CPS News Brief

Two guilty of football match-fixing

Two football players, Moses Swaibu and Delroy Facey, were today convicted at Birmingham Crown Court for their part in a conspiracy to commit bribery by fixing football matches in the Conference Premier Division.

Today’s verdicts follow the earlier convictions of Chann Sankaran and Krishna Ganeshan, business men from Singapore, who were central figures in the plot to bribe UK footballers to engineer the results that they needed in order for their associates to win money on bets. A football player by the name of Michael Boateng was also convicted last year for his part in the conspiracy.

Andy Young, specialist prosecutor in the Crown Prosecution Service Organised Crime Division, said:

“Delroy Facey acted as the middleman in this conspiracy, sourcing players who would be willing to fix matches. When he played professional football, he earned good money, being paid over £65,000 in 2010/11. But by the time of his arrest, he was no longer playing professionally and was earning considerably less.

“The jury heard how recordings made by an officer from the National Crime Agency captured Michael Boateng conspiring to give away a penalty to Moses Swaibu, a conversation facilitated by Facey on behalf of the professional fixer Krishna Ganeshan. Swaibu also advises Facey on how to approach fixing, including bribing referees, and on one occasion suggests that a match could be lost by two or three goals.

“These and other recordings provided vital evidence which showed the men had a settled intent to make an agreement about engineering the results of matches, in return for money, a reality.”

Three sentenced in ‘honey trap’ murder of Mehmet Hassan

Kyrron Jackson and Nicholas Chandler were sentenced today to life imprisonment with a minimum of 37 years for the murder of Mehmet Hassan on 24^thMarch 2014. Leonie Granger was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment for manslaughter for the part she played in Mr Hassan’s death. All three were also sentenced for conspiracy to rob and conspiracy to falsely imprison. Jackson and Chandler were also sentenced for offences related to an earlier robbery and attempted robbery.

 Baljit Ubhey, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London, said:

“Mr Hassan was savagely attacked in his own home where he was beaten to death by Kyrron Jackson and Nicholas Chandler.

“Earlier in the evening Granger had met with Mr Hassan and went back to his flat, knowing that she was going to set him up to be robbed by Jackson and Chandler.

“Showing absolutely no remorse for their terrible crime the trio filmed themselves playing with bundles of Mr Hassan’s cash within hours of the murder.

“I hope the sentences today give some small comfort to Mr Hassan’s family. Our thoughts are with them at this time.”

 

Background:

The motive for the attack was to rob Mr Hassan of large amounts of cash which Jackson and Chandler knew Mr Hassan kept in his flat. They knew this because Leonie Granger had befriended Mr Hassan in a casino and had then helped to plan the robbery with Jackson and Chandler.

Granger met with Mr Hassan a number of times and on the night of his death had accompanied him back to his flat in Islington. Jackson and Chandler waited nearby and after Granger left, leaving the way into the flat insecure, they later entered the flat and attacked Mr Hassan.

Convictions:

Kyrron Jackson

First Grosvenor Casino robbery (between 1^st and 13^th January 2014)

Conspiracy to rob

Conspiracy to have a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence

Conspiracy to have a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence

Conspiracy to falsely imprison

 

Second Grosvenor Casino robbery (between 14^th January and 10^th February 2014)

Conspiracy to rob

Conspiracy to have a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence

Conspiracy to have a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence

Conspiracy to falsely imprison

 

Mehmet Hassan’s murder

Conspiracy to rob

Conspiracy to falsely imprison

Murder

 

Nicholas Chandler

First Grosvenor Casino robbery (between 1^st and 13^th January 2014)

Conspiracy to rob

Conspiracy to have a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence

Conspiracy to have a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence

Conspiracy to falsely imprison

 

Second Grosvenor Casino robbery (between 14^th January and 10^th February 2014)

Conspiracy to rob

Conspiracy to have a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence

Conspiracy to have a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence

Conspiracy to falsely imprison

 

Mehmet Hassan’s murder

Conspiracy to rob

Conspiracy to falsely imprison

Murder

 

Leonie Granger

Mehmet Hassan’s murder

Conspiracy to rob

Conspiracy to falsely imprison

Manslaughter

Andrew Hutchinson jailed after pleading guilty to 27 sexual offences.

