January 25, 2024

Urgent Appeal After Distressing Burglary in Chesterfield

Derbyshire Constabulary is urgently seeking information after an elderly woman experienced a distressing distraction burglary in Chesterfield, resulting in the theft of a substantial amount of cash.

The incident unfolded on December 31, 2023, when an individual approached the victim at her residence on Cartmel Crescent. The man claimed to be authorised by a neighbour to conduct repair work and requested an upfront fee of several hundred pounds. The victim, trusting the explanation, handed over the money before any work was commenced.

On January 16, 2024, around 16.00 GMT, the same man returned accompanied by a younger accomplice. They entered the woman’s home, asserting the need for an additional cash advance to cover material costs for the agreed-upon work. While the elderly woman retrieved the cash from a safe in another room, the older man followed her, instructing her to bring the money to be counted in the presence of the younger man.

During this moment, the older man seized a cash box containing a substantial sum, and both perpetrators fled the property. Despite the victim’s attempt to chase them, they managed to escape in a car parked on Coniston Road.

The older suspect is described as a white male in his 50s or 60s, wearing a blue/grey jumper, a black anorak, and a flat cap. He spoke with an Irish accent. The younger accomplice, also white, was taller than the older man, standing between 5ft 9ins and 6ft tall. He had fair hair, a middle parting, and wore jeans with a checked shirt.

Authorities are urging anyone in the Cartmel Crescent and Coniston Road area with relevant information or dash cam footage to come forward. Additionally, they are keen to hear from the driver of a white Citroen DS3, believed to be a driving instructor, as they might have valuable information to assist in the investigation.

If you have information, please contact Derbyshire Constabulary, by calling 101 quoting reference 24*32126.

Information can also be shared anonymously with the independent charity CrimeStoppers at 0800 555 111.

Family of Beckenham Woman Murdered by Boyfriend Feels Cheated After His Death in Prison

The family of a Beckenham woman who was stamped to death by her boyfriend say they feel cheated after he died just six years into a life sentence.

Paula Newman was 20 when her “obsessive and violent” partner Kane Boyce murdered her in a row over her Facebook password.

Boyce, who was 13 years older than Paula, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 20 years in 2015.

It has now been revealed that Boyce died in prison on October 3, 2021, the day after his 41st birthday.

He was found ligatured and unresponsive in his cell but an inquest jury found he did not intentionally take his own life.

A coroner said that multiple failures by prison staff probably contributed to his death.

Paula’s sister-in-law, Lauren, speaking on behalf of the family, told the UKNIP: “When we found out Kane was dead there was so much anger. He hadn’t even done a third of his sentence.”

“Controlling, obsessive and violent”

On November 12, 2013, Boyce murdered Paula by punching her, kicking her and stamping on her head in New Addington.

In 2015 a jury at the Old Bailey were told this was because she had stopped him from reading her online messages.

Boyce later claimed she had fallen out of his BMW but this was described as “a tissue of lies”.

He admitted manslaughter but denied murder, but a jury found him guilty of murder.

Boyce, who lived on Aviemore Close in Beckenham, had been in a relationship with Paula for seven months.

Paula had learning difficulties which made her even more vulnerable, and Boyce was over a decade older than her and a foot taller.

Paula’s family described her as beautiful, kind, fun and caring (Image: Supplied)Lauren said: “I think she thought she’d found her Prince Charming. But all of a sudden it changed from a fairy tale to a nightmare and by that time it was too far to get her out. He had got his claws into her.”

He was described as “controlling, obsessive and violent” during the trial.

The court heard that Boyce had a history of violence towards women, especially his former partners.

Some of this had led to convictions for assault but most of his victims were too scared to take things further with police, the trial had been told.

Lauren said: “After her death we heard from people who said they were scared of Kane. He was a drug dealer and he was violent.

“Anyone who knew him before Paula knew he had been violent towards several previous girlfriends. Unfortunately we didn’t know any of that.”

