CPS News Brief

Woman convicted of murder for knife attacks in the street

A woman who attacked two people with large knives in broad daylight has been convicted of murder and attempted murder. Nicola Edgington was convicted today at the Central Criminal Court.

Alison Saunders, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London, said:

“These attacks occurred on a busy street in Bexleyheath in full view of passers by, some of whom were children on their way to school. They could only look on in horror.

“In both incidents, the prosecution’s case was that Edgington’s clear intention was to kill. The prosecution case was that in doing these things, Edgington knew and understood what she was doing and knew that it was wrong. On the morning of 10 October 2011 she armed herself with large knives and set upon her victims ferociously. Her first victim, who was waiting for her bus to work, survived only because she was able to fight off her attacker. Her second victim was not so fortunate and tragically had no chance to defend herself.

“Violent and vicious crimes cause pain and heartbreak to victims and their families. CPS London is committed to working with its partners to protect our city’s residents against such attacks.”

Operation Elveden: CPS statement on Alan Tierney

Alison Levitt, QC, Principal Legal Advisor to the Director of Public Prosecutions, oversees CPS decision making and all potential prosecutions in relation to the ongoing phone hacking investigations and other related matters. Ms Levitt said:

"This statement is made in the interests of transparency and accountability to explain the decisions reached in respect of cases arising from Operation Elveden, which is the Metropolitan Police Service investigation into allegations involving the unlawful provision of information by public officials to journalists.

"This announcement relates to a file of evidence received from the Metropolitan Police Service. The investigation in this case was overseen by the Independent Police Complaints Commission. A charging file in respect of this matter was received by the CPS on 14 January 2013.

"We have concluded, following a careful review of the evidence, that Alan Tierney, a former police constable with Surrey Police, should be charged with two offences of committing misconduct in public office.

"It is alleged that in 2009 Mr Tierney provided information to The Sun newspaper on two occasions in breach of the terms of his employment with Surrey Police and was paid £1750.

“The first charge relates to an allegation that Mr Tierney provided details to the newspaper about a shoplifting incident in which he was the arresting officer.

“The second charge relates to an occasion on which Mr Tierney took a statement from a witness to a domestic violence incident. It is alleged that Mr Tierney passed the witness’ name, address and details of the incident to the newspaper.

“Both of these incidents were linked to high-profile people.

"All of these matters were considered carefully in accordance with the DPP's guidelines on the public interest in cases affecting the media. These guidelines require prosecutors to consider whether the public interest served by the conduct in question outweighs the overall criminality before bringing criminal proceedings.

"Accordingly, we have authorised the institution of proceedings and Mr Tierney will appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court on a date to be determined.

“The file of evidence we received on 14 January also related a member of the public. We have concluded that there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and therefore this individual will not face further action. Due to ongoing proceedings it would be inappropriate to say any more at this stage, however at their conclusion we will consider if more can be made public in relation to this decision.

"May I remind all concerned that proceedings for a criminal offence involving Mr Tierney will now be commenced and that he has a right to a fair trial. It is very important that nothing is said, or reported, which could prejudice that trial. For these reasons it would be inappropriate for me to comment further."

The full charges are as follows:

Alan Tierney, between 26 March and 3 April 2009, whilst acting as a public officer, namely a constable of Surrey Police, wilfully and without reasonable excuse or justification misconducted himself

Contrary to common law

Alan Tierney, between 2 and 7 December 2009, whilst acting as a public officer, namely a constable of Surrey Police, wilfully and without reasonable excuse or justification misconducted himself

Contrary to common law

Paul Meehan charging statement

The Crown Prosecution Service in London has authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Paul Meehan with wasteful employment of police time, contrary to Section 5(2) of the Criminal Law Act 1967.

Jenny Hopkins, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London, said:

“Following a thorough review of the evidence in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, I have today authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Paul Meehan with a charge of wasting police time. This charge relates to information given to police by Mr Meehan during the August 2012 investigation into the disappearance and death of Tia Sharp. We have decided that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that it is in the public interest to proceed.

“He now stands charged with a criminal offence and has the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that nothing should be reported which could prejudice this trial."

Meehan will appear before Croydon Magistrates’ Court on 28 February, 2013.

‘Industrial’ money launderers sentenced

Three family members have today been sentenced at the Old Bailey for money laundering offences.

Annie Conway, specialist prosecutor for the CPS Organised Crime Division, said:

“Ussama El Kurd was laundering criminals’ money on a truly industrial scale. He made a considerable living ‘cleaning’ dirty money and helping organised criminals go undetected.

“With the help of his wife and son, El Kurd ran what appeared to be an inconspicuous money exchange shop on Kensington Church Street in Central London. But the shop was a magnet for criminals who changed up to £150 million into Euros before spiriting it away.

“Legitimate businesses are expected to keep proper records but the El Kurds showed a blatant disregard for these regulations, as well as lying to their banks, HM Revenue & Customs and the Serious Organised Crime Agency.

“Today’s sentencing stops not just these three criminals, but all those who relied on the El Kurds to enjoy a criminal lifestyle.”

Background:

On 15 November 2012, Randa El-Kurd and Hussam El Kurd pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court. Hussam pleaded to one count contrary to section 330 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Randa pleaded to one count of Breach of Money Laundering Regulations 2007. They were each sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment and disqualified from being company directors.

On 2 October 2012, Ussama El Kurd pleaded to a conspiracy to launder contrary to section 327 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. He was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment, disqualified from being a company director, given a Serious Crime Prevention Order and a Financial Reporting Order.

Ussama El Kurd was the Company Secretary of Kensington Money Exchange. The prosecution’s case was that he was the driving force behind the business.