A biscuit thief has been jailed for a year for stealing tea and snacks from hotel rooms.
David Richardson pleaded guilty to entering The Ambassador Hotel, The Red Lea Hotel and Brooklands Hotel, all in Scarborough, North Yorks, before taking the refreshments, and confronting holidaymakers, which left one woman "frightened to death".A shocked female hotel guest returned to her room to find Richardson had let himself in, helped himself to the hospitality tray and was drinking a cup of tea while watching TV. The 39-year-old, of no fixed abode, was given the maximum sentence available to Scarborough magistrates who handed him two six-month sentences to run consecutively.Richardson argued with the court clerk over two of the charges, and asked for three similar offences at hotels in York and Harrogate to be taken into account, the court heard
A biscuit thief has been jailed for a year for stealing tea and snacks from hotel rooms.
David Richardson pleaded guilty to entering The Ambassador Hotel, The Red Lea Hotel and Brooklands Hotel, all in Scarborough, North Yorks, before taking the refreshments, and confronting holidaymakers, which left one woman "frightened to death".A shocked female hotel guest returned to her room to find Richardson had let himself in, helped himself to the hospitality tray and was drinking a cup of tea while watching TV. The 39-year-old, of no fixed abode, was given the maximum sentence available to Scarborough magistrates who handed him two six-month sentences to run consecutively.Richardson argued with the court clerk over two of the charges, and asked for three similar offences at hotels in York and Harrogate to be taken into account, the court heard
Thursday 29 October 2009
British man gets ASBO for playing Status Quo songs all day
16/09/2009 - 21:04:23
His music had his neighbours 'Rockin’ All Over The World' – but now British man Paul Lloyd is risking going 'Down Down'.Blasting out Status Quo rock songs at all hours of the day, Lloyd was proving to be a menace to his neighbours.But he has now been silenced after he was hit with a two-year anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) preventing him from playing loud music.Lloyd has also had thousands of pounds worth of equipment, including six televisions, four DVD players, hi-fis and set-top boxes seized from him.The 34-year-old, of Hampstead Road, Benwell, Newcastle, England was prosecuted after ignoring a string of Newcastle City Council notices ordering him to keep quiet.Noise team officers received complaints from people living near him who had been kept awake all night by the thud of the bass beat from his stereo equipment, including hits by Status Quo, whose songs include 'Rockin’ All Over the World', 'Down Down' and 'Whatever You Want'.Lloyd pleaded guilty to four charges of failing to comply with Noise Abatement Notices and Newcastle magistrates gave him a two-year ASBO which prevents him making any noise that can be heard outside his flat between 11pm and 7am.He has also been banned from causing alarm, harassment or distress to his neighbours.If he breaches the terms of the order, Lloyd could be fined or jailed for up to five years.Stephen Savage, the city council’s director of public protection said: “We will not tolerate any sort of behaviour which has a negative effect on other people’s quality of life.“This ASBO shows we’ll take appropriate action if necessary.”Councillor Anita Lower, executive member for community safety and regulation said: “I urge Newcastle residents to report any instances of anti-social behaviour via the Neighbourhood Helpline 0300 1000 101.“The ASBO that Mr Lloyd received sends a clear warning out to those who choose not to consider their neighbours’ quality of life.”Lloyd was also told to pay £100 (€112.07) prosecution costs, while the court also ordered the forfeiture of his electronic equipment. Read more: http://www.breakingnews.ie/world/british-man-gets-asbo-for-playing-status-quo-songs-all-day-426662.html#ixzz0VMSzrXEy
His music had his neighbours 'Rockin’ All Over The World' – but now British man Paul Lloyd is risking going 'Down Down'.Blasting out Status Quo rock songs at all hours of the day, Lloyd was proving to be a menace to his neighbours.But he has now been silenced after he was hit with a two-year anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) preventing him from playing loud music.Lloyd has also had thousands of pounds worth of equipment, including six televisions, four DVD players, hi-fis and set-top boxes seized from him.The 34-year-old, of Hampstead Road, Benwell, Newcastle, England was prosecuted after ignoring a string of Newcastle City Council notices ordering him to keep quiet.Noise team officers received complaints from people living near him who had been kept awake all night by the thud of the bass beat from his stereo equipment, including hits by Status Quo, whose songs include 'Rockin’ All Over the World', 'Down Down' and 'Whatever You Want'.Lloyd pleaded guilty to four charges of failing to comply with Noise Abatement Notices and Newcastle magistrates gave him a two-year ASBO which prevents him making any noise that can be heard outside his flat between 11pm and 7am.He has also been banned from causing alarm, harassment or distress to his neighbours.If he breaches the terms of the order, Lloyd could be fined or jailed for up to five years.Stephen Savage, the city council’s director of public protection said: “We will not tolerate any sort of behaviour which has a negative effect on other people’s quality of life.“This ASBO shows we’ll take appropriate action if necessary.”Councillor Anita Lower, executive member for community safety and regulation said: “I urge Newcastle residents to report any instances of anti-social behaviour via the Neighbourhood Helpline 0300 1000 101.“The ASBO that Mr Lloyd received sends a clear warning out to those who choose not to consider their neighbours’ quality of life.”Lloyd was also told to pay £100 (€112.07) prosecution costs, while the court also ordered the forfeiture of his electronic equipment. Read more: http://www.breakingnews.ie/world/british-man-gets-asbo-for-playing-status-quo-songs-all-day-426662.html#ixzz0VMSzrXEy
Porsche-driving benefits cheat claimed £23,000
Published Date: 20 October 2009
A PORSCHE-DRIVING South Yorkshire benefits cheat woke up behind bars this morning after being caught fraudulently claiming £23,000 from the tax payer.
