Latest news with #WestminsterMagistratesCourt
Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
'Gang member' who arrived in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme facing extradition for storing rocket launchers and anti-tank grenades, court hears
An accused 'gang member' who arrived in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme is facing extradition for storing rocket launchers and anti-tank grenades, a court has heard. Mykola Kubrak, 29, is said to have carried out the offences in Ukraine between September 2021 and February 9, 2022. An arrest warrant issued by Ukraine accuses 'fugitive' Kubrak of committing various acts of extortion by use of violence as part of an organised criminal group. He is further alleged to have helped store two rocket launchers, anti-tank grenades and converted pistols. Kubrak is understood to have left Ukraine in February 2022 after his father was made aware of the allegations against him, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard. He then applied to come to the UK via the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme in April 2022 before arriving with his wife several months later. Launched by the UK Government under Boris Johnson, then Prime Minister, in March 2022, the scheme enabled British residents and citizens to sponsor Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family members to find safety and refuge in the UK following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. As of February 1, 2024, an estimated 142,000 Ukrainians arrived in the UK under the sponsorship scheme, according to the Local Government Association. Kubrak was working for a car hire business when he was arrested on July 2, 2025 in connection with the warrant issued by Ukraine. Appearing at Westminster Magistrates Court today for a bail hearing, the 29-year-old was supported by his wife, a qualified dental nurse currently working in London. Camila Ferraro, for the Ukrainian government, said the offences included 'extortion with violence by an organised criminal group, unlawful appropriation of a vehicle, carrying or storing firearms or ammunition without a permit and stealing an official document. 'It is alleged that the requested person and others were recruited to a criminal gang who then engaged in specific acts of extortion by violence and theft.' Ms Ferraro added that Kubrak and other gang members visited a man's home on September 28, 2021, threatening violence and demanding cash. She said that the group then proceeded to 'seize equipment belonging to the victim' that had a value of up to £19,744. Then, Kubrak is said to have 'purchased and stored military supplies of firearms', with Ms Ferraro adding: 'During an organised search of the premises in February 2022 police recovered two rocket-propelled-grenades (and) anti-tank grenades. 'Lastly, on another occasion on 10 November 2021, Kubrak and others arranged a meeting with the named individual at a restaurant in the early hours of the morning. 'When he arrived, Kubrak and another dragged him into a nearby car and threatened him with violence and demanded a payment amounting to around £1,094.' The prosecutor said Kubrak left Ukraine via Romania on February 9, 2022 after his father was 'informed he was a suspect. Adding that Kubrak had undertaken 'clearly violent and dangerous offences', she describe the Ukranian national as 'a fugitive on the basis of the warrant'. But Calla Randall, for Kubrak, said he was 'under instruction from those higher up in the organised criminal group'. She remarked that it was unclear 'he was anything more than an extra body that was present at these various incidents' and had not been 'at at the top of that hierarchy'. Ms Randall added: 'The rocket launchers that were found in his home - the circumstances of how those were obtained or where they came from is not known. 'Ukraine is of course a war-zone, so it is not quite the same - in my submission - as finding rocket launchers in a flat in London.' Ms Randall also explained that Kubrak had established a life in the UK after 'moving here via the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme'. Kubrak is said to have undertaken the application process 'in his own name' in April 2022, before eventually moving to the UK in July of that year. Disputing his status as a fugitive, Ms Randall told the court: 'The question is would he really have completed that process using his own names if he was aware of these proceedings?' Ms Randall asked Kubrak to be released on bail with stringent conditions. But District Judge Kevin Gregor told Kubrak that he would remain in custody. Explaining his decision, the judge added: 'I'm told that you left the Ukrainian jurisdiction on the very day your father was informed that the police had an interest in you. 'I doubt that's a coincidence. 'There is a substantial risk that if you were allowed your liberty, even with conditions imposed, you would seek to put distance between yourself and this jurisdiction and these proceedings.' Kubrak will return to Westminster Magistrates Court for a further hearing on August 11.
