A DIVORCED mum of two who used her high-ranking job in the Insolvency Service to con clients out of £85,910 has been jailed.

Samantha O'Sullivan, of Davidson Road, Addiscombe, carried out the most "serious breach of trust" when she stole the money over a three-month period to pay off debts amassed following a marital breakdown.

The 44-year-old held the post of assistant official receiver at the insolvency office in Bedford Park, central Croydon.

But Croydon Crown Court heard last Thursday (December 6) that rather than collecting money for the service from insolvent estates, she was asking some clients to write out cheques made payable to her.

She also took more than £3,000 cash.

Olivia Kong, prosecuting, said O'Sullivan admitted the offences in a police interview and explained she was in debt.

The money she made went towards a number of things, including paying some of that debt and giving cash to friends.

Miss Kong said: "Since then she has sold her house and paid back £56,000 to the Insolvency Service, with £29,000 still outstanding."

Abigail Penny, defending, blamed O'Sullivan's former husband for the financial mess she found herself in.

She told the court: "She decided to divorce him. He ran up significant debts on her credit card accounts and it culminated in her paying a substantial amount of money.

"She had significant debt. She had decided to let our her home."

But the court heard the tenants weren't paying rent so her mortgage went into arrears. Miss Penny said: "Now she lives on benefits. Miss O'Sullivan stands before the court with nothing left in terms of dignity and professional standing."

Judge Ruth Downing told O'Sullivan there were "many ways" she could have dealt with her financial situation, without resorting to taking the money in this way.

Judge Downing added: "There are thousands of people in this country who are giving up their homes, giving up their financial investment made in houses bought with savings and hard work in order to cope with financial problems."

She jailed O'Sullivan for a year, although she is likely to serve six months.

O'Sullivan had worked for the insolvency service for 20 years.

She admitted six counts of fraud by abuse of position between February 14, 2011 and May 10, 2011.

WHEN lovestruck Leigh Symonds saw colourful Christmas lights stuck outside her South Norwood home, she was pretty unhappy.

But little did the 27-year-old realise they were shaped to spell out the words "Marry Me".

Her partner Jamie Marriott had gone to great lengths to propose in a magical way.

And the neighbours in Ferndale Road were left cheering when he got down on one knee... and a tearful Leigh said yes.

Jamie, a firefighter based in Brixton, said: "I wanted to do something memorable and stand out. I didn't want to be too predictable. I wanted it to be a boom, shock.

"I thought of a few things and this just came to me.

"She's been on my case for about two years and used to send me pictures of the ring she wanted."

Jamie, 26, had picked up Leigh from work, having spent about three hours in the freezing cold fixing the lights to the front of the house.

He then dropped her at the top of the road so she could walk while he "found somewhere to park".

At first she admitted being a "stroppy madam" as she wanted white lights on the property.

But as she got closer, Jamie had wound down his car windows and was playing the Ben E King song Stand By Me – set to be their first wedding dance.

He then got out and asked for her hand in marriage last Wednesday.

Jamie said "She was made up. I think she said 'is this really happening?'"

The couple have been dating for four-and-a-half years, with Leigh explaining Jamie asked her on a date "100 times".

Leigh said: "It was all surreal. I was totally shocked because he's not that kind of person normally.

"He's not an old romantic. It just totally blew me away. I couldn't stop laughing. I was just really happy."

Even though the beautiful moment has passed, the lights have remained up this week.

Leigh laughed: "I get really embarrassed.

"I've been begging him to take them down since last Wednesday but I come home from shopping and they're up.

"It's really sweet, but I can't wait for them to come down!

"He's blown me away. I can't believe he did it and how much effort and planning there was.

"I had no idea and feel very lucky."

The loved-up pair plan to enjoy their engagement and get married in 2014.

Three of the Carshalton College Hospitality & Catering students have been successful in making it through the first stages in the 2012/13 Brakes Student Chef Team Challenge (SCTC).

