'I was the only black boy in my entire school but I never let myself become a victim'

Moses Nalocca was the only black boy in his entire school and said that he never saw a difference between him and the other kids until the ignorance started towards him as he grew up. Moses lives in London now but was Born in Kampala, Uganda, in 1984, before moving along the Adriatic Coast in Italy in 1989.

Moses was at an immediate disadvantage not knowing the language and had to retake his first year of primary school as a result. "One thing that my mom told me always was to be the difference that makes a difference," Moses told MyLondon. In his school days though, Moses did not truly realise he was the only black child as all he saw in front of him were his friends.

He said: "Look at the kids. I have a nephew who is mixed race from my brother and my sister-in-law. My sister-in-law is local Italian and she's white. And my nephew, when he's with other kids, there is no difference at all. The difference comes when you start growing up, when you get into a phase where people start judging you and classifying you in other places.

READ MORE:'I felt alone as a Black woman with ADHD - so I created a support group for people like me'

Moses at school where he was the only black child (Image: Moses Nalocca)

"So growing up as a kid, I didn't see at all any difference. I was speaking like them, I was learning like them. No difference. The difference came when there was a level of ignorance."

With a strong mindset and set of beliefs, Moses worked hard to make something of himself. Eventually, a change of mindset allowed him to move forward even more.

Moses said: "So at the beginning, my perspective was to prove them wrong, to show them that I was worth being acquainted with them, just to be part of them. It was more coming from a policing perspective to please them. It wasn't about me. So what made me shift was believing in my worth for who I am, what I do, and my origins.

At school, Moses never saw himself as any different to his friends (Image: Moses Nalocca)

"I believe that life has given me the blessing of being born black, being born in Uganda, which used to be the pearl of Africa. And I'm so proud of that."

Moses describes himself as an 'Upper Echelon Coach'. He said this means "I help others to get into the upper echelon, elite level, because I believe we have been all created to be amazing. I mean, each one of us is already born as a champion because you know what, there are over 400 million sperms and you made it out of 400 million. So you are already a champion. You are already born as a winner."

As an Upper Echelon Coach, Moses has worked with large hospitality franchises, managers and CEOs, and an Olympic Gold Medalist for Bulgaria, Ivet Goranova. He is also an author and has written two books, with a third to be released very soon. But, speaking to MyLondon, Moses is talking to us about his upbringing and being the only black boy in his entire school. He was determined that this experience would never define him and has strived to prove himself his whole life.

Moses used to work seven days in hospitality when he first came to the London (Image: Moses Nalocca)

"What does it mean? Separate yourself from all the other crowd because my mom told me you will have to do things two or three times harder than anybody else, simply because of where you come from. I always grew up with the need to strive and make a difference, just to prove [myself] to others. So while I was growing up, this was my main drive, do things to prove others wrong."

Moses moved to London in 2016 because he was already coming to the capital every month for self-development training. His first job was at Sports Bar & Grill in Victoria. "I was earning the minimum wage which was £6.90 per hour at that time. But, then, as a great Italian, I worked myself dry. I was working more hours than what was requested. I was calling literally every day when they were giving me two days off and I would say I don't need two days off, I can work seven days.

Moses has travelled the world for Tony Robbins on coaching on big stages (Image: Moses Nalocca)

"Now it's illegal. But then the day I was off, the first thing I used to do was call up and ask if anybody had called in sick or that's not coming? They would say, 'actually somebody called in sick, would you mind coming in?' Yes, I'm coming, in 40 minutes I'm gonna be there."

After succeeding in hospitality, Moses eventually got into coaching and, through his clients, was recommended to the national trainer of Bulgarian Karate. "During one of the lockdowns, one of the senior managers [I coached] was the brother of the national trainer. The manager said, 'If you guys want to go to the Olympics in Tokyo, this is the guy to speak to because it looks like a Mission Impossible'."

Moses continued: "You know what my knowledge of karate was? Zero, just Karate Kid the movie, only Mr Miaggi. I work on your mindset and emotions."

Do you have a story that you think we should be covering? If so, please email tai.kolade@reachplc.com

Want more from MyLondon? Sign up to our daily newsletters for all the latest and greatest from across London here.

Adblock test (Why?)

