The morning case file
London Crime Briefing
Significant incidents, hearings, outcomes and public-data changes across the capital.
Subject
Woolwich Crown Court
London Crime News has published 41 stories involving Woolwich Crown Court, 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
Man jailed for stabbing aunt over funeral plans
Zachary Fitch has been sentenced to 13 months' imprisonment for stabbing his aunt in the face during an argument about funeral arrangements. The incident occurred outside his Prospect Vale home on March 20, and Fitch was released immediately upon sentencing.
3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 65 · Hype 41 - Courts · Lewisham
Blood delivery driver jailed for cyclist attack
A blood delivery driver has been jailed for deliberately running over a cyclist in Lewisham after the cyclist spat at his van. Mark Okotie, 44, was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court for causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Lewisham3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 75 · Hype 25 
Courts · GreenwichMap thief jailed for three years at Woolwich Crown Court
Melvin West, 70, has been sentenced to three years in prison for stealing a rare 17th Century world map from the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich. The map, cut from a 1684 atlas, has not been recovered and its loss is considered a significant cultural blow.
Greenwich3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 75 · Hype 40- Courts · Lewisham
Lewisham man jailed for burglary after name overheard
Tyrone Muir, 47, has been sentenced to three years and two months in prison for a burglary on Lee High Road. A police officer identified him after hearing his name shouted by an accomplice during the incident.
Lewisham3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 77 · Hype 20 - Courts · City of London
Ex-Met Officer Jailed for Sexual Assault
A former Metropolitan Police officer, Sijanta Thapa, has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for sexually assaulting a colleague. The incident occurred in October 2020 after a social gathering. Thapa resigned from the force in 2024 following a separate allegation.
City of London3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 77 · Hype 45 
Courts · GreenwichTeenage hitman convicted of murder plot for Iran-backed gang
Johannes Kongsnes Natland, a 19-year-old from Norway, has been found guilty by an Old Bailey jury of conspiracy to murder. He was arrested in Huddersfield with firearms and ammunition, allegedly as part of a plot for an Iran-backed gang.
Greenwich4 min readTrust 44 · Craft 67 · Hype 45
Courts · BexleyBexley Magician Jailed for Child Abuse and Indecent Images
A former Bexley teacher and magician, Kevin Doig, has been sentenced to two years and two months imprisonment for sexually abusing a girl under 13 and possessing thousands of indecent images of children. He was also a child protection officer for The Magic Circle's Young Magicians Club.
Bexley2 min readTrust 50 · Craft 61 · Hype 41
Courts · BexleyTwo jailed for Bexleyheath nightclub shooting
Marvin Bulle and Carlos Parks have been jailed for a total of 55 years after a man was shot in the face outside a Bexleyheath nightclub on January 4. The victim survived the attack, described as 'nothing short of a miracle'.
Bexley4 min readTrust 70 · Craft 77 · Hype 45
Courts · BexleyBexley man jailed for three years for leading monkey torture network
A 30-year-old man from Bexley has been sentenced to three years and three months in prison for his role in a global network that tortured and killed monkeys. Bartosz Poklek admitted running the ring between June 2023 and September 2025, distributing thousands of abuse videos and directing 'abuse on demand' content.
Bexley3 min readTrust 70 · Craft 77 · Hype 45- Latest
Man banned from driving avoids jail after Hither Green moped chase
A moped rider who led police on a chase through Hither Green, driving on pavements and ramming vehicles, has received a suspended prison sentence. Nicholas Scantlebury, 42, was already disqualified from driving at the time of the incident on April 8.
2 min readTrust 48 · Craft 57 · Hype 41 
LatestLee Walker charged over Woolwich stabbing
Lee Walker, 24, has been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent and other offences following a stabbing on Herbert Road, Woolwich. The victim suffered non life-threatening injuries. Walker appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court and was remanded in custody.
2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 57 · Hype 41
Courts · GreenwichPlumstead man faces rape and sexual assault charges
Joshua Archer, 18, of Wickham Lane, Plumstead, faces charges of rape and sexual assault following an alleged incident in Greenwich on July 1, 2026. He appeared at Bromley Magistrates’ Court and is remanded in custody.
Greenwich1 min readTrust 48 · Craft 65 · Hype 20
Courts · BexleyBexley man admits sending sexual messages to child
A Bexley man has admitted attempting to send sexual messages to a 12-year-old child. Thomas Smith pleaded guilty to the offence and two breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order at Bexley Magistrates’ Court. He has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at Woolwich Crown Court.