The Brakes Student Chef Team Challenge is a leading student chef competition which has been running annually since 1993. The UK competition is for teams of three full time college students studying hospitality or catering. Teams firstly submit their entry with details of a three course meal for four people including how they will prepare each course, the cost, working to a budget of £10 per cover and the ingredients that will be used. These entries are then judged by a panel and a shortlist of teams are chosen to compete in the next stage of the competition, a Regional Heat. There are six Regional Heats with a winner from each region. All winning teams then take part in the live final competition.

Sam Hutchinson, Jake Solman-Wood and Mathew Clayton from Carshalton College have been successful in making it through to the London Regional Heat. The theme for 2012/13 is 'Going Global with World Cuisine' and these three students put forward a menu that the judges want to see come to life at the London Heat on Saturday 26 January 2013.

Tom Hall, Catering Team Leader at Carshalton College says "The students worked really hard on coming up with an impressive three course meal and we are all delighted they have made it through to the next round. The competition is an ideal way of providing the students with an opportunity to experience the pressures of a real working kitchen and develop a further understanding into the associated costs and planning that goes with working in a successful kitchen."

The competition is run by Brakes, a leading supplier to the foodservice industry in the UK, Ireland, France and Sweden. The Craft Guild of Chefs are the official competition partners and provide support and expertise in the judging process for the heats and final.

Carshalton College offers students a variety of Hospitality & Catering courses including Certificates, Diplomas and City and Guilds qualifications in an Introduction to Hospitality, Food and Drink Service and Professional Cookery.

Nightingales is Carshalton College's on-site training restaurant. Meals are prepared and served by our enthusiastic students under the supervision of experienced chefs. The restaurant is open to the public during term time for coffee mornings, lunch, dinner, functions and business events plus our special themed evenings.

IT WAS an easy decision for Keith Millen when Ian Holloway asked if he'd like to be his assistant last month upon his managerial appointment at Selhurst Park.

Not only was it a chance to continue their good work together at Blackpool, but it was an opportunity for the 46-year-old to come home.

Having grown up in the Croydon area, Millen spoke to Advertiser Sport about life as a youngster under a father with close connections to Palace and revealed he nearly signed for the club on two separate occasions.

"I grew up in Selsdon then moved to Sanderstead, and my parents still live in Wallington," he said.

"My two sisters live in Coulsdon and I've still got property in Sanderstead, so I was born and have been brought up in the Croydon area.

"My dad played for Palace and scouted for the club so he's got a lot of connections still, and I nearly signed twice as an apprentice.

"I remember I went to sign one time when Alan Smith was manager but it fell through at the last minute, but Palace were always the team I supported and always kept an eye on.

"And it was always nice going to Palace when I was at other clubs – and to now be assistant manager is a dream job for me."

Millen was introduced to football at a young age and recalls his time playing for the local clubs and schools in the area, with two players in particular making the grade at Palace over the years.

"I went to Selsdon Primary School, Shirley High School and then on to the old John Ruskin," he said.

"I played for Selsdon Juniors growing up and my dad was one of the managers and founding members of the club.

"The likes of Gareth Southgate and our goalkeeper coach George Wood played for them, and there's a lot of players who have come through that club and it's still going strong now."

And it seems Millen has all the tools geared towards a managerial position again in the future, having had a brief spell at Bristol City last year.

But, for now, he says he couldn't leave the Eagles for another club and believes he's the right man to help Ian Holloway.

"I've done every position now," he said. "I've been a first-team coach, an assistant manager and manager so I know I can help Ian in a lot of things and know what he's going through.

"I would look at becoming a manager again. That was one of the questions I was asked by Ian at Blackpool, if I was actively looking to get into management again.

"Certainly my experience at Bristol City hasn't put me off at all, and every other manager loses his job sooner or later.

"It's made me better and stronger, so eventually if an opportunity came up then I would look at it, but I certainly wouldn't leave Crystal Palace to go and do something else.