On Monday 27^th April Andrew Hutchinson, aged 29, was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment at Oxford Crown Court. The sentence was to be extended to allow for a further seven years on licence, which means that he will not be released until he has served at least 12 years of his sentence and then only with the approval of the parole board.

Further sentences were passed for the additional 25 counts – but were ordered to run concurrently to the extended sentence of 18 years which was imposed for the two counts of rape.

This case involved a sustained and prolonged course of sexual offending against a number of girls and women (aged between 9 and 35) in Oxfordshire between 2011 and 2013, by an A&E staff nurse.  Several of his victims were unconscious and receiving medical care, therefore extremely vulnerable.

His offending came to light after his arrest on 4th November 2013, on suspicion of voyeurism in the unisex changing rooms at an Abingdon leisure centre.  Images and films of sex offences being committed, indecent images of children, and images taken up women’s skirts taken at the hospital and in public were recovered on devices seized from him. 

Adrian Foster, Chief Crown Prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said:

“Andrew Hutchinson abused his position of trust and took advantage of his circumstances to assault his victims. Many of the victims of the sex offences had been unaware that offences had been committed against them because they were unconscious when they took place.  They only became aware when they were contacted by the police during the course of their investigation.

“The emotional impact on the victims and their families is impossible to quantify.  I hope that the conviction and today’s sentence gives some small comfort to them.  Our thoughts are very much with them all at this time.”

On 30 March 2015, at Oxford Crown Court, Hutchinson pleaded guilty to all 27 counts, including rape, voyeurism, sexual assault, making indecent photographs of children, and theft.

Vladimir Bukovsky to be prosecuted over indecent images of children

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has authorised the prosecution of Vladimir Bukovsky, 72, for five charges of making indecent images of children, five charges of possession of indecent images of children and one charge of possession of a prohibited image.

Jenny Hopkins, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS in the East of England, said:

“Following an investigation by Cambridgeshire Police, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to prosecute Vladimir Bukovsky in relation to the alleged making and possessing of indecent images of children. It is alleged that, collectively, the images meet the definition of categories A, B and C, as defined by Sentencing Council Guidelines.

“The decision to prosecute was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.”

Vladimir Bukovsky has been summonsed to appear at court on the following charges:

• Five counts of making an indecent photograph of a child contrary to section 1(a) of the Protection of Children Act 1978, on or before 28 October 2014
• Five counts of possession of indecent photographs of children contrary to section 160 Criminal Justice Act 1988, on or before 28 October 2014
• One count of possessing a prohibited image contrary to section 62 (1) of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009

Ms Hopkins continued:

“Vladimir Bukovsky will appear before Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on 5 May 2015.

“May I remind all concerned that Mr Bukovsky has a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

14 year old charged in connection with Australia terrorism plot

Deborah Walsh, Deputy Head of Counter Terrorism at the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“Following an investigation by police in the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, we have today authorised charges for a 14 year old male of two offences of inciting terrorism overseas, contrary to section 59 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

“The first allegation is that, between 15 and 26 March 2015, the defendant incited another person to commit an act of terrorism, namely to carry out an attack at an ANZAC parade in Australia with the aim of killing and/or causing serious injury to people. The second allegation is that on 18 March 2015, the defendant incited another person to behead someone in Australia.

“The decision to prosecute has been taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. We have determined that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that a prosecution is in the public interest.

“The defendant will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court tomorrow, 24 April 2015.

"May I remind all concerned that the defendant has a right to a fair trial. It is very important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings. For these reasons, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further."

Adam Johnson charged with child sexual offences

Gerry Wareham, CPS Chief Crown Prosecutor for the North East, said:

"Following an investigation by Durham Police, I have today authorised police to charge Adam Johnson, aged 27, with four offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The offences are alleged to have been committed on one girl aged 15 at the time.

“Adam Johnson was arrested on 2 March this year.

“We have reviewed the available evidence in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and concluded that there is a realistic prospect of conviction and it is in the public interest to charge Adam Johnson with one offence of meeting a child following sexual grooming, contrary to Section 15 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and three offences of sexual activity with a child, contrary to Section 9 of the Sexual Offence Act 2003. The alleged offences date from 30 December 2014 to 26 February 2015.

“Durham Police have charged the defendant accordingly and he is due to appear before Peterlee Magistrates on 20 May. 

