CPS News Brief

Man sentenced in first case of husband holding his wife in servitude

Safraz Ahmed, 34, was sentenced today at Woolwich Crown Court to two years imprisonment for holding a person in servitude contrary to Section 71 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. A restraining order was also imposed. This relates to holding his wife in servitude from 17 December 2012 to 18 August 2014. It is believed to be the first case in England and Wales where a husband has been convicted of this charge relating to his wife.

Damaris Lakin, CPS London reviewing lawyer, said:

“This is a ground-breaking case which demonstrates how far we have come in tackling modern-day slavery. We believe this is the first conviction in England and Wales of a husband for holding his wife in servitude.

“After moving to the UK in 2012 to live with her husband it did not take long before the victim’s dream of a loving family life was shattered as she realised that she had been brought to the UK only to be a servant.

“She was treated with complete contempt by the defendant who responded to her requests for affection with physical assaults and verbal abuse. She was isolated from the world, allowed only very restricted contact with her family and was not allowed to leave the house unaccompanied.

“I would like to thank the victim in this case for her bravery in reporting the abuse and supporting the prosecution.

“The CPS is committed to working with the police and other partner agencies to bring the perpetrators of  modern day slavery to justice and support victims to help them through the prosecution process and beyond in the hope that they can rebuild their lives.”

Background

Ahmed and the victim were involved in an arranged marriage which they both agreed to and welcomed. They were married in Pakistan in 2006 where the victim remained to complete her studies before joining her husband in the UK in 2012. Upon arrival in England the victim soon realised that she would not be part of the loving family she had expected, instead she was kept in servitude. Her freedom was completely taken away and she was subjected to physical and psychological abuse.

As tradition dictates the victim came to the country with wedding jewellery, this was taken from her and not returned despite repeated requests. This was a way of exploiting and controlling her, by depriving her of her personal belongings she became completely financially dependent on her husband. She was responsible for keeping the house clean and doing all the chores that her husband demanded. She was not allowed out unaccompanied and when she was alone at home she was rung every ten minutes to make sure the phone was not engaged. She describes the defendant’s behaviour towards her as “physical and mental torture”.

 

ENDS

Two men convicted of planning to travel to Syria to fight

Junead Khan, aged 25, and Shazib Khan, aged 23, were today, 1 April, found guilty at Kingston Crown Court of planning to travel to Syria to join Daesh and fight.  Junead Khan was also found guilty of preparing an act or acts of terrorism within the UK.

The jury heard that between August 2014 and July 2015 the two men from Luton, who are nephew and uncle, made plans with the intention to travel abroad to fight.  However, towards the end of the time period, Junead Khan changed his mind and was involved in discussions with another relating to planning acts of terrorism in this country. 

The two defendants shot a video as they drove around London, called ‘ISIS drives around Westminster’ which focused on locations such as Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament, and the Cenotaph. When their address was searched a leaflet ‘Terrorists or terrorised’, a book called ‘Guide to the Islamic State’ and flags representing ISIL were found.

Junead Khan searched online how to make an improvised explosive device and roadside bombs and had digital copies of bomb making instructions in the form of extracts from an Al Qaida magazine. He made internet searches for ‘specialist knives’ and in July 2015 was in email contact with a supplier of a combat knife.

Sue Hemming, Head of Counter Terrorism Division, said: “Junead Khan was planning an attack in the UK and both of these men intended to travel to Syria and support terrorism.  Even though they did not leave the country, they had spent a significant amount of time planning their journey. 

“Through early detection and prosecution of these individuals more serious crimes have been avoided which could have had devastating consequences in the UK or Syria.”

Final defendants sentenced in Hatton Garden case

The final defendants have been sentenced today at Woolwich Crown Court in the Hatton Garden burglary case. Nine defendants have been sentenced to a total of more than 40 years imprisonment for their roles in the crime, which is described at the biggest burglary in English legal history.

The final sentences have been handed down less than a year after the crime was committed. However, this does not mark the end of the case as the CPS has initiated confiscation proceedings against all the defendants.

Chief Crown Prosecutor for London, Baljit Ubhey OBE, praised the work of the prosecution team. She said:

“The swift and successful outcomes of this case are a testament to the hard work and dedication of the prosecution team and I would like to thank them for all their efforts.

“We worked closely with the police to build a strong case which led to the four main ringleaders pleading guilty due to the overwhelming evidence against them.

“This crime involved a great deal of planning and organisation with the ultimate goal of depriving the customers of Hatton Garden of their property and no doubt living handsomely on the proceeds.