"Whether I'm assistant manager, first-team coach or manager, it's where I want to be, so I haven't been put off by management as I think I'm a better all-round coach.

"Palace have always been my number one club. I've gone off and played and managed other clubs, but Palace is certainly one I've always looked out for."

PALACE travel to Birmingham City tomorrow in hope of keeping up with league leaders Cardiff City.

Having conceded that late equaliser last weekend to Blackpool, the gap at the top widened slightly after the Bluebirds' 4-1 win over Blackburn Rovers last Friday night, but the Eagles will be confident against a Birmingham side that have stuttered so far.

At the start of the season, some may have backed the Blues to be fighting for a top six place under Lee Clark, who was known for an attacking style of football when he was manager of Huddersfield Town.

However, it has been anything but that scenario, and they currently occupy 19th position six points above the relegation zone.

Top goalscorer Marlon King has been in top form so far this season, despite gifting rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers the points with an own goal last weekend, but he's shown he's still got the ability to find the back of the net on a regular basis at 32-years-old.

But where else do they possess a threat on the pitch? Nathan Redmond is certainly one of the brightest young prospects outside the Premier League with his passing and skill attributes on either wing, while Wade Elliott has popped up with a few spectacular goals during his career, most notably at Burnley.

And you can't ignore Nicola Zigic, who stands at six foot and seven inches tall. However, he has made more appearances from the substitutes' bench rather than a starting berth this campaign.

However, one player Palace fans will know all about is Hayden Mullins, although he isn't known for scoring too many goals as a defensive midfielder.

Having come through the Eagles' academy, he is now entering the latter stages of his playing career and is expected to face his former club.

Palace, meanwhile, will make at least one change to their starting line-up at St Andrews with vice-captain Mile Jedinak set to miss out after collecting five bookings this season.

Initially, there seemed to be some confusion with a number of sources stating he had only picked up four yellow cards, but it turns out that a booking he picked up against Nottingham Forest in September was not recorded at the time by the Football League for some reason.

So, will Ian Holloway have to change formation or will he decide to give someone the chance to show what they can do?

One obvious candidate could be Stuart O'Keefe, who has been named in Holloway's matchday squad in recent games, or we may see a rather attacking look away from home with Kagisho Dikgacoi in the holding midfield position with the likes of Owen Garvan and Andre Moritz.

And Garvan told Advertiser Sport it was something the squad have been working on this week ahead of the clash.

"It will be down to the manager but this season I have dropped back into the hole when needed," he said.

"We've looked at that area on the training pitch this week to see what the best way is for the game.

"Whoever gets the armband will do a good job. We just want to concentrate on the game and get close to Cardiff City."

Furthermore, the Irish midfielder agrees that it hasn't been the best season so far for Birmingham, but is wary of their recent form despite last Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Molineux.

"I think they've had a bad start and you'd expect them to be up around the play-offs due to the size of the club," he said.

"It hasn't really worked out as much as they would have thought, but having said that, the last few games they've seen signs of improvement – they'll be hoping they can kick on from that."

Holloway will need to also decide on whether to stick with Darcy Blake at right-back or recall Joel Ward, who was ill last weekend.

However, going back to the holding midfield role, it has been suggested that Blake has experience of playing there, so there are options available. Meanwhile, the attacking trio of Wilfried Zaha, Yannick Bolasie and Glenn Murray are expected to take their places against a shaky Blues defence that has conceded 33 goals this season.

And Palace co-chairman Steve Parish has praised Bolasie on the back of some eye-catching displays in recent weeks.

"Bolasie is such a smashing, smashing guy with an amazing attitude and you can see that on the pitch," he told Advertiser Sport.

"He never stops, nothing gets him down on the pitch and he just bounces off everything and just keeps going."

AN "INTERIM" chairman for Croydon University Hospital has been appointed following "concerns" over its governance.

