Crime

A TEENAGER from Northwood Hills has been jailed for being part of a gang of graffiti artists responsible for almost £60,000 worth of damage on the Tube.

Elistar Filardi, 19, of Pinner Road, was one of four men, together with two youths, who targeted the Metropolitan line from Rickmansworth, Watford and Uxbridge down to North Harrow.

A police investigation began after two of the gang, Jake Browne, 18, of Somerford Close, Pinner, and a 17-year-old also from Pinner, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were arrested near a depot in Rickmansworth for spraying graffiti in the early hours of February 8 last year.

The group collectively admitted more than 40 offences between April 2008 and June last year and were sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Friday (9).

A MAN has been banned from the road for 19 months for drink driving.

Neal Brian Furmenger, 44, of Thirlmere Gardens, Northwood, admitted to driving above the prescribed alcohol limit on June 27 this year in Chestnut Avenue, Ruislip.

He was sentenced at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on July 5 and was also fined £350 and ordered to pay £85 court costs.

POLICE are warning residents not to fall prey to distraction burglars after a spate of recent incidents across Hertfordshire.

The burglars, who usually work in pairs, claim to be from the 'water board to con their way into people's homes by saying they need to investigate a water leak.

Investigator Julie Fewings, of Operation Manhunt, Hertfordshire Constabulary's team dedicated to catching distraction burglars, said: "This is a classic method used by offenders to gain access to a person's property, particularly at this time of the year. Water Boards' no longer exist, it is an obsolete phrase used only by these criminals.

A PENSIONER charged with drink driving has been remanded on unconditional bail.

Clifford Roberts, 75, of Gate End, Northwood, allegedly drove a Jaguar S-type vehicle in Chester Road, also in Northwood, on June 11 this year while above the prescribed alcohol limit.

He has also been charged with being on the road while unfit to drive through drink.

He has yet to enter a plea and is due to return to Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on September 3.

A MAN who assaulted a police officer in Northwood Hills has been given a community order.

Nicholas Askew, 23, admitted assaulting PC Andy Heron in the execution of his duty in Tolcarne Drive on February 14 this year.

Askew, of Durley Avenue, Pinner, will be electronically monitored for four months. He was also ordered to pay compensation of £100.

He also admitted using threatening behaviour in Hillingdon on the same day and was fined £80, plus £85 court costs.

A TOTAL of 864 crimes were committed in Northwood Hills in the past year - 50 up from the previous figure.

However, Sergeant David Wright, of the Northwood Hills Safer Neighbour Hood team, said the increase was 'probably due to more people reporting crimes'.

From June 15 2009 - 2010, there were 86 assaults, including actual and grievous bodily harm, with the majority of offences taking place inside people's homes.

A WOMAN has been remanded on unconditional bail after allegedly stealing almost £60,000.

Jacqueline Doreen Robinson, 43, of Grangedale Close, Northwood, has been charged with three counts of stealing a total £58,097 belonging to Kenneth Muncer between February 28, 2008 and January 1 this year.

Robinson has yet to enter a plea and is scheduled to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on July 9 to be committed to crown court. She has been ordered not to contact Mr Muncer while the case continues.

TWO men were taken to hospital after a brawl outside a bar in Rickmansworth.

A group of men were involved in the fight, outside the Long Island Exchange on Victoria Close, at about 2.30am on Saturday, June 12.

The two men, both aged 29 from Rickmansworth, were taken to Watford General Hospital with minor injuries. Police are appealing for information and witnesses.

DC Kim Woodgate, investigating, said: "If you were at the Long Island Exchange or even at the taxi rank opposite and saw the altercation or the offenders making off from the scene, we'd like to hear from you."

Anyone with information should call 0845 33 00 222.

LIVESTOCK and horse owners are being warned to ensure their animals are kept off the main road, after a pensioner from Northwood Hills was convicted of allowing his horses to stray onto a motorway.

Anthony Bowles, 74, of Wiltshire Lane, was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £85 court costs at a hearing at St Albans Crown Court in April.

PC Paul Knowles, of the Rickmansworth Safer Neighbourhoods Team, who brought the conviction, said: "We are pleased with the outcome of this case. Having animals near any road or main route can cause serious problems for the safety of road users and the animals.

"Owners of horses or livestock kept near main roads should be aware that they need to ensure that fences and gates are kept secure at all times."

A HANDBAG, purse, cash and sunglasses were among items stolen from a blue Renault Clio in Dover Way, Croxley Green.

Thieves are believed to have broken into the car between 3pm on Wednesday, June 2 and 8am yesterday.

Elsewhere in Croxley Green, thieves targeted an address in The Green and stole power tools from inside a shed.

The burglary is said to have taken place between 5pm on Friday, May 28 and 4pm on Tuesday, June 1.

Anyone with information on either of these incidents is asked to call Hertfordshire Constabulary on 0845 3300222.