Latest news with #WillesdenMagistrates'Court
Daily Mirror
17-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Landlord in Russia fined £75k for ‘devastating' Airbnb in quiet UK neighbourhood
George Nathanel was found guilty of illegally using the properties in North Finchley, north London, for short-term rental bookings, Barnet Council said in a statement A rogue landlord has been hit with a hefty £75k fine for unlawfully renting out two flats on Airbnb and to unruly revellers. Neighbours of properties leased out to partygoers by George Nathanel were subject to banging parties and chaos. A court heard that the properties were being booked through holiday platforms for brief stays by large groups, often using them for raucous parties. Neighbours reported significant noise disruptions due to lack of soundproofing and antisocial hours, with boisterous parties continuing into the small hours of the morning. Victim statements presented in court included one from a local resident who described the rentals as "stressful and devastating." He said that they had a "detrimental impact on his life, his work and mental health" and it "had severely impacted his ability to sleep and has made living in the property unbearable." Have you been badly impacted by a holiday let? Maybe we can help. Email webtravel@ Mr Nathanel was convicted of illicitly utilising the North Finchley properties in north London for short-term lettings, according to Barnet Council. The landlord, who oversaw the flats on behalf of Zenobia properties, was served a notice by the council in November 2023 to halt the use of the flats following grievances from local residents. The Grove Road residences were scrutinised for potential planning control breaches as the properties only had permission to be used as self-contained single households. Nathanel failed to attend court hearings, telling the court that he was residing in Russia with his children and awaiting surgery. The landlord claimed ignorance about the short-term lets on Airbnb and yet was hailed as "an amazing, attentive and responsive host" in Airbnb reviews. The court heard that the two flats had been occupied for at least 220 days within the first ten months of 2024, according to evidence from the prosecution. On June 26, 2025, Nathanel faced justice at Willesden Magistrates' Court, where he was convicted for not adhering to a Breach of Condition Notice from the council. He received a hefty fine of £75,000, was ordered to cover council costs amounting to £5,400, and pay a victim surcharge of £2,000. Cllr Ross Houston, Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration, commented: "We gave Mr Nathanel ample opportunity to stop using the properties as short term rentals, but were left with no alternative but to take him to court when he didn't stop. "Barnet Council clamps down hard on rogue landlords and where they don't cooperate, we will always bring them to justice. We would like to thank the residents who brought this case to our attention. This is a great result for the neighbours whose lives were made a misery by the illegal letting of these flats on Airbnb and "The prosecution and huge fine highlights the seriousness of the case and will be a strong deterrent to other rogue landlords from breaking the rules in the borough of Barnet." A representative said: "When accommodation providers sign up to list on they agree to our terms and conditions, where we ask them to verify that they are operating in full compliance with local laws and are legally permitted to rent out their property on a short-term basis. "If we are ever made aware that a property on our site may not be operating in compliance with local regulations, we investigate and take further action as needed. "At we remain committed to collaborating with the Government and local authorities to help deliver sustainable, measured legislative solutions for short-term-lets in the UK." Airbnb was contacted for comment. A milestone court case came to a close in Spain earlier this month, ruling that ten holiday lets all located in the same block must close down due to 'the illicit and unsanitary activities' that had taken place there. Vomiting and sex in the communal areas, as well as drunken, destructive, and lewd guest behaviour, had caused one family stress, anxiety, and sleepless nights. This was judged to have inflicted psychological damage on the family, which includes two children, and violated their fundamental right to privacy. Madrid's 44th Court of First Instance ruling—that the flats must stop being used as holiday lets—is a significant one, as the properties were registered legally but their presence was judged to infringe on the family's rights. In the ruling, the judge noted 'the constant noise, the breaking of shared fixtures, the filling of the lobby with suitcases at all hours, and the presence of shopping trolleys filled with towels," before the family were awarded €37,000 in damages.
