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Police seek Steven Graham on recall to prison

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Police seek Steven Graham on recall to prison

Police in Kingston are appealing for help from the public to trace a man wanted on recall to prison.

Steven Graham, 44 (30.12.73), of Kingston, was released on licence from HMP Wandsworth on Friday, 29 December 2017. An emergency recall to prison was issued on the same day after Graham breached the conditions of his licence.

Graham is white, around 6ft tall, of stocky build, with blue eyes and short light brown hair. He has a scar in the centre of his forehead, a vertical scar above his right eye and the upper part of his left ear lobe missing.

Graham has links to Kingston, Richmond, Sutton, Merton, Wandsworth and the Epsom and Ewell areas in Surrey.

Anyone who sees Graham is asked not to approach him but call 999.

Anyone with information on Steven Graham’s whereabouts should call police 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Man sentenced for manslaughter – Reading

Source: United Kingdom Thames Valley Police

Headline: Man sentenced for manslaughter – Reading

Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Ross said: “PC Gareth Browning put his life on the line to serve and protect the public and on 30 November 2013 he made the ultimate sacrifice when he was struck by a stolen vehicle.

“Gareth and a colleague used a stop stick in an attempt to stop the stolen car which was being driven by Luke Haywood, who was on day release from prison. The vehicle, which was being driven by Haywood recklessly and at speed, hit Gareth who suffered serious injuries and needed constant care from that day on.

“Gareth never recovered from his injuries and sadly he died on 1 April last year. Gareth’s death was a stark reminder of the sacrifices that police officers make across the country.

“Gareth was proud to be a police officer, and we could not be more proud of him.

“Gareth was a hugely respected police officer and friend whose colleagues have felt his loss every day since the incident occurred.

“He was also a wonderful husband and father and our thoughts still go out to his family who must miss him terribly.

“The force will continue to support Gareth’s family as well as staff and officers who have been affected by the incident.

“In April 2014 Haywood was jailed for nine years after pleading guilty to one count of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, one count of aggravated vehicle taking and one count of going equipped for burglary. However, following Gareth’s death last year the Attorney General granted the authority to prosecute Haywood with manslaughter.

“Although I am satisfied that Haywood pleaded guilty to manslaughter and saved Gareth’s family and witnesses the painful task of attending court for trial, this is little consolation because no conviction or sentence will ever bring back Gareth.”

James Cable, Senior Crown Prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said: “This case represents a tragedy for Gareth’s family and friends, who have been devastated by his appalling injuries and his subsequent death. I cannot praise Gareth’s family enough; they have remained dignified and courageous throughout, despite the unimaginable nightmare they have endured.

“We have worked closely with Thames Valley Police since this investigation was launched, sought consent from the Attorney General to prosecute, as Haywood had already been convicted of offences arising out of the same incident, and as a result of the hard work and diligence of the prosecution team, a just outcome has been achieved. We know that nothing will bring Gareth back to his family and friends, but we hope that today’s conviction and sentence bring them at least a small sense that justice has been done. Our thoughts are very much with them all at this time.”

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Update on Didcot Power Station investigation following Coroner’s pre-inquest review

Source: United Kingdom Thames Valley Police

Headline: Update on Didcot Power Station investigation following Coroner’s pre-inquest review

Thames Valley Police (TVP) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the partial collapse at Didcot A Power Station, which led to the deaths of Michael Collings, Ken Cresswell, Christopher Huxtable and John Shaw and also led to a number of men being injured.  

The joint investigation is being led by Thames Valley Police.

At the Coroner’s pre-inquest review, Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Craig Kirby, who is leading the investigation, updated HM Coroner Mr D.M. Salter on the status of the investigation.

Following the pre-inquest review, DCI Kirby said: “We continue to carry out a thorough investigation in order to obtain answers for the affected families and friends who lost their loved ones, and those who were injured following the partial collapse at Didcot.

“This is an extremely wide scale and hugely complex investigation. 

