Detectives from St Helens CID are appealing for information following a street robbery in the Rainhill area earlier this week (Wednesday, 9 July).

Officers were called at about 12.30am to the junction of Kendal Drive with Warrington Road following a report of a street robbery, in which a victim was pushed to the floor, assaulted, and then threatened. The offender made off with money along Warrington Road in the direction of Rainhill.

The 58-year-old victim received a minor hand injury and was taken to hospital as a precaution.
Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and detectives are appealing to anyone with information to contact them.

The offender is described as white, about 5ft 8in tall, in his mid-20s and of a medium build. He was wearing a green hooded top and dark jeans.

Detective Constable Roy Waller. said: “This was quite a shocking incident in which the victim has been befriended by another man, walked along the street chatting with him, and was then assaulted and robbed by him.

“I would like to reassure the community that we take incidents of this nature very seriously and we are determined to find the person responsible.

“Even at this time of the night someone might have been driving past. I would appeal to anyone who saw someone fitting the description above in the area at the time or has anyone information about the incident to call police.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 0151 777 6812 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

A man was attacked and suffered a fractured skull in Wigan.

At around 12.40am on Sunday 6 July 2014, the 31-year-old was waiting to catch a coach on Clarence Yard, between Wallgate and King Street West.

He was approached by a man who started talking to him before, without warning, he was punched to the face.

The victim fell to the floor and hit his head on a step.  The offender then walked off with another man.

He is described as being white, in his mid to late 20s, 6ft tall, of stocky build, with short mousey coloured hair.  He had a goatee beard and was wearing a dark grey long sleeved top.  The second male is described as being white, in his late 20′s wearing dark clothing.

Detective Constable Kath Andrews said: “The victim had enjoyed a day out at the races before going into Wigan town centre for the rest of the night. He was waiting for his coach with a relative to take him home to the Dudley area of the West Midlands when this man walked up to him and attacked him without provocation.

“He was hit with such force, he fell to the ground and hit his head, suffering a fractured skull and perforated ear drum.  He has been in a lot of pain following the assault and is lucky his injuries were not more serious.

“I would ask anyone who was near Clarence Yard, which is an alleyway running between Wallgate and King Street West, and witnessed the attack, to contact police.”

Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 7124 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

A woman remains in a critical condition after she was found in a reservoir in north Manchester on Thursday 10 July 2014.

At around midday, police were called following a report that a woman’s body had been found in Debdale Reservoir.

The woman, who has not yet been identified, was taken to hospital where she continues to fight for her life.

She is described as being aged somewhere in her 40s or 50s, around 5ft 5in tall and heavy set. She has long dark hair below her shoulders which is possibly dyed and has an olive or tanned complexion.

She was found wearing a red pyjama top with a dog on the front and the words ‘dotty for you’ and Disney pyjama bottoms with white and black Dalmatians on. She was also wearing blank sandals with a polka dot buckle.

Detective Inspector Neil Jones said: “From the information we have received, we believe she had been spotted at the bus stop outside Tesco on Hyde Road at around 11.30am.  From there, we think she has walked to the reservoir before police have been called.

“Unfortunately, despite the detailed description of her, no one has come forward to say they know who she is. We are obviously keen to identify this woman as soon as possible so we can inform her family and friends she is very ill.

“If you know who she is or believe you may have seen her either at the bus stop or walking to Debdale, please call us.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 3521 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

A man has been charged after a bogus call was made to emergency services claiming a flat was on fire.

William Michael Bowden (born 05/12/1965), of Bosden Walk, Hillgate, Stockport, is charged with an offence of cause to be sent by public communication network a false message to cause annoyance, inconvenience and or anxiety.

He is due before Stockport Magistrates’ Court on 17 July 2014.

At about 8.50am on 13 June 2014, a hoax call was made to the North West Fire and Rescue Service and Greater Manchester Police reporting that a flat on Lincoln Towers in Stockport was on fire and the building was engulfed in smoke.

