Police in Birmingham have released CCTV images of two men who attacked a shop keeper with a baseball bat, before stealing  from his shop.
 
The robbery took place at Cole Valley News in Cole Valley Road, Hall Green at 5.40pm on Tuesday 3 June.
 
Two men, described as Asian and wearing grey tracksuits, went into the store, stole items and attempted to leave without paying. When the 46-year-old shopkeeper challenged them, he was threatened and then struck with a baseball bat by the men before they made good their escape.
 
DC Kelly Whyte from Force CID said: “This was a nasty attack on a local business man and we are hoping that someone will recognise these two men – if you do know who they are please call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A man from Dudley, who sexually abused two young girls while he was meant to be looking after them, has been sentenced to 4 ½ years behind bars.

Wayne Ault of Green Park Road, Kates Hill, was jailed at Wolverhampton Crown Court last Monday (30 June).

The 36-year-old had previously denied three counts of sexual activity with a child under 13 and three charges of causing a child to watch images of sexual activity, but was convicted following a three-day trial.

The offences were committed against the girls, aged between eight and ten at the time, at Ault’s home address between February and August 2013.

The abuse started when Ault, who was supposed to be caring for the girls, woke one of them up in the night and forced her to watch pornography on his laptop. This happened on several occasions over a period of time, before he then went on to sexually assault the other girl.

“Ault was caught when the girls told each other what had happened to them,” said Detective Constable Catherin Blagin from West Midland Police’s Public Protection Unit.

She added: “They then plucked up the courage to tell an adult and I would like to commend these young girls for the bravery they showed in speaking up.

“I hope this strength of character helps them to move forward and gives other young victims the confidence to report such offences to us, knowing they will be taken seriously by the police.

“Ault is a predatory offender who took advantage of his position of trust to abuse his victims. Dudley is a safer place with him in prison and on his release, he will be on the sex offender’s register for life.”

If you have been affected by this story, or are concerned someone you know is being abused, please see the advice centre on our website.

Detectives are appealing for help in tracing a ‘skinny, tall robber’ who robbed a young man as he waited at a Birmingham bus stop.

The hooded offender walked up to the 20-year-old on Hobmoor Road as he waited for his bus to arrive at around 9.35pm on Saturday 17 May.

The robber produced a handgun and told the young man to be quiet as he was being watched before demanding he empty his pockets.

Fearing for his life, the man got out his wallet, containing bank cards and his driving licence, his bus pass, a set of keys and his Samsung Galaxy S3 mobile phone − meanwhile, the offender asked him about his plans for the evening!

DC Cheryl Ray, from Stechford CID, is investigating the robbery. She said: “The young man was very shaken by what happened.

“He had simply been waiting to get the bus for a night in town when he was approached by a stranger, in possession of a gun.

“Understandably, he was scared and handed over his personal belongings and answered the offender’s questions before running home and raising the alarm after his ordeal.

“We have carried out various enquiries but so far have not identified the robber and now urge people to help us trace him.”

The offender is described as an Asian man, around 6ft 2in to 6ft 3in tall, of skinny build, in his late teens to early 20s, clean shaven and he spoke with an Asian accent. He wore a dark blue hooded waterproof jacket with the hood up and he was carrying a handgun, which was largely covered by the jacket’s sleeve.

Any witnesses or anyone with information is urged to contact CID at Stechford police station by dialling 101 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Three brave PCs saved four people from a burning flat in Walsall.

The two male officers and a female officer spotted flames and smoke billowing from a building in Rowley Street, Chuckery at 2.20am and, after alerting the fire service, quickly raced to see if the flats were occupied.

Once inside they found four people, already suffering from the effects of the fire, and dragged them to safety. The two men and two women, all in their 40s, were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

The kitchen fire was quickly extinguished by the fire service and an initial examination suggests that the fire was accidental and it is believed that it was started by unattended food cooking on the hob.

Overnight force incident manager Chief Inspector Jack Hadley said: “It is without doubt that the bravery of the officers saved the lives of these four people.

“After spotting the building alight while they were patrolling the streets, they heroically fought their way into the flats without any protective equipment and no thought for their own safety.

“They found the four unconscious and brought them out the property when they were then treated by the ambulance service for smoke inhalation. The PCs then secured the building until the fire service arrived.

“Thankfully the officers were not injured and the people from the flat have now been treated and discharged from hospital.”

