TWO HARLOW residents are set to stand trial over allegations of drug dealing.
Lloyd Harper, aged 31, of Fullers Mead and Gemma Martin, aged 29, of Wedhey have been charged with the following.
On 04/09/2020 at Harlow were concerned in the supplying of a quantity of cannabis, a controlled drug of class B, to Persons unknown in contravention of section 4(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
On 04/09/2020 at Harlow were concerned in the supplying of a quantity of cocaine, a controlled drug of class A, to Persons Unknown in contravention of section 4(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
They have both sent for trial to Chelmsford Crown Court on 05/10/2020.
Harper remains in custody. Martin has been released on conditional bail.
Charity launches free domestic abuse advice line for businesses
A NEW advice line for businesses supporting employees experiencing or at risk of domestic abuse has been launched by crisis support charity Hestia.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime with 10 per cent of victims reporting abuse at work (TUC, 2014). [i]
The Everyone’s Business Advice Line will be a point of contact for businesses, supporting them on how to approach disclosures of domestic abuse by their employees, particularly in light of Covid-19. They will also receive advice so that they can signpost staff to specialist domestic abuse services.
Hestia says lockdown has shown that home is not always safe for everyone, and with more people working remotely due to Covid-19, cases of domestic abuse are rising. The charity saw a 47 per cent increase in victims reaching out for information and support on its free domestic abuse app, Bright Sky.
While over 2.4 million people are affected by domestic abuse every year,[ii] it can be difficult for employers to recognise the signs and support those experiencing domestic abuse in their organisation. Hestia launched the Everyone’s Business programme to increase awareness and support in the workplace and have worked with over 70 organisations from the Metropolitan Police to Balfour Beatty.
Businesses play a significant role in supporting those who experience domestic abuse. Yet whilst 86 per cent employers agree they have a duty of care to support employees experiencing domestic abuse (Westmarland, 2017)[iii], fewer than one in three victims disclose the abuse at work, citing ‘shame’ and ‘privacy’ (TUC, 2014).
It’s also expensive, costing employers upwards of £14 billion every year, when measuring based on reduced employee productivity and lost output due to time off work (Oliver et al., 2019).[iv]
Lyndsey Dearlove, Head of Everyone’s Business Advice Line at Hestia said:
“Lockdown has meant victims have been away from their place of work, in isolation with their abusers, often with no way to seek support. Now, as more people return to their place of work, employers have a unique role to play in breaking the silence around domestic abuse.
By providing a free advice line that offers guidance, employers will be able to help their employees and direct them to practical support. When employers take action and respond to domestic abuse, we know it saves lives. For too long domestic abuse has been nobody’s business and it is time it becomes everyone’s business.”
“Members of the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse believe that domestic abuse is everyone’s business, and that businesses have a critical role to play in supporting those affected by domestic abuse. With Covid-19 and lockdown we know that domestic abuse, and at the same time employees may be finding it difficult to know how their staff are doing. We know that it’s not always easy to know what to do when domestic abuse, so having the Everyone’s Business Advice Line available for HR professionals or managers to support them and guide them is a very valuable resource.”
Susan Bright, Global Managing Partner for Diversity & Inclusion and Responsible Business at Hogan Lovells, said:
“Domestic abuse can have devastating consequences, and leave people faced with impossible life choices. Employers have an important role to play in supporting their employees, particularly this year and during the pandemic. We welcome the launch of the new advice line and hope that it will ease some of the pressure on those who are vulnerable.”
A survivor of domestic abuse said:
“When my employer started working with Hestia, it was a turning point. This was my last resort to get help. I met with their Independent Domestic Violence Advocate and talked about my experience. It was the first time I felt believed. It was like a weight had been lifted. Without this service, I don’t know what would have happened. It is vital that businesses can provide this type of service. I want to tell anyone who is in the same situation I was in that talking to someone can make so much difference – speak to your employer.”
ESSEX Police officers carried out another successful roads policing operation with colleagues from other forces to disrupt criminals involved in drugs and violent crime in Essex, London, and neighbouring counties.
A spokesperson said: “We worked with colleagues from the Metropolitan Police to patrol the borders of Essex and London, including the A127 and A13, between Monday 14 September and Thursday 17 September. Over the two days, there were a total of 43 arrests made by both forces.
It coincided with another operation, in which we joined colleagues from eight police forces to disrupt drugs gangs using main roads and motorways in and around London between Tuesday and Thursday.
“This results in 230 arrests overall and the seizure of weapons, drugs and vehicles, thanks to the efforts of our officers and colleagues from the Met, Surrey, Kent, Hertfordshire, Thames Valley, Hampshire, City of London and British Transport Police.
