CPS News Brief

Man sentenced to 26 months for stalking

A 42-year-old man has today been sentenced to 26 months imprisonment at Wolverhampton Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to stalking a man who later took his own life.

Between May and July 2015, Jamie Jones from Penkridge, Staffordshire, posted 23 video clips onto YouTube making allegations against the victim.

When the victim became aware of these videos he reported the matter to the police. 

A file was then forwarded to the Crown Prosecution Service who authorised the charging of Jamie Jones with one count of stalking involving serious alarm or distress. 

Paul Reid, District Crown Prosecutor from the West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“Stalking and harassment can have a devastating impact on the lives of those who become victims as well as their family and friends.

“As demonstrated in this prosecution, the actions of Jamie Jones led to the victim taking his own life.

“Stalking and harassment is a criminal offence and we would encourage anyone who is a victim of such crimes not to suffer in silence but to report the matter to the police.” 

Rotherham child sexual exploitation gang sentenced to a total of 96 years

Eight men from Rotherham involved in the systematic targeting and sexual exploitation of young girls have today (4 November) been sentenced to a total of 96 years at Sheffield Crown Court.

The defendants were found guilty on 17 October of charges including rape, sexual assault and false imprisonment relating to three victims aged as young as 13 at the time of the offences. The jury convicted all the men on every count.

Peter Mann, Head of the Complex Casework Unit CPS Yorkshire and Humberside, said: 

"These men waged a depraved campaign of sexual violence and intimidation against young girls in the Rotherham area 13 years ago.

"The victims were subjected to the most horrific abuse at the hands of these men. They have shown immense bravery in coming forward and helping us to build a strong prosecution case. As a result, the jury convicted their abusers of every count.

“These men  have now been sentenced to a total of 96 years in prison,  which I hope is of some comfort to their victims.   We  will continue to work closely with the police to prosecute these complex and sensitive cases, and obtain justice for the victims of such appalling crimes."

Notes:

• The eight men went on trial at Sheffield crown court on 12 September 2016 
• All the defendants were prosecuted under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 which was the relevant Act at the time of these offences. 

Sentenced today:

Sageer Hussain, 30,  convicted of four rapes and one indecent assault - jailed for 19 years

Ishtiaq Khaliq, 33, guilty of one rape and three indecent assaults - jailed for 17 years

Waleed Ali, 34,  guilty of one rape and one indecent assault - jailed for 13 years

Masoued Malik, 32,  guilty of one rape, one count of conspiracy to commit indecent assault and one of false imprisonment - jailed for 15 years

Asif Ali, 30, convicted of one rape - jailed for 12 years

Naeem Rafiq, 33, convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit indecent assault and one of false imprisonment - jailed for eight years

Basharat Hussain, 40, convicted of one indecent assault - jailed for seven years

Mohammed Whied, 32, guilty of one count of aiding and abetting rape - jailed for five years

Daniel Sanzone jailed for life for the murder of his 6-week-old son

A 23-year-old father has today been sentenced to life imprisonment, to serve a minimum of 15 years,  after he was found guilty of the murder of his six-week-old son. 

Joshua Millinson was born on 11 October 2015 and on 24 October a call was made to the emergency services to attend a property in Pendeford, Wolverhampton as Joshua had stopped breathing.

Paramedics admitted the baby to New Cross Hospital and then to Birmingham Children’s Hospital where he was assessed as having extensive brain damage.

A month later, on 21 November, life support was withdrawn following a High Court ruling and Joshua passed away in his mother’s arms. 

A post-mortem examination revealed that Joshua’s death was as a result of a head injury and specialist investigations revealed fractures.

The baby’s father, Daniel Sanzone, was arrested and was yesterday (2 November) found guilty at Birmingham Crown Court of murder and child cruelty. 

Wendy Bounds, Specialist Crown Prosecutor with the West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service’s Complex Casework Unit, said:

“Within the first two weeks of Joshua’s life he was twice taken to hospital by his parents and suffered a fatal head injury inflicted by Daniel Sanzone shaking him.

“Following his death, investigations revealed that he had been injured on at least one previous occasion before the fatal head injury.

“Joshua was a new born baby with his whole life before him but he was killed by his father within weeks of his birth. 

“I hope the jury’s verdict has brought a measure of justice for Joshua and those who supported him and our thoughts are with them.”

Murderer who fled the country sentenced on British soil

Sammy Almahri who strangled his victim in a hotel room in Cardiff was sentenced at the Crown Court today to life imprisonment.

