News Room

Latest news Bouncer jailed for one-punch killing at charity event 27/04/2016 A bouncer has been jailed for assaulting guests at a charity event and punching one man dead with a single blow. Nicolas Salhan (pic red top) was among security staff hired for the party in Samsons Banqueting Suite, Oldbury, thrown by organisers on 21 November last year to raise funds for a fire-damaged temple. But instead of keeping order Salhan and fellow doorman Jonathan Davies were shown on CCTV cameras lashing out at guests they deemed were hanging around and not leaving the venue quickly enough. At one stage 37-year-old Salhan – from Haybridge Avenue in Stourbridge – swung a punch a…

Latest news Appeal for information after motorcyclist is left for dead 27/04/2016 Police are appealing for information after a motorcyclist was "left for dead" in a Birmingham hit-and-run earlier this month. It is believed that a green Volvo C70 hit the motorcyclist on a mini roundabout in Hoggs Lane, Northfield at around 1.20pm on 11 April. The driver did not stop and left the motorcyclist lying injured in the road. The 23-year-old sustained life changing injuries and continues to be treated in hospital for a serious leg injury. Shortly after the collision the Volvo was found burnt out on Gannow Green Lane in Rubery. Police investigating the collision are appea…

Latest news Distracted drivers caught during motorway police crackdown 27/04/2016 More than 130 motorists were caught using their mobile phone at the wheel in a police crackdown on distracted motorway driving. Officers from Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) used an unmarked HGV cab to help spot drivers committing traffic offences and risking accidents in the West Midlands region. The three-week operation to tackle bad driving behaviour saw 274 vehicles stopped on the M5, M6 and M42 - of which 207 were HGVs - by motorway police. There were a total of 310 offences reported with 133 for using a mobile phone and 138 for not wearing a seatbelt. Other reasons…

Latest news "Speeding fine liars risk prison" - police warning as graduate jailed 27/04/2016 A university graduate has been jailed for perverting the course of justice by lying to police over a speeding fine…and all to avoid three points on her licence. Ayesha Ahmed, from Baptist End Road, Netherton, was caught speeding in her BMW twice inside five minutes by the same mobile camera parked near her home in St Peter’s Road. But rather than accept a driver awareness course, a fine and a three-point endorsement she paid £450 to a man who claimed he could exploit a “legal loophole" that would enable her to escape punishment. Both Notices of Intended Prosecution (NIP…

Latest news Tattoo artist jailed for Coventry biker gang shooting 20 years ago 26/04/2016 A man who shot a DJ in the face after being asked to leave a pub in Coventry 20 years ago has been jailed for three years after being found guilty of wounding. Anthony Stephens, who was a member of biker gang ‘The Outlaws’, fired the bullet at his victim at The Plough on London Road on the morning of Sunday 20 October 1996. It ricocheted around the then 31-year-old’s skull and became lodged in his brain where it has remained ever since, causing long-term damage. Stephens fled to Ireland immediately after the shooting where he went into hiding. He was arrested when he came bac…

Latest news Carer jailed for stealing cash from vulnerable man 26/04/2016 A carer has been jailed for stealing cash from a vulnerable man in Dudley to fund a trip to America to meet someone she had met online. Sarah Grey was working as an assistant care co-ordinator for Dudley Council when she was appointed to ensure that the 50-year-old’s finances were appropriately looked after. But instead of helping manage his money, the 44-year-old encouraged him to take out a loan and then pocketed the money for herself. Grey, from Lapwood Avenue, Kingswinford, stole more than £7,000 between April 2014 and March 2015, running up a credit card bill that she had applied for in…

Latest news Soldier charged with supplying cocaine in Wolverhampton 26/04/2016 A serving soldier in the British Army has been charged with three counts of supplying Class A drugs in Wolverhampton last year. Oliver Bramwell, aged 22, of Rosemount Gardens, Ackleton, is accused of providing cocaine to three men on the morning of 13 December 2015 after a night out in the city. One of the men, Kieran Bainbridge, aged 20, collapsed in the Moon under the Water on Lichfield Street. He was in a coma at hospital and died three days later. A coroner subsequently ruled his death was caused by a cocaine-related irregular heartbeat. Bramwell has been bailed to appear at Wolv…

Latest news Birmingham teenager in court on terror charge 25/04/2016 A Birmingham teenager has been charged with a Syria-related terror offence. Humza Ali, from Bromford Lane in Ward End, appeared at Birmingham Crown Court today (Mon 25 April) to face one count of preparing for acts of terrorism contrary to Section 5 of the Terrorism Act. The 19-year-old has previously been charged with distributing a terrorist publication contrary to Section 2 of the Act and a separate offence under Section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act. He was remanded into custody and is set to stand trial for all matters on 20 November at Birmingham Crown Court. View the full article