Daily Mirror
03-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Nan 'shielded toddler grandson with her own body' during horror mauling
Willesden Magistrates' Court heard that Bully Oynx got out of the family's north London home and attacked a two-year-old boy on the street, forcing his grandmother to intervene A nan has told a court of the horrific moment she knew a dog was about to attack her grandson, before she tried to shield him with her own body. The toddler was so viciously bitten he needed plastic surgery on his right leg and groin after being mauled outside his own home in north London last summer. Willesden Magistrates' Court heard the child was with his grandmother, when the Pocket Bully dog named Onyx escaped from his owner's home. Emma Eatwell, prosecuting, told the court Onyx attacked the child after he escaped. She said: "He ran up to them at speed. His grandmother describes the dog menacingly approaching them. She knew that she and her grandson were about to be attacked by the dog." She tried to pull her grandson away and cover his body with her own, the court heard. "The dog grabbed the child by the leg and began pulling. He was shouting and crying at the time," Ms Eatwell added. "The dog bit him twice around the leg area and also in the groin. It caused deep puncture wounds which required hospital attention." The dog's owner, mum-of-six Lysa Marten apologised in court about what took place. Ms Martyn, 49, previously appeared on ITV's This Morning in 2020 seeking help for her sons' addiction to Fortnite. She also hit the headlines in 2019 when she finally had a daughter after giving birth to five sons. The court heard that following the dog attack, Martin drove the boy and his grandmother to the Royal Free Hospital where he was given antibiotics and painkillers. He needed stitches and underwent surgery to remove damaged tissue, the court heard. The prosecution is seeking a destruction order for the dog. Ms Eatwell told the court: "This was an unprovoked attack on a very young child. His injuries could have been significantly worse if it had not been for the actions of the child's grandmother, who attempted to shield the child with her own body. "We say that there is a significant risk of a similar incident happening again. All it took for the dog to become aggressive was for [the boy] to walk along the street with an adult. He did not provoke the dog, he did not interact with the dog." In a victim impact statement the boy's mother said that she has been receiving therapy. Describing how she feels when she thinks about the attack she said: "I feel my throat close up. I become worried and scared. I can no longer leave the house by myself. The screams of other children trigger myself." The boy's grandmother said: "I felt my grandson's life was put in danger by that dog." Giving evidence Martin said: "He's a very playful dog, he was a puppy. He does display hyperactivity in his actions. He's a baby, he does dart around." She said that she tried to help the boy and his grandmother immediately after the attack. "I was thinking how I would react if that was my child. I went into parent mode straight away. I got an ice bag to help with the injury. I took them straight to the emergency department. I was very apologetic about what happened. I just kept apologising. It was an adult mistake, not a dog mistake." Nicola White, defending Martin, said: "It is quite clear that the defendant has given clear and consistent evidence. I believe that she is a credible witness. It was simply a very unfortunate accident. You heard her feelings in respect of the incident. "She took the parties to the hospital. She went as far as to get the antibiotics from the pharmacy. She would be happy to pay compensation." Onyx' was spared the death penalty after a judge said he was a "much loved family pet". District Judge Jack Walsh warned Martin she will have to abide by a number of conditions in order to keep him alive. In public Onyx will have to wear a box style muzzle and be on a fixed leash no longer than 1.5 metres. At home she will have to install an animal gate from the wall to the stairs in the hallway, put the dog behind the gate before she opens the door and fit a second bolt at the bottom of the side gate. Before the side gate is opened the secondary gate must be closed and locked with Onyx behind it in the garden. The judge told Martin: "This was a shocking and frightening attack on a young boy which caused serious injury to him." He said the boy's grandmother bravely sought to shield him from the bites." He added: "Onyx is not a banned breed. He is a much loved family pet. I know that Ms Martin was very upset that Onyx caused those injuries. "She said that she would comply with any condition imposed by the court to ensure that Onyx can return to her. The safety of the public is what I am concerned with. What Onyx did was serious. "He bit his upper leg and groin, which required cleaning, surgery and general aesthetic. This must have been painful and extremely frightening for him. It is submitted by the defence that Onyx was playing. His idea of playing can clearly cause injury. I accept that Ms Martin will now be very, very careful with Onyx." The judge said that the attack was not entirely Ms Martin's fault because a neighbour had left a side gate open when he came into the garden to borrow a wheelbarrow, and Onyx ran out. The injuries here were in my view serious, but your culpability in my opinion is low. There is no suggestion that Onyx injured or attempted any of your children or children of friends." Martin was ordered to pay £500 in compensation to the boy, and £500 to his grandmother. She will also have to pay £500 in kennel costs. "She will pay the money at a rate of £80 a month as she is on Universal Credit. The judge told Martin, who became tearful in the dock: "It is important that you pay the order when required. "The compensation order is going to be the sentence of the court."
