SIX YOUNG men have been convicted of crimes during a night of violence at a birthday party that ended with the death of a 16-year-old boy.

During a ten-week trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court, seven men faced charges ranging from murder through to violent disorder. An eighth man pleaded guilty to violent disorder back in March.

The case centred around violence that broke out at the Old Comrades Club in Smethwick on 27 July, 2012 − which ended with teenager, Ben Morutare, sustaining a fatal stab wound to his leg. The youngster, who was just 5ft 2ins tall, was rushed to hospital but he died a short time later.

Ben, from Walsall, had attended the birthday party earlier in the evening with teenage friends. During the course of the evening, Ben and his friends came to the attention of a group of other young men in attendance at the club.

What initially started as cross words and pushing and shoving in the foyer of the club turned into full blown violence, outside.

One of Ben’s friends was chased the length of Fenton Street and into St Pauls Road, where he was assaulted and robbed of his bag. Whilst some of the group were chasing the youngster, others turned their attention on Ben, chasing the Zimbabwe-born teen across the car park of the Asian Family Support Service and into Chatwin Street.

During an assault he sustained a stab wound to his upper thigh, which severed a main artery. The teenager ultimately bled to death.

Following today’s verdict, Detective Inspector Gary Plant from the force’s Major Investigation Review Team, paid tribute to those who came forward to help the police investigation.

“The murder of little Ben was a despicable crime with a tragic and unnecessary loss of life,” he said.

“Together with his friends and hundreds of other teenagers, he attended a birthday party that was advertised via social media. As a consequence, a small minority of people singled out Ben and his friends and attacked them, all because they were not local to the area.

“The Police and Crown Prosecution team have worked tirelessly in determining who was involved and responsible for the attacks. In doing so, we have spoken with or interviewed in excess of 1000 people, many of whom were in attendance at the party.

“West Midlands Police would like to thank those members of the public who came forward to support the investigation as their cooperation has helped bring those responsible for attacking Ben and his friends to justice.”

Seven weeks into the trial, Andy Ly, 18, admitted Ben’s manslaughter, whilst his co-defendant Omar Robinson, 19, pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Five further men stood trial and four were convicted of violent disorder. Tahj Mills, 19, Jordan Campbell, 18 and Tobias Blake, 20, were all found guilty this week. Blake was also convicted of possession of an offensive weapon. Dale Reid, 18, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at an earlier hearing.

An 18-year-old from Edgbaston was found not guilty of violent disorder on Thursday. A second man, aged 19, was found not guilty of violent disorder today (Friday).

All seven men will be sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court in due course.

DI Plant added: “Ben was a small boy who, when seen on CCTV alongside his attackers, looks like a small child by comparison. Even paramedics attending the scene initially believed he was 12 or 13.

“Ben’s grieving family have been left devastated by their loss and we hope that these verdicts offer them some comfort as they continue to mourn their son, brother and nephew.

“Participating in violent behaviour will not be tolerated by West Midlands Police or the Courts and the verdicts today sends out a clear message that if you get involved in violent crime, you will be prosecuted and face significant sentences.

“Our thoughts are with Ben and his family at this time.”

Following the verdict, Ben’s mother, Grace Morutare, paid tribute to her son. She said: “You would think that with time the pain of losing our Ben would get a bit easier but it’s been the toughest time of our lives, the fact that we will never see Ben again is the most painful and unbearable thought. No family should go through what we have gone through. We will always love and miss our Ben dearly.

“We would like to thank our family liaison officer who has been there for us and West Midlands Police who worked endlessly to see justice done for our Ben.”

During the case, the investigation team trawled through hours of CCTV footage from the club and surrounding area to provide evidence for the trial. Following the end of the case at court, West Midlands Police released CCTV footage and still images of the violence − including footage specially enhanced, and lightened, by the FBI which captured the moment Andy Ly attacked Ben in Chatwin Street.

DI Plant added: “The weight of evidence against these men, from witnesses and CCTV, was significant and Ben’s family have agreed to some of those shocking scenes to be shared in a bid to deter others from becoming involved in similar unnecessary violence.”

