Sex is a multibillion-dollar industry in Spain, with colorfully lit brothels staffed mainly by poor immigrant women from Latin America, Africa and eastern Europe lining highways throughout the country

Pimps Arrested in Spain for 'Barcoding' Women

Police in Spain arrested 22 alleged pimps who purportedly tattooed women with bar codes as a sign of ownership and used violence to force them into prostitution.  Police are calling the gang the "bar code pimps." Officers freed one 19-year-old woman who had been beaten, held against her will and tattooed with a bar code and an amount of money — €2,000 ($2,650) — which investigators believe was the debt the gang wished to extort before releasing her. The woman had also been whipped, chained to a radiator and had her hair and eyebrows shaved off, according to an Interior Ministry statement.All those arrested were of Romanian nationality and had forced the women to hand over part of their earnings, the statement said. The women were tattooed on their wrists if they tried to escape, the statement said. Police also seized guns and ammunition. It was not immediately clear when the raids took place. Police seized €140,000 ($185,388) in cash, which had been hidden in a false ceiling, a large amount of gold jewelry and five vehicles, three of which were described as luxury cars. The gang was made up of two separate groups, referred to as "clans" in the statement, each dedicated to controlling prostitution along fixed stretches of a street in downtown Madrid. One of the alleged ringleaders who was identified only by the initials "I.T." is wanted by authorities in Romania for crimes linked to prostitution, the statement said. The women were controlled at all times to ensure "money was taken off them immediately," the statement said.   Sex is a multibillion-dollar industry in Spain, with colorfully lit brothels staffed mainly by poor immigrant women from Latin America, Africa and eastern Europe lining highways throughout the country. Prostitution falls in legal limbo: it is not regulated, although pimping is a crime. The northeastern city of Barcelona plans to introduce regional legislation in coming weeks banning prostitution on urban streets.

Russian banker shot six times had testified over murder plot

The banker was left for dead by a lone gunman as he returned to his home in Canary Wharf on Tuesday evening. Scotland Yard detectives are investigating the attempted assassination, which Mr Gorbuntsov’s lawyer believes was a retaliation attack after the banker gave evidence in a 2009 attempted murder case. Mr Gorbuntsov, who fled to London because of his fear of reprisals, had recently submitted new evidence to Russian police about the attempted murder of Alexander Antonov, another Russian banker. The case was closed three years ago when three Chechen men were jailed for attempted murder. But police have never discovered who organised the attempted hit. Officers re-opened the case on March 2 this year after Mr Gorbuntsov submitted his new testimony.

Laura Johnson 'was going out with convicted crack dealer'

 

A millionaire’s daughter accused of going on a two-hour crime spree on the worst night of last summer's riots was having a fling with an convicted crack dealer in the weeks before the trouble flared, a court heard today. The jury was told that it was this man - known as 'Sylar' - who jumped into Laura Johnson's car, with two of his friends, and forced her into driving them as they stole a haul of electrical goods, cigarettes and alcohol. Johnson's friend Charlie Fryett today told the court that she had 'come across as quite easy' and had been meeting up intimately with Sylar, whose real name is Emmanuel. The jury heard he was a robber who had recently been released for dealing crack cocaine.

Herbie Hide: Man Arrested Over Stabbing At World Champion Boxer's Home

 

man is from the Norwich area and has been detained for questioning, Norfolk police said. Herbie Hide was world heavyweight champion twice The stabbing victim has been identified as Tafadzwa Kahn, from St Giles Street in Norwich. The attack happened shortly after midnight at a private party in Long Lane on March 18. Mr Kahn was stabbed following an argument, and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics shortly after they arrived. Post mortem results showed that the 25-year-old died as a result of a single stab wound, although he had received multiple stab wounds to the body. The house in the village of Bawburgh remains sealed by police as they carry out a forensic examination of the property. Norfolk Police have said that while they continue their investigations at the large house, Herbie Hide and his family are staying elsewhere. Hide, known as the Dancing Destroyer, has been WBO world heavyweight champion twice but in 2006 stepped down to the cruiserweight division. The following year he won the WBC International cruiserweight title. He has not fought since beating Welshman Wayne Brooks in the Crusierweight Prizefighter tournament in April 2010.

Life terms for gang who left hand grenade outside Kenny Dalglish's house

Five members of a gang who left a hand grenade outside Kenny Dalglish’s home were jailed for life yesterday. The two leaders of the criminal network were sentenced to a minimum of 22 years each. Kirk Bradley and Anthony Downes, both 26, were convicted in their absence of conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to cause damage with intent to endanger life. The two men escaped from a prison van while on their way to stand trial last July. Bradley, of Formby, Lancashire, is still on the run but Downes, of no fixed address, was arrested in the Netherlands last Friday. He will be flown to the UK soon to begin serving his time. Three other men were sentenced at London’s Woolwich Crown Court yesterday after they admitted possessing firearms and causing criminal damage with intent to endanger life. Gary Wilson, 27, of Southport, Lancashire, will serve a minimum of 16 years. Joseph Farrell, 23, and Craig Riley, both of Stockbridge Village, Lancashire, will serve a minimum of 12 and 14 years respectively. The thugs carried out shootings and grenade attacks on behalf of others in the Liverpool underworld. The grenade was left on football legend Dalglish’s front wall in Southport in July 2009 – but was not intended for him. Instead, it was thought to be aimed at one of his neighbours, businessman John Ball, who was also the target of two shootings. Bradley and Downes ran their network between 2009 and 2010, ordering numerous shootings and bombings. Downes was serving a seven-year sentence at the time but the judge, Mr Justice Henriques, said he was the “chief executive controlling and organising events from his prison cell”.

