Pro-active prosecutor helps trap gangland 'fixer'
A gangland 'fixer' who threatened relatives of a man who owed £1 million has been brought to justice in a pro-active prosecution by CPS London.
Lawyer Rav Johal's advice helped detectives trap Dean Henry, 47, an underworld enforcer linked to one of the most notorious crime families in the country.
As well as giving them guidance on building a case, Rav initiated a restraining order against Henry's assets, aiming to confiscate more than £4 million under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Unable to pay for his counsel, a leading QC, he pleaded guilty to two counts of blackmail and possession of prohibited ammunition - a CS gas canister - hours before trial. He was jailed for four years at Isleworth Crown Court in January 2008.
Rav, left, from the Ealing Team, West London Prosecution Service, was consulted by officers before Henry was charged.
They were investigating arson attacks on the homes of two women, sisters of David Chopra, who was being pressured to settle his debts to the crime family.
Unable to pay and in fear of his life, Chopra fled to India. His sisters and other members of his family were bombarded by threatening phone calls and text messages.
In a bid to pacify Henry, Chopra's brother-in-law arranged to buy him a £2 million house in Orpington, Kent.
When he was unable to legally transfer it into Henry's name, the campaign of intimidation intensified with the firebomb attacks.
Rav suggested that officers travel to India to interview Chopra . Although Chopra refused to give a formal statement, his father agreed to speak to the detectives. This helped them piece together the motive for the campaign of terror.
The two victims withdrew their complaints but were reassured by police. Rav drew up a special measures application for them to give evidence from behind screens.
In the lead-up to trial Rav, a crown advocate, framed and served a restraint application.
Without the means to pay his QC Henry, left, changed his plea on the morning of the trial.
He admitted blackmailing the Chopra family and possessing the CS gas, found at the £2 million house he was unable to claim as his own.
Said Rav: "Going after his assets was fair game. How else does a criminal pay for his litigation but from the proceeds of crime?"
Though police had the evidence of the text messages and phone calls to support blackmail there was insufficient evidence to charge Henry with arson.
Henry, a ticket trader from Orpington, Kent, was suspected of laundering dirty money for his criminal bosses. A confiscation hearing will take place in April 2008.
Rav said: "It was one of the most nerve-wracking cases I've ever dealt with. The biggest challenge was trying to keep the witnesses safe. They were genuinely frightened for their lives and I was concerned for their safety."