“May I remind all concerned that the defendant has a right to a fair trial. It is very important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings. I would also remind people that the complainant in this case is entitled to lifelong anonymity under the law. For these reasons, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further."

Seven men guilty of multiple sexual offences on children

Seven men have been convicted of more than 30 child sexual abuse offences, including the rape of a child under the age of 13.

John Denham, formally known as Benjamin Harro, has been found guilty of conspiring to commit sexual assault against a child and possessing and distributing indecent images of children. Matthew Stansfield has been found guilty today of conspiring to rape a child under 13. Adam Toms, Christopher Knight, Robin Hollyson, David Harsley and Matthew Lisk all pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.

The men shared indecent images and videos of children being abused, communicating via social networking forums. The victims identified so far were under the age of five at the time the offences were committed.

Greg McGill, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service Organised Crime Division, said:

“It is difficult to find the words to describe the activities of these men, and the harm that they have done. They groomed families to gain access to babies and toddlers and then streamed images of themselves sexually abusing the children live on the ‘dark net’. On one occasion, Adam Toms gave a sleeping pill to a four year old child in order to facilitate abuse alongside Christopher Knight.

“Fortunately, the CPS, NCA and Police forces were able to coordinate a swift and effective response when matters came to light which resulted in the arrest and prosecution of these men. The efforts of all resulted in guilty pleas from all involved followed by further convictions secured after a trial for other offences.

“The families of these children have endured a horrendous ordeal and I would like to thank them for their invaluable assistance in securing these convictions.

“Finally, I wish to thank the commitment and dedication of all of the investigators who were involved in this case and also the skill and commitment of the prosecution staff concerned.”

For further details, see the National Crime Agency website.

Crown Prosecution Service re-review of Operation Elveden

 

STATEMENT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS 

Operation Elveden is a Metropolitan Police Service investigation that revealed the payments made to corrupt public officials by journalists for information. It followed two parliamentary committees and the Leveson Inquiry which revealed serious questions over the techniques used by some which may have amounted to systematic and flagrant breaches of the law. The range and circumstance of this activity was of a scale not previously encountered by police or CPS.

In these circumstances the police inquiry was inevitable as was the subsequent duty on prosecutors to decide if the evidence was sufficient to prosecute. The CPS made every effort to provide advice on charges as quickly as possible, and the majority of the decisions made by the CPS in relation to these cases were completed within three months of a file being received from the Metropolitan Police.

The importance of a free press is paramount in any democracy and the prosecutions against the journalists involved were considered very carefully. However, the investigation revealed widespread payments to corrupt officials, and in some cases the CPS authorised prosecutions of journalists.

This was not an investigation into whistle blowers acting to expose matters of public importance out of a sense of civic duty – the 21 convictions of public officials to date show that these were the actions of corrupt individuals motivated by greed and self-interest.

The investigation revealed corruption in areas where the public should generally expect confidentiality. For example, police officers trusted with safeguarding public safety; prison officials tasked with oversight of some of society’s most vulnerable and most dangerous inmates; soldiers and more.

It is of the utmost importance that the incorruptibility of the public service and the integrity of our police, prisons and army, in serving the public, is protected by the law and the convictions to date are testament to that. In total, the CPS has properly brought 28 prosecutions against public officials who have received payments totalling around £180,000.

As well as the prosecutions brought against journalists, it should also be noted that in relation to alleged corrupt payments the CPS has also decided it was not appropriate to prosecute 14 journalists.

It is normal that the law and its application develops as cases are brought before the courts – it was only a few years ago that the Court of Appeal ruled to narrow the definition of what a public official was, and the latest ruling on the application of the offence of Misconduct in Public Office is another example of the evolution of the law in our legal system. The use of Misconduct in Public Office in these unique circumstances was a new use of a complicated area of the law.

We have now received the Court of Appeal judgment in R v ABC, EFG, IJK; R v Sabey [2015] EWCA Crim 539, which we have carefully considered in light of our experience of prosecuting these cases and the verdicts that have sometimes been delivered after many hours of careful deliberations, for which we thank the juries.

We have promptly reviewed all the cases within Operation Elveden. At the same time, we have updated our guidance in respect of these cases where Misconduct in Public Office is the substantive offence.