Anthony Downes, 26, had been wanted since last July after escaping from the van. He was facing trial for conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to cause damage with intent to endanger life.

 

A man who was sprung from a prison van on his way to Liverpool Crown Court eight months ago was the head of a criminal gang that carried out "a campaign of shooting and bombing", a court has heard. Anthony Downes, 26, had been wanted since last July after escaping from the van. He was facing trial for conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to cause damage with intent to endanger life. Downes was arrested in The Netherlands on Friday, where he remains in custody. His co-defendant Kirk Bradley, 26, from Birkey Lane, Formby, who also escaped from the prison van, is still wanted by Merseyside Police. Nicholas Johnson, prosecuting, told the sentencing hearing at Woolwich Crown Court in London: "This was a campaign of shooting and bombing carried out by an organised criminal gang. At the head of the gang were Bradley and Downes." Downes, of no fixed address, was arrested in the Dutch province of Zeelands on suspicion of possession of a firearm and as a result of an outstanding European arrest warrant. He was said to be at the top of a gang which carried out attacks for others in the Liverpool underworld. Last month Woolwich Crown Court heard that the home of a wealthy businessman living in the same street as Liverpool football manager Kenny Dalglish was the target of two shootings. John Ball hired a security guard to keep watch on his home in Southport, Merseyside following the attacks in March and June 2009, the court was told. He is also believed to have been the target of a failed grenade attack on July 26 2009. Before the retrial, three of Downes' and Bradley's co-accused admitted charges of possessing firearms and causing criminal damage with intent to endanger life. Gary Wilson, 27, of Promenade in Southport, Joseph Farrell, 23, of Brandearth Hey in Stockbridge Village, Knowsley and Craig Riley, 25, of Boode Croft, also in Stockbridge Village, are all awaiting their sentences. Co-defendant Joseph Preston, 45, of Tewkesbury Close in West Derby, will be sentenced after admitting a standalone offence of possessing a firearm. Mr Justice Henriques adjourned the hearing and sentencing is due to take place on Friday morning.

British, Italian police arrest terrorism suspects

 

British and Italian anti-terrorism police arrested two people on Thursday, a woman in London and a Moroccan man living in northern Italy, who officials said may have been planning an attack on a Milan synagogue. Neither was named. Italian police said the 20-year-old Moroccan, who grew up near the city, had a Facebook page dedicated to training in the use of weapons and explosives and documents on his computer showing maps and security around Milan's main synagogue. He may also have been planning other attacks, they said.

'Big shoes' lawyer Ritesh Brahmbhatt jailed for six years over drug-smuggling plots

 

Ritesh Brahmbhatt, 31, was caught with packages containing skunk, mephedrone and electronic scales. Brahmbhatt had attempted to smuggle the drugs into Pentonville prison in north London. His size 12, wide-fitting slip-ons were at least three sizes too big for him, Blackfriars crown court heard. He was planning to pass the contraband into the prison to fuel a lucrative blackmarket trade, with over £20,000 passing through his accounts before the racket was broken up. Brahmbhatt, of Ilford, Essex, admitted two plots between March 1 and September 17, 2009, and taking a mobile phone into Winchester prison while on bail for those offences on February 2 last year. The judge said: 'You are a devious, conniving and unprinicipled individual who would stop at nothing or allow no one to get in the way of you criminal ambition.' Detective Sergeant Simon Lowe added: 'Our officers worked extremely hard during this complicated investigation and we are grateful for the support shown by staff from Pentonville prison. 'These people sought to make a profit out of criminality by dealing drugs and renting mobile phones in prison. 'I thank the jury for their careful consideration and I hope that these verdicts act as a deterrent to others considering committing crimes like this.'

Wigan pair who smuggled heroin worth £1.5m into UK hidden in MG sports car

 

Two men have been jailed for smuggling 13 kilos (29lb) of pure heroin with an estimated street value of £1.5 million into the UK. Jeffery Green, 53, told UK Border Agency officers he had been to Belgium on business when he arrived in Dover, Kent, on June 28 last year. Officers used a detector dog to search the MG car Green was driving and found the heroin behind a panel near to the fuel tank, a UK Border Agency spokeswoman said. Green, of Newark Street, Wigan, Greater Manchester, was arrested and charged with attempted importation of class A drugs. He pleaded guilty to that charge and another charge of conspiracy to import heroin at Canterbury Crown Court last year, and was jailed for seven years on Monday, the spokesman said. His accomplice, Paul Gleeson, 52, of St Matthew's Close, Wigan, who had bought the car Green was driving when he was stopped, was jailed for seven years at the same court today after pleading guilty to conspiracy to import heroin. Malcolm Bragg, assistant director of the UK Border Agency's criminal and financial investigation team, said: "Drug smuggling is a vile business that exploits the misery of others for an easy profit. "Heroin destroys the lives not only of users, but also their families and the surrounding community. "The sentence handed down today should act as a warning to those who attempt to smuggle illegal drugs into this country. "The message is clear - if you are involved in drug smuggling we will catch you and you will go to jail for a long time."

David Cameron could be questioned on oath over links to Rebekah and Charlie Brooks, Downing St admits

 

Mrs Brooks and her husband were among six people who were arrested this morning on suspicion of conspiring to pervert the course of justice by police officers investigating allegations of phone hacking. The former editor of the News of the World and her husband Charlie, the racehorse trainer and Telegraph columnist, were arrested at their home in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, sources said. Mrs Brooks, a former editor of The Sun, had been on bail after being questioned by detectives last summer on suspicion of phone hacking and corruption. News of the arrests broke after Mr Cameron had left the UK for an official visit to America. It could prove to be politically embarrassing for the Prime Minister who 10 days told a press conference that Mr Brooks had been a “good” friend “for over 30 years”. Labour called for the Leveson inquiry to include Mr Cameron’s links with close friends with the Brookses.

