CPS News Brief

Double-murderer jailed for city centre stabbings

A murderer who stabbed his ex-girlfriend and her new partner to death in a ‘brutal’ city centre attack has today (Tue 28 Feb) been jailed for a minimum of 23 years.

Andrew Saunders, 20, waited outside the Matalan store in Queen Street, Cardiff, before murdering Zoe Morgan, 21, and Lee Simmons, 33, in September 2016.

Kelly Huggins, from the CPS, said:

“This was a brutal, unprovoked and premeditated attack.

“Saunders attended the location well before Zoe Morgan and Lee Simmons arrived for work that day and ambushed them. As he brutally attacked them he also showed no concern for members of the public who were subjected to a frightening scene of violence.

“Faced with the evidence put forward by the prosecution, Saunders pleaded guilty to both murders.

“Our thoughts are with the families of Zoe and Lee.”

Saunders pleaded guilty to two counts of murder at Cardiff Crown Court in December 2016 and was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 23 years at the same court today.

Notes to Editors

• Kelly Huggins is a Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS Wales-Cymru

CPS to charge prison officer with gross negligence manslaughter and misconduct in public office

A prison officer is to be charged with gross negligence manslaughter and misconduct in public office in relation to the death of an inmate at HMP Woodhill. 

A CPS spokesperson said:

“Following careful consideration of all the evidence provided to us by the police it has been decided that Joseph Travers should be charged with manslaughter and misconduct in public office in relation to the death of an HMP Woodhill inmate on 8 May 2015.

“Joseph Travers will next appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 20 April.

“May I remind all concerned that criminal proceedings against Joseph Travers have now 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.”

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Man sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for terrorism and hate crime offences

Sean Creighton has today been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to a string of terrorism and hate crime offences at Kingston Crown Court. 

Creighton used his social media account to stir up racial, religious and homophobic hatred, including one post which called on his followers to kill Muslims. Creighton also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of terrorist material, after the White Resistance Manual was found on his computer. 

Sue Hemming of the CPS said:

“Sean Creighton’s crimes are indicative of a man who thought that his online anonymity meant that he could get away with stirring up hatred of all kinds. 

“Tackling hate crime is a CPS priority and in 2015/16 we prosecuted more hate crimes than ever before. Those who seek to stir up hatred between communities, particularly where that hatred is combined with dangerous terrorist ideologies, should understand they will be prosecuted.” 

Notes to Editors

Details of conviction:

One count of Possession of a document likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, contrary to s58 Terrorism Act 2000.

Six counts of Publishing or distributing written material, contrary to s19 Public Order Act 1986.

Ian Stewart convicted of Helen Bailey murder

A 56-year-old man who drugged and suffocated his fiancée before hiding her body in a cesspit has been convicted of her murder today (22 February).

Ian Stewart was convicted of killing children’s author Helen Bailey following a six-week trial at St Albans Crown Court.

The court heard how Stewart drugged Helen using sleeping tablets and then, after killing her and hiding her body, sent her text messages and emails in a bid to cover his tracks.

Helen’s body was discovered under the home she shared with Stewart in Royston, Hertfordshire, on 15 July 2016 – three months after her death.

Charles White, from the CPS, said:

“Ian Stewart murdered Helen Bailey and then conducted a cynical, deceitful and calculated charade as he watched the police conduct a futile missing person investigation.

“The prosecution presented a case to the jury which clearly showed how Stewart was linked to Helen’s disappearance through mobile phone, computer and CCTV evidence.

“Our thoughts are with Helen’s family and friends, who have been devastated by her death. I hope today’s conviction reassures them that justice has been done.”

He will be sentenced in due course.

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Notes to Editors

·         Charles White is a Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS Thames and Chiltern.

·         Ian Stewart was convicted of murder, preventing a lawful burial, fraud and three counts of perverting the course of justice

Five men jailed for sexual exploitation of girls in Rochdale

 

Five men from Rochdale have today (Feb 17) been jailed for serious sexual offences committed against three teenage girls between 2004 and 2008.