“It must not be forgotten that this burglary caused significant financial loss for many of the victims and for some had a devastating impact on their lives.”

 

Defendants, charges and sentences:

Pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit burglary:

John Kenneth Collins, 75

Seven years imprisonment

Daniel Jones, 60

Seven years imprisonment

Terrence Perkins, 67

Seven years imprisonment

Brian Reader, 76

Six years and three months imprisonment

Found guilty after trial

Carl Wood, 58

Conspiracy to commit burglary - Six years imprisonment

Conspiracy to conceal, convert or transfer criminal property - Six years imprisonment (concurrent)

William Lincoln, 50

Conspiracy to commit burglary - Seven years imprisonment

Conspiracy to conceal, convert or transfer criminal property - Seven years imprisonment (concurrent)

Hugh Doyle, 48

Concealing, converting or transferring criminal property - 21 months imprisonment suspended for two years

Pleaded guilty to one count of concealing, converting or transferring criminal property:

Terri Robinson, 36

18 months imprisonment suspended for two years, 200 hours unpaid work

Bren Walters, 44

18 months imprisonment suspended for two years, 200 hours unpaid work, 60 days activity requirement, three months curfew

 

Teenager convicted of the manslaughter of PC Dave Phillips

A teenager who killed a Merseyside police officer as he was escaping from the police following a burglary in a stolen car has been found guilty of manslaughter.

Senior Crown Prosecutor with Mersey-Cheshire Crown Prosecution Service, Helen Graves, said:

“Williams drove a stolen vehicle at dangerously high speeds through residential areas and then collided with a police officer who was simply doing his duty.

“His actions on that night have devastated the family of PC Phillips and robbed the police force of an upstanding and valuable member of the team.

“Williams has been found guilty of an extremely serious offence and he is now facing the prospect of jail.

“This has been a complex and difficult case and the Crown Prosecution Service would like to thank Merseyside Police for their help in bringing this case to court.

“The family of PC Phillips have behaved with tremendous dignity and courage throughout this trial, despite having to face the details of the last moments of their beloved husband, father, son and brother. Our thoughts remain with them at this very difficult time.”

Additional information:

Manchester Crown Court heard that Clayton Williams killed PC Dave Phillips after he drove into him with a Mitsubishi pick-up truck in Wallasey on 5 October 2015.

Williams, 19, of Wheatland Lane, Wallasey, had earlier broken into Oxton Estates estate agents with another man Philip Stuart, 30, of Mayfair Court Prenton.

They stole, amongst other things, the keys to the 4 x 4 vehicle which Williams then drove at high speeds for several miles across the Wirral with Stuart as a front seat passenger.

The court heard that Williams careered through red lights, drove on the wrong side of the road and down the wrong way of a one-way street. He was being pursued by two police cars as he approached Wallasey Dock Road where PC Dave Phillips, 34, placed a “stop stick” in the road.

If the defendant had driven over the device, the stop stick would have punctured the tyres and slowed the vehicle down. But, instead of driving over it, the defendant turned the truck and drove off the carriageway in the direction of PC Phillips.

The officer was struck by the front of the vehicle and was pronounced dead a short time later. Williams then drove away and began contacting others who then helped him to cover up his involvement in the tragedy.

Williams pleaded guilty to burglary, stealing the truck and driving it dangerously and admitted that he had been driving the truck when it collided with PC Phillips, causing his death.

The prosecution had argued that Williams was guilty of murder but the jury rejected that and found him guilty of manslaughter, by a majority of 10 to 2.

Phillip Stuart, 30, of Mayfair Court, Oxton, who was a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the incident has also appeared before the court for sentence.

Stuart had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to burglary and aggravated taking of a vehicle and was given a six year jail term - three and a half years for aggravated vehicle taking and two and a half years for the burglary. He has also been disqualified from driving for three years.

Three other people were also sentenced in connection with the case. They had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to conspiracy to assist an offender. They admitted burning and attempting to dispose of Clayton Williams’ clothing at a house in Wheatland Lane in Wallasey in the hours after the incident.

Georgia Clarke, 19, of Knowsley Road, Wallasey, was sentenced to 12 months detention, Michael Smith, 19, of Widmore Road, Gateacre was sentenced to two years detention and Dawn Cooper, 34, of Wheatland Lane, Wallasey to two years imprisonment.

Carer sentenced for rape and sexual offences on children

Michael Ponzo, 20, from Swindon was today sentenced at Swindon Crown Court to two offences of rape, 13 sexual assaults on a child under the age of 13, and 24 offences relating to indecent images of children.