Drug trafficking brothers jailed for more than five years each

Two brothers who tried to flood the north-east of Scotland with heroin and cocaine have been jailed. Paul and Anthony Smith were jailed for more than five years each after they admitted transporting a "significant" amount of class-A drugs into Aberdeen and Shetland. The pair, originally from Liverpool, were sentenced at the High Court in Aberdeen on Monday after previously admitting being involved in the supply of heroin and cocaine between October 2010 and February last year. Detective Inspector Alex Dowall said: "These men were intent on flooding the streets of Aberdeen and Shetland with class-A drugs and were willing to take great risks in the process in order to turn a profit. "Ultimately though, as their sentences today prove, the risk is much greater than the potential reward." Anthony Smith, 30, was jailed for five years and seven months while his 27-year-old sibling received a sentence of five years and two months. Det Insp Dowall added: "This was a complex inquiry across two countries and three force areas and it should serve as a warning to others intent on bringing drugs into the north-east that it will not be tolerated. "Operation Limehouse is an example of Grampian Police working closely with other police forces across the UK in order to target those suspected of committing drugs offences. "It must also be said that the assistance provided by local communities in Aberdeen and Shetland in bring these individuals to justice was invaluable."

Garage boss loses bid to sue cops for saying he was a gangster

 

A GARAGE owner’s bid to sue police for £200,000 for branding him a crook was thrown out yesterday. David Lyons – who is part of the notorious Lyons crime family – said he was defamed when police claimed he was involved in “serious and organised crime, including trafficking and supply of class A drugs”. Lyons insisted that although members of his family had been in serious trouble, he was an honest businessman. He also said police had no evidence to back up their claims. The 52-year-old, who runs Applerow Motors in Lambhill, Glasgow, brought acivil action at the Court of Session in Edinburgh. Lyons had his MoT licence revoked two years ago following representations made by Strathclyde Police to the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA). In his action, Lyons said he lost the licence because police had branded him a “career criminal”. He said the loss of his MoT licence cost him him £7000 a year in lost trade. And he said some people shunned him because police had given him a bad name. Lyons claimed it was inferred that he used his garage business as “a front”. But he insisted he had “no relevant previous convictions and has led a straight life”. Lady Smith dismissed the action after lawyers acting for Strathclyde Chief Constable Stephen House challenged it at a procedural debate. House argued in theaction that when police passed on their intelligence, they were acting lawfullyand in good faith. Ranald MacPherson,solicitor advocate for the chief constable, told Lady Smith: “They have simply communicated, as they have to, that this intelligence exists.” Lyons’s brother Eddie is head of a drug-dealing Glasgow crime clan. And his son Paul is a well-known crook serving 12 years for a road rage killing. Applerow Motors was the scene of a gangland murder in 2006. Lyons’s nephew Michael Lyons, 21, was killed and two others were wounded. Two men were later jailed for 35 years. Lyons said: “There are people in my family involved in crime but why should I be held responsible for them? “I have never touched drugs, sold drugs or had anything to do with drugs.”

A4e faces new fraud investigation

 

The government has launched an investigation into an allegation of attempted fraud against the welfare-to-work company A4e. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said it had been made aware of an allegation of attempted fraud in relation to a mandatory work activity contract with the firm, which is already facing a police investigation in relation to previous allegations. A statement said: "As a result of this new allegation, DWP has immediately commenced its own independent audit of all our commercial relationships with A4e. "We have required A4e to make available all documentation which our auditors may require and provide full access to interview any A4e employees. This is separate from the independent review of internal controls which A4e has previously announced. "The chief executive of A4e was informed of this at a meeting with a senior DWP official earlier today. "We have made it absolutely clear to A4e that we take this matter very seriously, and that if, at any point during the audit or thereafter, we find evidence of systemic fraud in DWP's contracts with A4e, we will not hesitate to immediately terminate our commercial relationship." A4e said: "The board has made consistently clear in all previous statements that we take any allegations of fraudulent or otherwise illegal activity extremely seriously. There is absolutely no place for this type of misconduct at A4e. "We obviously acknowledge the concerns raised by DWP, and we welcome and will co-operate fully with their planned investigations. "A4e has more than 3,500 staff and operates out of 200 offices in the UK. From December 2005 to date, nine cases relating to A4e have been referred to the Department of Work and Pensions to review claims submissions. "Of these nine referrals, one, dating back to May 2008, resulted in the prosecution of an individual member of A4e staff, which was widely reported at the time. "Another is the case now being handled by Thames Valley police. In each of the remaining, closed cases, the DWP's view was that these were not incidences of malpractice. "The board has asked White & Case LLP to lead an independent and thorough review of A4e's controls and procedures. That process will be carried out concurrently, and all findings will be provided to DWP."

