The first of a new Warwickshire Police twice weekly bulletin that will include recent incidents and good news stories across Warwickshire.
If you have any information that could help the police with any of the incidents listed below, including possible CCTV footage, please call Warwickshire Police on 101 quoting the relevant incident number.
Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
North Warwickshire
Incident 198 of 2 August – Ansley Common
At 12.30am on 2 August, the resident of a home in Ansley Common heard a noise and looked out of the window at their VW Beetle which as parked on the road but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Later that day the resident tried to start the vehicle and discovered that the catalytic convertor had been completely cut out.
Incident 51 of 4 August – Little Warton Road, Warton
During the night of 3 into 4 August, offenders stole a mini articulated loader from an outbuilding at a home in Little Warton Road, Warton. The vehicle was later found in Austrey.
Nuneaton & Bedworth
Incident 167 of 2 August – Dillon Court, Nuneaton
At just before 10am on 2 August, 2 male offenders entered an insecure home in Dillon Court, Nuneaton and stole items of clothing in a light blue pull along case, 2 televisions and cigarettes.
Rugby
Incident 215 of 3 August – Paradise Street, Rugby
At some point around 28/29 July, offenders broke into a garage accessed from Paradise Street by prising open the door. Once inside, the offenders stole an electric chain saw and a circular saw.
Incident 50 of 4 August – Portland Road, Rugby
During the night of 3 into 4 August, offenders stole a Jaguar vehicle from outside a home in Portland Road, Rugby.
Incident 257 of 2 August – Newton Manor Lane, Rugby
At some point before 3pm on 2 August, offenders stole 7 sheep from a field off Newton Manor Lane, Rugby.
Arrest in connection with series of burglaries in Rugby area
Officers investigating a series of burglaries and theft offences have arrested a man.
The first incident occurred in Cawston on 16 January. A man forced entry to a garage and stole tools.
On 6 April, a man walked into a shop in Scholar’s Drive, Rugby and stole a selection of chilled goods.
On 12 July a man was seen to try the handle of a BMW parked in Berrybanks, Rugby, but was unable to gain entry.
On Friday (31 July), a man was caught on CCTV trying to gain entry to a house in Lime Tree Avenue, Bilton.
A short time later, an iPad and vape machines were stolen during a burglary in Lime Tree Avenue, Bilton.
A 26-year-old man from Cawston was arrested a short time later on suspicion of three counts of burglary, theft, and interfering with a motor vehicle.
He has been bailed until the end of August while enquiries continue.
Anyone with information that could help police with their enquiries can call 101 quoting incident 72 of 1 August 2020. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Four men arrested in connection with Rugby stabbing
Four men have been arrested after an 18-year-old man suffered a stab wound to his chest during an incident in Rugby yesterday (Friday 31 July) evening.
Three males from Rugby, aged 15, 18 and 20, have all been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
An 18-year-old man from Rugby was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.
Officers initially responded to a report of violent disorder outside the shops in Church Street at around 4.40pm. A short time later, the injured man was discovered near to the junction with Railway Terrace.
Three men involved in the disorder are reported to have left the scene in a blue Vauxhall Corsa.
A black Vauxhall Astra was also seen to leave the scene at the time of the incident
The victim was taken to hospital where he is now in a stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery.
Detective Inspector Todd Lomax from Warwickshire Police said: “This was a terrifying incident in broad daylight that has left a man with a serious injury and must have been very frightening for anyone in the vicinity at the time who witnessed it.
“A team of detectives are now investigating the incident and to establish what led to the disorder. There would have been a lot of people in the area at the time and we’re keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident, or saw the vehicles or those involved in the moments before.
“I’d also be keen to hear from anyone who was driving in the area at the time who may have any dashcam footage which may have captured the incident.”
Anyone with information that could help police with their investigation should call 101 quoting incident 315 31/7/2020. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Man charged with murder over Rugby fire death
A man will appear in court charged with murder after a child died following a house fire in Rugby in 2018.
Aaron Medcraft was arrested shortly after the fire in Wentworth Road, Rugby on 15 November 2018.
