He’s also equipped with ropes to help drag them up if need be!
It will be the third time that Mick Carruthers, 42 from Weoley Castle, has scaled up the
peak on all fours for St Mary’s Hospice, who cared for his late mother.
This time around, Mick is joined by his friend Chris Millard, 36, who is raising funds for Acorns Children’s Hospice. Acorns support his 2 year old daughter, Milly, who was born with life-shortening conditions including hydrocephalus and dextrocardia.
The pair – supported by friends Ryan Bird and Casey and our Herbert – will be crawling up the mountain’s Llanberis Path over 2 to 3 days from Saturday 21st October 2018.
Two local men have been sentenced for their involvement in a 15 strong drone operating gang which is believed to have smuggled drugs worth more than half a million pounds into prisons across central and northern England.
Over a period of fourteen months from April 2016 to June 2017, the gang made at least 55 drone drops of drugs, mobile phones, SIM cards and memory sticks into prisons in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Worcestershire, Warrington, Lancashire and Liverpool.
Eleven of the drones were recovered when they crashed or were seized by police as they were in position to take-off with their contraband.
The investigation − believed to be the biggest ever of its kind in UK policing − was run by the West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit’s Prison Intelligence Unit & Prison Investigation team based in Birmingham.
Ringleader Lee Anslow
The sophisticated smuggling operation was headed by 31-year-old Lee Anslow − nephew of notorious Black Country drug dealer John Anslow − who orchestrated around half of all the flights from behind bars in HMP Hewell.
When police searched his cell in September they found drugs with a prison value of around £20,000 plus mobile phones and SIM cards.
Having entered a plea of innocence, Anslow was sentenced to ten years in prison at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday 26th October. Paul Ferguson and Stefan Rattray − inmates considered drugs distributors behind bars − also pleaded not guilty but were convicted by the jury and sentenced to four years nine months and four years respectively.
Brandon Smith, 24 from Tipton, piloted over half of the flights and was sentenced to 7 years.
Fellow pilots also received lengthy sentences: Paul Payne, 33 from Coseley, was sentenced to four years eight months and Justin Millington, 24 of no fixed abode, to four years and four months.
Of the other eight people – seven men and one woman – sentenced, two were local:
Harrabin (L), McDonough (R)
Richard Harrabin, 28 from Perton Grove, Weoley Castle, received a suspended sentence of 18 months after admitting conspiracy to supply drugs into prison and conspiracy to supply psychoactive substances.
Callum McDonough, 25 from Shenley Fields Road, Northfield received a six months suspended sentence for conspiracy to convey prohibited items into prison.
The others convicted were:
Shane Hadlington aged 29 from Sycamore Lodge, Oldbury, who sent text messages boasting of how he’d trained up the drone pilots was sentenced for four years and three months
Stella Deakin aged 41 Boundary Hill, Dudley received a six month suspended sentence
Jake Blewitt aged 21 from Highfield Road, Tipton received a six month suspended sentence
Dwayne Tinker aged 21 Lindridge Drive, Minworth received a six month suspended sentence
Ryan Greaves aged 21 from Kimberley Walk, Minworth received a 12 month community order
Ben Thomas aged 31 from Princethorpe Rd, Birmingham
The fifteenth gang member, driver Robert Morris, 44 from Tipton, is due to appear for a hearing on 9th November.
Detective Inspector Gareth Williams from the Prison Investigation Team, said: “This is a landmark case: it’s the biggest drone drug smuggling racket into prisons ever seen in the UK.
“The convictions come on the back of a very complex, detailed investigation and I’d like to praise the tenacity and determination of all our investigators, plus the analyst who interrogated large amounts of phone data, who played a part in this success.”
On the importance of keeping drugs out of prisons, DI Williams said: “Drug use behind bars fuels violence and self-harm, increasing pressure on prison staff, so it’s vitally important we do all we can to cut off the supply lines – and anyone convicted of supplying banned substances into prisons can soon expect to be inmates themselves.”
A fundraising page has been set up to help a promising junior gymnast from Bartley Green to travel to Russia to represent Great Britain.
Young Bailey Forbes – whose Mom, Gemma says “never keeps still, always on the go” – has been attending the excellent Revolution Gymnastics in Selly Oak since the age of 4.
Already English and British champion, the talented 10 year old lad, is now on his way to the Tumbling World Championships in St. Petersburg, which are held between 15th – 18th November.
However, being a promising junior gymnast comes with a financial cost. The trip is totally self-funded, which means for Bailey to compete, it will cost £1600 to cover flights, accommodation, the GB kit and the competition entry fee.
