A man has died after being assaulted in Coventry city centre on Monday night (27 February).
Patrick Redmond, aged 68 from Coundon, was punched to the floor in Riley’s Snooker Hall, Hertford Place just before 11pm and was taken to hospital with a serious head injury.
Sadly nothing could be done to save him and Mr Redmond’s life support was switched off yesterday (Tuesday 28 February).
A 37-year-old Radford man was arrested on suspicion of wounding and has now been re-arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in police custody while enquiries continue.
Chief Inspector Ed Foster said: “This is a tragic case and our sympathies go to the family of the victim.
“We are in the early stages of our enquiry and I would urge anyone who witnessed what happened and has not yet spoken to a police officer to get in touch with us on 101.”
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Man dies in Coventry snooker hall assault
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West Midlands Police judged ‘good’ in the latest HMIC police inspection
West Midlands Police has been assessed as good overall in the latest PEEL Effectiveness report released today (Thursday 2 March) by Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC).
The report, which rates every police force in the country, says West Midlands Police is good at preventing crime, tackling anti-social behaviour and keeping people safe, highlighting the broad range of methods used to communicate with the public.
The force was also assessed as good at investigating crime and reducing re-offending, praising the new crime recording process which ensures victims are regularly updated. Offender management has also achieved consistent reductions in re-offending by serial offenders.
The report says improvement is required in investigating offences involving vulnerable victims and working with other public service organisations to keep people safe. It recommends better risk assessment of domestic abuse victims and missing children.
The force is good at tackling serious and organised crime, saying there are a variety of effective projects in place to deter people from becoming involved.
HMIC acknowledges that the force has effective specialist capabilities and is well prepared to respond to an attack which requires an armed response and has thoroughly assessed the threat of a terrorist attack.
Deputy Chief Constable Louisa Rolfe said: "We continue to strive to reduce crime and ensure our communities are safe places for the residents and visitors of the West Midlands force area.
"We are pleased with the outcome of the report and that HMIC recognises the work we are doing.
"We acknowledge that improvements still need to be made in protecting vulnerable members of our society and we are continuing to invest in our Public Protection Unit, which has significantly increased in size in recent years and continues to do so.
"A team dedicated to finding missing people has been introduced in the past year aimed at reducing the time and resources required to return missing people to safety and providing support to prevent them from being absent again in the future."
Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said: "I welcome this report showing that West Midlands Police is effective at keeping people safe, preventing and reducing crime.
"I recognise that there are improvements that need to be made to safeguarding and will work the force bring them about."
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Man sentenced to 13 years in prison for manslaughter
A 20-year-old man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison today (Thursday) after stabbing an old acquaintance to death in a Birmingham street last summer.
Alex Habte, from Conybere Street, Highgate, was handed down the lengthy prison term after being convicted of the killing following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court.
Officers arrested him after the knife attack on 26-year-old year old Samuel Simret outside an off-licence in Summer Lane, Newtown, was clearly captured on CCTV.
Police investigating the offence, which took place at around 7.45pm on August 23, were able to trace Habte thanks to numerous eyewitness accounts and CCTV images showing a man with his distinctive ‘bun’ hairstyle stabbing Mr Simret in the chest.
They later seized shoes and clothes from Habte’s home address that matched those worn by the offender in the CCTV. Mobile phone analysis also clearly linked him to the scene.
An argument first started between Habte and Mr Simret in a coffee shop on Summer Row around 45 minutes before the stabbing took place. Mr Simret left the scene with a friend, but as they walked home past the coffee shop around half an hour later, Habte called him over to where he was now standing at a nearby bus stop.
A fight broke out between the two men, Habte produced a knife and plunged it into Mr Simret’s chest.
An ambulance was called but tragically nothing could be done to save him and he died two days later in hospital.
Police arrested Habte in Leicester on August 26.
DI Paul Joyce, who headed the investigation, said he is pleased that the sentence will take a dangerous man off the streets for a long time.
“Habte and Samuel Simret had both come over to this country from Eritrea and were well known to each other. It seems they became involved in a dispute and Habte decided to arm himself.
“Unfortunately for him, the entire sequence of events was captured on CCTV and we were able to see him leaving his home in the clothes he was later seen wearing at the time of the manslaughter, stabbing Mr Simret in the chest and then running away from the scene.
“That evidence, along with numerous eyewitness accounts from people who knew both men, meant that we were able to build a convincing case and the court has recognised that with the sentence today.
“This was a tragic case of a young man senselessly losing his life but we hope the result today sends out a message that knife crime will not be tolerated on the streets of this city and we will vigorously pursue anyone who carries a knife or uses one."
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Drivers hit with new tougher penalties in police crackdown on using a mobile phone
More than 100 motorists have been caught using their mobile phone at the wheel in just two days - as traffic cops use new stronger penalties to crackdown on distracted drivers in the West Midlands.
Officers from the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) are enforcing the tougher Government laws which mean a £200 fine and six penalty points for those caught.
A week-long police crackdown has been launched by CMPG - which is made up of officers from West Midlands, Staffordshire and West Mercia police forces - to coincide with the increased punishments which came into force on Wednesday (1 March).