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Burglar steals clothes worth £400k from Damien Hirst's studio - while 'failing to spot artwork worth millions'
A cat burglar smashed into Damien Hirst's riverside studio and stole hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of original artwork, the Mail can reveal. Nearly £400,000 worth of unique t-shirts, shirts and trousers designed by the renowned artist plus a set of high-tech speakers were looted from the art workshop in west London. Leslie Gomm, 61, has admitted handling the stolen goods but the burglar, said to be his son, Liam, is still wanted by police, a court heard. The heist took place between June 27 and 30 in Hirst's sprawling studio in the riverside Thames Wharf building in west London, which overlooks the river between Hammersmith and Putney bridges. The building has a password-protected secure door but the thief smashed through a window next to a fire exit to get to the second floor gallery, Suleman Hussain, prosecuting, told Westminster Magistrates' Court. 'The premises in question is a workshop; it is not residential,' he said. 'When the victim returned to the property they noted that there were items strewn all over the floor. 'The exit door was open and the window by the fire door was completely smashed open. 'They believe this is probably how the burglar got in. A police officer has confirmed approximately £400,000 worth of items were stolen.' Turner Prize-winning artist Damien Hirst, pictured burning of his artwork during Frieze Week, is one of Britain's most celebrated artists Some of the property has been returned after it was discovered at Gomm's address, in Fulham, southwest London, but a number of pieces, valued in the thousands, remain missing. Mr Hussain said Gomm lived at the address with his son, who was currently wanted by police over the burglary. 'His son is currently subject to a GPS tag,' the prosecutor said. 'After the incident, the son has taken off his tag and he is at large wanted by the police.' Following his arrest, Gomm, who has a previous 110 offences to his name, of which 72 are theft or similar, initially denied any knowledge of the stolen items and claimed they were from a car boot sale, the court heard. But on Wednesday he indicated a guilty plea to handling the stolen goods. He will enter a basis of facts for that plea at Isleworth Crown Court during his sentencing hearing on August 6. Gomm's lawyer, Moira MacFarlane, said her client had worked on the railways for seven years until his mother became unwell and died. Remanding Gomm into custody, Magistrates Susan McGrane told him: 'Given the potential value of the stolen goods, you are going to be committed to the Crown Court for sentencing. 'The offence is so serious we do not have a great enough punishment we can give.' Residents by Thames Wharf said it was thought that the thief walked past priceless artworks to target the clothes. One said: 'We heard they went in on about the 30th. 'But quite amusingly the rumour is they did not take any artwork. 'Whoever it was just went straight past invaluable artwork and made off with thousands in clothes.' Once an industrial site, Thames Wharf Studios was transformed in the 1980s by architect Richard Rogers and became home to artists, architects and the famous River Café. A neighbour said the studio, which took a large delivery of canvases on Wednesday, was also used by snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan. Thought to be Britain's richest artist with a net worth of more than £300million, Hirst, 60, has produced world-famous provocative pieces such as 1991's The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living – a tiger shark submerged in formaldehyde. Another iconic piece, Mother and Child (Divided) consists of a cow and calf bisected and preserved in separate tanks filled with formaldehyde. The artwork was a focal point of Hirst's Turner Prize winning exhibition in 1995. Hirst's work has been displayed at the British Museum, the Tate, New York's Museum of Modern Art and many others. He also owns a 2,000-piece art collection that includes works from Francis Bacon and Picasso, and has a vast haul of historical artefacts, taxidermy and natural history specimens. A spokesman for the artist said he would not comment on the burglary. A source said it was impossible to know the true value of the haul given the pieces were unique, unseen by the public and were yet to be assessed by experts.