Two fully crewed fire engines, a double crewed ambulance and three police officers attended the flat but no fire was discovered.

A 48-year-old man who was intoxicated at the scene was subsequently arrested.

Two men have been charged with conspiring to manufacture amphetamine following an investigation by Titan, the North-west’s regional organised crime unit.

Ian Albert Massey, aged 62 from Partington, Manchester and Peter Joseph McCarthy, aged 70 from Graizelound, Doncaster will appear before Manchester magistrates today, Friday 11 July 2014.

Massey is also charged with offences relating to the supply of Class A & B drugs.

It follows a series of raids carried out across Greater Manchester last Wednesday following a 12-month Titan investigation into the manufacturing of illegal drugs.

Detectives from Wirral’s specialist SIGMA hate crime team have released CCTV footage of two people they would like to speak with following an incident in Birkenhead on Sunday, 29 June.

At about 3am, a 19-year-old man was walking along Borough Road, near to the junction with Victoria Road, when two men on bikes shouted homophobic comments at him. One of the offenders then approached the victim and assaulted him.

An investigation into the full circumstances of the incident is underway.

Detectives believe the men pictured may be able to help them with their enquiries and would urge them or anyone who recognises them to contact the police.

Detective Constable Tony Jones, said: “Merseyside Police is committed to tackling all forms of hate crime and specialist officers are investigating this incident.

”I am sure the local community would agree that this kind of behaviour is completely unacceptable and I would appeal to anyone with information about this incident, or anyone who recognised the two men pictured, to call police.

”The information you provide will be thoroughly investigated and could help us identify the people responsible.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call the Wirral SIGMA Hate Crime Unit on 0151 777 2884, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

CCTV footage available here:

A man has been jailed after a threatening note was handed over to staff and a bank was robbed.

William Gage (26/07/1976) of Hargreaves Road, Liverpool pleaded guilty to robbery at an earlier hearing and was jailed today, Friday 11 July 2014, to 20 months at Liverpool Crown Court.

At around 2pm on Tuesday 12 November 2013, Gage walked into the Co-Operative bank on Market Street, Wigan and approached the cashier.

He handed over a note that read: “I have a loaded pistol. No alarms. No codes. Put all notes from the drawer into the bag now. Any drama at all, I will shoot everyone and myself. I have nothing in this life left to lose at all. Calm and quiet now.”

The staff member put £4,000 into the bag before handing it over to him. He then left, walked towards the town centre and got into a taxi.

CCTV showed Gage catch a taxi to a nearby Asda where he changed clothes, leaving them in a holdall behind a counter.

Detective Constable Kevin Telford said: “Although Gage did not say anything to the staff member, the note he handed over to her was threatening and intimidating. As the bank was full of customers, the worker was worried about their safety so did as he asked.

“We studied CCTV and could see he caught a taxi to Asda where he used the fitting rooms to change clothes and leave. He thought he could get away with it but thankfully the long arm of the law caught up with him and he is now serving time behind bars.”

A man indecently exposed himself to an elderly woman in Stockport.

At 7am on Friday 20 June 2014, the 71-year-old was walking her dog on Redford Drive, Bramhall.

A man walked up to her and started talking to her, stroking the dog.

He exposed himself before walking off.

He is described as being white, in his late teens/early 20s, 5ft 3in tall, had short black hair and was clean shaven.  He wore a black t-shirt, low blue jeans that exposed white underwear, trainers and a bracelet on his right wrist with a small crystal ball on.

Police Constable Adam Burgess from Stockport West INPT said: “The lady has been deeply upset about what happened and I would urge anyone who may have seen this man or been a victim themselves, please phone police.”

Anyone with information should phone police on 0161 856 9770 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

John Wilson, aged 60 from Bollam Terrace, Kirkby Stephen, was sentenced today (11^th July) to a three year community order, a three year supervision order, and an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) at Carlisle Crown Court today.

