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August 2023
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A man has been jailed for rape and indecency with a child after being found guilty of non-recent sexual abuse.
Graham Harrison, 56, (13/09/1965) of Newport St, Ryde, Isle of Wight was sentenced on Friday, 17 September following a two week trial at Wood Green Court in August. Harrison had pleaded not guilty, but was found guilty, after a unanimous verdict by the jury of: -Three counts of rape -Two counts of indecency with a child He was sentenced at the same court to six years in prison The court heard Harrison was aged between 14 and 17-years-old when he committed the multiple offences. The crimes took place in north London between 1979 and 1983 and started when the girl was just seven-years-old. It was during time when they were left alone that Harrison would make the little girl touch him sexually and also rape her. The victim came forward to police in 2017, more than 35 years after the initial offences, and an investigation was launched. DC Adam Downs, from the Serious Sexual Offences Team, based at Holborn Police Station, said: “Tackling violence against women and girls remains a priority for the Metropolitan Police Service. “Rape and other serious sexual offences are devastating crimes that can have a lasting impact on victims, their families and communities. “The sentence is a reminder that historic sexual abuse will always be taken seriously. It is never too late to report these types of offences. I would like to thank the victim for her strength and perseverance. “I would urge anyone who has been a victim to please report it. We will do all we can to investigate, so that perpetrators are brought to justice and victims receive the appropriate support. “We have specially trained officers who work closely with highly skilled, specialist and emphatic partners to ensure that anyone who has experienced rape, or sexual assault, can have the access they need.” Source
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A convicted child sex offender has been further sentenced for sexual offences against boys.
Peter Graham Wells, 75 (08.07.46) of no fixed address, appeared at Wood Green Crown Court on Friday, 10 September 2021. The court heard that Wells carried out the sexual abuse when he was employed as a teacher at a school in Enfield in the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s. Wells admitted two counts of gross indecency with a boy under the age of 14, and five counts of Indecent assault on a boy under the age of 14. sexual assault accusations ? He was given a further sentence of an additional 12 months imprisonment, with subsequent sentencing to run concurrent to his original sentence. The offences were committed against two boys and took place between 1977 and 1986. These were reported to police in 2018 and 2019, after Wells had been jailed for similar offences for which he was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in December 2018. Detective Constable Keith Kimberley said: “I am in no doubt that this man is a dangerous sexual predator and he poses an ongoing threat to children. “He caused unforgivable trauma to the children he abused and the only appropriate way for him to spend the next years of his life is in prison, and away from the general public. “As far as we can be sure of, Wells offended over a period of several decades and my respect goes out to the victims and their families who were put through so much. “The Public Protection teams across the Met work relentlessly to identify sexual offenders and prevent any harm coming to potential victims. In cases where predators gain access to victims and carry out abuse, we are also here to ensure they face justice.” Anyone who wishes to come forward and report a sexual offence, can do so in confidence. The Met has specially trained officers to investigate these types of cases and support victims through the criminal justice process.
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Lawyer jailed for fraud9/20/2021 Summary of the Case Below: This case centres on Joshua Brien, a 48-year-old lawyer, who was found guilty of defrauding two companies he worked for, totalling over £600,000. The trial occurred at Southwark Crown Court, and Brien was convicted of three counts of fraud by abuse of position and one count of fraud by false representation.