Bailey is clearly talented, has the desire and discipline to keep improving (he trains 5 days a week). He is also fortunate to be part of a great club and have a supportive family and school around him. However, your help is needed too.
Super supportive Nan, Marie Harris set up the fundraising page to ask for people’s help on social media. Bailey’s Mom Gemma said Marie: “has always supported Bailey from when he first started [and] is always at every competition”.
Gemma added: “Without her support I could not have afforded most of the training and kit over the years.”
Gemma also praised Bailey’s school and coach, saying: “Princethorpe Junior School have been amazing with support. His coach, Rob Owen, is an amazing man – he does so much for these kids.”
If you can support and help this gifted little fella to compete in Russia, please visit his fundraising page here.
A former youth club building close to Weoley Castle’s main square was gutted by fire last night (Sunday 2nd December). West Midlands Police have confirmed the fire, which was discovered at around 7.45pm, is being treated as arson.
A total of six West Midlands Fire Service crews attended the blaze at the former Square Club buildings, which sit to the rear of shops on the corner of Somerford Road and Castle Square.
West Midlands Fire Service confirmed that one of the two single storey buildings – an large outbuilding – had been completely destroyed, with some damage to the second, main building.
A Birmingham City Council run youth centre for many years, the Square Club was remembered nostalgically by many locals on the B31 Voices Facebook Page.
Square Club on Right Move 2017
The buildings were sold off at auction last year and bought by an Eritrean christian church, Assembly of the Brethren in Christ Church, who hoped to move their base to Weoley Castle from their present premises in Newtown.
After the sale, the building suffered some vandalism. Weoley Community’s Alan Davis wrote: “Unfortunately, a few weeks after the purchase vandals conducted a series of targeted and malicious attacks on the building causing extensive damage.”
However, the local community and neighbourhood police came together to work with the church to clear up the site and church representatives said that local residents would be welcome to join them.
Anyone with information on last night’s fire is asked to contact West Midlands Police on Live Chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk (8am – midnight) or to call 101 any time. Please quote log number 2399 of 2nd December. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org
A judge said that “very serious violent crime” had been prevented as seven men were found guilty of their part in the handling of a sawn-off shotgun.
Elijah Skeen-Thomas and Callum Haden
Police uncovered the activities of the men after a police surveillance unit observed Callum Haden (20) handing the deadly weapon over to Elijah Skien-Thomas (27) in a Weoley Castle street on 12th February.
Later the same day, armed officers swooped on Skien-Thomas’ flat in Tower View, Selly Oak. A search uncovered the short-barrelled shotgun, ammunition and dozens of wraps of Class A drugs.
Investigating detectives from the West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) discovered the transfer of the gun had been arranged by three serving prisoners, using mobile phones from behind bars.
Ryan and John Blakeney
Brothers Ryan (27) and John (31) Blakeney, both serving long sentences in HMP Birmingham, and HMP Wymott inmate Alexander Blake (27) were found to have directed the exchange.
Markkell Facey (24) was contacted as a potential source of the firearm and he approached Haden to hand deliver the weapon to Skeen-Thomas.
Verdicts
• Ryan and John Blakeney were found guilty of conspiring to transfer a firearm by a jury at Birmingham Crown Court, after denying the charges. Today (Friday 7th December) they were jailed for eight years and seven years respectively.
• Skeen-Thomas admitted the same charge and was sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison. He also admitted possessing heroin and crack cocaine with intent to supply.
(L-R) Alexander Blake, Markell Facey & Nageeb Almatari
• HMP Wymott prisoner Blake was also found guilty of conspiring to transfer a gun.
• Facey, from Gregory Avenue in Weoley Castle, admitted being part of the plot.
• Haden, from Fullbrook Grove in Weoley Castle, admitted transferring a firearm.
• Nageeb Almatari (27) from Hurricane Way, Castle Vale, admitted possessing a firearm by driving Skeen-Thomas to the hand-over point. The ROCU investigation also uncovered Almatari’s lead role in a County Lines drug chain delivering crack cocaine and heroin from Birmingham to Derbyshire. He pleaded guilty to supplying drugs with intent to supply.
Blake, Facey, Haden and Almatari will all be sentenced at a later date.
ROCU Detective Inspector Mark Walters, said: “This was a complex investigation following some great work by surveillance officers and West Midlands Police’s firearms team.
“The judge concluded in his summing up that the gun was going to be used in serious gang-related crime. We will never know exactly what the intended use was for the gun but there is every chance this investigation has prevented someone from being seriously hurt or even killed.
“The Blakeneys, Blake and Skeen-Thomas have been linked to gang activity in the Highgate area for many years and have indeed boasted about their criminality in drill music videos.
