Detectives re-appeal for information following assault

Detectives are re-appealing for information following an assault in the car park at Tesco Hamilton, Maidenwell Avenue, Leicester.

The incident happened at around 5.30pm on Friday 7 December when a man was approached by two men in the car park, in the area near the library and surgery.

The men, who are described as white, demanded the victim handed over his wallet, phone and keys.

When the victim refused, he was attacked leaving him with serious injuries. He attended hospital following the incident where he underwent treatment. He has since been discharged.

Detectives appealed to the public for help following the incident.

Enquiries have remained ongoing including CCTV work and forensic enquiries.

Detective Constable Michael White said: “We are continuing to carry out full enquires into this incident and are urging the public to think back to the time of the assault. It happened on a Friday afternoon when people would have been in the area.

“Please think back to if you may have been in the area. Did you see or hear anything which caused you concern?

“We believe there was a person who shouted over to the suspects at the time of the incident. Was this you? If it was, we urge you to get in touch.

“Please also check any CCTV or dashcam footage you may have from the area as this could also hold vital information.”

Anyone with any information should contact 101 quoting incident 18000594344.

Source:: Leicestershire Police News

Suspicious approaches towards children, Exeter

Police are currently investigating reports of school children being approached on their way to school in Exeter.

One incident that was reported involved an 11-year-old girl being approached by two men in a small white van, at 8am between Cowick Lane and St Hill Close, whilst walking to schoolon Wednesday 16 January.

Sector Inspector Simon Arliss said: “We have also recently received other reports where children have felt that they have been followed, approached or simply felt uneasy on their walk to school for a range of reasons. On each occasion the child has done the correct thing; they didn’t stop and immediately told a teacher at school about the matter, who in turn have contacted the police.

“Although a number of these reports are believed to be due to heightened awareness following Wednesday’s incident, I would continue to encourage all matters to be reported to police; we will listen and take each report seriously.

“Currently, we have no incidents where a child has been grabbed or harmed; all have made their way safely to school where these matters have then been reported.

“Public safety is our primary concern and we would encourage members of the public to continue to report suspicious incidents to police, but we must stress that at this time there does not appear be an increased risk to your children, nor any new matters that are causing us concern from a policing point of view. But to help with reassurance, we have increased officer patrols across Exeter and officers will be visible in school areas at the relevant times of day.

“What I would ask of the public reporting these incidents is, where possible, to make a note of any specific information. Ideally we’re looking for specific time frames, vehicle registration numbers and person descriptions, as this information will aid our investigations.”

Further safety advice can be found on our website – https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/advice/your-personal-safety/general-safety-advice/

Source:: Devon and Cornwall Police News

Stolen tools found in Plymouth

Police are seeking the public’s help to trace the rightful owner(s) of a number of power tools recovered in Plymouth.

The suspected stolen items were found in the early hours of 31 December by officers who saw a man pushing a wheelbarrow up Charles Street, Plymouth.

The items are described as a Makita power drill in its case, a Makita impact driver, a McCulloch chainsaw and an unbranded hedge trimmer.

A Police spokesperson said: “We believe these items may have been stolen and we need the public’s help in identifying their rightful owner(s).

If the power tools are yours or you know who they belong to, please get in touch.

The police have the serial numbers for three of the items”

A 25-year-old man from Plymouth was arrested on suspicion of theft and has been released under investigation.

Anyone who recognises the items is asked to call police on 101, or email [email protected], quoting reference CR/120435/18

Source:: Devon and Cornwall Police News

Coroner's Appeal: John Dolan, Garforth

Friday 18 January 2019

Coroner’s officers are appealing for information to help trace the relatives of John Dolan from Garforth.

Mr Dolan, aged 69, died at his home address in Westbourne Crescent, Garforth on 12 January.

There are no suspicious circumstances around the death.

Anyone with information on the relatives of Mr Dolan is asked to contact the Coroner’s officer Debbie Howarth on 01924 292301.

read more

Source:: West Yorkshire Police News

Life sentences for shop explosion trio

Three men have been handed life sentences after killing five people in a supermarket explosion as part of a botched insurance scam.

Aram Kurd, the owner of the supermarket, along with associates Arkan Ali and Hawkar Hassan, set fire to Zabka supermarket on 25 February last year, using around 50 litres of petrol mixed with other flammable liquids doused all over the basement.

Their plan was to profit from an over inflated insurance claim as they set to benefit from around £300,000.

In the weeks before the fire, the men hatched their plans – visiting insurance brokers buying flammable liquids including white spirit and barbecue fuel.

The fire and subsequent explosion killed five people. Mary Ragoobeer, her sons, Shane and Sean, and Shane’s girlfriend, Leah Reek were all in the flat above the shop in Hinckley Road, Leicester, when the explosion happened.

The fifth person who died, Viktorija Ijevleva – and the girlfriend of defendant Ali – was in the store at the time and was part of the conspiracy to destroy the building.

After a six week trial at Leicester Crown Court last month, all three were convicted of five counts of murder and conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.

And today (Friday 18 January) they have been sentenced at the same court.

  • Aram Kurd, 34, of Hillary Place, Leicester, was given a life sentence, to serve a minimum of 38 years
  • Ali, 38, of Drake Close, Oldham, was also given a life sentence, to serve a minimum of 38 years
  • Hassan, 33, of Eld Road, Coventry, was given a life sentence, with a minimum of 33 years

Detective Chief Inspector Michelle Keen, the Senior Investigating Officer, said: “As an SIO I’ve never dealt with a job that caused so much devastation, both to the families’ who’ve lost family members and to the wider community. The impact of this incident is still clear to see almost a year on, and the families will never recover from their loss.

“And all because of the callous actions of these three men who were motivated by money and greed.

“Today marks the end of a long and complex investigation and provides, I hope, some closure to the families whose strength, resolve and dignity throughout the last year has been nothing short of remarkable.

“The lengthy sentences handed down today are reflective of the hideous crimes carried out by the defendants.

“The level of planning carried out prior to the explosion showed they had no regard for human life, and only had one thing in mind – getting their hands on the money from the fraudulent insurance claim.

“While the conviction and sentences can never bring those loved ones back, I hope that it’s of some comfort knowing those responsible are in prison for many, many years to come.”

Throughout the ten-month investigation officers obtained 1,123 statements, carried out 2,583 other enquiries, recovered 2,595 exhibits and conducted 48 interviews of suspects.

Officers also trawled more than 700 hours of CCTV, tracking the movements of the defendants, pulling together the case for the prosecution. Some of this footage has been included in a short film detailing the extensive investigation below.

Source:: Leicestershire Police News