British national Nadine Aburas met New York businessman Sammy Almahri on a dating website, before meeting in person. After killing her Almahri fled to Tanzania where he was arrested and later extradited back to the UK.

 

David Wooler, Senior Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Cymru-Wales, said:

“Nadine Aburas was a popular and caring young woman with a bright future to look forward to. Sammy Almahri’s callous and brutal actions took that future away from her and left her family dealing with the immense distress that resulted from her loss. 

“Having taken Nadine’s life, Almahri immediately sought to avoid responsibility for his actions by fleeing the country. Thanks to a swift and professional multi-agency response he was quickly brought back to Wales, where he has now been made to face up to what he did.

“Today’s sentencing marks the conclusion of the criminal justice process, but we are acutely aware that the process of dealing with Nadine’s loss continues for those close to her. I would like to thank them for their bravery and dignity throughout the investigation and prosecution of this case.”

 

Additional information:

Sammy Almahri was today sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 17 years. He was charged with murder and initially entered a not guilty plea. His trial started at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday 19 October 2016 and the day after, on Thursday 20 October 2016, Almahri changed his plea to guilty.

Alert: further fake witness summons emails

It has come to the attention of the Crown Prosecution Service that emails have been received by members of the public this morning (Thur 3 Nov) which falsely claim to be from the CPS. These emails include a summons to appear as a witness in court. Identical emails were sent out on Thursday 27 October.

The CPS does not email witnesses in order to summons them to court. 

If you have received this email, please delete it and do not click on any of the links enclosed.

Man convicted of aiding illegal entry into the UK

A 31-year-old man has been given a six month prison sentence after pleading guilty to arranging the illegal entry into the United Kingdom of two Iraqi nationals from France.  

On 20 November 2015, a member of the public contacted the police when they saw two men exit the roof of a lorry which had stopped at industrial premises in Redditch. 

Officers searched the area and stopped a car at a nearby car park. In the back of the car were the two Iraqi men who had exited the lorry. 

The driver, Ahmed Rasouli from Leicester, was arrested. Police also recovered £2,910 in cash.

Earlier in the month the defendant had corresponded with the two Iraqis before visiting Calais, France where arrangements were made for them to enter the UK. 

On 19 November, the two Iraqi nationals accessed a lorry whilst its doors were unlocked and hid in the vehicle’s trailer until they arrived in Redditch.  

The defendant was charged with an act to facilitate the commission of a breach of UK immigration law by a non-EU person. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court on 1 November. 

Jason Corden-Bowen, District Crown Prosecutor from West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service, said: 

“Ahmed Rasouli travelled to France and planned the illegal entry into the United Kingdom of two Iraqi nationals, which included providing instructions and directions.

“This conviction sends a clear message that this will not be tolerated.”

Three men convicted of sexual assault and rape against four young girls and teenagers in Bristol

Three men have been convicted of sexual assault and rape against four young girls and teenagers in Bristol

The group targeted vulnerable girls as young as 13 and provided them with alcohol and marijuana before demanding sex. Three men have been found guilty by a jury at Bristol Crown Court of charges of sexual assault, rape, trafficking for sexual exploitation and supplying a controlled drug of class B. 

Huw Rogers, Head of the Complex Casework Unit for CPS South West said: 

“The abuse in this case is chilling. The defendants groomed, sexually abused and raped four young girls, from the ages of 13 to 16, over a four-year period. The victims were deliberately targeted as they were perceived to be vulnerable and impressionable. 

“The defendants’ relationships with the victims focused on complete control, ensuring they were always in charge. They wanted sex from the girls and demanded this from them.  The victims did not have the freedom to consent to any of these acts, and on some occasions were threatened so that they could not leave. 

“I would like to thank the witnesses and victims for their courage in coming forward in this case.”

 

ENDS

 

Details of the charges:

Sakiriya Sheikh convicted of 3 counts of sexual assault, 2 counts of trafficking in the UK for a sexual offence, 4 counts of rape and two counts of supplying cannabis- imprisoned for 16 years

Mohammed Ismail Dahir convicted of 2 counts of rape- imprisoned for 8 years

Abdirashid Abdulahi convicted of 2 counts of rape- imprisoned for 8 years

Five gang members sentenced to a total of 20 years for slavery offences

Five Czech gang members have been jailed for human trafficking and slavery offences after they brought vulnerable people into the country and then made them live in inhumane conditions as they paid off imposed debts.

