CPS News Brief

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.

Matthew Hamlen found guilty of murder after acquittal four years ago

Matthew Hamlen, 37, from Eastleigh was convicted (23 February 2016) at Winchester Crown Court of the murder of Georgina Edmonds, who was found dead at her home in Brambridge, in January 2008. Although he was acquitted of her murder at the end of a trial in 2012, Matthew Hamlen was re-tried under the retrial of serious offences (double jeopardy) legislation, after new and compelling DNA evidence was found.

Following the conviction, Ian Harris, Head of the Crown Prosecution Service in Wessex’ Complex Casework Unit said:

“Georgina Edmonds, an elderly lady, was brutally and callously murdered in her own home. It has taken two trials and eight long years for her family to obtain justice. We would like to thank and pay tribute to her family, her friends and to all those who assisted the police, gave evidence and supported the prosecution.

“Two years ago, as a result of their detailed and painstaking forensic examination, Hampshire Police were able to present us with powerful fresh evidence.

“The Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders, gave her consent for the re-arrest of Matthew Hamlen and the Court of Appeal granted our application to charge him again with the murder of Georgina Edmonds.

“The new and fresh evidence was that a DNA profile matching Matthew Hamlen was found on the left hand sleeve on the back of Mrs Edmonds’ blouse. The forensic expert said that the probability of obtaining the matching results was 26 million times more likely if the DNA was from Matthew Hamlen, rather than from someone unrelated to him.

“Matthew Hamlen always denied that he was responsible for the killing and said that he could not remember what his whereabouts were at the time of her murder.

“During a six-week trial at Winchester Crown Court the jury heard evidence from different experts, from Mrs Edmonds’ son, Harry, daughter Georgina and from friends of the family.

“After hearing both the prosecution and the defence case, the jury was satisfied that Matthew Hamlen had murdered Mrs Edmonds and found him guilty.

“This case demonstrates the determination of both the Crown Prosecution Service in Wessex and Hampshire Police to work together in order to bring offenders before the courts and to obtain justice for the victims of crime.”

New Chief Executive appointed at the Crown Prosecution Service

Nick Folland, a business leader and solicitor, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Mr Folland will join in March 2016 and will report directly to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). He takes over from Peter Lewis who is retiring after nine years as Chief Executive.

Mr Folland joins the CPS from a long career in the private sector.  A qualified solicitor, he was an Executive Board Member, General Counsel, Company Secretary and Corporate Affairs Director with Kingfisher PLC between 2007 and 2013 and he led the legal and company secretariat teams.

He joined The Co-operative Group as Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive in 2013, where he was part of the team brought in to rescue the bank and reform the Co-op. He was later promoted to Chief External Affairs Officer.

He is a member of the Halley Project Board of the British Antarctic Survey and a member of the Natural Environment Research Council. In his spare time he is also an accomplished Triathlon competitor.

He was appointed following fair and open competition in accordance with the recruitment principles of the Civil Service Commission. His appointment has been confirmed by the Prime Minister.

Bed manufacturer jailed for 27 months for conspiracy to traffic people

Mohammed Rafiq, a factory owner who employed large numbers of Hungarians as a “slave workforce” in his multi-million pound bed manufacturing business has today been sentenced to 27 months imprisonment for conspiracy to traffic.

The case came to light after two Hungarians, Janos Orsos and Ferenc Illes, were arrested and subsequently convicted of human trafficking charges.

Gavin Hotchkiss, reviewing lawyer, Complex Casework Unit, CPS Yorkshire and Humberside said:

“Large numbers of Hungarian men were employed by Rafiq at his Kozee Sleep and Layzee Beds factories in West Yorkshire. Rafiq was aware of the circumstances of the Hungarian nationals who were working at his factories and were exploited as a slave workforce.

“This defendant was part of a persistent and heartless campaign of exploitation involving many Hungarian men over a prolonged period of time. These men were vulnerable and desperate for work; they were promised good wages and accommodation.

“Once in the UK they faced a very different reality, living in shared, squalid and grossly overcrowded accommodation, some of which was provided by Rafiq. They worked for anything up to 20 hours a day, five to seven days a week, for little or no wages. The money they earned was passed to the trafficking gang, who then handed over minimal amounts to the victims.

“The sentence handed down today is a clear warning that the exploitation of vulnerable workers will not be tolerated.”

Additional information:

Mohammed Rafiq: Charged with one count of conspiracy to arrange or facilitate travel within the UK for exploitation. Guilty.

Mohammed Tarik Patel: Charged with one count of conspiracy to arrange or facilitate travel within the UK for exploitation. Not guilty.

