Cnwa - We 9 Dec 2018 - Cheshire News And Appeals
Cheshire Neighbourhood Watch Association
Week ending 9th December 2018
Cheshire News & Appeals
Latest Cheshire News
Constabulary completes body worn video roll out
A total of 1,600 officers at Cheshire Constabulary are now using body worn video cameras following the completion of a force-wide roll out.
The cameras are being worn by officers and PCSOs across the county and are already proving to be an essential piece of operational kit by promoting public reassurance, preventing harm and often deterring people from committing crime and anti-social behaviour.
In April 2018 Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane agreed to fund the purchase of the high definition cameras for all frontline officers. This followed on from body worn video initially being introduced to Cheshire’s firearms officers, Taser officers and football spotters. There are now around 1,200 cameras and 200 docking stations across the force, meaning that every officer who comes on shift has access to a camera. The majority of officers wear the cameras on their chest, with firearms officers sometimes wearing them on their headwear when deployed to an incident.
Since the full roll out began earlier this year the force has seen a number of benefits. These have included footage being used to support charging decisions and examples of the risks being faced by frontline officers when dealing with violent people.
Superintendent Luke McDonnell, who has led the roll out, said: “Body Worn Video is significantly improving the opportunity for officers to gather good evidence and we have already seen a number of incidents where it has been used to great effect. As well as supporting investigations, the footage has also helped clear up complaints we have had against officers and demonstrated the dangers our officers are facing when attending certain types of incidents. We are delighted that our frontline officers and PCSOs now have access to this valuable piece of kit to help them deal with the challenges of modern day policing.”
Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane went out on patrol with officers in Chester back in August to receive a demonstration of the new kit. Following the completion of the roll-out he said: “I’m really pleased to have been able to fund the roll-out of body worn video for every frontline police officer in Cheshire as part of one of my key priorities to have ‘a force fit for the future’. There is no doubt that this kit is providing extra protection for officers and the public by capturing assaults on police officers and other people on camera. It is also pleasing to see that since its introduction, body worn video has been used to support investigations which is ultimately saving a great deal of time and money for both Cheshire Police and the courts.”
Warrington man jailed for armed robbery at petrol station
A man from Warrington has been jailed after carrying out an armed robbery at a petrol station in the town.
Jason Williamson, of Ramsay Close, Birchwood, pleaded guilty to charges of robbery, threatening a person with a bladed article in a public place and possessing a drug of class B (cannabis). The 24-year-old was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday 27 November.
The charges relate to an incident at Oakwood Gate Service Station in Birchwood in the early hours of the morning on Sunday 21 October. At around 4.20am Williamson went into the garage, threatened an employee with a knife and demanded money from the tills. After stealing a quantity of cash and cigarettes Williamson demanded that the garage worker deleted CCTV footage. At this point there was an altercation between the two men and the garage worker managed to flee the service station, leaving Williamson inside. The employee called the police and, after attending the scene and reviewing CCTV footage, officers identified Williamson as the offender. He was subsequently arrested at his home, where officers found a quantity of cannabis.
Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Sophie Davies said: “Williamson subjected the garage worker to a terrifying ordeal, threatening him with a knife and shoving him around as he attempted to steal cash and cigarettes from the service station. Thankfully he was able to escape Willamson’s clutches as he demanded that CCTV footage be deleted. Had the garage worker not done so the consequences of this incident could have been far worse. I am delighted that Williamson has received a substantial custodial sentence and I hope that this brings some closure to the victim. I also hope that the sentence serves as a deterrent to other people and stops them from committing similar crimes and I would like to thank the officers who have been involved in the investigation for all their hard work to secure this prosecution.”
On top of his custodial sentence Williamson was ordered to pay a £170 victim surcharge.
Runcorn man jailed after driving his car at a police officer and damaging vehicles in Widnes
A man from Runcorn has been jailed after driving his car at a police officer and crashing into several vehicles while on bail for a previous dangerous driving offence.