A crooked shopkeeper who awarded himself a £20,000 refund by reversing debit payments made to a newspaper supplier has been jailed following an investigation by a specialist fraud squad at West Midlands Police.

Sri Lankan national Sivapiragasam Sellakkannan − who ran several stores across Coventry − reclaimed the lump sum payment through his bank having claimed a financial dispute with Smiths News Trading Plc.

In February 2012, just days before the refund fraud, he changed his name to Krishnakumar Sivapragasam to dodge civil recovery action and managed to evade capture for more than two years.

But the 31-year-old was stopped by West Midlands Police officers in his Mercedes van on 8 March this year on the A38M en route to a wholesaler − and mobile fingerprint scanners revealed he was on the run.

He admitted defrauding Smiths News to the tune of £20,880.72 and another fraud in 2010 when he stole around £7,000 from money transfer company Western Union but skipped court on the eve of sentencing.

But at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday (9 July) Sellakkannan, from Cheveral Avenue in Coventry, was jailed for a total of 23 months.

Investigating officer DC Chris Aldridge, from West Midlands Police’s Economic Crime Unit, said: “He changed his name three times via Deed Poll between 2010 and 2012; the supplier tried contacting him using the name Sellakkannan but drew a blank having not realised he officially had a new identity.

“In interview he tried claiming he was in dispute with the supplier and was due a refund of around £2,800 − but his bank said they would have to refund the total sum of his direct debit payments.

“In reality, though, this was a calculated fraud and one for which he’s now paid for by losing his liberty.”

Under the business name Coventry Convenience Stores Sellakkannan ran Lifestyle Extra, in Sunbury Road, Whitley; Nisa Local in Albany Road, Earlsdon; Day One Convenience Store in Keresley Road, Radford; and Hillfields takeaway Chicken Express in King William Street.

Smiths News began supplying papers and magazines to his Sunbury Road newsagents in 2009 and, in February 2012, received an application to transfer direct debit accounts to the name Krishnakumar Sivapiragasam.

Company accountants assumed the shop had changed hands − but on 6 March they got a BACS (Banking Automated Clearing Services) notification that two refund claims had been made by Coventry Convenience Stores totalling almost £21,000.

Three people were arrested in connection with the theft of two mopeds from properties in Sinfin and Littleover.

Between 8am and 9am on Saturday, June 28, a Huoniao moped was taken from the driveway of a house in Blagreaves Lane, Littleover.

A Nipponia moped was also stolen from a house in Stroma Close, Sinfin, between noon on Saturday, June 28 and 9.30am on Monday, June 30.

Both mopeds were found on Redwood Park, Sinfin, at about 4.30pm on July 1.

Two boys, aged 15 and 16, were arrested in connection with the Stroma Close theft, while a 19-year-old man was arrested in connection with both thefts.

All three have been bailed pending further inquiries.

Anyone with information on the above incidents should call Derbyshire police on 101.

Police have charged a third man with murder following disorder in Sparkbrook in which a man died.

Unemployed Umar Zazai, aged 25, from Sparkhill, will appear before Birmingham Magistrates this morning (14 July) charged with the murder of Ikram Ullah Khan on Wednesday 2 July. The 25-year-old was arrested on Friday 4 July and has been in hospital receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the disorder until his discharge a week later.

Khalid Jan, aged 23, from Sparkbrook appeared before magistrates on Friday 11 July charged with Mr Khan’s murder and was remanded in custody to appear at Crown Court at a later date. This follows the appearance at court of 22-year-old Naweed Bashardost, also charged with murder, on Wednesday 9 July. He too was remanded in custody.

The National Ballistics Intelligence Service has been working with the Home Office to bring about changes in the law around firearms.

Amendments to the Firearms Act 1968 will come into effect on 14 July this year and the firearms provisions in the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 will come into force.

 Suspended sentences

From 14 July 2014, if a person receives a suspended sentence of three months or more they will not be able to purchase or possess a firearm or ammunition for a period of five years from the second day after sentence. However, a person who received a suspended sentence before 14 July and already has a firearm certificate would be able to retain their firearm and ammunition for the duration of their certificate.

 Life sentence for supply

Section 108 amends the Firearms Act 1998 to make it an offence to possess for sale or transfer prohibited weapons or ammunition with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Antique firearms

From 14 July 2014, a person who has served or received a criminal sentence will not be able to possess an antique firearm. The prohibition applies to anyone who has served a custodial sentence of more than three years or has served a custodial sentence or received a suspended sentence, of between three months and three years. A person to whom this applies and who currently lawfully possesses an antique firearm will need to dispose of it by 14 July.

