Actually, It's An Example Of How Prison Can Be Effective At Dealing With Persistent Offenders, Charlie...

Yikes! Looks like the mugshot operator needs a lesson in lighting...

Mohamed Awaleh of Mayesbrook Road, Dagenham, has been sentenced to six months' imprisonment for his crimes. A Criminal Behaviour Order was secured against Awaleh as a result of his "persistent anti-social behaviour and constant criminal activity". As part of the order, he was prevented from entering a number of high street supermarkets.

Who thinks that would be effective? 

Acting Chief Inspector Charlie Routley said: "This is another example of how effective the use of CBO's can be at dealing with persistent offenders."

Well, no. It's not. It's that old fashioned 'bang 'em up so they can't trouble the citizens no more' policy.

50% Accuracy In The Headline...

It follows an incident in Barking town centre on November 8, 2022 where the 94-year-old victim was approached by suspects who stole his wallet whilst he was hugged as part of a distraction robbery.

Det Sgt Sarah Osborne, of the Met’s East Area Command, said: “Muresan targeted the victim because he was elderly and vulnerable – a decision that ended his life and placed Muresan behind bars.

“The victim had lived in Barking for more than 30 years.”

There's no way this man is 'a Dagenham man', is there?

Police enquiries continue in a bid to identify Muresan's associates.

Add an extra year on his sentence for each one he fails to identify. And deport the lot. 

The Changing Definition Of 'Vulnerable'...

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with murder in relation to the death of a "vulnerable" man whose home was allegedly attacked with fireworks.

Robert Price, 76, died from inhalation of fumes, and burns, following a fire at a house in Dagenham, in east London, at around 5.40pm on 27 July.

This isn't the first such case. Of course, despite the victim being deemed 'vulnerable', the justice system goes all out to protect the perpetrators.

He is the second youth charged in connection with Mr Price's death. Neither of them can be named for legal reasons. A 17-year-old appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday, also charged with murder and arson with intent to endanger life.

Hopefully if convicted, they will be named.  

The 17-year-old defendant was not accused of throwing a firework himself during the alleged attack but the prosecution claimed he was part of the group.

Another 'joint enterprise' case that the 'Guardian' will no doubt claim is unjust. 

The Met's Detective Chief Inspector Phil Clarke, the senior investigating officer on the case, said: "I would like to reassure the community that while the investigation remains ongoing, police are not seeking to identify any further people in connection with the fatal fire on Oval Road North.

"I also ask that the privacy of Mr Price's family is respected."

Do you ever check that the community feels reassured? Or do you just make a meaningless statement because it's excpected of you..? 

Pardon Me..?

I suppose they technically are 'firearms'. 

But I wouldn't want to trust my life to one in a self-defence situation with anyone armed with anything stronger than a rolled-up newspaper.

Not So Fast, Allow Us!

The man called the Met Police around 8pm last night to tell them that he wanted to take his own life and that he was in possession of loaded guns, according to a police statement.

Officers rushed to his address in Weston Green, Dagenham, and tried to talk to the man, believed to be in his 40s, in order to 'bring the incident to a safe conclusion'. Police contacted a specialist negotiator and continued efforts to engage with the man before shots were fired by officers just before 9pm.

Being The 'Nam, I guess police rightly weren't going to assume he was bluffing...

While the investigation is in its early stages, the Met Police has already revealed that a non-police firearm was found at the scene.

Shouldn't be a long investigation, should it?

The Met's Directorate of Professional Standards was made aware immediately after the incident and the Independent Office for Police Conduct has been informed.

Even for them.

Well, There's 'Protected Species', And Then There's Protected Species...

A rare moment of agreement:

Jon Cruddas, Labour MP for Dagenham and Rainham, joined Ben Suter, deputy chairman for Dagenham and Rainham Conservatives, in saying the extension of the Traveller site at the park presented a threat to the green belt and ignored the wishes of local people.

Mr Suter went on to claim that the extension would destroy the habitats of protected species, without specifying which animals he was referring to.

But then the real protected species got up on its hind legs and brayed for all it was worth: 

Ilinca Diaconescu, policy and campaigns coordinator for London Gypsies and Travellers, spoke out following Barking and Dagenham Council’s decision to approve the extension of a Gypsy and Traveller site in Eastbrookend Country Park at a cabinet meeting on May 23.