Three children and a woman were injured in the fire. One of the children, a five-year-old boy, died from his injuries in March 2019.
The 23-year-old, formerly of Matlock Close, Rugby will appear at Warwickshire Magistrates’ Court on 26 August charged with one count of murder, three counts of attempted murder, and one count arson with intent to endanger life.
Warwick District
Incident 312 of 1 August – Willes Road, Leamington
At just after 5pm on 1 August, a witness saw a white male offender, described as 5ft 5in tall and wearing a blue facemask and black cap, run out of a neighbouring home in Willes Road, and make off across gardens and fences towards Welsh Meadow.
The male had broken into the house and activated the intruder alarm. He then entered the premises and stole an IPad and items of jewellery before running off.
Incident 178 of 3 August – Leam Terrace, Leamington
Between 25 July and 3 August, offenders broke into a home in Leam Terrace through a rear door. Once inside, the offenders carried out an untidy search before making off with a quantity of cash in notes and a large container of loose change.
Incident 170 of 1 August – St Andrews Close, Warwick
During the night of 31 July into 1 August, offenders stole 2 bicycles which were chained to a drainpipe in the communal garage of a block of flats in St Andrews Close, Warwick.
Incident 385 of 2 August – Myton Road, Warwick
At around 8pm on 1 August, the residents of a home in Myton Road were in their home when they heard a crash. They investigated and saw nothing usual. Later they discovered that two upstairs windows had been opened and items removed from the windowsill
Incident 369 of 3 August – Saltisford, Warwick
Between 8pm on 1 and 8pm on 2 August, offenders smashed the bottom glass panel in the rear door of a home in Saltisford, Warwick. The offenders are not believed to have entered the property and nothing was stolen.
Incident 234 of 4 August – Gypsy Lane, Kenilworth.
During the night of 3 into 4 August, offenders broke into several sheds on St Johns Allotments in Gypsy Lane, Kenilworth. Numerous gardening tools including a rotorvator were stolen.
Man arrested over hoax bomb threat targeting Leamington business
A man has been arrested in connection with a hoax bomb threat targeting a business in Leamington.
The 19-year-old from Coventry was arrested on suspicion of making a bomb hoax on Sunday (2 August) as part of investigation led by Warwickshire Police.
The hoax threat was made towards a business in Shires Retail Park, Tachbrook Park Drive, Leamington on Friday (31 July). It led to officers putting a cordon in place around the site while a search was conducted.
The man has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.
Anyone with information that could help police with their investigation should call 101 quoting incident 154 of 31 July 2020. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Appeal following sexual assault near The Pump Rooms, Leamington
An investigation has been launched after a woman in her 40s was sexually assaulted in Leamington.
Enquiries are ongoing into the incident which occurred in Dormer Place near to the Pump Rooms at the junction with Parade at between 10pm and 10.35pm yesterday (Saturday 1 August).
The suspect is described as being a clean shaven black male with short hair. He was wearing glasses, a green t-shirt, black jeans, and trainers. He left in a small white car that was parked in Dormer Place.
Police believe the victim stopped to speak to a cyclist around the time of the incident and they are keen to speak to the cyclist. The cyclist is being treated as a potential witness, not a suspect.
Detective Inspector Collette O’Keefe from Leamington Serious and Complex Crime Team said: “This is an extremely concerning incident and we have launched a thorough investigation to identify the suspect. I’d appeal for anyone who was in the area at the time, or anyone who saw or knows someone matching the description to get in touch.
“We’d also like to hear from anyone with dash cam footage from the area at the time.”
Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting incident 484 of 1 August 2020. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
South Warwickshire
Incident 481 of 2 August – Loxley Road, Stratford
At just before midnight on 2 August, the owner of a property under renovation in Loxley Road, Stratford chased 4 masked male offenders out of the property. The males are described as wearing tracksuits and one was riding a bike. The males ran off and one was detained by the property owner until Police officers arrived.
Incident 153 of 4 August – Evenlode Close, Stratford
At 12.30am on 2 August, 4 or 5 offenders entered the rear garden of a home in Evenlode Close, Stratford and one climbed into the next door garden. The offender then breaks into a garage and steals q bike from inside.
