Latest news with #BBCBirmingham
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Yahoo
Police officers named in King's Birthday Honours
Three West Midlands Police officers have been recognised in the King's Birthday Honours list. Sgt Tim Rogers, retired Det Ch Supt Sam Ridding and retired Det Supt Nigel Walsh were each awarded the King's Police Medal. Ms Ridding was a response officer in Sutton Coldfield, before working her way up to lead the force's professional standards department. Mr Walsh worked in counter terrorism, while Sgt Rogers supports and trains police drivers. "Throughout their careers they have worked tirelessly to make a difference in policing and help others," said West Midlands Police Chief Constable Craig Guildford. "This has ranged from assisting members of the public in their time of need, catching criminals and supporting colleagues." He thanked the officers for their contributions, and said the honours were well-deserved. Ms Ridding's career saw her take on roles investigating kidnapping, murders and corruption. The force said she was widely known among colleagues for her tenacity and relentless work to secure justice for victims and bereaved families. Mr Walsh worked in counter terrorism policing before his retirement earlier this year. Bosses at the force said he had strengthened relationships between policing and security services nationally, and developed ways to protect communities against terrorism. He has since returned to a staff role after retiring as an officer. Sgt Rogers has been secretary of the West Midlands Police Federation, and led a national campaign for law changes to help protect officers in pursuit of suspects or assisting victims. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Awards for off-duty PCs who stopped armed burglars Award nomination for PC who saved burning woman Fire rescue police couple put up for bravery award West Midlands Police
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Woman to face trial over shopkeeper murder plot
An American woman accused of plotting to murder a shop owner and members of his family in the UK is to face trial this summer. Aimee Betro, 45, was charged after a man was threatened at gunpoint in South Yardley, Birmingham, in September 2019. She has previously denied conspiracy to murder, possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and a separate charge related to the alleged importation of ammunition into the UK. Ms Betro, originally from the US state of Wisconsin, appeared before Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday when the case was adjourned for trial on 21 July. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. American woman denies shopkeeper murder plot HM Courts Service
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Shooting saw passer-by used as 'human shield'
A man has been jailed after firing a gun during disorder in Birmingham last year – which saw his apparent target use a passer-by as a "human shield", police have said. West Midlands Police released CCTV, which officers said showed Kye Lemathy "recklessly shooting his gun, despite pedestrians walking by", in Aston on 12 October. At one point, the man he appeared to have been shooting at held a passer-by as a "human shield" to prevent Lemathy firing again, officers said. The 21-year-old, from Holte Road, Perry Barr, had admitted possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life at Birmingham Crown Court and was jailed for nine years and nine months on 3 June. Officers had been called to the brawl at the junction of Witton Road and Endicott Road, just after 19:45 GMT. Those involved in the disorder had left, but police discovered evidence that showed a gun had been fired. Investigators also found Lemathy had been stabbed in the fight and had taken himself to hospital. The force later recovered CCTV that showed the disorder taking place. They arrested and questioned Lemathy after he was discharged from hospital. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. HM Courts Service
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
'Male escort' actually cocaine smuggling gang leader
A man who claimed he made his money working as a male escort was actually the leader of a gang which smuggled cocaine worth £20m, investigators discovered. Kulvir Shergill, 43, of Oldbury was jailed for more than 21 years after he eventually pleaded guilty to smuggling class A drugs, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said. Four other members of the gang were also jailed, including Jagdeep Singh, who was sentenced to six years and eight months at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday. The gang imported around 250kg of cocaine with a street value of £20m in 2020 and used the encrypted communications platform EncroChat to arrange the deals. Shergill told NCA investigators he made his money through male escort bookings, teaching martial arts and lucrative personal trainer work. But investigators found he arranged premises in the UK for Class A drugs to be delivered to. He would liaise with conspirators in the Netherlands who would inform him of impending deliveries before his group distributed them to other members around the country. Singh of Tipton was in possession of 30kg of high purity cocaine at the time of his arrest. The 43-year-old was an electrician and was tasked with taking receipt of drugs deliveries and acting as a warehouseman. Three other members were jailed in September: Khurram Mohammed, 37, of Barker Street, Oldbury, was also jailed for 14 years and four months. Shakfat Ali, 38, of Douglas Road, Oldbury, travelled around the UK on the gang's behalf and is believed to have delivered drugs. He was jailed for 16 years and nine months. Mohammed Sajad, 44, of Norton Crescent, Birmingham, was jailed for 16 years. He was already serving a seven-year sentence before these offences. Rick Mackenzie, NCA operations manager, said: "These offenders formed a significant crime group in the West Midlands and had far-reaching contacts to help them peddle drugs all around the UK. "Shergill and his accomplices are directly responsible for the horrendous consequences Class A drugs have among our communities." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Yahoo
Bull spotted loose on streets of Birmingham
A bull has been seen on the loose on the streets of Birmingham. West Midlands Police said officers were made aware of it in the road near New Bond Street, in the Digbeth area, at about 09:30 BST on Friday. The force added that it was working with Birmingham City Council to ensure the animal was taken to a safe location. It is so far unclear where the bull came from. A video shared on a Birmingham Facebook group, shows the animal running in the road and on to a path, with a police officer near by. Posting online, people called for the bull to be rescued and protected. Birmingham has been associated with bulls ever since the practice of bull-baiting arose in the 16th Century, with Ozzy the bull a mascot at the city's 2022 Commonwealth Games and the bullring shopping centre an iconic landmark. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
