A man who targeted charity containers in supermarket car parks and sold on stolen clothing has been jailed.

Arturas Krasauskas was given a 20-month sentence for his part in the theft of charity bags from the car park of Morrisons supermarket, in Buxton.

The 27-year-old, who is originally from Lithuania, was originally arrested after police spotted a suspicious van in the car park.

The van, which had a large amount of clothing in the back, was traced to a house in Stonefield Drive, Manchester.

A second van at that address was searched by police and also had a large amount of full charity bags in the back.

Krasauskas, of no fixed abode, was arrested at the time but left the country after being bailed. He was arrested again after re-entering the UK in March this year and charged with conspiracy to steal.

He pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced to 20 months in prison at Derby Crown Court on May 9.

DC Gary Thomas, who led the investigation, said: “The knock-on effect of this type of crime is that it will discourage members of the public from donating their much-needed unwanted clothing, which can be the lifeblood of charities across the country.

“I would urge people to continue their good work helping both local and national charities and not be deterred by the actions of this criminal.”

Krasauskas is the second man to be jailed in connection with the offence. Earlier this year, Gintas Simkus, 40, was locked up for three years for conspiracy to steal and money laundering.

Simkus, whose address at the time was in Polefield Grange, Manchester, denied both charges but was convicted by a Derby Crown Court jury after a five-day trial.

A spokeswoman for Clothes Aid, which collects donated clothing to raise money for a range of UK charities, said: “The outcome of this case will serve as a strong deterrent to any potential fraudsters in the area.

“Being out on similar routes where bogus collections are being made, it’s important for us to be able to share suspect information with local forces like Derbyshire Constabulary, who are proactively clamping down on this type of crime.

“If bogus collectors are not brought to justice, the impact this will have on charities will be too great to measure and communities will begin to lose trust in this method of fund-raising.

“We would positively encourage anyone to continue donating so charities without shops can earn an income from this revenue stream. Our helpline can also assist with any concerns about authenticity over charity bags and clothes collections.”

The offences and original arrest took place in 2010.

Police in the West Midlands have a new tool from today (Monday 30 June) to tackle domestic violence following the rollout of a new scheme following a successful pilot in other parts of the country. 

The force is adopting the use of domestic violence protection notices and orders (DVPNs and DVPOs) which gives officers and magistrates the power to protect survivors following a domestic violence incident. 

They allow a perpetrator to be banned from returning to a residence and from having contact with the victim for 48 hours initially and then up to 28 days following a magistrates court hearing. 

The notices are aimed at allowing the domestic abuse sufferer time to consider their options and get support. 

Police officers working in Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley and Sandwell will be the first to use the civil powers with Birmingham, Solihull and Coventry due to follow in the coming weeks and months. 

Assistant Chief Constable Carl Foulkes, who oversees the PPU, said: “These new powers are a positive step forward in empowering sufferers by providing them with a ‘cooling off’ period following incidents of domestic abuse. 

“It gives them the breathing space they need to consider their options and the added assurance of knowing they are not responsible for asking police to impose the orders, because this can be done even without their consent.” 

Officers from the force’s Public Protection Unit (PPU) are receiving training on the new legislation as part of a five-day programme taking place this week to ensure they are fully familiar with the powers available to them. 

The inputs are part of a long-term internal education strategy aimed at giving police officers the knowledge and confidence they need to tackle crime that affects the most vulnerable members of society – including domestic abuse. 

ACC Foulkes added: “We’ve made extensive advances in the way we tackle domestic abuse, particularly since our dedicated Public Protection Unit was formed in 2010 and last year we ran Operation Sentinel, a campaign specifically aimed at providing a better service to vulnerable victims of crime. 

“We’re always looking to improve our performance and are specifically looking at gaining a better understanding of domestic abuse in the West Midlands. As a police force we have excellent local and national partnerships and our combined efforts are working because more victims are now speaking out. 