“We will relentlessly pursue anyone linked to gang crime in order to protect our communities…our investigation has ensured that these dangerous individuals have been taken out of society for a long time.”
A prolific criminal who stole jewellery and recklessly drove at speeds of up to 80mph in a stolen car is back behind bars for Christmas.
Joseph Moss, of Harlech Close, Bartley Green, has been convicted of burglary, handling stolen goods and dangerous driving following a trial and sentenced to six years at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday (12th Dec).
Recent crimes by Moss
Stole expensive jewellery and games consoles from a home in School Road, Yardley, on 1st May this year.
The 25-year-old was spotted by an officer in a Nissan Quashqai stolen from another burglary in Senneley Mews, Bartley Green, on 23rd May.
Hit speeds of up to 80mph to avoid cops after being initially seen in Kings Norton, dangerously travelling on the wrong side of the road, before abandoning the Nissan in Shirley and fleeing.
He has 22 previous convictions for 40 offences ranging from burglary, criminal damage, theft and possession of class A drugs.
The 25-year-old was arrested from an address in Weoley Castle in June and CCTV enquiries connected him to the burglary in School Road.
PC Paul Jauncey, from Force CID, said: “Hopefully people around Birmingham will sleep easier at night knowing that Moss is behind bars.
“He had no respect for others, by being a burglar and also putting lives at risk through his driving to try and avoid capture.
“Due to the diligence of officers we were able to identify and bring him to justice. He will now have plenty of time in a prison cell to reflect on and break his criminal ways.”
West Midlands Police are investigating after Christmas presents were stolen during a burglary in Somerford Road, Weoley Castle, yesterday (Sunday 23rd December).
The young family returned home to discover that their home had been broken into and all the presents for the children, aged 10, 9, 7 and 5 had cruelly been stolen.
The burglars, who ransacked the kitchen and living room but didn’t take anything else other than a children’s presents which were upstairs, entered the property by smashing a rear window sometime between 12.30-9pm.
Anyone with information is urged to contact 101/Live Chat on www.west-midlands.police.uk – Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on www.crimestoppers-uk.org – Quote crime reference number 20BW/299176L/18.
A man is in a critical condition in hospital after a 4×4 collided with a phone mast and cabinets in Shenley Lane in the early hours of this morning (Saturday 12th January).
The man was driving a silver Land Rover Discovery which collided with a cable cabinet close to the junction of Meadow Brook Road – knocking over a large mobile phone mast – at around 12.20am.
West Midlands Police spokesman said that the man suffered life-threatening injuries.
Two other men in the car suffered less serious injuries but no condition updates were available.
Shenley Lane was closed towards Northfield into Saturday morning while the scene was investigated.
West Midlands Police have confirmed that two men were arrested after a petrol bomb was thrown at a home in Weoley Castle yesterday evening (Thursday 17th January).
Two West Midlands Fire Service crews attended the incident, which happened in Inglemere Grove, off Shenley Lane at between 5.45pm and 6.10pm.
It is understood that a passerby raised the alarm and fortunately, no-one was known to have been injured in the incident.
The two men – aged 22 and 23 – remained in police custody this morning.
Anyone with information is asked to contact West Midlands Police on Live Chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk (8am – midnight) or to call 101 any time. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org Please quote crime reference 20BW/14244M/19.
West Midlands Police have issued an urgent appeal to locate a man who has been missing since being discharged from hospital yesterday afternoon (Friday 1st February).
48 year old Keith Miles from Weoley Castle was discharged from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham in Edgbaston on Wednesday 30th January and has not yet arrived back at his home.
A police spokesman said: “There are serious concerns for Mr Miles’ welfare and his family are desperate to hear from him.”
Description:
5ft 9ins tall
Greying, sandy hair
Blue eyes
Slim
Wearing distinctive black and green chequered trousers
May walk with a limp.
If you believe you’ve seen Mr Miles then please contact West Midlands Police immediately on 101 quoting log number 858 from 1 Feb.
Police are investigating reports that a woman was approached by two men, one of which demanded her car keys on a BP forecourt in Weoley Castle on Tuesday morning (19th March).
It’s believed that the woman in her early thirties had finished filling her car up at the BP petrol station on Alwold Road, just before 10am, when one of the offenders demanded she gave him the keys to her 10 plate Ford Focus.
The victim said she: “ran around her car and he stood there for what felt like forever until I screamed for help!” – she would like to thank a lady called Carly who came to her aid.
Both men, who the woman described to be in their ’20s or possibly younger’, ran off and she then called 999 just before 10:30am.
