News Room

Latest news Historical Sex Abuse: A survivor’s story 20/01/2017 An historical abuse survivor repeatedly raped by her mother’s partner more than 30 years ago has thanked the West Midlands Police team that fought for her justice − and urged other victims yet to break their silence to reach out for help. In a heartfelt letter to the specialist Historical Sex Offences Team, the woman praised her investigating officer’s “outstanding kindness and dedication" and for “allowing the little girl I once was a chance to have her voice heard". Stock Image The woman, who was 12-years-old and living with her mother in south Birmingham when the attacks started in 1979, kept t…

Latest news Pensioner dies in Birmingham collision 19/01/2017 Police are asking for witnesses to come forward after a man died in a collision in Edgbaston on Tuesday evening (17 January). The 75-year-old was crossing Croftdown Road opposite St. Faith & St. Laurence Church when he was struck by a silver Vauxhall Astra around 10.45pm. Unfortunately nothing could be done to save him and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Astra, a 62-year-old Quinton man, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and has been bailed while enquiries continue. Sergeant Alan Hands, from the Regional Collision Investigation Unit, said: "We are …

Latest news Till receipt leads police to doorstep robber 19/01/2017 A robber who attacked a pensioner on his own doorstep has been jailed for more than four years - after officers tracked him down from a till receipt he dropped at the scene. Leon Johnson pinned his victim to the floor and landed several blows to the head before taking his wallet in Pool Farm Road, Acocks Green, on 14 December last year. The victim, aged in his late 70s, suffered cuts to his head and a severely bruised eye socket as Johnson fled with a wallet containing a small amount of cash. A delivery driver came to the aid of the plucky pensioner who initially tried to chase after the robber …

Latest news Securing justice for survivors of historical sex offences 19/01/2017 A specialist West Midlands Police team established to investigate historical sex offences has dealt with almost 300 cases in its first year – and secured justice for some survivors who suffered abuse up to 50 years ago. The Historical Sex Offences unit was created in December 2015 in response to a surge in the number of people breaking their silence over abuse they suffered in the past. It’s an increase attributed to the “Savile-effect” – with survivors speaking out as a result of the high-profile Jimmy Savile enquiry – but also encouraged by successful prosecutions secured against sex…

Latest news Armed burglar and girlfriend jailed 18/01/2017 A burglar who used a gun in a terrifying house robbery has been jailed for 12 years. Calvin Hunt, 29 of Truro Walk was found guilty of Chelmsley Wood robbery at Birmingham Crown Court last week. Hunt broke into the Longley Walk property on 7 July 2014 and threatened the family with a gun. He fired a shot which embedded itself in a kitchen work top. The family fled the house and Hunt searched the property stealing a handbag. He fled the scene in his car and then a few hours later reported it as stolen, but he also convinced his girlfriend, Safiyah Benjamin, to provide him with a false alibi, hoping this wo…

Latest news Man arrested on suspicion of murder as woman’s body found in flat 18/01/2017 A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman was found with fatal stab wounds at her home in Walsall this morning (Wednesday 18 January). Police were called to Gomer Street, Willenhall, just before midday along with ambulance colleagues who pronounced the woman dead at the scene. The 46-year-old local man was arrested from a car outside the property and remains in police custody. The scene has been cordoned off while forensic examinations take place. Detectives are not looking for anyone else in connection with the woman’s death. View the full article

Latest news Man jailed after employee plunges to his death 18/01/2017 A Birmingham businessman was sentenced to 30 months in prison for corporate manslaughter yesterday (17 Jan) after a man plunged to his death from a factory roof. Mafizur Rahman (pictured), aged 32, pleaded guilty to the charge at Birmingham Crown Court in December and has now been sentenced for the gross negligence which led to the death of 29-year-old Tomasz Galwaz on 5 January 2015. He was also fined £144,000 and ordered to pay costs of £44,600. Mr Galwaz and a friend were employed by Rahman in December 2014 to carry out repairs to the roof of the Al Amin warehouse in Aston owned by his brother…