There have already been 117 drivers caught for being distracted at the wheel on routes around the region - including busy stretches such as the M6, M5 and M42.
Both marked and unmarked vehicles are being used to catch motorists illegally using their phones or any other mobile technology to make calls, text or browse the internet.
This includes a white, HGV cab which allows officers to be at the same level as lorry drivers to spot those breaking the law; and look down on unsuspecting motorists in cars or other light vehicles. An officer alongside the driver is able to spot offenders and record footage for evidence.
Inspector Sion Hathaway, from CMPG, said: “Using a mobile phone has been illegal since 2003 but some motorists are still putting their own and others’ lives at risk by driving while using a hand-held device.
"It only takes a momentary lapse in concentration to cause a collision and with these stronger punishments you now stand to get six points on your licence, plus the likelihood of being banned from the road if caught twice.
"Being distracted can put road users in real danger; drivers should ask themselves how they would feel if someone was seriously injured or killed as a result of not paying attention while driving? And it could end up with the offender spending several years in prison."
Studies have found driver reaction times when using a mobile phone are 30 per cent slower than someone who is just above the drink drive limit; and 50 per cent slower than under normal driving conditions.
Research also indicates that drivers using mobile phones are four times more likely to be involved in a crash involving damage to property or serious injury.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson, who brought in the original ban on driving while on a mobile phone back in 2003, added: “These tougher penalties are welcomed by all sensible road users as driving while using a handheld mobile phone is potentially lethal.
"This is about saving lives. Studies have found that motorists who talk on their handheld phone while driving are four times more like to crash. Statistics also show that in just five years there were more than 3,000 accidents involving a driver on the phone.
"These tougher penalties are therefore only a good thing - and the vast majority of the public agrees.
"But I want it to go further. I’d like to see local groups benefit from the higher fines. It is only right that the fines from such reckless drivers help pay to keep our roads safe."
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Man charged with snooker hall murder
A man will appear in court today charged with murder after a pensioner died following an altercation at a Coventry snooker hall earlier this week.
Carl Pinder, aged 37 of Foster Road, Radford, will appear at Coventry Magistrates Court accused of killing 68-year-old Patrick Redmond.
Mr Redmond was taken to hospital following the assault at Riley’s Snooker Hall in Hertford Place, but later died from his injuries.
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Appeal to find missing woman from Sutton Coldfield
Police are currently searching for Katrina Lyon who has been reported missing from her home in Sutton Coldfield.
Although 47-year-old Katrina has been missing before, she is very vulnerable and officers are keen to return her home to her family as soon as possible.
She has links to Manchester and Scotland; having travelled to Glasgow when she has been missing previously.
Katrina - who was last seen in the Stockland Green area yesterday (Thursday 2 March) - is described as white, slim and around 5ft 2ins tall.
She has long brown hair and was last seen wearing cream ankle boots, jeans and a cream and khaki coloured jacket. However, officers believe she may have altered her appearance.
If anybody knows where Katrina is they are asked to contact West Midlands Police on 101.
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Families among those jailed in drug crime blitz
Entire families are among 62 people and sentenced to almost a century behind bars in a Sandwell blitz on drug dealers and criminals.
Mothers and sons, partners, brothers and brothers-in-law as well as cousins are among those made to pay for dealing drugs, handling stolen goods and other crimes.
Codenamed Spring Safer Six, the covert policing operation was months in the planning and was sparked by community concerns about kerbside drug dealing.
In addition to prison sentences totalling 89 years − with more yet to come - judges issued:
370 hours of unpaid work.
£1,140 in fines.
Four year-long community orders.
Four year-long supervision orders.
Two drug rehabilitation orders.
One criminal behaviour order with 17 more to be heard next month.
"With so many people appearing in court sentencing has taken over two weeks," said Chief Inspector Jane Parry from Sandwell Police.
"Typically when a person in sentenced for their crimes, that marks the end of the process. For Spring Safer Six the jail terms are just beginning!
"We’re now working with Sandwell Council to evict or warn those people who lost their right to a home when they chose to make their neighbours lives a misery by dealing drugs or committing other crimes on their doorsteps. Others have already left their council homes ahead of the imminent action.
"In March, 17 of those convicted will return to court as a judge decides whether to grant criminal behaviour orders banning them from certain areas to stop them and imposing other conditions to stop them offending when they’re released from jail.
"Our specialist Offender Management Unit is also on standby ready for the release of those targeted by the operation. They will work closely with drugs workers and others to make sure Spring Safer Six nominals stay on the straight and narrow."
With criminal proceedings complete Sandwell Police are now also looking to recover thousands of pounds in cash from nine people under the Process of Crime Act (PoCA).
The Act allows officers to seize the homes, cars and other assets - such as jewellery - of those convicted of crimes and who are unable to prove they bought the items by legitimate means.
Failure to comply with the court ordering the handover of cash can result in a further jail term.
The money recovered under PoCA is ploughed back into local community crime-fighting initiatives.
Sandwell Council Leader Councillor Darren Cooper said: "We welcome the prosecutions of these people which clearly demonstrate that crime doesn’t pay and drug dealers will be brought to justice.
