Jailed in February: SE London criminals put behind bars

A court heard how a New Cross woman's lengthy stalking campaign culminated in her sending a pig's head to her ex-boyfriend's workplace. 

Elsewhere, an organised Orpington crime group who ran a 'Deliveroo style' cocaine delivery service in Kent were collectively jailed for over 25 years.

Tia McBean

Tia McBean sent her ex-boyfriend a pig’s head in a “horrible and gratuitous act of spite” during a prolonged stalking campaign.

The 33-year-old, from New Cross, also bombarded Oralton Robinson and his long-term partner with phone calls and ordered pizzas to their home.

She fell pregnant during a short relationship with Mr Robinson after they met in a pub in May 2018, Woolwich Crown Court heard.

McBean appeared at Woolwich Crown Court to plead guilty to multiple charges including breach of a restraining order, criminal damage, stalking and sending malicious communications.

Judge Ruth Downing sentenced her to 15 months in jail and extended her restraining order until May 31.

The 'Deliveroo style' cocaine gang

Drini Dosku, the leader of the Albanian gang, a father of two, was described as 'the leading light' in a professional drug delivery service.  

The group were taken down by a series of raids across Orpington and sentenced to more than 25 years collectively.

Sales totalling hundreds of thousands of pounds were regularly organised by the gang, who had set up a 24-hour phone line to receive order and drug couriers to local users as part of their major drugs supply network.

Their criminal activity involved a large quantity of cocaine in Tunbridge Wells daily, with investigations uncovering more than 100 customers each day.

Edward Woodbridge

Edward Woodbridge, 43, held a shotgun to the head of a Tesco cashier during a violent raid two years ago.  

The Catford resident cycled to the Surrey Quays supermarket on September 12, 2019, entering with a single-barrelled shotgun and knife at around 6.40am.

He held the gun to the cashier’s head, threatening him with a knife and demanding that the safe be opened.

Woodbridge fled with cash and cigarettes following a violent stuggle with the staff member. 

After being found guilty of robbery, possession of a firearm or imitation firearm whilst committing a schedule 1 offence, possession of an offensive weapon and GBH with intent, he was sentenced to 16 years and three months in prison. 

Habibullah Faqeerz

Faqeerz befriended a man in his 40s by offering him work, then stabbed him and stole his belongings in Gravesend. 

The victim met Faqeerz at Dartford Train Station, who offered him work, arranging to meet him the next day with some money and identity documents.

Faqeerz walked the victim behind a building in Clarence Place before suddenly grabbing him.

During a struggle the victim was stabbed under the armpit and robbed of his mobile phone.

The lead investigating police officer on the case described Faqeerz's "willingness to use serious violence to attempt to steal an item of relatively low value shows him to be little more than a callous thief," and described him as a "clear and obvious threat to public safety."

He was found guilty of robbery and sentenced to four years in prison at Woolwich Crown Court.

South east London burglary gang

A gang of burglars from Bexley and Dartford targeted 30 homes across south east London, striking as their victims slept.

Kent Police sergeant Jay Robinson called them "prolific criminals who brazenly and repeatedly targeted homes as people were sleeping," but messed by falsely assuming their false number plates could be detected.

The gang, three of whom are from Erith, one from Belvedere and another from Dartford, were all charged with conspiracy to commit burglary.

They pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court, and have all been jailed for a combined total of over 23 years.