Policing News

Boy aged 14 admits possessing gun

A 14-year-old boy has admitted possessing a gun and hiding ammunition in his socks. The teenager, from New Cross, south-east London, admitted having a Russian Baikal pistol, two silencers and 31 cartridges at his home. The boy, who cannot be named, was arrested in August at the age of 13, Inner London Crown Court heard. He admitted possessing a firearm with intent, possessing a prohibited weapon and possession of ammunition. The boy was one of the youngest people in the UK to be charged with firearms offences.

Fourth charge over boy's shooting

A fourth person has been charged in connection with the death of a teenager who was shot in a Derby park. Kadeem Blackwood, 15, was shot as he walked with friends at Caxton Street recreation ground on 11 November. A man, 23, faces charges of helping an offender and is due before magistrates later. A woman, 48, has already been charged with the same offence. Michael Hamblett-Sewell, 19, and Callum Campbell, 18, both of Derby, have been remanded accused of Kadeem's murder. The woman charged with assisting an offender has been bailed to appear at court later in the month. A 20-year-old man also arrested over the death of Kadeem was bailed pending further inquiries. An inquest into the teenager's death was due to be opened at Derby Coroner's Court on Wednesday.

Merseyside Pc on BNP member list

A Merseyside Police officer has been named on a leaked list of British National Party (BNP) members. The force said it had launched an urgent investigation into the Pc's appearance on the list, although it is not clear if he is a party member. The document, which dates from 2007, has the names, addresses, jobs and phone numbers of 12,000 people. Police officers have been banned from being members of the anti-immigration party since 2004. Earlier this year, the BNP obtained an injunction at the High Court in Manchester banning any publication of the list.

Suspected child abuser TV appeal

Detectives looking for a suspected paedophile are to make a nationwide appeal on the BBC's Crimewatch programme over his whereabouts. Brian Hughes, 68, from Overslade in Rugby, Warwickshire, went missing in July 2007. Police suspect him of abusing children over a 40 year period, including raping a young girl. Police believe he may be living elsewhere within a family environment and grooming other children.

Two hurt in police pursuit crash

Two teenagers have been taken to hospital after a vehicle which was being followed by police crashed into parked cars in a Kent village. The accident happened in Teynham, between Faversham and Sittingbourne at about 0330 GMT this morning. The two males, in their late teens, were taken to the Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, for treatment to leg and neck injuries. The vehicle was later reported stolen, Kent Police said. The incident is being reported to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. The A2 in Teynham has been closed between Station road and the Western Link roundabout to allow investigations to be carried out.

Woman, 19, attacked in busy area

A 19-year-old woman has suffered what police described as "a serious sexual assault" in York. Police said the woman was attacked in Heslington Lane on Tuesday evening. The woman was walking from Fulford between 2030 and 2045 GMT when she was approached by a man who pulled her into bushes before sexually assaulting her. Officers said she broke free and ran to a friend's house in Heslington before calling them. Police have appealed for information from witnesses. The attacker is described as white, between 5ft 10in and 6ft, quite heavily built with short dark hair, aged between 30 and 40 with a broad Yorkshire accent. He was wearing blue jeans, a dark coloured zip-up hoodie and white trainers. The attack happened near the Fulford Golf Club, not far from the University of York's sports centre. Police believe the area was busy at the time of the incident with students playing sport nearby as well as pedestrians and motorists using the roads.

Pc saves woman choking on kebab

A police officer has saved the life of a woman choking on a kebab while on a night out in a County Durham town. Friends flagged down a police car in Darlington on Saturday night when the woman began choking on a lump of meat. Pc Colin Brotton, 47, used special medical equipment after mouth to mouth resuscitation failed. The woman began breathing and was taken to hospital. A senior officer praised Pc Brotton and said the woman would have died without his help. Two years ago Pc Brotton, based at Newton Aycliffe, choked on food in the police canteen and was saved by a colleague who performed the heimlich manoeuvre.

Fatal pursuit police 'justified'

No action is to be taken against police officers who pursued a car which crashed on the M1, killing a passenger, the police watchdog has said. Steven Bellerby, 25, from Peterlee in County Durham, died when a Vauxhall Corsa left the motorway and overturned. It happened on the northbound carriageway, near Chesterfield in Derbyshire, early on Sunday. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said the officers were justified in their actions.

Police target night-time economy

Swindon's vibrant night-time economy is being targeted as part of a plan which would end problems caused by drunken behaviour. Chief constable Brian Moore aims to stop offensive behaviour spoiling other people's nights out. I am out with a patrol and it is 2230 GMT on a Friday night. People are out for a good time. But there are exceptions. A man has attempted to get into a night club. He has been refused entry by the security staff. He's got his passport, but is getting angry.

Sir Hugh defamed over 'expenses'

Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde has received a retraction and apology from two newspapers which alleged he improperly claimed expenses. The owners of the Daily Mail and the Mail on Sunday also agreed to make a donation to the RUC Widows Benevolent Fund as part of the settlement. Sir Hugh said he would also donate his payment to the benevolent fund. The chief constable's barrister said an independent audit commissioned by Sir Hugh "found no impropriety whatsoever". The statement added: "The defendants are happy to make this clear, apologise to Sir Hugh for any misunderstanding and have agreed to make a donation to a charity of his nomination."

Death no longer treated as murder

The death of a County Down man is no longer being treated as murder, police have said. Francis Doherty, 62, suffered serious head injuries when he was attacked in his home on the Commons Road in Ballykinler on 16 March. A murder inquiry was launched after he died in hospital almost a month later on 12 April. He had been on life support since the attack. However, forensic reports have stated that Mr Doherty died of natural causes. "In light of recent forensic reports, police are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Francis Doherty in Ballykinlar," said a PSNI spokesperson. Two men were arrested at the time in connection with the attack but were released without charge.