Daily Mirror
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Comedian Reginald D Hunter appears in court over social media posts
Reginald D Hunter has made an appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court after being privately prosecuted. The American comedian, 56, has been accused of three counts of sending offensive communications on social media, on August 24, September 10 and September 11, last year on X, formerly known as Twitter. It's claimed that his posts were "anti-Semitic". Reginald had originally been scheduled to appear in court on May 30 of this year, but Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram had issued a warrant for him to attend today. During today's hearing, he spoke only to confirm his personal details. No indication of a plea was given, and Reginald was bailed and told to return for a hearing at the same court on November 14. Deputy district judge Louise Balmain told the comic: "There is going to be an initial legal argument as to whether the case should proceed, and that will take place on November 14." He was told to attend the hearing as he will find out whether the case is going ahead and whether he will have to enter a plea. Reginald, whose address was given as care of his solicitors, was released on unconditional bail. It comes just a week after he said that Campaign Against Antisemitism had been "dragging me to court for jokes online." He also said he is "fighting a private prosecution for my comedy" and launched a crowdfunding page to cover his fees. A total of £19,836 towards a £50,000 target had been pledged by the time he made his first appearance in court on Monday. The crowdfunding, aimed at raising money towards specialist counsel and any appeals procedures and court fees, states: "Born in Georgia in 1969, Reginald has been a force in UK comedy since 1992. "Known for his biting social commentary, he has appeared on Have I Got News For You, 8 Out of 10 Cats and was Perrier-nominated at Edinburgh Festival. Reginald challenges audiences on racism, politics, and religion. He is staunchly anti-War and has publicly criticised Israel in the past." The court had heard at the earlier hearing from prosecutor Donal Lawler that Hunter was a "well-known comedian" who was being privately prosecuted by Campaign Against Antisemitism. It's claimed that Mr Hunter had sent a computer-generated sexual image to Heidi Bachram last August, with the charges reading it was "grossly offensive." But on September 10, he is accused of tweeting Ms Bachram, saying: "THIS is why I HATE these people and am committed to their destruction not because JEW hatred Not even because they are European Nazis pretending to be JEWS Because of all the lying. Mama HATED liars and bequeathed that hatred to ALL of her children." Just one day later, he is said to have sent another message, reading: "Hey sugar. I don't hate you for being an agent of evil. Not new Not even uncommon. "You being a liar a persistent liar KNOWING the truth, is why I will see you and your kind ended, even if it costs me EVERYTHING. You are not even a JEW. Run tell that." On May 30, Campaign Against Antisemitism posted on X: "A warrant has been issued for Reginald D. Hunter to attend court in relation to a private prosecution brought by CAA. Mr Hunter is charged with three offences under section 127 of the Communications Act 2003, relating to posts on X that he allegedly published in September 2024. "The first hearing took place today at Westminster Magistrates' Court, but Mr Hunter failed to appear. A warrant has now been issued for him to attend court on a future date. This is one of a number of private prosecutions that CAA is bringing, and there will be more to say on the case in due course." In August last year, Hunter was cleared of not committing any crimes, after an investigation by Police Scotland following claims of a "hate crime", towards an Israeli couple, who claimed they had been "harassed" and "booed" at his show on the Edinburgh Fringe. The performance was cancelled by the theatre after the couple were heckled out of the performance following a joke. At the time, Reginald said on social media that he regretted an "unfortunate incident." He added: "There was an unfortunate incident in my new show 'Fluffy Fluffy Beavers. As a comedian I do push boundaries in creating humour, it is part of my job. This inevitably creates divided opinions but I am staunchly anti-war and anti-bullying. I regret any stress caused to the audience and venue staff members."
BBC News
04-07-2025
- BBC News
Footballer Thomas Partey dey charged with rape
Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey don dey charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. Reports say di offences dey reported to don take place between 2021-2022, di Metropolitan Police tok. Di charges involve three women with two counts of rape relating to one woman, three counts of rape in connection to a second woman and one count of sexual assault linked to a third woman. Mr Partey contract with Arsenal end on Monday after playing with di team since 2020. BBC News don contact di team for comment. Det Supt Andy Furphy, wey im team dey lead di investigation, say: "Our priority remain providing support to di women wey don come forward. "We go ask anyone wey don dey impacted by dis case, or anyone wey get information, to speak with our team." Mr Partey dey set to appear for Westminster Magistrates Court on Tuesday 5 August.
BBC News
25-06-2025
- BBC News
Judge blocks request to extradite teacher over child sex offence
A British teacher accused of sexually assaulting a young child while teaching in Turkey will not be extradited, following a court's decision to discharge the had requested the extradition of Rebecca Richardson, 54, from Herefordshire, after she was accused of sexually assaulting a child at an international school in Istanbul in a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, Judge Paul Goldspring discharged Richardson from the extradition Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has been granted two weeks to appeal the decision in the High Court. A spokesperson for the CPS said: "On 25 June 2025, a district judge sitting at Westminster Magistrates' Court discharged Ms Richardson from an extradition request made by the government of the Republic of Turkey."The CPS will now consider the judgement carefully."Ms Richardson, who lives in Cradley, near Ledbury, was released on bail ahead of the next hearing at the same court on 9 court previously heard the teacher left the UK in 2000 and spent nearly 20 years living lived in Turkey between 2013 and 2019, and previously lived in Mexico and Hong Kong, the hearing was told. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