He was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison. The court heard that Brien used his extensive knowledge of an internal payment system to defraud the Commonwealth Secretariat of around £150,000. He was employed by the company from 2004 to 2016 as the sole liaison for a contractor. Using a fake email address similar to the contractor's, Brien directed funds meant for the contractor into a rogue bank account he had set up in Australia. Brien then joined Cooley UK LLP in 2017, where he further committed fraud. He directed payments intended for the firm into his account, leading to over £400,000 of the client's money being stolen. He also defrauded a second client, channelling around £90,000 into his accounts. Part of the Law: The primary legal issues, in this case, pertain to criminal law, specifically laws related to fraud. Fraud by abuse of position (under Section 4 of the Fraud Act 2006) occurs when someone occupies a position in which they are expected to safeguard the financial interests of another person and abuses that position for personal gain or to cause loss to another. Fraud by false representation (under Section 2 of the Fraud Act 2006) occurs when a person dishonestly makes a false representation, intending to gain for themselves or another or to cause loss or risk of loss to another. Possible Outcomes or Sentencing: If Brien had not been convicted, the case could have potentially resulted in acquittal, given the burden of proof required in criminal law. However, the successful conviction largely depends on the strength and availability of the evidence linking him to the fraudulent activities. It might have resulted in a reduced sentence if he had cooperated or pleaded guilty early on. The courts usually consider early admissions of guilt as a mitigating factor in sentencing. On the other hand, if there were aggravating factors such as previous convictions, mainly related to fraud or dishonesty, this could have led to a longer sentence. Given the severe breach of trust and the significant amount involved, the seven-and-a-half-year sentence is within the typical range for this kind of offence. However, it is essential to remember that the specifics of sentencing guidelines can vary based on several factors. Further Analysis and Insights: Joshua Brien's case is a classic example of "white collar" crime, crimes committed by individuals in higher social classes during their occupation. As a legal professional, Brien was in a position of trust and had access to sensitive financial information. His actions resulted in significant financial loss for his employers and their clients, undermining trust in him as an individual and potentially impacting the reputation of the companies he worked for. One critical aspect of this case is the violation of professional ethics. Lawyers are expected to uphold the highest standards of honesty and integrity. Misappropriation of client funds is one of the most severe breaches of professional conduct that a lawyer can commit, leading to criminal charges and potential disbarment from the profession. Moreover, this case illustrates the potential dangers of internal fraud within businesses and the importance of robust internal controls and regular audits. Brien perpetrated this fraud over a significant period due to his intricate understanding of the companies' payment systems and processes. Alternative legal consequences could have included an order for Brien to compensate the victims of his fraud. Depending on his financial circumstances, a confiscation order might also have been made under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, forcing him to repay the money he fraudulently obtained. In sum, this case reinforces the importance of maintaining stringent financial controls within companies, regardless of the trust placed on senior employees. Furthermore, it underscores the severe consequences that legal professionals can face when they abuse their positions, both from a criminal and a professional standpoint. A lawyer who defrauded two companies he worked for out of over £600,000 has been convicted of fraud offences following a trial at Southwark Crown Court. Joshua Brien – 48 (14.02.73) formerly of Darnley Terrace, W11 was found guilty of three counts of fraud by abuse of position and one count of fraud by false representation on 26 August. He was sentenced at the same court on Friday, 10 September to a total of seven-and-a-half years in prison. The jury heard how Brien used his intrinsic knowledge of an internal system used to make payments to contractors to defraud the Commonwealth Secretariat out of around £150,000. Brien was employed by the company between 2004 and 2016, when he was dismissed for an unrelated offence. During his time, he was the sole liaison for a contractor who had been employed on behalf of the Commonwealth Secretariat to carry out work on their behalf. Brien fabricated correspondence using a fake email address he had set up that was very similar to the genuine one used by the contractor. In this ‘correspondence’ he channelled the funds intended to be paid to the contractor into a rogue bank account in Australia that Brien had set up specifically to carry out the fraud. It was only after Brien had left the company that the fraud was discovered. By that time, Brien had moved to another company called Cooley UK LLP, obtaining the job in 2017 having lied on his application form that he hadn’t been dismissed at any previous employer. While employed there, he acted as a lawyer for an ongoing arbitration case involving a marine salvage company. Brien used his personal bank – similar to the method he had used in his previous fraud – and told the client to forward payments to this account. It was only after police arrested Brien for the offence committed at his previous employer that Cooley UK LLP discovered that over £400,000 had been paid from this client to his personal