The men were convicted of a total of nine offences of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault following a trial at Minshull Street Crown Court last year. This was the third major trial from Operation Doublet, an investigation into child sexual exploitation in the Rochdale area. All of the defendants and the victims were living in the Rochdale area at the time.

Alison Cartmell, from the CPS, said:

“The victims in this case were children when they were subjected to appalling sexual exploitation and violence. They have shown real courage in coming forward and giving evidence. The guilty verdicts would not have been possible without their bravery and determination and we want to thank them for that.

“The defendants exploited their youth, immaturity and vulnerability for their own sexual gratification. When the girls resisted or objected to what was happening they were subjected to coercion, threats and violence. The men denied all the charges and tried to claim the victims were lying, that either the sexual activity had not taken place or was consensual.

“The jury having heard the evidence found them guilty of these very serious offences and they have today been sentenced to more than 50 years in prison for their crimes.”

Background

One of the victims was sexually exploited by four of the defendants: Joshim Miah, Ahfaq Yousaf, Mohammed Sadeer and Mohammed Miah . She was aged between 14 and 16 when the majority of the sexual abuse took place and was living in a children’s home for some of the time. A number of the defendants plied her with alcohol until she was very drunk and incapable of giving consent before sexually abusing her. She felt intimated by them and was coerced and threatened into having sex.

Ashfaq Yousaf was convicted of offences against this victim and against a second victim, whom he subjected to two violent physical and sexual attacks in Falinge Park, Rochdale, when she was just 14 and 15.  His brother, Ittefaq Yousaf, was also convicted of inciting this second victim to engage in sexual activity and was convicted of a sexual offence against another victim in the same Rochdale park. 

Notes to editors:

·         Alison Cartmell is Senior Crown Prosecutor from the Complex Casework Unit, CPS North West 

Sentences:

·         Joshim Miah sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment for one offence of rape.

·         Ashfaq Yousaf sentenced to 19 years’ imprisonment for four offences of rape.

·         Ittefaq Yousaf sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment for one offence of causing/inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and one offence of sexual assault

·         Mohammed Sadeer sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment for one offence of attempted rape

·         Mohammed Miah sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment (four years on licence) for one offence of rape

CPS statement on Rolf Harris retrial

A CPS spokesperson said:

“After careful consideration, we have decided to seek a retrial of Rolf Harris in relation to the charges of non-recent indecent assault on which the jury were unable to agree in respect of three of the complainants. A new, fourth count of indecent assault has also been added.

“This decision was taken after consideration of all the matters set out in our legal guidance on seeking re-trials when a jury has failed to agree on a verdict. 

“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Rolf Harris remain active and that he 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.”

 

Man who sent anti-Semitic messages to MP and others jailed

A man who sent anti-Semitic messages to Luciana Berger MP and other victims has been jailed for more than two years at Newcastle Crown Court today (February 10).

The 27-month sentence imposed on John Nimmo, 28, of South Shields, was increased by the court after the Crown Prosecution Service argued that some of his offences were motivated by racism.

Nimmo pleaded guilty to nine separate charges and the court was told how he used fake accounts to send messages via Twitter and email during an 18-month campaign of abuse.

Among his victims was Ms Berger, to whom he sent death threats, while in a separate incident he sent offensive emails to an anti-hate crime organisation and threatened to blow up a mosque.

An uplift was applied to the sentence for some of the charges, after the judge accepted that they were motivated by hostility towards the race of the victim. The sentence was increased by 50% for each of the racially-motivated charges.

John Dilworth, from the CPS, said:

“John Nimmo conducted an online campaign of hate-filled abuse in the belief his identity was securely hidden behind the fake accounts that he had created.

“However, there was a clear forensic link between the messages sent and the device used to send them. Nimmo tried to cover his tracks but his clumsy attempts to do so were swiftly exposed and he was arrested by police.

“Working with the police we built a robust case against Nimmo which left him with little option but to plead guilty to all the charges against him.”

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Notes to Editors

·         Nimmo admitted four charges of sending a communication conveying a grossly offensive message, three charges conveying a threatening message and two charges of sending a communication conveying false information.

