olice have released a digital image of a taxi driver who threatened to sexually assault a woman if she didn’t get into his cab.

The woman was walking home along Wilbraham Road, Whalley Range when she heard a man whistle at her.

She turned around and saw a man filling a black hackney cab.

The woman, 20, ignored the man and continued on her journey.

Further down the road the man pulled up alongside her and asked her to get into his cab and told her he had something to tell her.

After repeated attempts to get her into the car he told her: “get in my car or I will sexually assault you.”

The victim managed to walk off. The whole incident lasted several minutes.

Police have made a number of enquiries to trace the offender, including liaising with the local authority who license taxi drivers, but to date the man has not been traced.

The offender is described as Asian, in his 30s, 5ft 6in tall and with a bald head. At the time of the incident, which happened about 5pm on 4 December 2013, was wearing a cream cardigan and combat style trousers.

Pc Peter Brobbey, said: “The victim understandably felt threatened and intimidated throughout this incident, which lasted several minutes.

“The man has made some disturbing threats and we need to identify him.

“If you recognise someone from the description, particularly if this matches someone who drives a black cab, please get in touch.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 4423, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Police have released a photograph of a man wanted for breach of a community order.

Robert Phillips, originally from Hougoumont Grove, Liverpool, is wanted after failing to attend appointments at Salford Probation.

Following a conviction for assault in the Liverpool Area he was giving a Community Order with conditions attached to this which included attending appointments with the probation service.

Although signing on at Salford Probation he has an address in Liverpool, and has links to Merseyside.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Craig Wilcox, aged 28, was last seen on 6 January 2014 at the home of relatives on Norfolk Crescent in Failsworth.

Craig is described as being of slim build, around 5ft 10in tall and was wearing a grey Super Dry hooded top and blue combat pants when he was last seen.

He is known to have links to the Newton Heath area of Greater Manchester, in particular Crosby Road and possibly Bradford in West Yorkshire.

Police Sergeant Andy Beasley, based at Central Park police station said; “This is totally out of character for Craig to go missing, he has not been in touch with his friends or family for nearly six weeks now.

“Craig has a young son who he has not seen or been in contact with since he went missing last month and his son wants his dad to come home.

“We think he may have connections in the Bradford area of North Yorkshire and we are keen to hear from anyone who recognises Craig or has any information about his whereabouts.

“Similarly, if Craig himself can see or hear this appeal then please get in touch to let us know you are ok.”

If anyone has any information as to Craig’s whereabouts, please ring the East Neighbourhood Policing Team on 0161 856 3020 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

The family of a man who died after a road traffic collision in Macclesfield have paid tribute to him.

Police and other emergency services were called to Farm Lane, Lower Withington at 7.12am on Thursday 13 February 2014.

When officers arrived, a tree was partially in the road, and a Volkswagen Golf had collided with a Range Rover.

The driver of the Volkswagen, 33-year-old Dan Barlow, sadly died at the scene. The front seat passenger, a 46-year-old woman had to be released from the car by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and was taken to Wythenshawe Hospital with serious but not life threatening injuries.

Dan′s family said: “A dedicated and loving family man, adored by his wife, two daughters, mum and dad, sister and dearly loved by all who knew him. A keen mountain biker and musician. He devoted his life to helping other people as a pain nurse.”

The driver of the Ranger Rover, a 43-year-old woman was taken to Macclesfield Hospital to be checked over and discharged the same day.

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident number 132 of 13 February.

Police are investigating after the body of a 15-year-old boy was found in Oldham.

Officers were called at 8am on Saturday 15 February 2014 to reports of a body in an alleyway off Ripponden Road.

A post mortem is due to take place to establish the cause of his death.

Chief Superintendent Chris Sykes said: “The death of this young man will be a big shock to the community and we have launched an investigation to find out the full circumstances of what happened.

“We are currently treating his death as unexplained. While there is nothing at this stage to suggest any wrong doing, we cannot rule out any third party involvement, and we await the outcome of a post mortem due to take place later today.

“We have increased our patrols in the area to offer reassurance to residents and would ask if anyone has any information or concerns that they come and speak to us.

“In particular we are keen to hear from anyone who may have been in the area overnight into the early hours of the morning on Saturday 15 February 2014. If you saw or heard anything suspicious I would urge you to get in touch with police straightaway.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police continue to investigate the death of a 15-year-old boy Leon Cudworth  in Oldham.

Officers were called at 8am on Saturday 15 February 2014 to reports of a body in an alleyway off Ripponden Road.

A post mortem to establish the cause of death was inconclusive.

Chief Superintendent Chris Sykes said: “A post mortem to find the cause of death was inconclusive therefore further toxicology tests are required and his death remains unexplained at this time.