Paul Russell, aged 38, claimed incapacity benefit for six years from 2001, claiming he could not work because of his bad back. He also drew council tax and housing benefits.Prosecutor Michael Rawlinson told Sheffield Crown Court that the first time inspectors visited Russell he insisted on being interviewed in bed, claiming he was in so much pain he could not get up.But Russell was actually running a building firm making between £44,000 and £59,000 a year.The court heard that he had savings of more than £3,000 when he started claiming in 2001, already making him ineligible for full incapacity benefit.By 2003 he had enough money to buy his council house in Lindsay Avenue, in Parson Cross, Sheffield, for £18,500, and in 2006 secured a mortgage to buy a second house in Hungerhill Road, Kimberworth, Rotherham for £135,000.He also managed to buy a £28,000 Porsche in 2005.In 2007 Russell remortgaged his Parson Cross house for £73,500, in order to pay off the mortgage on his Kimberworth property. Russell now rents out the Sheffield house for £380 a month.Andrew Smith, defending, said Russell had started off by making a genuine claim for incapacity, and had an operation for a prolapsed disc.Jailing Russell, who pleaded guilty to fraudulently claiming benefits, Judge Alan Goldsack QC said: "You decided to milk the system as well as earning relatively high sums of money. For many years you were blatantly dishonest with your fellow citizens' hard earned cash."Russell showed no reaction as Judge Goldsack sentenced him to 14 months in jail.The judge also set confiscation proceedings for January 2010.After the hearing Vernon Sanderson of the Department for Work and Pensions said: "When people commit benefit theft they don't get away with it. They face imprisonment, fines and other penalties."
A PORSCHE-DRIVING South Yorkshire benefits cheat woke up behind bars this morning after being caught fraudulently claiming £23,000 from the tax payer.
Paul Russell, aged 38, claimed incapacity benefit for six years from 2001, claiming he could not work because of his bad back. He also drew council tax and housing benefits.Prosecutor Michael Rawlinson told Sheffield Crown Court that the first time inspectors visited Russell he insisted on being interviewed in bed, claiming he was in so much pain he could not get up.But Russell was actually running a building firm making between £44,000 and £59,000 a year.The court heard that he had savings of more than £3,000 when he started claiming in 2001, already making him ineligible for full incapacity benefit.By 2003 he had enough money to buy his council house in Lindsay Avenue, in Parson Cross, Sheffield, for £18,500, and in 2006 secured a mortgage to buy a second house in Hungerhill Road, Kimberworth, Rotherham for £135,000.He also managed to buy a £28,000 Porsche in 2005.In 2007 Russell remortgaged his Parson Cross house for £73,500, in order to pay off the mortgage on his Kimberworth property. Russell now rents out the Sheffield house for £380 a month.Andrew Smith, defending, said Russell had started off by making a genuine claim for incapacity, and had an operation for a prolapsed disc.Jailing Russell, who pleaded guilty to fraudulently claiming benefits, Judge Alan Goldsack QC said: "You decided to milk the system as well as earning relatively high sums of money. For many years you were blatantly dishonest with your fellow citizens' hard earned cash."Russell showed no reaction as Judge Goldsack sentenced him to 14 months in jail.The judge also set confiscation proceedings for January 2010.After the hearing Vernon Sanderson of the Department for Work and Pensions said: "When people commit benefit theft they don't get away with it. They face imprisonment, fines and other penalties."