A pensioner is recovering in hospital after being struck around the head with a metal bar at a pub in the Willenhall area of Walsall early this morning (Saturday 10 August).

Emergency services were called to the Three Tuns on Walsall Road just before 5am.

On arrival they found the 72-year-old with serious head and facial injuries. He was taken to hospital where he has today undergone surgery for a broken jaw.

Another victim, a 21-year-old woman, was also subjected to an attack by the same offender and suffered a cut to the head.

The suspect is described as a black man in his mid twenties. Detectives are currently speaking to witnesses as they try and piece together what happened.

Detective Sergeant Angela Baggott, from Force CID, said: “I’m confident that someone in the local community will know the man responsible for these unprovoked attacks.

“The elderly victim was seriously injured and it’s important we get the person who did this off the streets as quickly as possible.”

Anyone who witnessed the assaults or knows who may be responsible should call Force CID on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

TWO more elderly women fell victim to conmen in south Birmingham yesterday (Tuesday 13 August) and police believe the men responsible could be the same offenders who committed a spate of burglaries two weeks ago.

Police have been hunting the thieves − both described as white men, of slim build, smartly dressed, possibly with Irish accents, one with glasses − since four offences were committed on the same day on 1 August.

At the time, detectives described the crimes as “despicable”. Today they are appealing for witnesses to come forward as they issue another warning for people to be extra-vigilant.

West Midlands Police Detective Inspector Gary Dring, said: “The men have been using similar stories by claiming to be checking water supplies and pipe work. They are cowardly thieves and my team is determined to catch them.

“I’ve got a number of officers working on this investigation and we are keen to hear from anyone who may have any information. We are particularly interested if anyone has seen any suspicious unfamiliar vehicles in their area, with smartly dressed men sitting inside. If so, give us a call.

“Until these offenders are caught, I would urge elderly residents to be very cautious about letting cold-callers into their homes.”

On Spiceland Road, Northfield, yesterday, the 76-year-old woman had cash taken from its hiding place while in Stirchley, on Fordhouse Lane, the 80-year-old victim called police when she noticed cash had been taken from her purse. Both burglaries happened during the day and detectives are also probing whether a similar offence in Stechford could be linked.

DI Dring added: “One of the men normally attends the address and while he distracts the householder, normally by moving them to another part of the house away from the front door, the second man sneaks in and carries out the search.

“There is no need for anyone working in the street or area to check your stopcock or water supply. No matter how plausible the story, don’t let them in. Utility companies all use ID cards and will happily wait outside whilst the householder rings the actual utility company for confirmation.

“The utility company number may be passed to the householder by the person at the door. This should be a landline, if not, it isn’t genuine. If in doubt don’t let them in and call the police. I would urge residents to look out for the elderly neighbours in their street and assist them in their efforts to confirm the identity of these cold callers.

“If in any doubt, call police on 101 to confirm the callers are actual officers. Don’t let anyone in unless you’re convinced they’re genuine.

“Distraction burglars are particularly cowardly and prey on the most vulnerable members of society, often the elderly. Please take time to visit elderly neighbours and speak to elderly relatives. If you do witness anything suspicious contact the police straight away.”

If someone calls at your door the advice is:

• Check to see who it is by using the spy hole if you have one, or look through a front window.
• Always put the chain on before you open the door. Door chains are available from most DIY stores and high street outlets for as little as £2.
• If you don’t know the caller, ask to see their identity card. Check it carefully, and keep the chain on while you do this. Genuine callers won’t mind if you close the door while you check. If in doubt, telephone the organisation to verify they are genuine by using a number from the telephone directory and not a number given to you by the caller.
• Bogus callers sometimes work in pairs. Beware of one distracting you while the other steals your property. The best practice is not to let them in.
• Always make sure any rear or side access doors are locked before opening the front door.
• Utility companies operate password schemes whereby, if you register a password with them, any caller purporting to be from that company will give you that password if they need to enter your property, otherwise don’t let them in. For more information contact your service provider.
• If in doubt, keep them out. Phone the police if you are worried on 101 and in an emergency dial 999.

