CPS News Brief

Man sentenced for murder of elderly Suffolk couple

A man has today (March 14) been sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 35 years, for the murder of an elderly married couple from Suffolk. 

Ali Qazimaj, 43, claimed he was the victim of mistaken identity.  But the jury at Ipswich Crown Court found him guilty of killing pensioners Peter and Sylvia Stuart, who disappeared from their home in Weybread.   Mr Stuart’s body was discovered shortly afterwards with nine stab wounds.  Mrs Stuart’s body has never been found.

Throughout his trial, Qazimaj used a false name and claimed he had never been to the UK.  However the prosecution was able to build a convincing picture of a man with gambling debts and financial problems who became aware of Mr and Mrs Stuart, having been told they were a wealthy couple.

CCTV and phone evidence showed Qazimaj had been in the area around the Stuarts’ home several times before they vanished.   His car, which he abandoned as he fled through Dover, contained his fingerprints.  It also contained a number of hairs from Mrs Stuart in the boot and traces of Mr Stuart’s blood.

Qazimaj was arrested in Luxembourg in July and extradited. 

Paul Scothern from the CPS said:

“Ali Qazimaj denied knowing Mr and Mrs Stuart, denied being Ali Qazimaj and denied ever travelling to the UK. 

“Through their verdicts the jury has rejected all these lies after the prosecution successfully demonstrated that Qazimaj is in fact a double murderer.

“We would like to thank the Luxembourg authorities for their assistance and co-operation in this case.”

--ENDS--

Notes to Editors

1. Ali Qazimaj pleaded not guilty to two charges of murder, of Peter and Sylvia Stuart, between 29 May 2016 and 3 June 2016. 

2. Paul Scothern is Crown Advocate in the CPS East of England’s Complex Casework Unit.

Gang who flew brides into UK from Lithuania sentenced

A gang who flew Lithuanian brides into the UK as part of an immigration scam have today (10 March) been sentenced at Croydon Crown Court.

 

Ringleaders Lina Kezelyte, 33, and Mohemmed Jemaldeen, 33, ‘match-made’ the brides with their grooms, who were men from south Asian and west African countries who had tried and failed to get visas to remain in the UK by other means. 

 

By paying the gang to arrange for them to marry women from Lithuania, an EU nation, they could claim residency in the UK. 

 

Altogether the gang saw 26 Lithuanian brides wed to grooms from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nigeria and Nepal, making an estimated £315,000.

 

Valentina Kezeliene, 53, the mother of Lina Kezelyte, laundered money and booked the flights. Three others helped move money and attended the fake weddings.

 

The scam ended in October 2013 when a wedding ceremony was interrupted by immigration officers, the bride and groom arrested and subsequently charged and convicted. One of the guests, Beata Jarmolovic, aged 28, had a camera containing photos of six separate weddings but with brides and bridesmaids swapping roles.

CPS London reviewing lawyer Robert Hutchinson said:

“This gang made large amounts of money conducting sham marriages as part of an immigration scam involving flying Lithuanian women to the UK.

“The prosecution case involved looking at suspicious bank transfers, hundreds of flight bookings made for Lithuanian women and forensic analysis of a seized laptop containing crib sheets of questions likely to be asked in immigration interviews.

“We showed that the claim made by Lina Kezelyte that this was a legitimate international dating agency did not stand up to scrutiny. This case shows that anyone who tries to circumvent UK immigration law in this way will face prosecution with a strong case put before the court.”

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

 

Sentences

Lina Kezelyte, 33, [15/01/1984] conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration - four and a half years

 

Mohemmed Jemaldeen, 33, [27/04/1983] was tried and sentenced in his absence for conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration – four years

 

Valentina Kezeliene,  53, [05/01/1964] conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration - two and a half years

 

Ruta Sperskaite, 25, [21/09/1991] conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration - two years suspended for two years plus 200 hours unpaid work

 

Renato Semasko, 53, [05/01/1964] convert criminal proceeds - 18 months suspended for 18 months plus 200 hours unpaid work

 

Beata Jarmolovic, 28, [07/05/1988] conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration – Sentencing on Monday 13 March

Police body-worn video 'central' to domestic abuse conviction

Police body-worn video evidence has been used to prosecute a man who assaulted a woman and a boy.