This guidance has been published today and supplements the existing CPS Guidelines for Prosecutors on Assessing the Public Interest in Cases Affecting the Media – guidance which was consulted on publicly. 

The Court of Appeal judgment emphasised the high threshold of seriousness required by the offence of Misconduct in Public Office. It also said that more consideration should be given to the potential harm, or lack of, to the public interest in the disclosure of information, as opposed to relying on the strong benefit to the public interest in any resulting story. This may result in different considerations when applied to public officials and journalists, whose responsibilities and motivations in the positions they hold are relevant to the overall seriousness of offending.

As this guidance makes clear, there is strong public interest in maintaining impartial and incorrupt public services. The guidance therefore states that public officials who flagrantly break the trust of the public for payments do cause real harm to the public interest. Provided there is sufficient evidence to do so, prosecution in such circumstances would therefore almost always be in the public interest.

As the guidance states, sustained corruption of police officers is a particularly grave matter. Police officers exercise significant powers in respect of ordinary citizens, and they have access to confidential databases containing the details of victims and witnesses. Where a journalist is engaged in such corrupt relationships there would also be a high public interest in seeking prosecution.

Regarding the payment of other public officials by journalists, the guidance recognises that the harm to the public interest in the corrupt payments and the lack of harm caused by any resulting stories may be finely balanced and the prosecution of journalists in these circumstances may not always be in the public interest.

Nothing in this statement should be taken as an indication that payment to a public official by a journalist is acceptable behaviour or immune from prosecution – any case referred to us for consideration of criminal charges will be very carefully considered on its own facts and merits in accordance with published guidance.

This new guidance only relates to the offence of Misconduct in Public Office arising from Operation Elveden. The introduction of new offences under the Bribery Act and the new offence of statutory police corruption means different considerations may apply to similar cases in future. We will be considering specific guidance in relation to use of the Bribery Act in these circumstances in the near future, on which we intend to consult publicly.

There is, at present, one further case arising from Operation Elveden that awaits a charging decision, and four investigative advice files have also been passed to the CPS. These will be considered in accordance with the updated guidance published today.

 

Decisions on current cases are as follows:

 

Greig Box-Turnbull, Desra Reilly, Grant Pizzey: trial adjourned to 27 April 2015

- Proceeding against public official Pizzey and partner Reilly, public interest NFAs on journalist Box-Turnbull -

 

This case has been reviewed in light of the recent Court of Appeal judgment and new CPS Legal Guidance.

We are satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and have concluded it is in the public interest to proceed to trial for Grant Pizzey and Desra Reilly.

We have concluded that in respect of Greig Box-Turnbull, there is a fine balance between the harm caused by alleged payments to a prison officer, and the lack of harm to the public interest in publishing these stories. In these circumstances, we believe it is not in the public interest to prosecute and as a result we are offering no evidence in respect of his case.

Mr Box-Turnbull faced a similar charge in respect of alleged payments for stories to a second prison officer. Similar, but not identical, considerations, apply to Mr Box-Turnbull’s alleged involvement and accordingly the prosecution offer no evidence for that second charge in respect of Mr Box-Turnbull, having concluded it is not in the public interest to prosecute.

 

 Robert Norman & Stephen Moyes: trial due to start 11 May 2015

- Proceeding against public official Norman, public interest NFA on journalist Moyes - 

 

This case has been reviewed in light of the recent Court of Appeal judgment and new CPS Legal Guidance.

We are satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and have concluded it is in the public interest to proceed to trial against Robert Norman. This will start on 11 May 2015.

We have concluded that in respect of Stephen Moyes, there is a fine balance between the harm caused by alleged payments to a prison officer, and the lack of harm to the public interest in the publishing of the stories about matters at Belmarsh prison. In these circumstances, we believe it is not in the public interest to prosecute Mr Moyes, and as a result we are offering no evidence in respect of his case.

 

Ryan Sabey and Paul Brunt: convicted 19 Feb 2015, appealing conviction

- Proceeding against public official Brunt, public interest NFA on journalist Sabey -

 

This case has been reviewed in light of the recent Court of Appeal judgment and new CPS Legal Guidance.

We are satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and have concluded it is in the public interest to proceed to trial against Paul Brunt.

