Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Lord Patten's son-in-law convicted for shooting at Indian restaurant

Jurors took seven hours to convict Elton Charles

Lord Patten's son-in-law convicted for shooting at Indian restaurant

THE son-in-law of Lord Patten of Barnes, the former governor of Hong Kong, was convicted for his part in the shooting at the PBK curry house in Greenford, west London, reported The Telegraph.

Elton Charles, 51, who is married to Patten's daughter Laura, 48, was convicted of his part in the attack on the Indian restaurant in September last year.


During the trial, the prosecution alleged Charles had played the role of the getaway driver and had aided his half-brother in executing the assault.

He was found guilty along with co-defendants Nicolas Grant, 46, and Lee Morgan, 42, at Kingston Crown Court on Tuesday (15) following a five-week-long trial. His half-brother, Nathaniel St Aimie, had earlier admitted to the same offence.

According to the report, jurors were shown CCTV footage depicting an individual wearing a hood, who disembarked from a white Volkswagen van, proceeded towards the restaurant, and discharged a firearm.

The prosecution said that the diners' lives were spared purely due to a stroke of 'good fortune', as the shotgun blast shattered a window without causing any fatalities.

The footage captured a moment where one diner shielded their child from the gunfire, earning praise from Judge Jonathan Davies for their bravery.

In his court testimony, Charles indicated that he had received text messages from his brother via a burner phone on the day of the shooting. He told him he had some marijuana for him and asked to meet him in Greenford.

He asserted that he had departed from his residence to join St Aimie in consuming cannabis, citing the reason as his wife's disapproval of his smoking habit.

"My wife disapproves of my cannabis use, and particularly objects to me indulging in it within our home," he was quoted as saying.

After the pickup, Charles stated that his brother requested him to 'hang about'.

He asserted that he had no knowledge of the shooting and said he was shocked to be arrested.

Following his high-profile marriage in 2002, Charles assumed the role of Groucho Club's building manager in Soho.

The couple reportedly met during the mid-1990s and remained close friends for several years before officially announcing their engagement in June 2001.

In court, Charles mentioned that he and his wife collectively earned approximately £120,000 annually and owned a £1.5 million residence with a mortgage.

Laura's father, Chris Patten, served as the MP for Bath from 1979 until his unseating in 1992. He subsequently held the position of the 28th and final governor of Hong Kong in 1992, which concluded in July 1997 following the transfer of sovereignty to China.

Patten was granted a life peerage in 2005 and has held the position of Chancellor at the University of Oxford since 2003.

The defendants were granted conditional bail and are scheduled to appear in court for sentencing on September 15.

More For You

UK defends France migrant returns deal after court blocks first removal

Police officers stand guard between an anti fascist group and Tommy Robinson supporters during an anti-immigration rally organised by British anti-immigration activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, in London, Britain, September 13, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy

UK defends France migrant returns deal after court blocks first removal

THE British government has defended its new migrant returns deal with France after a High Court ruling temporarily blocked the deportation of an Eritrean asylum seeker, marking an early legal setback to the scheme.

The 25-year-old man, who arrived in Britain on a small boat from France on August 12, was due to be placed on an Air France flight from Heathrow to Paris on Wednesday (17) morning. But on Tuesday (16), Judge Clive Sheldon granted an interim injunction, saying there was a “serious issue to be tried” over his claim to be a victim of trafficking.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asian surgeon sentenced to six years for sexual assault

Dr Amal Bose. (Photo: Lancashire Police)

Asian surgeon sentenced to six years for sexual assault

AN ASIAN senior heart surgeon, who abused his position to sexually assault female members of staff, has been jailed for six years.

Dr Amal Bose, from Lancaster, was convicted of 12 counts of sexual assault against five colleagues at Blackpool Victoria Hospital between 2017 and 2022. He was cleared of two other charges.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi & Trump

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a joint press conference at the White House on February 13, 2025.

Reuters

Trump greets Modi on 75th birthday, trade talks continue in Delhi

Highlights:

  • Both leaders reaffirm commitment to India-US partnership
  • Trade talks resume in New Delhi amid tariff tensions
  • India defends purchase of discounted Russian oil

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Tuesday called Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and greeted him ahead of his 75th birthday. The phone call sparked hopes of a reset in India-US ties, which had been under strain after Washington doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk weather

Forecasters say 30–40mm of rain is likely to fall widely

iStock

Met Office issues yellow weather warnings as heavy rain threatens flooding in 15 UK areas

Highlights:

  • Two yellow weather warnings issued for parts of Wales and the Midlands
  • Up to 70mm of rain expected, bringing risk of flooding, power cuts and travel delays
  • Flood alerts in place for rivers in Cumbria, Devon, Cornwall and Carmarthenshire
  • Residents advised to prepare emergency kits and stay updated with forecasts

Heavy rainfall set to cause disruption

The Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings covering parts of Wales and the Midlands today, with forecasters warning of potential flooding, travel disruption and power cuts. Between 6am and 11am, persistent downpours are expected to sweep eastwards, bringing nearly a month’s worth of rain in just a few hours.

Areas under warning

South and southwest Wales are expected to be worst affected, with Ceredigion, Conwy, Gwynedd and Powys in the Midlands also on alert. In Wales, warnings apply to Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea and the Vale of Glamorgan.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Donald Trump and Melania Trump

Donald Trump and Melania Trump exit Air Force One after arriving at London Stansted Airport for a state visit on September 16, 2025 in Stansted, Essex.

Getty Images

UK rolls out royal welcome as Trump begins second state visit

Highlights:

  • Trump begins his second state visit to the UK with a royal welcome at Windsor Castle
  • Prince William, Catherine, King Charles and Queen Camilla take part in ceremony
  • State banquet and trade talks with prime minister Keir Starmer scheduled
  • Protests and security operation mark visit amid political challenges

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump began his unprecedented second state visit to Britain on Wednesday with a lavish welcome from King Charles and the royal family at Windsor Castle.

Keep ReadingShow less