Latest news Father charged with murder of his two children 18/01/2017 A father has been charged with the murder of his two children almost three months after they were found dead at their family home in Hamstead. Endris Mohammed was last night (Jan 17) interviewed by detectives for the first time since his release from hospital where he was being treated for burns suffered during a car fire in Staffordshire. The 46-year-old, of Holland Road, has now been charged with the murder of Saros Endris, aged eight, and six-year-old Leanor Endris. He is also accused of attempted murder of the children's mother Penil Teklehaimanot. Mohammed will appear at Walsall Magistra…

Latest news Teen louts convicted of taxi stone attack 17/01/2017 Four teenagers have been convicted of hurling stones through a taxi window − and leaving a 70-year-old passenger with a fractured skull. Shocking CCTV footage from inside the taxi shows the moment a rock smashes through the window, sending glass shards flying through the cab, and striking the woman on her forehead. Birmingham Youth Court heard how the young louts − one aged 15, two 16 and a 17-year-old − pelted at least seven black cabs with stones as they travelled along Bristol Road on 25 May last year. The three younger defendants all denied involvement but were found guilty of causing wounding an…

Latest news Police investigating car-jackings release new CCTV in fresh appeal 17/01/2017 In December we released a number of appeals in relation to car-jackings in the Birmingham area. Two men were arrested and are currently on bail. Officers have since recovered two of the stolen vehicles; a Ford Kuga from Pentos Drive in Sparkhill and a grey coloured Ford Focus from Overton Close in Hall Green. The cars had false number plates and were used to steal petrol from the Shell Garage, Stockfield Road on numerous occasions. A third car, a silver Ford Focus VK11 GPO, was also captured making off without payment from the garage and failed to stop for officers the foll…

Latest news Driver jailed for mowing down police officer in car 17/01/2017 A motorist who mowed down a police officer – sending him flying as he sped away from a suspected drug deal – has been jailed for assault and dangerous driving. Mohammed Asim (pictured) careered into Sergeant Alan Hands in Wolverhampton Road, Dudley, as he and a foot patrol colleague approached a VW Golf they believed was being used to peddle drugs. He reversed at speed, crashing into a rubbish skip, before accelerating and clipping Sgt Hands – who smashed the driver’s window with his baton in an attempt to stop the car – as he made for the car-park exit. The vehicle’s owner, Yasmeen Naila, …

Latest news Six more charged over prison disorder 17/01/2017 Six more people have been charged in connection with a large-scale disorder at HMP Birmingham last month. Nathan Weston, 22, and Ross Wilkinson and Luke Mansell, both 23, are to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court today (Tuesday 17 January) accused of prison mutiny. Carl Brookes, aged 32, is also due to appear at court to face the same charge along with another of taking a photograph without authorisation. Two other inmates Grant Samed, 30, and John Burton, 39, have also been accused of prison mutiny and are due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court on 23 January. There have now been eight peopl…

Latest news Dudley garage owner jailed after sexually assaulting a client 16/01/2017 A Dudley garage owner has been jailed after admitting sexually assaulting a client and then intimidating her into dropping the charges against him. Robert Parke, aged 52, from Valmour, Bromley in Pensnett was sentenced to four years and four months imprisonment at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 12 January for sexual assault and perverting the course of justice. The sentence also includes three unconnected counts of sexual activity to which Parke also pleaded guilty. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life. The court heard how Parke, who owned the former RP Auto…

Latest news Sandwell man jailed for sexually abusing boys 16/01/2017 A Sandwell man who preyed on young boys by sexually abusing and filming them, has been jailed for seven years and five months. Stuart Langford, aged 35 from Cherry Road, Tipton, targeted vulnerable young boys, offering them money and gifts in order to control and sexually abuse them. Langford pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court, to two counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a child, one count of attempting to engage in a penetrative sexual act with a child, causing a child to watch a sexual act, voyeurism and making an indecent image of a child. He …

Latest news Appeal for key witness following New Year's Eve collision 16/01/2017 Police investigating a fatal collision that took place on New Year’s Eve are appealing for a key witness to come forward. The collision took place just before 8pm on Saturday 31 December at the junction of Hagley Road West and Wolverhampton Road, Sandwell. A number of witnesses have already been spoken to, however, one key witness remains outstanding. Sergeant Paul Hughes said: “This witness was a woman driving a car that was waiting to turn right from Hagley Road West into Wolverhampton Road South. I know she did stop and speak to other witnesses at the time, however she was unabl…