We have concluded that in respect of Ryan Sabey, there is a fine balance between the harm caused by alleged payments to a soldier in the Army, and the lack of harm to the public interest in the publishing of the stories themselves. In these circumstances, we believe it is not in the public interest to prosecute and accordingly we have decided not to seek a retrial for Mr Sabey.

 

Vince Soodin: retrial due to start 20 April 2015

- Public interest NFA on journalist Soodin, public official Bowes pleaded guilty -

 

This case has been reviewed in light of the recent Court of Appeal judgment and new CPS Legal Guidance.

We have concluded that there remains a realistic prospect of conviction in respect of Vince Soodin. We have also reviewed whether it remains in the public interest to retry Mr Soodin for this offence.

Taking into account a number of circumstances, including the single, one-off nature of the offence and the time lapse since the alleged offending, we do not now believe it is in the public interest to continue with this case, and accordingly we offer no evidence.

 

Clive Goodman and Andrew Coulson: retrial due to start 29 June 2015

- Public interest NFAs on journalists Goodman and Coulson -

 

This case has been reviewed in light of the recent Court of Appeal judgment and new CPS Legal Guidance.

We have concluded that there remains a realistic prospect of conviction in respect of Clive Goodman and Andrew Coulson. The CPS has also reviewed the case to determine whether it is still in the public interest to prosecute both defendants.

Taking into account a number of circumstances, including the custodial sentences which have already been served by the defendants and the time since the alleged offending, we have concluded that there is no longer a public interest in prosecuting both defendants and accordingly, we offer no evidence.

  

Anthony France: trial due to start 11 May 2015

- Proceeding against journalist France -

 

This case has been reviewed in light of the recent Court of Appeal judgment and new CPS Legal Guidance.

We have reconsidered the evidence in relation to Anthony France and have concluded that there remains sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest that we should proceed to trial against Mr France. This trial will start on 11 May 2015.

 

 

Kenneth and Karen Hall: trial due to start 26 May 2015

- Proceeding against public officials Kenneth and Karen Hall, original journalist public interest NFA stands -

 

This case has been reviewed in light of the recent Court of Appeal judgment and new CPS Legal Guidance.

We have reconsidered the evidence in relation to Kenneth and Karen Hall and have concluded there remains sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to continue proceeding with the case against both defendants. This trial will proceed on 26 May 2015.

 

 

Alan Hagan and News of the World journalist: trial adjourned to 18 May 2015

- Proceeding against public official Hagan, public interest NFA on a News of the World journalist –

 

This case has been reviewed in light of the recent Court of Appeal judgment and new CPS Legal Guidance.

We are satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and have concluded it is in the public interest to proceed to trial against Alan Hagan.

We have concluded that in respect of the News of the World journalist, there is a fine balance between the harm caused by alleged payment to a public official, and the lack of harm to the public interest in the publishing of the stories themselves. In these circumstances, we believe it is not in the public interest to prosecute and accordingly we do not intend to proceed against the News of the World journalist.

 

 

Jamie Pyatt, Chris Pharo, Ben O’Driscoll and Graham Dudman: retrial 21 September 2015

- Proceeding against journalists Pyatt and Pharo, public interest NFAs on journalists O’Driscoll and Dudman –

 

This case has been reviewed in light of the recent Court of Appeal judgment and new CPS Legal Guidance.

We are satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and have concluded it is in the public interest to proceed to trial against Jamie Pyatt and Chris Pharo.

We have reconsidered the evidence in respect of Ben O’Driscoll and Graham Dudman and have concluded that it is not in the public interest to prosecute. As a result we are offering no evidence in respect of their case.

 

 

Additional information included for completeness – this decision was made in light of the Court of Appeal judgment referenced above, but was before the fuller review took place:

 

News of the World journalist, Lynn Gaffney and Scott Chapman

- Public interest NFAs on News of the World journalist and Gaffney, proceeding against public official Chapman -

 

The decisions of whether or not to seek a retrial of a News of the World journalist, a public official Scott Chapman and his ex-partner Lynn Gaffney were taken prior to the wider review of all outstanding Operation Elveden cases, and before the resulting new guidance on these cases had been written.

In respect of the News of the World journalist and Lynn Gaffney, in light of the sentences already served, we considered it was no longer in the public interest to prosecute.