Anti-gang campaigner killed in 'gang brawl' in Cambridge

 

anti-gang campaigner who abandoned London to escape urban violence was stabbed to death in a suspected gang brawl in Cambridge. Father-of-three Kyjah Brown, 26, volunteered to help youngsters in his new hometown escape knife crime, but was killed after being caught up in the fight on Saturday. Mr Brown, who left Brixton, South London, for a more 'peaceful life' was enjoying a night out with two friends in Cambridge when he was attacked and left to die by the side of the road. The DJ and rapper’s two friends were rushed to hospital with serious injuries and have since been helping police with their inquiries. Friends hailed him as an 'inspiration' to youngsters seeking to avoid gang violence. Della Spencer, Cambridgeshire County Council’s black community support, said Mr Brown was known for his work helping youngsters to turn their backs on crime through music and sport. She said: 'I know he moved from London to escape knife crime and the violence and moved to Cambridge for a peaceful life.   More... Red card for Balotelli! Striker given his marching orders for wearing a 'gangsta' style hoodie in shopping centre where they're banned 'He was well known amongst the young people. He tried to to put them off gang culture to stop them getting a criminal record. His death has really affected the community.' A former football teammate, who has been holding a vigil at the murder scene for the last three nights, said the selfless father was an 'amazing person'. Looking for peace: Hanover Court estate, where the former Londoner was stabbed to death during a suspected gang brawl He said: 'Kyjah basically ran Waterbeach Wanderers to help those youngsters keep off the streets. 'There was no money and that’s why it folded but he even used his own money to buy football kits. That’s why it is such a shock that he died this way. 'His family moved to Cambridge to get the brothers away from all that. He was just an amazing person. 'We have been tweeting the liked of Wayne Rooney as well as Rio Ferdinand - who Kyjah really did look like - to get the message out there about knife crime.' Kyjah ran Waterbeach Wanderers to help those youngsters keep off the streets. He even used his own money to buy football kits. That’s why it is such a shock that he died this way. His family moved to Cambridge to get the brothers away from all that. He was just an amazing person. But local councillor Sheila Stuart warned that cramped conditions and fears over drug dealing on the Hanover Court estate, where Mr Brown died, has stopped neighbours from talking to police. She said drug dealing was rife on the estate and called on police to help clean up the area. 'It’s a very dense living environment, everyone is on top of each other and residents are loath to report because they feel they will be under threat. 'I don’t know if drugs and anti-social behaviour are related but there’s a very serious problem and it really destroys the lives of the people who are trying to lead decent lives there.' A Facebook group has been set up since Mr Brown's tragic death to help fight knife crime. His friend Zoe Walton wrote: 'I hope this campaign will raise awareness to young men to make a life for themselves - just as Kyjah did.' Crime scene investigators were conducting a careful fingertip search near the scene of the stabbings. A 22-year-old man was been arrested on suspicion of murder but was later bailed. Police are now hunting for a second suspect in connection with the incident.

Gemma McCluskie: EastEnders actress's brother arrested after headless torso found in canal

 

The brother of missing former EastEnders actress Gemma McCluskie has been arrested in connection with her disappearance, it was reported today. It comes as police yesterday dragged a headless female torso from a canal in the east end of London, feared to be the 29-year-old. Her brother Tony, 35, was arrested today and is in custody at an east London police station, Sky News said. Police have not confirmed the identity of the suspect. Earlier Mr McCluskie had told how he had last seen his sister at home last Thursday afternoon. He told the press his sister's disappearance is 'completely' out of character and that she had never been missing before. He added: 'We are going out of our mind with worry. She is a bubbly, outgoing, strong and independent woman.' Officers were alerted after a member of the public noticed something suspicious floating in the water. There has so far been no link established between the disappearance of Miss McCluskie, who played Kerry Skinner in 2001, and yesterday's find, which came after police had expressed extreme concern for the actress's welfare. A Metropolitan spokesman said: 'A body was found in Regent's Canal near Broadway Market in East London at 2:40pm. 'Enquiries are underway to establish the identity of the deceased. A post-mortem will be scheduled to ascertain the cause of death. 'Pending that post mortem we will be treating the death as unexplained.' Friends and relatives of Miss McCluskie have launched a frantic search around London’s East End for the petite brunette, who appeared in more than 30 episodes of the flagship BBC soap. Her character arrived in Albert Square as a friend of Zoe Slater and the great niece of the late Ethel Skinner. She briefly dated Robbie Jackson and got him to propose to her. Unidentified: A police diver searches a canal next to Broadway Market, East London after a body was found Crime scene: Police seal off the towpath and canal next to Broadway Market in east London after a torso was found in the water Mystery: A diver prepares to enter the water at Regents Canal, where the body was found as the search for Gemma McCluskie continued Former EastEnders stars including Martine McCutcheon and Brooke Kinsella have begun assisting the search on Twitter. More than 100 people carried out a search around the local area, placing posters in shops and pubs and handing out leaflets last night, after Miss McCluskie was last seen at her home in Bethnal Green last Thursday.

Gang murdered drug dealer then blew up his house

 

Drugs gang executed one of their dealer's and then blew up his house to cover-up the murder, a court heard this afternoon. Colliston Edwards, 38, of no fixed address and Andre Johnson, 25, also of no fixed address are accused of shooting Leroy Burnett, 43, after he kept back some of their money from drugs deals. Max Walter, 21, of no fixed address was then recruited by the pair to blow-up his house in Crichton Road, Battersea the Old Bailey heard. Mr Burnett was allegedly a low level drug supplier, who dealt drugs in Wandsworth Road and the Nine Elms area on behalf of Edwards. Edwards, whose street name is Lousy, was allegedly a drug dealer who commuted between Doncaster and South London and worked in a team with Johnson, known as Tallman. The court heard that Lousy had two mobile phones and gave out the numbers to his customers, travelling to their homes to sell the drugs. He allegedly expected Mr Burnett to carry out sales and look after his phones whilst he was away in Doncaster, but problems arose when Mr Burnett started miscounting money owed to him. Prosecuting, Aftab Jaffbrjee said: "There was simply no reason other than this pernicious deed of drugs supply to cost Leroy his life. Ads by Google Build Eco Friendly Visit us Today for Carbon Reduction Eco Tips for Construction Industry! www.CutCarbon.info Election Boundary Changes Constituencies are changing. Have your say on our report, Autumn 2013 independent.gov.uk/boundarychanges "He was executed in his home having been shot in the head at point blank range. There was nothing else that accounted in his life for such a brutal attack. "Walter then blew up the entire house causing destruction to the building and the street." Edwards and Johnson are both on trial for joint enterprise of murder and intending to pervert the course of justice. They deny having anything to do with the murder or the cover-up. Walter has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice and arson, but denies being reckless as to whether life was endangered. The trial which opened this afternoon is expected to last six weeks.