Anyone with information is asked to phone Insp. Gary Dring’s team on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

For further home security advice visit: www.safer-homes.org

A man has today been charged with the attempted murder of a police officer.

Mohamoud Elmi, 32, of Ward End Hall Grove also faces a second attempted murder charge and one count of wounding.

Elmi was arrested at 11pm on 15 June following a knife attack during evening prayers at a mosque on Washwood Heath Road, Ward End.

Unemployed Elmi will appear before Birmingham Magistrates Court this afternoon (Wednesday 14 August).

Police are appealing for witnesses following the theft of a puppy from an address in Century Street, Stoke-on-Trent.

Officers were called to the address at 12.15am on Wednesday 7 August after being alerted to the theft, which occurred between 10.30pm (Tues 6 Aug) and just after midnight.

A teenage girl has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting an 80-year-old man – leaving him with a bloodied nose and black eye – in a nasty Coventry city centre attack.

The 19-year-old was arrested at around 6.30pm today (August 16) after police traced her to an address in Gloucester.

She will be taken to a West Midlands Police station where she will be questioned about the attack in Trinity Street, Coventry, on Saturday evening (August 10) when the elderly victim was punched in the face and shoved to the ground.

A video of the attack – recorded by a passer-by on their mobile phone – had been circulated widely on social media throughout today and met with a wave of revulsion from viewers.

Coventry Police Chief Superintendent Andy Nicholson, said: “This was a despicable, violent attack on an elderly man in broad daylight. The victim is an 80-year-old man – he was left with a bloodied nose and a black eye.

“A video showing the assault spread rapidly on social media and quite rightly the offender’s actions are being condemned by everyone who’s viewed it.”

The attack, which appears unprovoked, happened at around 8.30pm on Saturday evening near Sainsbury’s in Coventry’s Trinity Street.

Police are still keen to hear from people who witnessed the incident and moments leading up to the attack – and have urged anyone who shared the video or still images of the assault to remove them from social media accounts as they could hinder the enquiry.

Anyone with information should contact West Midlands Police on the 101 number or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A WOMAN has today been charged with the assault of a man in Coventry.

Coral Millerchip, from Attoxhall Road in Wyken, has been charged with one count of assault and has been remanded in custody.

The unemployed 19-year-old is due to appear at Coventry Magistrates Court on Monday.

Millerchip was arrested from an address outside of the West Midlands yesterday after police received reports that an 80-year-old man had been attacked in the city centre last Saturday (August 10).

A teenage  girl suspected of attacking an 80-year-old man in Coventry – punching him to the floor and leaving him with a bloodied nose and black eye – has appeared in court charged with assault.

Coral Millerchip stood before magistrates in Coventry today to hear claims she struck the man in the face during a city centre altercation in Trinity Street on the evening of Saturday August 10.

The unemployed 19-year-old, from Attoxhall Road in Wyken, was arrested by police from an address in Gloucester on Friday (Aug 16).

Magistrates remanded Millerchip into prison where she’ll remain until November 25 when she’s due to appear at Coventry Crown Court.

TWIN brothers have appeared in court accused of dousing a Birmingham police station front office with petrol and threatening to torch the building.

Robert and Joseph Blair − aged 49 − appeared before Birmingham magistrates yesterday (26 August) to hear claims they emptied a petrol canister in the reception area of Bournville police station in the early hours of Saturday (22 August).

Both men, who are unemployed, are charged with criminal damage with intent to endanger life.

Robert Blair, from Bentley Court in Weoley Castle, and Joseph Blair from Baldwin Road, Kings Norton were remanded in custody and will next appear at Birmingham Crown Court on 2 December

investigating the fatal stabbing of a teenager outside a social club in Selly Oak on Friday night have this afternoon (Sunday 23 September) arrested a second man on suspicion of murder.

The 19-year-old from Edgbaston handed himself in at Bloxwich Police Station at 2.20pm today.

Another 18-year-old man, who handed himself in at a Dudley police station at 11:45am yesterday, remains in police custody and is still being questioned.

