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Charges, hearings, trials, verdicts and sentencing at London courts.
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Man jailed for four years for voyeurism in Islington
Courts—30 Oct 2026, 20:053 min readAnthony Durkan has been sentenced to four years in prison for 26 voyeurism offences. The 36-year-old filmed women through their home windows in Islington between January 2020 and March 2026. He was arrested by officers during a proactive patrol.Read moreBlackmailer Jailed for Targeting Katie Hopkins' ShowsCourts—30 Oct 2026, 16:464 min readPolitical commentator Katie Hopkins suffered significant financial and emotional distress due to a blackmail campaign by Oliver Hutchings, who targeted theatres where she was scheduled to perform. Hutchings received a suspended prison sentence and a restraining order.
IOPC to probe Met handling of child abuse image letterCourts—30 Oct 2026, 15:262 min readThe Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) will investigate the Metropolitan Police's handling of a letter containing serious allegations against Thomas Markle Sr, father of the Duchess of Sussex. The letter, received in 2019, allegedly detailed offending which was not passed to overseas authorities.
Man jailed for bomb hoax on Wandsworth bus
Courts—30 Oct 2026, 14:053 min readAbdul Lasharie has been sentenced to 26 weeks in prison for a bomb hoax on a Wandsworth bus on August 15. He also received a conviction for racially aggravated harassment, causing alarm and distress to passengers and prompting an armed police response.
Crayford man sentenced for attempting to contact child online
Courts—30 Oct 2026, 14:052 min readAshley Acott, of Crayford, has been sentenced to a suspended prison term after admitting to attempting to engage in sexual communication with someone he believed to be under 16. He must also complete unpaid work and adhere to strict internet and child contact restrictions.Russell Brand faces rape and sexual assault charges at Southwark Crown Court
Courts—30 Oct 2026, 13:064 min readRussell Brand is on trial at Southwark Crown Court facing multiple charges including rape and sexual assault. The prosecution has detailed accusations from six women who claim a pattern of behaviour involving flattery before alleged attacks over a decade.Attacker of South Croydon man set for early prison release
Courts—30 Oct 2026, 13:063 min readA South Croydon man who suffered severe injuries after being randomly attacked and kicked into traffic is to have his attacker released from prison early. The perpetrator, Salman Kamraman Karim, was sentenced to 11 years but will be eligible for release in February 2031.Ex-RAF Pilot Robert Burke Dies Aged 86
Courts—30 Oct 2026, 12:053 min readFormer RAF test pilot Robert Burke, who championed the families of those lost in the 1994 Chinook helicopter crash, has died aged 86. His testimony was instrumental in overturning gross negligence verdicts against the pilots.
Parents allege continued seclusion room use at Whitefield School
Courts—30 Oct 2026, 11:054 min readParents have raised new concerns about seclusion rooms and injuries at Whitefield School in Walthamstow. Allegations include a child being placed in a padded room in September 2025 and another suffering significant bruising. This follows a past abuse scandal at the school.Three jailed for £1m West End smash-and-grab robberies
Courts—29 Oct 2026, 23:453 min readThree men have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a series of smash-and-grab robberies across London's West End. The crimes, which occurred between November 2025 and January 2026, targeted luxury fashion retailers and resulted in losses totalling £1 million.Katie Price receives 'devastating news' amid mother's illness
Courts—29 Oct 2026, 18:252 min readKatie Price has revealed she received "devastating news" in an Instagram post, urging fans to "cherish every moment" with loved ones. She clarified the announcement was not related to her mother Amy, who is terminally ill.Man convicted of manslaughter over fatal Balham e-bike row punch
Courts—29 Oct 2026, 16:462 min readAndre Wright-Walters has been convicted of manslaughter after punching pensioner James Gbadamosi, 67, in Balham High Street. Mr Gbadamosi died 12 days after the August 2025 incident, which followed him confronting a youth about e-bike speed.
Master of the Rolls Retires, Cites AI's Role in Courts
Courts—29 Oct 2026, 14:463 min readAs the Master of the Rolls, Sir Geoffrey Vos, prepares for retirement on October 31st, 2026, he has highlighted the growing integration of AI in the legal profession and courts. AI platforms are assisting judges with evidence distillation and judgment drafting, with one judge reporting a six-fold increase in case handling capacity.Man denies 14 attempted murders after train stabbing
Courts—29 Oct 2026, 13:053 min readAnthony Williams, 33, faces 14 charges of attempted murder. He denies all counts but admits intending to cause harm during a series of alleged attacks on an LNER train and in Peterborough on November 1 last year. A 73-year-old victim was repeatedly stabbed.
Royal Courts of Justice hosts 'Justice Without Limits' exhibition
Courts—29 Oct 2026, 12:462 min readAn exhibition titled 'Justice Without Limits' has opened at the Royal Courts of Justice, showcasing the experiences of disabled people working across the legal system. The display, which features contributions from judges, will be available to view until December 2026, with a virtual version also accessible online.Wesley Fofana faces questions over Chelsea future
Courts—29 Oct 2026, 12:253 min readChelsea defender Wesley Fofana's time at the club has been marred by a significant number of missed games due to injury and suspension, alongside costly on-field errors and off-field disciplinary matters. His future at Stamford Bridge appears uncertain as patience wears thin.
Sutton man charged over Balham fatal motorbike crash
Courts—29 Oct 2026, 13:052 min readA 53-year-old man from Wallington has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving following a collision in Balham that resulted in the death of pedestrian Seidi Abdulkhadir. The case has been sent to the Old Bailey for further proceedings.Three jailed for people smuggling gang operating from London
Courts—29 Oct 2026, 10:463 min readThree men have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for their roles in a people smuggling operation that moved migrants from London to France. The gang, which ran 10 smuggling operations between July 2025 and January 2026, charged migrants approximately £1400 per journey.
Camden Council failed vulnerable woman who died after hotel placement, inquest finds
Courts—29 Oct 2026, 08:453 min readAn inquest has found that Camden Council failed in its duty of care towards Colleen Madden, an "extremely vulnerable" 31-year-old woman who died shortly after being placed alone in a hotel. Agencies missed opportunities to provide adequate support, the coroner concluded.Man faces 14 attempted murder charges over train and DLR attacks
Courts—29 Oct 2026, 13:054 min readAnthony Williams denies 14 counts of attempted murder following a series of alleged knife attacks on a train between Peterborough and Huntingdon, in Peterborough, and on a DLR service in east London. The trial is considering his intent during the incidents on October 31 and November 1, 2025.Pimlico resident sues council over Montenegro embassy
Courts—29 Oct 2026, 06:253 min readA Pimlico resident is suing Westminster city council, alleging it did not consider her mental health when approving the conversion of a family home into the Montenegro embassy. The case highlights growing tensions between new diplomatic missions and London residents.Ex-Councillor Athwal Denies Fraud Charges
Courts—28 Oct 2026, 09:462 min readGurbachan Singh Athwal, a former Hounslow Labour councillor and current Independent councillor for Heston East, has pleaded not guilty to fraud by abuse of position. The charges relate to his time as treasurer of Sri Guru Singh Sabha Southall, where he allegedly misappropriated £12,682 between 2021 and 2022.