Latest news Police appeal to trace thieves who targeted elderly man 25/04/2016 Police investigating the theft of £250 from an elderly dementia sufferer, have issued CCTV stills of two men they want to trace. The 76-year-old man was targeted by the thieves after they stopped him in an alleyway Market Street, Kingswinford on the afternoon of Saturday 2 April. They showed him a map and asked for directions and while he was distracted stole £250 from his pocket. PC Paul Bunford from Dudley Police said, “We want people to come forward and tell us if they recognise these two men- they deliberately approached the man, who was elderly and vulnerable –if anyone knows wh…

Latest news Body found in search for missing Coventry student Ozi Akerele 25/04/2016 A body found in a disused churchyard in Coventry on Thursday (21 April) is thought to be that of missing student Ozi Akerele. Officers were called to the Foleshill area of the city after human remains were found by a member of the public in dense undergrowth off Albert Fearn Gardens. Formal identification will happen at the earliest opportunity but detectives believe it to be Ozi. A post mortem carried out on Friday was inclusive and further tests will be carried out to establish the cause of death although detectives do not believe it to be suspicious. The area was sealed off w…

Latest news Jail sentence for robber armed with imitation firearm 24/04/2016 A man who tried to commit robberies while armed with an imitation firearm has been jailed for 12 years - after being found hiding in a shed by West Midlands Police. Ahmed Harun Ahmed threatened a shop worker and was part of a gang who left a family terrified in their own home as they tried to steal cars. Balaclava-clad Ahmed demanded cash from a staff member at Shah Foodstore in Bordesley Green on 22 March last year. Ahmed said he would fire the weapon, which was wrapped in a carrier bag, but fled empty-handed once the worker refused to hand over money. A search of nearby Henry Barber Pa…

Latest news Concerns grow for missing man from Harborne 24/04/2016 Police are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of a man who has gone missing from his home in Birmingham. Anthony Collins, aged 68, from Court Oak Road in Harborne, was last seen at around 10:30am yesterday (Saturday 23 April). He is described as white, 5ft 5ins tall, slim build, he has brown eyes, bushy hair with a sliver streak and a full grey beard. He was last seen wearing dark blue trousers and a blue jacket. Inspector Adam Brown, from Birmingham South Police, said: “Anthony has been missing overnight in cold conditions and needs medication which he doesn’t have, we’re really conce…

Latest news Interview: “My baby saved my life" - docs found brain tumour after officer’s 38-hour labour 24/04/2016 A labour lasting almost 40 hours is the stuff of nightmares for most expectant mums - but for West Midlands Police detective Catherine Dell her exhausting stay in the maternity unit was a life saver. That’s because just hours after daughter Jessica was born Catherine suffered a seizure - and when doctors ran tests they found a golf-ball sized tumour on her brain. It meant her maternity leave away from the force’s Economic Crime Unit - where she tackles fraud cases and has helped put serial con artists behind bars - was spent in and out of hospital and…

Latest news Jail sentences for Birmingham pickpocket gang 23/04/2016 Members of a Birmingham pickpocket gang who stole mobile phones from pubs, shops and restaurants across the country have been jailed. They slyly swiped phones from tables after covering the valuables with menus and leaflets - a tactic known as ’table surfing.’ West Midlands Police worked with officers from Thames Valley Police in Oxfordshire to trace the men using CCTV and intelligence. The gang of five were charged with conspiracy to steal in relation to 24 thefts, with 18 linked to table surfing. Elisai Paun (20) of Botha Road, Bordesley Green; and Vasile Dinu (19) of Rogers Road, Ward End, were j…

Latest news Award for brave bobbies who saved pensioner from house fire 23/04/2016 Three heroic officers who rescued an 89-year-old woman from a house fire in Coventry have been commended for their bravery. Sergeant David Langston and PCs John Ward and Lorraine Velvett fought through thick smoke to find the pensioner and pull her to safety. Their actions were recognised at the Pride of Coventry & Warwickshire Awards 2016 − at a Belgrave Theatre ceremony this week (19 April) − where they picked up the Outstanding Bravery accolade. Pictured with the Award are Sgt Langston and PC Velvett Sgt Langston, aged 40, PC Velvett, 43, and PC Ward, 36, sprang into act…