During the four days, the arrests in Essex included: Two men charged with possession of drugs including heroin and crack cocaine after their car was stopped and searched in Grays. One man was arrested on suspicion of stalking, coercive or controlling behaviour, harassment and threatening to commit criminal damage. · Two men were arrested on suspicion of theft after a stolen Ford Ranger was spotted on the B1018 in Latchingdon and failed to stop for police. Officers followed it to Bicknacre, where the men, aged 18 and 24, were arrested on suspicion of failing to stop for police, theft of a motor vehicle and theft. They have been released under investigation. A number of arrests for drug-driving, driving offences, making off without payment.
Eight vehicles were also seized in Essex.
Road crime manager Matt Hine said: “We use intelligence gathered from our investigations and information from the community, as well as technology such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition, to target vehicles linked to violent crime. “During these patrols we have also stopped people for driving offences and have identified further more serious offences. “Operations such are this are just part of the work we do every day to target criminals who are involved in drugs and violent crime, which go hand in hand with the exploitation of vulnerable people and children. “Working with neighbouring forces and our other partners is vitally important these criminal networks often span wide areas and borders. “We are working tirelessly every day to keep our communities safe and to disrupt and dismantle drugs gangs. “Information from the public is really important in helping us do this because it helps us identify offenders and detect and prevent crime.” You can call us on 101 or report online at https://www.essex.police.uk Alternatively, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or https://crimestoppers-uk.org. Find out more about our work under Operation Sceptre to tackle serious violent crime including knife and drug-related crime, and how we’re working with partners to tackle the issues behind knife crime, at https://www.essex.police.uk/opsceptre
A HARLOW woman has been charged with wasting police time.
April Lucking, aged 30, of Five Acres, Harlow has been charged with the following.
On 28/02/2020 caused wasteful employment of the police by knowingly making a false report of having been threatened by a male in the form of a note, tending to show that an offence had been committed to give rise to apprehension for the safety of persons or property tending to show that you had information material to a police enquiry.
On 28/02/2020 caused wasteful employment of the Police by knowingly making a false report of threatening Facebook messages, tending to show that an offence had been committed to give rise to apprehension for the safety of persons or property tending to show that you had information material to a Police enquiry
Lucking has been remanded on conditional bail until next court appearance at Chelmsford magistrates court on November 16th.
A HARLOW MAN has pleaded guilty to a series of road traffic offences after failing to stop at road traffic collision on First Avenue that caused serious injury to a pedestrian.
Daniel Lee, aged 26, of Milwards, Harlow made the plea at Chelmsford magistrates court to the following.
On January 8th, 2020 at Harlow drove a mechanically propelled vehicle, namely Ford Fiesta on a road, namely First Avenue, Mandela Avenue without due care and attention.
On January 8th, 2020 at Harlow being the driver of a mechanically propelled vehicle namely Ford Fiesta owing to the presence of which on a road, namely First Avenue, Mandela Avenue an accident occurred whereby personal injury was caused to another person, failed to stop.
On January 8th, 2020 at Harlow drove a motor vehicle, namely Ford Fiesta on a road, namely First Avenue otherwise than in accordance with a licence authorising you to drive a motor vehicle of that class.
On January 8th, 2020 at Harlow used a motor vehicle, namely Ford Fiesta on a road, or other public place, namely First Avenue, when there was not in force in relation to that use such a policy of insurance
Lee was fined £235.00. He was banned from driving for twelve months. Lee must undertake 180 hours of unpaid work
IT IS vital that County Lines victims get help says The Children’s Society.
James Simmonds-Read, National Programme Manager at The Children’s Society’s Prevention programme, said: “Bringing down the criminals who cynically exploit vulnerable children through these county lines operations is crucial.
“But it’s equally important that the children they have groomed, who may have been deeply traumatised by horrific violence, threats, and sexual abuse, are recognised as victims.
“Too often, these young people do not get the support they need, or are seen as having chosen to get involved in crime when they were manipulated and coerced.
“It is vital these children are protected from abuse rather than prosecuted and professionals must also get better at identifying children who may be at risk of exploitation sooner and offering timely help.
We want to see the Government define child criminal exploitation in law and adopt a new national strategy to tackle the issue. This strategy should focus upon ending the postcode lottery when it comes to identifying and supporting young people who are exploited, alongside efforts to disrupt the criminals who have groomed them.
“Spotting the signs that a child could be at risk isn’t just a matter for professionals. That’s why we launched our Look Closer campaign alongside the National Police Chiefs Council and British Transport Police during this week of action.
