Missing woman killed by ex-lover at work and wheeled away in bin, court told
She was reported missing to the Metropolitan Police on May 31, having left her home in Ilford, east London, on the morning of May 29.
Following a police search, her body was found in the Bolderwood area of Hampshire on Saturday.
At a hearing on Tuesday, prosecutor Caroline Carberry KC alleged that Toledo had killed the Colombian national on the evening of May 29 at an office where they were working in central London's legal district.
She told the court: 'The defendant was Ms Mendez's work colleague. They were both cleaning staff at an office building on Grays Inn Road and they had been in recent history in a relationship and on the day of her death they were both at work.'
Ms Mendez arrived for work at 5pm and was fatally injured inside the office block, it was alleged.
Mr Carberry claimed that just after 8.30pm, her body was removed from the office in a wheelie bin.
The defendant allegedly then placed the body in his car and drove to Hampshire where the body was dumped.
Ms Mendez's former flatmate had raised the alarm after she failed to move into new accommodation, the court was told.
A post-mortem examination to determine the cause of her death was ongoing in Winchester.
Venezuelan national Toledo, 51, of Crystal Palace, south London, was arrested on June 4 and subsequently charged with murder.
On Tuesday, the defendant appeared at the Old Bailey before Judge Mark Lucraft KC for a preliminary hearing.
A plea hearing was set for September 1 with a provisional trial from April 20 2026.
The defendant, who was assisted by a Spanish interpreter, was remanded into custody.
Ms Mendez's disappearance was initially treated as a missing person investigation led by local officers but the investigation was transferred to the Met's Specialist Crime Command on June 5, after a range of extensive further inquiries suggested she had come to harm.
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Scottish Sun
9 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
The £5 street pills wreaking havoc in seaside town voted happiest place to live as pubs replaced by bedsits for addicts
One problem area has a crime rate that's three times the national average 'JEKYLL & HYDE' The £5 street pills wreaking havoc in seaside town voted happiest place to live as pubs replaced by bedsits for addicts Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WITH its long sandy beach and iconic historic 'Spanish City' complex offering up first class dining and a champagne bar, it doesn't seem absurd that this north east town was dubbed one of the UK's happiest places to live. But baffled locals have branded the accolade "a load of rubbish", claiming the 'Jekyll and Hyde' seaside resort is overrun with drug addicts and alcoholics. 17 Residents have complained that the north east town is being engulfed by anti-social behaviour Credit: NNP 17 A man is seen clutching cans of lager in the morning on the streets of Whitley Bay, where locals say drunks are a problem Credit: NNP 17 Victoria says the town has a lot of potential if investment was spread more evenly across it Credit: NNP 17 Locals claim pregabalin is being used by addicts across the town, sold illegally for £5 a hit Credit: Alamy Whitley Bay, in North Tyneside, was ranked third out of 70 areas in 2024 in an online survey which cited its impressive coastline and independent shops and bars. But locals say there is a stark divide between its hipster high street lined with boutiques and fancy restaurants, and scruffy rundown terraces full of bedsits. Residents who live in the east of the town - also named best place to live in the North of England in 2023 by The Sunday Times - told The Sun they're sick of being woken up by drunks in the middle of the night. They also claim the streets have been flooded with pregabalin - a highly addictive prescription-only medication which can induce feelings of euphoria and relaxation, being flogged illegally for £5 a pill - earning the town the nickname 'Pregab City'. While the famous Spanish City Plaza complex, immortalised in the Dire Straits song Tunnel of Love, underwent an impressive renovation in 2018 and is now home to a fine dining restaurant and champagne bar, other areas of the town are struggling. Residents believe many are unable to afford the expensive offerings at the iconic domed building, which housed a down-to-earth funfair, amusement arcade and bingo hall up until the 2000s. Now a cod and chips at the venue will set you back £13.95. South Parade, which leads from the town down to the seafront, used to be lined with bars and nightclubs and was a hive of activity on bank holidays and weekends. But now the street is a shadow of its former self and has just one club - the rundown-looking Havana. Other nightlife hotspots have been replaced by halfway houses, bedsits and B&Bs, many of which are reportedly occupied by alcoholics and drug addicts. We live in UK's 'worst' seaside town – tourists say it's rundown and crime is a problem but here's why locals love it Meanwhile the crime rate in the immediate area is three times as high as the national average. Victoria Knibbs lives in a flat in the area with her boyfriend and dog