Wednesday 28 October 2009
Not his lucky day
Lee Terrance Prosser, 37, of St Matthews Green, Bridgwater, touched a woman sexually without her consent, sent to prison for 22 weeks; stole £47 cash, a hairbrush, a packet of cigarettes, deodorant, plastic cigarette and packet of tobacco, sent to prison for 16 weeks
Benefit cheat caught out on Friends Reunited
A BENEFIT cheat who claimed to be single was caught out after posting her wedding plans on a social networking site. Kelly Westgate, 28, of Beeton Close, Melbourn was overpaid £3,243.24 in housing and council tax benefit after failing to tell South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) that she had married and was living with her husband.But canny SCDC investigators discovered details of Miss Westgate’s relationship and wedding plans on the Friends Reunited website. She later admitted her failure to report a change in circumstances to SCDC at a hearing at Cambridge Magistrate’s Court on October 22.In mitigation, the court was told that Miss Westgate had recently separated from her husband and was now unemployed.She was sentenced to a six-week curfew order requiring her to wear an electronic tag and stay in her home from 8.30pm to 7am each day. The overpaid benefit is also being recovered.
She has since taken down her profile from the site.
She has since taken down her profile from the site.
Silly smuggling attempts
Silly smuggling attempts: Mirror.co.uk Top 10
By Oliver Shah, Mirror.co.uk 27/10/2009
A plucky smuggler got Australian customs officials in a flap when he allegedly tried to sneak two pigeons into the country cunningly strapped to his legs.
However, he's not alone when it comes to smuggling strange things in and out of countries or concealing them in the weirdest ways.
Heres Mirror.co.uks round-up of the silliest ever smuggling attempts, from the bizarre to the downright dangerous.
1. Police at Melbourne Airport knew there was something fishy going on when they heard splashing noises coming from a passengers waist. Sure enough, under her skirt was $30,000 worth of exotic fish stashed in plastic bags of water.
2. In October 2008 police pulled over a 56-year-old woman in Sydney Airport and discovered three live banana plants hidden in her underwear. The plants can carry diseases that ruin other crops so the offender was threatened with a $60,000 fine.
3. Swallowing cocaine capsules is a well-known trick to get around airport security, but drugs mule Kingsley Ifeka decided to go further than most by necking a record 129 packets. Police at Edinburgh Airport said the haul had a street value of s330,000. We can only imagine how long he spent on the toilet.
4. Sandals have long been outlawed by the fashion brigade, so one holidaymaker clearly thought he had nothing to lose by taping bags of heroin to his soles. Customs cops had other ideas.
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5. What a terrible dandruff problem. Police made a hair-raising discovery when they lifted this mans wig to find bags of cocaine strapped to his head, a trick known to be popular in Norway and Britain. Nice toup› though.
6. The yolk was on holidaymaker Terrence Quinnell after Australian customs officers busted him hiding parrots eggs in a purpose-made vest. The 52 eggs could have made one hell of an omelette but unfortunately they landed Quinnell three years in jail.
7. Is that a lizard in your suitcase, or are you just pleased to see me? Customs officials got a shock when an X-ray showed more than 30 reptiles slithering between a passengers deodorant cans and beach shorts on a flight to Bangkok. The haul included three black headed pythons.
8. Lovers of Toy Story should look away now. Behind the wide-eyed grin of this Mr Potato Head was 300 grams of ecstasy tablets more than even Buzz Lightyear could handle on a night out. Customs offiicials who picked up the toy on a flight from Ireland described the ruse as outlandish.
9. This skater was packing more than just attitude in his street gear. Australian police found packets of cocaine sealed between the decks of two skateboards. The maximum penalty is 25 years in prison perhaps by then the culprit might have graduated to BMX.
10. A rather well endowed man caught the attention of customs officials for all the wrong reasons. A quick frisk revealed the enterprising 23-year-old South African had concealed more than a kilogram of cocaine in his pants. An unappetising prospect for drug abusers everywhere.
By Oliver Shah, Mirror.co.uk 27/10/2009
A plucky smuggler got Australian customs officials in a flap when he allegedly tried to sneak two pigeons into the country cunningly strapped to his legs.
However, he's not alone when it comes to smuggling strange things in and out of countries or concealing them in the weirdest ways.
Heres Mirror.co.uks round-up of the silliest ever smuggling attempts, from the bizarre to the downright dangerous.
1. Police at Melbourne Airport knew there was something fishy going on when they heard splashing noises coming from a passengers waist. Sure enough, under her skirt was $30,000 worth of exotic fish stashed in plastic bags of water.