(Feed generated with FetchRSS)

Storm Babet brings 5 London flood alerts including Lewisham, Bromley and Croydon

As Storm Babet hits the UK five flood alerts were issued for London this morning (Friday, October 20). The warning is for areas including Lewisham, Bromley and Croydon and a weather warning remains over the rest of London.

The yellow rain warning covers the whole capital until Saturday, October 21. It comes as more rain is anticipated to follow the earlier downpours we had this week. This morning, flooding had to be cleared in Brent Cross, where a fire engine was spotted in the street, as well as Purley, Hackney and Elephant and Castle.

Two London Underground stations - Kew Gardens and London Victoria - were affected by flooding with trains unable to stop at the latter on the Circle and District lines. Storm Babet struck the UK overnight bringing a red danger to life weather warning for Scotland and sending spectacular 20ft waves crashing against the coast.

READ MORE: Husky stranded on North London window ledge rescued by fire crew armed with dog treats

London is expected to experience more flooding this weekend (stock photo) (Image: Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Elsewhere across the UK, Storm Babet has been causing downpours with huge waves crashing across the coast in some seaside areas.

The flood alerts were issued in:

• Chertsey Bourne
• Beverley Brook area in Merton, Sutton, Kingston upon Thames, Richmond upon Thames and Wandsworth
• River Brent from Hendon to Brentford
• River Pinn and Woodridings Stream
• Ravensbourne area in the London Boroughs of Lewisham, Bromley, Greenwich and Croydon

• The water levels and rainfall are being monitored in all areas. On Saturday, heavy showers are anticipated in the afternoon with lighter winds.

Currently no rain is forecast for Sunday as the weather starts to clear. But it is anticipated to return in the early days of next week.

Rain has already caused many issues in the city this week. Flooding had to be cleared in Brent Cross, where a fire engine was spotted in the street, as well as Purley, Hackney and Elephant and Castle.

Two London Underground stations - Kew Gardens and London Victoria - were also affected by downpours as trains were unable to stop at the latter on the Circle and District lines. A red weather warning has been put in place in Scotland, where two people have died due to Storm Babet.

Send us pictures of flooding where you are and let us know how you've been affected by the weather by emailing olivia.beeson@reachplc.com

Want more from MyLondon? Sign up to our daily newsletters for all the latest and greatest from across London here.

Adblock test (Why?)

(Feed generated with FetchRSS)

Drug lord who filled £1.3m Kensington home with Bansky and Andy Warhol art begs for freedom

A drug lord who had made millions and lived a lavish lifestyle, filling his £1.3m London home with artworks by Banksy and Andy Warhol has lost an appeal against his conviction and sentence.

Aram Sheibani, now 43, from Bowdon, Trafford, was jailed for 37 years in June 2021 for his involvement in a 'high-level' cocaine conspiracy over almost a decade.

READ MORE: Met Police officers ram boy, 13, off bike and handcuff him over water gun

Using money made from fraud and drugs, he was found to have amassed a £5m property empire, including an exclusive £1.74 million apartment in Kensington, London, where he had original artworks by Banksy and Andy Warhol.

The criminal travelled around the world and drove top-of-the-range cars such as a Bentley and a Porsche all whilst masquerading as a legitimate businessman, the Manchester Evening News has reported.

Police also found he had more than £1 million in cash, cryptocurrency valued at £1.3 million, and that he had paid for cosmetic surgery including veneers, hair transplants and a nose job.

Sheibani claimed his wealth had come from legitimate sources but following an eight-week trial, jurors took just five hours to convict him of 20 fraud, money laundering and drug offences.

His 'greed knew no boundaries'

Mr Sheibani allegedly bought this white Bentley for £250,000 in cash (Image: GMP)

A judge said his 'greed knew no boundaries' and that he was satisfied Sheibani was 'at the very head of a large-scale, international drugs conspiracy' and was 'very close to the very source of production in Colombia'.

However, on Wednesday, October 18, Sheibani tried to appeal against both his conviction and his sentence at the Court of Appeal in London. Sheibani's barrister labelled evidence of drug dealing against him as 'circumstantial' as he argued his conviction was unsafe. He also said there was 'no evidential basis' for him receiving the lengthy sentence he did.

Simon Csoka KC, representing Sheibani, said it 'was not a case where there was an identified conspiracy' but that the prosecution's case consisted of 'circumstantial evidence' which 'could have been concluded to be consistent with drug dealing'.