"I would like to thank the police, council staff, our partners and members of the public who have helped bring this about."
Sixty-six people were arrested in six days of co-ordinated swoops across Birmingham and the Black Country in April and May 2015.
Hundreds of police officers and police staff from across the West Midlands were involved in the initiative.
To share the news of the convictions a giant mobile TV screen displaying the custody mugshots toured Oldbury, Rowley Regis, Smethwick, Tipton, Wednesbury and West Bromwich on Sunday (31 January) as officers urged people to come forward with even more information about criminals operating in the area.
To pay for their fixes, users would commit crimes like burglary and robbery stealing bikes, mobile phones and other valuables to sell on.
As part of the operation officers seized hundreds of items of suspected stolen property.
Hope Church on Marsh Lane in Hateley Heath was turned into a temporary Aladdin’s cave with victims of crime invited along to see if their valuables were some of those recovered.
The event was even streamed live over the internet by the force prompting the owners of a £2,000 electric powered mountain bike, a BMX and power tools to come forward.
To report those responsible for crime call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Four people convicted as part of Spring Safer Six will be sentenced for their crimes next month.
For advice and support breaking free from drugs visit: www.sandwell.gov.uk/healthysandwell
For exclusive photographs and films from the raids along with custody image of those sentenced visit the Spring Safer Six Flickr album.
Details of those who were found or pleaded guilty as part of Spring Safer Six:
Andrew Baker (M), 33, unemployed of Ramsey Close, West Bromwich. Handed a 12 month community order and a 12 month supervision order for being concerned in the supply of cannabis. He was also ordered to undertake 100 hours of unpaid work.
James Brennan (M), 29, unemployed of no fixed address. Adjourned until next week.
Justin Brook (M), 30, unemployed of Grace Road, Tipton, Sandwell. Jailed for 18 months for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine.
Reece Cherrington (M), 21, unemployed of Wallace Road, Bradley, Wolverhampton. Jailed for 18 months for supplying cannabis.
Brandon Coates (M), 19, unemployed of Bassett Crescent, Hateley Heath, West Bromwich. Jailed for six months (suspended for 12 months) for conspiracy to handle stolen goods.
Liam Coates (M), 21, unemployed of no fixed address. Jailed for six months for conspiracy to handle stolen goods.
Gareth Dawson (M), 29, unemployed of Sandfield Road, West Bromwich. Jailed for 22 months for conspiracy to hande stolen goods, being concerned in the supply of cannabis and supplying crack cocaine.
Daniel Delahaye (M), 27, unemployed of no fixed address. Jailed for 40 months for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine.
Gary Delahaye (M), 49, unemployed of Wellington Road, Perry Barr, Birmingham. To be sentenced 11 March for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine.
Dion Dixon (M), 25, unemployed of Wedgbury Close, Wednesbury. Jailed for 36 months for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and possession with intent to supply cannabis.
Shane Dukes (M), 21, unemployed of Arron Manby Court, Princess End, Tipton. Jailed for nine months for conspiracy to handle stolen goods.
Jacob Fogoe (M), 23, unemployed of Wyrley Road, Witton, Birmingham. Jailed for 24 months for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine.
Wendy Gibbons (F), 42, unemployed of Beacon View Road, Charlemont Farm, West Bromwich. Jailed for 24 months for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin.
Jaskirandeep Gill (M), 22, unemployed of Middle Meadow, Tipton. Handed a 12 month community order and a 12 month supervision order as well as being fined £500 and given a 30 day activity requirement.
Zoheeb Habib, (M), 24, unemployed of Wilson Road, Lozells, Birmingham. Jailed for 30 months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine.
Daquarn Hamil-Smith (M), 21, unemployed of Rollason Road, Erdington, Birmingham. Jailed for 12 months (suspended for two years) and ordered to completed 150 hours unpaid work for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine.
Philip Harper (M), 23, unemployed of Chapel Street, West Bromwich. Jailed for 10 months (suspended for two years) for conspiracy to handle stolen goods.
Claire Hickman (F), 30, unemployed of Hamstead Road, Great Barr, Birmingham. Jailed for 20 months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine.
Robert Hill, (M), 43, Unemployed of Carisbrooke Road, Wednesbury. Jailed for 32 months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine.
Stacey Hilton (F), 28, unemployed of Sandfield Road, West Bromwich. Jailed for 18 months (suspended for 12 months) with a 30 specified activity order being concerned in the supply of cannabis and crack cocaine, and possession of cannabis.
Ashley Howen (M), 29, unemployed of Hartlebury Road, Lion Farm Estate, Oldbury. Jailed for 30 weeks, fined £150 and handed an indefinite criminal behaviour order for conspiracy to handle stolen goods.
Issam Ali Irfan (M), 27, unemployed of Dale Street, Wednesbury. Jailed for 24 months for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine.
Kelly Jesson (F), 27, unemployed of Grace Road, Tipton, Sandwell. Jailed for 18 months (suspended for two years) for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine.
Jaspal Singh Johal (M), 41, unemployed of Langdon Gardens, Oldbury. Jailed for 30 months for conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply amphetamine.
