Islington: Pensioner guilty of killing woman 49 years on after DNA breakthrough
A pensioner has been found guilty of strangling a young woman nearly 50 years ago following a DNA breakthrough.John Apelgren, now 80, hit sex worker Eileen Cotter, 22, in the face and throttled her before throwing her body out of his car in 1974, the Old Bailey heard.The manslaughter in Islington, north London, came two years after Apelgren indecently assaulted an 18-year-old guest at his own wedding, it was alleged.
Car driver dies on railway tracks after being pursued by police
A 34-year-old man has died on railway tracks in south London after being chased by police.Officers began pursuing a car heading towards Streatham High Road after it failed to stop at 3.26am on Wednesday, the Metropolitan Police said.After a short chase, the car crashed into a garden fence in Brunswick Mews in Streatham and the driver ran away but two male passengers were detained by police.
Dancer who appeared in Labyrinth with David Bowie in fight with Peckham neighbours over garden wall
A dancer who appeared with David Bowie in the movie Labyrinth has vowed to fight like a tiger in a row with her fashion designer neighbour over the boundary between their 1 million homes.Susan Lee, 71, and her neighbours Vanessa and Andrew McVickers are at war over the brick wall that runs between their gardens in Peckham, south London.
Sadiq Khan: Questions need answering before O2 Academy Brixton is reopened
Speaking to mark six months since the crowd crush in which Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, and security worker Gaby Hutchinson, 23, were fatally injured, the mayor said the music venue's future was a secondary issue, compared with the police investigation into what happened on the night.The Met has launched a corporate manslaughter probe.
Brixton Academy: Corporate manslaughter probe launched into fatal crowd crush
P olice have launched a corporate manslaughter probe into the crowd crush at the O2 Academy Brixton as it emerged one victim's young sons are asking: Where's mummy?Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, and security worker Gaby Hutchinson, 23, were fatally injured when ticketless fans tried to force their way into a concert by Nigerian Afrobeats artist Asake in December.
Croydon tram disaster driver deeply sorry' for failing to avert derailment
The driver in the Croydon tram disaster has apologised to the families of the victims, saying: I'm sorry that I became disorientated.Alfred Dorris, 49, was allegedly going three times the speed he was supposed to be doing before his tram derailed on a sharp curve at Sandilands in south London, killing seven passengers and seriously injuring 19 more.
Tram disaster driver tells jurors: In some ways I held myself responsible'
The driver in the Croydon tram disaster broke down in court as he told jurors: In some ways I held myself responsible.Alfred Dorris, 49, was allegedly going three times the speed he was supposed to be doing before his tram derailed on a sharp curve at Sandilands in south London, killing seven passengers and seriously injuring 19 more.
Man admits freezing leg of alleged castration ringleader
A man has admitted freezing the leg of another man accused of being the ringleader of a group carrying out and broadcasting castrations, which led to the limb requiring amputation.Jacob Crimi-Appleby, 22, of Epsom, Surrey, admitted causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent to Marius Gustavson in 2019.
Rapper Slowthai appears in court denying two charges of rape
Rapper Slowthai has appeared in court denying two charges of rape and will face trial next year.The 28-year-old, whose real name is Tyron Frampton, entered his pleas during a brief hearing at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday.He is accused of raping a woman twice on September 8, 2021.Co-accused Alex Blake-Walker, 25, pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting the woman Frampton is accused of raping during the same alleged incident.
Custody sergeant murder accused tells court he fired gun during panic attack'
A man who allegedly murdered a Metropolitan Police custody sergeant by shooting him dead told a court that he did not mean to fire the gun and was having a panic attack at the time.Louis De Zoysa, 25, is accused of the murder of Sergeant Matt Ratana, 54, at a custody block in Croydon, south London, on September 25 2020 while he was handcuffed.
Custody sergeant murder accused begins giving evidence in modified way
A man accused of murdering a Metropolitan Police custody sergeant has begun giving evidence in a modified way because of communication difficulties after he suffered brain damage due to a gunshot wound.Louis De Zoysa, 25, is accused of shooting dead Sergeant Matt Ratana, 54, at a custody block in Croydon, south London, on September 25 2020 while he was handcuffed.
Low-traffic neighbourhoods may lead people to drive less, data suggests
Low-traffic neighbourhoods seemingly can prompt residents to drive less, with a study showing people in one London borough cut their driving by nearly a mile a day on average after LTNs were introduced.While the research covers only four LTNs created in 2020, it is potentially significant because it contradicts the objection from opponents of the schemes that they make people drive further on less direct routes.