He said his client was not given an opportunity to bid to have the charges dismissed, and went on to say that 'evidence that related to drug dealing was put forward into what might be termed a Frankenstein conspiracy – consisting of the parts of more than one conspiracy'.

Mr Sheibani paid for a number of cosmetic surgeries inlcuding a nose job (Image: GMP)

He added that in order to convict the jury had to be sure Sheibani was guilty of the offence as set out on the indictment and that they are "considering the same conspiracy together." He said the judge had 'not directed the jury about that issue.'

Lady Justice Macur agreed, saying: "If half the jury think it is one conspiracy and half the jury think its more than one it should have been a not guilty verdict." However, she added: "But the closing speeches and the directions of the judge to the jury were to the effect that this was a single conspiracy."

In relation to Sheibani's sentence, Mr Csoka said it "wasn't a case where the prosecution identified a quantity of the drugs" which was "accepted by the judge in his sentencing remarks". Mr Csoka said it was the 'top quarter' of cases which attracted sentences of more than 30 years and claimed there was 'no evidential basis' for the judge to conclude that the conspiracy was 'of the very highest level.'

He said it was a 'wholly exceptional case which has produced a sentence which is completely out of scope with other cases.' However, Lady Justice Macur said: "This wasn't an ordinary drugs conspiracy case."

She added: "There was evidence that this applicant had over a very long period of time concerned himself in such a high level of expenditure that it suggested, and I am paraphrasing, the extent and scope of the conspiracy.

(Image: PA)

"There was evidence of eye-watering wealth that this applicant could not explain beyond the mortgage frauds, and so was the judge wrong to say that this money, on that evidence, emanated to a significant degree from drug dealing?"

Both appeals were thrown out by a panel of three judges. Lady Justice Macur said the full reasons for their decision would be published in writing in due course.

"That is the end of the matter as far as this court is concerned unless anyone finds other evidence to put before the CCRC (Criminal Cases Review Commission)," she said.

Sheibani, then of Delemar Road, Bowdon, was found guilty of five counts of obtaining a money transfer by deception; three offences of possession of criminal property; two offences of failing to comply with a notice; two offences of converting criminal property; two offences of fraud; forgery; using false instruments; conspiracy to supply controlled drugs; possession of a controlled drug of class A and perverting the course of justice.

Passing sentence at the time of his conviction, Judge Anthony Cross KC said it was 'impossible' to determine the exact involvement of Sheibani's involvement in drug dealing, but he was satisfied he was involved at a high level internationally. "I don't believe that the police have been able to uncover all your dealings, the evidence is plainly to the contrary," Judge Cross said.

Sergeant Lucy Pearson, of GMP's Economic Crime Unit, said after his sentence that Sheibani was a 'calculated, deceitful and scheming criminal." She said: "He is a dishonest individual who has not shown any remorse for his actions throughout this entire investigation, refusing to cooperate with police and attempting to destroy evidence.

"The extent of Sheibani's criminality should not be underestimated; not only is he involved in tax evasion and money laundering which has a detrimental effect on the economy and society, resulting in honest taxpayers feeling that burden, but the source of his tainted income is as a result of a class A drugs conspiracy."

Got a story for us? Email anna.willis@reachplc.com.

Don't miss out on the latest crime stories from across London. Sign up to MyLondon's Court & Crime newsletter HERE.

Adblock test (Why?)

(Feed generated with FetchRSS)

Met Office issues new London weather warning as streets could be flooded

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for the capital this Friday (October 20). The warning lasts from am up until 8pm, and ‘there is a chance that a period of heavy rainfall, on top of recent rain, could bring some disruption on Friday.’

Some people should expect flooding at home, as well as adverse driving conditions which could lead to road closures. The weather could also lead to reduced public transport services.

The weather warning covers the South East, all of England’s east coast, and the vast majority of Scotland - some which have a red weather warning. This means rain could be so intense that it poses a threat to life.

READ MORE: 'I dropped 10lbs without trying - now I have 4 years to live'

London is set to be battered with rain (Image: TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)

The Met Office also warns that the rainfall could lead to flooding, making driving difficult, and may even result in some homes being hit by water damage.

London’s weather is set to be tumultuous over the next few days. You can find it below.

London weather

Today (October 18) should be ‘some early bright spells but cloud gradually thickening from the south. Outbreaks of heavy rain reaching the south coast around midday, then all areas turning wet into the afternoon and evening. Windy, with coastal gales developing. Maximum temperature 17C’.

