Westminster Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Explore 65 verdicts at Westminster Magistrates' Court (London). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

April 2019 1 case

Ionut-Bogdan Merticariu

Burglary *

Sentence

Not stated

Ionut-Bogdan Merticariu was convicted in absentia in Romania for a burglary committed on 5 March 2016. A European Arrest Warrant was issued on 7 May 2019 to execute the sentence imposed on 11 April 2019. He was arrested in the UK on 25 September 2019 and the extradition hearing occurred on 21 August 2020, with the order for extradition made on 26 October 2020.

Convicted in absentia for burglary. Entitled to request reopening of proceedings under Article 466 of the Romanian Code of Criminal Procedure upon extradition to Romania.

11 Apr 2019

March 2019 1 case

John Murphy

Assault by beating *

Sentence

28 days imprisonment

John Murphy, 31, of Whetstone, Barnet, in northwest London, attacked Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn with an egg while he was visiting Muslim Welfare House with shadow home secretary Diane Abbott on 3 March 2019, during an open day at the mosque in Finsbury Park, north London. Murphy yelled 'respect the vote' as he struck Corbyn on the right side of his forehead. The attack occurred amid heightened tensions over Brexit, less than a week after Corbyn's party announced support for a second referendum on EU membership. Murphy had brought a number of eggs and was quickly restrained after the incident. Corbyn was shocked and surprised, noting a red mark but no serious injury, and stated he would increase his security protection.

Admitted a charge of assault by beating. Chief magistrate Emma Arbuthnot warned him before sentencing that he faced jail to send a clear message that attacks on MPs must stop.

10 Mar 2019

October 2017 1 case

Kochita Petros

Assault *

Sentence

8-week jail sentence suspended for two years

On 18 January 2017, Kochita Petros, a 44-year-old ethnic chaplain in the Archdiocese of Southwark, entered the HSBC branch on Oxford Street while under the influence of methamphetamine. He hurled insults at staff, punched two female employees Christine Giddens and Toye Solanke, attacked Robert Goodwin who intervened, and punched PC Tim Copsley in the face, spitting blood on him during arrest. He also caused damage to property. Petros claimed no memory of ingesting the drug and expressed remorse, with supporters describing the behavior as out of character.

Found guilty after trial. No previous convictions. Ordered to pay £250 to each victim, £620 costs, and £115 victim surcharge. Judge noted the incident was completely out of character due to methamphetamine use.

2 Oct 2017

September 2017 1 case

Kimberly Burns

Assault by beating *

Sentence

12-month community order with six months alcohol treatment requirement and 100 hours unpaid work

On an unspecified date in September 2017, Kimberly Burns, 28, an antique dealer, returned to her family home at 177b Lanark Road, Maida Vale, northwest London, and became enraged upon discovering her pet snail, which she had brought into the house on September 12, was missing. She shoved her mother Lynne Burns, who was recovering from back surgery, and verbally abused her. When her father John Burns intervened, she headbutted him in the face, causing a bloody nose. The parents called the police due to the confrontation.

Pleaded guilty to two charges of assault by beating. District Judge Spyros Elia noted she was very close to the custody threshold and warned that future offenses may not receive leniency. Prior conviction for common assault in April 2015 and caution for battery, both against her mother.

27 Sep 2017

January 2016 1 case

Juris Briedis

Contravening a Criminal Behaviour Order *

Sentence

24 weeks imprisonment

Juris Briedis, 21, of Edgware Road, W2, was issued a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) on January 7, 2016, banning him from riding a pedicab in the W1, SW1, W2, and WC2 postcode areas, along with a 12-month conditional discharge for obstructing the highway through repeated anti-social pedicab use. Just three days later, on January 10, 2016, he was spotted by police in Bird Street within the banned area, attempted to flee, but was caught and detained.

Found guilty of contravening a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO). Initially given a five-year CBO and a conditional discharge for 12 months for failing to comply with a Community Protection Notice related to obstructing the highway with anti-social pedicab use.

10 Jan 2016

December 2013 1 case

Andre Yankey

Causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal *

Sentence

12 week prison sentence suspended for 12 months

Andre Yankey tortured and killed a mouse using a handheld Dremel multi-tool by cutting it open and drilling into its eyeball while it was stuck to an adhesive trap in his west London flat in 2010. He filmed the act, boasting on camera about terminating the mouse with the 'Blade of Doom'. The video was accidentally sent to a friend via WhatsApp on January 28, 2013, who reported it to the RSPCA. Yankey was arrested on February 5, 2013, and admitted the offence. Blood stains were found on the walls, and his trainers were ruined. He had a mouse problem when he moved in and hated mice.