Deputy Chief Constable Dave Thompson, ACPO lead for the Criminal Use of Firearms, said: “The problem of antique weapons being used in crime is an emerging threat we need to address. The law has been changed to make communities safer and we welcome the tighter controls. The change in legislation closes any loopholes which may be exploited by criminals.

We are not looking to target genuine antiques collectors who may have an item as a curio or ornament. However sometimes antique weapons end up in the wrong hands and offenders buy these types of weapons and obtain ammunition by criminal means.

Antique weapons can legally be held as curios or ornaments due to their age and the fact that the appropriate ammunition is obsolete. However they can become viable firearms if a criminal with the right know-how manufactures their own ammunition.”

DCC Thompson added: “The change in sentencing for supply offences is also an important amendment to the Firearms Act. The possibility of life imprisonment for offenders will certainly act as a powerful deterrent.

NABIS has been operational since 2008 and works with police forces to reduce gun crime levels and provide a national centre of excellence for forensic science, intelligence and knowledge. The NABIS team work to drive forward changes in legislation alongside partners including the CPS and Home Office.

Forces around the UK can benefit from the NABIS bespoke service to analyse ballistic material in quick time and identify linked gun crime data. Experts work out of hubs in Birmingham, London, Manchester and Scotland.

Levels of gun crime have fallen dramatically over the last decade offences fell from 24,000 in 2003 to 8,135 in 2013 (according to ONS data).

If you have information about a crime contact independent charity Crimestoppers by dialling 0800 555111.

Police appeal for witnesses after a man was assaulted in Derby.

On Sunday, June 29 at 2.30am a man was on the Cornmarket, near to Primark, with his friend when he was approached by three men.

One of the men, described as black and in his 20s, asked him if he had a lighter and a cigarette, he replied that he hadn’t and walked away. The man then punched him in the face and ran off.

The other two men were described as white and in their 20s. The victim suffered a fractured cheekbone as a result of the attack.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Neil Dutton at St Marys Wharf police station using the 101 number.

To report crime anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Residents in the High Peak are being urged to increase their shed and garden security as part of a targeted police operation.

Officers from the New Mills and Hayfield Safer Neighbourhood Team will be cracking down on thefts from sheds, garages and outbuildings following a number of non-dwelling burglaries in the area.

Between Thursday, July 3 and Saturday, July 5 offenders gained entry to the garden of a property on Torr Vale Road, New Mills and forced the padlock off the garden shed. A black and red coloured Cube mountain bike was stolen from within.

A white and black coloured Scott mountain bike was stolen from the garden shed at a property on Heather Falls in New Mills overnight between Thursday, July 3 and Friday, July 4.

Offenders also attempted to gain entry into garden sheds at properties on Peak Road, Lee Street and High Lea Road earlier this month. (July)

Operation Anatase will see officers heading out on increased patrols at key times to target offenders and are actively encouraging residents to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activity straight away.

Sergeant Phil Booth from the New Mills and Hayfield Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “As people spend more time in their gardens, sheds are left insecure with sometimes very expensive power tools, bikes and garden equipment being left on show.

“Recently we have seen an increase of thefts from garden sheds which often sees expensive mountain bikes being stolen. I would like to urge all residents to check that any outbuildings, sheds or garages are properly secure and that all valuable items are kept out of view.

“Just ask yourself, how secure is my garden and can my shed be looked in to? We will be offering free garden and shed security checks to help you to further protect your property from opportunists.”

For more information or to arrange a garden security check, contact the New Mills and Hayfield Safer Neighbourhood Team on 101, the non-emergency number for Derbyshire police.

An 18-year-old man was threatened and forced to hand over his mobile phone as he walked through an underpass in Derby.

The victim was walking from the direction of Pride Park along an underpass near Railway Terrace at about 5.45pm on Monday, July 14.

He was asked for the time by a man who had been sitting on a wall. When he got out his HTC One phone to check, the robber threatened him and grabbed it.

The offender then ran up the steps out of the underpass and onto Railway Terrace.

He was white, in his early 20s, 5ft 11ins and of skinny build. He wore dark cap, a grey hoodie and black tracksuit bottoms.

Do you know the person responsible, or do you have information that could help police?

Witnesses or anyone with information should call Derbyshire police on 101, quoting incident number 779 of July 14.