Tonight will see ‘outbreaks of heavy rain, accompanied by windy conditions, will clear away north by midnight. Less windy and drier conditions following, although some further showery rain later. Minimum temperature 13C’.

Tomorrow (October 19) will be ‘often rather cloudy but also some bright or sunny spells. There will also be scattered showers, some heavy and thundery, but winds lighter winds than Wednesday. Maximum temperature 19C’.

From Friday (October 20) through to Sunday (October 22) won’t be very pleasant. On ‘Friday and Saturday, further showers or perhaps longer spells of rain are likely, some heavy. Sunday, probably turning drier and brighter with lighter winds’.

If you or another family member are experiencing long waiting times for an autism assessment, please email rafi.benady@reachplc.com.

Don't miss out on the biggest local stories. Sign up to our MySouthLondon newsletter HERE for all the latest daily news and more.

Adblock test (Why?)

(Feed generated with FetchRSS)

Huge tower blocks near London Underground station would add 515 new homes with £1m offered to improve station and buses

North London residents are concerned over "absurd" plans to build three new tower blocks containing more than 500 flats overlooking the North Circular. Neighbours fear infrastructure, such as roads and public transport, will struggle to cope with the influx of new people when the high rise development looms over the surrounding area.

Developers Wembley Tower Ltd are looking to build a £250m development at Wembley Point, including 515 new homes, a boxing gym, retail space, and a new cycle way. It is part of a wider redevelopment of the area, which has already seen the existing 21-storey 'WEM Tower' turned into 439 studio flats.

The plan has received a number of objections from residents who feel the scheme will adversely affect their quality of life. People living in the nearby WEM Tower have suggested they were unaware of the plans before they moved in and are "concerned about the inconvenience".

READ NEXT: The 'nightmare' South London street where traffic chaos is so bad 'five cars have been hit and written off'

One said: "Due to the changed ways of working during the pandemic, I intentionally chose this place to rent based on what's offered here (far from city noises, sunlight, a high-rise building that is not surrounded by any obstructions, etc.). This construction changes all of these factors based on which I made my decision."

Designs show the three buildings would be made up of one 32-storey skyscraper with 266 flats, comprising 84 one-bedroom, 178 two-bedroom and four three-bedroom apartments - all of which are earmarked for private sales. 'Building B' is a three-storey low-rise block containing a gym, currently intended to be used by Stonebridge Boxing Club.

The third building would be a part 16, part 20-storey tower block containing a mixture of private and affordable homes. The total 249 apartments would comprise 16 one-bedroom, 58 two-bedroom and 75 three-bedroom, as well as four commercial units on the ground floor.

Nearby residents are fearful the development will drastically impact their quality of life by resulting in a loss of sunlight and privacy, as well as the flats adversely affecting the "feeling of community and neighbourliness". There are also concerns about the impact on local infrastructure, particularly the nearby Stonebridge Park station which serves the London Underground, London Overground and National Rail.

One resident said: "The train station nearby is small and already struggles during peak hours for the existing number of residents in the area. Ditto for bus stops and buses that serve the area - the number of new residents being proposed is absurd for such an area."

If the plans are approved, the developer has pledged to provide £1.02m towards station improvements at Stonebridge Park and bus service enhancements. This will be essential as the proposal is ‘car free’, with the exception of blue badge parking, meaning more strain will be put on local public transport. Cycle parking and a new cycle lane has been proposed along the southern boundary.

A total of 116 affordable units, on a 70:30 split of London Affordable Rent to London Shared Ownership, would be provided. Officers suggest evidence shows this is the "maximum amount of affordable housing that can be viably provided on site", and would, therefore, be policy compliant. The plan has been recommended for approval by planning officers but it will come before Brent Council's planning committee next week (October 24) for a final decision.

Don't miss out on the biggest stories from across the city. Sign up to MyLondon's The 12 HERE for the 12 biggest stories each day.

Adblock test (Why?)

(Feed generated with FetchRSS)

Huge 26 floor South London student tower approved despite mental health fears over 'rabbit hutch' rooms

A 26-storey South London student tower has been approved despite a councillor’s fears that bedrooms like “rabbit hutches” are damaging young people’s mental health. The building in Deptford was waved through by a Lewisham Council planning committee on October 12 after a three and a half hour meeting.