Ms Diaconescu, whose group is a registered charity, said: “We urge politicians to understand the negative impacts of their opposition to these plans in the context of the housing crisis facing Gypsy and Traveller Londoners, and the racism and prejudice that the communities continue to face to this day.”

So, politicians shouldn't represent anyone's interests except yours, Ilinca? There's a name for that, isn't there? I wonder how it translates into Romanian?

Ms Diaconescu said that when politicians opposed the delivery of homes for Gypsy and Traveller families, they reinforced housing inequalities these communities face and send a public message that they are not welcome anywhere.

I wonder why... 

Which 'Community' Is This..?

A 19-year-old man has avoided prison after a video was uncovered of him sexually assaulting a child.

The details are even stranger than you'd expect from the headline. 

Armando Ilie, aged 19, of Rosemary Gardens in Dagenham, appeared at Northampton Crown Court on Thursday, April 13 after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a child and making indecent photographs of children.

That's a long way to go, isn't it? 

The court heard that a Samsung phone belonging to the defendant was discovered at the scene of a robbery at an Abington Street shop in Northampton town centre in 2019. Illes was, however, not involved in the robbery itself - the court heard.

Curiouser and curiouser... 

Dhabeshwar Sharma, in mitigation, said that Illie demonstrated insight into his offending and showed remorse to probation officers about his actions. Mr Sharma said: “He had the courage and decency to accept his offending and was candid with the probation service.”

He didn't really have much choice, did he? It was on his phone! 

He added that the defendant was young and sexual matters were a “taboo” in his family so he had no one to discuss his feelings with.

Hmmm... 

Illie’s family filled the public gallery and were said to be “supportive” of the defendant but struggled as news of his offending got out to members of their community. The court heard that Illie’s father was “ashamed and embarrassed” and said he would ensure he does not commit further offences.

Did anyone ask him how? I'd have just handed him two large housebricks, personally... 

Recorder Sprawson, sentencing, said: “An uncomfortable trend seems to be developing in your offending.”

He added: “You may consider yourself somewhat fortunate that your family remains so close to you and are still willing to support you when others may have turned away and disowned you.”

I wonder exactly what sort of 'community' we are talking about here? I'm guessing it's not the classic ex-Eastender that used to populate Dagenham. 

Illie was sentenced to a two-month community order - during which, he must attend 50 rehabilitation requirement days and adhere to a six-month curfew. He has been added to the Sex Offenders Register for five years.

When he'll still be comparatively young. 

High Risk Low Reward...

That seems....unwise!

The man is described as wearing dark clothing and a black crash helmet during all the incidents and riding a dark colored motorbike or moped.

Seems to me he's protecting the wrong body part!

Strong Words...

Raimundas Pazdrazdis was convicted of 16 offences; Sigtas Pazdrazdis, who owned two of the dogs, was convicted of 12 and pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a pitbull terrier and Edgaras Pazdrazdis was convicted of two offences.

Councillor Syed Ghani, cabinet member for enforcement and community safety, called the convictions "a fantastic result".

He said: “We won’t stand for dogs or any other animal being treated in this despicable way and if we find out somebody is mistreating them, we will make sure that we go all out to take the strongest action.”

Wow, the strongest action, this will be good! 

The three men were each sentenced at Romford Magistrates Court to 12-month community orders of unpaid work and ordered to pay a total of £85,000 costs.

Oh. 

Raimundas Pazdrazdis was banned from keeping dogs for seven years, Sigtas Pazdrazdis for five years and Edgaras Pazdrazdis for three years.

Because after that time has elapsed, they'll be model pet owners..? 

Challenged To What, Maureen?

Barking and Dagenham's cabinet member for health described the borough's Covid vaccine take-up rates as "horrible" and said people who have not had their jab need to be challenged.

If it's an eating contest with you, they'll lose: 

 More chins than the Chinese telephone directory...

"We have to get the message out there to our community - this hasn't gone away, it's dangerous.

"Our NHS won't cope this winter if we don't take proactive action in keeping ourselves, our family and our community safe."

What is this 'community' of which you speak, Maureen? 

Certificates, Eh?

Remember this? 