Amandeep Kaur Gill (F), 23, unemployed of St Mark’s Road, Smethwick. Jailed for 32 months for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin.
Stuart Lawley (M), 30, factory worker of Young Street, West Bromwich. Jailed for 24 months for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin.
Andrew Lilley (M), 27, unemployed of Campville Crescent, West Bromwich. Jailed for 15 months for possession with intent to supply cannabis and supplying cannabis.
Darren Lilley (M), 24, unemployed of no fixed address. Jailed for 12 months for breach of an existing anti-social behaviour and conspiracy to handle stolen good.
Stacey Mansell (M), 39, unemployed of The Green, Darlaston, Wednesbury. Jailed for 28 monthsfor conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin.
Stefan Mason (M), 41, unemployed of no fixed address. Jailed for five years and seven months for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine.
Keith Melia (M), 52, unemployed of Windmill Street, Wednesbury. To be sentenced next month for conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply amphetamine and production of cannabis.
Ricky Millard (M), 27, unemployed of Campville Crescent, West Bromwich. Jailed for four months for breach of an existing anti-social behaviour order.
Edgar Milkis (M), 33, unemployed of no fixed address. Jailed for 18 months for being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine.
Anthony Noon (M), 36, unemployed of no fixed address. Jailed for 30 months for the supply of crack cocaine, breach of suspended sentence, battery, witness intimidation and obstructing a police officer.
Adam Padmore (M), 34, unemployed of Beacon View Road, West Bromwich. Jailed for 18 months for supplying cannabis and possession of cannabis.
Jasbir Singh Rai (M), 47, factory worker of Queens Road, Tipton, Dudley. Jailed for 32 months for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin.
Martyn Rawle (M), 32, unemployed of Willows Close, Cradley Heath. Jailed for 39 months for supplying crack cocaine, supplying heroin and handling stolen goods.
Andraias Reid-Watson (M), 33, unemployed of West Road, Tipton, Jailed for 26 months for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine.
Reece Roberts (M), 23, unemployed of Primrose Lane, Scotlands, Wolverhampton. Jailed for 54 months for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and possession with intent to supply crack cocaine.
Carl Russell (M), 37, unemployed of Friar Park Road, Wednesbury. Handed a 12 month community order and a 12 month supervision order for handling stolen goods.
Richard Russell (M), 23, unemployed of no fixed address. Jailed for six months for conspiracy to handle stolen goods.
Wayne Russell (M), 40, unemployed of Campville Crescent, West Bromwich. Jailed for 15 months for conspiracy to handle stolen goods, theft from a motor vehicle and breach of a suspended sentence.
Jordan Smith (M), 20, unemployed of Essex Avenue, Hateley Heath. Jailed for seven months for conspiracy to handle stolen goods and breach of an existing criminal anti-social behaviour order.
Aaron Stokes (M), 27, unemployed of no fixed address. Jailed for six months conspiracy to handle stolen goods.
Hamza Sufi (M), 24, unemployed of no fixed address. Jailed for 10 months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine.
Scott Timmins, (M), 25, unemployed of no fixed address. Jailed for 12 months for 12 months for conspiracy to handle stolen goods.
Nico Thomas (M), 24, unemployed of Inchcape Avenue, Handsworth Wood, Birmingham. Jailed for 18 months for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine.
Nicola Turner (F), 42, of Primrose Lane, Bushbury, Wolverhampton. She will be sentenced at a date yet to be set for possession with intent to supply crack cocaine.
Mahboob Raja Walayat (M), 24, unemployed of Westminster Rd, Handsworth, Birmingham. Jailed for 36 months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine.
Mark Wilkes (M), 32, unemployed of Pavillion Avenue, Smethwick. Jailed for 16 months (suspended for two years) for conspiracy to supply cocaine.
Shaun Whinnery (M), 48, unemployed of Beaconview Road, Charlemont Farm, West Bromwich. Jailed for nine months for burglary and taking a car without the owner’s consent.
Stephen Whinnery (M), 52, unemployed of Beaconview Road, Charlemont Farm, West Bromwich. Jailed for two years and nine months for supplying crack cocaine and cannabis, and conspiracy to handle stolen goods.
Craig Wise (M), 28, unemployed of no fixed address. Jailed for nine months for conspiracy to handle stolen goods.
Arfan Zafar (M), 26, of Archibald Road, Lozells. Birmingham. Jailed for 42 months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, and breach of a suspended sentence.
Three men were under 18-years-old when they committed their crimes and therefore cannot be named:
One from Hill Top, West Bromwich was handed a 12 month rehabilitation order and ordered to undertake 60 hours of unpaid work.
One from Hateley Heath, West Bromwich was jailed for six months (suspended for one year) and ordered to complete 60 hours unpaid work for conspiracy to handle stolen goods.
A third, from Bradley in Wolverhampton was jailed for 13 months for conspiracy to handle stolen goods and breach of an existing criminal anti-social behaviour order.
Four people were sentenced at the time and have completed their punishment:
A 31-year-old man from Southey Close, Willenhall, Walsall was handed a 12 month supervision order, was tagged and ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge and £145 costs for handling stolen goods.