Mohammed Amin Dadhiwala: Charged with one count of conspiracy to arrange or facilitate travel within the UK for exploitation. Not guilty.

Father and sons jailed for life for Langley Mill murder

Three men from the same family have been found guilty of murder for killing two teenagers and a baby when they deliberately set fire to a flat in Derbyshire.

Peter Eyre and his sons Simon and Anthony set the fire in North Street, Langley Mill. 17-year old Amy Smith, her daughter Ruby-Grace Gaunt aged six months and 17-year-old Edward Green died in the fire in the early hours of 21 June 2015. Shaun Gaunt (the father of Ruby Grace and partner of Amy) and another teenager escaped.

The prosecution’s case was that they attacked the flat following an argument that night with Mr Gaunt, who had accused another of Peter Eyre’s sons of stealing his moped. Peter Eyre took exception to the argument, and decided to retaliate. He and his two sons drove to Langley Mill, where they knew Mr Gaunt would be at home. At first they checked the location out and returned to their home in Sandiacre. Later, they drove again to the flat, where Simon and Anthony Eyre doused the front of the flat and a car parked outside with petrol and left the scene.

In addition to Mr Gaunt, there were others in the flat that night. As well as Amy and Ruby-Grace, two other friends were staying the night at the flat – Mr Green and one other. As the fire took hold, Mr Gaunt and his other friend were able to escape, but Mr Green, Amy and Ruby Grace died.

They were found guilty after a trial at Nottingham Crown Court and were today sentenced to life in prison. Peter Eyre will serve a minimum term of 32 years. Simon Eyre has a minimum term of 26 years and Anthony Eyre must serve a minimum term of 23 years.

Dona Parry-Jones, Senior Crown Prosecutor at CPS East Midlands, said:

“This mindless attack took the lives of three people who had done nothing to the defendants. The Eyres set out to target Mr Gaunt, but it was Amy, Ruby-Grace and Edward who died instead. During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence that they knew there were others in the flat, but carried out their so called revenge attack regardless.

“This was a trial for murder, because the evidence pointed strongly to the fact that the defendants deliberately set out to cause serious harm. The jury has rejected their arguments that they did not intend to set fire to the flat. They planned this together and executed their plan coldly and ruthlessly without a care for who they were putting in danger. The seriousness of this crime is reflected in the sentence the judge has handed down today.

“This was a tragic, needless waste of three young lives. We cannot underestimate the devastation this has left on the families and friends of the three victims. I would like to express my deepest sympathy to them for their loss. I hope that seeing the Eyres brought to justice for their actions will provide some comfort or closure at this difficult time.”

Rolf Harris to be charged with seven counts of indecent assault

The CPS has today authorised police to charge Rolf Harris with seven counts of indecent assault.

A CPS spokesperson said:

"We have carefully considered the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police Service as part of Operation Yewtree in relation to Rolf Harris.

“Having completed our review in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Mr Harris to be charged with seven counts of indecent assault. The alleged offences date from 1971 to 2004 and relate to seven complainants aged between 12 and 27 at the time of the alleged offending.

“Mr Harris will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on 17 March 2016.

“May I remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Harris will now be commenced and of his 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.”

Full details of the charges:

Seven counts of indecent assault on a woman contrary to s14 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956

In the alternative: One count of sexual assault contrary to s3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003

Two males sentenced for attack which caused the death of an unborn baby

Kevin Wilson, 22, and Taffari Grant, 17, were convicted today at the Central Criminal Court for causing grievous bodily harm with intent and child destruction. This relates to an attack on a heavily pregnant woman in the Peckham area on 15th June 2015.

Kevin Wilson was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum of 16 years. Taffari Grant was sentenced to 14 years’ extended detention.

The two defendants wore motorcycle helmets during the attack to try and conceal their identities but the victim recognised Wilson, who she had previously had a relationship with. Wilson was the father of the unborn baby and had previously told the victim that he did not want her to have the baby.

Malcolm McHaffie, CPS London Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor, said:

“The incomprehensibly evil actions of these two defendants have cruelly snatched away the life of an unborn baby boy who was just weeks away from being brought into the world.

“The evidence showed the attackers’ clear intent to inflict as much damage as possible on the unborn child as they viciously targeted the victim’s stomach by kicking and stamping with great force.

“Not only did this attack fatally injure the unborn baby, it caused life-threatening internal bleeding for the mother. She also suffered fractures to her hand which she was desperately using to try and protect the baby.

“We were able to demonstrate a clear link between the two defendants through telephone evidence which showed they had been in contact a number of times leading up to the attack.

“I would like to thank the victim for her courage in giving evidence against her attackers in this heart-breaking case.”