“If you’re suffering in silence, please speak out as there are a range of support services available to you from the police and a raft of other agencies. We have specially trained and experienced officers who can offer practical advice and support in all aspects of domestic abuse.” 

Police and Crime Commissioner Bob Jones said: “We need to do everything we can to ensure that victims are given the right support, to give them confidence that their situations will be handled safely and sensitively. 

“From 1 October of this year, Police and Crime Commissioners will be responsible for commissioning the majority of victims’ services locally through a budget from the Ministry of Justice. 

“For that reason, I will be holding a summit event on 8 July to consult on the future commissioning models for services for victims for crime. Details of the Victims Come First Summit are available on my website (http://www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/consultation/victims-should-come-first-8-july-2014).” 

A man has been arrested on suspicion of killing his ex-partner and attacking the couple’s two children at their Birmingham home.

Police were called to a house in Woodlands Farm Road, Pype Hayes, at 7.25am yesterday (June 29) by the ambulance service where a 42-year-old woman was pronounced dead.

At this stage her death is being treated as unexplained but a post mortem examination will take place tomorrow (July 1) in an attempt to explain what happened.

A 15-year-old lad was found at the address with a stab injury to his chest and a nine-year-old girl has also been treated for strangulation type injuries to her neck. Both are recovering in hospital.

A 42-year-old man from Sutton Coldfield has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder of the children and will continue to be questioned today by West Midlands Police detectives.

Investigating officer, Detective Inspector Paul Joyce, said: “It’s understood that both children were attacked in their sleep; the boy suffered a punctured lung and the girl has a badly bruised neck but thankfully both are expected to make a full recovery.

“A man has been arrested and, at this stage, we’re not looking for anyone else in connection with this investigation.

“Enquiries are on-going with neighbours and friends of the family and I’d urge anyone who believes they have information that could aid our enquiry to contact us immediately.”

Police but are keen to hear from anyone with information to contact Force CID in Harborne on the 101 number.

Two teenagers have appeared in court accused of attempted murder after a student was stabbed in a Sandwell park.

The 17-year-olds − from Charlemont, in West Bromwich, and Wednesbury respectively − stood before Sandwell magistrates this morning to hear claims they attacked a fellow 17-year-old in Jesson Playing Fields on Saturday afternoon (June 28).

The injured lad suffered a knife wound to the chest and remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition.

Both teen suspects have been remanded in custody and are next due to appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 8 July.

Sandwell Police Inspector Akeel Najib, said: “This appears to have been an unprovoked attack on a student minding his own business walking through the playing fields…it’s not believed the injured teenager knew his attackers.

“Officers were on the scene within minutes and quickly arrested a number of youths suspected of being involved.

“The park area features on our neighbourhood patrol plans but naturally after an incident like this we will be stepping up our police presence to reassure members of the public.”

A mother found dead at her Birmingham home on Sunday (June 29) died as a result of strangulation-type injuries, a post mortem examination has confirmed.

Police were called to a house in Woodlands Farm Road, Pype Hayes, at 7.25am by the ambulance service where the woman was pronounced dead.

The victim has been formally identified as 42-year-old Luan Leigh and a post mortem carried out today (July 1) revealed she died as a result of “compression to the neck”.

Police have been granted more time to question a 42-year-old man arrested on suspicion of killing Mrs Leigh and of attacking two children also found seriously injured at the Pype Hayes address.

A 15-year-old lad suffered a stab injury to his chest and a nine-year-old girl was also treated for strangulation-type injuries to her neck. Both are recovering in hospital.

Investigating officer, Detective Inspector Warren Hines, said: “The post mortem examination results mean this is now officially a murder enquiry.

“We continue to question a man about her death and in relation to the injuries inflicted on two children as they slept.

“However, we are still keen to hear from anyone who knew the family, or who spoke to Mrs Leigh recently, and believe they may have information that could assist our investigation.”