Their trial was the first time a Czech prisoner was transferred to the UK to give evidence and a further witness was able to testify direct from a court in the Czech Republic. 

Ruzena Tancosova, Petr Tancos, Nela Dzurkova, Martin Tancos and Katerina Kerujova were convicted on Monday, 24 October at Plymouth Crown Court. Today (31 October) they were jailed for a total of more than 20 years and the judge also imposed Serious Crime Prevention Orders on Ruzena Tancosova and Petr Tancos.

The gang trafficked people from the Czech Republic to the United Kingdom. Upon arrival the victims lived in squalid conditions and were then forced to work in a car wash and at a meat packing factory in order to pay off debts which their traffickers claimed they owed.

Ann Hampshire, Senior Crown Prosecutor in the CPS South West Complex Casework Unit, said:

“This has been a challenging and complex matter to investigate and prosecute, requiring international co-operation between criminal justice agencies in the UK and the Czech Republic. This multi-agency, international approach helped us to build a strong prosecution case, ultimately resulting in these convictions. 

“I would like to thank all those who have supported the prosecution of this case and pay tribute to the courage of the victims in coming forward and putting their trust in the authorities.

“The defendants are guilty of the organised exploitation and manipulation of a number of vulnerable victims over a prolonged period. The group cynically targeted people who might not immediately be noticed as missing.

“They were then treated as commodities to be used however the defendants saw fit. They were forced to live in squalid conditions, whilst being put to work to pay off imaginary debts they were told they had incurred."‎

 

Notes to Editors

 

Ruzena Tancosova, 36, of South View Terrace – found guilty of conspiracy to traffic for the purpose of exploitation, requiring a person to perform forced or compulsory labour and acting as a gangmaster. Sentenced to six and a half years’ imprisonment.

Petr Tancos, 37, of South View Terrace - found guilty of conspiracy to traffic for the purpose of exploitation, requiring a person to perform forced or compulsory labour. Sentenced to six and a half years’ imprisonment.

Nela Dzurkova, 28, of South View Terrace - found guilty of conspiracy to traffic for the purpose of exploitation. Sentenced to two and a half years’ imprisonment.

Martin Tancos, 37, of Wolsdon Street - found guilty of conspiracy to traffic for the purpose of exploitation and acting as a gangmaster. Sentenced to three year’s imprisonment

Katerina Kurejova, 37, of Wolsdon Street - found guilty of conspiracy to traffic for the purpose of exploitation. Sentenced to two years imprisonment.

Tomasz Kroker jailed for 10 years at Reading Crown Court

A lorry driver whose dangerous driving caused the deaths of four family members has today (31 October) been jailed for 10 years at Reading Crown Court.

Tomasz Kroker was driving on the northbound carriageway of the A34 in Berkshire on 10 August this year when he drove into the back of the stationary queue of vehicles at approximately 50mph. Tracey Houghton, aged 45, from Bedfordshire, her two sons, Josh Houghton (11) and Ethan Houghton (13), and her partner’s daughter Aimee Goldsmith (11), who were all travelling in the same vehicle, died at the scene. A further five people were injured including one man who was airlifted to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Kroker initially claimed at the scene that his brakes had failed. But when confronted with dash-cam footage he admitted he had been looking at his mobile phone at the time of the crash. On 10 October he pleaded guilty to four counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Gavin Hernandez, District Crown Prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said:

“This was not a tragic accident but four deaths were caused by Kroker’s inattention and distraction.

“This case highlights the serious consequences of failing to be alert and prepared for unexpected driving conditions. Mobile phones must not be used by drivers under any circumstances as they are a lethal distraction which, as this case demonstrates, can lead to untold misery.

“Our thoughts are very much with the families affected by this tragic incident.”

Alert: Fake witness summons emails

It has come to the attention of the Crown Prosecution Service that emails have been received by members of the public which falsely claim to be from the CPS. These emails include a summons to appear as a witness in court. 

The CPS does not email witnesses in order to summons them to court. 

If you have received this email, please delete it and do not click on any of the links enclosed.

Sham marriage gang jailed for more than 52 years

Eleven people have been jailed after they were found guilty of facilitating and participating in sham marriages between European Economic Area (EEA) nationals and non-EEA nationals.

On 7 September 2013, a marriage was disrupted in Stoke between two individuals who later admitted that it was a sham.

A police investigation identified Olatunji George, 41, Clemence Marijeni, 43, and Donald Nwachukwu, 42, as the key facilitators of the sham marriage. 

