Latest news with #WestMerciaPolice
Wales Online
a day ago
- Wales Online
'There's an emptiness that should not be inside me because somebody murdered my dad'
'There's an emptiness that should not be inside me because somebody murdered my dad' She was a baby when her dad was stabbed to death on Father's Day - she's now aged 12 but she and her family have still not seen justice over his death Christian Bagley was murdered on Father's Day, 2015 (Image: Crimestoppers ) She was just 19 months old when her father was killed. Now aged 12, the daughter of Christian Bagley has written a letter describing the void left behind by his death, as the tenth anniversary of his unsolved murder approaches. On the night of June 21, 2015 , Christian, 30, was attacked while walking through Hereford after spending Father's Day with his young daughter. He had been heading home via Villa Street and the riverside path known locally as 'The Lines' when he was stabbed near a set of concrete steps leading down to the path. Despite suffering severe injuries, Christian managed to reach Charles Witts Avenue to seek help. Emergency services arrived quickly, but he died at the scene. A kitchen carving knife was found deeply embedded in his arm, but the broken handle was never recovered. The subsequent investigation led to several arrests in 2016, but all were released without charge. The case has remained unsolved. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Ten years on, Crimestoppers has offered a £20,000 reward for information that leads to a conviction. As part of the renewed appeal, police have shared a letter from Mr Bagley's daughter, in which she reflects on a childhood without her father, reports the BBC. Article continues below "Somebody taking my dad away from me when I was little is something that can never be replaced," she wrote "I have no memories of my dad or his presence in my life - only what other people have told me. "There's an emptiness that should not be inside me because somebody murdered my dad, that void within myself will always be there. She continued: "I [was] never given the chance to get to know him or for him to watch me grow up... I'll never be able to spend Father's Day, Christmas Day or a birthday, with my dad." "They still haven't found who killed my dad, or any answers to why somebody cruelly took him away." Speaking to the BBC, Christian's mother, Janette Bagley, said the family had been left shattered by his death. "He had a sister, he had brothers, he had aunties, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews. And most of all, he had a baby girl - and that baby girl was his world," she said. "And Christian was my world." She called on anyone who might be protecting those responsible to come forward. "Are you going to do the right thing and let this family have some peace? Let this family be able to grieve and move on, because they can't." As the family marks ten years without justice, police are appealing once again to the public for help. Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Lougher, of West Mercia Police, said: "It has now been ten years since Christian's life was so cruelly taken, leaving a young daughter to grow up without her father. We remain determined to find those responsible and bring them to justice. "We are urging anyone who was in the area of Villa Street, Hunderton Bridge, or the Great Western Way on that night, or who may have any information - no matter how small - to come forward. Your information could be the key to finally solving this case.' If you have any information regarding Christian's death, call Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111 or fill in their quick and easy online form, which can be found on their website. Article continues below According to the Crimestoppers website, t he reward will only be payable for information passed directly to Crimestoppers and not to the police. A reward code must be asked for when calling on 0800 555 111. If you contact Crimestoppers via the online form, the 'keeping in contact' facility must be used, and a reward code must be requested on your initial contact with the organisation.
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Child abuse victim sues West Mercia Police after identity breach
A woman who was sexually abused as a child is suing a police force after an officer revealed her identity to a member of the public. Heidi Clutterbuck told West Mercia Police in the 1990s her brother, Jimmy Guthrie, had abused her from the ages of six to 10. As a survivor of sexual abuse, she has the legal right to lifelong anonymity but the force has now admitted an officer revealed her name to someone who went on to contact her."It should have been my choice to reveal I was a victim – they took that from me," Ms Clutterbuck said. 'I was petrified' West Mercia Police said the force was unable to comment due to the ongoing legal proceedings. Ms Clutterbuck, aged 53 and of Worcestershire, was among a number of women who reported Mr Guthrie to separate police forces more than 30 years ago. No action was taken and their alleged abuser died in 2012. Two years later, Ms Clutterbuck and her family were receiving police protection due to threats against them when she began receiving messages from people who said they knew she had reported her brother and she was a victim. "I was petrified and scared for the safety of myself and my family who I believed were placed in danger because my name had been revealed," she told the BBC."We had CCTV cameras and a security alarm fitted and new locks put on our doors and windows." West Mercia Police ended their investigation into her reported abuse in 2016, stating there was no prospect of a conviction following Mr Guthrie's death. At the time, the force denied breaking the law by revealing her identity, but Ms Clutterbuck was determined to keep fighting. The married mother of five said: "I felt robbed of the choice of whether I wanted to let people know that I was a victim and the choice of who to share that with. "To be denied that right was just appalling but I wouldn't have taken legal action if the force had apologised."In 2017, an Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation said there was sufficient evidence for the case to be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service if Jimmy Guthrie had still been alive. Ms Clutterbuck started legal action against West Mercia Police in 2018 and last month, after seven years, the force admitted "negligently breaching the anonymity of an alleged victim of child sexual abuse".Her case for damages is due to be heard in the High Court next year. In court papers seen by the BBC, West Mercia Police states her claim is diminished as she took part in the government's Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse and has spoken out Ms Clutterbuck said: "I now want to be seen and heard - I can use my voice and awful experiences for some good," she said."I will not listen to people who want to shame me and I feel I have no choice but to take legal action." 