The appointment comes after news of current chairman Michael Parker's resignation revealed by the Croydon Advertiser today, which will see him step down on December 31.

Mr Parker's departure, after replacing Brian Phillpott at the helm earlier this year, makes him one of the shortest serving chairmen in the trust's history – something described as "unprecedented".

The Advertiser can today reveal that Mr Parker has been "asked" to resign by NHS London after mounting opposition to the decision to install John Goulston as chief executive of the hospital permanently. Mr Goulston is currently only "interim" chief executive.

NHS London this morning said the reason for Mr Parker's departure was due to "concerns" over Croydon hospital's governance. They also announced the new interim chairman.

A spokesman said: "Following concerns around governance at Croydon [hospital], the NHS Trust Development Authority has appointed Mike Bell, currently vice chair at NHS London Strategic Health Authority, as interim chair with effect from January 2, 2013.

"This follows the announcement that the current chair Michael Parker has resigned and will end his tenure on December 31 this year."

Mr Bell will also undertake a review of governance which will decide who is appointed the trust's next chief executive.

But the Advertiser understands the decision to make Mr Goulston permanently chief executive has already been made.

The Advertiser also understands Mr Parker is resigning after becoming unhappy at the decision to install Mr Goulston. As a result, he has been "asked" to resign.

A source said: "He is resigning before being pushed". "This is unprecedented," they added.

The resignation forms the latest in a saga of instability at the top which has dogged the trust as it struggles to address failings highlighted in a damning health watchdog report earlier this year, which found lives were being put at risk.

Former chief executive Nick Hulme stepped down in February, with former chairman Mr Phillpott following suit just weeks later.

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to stop a developer expanding a Kenley care home are hailing the application's refusal at a dramatic council meeting.

But the owners have since hit back by branding the opposers "unruly", lodging a second appeal with the Bristol-based planning inspectorate and defiantly claiming "the site will ultimately be developed as a care home".

Committee chairman David Osland was forced to remonstrate with protesters who packed out the public gallery at last Thursday's Croydon Council planning committee due to relentless heckling during the owner's agent's speech.

Shouts of "rubbish" and another offensive word which cannot be printed were hurled. Owners of the high-dependency Highfield House want to expand from 27 to 49 bedrooms, but were blocked by six Conservative to five Labour votes. The proposal involves extending the current home on 92 Higher Drive onto land on 94. Among the protesters was local GP Derrick Cutting, who pleaded with council planning chiefs to save local residents from "total ruination".

Dr Cutting told the meeting: "The thought of expanding to 49 beds with almost 100 staff coming and going at 8am and 8pm is unbearable.

"We're already suffering on-street parking, hazardous exits from side roads and driveways and delivery vehicles obstructing the highway. Granting permission will reward misrepresentation and contempt for regulation. Is it any wonder residents are enraged? Ninety-two has already spoilt the area. Please save us from total ruination."

Council officers recommended granting permission despite more than 100 objections. The site at 92 and 94 has long been the subject of high tempers as one plan to extend was refused on appeal last year, only for the owners to submit another, almost identical, proposal – the plan refused last week.

Ian Coomber, of Stiles Harold Williams, is the agent for the home's owners, Fairlie Healthcare, who spoke in favour of expansion during the meeting. Suggesting councillors voted against simply on the grounds of political popularity, he said: "Anything positive being said was booed and hissed at while anything negative was cheered. It was in that arena the politicians were making a decision.

"They [the protesters] were unruly. It should have been a professional debate about the planning merits of the application.

"We will be appealing with the inspectorate and we are confident that it will ultimately be developed as a care home."

He added the Planning Inspectorate refused the first appeal due to parking and not design. Increased parking as part of the latest appeal would, he claimed, see the plan granted this time.

PALACE co-chairman Steve Parish says he and manager Ian Holloway will be doing everything they can to bring in at least a couple of new players in the January transfer window coming up.