The site on Surrey Canal Road is currently home to scrap metal dealer Southwark Metals Ltd, which is relocating to Thamesmead. Under the plans the existing buildings on the site will be demolished and replaced with a 484-room student block, 42 flats, shops and studio space.

During the meeting, Councillor James-J Walsh, a member of the planning committee, said he had concerns about the amount of space for students to hang out in the building. Cllr Walsh, Labour member for Rushey Green, told the council’s planning team: "There's a massive mental health crisis amongst young people. Them being kept in rabbit hutches as their bedroom and study space is exacerbating that problem.

READ MORE: Cash ticket machines at major London Underground station to be closed for 2 years

"There needs to be a good level of communal space for them to interact with each other, develop relationships and connect with one another. And I haven’t been assured that’s the case in this scheme yet."

David Robinson, the council’s major and strategic project manager, said there would be communal space on the 25th floor of the building, as well as a roof terrace for students. He added that there was also a place in the basement for students to do their laundry.

What the site in Deptford looks like today (Image: Google Street View)

Cllr Walsh also raised concerns about the lack of measures to deal with traffic from students arriving at the start of the university term and the end of the academic year in the design. He added: "I'm worried about getting 500 families driving their son or daughter down from a shire, which you can’t cycle from, you can’t walk, with all their worldly belongings in the back of a car. That’s not coming on a train and it’s not coming on the back of a bike. What I’m really worried about is we’re going to have queuing for miles down our very small roads in this area for the weekend and it’s going to be chaos at the site."

A representative for the applicant, Fosfel Apollo Limited, said he believed not all students would be arriving by car, with some expected to take the bus. He added that students would be moved into the building over several weekends, rather than just a single one.

Of the 484 planned student rooms, 81 (17 per cent) will be available at affordable rents. All of the 42 residential flats are classified as affordable, with 70 per cent of them at the cheapest social rents. A planning committee made up of five Labour councillors approved the plans with amendments unanimously.

Got a story? Email robert.firth@reachplc.com.

Don't miss out on the biggest local stories. Sign up to our MySouthLondon newsletter HERE for all the latest daily news and more.

Adblock test (Why?)

(Feed generated with FetchRSS)

Woman shouts 'this is a terrorist flag' at three men with Palestinian flag in Bakerloo Station

A woman was filmed shouting at pro-Palestine protesters holding a Palestinian flag. In the shocking video filmed at Bakerloo Station yesterday (October 15) the woman repeatedly shouts ‘terrorist, this is a terrorist flag’ at the man holding a Palestine flag, before yelling ‘Pakistan’.

She was corrected by other travellers who told her that Pakistan’s and Palestine’s flags are completely different. The Palestine flag is of vertical black, white and green stripes, with a red chevron on the left, while Pakistan’s flag is dark green white a white crescent moon and star on it.

The woman also appears to hit the man with her bag but then accuses one of the men of "touching" her, which is contested by the person filming the incident. The video came on the same day that thousands of pro-Palestine protesters took to the streets of London, beginning at the BBC's Marylebone headquarters, before making their way down Whitehall to the gates of Downing Street.

READ MORE: London man living in Israel facetimed daughter as Hamas murdered his wife, her son and grandchildren

CONTENT WARNING: RACIST ABUSE

Seven arrests were made with over 1,000 officers deployed. The protest was in light of the ‘dire’ situation in Gaza which risks being 'pushed into abyss', despite Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying the ‘targeted’ airstrikes being ‘only the beginning’.

There has been shocking violence in the Middle East over the last week after Hamas raided Israel and Israeli homes, killing 1,300 and wounding 3,000. Israel’s response killed 1,900 Palestinians, and injured over 7,700.

As Israel prepares itself for a ground offensive, it has told 1.1million Gazans to evacuate to the south. The BBC reports that the evacuation would require 18,334 60-seater coaches.

There are three exits out of Gaza, the Erez crossing in the north, the Kerem Shalom goods crossing in the south-east, and the Rafah crossing to Egypt, in the south.

Got a story? Please get in touch at rafi.benady@reachplc.com

Don't miss out on the biggest stories from across the city. Sign up to MyLondon's The 12 HERE for the 12 biggest stories each day.

Adblock test (Why?)

(Feed generated with FetchRSS)