Investigations into the stabbing are today ongoing. The victim has been officially named as Joshua Ribera aged 18 from Moseley.

A post mortem revealed he died from a stab wound to the heart.

Police were called to Coronation Road just before 11pm Friday evening by the ambulance service. Joshua was taken to hospital but died in the early hours of yesterday morning.

It is believed that the teenage victim had been attending a fundraising event at TCs nightclub for Kyle Sheehan, who was murdered in Bartley Green in September last year.

Part of Coronation Road remains cordoned off this afternoon as enquiries continue at the scene.

Meanwhile anyone who was at TCs last night or who witnessed the stabbing is urged to call police as soon as possible.

Detective Inspector Gary Plant, from Force CID, said: “There were a lot of people in attendance at the fund raising event and we know that Joshua was a very popular person and a well-known rising musical star. I would appeal for anyone who knows anythiing to come forward. There are still a number of people who haven’t been spoken to by police. A lot of Joshua’s friends were at the function and may have vital information about what happened and we urge them to come forward.”

Anyone who can assist the police investigation should call 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police have been given more time to question a man in connection with the murder of Joshua Ribera in Selly Oak on Friday (20 September).

Officers have been granted an additional 36 hours to question the 18-year-old man, who handed himself in to Dudley police station at 11.45am on Saturday.

A second man, aged 19, also remains in police custody after handing himself in to Bloxwich police station at 2.20pm on Sunday.

Investigations into the stabbing are today ongoing. Police were called to Coronation Road just before 11pm on Friday evening by the ambulance service.

Joshua, aged 18, was taken to hospital but died in the early hours of Saturday morning. A post mortem revealed he died from a stab wound to the heart.

He had been attending a fundraising event at TCs nightclub for Kyle Sheehan, who was murdered in Bartley Green in September last year.

Anyone who was at TCs on Friday night or who witnessed the stabbing is urged to call police as soon as possible.

Detective Inspector Gary Plant, who is leading the investigation, said: “We know there were a lot of people at the fundraising event on Friday and Joshua was very popular among his friends and was a well-known rising music star.

“There are still a number of people who were there on Friday who haven’t yet spoken to police. I would urge anyone who saw anything to come forward and talk to us as soon as possible.

“A lot of Joshua’s friends were at the function and someone may have a vital piece of information about what happened.”

Anyone who can assist the police investigation should call 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

For the facts on knife crime in the West Midlands visit: www.west-midlands.police.uk/crime-reduction/violence/knife-crime/index.asp

Police have charged a Northfield teenager with the murder of Joshua Ribera in Selly Oak on Friday.

Armani Mitchell, from The Green in Northfield, had been quizzed by West Midlands Police following his arrest just before midday on Saturday.

And last night (Mon 23 Sept) the 18-year-old was charged with fatally stabbing Joshua at around 11pm outside TCs nightclub in Selly Oak’s Coronation Road.

Mitchell is scheduled to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court this morning (Sept 24).

Another 18-year-old, from Edgbaston, also arrested over Joshua’s death has been released on conditional bail whilst enquiries continue.

Detectives are still keen to hear from anyone who was at TCs on Friday night or who witnessed the stabbing.

Detective Inspector Gary Plant, who is leading the investigation, said: “We know there were a lot of people at the fundraising event on Friday and Joshua was very popular among his friends and was a well-known rising music star.

“There are still a number of people who were there on Friday who haven’t yet spoken to police. I would urge anyone who saw anything to come forward and talk to us as soon as possible.

“A lot of Joshua’s friends were at the function and someone may have a vital piece of information about what happened.”

Anyone who can assist the police investigation should call 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

For the facts on knife crime in the West Midlands visit: www.west-midlands.police.uk/crime-reduction/violence/knife-crime/index.asp

A woman will today appear in court, accused of attempting to murder a man in Wolverhampton on Friday.

Leanne Beckles from Wanderers Avenue, Wolverhampton, has been charged following an attack on a 46-year-old man in Hawthorne Road, Blakenhall late on 20 September.