With the club fighting hard for promotion to the Premier League, Parish feels that some new faces could give the team an extra boost in achieving that and present further options in certain positions.

"We've had a few conversations and we know it's tough with the Christmas period coming up," he told Advertiser Sport.

"We've been fortunate with injuries so far but I think we feel we could do with a couple of players to cover in certain positions and some options maybe.

"It's fairly obvious the positions we'll be looking for, probably more attack-minded players, and we've got a few targets and names written down - we just need some options."

However, Parish says the club won't be signing anyone for the sake of it and feels any player arriving at Selhurst Park needs to have the right character and attitude to be part of the team rather than thinking about themselves.

"They've got to compliment the squad as people more than anything else," he said.

"We've got a great spirit and everyone gets on really well in a good atmosphere, so it's about the right character that can fit into the team and if they're prepared to do a job.

"We're going to be sensible about it, we're not going to start spraying money around.

"We always said that to Dougie (Freedman) at the start of the season that we'd always give it a go and that's what we've stuck to – so far it seems to be working out OK.

"We're desperate to get the transformational effects that it would have on this club if it were to get promoted with all the money involved and all the things we want to do for the local area and the ground.

"What we've seen is that it's probably a little bit easier than it has been in the past to encourage players to come to Palace.

"Ian has got a lot of contacts at clubs because he's been in the game a long time and where we are in the league helps.

"Players will get absorbed into the set-up too. Training is fun and tactically I think Ian is very positive as we've seen."

Since Freedman's departure to Bolton Wanderers, a number of staff at Selhurst Park have followed the Scot to the Reebok Stadium, and the latest names who look to be leaving Palace seem to be U21s development coach Jamie Fullarton and chief scout Dave Sclanders.

And even though Parish think's it's an unfortunate situation, he accepts these things do happen in football and that certain people have loyalties to consider.

"It's not ideal but it is what it is – it's football," he said.

"It's kind of an accepted thing. I think, for us, we've got to separate our first team squad, where you've got to accept that as a unit of people.

"Jamie Fullarton's family are up that way and so were Curtis Fleming's before he left.

"The way that football works, if they see that Dougie has brought them in to work under him, they then see their loyalties to him.

"When you've got staff at the training ground on two or three months' notice, that's the reality of it and they can go, so we've not been stupid about it, they've all been professional.

"We've kept them on while we've got our house in order. All of them have been professional while they've been with us, but we've kept a couple that Bolton have also come in for that we thought were really important to what we were doing."

A CONTENTIOUS regeneration project – including the construction of the council's new headquarters – has "transformed lives" in Croydon, the council has claimed.

The authority says small and medium businesses have been awarded £7 million of contracts as a result of its Urban Regeneration Vehicle (URV).

As part of the its 28-year partnership with developer John Laing, worth £450 million, the council put publicly-owned land and assets into the deal, including its current home at Taberner House, while Laing offered the funding and building expertise for Bernard Weatherill House, its new headquarters.

While the company has first refusal on any council assets, the authority retains a 50 per cent share of the development profits.

The deal led to fierce arguments between Labour and the Tory-controlled council over how much it will cost the taxpayer and the reliance on unpredictable future returns.

The URV's annual report was approved during a cabinet meeting at the town hall this week, with the council praising the scheme for creating 41 apprenticeships and exceeding targets on job creation for local people.

Jason Perry, cabinet member for planning, said the URV was beginning to produce "real results".

Simon Hall, Labour's spokesman for finance, was unconvinced.

He said: "The fact is, at the moment, cash is going out of the door.

"While there might be an upside one day, what is definite is that tens of millions of pounds are going out of the door with the returns being very much uncertain."

Cllr Perry decried Labour's negativity: "Here we have real positive work for the people of Croydon and all we get is negative soundbites.

"Negative spin is all we hear, yet you won't talk about the £7 million going to local businesses.

"That's real money dished out to deliver these schemes for local people."