Although both victims of Ansu Jallow, 43 (DOB: 16/03/1973), spoke to police after the assaults on 7 July 2016 at their home in south London, they later felt unable to give evidence in court.

Magistrates, however, allowed footage recorded by officers straight after the attack to be played in Jallow’s trial at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court.

In the video the woman described how Jallow grabbed her by the hair, and repeatedly hit her head, before punching the boy when he intervened.  Jallow was convicted of two counts of assault and was today (March 10) sentenced to a three-month suspended prison sentence for each of the two assaults to be served concurrently, given a 150 hours unpaid work requirement and ordered to pay £620 in costs.

Safira Afzal from the CPS said:

“This was a nasty case of domestic abuse and the victims’ credible and truthful account of what happened, which was captured on video very soon after the attack, was central to the prosecution case.

“We know these can be difficult and sensitive cases to put before a court and victims are sometimes reticent to support prosecutions for a variety of reasons.

“This case proves there are new and compelling ways to present cases and achieve justice for victims.”

 

-- ENDS --

 

Notes to editors

1. Safira Afzal is the Crown Prosecution Service London reviewing lawyer

2. More information about the use of body-worn video camera evidence in CPS prosecutions can be found here:  http://www.cps.gov.uk/news/latest_news/international-womens-day/

3. There are a number of measures in place to support the victims of domestic abuse during legal proceedings. These include the opportunity to be protected in court by screens, give evidence by video link or through video-recorded evidence.  

Far-right extremist jailed for anti-Semitic hate speech

A far-right extremist who made a speech at an anti-Jewish demonstration in London and posted more than a hundred racist comments on Facebook has been sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.

Lawrence Burns, 23, was convicted of stirring up racial hatred at a trial at Southwark Crown Court in December 2016.

The trial heard Burns had referred to Jewish people as “sub-human animals” on Facebook and in another post said he wanted to “hang the black race”. He also expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler. 

Deborah Walsh of the CPS said:

“Lawrence Burns advocated extreme racial violence and hatred through both speaking in public and from behind his keyboard.

“The prosecution put forward compelling evidence detailing Burns’ abhorrent views which left the jury in no doubt he was guilty of stirring up racial hatred.”

Ends

Former vicar jailed after victim gave evidence using eye-tracking technology

A former vicar who abused a choirboy more than 35 years ago has been jailed for four years after his victim gave evidence using eye-tracking technology which turned his blinks into words.

 

Cyril Rowe, 78, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court today (Fri 10 Mar) after being found guilty of three counts of indecent assault which took place at a Hackney church between 1979 and 1981.

 

The victim died of motor neurone disease in a hospice before hearing that his abuser had been found guilty but he achieved his dying wish of giving evidence against Rowe despite his failing health, which rendered him unable to speak or write.

 

The Crown Prosecution Service applied for special measures to enable the 47-year-old to give his evidence during the trial from his hospice over a video link.

 

He also had the help of an intermediary and eye-tracking technology helping him describe how Rowe would lock the church door, pin him down and sexually abuse him, before apologising and giving him £1.

 

CPS London reviewing lawyer David Nixon said:

“The way Cyril Rowe’s victim was allowed to use this eye-tracking technology over video link shows how the CPS can help victims and witnesses who might otherwise struggle to give evidence in court.

“This man was determined to seek justice against the vicar who had abused him all those years ago and these special measures enabled that to happen. They included a live video link into the court from his hospice bed, an intermediary to help him on the day, and help for his sister to use a video link too, as she wanted to stay close to him in his final days. 

“As a result the jury were able to hear his powerful testimony which has ultimately led to the convictions and today’s sentence.” 

Former NHS chief executive receives suspended prison sentence for fraud

A former NHS chief executive has today (Fri 10 Mar) received a suspended prison sentence after she admitted paying her husband more than £11,000 of public money for a graphic design project he never completed.

 

Exeter Crown Court heard Paula Vasco-Knight, 53, bypassed the proper procedures when she paid the money to her husband Stephen Vasco-Knight, 46.

 

Vasco-Knight was working for the Torbay and South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust when she was given a £10,000 bursary as a reward for outstanding work in 2012. The money was supposed to be used to develop her leadership skills or to help other staff within the NHS.

 

The following year her husband invoiced the NHS for £11,072 for designing a document called “Transform”. The design was never delivered but Vasco-Knight approved the invoice and chased her colleagues for swift payment.