Drug gangs report blasting UK cities as dangerous

 

 Comment By Professor Alan Stevens Drug gangs report blasting UK cities as dangerous is too confusing The problems are nowhere near as deep in Manchester or Liverpool as they are in Rio de Janeiro – or even San Francisco A masked municipal policeman stands outside a shopping mall in MexicoAP On one hand it is right to state that there are communities in British cities suffering from social exclusion and marginalisation and that this contributes to their drug and crime problems. But on the other, these ­problems are nowhere near as deep in Manchester or Liverpool as they are in Rio de Janeiro or Ciudad Juarez – or even San Francisco or Los Angeles. The problem with the INCB report is that the wording is unclear. It gives the impression that its comments on no-go areas could apply equally to all of these cities. But it should have been more careful in specifying which ones it was referring to. The cities in Central and South America have more extreme ­problems which come from bigger social inequalities. They are dramatically more affected by crime and health problems. For example, in the past few years in Rio there have been repeated attempts to crack down on the areas controlled by violent drug markets. For a while these places were no-go zones. But authorities have acted in a militaristic fashion in the past year as they prepare for the World Cup.

British cities are becoming no-go areas where drugs gangs are effectively in control

British cities are becoming no-go areas where drugs gangs are effectively in control, a United Nations drugs chief said yesterday. Professor Hamid Ghodse, president of the UN’s International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), said there was “a vicious cycle of social exclusion and drugs problems and fractured communities” in cities such as Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester. The development of “no-go areas” was being fuelled by threats such as social inequality, migration and celebrities normalising drug abuse, he warned. Helping marginalised communities with drugs problems “must be a priority”, he said. “We are looking at social cohesion, the social disintegration and illegal drugs. “In many societies around the world, whether developed or developing, there are communities within the societies which develop which become no-go areas. “Drug traffickers, organised crime, drug users, they take over. They will get the sort of governance of those areas.” Prof Ghodse called for such communities to be offered drug abuse prevention programmes, treatment and rehabilitation services, and the same levels of educational, employment and recreational opportunities as in the wider society. The INCB’s annual report for 2011 found persistent social inequality, migration, emerging cultures of excess and a shift in traditional values were some of the key threats to social cohesion. As the gap between rich and poor widens, and “faced with a future with limited opportunities, individuals within these communities may increasingly become disengaged from the wider society and become involved in a range of personally and socially harmful behaviours, including drug abuse and drug dealing,” it said.

You can buy a Kalashnikov for a hundred euros on the back streets of Athens

"You can buy a Kalashnikov for a hundred euros on the back streets of Athens and people are doing so to guard their property," Mr Chrysanthopoulos told me from his home outside the capital yesterday. Thanks to the disastrous euro, his country is sliding remorselessly towards bankruptcy and disintegration. Modern Greece is an economic corpse, kept on life support by Germany and France, who fear the euro will be destroyed if they admit the truth. Last week's £110BILLION bailout was not aimed at rescuing the Greek people. It was to save the euro from total collapse. Yet the country seems doomed to another historic crisis as disastrous as the German occupation, a bloody civil war and years of military rule. "What we risk today is anarchy, the collapse of society and a breakdown in law and order," says Mr Chrysanthopoulos, 66. "We have more than 20,000 homeless families in Athens alone. "There are food lines for the hungry, which have not been seen since the Second World War. "Penniless pensioners are begging in the streets. People are bartering for essentials, living hand to mouth." Sooner or later they will be thrown out of the euro — the greatest peacetime catastrophe in the history of Europe. Hatred seethes against Germany, which in 1942 reduced Greece to starvation and slavery during its brutal Nazi occupation. A Greek radio station has just been fined for describing German Chancellor Angela Merkel as a "dirty Berlin slut". Nazi resistance fighter Manolis Glezos, now 89, says Germany plundered Greece for the equivalent of £138billion in the 1940s. "They grab us by the throat for the debt — let's do the same to them for the reparations," he says. Germans hit back, branding the Greeks "idle swindlers". They claim nobody pays tax because bandit politicians steal their money. The insults are fuelling precisely the nationalistic antagonism that sowed the seeds for two world wars — and which the EU was created to eliminate forever. Germany and France, who must accept the blame for allowing Greece into the euro at all, are terrified of contagion. So they are forcing this humiliated nation to slash pay and pensions to starvation levels. Last week's costly bailout has bought time — and the fantasy of an orderly default. Mr Chrysanthopoulos feels betrayed by the euro currency con. But he is not alone. Charles Kennedy, the Lib Dems' fervently pro-euro ex-leader, last week admitted: "I was wrong." His successor, the made-in-Brussels Nick Clegg, admits he would no longer join the euro. Two former editors of the fanatically pro-Brussels Financial Times confess they backed the wrong horse. Ex-EU Commissioner Frits Bolkestein admits: "The euro has failed." We will never hear honesty like that from Ken Clarke and Michael Heseltine, who lost the Tories three elections by stoking the row over Europe. But unlike Mr Chrysanthopoulos, they will probably die comfortably in their beds without witnessing the hideous consequences. Greek instability risks spilling over to fragile ex-fascist regimes Spain and Portugal. If it does, we can only hope it doesn't bring chaos to Italy — then to France. People will take only so much belt-tightening austerity. More revolutions have been triggered by oppressive taxes than anything else. The drive for ever closer political and economic union and the end of national rivalry was aimed at ending war in Europe. We must pray the arrogant fools who launched this undemocratic juggernaut do not achieve precisely the opposite.