Pleaded guilty. Also given a two-year ban from owning animals, ordered to pay a £230 fine, complete 150 hours of community service, and forfeiture of mobile phone, sim card, and Dremel multi-tool. Judge warned that any offence within 12 months would result in 12 weeks imprisonment.

18 Dec 2013

August 2012 1 case

Viorel Dinu

Using a noisy instrument in a public place for the purpose of obtaining money *

Sentence

Fined £35

On July 19, 2012, at about 3.45pm, Viorel Dinu, a 23-year-old Romanian double amputee living in the UK for 10 months, was outside John Lewis in Oxford Street, central London, playing a high-pitched screeching flute (referred to as a recorder by police) on his skateboard to busk, collecting about £150 in cash. He positioned himself in a prominent place, blocking pedestrian flow on the busy pavement, causing people to recoil. He has previous convictions for begging outside Selfridges and Gap on Oxford Street.

Also handed an ASBO banning him from entering the City of Westminster for two years, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £15 and prosecution costs of £85. Admitted using a noisy instrument in a public place for the purpose of obtaining money under the Metropolitan Police Act 1839. Judge commented on begging problems in the area and that his behaviour caused harassment.

17 Aug 2012

Date Not Specified 8 cases

Wayne Kirby

Sending a threatening message *

Sentence

28 days imprisonment and a £250 fine

In June 2018, Wayne Kirby, 49, of Northolt, posted an abusive and threatening message on the Facebook page of an MP. The Metropolitan Police's Parliamentary Liaison and Investigation Team received reports and traced the message to Kirby's phone and Facebook profile. He was arrested on 25 September 2018 by Ealing CID, and a small amount of cannabis was found. He was charged with sending a threatening message and possession of cannabis. Kirby pleaded guilty to both offences at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on 26 February. At Westminster Magistrates' Court, he was sentenced to 28 days imprisonment for the threatening message and a £250 fine for cannabis possession.

Pleaded guilty to sending a threatening message and possession of cannabis. Detective Inspector Phil Grindell stated that the Met takes harassment of MPs seriously and will bring those responsible to justice.

1 Jan 0001

Majid Saniinejad

Failure to pay confiscation order *

Sentence

155 days imprisonment

Majid Saniinejad and his company Hertford (UK) Limited illegally converted a property in Peckham into two small flats, forcing tenants to live in cramped and squalid conditions. They breached a planning notice and committed trading standards offences by misleading tenants about the enforcement notices. Prosecuted by Southwark Council two and a half years prior to November 2017. Confiscation order for £24,000 in rents issued in January 2016, due by April 28 2016. Failed to pay £14,644, leading to imprisonment.

Activated default jail sentence for failing to pay £14,644 of a £24,000 confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act. District judge ruled: “According to the assets listed you were well able to pay the entire amount and you have wilfully refused to pay. I am not satisfied that you have made sufficient efforts to pay. I find culpable neglect.” Previously pleaded guilty to ignoring council’s planning notice and fined £2,500 with £16,885.70 costs.

1 Jan 0001

Omega Mwaikambo

Sending offensive material over a public network *

Sentence

12 weeks imprisonment

Omega Mwaikambo, 43, who lived near Grenfell Tower, posted graphic images and videos of a deceased victim from the tower fire onto Facebook on the morning after the blaze. He took one video and seven images, including close-ups of the victim's face and upper body inside a body bag, believed to be someone who had jumped during the inferno. The posts prompted public horror and condemnation. Mwaikambo claimed he was shocked to see the body unattended and wanted to attract help, but the judge ruled the uploads showed absolutely no respect for the victim's dignity. He cooperated with police after arrest and the images were swiftly removed.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of sending offensive material over a public network. Also ordered to pay £115 victim surcharge and £85 costs. No previous convictions. Expressed remorse and apologised to the victim’s family.

1 Jan 0001

Andy Osborn

Making or publishing a false statement under the Representation of the People Act 1983 *

Sentence

£1,000 fine, £400 costs and £400 surcharge

In April 2025, Cambridgeshire county councillor Andy Osborn, 74, of March and chairman of the North East Cambridgeshire Reform Party, posted on Facebook: 'Samantha Hoy worked in the care industry but allegedly was sacked for fraud. No wonder Wisbech is in such a state. Reform UK will fix it.' The statement was defamatory and false; Hoy has never been sacked or faced fraud allegations.