On 4^th April 2013, Wilson was arrested by officers from Cumbria Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit after he arranged to meet who he thought was a 13 year old girl in Whitehaven. The 13 year old girl he was interacting with via an internet chat room was in fact a police officer.

Wilson’s arrest was as a result of a proactive policing operation. He began to use the chat room site Lycos and then instant messaging to engage with who he thought was a 13 year old girl. He would highly sexualise the conversations and instigate sexual scenarios.

He was charged with an offence of attempting to incite a child under 16 years to engage in sexual activity and attempting to engage in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

Speaking after the sentence, Detective Inspector Roy Ledingham of Cumbria Constabulary, said:

“Wilson’s arrest followed a proactive investigation by the police. These operations are conducted to ensure that young children who use social media remain safe.

“His arrest and sentence should send a strong message out to others that we are watching them, and we will target them with a view to putting them in front of the courts with the assistance of other partner agencies. The Crown Prosecution Service have played an integral role in ensuring a successful conviction.

“Wilson will be subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order. My message is simple – we will target others if they engage in similar activity to Wilson.

“I want to reassure parents that Cumbria Constabulary is fully committed to ensuring children in the county remain safe, and the use of an undercover police officer demonstrates that we have a number of tactics available to us. I want to reiterate previous messages to ensure that our children are safe when on online. Our internet safety campaigns highlight some of the ways in which parents can help to ensure their child’s safety, and also the work we are doing to tackle child sexual exploitation.

A man was attacked when he tried to stop an argument in Gorton.

Shortly after 1am this morning, Saturday 12 July 2014, a 24-year-old man was walking home along Vine Street when he came across an argument between a man and a woman near to the junction with Burstead Street.

The victim attempted to intervene and was subsequently attacked by the man with a machete.

He was taken to hospital with a serious wound to his leg.

A 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of serious assault and remains in custody for police questioning.

Police are appealing for information and witnesses.

Detective Sergeant Jim Slack said: “This man attempted to stop an argument where a woman was clearly distressed. The man turned on him and is believed to have gone inside a nearby house to get what is described as a machete and hit him on the leg. He has a nasty wound which has required stitches.

“We believe there were other people in the area at the time who may have seen the incident and may have assisted the victim. I am keen for them to come forward and help us establish the circumstances of this attack.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 1901 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Greater Manchester Police has today (14 July) joined up with Manchester City Council to support charity Syria Relief with the launch of a humanitarian aid volunteering facility in Openshaw, Manchester.

The facility, provided by Manchester City Council at New Smithfield Market will give the general public an opportunity to physically and positively support the planning and hard work that goes into collecting and preparing aid for Syria. Communities are encouraged to take donations of clothes, blankets and food to the facility and get involved with packing them onto containers ready to be sent to those in need Syria.

There are many people in Greater Manchester who wish to help the Syrian refugees who have suffered terribly during the Syrian civil war, and would like to do more than simply donate money to charity. The volunteering facility offers an alternative to people who feel compelled to travel out to Syria and risk their lives to help the humanitarian aid effort.

Greater Manchester residents are being urged to stay in the UK to help at centres such as this one, or donate to well-known charities that have the expertise and access to deliver the humanitarian aid to the right areas in Syria.

GMP Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy, who is the national Prevent lead for ACPO TAM said:

“We know there are many people in Greater Manchester and nationally who want to support the millions of people who are caught up in the Syrian conflict.  Anyone who does travel there is putting themselves in considerable danger and that is why this volunteering facility is so valuable right here in Greater Manchester, giving people the opportunity to donate and assist with the humanitarian effort without putting themselves and others in danger.

“It’s very positive to see communities and organisations working together and this partnership highlights the support that can be given locally to a national cause. “

Sir Peter was joined at the launch by Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, Councillor Bernard Priest and the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Jim Battle.

Deputy PCC Jim Battle said:

“The humanitarian crisis in Syria is something people in Greater Manchester care deeply about. This volunteering facility gives the opportunity to assist some of the most vulnerable people without the need to travel to the conflict zone.