Ian Barton, of St Pauls Close, was sentenced to 22 months in prison at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday 30 November.
At around 12 noon on 27 December 2017 police officers witnessed the 27-year-old driving his car through red lights at speed and crossing into a lane containing oncoming traffic near to Whiston Hospital. As the area was heavily populated officers took the decision that it was too dangerous to continue pursuing the vehicle. Approximately an hour later Barton was arrested at his home on suspicion of dangerous driving.
Barton was subsequently charged with the offence and released on bail. He failed to turn up at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday 23 October in answer to the charge. Aware of Barton’s no show, an officer driving a marked police car in Widnes attempted to arrest him in a cul-de-sac on Southway at around 9pm on Tuesday 30 October. The officer had spotted Barton in his car and approached the vehicle on foot. After being told that there was a warrant out for his arrest, Barton refused to get out of his locked car. Attempting to escape capture, he then drove it forward into the officer’s vehicle before reversing it at speed into parked cars. Fearing for his safety, the officer struck the windscreen on the driver’s side with his police baton, causing cracks which would have obstructed Barton’s view. Barton then mounted a pavement, knocked over some street furniture, hit a fence post and a residential gate and drove into the police car again, this time in reverse. He then drove forward at the officer, forcing him to jump out of the way. As the officer pressed his police panic alarm he witnessed Barton collide with other parked cars before attempted to flee on foot. The officer caught up with Barton a short distance away on Montgomery Road, where he was arrested and found to be in the possession of cannabis. Barton’s actions caused extensive damage to the police car. They also left four parked cars with significant damage.
Barton subsequently pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving in relation to the incidents in Whiston and Widnes. He also admitted a charge of common assault in relation to driving a car at a police officer, as well as a charge of being caught in possession of cannabis.
Following his sentencing, which saw Barton banned from driving for four years and 46 weeks and ordered to pay a £140 victim surcharge as well as be handed a custodial sentence, Detective Constable Vicki Abraham said: “I welcome the sentence that has been handed to Barton and I hope that it acts as a warning for other potential offenders. Barton put the lives of innocent motorists at risk by driving at speed through red lights and into oncoming traffic in Whiston. And while on bail for his dangerous driving he put a police officer at risk of serious harm by driving his car at him as he attempted to evade arrest. Thankfully the officer was able to jump out of the way of Barton’s car and arrest him, but not before he had driven back and forth in an erratic manner numerous times and caused substantial damage to the officer’s vehicle and four parked cars. Through his dangerous and reckless actions Barton showed no regard for anyone else’s safety or property and he is now facing the consequences of his actions in the form of a fully justified custodial sentence.”
Merseyside man charged with stealing tools from vans in Ellesmere Port & Neston
A 47-year-old man has been charged in relation to tools being stolen from vans in the Ellesmere Port Local Policing Unit area. Colin Dixon, of Fenderside Road, Prenton, Merseyside, has been charged with two counts of theft from a motor vehicle. He has been released on conditional bail and is due to appear at Chester Magistrates’ Court on Friday 21 December. The charges relate to incidents at The Parade in Parkgate, Neston, on Friday 23 November and on Elm Street in Ellesmere Port on Saturday 1 December.
Trio charged with shoplifting offences in Crewe
Three women have been charged in connection with shoplifting offences at a store in Crewe. Lorraine Keenan, 35, and Kerry Anne Keenan, 26, both of Falconwood Way in Manchester, and Bernadette McCormack, of Cheshire Square, Stalybridge, have all been charged with theft from a shop. They have been released on conditional bail and are set to appear at Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 27 December. The charges relate to an incident at a store on Grand Junction Way in Crewe on Thursday 6 December.
Birkenhead man jailed after stealing cash and bank cards in series of overnight visits to Ellesmere Port
A man from Birkenhead has been jailed after admitting stealing cash and bank cards from vehicles during a series of overnight visits to Ellesmere Port.
