Crime

COUNCIL chiefs have defended their use of covert surveillance powers to spy on residents - despite not one investigation resulting in a conviction.

New research into the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) by pressure group, Big Brother Watch, found Three Rivers District Council (TRDC) used hidden surveillance 23 times in the past two years, to detect crimes including fly-tipping and littering, falsified single person claims, noise nuisance and benefit cheats.

Meanwhile, Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) used its spying powers 57 times between 2008 - 2010, to investigate offences including under-age sales, doorstop salesmen, and sales of misdescribed products.

The two authorities are among 372 in Britain who conducted RIPA surveillance operations in more than 8,500 cases during the past two years.

Under the Act, councils can film people with hidden cameras, access telephone and internet records and log the movements of a residents' vehicle.

A TEENAGER has been given a community order and must pay £173 compensation after being convicted of causing criminal damage to a car.

Stephen Daniel Jones, 19, of Acre Way, Northwood, caused the damage to a Fiat Punto in High Street, Ruislip, on August last year.

Jones was also convicted of threatening behaviour in the High Street on the same day.

No plea was entered for either offence and both were proved at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on May 20.

He must also pay £300 court costs and is required to visit an attendance centre for 36 hours.

A MAN is due to be sentenced after admitting to using threatening language or behaviour.

Andre DaSilva Azevedo, 33, of Harrison Close, Northwood, committed the offence on March 22 in Uxbridge, causing two women to believe that violence may be used against them.

He has been remanded on unconditional bail until his sentencing, due to take place on June 8 at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court, after medical and psychiatric reports have been prepared.

THE details of 17 previous convictions Nathan Doherty had before he killed Rickmansworth man Frazer Bradshaw (pictured) were released to the Old Bailey yesterday, as sentencing was adjourned to June 24.

It has also emerged that Doherty, 20, was serving a suspended sentence for GBH when he punched Bradshaw so hard it caused the 33-year-old to fall and fracture his skull, which led to his death.

Doherty handed himself into police on January 6, following five days of uncertainty for Frazer Bradshaw's friends and family, following the attack on New Year's Day.

A BUSINESSMAN from Northwood has been jailed for helping to cheat the taxpayer out of £37.5million in one of most complex tax rebate scams in history.

Shakeel Ahmad, 38, of Astons Road, was one of 21 men sentenced for plotting what Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) described as 'fraud on a massive scale'.

Reporting restrictions during the court proceedings - which date back to 2006 - mean only now can the Gazette publish results of the seven interlinked trials and re-trials that ensued, after the final defendant was jailed last Tuesday (May 25).

Ahmad received seven years imprisonment at Northampton Crown Court in March 2007, after being convicted of conspiracy to cheat the public revenue under the Criminal Law Act 1977. He was also disqualified from being a company director for 12 years.

A MAN has been jailed for two years after cultivating more than 500 cannabis plants in Northwood.

Bo Van Vu, of no fixed abode, produced about 537 plants of the class B drug, worth an estimated street value in excess of £100,000, which were discovered in Copse Wood Way on March 22 by police acting on information received.

Upon entry, police found that £20,000 worth of damage was caused to the property so each room could serve as a green house.

A 20-YEAR-OLD is due to be sentenced on Wednesday (26) for the manslaughter of Rickmansworth man Frazer Bradshaw.

Nathan Doherty, of no fixed abode, who is believed to have links to the West Drayton area, admitted the offence at the Old Bailey yesterday (20), following a trial which began in April.

Mr Bradshaw (pictured), 33, died in hospital on January 4 after being attacked at a New Year's Eve party at St James Pub in High Street, Cowley, when he attempted to break up a fight.

His family have described him as "a gentle giant and a hero who was unique, funny, clever, and a talented person who was very generous and caring."

Mr Bradshaw, a former pupil at Bishopshalt School in Hillingdon, grew up in Hayes but moved to Rickmansworth six years ago.

He is survived by his mother and father, two older brothers, two twin sisters, two nephews and a niece.

See the Gazette website for the full report from next Wednesday.

A MAN has been charged with drink driving after a car careered off the road at Rickmansworth Aquadrome.

The incident happened last Sunday (May 16), and both police and a fire engine from Rickmansworth rushed to Frogmoor Lane at about 6.40pm, after the car landed in a nearby ditch and caught fire.

Jocius Vilmantas, 23, of Thirlmere Gardens, Northwood, has been charged for drink driving, driving without insurance and taking a vehicle without the owner's consent.

He is due to attend West Hertfordshire Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, June 1.

A MAN has been jailed for two years after cultivating more than 500 cannabis plants in Northwood.

Bo Van Vu, 41, of Copse Wood Way, produced about 537 plants of the Class B drug, believed to be worth an estimated street value of between £125,000 and £150,000.

The plants were discovered at his home address on Monday, March 23 this year.

Vu admitted he was responsible for producing the plants when the case was heard at Isleworth Crown Court yesterday (18).

More to follow.

A TEENAGER from Rickmansworth suffered cuts to his head after an alleged assault in a Watford pub on Saturday, May 8.

Around 9pm, a brawl is said to have broken out between two men at Oddfellows in Fearnley Street, leaving the 18-year-old victim with 'serious injuries'.

PC Sarah Morrell, investigating, said: "This altercation has left a man with serious injuries and our enquiries are currently ongoing to establish the full circumstances around it.

"We understand there were a lot of people in the pub at the time of the incident who may well have seen the altercation or who may have some information about it and we would urge them to speak to police."

A 35-year-old man from London has been arrested in connection with the incident and is on bail until June 26.

Anyone with information should call 0845 3300222 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.