Enquiries into the attack continue, whilst the 46-year-old victim remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital, having suffered serious injuries to his head and legs.

Beckles, aged 26, was arrested on Sunday night by officers investigating the assault. She was later charged with attempted murder and will appear at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court this morning (23 September).

A 44-year-old man appeared in court yesterday also charged with attempted murder in connection with the attack and was remanded into custody.

A 40-year-old man, who was arrested on Sunday has been given conditional police bail while enquiries continue

A sex attacker who indecently assaulted at least three girls over two decades – including a six-year-old left in his care whilst her mum gave birth in hospital – has been brought to justice following a West Midlands Police investigation.

Terence Lee, from Sandgate Road in Hall Green, sporadically assaulted the girls between the late 1970s and the mid-1990s when they were aged from six- to 19-years-old.

The 54-year-old pressured them into remaining tight-lipped about the attacks – but one of them, now in her early 30s, bravely broke her silence during a visit to see a relative in Cheshire last year.

It prompted the two other victims to also speak out about their suffering at Lee’s hands – and after a thorough investigation by Coventry Police’s Public Protection Unit he was charged with four counts of indecent assault.

Lee denied the allegations but, having been found guilty by a jury, he was jailed at Birmingham Crown Court on Monday (23 Sept) for three years and placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

He was also made subject to a Sex Offender’s Prevention Order (SOPO) that prohibits him having unsupervised access with children for the next 10 years.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Jon Barker, said: “These are some of the most disturbing breaches of trust I’ve investigated: to sexually assault a young girl placed in his care as her mum gave birth in hospital is truly despicable.

“These offences haunted the victims for many years and no doubt during those years Lee believed he’d ‘got away’ with the attacks. However, after one confided in a relative the matter was reported to police and we unearthed the extent of Lee’s offending.

“Some of the cases we investigate are historic in nature…victims may only feel ready to talk about abuse they suffered many years after the incidents. And whenever they do feel ready the police and support services are here for them.

“And our message to offenders is simple: we could come knocking at any time…they cannot rest easily and for them time doesn’t heal.”

Lee assaulted the six-year-old girl at an address in Chelmsley Wood in the late 1980s, several years after he’d exposed himself to a 19-year-old girl at his home and then attacked her as she tried to escape.

And in the 1990s he sexually assaulted an 11-year-old girl during an overnight stay at his Birmingham flat.

Lee was arrested last November and Public Protection officers secured compelling evidence against Lee after spending time with the victims to get a clearer understanding of his offending.

DC Barker, added: “We have Public Protection officers who are specially trained to deal sensitively and compassionately with sex offence victims; they are able to support and guide them every step of the way from initial report to court conclusion.

“As recent cases show we have a successful track record of bringing historic sex offenders to justice even if the crimes they’ve committed are many years, even decades in the past. We’re determined sex offenders won’t escape punishment and we’d encourage any victims to contact us so that we can take action.”

SEVEN people will appear before Birmingham Magistrates Court charged with drug possession and dealing following a major policing operation in Wolverhampton yesterday (Tuesday).

Police swooped on 15 addresses across the city as well as Willenhall and Claverley as part of a crackdown to clean up the city’s streets.

Michael Lewis, aged 38 from Hobgate Road, Heath Town, was charged with supplying crack cocaine and conspiracy to supply cannabis and cocaine as well as cannabis production.

Gavin Williamson, aged 27 from Burton Road, Heath Town, was charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

Shenrick Campbell, aged 20 from Field Street, Springfield was charged with conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine and possession of cannabis.

Dwayne Jackson, aged 28 from Aston Lane, Claverley, was charged with conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

Shane Dhandra, aged 22 from Aston Road, Willenhall, was charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

Unemployed Rudolph Burke, aged 50 from Brantley Avenue, Heath Town, was charged with conspiracy to supply cannabis and retail employee Amy Allen, aged 24 from Darwin Close, Heath Hayes, was charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

All will appear at court today.

In addition Adam Walker, aged 26 from Hampton View, Heath Town, was charged with conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine. He will appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court on 2 October.