Daniel Greatrex pleaded guilty to three counts of stealing from a motor vehicle and four counts of fraud. The 43-year-old also admitted taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent and driving it without a licence and insurance. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison at Chester Crown Court on Friday 7 December.
The total of 10 charges relate to five overnight visits to Ellesmere Port – on 11, 23 and 31 October 2018 and on 5 and 7 November 2018. On each occasion Greatrex left his home in Parkfield Avenue in Birkenhead to get the last train to Capenhurst Railway Station, arriving after midnight. He then walked around the estates off the A41 Chester Road in the Great Sutton area stealing anything of value from cars that were not locked. Greatrex stole clothes as well as cash and bank cards, which he used to make fraudulent transactions totalling around £500 in Birkenhead. On one occasion he drove a Mercedes car back to his home town having found it unlocked with keys inside. On all his other overnight visits to Ellesmere Port Greatrex got the first train back to Birkenhead in the morning.
Detectives investigating the incidents identified Greatrex as the offender. He was arrested arriving at Capenhurst Railway Station after midnight on Friday 9 November and was subsequently charged with the offences.
Detective Constable Stuart Wood, of the Ellesmere Port Local Policing Unit, said: “Greatrex thought he could act with impunity, arriving at Capenhurst Railway Station on the last train and then stealing items from unlocked cars under the cover of darkness through the night as residents in the Great Sutton area were asleep. On one occasion he even took a car, and as well as thefts he made fraudulent transactions using bank cards he had stolen. Thanks to the hard work of those investigating the incidents, we were able to identify Greatrex as the offender, arrest him and charge him with 10 offences. He pleaded guilty to those offences and we are delighted that he has now been jailed for his offending and hope that the sentence he has been given deters others from committing similar crimes. The case highlights the need for us all to ensure that our vehicles are locked at all times and I would like to thank everyone involved in the investigation for their hard work in securing this conviction.”
Greatrex asked for 34 similar offences to be taken into consideration by Chester Crown Court when sentencing him. On top of the custodial sentence he was given Greatrex was ordered to pay a £140 victim surcharge.
Latest Cheshire Appeals
Appeal for witnesses following fatal collision in Twemlow Green
Officers from Cheshire Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward following a fatal collision in Twemlow Green. The incident, which involved a silver Honda Jazz and a pedestrian, occurred shortly after 5.40pm on Saturday 1 December on the A535 Chelford Road. Sadly the pedestrian, a 25-year-old man from Essex, sustained fatal injuries and passed away at the scene. His next of kin has been informed and they are being supported by specialist officers. The driver of the car was uninjured. Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing officers are keen to hear from anyone who believes they may have witnessed the collision or has any information which may help the investigation. Anyone with information in relation to the collision should call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting IML 257139, give the details via https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. To submit dashcam footage go online at www.cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/roads-and-vehicle-safety/submit-dashcam-footage .
Detectives appeal for witnesses to Upton burglary
Detectives investigating a burglary at a house in Chester are appealing for witnesses to come forward. At some time between 4.30pm and 6.30pm on Monday 3 December four men broke into a house on Upton Park in Upton through the back door. After ransacking every room in the house the men stole the keys to a blue Audi S3 parked outside. The burglars then drove away from the house in the stolen blue Audi and a black Audi. The men were described as wearing dark clothing with hoods pulled up. Detective Sergeant Danielle Knox, of Chester Local Policing Unit, said: “While our enquiries continue I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen a blue and black Audi driving together out of Chester after 6.30pm. I would also encourage anyone who may have seen four men acting suspiciously around the time of the burglary to get in touch and call 101.” Please call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting IML 258951, give the details via https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. If you have dashcam footage please submit by following the instructions in this link https://www.cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/roads-and-vehicle-safety/submit-dashcam-footage/ making sure you quote IML 258951.
