The morning case file
London Crime Briefing
Significant incidents, hearings, outcomes and public-data changes across the capital.
Topic
courts
71 stories, newest first · page 1 of 4.
- Courts · City of London
Russell Brand found guilty of rape and sexual assault
Comedian Russell Brand has been found guilty of rape and three counts of sexual assault. The verdicts were announced on Thursday by a jury following a four-week trial at Southwark Crown Court.
City of London2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 65 · Hype 45 - Courts · City of London
Man jailed for stabbing neighbour with ruler
A man has been sentenced to six months in prison for stabbing his neighbour with a sharpened metal ruler. The victim and other residents have since moved out of their building due to fear of further violence.
City of London3 min readTrust 48 · Craft 61 · Hype 41 
Courts · City of LondonKiller's sentence appeal to be heard at Royal Courts of Justice
The Court of Appeal will hear bids to change the sentence of Vickrum Digwa, who was jailed for at least 21 years for the murder of Henry Nowak. Digwa claims his sentence is excessive, while the Attorney General argues it is unduly lenient.
City of London3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45- Courts · City of London
American jailed for 10-year stalking campaign
Robert Beckman, 31, has been jailed for stalking a victim for over a decade. He was arrested at Gatwick Airport after flying from Boston and later pleaded guilty at Lewes Crown Court, receiving a prison sentence and a restraining order.
City of London3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 60 · Hype 41 - Courts · City of London
Man denies 14 attempted murders after train stabbing
Anthony 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.
City of London3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45 - Courts · Hounslow
Ex-Councillor Athwal Denies Fraud Charges
Gurbachan 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.
Hounslow2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 60 · Hype 41 - Courts · City of London
Husband Admits 56 Abuse Charges; Four Men on Trial
Philip Young has pleaded guilty to 56 charges related to the abuse of his former wife, Joanne Young. Four other men are now on trial at Winchester Crown Court, accused of sexually abusing Mrs. Young, who was allegedly drugged and restrained.
City of London4 min readTrust 60 · Craft 75 · Hype 45 
Courts · City of LondonLord Justice Green to lead Judicial College from November 2026
Lord Justice Green has been appointed the new Chair of the Judicial College, a body responsible for judicial training. His appointment begins on 20 November 2026, and he will take over from Lady Justice King.
City of London2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 45 · Hype 10- Courts · City of London
Civil servant denies fraud over five public sector jobs
A civil servant accused of holding five full-time public sector jobs simultaneously has denied fraud. Kashim Chowdhury told the court he was overwhelmed by his mother's deteriorating health and applied for roles in a 'panic'.
City of London3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 65 · Hype 45 
Courts · City of LondonHugh Rodley admits child abuse image offences
Hugh James Rodley, 79, has admitted to making and possessing indecent images of children. The National Crime Agency investigation found hundreds of images and extensive searches for abusive material on his devices. Rodley has a history of serious fraud convictions.
City of London3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 58 · Hype 20
Courts · City of LondonJudges gain new powers to punish sentencing absentees
Judges in England and Wales will soon have stronger powers to sanction criminals who refuse to attend their sentencing hearings. New measures include up to three weeks in solitary confinement and the banning of social visits for nearly a month, aiming to ensure offenders face justice.
City of London3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 65 · Hype 45- Courts · Lewisham
Lewisham burglar jailed for over three years
Tyrone Muir, 47, of Lewisham, has been sentenced to three years and two months in prison for his role in a burglary that targeted a vulnerable man's home. The conviction followed a police investigation that used a name overheard at the scene.
Lewisham2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 67 · Hype 41 - 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 · LondonMan admits 14 offences in stabbing spree, denies attempted murder
Anthony Williams, 33, admitted 12 counts of wounding with intent and two of attempting to wound with intent at Cambridge Crown Court. He also pleaded guilty to affray, knife possession at Pontoon Dock DLR station, and other offences, but denies 14 counts of attempted murder. A trial for the remaining charges is scheduled for October 26.
London2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 57 · Hype 41- Courts · Islington
Man jailed for Starmer arson attacks deported from UK
Stanislav Carpiuc, 28, has been deported from the UK after being jailed for his role in arson attacks targeting property linked to Sir Keir Starmer. The attacks, which involved a car and two houses in May 2025, were ordered on behalf of Russia, the BBC revealed.
Islington3 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45 
Courts · BarnetGolders Green memorial fire: Man pleads guilty to arson
Ali Fallahi has pleaded guilty to arson after setting fire to a photograph near a memorial wall in Golders Green. The court heard he blamed an exiled Iranian figure for his cousin's death, though a judge found no wider political or hate motivation.
Barnet3 min readTrust 48 · Craft 67 · Hype 45- 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 · 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 London
Former bus driver avoids jail for 'frightening' blade offence
A former London bus driver, Garfield Balfour, has been given a suspended prison sentence and ordered to complete unpaid work after being convicted of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm and weapon offences.
City of London3 min readTrust 30 · Craft 60 · Hype 41 
Courts · City of LondonUK judges given AI tools as China court speeds up cases
The UK judiciary is providing judges with AI tools, mirroring developments in countries like China where courts are using artificial intelligence to significantly accelerate case processing. Master of the Rolls Sir Geoffrey Vos highlighted these trends, noting the growing reliance on AI for legal advice and judicial assistance.
City of London3 min readTrust 30 · Craft 53 · Hype 20