“To date over 1900 witness statements have been taken by the investigative team, and a number of interviews have been conducted under caution in line with the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (1984).

“These interviews have taken a significant length of time, and further interviews will need to be undertaken.

“The joint TVP and HSE investigative team continue to meet regularly with a specialist dedicated prosecutor from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to ensure that all lines of enquiry are being appropriately and robustly explored.

“At this time it is not possible for us to put a timeframe on the completion of the investigation however an initial file was submitted to the CPS at the end of December for investigative advice.

“On-site recovery of evidence continues to be a key line of enquiry, to understand why the boiler house collapsed.

“Clearance of boilers one and two has been completed, and independent contractors continue to clear boilers three and four. This work is expected to be completed by spring 2018.

“The site remains a crime scene with a 24/7 police scene guard. A TVP and HSE evidence recovery team continue to work on site.

“TVP and HSE remain committed to carrying out a thorough investigation to ascertain if any criminal or health and safety related offences have taken place, and to obtain justice for the families and all those affected.”

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Police Officer dismissed for gross misconduct

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Police Officer dismissed for gross misconduct

A police constable has been dismissed from the Metropolitan Police Service following a misconduct hearing.

PC Rae Layzell, attached to the East Area Command Unit, faced allegations that her conduct amounted to a breach of the Met’s standards of professional behaviour in respect of honesty and integrity, discreditable conduct and duties and responsibilities.

It was alleged that on 28 August 2016 PC Layzell had exhausted her annual leave entitlement and so dishonestly and inappropriately applied to take carer’s leave, under the pretence of taking a relative to a medical appointment. In fact she took a pre-booked flight at 17:45hrs on 30 September to go on holiday.

It was further alleged that PC Layzell was dishonest when she indicated that a flight she was booked on from abroad on 8 October had been delayed and then cancelled. An investigation found there were no cancellations or delays from the airport that day and PC Layzell had instead missed the flight.

The hearing also heard that PC Layzell failed to attend work on 9 and 10 October.

PC Layzell did not attend the two-day hearing, which began on Monday, 29 January.

The chair of the hearing, having considered all of the evidence, found one case of gross misconduct and one case of misconduct proven, and that PC Layzell had breached the standards of professional behaviour.

She was subsequently dismissed without notice.

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11 arrests and 16 victims safeguarded in operation against sexual exploitation of women

Source: Europol

Headline: 11 arrests and 16 victims safeguarded in operation against sexual exploitation of women

The victims were Nigerian women who were tricked into working as prostitutes by using voodoo threats to control them

The Spanish National Police, supported by Europol, have safeguarded 16 Nigerian women who were forced into prostitution in Zaragoza (Spain), and have arrested 11 members of a criminal network. The organised group operated from Europe, mainly in Spain, Italy, Germany and Denmark.

The women were recruited in the city of Benin in Nigeria, under false promises of a better life in Europe. Once recruited, they were trafficked to Spain, by using land routes to Libya, and from there to Italy by sea. Once on the Spanish territory they were handed over to a madam and forced into prostitution until they paid off their debt.

During an action day in Spain, Europol supported the investigation on the ground by deploying an analyst to Zaragoza equipped with a mobile office and a data extraction device. This allowed for real-time information exchange and cross-checks of the data gathered during the course of the action against Europol’s databases.

Voodoo threats used by human traffickers

The victims were coerced under voodoo threats by which they pledged to pay the debt incurred and not to denounce their exploiters to the police. This method, used by criminal organisations with women from Western Africa, aims to control women under threat of death for them or their family members if they do not comply with that commitment.

Victims can be controlled even through telephone conversations, making it unnecessary for the madams to be in the same physical location where the women are being exploited.

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Victim named – HMP Wormwood Scrubs murder

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Victim named – HMP Wormwood Scrubs murder

A murder investigation has been launched following the death of an inmate at HMP Wormwood Scrubs, Shepherd’s Bush, W12.

Police were called to the prison at 15:19hrs on Wednesday, 31 January following reports of a stabbing.