Sunny. The 29-year-old team manager said: "Whitley Bay has the potential to be a lovely place. There are really nice cafes and bars on one side of the town, but it's still very run-down on the other. "We look out onto our street and there is always shouting. People shout up and down from the windows and there's a constant police presence at one of the B&Bs. We've been woken up at 4am with people shouting drunk in the street and on stuff Victoria Knibbs "Every weekend there are police or ambulances down there. Every day you'll have people on the street corners rolling around. "I was walking to the Metro station the other day and there was a guy trying to pick up his friend off the floor. "They had both fallen over and were moving at the slowest pace. It doesn't bother me, but you will see this as soon as you leave the house. "We've been woken up at 4am with people shouting drunk in the street and on stuff." 'Jekyll and Hyde' town 17 The Spanish City complex saw huge investment in 2018, including the addition of a fine dining restaurant and champagne bar Credit: NNP 17 Locals say some areas have seen limited investment compared to others Credit: NNP Just around the corner from Victoria, one couple are seen hurrying down a back alley, as the man downs a can of lager before 11am. The woman with him is still in her pyjamas as they wander out of sight. Victoria, who says the town is divided in two, added: "Whitley Bay was voted as this lovely place to live, but if people want to visit there's no good hotels to stay at. "There are nice spots, but that's the seafront, it isn't Whitley Bay itself. "I love my flat and the landlord is fine, but the pubs around here bring in a certain clientele. "The places in this town are either run-down and cheap, or they charge you £20 for a glass of water. It's split into two halves." They've spent millions on the sea front and the Spanish City but the investment should have been spread Anonymous resident Victoria claimed there is "no reason" for her to go to Spanish City as there's "nothing for families with kids and dogs". "It was built to make it look, how amazing is this place, but you go and there's not much there. In my whole life I've probably been inside three or four times," she said. "Since we've been living here there have been lots of places we wanted to try but they end up closing down. "I would love to shop independent and go local, but there's not the investment." High accolades 17 The Spanish City was immortalised in a Dire Straits song Credit: NNP 17 The town's seaside location was given as a reason for it being a great place to live Credit: NNP Army veteran Dave Kelly is originally from Northampton but has lived in Whitley Bay for over 20 years. The 52-year-old is fed up of what he sees on a daily basis, telling The Sun: "You see homeless people and alcoholics all of the time. "It's mainly young adults who are off their faces on Pregabalin. Whitley Bay is known to be 'Pregab City'. "The town looks great on paper, especially with all of the investment that got put into the seaside. "It sounds great when you talk about lovely beaches etc., but it's only that part. There is nothing spoken about regarding the town centre. You see homeless people and alcoholics all of the time. It's mainly young adults who are off their faces on Pregabalin. Whitley Bay is known to be 'Pregab City' Dave Kelly "I live opposite Spanish City and you get travellers coming down there. Just the other week the travellers cut the gates off a park but they just got moved on. "You get lots of p***heads in the centre, too. The other day we got a group who came along and took the leftover tobacco from ashtrays on the outside tables of pubs and were making roll-ups in front of everyone." In the 2024 survey from FurnitureBox of the happiest places to live in the UK, only Stratford-upon-Avon and Harrogate were ranked higher than Whitley Bay. The town was also named Best Place to Live in the North and Northeast in the 2023 Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide. The paper described the town's high street, Park View, as "one of the best independent shopping streets in the country, with its artisan bakery, brunch spots and microbrewery, as well as more traditional outlets such as the shoe-repairer and the butcher." What is Pregabalin? Pregabalin is a prescription-only medicine which has flooded the black market, selling for up to £5 a pill. The white or orange tablets induce feelings of euphoria and relaxation, but can be highly addictive and even deadly when consumed alongside other drugs, such as opioids. Dan Brocksopp works as a young persons team leader at PROPS, a recovery service which aims to improve the lives of families affected by alcohol and drug use in Newcastle and North Tyneside. He said: "Substance misuse, alcohol and drugs, is becoming an ever- increasing problem. With pregabalin, people who are using it should only be getting it through their GP or hospitals. "It's finding its way into the wrong hands, and then it's getting distributed through the local communities. "Not a lot of people know the risks associated with pregabs as they've bought it off the street. When a drug is prescribed, the doctor takes into account the patient's age