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Latest news Appeal after man dies following robbery in Wolverhampton 22/10/2016 Detectives are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a man who was detained by members of the public following a suspected robbery in Wolverhampton. Police received a 999 call just after midnight on Sunday 16 October reporting a bag had been snatched from a woman in Stafford Street, Oxley. Two men, who witnessed the crime, had detained a man and were asking for police to attend. Officers arrived and arrested the 29-year-old. He then became unwell and officers began to perform CPR until paramedics arrived to take over. The man was taken to hospital but died on Wednesday (19 Octo…

Latest news Wife pays tribute to 'beloved' husband stabbed in Kingshurst 21/10/2016 The wife of a man who died following a stabbing in Kingshurst, Birmingham earlier this week has paid tribute to her ’beloved’ husband. Giovanni Lewis, was dropped off outside A&E at Heartlands Hospital on at around 7.40pm on 18 October with a serious stab wound. Medical staff battled to save the 28-year-old but he was pronounced dead just before 9pm. A post mortem revealed that he died of a stab wound to the heart. The wife of Giovanni has issued a tribute to her husband, she said: "My heart has been ripped apart, Giovanni was my gentle giant and my beloved husband. "Words can…

Latest news Sandwell teen convicted of murder 21/10/2016 A Sandwell teenager has been jailed for life for killing a man and injuring another following a dispute over a stolen television. Nineteen-year-old Demarco Martin, from Campville Crescent, Stone Cross, was convicted of the murder of Darren Parker, aged 43, and wounding his step-son, Sean Varden, aged 23, on 6 April this year. Unemployed Martin had stabbed his neighbour Sean Varden in the chest after he went round to his flat to ask whether he had stolen a TV from his wall next door. As Sean collapsed to the floor with a punctured lung, his step-father, Darren Parker was also attacked and stabbed four …

Latest news Former West Midlands Police officer convicted of child sex offences 21/10/2016 A former West Midlands Police officer has been convicted of dozens of sex offences against children over a 38 year period, the majority of which were committed while he was a serving PC. During the course of two trials at Birmingham Crown Court Allan Richards was exposed as a dangerous and predatory paedophile who exploited his position as a policeman to rape young boys. The 55-year-old, from the Tile Cross area of the city, also spent most of his life as a scout leader and used this respected position in the community to commit many of his crimes. Richards - who retired a…

Latest news Crime in the West Midlands is up but remains below the national average 20/10/2016 The number of crimes recorded by West Midlands Police has risen - but the increase is lower than the national average. Figures released by the Office for National Statistics today (Thursday) show a six per cent rise in the 12 months up to June this year - compared to eight per cent across England and Wales. Reports of non-domestic burglaries have fallen by eight per cent and drug offences by two per cent. Although violent crime has gone up by 19 per cent and possession of a weapon by 17 per cent in line with the national picture. Domestic burglary has seen a 10 per cent…

Latest news Police appeal to trace missing West Bromwich man 19/10/2016 Police are appealing for information to help trace a man who has been missing from his home for almost a week. Lukasz Szczygiel, aged 24, was last seen by his family after he left his home in Walter Street to go shopping. The Polish national, known as Lucas, is described as white and around 6ft tall. He has short shaven dark hair, brown eyes and a clear complexion. He was a dark mole on the left side of his upper lip. He was last seen wearing dark trousers, a grey zipped top, a dark jacket and dark shoes. He may be in possession of a silver push bike. PC Helen Bailey, from Sandwell Police, sa…

Latest news Coventry collision victim named 19/10/2016 A young girl who died in a Coventry collision yesterday (Tuesday 18 October) has been named as Sophia McDonald. The seven-year-old local girl was hit by a slow moving red skip lorry as she crossed Henley Road with her mother around 4pm. Her family have spoken of their grief and described their little girl. They said: “She was a beautiful angel, the happiest child with a beautiful cheeky smile. She was a very loving, kind hearted, happy-go-lucky little girl who loved her family. We are devastated at her loss.” Meanwhile police have appealed for witnesses to the collision to come forward. Sergeant Alan Wood, …