We’re urging staff who work in the service sector including in hotels, shops and in public transport to spot the signs a child may be being exploited and to report concerns to the police.”
A HARLOW man has been jailed for biting police officers.
Rafique Miah, aged 35, of Ladyshot, pleaded guilty to the following at Chelmsford magistrates court.
On 18/03/2020 at Basildon assaulted PC Taylor, an emergency worker, namely a police officer, acting in the exercise of his functions as such a worker, by beating him.
On 18/03/2020 at Basildon assaulted PC Fairchild, an emergency worker, namely Police officer, acting in the exercise of his functions as such a worker, by beating him.
On 18/03/2020 at Harlow, assaulted a male, thereby occasioning him, actual bodily harm.
On 18/03/2020 at Harlow without lawful excuse, damaged T-shirt to the value of £20 belonging to another intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged.
Miah was jailed for six months. The courts gave the reason as “the offence was so serious because offences committed during pandemic including biting officers, unprovoked attack on an individual”.
A HARLOW man has pleaded guilty to sexual assault.
Raymond Brown, aged 68, of Fesants Croft, Harlow made the plea to the following at Chelmsford magistrates court.
Between 06/02/2020 and 06/02/2020 at Harlow intentionally touched a woman aged 16 or over and that touching was sexual when she did not consent and you did not reasonably believe that she was consenting.
Brown was remanded on bail until October 28th until he next appears at Chelmsford Magistrates Court.
A HARLOW man has been charged with possessing a mobile phone whilst in prison.
Dylan Davis, aged 20, of HM Prison Chelmsford, was charged with the following at Chelmsford Magistrates court.
On 11/02/2020 at Chelmsford, without authority possessed inside a prison, namely HMP Chelmsford, a device capable of transmitting or receiving images, sounds or information by electronic communications, namely a smalll mobile phone and charger.
THOUSANDS of distressed women are needlessly arrested each year with up to half later released by police with no further action taken, MPs have warned reports The Independent.
The study, carried out by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Women in the Penal System, found the pointless arrests constitute a profound misuse of police resources and money.
Domestic abuse victims were especially vulnerable to being unnecessarily arrested by police, detained in custody but then released without charge.
The briefing, carried out with the Howard League for Penal Reform, says: “Forces should investigate whether the duty to take positive action in alleged domestic violence incidents is unnecessarily driving up arrests of women.
“Officers do not have to arrest and can take alternative positive action, such as finding somewhere safe for the woman to go, where she is not in the same house as the other party. If officers arrive at the scene and have no or limited knowledge of the background to the incident, they may arrest women when it is not necessary or proportionate.
“An unnecessary arrest can be distressing and damaging for women and it is important that officers have the skills to make the right decision quickly.”
In one police force, almost three-quarters of the women arrested were previously alerted to officers as being survivors of violence or sexual violence. While more than half of them had been subjected to domestic abuse.
MPs and peers drew attention to a case where a woman outside of a supermarket was arrested for begging, while another woman was arrested after stepping out into a main road continuously.
Some 40 per cent of women arrested for non-violent offences such as theft were released without being charged with no later action taken.
While a woman known to suffer from mental health problems who was deemed to be drunk was arrested for trespassing in an area owned by the railway.
The report says: “If women do need support arresting them for begging or shop theft will not tackle underlying issues causing poverty and may even drive women further into the criminal justice system if they end up with fines which they have no means to pay.”
Black, asian and ethnic minority women were found to be more than twice as likely to be arrested as white women yet less likely to be charged after their arrest.
Police forces made almost 100,000 arrests of women during the year ending March 2019. Out of over 43,000 arrests for alleged violence in this period, 19,000 led to no further action being taken.
The findings of the report were based on data from five police forces in England and Wales.
Baroness Corston, co-chair of the all party parliamentary group, said: “Women are brought into the criminal justice system unnecessarily. Although arrests have fallen slightly in recent years, the evidence shows that there is still much to do to ensure that women get the support they need without being criminalised.”
Jackie Doyle-Price MP, another chair of the group, argued there needs to be greater “progress on the ground”.
“Diverting women to support services instead of arresting them is a smarter use of police resources that helps to reduce crime,” she said.
Frontline service providers have frequently warned women in prison are often victims of much more serious offences than the ones they have been convicted of. While a report from the Prison Reform Trust found 80 per cent of women in jail were inside for non-violent offences.
A HARLOW man pleads guilty to producing seventeen plants of cannabis.
Robert Beehan, aged 42, of Cooks Spinney, Harlow pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Magistrates court to the following.