Bexley2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 65 · Hype 41
Courts · SouthwarkFormer Southwark Cathedral verger charged with indecent assault
A former verger at Southwark Cathedral, Clive McCleester, 81, has pleaded not guilty to 12 charges of indecent assault against boys. The alleged offences took place in Eltham and Southwark between 1976 and 1983. He remains in custody awaiting his next court appearance.
Southwark3 min readTrust 30 · Craft 55 · Hype 45
Courts · LewishamLewisham cannabis farmer jailed for six months
An asylum seeker caught tending a cannabis farm in Lewisham has been sentenced to six months in prison. Arjan Bregaj was found with 83 plants at the property and admitted producing a controlled drug.
Lewisham2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 57 · Hype 41
Courts · BexleyMan jailed for funeral threats to ex-partner
A Dartford man has been sentenced to one year in prison for harassment and malicious communication offences. Danny Jarvis threatened his ex-partner with violence if she attended his mother's funeral and sent further threats from prison.
Bexley3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 60 · Hype 45
Courts · BexleyAbbey Wood hit-and-run driver jailed for over three years
A 31-year-old man has been sentenced to over three years in prison for a hit-and-run incident in Abbey Wood. Brennan Mongan was convicted of multiple offences including grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving.
Bexley2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 41
Courts · BexleyBexley Magician Admits Child Abuse and Image Offences
Bexley magician Kevin Doig has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a nine-year-old girl and possessing 1,767 indecent and prohibited images of a child. He is due to be sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court in October.
Bexley2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 63 · Hype 41
Courts · BexleySidcup pharmacy attacker gets 18-month community order
Curtis Bailey has received an 18-month community order for attacking staff and customers at Southcotts Pharmacy in Sidcup. A 69-year-old worker suffered a broken arm and an 89-year-old customer was injured in the incident on February 2.
Bexley3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Courts · BexleyColin Bartley given 22‑month suspended term after Erith police chase
A court in Woolwich sentenced Colin Bartley to a 22‑month suspended prison term after a police chase on Hengist Road, Erith, that ended with a rammed stationary car, a £13,000 Nissan wreck and the later recovery of a £25,000 stolen Lexus.
Bexley3 min readTrust 56 · Craft 95 · Hype 55
Courts · LewishamBeckenham brothers jailed for kidnapping and blackmail
Two brothers from Beckenham have been sentenced to over seven years in prison each for kidnapping and blackmailing a man they lured to Lewisham with a fake dating profile. Armed police intervened to rescue the victim.
Lewisham3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 77 · Hype 60- 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 
LatestRecruiter admits defrauding Beckenham firm of £179,603
A 32-year-old recruiter from Swanley has admitted defrauding a Beckenham-based IT recruitment firm of £179,603. Abigail Meek pleaded guilty to fraud by abuse of position at Bromley Magistrates' Court.
2 min readTrust 30 · Craft 59 · Hype 45
Courts · City of LondonDouble killer denies assaulting prison officer at Belmarsh
Simon Levy, who is serving a whole-life sentence for the murders of two women, has denied assaulting a prison officer at HMP Belmarsh. He pleaded not guilty to charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation at Woolwich Crown Court.
City of London2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 65 · Hype 20
Courts · BromleyBromley drug dealer jailed for four-and-a-half years
Navid 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.
Bromley3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45
Courts · GreenwichGreenwich woman ordered to repay £4,177 after imaginary carer fraud
A woman from Mottingham has been ordered to repay over £4,000 to Greenwich Council after defrauding the authority by claiming payments for a carer who did not exist. Tracy Stratton pleaded guilty to fraud at Woolwich Crown Court.
Greenwich3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 57 · Hype 41
Courts · BexleyBexley child rapist Liam Ross has sentence increased to 15 years
Liam Ross, a coach driver, has had his prison sentence for sex offences against girls in Bexley increased from 12 to 15 years. The Attorney General intervened following a referral by MP Ellie Reeves.
Bexley3 min readTrust 48 · Craft 67 · Hype 41
Violent Crime · GreenwichJohn Mongan jailed for three years after Eltham transgender couple attack
A Romford man has been sentenced to three years in prison for assaulting a transgender couple in Eltham. The attack on 18 April left both victims with significant injuries after John Mongan threatened and punched them on Baring Road. The court heard Mongan has a history of violent offences.
Greenwich4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 65
Fraud & Cybercrime · BexleyWelling mother ordered to repay £30,242 after Universal Credit fraud
A Welling resident has been sentenced for fraudulently claiming £30,242 in Universal Credit by falsely stating three children lived with her. Natasha Goshawk, 26, admitted failing to notify the DWP of changes affecting her entitlement. She received a suspended prison sentence and must repay the sum at £63 per month.