You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

A Birmingham man has today (15 July) been found guilty of murdering his friend in a violent attack at her Edgbaston home, following weeks of controlling and abusive behaviour.

After an 11 day trial at Birmingham Crown Court Marcus Musgrove was convicted of the murder of Jacqueline Oakes this lunchtime.

A post mortem examination found that Jacqueline died from multiple blunt force injuries, which were so severe the pathologist described them as being similar to those sustained during a serious road traffic collision or a fall from height.

The 51-year-old’s body had been left in her bedroom at the Dollery Drive flat and was found by friends in the early morning of 14 January − a day after it is believed Musgrove beat her and left her for dead.

Musgrove was captured on CCTV entering and leaving the tower block and forensic examinations found blood on his clothing and shoes. His fingerprints were also found in blood at the scene.

The unemployed 40-year-old was arrested later that same day on suspicion of Jacqueline’s murder.

He was later charged with the crime and his trial began at Birmingham Crown Court on 1 July.

The court heard that Jacqueline had been friends with Musgrove since they met at a hostel in Birmingham in April 2013. Musgrove was alcohol dependent and within months of meeting, he had assaulted Jacqueline − a crime which was reported but later withdrawn by the mother of four.

At the time of her death Jacqueline had been suffering from depression and other health issues. She led a nomadic lifestyle and was associating with people who were also considered vulnerable. Musgrove himself had alcohol problems and the court heard how he had a history of using violence towards other women that he had been in relationships with.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Ian Iliffe from the Homicide Team of Force CID, said: “Jacqueline was a vulnerable person who was taken advantage of by a manipulative and violent man.

“She tried to offer him kindness and friendship, but Musgrove repaid her with violence, in much the same way he had with others that he previously been in relationships with.

“His use of violence eventually led to Jacqueline’s death. Today Musgrove has been convicted of murder and sentenced to life.

“The sentence will not bring Jacqueline back, but I hope it helps her family and friends take one step closer to coming to terms with their tragic loss.”

A multi-agency domestic homicide review has been launched into the circumstances surrounding Jacqueline’s death, including the contact she had with various agencies in the time leading up to her death.

A trial has begun at Birmingham Crown Court for the murder of 71-year-old Barry Wilkins.

Mr Wilkins was found with multiple stab wounds at a flat in Norrington Road, Northfield on 24 November last year; he died in hospital on New Year’s Eve.

Unemployed Susan Hughes, 47 of Linley Grove, Kings Heath, stands accused of murder.

A 20 year old man charged with facilitating terrorism has been told he faces no further action.

Mouloud Tahari, from Sparkhill Birmingham will not now stand trial. However, his mother Gerri Tahari, aged 44 from Sparkhill, will appear before a jury on September 8 charged with the same offence.

The case against Mouloud Tahari was discontinued after consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service. It was decided there was insufficient evidence to for a realistic prospect of conviction.

A  Birmingham man has today (15 July) been jailed for 18 years after murdering his friend in a violent attack at her Edgbaston home, following weeks of controlling and abusive behaviour.

After an 11 day trial, Marcus Musgrove was convicted of the murder of Jacqueline Oakes this lunchtime and was later sentenced by Mr Justice King at Birmingham Crown Court.

He was also given a further three years in prison for witness intimindation

The Judge commented that throughout the majority of the trial, Musgrove refused to come into the dock and showed a complete lack of remorse for what he had done.

Jacqueline was found dead at a flat where she had been staying, in Century Tower, on 14 January.

Musgrove, of Lichfield Road, Aston, was also found guilty of witness intimidation in connection with the trial surrounding his friend’s death.

A post mortem examination found that Jacqueline died from multiple blunt force injuries, which were so severe the pathologist described them as being similar to those sustained during a serious road traffic collision or a fall from height.

The 51-year-old’s body had been left in her bedroom at the Dollery Drive flat and was found by friends in the early morning of 14 January – a day after it is believed Musgrove beat her and left her for dead.

Musgrove was captured on CCTV entering and leaving the tower block and forensic examinations found blood on his clothing and shoes. His fingerprints were also found in blood at the scene.

The unemployed 40-year-old was arrested later that same day on suspicion of Jacqueline’s murder.

He was later charged with the crime and his trial began at Birmingham Crown Court on 1 July.

The court heard that Jacqueline had been friends with Musgrove since they met at a hostel in Birmingham in April 2013. Musgrove was alcohol dependent and within months of meeting, he had assaulted Jacqueline – a crime which was reported but later withdrawn by the mother of four.