2. In October 2008 police pulled over a 56-year-old woman in Sydney Airport and discovered three live banana plants hidden in her underwear. The plants can carry diseases that ruin other crops so the offender was threatened with a $60,000 fine.
3. Swallowing cocaine capsules is a well-known trick to get around airport security, but drugs mule Kingsley Ifeka decided to go further than most by necking a record 129 packets. Police at Edinburgh Airport said the haul had a street value of s330,000. We can only imagine how long he spent on the toilet.
4. Sandals have long been outlawed by the fashion brigade, so one holidaymaker clearly thought he had nothing to lose by taping bags of heroin to his soles. Customs cops had other ideas.
Advertisement - article continues below »
5. What a terrible dandruff problem. Police made a hair-raising discovery when they lifted this mans wig to find bags of cocaine strapped to his head, a trick known to be popular in Norway and Britain. Nice toup› though.
6. The yolk was on holidaymaker Terrence Quinnell after Australian customs officers busted him hiding parrots eggs in a purpose-made vest. The 52 eggs could have made one hell of an omelette but unfortunately they landed Quinnell three years in jail.
7. Is that a lizard in your suitcase, or are you just pleased to see me? Customs officials got a shock when an X-ray showed more than 30 reptiles slithering between a passengers deodorant cans and beach shorts on a flight to Bangkok. The haul included three black headed pythons.
8. Lovers of Toy Story should look away now. Behind the wide-eyed grin of this Mr Potato Head was 300 grams of ecstasy tablets more than even Buzz Lightyear could handle on a night out. Customs offiicials who picked up the toy on a flight from Ireland described the ruse as outlandish.
9. This skater was packing more than just attitude in his street gear. Australian police found packets of cocaine sealed between the decks of two skateboards. The maximum penalty is 25 years in prison perhaps by then the culprit might have graduated to BMX.
10. A rather well endowed man caught the attention of customs officials for all the wrong reasons. A quick frisk revealed the enterprising 23-year-old South African had concealed more than a kilogram of cocaine in his pants. An unappetising prospect for drug abusers everywhere.
Tuesday 27 October 2009
Illegal immigrant caught because of passport spelling mistake
An illegal immigrant who applied for a job at Nottinghamshire CPS as a cleaner was caught because of a spelling mistake in the words United Kingdom.
Hyacinth Brooks had paid £3,000 for a fake stamp on her genuine Jamaican passport to prove she had indefinite leave to work here. But after she applied for the cleaning post, her passport revealed an obvious error on the stamp – “Kingdom” was spelt “Kingdon”. Ooops!
Brooks, 57, of Hopedale Close, Radford, never got the job.
She ended up in the cells for possession of a false identification document with intent and entered a guilty plea when she appeared at Nottingham Crown Court. Judge Dudley Bennett gave her a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, with 12 months supervision from probation officers. The Home Office will now decide her future here. What is there to decide, deport this fraudster.
Brooks arrived in the UK from Jamaica on a six-month visitor’s visa, which expired in 2000. No further application was made to stay in this country. The defendant had travelled here to care for her mother, who died in 2005, the court heard.
Hyacinth Brooks had paid £3,000 for a fake stamp on her genuine Jamaican passport to prove she had indefinite leave to work here. But after she applied for the cleaning post, her passport revealed an obvious error on the stamp – “Kingdom” was spelt “Kingdon”. Ooops!
Brooks, 57, of Hopedale Close, Radford, never got the job.
She ended up in the cells for possession of a false identification document with intent and entered a guilty plea when she appeared at Nottingham Crown Court. Judge Dudley Bennett gave her a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, with 12 months supervision from probation officers. The Home Office will now decide her future here. What is there to decide, deport this fraudster.
Brooks arrived in the UK from Jamaica on a six-month visitor’s visa, which expired in 2000. No further application was made to stay in this country. The defendant had travelled here to care for her mother, who died in 2005, the court heard.
Monday 26 October 2009
Guardian loses half a million CVs
Police probe massive hack
By John Oates • Get more from this author
Posted in Crime, 26th October 2009 09:17 GMT
Free whitepaper – Removing the complexity from information protection
The Guardian newspaper's jobs website has warned 500,000 users that hackers may have got hold of private information held on the site after a "sophisticated and deliberate" attack.
The paper said not all users were at risk, and it has emailed those who are. The email, sent on Saturday, said data relating to job applications "may have been accessed". It said the incident was now being investigated by the central e-crime unit at New Scotland Yard.