With regards to Scott Chapman, the CPS is satisfied that there remains sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and it remains in the public interest to prosecute and we will be proceeding to re-trial.

 

 

For editors:

The CPS's function is not to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges for the criminal court to consider. The CPS assessment of any case is not in any sense a finding of, or implication of, any guilt or criminal conduct. It is not a finding of fact, which can only be made by a court, but rather an assessment of what it might be possible to prove to a court, in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

This assessment is based on the evidence available arising out of the police investigation and not on the evidence that is likely to be gathered by the defence, and likely to be used to test the prosecution evidence. The CPS charging decision is therefore necessarily an assessment on the basis of the evidence that is available to the CPS at the time the decision is made.

CPS prosecutors must also keep every case under review, so that they take account of any change in circumstances that occurs as the case develops, including what becomes known of the defence case. If appropriate, the CPS may change the charges or stop a case.

 

Three men charged with Syria related terrorism offences

Mari Reid, a senior counter-terrorism lawyer at the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“Following an investigation by the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit, I have today authorised police to charge Gabriel Clement Rasmus Anas Abdow Abdalla, and Mahamuud Diini, all from Birmingham, with the preparation of acts of terrorism, contrary to s5(1)(a) of the Terrorism Act 2006.

“All three men were arrested on 3 April 2015 when they were found in the back of an articulated lorry at the Port of Dover. The allegation is that they were attempting to smuggle themselves out of the United Kingdom and travel to Syria or Iraq in order to engage in terrorism.

“The decision to prosecute has been taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. I have determined that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that a prosecution is in the public interest.

“Gabriel Clement Rasmus, Anas Abdow Abdalla, and Mahamuud Diini will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court tomorrow, 17 April 2015.

"May I remind all concerned that the defendants have a right to a fair trial. It is very important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings. For these reasons, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further."

Diplomatic staff sentenced for £4.8m excise duty fraud

Today [15 April 2015] at Croydon Crown Court Patrick Mbogo was sentenced to six years for being knowingly concerned in fraudulent evasion of excise duty. Mr Mbogo was an employee of the Ugandan High Commission in London between 2006 and 2010.

Lisa Rose, specialist fraud lawyer at the CPS said:

“Patrick Mbogo has been sentenced to six years for evading excise and VAT duties of £4.8m over a three year period. Mr Mbogo was a locally employed member of staff at the Ugandan High Commission where he ordered nearly 28.5 tonnes of hand rolling tobacco duty and tax free. Diplomats are entitled to duty and tax free tobacco in quantities for personal use - Patrick Mbogo did not have diplomatic status and the quantities he was ordering were clearly not for personal use. He ordered this tobacco with another defendant, exploiting the privileges afforded to diplomats, and continued to do so after his contract ended in 2010.

“He abused the trust placed in him by his employer and cheated the public purse of over £4.8m.

“We would like to thank the Ugandan High Commission for their cooperation in this case.”

CPS authorises charges in relation to the death of Abdul Hadi Arwani

Rob Davis, from the CPS London Homicide Unit, said:

“The Crown Prosecution Service has today authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Leslie Cooper, 36, with the murder of Abdul Hadi Arwani. Mr Arwani was shot dead in the Greenhill area of London on 7th April 2015.

"This decision was taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

"Mr Cooper will appear before Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court on 14 April 2015.

"Mr Cooper now stands charged with a criminal offence and has the right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings."

Man sentenced after robbing 92 year old of £10

A 29 year old man has appeared at Southwark Crown Court today, Monday 13^th, and was sentenced to 30 months in jail after he robbed Stanley Evans, aged 92 at the time, in Soho.

On New Year’s Eve 2015, Solomon Bygraves, of Peckham Road, SE5, targeted his elderly victim by following him as he returned home from the shops and robbing him in the foyer. Stanley Evans had just £10 in his wallet which Bygraves took after pushing him to the floor leaving him so shocked he lay on the ground for some minutes before he was able to call for help.

Following a public appeal, where CCTV footage of the robbery was released, Solomon Bygraves was identified and arrested.  Having initially said he was in the building for other reasons and had simply witnessed the victim fall to the floor but hadn’t stolen his wallet, he later pleaded guilty to the offence in March at Southwark Crown Court.

Details of charge:

Robbery, contrary to section 8(1) of the Theft Act 1968.