“Community spirit has yet again come to the fore, and it’s a real credit to Greater Manchester people that they are so willing to give their own time and donations to help people far worse off than themselves. Greater Manchester Police, Manchester City Council and people from all across Greater Manchester have shown the whole world that they care.”

Cllr Priest said:

“I know that many Mancunians and people from across the North West have been strongly moved by the plight of those suffering because of the Syrian conflict, and want to do more than just donate money to charity.

“This facility is an excellent opportunity for our communities to provide experienced organisations with items that will make a difference to those in need – such as clothes, blankets and food.  I urge Manchester residents to visit this centre rather than risk tragedy by attempting to travel to Syria themselves.”

Chairman of Syria Relief, Dr Basil Hatahet added: “While the news currently focuses on the brutality of the war and the emergence of fundamentalist groups in Syria, the ever-worsening humanitarian situation and human suffering continue.

“This joint initiative between Syria Relief, Manchester City Council and Great Manchester Police invites the citizens of Manchester to help alleviate the suffering by giving their time and efforts, as well as their financial and in-kind donation in a safe and practical way.”

 It follows a domestic incident at a house in County Road, Walton shortly after midnight in the early hours of this morning.

 Hawkes will appear before Liverpool City Magistrates Court on Monday morning.

Merseyside Police is investigating after shots were fired in Southport on Sunday night.

Officers were called to the Newton Street area at 8pm following reports that a man had been shot at by people in a car.

On arrival officers located the man, who was shaken but uninjured. Following a search of the area, the outer wall of a house was found to have been damaged.

No-one inside the house was injured and the house is not believed to have been the target of the shooting.

Patrols are searching for the vehicle that the shots were fired from. It is described as dark-coloured saloon.

The incident is being treated as a targeted attack against the man and detectives from Matrix Serious Organised Crime unit are leading the investigation.

Highly visible uniformed patrols have been increased in the area to provide a reassuring presence for local residents.

Chief Superintendent Peter Costello said: “This appears to be a targeted attack by one criminal faction against another.

“It is reckless in the extreme to ever discharge an illegal firearm but to do so in a residential area on a busy summer’s evening beggars belief.

“We are determined to bring these criminals to justice so they cannot put other people’s lives in danger.

“Merseyside Police is absolutely committed to relentlessly pursuing people involved in serious organised crime and I would urge anyone with information about this incident to call our gun crime hotline on 0800 230 0600 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Four men armed with a shotgun and a machete stormed into a Bolton bingo hall and made off with £5000. 

At around 7.10pm on Sunday 13th July 2014, four balaclava-clad men in a stolen blue Volvo estate drove into the car park of Mecca Bingo on Breightmet Fold Lane, Bolton. 

Three of the men then forced their way through the front door of the premises, which had been locked by the security staff when they had seen the offenders walking towards the building. 

Once inside the men, who were armed with a hammer, a machete and a shotgun, gained entry to a number of cash drawers and stole approximately £5,000 before driving off in the stolen vehicle. 

The car was later found a short distance from the crime scene on Fosters Lane and is currently under examination by forensic staff. 

Sergeant Kevin Day said: “The bingo hall was open for business at the time and was full of people enjoying the games. 

“Luckily nobody was badly hurt, but that should not undermine the fact that these men came heavily armed and capable of causing serious injury. 

“The men knew what they were doing, they wasted no time in going straight to the cash drawers to ensure a quick getaway and used a stolen car which was soon abandoned after the crime.” 

Anyone with information should call police on Bury police on 0161 856 5795 or 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 

Detectives are hunting a man responsible for a violent and unprovoked assault on a group of teenagers in Manchester.

At about 3.45am on Sunday 13 July 2014, the offender approached a group of friends who were waiting for a taxi on Southmill Street and asked them, “Do you want a go?”

He punched two of the group, one aged 18 and the other 19, in the head, causing them to lose consciousness.

One suffered a broken jaw and is due to undergo surgery. The other suffered less serious facial injuries.