Bernard Wetherill House will be finished next year and people have already started to move into the 119 affordable homes built under the URV in Waddon. An adjoining leisure centre will open early next year.

BUSINESSES from across the borough have shown seasonal generosity by contributing hundreds of toys to the Advertiser's Toys for Joy appeal.

Staff at Axis Europe PLC, a maintenance company on Brighton Road, have pulled together to ensure children spending the festive period at Croydon University Hospital have a special Christmas by collecting as many toys for them as possible through the company charity, The Axis Foundation.

Other shops to contribute have included Mothercare, Boots and Ikea, as well as the many residents who have donated to the appeal.

John Basey, contracts manager at Axis, told the Advertiser how his Croydon staff had been keen to donate towards the appeal.

He said: "The Axis Foundation supports lots of similar local charities and many of our staff also volunteer their time for charity so we felt this was an exceptional cause to support.

"All the staff members have pulled together with everyone donating a present; we have had a great response from everyone. I know the kids must be at a low ebb, this should definitely cheer them up."

Big chains are also showing their generous side. Mothercare, in Valley Park, is donating games, puzzles and books to the cause.

Paul Weedon, store manager said: "We are very much into supporting the local community. As we are a store that provides for your babies and we have the Early Learning Centre as well, this is a cause close to our heart.

"We were very keen to support the Toys for Joy appeal and hopefully the toys we are donating will give these kids a happier Christmas while in hospital."

All toys will be given to the Rupert Bear children's ward at Croydon University Hospital today.

BAH HUMBUG! That's what I imagine Dougie Freedman to be mumbling from his office in Bolton as he prepares for what could be a tough festive period for his new team.

The similarities between The Doog and Scrooge are a-plenty and it's fitting that as we come to our first Christmas since he left, he is the pantomime villain.

He was always a bit of a moody so-and-so when he was at Palace. He wasn't up for a joke and a laugh, and he likes to crush the dreams of everyone at Christmas.

He didn't like doing the end of season parties at Selhurst and wanted to just be locked away in the training ground and get on with things.

I mean, he was a nice guy and passionate about what he did, but it was never with a smile on his face. Is this important? Not really if the job gets done, but is it fun? Hell no.

I can just imagine him walking down the high street in Bolton (humour me) with a walking cane and a disgruntled look on his face, glaring at all the festive feeling folks up there, kicking through the snow-covered streets with anger until he can get home and sit in his favourite chair and plan on ruining everyone's Christmas.

Oh, and all the kids are muppets for some reason. Probably because I've seen the Muppets Christmas Carol way too many times.

Maybe Dougie will get visited by the ghosts of Palace past, present and future and none of them will make pleasant watching for him.

The ghost of Christmas past will clearly be Steve Coppell, present will be Steve Parish and future will be Ian Holloway with a Championship trophy tucked under one arm.

And instead, we've got a jolly old chap in the shape of Holloway, with his wise cracks, and kind eyes.

I know who, out of Palace and Bolton fans, will be having the more enjoyable Christmas this year.

A DRUNKEN pensioner who almost stabbed one of his best friends to death has been jailed.

George Gonga, 67, plunged a knife into Dilip Patel's chest at his friend's Bensham Lane flat in Thornton Heath after a drinking binge.

Gonga, who Mr Patel was allowing to stay at his home as a guest, launched the near-fatal attack after being told to leave because his increasingly erratic behaviour was alarming neighbours.

So severe was the wounding that medics had to revive Mr Patel twice after he lost almost two pints of blood.

Sentencing Gonga at Croydon Crown Court on Friday, Judge Nicholas Ainley said: "This is knife crime. It is knife crime while committed under the influence of alcohol which could have been fatal to Mr Patel.

"His heart stopped twice and one of his chest arteries had been severed right from the stab wound to the centre of his chest.

"Thankfully he has recovered."

Sally Hobson, defending, said Gonga admitted having an alcohol problem but was actively seeking help for it while in custody.

