Accountant who 'stabbed police officer' in raid on suspected members of crime syndicate linked to David Hunt had £500,000 in cash in his family home, court told

Published: 15:08 EDT, 30 September 2026 | Updated: 15:17 EDT, 30 September 2026 A chartered accountant accused of stabbing a police officer during a raid targeting a notorious crime gang had £500,000 in cash at his house, a court has heard.Charles Charalambous, 56, indicated he would plead not guilty to wounding with intent to prevent or resist arrest at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday morning.The hearing was told a police officer was stabbed in the leg while a warrant was being executed at an address in Cockfosters during the early hours of Tuesday.The police officer was taken to hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.The raid was part of a series of raids on 23 other properties believed to be targeting the 'Hunt Syndicate', a criminal network linked to suspected gangster David Hunt. A general view of the road where the raid took place in Cockfosters, north London Prosecutor David Burns told the court that the police officers who attended Charalambous's address 'made themselves known'.Mr Burns told the court a 'large sum of cash' was found at the property, totaling '£500,000'. I have an update on one of Britain's most enduring mysteries... Hi, I'm Alex Matthews, Editor of The Crime Desk, and I've got an exclusive update on the murder of Jill Dando. The 1999 assassination of TV star Jill Dando horrified the nation - and it has never been solved. A key suspect, known as man X or the 'sweating man', was seen running across a road about 20 minutes after the murder. Now a senior police officer reveals an important detail that has been overlooked. Get the full story delivered to your inbox for free when you sign up to The Crime Desk newsletter... Sign up here to read the exclusive for free Charalambous is believed to be part of a 'large crime group'.The hearing was told Charalambous works as an accountant.He has no previous convictions, the court heard. He is due to next appear at Southwark Crown Court on October 28.Defending, Clea Topolski, told the court: 'He is a 56-year-old man who lives with his wife and three children who were at the property with him when police started banging on the door. 'He pressed a panic alarm and phoned 999 to report burglars at his property.'He then took a knife available in his household and put it through a broken panel in the door and made just one stab to the leg of the police officer.'It was once he was Tasered and they identified themselves as police he realised he was under arrest.'She told the court that the police officers were wearing 'balaclavas and dark clothing' and that they came in the 'dead of night'.Ms Topolski said her client was acting in self defence.He was denied bail. READ MORE Mother of teen murdered by Christa Pike makes 11th hour trip to Tennessee for today's executionHow two babies were killed and dumped in the sea by gangsters: The horrifying murders of the Chohan familyFace to face with monsters... the ten most evil criminals I've seen: STEPHEN WRIGHT The family feud that ripped apart the Torture Gang: How Eddie and Charlie Richardson were consumed by hatred for each otherInside Ireland's toughest prison where guards are desperate to stop 'drug kingpin' Daniel Kinahan being reached by his friends... or his enemies