News Room

Latest news PSCO given 12 month community order after admitting fraud 15/03/2016 A West Midlands Police community support officer has been given a 12 month community order and a fine after admitting she changed her NVQ qualification to a higher grade while applying to join the regular police force. Samantha Skinner, aged 24, who was based at Walsall police station, was also handed a 12 month supervision order and told she must complete 60 hours of unpaid work when she appeared at Birmingham Crown Court today (Tuesday 15 March). She had earlier pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation. Ms Skinner had been suspended from the force and was due to face internal…

Latest news Man convicted of murder of teenager in Coventry nightclub 15/03/2016 A man has today been found guilty of stabbing an 18-year-old to death at a Coventry nightclub – exactly one year ago. Tobijah Thompson, of no fixed address, was found guilty of the murder of teenager Daniel Kirkwood at Society nightclub in Tower Street on 15 March 2015 following a nine week trial. Three other men, Hasham Ali, of Amberley Green in Birmingham, Ezra Scott, of Hawksyard Road in Erdington, and Ramez Murtaza of Bordesley Green East in Bordesley Green, pleaded guilty to being involved in the violent disorder that resulted in Daniel’s death. Murtaza also admitted assaulting Da…

Latest news Serial fraudster jailed for conning residents with hospital lies 15/03/2016 A thief who conned cash out of big-hearted residents with fake sob stories of ill relatives has been jailed after West Midlands Police linked him to a string of deceptions. Gurtake Singh, from Scribers Lane in Hall Green, preyed on the goodwill of people in east Birmingham – predominantly elderly folk – by claiming he desperately needed taxi money to visit family members in hospital. The 37-year-old pocketed cash ranging from £20 to £350 from people in Hall Green, Acocks Green, Moseley and Sparkbrook between June and 7 October last year. On two occasions he drove pensioners – …

Latest news Missing from Stourbridge, Laura Richards (16) 13/03/2016 We’re continuing with searches for Laura Richards, 16, who has gone from Stourbridge. Laura - who has been missing many times before - disappeared at around 2.30pm on Friday 11 March. She is originally from Coventry and only recently moved to Stourbridge. Laura is white, 5’ 4" tall and thin with long straight hair dyed blonde. She has brown eyes. At the time of her disappearance Laura was wearing white Adidas Superstar trainers, blue jeans, a light-grey Converse tracksuit top and a black jacket with fur on the collar. We’re working hard to find Laura and have spoken to her friends and fa…

Latest news Court: Man to charged after petrol station attack 13/03/2016 A man is set to appear before Coventry magistrates tomorrow (Monday 14 March) accused of attacking a 36-year-old and leaving him in hospital. Unemployed Marcin Scherer, 41, of Fusilers Close, Stoke, Coventry will appear before the court charged with grievous bodily harm and cannabis production. Officers were called to a petrol station on Binley Road shortly before 6am on Saturday 12 March following reports of a disturbance. A 36-year-old local man was found with serious head injuries. Anyone with information which may aid the on-going inquiry should call Detective Sergeant Joel Mildinha…

Latest news Six arrested at Wolves v Blues derby 13/03/2016 West Midlands Police has praised the majority of football fans following the local derby football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Birmingham City football clubs this afternoon (Sunday 13 March). The event took place successfully although there was a small disorder as supporters were leaving the stadium around the Stafford Street area. This was quickly contained, an investigation launched and there have been six arrests. Those arrested were two 17-year-old boys and men aged 53, 52, 30 and 23. They have all been bailed with strict conditions pending further investigation. Chief Inspector Nick Rowe …

Latest news Man arrested in Coventry attack investigation 12/03/2016 A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following an attack in the Stoke area of Coventry. The 41-year-old local was arrested at his home at 7.30am this morning (Saturday 12 March) just one hour after a 36-year-old man was seriously assaulted. Initial inquiries suggest that both men know each other. “Although the attack is believed to have happened elsewhere, we were called to a petrol station on Binley Road shortly before 6am following reports of a disturbance on the forecourt,” said Detective Sergeant Joel Mildinhall, from West Midlands Police. “Officers attended and found t…