and size and tolerance. "That obviously doesn't happen when it's taken illegally. "We are concerned that pregabs are becoming an ever-growing issue alongside other drugs including alcohol. "Pregabs are being intercepted as they travel through hospitals and GP surgeries. People are getting them prescribed and then selling them on to make a little bit of money. "They are mainly used to treat epilepsy, anxiety and nerve pain. If someone is presenting themselves to a GP with those conditions, they can be prescribed them. "With any drug there is a street value. People can make money from them. With epilepsy you'd have to be diagnosed, there would have to be proof of that. "But high levels of anxiety are hard to prove, so people are presenting with these issues, and realising they can get pregabs. They then distribute them and sell them. "Like any drug it Pregabs can suppress thoughts and feelings and reduce anxiety. It can also suppress physical pain, and that's what it is prescribed for in terms of nerve damage." Dan added: "Mixed with other drugs, pregabs become highly dangerous. "In terms of anti-social behaviour, what we do find is that people tend to act erratically when they are taking illicit substances. "When the effects of the drug wear off, it can increase insomnia, pain and anxiety. You might be in discomfort which could cause you to make decisions you otherwise wouldn't when out in the community. "Because pregabs are prescription-only drugs you can sell them for up to £5 tablet, and a lot more inside prisons. "But also vulnerable people who are actually prescribed pregabs for a genuine medical problem are exploited and the drugs are taken from these people to sell." 'Misspent millions' 17 Residents feel that even things like the state of the roads is ignored Credit: NNP 17 Locals claim drugs and alcohol are causing havoc for the town Credit: NNP One man, who wanted to remain anonymous, added: "Being named as one of the best places to live is a load of rubbish. It's definitely going downhill. "This place is all second-hand shops and all of the banks are closing down. "You see loads of homeless people unfortunately. "Even little things like the roads. If you look at them you will see lots of potholes. Being named as one of the best places to live is a load of rubbish. It's definitely going downhill Anonymous resident "They've spent millions on the seafront and the Spanish City, but the investment should have been spread. "That investment hasn't exactly brought lots of jobs here, only for council workers and contractors from down south. "If you look at South Shields, you can cycle from there to Newcastle on the new cycle paths they put in. "But you couldn't do that on this side of the river, and we're closer to the city than South Shields." Rising crime rates 17 Whitley Bay's North Parade area battles high crime rates Credit: NNP 17 The high street is struggling with many shops and hotels closed and boarded up Credit: NNP According to Street Check data, the crime rate in and around North Parade is classed as high, with 288 reported crimes per 1,000 people. The national average is 88. In Whitley Bay as a whole the figure is much lower, at 89 crimes per 1,000 people. Leslie, 70, who didn't want to give her surname, said: "There are a lot of druggies in the guesthouses. "They have changed a lot of the accommodation to halfway houses where the people are coming off drugs or drink. "But they're not clean because I know people who live on them. There are a lot of druggies in the guesthouses. They have changed a lot of the accommodation to halfway houses where the people are coming off drugs or drink Leslie "There's no way of policing people using drugs, so it's an issue. Who looks after these people?" She added: "There are nice parts. Park View, the high street, is good, but there are parts that let the place down. "Even the pavements are bad. I saw an old lady fall over the other day because it's all uneven and she stumbled and fell. "There needs to be better investment for things like that." Around the corner three young men in tracksuits holding a crate of lager are seen hurrying across the street and into a flat, locking the door behind them. Hotel hell 17 Brian tuned to begging after his benefits were stopped Credit: NNP Brian Place found himself begging on the streets after his benefits were stopped. The 45-year-old, who lives in a nearby residential home, said: "It is a bit bad around here. The people who get put in the hotels cause trouble. "It was voted as the best place to live but those people haven't seen the streets or the shopping bits. "I do think it has started to clam down with the drunks, but it has been bad." One woman walking her dog through the town who didn't want to be named added: "The people in the hotels gather in clusters. It was voted as the best place to live but those people haven't seen the streets or the shopping bits Brian Place "You often see them outside Home Bargains with the police outside. "We used to have lots of pubs and clubs, but at least they were making money. "We have the Dome, which do good meals, but it's very expensive. "The stuff they have spent the money on doesn't appeal to everyone. "If you walk along the streets you can tell