Cab driver jailed for 'sick' rape

22 August 2011 Last updated at 12:51 GMT Masood Ahmed was arrested by officers several hours after the attack A minicab driver has been jailed for 11 years for raping and threatening to kill an 18-year-old woman in Surrey.

Masood Ahmed, 26, of Seaforth Avenue, New Malden, south-west London, was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court.

The woman was attacked by Ahmed in Parvis Road in West Byfleet in the early hours of 13 August 2010.

Det Ch Insp Steve Hayes said: "This was a sickening assault by Ahmed who saw an opportunity to attack a lone woman in the quiet early hours and took it."

Ahmed was sentenced to nine years in prison for each of the two counts of rape he was convicted of, and five years for a charge of assault, to run concurrently.

He also received two years for one count of making threats to kill, to run consecutively.

'Extremely rare'

Mr Hayes added: "I am extremely pleased with the sentences handed down today.

"Stranger attacks of this nature are extremely rare in Surrey and we treat them very seriously.

"Surrey Police put every available resource into this inquiry and our work paid off with Ahmed identified and arrested within 24 hours.

"I am very proud of the efforts made by the whole investigation team."

Surrey Police said Ahmed, who worked for a firm in London, had forced the woman into woodland, put his hands around her throat and threatened to kill her before he assaulted and raped her.

Officers recovered a number of items from the scene including a petrol receipt which allowed detectives to trace Ahmed from CCTV at a filling station.

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Woman is jailed for bottle murder

22 August 2011 Last updated at 15:27 GMT William Reilly was beaten on the head with bottles of alcohol A woman has been jailed for life for murdering a 91-year-old blind man by battering him with a bottle of wine.

Melanie Cole, 49, attacked William Reilly at his home in Tower Gardens, Tottenham, north London, on 29 December. He died a week later.

The Old Bailey heard Cole, who must serve at least 30 years in prison, "murdered him for money".

Cole, of Culford Road, Islington, was cleared of murdering another man in 2005.

Jurors heard Mr Reilly was found covered in blood sitting on his bed, by his son James.

Money stolen

He had suffered head injuries after being beaten with a bottle of Chateauneuf-du-Pape and a bottle of liqueur.

The retired builder, who was registered blind and almost completely deaf, died a week later in hospital after developing pneumonia.

Zoe Johnson, prosecuting, said Cole killed Mr Reilly for the money he had in his coat pocket.

The court heard Cole would turn up at the house unannounced and had previously stolen money from Mr Reilly after they met in a local pub.

Cole denied the charge and claimed Mr Reilly was well when she left him.

Judge David Paget told her: "It may be that you will never be released and may die in prison.

"You battered to death a 91-year-old man in his home in order to get money from him for drink or drugs. It may have been only £20.

"What is truly shocking is the brutality of what you did."

Melanie Cole was ordered to serve a minimum of 30 years in jail

Cole was acquitted of murder in 2005 after two juries failed to reach verdicts in the case of Robin Williams, 47.

Mr Williams was found in a bath at his home in Tottenham having been hit over the head with a bottle and stabbed.

The jury was not told of the previous case because it would have been prejudicial, the court heard.

Mr Reilly, who was born in Balla, County Mayo, the Republic of Ireland, was part of a large family.

In a statement, his son Sean said Mr Reilly, who was much-loved by his friends and family, had been killed in a "brutal and mindless act".

Mr Reilly said: "He stood for decency and integrity - qualities which Melanie Cole knew nothing about."

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Lohan to be jailed for 120 days

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