Category: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Officers from the Met’s Taxi and Private Hire team are appealing for witnesses after a woman was sexually assaulted in a mini-cab on Christmas day.

At around 01:40hrs on Monday, 25 December the victim, a 20-year-old woman, attempted to hire a mini-cab in Croydon but was unable to do so.

A group of females approached the woman, one of whom ordered her a mini-cab from her mobile phone.

When the mini-cab arrived at the top of Laud Street/High Street, the woman got in and asked to be taken home.

Around 15 minutes into the journey, the driver stopped in Penge Road/Sunnybank Road where he sexually assaulted her.

She managed to get away out of the rear door and flagged down a passing car whose occupants called police. The driver then made off.

The suspect is described as a male with brown skin.

PC Louise Coleman, from the Roads and Transport Policing Command, said: “The suspect took complete advantage of a vulnerable female and the incident has left her extremely shaken.

“If you were there that night, or have any information which could help progress this investigation, please get in touch.”

Police would like to speak with any members of the group who helped the victim get a mini cab, particularly the female who ordered the mini cab for her.

If you were part of this group or have any information, you are urged to contact the Taxi and Private Hire Policing Investigations Unit on 0208 345 1076.

Alternatively, you can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Police in Camden are appealing for the public’s help to find a missing 83-year-old woman.

Juliane O’Connor was last seen at a relative’s address in Millman Street, WC1, at about 15:30hrs on Monday, 19 February. 

She is white, of medium build with shoulder length grey hair.

At the time of her disappearance she was wearing a navy blue waist length rain coat with red lining/collar.

She has links to County Kerry, in Ireland.

Officers are increasingly concerned for Juliane’s wellbeing and would urge anyone with information on her whereabouts to call police on 101 or Missing People on 116000.

A serving police officer who was found guilty of assaulting a man at a police cordon in east London last year has been sentenced to 200hrs unpaid community service.

PC Kashif Mahmood, 29, based at Hackney Borough was found guilty of assault by beating at Hendon Magistrates’ Court today, Friday, 9 February.

He was sentenced at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today, Monday 19 February.

PC Mahmood was investigated as the result of a complaint made after a man sustained a cut to his head on 5 May 2017 during an incident at a police cordon in Clapton, east London.

Police were present at a cordon, on an unrelated matter, close to the junction of Almack Road and Powerscroft Road. A man repeatedly approached police officers at the cordon, before being involved in an incident with PC Mahmood in which he sustained a cut to his head.

The Metropolitan Police referred the incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (now the Independent Office for Police Conduct) on 11 May and a decision was made to independently investigate the officer’s use of force.

Following the Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation a file was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service who authorised a charge.

PC Mahmood was charged on 11 December 2017.

The officer remains on restricted duties.

Now that criminal proceedings have concluded, misconduct proceedings will now take place.

Detectives are renewing appeals for information after an elderly woman was struck by a pellet in Chessington.

Police were called at 19:37hrs on Saturday, 10 February, to outside the North Star public house on Hook Road in Chessington, following reports of a suspected shooting and a woman injured.

Officers and the London Ambulance Service attended. A 74-year-old woman was found suffering an arm injury.

The woman was taken to a south London hospital with a broken arm. She remains in hospital and is continuing to receive extensive medical treatment for her injuries.

At this stage, officers believe the injuries were caused by a large pellet that may have been fired from a catapult or similar device.
Officers would like to speak with anyone who witnessed the unprovoked attack.

The victim’s son said: “Mum was only a few hundred yards from her house – not only has she got this horrific injury, she now wonders how she can ever walk down that road again. Perhaps she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, perhaps she was not the intended target.

“Luckily Mum was holding her scarf up to her face to shield it from the wind, as such her arm stopped the ball bearing from hitting her chest or throat, where her injuries could have been far worse. If anyone knows who did this please contact the police so they can stop them from hurting anyone else”

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or has information about an individual using such a weapon in the Chessington area, should call Kingston CID via 101 quoting CAD 6572/10Feb.

To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Detectives investigating a rape in Westminster have released an e-fit of the suspect.

The offence happened on Wednesday, 25 October 2017 at about 01:30hrs.

The victim was sexually assaulted by an unknown man in the Charring Cross Road, WC2, area. She managed to flee and reported the incident to police after assistance from members of the public.

The suspect is described as a black male, aged in his mid to late 20s, with short black hair. He has mottled skin or cigarette scars on his face and arms, with a tattoo of wording on the side of his neck.

Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command investigate.

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call the Met’s Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command on 020 8733 5999 or 101

To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

A murder investigation has been launched in Southall after a man was fatally stabbed inside a residential property. 

Police were called on Monday, 19 February shortly before 15:30 hours to a report of a disturbance in Halliday Square, Southall.

Officers attended and found a 26-year-old man suffering from stab injuries.

The London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance attended and the man was pronounced dead at the scene at 16:05 hours.

His next of kin have been informed. Formal identification awaits and a post-mortem examination will be held in due course.

A 39-year-old man [A] was arrested at the scene and is in custody at a north London police station. Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with this investigation at this time.

Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are now leading the investigation. Officers remain on scene and enquiries are ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD 6282/19 Feb or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. You can also tweet information to police via @MetCC

A man who sexually assaulted two women during a massage treatment has been sentenced in his absence.

Muhammed Ramande, 39 (23.09.78) of Shalfleet Drive, Notting Hill, West London was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment on Monday 19 February at Blackfriars Crown Court. He was sentenced in his absence. He was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault by penetration on 12 February at the same court.

He was arrested and charged on 6 June 2017. He was bailed to attend Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on 4 July 2017.

On 30 July 2016 Ramande gave a Swedish massage at a Beauty Salon in Kilburn where he worked.

He asked the 31-year-old woman to lie naked on the massage bed and sexually assaulted her. He was asked to stop and fearful for his job, pleaded for the woman to not report him to the police. He gave a £20 refund and promised that he would not sexually assault anyone in future. Police were later informed and made contact with some women that were given a massage at the same venue by Ramande.

A 28-year-old woman came forward following the appeal and reported that she too had experienced a similar sexual assault as the previous woman.

In August 2017 Ramande left the United Kingdom with his daughter and headed to Turkey. Turkish Authorities confirmed he had left Turkey and believed to have headed towards Iran.

Detective Constable Jason Anderson from the Met’s Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command said: “Ramande is an opportunistic predator who used his business of massage therapy as a smoke screen to sexually assault women. He counted on their isolation and vulnerability during massage sessions to take advantage of the trust given to him.

“All the victims have shown great bravery and tenacity in coming forward to report Ramande and it was their support of prosecution that led to the case being heard at Blackfriars Crown Court. We thank them for their patience and support throughout this lengthy investigation. We would also encourage anyone who is the subject of a similar attack to come forward knowing that the police will do all it can to bring offenders such as Ramande to justice. “

Police are appealing for witnesses and information following a serious assault in Greenwich which has left a man critically injured.

Officers were called by London Ambulance Service at approximately 02:15hrs on Saturday, 17 February to reports a man unconscious in Greenwich High Road, SE10.

The victim – a man aged in his 30s – was treated at the scene before being taken to a south London hospital for treatment. He remains there in a critical condition.

At this early stage it is believed the victim was assaulted by a group males.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Greenwich CID on 020 8284 9543 or call Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 555 111.

No arrests; enquiries continue.