The man who demanded the key was ‘White, around 5ft4, wearing two hoods, light blue jeans and big beige back pack’ and the person he was with was ‘Black, around same hight but large wearing all black’, according to the victim.
Anyone with information can contact Police via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight or via 101 anytime quoting Log number: 702 of 19th March. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
West Midlands Police have launched a murder investigation today after a man found injured at a Barnes Hill property yesterday died.
The man was found with a serious stab injury at an address in Alwold Court at around 1am on Tuesday (2nd April).
The 52 year old was taken to hospital but sadly died later in the day.
A woman (53) who was known to the victim, was arrested on suspicion of assault.
She is now being questioned on suspicion of murder, with detectives being granted extra time to do so.
Detective Inspector Hannah Whitehouse, from the force’s homicide team, said: “A man has lost his life and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this terrible time.
“A woman known to him has been arrested but I would urge anyone with information which may assist our enquiries to get in touch via 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
A 53 year old woman has been charged with murdering her husband after a man was fund with serious stab injury at a home in Barnes Hill on Tuesday (2nd April).
John Carroll, 52, was found injured at Alwold Court at around 1am on Tuesday and passed away later that day.
His wife, Deborah Carroll was set to appear before Birmingham Magistrates Court today (Friday 5th April) accused of his murder.
Detective Inspector Hannah Whitehouse, from the force’s homicide team, said: “This is a significant step forward in our investigation, but I would urge anyone with information which may assist our enquiries to get in touch via 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
It was celebration time as a programme designed to steer children away from crime and anti-social behaviour in south Birmingham celebrates its second birthday.
The Teamworx is an initiative which has grown from strength to strength – it’s run by West Midlands Police and West Midlands Fire Service for children between the ages of seven and 11.
The Teamworx Program
The scheme works with children who have had behavioural or attendance problems at school, who have had difficult upbringings, or suffer with low self-esteem.
They work on a range of activities to help their social and teamwork skills, and open up new career opportunities.
A 12-week course how to stay safe, be a responsible citizen, respect themselves and others and also the importance of a healthy diet and staying fit.
The initial Teamworx course, which involved four schools in the Weoley Castle area, has steadily expanded and is now running in 12 Northfield primary schools.
Partners include Alvechurch Football Club, Redditch Tigers, a taekwondo martial arts group, the RSPCA, the National Trust, the Birmingham Children’s Society and a horse riding centre.
PC Matthew Shakespeare from Kings Norton neighbourhood policing team said: “The aim of these courses is to raise children’s aspirations, improve their confidence and prevent them from entering the criminal justice system – either as a victim or an offender. Every child is challenged to be the best that they can be.
“The high level of uptake from schools is an indication that the course is being successful in engaging children in activities that encourage them to listen, follow instructions and give 100% commitment to what they are doing.”
A Weoley Castle woman has been banned from keeping animals for life after her pet chihuahua was found starved to death on Christmas Eve.
After concerns were raised by a member of the public, RSPCA Inspector Herchy Boal went to the home of Diane Johnson (39), where she found a carrier bag containing the body of ‘Princess’ dumped in a rabbit hutch in her garden. It is believed the underweight dog had been dead for around two weeks.
The body of Princess was found in a carrier bag
Insp. Boal also found two other severely underweight chihuahua-type dogs inside the home – ‘Belle’, a tan dog, and ‘Minnie’, a white dog.
The surviving dogs were signed over to the RSPCA, along with Minnie’s ten-week-old puppy. They were nursed back to health and have since been rehomed.
At Birmingham Magistrates Court on Thursday (16th May), Johnson pleaded guilty to one offence of causing unnecessary suffering to Princess and one offence of failing to meet the needs of Minnie and Belle.
In mitigation, the court heard Johnson had family difficulties at the time of the offences.
The magistrate handed Johnson a lifetime ban from keeping any animals, as well as an 18-month community order – including a 40 day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. She was also required to pay costs of £200 and an £85 victim surcharge.
Inspector Boal said: “Poor Princess died of starvation and must have suffered terribly over a long period. It is awful to think of the suffering she must have gone through.
“There is never an excuse to leave any animal starving in this day and age, then after Princess died she was dumped like rubbish in a carrier bag and left in a rabbit hutch outside.”
She added: “The other two dogs could have suffered a similar fate had it not been reported to us.
Two emaciated dogs rescued by the RSPCA
“This enabled us to take the other dogs away from this situation and in RSPCA care, where they were able to get back to a healthy weight and I am delighted that they have now been re-homed.”