·         John Dilworth is Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North-East

Men jailed for supporting terrorism

Five men have today (10 February) been sentenced for making speeches encouraging support for Daesh.

Mohammed Alamgir, Yousuf Bashir and Rajib Khan, all from Luton, gave speeches in the town, at venues including the private address of fellow defendant Ziah Rahman, and were part of the local branch of the proscribed extremist group Al-Muhajiroun.  

Their speeches encouraged people to join Daesh and not to “sit on the sidelines”.  They were convicted of terrorist offences in August 2016.

Ziaur Rahman, from Luton, and Mohammed Sufiyan Choudry, from Maidenhead, were convicted of similar offences after a retrial in January 2017.

The Al-Muhajiroun group was infiltrated by an undercover police officer who covertly collected evidence which was used to convict the men. The men also had links with Anjem Choudary, who was convicted of encouraging support for Daesh last year.

Sue Hemming of the CPS said:

“The messages of hate and division spread by these men are totally unacceptable and have rightly led to their conviction. 

“Knowingly encouraging people to join or support a proscribed organisation is a serious crime and will be prosecuted.” 

Notes to Editors

Sue Hemming is Head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division. 

·         Mohammed Istiak Alamgir (DOB: 13.6.1979) – was sentenced to 6 years in prison for three counts of encouraging support for a proscribed organisation, contrary to s12(3) Terrorism Act 2000

·         Yousuf Bashir (DOB: 17.5.1980) – was sentenced to 4 years 6 months in prison for one count of encouraging support for a proscribed organisation, contrary to s12(3) Terrorism Act 2000

·         Rajib Khan (DOB: 1.5.1978) – was sentenced to 5 years in prison for two counts of encouraging support for a proscribed organisation, contrary to s12(3) Terrorism Act 2000

·         Mohammed Sufiyan Choudry (DOB: 6.9.1993) - was sentenced to 4 years in prison for one count of encouraging support for a proscribed organisation, contrary to s12(3) Terrorism Act 2000

·         Ziaur Rahman (DOB: 20.10.1977) was sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison for three counts of arranging, managing or assisting in arranging or managing a meeting to support a proscribed organisation, contrary to s12(2) Terrorism Act 2000

 

Nurse who gave patient the wrong blood sentenced

A nurse who caused the death of a 76-year-old patient by giving him the wrong type of blood has been given a suspended 18-month prison sentence.

Lea Ledesma, 49, was convicted of manslaughter by gross negligence following a trial at Southwark Crown Court in December 2016.

The trial heard how Ledesma was working in the intensive care unit of the London Heart Hospital in Marylebone when the incident happened on 7 May 2014.

That morning, Ali Huseyin, who was blood type O, received a unit of AB blood during a transfusion after Ledesma mixed up his name with another patient’s. Mr Huseyin died the same evening.

Daniel Jones, from the CPS, said:

“Lea Ledesma made inexcusable errors which ultimately cost the life of a patient in her care. The hospital had a number of systems in place designed to prevent such incidents happening but Ledesma failed in her duty to carry out the necessary checks.

“Ledesma initially tried to lay the blame elsewhere but the evidence put forward by the prosecution showed she had been grossly negligent in her actions.”

Ledesma received a custodial sentence of 18 months, suspended for two years, and a 300-hour unpaid work order. 

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Note to Editors

Daniel Jones is a Specialist Prosecutor with the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division

First man extradited from Pakistan for over a decade jailed for two murders

The first man to be extradited to the UK from Pakistan since 2005 has today (8 February) been jailed for life over the murders of two men in Bradford.

Mohammed Zubair was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court to a minimum of 32 years in prison. A jury yesterday found him guilty of the murders of Ahmedin Khyel and Imran Khan in May 2011.

After a long legal battle, in which Zubair’s lawyers fought for two years to avoid him being extradited, he was finally returned to the UK in May 2015 to face trial. It was the first extradition to the UK from Pakistan since 2005.

Richard Sagar, from the CPS, said:

“This has been a complex case for the CPS to prosecute, but today justice has finally been done.

“With the aid of his mother, Zubair fled the country immediately after the killings and fought tooth and nail to avoid being extradited to this country.