'Enshrined in legislation' Her lawyer is Maria Mulla, who is also working with victims of the former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed. "The decision to disclose or not is a colossal one for survivors of sexual abuse and in particular child sexual abuse," she said. "West Mercia Police stole Heidi's lifetime right to absolute anonymity, a right that is enshrined in legislation."West Mercia Police said the force was unable to provide any more information as "this could prejudice a live complaint which is currently being reviewed".Ms Clutterbuck said she had spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on her legal case. "I would like some justice for their mistake because it was impactful for me and my family," she said."It's been a long journey which was so unnecessary." Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Shropshire father and son sentenced for child sex assaults
A father and son who committed a string of sexual assaults against young girls in Shropshire have been sentenced, with the elder man jailed for nearly 20 Hughes, 72, from Ludlow, was given an 18-year prison sentence for 19 offences he carried out against multiple victims between 1987 and Hughes, 21, from Whitchurch, was given an 18-month community order for two offences committed between 2014 and Con Nic Coupland from West Mercia Police said he welcomed the sentences handed out at Shrewsbury Crown Court on 12 June, and praised the victims' bravery. Hugh Hughes was convicted in April of six counts of sexual assault against a child, 12 counts of indecent assault on a child and one count of sexual assault against a will also be placed on the sex offenders register son was found guilty of sexual assault and sexual assault on a child."I am pleased that the sentence reflects the gravity of the offenders' crimes," Det Insp Coupland said."The victims have shown tremendous courage throughout the trial, and I would like to thank them for their bravery and perseverance. I hope these sentences will allow them to now move forward with their lives." Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Three hurt, one seriously, in Gobowen crash
Three men have been hospitalised following a single-car crash.A blue Toyota Auris was travelling towards Oswestry when it left the carriageway and struck an embankment on the A5 in Gobowen, Shropshire, at about 01:30 BST.A 21-year-old was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries believed to be potentially life-threatening, while two men aged 22 were taken to hospital with injuries not thought to be Mercia Police is encouraging anyone with information to email Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- News.com.au
Thief steals hundreds of dollars worth of toys by shoving them down her pants
CCTV footage showed the shocking moment a brazen thief steals around $800 worth of Jellycats by stuffing them down her pants. The huge haul of Jellycat soft toys was taken from St Peter's Garden Centre, south west of Birmingham, England, after a woman stuffed a 'significant amount' of the stock into her trousers and bags. Footage filmed on June 7, 2025, showed a woman helping herself to items as she walked through the store, casually adjusting her pants as she went. Jellycats are uniquely shaped soft toys that are hugely popular right now, thanks to their quirky designs and super-soft material. Over the past year, the brand has experienced significant growth in popularity. William Blake, managing director of St Peter's Garden Centre, said: 'We were deeply disappointed by the incident, where a significant amount of stock – over $800 worth of Jellycat toys – was stolen from our store. 'As an independent, family-run business, every loss impacts not just our shelves but the hardworking team behind the scenes. 'Our staff work tirelessly to create a warm and welcoming environment for all visitors, and it's disheartening when that is taken advantage of. 'We're co-operating fully with local authorities and we'd like to thank our customers for the response to the video and all their continued support.' West Mercia Police said: 'We received a report of theft from St Peter's Garden Centre on June 11. 'Inquiries are ongoing.' In Australia, stores such as David Jones stock Jellycats, with the department store seeing a massive uptick in sales in previous years. 'We've seen strong demand for the brand and an increase in sales in not only their iconic bunny which they are best known for but also more niche/unique styles,' a David Jones spokesperson told last month. 'There has also been a noticeable shift in the consumer who is buying this product, traditionally bought for children we have seen demand from Gen Z thanks to social media driving the trend among this group.' It comes as Aussies have gone wild for the Labubu craze, a furry plushie featuring a bizarre grin and sharp teeth. Designed by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, the product is sold by Chinese toy company Pop Mart following a collaboration with Lung on his story series book The Monsters, released in 2015. While the Labubu hit the market in Asia in 2019, the toy only took off after Blackpink's Lisa, a popular K-pop singer, was spotted with a $32 keychain-version of the doll attached to her handbag in April 2024. And in just 12 months, the whole world has become hooked, including Aussies.