“I would reiterate that while there is nothing to suggest any wrong doing, we cannot rule out any third party involvement so we are continuing to fully investigate the circumstances of what happened.

“We would urge anyone with information to get in touch as your information, however small and insignificant it may seem, could help us to piece together the movements of this young man on Friday night into Saturday morning.

“We have officers patrolling the area so would ask anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area that night to speak to us.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police are growing increasingly concerned for a missing woman from Swinton.

Jennifer Cross, 35, was last seen at 2.30pm on Saturday 15 February 2014 in Victoria Park in Swinton. It is believed she may have travelled into Manchester city centre.

She is described as white, around 4ft 8in tall and of large build. She was last seen wearing a navy anorak with white stripes, black leggings and black boots. She was also wearing a brown hat with fur around the edge and a black and white scarf.

Detective Inspector Estelle Mathieson said: “It is unusual for Jennifer not to return home overnight and so we are very concerned for her wellbeing, as is her family, particularly with the bad weather we are experiencing.

“If anyone knows of her whereabouts or has seen Jennifer since yesterday afternoon we would ask you to get in touch with police.”

Anyone with information of her whereabouts should call police on 101.

Merseyside Police is issuing a warning to young people and students after three people were taken to hospital this morning (Sunday, 16 February, 2014) in a criticial condition after taking a substance believed to be known as GEEBS.

Officers were called to student accommodation at Bordens Court, Liverpool city centre, at about 7.30am following reports of a concern for safety for three people who had collapsed in a communal area of the building.

On arrival officers found three people, two men aged 20 years from Kensington and 22 years from Huyton, and a female aged 16 years from Clubmoor, who were being tended to by paramedics. All three were taken to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital where they were placed in intensive care. The conditions of all three have improved significantly during the day and the 20-year-old man has now been discharged from hospital.

Although the investigation is in its early stages officers believe that the two men and the teenager had been to a party in Lawrence Road, Wavertree, and a number of clubs in the city centre prior to returning to the accommodation at Borden Court where they collapsed.

Officers have cordoned off the accommodation at Borden Court and the property at Lawrence Road and searches of both properties are ongoing.

Detective Superintendent Chris Green, said: “As a result of our investigations we believe that the three people who collapsed in Borden Court this morning had taken a product called GEEBS, which is actually a chemical used to clean alloy wheels and is used as a legal high.

“We have consulted with the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and established that if taken this substance can have side effects, but at the end of the day this substance is a chemical used to clean car wheels and even in small doses can kill.”

He added: “We believe that the three people who are currently in hospital had been to a number of clubs in the city and a party in Lawrence Road, Wavertree before they returned to Borden Court.

“We have spoken to a number of people who were at the party at Lawrence Road but we know that there were other people who were at the party and we would like them to come forward for two reasons. The first to check that they are safe and well and secondly to see if they have any information which could help us with our inquiries.”

“We will be working with universities in the city in the coming days to warn students about the dangers that drugs and chemicals can have when taken, particularly if mixed with alcohol, or other substances.

“We understand that the three people involved may have taken other substances and as a precaution checks are underway to establish what those drugs were and to ensure that they have not taken drugs that are part of a bad batch.”

Anyone who was at the party in Lawrence Road, or who has any information which could help the police with their inquiries can contact detectives at St Anne Street police station on 0151 777 6064, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The investigation continues into the last movements of a 15-year-old boy in Oldham.

Leon Cudworth, 15, from Oldham was found dead outside in an alleyway off Ripponden Road around 7.40am on Saturday 15 February 2014.

A post mortem to establish the cause of death was inconclusive.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Reade said: “We are not treating Leon’s death as suspicious. The investigation has revealed that Leon was captured on CCTV leaving friends just after 1am at McDonalds on Huddersfield Road, making his way home. He is later seen just before 1.20am on CCTV on Ripponden Road just 300 meters from his home address. Sadly his death appears to be the result of a tragic set of circumstances.

“We are awaiting further toxicology tests to help answer some of the questions around what caused his death which may take some weeks. In the meantime the investigation is continuing to piece together Leon’s last movements.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Cumbria Police are advising caution when responding to emails received as a result of transactions on eBay or PayPal.

There have been reports of emails circulating to genuine eBay sellers that are from scammers trying to get items posted that they have not purchased.  Some also falsely state that additional funds have been deposited, above the value of the item and request that the seller transfer the extra money into another account.

When purchasing items on eBay and paying via PayPal, any subsequent contact or emails should be checked via your personal account on the website direct. Do not click onto any links on emails received but log into your account on the genuine website, with a secure password and check the inbox.