Latest news Murder arrest after man dies from stab wound 19/10/2016 A man has died after attending Heartlands Hospital last night (18 Oct) with stab injuries. The 28-year-old was dropped at A&E in a car by a member of the public at around 7.40pm with a serious stab wound to the chest. Medical staff battled to save the man − who is believed to have been attacked in Hadfield Way, Kingshurst − but he was pronounced dead just before 9pm. A 27-year-old man from Shard End was arrested last night in connection with the incident and is currently being held in police custody. West Midlands Police Detective Chief Inspector Caroline Marsh, said "We’re still working t…

Latest news Three charged in Karl Swift murder 19/10/2016 Police investigating the death of Karl Swift in Halesowen, have charged a man with manslaughter. Dean Hartley, aged 29 from Burnaby Crescent, Sheffield, will appear before Dudley Magistrates Court today (Wednesday 19 October). Two other men arrested in connection with Karl’s death have been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice. Dean Hartley (snr), aged 51 from Chaucer Road, Sheffield, and Lee Ardron, aged 29 from Broad Inge Crescent, Sheffield, have been bailed to appear before Walsall Magistrates Court on 18 November. Karl Swift, aged 33 from Yorkshire, was found with serious hea…

Latest news Campaign launched as darker nights return 19/10/2016 West Midlands Police has today (19 October) launched a burglary campaign aimed at spreading important safety advice before the clocks go back and the dark evenings start drawing in. As we approach the longer evenings, officers are asking people ‘who are you welcoming into your home?’ to encourage householders to take a few simple steps to ensure their homes are secure. [embedded content] The campaign, ‘ Darker Nights ’ has its own dedicated webpage with advice on how to keep your home safe. This is being backed up by a host of posters and postcards which are being distributed across the region remindin…

Latest news Appeal following fatal collision in Coventry 19/10/2016 Police are appealing for witnesses after a child died following a collision on Henley Road, Wood End, in Coventry yesterday (18 October). Officers were called at around 4pm following reports that a 7-year-old girl had been hit by a slow moving red skip lorry as she crossed Henley Road with her mother. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, nothing could be done to save the little girl. Sergeant Alan Wood, from the Regional Collision Investigation Unit, said: “The investigation is in its early stages and enquiries are continuing. I would appeal to anyone who witnessed what happened or has any i…

Latest news Man charged after fatal collision in Coventry 18/10/2016 A driver who is alleged to have been involved in a collision that resulted in the death of a pedestrian in Coventry earlier this year has been charged. An investigation was launched after 73-year-old Leonard Steptoe was hit by a car on Sewall Highway on 28 April and later died of his injuries. Roman Lasmanis, 41, of St Austell Road, Coventry, was arrested following the collision and was charged on Sunday 16 October with causing death by dangerous driving. The machine operator will appear at Coventry Magistrates Court on 17 November. View the full article

Latest news Drugs dealer jailed for 14 years 18/10/2016 A Wolverhampton drug dealer who dressed in designer clothes, despite claiming benefits and having no discernible income, has today (Tuesday 18 October) been jailed for 14 years. Ishmail Lee, aged 29 from Leicester Street, Whitmore Reans was arrested by police at an address in Winson Green, Birmingham in March 2016. Following searches, officers found Lee had thousands of pounds worth of designer gear, plus £20,000 in cash and approximately £2,000 of cocaine was recovered from his car. Lee, who claimed to be a mobile barber, was convicted of two counts of conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin following a we…

Latest news Police name man who died in knife attack 18/10/2016 Detectives have named a Brierley Hill man who was stabbed in the stomach at the weekend as Mansoor Mahmood. A murder inquiry was launched after the 24-year-old was found outside Dixi Chicken diner on High Street, Brierley Hill at around 4.45pm on Saturday 15 October and later died in hospital. A forensic post mortem examination revealed he died as a result of a stab wound. Detective Inspector Harry Harrison, from West Midlands Police’s Homicide Team, is leading the investigation and continues to appeal for information. He said: "We are still piecing together the circumstances of Mr Mahmood's death…

Latest news Six convicted of running illegal multi-million pound brothel following WMP raid 18/10/2016 Six people have today (Tuesday 18 October) been sentenced for running a multi-million pound brothel after it was busted by West Midlands Police. Officers raided the Libra Club in Summer Hill Road, Birmingham, in February 2015 after investigations showed the venue was attracting up to 200 customers a day. [embedded content] The club - which was advertised as a massage and relaxation premises - was connected to serious disorder including an arson attack where a petrol bomb was thrown at the front entrance and when gunshots were fired at the premises. Raids wer…