The defendants would create packs for individuals that contained forged passports, wage slips and bills. They would then charge between £2,500 and £3,500 for each pack.

The trio would then submit residence card applications to the Home Office based on relationships and marriages that we not genuine.  

Following three trials, eleven defendants were found guilty and on Friday 21 October they were sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court as follow:

• Olatunji George – found guilty in his absence of 10 counts of conspiracy to facilitate the commission of a breach of immigration law. He was sentenced in his absence to a total of 10 years.
• Donald Nwachukwu – found guilty of 12 counts of conspiracy to facilitate the commission of a breach of immigration law and sentenced to a total of 8 years.
• Clemence Marijeni – found guilty of 9 counts of conspiracy to facilitate the commission of a breach of immigration law, one count of facilitate the commission of a breach of immigration law, one count of possession of apparatus / an article or material with prohibited intention and one count of forgery. He was sentenced to a total of 10 years.
• Cherene Cotterell, 30 - found guilty of conspiracy to facilitate the commission of a breach of immigration law and sentenced to a total of 2 years.
• Victor Ibeh, 32 - found guilty of conspiracy to facilitate the commission of a breach of immigration law and sentenced to a total of 3 years.
• Peter Fredrick, 27 - found guilty of conspiracy to facilitate the commission of a breach of immigration law and sentenced to a total of 3 and a half years.
• Lenka Jakova, 38 - found guilty of conspiracy to facilitate the commission of a breach of immigration law and sentenced to a total of 2 years.
• Idris Agia, 31 - found guilty of conspiracy to facilitate the commission of a breach of immigration law and sentenced to a total of 3 and a half years.
• Josef Puzo, 28 - found guilty in his absence of conspiracy to facilitate the commission of a breach of immigration law and sentenced in his absence to a total of 5 years .
• Pavel Farbar, 30 - found guilty of conspiracy to facilitate the commission of a breach of immigration law and sentenced to a total of 2 years.
• Aishatu Ibrahim, 25 - found guilty of conspiracy to facilitate the commission of a breach of immigration law and sentenced to a total of 3 and a half years.

Wendy Stevens, Senior Crown Prosecutor from the West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service’s Complex Casework Unit, said:

“As this case demonstrates, the Crown Prosecution Service is working closely with the Home Office and the local criminal justice system to detain and prosecute those who are involved in abusing our immigration system.

“The ring leaders in this sophisticated sham marriage operation exploited vulnerable people in order to gain financially through their illegal activities. 

“They would charge thousands of pounds in order to create packs which contained false documents, which they would then use to submit applications to the Home Office. They would then proceed to facilitate sham marriages between EEA and non EEA nationals.

 “These gang members have been sentenced to a total of more than 52 years for their part in this immigration marriage fraud.”

Gordon Anglesea found guilty of sexual abuse against children

The jury at Mold Crown Court, Wales, today found former police superintendent Gordon Anglesea guilty of four offences of indecent assault on children between 1982 and 1987.

 

Ed Beltrami, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service Wales, said: 

 

“Gordon Anglesea abused a position of power and authority in order to prey on very young and vulnerable victims. 

 

“I would like to thank the victims, survivors and witnesses who had the courage to come forward and provide important evidence in this case. Anglesea’s conviction today is a direct result of the prosecution being able to call on first-hand accounts of what happened.

 

“Operation Pallial continues to have success in bringing perpetrators of abuse against children to justice and today’s conviction of Gordon Anglesea represents another important milestone in that process. 

 

“I hope that it will also prove to be a meaningful step in the recovery process of his victims, who have had to live with what happened for a long time before seeing their abuser brought before the court.”

Allan Richards found guilty of sexual abuse over 37 years

A former police officer and scout leader has been found guilty of 40 offences at Birmingham Crown Court relating to the sexual exploitation of 23 boys over a 37 year period.

Allan Richards, 54, from Kitts Green, joined West Midlands Police in 1980 and in 1982 he became a scout leader in Birmingham. Richards used both of these positions to identify his potential victims and also targeted vulnerable boys at a local park.

He continued his offending after leaving the police force in 2011.

His first attack took place in 1976 and his offending continued until 2013. 

In 2014, one of boys he had abused contacted the police leading to  Richards’ arrest and charge for multiple offences. Following two trials, Richards has been found guilty of:

• 2 counts of Rape
• 1 count of Buggery 
• 5 counts of  Misconduct in a public office
• 3 counts of Gross indecency with a child  
• 7 counts of Sexual Activity with a Child 
• 1 count of Inciting Sexual Activity with a Child 
• 20 counts of Indecent Assault
• 1 count of Voyeurism

He is due to be sentenced on 4 November 2016. 