If you believe you have been a victim of a scam involving these websites, please visit www.actionfraud.police.uk  for more advice on reporting.

For more information about staying safe, you can visit:

eBay: http://pages.ebay.co.uk/safetycentre/help.html

PayPal: www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/phishing

A man is wanted in connection with a theft of a car.

Keenan Skilling (01/04/1994) is wanted after a car was stolen from the Priory Road area of Bowden on Saturday 25 January 2014. 

Skilling has connections in the Stockport and Trafford area. 

Anyone with information should phone police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

James O’Connor (23/06/1981) of Great Arbor Way, Middleton, has been charged with section 18 assault and was due to appear at Bury Magistrates Court today, Tuesday 18 February 2014.

Around 2.10am on Sunday 16 February 2014 a 37-year-old man was assaulted outside the Assheton Arms on Market Place.

The man was taken to hospital in a critical condition. His injuries are believed to be life threatening.

Police are appealing for the public’s help to trace two men wanted on recall to prison.

David Raby (04/12/1989), was released on licence on 13 January 2014, having been jailed for a robbery in the Pemberton area of Wigan.

He has since breached the terms of his licence.

Raby has links to the Worsley Mesnes area of Wigan.

Andrew Evans (18/03/1991) was released on licence on 16 August 2013,having been jailed for a burglary in the Lowton area of Wigan.

He has since breached the terms of his licence.

Evans has links to the Golborne area of Wigan.

Anyone who has seen both men or knows of their current whereabouts is asked to call police on 0161 856 7221.

Fourteen people have been arrested today, Wednesday 19 February 2014 in a series of drug and firearms warrants across Greater Manchester.

The raids which were carried out at twelve addresses and a Yacht in south Manchester, Trafford, Cumbria and Cheshire have recovered firearms, cannabis farms and a large amount of cash thought to be in excess of £100,000.

Firearms recovered include a loaded machine gun, a sawn off shot gun, a hand gun and ammunition. Cannabis factories were also found at five of the addresses as well as Class A drugs.

Twelve men and two women have been arrested for offences including the production and possession of drugs, possession of firearms, fraud and money laundering.

Approximately 100 officers from the dog, firearms, XTF and tactical aid units supported financial investigators and neighbourhood officers on the raids in properties in Broadheath, Timperley, Hale, Mere, Baguley and Wythenshawe.

Detective Inspector Frank Morris who has been coordinating the operation said: “This is an excellent result and these arrests are part of an on-going investigation into the criminal activity of members of an organised crime group.

“The operation has been made possible due to the excellent partnership activity between Operation Bank, the Trafford Council Benefit Fraud Investigators and the Department of Works and Pensions Investigation team.

“All have made a significant contribution to the wide-ranging and meticulous intelligence gathering and planning process ahead of today’s operation. The seizures along with the fourteen arrests have resulted in us being able to tackle drug culture head on and have taken serious weapons off the streets of Greater Manchester.”

Anyone with information on the supply of drugs in their local area can are urged to contact police or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

A man has been sentenced for raping an 18-year-old woman.

Today, Thursday 20 February 2014, Christopher Holmes (born 19/04/1969) of The Edge, off Clowes Street, Trinity, Salford was sentenced to six years in prison. He was found guilty of rape at an earlier hearing.

On 5 August 2012, an 18-year-old woman had travelled to Manchester with friends for a night out which brought them to the Bijou night club on Chapel Street.

The woman left the nightclub with Holmes, who she had not met before, and walked to his apartment nearby on the premise of a party. Once at the apartment she became unwell. At some point in the early hours Holmes restrained her to a bed by her ankles and raped her.

The woman awoke in the morning to find herself naked with her ankles still restrained. He loosened the ankle restraints and called her a taxi before she left the apartment and contacted police.

Detective Constable Emmett from the Serious Sexual Offences Unit said: “This was a particularly distressing situation for the young woman as she cannot remember going to Holmes’ apartment. Holmes preyed on the vulnerability of this young woman and carried out a wicked act to satisfy his own needs. She awoke in the morning extremely confused and frightened not knowing exactly what had happened to her.

“I would like to commend the victim on her bravery throughout the investigation and trial. I hope this conviction brings some comfort to her and her family.

“We treat rape and sexual assault extremely seriously and would urge anyone who has been a victim, under any circumstances, to come forward and speak to police.

“We work closely with St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester to give victims the support they need.”

Greater Manchester is nationally recognised as a model of good practice in terms of support services available to victims.

- If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.

- You can call Greater Manchester Police on 101, or alternatively people can refer themselves to St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0161 276 6515.

- St Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester provides a comprehensive and coordinated forensic, counselling and medical aftercare service to anyone in Greater Manchester who has experienced rape or sexual assault. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and people can access them either as a self-referral or via Greater Manchester Police.

- Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential support service run by women for women and girls who have been raped or sexually abused. Confidential helpline: 0161 273 4500. Black and Minority Ethnic helpline: 0161 273 4514.

Going out for a night on the town is something many people do on a regular basis. The scene is similar most Friday and Saturday nights across the county, people enjoying themselves, young women tottering around on heels that were a good idea when they first left the house. As the night progresses and it’s time to go home, some people need a little helping hand.

That’s one of the reasons why John Dwyer, Police & Crime Commissioner for Cheshire has awarded the Widnes Street Pastors £3,000 from his Crime Prevention Fund to help reduce alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in the town.

John Dwyer said: “I’ve seen the valuable work street pastors do around the county. They help revellers who’ve had too much to drink, by offering them water to hydrate them. They even offer flip-flops to women, who’ve taken their killer heels off because their feet are sore, preventing them from getting hurt.”

Raymond Roberts, from Widnes Street Pastors said: “Widnes Street Pastors are very grateful to Police & Crime Commissioner John Dwyer for his kind donation. This money will enable us not only to continue our current work of helping vulnerable people late on a Saturday night in Widnes, but will also allow us to recruit and train new members to join our team.”

John added: “Another advantage of street pastors is that they free up police officer time as well. During one shift with them, I observed as they assisted officers who had found a drunken reveller passed out in a doorway. The pastors stayed with this person till help arrived, freeing the officers up to deal with other issues that had arisen.”

A thief robbed a bank in Bury after pressing a handwritten note claiming he had a gun against the cashier’s window.

The man brazenly walked in the Co-Operative Bank at The Rock, Bury, at about 4.50pm on 19 February 2014.

He approached the cashier’s desk where he pulled out an A5 sized piece of paper on which was written the words ‘GIVE ME YOUR MONEY. I HAVE A GUN.’

Fearing she would be attacked and harmed, the cashier gave the thief some money and he then walked off.

Inquiries have established he got into a nearby taxi and was dropped off in the Tweedale Street area of Rochdale.

Police have now released a CCTV still of the man who is described as being white, in his early 20s, of a pale and spotty complexion, a thin build, 6ft tall, with dark eyes and wearing a dark top.

Detective Sergeant Ian Partington said: “Although no weapon was physically seen, if you try and put yourselves in the shoes of the cashier, you can begin to imagine how frightened she must have been to see this note pressed against her window.

“Clearly the offender had planned what he was going to do and had written out a note with the sole intention of using the threat of a weapon to scare the woman into giving him money.

“That makes him both a desperate and potentially dangerous man, and we need to find him as soon as possible.

“We know this man got into a taxi and was driven to the Tweedale Street area in Rochdale, so I would appeal to people to look closely at this image. It may be this man lives either in the Bury or Rochdale areas and if you recognise this man, then please come forward. The CCTV still we have issued is of excellent quality so I’m sure someone will recognise him.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on0800 555 111.

A teenager has been sentenced for causing the death of two women by dangerous driving.

Michael Gilligan, of Nantwich Road, Wimboldsley, was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment. He was also disqualified from driving for a period of 7 years and was ordered to take an extended re-test.

The 19-year-old was sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday (19 February) after having pleaded guilty at a previous hearing.

The incident took place late on Tuesday 18 June 2013. The victims − Christine Coates, aged 75 years, and Barbara Lea, aged 79 − were travelling together in a Honda Jazz along the A533 Booth Lane at Moston heading towards Sandbach.

Gilligan was driving a black Vauxhall Astra and was shown to be on the wrong side of the road as he entered a bend colliding with their car. At the time he was travelling at over 50 mph.

Sergeant Andy Dennison said: “This case highlights the devastation that is caused when people take risks when driving. Driving a motor vehicle is a privilege not a right and it comes with great responsibility to act within the rules laid down when you pass your test. When you deliberately ignore those rules you put yourself and other people at great risk as can be seen in this terrible collision. Our thoughts remain with the families of both victims who have been left devastated by this tragic incident.”

The families of both victims were both in court for the hearing − they were supported by family liaison officers from Cheshire Police.

The families issued a joint statement following the sentencing:

“There are no winners in this case, only losers. Both families have lost our mothers and grandmothers in the most tragic yet preventable circumstances while Michael Gilligan (a young man) has lost a significant proportion of his life as he begins his lengthy prison sentence. Both of these wonderful ladies are irreplaceable to their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, taken from us in an instant. No sentence will reflect the pain and devastation felt by both families. Not one day passes where we don′t think of this collision, which sadly took the lives of two ladies who were enjoying their retirement that they had worked so hard for.”