85-year-old man pushed over and robbed on London bus
A n 85-year-old man was pushed to the ground on a London bus by a thug who then pickpocketed him in broad daylight.The victim had just boarded a route 194 service at West Croydon Bus Station in south London when the incident happened, shortly before midday on April 11.He felt a person behind him attempt to pickpocket him, and turned to react.
Manhunt after burglar escapes prison van next to police station
Police are hunting a man who escaped from a prison transport van outside a police station in south London.Kwami Richards absconded from the vehicle, operated by a private security company, in Brixton while he was being sent back to jail at 2pm on Friday.An officer ran after Richards into Brixton Underground Station but was assaulted when they tried to apprehend the fugitive.
A new start after 60: I left Britain and opened a cafe in India. I've never been happier
1. Making a career shift in your 60s is possible and can lead to great success - Veena Torchia is proof of that as she has gone from a career in finance to opening her own vegan cafe.
2. Having a positive outlook and willingness to take risks are key to achieving success later in life - Veena Torchia took the leap of faith to pursue her dream of opening a vegan cafe despite the risks.
Teenagers deny murdering two 16-year-olds stabbed on streets of London
Four teenagers have denied murdering two 16-year-olds stabbed on the streets of London.On Wednesday, during a hearing at the Old Bailey, a 15-year-old pleaded not guilty to the murders of Charlie Bartolo and Kearne Solanke.He faces a trial from November 6 alongside a 17-year-old and 18-year-olds Hussain Bah and Alagie Jobe, who have also denied two counts of murder.
Ice-cream with gherkins! Mash sandwiches! Maltesers in wine! 21 weird snacks loved by top chefs
Chefs are grazing animals, forever playing with ingredients, nibbling at leftovers and then, back home at 1am, trying to conjure a quick bite from whatever is there.In these moments of curiosity and urgency, bizarre snack habits are born.People think we go home and have elaborate dinners, but give me some string cheese, chilli sauce, a Fab and a Stella and I'll be happy, says Jack Stein, the chef director at the Rick Stein group.
Man admits freezing leg of alleged eunuch maker' website ringleader
A man has admitted freezing the leg of an alleged ringleader of an extreme body-modifications group, who is accused of filming castrations and posting videos of them online.Jacob Crimi-Appleby, 22, from Epsom in Surrey, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Marius Gustavson in February 2019.
Ex Met-police officer gets hundreds of hate messages' over Couzens probe
A former Metropolitan Police officer who has been banned from policing over her handling of two incidents of flashing by Wayne Couzens says she has received hundreds of hate messages.Samantha Lee, 29, did not make the correct investigative inquiries over two incidents where the killer exposed himself to female staff members at a McDonalds restaurant in Swanley, Kent, days before he kidnapped, raped and murdered Sarah Everard, a disciplinary panel found.
William sympathises with Grenfell survivors and families seeking justice
Grenfell survivors and bereaved families have described the Prince of Wales as being very passionate about the community getting justice and closure following the devastating blaze.William, who attended last year's memorial marking the fifth anniversary of the blaze, visited Championship football club Queens Park Rangers (QPR) to hear how it provided support in the aftermath of the fire and since.
TV presenter Fred Sirieix launches third prison restaurant run by inmates
TV personality Fred Sirieix was seen getting hands on in a prison kitchen as he launched his charity's third restaurant staffed by prisoners.The First Dates presenter and maitre d'hotel was speaking as his charity, The Right Course, launched its newest training restaurant, Bertie's, in HMP Lincoln on Monday.
The south London Wetherspoons we've lost so far this year
The closure of popular Wetherspoons pubs in South London highlights the impact of changing consumer preferences and economic factors on the hospitality industry. [ more ]
Faces of south Londoners jailed in February including 10 murderers and XL Bully mum
Six men convicted of Michael Jonas' murder, two men guilty of Charlie Bartolo and Kearne Solanke's murder, a truck driver jailed for killing Logan Finch, and a mum jailed for covering up an XL Bully attack.
Fatal incidents in South London result in life prison sentences for perpetrators. [ more ]
The four Lebanese restaurants in south London in the final for prestige kebab awards
Four Lebanese restaurants in south London have made it to the final of the British Kebab Awards, which celebrate local kebab takeaways and restaurants.
Lebanese cuisine is known for its rich flavors and blends of fresh herbs, spices, and wholesome ingredients. [ more ]
Brockley rail station in south London is having land safeguarded for a future new station entrance as part of a neighboring housing development.