At the time of her death Jacqueline had been suffering from depression and other health issues. She led a nomadic lifestyle and was associating with people who were also considered vulnerable. Musgrove himself had alcohol problems and the court heard how he had a history of using violence towards other women that he had been in relationships with.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Ian Iliffe from the Homicide Team of Force CID, said: “Jacqueline was a vulnerable person who was taken advantage of by a manipulative and violent man.

“She tried to offer him kindness and friendship, but Musgrove repaid her with violence, in much the same way he had with others that he previously been in relationships with.

“His use of violence eventually led to Jacqueline’s death. Today Musgrove has been convicted of murder.

“The conviction will not bring Jacqueline back, but I hope it helps her family and friends take one step closer to coming to terms with their tragic loss.”
A multi-agency domestic homicide review has been launched into the circumstances surrounding Jacqueline’s death, including the contact she had with various agencies in the time leading up to her death.

Staffordshire Police have made a significant number of arrests as part of an unprecedented six-month operation coordinated by the National Crime Agency (NCA) which netted 660 suspects across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The operation targeted people accessing indecent images of children online. It has stayed covert until today in order to protect children, identify offenders and secure evidence. Staffordshire Police, the NCA and its partners are not revealing the methods they used to track down suspects so that they can use the same tactics again in the future.

The focus of the operation was not only about tracing those suspected of criminal behaviour but also to ensure the safeguarding of children across the country by working together using a coordinated and targeted approach.

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Giles, of Staffordshire Police’s Child Exploitation Team, said: “It’s our job to protect the most vulnerable in our communities and we have been working closely with the National Crime Agency as part of our work in this area.

“We are committed to tracking and bringing to justice those involved in the possession and distribution of indecent abuse images of children.

“As a result of the information received from the National Crime Agency we have arrested 19 men from around the county, aged between 24 and 65. The men remain on bail pending further inquiries.

“This area of policing requires specially trained and dedicated resources with the ability to forensically examine technical evidence, such as computers. This examination seeks to identify victims to safeguard them from further abuse and includes an assessment of the extent of the offending behaviour.

“Throughout these investigations we work closely with partner agencies to ensure safeguarding measures are put in place to protect anyone at risk and encourage the suspect to seek help to address their behaviour.

“This operation should be a warning to offenders – the internet is not a safe anonymous space for assessing indecent images, you will leave a digital footprint, and we will find it and you.

“If you’re concerned about the behaviour of someone you know, or if you’re concerned about your own behaviour, you can contact the Lucy Faithful Foundation’s confidential help line on 0808 1000 900 or visit their website (www.stopitnow.org.uk/).”

“To report a crime, or suspicious behaviour, you can contact police on 101 or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

A single punch during a Bank Holiday weekend pub scuffle left one man dead and put another behind bars as a convicted killer.

Adam Lynn, from Kingstanding Road, was today (July 16) jailed for killing Jonathan Woodhall during a fight in the beer garden of Great Barr pub the Deer’s Leap on Good Friday.

Fellow drinkers at the Queslett Road bar described how Mr Woodhall tried separating his cousin and another man as they traded punches − but was knocked out cold by Lynn as he stepped in.

The 27-year-old, from Tamworth, suffered a serious brain injury and was pronounced dead the following day in hospital.

Detectives viewed CCTV footage of the disorder and identified 24-year-old Lynn as responsible for delivering the fatal blow; he was arrested the following evening from an address in Pheasey’s Rippingille Road.

He refused to answer questions during interview but at Birmingham Crown Court admitted manslaughter and today was jailed for three years.

A statement released by Mr Woodhall’s family read: “Known to family and friends as Paddy, he was a happy, loyal, lovable and caring man and a fantastic dad, who doted on his son.”

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Ian Wilkins, said: “This is a tragic case where a dispute between two groups on a night out has changed the lives of two men forever − one has died and the other has been jailed as a convicted killer.

“Anyone who throws a punch must understand that momentary loss of self-control can have a devastating, long-term impact for both themselves and their victim. There can be no excuses and, like Lynn, they must face the consequences.”

The fight broke out at around 7.30pm on Good Friday between two men with a history of bad blood between them.

Minutes later Mr Woodhall was found slumped, motionless across a bench as onlookers put him in the recovery position and tried administering first aid.