A 33-year-old man from Wylde Crescent, Rowley Regis in Warley was fined £200 for handling stolen goods.
A 48-year-old woman from Willows Close, Cradley Heath was tagged and given a 14 day night time curfew banning her from leaving her home as well as receiving a community order and an £85 fine for cannabis production.
A 38-year-old man from Cumberland Road, Hateley Heath was handed a six month community order and ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge and £180 in court costs for production of cannabis.
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Birmingham man jailed for drug offences
A Birmingham man has been sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs on the first day of a trial at Birmingham Magistrates Court.
A warrant was executed at the Manor Road, Smethwick home of Ricardo Sterling in August last year and a palm-sized block of Crack Cocaine with a street value of £2750 was found in the 29-year-old’s Audi along with scales and other evidence of drug dealing inside the address.
Drug dealing has no place in our communities and we will continue to pursue those who seek to profit from this illegal trade.
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Police appeal following two knife attacks in Stourbridge
Police are investigating two knife attacks in Stourbridge in the early hours of this morning, which they believe are linked.
The first took place at 03:50 this morning (Saturday 4 March) when a taxi driver suffered a hand injury after being attacked by a passenger with a knife during an altercation in his cab.
This happened as the taxi was parked on the forecourt of the BP petrol station at Fieldfare Road, Grange Lane and Pedmore Road in Lye.
The passenger produced a knife and cut the driver’s hand, which resulted in the taxi then colliding with a stationary car.
The attacker, who was with a group of four or five other men and women then left the forecourt.
Police are linking this attack to the stabbing of another man who was found a short time later.
Emergency services were called to reports of an injured man in an alleyway off St Johns Road in Stourbridge town centre around 04:10 today.
The 31-year-old-man was taken to hospital, where he is being treated for two stab injuries to his stomach, one to his back and two cuts to the head. He remains in a stable condition.
Detective Sergeant Chris Jones from Force CID said It is believed there had been an earlier dispute between a group of men at a bus stop near to The Arena Nightclub, which then continued into the town centre. This resulted in a man being stabbed and a group of men and women were seen running from the scene.
"We have launched an investigation and so far it’s clear that both attacks are linked. We have officers at both locations carrying out forensic and house to house enquiries. I am appealing for anyone who may have seen either attack or who has any information to contact us on 101.”
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Underground online pirates sentenced to 17 years
Five members of an underground piracy group who illegally released the latest blockbusters onto the web have been jailed for more than 17 years.
Officers from West Midlands Police Economic Crime Unit and the West Midlands Government Agency Intelligence Network (GAIN) supported a landmark investigation which was led by the Federation Against Copyright Theft ( FACT )
Picture - clockwise from top left - Reece Baker, Ben Cooper, Sahil Rafiq and Scott Hemming
The case marks the first time that organised ’release groups’ have been prosecuted.
The five men sought on-line recognition for being the first to illegally source and release the latest films or for producing the ‘best’ illegal quality copies.
Over a number of years the groups illegally released more than 2,500 films. On just one of their sharing websites there had been millions of downloads costing the industry millions of pounds.
During the sentencing hearing all five men accepted that they had caused total losses in excess of £5 million, each accepting a loss of more than £1 million.
Sahil Rafiq, Reece Baker, Graeme Reid, Ben Cooper and Scott Hemming, all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud on 28th January 2015 and were sentenced to imprisonment at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Thursday 17th December. The sentences are detailed below:
• Rafiq, 25 from Wolverhampton received 4 years and 6 months.
• Baker, 23 from Birmingham received 4 years and 2 months.
• Reid, 41 from Chesterfield received 3 years and 6 months.
• Cooper, 34 from Wolverhampton received 3 years and 6 months.
• Hemming, 27 from Birmingham received 2 years suspended sentence.
The five men were arrested at their homes on 1 February 2013 following an investigation by FACT with support from West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit (WM ROCU) and officers from Derbyshire, Hertfordshire and GAIN.
Kieron Sharp, Director General of the Federation Against Copyright Theft, said: “This sentencing is a great success for FACT as it marks the first time a release group has been criminally prosecuted. Rafiq, Baker, Reid, Cooper and Hemming were all aware that they were engaging in criminal activity. Their actions have now cost them their liberty.
“The result of this case sends out a serious message to anyone engaging in online piracy to think twice or face getting caught, prosecuted and sent to prison.”
Regional GAIN Co-ordinator Jason Grove, from West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit commented: “This highlights how seriously we are taking this sort of criminal activity and just how closely police are working with partner agencies such as FACT to tackle organised crime.”
“The multi-agency approach adopted by WM ROCU and the GAIN Network shows just how effective we can be when sharing our information and working together.”
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Over 1,000 people apply for Police Community Support Officer posts
More than 1,000 people applied to become the face of community policing across the West Midlands in the latest recruitment drive.
The force opened PCSO recruitment in January – and for the first time ever West Midlands Police offered its potential new recruits the chance to achieve a professional qualification while they work.