The developer plans to build flats on either side of a Thames Water easement, leaving an open covered corridor that could serve as a new entrance to Brockley station. [ more ]
The Thameslink changes, closures and diversions in south London this weekend
Planned engineering works will affect services running between Sutton and Wimbledon, with no services running between them on these days.
Engineering works between Herne Hill and Tulse Hill will close some lines, affecting Thameslink services between Herne Hill and Sutton, and Herne Hill and Wimbledon.
Amended services will run between New Cross Gate and Crystal Palace, impacting Thameslink services between London Bridge and Horsham and Brighton. [ more ]
Owners of the most polluting cars to pay double for parking across England
Owners of the most polluting cars may soon have to pay more to park as councils across England are expected to roll out new charges based on a vehicle's CO2 emissions.Lambeth is the latest council in London to introduce emissions-based parking fees, with similar charges now expected elsewhere in England.
Eight homes with pergolas where residents can make the most of summer
An oak pergola that protrudes from a glazed extension in a conservation area and a concrete pergola covered in shrubbery are included in our latest lookbook.A pergola is a structure that is attached to a home to protect and shelter it from the elements.Pergolas can provide shade to the interior or outdoor area they cover, as well as create some protection from rain.
Sarah Sze designs artwork for hidden Victorian waiting room at London train station
New York-based artist Sarah Sze has created a large-scale art installation in a vaulted space above Peckham Rye station that had been boarded up for the last 50 years.Once a large Victorian waiting room, the space was closed to the public in 1962, making Sze's exhibition the first time it has been used in more than half a century.
Birch Selsdon hotel takes over 19th-century mansion in Croydon
British hotel chain Birch has opened an outpost in south London, with grounds rewilded by designer Sebastian Cox and interiors conceived by local studios A-nrd and Sella Concept.Birch Selsdon is housed in a 19th-century mansion in the borough of Croydon and accommodates 181 rooms alongside a wellness space and lido, co-working facilities and a medley of restaurants and bars.
Sabah Ahmedi, 29, is one of Britain's youngest imams.He uses social media to tackle misconceptions about Islam and to start conversations about everything from Eid to men's mental health.BBC London went to Baitul Futuh mosque in south London to find out why his posts are so popular.Video by Chelsea Coates
Man, 34, dies on railway tracks in south London after car chase with Met police
An investigation is under way after the death of a man on railway tracks in south London after being involved in a pursuit with Metropolitan police officers, the force has said.The pursuit began after a car heading towards Streatham High Road failed to stop for police at about 3.26am on Wednesday.Officers followed the car for a short time, indicating it should stop, the Met said.
Investigation launched by watchdog after man dies on railway line following police pursuit
A n investigation has been launched after a man died on a railway line after a police pursuit in south London.A car was being followed by police towards Streatham High Road at just before 3.30am on Wednesday.The car, which failed to stop, crashed in Brunswick Mews and the driver ran from the scene.He was last seen in nearby Potters Lane before officers lost sight of him.
Man, 20, stabbed to death in Thornton Heath street attack
A 20-year-old man has been stabbed to death in south London, Scotland Yard said.Police on patrol were alerted to the victim, found injured at the junction of Melfort Road and Sandfield Road, Thornton Heath, near Croydon at 4.16pm on Tuesday.He was taken to hospital where he sadly died in the early hours of Wednesday.
T he most intact Roman mausoleum in Britain has been discovered in south London by archaeologists.The completely unique find was uncovered at a new development site - The Liberty of Southwark - near Borough Market and London Bridge Station.Archaeological investigations were led by Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA), on behalf of Landsec and Transport for London (TfL), who own the site, and Southwark Council.
Manchester City fans take over streets of Istanbul with flares and chants
Thousands of Manchester City fans have taken over the streets of central Istanbul with flares and football chants on Friday night.Fans have piled into the bars along the city's popular Nevizade street, with hundreds spilling out onto the narrow street outside.Pedestrians walking along the narrow strip of space left along the street have to run the gauntlet of chants and flares.
Jury shown holster identical' to one worn by man accused of sergeant's murder
A jury has been shown a gun holster identical to one Louis De Zoysa was wearing when he allegedly murdered a Met Police custody sergeant.De Zoysa, 25, is accused of shooting dead Sergeant Matt Ratana, 54, at a custody block in Croydon, south London, on September 25 2020 while he was handcuffed.Members of the jury in the trial at Northampton Crown Court watched while a copy of a gun holster was shown in the courtroom during a brief hearing on Friday.
