NINETEEN people appeared in court yesterday after raids in which more
than #1.5m in forged currency, explosives, and firearms was recovered.
Four men were remanded by Thames magistrates while the others were
bailed to appear later this month or next month. All were charged with
counterfeiting offences, firearms charges, or dishonest handling.
Reporting restrictions were not lifted.
Among those detained was Mr Derek Ivens, 54, of Chingford, north-east
London, the father of a Page Three model, Dee Ivens. His wife Dawn, 47,
was bailed.
Security consultant Reginald Walker, 31, of Enfield, north London, who
was charged with forgery offences and contravening the Firearms Act as
well as dishonest handling and conspiracy to handle, was remanded. His
woman friend, Ms Diane Scott-Bruce, 24, of Battersea, was bailed until
October 7. She was charged with counterfeiting offences and conspiracy
to handle.
Salesman Sidney Elliott, 60, of Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshires, who
faces a counterfeiting charge, was remanded. His wife Shirley, 57, was
bailed on a #5000 surety.
Unemployed Derek Maynard, 51, of Edmonton, north London, was remanded
charged with counterfeiting offences, conspiracy to contravene the
Firearms Act, and dishonest handling. His wife Cynthia, 44, who faces a
forgery charge, was bailed on a #5000 surety.
Mr Tony Levy, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said the charges were
specimens. Investigations into the alleged plot are continuing.
The charges follow a series of arrests throughout the south of England
in connection with Operation Mensa.
Mr Stuart Clark, of Edmonton, was bailed to appear on October 7. Mr
Anthony Davies, also of Edmonton, was remanded until September 16. His
wife, Jeanette, was bailed on a surety of #5000.
Plasterer Richard Gudgeon, 57, of Edmonton; his 51-year-old wife
Alwyn; builder Ross Shepherd, 28, of Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire; and
nightclub doorman Mark Hyem, 27, of Luton, were all bailed to October 7.
Mr Darrell Tutt, 30, of Luton, was bailed to the same date on a #5000
surety. He was charged with counterfeiting, firearms, and handling
offences.
Husband and wife John and Pamela Hancock, of Hackney, east London,
were remanded on bail.
Mr Michael Jennings, 58, of Romford, east London, was bailed until
October 7 on a surety of #2000. He is charged with conspiracy to
contravene the Forgery and Counterfeit Act.
Magistrate David Singleton ordered that none of those bailed should be
allowed to hold or apply for passports.
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