bank account. Brien’s manager had also been alerted after he met with the client’s representative and raised the issue of apparent unpaid fees – money which had been paid in good faith by the client but unknowingly stolen by Brien. Brien also defrauded a second client while employed at Cooley; this time to the figure of around £90,000. Again, Brien alluded to be acting on behalf of the firm but instead channelled the money into his own accounts. Police were called in and Brien was arrested on 29 October 2019 before being charged with multiple fraud offences. Detective Constable Mark Bunning of the Met’s Economic and Specialist Crime Team said: “Joshua Brien used his knowledge of the internal reporting systems of the companies who employed him to carry out significant fraud. “He used the employ of his companies to operate in plain sight; carrying out protracted fraudulent activities for his own personal gain. “However, due the diligent and dedicated work of the police, Brien has been convicted and will now face to consequences of his actions.” More Fraud Cases Travel Fraud Modern Slavery & Fraud Bank Employee Fraud source
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Summary of the Case Below:
Abel Buafo, a 23-year-old man, has been sentenced to six years and four months in prison after posting videos on social media where he brandished a knife at a nightclub in North London. Buafo was found guilty of a range of charges, including possession of a knife, Class A and B drugs (MDMA, cocaine, and cannabis), criminal property, and involvement in the supply of a Class A drug (cocaine). Police were alerted to Buafo's behaviour by Snapchat videos, where he was seen dancing, singing, and waving a black folding knife around the nightclub. He was also seen dropping the knife, picking it up, and repeatedly flicking it open. Buafo referred to the knife as his "blicky" in the videos, slang for a knife. Later, Buafo posted another Snapchat video outside the club, defiantly stating he didn't care about the police and had his "blicky" with him. He followed this up with another post in which he lamented losing his "shank," another term for a knife. Upon searching his home, officers found a plethora of drug paraphernalia, cannabis, MDMA pills, and a large amount of counterfeit money. Also, the police found a Rambo-style knife and a white powder in the sink that was later identified as phenacetin, commonly used as a cutting agent for making crack cocaine. Further investigation led officers to another property connected to Buafo, where they found more cannabis, cocaine, and evidence of drug supply. Buafo refused to comment during his police interview but was later charged and convicted for his crimes. Further Analysis and Insights: This case illustrates the dangers of social media misuse and the link between drug-related activities and violence. Buafo's brazen display of a knife in a public space such as a nightclub is an affront to public safety, exhibiting an apparent disregard for the law. The fact that he was so brazen as to film and post this activity on Snapchat indicates a sense of invincibility or lack of concern about the potential legal consequences. This case is a reminder that evidence of criminal behaviour on social media platforms can and will be used in court. Moreover, Buafo's case showcases the intricate relationship between drug-related offences and violent crime. The presence of drugs, cash, drug paraphernalia, and offensive weapons in his home points to an individual heavily involved in the drug trade, which often goes hand-in-hand with violent behaviour. Finally, this case underscores the relentless efforts of law enforcement agencies in tackling violent crime and drug offences. The conviction and sentencing of Buafo send a strong message to others that such behaviour will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force of the law. Possibilities for Defending Solicitors In defending Abel Buafo, his solicitors could have adopted several strategies depending on the circumstances and the available evidence. Here are a few possibilities:
The Case A man has been jailed after he brazenly filmed himself on social media with a knife in a north London nightclub. Abel Buafo, 23 (25.08.97), of Berry Lane, Lambeth, was sentenced on Friday, 17 September at Inner London Crown Court to six years and four months' imprisonment. Buafo pleaded guilty to numerous offences between 12 March 2020 and Thursday, 29 July, including possession of a knife, possession of Class A drugs (MDMA and cocaine), possession of a Class B drug (cannabis), possession of criminal property and being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug (cocaine). The court heard that detectives were alerted to Snapchat videos of Buafo at a nightclub on Silver Street in Enfield, on 22 December 2019 where he recorded himself in ‘selfie style’ waving a black folding knife around the venue. Officers reviewed CCTV from the nightclub for the same evening which corroborated the Snapchat footage. The footage showed Buafo dancing and singing while waving the knife around, pointing it at his phone’s camera as well as towards people. The footage also showed Buafo ‘fist bumping’ people while holding the knife. firearms and knife offences solicitors He is seen several times to get the knife out of his pocket and flick it open – at one point he is seen to drop it on the floor before picking it up. In the Snapchat footage, he says he has his ‘blicky at the rave,’ while holding the knife up to the camera. Blicky is a slang term for knife. In Snapchat footage of Buafo outside the club, he states ‘I’ve got my blicky on me.’ His friend nudges him and says ‘shhh’ to which Buafo replies ‘I don’t even care about the feds bruv, on my mum’s life.’ Later that day he posted an image on Snapchat looking sad with the caption ‘lost my shank.’ Shank is also a slang term for knife. On 11 February 2020, officers forced entry to his home address on Berry Lane. Upon entry, officers noticed that the sink was overflowing with a number of plates, which had a white coloured layer of bubbles forming on them. Officers noted that they were not ‘typical washing-up bubbles’ but something derived from a diluted powder of chemical – giving the impression that Buafo had hurriedly flushed something down the sink. Officers took a sample of the white powder in the sink, which was found to be phenacetin, a well-known cutting agent for making crack cocaine. Officers searched the property and found an overwhelming amount of drugs paraphernalia as well as scales, snap bags, a hydraulic press, cannabis and MDMA pills. Officers also found £225 in cash and £1,200 in counterfeit cash, as well as a Rambo-style knife. Officers also searched another address linked to Buafo on Walworth Road, SE1, where they found a large bag of cannabis, 903mg of cocaine, two scales and snap bags. Buafo was arrested and taken to a south London police station where he offered no prepared statement and answered no comment to all questions put to him – even when he was shown the CCTV and Snapchat footage. Detectives examined Buafo’s phone where they found evidence of drug supply going back to September 2018 as well as evidence of him living a lavish lifestyle with a photo album of expensive items. He was subsequently charged on 12 February 2020 and was convicted as above. Detective Sergeant Raymond Sekalongo, the investigating officer who was on the Central South’s Proactive Investigations team at the time, said: “Buafo was arrogant enough to think he was above the law and thought he could not only take a knife into a nightclub – but broadcast himself on social media doing it. "Buafo was wrong not to ‘care about the feds,’ because the Met is absolutely committed to taking offensive weapons and drugs off the streets of London. “The knife in the nightclub and the Rambo knife found in Buafo’s address is yet another example of the intractable link between drug supply and violence. Those carrying weapons and supplying drugs should expect a visit from us in the near future.” source
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A man has been sentenced for causing the death of 28-year-old Mohammed Osman by careless driving in Hounslow last year.
Shahriyar Mahoutchian, 30 (19.03.81) of Ascot, Berkshire, was sentenced to eight months imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court on Friday, 17 September. The sentence was reduced from 12 months for his early guilty plea. Mahoutchian was also disqualified from driving for two years and two months until he passes an extended test. what are the normal careless driving charge. The court heard that on Wednesday 10 April 2019 at around 18:15hrs, the victim attempted to cross the westbound lane of Bath Road. Witnesses reported that as the light turned green, three pedestrians - the first being Mohammed Osman - stepped onto the road and started to walk across it. Suddenly the other two men stepped back and at the same time the victim was struck by a fast approaching car driven by Mahoutchian. He was driving at approximately 35 mph. Mohamed was thrown into the air and fell onto the road a short distance away, suffering catastrophic injuries. A number of witnesses rushed to assist the victim including a patrolling police car. Despite attempts to save his life by London Ambulance Service and Helicopter Emergency Medical Service, Mohammed never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead at the scene. Manoutchian stopped at the scene and identified himself as the driver. A drugs and drink test was negative. In a post mortem, conducted on 16 April 2019, the primary cause of death was recorded as head injuries. Mahoutchian was interviewed under caution. CCTV and phone records were presented but he denied driving dangerously, giving no comment to all questions asked during the interview. Phone records established multiple activity on Mahoutchian's phone within the timeframe of the collision with final connection terminating at the time victim was struck. As such, the Forensic Collision Reconstruction Report concluded that the collision occurred within the timeframe the defendant’s phone was active. The report concluded there were no obstructions to the defendant’s view and there were no mechanical defects of the vehicle he was driving which could contribute to the collision. It was also determined that the sequence of the traffic lights was red for the oncoming traffic when the collision occurred. Mahoutchian was charged with causing death by careless driving on 15 February 2021. DC Dariusz Alexander from the Serious Collisions Investigations Unit led the investigation said: “The carelessness of Mahoutchian's driving that day cost the life of a young man. It has caused immeasurable suffering to his family and friends and the result today marks the end of a protracted investigation to bring them justice. I hope they can now begin to move forwards, treasuring his memory. "The witnesses made a reference to traffic lights being red to oncoming vehicles and that Mahoutchian did not make any effort to slow down or stop when he collided with Mohammed Osman. "The report also found activity ongoing on his mobile phone in the lead up and during the time of the collision. Whatever decision Mahoutchian made that day will remain with him for the rest of his life and I hope this sends a message to everyone on the roads to remain vigilant and focused on their surroundings. Looking down at your phone - even for a second - can quite literally cost a life." Solicitors Sheffield source
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Man who flaunted driving ban is jailed9/20/2021 A man who took to social media to brag about his perceived evasion of police while driving illegally has been jailed following a successful investigation by the Met’s Road Crime Team.