Police but are keen to hear from anyone with information to contact Force CID in Harborne on the 101 number.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman was assaulted by a man outside a pub in Kidderminster.

The assault took place on Saturday 21st June at approximately 9.15pm outside the Musketeer Pub on Avon Road.

A 29-year-old female from Kidderminster was injured in the assault and police are asking anyone who may have seen the incident to contact police on the non-emergency 101 number quoting incident reference 686s of 27th June.

If you want to give information without giving your name you can also call the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit their website www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Police appeal for information following a burglary in Chaddesden.

Sometime between 1pm and 2pm on Wednesday, June 25, a house on Nottingham Road was broken into.

A quantity of cash was taken and a gent’s rotary wrist watch were stolen from the property.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Derby CID using the non-emergency number 101 and quoting crime reference 26585/14.

To report crime anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police helped support Warwickshire Pride on Saturday 28 June at Pump Room Gardens, Leamington Spa, to provide a safe and enjoyable day out for all.

The annual event, which celebrates lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) culture, attracted hundreds of visitors this year, despite the rainy weather.

The Leamington Safer Neighbourhood Team was at Pride providing an element of community reassurance.

Daniel Browne, Warwickshire Pride Director, said: “Having a police presence was reassuring. The officers who attended on the day were very engaging and got into the spirit of things, which was great to see. I think the public appreciated that.”

The force’s Special Constables were also at Pride on the Warwickshire Police Stall. They were giving the public advice on how to keep communities safe by applying as a Special Constable. To find out more visit www.specialswanted.co.uk

Russell Marsh, Special Sergeant for North Warwickshire, said: “Pride was a huge success despite the weather. The event was packed full of people including local residents and tourists.”

Warwickshire Pride came just over a month after launching the force’s Hate Crime Strategy, tackling hostility and prejudicial based offences.

There was a mobile police station at Pride, where attendees were able to speak to officers in confidence about issues such as Homophobic Hate Crime.

Sp Sgt Russell Marsh added: “Being part of the event allowed us to communicate to people that we are there to protect them from harm.”

Overall, Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police would like to thank everyone who helped make this year’s Pride a safe and fun event.

Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables for Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police have today issued the below statements following the sudden death of Bob Jones.

Ron Ball, Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner and Leader of Independent PCCs, said:

“On behalf of my fellow group of independent police and crime commissioners and as Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner I am deeply saddened and shocked to learn of the sudden death of Bob Jones.

“Bob had many great qualities that set him apart from many. He was very principled and made eloquent calm arguments in the face of often turbulent discussions and debate. He was so approachable calm and comfortable in the presence of all – he seemed to have time for everyone no matter what the political persuasion. We shall remember Bob as a man who has made a huge contribution to the policing agenda, particularly in the West Midlands, with a dedication to public service that has endured for 30 years or more. Bob we know was always striving to do the right thing – to implement views and beliefs he cared passionately for. We shall miss him greatly.

“His untimely passing is a huge a loss and at this time our thoughts and deepest condolences are extended to his wife Sarah, their family, friends and colleagues.”

Bill Longmore, Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia and his Deputy, Barrie Sheldon, said:

“We are very saddened to hear of the death of Bob Jones and we would like to send our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

“This is a considerable loss for the people of West Midlands. He was a very experienced politician who has made many valuable contributions to the new role of Police and Crime Commissioner.”

Warwickshire Police Chief Constable Andy Parker and West Mercia Police Chief Constable David Shaw, both added: “We have been deeply saddened and shocked today to learn of the sudden death of Bob Jones. On behalf of both Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police we would like to offer our deepest condolences to Bob’s family, friends and colleagues. Our thoughts are with them at this sad time.”

Police have sealed off Grantham Road and Farm Road.

Two other men were taken to hospital, one with a gunshot wound and one with knife injuries.

Police are currently investigating the incident which started at around 7.30pm last night and a number of arrests have been made following the disorder.