Man City fans nervous' about getting to stadium for Champions League final
Manchester City fans have expressed concerns about getting to the stadium for the Champions League final in Istanbul after Liverpool supporters were left stuck outside last year's final in Paris.Last year, Liverpool fans found themselves penned against the Stade de France stadium's perimeter fences ahead of the match against Real Madrid and were then tear-gassed by French police.
CCTV shows moments before police sergeant was fatally shot inside station
CCTV recounting the moments before a custody officer was fatally shot in a police station has been released.The footage was shown to a jury on Thursday as part of an ongoing murder trial into Sergeant Matt Ratana's death at Croydon custody centre in the early hours of 25 September, 2020. Louis De Zoysa - who denies murder - is accused of shooting the sergeant with an antique revolver that was concealed in a holster as he was being detained at the centre.
Caroline Lucas: Green moderniser who made parliament listen
One day in 1986, Caroline Lucas went looking for the Green party headquarters, finding them in a shoe box on Clapham High Street in south London, and immediately signed up as a member.Thirty-seven years later, Lucas has announced she will stand down at the next election as the party's only MP after decades as its highest-profile member.
CCTV footage showing moments before custody sergeant was fatally shot released
Chilling footage showing the moments before a Metropolitan Police officer was fatally shot inside a custody block has been released as the alleged killer's trial continues.CCTV footage showing the death of Sergeant Matt Ratana at Croydon custody centre was shown to the jury in full at Northampton Crown Court on Wednesday and Thursday.
Ballistics expert shows murder trial jury how antique revolver works
A ballistics expert has demonstrated to a jury how an antique revolver alleged to have been used to kill a Met police custody sergeant worked as the second day of a murder trial got under way.Members of the jury in the trial of Louis De Zoysa, 25, who is accused of murdering Sergeant Matt Ratana, 54, at a custody block in Croydon, south London, on September 25 2020 while he was handcuffed, were allowed to hold the gun and fire it at Northampton Crown Court on Thursday.
Up to 80 people have been forced to leave a block of flats after a fire ripped through the building in south London.Members of the public have been urged to avoid Whitehorse Road in Croydon where around 60 firefighters have been dealing with a blaze on part of the first, second, third and fourth floors of a five-storey block of flats on Wednesday.
Huge fire at block of London flats as 60 firefighters tackle blaze
A fire has broken out at a block of residential flats in south London, as 60 firefighters tackle the blaze.Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters attended the scene on Whitehorse Road in Croydon at around 5pm on Wednesday afternoon, London Fire Brigade (LFB) said, after receiving over 30 calls about the fire.
Jury shown CCTV of moment police officer shot dead in cell by man in handcuffs'
A jury has been shown CCTV of the moment a gunman under arrest for possessing bullets is alleged to have murdered a Metropolitan Police custody sergeant.Louis De Zoysa, who was still handcuffed when Sergeant Matt Ratana was shot with a revolver in a holding cell, is said by the Crown to have deliberately fired the weapon without warning into the officer's chest.
Third youth convicted of Zombie knife killing of boy in front of mother
A third youth has been convicted of killing a boy who was stabbed with a Zombie knife in his own home in front of his horrified mother.Camron Smith, 16, was unarmed and in his underwear when masked attackers stormed into his home armed with knives.The 17-year-old boy, who was 15 at the time, had admitted being there but denied involvement in Camron's killing.
Court sees CCTV footage of custody sergeant being shot dead in police cell
A jury has been shown CCTV footage of the moment a gunman under arrest for possessing bullets is alleged to have murdered a Metropolitan Police custody sergeant, firing three shots in three seconds.Louis De Zoysa, who was still handcuffed when Sergeant Matt Ratana was shot with a revolver in a holding cell, is said by the Crown to have deliberately fired the weapon without warning into the officer's chest.
Met custody sergeant killed with revolver hidden in underarm holster, court told
A police station detainee shot dead a custody sergeant while he was handcuffed, using an antique revolver he had hidden in an underarm holster, a murder trial has heard.Northampton Crown Court was told that Met Police officer Matt Ratana was killed by one of four bullets fired by Louis De Zoysa, in an incident captured on CCTV at a custody block in Croydon, south London.
Croydon custody block murder suspect has brain damage, jury told
A man accused of murdering Metropolitan Police sergeant Matt Ratana suffered brain damage after being hit in the neck by a bullet and will be assisted by an intermediary during his trial, a jury has been told.Louis De Zoysa, of Banstead, Surrey, pleaded not guilty to the charge during a previous hearing at Northampton Crown Court.