The force is looking to enlist 150 new Police Community Support Officers by 2020, alongside the recruitment of 800 officers and 200 specialist staff over the next three years.
Of the 1014 applicants, 61 per cent were men while 31 of the potential recruits were aged over 50. Nearly 30 per cent of all applications were from black or minority ethnic communities.
As part of the force’s new way of working, every successful PCSO applicant will be placed on a professional development programme which will see them gain a Level 3 qualification in Customer Service.
The force also worked with the Job Centre Plus to encourage applications from members of local communities seeking a pathway back into work by helping candidates with some of the skills required to build confidence and improve their performance during application and interview.
Ali Layne-Smith, the force’s new director of People and Organisation Development is delighted so many people are interested in a police career. “This recruitment programme marks a new focus for us as a force, as we offer a whole development programme aimed at helping people progress in their career with us,” she said.
“It’s heartening to see that we have received so many applications – particularly across the whole spectrum of communities, ages and faiths groups that call the West Midlands home.”
The programme is a pilot for the force as part of the People Deal and will launch with the placement of the new PCSOs on their Neighbourhood Policing Units from July 2017. At that stage the new officers will have already completed their six week PCSO training at Tally Ho.
The study should take approximately 18 months to fully complete and will be largely work based, where individually assigned assessors will visit candidates at their police base to develop and assess competence and knowledge for the qualification, that is closely aligned to the redefined PCSO role.
The PCSO professional development programme will be co-ordinated by the West Midlands Police Recruitment Team and the qualification will be delivered by South & City College.
Each new recruit will join a neighbourhood policing team, placing them at the heart of our communities, dealing with issues that affect the lives of people who live and work across the West Midlands.
The PCSO recruitment drive follows closely on the heels of our recent campaign to recruit the first wave of 800 PCs into the force by 2020. The force received a total of 3266 applications from members of the public, plus a further 118 submissions from current members of West Midlands Police staff and the region’s Special Constabulary. Of the 3266 external applicants, 2300 were men and 966 were from women while 33 per cent of the potential recruits are from minority ethnic communities.
Chief Constable Dave Thompson said: “The area we police is richly diverse, with around 30 per cent of local people coming from ethnic minority backgrounds. We want our force to reflect that and it is key that communities know that we have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
“The fact that over 1000 of the PC candidates and 300 of the PCSO applicants are from BME backgrounds is hugely encouraging.”
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Police appeal for Sandwell clubbers to get in touch after man suffers head injury
Police are appealing for clubbers who were out in West Bromwich last night to contact them with information after a man suffered serious head injuries in the town centre.
Officers were called to the Bing Club in Victoria Street around 0230 this morning (Sunday 5 March) following reports of disorder at the club.
On arrival, they found a 27-year-old man with serious head injuries outside the premises.
He has been taken to hospital where he is currently being treated. A doorman was also treated for minor injuries to his head during the fracas.
Detective Sergeant Lynsey Damms from Force CID said: “Enquiries are on-going at the scene, one man was seriously injured during the disorder and I am appealing for anyone who was at the club or anyone who was in the vicinity in the early hours and who saw anything to contact us on 101.
“We have officers are carrying out forensic and local investigations including examining CCTV.”
A 27-year-old man arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault has been bailed while enquiries are on-going..
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Public urged to help communities defeat terrorism with new campaign
West Midlands Police is supporting a national campaign launched today (6 March) by Counter Terrorism Policing urging the public to act on their instincts to help tackle the terrorist threat.
The campaign is called “Make Nothing Happen” and focuses on the critical role the public can play in defeating terrorism. This is the first campaign under a new branding platform called ACT - Action Counters Terrorism. It urges the public to report suspicious activity to help police bring dangerous offenders to justice and prevent terror attacks in the UK and overseas.
At a time when the scale, volume and complexity of the terrorism threat continues to grow police are advising the public to ACT to report any potential suspicious activity or online content they come across and are concerned about.
Last year a record number of people contacted the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline, with the service receiving more than 22,000 calls. Officers hope this number will continue to increase if more can be done to encourage people to call or report online.
The campaign is the result of recent research with the public looking into their attitudes towards CT policing. Over 80 per cent said that it was important for communities to work with the police to prevent terrorism. Yet a quarter said they might not report their suspicions because they were afraid of wasting police time, whilst 39 per cent weren’t sure what is meant by ‘suspicious behaviour’.
‘Make Nothing Happen’ will see a six week national marketing campaign running across radio and digital channels. Supported by national and regional media activity this activity will highlight what to report and how to do it.
The message is clear: “Don’t worry, don’t delay, just ACT” by:
• Reporting suspicious activity to the police by calling or visiting the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321 or gov.uk/ACT
• Reporting online terrorist and extremist material online by clicking on gov.uk/ACT
• Remaining alert at home, work and when out and about, so we can all play our part in defeating terrorism and keeping everyone safe
The campaign will be launched in the West Midlands by Chief Superintendent Matt Ward, Head of West Midlands Counter Terrorism used, who said: “Communities can be confident that West Midlands Police, together with our partners, is continually working hard to safeguard the public.