Enquiries are at an early stage and anyone who has information should call detectives at Force CID on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A murderer who bludgeoned his love rival to death with a crowbar has been sentenced to life in prison and must serve a minimum of 23 years behind bars.

Heteny Tarsoly was convicted by a jury of murder after waiting outside the home of 54-year-old David Hunter and attacking him with a crowbar.

Mr Hunter’s body was discovered by Tarsoly’s wife outside the house, in Fieldway Drive, Breadsall Hilltop, after the killing on January 9.

Tarsoly, of Park Hill Drive, Derby, had admitted manslaughter but denied murder. A jury found him guilty after a week-long trial at Derby Crown Court.

The 38-year-old, pictured right, was sentenced today (Wednesday, July 2).

Daniel Hunter, Mr Hunter’s son, said: “Our family has tragically lost a much loved father, grandfather and brother. The vicious and callous nature of his death is hard to come to terms with.

“Heteny Tarsoly planned this vengeful attack on my father, he laid in wait and assaulted him with a large crowbar. We welcome the sentence of the court and take strength from the fact that he will be kept in prison for a long time to protect others.”

DCI Phil Cox, who led the murder investigation, said: “Tarsoly lay in wait for Mr Hunter to return from his late shift as a bus driver and launched an attack so vicious and brutal that there could only have been one outcome.

“The sentence reflects just how brutal this murder was and I’m pleased that Tarsoly will be behind bars for at least 23 years.

“Although no sentence could bring back Mr Hunter, I hope that his family will be able to find some small comfort in the knowledge that their loved one’s murderer will be locked up for a very long time.”

On Wednesday 2 July, a man and woman from Telford were sentenced for their part in a large scale fraud and money laundering operation in the town. In addition, two men had previously been sentenced to prison as a result of the same case but due to reporting restrictions this information can only be released now.

Sentenced this morning were Shabana Aslam Farook (aged 46), who was found guilty of assisting to fraudulently obtain a mortgage and sentenced to an eight month sentence suspended for 18 months, and 23-year-old Omar Farook, who was sentenced to 12 months in prison after being found guilty of two counts of perverting the course of justice.

The two men sentenced previously were 46-year-old Farook Hussain (after a trial in 2012), who was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for 8 counts of money laundering, 2 counts of mortgage fraud and one count of cheating the public revenue, and 23-year-old Abbas Hussain, who was convicted of 3 counts of mortgage fraud, 2 counts of money laundering, and one count each of conspiracy to defraud and perverting the course of justice. He was sentenced to 52 months in prison.

These convictions came about as a result of a large scale money laundering investigation launched by West Mercia Police in September 2009 to look into the financial activities of Farook Hussain and a number of his family members.

This investigation revealed that between 2004 and 2009 he received approximately £1.7 million into a number of his bank accounts. £600,000 came from a sophisticated tax fraud committed against Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) when Hussain claimed that he was employed as a VIP Courier and consultant by a bogus company called Moya – a company who were involved in a £26 million scam to defraud HMRC of tax liabilities.

During the trial the prosecution proved these claims to be untrue and revealed that Hussain was never legitimately employed.

A further £700,000 came from mortgages taken out against properties in Telford and Hussain was convicted of mortgage frauds taken out against his 6 bedroom property in Mill Bank and a 3 bedroom house in Watling Street, Wellington.

During the mortgage application procedures, Hussain lied about his job occupation and income enabling him to obtain mortgages for these properties which he might not have been entitled to. Once these were obtained he drew further funds against the properties to enjoy an extravagant cash rich lifestyle.

An additional £400,000 was deposited into his accounts from various other sources and during this time period Farook Hussain did not pay any tax at all to HMRC on his alleged earnings.

Abbas Hussain assisted his father-in-law in the conversion of the laundered money into cash. He also fraudulently applied for and obtained 3 mortgages on properties in Telford and Shrewsbury, by lying as to his employment status and level of earnings.