The following have been released on police bail while further enquiries continue: a 49-year-old man arrested from an address in Audlem Walk, Park Village, a 46-year-old woman arrested in Field Street, Heath Town, a 42-year-old man from Myrtle Street, Park Village and a 52-year-old man from Inkerman Street, Heath Town.

A 42-year-old woman arrested from Field Street was released without charge.

Nearly 300 officers took part in the operation called ‘Wolverhampton No Deal’, which has been a result of almost 12 months planning and based on significant and extensive information collated by a dedicated team of officers.

Following a series of shootings in the city last year by suspected rival gang members, police launched a huge intelligence gathering exercise and undercover policing targeting a number of people.

The aim of the Wolverhampton No Deal campaign is to continue to rid the area of street level drug dealing by not only targeting key individuals, but reducing the demand for drugs by providing treatment to users.

Wolverhampton Police Detective Chief Inspector Paul Drover, leading the operation, said: “Yesterday’s action is just the next step of our efforts together with key partners in Wolverhampton to tackle drugs and gangs in our neighbourhoods. We know how damaging drug use and gangs can have on communities.

“The issue of drug dealing and use comes up time and time again in a lot of community meetings and in discussions that local officers have with local people. We have spent a considerable amount of time collecting all the information available to us.

“Over the last 15 months we have continued to make arrests, obtained a gang injunction for one known gang member and diverted offenders from gang lifestyles through a variety of measures. We have also engaged with schools and youth services to get the message out to young people that taking drugs, dealing drugs and joining a gang is not the route to take.

“We are really committed to this operation and making sure it works on behalf of all the people in Wolverhampton that we serve. We want crime in our neighbourhoods to continue to fall and for our residents to feel safe. Communities working with us have told us they want this change and together we can continue to make it happen.

“We understand that tackling drugs is more complex than simply arresting drug dealers. That is why the Wolverhampton No Deal campaign involves working hand-in-hand with partner agencies to help drug users break free from addiction through gaining access to treatment programmes.”

Police community support officers (PCSOs) have been distributing leaflets to let residents know why the raids have taken place and encouraging them to come forward with any information that may help the police.

Specialist drug workers will be out in key locations in the city where known drug use occurs in a bid to give advice and talk about how they can begin to stop using.

Anyone who may have information relating to drug dealing in their area should contact their local officers on 101. Alternatively, anyone who does not wish to speak to police can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 555 111.

MORE than 50 people have now been arrested as the result of a major operation to crack down on drugs in Wolverhampton.

Several raids took place this morning (Tuesday 8 October) as part of Wolverhampton No Deal and five people were arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs.

The latest arrests bring the total number to 54 since the start of the operation two weeks ago.

Five men aged between 17 and 46 were detained this morning from the following addresses:

• 17-year-old lad arrested from West Avenue, Wednesfield
• 27-year-old man arrested from Hart Road, Wednesfield
• 40-year-old man arrested from Bridgnorth Road, Compton
• 42-year-old man arrested from Hart Road, Wednesfield
• 46-year-old man arrested from Rudge Avenue, Wednesfield

Wolverhampton Police Detective Chief Inspector Paul Drover, who is leading the operation, said: “Today’s activity has taken the total number of arrests above 50 and continues our commitment to tackling drug use and supply across the city.

“Drugs can have a huge impact on our local communities and residents are affected not only by the drug dealing and use itself but also by the associated disorder and anti-social behaviour that often occurs.

“We are continuing to work with partners in Wolverhampton who are talking to drug users and offering them help to kick their habits and to turn their lives around once and for all.

“We have seen some people already come forward to seek help to find a way out of drug addiction and we hope that more will take that opportunity over the coming months.”

Police community support officers (PCSOs) have this morning been distributing leaflets to let residents know why the raids have taken place and encouraging them to come forward with any information that may help the police.

Anyone who may have information relating to drug dealing in their area should contact their local officers on 101. Alternatively, anyone who does not wish to speak to police can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 555 111.

For more information on No Deal visit: www.wolverhamptonpolice.org.uk

INVESTIGATIONS continue this morning into threats made yesterday (Oct 10) that sparked a heavy police presence in Birmingham city centre and the Bullring.