where the nice stuff is, for the people with money. "Then you come into the centre and it's Home Bargains and charity shops." Tackling anti-social behaviour 17 Local police say they take all the crimes seriously and will respond Credit: NNP Northumbria Police's Chief Inspector David Morrison, of North Tyneside Area Command, said: "We take every crime reported to us seriously and carry out a number of initiatives across the year to ensure Whitley Bay remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone. "During the summer months this includes Operation Coastwatch, which involves extra patrols, preventative work on the transport network to disrupt and stop any disorder before it reaches communities, and beach wardens to monitor coastal activity. "In the first six months of this year alone we saw a 19 per cent fall in the number of reported anti-social behaviour incidents in the town, compared with the same period in 2024. "We are not complacent, however, and are aiming to build on these excellent results. "Alongside our partner organisations, including North Tyneside Council, we carry out regular high-visibility patrols to identify any issues and act upon them. "We remain absolutely committed to tackling all forms of criminality in the community and anyone living in the area who has concerns should contact us so that we take the appropriate action. "Anyone found responsible for criminal behaviour will be dealt with to the full extent of the law." Rejuvenation hopes 17 The town used to be popular for people to spend a day or night out Credit: NNP 17 Parts of the town have seen huge investment but other areas have been left behind Credit: NNP Peter Mennell, Director of Housing at North Tyneside Council, said: "Whitley Bay has undergone a major transformation in recent years, with significant investment from the Council and private sector partners helping to breathe new life into the town. "The seafront has been revitalised, local businesses are thriving, and the town consistently ranks among the best places to shop — a real sign of the pride and happiness people feel here. "In the first six months of this year, reports of anti-social behaviour in Whitley Bay have fallen by 19 per cent, reflecting the positive impact of regular patrols and joint initiatives such as Operation Coastwatch. "Our work with Northumbria Police and partners ensures a strong, visible presence throughout the town, and we're committed to building on this success. "Our Community Protection Team and Northumbria Police work closely with residents and businesses to keep Whitley Bay safe and welcoming. "We encourage people to come and talk to us at community consultations and events — because working together is how we'll continue to tackle any issues and make the town an even better place to live, work and visit."
Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Powys County Times
Activist cyclist insists he could not stop his bike from colliding with car
A cycling activist has insisted he could not stop his electric bike from moving into the path of a car being driven through a no entry sign. Michael van Erp posted a video on his Cycling Mikey YouTube channel which shows he was pushing his bike into a west London road when it was struck by a car on Sunday. On Tuesday, Mr van Erp wrote on social media platform X that he 'couldn't… brake a 28kg e-bike once I realised the driver wasn't stopping'. The YouTube video shows the 52-year-old activist initially blocking the car from going through a no entry sign, which was installed at a junction because of roadworks. After gesticulating with Mr van Erp, the male driver reverses and allows vehicles coming in the opposite direction to pass, before driving forward again. The cyclist makes a second attempt to block him, but the motorist collides with his bike and drives off. Mr van Erp's belongings were scattered in the road, but it appears he escaped injured and his bike avoided serious damage. Do you want to know what really happened? — CyclingMikey the Unspeakable (@MikeyCycling) August 10, 2025 A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: 'We are aware of footage circulating on social media which appears to show an incident on Paddenswick Road, Hammersmith on Sunday August 10. 'No arrests have been made at this stage. 'We urge victims of crime to contact the police by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.' Mr van Erp, who has more than 35,000 followers on his X account, regularly films drivers he claims are breaking road rules, such as using a handheld mobile phone behind the wheel. He says since 2019 he has reported 2,280 drivers, who have received a total of £165,700 in fines and 2,649 penalty points. He claims 35 people have been disqualified from driving because of his actions. In October 2022, theatrical agent Paul Lyon-Maris, then 60, was cleared of assault and dangerous driving after telling a jury at Southwark Crown Court Mr van Erp 'jumped' on his car. Mr Lyon-Maris – who has represented Oscar-winner Colin Firth and Lord Of The Rings actor Sir Ian McKellen – was said to have lost his temper when the cyclist tried to stop him driving on the wrong side of the road in the outer circle of Regent's Park in central London.