Bexley4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 50
Courts · City of LondonLouis Taylor jailed for 20 years for Gravesend rape and wounding
Louis Taylor has been sentenced to 20 years in prison at Woolwich Crown Court for a violent attack in Gravesend. He pleaded guilty to eight offences, including three counts of rape and wounding with intent, and has been placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.
City of London3 min readTrust 30 · Craft 57 · Hype 41
Courts · BexleySidcup martial arts teacher jailed for 25 years for child abuse
Tony Swanson, a martial arts teacher from Sidcup, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexually abusing a pupil. He was found guilty of 15 child sex offences, including four counts of rape, at Woolwich Crown Court.
Bexley4 min readTrust 50 · Craft 75 · Hype 45
Courts · BexleySidcup beauty parlour owner jailed for rape
A former Sidcup beauty parlour owner has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison for the rape of a heavily intoxicated woman. Javaughn Brown was found guilty by a unanimous jury at Woolwich Crown Court.
Bexley3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 57 · Hype 41
Violent Crime · GreenwichCollin Vargo charged with cyberflashing and sexual assault in Canary Wharf and Charlton
Collin Vargo, 29, faces three counts of cyberflashing, sexual assault and exposure after alleged offences between February and May 2024. Three women are listed as victims in Canary Wharf and Charlton. He remains held at HMP Berwyn in North Wales.
Greenwich4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 35
Courts · LondonDaniel Boakye jailed 10 more months for two hospital escapes in one week
Daniel Boakye, serving six years for a £115,000 cryptocurrency robbery, escaped custody twice in February 2024. He was recaptured in France 16 days later and sentenced to an additional 10 months at Woolwich Crown Court on 14 August 2024. Police still do not know how he reached Brittany.
London5 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 65
Courts · LewishamKevin Kelenda loses murder appeal, 17-year minimum term stands
Kevin Kelenda, convicted of murdering Tyrone Pinnock in Brent in October 2023, has failed in his appeal against conviction and sentence. Appeal judges upheld the life term with a 17-year minimum, rejecting claims that a live video link from prison denied him a fair trial.
Lewisham4 min readTrust 44 · Craft 62 · Hype 55
Courts · BexleyBelvedere driver spared jail after 96mph crash breaks ex-partner’s spine
A 29-year-old man from Plumstead avoided immediate prison after flipping his car at 96mph on a 50mph roundabout, leaving his former partner with a broken vertebra. The court heard he ignored warnings and laughed when told he was driving dangerously.
Bexley5 min readTrust 56 · Craft 85 · Hype 48
Courts · GreenwichTony Standing pleads guilty to grooming offences involving 15-year-old girl
Tony Standing, 46, admitted three charges relating to sexual communication with a child and grooming. Woolwich Crown Court heard his defence claim cocaine addiction drove the offences, but Judge Charlotte Welsh dismissed the explanation as "far-fetched". Standing remains in Belmarsh Prison awaiting sentencing next month.
Greenwich4 min readTrust 58 · Craft 62 · Hype 70
Violent Crime · BexleyBelvedere armed robbers sentenced to over 11 years for shop raids and cocaine supply
Two men from Crayford have been sentenced to a combined 22 years and 9 months in prison for armed robberies in Belvedere and cocaine supply. Alexander Emmerich received 14 years, Stephen Hand nine years and one year consecutively, after pleading guilty at Woolwich Crown Court on 30 July 2026.
Bexley5 min readTrust 64 · Craft 62 · Hype 30
Courts · BexleyHannah Sims of Bexleyheath receives suspended sentence for cocaine supply role
A 29-year-old Bexleyheath mother has been given a two-year suspended prison sentence after admitting involvement in cocaine supply. Hannah Sims denied taking her child to a drug deal, a claim prosecutors alleged but the court did not prove. She was first arrested in January 2025 as a driver in armed robberies later dismissed by a jury.
Bexley5 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 35
Courts · Barking and DagenhamParole Board to decide Sunny Islam release behind closed doors
Sunny Islam, jailed in 2012 for rapes and assaults in East London, will have his parole reviewed in private. A victim requested a public hearing, but the Parole Board ruled against it, citing Islam’s reported anxiety. His minimum 11-year term expired in 2021.
Barking and Dagenham6 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 70
Violent Crime · LewishamJonas Amogbokpa sentenced to 14 years for predatory rape of drunk student in Deptford
Jonas Amogbokpa was sentenced to 14 years in prison plus a 4-year extended licence for raping a drunk student in Deptford High Street on 30 August 2024. Police believe more victims may exist and are appealing for information.
Lewisham5 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 70