Three shops in Barking and Dagenham failed test purchases after signing up to a scheme encouraging retailers to sell knives responsibly.

Several businesses in Barking and Dagenham have been given certificates to show that they have agreed to abide by the terms of the agreement, including Freshco Cash and Carry in Chadwell Heath.

Worthless bit of paper. Hard to believe that didn't keep people safe... 

Just Another Day In The 'Nam...

This is the shocking moment a road rage brawl was caught on camera, showing a man chasing a car driver with a large spade and smashing in his back window.

The violent altercation, that is believed to have taken place in Dagenham, east London, this morning, was caught on camera and posted to social media.

Why is it 'shocking'? It's becoming quite normal these days. 

It is not yet known what sparked the road rage incident...

Testosterone? 

I Wonder If They Teach Economics..?

Bobbi Ehsan of Loxham Road, Chingford, was caught by Barking and Dagenham Council enforcement officers during a routine visit to Dagenham Sunday Market on June 17, 2018.

Doing what? Why, selling knock-off designer gear:

In total, officers seized 381 fake replica football kits and Calvin Klein briefs.

Whoops!

Ehsan - a staff governor and senior teacher at New City College in Poplar High Street - was ordered to pay £14,490 under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2020, £4,339 to Barking and Dagenham Council and a victim surcharge of £20 at Snaresbrook Crown Court on February 26.

She must be on a pretty good salary there. Why would she need the extra income?

I Don't Think The Code Duello Applies In This Case, Amjad...

A man shot a knife-wielding boy at close range without warning following a chase on a Tube, a court has heard.

How rude!

Bienvenu Vangu allegedly shot the teenager, who is from Newham but cannot be named for legal reasons, as the Hammersmith and City line train was arriving at Barking station on February 20.

Ah, such vibrant diversity! I wonder again just why it is Billy Bragg won't live here?

Amjad Malik QC, prosecuting, said: "Mr Vangu chose not to pull the emergency alarm. He wasn't going to use that gun to threaten him.

"He wasn't going to say to him, 'Stay back or I'll shoot you'.

He didn't even shoot in the air to give him warning not to come any closer.

"He didn't even shoot him in his arm or leg to disable him to stop him. He was going to shoot him so he would not miss, in the most vulnerable part of his body.

"[Mr Vangu] used a gun he was carrying to shoot deliberately, at close range, in order to kill."

Well, so would I, if my partner in crime turned on me with a knife...

In eyewitness statements, one woman described the boy as "almost stalking or hunting" the man through the carriages.

Are we not enriched..?

When Life Hands You Lemons...

...errr, hold on!:

Officers were called to reports of an acid attack in Chequers Lane, Dagenham, at around 2.50pm yesterday (Wednesday).

Emergency services attended and found a 29-year-old woman suffering with a sting to her eye.

Pretty weak acid?

It was later confirmed that a substance was thrown over her and a 38-year-old man, who was not injured.

A Met Police spokeswoman said that the liquid was believed to be a citrus juice.

Curiouser and curiouser.

‘Violent And Rare’…?

DCI Sam Blackburn, of the British Transport Police, said: “This was a violent and rare attack, which took place on a late night train out of London.

Yes. Those hardly ever happen, eh?  Especially in Barking.

“Officers were on the scene within minutes and we are working hard to identify and trace the men responsible for this assault.

“We understand that this was a frightening incident for passengers on the train and at the station, and would encourage anyone who witnessed the attack or the moments leading up to it to come forward and tell us what they saw.”

And the oh so modern addition to this story:

The incident is not being treated as terror-related.

Why would a fight on a train ever be considered such..?

Do, Or Do Not. There Is No 'Try'...

Cllr Darren Rodwell spoke out after the council received numerous complaints about overflowing bins and missed collections over the Christmas period.

Residents with missed collections can report the issue to the council and they will try and rectify the issue and Cllr Rodwell said the refuse team was doing the “best it can”.

It's clearly not good enough!

Explaining they had to pick up more than twice the waste it usually does and residents should have some ‘social responsibility’, he said: “I think the refuse workers did an incredible job over Christmas in difficult circumstances.

“They are doing the best they can.

“This week one of the rounds collected 28 tonnes of rubbish. That’s more than twice what they usually take and means several trips back and forth to the dump.