Metro
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Sugababes' Keisha Buchanan ‘beaten' by footballer ex who controlled what she ate
Sugababes singer Keisha Buchanan's footballer ex-partner allegedly waged a ten-year 'campaign of terror and abuse' against her. A court heard about the allegations against Taiwo Leo Atieno, 39, which include beating her and banning her from wearing red lipstick, among other instances of coercion. Taiwo, who played football for Kenya and Luton Town, is alleged to have grabbed the 40-year-old around the neck, punched her on the arm and struck her on the back during three assaults. Keisha has also alleged financial abuse, with Taiwo supposedly controlling her money, her daily life – including when she could shower or go to the gym – her eating habits and what she could watch on TV and when. The pair first got together in 2011 and the alleged abuse took place between 2015 and 2018. The charges also claim he 'did not allow her to wear red lipstick' andallegedly also contacted the singer demanding £25,000, the court heard. He has also been accused of harassing the star after their relationship and alleged breaches of a court order banning him from contacting her. Prosecutor Edward Kalber told Willesden Magistrates' Court today: 'The offending is severe in its nature and has caused […] problems for the defendant, both psychological and physical. 'The complainant states that while she lived with the defendant she wasn't allowed to open her own letters or sort out her finances. 'The complainant would have to ask for money whenever she wanted it. 'The defendant would get annoyed if the complainant wore red lipstick. He berated her and called her trashy, and told her she looked like a prostitute whenever she wore this.' Mr Kalber added: 'This then fed into her dietary issues, due to the defendant controlling what she was allowed to eat.' Taiwo allegedly carried out three assaults on Keisha, two in the defendant's bedroom and one in the front room. The singer had to undergo physiotherapy as a result of the physical abuse, it is alleged. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video After being blocked from contacting her in any way by court order, the footballer allegedly continued to contact his ex and is accused of harassment over the course of three years. More Trending The news of the court case comes as SugaBabes goes back on tour. The superstar trio, comprised of Keisha Buchanan, Mutya Buena, and Siobhan Donaghy, have had a run of acclaimed festival slots – including a widely celebrated set at Glastonbury 2024. After years of line-up changes – and a protracted legal battle over the Sugababes name – the original girls are finally back together on their first proper UK arena tour. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Keisha Buchanan says Sugababes saved her from pressure to be 'stick thin' MORE: Sugababes deserve title of UK's greatest girl band after stellar comeback show
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fan faces jail after going into Wembley VIP area
A man who made his way unauthorised into the VIP area of Wembley Stadium to watch the Champions League final with his young son could face jail, a court heard. Steven Carruthers and his four-year-old son mingled with fashion model Naomi Campbell and heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk at the game between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund in June last year. Willesden Magistrates' Court in London heard the pair were in an area not open to the general public where hospitality packages cost £21,800 "at the lowest". Carruthers, 34, from Hull has pleaded guilty to one count of obtaining services dishonestly. Prosecutor Rachna Gokani told the court: "The defendant involved his young son who was four years old at the time in order to assist his illegal entrance into the stadium. "He was wearing a suit for the specific purpose of looking like he was entitled to these services." Ms Gokani said Carruthers went on to "advertise his offending" in a national newspaper, "essentially boasting about gaining entry - something he said he had done previously". Quoting a probation officer who met Carruthers prior to the hearing, Ms Gokani added: "He had no shame or remorse and was clearly proud of what he had accomplished." Ms Gokani said the offending and its subsequent "advertisement" in the national press posed security risks for Wembley Stadium and prompted the Football Association to bring a prosecution. Carruthers, who represented himself in court, apologised after he was told the offence carried a maximum sentence of three years in jail. "I'm regretful of what I did. It really does worry me about jail, to be honest," he said. "I don't really want to ruin my kids' future." He told the panel as he left the dock: "I think it's excessive. I've not hurt anyone." Sentencing will be at Harrow Crown Court on a date to be fixed. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