During the police investigation officers also uncovered that Abbas Hussain was the leading figure in a ‘cash for crash’ car insurance fraud involving 4 other men.  During this scam they defrauded insurance companies out of approximately £37,000.

Shabana Farook assisted her husband Farook Hussain in fraudulently obtaining a mortgage for a property in Watling Street in Wellington.  During the application process she lied as to the level of her employment and income, and also assisted by transferring the unlawfully obtained funds from that mortgage to her husband.

Omar Farook assisted both his father Farook Hussain and mother Shabana Farook in obtaining money which the Police and Crown Prosecution Service had ‘frozen’ under a financial restraint order.

He enabled his mother to gain money from renting out a property which was restrained and was also involved in an elaborate attempt to buy a Chrysler motor vehicle for his father with cash that should have been deposited into a restrained bank account.

Throughout the investigation Police and the CPS utilised the Proceeds of Crime Act to financially restrain the defendants. After his trial, HHJ Creed ruled that Farook Hussain had benefitted to the sum of £1.14million through his criminality and has available assets of £76,653.73 that he has been ordered to pay back within 6 months.

Speaking about this operation, Superintendent Nav Malik, Police Commander in Telford, said:

“This once again demonstrates West Mercia Police’s continued commitment to tackling large scale criminality no matter how complicated or lengthy the investigations become.

“Local officers have worked closely with officers from the force’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit to achieve these results at Birmingham Crown Court and I’d like to thank everyone involved for their dedication and commitment to this case.

“It is satisfying that the hard work of so many officers has been rewarded with these convictions and I hope the sentences handed out act as a warning to other people that we will not tolerate this type of criminality anywhere in West Mercia.”

Omar Farook

Farook Hussain

Two youths have been cautioned after officers found them in possession of suspected Class B drugs during patrols in Wirksworth on Friday, June 27.

Officers from the Wirksworth and Middleton Safer Neighbourhood Team were carrying out patrols on Fanny Shaw playing fields on Cromford Road, Wirksworth as part of an operation to clamp down on drugs in the area.

The youths, aged 15 and 17-years-old, were cautioned by police and plans are being put in place for them to work alongside the multi-agency Youth Offending Team as part of a restorative justice agreement.

PC Mat Winterbottom from the Wirksworth and Middleton Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “As part of our work to combat drug use in Wirksworth we will continue to carry out high-visibility patrols across the community.

“The public can help us to crackdown on this type of crime by sharing information and reporting any anti-social behaviour to police on 101.”

You can call police on the non-emergency number, 101, if you want to report suspected drugs activity in your area. To report a crime anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 111 555.

To speak to your local Safer Neighbourhood team call 101, the non-emergency number for Derbyshire police.

A callous thief has been jailed for breaking into the home of a pensioner he befriended by carrying out odd jobs.

Mark Dott spotted the 77-year-old trimming hedges outside his home in Longbridge Lane, Longbridge, in December and offered to dispose of the garden waste.

He returned two days later touting for more cash-in-hand jobs but, having gained the man’s trust, rifled through the house on January 2 having shattered a glass pane in the front door to gain access.

Dott − who has previous burglary convictions − swiped £200 in cash, bank cards and a scrap of paper with PIN numbers scribbled on but was disturbed by the man as he returned from his part-time carpentry job.

He barged past the pensioner in the doorway and called back “sorry can’t stop…I’ve gotta be somewhere” before heading straight to a nearby ATM where he withdrew £210 in two transactions.

The 43-year-old crook made 15 further attempts to empty the man’s account but failed having reached the maximum daily withdrawal limit.

Police seized CCTV from a cash-point camera and from the crystal-clear images detectives recognised Dott as the suspect; he was arrested from a relative’s address in Stechford on January 16 wearing the same blue Adidas trainers seen in the footage.

He initially claimed a debtor handed him the card in Northfield High Street but officers carried out numerous test runs to prove there was insufficient time between the 2pm break-in and the first cash withdrawal for Dott’s story to be true.