Officers and London Ambulance Service attended and found a man suffering from stab wounds; he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Next of kin are aware.

While formal identification awaits, officers are confident the deceased is 25-year-old Saleh Khader.

A post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course.

Four men, all prisoners at HMP Wormwood Scrubs, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

They are:

[A] and [B] – both aged 21;
[C] – aged 20;
[D] – aged 23.

All four remain in police custody.

Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating.

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IP crime: high-level meeting on a joint strategy at Europol

Source: Europol

Headline: IP crime: high-level meeting on a joint strategy at Europol

Figures from studies produced by the OECD and EUIPO show that counterfeit and pirated products represent up to 5% of all EU imports, worth up to 85 billion. Brands that suffer the most from IP infringements are primarily registered in the EU.

The Europol-EUIPO joint report points out the significant involvement of organised crime in IP infringements.

Considering the above, a high level meeting took place at Europol, with representatives from CEPOL, EUIPO, Europol, Eurojust and the European Commission (OLAF, TAXUD, GROW) to discuss how to step up cooperation to fight IP crime.

During the meeting participants highlighted the importance of data exchange and analysis, as well as of enhanced cooperation between EU and national authorities. Concrete actions to make the fight against IP infringements more efficient and effective were discussed.

Participants expressed the wish to meet on a regular basis and to set up a framework to ensure that progress is made on agreed actions.

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Latham Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing a Short-Barreled Rifle

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Latham Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing a Short-Barreled Rifle

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Joseph T. Clemente, Jr., age 34, of Latham, New York, pled guilty today to illegally possessing a short-barreled rifle.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Ashan M. Benedict, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF).

As part of his plea, Clemente admitted that he intentionally removed the upper receiver of a rifle that he had purchased at a gun store, and replaced it with an upper receiver he purchased on the Internet, which he knew included a 9-inch barrel.  The resulting firearm he possessed was a rifle with a barrel of less than 16 inches, also known as a “short-barreled rifle,” which is illegal to possess.

Clemente faces up to 10 years in prison and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to 3 years when he is sentenced on May 31, 2018 by Senior United States District Judge Gary L. Sharpe.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors

This case was investigated by ATF and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon.

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Rensselaer Man Charged with Drug and Gun Offenses

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Rensselaer Man Charged with Drug and Gun Offenses

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Darrell Chapman, also known as “Bishop” and “Sly Foxx,” age 37, of Rensselaer, New York, was indicted today for narcotics and firearms offenses.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith, New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II, and Vadim D. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

A four-count superseding indictment charges Chapman with conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and 100 grams or more of heroin, from approximately November 2016 until October 18, 2017; possession with intent to distribute the same quantities of cocaine and heroin; possession of four handguns and two rifles in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and possession of firearms by a convicted felon.  The charges in the indictment are merely accusations.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

If convicted of one of the drug offenses, Chapman faces at least 10 years and up to life in prison, a fine of up to $8 million, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 8 years and up to life.  Chapman also faces a consecutive sentence of 5 years in prison if convicted of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

Chapman previously appeared before United States Magistrate Judge F. Christian Hummel in Albany, and was detained pending trial.  

This case is being investigated by the New York State Police and the FBI, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cyrus P.W. Rieck. 

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Cohoes Woman Sentenced for Social Security Fraud

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Cohoes Woman Sentenced for Social Security Fraud

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Donna M. Smith, age 58, of Cohoes, New York, was sentenced today to 14 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, for fraudulently obtaining disability insurance benefits. 

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant. C. Jaquith and John F. Grasso, Special Agent in Charge of the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General, New York Field Office.

As part of her October 19, 2017 guilty plea, Smith admitted to submitting two false statements in which she claimed to have not worked between 2006 and 2015, when in fact she had worked for a total of eight Capital Region employers during this time.  Disability insurance benefits are designed to replace, in part, the loss of income due to a disability.

Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn also ordered Smith to pay $108,866.20 in restitution to the SSA.

This case was investigated by the SSA Office of the Inspector General and prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jason White.