He then chased a third member of the group down the street.

The offender is described as being of mixed race, 5ft 11in tall, of medium build, between 25 and 30 years old. He had a shaved head and was wearing a grey jumper and dark blue trousers.

Detective Constable Tim Greenwood, said: “This man approached a group of young men minding their own business and launched a violent and unprovoked assault.

“Two men were injured, one very seriously, and a third would have been attacked also had he had the chance.

“He is clearly a violent and dangerous individual and I would like help to find him so if you recognise this person please come forward and tell us who he is.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 3515, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

A man has today been sentenced for the murder of one of his friends.

Sebastian Bendou, 36, of no fixed abode, has been jailed for 14 years during a hearing at Preston Crown Court.

Bendou was found guilty of the murder of his former housemate – Christophe Borgye, who was 36 at the time of his death − at the end of May and the case was adjourned for sentencing.

Speaking after the sentencing today Detective Inspector Gwyn Dodd said: “The sentence handed down today by the judge reflects the serious nature of this case − and reinforces the fact that the murder was pre-planned, calculated and extensively covered up.

“This has been a highly complex case for Cheshire Police′s major investigation team and one which resulted in a comprehensive investigation by an experienced team of detectives.

“It was challenging for all those involved and required considerable professional skills in relation to the investigation and also the subsequent support offered to Christophe′s family.

“This has been a difficult process for all those involved and I hope that the conclusion of the case today and the sentence handed down to Bendou will help to bring about a degree of closure for Christophe′s family and allow them to move forward with their lives.”

Christophe′s body was discovered in May 2013, buried in the outbuilding of a house in Hylton Court, Ellesmere Port − the body was wrapped in tarpaulin and encased in thick concrete.

The flight attendant, who is originally from Ronchin in France, had been reported missing to police by a work colleague in May 2009 but enquiries at the time led officers and his family to believe he had left the country.

However, four years later in May 2013, police made the shocking discovery after Bendou contacted the force and confessed to Christophe′s murder.

He was taken to the property by officers and showed them where the body was concealed. A search of the property led to the discovery of a concrete structure in the outbuilding. A low brick wall had been built inside the structure to conceal the body with three separate layers of concrete placed over the body to bury it.

A post mortem concluded that Christophe died as a result of a number of blows to the head believed to have been from a hammer − a hammer was also found buried alongside the body.

Christophe had moved to the UK in 2007 whilst employed as a flight attendant and, at that time, had lived in Liverpool with Bendou and another man − Manuel Wagner.

In July 2008, all three moved to the address in Hylton Court. A fourth man − Dominik Kocher also moved to a house on the same street with his family.

The incident is believed to have taken place in the kitchen of the property in April 2009. Bendou claimed that Christophe had threatened him with a knife and he was acting in self-defence when he attacked Christophe with a hammer that was on the table. The exact reason behind the incident has remained unclear but it is believed to have been pre-meditated and had taken place due to a row over money − with Kocher being the driving force.

During the investigation it became clear that Kocher controlled the finances of the trio with Bendou and Wagner paying all of their wages into his bank account and dealing with everything relating to finances for them. Christophe paid some of his wages into Kocher′s bank account and also paid the rent on the property.

Christophe was subsequently reported missing by a work colleague on 17 May 2009. Numerous enquiries were carried out, which led officers and his family to believe he had left the country.

The trio later left Ellesmere Port and the new tenants were told not to go into the outbuilding at the address in Hylton Court as the landlord used it to store personal property.

In August 2012 they all moved to Scotland, this time as one big group, living at various temporary holiday accommodation addresses.

On 13 May 2013, Bendou fled Scotland and returned to Ellesmere Port where he contacted Cheshire Police. Bendou was initially sectioned under the Mental Health Act following his arrest but was later deemed fit to stand trial.

DI Dodd added: “This has been a long and extremely complicated investigation from the start, not least due to the language barriers but also issues surrounding the body and how it had been concealed. Christophe′s body was found encased in concrete in a purpose built structure in the outbuilding, showing the cover-up was clearly planned.

