The morning case file
London Crime Briefing
Significant incidents, hearings, outcomes and public-data changes across the capital.
Home › Courts
Courts
Charges, hearings, trials, verdicts and sentencing at London courts.
262 stories · page 2 of 14
Al Fayed abuse claims could top £150m, says law firm
Courts—13 Sept 2026, 15:254 min readClaims from 275 survivors alleging sexual abuse by Mohamed Al Fayed could total between £100m and £150m, according to law firm KP Law. This figure is two to three times the £51.8m Harrods had set aside for compensation as of January 2026.Read moreLeeds man convicted of Westminster murderCourts—13 Sept 2026, 10:052 min readSuliaman Tajzai, 18, has been convicted of murder and possessing a bladed article after stabbing Farmanullah Sherzad to death on Abbey Orchard Street, Westminster. Tajzai will be sentenced on 18 September.
US diplomat removed from UK over child image allegationsCourts—13 Sept 2026, 00:053 min readA US diplomat accused of possessing indecent images of children was reportedly flown out of the UK by American officials without British police being notified. The Metropolitan Police were made aware of a US investigation into suspected offences in London.
Jamaica petitions King Charles for slavery reparations advice
Courts—12 Sept 2026, 12:254 min readA Jamaican delegation has formally petitioned King Charles III for legal advice from the privy council regarding transatlantic slavery and its enduring consequences. The UK government maintains its stance against paying reparations.
Bromley GP struck off for misconduct with patients
Courts—12 Sept 2026, 11:253 min readDr William Smerdon has been removed from the medical register by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service following findings of sexually motivated misconduct with two vulnerable patients. The tribunal noted repeated inappropriate behaviour across multiple consultations.
PC Christopher Gudgeon found guilty of sexual assault
Courts—12 Sept 2026, 09:462 min readMetropolitan Police officer PC Christopher Gudgeon has been found guilty of sexual assault after an incident on June 25, 2022. The 43-year-old officer, who was off-duty at the time, admitted to some actions but lied to the court about his conduct. He is currently suspended and awaits sentencing.
Newham care home death probed by inquest
Courts—11 Sept 2026, 18:052 min readAn inquest has been opened into the death of Zola Bitshuangu, 48, who died from heatstroke on May 26 after being found unresponsive in the garden of Forest Lodge nursing home in Forest Gate. The hearing will examine concerns about the quality of care provided.
Met Officer Convicted of Sexual Assault
Courts—11 Sept 2026, 16:462 min readMetropolitan Police officer PC Christopher Gudgeon has been convicted of sexual assault following an incident at a south London address in June 2022. He is currently suspended and faces a misconduct hearing.
Mamadou Bah jailed for three years for Chancery Lane Tube robbery
Courts—11 Sept 2026, 16:462 min readMamadou Bah has been sentenced to three years in prison for a robbery on the London Underground. The incident occurred at Chancery Lane station on December 20, when Bah followed a victim from a Central line train and stole his gold necklace.Enfield man pleads guilty to encouraging sexual offences
Courts—11 Sept 2026, 15:453 min readDarren Conway, 52, from Enfield, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges including assisting or encouraging sexual offences, sexual assault, voyeurism, and possessing an extreme pornographic image. He is due to be sentenced in October.
Sadiq Khan wrongly convicted of car tax offence
Courts—11 Sept 2026, 14:464 min readMayor of London Sadiq Khan was wrongly convicted of failing to pay car tax. The conviction was overturned after it was found he did not own the vehicle, prompting calls for reform of the Single Justice Procedure.
Heathrow passengers 'vomited blood' after tear gas incident
Courts—11 Sept 2026, 13:453 min readDozens of passengers at Heathrow Airport suffered coughing fits, with some vomiting blood, after tear gas was discharged near a Caffè Nero. The incident on December 7 last year led to Terminal 3 being closed for hours, and two women had their suitcases stolen.
Couple told to take adoption leave before councils scrap plans
Courts—11 Sept 2026, 13:464 min readA London couple were advised to take a year of adoption leave from work and buy children's items before Ealing, Hounslow, and Southwark Councils abandoned their adoption plans. The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman found multiple failures in the process.
Peter Murrell proceeds of crime hearing set for December 7
Courts—11 Sept 2026, 11:252 min readA Proceeds of Crime Act hearing for Peter Murrell, who was jailed for embezzling over £400,000 from the SNP, has been postponed to December 7. The hearing will decide the confiscation of funds stolen over a 12-year period.
Man jailed for strangling theatregoer had hired hitmen
Courts—11 Sept 2026, 12:473 min readMalcolm Potier, 75, has been jailed for two years after strangling a theatregoer during a performance. He had previously been imprisoned for attempting to hire hitmen.
Malcolm Potier jailed for strangling woman at London Coliseum
Courts—10 Sept 2026, 18:053 min readMalcolm Potier, 75, has been sentenced to two years in prison for strangling Kirsty O'Donnell at the London Coliseum in June 2023. The attack followed an argument after the victim sang along to a show. Potier has a previous conviction in Australia for inciting murder.
Bromley drug dealer jailed for four-and-a-half years
Courts—10 Sept 2026, 17:463 min readNavid Jamshidi, 33, has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison for his involvement in supplying cocaine across south east London. He was stopped by officers on June 19 in St Paul's Cray.
Man jailed for strangling woman at West End show
Courts—10 Sept 2026, 17:053 min readMalcolm Potier, 75, has been jailed for two years after strangling a woman during a performance of 'We Will Rock You' at the London Coliseum. The judge highlighted a pattern of dominance and control in his actions.
Man jailed for life for Camden murder
Courts—10 Sept 2026, 16:252 min readRasheed Abdul Rahman has been sentenced to life in custody for the murder of Mark Carroll in Camden. The 21-year-old received a minimum term of 27 years at Wood Green Crown Court.