On August 2nd at Harlow produced seventeen plants of cannabis, a controlled drug of class B, in contravention of section 4(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
A HARLOW woman has been charged with careless driving after a collision left a motorcyclist with serious injuries.
Danielle Fry, aged 24, of Freshwaters, Harlow has been charged with the following.
On July 24th, 2019 at Harlow drove a mechanically propelled vehicle, namely Silver Ford Focus, on a road, namely First Avenue, Harlow without due care and attention Contrary to section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988
Fry has been remanded on unconditional bail until October 1st at Chelmsford magistrates court.
OVER the last fortnight Essex Police has received a number of reports of people acting suspiciously around young people.
This has coincided with posts circulating on social media which has caused parents, guardians and carers some concern.
Today Chief Supt Andrew Mariner is reassuring parents.
He said: ” I want to personally reassure parents and others across the county regarding social media speculation which has been underway for the last fortnight.
“As a parent myself, I want you to know that I absolutely understand the worry something like this causes. We mustn’t jump to conclusions based on things we see on our social media feeds.
“Essex Police has received a number of reports about people acting suspiciously around young people.
“We have looked into every report, and, in nearly every case, what has been reported has not matched the facts our officers have discovered on the ground.
“We will always investigate reports of this kind and it’s right that people call us if they have a concern.
“We have put a number of measures in place to ensure we look at all reports that come in.
“I can tell you we have seen no links between the reports we have received. “However, yesterday, on Thursday 1st October, there was one incident in Halstead involving parents and their child, and I would appeal for anyone who has any information about this to get in contact with us.”
If you have any information about the incident in Halsted or any concerns contact Essex Police 101 or 999 in an emergency.
A HARLOW man is set to stand trial over an allegation of infecting actual bodily harm on another.
Adam Green, aged 31, of Halling Hill, Harlow has been charged with the following.
On or about 19/02/2018 at Harlow assaulted a male, thereby occasioning him, actual bodily harm
On 09/02/2020 sent to another an electronic communication, namely telephone call which conveyed a threat for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety to the recipient or to any other person to whom you intended that it or its contents or nature should be communicated
Green has pleaded not guilty.
A trial date of October 21st at Chelmsford Crown Court has been set.
A HARLOW man has been charged with a number of offences including possession of cocaine and false documents.
Panteleimon Loukos, aged 32, of Milwards, Harlow was charged with the following.
On 21/09/2020 at Harlow had in your possession a quantity of Cocaine, a controlled drug of class A with intent to supply it to others.
On 21/09/2020 at Harlow wilfully obstructed Police a constable in the execution of her duty.
On 21/09/2020 possessed or controlled an identity document that was false and that you knew or believed was false, namely a Greek photo-card driving license and a photo-card Greek ID document, with the intention of using the document to establish personal information about you.
On 21/09/2020 at Harlow possessed or controlled an identity document that was false and that you knew or believed was false, namely Greek driving licence and Greek ID card, with the intention of using the document to establish personal information about you.
Loukos has been sent for trial to Chelmsford Crown Court on October 22nd, 2020.
A HARLOW man has been jailed for six month for committing the act of indecent exposure.
Darren Bangs, aged 45, of Vicarage Woods, Harlow pleaded guilty to the following at Chelmsford magistrates court.
On September 25th, 2020 at Harlow intentionally exposed your genitals intending that someone would see them and be caused alarm or distress. Contrary to section 66 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003
Bangs was jailed for 26 weeks.
Bangs committed the offence whilst on licence. The offence was aggravated by previous convictions and history of non compliance with court orders.
NINETEEN people have been arrested and an estimate £100,000 seized during an operation targeting a network suspected of supplying cocaine to county lines drugs gangs in west Essex, Hertfordshire, London, and Suffolk. Weapons, cash and drugs were seized during dawn raids at 17 addresses in Harlow and one in Suffolk this morning, Thursday 8 October.
Today’s arrests are the culmination of a revised way of working for their proactive teams, targeting the leaders of such criminal networks. They continue to target the gangs and dealers who sell drugs on the streets. But we are also targeting the criminals who supply those groups.
19 people have been arrested so far.
They are:
Two 38-year-old men and two 36-year-old men on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.
Two 31-year-old women and a 37-year-old woman on suspicion of being concerned in supplying a controlled drug
A 29-year-old man, two 37-year-old men, three 38-year-old man, a 30-year-old man, a 31-year-old man, 39-year-old man, a 40-year-old man and 36-year-old man on suspicion of being concerned in supplying a controlled drug.
