A far-right protester, a Tube flasher, and a group of people smugglers were among those jailed in East London last month. These individuals were involved in various criminal activities that led to their incarceration. Let’s delve deeper into the stories of these offenders and the consequences they faced for their actions.
David Notley: A Career Criminal Involved in Violent Disorder
David Notley, a 67-year-old man from High Road in Buckhurst Hill, found himself behind bars for 20 months after being swept up in violent far-right disorder near Downing Street. He pleaded guilty to violent disorder and a religiously aggravated public order offense during the Enough is Enough demonstration on July 31. Notley was seen engaging in violent behavior towards police officers, using derogatory language, and participating in anti-Muslim chants. Judge Freya Newbery described him as a career thief and burglar, highlighting his criminal past.
Notley’s criminal record includes a previous conviction in 2009 for attempting to smuggle nearly £400,000 worth of cocaine from Nicaragua to Waltham Abbey. Despite his history of criminal activities, Notley seemed to believe he was contributing positively to society. Judge Newbery noted the irony in his perception given his extensive criminal background.
Dan Pirvu: The Tube Flasher
Dan Pirvu, a 26-year-old resident of Ripple Road in Barking, was sentenced to nine months in jail for exposing himself on the Tube platform at West Ham Underground Station. An incident on November 17 the previous year led to Pirvu’s arrest after a member of the public reported his indecent behavior to station staff. CCTV footage captured Pirvu with his trousers down, exposing his genitals and bottom to onlookers.
British Transport Police swiftly apprehended Pirvu, leading to his conviction for exposure. In addition to his jail time, Pirvu received a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order prohibiting him from entering any London Tube station and using Tube services above or below ground. He is also required to register as a sex offender for the next decade.
Waqas Ikram, Najib Khan, and Jalal Tarakhail: People Smugglers Caught in the Act
Waqas Ikram, Najib Khan, and Jalal Tarakhail were involved in a people smuggling operation that brought dozens of migrants into the UK using GPS trackers to trace vehicles transporting individuals. Ikram was apprehended attempting to load four migrants into a vehicle at South Mimms services on March 30, 2021. Subsequent investigations revealed their role in a criminal network charging migrants up to £7,000 each for illegal entry into the UK.
The trio’s activities included successful and unsuccessful crossings via a lorry in 2019, leading to their convictions for people smuggling offenses. Ikram, aged 41 and from Dagenham, received a nine-year sentence, while Khan, 39, and Tarakhail, 25, both from Ilford, were sentenced to nine years and four years, respectively.
Kirtys MacKenzie and the Jacobs Brothers: Perpetrators of Brutal Assault
Kirtys MacKenzie, along with brothers Lewis, Andre, and Pierre Jacobs, inflicted severe injuries on a man during a violent altercation in East Ham. The victim, aged 35, was attacked by the group after a collision on Clements Road on May 16, 2023. The assailants physically assaulted the victim, leaving him unconscious on the ground. MacKenzie returned to stomp on the victim’s head, causing long-term brain injuries.
The victim sustained multiple serious injuries, including brain bleeds, a collapsed lung, fractures, and spine damage, resulting in long-term cognitive impairment. MacKenzie was convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent, receiving a four-year and three-month sentence. The Jacobs brothers, Andre, Lewis, and Pierre, were convicted of grievous bodily harm without intent, each receiving two-year and three-month sentences.
The actions of these individuals demonstrate the serious consequences of criminal behavior in East London. From violent protests to smuggling operations and physical assaults, the justice system has responded with appropriate penalties to address these offenses. These cases serve as a reminder of the importance of upholding the law and ensuring the safety of the community.