RegAd('mpu1', 'reg.security.4159/crime', 'pos=top;sz=336x280', VCs);
The mail advised people to:
1) Contact your creditors, even if they have not been affected, so that they can monitor your accounts to ensure they remain protected.
2) Contact a credit reference agency: Callcredit, Equifax or Experian provide suggested steps to resolve the situation and prevent it happening again.
3) Contact CIFAS protective registration: If you think you have been a victim of identity theft you should consider subscribing to CIFAS. This places a notice on your credit file indicating that your name and address may be used to perpetrate identity fraud.
It also provided links to various websites for further advice on identity fraud.
The paper said it had been assured by its provider, Madgex, that the site was now secure and that it had contacted, or tried to contact, everyone at risk.
The US version of the site was not affected. The paper declined to give any technical details of the attack until the police investigation was over.
Although no financial information is believed to have been lost, even a standard CV and covering letter can provide a decent start for identity theft.
Hackers have previously gone after recruitment sites like Monster.com to harvest data for ID fraud or for "spear phishing attacks" - personalised email scams
By John Oates • Get more from this author
Posted in Crime, 26th October 2009 09:17 GMT
Free whitepaper – Removing the complexity from information protection
The Guardian newspaper's jobs website has warned 500,000 users that hackers may have got hold of private information held on the site after a "sophisticated and deliberate" attack.
The paper said not all users were at risk, and it has emailed those who are. The email, sent on Saturday, said data relating to job applications "may have been accessed". It said the incident was now being investigated by the central e-crime unit at New Scotland Yard.
RegAd('mpu1', 'reg.security.4159/crime', 'pos=top;sz=336x280', VCs);
The mail advised people to:
1) Contact your creditors, even if they have not been affected, so that they can monitor your accounts to ensure they remain protected.
2) Contact a credit reference agency: Callcredit, Equifax or Experian provide suggested steps to resolve the situation and prevent it happening again.
3) Contact CIFAS protective registration: If you think you have been a victim of identity theft you should consider subscribing to CIFAS. This places a notice on your credit file indicating that your name and address may be used to perpetrate identity fraud.
It also provided links to various websites for further advice on identity fraud.
The paper said it had been assured by its provider, Madgex, that the site was now secure and that it had contacted, or tried to contact, everyone at risk.
The US version of the site was not affected. The paper declined to give any technical details of the attack until the police investigation was over.
Although no financial information is believed to have been lost, even a standard CV and covering letter can provide a decent start for identity theft.
Hackers have previously gone after recruitment sites like Monster.com to harvest data for ID fraud or for "spear phishing attacks" - personalised email scams
Wednesday 21 October 2009
Wanted man gets a job in U.S. prison
Wanted man gets a job in U.S. prison - despite easy Google search linking his name to Interpol fugitives list
A man wanted on suspicion of drug and fraud crimes has been arrested – in an American maximum security prison where he was working as a guard.
A simple Google search of Michal Preclik’s name brings up an Interpol wanted poster from his native Czech Republic.
But the 32-year-old’s employers at a Nebraska prison apparently made no such checks when they hired him, and he was able to work there for a year before the error was realised.
Wanted: A simple Google search links Michal Preclik's name to Interpol's list of fugitives
Prison officers at Tecumseh State Correctional Institution only learned of his past when they promoted him to corporal.
'This is just unbelievable that the state of Nebraska is hiring international criminals,' said state Senator Heath Mello. 'Who's minding the store?'
The Department of Correctional Services is reviewing its hiring practices, spokeswoman Dawn Renee Smith said.
'Obviously, it's a concern whenever we have anyone working at the facility ... who has any type of outstanding warrants,' Smith said.
The situation is reminiscent of a 2005 incident that led to a Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services policy that Google searches of job candidates be conducted.
The department offered a job to Wayne Richard McGuire, but rescinded the offer after it was reported that he had been convicted in absentia in Rwanda of the 1985 murder of Dian Fossey, whose research was the subject of the movie 'Gorillas in the Mist.'
Preclik arrived in Nebraska in 2002 when he got a job at a hog farm through a company that recruited Eastern Europeans as laborers in violation of their tourist visas. The hog farm is about 30 miles from the Tecumseh prison.
Preclik later testified against Milan Matousek, who was convicted of transporting and harboring illegal immigrants while helping the company. Preclik was granted legal residency in return for his help in the prosecution, said his wife, Kari Preclik, an American he married in 2005.