Good News Stories
A Warwickshire drug dealer has been sentenced following a two year investigation by Warwickshire Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).
Joe Richens, 31, from Leamington, had pleaded guilty to seven charges relating to the importation of Class A drugs, which he purchased from Holland on the dark web, before distributing it throughout the country.
On Wednesday (29 July) at Warwick Crown Court, he was handed two sentences of 11.5 years for two counts of conspiring to fraudulently evade a prohibition on the importation of a Class A drug (MDMA and cocaine).
He was also handed an eight year sentence for offering to supply MDMA, an eight year sentence for offering to supply cocaine and a six year sentence for possession with intent to supply MDMA.
The Judge also gave a two year sentence for a count of conceal/disguise/convert/transfer/remove criminal property.
All of these sentences are to run concurrently.
The investigation, codenamed Operation Celsius, began after the seizure of £100,000 worth of cocaine and MDMA at Coventry Airport in February 2018, which were destined for Richens’ at his work address via a mailbox company.
Officers subsequently discovered that Richens had set up a complex drug supply network and was responsible for a further 13 importations into the country.
He operated using the dark web, sending large amounts of cash to crypto currency brokers, who would in turn provide him with bitcoins, which he then used to purchase large quantities of Class A drugs from Holland.
The investigation into his finances showed that he received hundreds of thousands of pounds into his bank account from the sale of the drugs, and had been actively involved in serious criminal activity since 2012.
Officers will now seek to ensure Richens cannot benefit from the proceeds of his crime through the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA). A hearing has been set for September.
Detective Inspector Richard Brown said: “This result should send a clear message to those who believe they can hide behind the shadow of the dark web. We will use all of the tools available to us to investigate such crime and prevent technology being used to commit serious and organised crime.
“We will continue working to disrupt the distribution of drugs in Warwickshire, ensuring those involved are brought to justice.”
Serial sex offender jailed following one of the biggest investigations run by Warwickshire Police
As you may have seen from the extensive media coverage, on Monday (27 July) Phillip Blackwell, 56, from Cornwall was sentenced to life in prison after admitting to 31 sexual offences committed against nine females in three counties over three decades.
Blackwell had previously pleaded guilty to 13 counts of rape, one count of attempted rape, five counts of indecent assault, one count of false imprisonment, four counts of sexual assault, two counts of assault by penetration, four counts of voyeurism and one count of taking an indecent photograph of a child.
Blackwell was responsible for five sex attacks in Nuneaton and the south of Birmingham in the late 90s. These offences formed part of Operation Fairway, one of the biggest investigations in which Warwickshire Police has been involved.
In each case, the young women were walking alone in the early hours of the morning when they were attacked from behind before being raped or subjected to other sexual offences.
Despite the size of the investigation and DNA samples being taken from thousands of men in the area, Blackwell, who lived in Birmingham at the time, did not come to light as a suspect.
In 2003, Blackwell moved to Cornwall where he continued to offend.
He came to light as a suspect after being arrested last year by Devon and Cornwall Police as part of an investigation into a rape on their force area.
His DNA was taken and linked to two of the Operation Fairway offences – one in Nuneaton and one in Birmingham. In interview he admitted to three other offences in Birmingham that formed part of Operation Fairway.
He also admitted to committing sexual offences against four females in Cornwall.
Blackwell will serve nine years in prison before he is considered for parole.
Chief Constable Martin Jelley said: “Any officers serving in the force in the late 90s will remember the fear Blackwell’s offending caused in Nuneaton. Stranger rapes of this type are extremely rare but when they do occur they understandably cause a large amount of concern in the community.
“Many officers will have worked on this investigation since the first offence in 1997 and yesterday’s outcome was testament to the work of each and every one of them. The force has shown immense resolve in convicting Blackwell and the outcome sends a strong message to all victims of sexual offences that we will work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice.
“Please take the time to watch the video on the link below and hear the powerful testimony from one of Blackwell’s victims.”
PDF Copy of the Warwickshire Police Community Information Bulletin Edition 1 Available Here: Community Information Bulletin Edition 1 04082020