July 2008 Archives

AROUND 1000 counterfeit kitchen appliances were seized by police after they raided a flat in Northwood Hills.

About 20 boxes each containing 48 counterfeit electrical dicing machines were discovered in Harrow by Northwood Hills Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) after they raided a flat in Salisbury Road on Wednesday, July 23.

The SNT and Trading Standards at Hillingdon Council raided the flat after the company who sell the appliances informed them that a large quantity of their goods were being sold on the internet.

Some appliances, computer equipment and paperwork were seized from the flat but most of the appliances were discovered at Access Self Storage in Harrow.

Sergeant Tim Ibbotson said: "This operation has taken a large quantity of counterfeit goods off the streets. Counterfeit goods not only hurt the legitimate manufacturers but are often dangerous for the unsuspecting members of the public who purchase.

"The success of the operation shows the benefits of working in partnership with other agencies and that crime will not be tolerated in Northwood Hills.

"We don't get an awful lot of counterfeit goods at this quantity. It's quite unusual for us as a team so it's nice to get a result."

A FORMER Hillingdon councillor has been charged with taking part in oral sex in a South Harrow toilet with another man.

Robert Benson, 41, of Stanmore, who represented Northwood ward from 1998 to 2002 before moving to Harrow Council in 2006, appeared at Harrow Magistrates' Court accused of one count of sexual activity in a public lavatory.

The Conservative councillor was arrested by Rayners Lane Safer Neighbourhood Team on suspicion of gross indecency at 3.45pm on Wednesday, June 25 in Rayners Lane public toilets in Rayners Lane, South Harrow, along with a second man, a 56-year-old from South Woodford, Essex.

Both men were given police bail to return to a north London police station on July 8. When they did, Mr Benson was charged and the Essex man was cautioned.

The councillor appeared before magistrates in Harrow on Thursday, July 17 but did not enter a plea, and the case was adjourned to Wimbledon Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, July 30.

Mr Benson, who could not be contacted for comment, is a backbench Harrow councillor who sits on numerous committees, including the two planning ones.

Harrow Council leader David Ashton (Conservative) said: "Firstly, this is a matter for the courts and I cannot comment further.

"Secondly, as Conservative group leader, I have suspended Councillor Benson from the group.

"If somebody is charged with a criminal offence, they are suspended as part of our standard procedure."

This means Mr Benson remains a councillor, but not a Conservative one.