Since Paula’s death, her family have tried to promote Clare’s Law – a domestic violence disclosure scheme which enables police to disclose an offender’s history of abusive behaviour to their partners.

“Paula wasn’t aware of it and this could save lives in the future. Kane definitely went under the radar with his history of violence and there was a catalogue of events where he beat and controlled women,” Laura said.

“It’s just so heart-breaking that it took Paula’s death for people to finally open up about who Kane really was.

“He was obviously very very good at manipulating and lying to people. The ultimate truth is that he was a monster.”

Kane’s death

When Paula’s family were told about Kane’s death in prison, Lauren said the immediate feeling was of anger.

He was sentenced to life with a minimum of 20 years but died six years into the sentence.

“Paula’s brothers felt like they’d been cheated out of that time. They fought hard to get justice and then he couldn’t even do a third of the time,” she said.

A coroner has raised concerns about Kane’s death after an inquest found that multiple failures by prison staff probably contributed to his death.

Kane Boyce died at HMP Lowdham Grange in Nottinghamshire (Image: Met Police)On October 2, 2021, he was celebrating his 41st and was drinking prison brewed ‘hooch’ – which is particularly dangerous because the potency of the alcohol cannot be determined.

Staff suspected he was under the influence of alcohol but did not follow the prison’s under the influence policy

He was left unobserved for over an hour and a half while intoxicated and officers ignored him pressing his cell bell to get their attention.

Kane was found unresponsive at 1.49am on October 3 and was pronounced dead shortly after.

An inquest jury found that Kane did not intentionally take his own life and that multiple failures by prison staff probably contributed to his death.

At the time of Kane’s death, HMP Lowdham Grange in Nottinghamshire was run by Serco, a private company. Serco did not make any admissions of failings in relation to Kane’s death at the inquest.

A coroner expressed concerns about “a number of issues which continue to pose a risk of death to prisoners at the prison in the future.”

A prevention of future deaths report called on the prison’s new private provider, Sodexo, to take action.

Update on Missing Man Ian: May Be in Whitstable

An update has been issued one week after a man went missing from Orpington.

Ian, 60, was last seen on Friday, January 19 and police are concerned for him.

Kent Police have now said that they believe he may be in the Whitstable area.

If you see him, police ask that you call 101 quoting 24MIS002365.

Bromley MPS tweeted: “Ian, 60yo, is missing from Bromley/Oprington.

“He was last seen on the 19/01/2024 and we are concerned for him.

“If you see him, please call 101 quoting 24MIS002365.”

Kent Police added: “Have you seen this man reported missing?

“Officers in MPS Bromley believe he may be in Whitstable.”

Manhunt in New Cross: E-fit Image Released in Sexual Assault Case

An e-fit image of a man alleged to have sexually assaulted a woman in New Cross has been released by police.

A woman in her 30s was followed while she was walking home from New Cross station at 2.50am on December 16.

The suspect emerged from behind a skip in front of the woman in Jerningham Road.

He continued to walk alongside her for some time and at the junction of St Asaph Road, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her.

Detective Constable Marissa Harrison is leading the investigation and is keen for anyone who recognises the man pictured, or who may have been in the area at the time and saw something suspicious.

She said: “We take every incident of sexual assault extremely seriously and are committed to targeting predatory offenders. Women should be able to walk home safely on our streets without fear of being assaulted and so it’s crucial that we find this man.

“Were you in the area at the time? Did you see a man following a woman? Or maybe you live in the area and recognise the man pictured in the image?

“Please share any information or concerns you have with us as it could be vital information to help us in our investigation.”

At this stage, officers believe this to be an isolated incident.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting CAD XX, or to remain anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: “Detectives have released an E-FIT image of a suspect they need to trace in connection with an alleged sexual assault in New Cross Gate.

“A woman in her 30s was walking home from New Cross Station at around 02:50hrs on Saturday, 16 December 2023 when a man started following her.

“In Jerningham Road the man emerged from behind a skip in front of the woman.

