The morning case file
London Crime Briefing
Significant incidents, hearings, outcomes and public-data changes across the capital.
Subject
Crown Prosecution Service
London Crime News has published 53 stories involving Crown Prosecution Service, from July 2026 to October 2026. Each one is scored for how well the original reporting stood up, and lists the reports it was written from.
- Latest
Jury discharged in fatal Tottenham shooting trial
A jury has been discharged after failing to reach verdicts in the trial of Michael Clarke, who faced charges of murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Tanesha Melbourne-Blake was killed in Chalgrove Road, Tottenham, in April 2018.
2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 58 · Hype 25 - Courts · City of London
Two Londoners Charged Over Iran Intelligence Plot
Two British nationals from London, Mohmed Abdulkarim and Nouman Essghir, have been charged in connection with a plot to assist Iran's intelligence service. The charges follow an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing into an incident near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
City of London2 min readTrust 44 · Craft 61 · Hype 41 - Community Safety · Islington
Islington strangulation service sees 288 referrals
A specialist health service in Islington for victims of non-fatal strangulation has received 288 referrals. The multi-agency clinical service, launched in July, aims to detect health issues resulting from the abuse.
Islington3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 71 · Hype 45 
Courts · WestminsterNoel Clarke appears at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on sexual assault charges
Noel Clarke, 50, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. He is charged with six sexual offences alleged to have occurred between 2007 and 2016 in London and Dorset. Detective Superintendent Mike Cagney confirmed ongoing support for the five alleged victims.
Westminster4 min readTrust 66 · Craft 80 · Hype 15- Courts · London
Student jailed for 28 years for brutal West London murder
A 24-year-old man has been sentenced to 28 years in prison for the murder of Xiaoqing Ke, a mother of two, in West London. The court heard of a sustained knife attack following emotional manipulation and theft.
London3 min readTrust 70 · Craft 77 · Hype 45 
Courts · EalingArchitect convicted in absence over Heathrow flight assault
West London architect Simone de Gale was convicted in her absence at Ealing Magistrates' Court on October 15 for assaulting cabin crew and other offences on a flight. An arrest warrant has been issued.
Ealing2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 65 · Hype 41
Courts · Kensington and ChelseaArchitect convicted of cabin crew assault after failing to attend court
A prominent architect has been convicted of assaulting a Virgin Atlantic cabin crew member and other offences after failing to appear at Ealing Magistrates' Court. An arrest warrant has been issued for Simone de Gale, 44, who was found guilty in her absence.
Kensington and Chelsea2 min readTrust 54 · Craft 52 · Hype 35
Courts · City of LondonSeven charged over unfit meat and animal cruelty
Seven people have been charged by the Crown Prosecution Service following a lengthy investigation into unfit meat and animal cruelty. Three of the defendants are from London and appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court.
City of London2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 57 · Hype 20- Courts · London
Met Police Chief Warns of Criminal Justice System Strain
The head of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Mark Rowley, has described the criminal justice system as being under "massive strain". He cited years of funding cuts and Covid-19 backlogs, leading to nearly 500 London cases set for trial in 2030 and 36 firearms defendants on bail.
London4 min readTrust 60 · Craft 71 · Hype 45 
Courts · BarnetEx-Grenfell housing chief leaves Barnet Homes role
Laura Johnson, who led housing at Kensington and Chelsea during the Grenfell Tower fire, has left her position at Barnet Homes. Her appointment had drawn strong criticism from Grenfell survivors and bereaved families.
Barnet3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 75 · Hype 45- Courts · Westminster
Navy sailor faces Old Bailey over security act charges
A Royal Navy sailor has appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court charged with offences under the National Security Act. Teddy Young, 24, is accused of accessing and retaining sensitive UK defence and intelligence material between November 2024 and May 2025. The case will now be heard at the Old Bailey.
Westminster3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 65 · Hype 45 
Courts · Kensington and ChelseaGrenfell prosecutions: CPS to decide on charges within eight months
Prosecutors will decide within eight months whether to bring charges over the Grenfell Tower fire. The Ministry of Housing and Kensington and Chelsea council are among those being considered for potential corporate manslaughter and health and safety breaches.
Kensington and Chelsea3 min readTrust 48 · Craft 67 · Hype 45
Courts · Kensington and ChelseaKensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation faces manslaughter charge
The Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO) has confirmed it is facing a corporate manslaughter charge in connection with the Grenfell Tower fire. The Met Police has submitted evidence files to the Crown Prosecution Service concerning individuals and companies.