A 35-year-old woman on suspicion of money laundering
They all remain in custody for questioning.
Detective Chief Inspector Lewis Basford said: “Today’s arrests are the culmination of a complex investigation into a network of individuals suspected of feeding the drugs market by supplying cocaine to county lines gangs.
“Taking out this organised criminal network is a major blow in drying up the supply to these gangs.
“This investigation is just one example of how we are targeting the chain at every level to dismantle drugs networks and make it even harder for them to operate.
“By taking out these links in the chain, we are also helping to protect vulnerable adults and children who these criminals exploit and use for their own financial gain.”
Specialist officers from Operation Raptor – which is now part of the Serious Violence Unit – have worked tenaciously since May this year to identify the leaders of this network and crack their sophisticated techniques to evade detection, including the use of cryptocurrency and encrypted phones.
The Serious Violence Unit was set up in in July this year to dismantle and disrupt county drug lines and gangs and target knife offenders in Essex.
These criminals are not only involved in violence but drugs gangs also groom and exploit young people and vulnerable adults, often without the victims realising because those behind the exploitation are manipulative. The unit brings together our existing Operation Raptor teams, who have been at the forefront of Essex Police’s work to tackle drugs gangs in recent years, who work with criminal analysts, intelligence officers and partners to maximise their efforts.
The experienced team works with officers from across the force, including community policing teams and the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, as well as with partners such as the Violence and Vulnerability Unit, which brings together multiple organisations across Essex working together to share information, tackle crime and safeguard vulnerable victims.
It also works with other police forces and organisations such as the Eastern Region Serious Operations Unit, National Crime Agency and Border Force to tackle the drugs supply market at every level.
Chief Insp Basford said: “The majority of Essex residents will never be affected by drugs or violent crime and every day we’re working to keep it that way.
“Tackling violence and protecting children, vulnerable people and our communities are our top priorities and there is nowhere to hide for those criminals who try to ply their dirty trade here.
“We will take robust action against these criminal groups and any other individuals who try to fill the gap left by the networks and county lines that we dismantle.”
Robert Halfon, the MP for Harlow, said: “Drugs are the scourge of our time and thanks to an extraordinary effort by Harlow Police, they have removed a major hard drugs ring around our town. “This will have an enormous impact in reducing crime around Harlow and also the Town Centre. Congratulations to all at Harlow.”
Councillor Mark Ingall, Leader of Harlow Council, said: “This was a meticulously planned, well executed and successful operation by Essex Police.
“I am sure that all residents and businesses of Harlow will be grateful that those leading criminal activity in our town have been taken out and that police will now continue to work the case to deal with those lower in the supply chain.
“I would like to offer my congratulations to those that planned and worked on this operation and those officers who risk so much in the daily execution of their duty.
“I would also like to thank our community safety team for their help in supporting Essex Police in its preparation of this successful operation.
“We will continue to support and work closely with the police to drive out this kind of activity in our town.
“Sadly organised crime and drugs are a problem in most towns and cities in the UK not just Harlow. But thanks to the work today of Essex Police Harlow will be a safer place as a result.
“Organised crime and drugs are not welcome in our town and those involved will be found.”
If you have information about drug or gang-related crime in your community, call us on 101 or report online at https://www.essex.police.uk
Alternatively, contact the Crimestoppers charity 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org
A MAN’S been sentenced over a string of attempted burglaries across west Essex and east Hertfordshire.
The offences took place in Harlow, Roydon, Buckhurst Hill, and Broxbourne during a three week period between 5 and 26 February this year.
The offences also included spending more than £1,700 on a stolen credit card as well as trying to break into several vehicles.
Officers were able to identify the man responsible – 29 year-old Michael Nicos – through studying more than a dozen pieces of CCTV as well as studying data from automatic number plate recognition cameras.
He was arrested on 1 May and later charged with seven counts of attempted burglary, three counts of fraud, two counts of theft from a motor vehicle, two counts of vehicle interference, two counts of burglaries, and one count each of theft, theft of motor vehicle.
Appearing at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court the following day, Nicos, of Caledonian Road, London N7, pleaded guilty to the charges and at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday 9 October he was sentenced to a total of five years in prison.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Alexander Brown said: “Michael Nicos is a prolific offender who has no respect for other people’s property.
“He carried out a string of offences across a wide area in west Essex and east Hertfordshire.
“Fortunately, due to the amount of evidence we were able to compile against him he had no choice but to plead guilty.
“When someone breaks into, or tries to break into, your home it can leave you feeling violated and unsafe in a place which should be your sanctuary.
“When this happens we work hard to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.”