Detectives appeal for witness following attempt arson at shop in Warrington
Detectives investigating an attempted arson at a shop in Warrington are appealing for a witness to come forward. A blue Fiat 500 was parked outside Dutch Lux on Padgate Lane at 6.20pm on Monday 12 November when two men entered the shop and poured petrol inside. The men attempted to set the shop alight before running away. Officers are appealing for the owners of the car to come forward as they may have information to help with their investigation. Detective Constable Sophie Davies, of Warrington CID, said: “While our enquiries continue to find those responsible I am appealing to the owner of the blue Fiat 500 to come forward. You may have seen these men and have information – no matter how small – to help us with our investigation. I would also urge people to cast their minds back to this day and whether they saw two men acting suspiciously around the time of the incident to call 101.” Please call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting IML 239563, give the details via https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. If you have dashcam footage please submit by following the instructions in this link https://www.cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/roads-and-vehicle-safety/submit-dashcam-footage/ making sure you quote IML 239563.
Witness appeal following fatal collision in Middlewich
Officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward following a fatal collision in Middlewich. At around 7.10pm on Tuesday 4 December police were called to reports of a collision involving a motorcycle on Cledford Lane in Sproston. Officers attended the scene and found that a motorcycle had collided with a metal fence on the outskirts of a farm. Sadly the rider of the motorcycle – a 20-year-old man from Middlewich – died at the scene. His next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing and officers are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision or has any information or dashcam footage which may aid the investigation. Anyone with information in relation to the collision should call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting IML 259826, give the details via https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. To submit dashcam footage go online at www.cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/roads-and-vehicle-safety/submit-dashcam-footage .
Detectives continue their investigation into Burtonwood death
Detectives investigating the death of Ann Marie Pomphret are continuing their inquiries four weeks on. Ann Marie, 49, was found dead at the stables off Old Alder Lane on 2nd November 2018. A murder investigation was launched and extensive enquiries are continuing to be carried out by the force’s Major Investigation Team. DI Adam Waller said: ““We are determined to find the person responsible for Ann Marie’s death. It has been a month since she died and, during that time, a dedicated team of detectives have been carrying out extensive enquiries in the local area, which include forensic enquiries, CCTV enquiries and house-to-house enquiries, to try and piece together as much information as possible. We are trying to establish the full circumstances of what happened that night so that we can get justice for Ann Marie. As part of our commitment we have enlisted the help of the crime fighting charity, Crimestoppers which has offered a £10,000 award for information given to them that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case.” DI Waller added: “This is a complex investigation and whilst the visible element of our work – including carrying out forensic enquiries at the scene – has now finished I want to reassure people that behind the scenes we are continuing to work tirelessly on this case. The enquiries and the search effort so far has led to the discovery of what we believe to be a significant piece of evidence that will now undergo further detailed forensic analysis. However we still need you to come forward if you have any information. Were you in the area at the time? Did you see or hear anything unusual? If so, please get in touch.” A 50-year-old man was arrested as part of police enquiries and has since been released on conditional bail. Anyone with information should contact Cheshire Police on 101 or via the Major Incident Public Portal https://mipp.police.uk/operation/07CH18D06-PO1 quoting IML230241. If you have dashcam footage you can also submit the Major Incident Public Portal link making sure you quote IML 230241. Alternatively information can be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Appeal following robbery in Winsford
Officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward following a robbery in Winsford. At around 1pm on Tuesday 4 December a 22-year-old man was cycling along Saxon Crossway. He was approached by an unknown man near to Woodcott Avenue, who shouted at him and told him to stop. The victim ignored the man and as he continued cycling he was hit on the head from behind, causing him to fall to the floor. The man then stole the victim’s bike and cycled away in the direction of Abbots Way. The offender is described as a white man who was wearing a black hoody, black tracksuit bottoms and a neck warmer with a picture of a clowns face/mouth on pulled up to his eyes. As a result of the incident the victim sustained minor injuries to his head and a wrist. Detective Constable Claire Heatley said: “Enquiries in relation to this incident are ongoing and we are committed to doing all that we can to trace the person responsible and bring them to justice. I am keen to hear from anyone who has any information or CCTV or dashcam footage which may assist our investigation. I am particularly keen to identify a man who was in the area at the time and is believed to have witnessed the incident. He was seen on the opposite side of the road and was wearing a high-visibility jacket. I urge anyone with any information, no matter how small, to contact the team here at Northwich.” Anyone with information that may help detectives with their ongoing investigation should call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting IML 259530, give the details via https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. To submit dashcam footage go online at www.cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/roads-and-vehicle-safety/submit-dashcam-footage.