She said the drug and fraud accusations stem from another prosecution he assisted with in the Czech Republic. He had become linked with organised crime while buying and selling cars and was kidnapped, she said. While testifying in that case, he was accused of giving members of the group drugs, she said.
But she had no idea about the outstanding warrant.
'We did not find out he was wanted until he was picked up,' Mrs Preclik said.
Interpol, which fosters police cooperation across the borders of 188 countries, and the US Marshals service didn't release any information about the accusations against Michal Preclik.
'I was shocked when I found out,' said Patrick Barker, an officer at the prison who worked with Preclik. 'Here we have a guy facing drug and fraud charges and we're dealing with contraband issues at the prison.'
Smith said she wasn't aware of any internal investigations because of Preclik's situation.
The Corrections Department did a background check on Preclik before hiring him, like it does on all potential hires, she said. But a national database that includes criminal records and warrants, the National Criminal Information Center, did not reveal any warrants for his arrest, Smith said.
An initial check of NCIC, which is overseen by the FBI, was done on September 7, 2008, a day before the international police group listed Preclik as wanted on its website, according to Smith.
However, a second background check was done October 21, 2008, a week after Preclik started working at the prison and more than a month after Interpol listed him as wanted.
'No warrant showed up at that time either,' Smith said.
There is often a lag between the time Interpol lists someone as wanted and when an arrest warrant is issued in the country where the person is residing.
Preclik was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on September 8 and has a November 9 hearing to determine if he can be released on bond. He has asked that the decision to send him back to the Czech Republic be reviewed.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Tim Counts declined to speak about Preclik's former or current immigration status other than to say he has been charged with violating US immigration laws.Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1221935/Wanted-man-gets-job-U-S-prison--despite-easy-Google-search-linking-Interpol-fugitives-list.html#ixzz0UaXuaLO8
A man wanted on suspicion of drug and fraud crimes has been arrested – in an American maximum security prison where he was working as a guard.
A simple Google search of Michal Preclik’s name brings up an Interpol wanted poster from his native Czech Republic.
But the 32-year-old’s employers at a Nebraska prison apparently made no such checks when they hired him, and he was able to work there for a year before the error was realised.
Wanted: A simple Google search links Michal Preclik's name to Interpol's list of fugitives
Prison officers at Tecumseh State Correctional Institution only learned of his past when they promoted him to corporal.
'This is just unbelievable that the state of Nebraska is hiring international criminals,' said state Senator Heath Mello. 'Who's minding the store?'
The Department of Correctional Services is reviewing its hiring practices, spokeswoman Dawn Renee Smith said.
'Obviously, it's a concern whenever we have anyone working at the facility ... who has any type of outstanding warrants,' Smith said.
The situation is reminiscent of a 2005 incident that led to a Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services policy that Google searches of job candidates be conducted.
The department offered a job to Wayne Richard McGuire, but rescinded the offer after it was reported that he had been convicted in absentia in Rwanda of the 1985 murder of Dian Fossey, whose research was the subject of the movie 'Gorillas in the Mist.'
Preclik arrived in Nebraska in 2002 when he got a job at a hog farm through a company that recruited Eastern Europeans as laborers in violation of their tourist visas. The hog farm is about 30 miles from the Tecumseh prison.
Preclik later testified against Milan Matousek, who was convicted of transporting and harboring illegal immigrants while helping the company. Preclik was granted legal residency in return for his help in the prosecution, said his wife, Kari Preclik, an American he married in 2005.
She said the drug and fraud accusations stem from another prosecution he assisted with in the Czech Republic. He had become linked with organised crime while buying and selling cars and was kidnapped, she said. While testifying in that case, he was accused of giving members of the group drugs, she said.
But she had no idea about the outstanding warrant.
'We did not find out he was wanted until he was picked up,' Mrs Preclik said.
Interpol, which fosters police cooperation across the borders of 188 countries, and the US Marshals service didn't release any information about the accusations against Michal Preclik.
'I was shocked when I found out,' said Patrick Barker, an officer at the prison who worked with Preclik. 'Here we have a guy facing drug and fraud charges and we're dealing with contraband issues at the prison.'
Smith said she wasn't aware of any internal investigations because of Preclik's situation.
The Corrections Department did a background check on Preclik before hiring him, like it does on all potential hires, she said. But a national database that includes criminal records and warrants, the National Criminal Information Center, did not reveal any warrants for his arrest, Smith said.
An initial check of NCIC, which is overseen by the FBI, was done on September 7, 2008, a day before the international police group listed Preclik as wanted on its website, according to Smith.
However, a second background check was done October 21, 2008, a week after Preclik started working at the prison and more than a month after Interpol listed him as wanted.