TONY Adams has been compared to TV gangster Tony Soprano, and his gang are rumoured to be responsible for 25 murders.

 

 When he appeared in court last November, he gave his address as the cottage in Barnet. Land Registry documents confirm the property is owned by Cole, 31. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by the player, who has a multi-million-pound property investment portfolio. Adams, once said to be worth £150 million, headed a notorious North London crime gang nicknamed the A-team or Adams Family. He bought a yacht and sent his daughter to a private school. But in 2007 he was jailed for seven years — for money laundering his own wages — after an undercover operation by MI5 and the Serious Organised Crime Agency. Just like Chicago mobster Al Capone, he had escaped justice for years before finally being nailed for tax evasion. Officers spent 21 months and £10 million eavesdropping on Adams. During the probe his accountant was killed in a drive-by shooting, and a hitman was reputedly buried in the foundations of London's O2 Arena. A search of Adams' £1million former home uncovered £700,000 worth of stolen goods. Adams was released in 2010 after serving half his sentence. But last year he was sent back to do the rest of his time after he defied a financial reporting order and failed to declare luxury purchases including a £7,500 facelift. His earliest release date is now December 2013.

Britain’s crime hot spots revealed

 

The findings, posted on an interactive website, will allow the public to discover how many cases of robbery, vehicle crime and other offences take place in their area – and to rank areas from best to worst. Oxford Street in London's West End was revealed to be the shopping destination surrounded by the most crime. During 2011, there were 656 vehicle crimes, 915 robberies and 2,597 violent crimes within three quarters of a mile of the Oxford Street branch of John Lewis. There were also 5,039 reported instances of anti-social behaviour – equivalent to 14 a day. High streets and shopping centres in Bristol, Brighton and Derby also featured in a top 10 of crime hot spots, according to the website ukcrimestats.com.  A spokesman for the New West End Company, which represents Oxford Street traders, said: "We need to remember that this is an area with extremely high footfall, with over 200 million visits a year. This data needs to be seen in context. "Oxford Street has seen an overall reduction in crime over the past 10 years, with our lobby for harder sentencing on crime having a positive impact." The Croydon postcode CR0 was found to have the highest number of crimes reported last year, with 5,000 more than any other postal area. The south London suburb was the scene of some of the most severe rioting last summer. During 2011, 2,081 burglaries, 3,258 violent crimes and 8,316 instances of anti-social behaviour were reported in the CR0 postcode district. Dan Lewis, the chief executive of the Economic Policy Centre, the Right-of-centre think-tank which carried out the analysis and created the website, said: "On the one hand it is good that the Government is now publishing such detailed crime statistics, but the official police website does not allow the public to put these figures in context. "It has taken us, as a private sector provider, to harness this data in a way which is much more helpful to consumers. "It's not just important that the Government becomes more transparent, it's vital that what information is published is actually useful to the public." Seven of the 10 schools with the highest number of crimes within three quarters of a mile of their gates were in London. Two were in Portsmouth and one in Bristol. Almost 8,250 acts of anti-social behaviour, robbery, vehicle crime or violent crime were reported within three quarters of a mile of Charing Cross railway station in London last year, 1,700 more than Newcastle's central railway station, which had the second-highest crime rate. There were also high numbers of crimes around stations in Birmingham, Blackpool and east London. Anyone craving a life free from crime should consider a move to Wales. Nearly a third of the 50 postcode districts with the lowest number of reported crimes last year were in Wales, with several on the island of Anglesey. Official figures suggest that the Welsh village of Garndolbenmaen, on the edge of the Snowdonia national park, had one reported crime last year – a single case of anti-social behaviour. Steve Churchman, who runs the village shop serving the 300 residents, said the area was "like Beirut" when he moved there from London eight years ago. "We had a real problem with anti-social behaviour back then," said Mr Churchman. "There was this gang of kids. We had a phonebox vandalised, a bus stop graffitied and a few break-ins." Mr Churchman said the falling crime figures in the village were a result of pushing for convictions on those residents who stepped out of line and having police office and community support officers out on the beat. The children who caused the trouble had grown up and were now "nice lads", he added.

Gangster’s moll rents a house from Ashley Cole

 

Gangster's moll Ruth Adams, 51, pays about £1,500 a month to rent the Chelsea defender's three-bedroom cottage. Her husband Terry, 57 — a fan of Chelsea's London rivals Arsenal — also lived at the property for 17 months between prison sentences. He moved in to the £600,000 home in Barnet, North London, after his release from a seven-year stretch for money laundering, before being banged up again last year. Neighbours often see loyal Ruth — who married Adams 29 years ago — driving a top-of-the-range Lexus. One local said: "It's funny that it's Cole's house because Terry is an avid Arsenal fan and was once linked to buying the Gunners. "Ruth is very polite but won't engage you in conversation for long. She's still close to her husband."