Appeal for information following supermarket burglary in Warrington
Detectives are appealing for information following a burglary at a supermarket in Warrington. At around 1.30am on Wednesday 5 December three men used tools, including an angle grinder, to break into the Sainsbury’s store on Common Lane. They stole a quantity of cigarettes and alcohol. The three men are all described as white, around 5’ 11” tall and aged approximately in their 20s and were wearing black balaclavas covering their faces and had hoods over their heads. One of the offenders was wearing grey tracksuit bottoms, a green jacket with a blue hood, a grey Nike jumper and black trainers with white stripes down them. Another had a black North Face coat on as well as black Umbro tracksuit bottoms, black trainers and grey woolly gloves. The third man was wearing a black hooded jumper with red writing on it, dark coloured bottoms and black trainers. Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and detectives are urging anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area to come forward. They are also keen to hear from anyone who believes they may have dashcam footage of the offenders or information regarding their identities. Detective Sergeant Tom Hall said: “We are determined to catch the offenders and bring them to justice and are appealing for help from the public with our ongoing investigation. If you were in the area around the time of the incident and witnessed anything suspicious please get in touch. The same goes for anyone who recognises the descriptions of the offenders and believes that they may know who they are or have dashcam footage of them.” Anyone with information that may aid detectives with their investigation, no matter how small, should call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting IML 260011, give the details via https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. To submit dashcam footage go online at www.cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/roads-and-vehicle-safety/submit-dashcam-footage .
Appeal for information as balaclava-clad thieves target shop in Widnes
Detectives are appealing for information from members of the public after balaclava-clad thieves stole a quantity of cigarettes from a shop in Widnes. Shortly after 6.30pm on Thursday 6 December three men wearing balaclavas entered the Spar store on Ditchfield Road carrying a large bin. One of them jumped over the counter and filled the bin with cigarettes. The three men then left the store, which was open at the time of the incident and was occupied by several customers and members of staff. The offenders got into a white Kia Sportage parked outside the shop and fled along Ditchfield Road in the direction of Hough Green. The car progressed to Netherley Road, travelling in the direction of Liverpool. The three offenders were all around 5’ 11” tall. One of them had a heavy build and was wearing a blue waterproof jacket over a grey hooded top, grey tracksuit bottoms, black trainers and black gloves. Another had a medium build and had on a black zip-up jacket with a grey stripe down the arms, black bottoms, grey trainers with a white sole and light coloured gloves with a black palm. The third man was wearing all black clothing, apart from light coloured gloves with a black palm, and he had a slim build. Enquiries are ongoing and detectives are urging anyone with information about the incident, the offenders or the Kia car they were travelling in to come forward. They are also keen to hear from anyone who believes they may have dashcam footage of the offenders or car. Detective Constable James Simpson said: “This was a frightening incident for all those who were in the shop at the time. We are determined to catch the offenders and make them face the consequences of their actions and I urge anyone with information that may aid our ongoing investigation to get in touch. If you witnessed anything that may be of help and haven’t already been spoken to about the incident by the police please come forward. The same goes for anyone who believes they may know who the offenders are or have information or dashcam footage relating to the Kia car they were in.” Anyone with information that may help detectives with their investigation, no matter how small, should call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting IML 261567, give the details via https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. To submit dashcam footage go online at www.cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/roads-and-vehicle-safety/submit-dashcam-footage .
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