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Charges, hearings, trials, verdicts and sentencing at London courts.
735 stories · page 13 of 38
Poplar man jailed for five years for online grooming and assault
Courts—6 Oct 2026, 14:473 min readKostyantyn Avdan, 30, from Poplar, has been sentenced to five years in prison for grooming and sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. He was found guilty of multiple child sexual offences and made subject to a 20-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.Read more
Deptford kidnapper with 50 convictions wins deportation appealCourts—6 Oct 2026, 13:463 min readAvdi Alija, who has 50 criminal convictions and was involved in a 2018 knifepoint kidnapping in Deptford, has won an appeal against a deportation order. An immigration judge found that his removal from the UK would lead to exceptionally harsh consequences.
Rosie O'Donnell and Julie Hesmondhalgh star in Pelicot Trial playCourts—6 Oct 2026, 12:463 min readA documentary theatre play based on the trial of Dominique Pelicot, who was jailed for 20 years for drugging and raping his wife, will be staged at London's County Hall on 30 November. The event features 30 actors and public figures, including Rosie O'Donnell and Julie Hesmondhalgh.
Labour loses Hounslow Council majority after councillor's arrest
Courts—6 Oct 2026, 10:253 min readHounslow Council is now under minority Labour control after Councillor Gurbachan Athwal was arrested and charged with fraud. Opposition parties are calling for constitutional changes to be halted.
Pelicot Trial play to feature Gisele Pelicot case accounts at London County Hall
Courts—6 Oct 2026, 10:253 min readThe Pelicot Trial, a play featuring accounts from the Gisele Pelicot case, will be performed at London County Hall on November 30. The production, created by Milo Rau, stars Rosie O’Donnell, Adjoa Andoh, Julie Hesmondhalgh, and Tamzin Outhwaite.
Russell Brand faces rape trial starting October 12
Courts—6 Oct 2026, 09:462 min readRussell Brand attended pre-trial hearings at Southwark Crown Court ahead of his trial for rape and sexual assault charges. The allegations span from 1999 to 2009, and Brand denies all charges. His trial is scheduled to commence on October 12 and is expected to run for 10 weeks.
Sir Mark Warby sworn in as President of King's Bench Division
Courts—6 Oct 2026, 09:462 min readSir Mark Warby has been sworn in as the new President of the King's Bench Division. He will oversee the division's extensive work, including civil claims, torts, and judicial reviews of public bodies, and manage the deployment of its judges.
Eltham teacher barred from profession after accessing pornography
Courts—6 Oct 2026, 06:253 min readA teacher at Eltham College Junior School has been banned from teaching indefinitely after accessing and storing pornography on his work computer. William Schaper was dismissed in January 2025 and can apply to have the ban lifted after two years.
Jeffrey Archer, author and former MP, dies aged 86
Courts—5 Oct 2026, 22:253 min readBestselling author and former Conservative MP Jeffrey Archer has died at the age of 86. His publisher, Harper Collins, confirmed he passed away peacefully at home on Monday between writing sessions. Archer, known for novels like Kane and Abel, was jailed for perjury in 2001.
Prisoner died by suicide after terror order impact, inquest finds
Courts—6 Oct 2026, 09:464 min readAn inquest jury has concluded that prisoner Akhtar Uddin died by suicide after Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures (TPIM) significantly impacted his mental state. The jury found HMP Wandsworth failed to provide adequate support due to staff's lack of awareness of TPIM restrictions.Uber driver given hospital order for killing street cleaner
Courts—5 Oct 2026, 18:055 min readAn Uber driver has been given an indefinite hospital order after killing a council street cleaner and wounding his landlord in west London. Dawood Safi pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility for the death of Wayne Broadhurst.
Joe Cole admits speeding near Wandsworth Common
Courts—5 Oct 2026, 19:452 min readActor Joe Cole has admitted to speeding in a 20mph zone near Wandsworth Common. His BMW was recorded at 24mph on May 28. Cole pleaded guilty by the single justice procedure, stating he had not received documentation for the fine.
Pape Sarr banned from driving for six months
Courts—5 Oct 2026, 16:452 min readTottenham Hotspur footballer Pape Sarr has been disqualified from driving for six months after being caught speeding in Haringey. The 24-year-old pleaded guilty to exceeding a 20mph limit on Green Lanes.Ex-City Special Constable barred after spying conviction
Courts—5 Oct 2026, 16:253 min readA former City of London Police Special Constable has been placed on the force's barred list following his conviction for spying on Hong Kong dissidents. Chi Leung 'Peter' Wai was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his crimes.
Mother died after falling bricks at Bow construction site
Courts—5 Oct 2026, 15:463 min readA mother-of-one died after being struck by falling bricks near a construction site in Bow. Michaela Boor suffered fatal injuries when a pallet of bricks fell from a tower crane on Burdett Road. Higgins Homes and four men deny charges related to her death.
Uber driver detained indefinitely after fatal Uxbridge stabbing
Courts—5 Oct 2026, 15:263 min readAn Uber driver has been detained indefinitely at a secure psychiatric hospital after fatally stabbing a dog walker and attacking two other people in Uxbridge. Dawood Safi admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility for the death of Wayne Broadhurst.
Man jailed for life over Israeli embassy knife attack plot
Courts—5 Oct 2026, 14:252 min readA failed asylum seeker has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum 20-year term for planning a knife attack at London's Israeli embassy. Abdullah Albadri was tackled by armed police after jumping a fence at the Kensington site.Girl, 12, died after nut-contaminated milkshake, inquest hears
Courts—5 Oct 2026, 14:263 min readA 12-year-old girl died after consuming a milkshake suspected of being contaminated with nuts from a Bermondsey café. An inquest is now examining the circumstances of her death, including events at the café and the café owner's subsequent prosecution.