“He continued to walk alongside her for some time and at the junction of St Asaph Road, he allegedly sexually assaulted her.”

British Army Boosts Battlefield Mobility with New £150M Support Bridges

The British Army’s battlefield mobility is set to receive a significant enhancement with a new £150 million contract for military-grade general support bridges, securing 300 jobs in the UK. KNDS UK (Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Nexter), a Stockport-based company with a history of manufacturing military bridge systems, will deliver the support bridges based on their Dry Support Bridge design.

These bridges, extending up to 46 meters – equivalent to the length of five buses – and capable of carrying the weight of the Army’s future tank, the Challenger 3, will play a crucial role in crossing both wet and dry gaps on the battlefield. This capability ensures the safe movement of personnel and equipment, facilitating the resupply of forward fighting elements and providing aid in disaster relief situations.

Replacing the BR90 ABLE system previously in service, the new bridges will be interoperable with other NATO partners’ systems, allowing for shared resources during joint exercises and deployments. Minister for Defence Procurement James Cartlidge highlighted the contract as a significant step forward in military capability, fostering interoperability with NATO allies and securing hundreds of jobs in Stockport.

The £150 million contract for General Support Bridges falls under Project TYRO, which aims to improve the mobility of future Armoured Brigade Combat Teams and equipment across varied terrains. The bridges will be mounted on Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicle (RMMV) HX2 tactical trucks, making them one of the world’s most technically advanced and rapidly deployable military bridge systems.

Defence Equipment & Support Fires, Infrastructure & Manoeuvre Support (FIMS) Portfolio Lead, Mr. Mark Bunyan, underlined the critical role of military equipment bridging in successful operations, stating that Project TYRO GSB will provide the UK with a significant operational advantage.

Col Adam Foley, SRO for Military Engineering Capability, expressed satisfaction with the collaboration between industry and NATO partners, noting that Project TYRO GSB addresses current and future bridging requirements effectively.

Ian Anderton, Managing Director of KNDS UK, expressed delight that the British Army would join the growing community of Dry Support Bridge users, stressing the bridge’s proven capability manufactured in the UK and exported globally. The project also marks over 50 years of KNDS UK serving as a prime contractor to the UK Ministry of Defence, reinforcing their commitment to supporting UK Defence Capability.

15-Year-Old Charged Over Fatal Stabbing of Teen in Birmingham

A 15-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of Muhammad Hassam Ali, a 17-year-old who was fatally stabbed in Birmingham city centre. The incident occurred just before 15.30 GMT on Saturday afternoon, and despite immediate medical attention, Ali succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to the hospital.

The charged teen is set to appear before Birmingham Magistrates Court today, as confirmed by authorities. Meanwhile, a second 15-year-old boy, also implicated in the incident, has been released on police bail with strict conditions.

The investigation remains ongoing, Detective Inspector Michelle Thurgood, from the Homicide unit, expressed condolences to the victim’s family and friends while stressing the continuation of their inquiries.

Thurgood stated, “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Muhammad. We have now charged a boy over Muhammad’s death, but our enquiries continue. We are still keen to speak to anyone who was in the area on Saturday just before 3:30 pm and would urge anyone with information to get in touch.”

Authorities encourage the public to contribute to the investigation by providing any relevant information through Live Chat on the West Midlands Police website (west-midlands.police.uk), calling 101, or contacting Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111. Those reaching out are requested to quote reference number 2619 of 20/1/2024.

UK Government Announces Ban on XL Bully Dogs

In a bid to safeguard public safety, the UK government is set to implement a comprehensive ban on XL Bully dogs starting February 1. Owners of these dogs, failing to meet stringent conditions, will face criminal charges and unlimited fines, according to an official announcement.

The decision to outlaw XL Bully dogs comes in response to a troubling surge in dog attacks and fatalities attributed to this specific breed. Effective February 1, possession of an unregistered XL Bully will result in legal consequences, prompting a response from owners to ensure compliance.