'No warrant showed up at that time either,' Smith said.
There is often a lag between the time Interpol lists someone as wanted and when an arrest warrant is issued in the country where the person is residing.
Preclik was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on September 8 and has a November 9 hearing to determine if he can be released on bond. He has asked that the decision to send him back to the Czech Republic be reviewed.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Tim Counts declined to speak about Preclik's former or current immigration status other than to say he has been charged with violating US immigration laws.Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1221935/Wanted-man-gets-job-U-S-prison--despite-easy-Google-search-linking-Interpol-fugitives-list.html#ixzz0UaXuaLO8
Sunday 18 October 2009
Suspect’s birthmark air brushed out for identity parade
The boss of a Notts greyhound sanctuary which was burgled in August has criticised law makers after a suspect’s birthmark was removed from his photograph for an identity parade.
On August 25, £300 in charity donations was stolen from the Crossing Cottage Greyhound Sanctuary, in Sutton-on-Trent, near Newark.
Employee Tracy Ryan spotted a suspect emerging from the sanctuary and noticed the man had a “port-wine stain on his face”. Notts Police set up an identity parade and refused to take the man’s distinctive birthmark into account.
Witnesses must be shown a minimum of 12 photographs before they are allowed to identify a suspect but the characteristic gave too few photographs to compare. Sanctuary boss John Morton said: “The police are saying they can’t infringe human rights. But what about our human rights?”
Police have arrested one man and released him on bail and Mrs Ryan is due to attend a second identification parade including the suspect.
On August 25, £300 in charity donations was stolen from the Crossing Cottage Greyhound Sanctuary, in Sutton-on-Trent, near Newark.
Employee Tracy Ryan spotted a suspect emerging from the sanctuary and noticed the man had a “port-wine stain on his face”. Notts Police set up an identity parade and refused to take the man’s distinctive birthmark into account.
Witnesses must be shown a minimum of 12 photographs before they are allowed to identify a suspect but the characteristic gave too few photographs to compare. Sanctuary boss John Morton said: “The police are saying they can’t infringe human rights. But what about our human rights?”
Police have arrested one man and released him on bail and Mrs Ryan is due to attend a second identification parade including the suspect.
Sham marriage couple couldn’t speak same language.
Border agency staff broke up the wedding service at Manchester register office – claiming that the Portuguese bride and Pakistani groom could not even speak the same language.
The raid took place just minutes before the service was due to start at the Lloyd Street office. It is understood an interpreter was to be used during the ceremony because the couple could not speak each other’s native languages and only the groom spoke English.
Five witnesses were at the register office when police and border agency staff made the arrest. The 24-year-old bride, who wore a lilac dress and plastic tiara, is reported to have reacted indifferently as her groom was led away.
An agency source said: “She just shrugged her shoulders and didn’t really seem too bothered. “She didn’t speak English or Urdu. “He didn’t speak Portuguese but could speak English. How this courtship was supposed to have taken place is anybody’s guess.”
The 29-year-old man, who is understood to have an expired temporary visa, was being questioned and faces being deported. The couple both gave Manchester addresses
The raid took place just minutes before the service was due to start at the Lloyd Street office. It is understood an interpreter was to be used during the ceremony because the couple could not speak each other’s native languages and only the groom spoke English.
Five witnesses were at the register office when police and border agency staff made the arrest. The 24-year-old bride, who wore a lilac dress and plastic tiara, is reported to have reacted indifferently as her groom was led away.
An agency source said: “She just shrugged her shoulders and didn’t really seem too bothered. “She didn’t speak English or Urdu. “He didn’t speak Portuguese but could speak English. How this courtship was supposed to have taken place is anybody’s guess.”
The 29-year-old man, who is understood to have an expired temporary visa, was being questioned and faces being deported. The couple both gave Manchester addresses
Thursday 8 October 2009
Speeding
Three members of the Women's Institute in Herstmonceux, East Sussex successfully campaigned for a speed camera. In the following weeks, all three ladies were snapped and fined £60.
Mugging gone wrong
Mugging people in one of the UK's most popular jogging locations is asking for trouble. Experienced marathon runner Glyn Roberts came to the aid of a victim on Hampstead Heath in north London and gave chase - for two miles. The bewildered mugger eventually fell to his knees and begged for mercy. He didn't get it.
Norfolk, England
A man walked into the local post office and demanded money from the clerk who was also his next door neighbour. When the woman refused he pulled out a cucumber and threatened her. He was arrested the same day.