Pensioner on trial accused of murdering young woman in 1974
An 80-year-old man has gone on trial accused of strangling a young woman nearly 50 years ago following a DNA breakthrough in the cold case.John Apelgren was 31 when he allegedly hit sex worker Eileen Cotter in the face and throttled her before throwing her body out of his car in 1974.The 22-year-old's death in Islington, north London, came two years after Apelgren allegedly indecently assaulted an 18-year-old guest at his own wedding.
Man accused of 2020 Croydon police station murder set to go on trial
The trial is due to start of a man accused of murdering Met Police sergeant Matt Ratana, who was shot inside Croydon police station in 2020. Louis De Zoysa, from Banstead, Surrey, pleaded not guilty to the charge in April during a hearing at Northampton Crown Court.The 25-year-old held up a whiteboard with not guilty written on it during the previous hearing, to enter his plea via a video-link to a hospital.
Teenagers face 2024 trial over stabbing death of man
Two teenagers are due to face trial next year over the death of a man who was stabbed in the back after being chased in the street.A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at the Old Bailey on Wednesday charged with the murder of 22-year-old Lucas Sutton in Croydon, south London, on the evening of May 23.
Family forced to put up Argentine tourists after fake Booking.com listing
A family was forced to put up three Argentinian tourists after scammers listed their home on Booking.com.Students Jessica, Natalia and Sabrina showed up at Karin Arsenius's property in Plumstead, south London, after booking a visit to the capital.However, when they arrived and found the home occupied by the family who live there they soon realised the problem.
TV fraud gang jailed for illegally streaming Premier League games
Five men who illegally streamed Premier League football matches to tens of thousands of people have been jailed.The gang sold cut-price £10-a-month subscriptions, bragging they made money showing games not otherwise available to watch live in the UK because of "blackout" broadcasting rules.
Surrey all-rounder Sean Abbott equalled the fastest century in the T20 Blast off 34 balls as they beat Kent at The Oval.Abbott, whose previous highest T20 score was 41, matched Andrew Symonds' effort for Kent in 2004 with a display of extraordinary hitting.Coming in with Surrey in trouble on 64-4, the Australia international smashed 11 sixes to finish 110 not out off 41 deliveries and take the hosts to 223-5.
When I moved near to the Oval in south London, I was amazed to be told that Claudia Jones, the West Indian Gazette founder and Notting Hill carnival pioneer, had once lived in the house.One day Donald Hinds came round to see if he could make sense of the layout, as he had visited her often there.He was a wonderful, gentle person, and told me about Claudia and the difficulties that he had when he came to Britain.
Senior officer shares details of saddest' child murder case in 30-year career
A senior police officer has described the investigation into the death of 15-month-old Jacob Lennon as distressing and emotional and the saddest of his 30-year career.Jacob suffered a catalogue of cruel and sadistic injuries over a period of three weeks at the hands of his mother's boyfriend Jake Drummond.
Who was Brian Haw? Statue to be installed in south London
Supporters including Sir Mark Rylance and Brian Eno have donated.Rylance a patron of the Stop the War coalition and charity Peace Direct described him as one of the greatest Englishmen that I've met in my life in terms of being a person who listened to his conscience.Brian Haw was a peace campaigner who was famous for spending a decade camped outside the Palace of Westminster in Parliament Square.
Charity helping young men feel safe' discussing feelings through poetry
A South London-based charity is using poetry as an outlet to give young people a voice and says writing poems is helping young people, especially men, feel safe discussing their feelings.Poetic Unity, a grassroots charity founded in Brixton, focuses on supporting young people, especially those from black and ethnic minority backgrounds, through employment, the cost-of-living crisis, mental health and black British history initiatives and programs.
Croydon tram disaster trial hears of alleged near miss' 10 days earlier
A Croydon tram passenger allegedly feared for their safety in a near miss 10 days before a derailment killed seven people and injured many more, a court has heard.Tram driver Alfred Dorris, 49, is on trial at the Old Bailey for failing to take reasonable care of himself and his 69 passengers when the derailment happened early on November 9 2016.
Britain's Inflation Slowed in April, but Remains Stubbornly High
Britain's inflation rate dropped its lowest level in more than a year in April as the effects of last year's surge in energy prices started to ease.Consumer prices in Britain rose 8.7 percent from a year earlier, the slowest pace since March 2022, the Office for National Statistics said on Wednesday.