To address the existing population of XL Bully dogs, owners have a narrow window of less than one week to register their pets. The registration system for this breed will close at noon on January 31, and owners must secure their certificates by this deadline.

Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss stressed the urgency of registration, stating, “Please do not risk leaving it to the last minute if you want to keep your dog; you should register it now.” Owners are also given the option to arrange for their XL Bully’s euthanisation by January 31 if they choose not to comply with the registration requirements.

Registered XL Bully owners must adhere to strict restrictions, including microchipping, keeping the dogs on a lead and muzzled in public spaces. Additionally, owners are mandated to neuter their pets, with a deadline of June 30 for most dogs and the end of 2024 for those under one year old.

The government stresses the importance of early registration and encourages owners to review guidelines and photo examples of XL Bully dogs to determine their breed classification. The ban does not apply to dogs clearly identified as belonging to other established breeds.

For up-to-date information and guidance on complying with the ban, owners can refer to the dedicated page on the official government website: [Prepare for the ban on XL Bully dogs – GOV.UK](www.gov.uk).

Royal Mail’s Redirection Service: Ensuring Your Mail Follows You to Your New Address

Moving means ticking off a never-ending checklist – including notifying everyone that you have changed address.

Between packing boxes and picking up the keys for your new pad, one checklist item you won’t want to forget is notifying the Royal Mail of your change of address.

The mail service does offer a “Redirection” service which allows your mail to move with you whether you are moving to another part of the UK or abroad.

You can use this Redirection service regardless of whether you’re a personal or business customer.

Why do I need to change my address with Royal Mail?

It’s important that you change your address with Royal Mail so:

You don’t miss any important documents, letters or notices

You don’t let your personal details fall into the wrong hands and become a victim of fraud

You receive home mover offers

Does it cost to redirect my post?

Yes, redirecting your post to any UK or abroad address for 3, 6 or 12 months from £36.00.

The Royal Mail has advised customers that is does offer concession prices for some personal customers.

These are lower than the standard Redirection prices to those on Universal Credit or Pension Credit.

Here’s what you need to know about redirecting your post with the Royal Mail ( PA) (Image: PA)

What do you need to Redirect your post?

There are a few key things that you will need to redirect your mail, according to the postal service.

Firstly, you will need to supply the names and dates of birth of everyone in the household who needs their mail redirected.

You will also need to provide the address and postcode of both your old and new addresses.

The Royal Mail also explains that you need to provide at least 5 working days’ notice of the date you want your Redirection to start.

Additionally, you will also need a valid credit or debit card.

How do I redirect my post with the Royal Mail?

You have a choice, you can log in or register your Royal Mail account to apply with the Redirection form online.

Alternatively, you can apply and buy in person from your closest Post Office.

Shocking Home Explosion in Beaumont Leys, Leicester

A quiet cul-de-sac in Beaumont Leys, Leicester, has been cordoned off by police after a sudden and shocking “explosion” at a home left one man with serious injuries. The incident has prompted a rapid response from emergency services, and authorities are currently investigating the cause of the explosion. Leicestershire Police issued a social media statement, […]

Brighton Police Warn Businesses of Rising Refund Scam

Brighton and Hove Police are warning local businesses about a rising refund scam plaguing the area. Scammers, using cloned or stolen credit cards, are manipulating card transactions to defraud businesses. The scam involves the fraudsters purchasing items and then discreetly altering the transaction amount on the card machine to a much higher value when the cashier is distracted.
The scammers subsequently return, claiming they were overcharged, and cunningly request a refund to a different card. This deceptive practice not only results in financial losses for businesses but also compromises the security of individuals whose card details have been stolen.
Police urge all businesses in Brighton to remain vigilant and monitor their transactions closely, especially for any manual adjustments on card machines. Business owners and employees are advised to report any suspicious activities or transactions immediately to the authorities.
The police are determined to crack down on this fraudulent scheme and protect the local business community. If you have any information regarding this scam or witness any related activities, you are encouraged to call the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 47230017351
Read more on www.Sussex.News

Day: January 25, 2024