The morning case file
London Crime Briefing
Significant incidents, hearings, outcomes and public-data changes across the capital.
Topic
southwarkcrowncourt
66 stories, newest first · page 3 of 4.
Courts · HaringeyThree jailed for life for Tiverton Estate murder
Three men have received life sentences for the murder of Gregory Catillo Volquez, who was stabbed 22 times and beaten on the Tiverton Estate in Haringey. The court heard of an 'arsenal of knives' found on the estate.
Haringey3 min readTrust 60 · Craft 75 · Hype 45
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
Violent Crime · WestminsterTwo jailed for Mayfair robbery of £137,000 watch from designer
Two men have been convicted of robbing fashion designer Catalin Botezatu of a £137,000 Richard Mille watch in Mayfair on 28 January 2026. The victim, who feared for his life, was restrained and injured during the attack outside Amazonico restaurant near Berkeley Square.
Westminster4 min readTrust 55 · Craft 65 · Hype 30
LatestThree directors jailed for £70m tree-planting investment scam
Three directors of Ethical Forestry Ltd have been jailed at Southwark Crown Court for their roles in a £70 million investment scam. The scheme, which ran from 2008 to 2015, defrauded nearly 3,000 victims, who lost savings and pensions. The directors spent millions on luxury goods and properties.
4 min readTrust 45 · Craft 55 · Hype 70
Courts · WestminsterMayfair watch robbery trial: Defendant says he was threatened with fire
A 22-year-old man accused of robbing a £137,000 Richard Mille watch in Mayfair said he was threatened with being set on fire if he refused. The trial at Southwark Crown Court heard Ali Eldahouzze and Abdel El Habchi deny robbery charges after Catalin Botezatu was targeted in January.
Westminster4 min readTrust 48 · Craft 85 · Hype 35
Courts · WestminsterAli Eldahouzze denies Mayfair watch robbery after death threats
A 22-year-old man has told a court he was threatened with being set on fire if he did not help steal a £137,000 watch in Berkeley Square. Ali Eldahouzze denies robbery but admits meeting the victim’s assailant minutes before the attack on 28 January 2026.
Westminster5 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 35
Courts · Kensington and ChelseaGary Glitter denies eight sexual abuse charges
Gary Glitter, real name Paul Gadd, pleaded not guilty to eight charges of sexual abuse against a child in Kensington and Chelsea between 1978 and 1981. He appeared via videolink from HMP Channing Wood at Southwark Crown Court.
Kensington and Chelsea3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 35
Courts · City of LondonInfluencer denies role in £137k Mayfair watch robbery
An influencer accused of being involved in the robbery of a £137,000 watch in Mayfair has told a court he had no idea an attack was happening. One co-accused has pleaded guilty.
City of London3 min readTrust 42 · Craft 67 · Hype 41- Courts · City of London
Watch worth £137,000 cut from designer's wrist in Mayfair
A fashion designer had a diamond-encrusted watch worth over £137,000 cut from his wrist outside a Mayfair restaurant. Two men are on trial accused of the robbery, with prosecutors alleging a knife was used.
City of London2 min readTrust 50 · Craft 65 · Hype 45 
Courts · SouthwarkConwoman jailed for five years for £67,000 fraud and theft
Ariana Rose, 40, has been sentenced to five years in prison at Southwark Crown Court for a series of thefts and fraud offences. She stole items worth over £35,000 and defrauded victims of approximately £67,000.
Southwark2 min readTrust 42 · Craft 57 · Hype 41
Courts · SouthwarkMet Inspector cleared of sexual assault after judge criticises investigation delays
A Metropolitan Police inspector was cleared of sexually assaulting three female colleagues in Soho after a trial judge criticised the investigation for late witness statements and procedural delays. The Met rejected claims the case was handled differently due to the officer’s rank.
Southwark5 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 50
Courts · SouthwarkMet Inspector Dave Newman cleared of sexually assaulting three colleagues
A Metropolitan Police inspector was unanimously acquitted of three sexual assault charges after a trial at Southwark Crown Court. The judge raised concerns about late witness statements and the conduct of a 2023 drinks event in Soho where the alleged offences occurred.
Southwark5 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 35
LatestAriana Rose jailed for five years after £35k house-sitting thefts
Ariana Rose, 40, posed as a house sitter to steal jewellery, silverware and family heirlooms worth £35,000 from homes in Warwickshire, Hampshire, Somerset and Suffolk. Warwickshire Police arrested her in November 2025 after finding stolen items in her car. She was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court.
5 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 50
Policing · SouthwarkMet Inspector cleared of sexual assault after judge criticises investigation
Inspector Dave Newman was acquitted of three sexual assault charges at Southwark Crown Court. Judge Bartle criticised the Met Police investigation, calling delays in witness statements 'baffling'. The force defended the probe, citing the jury's unanimous not-guilty verdicts.
Southwark4 min readTrust 66 · Craft 62 · Hype 15- Courts · Southwark
Met Police inspector cleared of sexually assaulting three colleagues in Soho
Dave Newman, 39, was found not guilty of three counts of sexual assault at Southwark Crown Court on 13 August 2026. The judge raised concerns about the police investigation’s handling of witness statements and described the Soho drinks event as ‘very troubling’ due to excessive alcohol consumption.
Southwark4 min readTrust 42 · Craft 55 · Hype 15 - Policing · Southwark
Met Inspector Michael Richards convicted of sexual assault in central London pub
Inspector Michael Richards was found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman at a pub near Leicester Square in September 2024. A jury convicted him of one count of sexual assault on 10 August 2026, while acquitting him of a second charge. He faces sentencing and an accelerated misconduct hearing.
Southwark4 min readTrust 66 · Craft 70 · Hype 12 
Courts · LondonRachid Bouchibne charged with stealing £100,000 Patek Philippe watch from actor
Rachid Bouchibne, of Allison Road, Hornsey, is accused of robbing actor Alexander Johnson of a £100,000 Patek Philippe watch in Westminster on 10 June 2024. He was bailed after a brief hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court and will next appear at Southwark Crown Court on 7 September.
London4 min readTrust 56 · Craft 85 · Hype 35
Courts · LondonZacariah Boulares admits machete robberies in Kensington and Bayswater
Zacariah Boulares, already serving 22 months for phone theft from a Bridgerton actress, has pleaded guilty to robbing two men at machete-point in Kensington Square Gardens and outside a Bayswater Waitrose. Sentencing is delayed for psychological and probation reports.
London5 min readTrust 66 · Craft 95 · Hype 48- Violent Crime · Ealing
Alvin Gitahi convicted of murdering partner Vivienne Baraka in Ealing
Alvin Gitahi has been found guilty of murdering Vivienne Baraka, 35, at their Ealing home in March 2024. Police evidence included messages showing repeated abuse. Gitahi will be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court in October 2026. Baraka’s family called the verdict justice for their loss.
Ealing5 min readTrust 56 · Craft 80 · Hype 30 - Courts · Westminster
Brahim Keddad sentenced for £250,000 Mayfair watch robbery attempt
Brahim Keddad, 29, was sentenced to two years and four months at Southwark Crown Court for attempting to steal a £250,000 Richard Mille watch in Mayfair. The arrest followed a targeted Metropolitan Police patrol, part of a wider reduction in theft offences across London.
Westminster5 min readTrust 66 · Craft 72 · Hype 32