Dott later admitted burglary, two counts of fraud and another break-in at a shop in Small Heath overnight between 21-22 December last year when he cut through the ceiling from an empty flat above the store.

He appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday (June 30) where he was jailed for a total of six-and-a-half years.

Detective Sergeant Matt Stone from Birmingham South Police, said: “The victim is a man who is keen to keep working at the age of 77 and has a part-time carpentry job…Dott on the other hand is a thief looking to prey on vulnerable members of society.

“On one occasion he even had the nerve to ‘borrow’ the man’s chainsaw claiming he needed it for a job nearby…needless to say he never saw it again.

“We quickly identified Dott as the offender, tracked him down and disproved his version of events. He’s a third strike burglar so has rightly been handed a lengthy stint behind bars.”

A mother who left her new born baby girl in a carrier bag in a park has today been sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court to six months, suspended two years with two years supervision, after she had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing of child abandonment.

On 31 October 2013, Roger Wilday was walking his German Shepard, Jade, in Marlborough Community Park in Stechford, Birmingham when the dog stopped by some bushes. Mr Wilday went over to investigate why his dog was not moving from the bushes.

When he arrived to where the dog was standing he noticed a carrier bag on the floor and inside he found a new born baby in a blanket.

Mr Wilday immediately called the police and the baby was taken to the Heartlands Hospital Neonatal Department.

Following a police investigation, 27-year-old Nadia Vickerage was identified as the baby’s mother. She later admitted in police interview that she had visited the park that morning and had given birth and then abandoned her baby there.

Lisa Newman, Senior Crown Prosecutor from West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service’s Public Protection Unit, said:

“Nadia Vickerage gave birth to a baby in a public park, but rather than call for medical assistance after the birth or attend the nearby hospital, she abandoned the baby to the elements.

“We are thankful that Mr Wilday and his dog were in the right place at the right time to find the baby and call the emergency services. If the child had not been discovered when she was, it was highly likely that she would have died.

“Baby Jade has recovered from her ordeal and we continue to wish her all the very best as she grows up.”

A man has been charged with GBH, robbery, dangerous driving and driving without insurance, following an incident in Mansfield last week.

On Tuesday 24 June 2014 a man was found to have sustained serious head injuries in the carpark of National Tyres in Chesterfield Road. His car had been stolen.

William Doran, 32, of Ravenscliffe, Bradford, has been charged and appeared before Mansfield Magistrates’ Court this morning (Thursday 3 July 2014).

He has been remanded in custody until Thursday 17 July 2014 when he is due to appear at Nottingham Crown Court.

A 47-year-old man from Leeds has also been arrested in connection with the incident. He remains in custody pending further investigation work.

The victim remains in hospital in a stable condition.

Three men, who manipulated their victim into buying them drinks before robbing him in a Mansfield street, have been jailed.

Jerry Tolbert, Ashley Lawrence and Jamie Roberts persuaded their 39-year-old victim to buy them alcohol from Tesco, in Chesterfield Road South, before attacking him as he walked home along Newgate Lane.

In the early hours of Monday 27 January 2014 they beat him, leaving him with cuts and bruises, and stole cash and his mobile phone.

It wasn’t long before the three attackers were identified on CCTV footage and arrested.

Tolbert, 22, of Gordon Avenue in Mansfield, was found guilty of robbery following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court. On Monday (30 June 2014) he was sentenced to 90 months imprisonment.

Both Roberts, 22, of Sherwood Street in Mansfield, and Lawrence, 26, of Abbey Lane in London, pleaded guilty to the same offence at a previous hearing. They were each sentenced to four years in jail.

Detective Constable Tony Lee said: “These men exploited their victim’s kindness to get what they wanted before turning to physical violence to get even more. With three against one he didn’t stand a chance.

“They now have time behind bars to reflect on those actions.”

Ashley Lawrence

Jamie Roberts

Jerry Tolbert