Kensington and Chelsea3 min readTrust 70 · Craft 77 · Hype 45- Courts · City of London
Man charged with murder after fatal Liverpool Street assault
Jeremiah Maximo, 38, has been charged with murder, manslaughter and affray in connection with the death of Thomas Jewitt, 32. The alleged assault occurred at Liverpool Street Underground station on August 30. Maximo appeared at Inner London Crown Court and has been remanded in custody.
City of London2 min readTrust 48 · Craft 53 · Hype 41 
Courts · Kensington and ChelseaGrenfell Tower fire: 54 individuals and 20 organisations may face charges
Nine years after the Grenfell Tower fire, the Metropolitan Police has passed 20 files to the Crown Prosecution Service. These files concern potential charges for 54 individuals and 20 organisations, including corporate manslaughter and health and safety offences.
Kensington and Chelsea3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Courts · Kensington and ChelseaKensington and Chelsea Council faces charges over Grenfell Fire
Kensington and Chelsea Council has been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for potential charges including corporate manslaughter and breaches of fire safety regulations following the Grenfell Tower fire. A decision on charges is expected before the 10th anniversary of the tragedy.
Kensington and Chelsea3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 61 · Hype 41
Courts · Kensington and ChelseaGrenfell investigation file sent to prosecutors
The Metropolitan Police has handed its final investigation file into the Grenfell Tower fire to the Crown Prosecution Service. The force indicated that 20 companies and organisations, along with 54 individuals, could face criminal charges.
Kensington and Chelsea2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 53 · Hype 41
Courts · Kensington and ChelseaGrenfell fire files passed to prosecutors
Files concerning 20 companies and 54 individuals have been sent to prosecutors by Grenfell fire investigators. Potential charges include corporate manslaughter and fraud. The Crown Prosecution Service is expected to make charging decisions before June 14, 2027.
Kensington and Chelsea2 min readTrust 30 · Craft 53 · Hype 45- Latest
All domestic abuse victims to get liaison officer nationwide
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is making its Universal Service for victims and Enhanced Service for survivors of domestic abuse permanent nationwide. This means all domestic abuse victims will receive a dedicated victim liaison officer, a service previously limited to victims of rape and sexual offences.
3 min readTrust 30 · Craft 45 · Hype 20 
Courts · BarnetGolders Green stabbing: No terror link, but hate crime charge
The Crown Prosecution Service has concluded there is insufficient evidence to establish a terrorist connection in the Golders Green double stabbing. The accused faces charges for hate crimes, with authorities acknowledging the impact on the Jewish community.
Barnet2 min readTrust 50 · Craft 61 · Hype 41
Courts · EnfieldPaedophile bailed to Enfield flat despite police objections
A man jailed for creating indecent images of women and girls was granted bail to his Enfield home despite police and prosecutor objections, prompting criticism of the justice system. Zafer Dogan received a two-year, four-month sentence.
Enfield3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Courts · EnfieldEnfield man jailed for AI child abuse images
Zafer Dogan has been jailed for two years and four months after creating indecent images of children using artificial intelligence. He photographed thousands of women and children before digitally altering images. Police opposed bail on multiple occasions due to the risk he posed.
Enfield3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 77 · Hype 45
Courts · CroydonCroydon man jailed for 16 years over illegal arms deals
A 68-year-old Croydon businessman has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for his role in brokering illegal arms deals. David Greenhalgh, along with his business partner, supplied weapons to Sudan, South Sudan, and Libya between 2009 and 2016.
Croydon3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 60 · Hype 40- Fraud & Cybercrime · City of London
Ponzi scheme mastermind jailed for over five years
James Gillingham has been jailed for five years and six months for leading a £1 million Ponzi scheme that defrauded over 60 victims. The gang used fake London office addresses and aliases from popular TV shows to deceive investors between June 2015 and October 2016.
City of London3 min readTrust 70 · Craft 77 · Hype 45 - Fraud & Cybercrime · City of London
Fraudster jailed for £1m investment scam
James Gillingham has been sentenced to five years and six months in prison for an investment fraud scam that defrauded 74 investors of over £1 million. He operated through companies Choice Option and Blue Crest Capital Options, promising guaranteed returns through binary options trading.
City of London3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 60 · Hype 40 
Courts · City of LondonTim Westwood faces two new sexual offence charges
Tim Westwood has been charged with two further sexual offences, including indecent assault in Hammersmith and Fulham in 1991 and sexual assault in Wandsworth in 2004. The Crown Prosecution Service authorised the charges following a Metropolitan Police investigation. Westwood denies all allegations and is already facing trial for multiple other charges.
