Here is a roundup of some recent crime updates from West Mercia Police and police forces from across the United Kingdom.
Man sentenced to 12 years in jail for historic charges of child sexual offences (West Mercia Police)
Simon Clancy, aged 44 previously of Teme Road, Worcester was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court on Thursday 11 March. He was found guilty of nine sexual offences during a two week trial that finished on Thursday 10 December 2020, he was found guilty by jury of:
Seven counts indecent assault on a boy under the age of 14-years-old.
Two counts gross indecency with a boy under the age of 14-years-old.
The offences on three boys all occurred in 1992. Clancy was originally interviewed in April 2019.
He has also been registered as a sex offender.
Following the sentence Detective Constable Nerys Stevens said: “I am pleased that the sentence reflects the severity of these crimes and hope this helps provide some closure to the victims of these horrific crimes.”
“The victims have all been extremely brave throughout the process in providing evidence during interviews and in court proceedings. Hopefully, this serves as a reminder and deterrent to offenders that we are absolutely committed to bringing those responsible of crimes to justice, even when it is some 10+ years later, like in this instance.”
Anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence is encouraged to report the incident to police, where specially trained officers will help victims with care and sensitivity, and will work to get the right result for them with their wishes in mind.
Alternatively, there are many agencies you can approach for help, guidance or support which offer a variety of services. Please see The Independent Sexual Violence Services for more information and for a list of the agencies available in your area.
Four men charged with drugs offences in Herefordshire (West Mercia Police)
Four men have been charged with drugs related offences after a series of warrants were carried out in Leominster and Kington, Herefordshire.
Five warrants were executed last week and five people were arrested. Of the five people arrested, the men named below were charged with the listed offences and then remanded into police custody.
Keith Hill – aged 46 of Ridgemoor Road, Leominster was charged with:
- Conspiring to supply a class A controlled drug – crack cocaine
- Conspiring to supply a class A controlled drug – heroin
- Possessing a weapon for the discharge of a noxious liquid / gas / electrical incapacitation device / thing
- Possessing with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A – cocaine
- Acquiring / use / possess criminal property
- Possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A – heroin
- Possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A – crack cocaine
Lewis Plant – aged 22 of West Street, Leominster was charged with:
- Conspiring to supply a class A controlled drug – crack cocaine
- Possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A – crack cocaine
- Possession a controlled drug of Class B – cannabis / cannabis resin
- Conspiring to supply a class A controlled drug – heroin
Timothy Stanley – aged 36 of Coningsby Road, Leominster was charged with:
- Conspiring to supply a class A controlled drug – crack cocaine
- Conspiring to supply a class A controlled drug – heroin
- Possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A – crack cocaine
- Possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A – heroin
Bradley Reader – aged 19 of Tan y Bryn, Valley, Holyhead, Gwynedd, was charged with:
- Possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A – heroin
- Acquiring / use / possess criminal property
- Conspiring to supply a class A controlled drug – crack cocaine
- Conspiring to supply a class A controlled drug – heroin
- Possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A – crack cocaine
All four men were due to appear in court today (Monday 15 March).
A fifth man, aged 43 of Presteigne, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs and was released under investigation.
Police appeal for information after shotgun found in Worcester (West Mercia Police)
Police are appealing for witnesses or information after a shotgun was found in a wooded area in Holt Heath, Worcester.
The discovery was found on Wednesday 6 January 2021 at around 10.30am in the area of Holt Castle Drive.
It is unclear where the firearm has come from and officers are making enquiries to try and establish who the owner is.
Detective Inspector Tony Garner from Worcester CID said: “The recovery of this shotgun is an isolated incident and local residents should not be concerned regarding the discovery.
“We are appealing to the public to come forward and speak to us about the shotgun if they believe they may have any information which may assist with our investigation.
“This area is known for walkers and dog walkers and we are interested in speaking to people in the area around this time. We are asking people to cast their memory back to see if they can recall anyone acting out of character in the area around the day of the discovery. There is a possibility the shotgun may have been there before January so we’d like to hear from anyone who might have any information to assist us.”
Firearms offences are low in the West Mercia area and we would like to reassure the public that these incidents are rare.
Anyone with information is asked to contact us via our online reporting page here quoting Op Goldstone or you can call 101.
Police release efit after boy pulled from bike (Gloucestershire Constabulary)
Police have released an efit of a man they would like to identify and talk to in connection with an incident in Cheltenham in which a teenager was pulled from his bike.
It happened in Hatherley Lane on Wednesday 16 December at around 3.20pm.
An unknown male has been jogging down the lane when he had a verbal disagreement with a 15-year-old on a bicycle.
The unknown male has then grabbed the boy, pulling him off his bike and onto the floor. The suspect has then run off.
Officers have made a number of enquiries and are now appealing to the public for help in identifying a man they would like to talk to about the incident.
Anyone with information which could help to identify the man should contact police quoting incident 276 of 16 December. You can do this through the Constabulary’s website (https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/us/a-crime-that-has-already-been-reported/) or by calling 101.
Murder inquiry update – Troon Avenue, Dundee (Police Scotland)
Officers searching for the whereabouts of missing woman Bennylyn Burke, 25, and her two-year old daughter, Jellica, have today recovered two bodies.
The bodies were discovered concealed within a house in Troon Avenue, Dundee, following extensive enquiries by detectives and forensic experts.
Post mortem examinations will take place to establish the cause of death.
Formal identification has yet to take place, however relatives of Bennylyn have been informed of the discovery.
Detective Superintendent Graeme Mackie, of Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team, said: “This is a significant development in what has been a particularly challenging enquiry for everyone involved.
“Bennylyn’s family have been informed of this development and we will continue to support them at this difficult time as our investigation continues.
“The thoughts of everyone involved in this investigation are with them at this time.
“I would like to thank the local community for their co-operation with what is a large and complex police operation involving many specialist resources from across Police Scotland.
“There will continue to be a significant police presence in the area for some time and I would ask anyone with information to please come forward and speak to us.”
Officers in Dundee attended a property on Troon Avenue around 3.20pm on Friday, 5 March, 2021, as part of an enquiry into the disappearance of Bennylyn and two children who had been reported missing from South Gloucestershire on Monday, 1 March, 2021.
On Monday, 8 March, 2021, a 50-year-old man appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court charged with the murders of Bennylyn and Jellica.
The second child reported missing has been traced and is being supported.