If you suspect animal neglect or cruelty, please the RSPCA cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 or visit the RSPCA website. If you are struggling to meet the need of animals in your care, please contact the RSPCA or a local animal rescue charity for help.
Shenley Academy was closed to some pupils today (Thursday 11th July) as members of the NASUWT Teachers Union took strike action.
More than 30 staff took part meaning the school – an E-Act academy – had to be closed to Years 7 and 8.
The issue
The action has been taken over adverse management practices which union members claim are contributing to excessive workload and affecting the health and wellbeing of staff.
One of the main concerns is a marking policy which has been enforced, with teachers feeling devalued as school management oversees their marking.
Debbie Hayton, NASUWT National Executive Member for Birmingham, said: “The NASUWT has been forced into taking this strike action as a result of the continued failure of the employer to address the deep concerns of members about the way in which they are being managed and a culture in the school which is adversely affecting their ability to do their best for the pupils they teach.
“A particular concern is the school’s enforced marking policy in which teachers have been made to attend sessions while school management supervise their marking. This disempowers and devalues teachers. These are highly skilled professionals who are being treated unacceptably.”
Chris Keates, General Secretary (Acting) of the NASUWT,said: “Teachers have a right to be treated with dignity and respect in the workplace and to have working conditions which reflect their role as skilled professionals.
“The working practices are not only unacceptable they also fail to respect teachers’ professionalism.”
The negotiations
Chris Keates said: “NASUWT members are deeply disappointed that they have been forced again into taking strike action.
“Since the teachers last came out on strike, the NASUWT has worked hard to negotiate with the Employer over the issues of concern. Unfortunately, these issues remain unresolved.
“We urge the Employer to recognise the strength of feeling of teachers at school and to commit to working constructively with the NASUWT to resolve these issues swiftly.”
In a statement, an E-ACT spokesperson said: “We continue to have open dialogue with union representatives and our staff on the issues presented, which include a recently introduced marking policy, and we remain committed to resolving these issues with them as soon as possible.
“We have taken swift and decisive action to address the issues highlighted by Ofsted at our last inspection, including bringing in extremely experienced leaders who have track records of turning around challenging schools.
“We remain absolutely committed to continue to improve Shenley Academy so that we can provide every one of our pupils with the quality of education they deserve.”
Apologies
Debbie Hayton said: “The NASUWT regrets any disruption caused by the strike action to pupils and parents, but this action could have been avoided if the employer had taken seriously our members’ concerns and taken effective action to address them.”
In a letter to parents and carers yesterday, headteacher Jayne Bartlett wrote: “I understand that this action will cause great inconvenience to many of you, and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your understanding.”
Fire investigators are examining the scene after emergency services were called to a fire at a petrol station in Weoley Castle in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday 16th July).
Barnes Hill was closed between Overfield Road and Davena Drive as six crews – including Woodgate, Northfield, Kings Norton, Bournbrook and Highgate – tackled the blaze at the Tesco Express and Esso garage. An hydraulic platform was also used.
After receiving the call, fire control utilised their innovative, award winning 999 Eye streaming video reporting to assess the call.
West Midlands Police and West Midlands Ambulance Service also attended the scene. It is not thought that anyone was injured.
At just after 4am, Station Commander Samantha Pink tweeted: “Fire at Tesco Barns Hill is now out 6 fire appliances and Hydraulic platform has been in attendance. Technical rescue crews are working on scene.”
One lane of the northbound carriageway reopened at around 4.30am. Power to local homes was affected for a time as Western Power worked with fire crews to isolate power to the site.
An investigation onto the cause of the fire is ongoing.
1 of 7
Tesco Express / Esso, Barnes Hill, Weoley Castle
Emergency services in attendance
Some of the damage outside the Tesco Express store
Fire investigators examining the scene this morning
Fire investigators examining the scene this morning
A 51 year old woman has been arrested on suspicion of assault after an incident in Weoley Castle where a man – believed to be a taxi driver – reportedly had an unknown substance sprayed in his face this morning (Wednesday 18th September).
A West Midlands Police spokesman confirmed that officers were called to reports of a man being sprayed in the face in Millmead Road at around 9.10am.
We understand the victim then sought help at the BP garage at the junction of Alwold Road and Barnes Hill, where all emergency services attended.
The police spokesman said: “The man suffered some minor irritation to his eyes but it was established the substance was non-hazardous.”
A West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) spokesman confirmed that they assessed and treated the man for minor injuries before transferring him to hospital for assessment.
We understand the man has since returned home. The woman was arrested on suspicion of assault and taken into police custody for questioning.
Anyone with information is asked to contact West Midlands Police on Live Chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk (8am – midnight) or to call 101 any time.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org