City of London3 min readTrust 70 · Craft 77 · Hype 41- Latest
Charges dropped against six activists outside Woolwich Crown Court
Charges against six activists accused of intimidating jurors during a Palestine Action trial outside Woolwich Crown Court have been dropped. The Crown Prosecution Service discontinued the case, stating there was no realistic prospect of conviction.
3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 41 
Courts · City of LondonMan charged with assisting Russian intelligence
A 31-year-old man, Joshua Cammidge, has been charged under the National Security Act with assisting a foreign intelligence service and preparatory conduct. He was arrested in Swindon and is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court.
City of London3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 57 · Hype 20- Courts · London
Man Charged with National Security Act Offences
Joshua Cammidge, 31, has been charged with offences under the National Security Act, including assisting a foreign intelligence service and preparatory conduct. The investigation was led by Counter Terrorism Policing London.
London2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 53 · Hype 20 
Policing · City of LondonMet Police probe Reform UK over foreign donation claims
The Metropolitan Police has launched a criminal investigation into Reform UK concerning allegations of breaches of foreign donation rules. The probe follows a report by Channel 4 News alleging senior party figures discussed disguising foreign funds, with leader Nigel Farage filmed by undercover reporters.
City of London3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 57 · Hype 65- Latest
Noel Clarke charged with sexual offences
Actor Noel Clarke has been charged with two counts of sexual assault, three counts of voyeurism, and one count of exposure. The alleged offences involve five women and occurred between 2007 and 2016. Clarke is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 45 · Hype 20 
Courts · NewhamNo action against Tube passengers in exposure case
Three passengers who intervened when a man exposed himself on a London Underground train will face no further action. British Transport Police had investigated them on suspicion of affray, but prosecutors found no realistic prospect of conviction.
Newham2 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 20- Policing · London
Zhenhao Zou: Further evidence file sent to CPS
Metropolitan Police detectives have sent a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) concerning further allegations linked to Zhenhao Zou, who was convicted in 2025 of multiple offences including rape and sentenced to life imprisonment.
London3 min readTrust 68 · Craft 80 · Hype 15 
Courts · BromleyOrpington man avoids jail for child communication offence
An Orpington man has avoided prison after pleading guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. Matthew Nott was sentenced at Bromley Magistrates' Court and ordered to pay costs and a surcharge.
Bromley2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 57 · Hype 41
Courts · SouthwarkJudge criticises CPS over £10,000 Rolex robbery case dropped after 11 years
A judge has criticised the Crown Prosecution Service for wasting public money on a £10,000 Rolex robbery case that was discontinued after 11 years. Khaled Gestalli was accused of the 2015 offence but the charge was dropped due to identification issues and missing CCTV.
Southwark3 min readTrust 66 · Craft 95 · Hype 35- Policing · Westminster
Detective Sergeant Charged with Five Counts of Sexual Assault
Metropolitan Police Detective Sergeant Prakash Patel faces five charges of sexual assault. He was arrested in April 2025 and suspended from duty, with the case referred to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Westminster2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 15 
LatestKent officer receives two-year warning for excessive force
A Kent Police officer has received a two-year final written warning following a gross misconduct hearing. PC Aaron Humphries was found to have used excessive force against a handcuffed man who appeared to lose consciousness during an arrest in Faversham.
3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 15
Policing · City of LondonMet Police take no further action over IDF chant
The Metropolitan Police will not take further action against punk rapper Bobby Vylan, whose real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster, following an investigation into chants made at an Al Quds Day demonstration on Albert Embankment on 15 March. The force consulted the Crown Prosecution Service.
City of London2 min readTrust 48 · Craft 61 · Hype 20
Courts · City of LondonMet Police send file on man in his 80s to CPS over assaults
The Metropolitan Police has submitted an evidence file to the Crown Prosecution Service concerning a man in his 80s for a charging decision. The file relates to two indecent assaults on women in London. Seven suspects have been interviewed under caution as part of the ongoing investigation.
City of London4 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Courts · City of LondonCPS reviews sexual assault claims against Mohamed Al Fayed
More than 400 allegations of rape, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking have been made against Mohamed Al Fayed by at least 156 women. A file has now been sent to the Crown Prosecution Service.
City of London2 min readTrust 30 · Craft 53 · Hype 70
LatestEx-officer Rikki Hall charged with rape and strangulation
Former South Wales Police officer Rikki Hall has been charged with two counts of rape and one count of non-fatal strangulation. The alleged offences occurred in Swansea in February 2024 while he was on duty. Hall also faces charges of firearm possession and two counts of misconduct in public office.