Found guilty by District Judge Nina Tempia who dismissed his claim that his Facebook account was hacked. Sacked from Reform UK and suspended from council.

1 Jan 0001

Aldo D'aponte

Knowingly or recklessly making a false statement *

Sentence

12-month conditional discharge, £85 court costs, £26 victim surcharge

Aldo d'Aponte, 47, of Craven Street, Westminster, submitted fake comments to Westminster Council using the names of other people as authors of emails in an attempt to shut down Heaven Nightclub during a premises licence review. The false submissions were identified during a police investigation relating to two emails sent from encrypted accounts, some likely generated using AI.

Admitted to knowingly or recklessly making a false statement during a review of Heaven Nightclub's premises licence. Acted out of frustration with the club's management.

1 Jan 0001

Christopher Gibbons

Harassment without violence *

Sentence

10-week prison term, suspended for two years, 40 sessions of probation supervision, up to 30 days of rehab, £500 compensation, £250 costs

DC Christopher Gibbons, 32, from Tooting, harassed fellow officer Rebecca Douch with messages and pictures of himself in underwear after their romantic relationship ended. Over ten days from 14 to 24 September 2022, he sent multiple unanswered texts including 13 in one day, persisted despite her requests to stop, and sent unwanted half-dressed images. He was engaged to another woman at the time.

Found guilty by District Judge John Zani. Career in the Metropolitan Police ended. Indefinite restraining order imposed. No remorse shown per pre-sentence report and judge. Note: Conviction overturned on appeal in May 2024.

1 Jan 0001

Fatima Haridhoine

Riding a bicycle without due care and attention *

Sentence

Eight penalty points on her driving licence, fined £150, and £450 compensation

On September 10, 2022, just before midnight, Fatima Haridhoine was riding an e-bike for Uber Eats deliveries and ignored a red traffic light on Queens Road, Peckham, crashing into a pedestrian in her 40s who was crossing when the light turned green for her. The victim suffered a broken foot and a bruised rib, was off work for a month, and had to cancel trips abroad.

Denied the charge but found guilty following a trial in May. Single mother-of-two from Bexley earning £20,000 a year as an Uber Eats rider. District Judge John Zani spared her a driving ban due to it being her form of employment. Given six months to pay.

1 Jan 0001

Adam Bachir-Belmehdi

Criminal damage *

Sentence

Fined £480 plus £200 compensation, £85 costs and £192 surcharge

Adam Bachir-Belmehdi, 21, was caught on CCTV lying across a City of London Police car outside Bishopsgate Police Station in the early hours of 3 May, eating a takeaway meal from the bonnet while friends took photos. He then kicked the vehicle twice and ripped off a wing mirror, leaving it unusable for five days. He fled but was caught by officers. He was convicted of criminal damage.

Convicted after pleading not guilty or no plea mentioned; caught on CCTV; officers gave chase after he fled.

1 Jan 0001

Disclaimer: The information on this page is compiled from publicly available court records and published media reports. It is provided strictly for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as a definitive record of any individual's criminal history or legal status.

Offence names marked with an asterisk (*) reflect descriptions used in media reporting and may not correspond to the formal legal charge or indictment. Sentencing details are as reported and may be subject to subsequent appeal, variation, or correction by the courts.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The presence of a name on this page does not imply guilt, and some listed individuals may have had convictions overturned, sentences reduced, or charges withdrawn after the date of publication.

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181 Marylebone Rd, London NW1 5BR, London, NW1 5BR, United Kingdom

+443003030645

Wheelchair accessible entrance

Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 16:30
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About Westminster Magistrates' Court

Westminster Magistrates' Court, located in London, is a Magistrates' Court that deals with summary offences, some either-way offences, and preliminary hearings for more serious cases. With 65 sentencing records in our database, it serves the London area and surrounding communities. Magistrates' Courts handle the majority of criminal cases in England and Wales, with cases heard by a bench of magistrates or a district judge.

The court can be found at 181 Marylebone Rd, London NW1 5BR, NW1 5BR.

Accessibility provisions at this court include wheelchair accessible entrance.

For enquiries about cases heard at this court, you can contact the court by telephone on +443003030645.

All sentencing information published on this page has been sourced from publicly-available records and verified by our editorial team. If you believe any information is inaccurate or should be removed, you can submit a removal request directly from the relevant listing above.