Danny Simpson, 31 (02.11.89), of The Meadows, Gravesend, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, 14 September at City of London Magistrates’ Court to driving while disqualified and driving without insurance. He was sentenced at the same court to 12 weeks’ imprisonment, ordered to pay a total of £328 in fines, and further disqualified from driving for 21 months. Driving Without Insurance Solicitor The court heard that in November 2020, Simpson was assigned to the Road Crime Team as a high harm offender after displaying an increasing pattern of dangerous behaviour on roads across London, Kent and Essex. Despite having been disqualified from driving mostly since 2006, Simpson had continued to drive illegally while taking to his social media channels to brag about his perceived evasion of police. Having been convicted of driving whilst disqualified 12 times previously, Simpson continued to show a blatant disregard for the law. On 2 December 2020, Road Crime Team officers located a Range Rover parked outside a restaurant in Mayfair. After recognising the vehicle, officers began making enquiries to establish its owner. During this time, Simpson exited the restaurant and approached officers, mocking them while dictating that they would not be able to prove he was the driver of the vehicle. An investigation by the Road Crime Team uncovered sufficient evidence to prove that Simpson was indeed the driver of the vehicle. CCTV and witness statements clearly corroborated Simpson arriving in the driver’s seat of the Range Rover and entering the restaurant. Open source work also found evidence on social media which showed him driving to the restaurant in a distinctive blue and white t-shirt. Simpson was arrested on 21 December 2020 and in interview, chose to make no comment before becoming disruptive and refusing to be interviewed any further. Due to the overwhelming evidence compiled by the Met’s Road Crime Team, he was charged as above. On 1 March 2021 at Westminster Magistrates’ Court Simpson initially pleaded not guilty and elected to take the matter to trial. A few days prior to the trial, and likely due to the overwhelming visual evidence gathered by the Road Crime Team, Simpson changed his plea to guilty. Road Crime Team Established in April 2020 in a bid to crack down on serious offences committed on London’s roads, the Met’s Road Crime Team have made hundreds of arrests in the 18 months since launching. Based in central London, the team deploys seven days-a-week in marked and unmarked vehicles, as well as on motorcycles, across London. The team conducts a wide range of operations, including proactive use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), intercepting criminals and wanted offenders, and focused deployments in the Met’s priority crime areas working alongside the Violent Crime Task Force, Territorial Support Group and Dog Section. Inspector Danny Mount, of the Met’s Road Crime Team, said: “It is clear in this case that Danny Simpson had no regard for the law or anybody else’s safety. “Such is Simpson’s blatant disregard for the law by continuing to drive whilst disqualified, a custodial sentence was imposed by the court. “Simpson was arrogant enough to think he would not get caught. This is clearly not the case. “Officers from the Road Crime Team will continue to work tirelessly and relentlessly to remove dangerous drivers, like Simpson, from London’s roads. I hope he uses his time in prison to reconsider his attitude to driving, which could have resulted in serious harm to the public.” source |