West Midlands Police increased city centre patrols – with local officers supported by armed police and the National Police Air Service – after receiving information at around 1.45pm that a man had made threats to public safety.

Normal police patrols were resumed in the early evening after investigators deemed there was no risk to city centre users; work is on-going to trace the origin of the threats.

Birmingham Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Clive Burgess, said: “Public safety is our number one priority and we responded according to specific intelligence received about threats being made by an individual.

“As a precaution, we deployed a strong police presence into the city centre and Bullring.

“I’m grateful for the co-operation of the Bullring, the public and our partners for their support during the policing operation.”

A man has been charged with aggravated vehicle taking, theft, burglary and dangerous driving after being arrested following a pursuit through Birmingham city centre on Thursday night (10 October).

Unemployed Shane Cope, 32, of Stoneyhurst Road, Erdington is due to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court this morning (12 October).

The silver Vauxhall Vectra was pursued for around seven minutes from Broad Street in the city centre until it stopped on Curzon Circus after being stung by a police stinger at around 9:30pm.

Statement from Warwickshire, West Mercia and West Midlands Police

On 12th October 2012 Police Federation representatives from Warwickshire, West Mercia and West Midlands Police met Mr Mitchell MP at his constituency office in Sutton Coldfield. This meeting was recorded by Mr Mitchell’s representative and following the meeting the Chairman of West Mercia Police Federation gave an account of the meeting to the press who were waiting outside. Subsequently all three Police Federation representatives provided accounts to the media. As a result of allegations that the Police Federation representatives had provided false accounts of the meeting in a deliberate attempt to discredit Mr Mitchell, West Mercia Police referred the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission as a recordable conduct matter.

Mr Mitchell has not made a formal complaint against police.

When referring the matter to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, West Mercia Police invited them to conduct a high level independent investigation.

The following is an extract from the referral form:

This has the potential to be a high profile investigation. There is also potential for the impartiality of the police investigation to be questioned. It is the view of the Appropriate Authority that the IPCC should be given the opportunity to conduct an independent investigation or as a minimum supervise the investigation.

The IPCC decided to refer the matter back to the local forces for investigation and have supervised the investigation throughout.

The IPCC decide on the method of scrutiny once they receive a referral. There are four levels of investigation; the lowest level is local and the next level up is a supervised investigation which means that the local force investigate and report back to the IPCC, who must satisfy themselves that it is a thorough and complete investigation. The IPCC can direct further work to be carried out at any stage.

The next step up from a supervised investigation is a managed investigation where the IPCC take more control. The highest level is an independent investigation when the local force is not involved in the investigation. It is important to note that the IPCC have the power to change the method of investigation at any stage and in this case they have declined to do so.

Warwickshire, West Mercia and West Midlands Police have separately considered the findings of the investigation which has been sent to the IPCC and all three forces agree on the outcome.

Despite a thorough investigation under the supervision of the IPCC we do not believe that there is sufficient evidence to support the view that the officers concerned should face misconduct proceedings. Our view is that the officers have demonstrated poor judgement in arranging and attending the meeting in the first place. In light of this our position is that management action is a proportionate response.

It is important to emphasise these points:

i) Mr Mitchell has not made a complaint against police;

ii) Had the IPCC decided at any stage during the investigation to treat this as a managed or an independent investigation they had the power to direct the forces to convene misconduct proceedings. They have chosen not to exercise these powers despite being invited to reconsider and reminded of their options as recently as last week.

iii) At any stage during a supervised investigation the IPCC can direct further work to be done and they have not done so in this case.

A Birmingham man will appear in court this morning charged with murder after a 47-year-old woman died at a house in Hall Green on Friday 15 November.

Edward Metcalfe, from Riverside Crescent, was charged with one count of murder last night (Nov 26) and was remanded in police custody.

The 35-year-old computer consultant will appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court this morning (Nov 27).

Tracey Topliss was pronounced dead after being found with serious head injuries at her home in Riverside Crescent just before 6am on 15 November.