“We worked tirelessly to ensure that he was returned to the UK to face justice. This case makes it abundantly clear that criminals who seek to evade the law will not escape.”

In May 2011, Zubair discovered that his wife had been having an affair with Khyel.

Both Khyel and his friend Khan were lured to the family home in Heath Terrace, Bradford. There they were set upon by Zubair, his friend Sabir Hussain, and possibly one other person, leaving the two men with fatal head injuries.

Their bodies were then dumped on a country road where they were later discovered by two passing motorists. Zubair then fled to Pakistan.

In 2012, Sabir was found guilty of manslaughter for his part in the killings, and Zubair’s mother, Arab Sultana, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. She had booked and paid for the flights to Pakistan for her son, knowing that he was wanted by the police.

Zubair’s then wife, Kainat Bibi, admitted lying to the police and making a false witness statement. All three were sentenced at Bradford Crown Court in 2012.

Richard Sagar added:

“The CPS was able to demonstrate that Zubair’s marriage to Kainat Bibi was foundering and that she had begun an affair with Khyel.

“We were also able to argue in court that Zubair took a lead role in these two killings. Both men suffered catastrophic head injuries inflicted by a heavy weapon and their blood was found in Zubair’s van. We also argued that Zubair’s actions after the killings were not those of an innocent man.”

Notes for editors

·         Richard Sagar is a Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS Yorkshire and Humberside.

Pair jailed for total of 40 years for smuggling cocaine

A pair of drug smugglers who plotted to fly cocaine with a potential street value of more than £2.4million into the UK have been jailed.

Light aircraft pilot John Buwalda, who flew the drugs into Rochester airfield in Kent, was sentenced to 23 years in prison at the Old Bailey this afternoon (Friday 3 February).

His accomplice Jan Polak was sentenced to 17 years in prison.

Punam Chopra, Specialist Prosecutor from the CPS International Justice and Organised Crime Division, said:

“The prosecution built a case which demonstrated how John Buwalda and Jan Polak plotted to fly a significant amount of cocaine into the UK using a light aircraft. As a result of their actions both men have today been handed lengthy prison sentences.”

Both men were convicted of importing class A drugs following a trial at the Old Bailey in December 2016.

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Six men jailed for more than 80 years for child sex offences in Rotherham

Six men have today been sentenced to more than 80 years in prison at Sheffield Crown Court for non-recent child sexual offences involving two victims in Rotherham.

Five of the six men were convicted on 25 January at Sheffield Crown Court and the sixth pleaded guilty to one offence at a hearing last year.

Basharat Dad was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment after he was found guilty of multiple child sexual offences. His brothers Nasar Dad, and Tayab Dad, 34, were jailed for 14.5 years and 10 years respectively for their crimes.

Mohammed Sadiq was jailed for 13 years and Matloob Hussain was also jailed for 13 years.

Amjad Ali pleaded guilty to sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 at a court hearing last year. Today he was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Reviewing lawyer Mark Langan, from the CPS, said:

“These men were found guilty of a catalogue of vile sex offences against two young girls. The girls were targeted by these men because they were naïve and vulnerable. They were given alcohol and cannabis and intimidated into performing sexual acts. On one occasion one of the young girls was locked alone in a flat for hours without food, water or electricity.

“These young girls were subjected to the most appalling abuse at the hands of these men. They have both shown extraordinary courage in coming forward and enabling us to work with South Yorkshire Police to build a strong prosecution case which resulted in the jury returning guilty verdicts on 21 of 23 charges.

“These six defendants have now been sentenced to more than 80 years in prison for their crimes. I hope this is of some comfort to their victims and our thoughts remain with them both.”

Ryan Counsell convicted of four counts of terrorism

A 28-year-old man from Nottingham who planned to travel to the Philippines to fight with a banned terrorist group has been convicted today.

A jury at Woolwich Crown Court found Ryan Counsell guilty of preparation of acts of terrorism and possession of a document used in preparing an act of terrorism.