Most of the offences were against five children all aged under 13 and took place between 2011 and 2015. He was sentenced to a total of 10 years imprisonment with an extended licence of 5 years.

Mary-Ruth Johnson, Senior Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Wessex Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) Unit said:

“Michael Ponzo has committed every parent’s worst nightmare. He raped a child, sexually assaulted children and took images of his abuse. He abused the trust parents had placed in him to look after their children. The parents of three of the children had contacted him via a childcare website as they were looking for either a carer or baby-sitter.

“All the child victims in this case were vulnerable as they were very young when the offences took place.

“The impact of Michael Ponzo’s crimes has been devastating and now the children, and their families, have to recover from this terrible episode.

“CPS Wessex RASSO Unit will continue to work relentlessly with the police to bring such offenders to court. Our thoughts are with the victims and the parents in this case. We hope that they will find closure and that they will be able to move on with their lives.”

John Martin convicted of the murder of Natalia Strelchenko

John Martin was today convicted at Manchester Crown Court of the murder of his wife Natalia Strelchenko, a renowned concert pianist.

John Martin killed his wife at their home in Newton Heath, Manchester in August 2015.

Earlier that day John Martin had argued with Natalia. He lost his temper, left the house and was drinking in the garden shed, returning after midnight when he attacked Natalia by throwing her and himself down the stairs, and then strangling and beating her. A friend of Natalia’s from Poland, who was staying at the house, witnessed the attack and fled the house to get help.

David Harley, Senior Crown Prosecutor from CPS North West said:

“John Martin killed his wife Natalia Strelchenko in a vicious rage in their own home. He was motivated by anger and, fuelled by alcohol, he lost his temper and violently attacked her, even admitting to her friend who tried to stop him that he wanted to kill her. It was the prosecution case that he intended to kill her or cause her very serious harm and therefore was guilty of murder.

“John Martin told the court during the trial that he couldn’t remember the events of that night, but the jury have found him guilty of murder. This was an appalling crime and our thoughts are with the family and friends of Natalia Strelchenko at this time. They have shown tremendous courage throughout the trial.”

Mark Davis jailed for 14 years for abuse of boys in South Wales

A man who raped and sexually assaulted boys he met through theatre and stage groups in the 1980s and 1990s has been sentenced to 14 years at Cardiff Crown Court. Mark Davis, who at the time performed magic and comedy routines in South Wales under the name Mark Major, befriended the boys and their families before subjecting them to serious sexual assaults.

Speaking after the sentencing Leanne Jonathan, District Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Wales Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit, said:

“Over a period of weeks and months, Davis deliberately set out to gain the trust of these young, vulnerable and impressionable boys and their families. This was a slow, systematic and callous grooming process which enabled Davis to create opportunities to carry out repeated assaults on his victims.

“Davis abused the trust placed in him by his victims and their families and his actions have left a lasting impression on all of them.

“I would like to pay tribute to the victims in this case, who have shown immense courage in coming forward to report what happened to them, despite the passage of time. It is their fortitude and bravery that has led to Davis being sentenced today. I hope that their actions may give strength to others who may be carrying similar burdens but be unsure of whether to go to the police.”

Dating site rapist convicted

A man accused of raping women who he met on a dating site has been convicted of five counts of rape, one count of attempted rape and another count of sexual assault.

Jason Lawrance targeted his victims on Match.com, encouraged them to talk to him offline and agreed to meet them.

He raped his first victim in 2011. Having met her a few times, he tricked her into getting into a van with him, drove to a dark country lane and raped her in the van. He went on to sexually assault a woman in her car and raped or attempted to rape others in hotel rooms or in their own homes. In each case, these women were prepared to meet him, but did not want sex with him at the time.

Lawrance’s pattern of behaviour was eventually halted when one of his victims reported to the police that he had raped her. The subsequent police investigation, in particular into his activity on Match.com, revealed evidence of offences against seven victims. He was tried and convicted at Derby Crown Court, despite maintaining his claim that everything had been consensual.

Sue Matthews, Senior Crown Prosecutor at the CPS East Midlands rape and serious sexual offences team said:

“Jason Lawrance is a dangerous sexual predator. He has gone from victim to victim, targeting them through online dating sites.

“Nobody should feel that meeting people through a dating site means that they are consenting to any sexual activity. If a person does not consent to sexual activity and the perpetrator does not reasonably believe they are consenting, that is an offence, regardless of how the victim meets the perpetrator, or how well they know each other.