“I took nine bags to the tip myself. If you have a car and your bin is overflowing, instead of having a go at us, have a bit of social responsibility and take it to the dump yourself for free.”

Why? The residents pay the council for a service. They expect that service.

What do you think would happen if, on rocking up at the local train station with a pre-purchased ticket, Rodwell was told 'Sorry, we're a bit too busy, here's a bike, pedal to London instead'..?

“We have a situation in Barking and Dagenham where one in three properties belong to buy to let landlords,” he said.

“These homes produce two and a half times more rubbish than normal households, so our refuge collection system is already collecting the rubbish of a borough twice its size.

“At Christmas households produce three times more rubbish than usual. With the greatest respect there is just no way we can pick it all up in a week, especially when refuse workers need to have their days off as well. We do more collections than many other boroughs to cope.”

It's Christmas. It comes once a year, regular as clockwork. It's not a surprise.

There's Always A 'Butt' Somewhere...

A Labour councillor who failed to declare an interest in two properties her husband rents out when she was responsible for punishing rogue landlords has apologised.

Well, well, well....

Cllr Laila Butt breached Barking and Dagenham Council’s code of conduct three times after failing to register financial interests in properties in Strathfield Gardens and St Awdry’s Road, Barking. The first property did not appear on a compulsory private landlord register, breaching council requirements.

Cllr Butt said at a council meeting on Wednesday: “I am apologising willingly and believe it is the right thing to do.”

Why would anyone expect you to know what that is...?!

The local authority’s standards sub-committee recommended the councillor for Abbey ward take an opportunity to apologise and carry out training in the code of conduct.

You need 'training' to be honest?

"When the early Jesuit fathers preached to Hurons and Choctaws.."

..."They prayed to be delivered from the vengeance of the squaws.":

Chyane Stephenson-Dielhenn (Ed: chavname alert!), 18, and a 16-year-old girl who cannot be named, held the victim hostage in a care home in Dagenham, Essex, for more than eight hours between 4 March and 5 March 2018.

The 16-year-old victim was forced to swallow her own vomit and snort a mixture of salt and tea. The pair also physically attacked the victim: pouring sugar in her ears, burning her with cigarettes, punching her and tying her up.

The horrific ordeal was filmed by the sadistic duo on Snapchat, with the ‘cruel and sickening attacks’ being shown to the jury at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Whew! At least this enabled horrified readers to call the poli...

Oh.

Instead of raising the alarm, recipients of the videos sent suggestions about what the girls should do to their victim next.

Why are they not in the dock too?

Prosecutor James Thacker described it as a ‘wicked and despicable attack’, and revealed the 16-year-old perpetrator had eight previous convictions for crimes including criminal damage, battery, robbery and theft.

Well, of course. But remember, we can't know her name, because she's 'vulnerable'...

Stephenson-Dielhenn, of Islington, north London, denied false imprisonment and assault occasioning actual bodily harm but was found guilty following a trial last month. She was jailed for three years.

The 16-year-old admitted false imprisonment and assault occasioning actual bodily harm and was jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Nowhere near long enough. But something's puzzling me - why is a chav from Islington torturing another girl in Dagenham? Still, if she's learned her lesson...

Ah.

The Latest Moral Panic...

At so-called uck parties, also known as line ups, girls as young as 13 are plied with alcohol and drugs and then expected to perform sex acts on multiple men, or possibly face violence.

Some victims think they are attending an ordinary party and have no idea what awaits them. The parties are “happening in London and are one of many ways young people are exploited”, one charity said. Serrina Lobban, who leads Barnardo’s Stop It Before It Starts in Barking and Dagenham, said footage from the events is then often used to “blackmail or shame” girls online.

Hmmm, let me guess, this means you need 'more resources' to stop this?

So, is it a danger to any young girl?

Ms Lobban said some of the teenagers her team work with may have attended these parties, and almost all have seen explicit videos of young people shared on “bait out pages” online. “We have seen children going on ‘bait out’ pages, where the people running them will say they are ‘exposing hos’ in a certain borough,” she said.”

Ooh, I'm getting a sense of the sort of demographic we might be talking about (without actually talking about it, of course!) here...

While uck parties or line-ups are not explicitly linked to London gangs, it is believed that many of young people attending will be a member of or know someone in a gang.

Bingo!