“We want to reassure communities that they shouldn’t be concerned about wasting police time or getting someone into trouble. We encourage the public to work hand-in-hand with the police, acting as our eyes and ears and reporting anything that concerns them and help keep us all safe.”
As part of the campaign, the public will see increased public awareness activity which involves a two-part podcast series telling the inside story of how terrorist attacks were foiled, radio adverts urging the public to act and report their concerns and three short films describing what happens when someone makes a call or online referral. Follow @WMPolice and @TerrorismPolicing to stay updated and spread the message with #ActionCountersTerrorism.
Although part of West Midlands Police, WMCTU is a regional unit – one of five across the country that form the counter terrorism policing network.
Most of the unit’s work is based within the West Midlands Police area but it can also be assigned responsibility for investigating cases anywhere in the country.
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Two arrests after baseball bat attack
Two men have been arrested following an investigation into a serious assault in Aston last month.
An investigation was launched after a 20-year-old man was attacked with a baseball bat on Chester Road industrial estate on the evening of 16 February.
And today (6 March) following extensive enquiries two men aged 23 and 35 were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
The injured man remains in hospital where he continues to recover from his injuries.
Anyone with information that could help the investigation is urged to contact the investigating officers by calling West Midlands Police on 101.
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Man's death in Sparkbrook being treated as unexplained
An area of Stratford Road near to the junction of Camp Hill Circus, Sparkbrook has been cordoned off after a man was found with serious injuries last night (6 March).
Officers were called to an address on the Stratford Road at around 9.55pm following reports that a man in his 50s had fallen from a flat window.
Unfortunately nothing could be done to save his life and he was later pronounced dead at the scene.
CCTV is being looked at and house to house enquiries are being carried out in the area to establish what happened.
The death is being treated as unexplained and an investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding the fall.
Anyone with information is asked to call 101.
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40-years jail for Coventry drugs gang – latest success for #OpBlueSteel
Members of a Coventry crime family have been jailed for a total of 40 years after a West Midlands Police probe busted their drugs empire.
A year-long investigation revealed network lynchpin Tavaseen Iqbal ran the drugs business – which supplied cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy – from behind bars at HMP Featherstone in Wolverhampton.
The 24-year-old – jailed in December 2015 for six years for firearms and drugs offences – used mobile phones smuggled into the prison to direct cousin Saif Iqbal and receive regular updates on deals they’d struck.
Saif (23) from Ransom Road, Foleshill, co-ordinated the supply chain and managed ‘safe houses’ from where the drugs were distributed.
Detectives launched an enquiry into the nine-strong group following concerns raise by members of the public about the men and addresses they used.
It uncovered links to Haroon Tasharat (33) from Dunbar Avenue; Rohan Patel (22) from Alum Close; and 23-year-old Mahmud Ali from St George’s Road who also played parts in the conspiracy and kept the drugs business rolling around the clock.
An address in Humber Avenue was identified as the main preparation centre where Dahiru Barka (28), along with brothers Elijah (19) and 22-year-old Samuel Enenche-John, lived and allowed their home to be used to weigh and bag-up orders.
Seven of the men were arrested during synchronised raids on 13 July last year. Patel was arrested later after returning from abroad, while Rohaib Iqbal – Saif Iqbal’s brother – was arrested in September after picking up the business reins following the other arrests.
All nine admitted involvement in the drugs supply chain and were sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday (March 3).
Tavaseen and Saif Iqbal were both jailed for six years eight months; Patel and Ali handed five year eight month sentences; Tasharat imprisoned for four years, and Barka three years four months after they all admitted conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs.
The two Iqbals were also banned from driving for five years and have been bound by a Criminal Behaviour Order for the next eight years.
Conditions of the order include restricting them to a maximum of two mobile phones – a move designed to hinder any future drug dealing – and they are forced to provide police with details of any cars they own or drive.
Samuel and Elijah Enenche-John were handed one year and one year two months jail terms respectively for allowing their home to be used in drugs preparation, while Rohaib Iqbal was given three years four months for drugs supply.
Coventry Police Sergeant Lesley Meade, said: “This was a well-established drug gang who would have caused untold misery to people across Coventry, profiting from other people’s suffering.
“Over the course of the operation we seized 1.2kg of cocaine and MDMA and nearly a kilo of cannabis, plus £12,000 in cash, but it’s likely they processed far more drugs and money during the running of the business.
“We seized three mobile phones from Tavaseen when his cell in HMP Featherstone was raided.
“We’re thankful to the community members who raised their concerns and sparked our investigation. Such information is vital in our fight against crime; we will always take it seriously and take action where we can.”
The investigation formed part of Operation Blue Steel – a concerted clampdown on organised crime and crime families operating in the city.
#OpBlueSteel sees police, the local authority, housing providers, DVLA, probation, the Dept for Work & Pensions and other organisations working together to disrupt gang members and, where possible, press criminal charges.
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Police appeal for information following Stourbridge assaults
Police in Stourbridge are appealing for information following two assaults in the early hours of Saturday morning (March 4) which they believe could be linked.
Officers have released CCTV images which they think could be key to finding the people responsible for the attacks, which left two men injured.