 

When the discrepancy was spotted and the Vasco-Knights were questioned about the work they produced the missing document. It was later found to have been cut and pasted together from other organisations’ work.

 

Vasco-Knight and her husband both admitted one count of fraud part-way through their trial at Exeter Crown Court earlier this year. Today, Vasco-Knight was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work. Her husband received 10 months’ imprisonment, also suspended for two years, and 150 hours of unpaid work.

 

Peter Davies, from the CPS, said:

 

“Paula Vasco-Knight abused her position of responsibility within the NHS when she awarded more than £11,000 of public money to her husband and failed to declare the personal interest.

 

“Faced with the evidence presented by the prosecution at trial both Mr and Mrs Vasco-Knight admitted what they had done and changed their pleas to guilty.”

 

The prosecution followed an investigation by NHS Protect.

 

Ends

 

Notes to Editors

 

·         Paula Vasco-Knight and Stephen Vasco-Knight admitted one count of fraud each part-way through their trial at Exeter Crown Court in January 2017.

·         Peter Davies is a Senior Crown Prosecutor in the CPS Specialist Fraud Division.

Barry Bennell - CPS statement

A CPS spokesperson said:

“Today, 9 March, former professional football coach Barry Bennell, 63, was informed that he has been charged with four counts of indecent assault on a boy aged 11 to 12 years.

“He will appear via video link at South Cheshire Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 13 March in relation to these charges.

“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Bennell are live 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 ongoing proceedings.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

·         The charges relate to one complainant

·         The alleged offences took place between 1981 and 1982

Previous charges

On 7 March Mr Bennell was informed that he has been charged with eight counts of non-recent child sexual abuse, following an investigation by Cheshire Police. 

He will appear via video link at South Cheshire Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 13 March in relation to these charges.

The charges are:

o   Five counts of buggery with a boy aged under 16

o   Two counts of indecent assault on a boy aged under 14

o   Indecent assault on a boy aged under 16

·         The charges relate to two complainants

·         The alleged offences took place between 1980 and 1987

On 27 September 2016, the Crown Prosecution Service received a file of evidence from Cheshire Police relating to allegations of non-recent child sexual abuse involving a former football coach, Barry Bennell.

Following a review of the evidence, in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, Mr Bennell was charged on 29 November with eight offences. He will next appear via video link at Chester Crown Court on 20 March.

The charges are:

o   Three counts of indecent assault – boy under 13;

o   Three counts of indecent assault – boy under 16;

o   Attempted buggery – boy under 16;

o   Indecent Assault – boy under 16 (alternative count to attempted buggery).

·         The alleged offences took place between 1981 and 1985 and relate to one complainant

Former police officer jailed for theft of rare coins

A former police officer who kept rare gold coins he found on a farmer’s land was sentenced today (8 March) to 16 months’ imprisonment for theft.

David Cockle, a former officer from Norfolk Police, had permission from a local landowner to use a metal detector, with an agreement that anything he found would be reported and surrendered.

At an earlier hearing, Ipswich Crown Court was told he found 10 ‘Merovingian Tremissis’ gold coins from Gaul (France) dating back to the sixth or seventh centuries.

Instead of notifying the landowner and the proper authorities, Cockle sold the coins to a dealer for £15,000 and kept the money for himself. Eight out of the 10 coins were later recovered by the police.

At the sentencing hearing, the judge gave Cockle a prison sentence and imposed a Criminal Behaviour Order to prevent him from engaging in metal detecting activity for five years.

Punam Malhan from the CPS said:

“No matter how excited someone might be at finding buried gold treasure, there is a proper procedure to be followed when that happens. This is so that the find is correctly assessed and the historical importance of the find and its site recorded for future generations.

“This was a serious breach of trust by a police officer."

CPS statement on Barry Bennell

A CPS spokesperson said:

“Today, 7 March, former professional football coach Barry Bennell, 63, was informed that he has been charged with eight counts of non-recent child sexual abuse, following an investigation by Cheshire Police

“He will appear via video link at South Cheshire Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 13 March in relation to these charges.