“It was a painstaking process in recovering the body from the outbuilding and formally identifying it and there were numerous lines of enquiry which followed including mapping the movements and financial transactions of all those involved 5 years ago, the assistance of a wide range of experts including forensic archeologists, entomologists, cement experts, pathologists, psychiatrists, translators and financial investigators and interviews of witnesses from Germany, France, Scotland and Ireland.

“What is clear to me is that Kocher was the dominant force in the group, and had a controlling influence over the trio. He was instrumental in the cover up of the murder and leading people, including his family, into believing Christophe had simply moved away.

“The strain of their secret in the end proved too much for Bendou however, who ended up fleeing Scotland and returning to Ellesmere Port to face up to his crime.”

Dominik Kocher, aged 35, from New Abbey in Dumfries, Scotland, has been found guilty of the murder of Christophe Borgye. He was sentenced at a previous hearing.

Manuel Wagner, aged 26, also from New Abbey in Dumfries, Scotland, has been found not guilty of assisting an offender and preventing a lawful burial.

Sebastian Bendou

Christophe Borgye

Dominik Kocher

Merseyside Police can confirm that a man has been arrested in connection with an incident on Newton Street, Southport on Sunday, 13 July.

The 24-year-old man from the Southport area has been arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm. He has been taken to a police station where he is being questioned by officers.

Enquiries into the incident are ongoing.

Three people have been sentenced following the death of a seven week old baby in Oldham. 

Katarzyna Maria Gacek (31/01/1990), of Hillside Avenue, Oldham, Dawid Mokrzanowski (23/10/1987), of Hillside Ave, Oldham and Darren James Butterfield (25/10/1978), of Ross Avenue, Chadderton were found guilty of perverting the course of justice. 

They were jailed for 20 months each at Preston Crown Court, today, Tuesday 15 July 2014. 

At 2.10am on Sunday 26 January 2014, police were called to the Royal Oldham Hospital following reports a baby boy had been admitted from a house on Hillside Avenue, Oldham, with severe head injuries. 

Thomas Gacek was later transferred to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital where he sadly died. 

A post-mortem examination later revealed he died as a result of serious head injuries consistent with a non-accidental injury. 

Senior Investigating Officer Duncan Thorpe from the Major Incident Team said: “Gacek, Mokrzanowski and Butterfield all colluded together to hide the truth of what really happened to baby Thomas that night. 

“He had been subjected to abusive head trauma caused by violent shaking and suffered a number of other injuries including fractured ribs. 

“This has been a very sad and difficult investigation for all those involved.”

32 people are due to appear in Court over the next week as a result of Operation ImpACT, a series of dawn raids across Chester, Merseyside and North Wales targeting organised crime.

The high-profile operation took place on Wednesday 9 July and involved over 340 officers and staff from Cheshire Police. The operation, one of the largest ever undertaken by the force, involved a number of warrants being executed at properties in Blacon, Hoole and The Lache, as well as addresses in Merseyside and North Wales.

27 men and 5 women are due to appear at Chester Crown Court on either 17, 21 and 22 July charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs (one man has been charged with 6 counts of supplying class A drugs).

Superintendent Paul Williams, Crime Manager for the Western Area, said: “Operation ImpACT reinforces the commitment that the police and partner agencies have in targeting those people that undermine our communities and bring misery to residents.

“This sort of behavior can have a major impact on local communities. It is an issue the force takes extremely seriously and we devote all the resources we can to tracing those responsible and disrupting their behaviour.

“We hope that the success of this operation reassures local people that we are listening to what they are saying and are taking those concerns seriously. Community intelligence is vital and helps us to build up a bigger picture of what is happening in a particular area and to work out the best ways of dealing with any issues.”

Information from members of the public is vital in the fight against drug related crime. We would urge anyone with any information in relation to drug use and supply in their area to get in touch on 101. Information can also be passed on anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.