The first incident took place at around 3.30am when a taxi driver picked up a group of two women and two men on Hagley Road in Stourbridge, who asked to be dropped off on the Wrens Nest Estate in Dudley.
The group said they had no money so asked the taxi driver to stop at the BP petrol station on Pedmore Road so they could get some cash. However, when they got back in the cab they said they still had no money to pay the fare so the driver said he would be taking them back into Stourbridge town centre.
However, the group then began to attack the inside of the taxi and the driver. The driver’s left arm was grabbed through the small plastic window inside the cab, resulting in an injury to his left hand. As the driver tried to fend off the attackers, he lost control of his taxi and collided with another stationary vehicle.
The two women then ran off and the two men opened the front doors of the taxi and demanded cash from the driver, before punching him and running away along Pedmore Road.
The driver was left extremely shaken.
All members of the group were white and aged between 20 and 22. The men were around 6ft tall and one was wearing a black top, with yellow and white on the front. The other man was wearing a black top. Both of medium build.
Officers were called out for the second time at around 4.10am to reports of an injured 31-year-old man in an alleyway off St John’s Road, Stourbridge.
He had left a local nightclub at around 3.20am and was walking along Hagley Road to get a taxi home when he has saw a group of two women and several men, slightly ahead of him, on the same side of the road.
As the man began to walk past the group he was punched in the head and fell to the floor. While still on the floor, he received repeated blows to his ribs and back before he managed to get up and run off. He then fell over again and was subjected to another assault by the group. He eventually ran off into a nearby alleyway, where he managed to call emergency services.
During the sustained attack the man received two wounds to his head and three stab wounds to his body. He has since been discharged from hospital but remains extremely shaken by the incident. He describes the group as being white and aged in their 20s.
DC Simon Cooper, who is investigating, said: “These were two really nasty attacks and we are currently investigating the possibility they were carried out by the same group. We have good CCTV images of a number of people we want to speak to in connection with the assaults and we are urging members of the public to get in touch if they recognise any of them or if they have any information at all about what happened.”
Anyone with information should call DC Simon Cooper on 101 quoting crime number 20DY/45311X/17 for the taxi driver assault or 20DY/45315K/17 for the second incident.
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Appeal for witnesses after serious motorcycle collision
Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a motorcyclist was seriously injured in a Solihull collision yesterday (7 March).
Officers were called by the ambulance service to Chester Road near to Solihull Parkway at around 9am following reports of a motorbike in collision with an Audi A3.
The 23-year-old cyclist was taken to hospital with life changing injuries.
The road was closed for several hours while emergency services dealt with the collision and they are now appealing to anyone who saw what happened or was in the area at the time to come forward.
Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from the regional Collision Investigation Unit, said: "This collision happened on a very busy main road and there would have been motorists who would have seen what happened and we need them to come forward.
"The injured man is being treated for serious injuries and the driver of the Audi was spoken to at the scene.
"We will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision and we would urge people to come forward with information."
Anyone with information that could help the investigation can email DS Paul Hughes at FL_COLLISION _INVEST@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk
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Man to appear in court charged with Sutton Coldfield arson
A 43-year-old man is due to appear in court this morning accused of setting fire to a flat in Sutton Coldfield while people, including two young children, were still inside.
Unemployed Quinton Brown from Redway Court, Mount View, Sutton Coldfield, will appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court charged with arson with intent to endanger life and assault by beating.
A three month old baby girl and 18 month old boy along with two women were rescued by emergency services from the flat in Redway Court at around 2pm on Monday (6 March). All were treated for minor injuries.
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Murder update: Man stabbed sister and mother before turning knife on himself
A man killed his sister and critically injured his mother in a knife attack at a Wolverhampton flat before turning the knife on himself, West Midlands Police can confirm.
Police were called to a high-rise block in Leasowes Drive, in the Merry Hill area of the city, at around 9.45am today (Weds 8 March) following reports a knifeman had attacked two women in a property.
Officers stormed the first floor apartment, in Highfield Court, and used stun grenades to distract the attacker and detain him.
A woman aged 33 was found with fatal stab wounds and pronounced dead at the scene, while the 36-year-old attacker – the woman’s brother – is understood to have turned the knife on himself and also died a short time later.
Their 59-year-old mother was taken to hospital with serious stab wounds to her abdomen; she has undergone surgery but remains in a critical condition.
One officer suffered a minor knife injury to his arm, while another suffered a leg injury sustained during the operation.
Wolverhampton Police Superintendent Keith Fraser, said: “Our officers knew there was an armed man behind the front door of that flat; they acted swiftly and with huge courage to quickly gain entry and later detain the man.
“Local officers, response colleagues and firearms officers were all involved in the operation.
“This is a truly shocking incident and our sympathies go out to the friends and family of those involved.”
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating the incident after being notified by West Midlands Police.
Post mortem examinations are scheduled for tomorrow.
Investigating officer, Detective Inspector Warren Hines, added: “We’re working hard to get to the bottom of exactly what happened. Anyone with information they believe could help our enquiry, anything that may have happened in the hours or days before this tragic event, I’d urge them to get in touch with me.”
Anyone with information can call DI Warren Hines via the 101 number.
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