“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Bennell are live 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 ongoing proceedings.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

· Barry Bennell has been charged with:

o Five counts of buggery with a boy aged under 16

o Two counts of indecent assault on a boy aged under 14

o Indecent assault on a boy aged under 16

· The charges relate to two victims

· The alleged offences took place between 1980 and 1987

Previous charges

On 27 September 2016, the Crown Prosecution Service received a file of evidence from Cheshire Police relating to allegations of non-recent child sexual abuse involving a former football coach, Barry Bennell.

Following a review of the evidence, in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, Mr Bennell was charged on 29 November with eight offences. He will next appear via video link at Chester Crown Court on 20 March.

He faces the following:

· Three counts of indecent assault – boy under 13;

· Three counts of indecent assault – boy under 16;

· Attempted buggery – boy under 16;

· Indecent Assault – boy under 16 (alternative count to attempted buggery).

Former NHS manager jailed for lying about his qualifications

A senior NHS boss who lied about his qualifications in order to gain jobs in the health sector has been given a two-year prison sentence at Exeter Crown Court today (6 March).

Jon Andrewes, 63, of Totnes in Devon, earned more than £1million in salary over a decade working in various senior health roles across the south-west.

Among the roles obtained by Andrewes was the position of chief executive at St Margaret’s Hospice in Taunton, temporary chair of Torbay NHS Trust and chair of Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust. The court heard how Andrewes fabricated parts of his working history and falsely claimed on his CV to have obtained a variety of qualifications, including: 

• A diploma from the Chartered Institute of Management Accounts
• A PhD in ethics management from Plymouth University
• A PhD in business administration from Heriot-Watt University
• A masters from the University of Edinburgh
• A degree from the University of Bristol

Andrewes admitted three charges at an earlier hearing.

Alex Johnson, from the CPS, said:

“Jon Andrewes repeatedly lied on his CV in order to better his chances of securing lucrative senior roles across the health service. “The investigation team built a case which clearly outlined the scale of the deception and faced with the evidence against him, Andrewes pleaded guilty.”

The prosecution followed an investigation by anti-fraud officials at the Department of Health. Ends Notes to Editors · Jon Andrewes pleaded guilty two counts of fraud and one count of obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception · Alex Johnson is a Senior Crown Prosecutor with the CPS Specialist Fraud Division.

Former teacher and charity worker guilty of sex offences

A former teacher and charity worker has been found guilty of a string of sex offences spanning almost 30 years. 

Colin Gregg, 75, was found guilty after trial of nine counts of indecent assault. The charges relate to offences against four separate victims, spanning around three decades from the 1960s through to the 1990s. Each of the complainants in the case was under 15 years of age at the time the offences took place.  

John Dilworth of the CPS said: 

“Throughout his life Colin Gregg has been considered to be a successful businessman, respected teacher and committed charity worker. As a result he won the gratitude of the community but, beneath his respectable veneer, Colin Gregg was sexually abusing young boys.

“Gregg exploited his position in society to abuse young boys, for his own sexual gratification. Working closely with investigating police we have been able to demonstrate a distinct pattern to Gregg’s offending and a propensity on his part to commit such acts. 

“I would like to praise the bravery of the victims in this case. It is thanks largely to their evidence that the jury has today found Colin Gregg guilty.”

Notes to Editors

• John Dilworth is Acting Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North East
• Gregg is son of the founder of Greggs bakery
• Colin Gregg will be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on March 30

Sex offender sentenced to 27 years' imprisonment

A sex offender who carried out attacks on a total of four women and girls over a period of more than thirty years has been sentenced to 27 years’ imprisonment today. 

Michael Dunn, 57, from Redcar, was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court after being found guilty of 10 counts of rape, three of false imprisonment and three of indecent assault.

During his trial, the court heard how Dunn built a cavity behind his fridge to hide one young girl, who had run away from home. 

Gale Gilchrist, from the CPS said:

“Michael Dunn is a very dangerous sexual predator. 

“He was a violent and controlling man towards each of his victims, using them for sex whenever he wanted to and physically attacking them when they would not comply. 

“This has been an incredibly complex case and I am indebted to the significant work conducted by police during the investigation. Through their diligence and also the bravery of Michael Dunn’s victims, our prosecutors have been able to build a robust case resulting in today’s significant sentence. 

“One cannot imagine the horrors endured by Michael Dunn’s victims, but I sincerely hope that this outcome brings a measure of comfort to each of them.”

Notes to Editors

• Gale Gilchrist is acting Head of the Crown Court Unit for CPS North East

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.”

Ends

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.