Neil Fielding, Specialist Prosecutor from the West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service’s Complex Casework Unit, said:

“For more than three decades, Allan Richards preyed on vulnerable boys and teenagers for his own gratification; abusing his trusted positions as a police officer and a scout master to do so. 

“Despite overwhelming evidence, some of it corroborated by his own diary entries and a list he kept of his victims’ names; Richards continued to deny these matters showing no remorse and demonstrating a callous disregard for those he abused.  Two separate juries plainly rejected his account and accepted those of his many victims. 

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank the witnesses who supported the case and the whole prosecution team who worked diligently and professionally to bring Richards to justice.”

Trio convicted following murder of Ealing man Rory Anderson

A man who removed clothing and a mobile phone from his fatally wounded victim in an attempt to avoid his detection and arrest has been convicted of murder.

Woolwich Crown Court heard that Alex Azadbakht, 25, stabbed Rory Anderson four times in the back and chest with a screwdriver or similar weapon in Ealing, west London, in March this year and then tried to cover his tracks by getting rid of the evidence. 

Azadbakht and fellow defendants Jermaine Lewis and Stephan Bassily, both 21, were also convicted (on 20 October) of perverting the course of justice. The weapon and Rory Anderson’s mobile phone and clothing have never been recovered.

Navnit Dosanjh, CPS London reviewing lawyer, said: 

“The prosecution was able to use CCTV footage and witness statements to piece together the defendants’ movements in court and bring about these convictions. Azadbakht and his accomplices are now facing significant prison terms.

“What began as a gathering in a flat in Ealing ended in tragedy. Rory was attacked inside the flat and made his way outside where he called the police for help. When the defendants saw how badly hurt Rory was, they made no attempt to help him, and instead stripped him of his phone and clothing in an attempt to mislead the police and fled the scene. 

“Our sympathies go to Mr Anderson’s family at this difficult time.”

 

Note

Sentences given on 21 October at Woolwich Crown Court: 

• Azadbakht was given a life sentence for the murder, with a minimum term of 20 years, and four and a half years (concurrent) for perverting the course of justice
• Jermaine Lewis and Stephan Bassily both received 4 years imprisonment for perverting the course of justice.

Eight men from Rotherham involved in the systematic targeting and sexual exploitation of young girls have today been convicted at Sheffield Crown Court

The defendants faced charges including rape, sexual assault and false imprisonment relating to three victims aged as young as 13 at the time of the offences.

Peter Mann, Head of the Complex Casework Unit CPS Yorkshire and Humberside, said:

 “The CPS has worked closely with South Yorkshire Police over the last two years to bring these defendants to justice.

 “I would like first to pay tribute to the victims who have shown tremendous bravery in coming forward and helping us to build a strong prosecution case to put before the court, resulting in the jury convicting all the defendants of every count.

 “In contrast to the courage and strength of the victims, these men’s actions are utterly abhorrent.  They waged a campaign of sexual violence and intimidation against young girls in the Rotherham area 13 years ago. 

 “Their victims were targeted, sexualised, and in some cases subjected to degrading and violent acts. Sageer Hussain in particular took a leading role in befriending the young girls, and in the case of one victim, passed her on to his friends and other associates, assisted in various ways by the other defendants.

 “We will continue to work closely with the police to prosecute these complex and sensitive cases, and obtain justice for the victims of such appalling crimes”

 

Notes

• The eight men went on trial at Sheffield crown court on 12 September 2016.
• All the defendants were prosecuted under the Sexual Offences Act 1956 which was the relevant Act at the time of these offences. 
• Convicted on Monday 17 October 2016:

1. SAGEER HUSSAIN - Rape x4 and Indecent assault x1
2. MOHAMMED WHIED - Aid and abet, counsel and procure the offence of rape x1
3. ISHTIAQ KHALIQ aka ISHTIAQ MOHAMMED KHALIQ - Rape x1 Indecent assault x3
4. WALEED ALI - Rape x1 and Indecent assault x1
5. ASIF ALI - Rape x1
6. MASOUED MALIK - Rape x1, Conspiracy to commit indecent assault x1 and False imprisonment x1
7. BASHARAT HUSSAIN - Indecent assault x1
8. NAEEM RAFIQ - Conspiracy to commit indecent assault x1 and False imprisonment x1