The knife-wielding pensioner was given 20 months behind bars last Friday, which will see him released after ten months on good behaviour following his guilty plea to wounding with intent

Hamish Reid, prosecuting, said: "Police were contacted by the London Ambulance Service to a report of a man being stabbed.

"The victim was slumped in the bedroom with a stab wound to the chest with blood all over him. Mr Gonga was present.

"Mr Gonga's behaviour caused discomfort to neighbours and [Mr Patel] wanted him to leave.

"Mr Patel had no recollections of the attack. He remembers an argument but then remembers nothing until waking up in hospital."

The court was told the victim has recovered since the June 28 stabbing and is now on holiday in America.

A statement made by a former neighbour of Gonga read to the court expressed "shock" at the pensioner's actions because "everybody loved George". He had made the call to police after stabbing his friend.

Sally Hobson, defending, said: "This is a matter for which he is extremely remorseful and it is in very, very sad circumstances that he finds himself here today.

"He knows the impact that this will have on his life.

"He knows he can't begin drinking again and he is determined not to."

The judge refused Miss Hobson's request that Gonga be freed and instead given a two-year suspended sentence.

THE parents of Shelley Pratt have told how their baby boy thinks his sister has been "taken by a monster".

Tony and Lisa Pratt have not seen their daughter since she disappeared five weeks ago after school.

Despite a large police search and the couple's own tireless efforts, the whereabouts of the 14-year-old is still unknown.

Now, as Christmas approaches, the family have told the Advertiser that they will not be celebrating the festive season until their daughter returns.

Mrs Pratt said: "It's been five weeks and I am trying to cope. I'm taking every day as it comes. I cry sometimes but I have to try and be strong for the younger children, I don't get to cry as much as I'd like.

"Her little brother is crying for her constantly, he just says 'I want my Shell, I want my Shell.' The youngest, Lou, doesn't really understand, he thinks she's on holiday, but the other day he asked if a monster still has Shelley."

The family home in Crowther Road, South Norwood, is covered in Christmas lights that were erected before the Westwood College student went missing on November 8.

Mr Pratt said: "The lights are up but we won't turn them on for good until she's home. I miss her so much. We need her back before Christmas. If she's not back by then, we won't celebrate properly. The younger kids will probably open their presents but I won't and her older brothers and sisters won't.

"It won't be right if she's not here."

The family have plastered the schoolgirl's face across the borough and beyond. Shelley, who was last seen on CCTV in High Street, Croydon, in the early hours of November 9, made no hints that she may be thinking of running away.

Her father said: "She seemed fine, she gave us no indication that she wanted to run. We still think someone has her."

Murder detectives are now searching for Shelley, although the case is not officially a murder investigation.

A Met spokesman said the team had been handed the case because they have more resources, expertise and are more used to making extensive inquiries.

The spokesman added that calls continue to come in from the public while the force is growing increasingly "worried" about the disappearance. Mrs Pratt said: "The morning she disappeared she seemed fine. She said goodbye like normal and met her cousin. She went to school like normal. Then after school she didn't come home. They've tracked her Oyster card till 9pm that night and we saw her on the CCTV.

"The pictures show her walking away. At one point she looked at the camera and smiled. We don't know why she was there at that time, we don't know what she was thinking.

"The police have been brilliant, we can't fault them, they've been helping as much as they can and keeping us in touch with everything going on. But we still haven't heard from Shelley."

Mr Pratt continued: "She's just a typical teenager. She sits in her room and closes the door and listens to music. She doesn't talk to us about boys or anything like that but as far as I know she didn't have a boyfriend.

"Now with the icy weather I can't go out on my bike as much to look for her.

"Before I was out for six or seven hours a night searching for her all over London, but with the ice I almost fell off my bike the other day, so we're going out in the car more often now.