Three sentenced for major drug smuggling operation

Three men have been sentenced to immediate custodial terms of 66 years for their involvement in smuggling nearly 270 kilos of cocaine into Britain in a light aircraft. Mark Dowling, Jamie Williams and Andrew Wright were sentenced today at the Old Bailey for their involvement in importing this cocaine, as part of Operation Conning.

Mark Dowling led this crime group and he was also sentenced today for money laundering and further substantial drugs offences in a separate investigation called Operation Kazak. Jamie Williams was also sentenced for drugs and firearms offences in a separate investigation called Operation Goosewing.

Adrian Flasher, reviewing lawyer in the Organised Crime Division at the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“Mark Dowling, Jamie Williams and Andrew Wright were part of a major drug smuggling conspiracy. This was a highly sophisticated operation involving the use of an aviation company which was a front to smuggle cocaine by plane.

“The operation was led by Mark Dowling, with Jamie Williams as his trusted lieutenant, and Andrew Wright as his pilot. When Andrew Wright was arrested in November 2014, 34 packages of cocaine weighing a kilo each were found, with an estimated street value of £4.25 million. Wright had flown the same journey eight times, with an estimated 268 kilos of cocaine having been imported.

“Extensive evidence was collated including flight records, bank accounts and observation evidence, which was reviewed and analysed by the CPS and presented in such a way as to demonstrate a compelling case, leaving these men with no option but to plead guilty. These sentences send a clear message that organised crime, no matter how sophisticated, can and will be successfully prosecuted by the CPS.”

Mark Dowling was sentenced to 24 years for conspiracy to import cocaine.

Jamie Williams was sentenced to 18 years for conspiracy to import cocaine and a further five years for firearms offences, to be served consecutively.

Both Dowling and Williams were also sentenced for a number of other serious offences with the sentences to run concurrently.

Andrew Wright was sentenced to 19 years for conspiracy to import cocaine. Additional information: The drugs had street value of around £34 million.

Op Conning:

Mark Dowling, Jamie Williams and Andrew Wright were sentenced for the importation of cocaine. This involved a light aircraft flying from Keissel in Germany to Breighton Airfield near Selby in East Yorkshire. Evidence shows before the flights back from Germany, Jamie Williams travelled to mainland Europe. He picked up the drugs (thought to have been in the Netherlands), and drove them to Germany and loaded the plane. He then returned to the UK and drove to Selby to pick the drugs up from Andrew Wright, before driving to Essex to take the drugs to Mark Dowling, who was in charge of the operation.

Op Kazak:

Mark Dowling was sentenced for money laundering offences and drug offences involving cannabis and cocaine.

Op Goosewing:

As well as his involvement in Op Conning, Jamie Williams was sentenced for drugs and firearms offences in a separate Operation.

Man sentenced to 13 years imprisonment for 1994 rape and attempted rape

Russell Chandler, 41, was sentenced today at Harrow Crown Court to a total of 13 years imprisonment for the rape of one woman and the attempted rape of another woman in the Mill Hill area of north west London between 9th and 11th May 1994. He was sentenced to 13 years for the rape and nine-and-a-half years for the attempted rape, to run concurrently.

Chandler was identified as a suspect through DNA evidence following his recent arrest for unrelated offences. Both victims were attacked in the evening when they were walking home alone, one from Mill Hill Station and the other from Copthall Leisure Centre. At the time of the attacks DNA was taken from the crime scenes. This was added to a national database following the creation of the Metropolitan Police’s Sapphire Cold Case Team in 2002 and provided a match when Chandler was arrested in June 2015. The police then reopened the 1994 case.

Kay Scudder, CPS London reviewing lawyer, said:

“Russell Chandler may have thought he had got away with these terrible crimes but he has now been convicted.

“He pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting the two women but was not prepared to admit that he had raped one of them and attempted to rape the other. We were determined that he would be held responsible for the full extent of his crimes and proceeded with the case to trial.

“More than 20 years after their terrifying ordeals the victims showed great bravery in giving evidence against their attacker in court. I would like to thank them for their support of the prosecution and I hope that they finally feel that they have some sense of justice.”

Charges authorised for Northampton murder

The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Northamptonshire Police to charge a man with murder in relation to the death of India Chipchase in Northampton.

Edward Tenniswood has been charged with murder and has appeared at Northampton Magistrates Court.

CPS East Midlands Chief Crown Prosecutor Janine Smith said:

"A file of evidence passed to us has been reviewed by a Senior Crown Prosecutor at CPS Direct, our specialist charging service. We have concluded, in line with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, that there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for a prosecution to take place.

"Criminal proceedings have now commenced and the defendant 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."