Witnesses described the two main aggressors continuing to fight whilst the victim lay fatally injured and one overheard Lynn saying “it’s really serious, he’s really hurt and (words to the effect of) I’ve killed him”.

Two other men − aged 24- and 27-years old, both from Kingstanding − were also charged with public order offences in relation to the disorder and are scheduled to stand trial on 15 August at Birmingham Magistrates Court.

Earlier this summer West Midlands Police launched its alcohol-related violence campaign urging people to drink sensibly and stay in control whilst on nights out.

The campaign − don’t get your #selfie into trouble this summer − plots the nights out of three partygoers through a series of ‘selfie’ snaps and illustrates how blurred, drunken decisions can have life-changing consequences.

Campaign lead Chief Inspector Sean Russell, said: “It happens all too often: fun nights out turning sour because people’s judgement is clouded by alcohol and they end up getting embroiled in situations they’d normally avoid.

“When drinking, fights can be sparked by the most insignificant things like a petty argument, a spilt drink or stray glance. It’s no excuse to say it was ‘the alcohol talking’ and anyone involved in violence can expect to spend at least one night in a police cell − and possibly much longer in a prison cell.”

A man who robbed a woman and then tried to attack her heavily pregnant daughter in Walsall has been sentenced to more than four years in prison.

Luke Ireland, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to a total of four years and eight months in prison yesterday (Tuesday, 15 July) at Wolverhampton Crown Court for carrying out the robbery, after previously admitting the offence at an earlier hearing. 

On  29 March, the woman and her daughter were walking along Church Road, outside Pelsall Labour Club, when Ireland grabbed her hair, pressed a pistol into the back of her head and demanded her bag. He then threatened her daughter but on seeing she was pregnant, changed his mind and ran off.

A day later Ireland was spotted outside an address in Limehurst Road, Rushall and police were called to the area. On seeing officers the 27-year-old fled and jumped into the local canal in a failed attempt to evade capture.

He was fished out of the canal by officers and subsequently arrested. He was later charged with robbery and a separate count of trying to rob the woman’s daughter. Ireland was also charged with possessing an imitation firearm after the replica handgun used in the robbery was found during a search at a property in Willenhall.

In addition to the robbery charges, Ireland was further charged with one count of assault by beating following a separate report of an attack on his ex-girlfriend, which left her with facial bruising. 

Ireland pleaded guilty to the offences on 30 June and yesterday, he was sentenced to four years and eight months for the robbery and one month for the assault against his ex, to run consecutively. 

He also received one month sentences for both the attempted robbery and firearms charges, to run concurrently. 

Detective Sergeant Craig Newey from Force CID said: “This was a particularly nasty robbery and we are satisfied that Ireland has now been taken off the streets for a considerable amount of time.

“He is a dangerous individual whose criminal actions were fuelled by addiction to illegal substances.

“The offence had a significant impact on the victims who have been left extremely fragile by this traumatic experience. He will rightly now serve a lengthy sentence behind bars.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a man was forced to hand over his mobile phone during a robbery in an underpass in Derby.

The 19-year-old victim was walking through the underpass linking Derby College to Railway Terrace when a man approached and asked him for the time.

The offender then became aggressive and threatened the victim several times, before grabbing his iPhone and making him unlock it.

The robber in the latest incident was white, about 5ft 10ins, aged about 20 or 21, of stocky build but with a thin face, and short, shaved brown hair. He wore a dark grey hoodie with dark stripes down the arms, dark tracksuit bottoms and black trainers. He had a pierced ear and a tattoo on his neck.

After the robbery, he ran up the steps out of the underpass and along Railway Terrace.

During the incident, which happened at about 5pm on Tuesday, July 15, two men walked through the underpass, close to where the robber and victim were standing.

Officers want to speak to those two people and any other witnesses to the offence.

A robbery also took place in the same location at about 5.45pm on Monday, July 14, where the 18-year-old victim was asked for the time before being threatened and having his phone taken.

Detective Sergeant Chris Richmond said: “Two robberies have taken place in the same location in the last two days, where the offender has asked for the time and then stolen the victims’ phones.

“During the latest robbery, at least two people walked close by and we urgently want to speak to them to see what information they have.

“I also want people to always keep their personal security in mind and if they don’t feel comfortable walking somewhere alone, then don’t. Find an alternative route, or walk with a friend or a group of people if you can.”

Witnesses or anyone with information on either of the robberies should call Derbyshire police on 101.

You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.