"We're going out as much as we can and just hoping we see her face. I have friends all over London that are putting their pictures in their cars. Everyone in the area has been helpful and put the missing posters in their cars.

"I'm just so tired, we miss her so much. We need her back. Someone's got her and we want her back." Shelley's elder sister has told the Advertiser how much she misses her sibling. Tiffany Pratt, 17, has said she cannot stop thinking about her sister, who disappeared more than five weeks ago on November 8 after school. She said: "It won't stop bugging me, I really miss her, it's all I've been thinking about. All her friends are missing her, they had an assembly at her school the other day for her. "I used to go to that school and apparently one of the teachers is so upset about it that she's just crying all the time. Everyone misses Shelley." The 14-year-old has not been on her Facebook profile or had any contact with her family since her disappearance, and as Christmas approaches they have vowed not to celebrate without her. Tiffany said: "I just want her back for Christmas, it won't be Christmas without the whole family here. I definitely won't open my presents if she's not home, and my older brothers said they wouldn't either. "My boyfriend was meant to come to our house on Christmas Day but he's told me he won't if she's not found because it would feel like he's taking her place. "We always got along pretty well although we'd fight sometimes like sisters do. She never told me she wanted to run away or anything, I don't think she has, we all think she's been taken by someone. None of us are finding this easy. We need Shellz back.""

Anyone with information should call police 020 8721 4906.

THIS shocking image shows patients lining a hospital ward – amid waiting times of more than eight hours – in an image described as presenting an "extremely worrying picture" of the growing pressure on our health services.

Yet Croydon University Hospital told the Advertiser this week the image simply shows an average night in its accident and emergency department.

The picture was taken from a video shot by a relative of an elderly patient who spent eight hours and 46 minutes waiting to be seen after being taken to the A&E with a suspected chest infection at 10pm on Friday.

Michael Castle, 21, described how his uncle, 78-year-old Anthony Harman, was far from alone in facing extended waiting times amid scenes verging on chaos.

He said: "A lady who had come in with heart problems discharged herself because she had been there six hours and not been seen.

"Another lady waited eight hours for an X-ray. The staff nurse described A&E as 'like Baghdad'. There were bodies everywhere, and bloods and observations were being neglected.

"It was very bad.

"I have a lot of respect for Croydon University Hospital but they should have diverted ambulances to another A&E.

"After I thanked the nurse for her help she replied: 'I didn't really help, you've seen how bad its been here. You don't know how many of us said to go on divert. At the end of the day, it's patients' lives at risk'."

Croydon Health Services said it was unable to provide "validated" data in response to questions about how many people attended A&E that evening or how many had waited for longer than four hours, the target the trust, which runs the hospital, sets itself.

The trust said its A&E, which is divided into an urgent care centre run by Virgin Care and a traditional emergency department, had been "busy", like most other emergency units in south west London.

The hospital said ambulance diverts, which last 90 minutes, only occur on a planned basis.

A spokesman added: "At this time of year our A&E department, like many others across the country, can become very busy but we have a duty of care to provide appropriate treatment for anyone who attends the A&E department.

"Our staff work very hard to ensure the safety of everyone in the department. Whilst we try to ensure that nearly every patient is seen, treated and either admitted or safely discharged within four hours, during extremely busy times it may not be possible to do this."

Mr Castle, of Pirbright Crescent in New Addington, said: "This may be something normal but that doesn't make it right."

Croydon Healthwatch Pathfinder, a group which represents patients, urged the trust to launch an investigation.

Chairman Frederick Clark said: "The image presents an extremely worrying picture of the growing pressures on our local A&E services and the traumatic impact this has on local residents, many with serious health needs and concerns.

"Croydon Healthwatch Pathfinder have, for some time, expressed concerns that waiting times have been too long and conditions unacceptable at the department.

"While we are aware that facilities are to be upgraded, we need to be reassured that senior staffing levels are adequate, policies for redirection are acted upon and patients' dignity and treatment are the main priority."