EastEnders' Foreman's gangster past

 

EastEnders star Jamie Foreman has claimed his character Derek Branning is worse than any gangster he's ever known. The 53-year-old actor has published an autobiography revealing his real-life gangster past, growing up knowing the notorious Kray twins and the Great Train Robber Buster Edwards. But he told the Daily Mirror that Albert Square bad boy Derek is nastier than any of the people he has encountered. Jamie said: "Derek is the man 10 million viewers love to hate, and I'm thrilled at the impact he's made. "But Derek is so nasty he even makes me cringe. And, trust me, I've met some really nasty b******s in my time." The Layer Cake star - who joined the soap last year as Max's older brother - said he wrote his book, Gangsters, Guns And Me, "to explain what it was like to be born into that world and to grow up around these characters - the real people, the strong men and women, not the gangster caricatures". And Jamie is planning to make his own film, about what the Kray twins were really like. He said: "When I leave EastEnders I'm hoping to produce and direct my own film about the world - and plan to play both the Kray twins myself."

Police seek Haye as boxers speak out over brawl

 

DAVID Haye remains wanted by police and Dereck Chisora has been called before the British Boxing Board of Control after their shocking press conference brawl in Munich at the weekend. Both men issued statements yesterday after the violent clash following Chisora’s defeat by defending WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko on Saturday night, but Haye’s whereabouts are still unknown as German detectives seek to question him. Haye stopped short of apologising for his actions, which included punching Chisora with a fist holding a glass bottle and swinging a camera tripod at Chisora’s trainer’s head. Chisora, who had slapped Klitschko ahead of the heavyweight title defeat, was arrested by German police on Sunday before being questioned and released. He “wholeheartedly apologised” for his “inexcusable” actions, which also saw him spit water in the face of Klitschko’s brother Wladimir and threaten to “shoot” Haye during the post-fight melee. In a statement, the British Boxing Board of Control confirmed he will appear before stewards on March 14 “with regard to his behaviour prior, during and after” his loss to Klitschko. Haye, who claims Chisora instigated the fracas, does not have to answer to the board, having relinquished his licence when he officially retired in October. He would, however, need to re-apply if he wanted to fight again. Munich Police yesterday reiterated their desire to speak to Haye, and said they are likely to enlist the help of Scotland Yard to track him down. In a statement yesterday, Haye said he and his trainer/manager Adam Booth, who suffered a cut head in the brawl, returned to their hotel after the incident, but then decided it would be best to fly home early since Chisora and his team were staying at the same hotel. Zimbabwe-born Chisora reiterated the claim he had been hit with a bottle but said in a statement: “I feel I must wholeheartedly apologise for my part in the regrettable scenes both before and after what was to be the biggest night of my career. “Whilst my behaviour was inexcusable, there were many things that went on behind the scenes that ultimately caused my frustrations to boil over, however this is of course no excuse.” Haye said he would assist the boxing authorities in their enquiries. “I realise I am no angel – and don’t mind a bit of professional trash-talk to help raise boxing’s profile – but, during my 21 years in the sport, I have never been involved in, or even witnessed, such a serious fracas.” He added: “I am bitterly disappointed to have been a part of what transpired on Saturday evening.”

Foreign gangsters behind a frenzy of violent crime are being detained in London at the rate of two a week

 

Foreign gangsters behind a frenzy of violent crime are being detained in London at the rate of two a week, Scotland Yard revealed yesterday. A pioneering scheme to target foreign offenders has already seized eight people who have been deported from Britain. The initiative — codenamed Operation Bite — seeks to forcibly expel dangerous foreign nationals who are linked to serious gangland crime. The pilot scheme run by the Yard is now being extended across the UK after a 100% success rate in deporting criminals. Those expelled include a Jamaican national who was a known gang member in Southwark — jailed for rape and armed robbery and shot twice, once by a sub-machinegun at Tulse Hill railway station. Two other Jamaicans, who are twins and gang members, have also been deported for links to gun crime and robberies. Under the operation police identify the most dangerous individuals involved in crimes such as murder, kidnap, shootings, stabbings, and drugs supply and their names are fast-tracked to the UK Borders Agency. The agency then has the power to strip the individuals of their right to remain in the country even if they have been granted residency status.

Terrorists admit plot to bomb London Stock Exchange and US Embassy

 

Two of the men conducted a surveillance trip around central London and also talked about launching a Mumbai-style attack on Parliament. A “target list” was found at the home of the ring-leader which listed the names and addresses of Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, as well as two Rabbis and the American Embassy. It had on it the letters ‘LXC’ for London Stock Exchange. Torn pieces of paper showed a sketch of what is believed to be a car bomb. Three other men met with the plotters and planned to travel abroad to get more training before returning to launch further attacks. Another two men pleaded guilty to associated charges. The men, from London, Stoke and Cardiff, were inspired by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsular (AQAP) and used their English-language magazine Inspire as a guide.