“The victims in this case have shown real courage in telling the court about their ordeal. It is their evidence that has made Lawrance face the consequences of his actions. I would like to thank them all for coming forward and giving evidence.”

Jason Lawrance will be sentenced on 3 March 2016.

Organised crime group convicted for museum and auction house burglaries

14 people have been convicted for their involvement in stealing millions of pounds worth of artefacts from museums across the UK.

John Davies, Head of the Birmingham Unit of the Organised Crime Division of the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“This large organised crime group were in pursuit of high profits and targeted museums up and down the country because of their valuable artefacts. These individuals plotted elaborate schemes to steal historical items from Britain’s museums and in some cases were successful in their attempts. The items the group were interested in were Chinese artefacts, primarily rhinoceros horn which, when powdered, is the most valuable commodity on earth.

“The group targeted museums and auction houses in locations including Durham, Norwich and Lewes. They were initially unsuccessful in their attempts but continued with their plots and eventually stole millions of pounds worth of artefacts. Among the stolen items were various Chinese jade artefacts from the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge with an estimated value of between £5 - £15 million.

“This was a highly complex case as most of the individuals convicted were behind the scenes organising the entire operation, rather than physically entering the museums. We built a strong case based on evidence such as extensive telephone records. Material from the defendants’ laptops also provided evidence of websites they had accessed and search terms they had inputted online in relation to their crimes.

“The CPS Organised Crime Division worked closely with investigators to bring these individuals to justice and today’s convictions send a clear message that organised crime will not be tolerated.”

Additional information:

• John O’Brien (Senior) - Guilty

• Richard Sheridan - Guilty

• Chi Cheong Donald Wong - Guilty

• Ashley Dad - Guilty

• Paul Pammen - Guilty

• Alan Clarke - Guilty

• Patrick Clarke - Guilty

• Robert Gilbert Smith - Guilty

• Daniel Flynn - Guilty

• Richard O’Brien (Junior) – Guilty

• John O’Brien (Junior) – Guilty

• Michael Hegarty – Guilty

• Daniel O’Brien – Guilty

• Terence Anthony McNamara – pleaded guilty

All defendants were charged with:-

Conspiracy to Steal contrary to Section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977 and s1(1) Theft Act 1968, namely

…… between the 1st day of September 2011 and 30th August 2012 conspired together and with other persons to steal rhinoceros horns, items manufactured from rhinoceros horn, antique Chinese porcelain and other artefacts in contravention of section 1(1) of the theft Act 1968.

Five convicted of multiple child sex crimes in Rotherham

Five people have today been convicted at Sheffield Crown Court of multiple counts relating to the sexual exploitation of 15 victims in Rotherham over a period of 16 years.

The three men - Arshid Hussain, his brother Basharat Hussain, their uncle Qurban Ali; and two women - Shelley Davies and Karen Macgregor - were convicted following an 11 week trial. They will be sentenced on Friday 26th February.

The fourth man, Bannaras Hussain, entered guilty pleas on the first day of the trial to six counts of indecent assault, one count of rape, one count of aiding and abetting rape, one count of assault and one count of procuring a girl to become a prostitute.

The 15 victims were aged between 11 and 21 at the time, and the offences were committed between 1987 and 2003.

Peter Mann, Head of the Complex Casework Unit, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Yorkshire and Humberside, said:

“The Crown Prosecution Service has worked closely with South Yorkshire Police throughout this complex and lengthy investigation to build a strong case and secure justice for the victims.

“These defendants, in their differing ways, targeted these teenage girls because they were vulnerable and then facilitated their systematic sexual abuse. The abusers then groomed and sexualised their victims; often subjecting them to acts of a degrading and violent nature. They were mocked and spat at. Some of the violence was extreme and protracted.

“Arshid Hussain in particular played a key role. He was domineering and in some instances brutal in his treatment of girls. He used them for his own gratification, then often prostituted them or passed them on to his brothers or associates. He was assisted in differing ways by the other defendants, each willingly engaging in exploitative behaviour and using the girls to their own ends.

“The physical and psychological suffering these girls have endured is unthinkable. Their trauma is only matched in scale by the extraordinary courage they have displayed in coming forward to report their abuse and give evidence in this trial so that their abusers can at last be accorded the punishment they deserve.

“These men’s actions, and those of the women who facilitated them, are utterly abhorrent. Such depravity has no place in our society. The CPS will continue to work closely with the police to prosecute these complex cases.”

Sajid Bostan and Majid Bostan were found not guilty.