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The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
‘I'm on the right side of history': The east London priest risking prison time to support Palestine Action
Dr Sally Mann is usually found at the east London church where her family have worshipped for five generations. But on Saturday, striking images of the baptist minister emerged. Swarmed by police officers and standing alone, footage shared on social media shows the moment she was arrested at the pro- Palestine march held in Parliament Square. Wearing a black shirt and white collar, she nods and silently accepts her arrest before she is escorted away, surrounded by a sea of police uniforms. She is one of 532 people arrested by the Metropolitan Police at the largest gathering of Palestine Action since it was proscribed as a terrorist group last month. Of those, the 55-year-old is younger than the average age of those detained, with figures showing half were aged 60 or above. Speaking to The Independent on Monday, she said she is prepared to accept a prison sentence for her actions. 'I am aware there will be repercussions in my life if I am successfully convicted but I felt completely at peace with both my actions and my decision,' she said. 'It's the right side of history. Even if I knew I was going to prison for this I would do it.' She said despite not taking part in previous Palestine Action protests, she was moved protest on Saturday because of her faith. 'I believe Jesus actually meant what he said and he modelled non-violent resistance to oppressive power,' she continued. 'I see myself as a minister more than an activist but I have always felt compelled by my faith to try to build a community that is built on peacemaking.' After reading the protest briefing from Defend our Juries, who organised the demonstration, Dr Mann said she felt certain the protest would be the kind of non-violent action she feels 'committed' to be part of. 'On Saturday I got up early and went to St James' Park because I wanted to be very calm,' she told The Independent. 'I sat quietly and prayed. Then I headed over to Parliament Square.' Dr Mann said during the main protest, though people around her had been arrested, she was not. But after the scheduled end she continued holding her placard stating: 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action'. Within ten minutes, she said she was arrested. 'Other people very near me had been arrested, including some who really did look very elderly and vulnerable, and I thought it would be better for them if they arrest more,' she explained. 'So I just decided to stand with my sign. I wanted to be arrested for this because I want to stand in solidarity with those who had been and I did feel the numbers mattered.' Her arrest was captured on video - a powerful image of her nodding silently as she is escorted away by at least a dozen officers has accumulated thousands of likes on social media. 'The numbers who turned up to arrest me were extraordinary,' she said. 'I think there were a dozen officers arresting me and actually, had they asked me to walk onto the van I would've just gone on my own. I was completely ready to be arrested.' She told The Independent she was put in a van with six police officers to two protesters and was put in line to be processed. 'It was actually very peaceful,' she said. 'It was a very low risk for me. I had moral certainty and legal ambiguity about what would happen to me, but prepared if a custodial sentence does come I am completely prepared for that. I just think it looks less and less likely now.' But she said her arrest, along with that of elderly protestors, shows the 'absurdity' of proscribing Palestine Action as a terrorist group. 'I would say to Yvette Cooper, who do you think you're protecting by proscribing me as a terrorist?',' she said. Also arrested under terrorist legislation was 74-year-old NHS doctor Paul O'Brien. He said the Palestinian cause was 'incredibly important' to him, but that the risk of arrest did make him think harder about attending than at previous protests. 'I thought the proscribing was really, really wrong and felt so disappointed in the majority of the MPs in Labour and the Tories for supporting it,' he said. 'But it did make me think harder about going out.' He was also detained later in the day and described his experience as 'bizarre'. 'It was just odd, all these people who have been arrested under terrorist legislation and we looked the most unlikely terrorists,' he said. 'Half of us can hardly walk. It was quite funny. Even for a terrorist offence we were automatically bailed, they know it's so bizarre.' He added he thought the protest would be a 'memorable' day for many. 'Once you're arrested for a terrorist offence, it's an extraordinary thing to happen in your life,' he continued. 'What happened on Saturday was historic, I think it's going to grow.' In a statement released on Sunday, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said the majority of the arrests made were for 'displaying an item (in this case a placard) in support of a proscribed organisation (in this case Palestine Action) contrary to Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000'. 'Over the coming days and weeks, officers from the Met's Counter Terrorism Command will work to put together the case files required to secure charges against those arrested as part of this operation,' they added.