The trial heard how Counsell planned to join and fight with Abu Sayyaf, a proscribed terrorist organisation which has pledged allegiance to Daesh (so-called Islamic State).

Sue Hemming, Head of CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: 

“Ryan Counsell meticulously planned his attempt to join a terrorist organisation which is responsible for atrocities across the Philippines and has pledged allegiance to Daesh.

“He attempted to conceal his plan but prosecutors were able to successfully demonstrate his true intent to the jury.”

Counsell had booked flights and accommodation in the Philippines, also booking a return leg in attempt to convince investigators that he was going on holiday.  

He was also in possession of documents related to Daesh which contained bomb making instructions and guides to operating as a terrorist in the West.

Conviction details:

• Three counts of possession of a document containing information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism 
• One count of engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts. 

Former teacher convicted of sexually abusing boys in the UK and Thailand

A former teacher has today (Wed 1 Feb) admitted carrying out a catalogue of sexual abuse against young boys in Thailand and the UK.

Mark Frost, 70, who was previously known as Andrew Tracey, admitted 23 new charges at the Old Bailey, in addition to 22 charges he had already admitted last year.

The majority of the offences admitted by Frost, who is a British national, related to abuse carried out in Thailand between 2009 and 2012. The offending, including multiple sexual assaults, took place against boys aged between 10 and 15.

Two charges related to the abuse of boys in the UK aged between approximately 10 and 13.

A laptop and other digital devices found at Frost’s home address in Spain was found to contain more than 1,000 indecent images of children.

Frost was initially arrested by the Royal Thai Police in February and May 2013 but later that year failed to answer bail and left the country. He changed his name from Andrew John Tracey to Mark Frost in January 2014.

In November 2015 authorities identified that Frost was living in Alicante, Spain, and after more evidence was gathered against him, the Crown Prosecution Service assisted in making arrangements for a European Arrest Warrant to be issued in March 2016.

Frost was extradited to the UK on 28 April 2016 and appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court the following day charged with the original 22 Thai offences. He ultimately pleaded guilty to all the charges against him and entered 23 further guilty pleas today.

Ruona Iguyovwe, Senior Specialist Prosecutor in the CPS International Justice and Organised Crime Division, said:

“The harrowing evidence presented by the prosecution in this case outlined the suffering that Mark Frost caused to his victims. Over many years, Frost repeatedly exploited vulnerable young victims, both in the UK and in Thailand, for his own sexual gratification.

“He systematically targeted and groomed children from a poor community having sought to attract and lure them to his house through apparent generosity. He also photographed and filmed his own abuse of the children and shared it online.

“His offending has caused severe psychological harm to all of the children he abused many of whom are now old enough to realise the enormity of what happened to them.

“The CPS worked with investigators from a very early stage in order to build a strong case to secure these convictions, including travelling to Thailand to offer on-the-spot advice as victims were interviewed for the first time.

“International borders are not a barrier to justice and this prosecution was made possible through detailed partnership working between the CPS, the National Crime Agency and prosecutors in both Europe and Thailand.”

Frost will be sentenced in due course.

Ends

Notes to Editors

·         Anybody who thinks they may have been a victim of Mark Frost / Andrew Tracey should call a dedicated NSPCC helpline number – 0800 328 0904.

The full list of charges admitted by Frost is as follows:

Charges admitted in 2016

·         Rape x1

·         Sexual assault x1

·         Sexual assault of child under 13 x6

·         Causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity x7

·         Causing or inciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity x5

·         Taking indecent images of a child x1

·         Distributing indecent images of children x1

Charges admitted at the Old Bailey on 1 February 2017

·         Rape of a child under 13 x2

·         Causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity x2

·         Causing or inciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity x2

·         Sexual assault of a child under 13 x4

·         Penetrative sexual activity with a child under 16 x5

·         Sexual activity with a child under 16 x1

·         Buggery x6 (UK offending)

·         Making indecent photographs of children x1

Detail relating to the charge of Making indecent photographs of children: 

1,105 still images recovered: Category A – 197 Category B – 166 Category C – 742 

6 moving images recovered: Category A – 4 Category B – 1 Category C – 1