2 min readTrust 30 · Craft 45 · Hype 20
Courts · City of LondonMohamed Al Fayed suspect case file sent to prosecutors
The Metropolitan Police has submitted a case file to prosecutors concerning a suspect in his 80s as part of an investigation into alleged sexual assaults against Mohamed Al Fayed. The Crown Prosecution Service will now decide whether to bring charges.
City of London2 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Courts · HillingdonWest Drayton man jailed for rape on Bournemouth seafront
A 19-year-old man from West Drayton, Hillingdon, has been sentenced to six years and nine months in prison for rape and sexual assault. The attack took place in a portable toilet on Bournemouth seafront after Mohammed Abdullah offered the victim a lift.
Hillingdon3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Violent Crime · GreenwichMax Moy-Wheatley murder case dropped by CPS six months after Petts Wood stabbing
The Crown Prosecution Service has discontinued proceedings against two men charged with the murder of 19-year-old Max Moy-Wheatley, who was fatally stabbed in Jubilee Park, Petts Wood, on 20 September 2023. Detectives say the case remains open and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.
Greenwich4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 58
Courts · LondonSimon Levy jailed for life for murders of two women in London
Simon Levy, 40, has been convicted of murdering two women and raping a third in London. The Met Police, British Transport Police and Crown Prosecution Service admitted failings in handling Levy, who was on bail as his attacks escalated. He will be sentenced on Wednesday at the Old Bailey.
London5 min readTrust 74 · Craft 83 · Hype 21
Violent Crime · LondonMet Police downgraded murderer Simon Levy’s risk before two women killed
Simon Levy, 40, was convicted of murdering Carmenza Valencia Trujillo and Sheryl Wilkins in 2025 after the Metropolitan Police reduced his risk classification. The force closed a rape investigation despite potential identification, while British Transport Police delayed charges for six months despite video evidence.
London6 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 70
Courts · BexleySeyhan Assaf denies manslaughter after inquest rules partner's death suicide
Seyhan Assaf, 45, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter at the Old Bailey on Thursday. An inquest ruled Gillian Morand’s death a suicide. Assaf also denies GBH and coercive control charges. He remains in custody ahead of a March 2027 trial.
Bexley4 min readTrust 36 · Craft 52 · Hype 30
Courts · LambethLambeth Man Charged Under Serious Crime Act Over Take Back Power Links
A 25-year-old man from Lambeth has been charged with encouraging or assisting offences under the Serious Crime Act 2007. The charge relates to a Metropolitan Police investigation into the activist group Take Back Power, which has claimed responsibility for criminal damage at high-profile London sites.
Lambeth5 min readTrust 44 · Craft 52 · Hype 30- Violent Crime · Lambeth
Arthur Clifton charged with encouraging theft and criminal damage linked to Take Back Power
Arthur Clifton, of Gipsy Road, Lambeth, has been charged under the Serious Crime Act 2007 for allegedly encouraging theft and criminal damage. The charge follows a Metropolitan Police investigation into the group Take Back Power, which has claimed responsibility for high-profile stunts in London.
Lambeth4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 15 - Policing · London
Police legal database hacked: 100,000 officers' details posted on the dark web
Around 100,000 UK police officers and staff have had their names, contact details and force affiliations published on the dark web after a breach of the Police National Legal Database. No force-by-force breakdown has been released, and no official statement has yet named the scale of the Metropolitan Police's exposure.
London2 min read 
Courts · HackneyEx-nurse extradited from Barbados over Hackney hospital sex charges
A former nurse has been extradited from Barbados and charged with unlawful sexual activity with a woman treated for a mental disorder at Homerton Hospital in Hackney. Jason Forde, 56, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 31 July 2026 and was remanded in custody ahead of a Wood Green Crown Court hearing on 25 August.
Hackney4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 35- Courts · London
What happens after someone is charged with a crime in London?
A plain-English guide to what a criminal charge means, the first magistrates’ court hearing, bail and remand, Crown Court cases, verdicts and sentencing.
London7 min read - Policing · Islington
Islington Man Charged Under National Security Act for RAF Akrotiri Surveillance
A 44-year-old Islington resident has been charged under the National Security Act for allegedly conducting hostile surveillance at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus between May and June 2025. Rashad Sultanov is accused of sharing information with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. Extradition proceedings are underway.
Islington4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 15