Scrap crooks cause £100k of damage

 

SCRAP metal thieves scaled a 165ft electricity pylon to steal wiring worth just £100 — but caused £100,000 damage. The blundering gang risked their lives by climbing up the pylon past deadly 275,000-volt power cables to reach the top of the tower. They cut an earth wire which protects the pylon from lightning strikes and brought down more than 600m of cable. But the raid caused 1,000 times more damage than their petty haul was worth, a court was told. The wire, a mixture of aluminium and steel, had a scrap value of around £100. But National Grid faced a £100,000 repair bill. One of the gang, Desmond Brady, was arrested near to the scene covered in mud and out of breath after a police chase. He is now facing jail. Brady, 43, from Rochdale, pleaded guilty to attempted theft and damaging property at Bolton Crown Court. Three men were involved in the raid in Middleton, Greater Manchester, but no one else has been traced. Brady, who lives at a Salvation Army hostel in Rochdale, was arrested after workmen, who spotted the trio, raised the alarm. He ran off but was pinpointed by a police helicopter. Around 300m of the wiring had been coiled up and was found at the foot of the pylon. The gang had scaled the tower on small bolts that act as steps for maintenance work. The crime followed two other incidents in the same area, where pylons were climbed and wire was severed or damaged. On one occasion, damage to an earth wire led to the evacuation of several nearby homes. National Grid says it has introduced wireless CCTV cameras and anti-climb guards and paint in response to the incidents. And Greater Manchester Police has plotted all towers and electricity substations on their systems. Brady, who the court heard has a lengthy criminal past, will be sentenced on February 13. He was warned he it is "highly probable" he will get a custodial sentence. A National Grid spokesman said: "We hope that this case sends out a strong message about the dangers of tampering with high-voltage electrical equipment."

Psycho gang boss set for arrest over Maria killing

 

THE net is closing in on the 30-year-old criminal who is suspected of murdering Romanian teenager Maria Rostas. Sources say that gardai should be able to re-arrest the psychotic south city gangster "within weeks" after the discovery of the body of the tragic 18-year-old in the Dublin Mountains on Monday. The criminal is in Cloverhill Prison where he is on remand and facing trial for a number of serious criminal offences. He is also the chief suspect for a number of other serious crimes including a pub murder last year. The development comes as authorities in Romania contact-ed the family of the Roma teenager who gardai believe was savagely sexually abused before being shot in the head. It is understood that the family of Maria (Marioara) Rostas, including her father Dimitri, will travel to Ireland to bring her body back home to Romania for burial. Sources are still unsure whether the victim was taken to a house near Newry to be violated by a notorious underworld figure or whether her ordeal involved being assaulted over a number of days in a house in Pimlico before being shot dead and her body dumped. The chief suspect, along with some of his closest associates, was arrested in December, 2008. But they were all released without charge. When arrested, the chief suspect was wearing a bulletproof vest in bed. Gardai have always worked on the theory that Maria was shot dead in the upstairs room of a derelict house in Brabazon Street just days after being abducted as she begged on East Lombard Street on January 6, 2008. The Brabazon Street property was later gutted in a fire which was started by criminals in a bid to destroy evidence. CANDLES The chief suspect is the number one target for gardai and it is understood that a strong case is being built against him. "This maniac is one of the most dangerous criminals in the country. Certain information has been received which indicates that he saw the devil in her eyes which caused him to freak out and shoot her," a source said. "Despite being an absolutely evil individual, he has some kind of strange religious beliefs and is very afraid of the devil. He is all into candles and altars and stuff like that." The investigation has been helped because the victim's remains were very well preserved after being so tightly wrapped in plastic bags. The Herald revealed that two major south Dublin criminals helped the chief suspect bury the body of the tragic teenager. Sources have revealed that the south city gangster enlisted one of his closest associates to help dispose of her body after he shot her. The suspect's pal was so terrified that the gangster would murder him after burying Maria that he brought a close relative with him to help in the dig.

Bulgarian gangster Tihomir Georgiev has contract on his head

 

Tihomir Georgiev — known as the Butcher Of Bulgaria for his reputation for slicing off fingers and ears of his enemies — is due to be extradited this week. He is suspected of two murders in Bulgaria and could face at least 18 years in jail if convicted. But crime bosses — furious he tried to cut a deal by giving evidence against his former paymasters before going on the run — are taking bets that he will not see out the year. They have issued orders Georgiev, 43 — caught at a gym in Bermondsey, South London, after a tip-off from The Sun — must be killed behind bars. A source said: "His chances are slim to say the least."

Two arrested after headless burnt body is found in 'suspected gangland execution'

 

Two men have been arrested after a man was beheaded and set on fire in a suspected gangland execution. Firefighters discovered the headless body on fire after being called to a wooded area off a car park in Wellington Street, Stockport, in the early hours of this morning. After extinguishing the blaze they found man's head nearby. Forensic officers remove the body in a covered body bag at the murder scene where the body of a decapitated man was found on fire at 5am this morning Two suspects, aged 29 and 31, were arrested prior to the body being found - on suspicion of possessing shotgun cartridges - following an incident at a Stockport flat. On the way to the police station, about 5.10am, officers were alerted to a fire following a call from a nearby casino and the body was discovered. It is feared the victim - a man in his 20s - was killed during a 5am rendezvous at the flat before being wrapped in a duvet and dumped. The scene of the grisly discovery is just 150 yards from the town's magistrates' court and a police station. Forensic officers and the tent where the body of a decapitated man was found on fire at 5am this morning Today, as a police cordon was put up around the murder scene, tests were being carried out on the body to establish where he was killed. It is believed the man was decapitated with some kind of bladed instrument, either a sword or a knife. Further tests will be undertaken to establish whether petrol was used in an attempt to destroy the body. The suspects were arrested at a first floor flat where the 29-year old jobless suspect was believed to live alone. Police questioned two female relatives who are believed to live in Wales. One neighbour said: 'There were always shenanigans going on inside that flat - so much so I would switch a fan on inside my place to drown out the noise so I could go to sleep. 'In the early hours of the morning before the body was found I had heard one such rumpus with lots of shouting going on so I put my fan on as normal.