Stupid Teenager
A "STUPID" teenager hurt his knee in a fight – and then tried to con £617,000 from Leeds Council by claiming he tripped over a paving stone. Ryan Kirk, 24, claimed he dislocated his knee after smashing it against a BT junction box on May 9, 2002. But despite telling a 999 operator and doctors at hospital that he had kicked the box in frustration and never mentioned tripping up, he still went through with his charade. Investigators for the council eventually discovered the gaping hole in his story and found he had caused the injury himself after kicking the box following a fight.
Boy Racers revenge
A BOARD devoted to boy racers has done a sterling job outing a woman who tried to con one of its number out of cash for a Wii. One of the regulars of the Scoobynet.com board paid £180+£30 for a Wii from eBay and when it didn't turn up he contacted the seller, Miss Hightee H. Butzlaff. She told him that he could call the cops if he wanted too, but she didn't live in the UK so ner. While many people would have thought that Hightee H. Butzlaff was a joke name, the buyer had managed to get some of her personal details including her phone number, and address. He handed over the details to the group who promply had a field day with it. The denizens of Scoobynet did as much searching as they could on the woman. They found pictures of her in her underwear, hobbies, religion.Apparently, Hightee started to feel a bit less cocky and offered to remove the pictures if she refunded the money. But it is starting to look like the horse has well and truly bolted and the boy racers cannot be stopped.
Midland Bank
A fraudster was caught out after he tried to cash a cheque for a bank which folded nine years ago. Jonathan Hambly wandered into his local branch of Cashmakers to cash a £400 Midland Bank cheque - even though the bank closed in 1999 and was taken over by HSBC. The 25-year-old claimed that the dud - adorned with the bank's famous Golden Griffin motif - was a deposit refunded to him by his former landlord.
But the cashier told him: "Midland Bank doesn't exist."
But the cashier told him: "Midland Bank doesn't exist."
Lie Detector
Lie DetectorPolice were having a little difficulty getting a confession from one fraudster. Because this was a small town and a smaller police force, they didn't have the budget for lie detection equipment, so they improvised. They found a metal colander in the kitchen and attaching two wires to it, they placed it on his head taping the wires to a nearby copy machine. Each time the suspect answered the question incorrectly, one of the investigators would push a button remotely and the copier would spit out a piece of paper with two words on it, "He's Lying." Frustrated by this new fangled piece of technology, the suspect confessed.
DEAD GIVEAWAY
An unidentified man from Johannesburg, South Africa, told three friends he hadn’t been feeling well for quite some time and believed he was eligible for a monthly disability check. The man must have been worse off than he thought—he died a short time later. But his friends didn’t tell anyone. Instead, hoping to collect the monthly check for themselves, the threesome dragged the man’s lifeless body to the welfare office and propped him up for a required fingerprinting, telling the clerk he had just passed out. But the corpse’s cold, stiff hand was a dead giveaway. The clerk called the cops.
HACKING INTO JAIL
HACKING INTO JAIL Lars H. of Copenhagen, Denmark, had a highly illegal hobby: hacking into computers to obtain bank account and credit card information. But Lars’s pastime came to a sudden halt when he tapped into the data of one individual—Arne Lindstrom, head of the Copenhagen police department’s computer crime unit.
A TICKET TO JAIL
Looking for a bit of extra cash to pay for a computer and printer, Anthony G. of Madison, Wisconsin, hatched a plan: He’d print fake parking tickets and mail them to local citizens. Anthony even rented an extra-large post office box for the money that no doubt would be pouring in. But the only thing that poured in was the cops. How did they find him? Although the tickets looked real enough, all of them had the same identification number—which just happened to match the one on his own recent parking ticket.
EXTENDED STUPIDITY
EXTENDED STUPIDITY No one had seen Joseph G. of Philadelphia steal the credit card. And as he had carefully disguised himself, it was impossible for the clerk at the stereo store to identify the person who actually charged $2,700 for a premium sound system. How then were the police able to arrest him so quickly? It seems the hapless fraudster also had purchased extended warranties on the new gear—using his real name and address.
$1 million bill
ATTENTION, WAL-MART SHOPPERS! Alice P. went on a shopping spree at a Georgia Wal-Mart, filling several carts to the brim. When the cashier totaled up $1,672 in merchandise, Alice handed the worker a $1 million bill and asked for the remaining change in cash. Knowing the largest U.S. bill in circulation was $100, Wal-Mart called the police. “This is the first time in my law enforcement career that I’ve seen someone try to use a $1 million bill,” said local police chief Almond Turner, who promptly arrested Alice.
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