Leicestershire

A 22-year-old has pleaded guilty to stabbing a man outside the Leicester Royal Infirmary and damaging hospital equipment in an incident earlier this year.

Yusuf Aka, of Grovebury Walk in the city, appeared at Leicester Crown Court today (23 May) where he admitted the charges of Section 18 wounding with intent, affray and possession of an offensive weapon.

The victim, 25, and his friend were leaving the Accident and Emergency department shortly after 2am on Tuesday 16 January, when they were approached by Aka.

Brandishing a knife Aka lunged at his victim stabbing him in the back.

The men fled and Aka was captured on CCTV running after them both before he is seen returning to the hospital and calmly walking into reception still clutching the knife in his right hand.

Once inside the busy waiting area Aka proceeded to pick up computer monitors and throw them across the room.

Hospital staff were quick to evacuate the area moving people away from Aka’s ensuing rampage to a place of safety.

He was quickly detained by members of staff until police arrived soon after.

Detective Constable Chris Symmonds was the investigating officer, he said: “This was a particularly frightening experience for everyone present that morning.

“The actions of the hospital staff who immediately took control of the situation without a thought for their own safety was commendable.

“I am pleased that Aka has admitted his involvement in this incident meaning the victim not having to relive his ordeal in court.”

He will appear at Leicester Crown Court for sentencing on 13 July.

Do you recognise these men?

Officers would like to speak to them in relation to a theft at a store in Gallowtree Gate, Leicester, in which thousands of pounds worth of mobile phones were stolen.

The incident happened on Wednesday 2 May at around 12.50pm.

Three men were seen to enter the store and steal a number of mobile phones before leaving.

If you recognise the men in the images or have any information in relation to the theft, please contact 101 quoting incident number 18000200015 or ask to speak to Police Constable 2963 Andy Starbuck

A man was threatened before having his mobile phone and trainers stolen during a robbery in a Leicester street.

The victim, who is in his 20s, was walking in Beaumanor Road at around 11.10pm yesterday (Tuesday 22 May) when a car stopped alongside him.

A person is reported to have got out of the vehicle and threatened the victim with a bladed article. Another man who was in the car also approached the victim but did not say anything.

The victim, who suffered a minor injury in the incident, was ordered to hand the items over.

The two men are both described as being of a stocky build, wearing black clothing and masked.

The vehicle they were in is described as being navy blue or a dark silver/grey colour.

Enquiries are continuing into the incident.

Detective Sergeant Dan Cumpsty said: “We are continuing to establish the full circumstances of this incident and are asking anyone who has any information to please get in touch.

“Please think back to if you were in the area of Beaumanor Road late yesterday evening and whether you saw anything unusual or anything which caused you concern. Did you see two people matching the descriptions? Do you have any CCTV or dashcam footage from the area which could help our investigation?

“If you have any information at all which you think could help then please make contact.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident 18000234949.

Footage of two people officers wish to identify and trace has been issued after a woman was robbed in the city centre.

The 33-year-old victim was approached as she was walking along Clarence Street around 5.20am on Tuesday 8 May.

The suspects threatened the victim with a knife before stealing her handbag. The victim ran away and wasn’t hurt during the incident.

Officers would like to speak to anyone who recognises the people in the footage or have any suspicions about their identity.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC 4599 Des Bausor, quoting crime reference number 18*207732, on 101.

Annette, 56, was reported missing from an address in The Rise, Narborough, last Saturday (12 May), and officers are growing increasingly concerned for her welfare.

She was seen at 9.40am that morning in Russell Court, Aylestone, but it isn't known how she travelled between the two locations.

Hours later she was captured on CCTV at Nottingham train station.

Annette is reliant on medication and has mental health problems.

When she was last seen Annette was wearing a blue bandana over her head, red t-shirt with a black collar, grey cardigan, grey full length skirt and blue trainers. She was carrying a navy/blue suitcase and a black handbag.

She has short hair which has been described as being in ringlets, Annette is of medium build and is 5ft 6ins tall. If you see anyone matching Annette's description, please call Leicestershire Police on 101 quoting incident number 42 of 12 May.

Detectives are investigating an attempt to break into an ATM last night in Castle Donington.

Police were called to around 11.30pm (22 May) to a report that the thieves had attempted to break into the machine at a fuel station in Station Road.

The attempt caused significant damage to the machine but no access was gained and no money was taken.

This morning the premises remains cordoned off while officers carry out a full forensic examination of the scene.

Detective Sergeant David Speight, from the Complex Investigation team, said: “As part of our enquiries we believe that 3 or 4 men attempted to open the cash machine using an angle grinder and after being unsuccessful, they left the scene in a grey Seat Leon which travelled south of the county.

“Did you see anyone acting suspiciously in the area before the machine was targeted? Did you see the men as they made off in the Leon?

“If you have any information regarding the incident, please get in touch with us.”

A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a Leicester jeweller.

The man, from Leicester, was arrested this morning on suspicion of the murder of 74-year-old Ramniklal Jogiya.

He was also arrested on suspicion of the kidnap and robbery of Mr Jogiya and is currently in police custody.

Mr Jogiya was reported missing by his family when he failed to return home having locked up his shop in Belgrave Road at 7.45pm on the evening of January 24. His body was found the following morning in Gaulby Lane, Stoughton.

Four other men have previously been charged with the murder of Mr Jogiya. They have also been charged with the manslaughter, kidnap and robbery of Mr Jogiya. They are Thomas Jervis, 24, of Enderby Road, Whetstone, Leicester; Charles Frances Mcauley, 20, of Gooding Avenue, Leicester; Callan Reeve, 20, of Aylmer Road, Leicester; and Javon Roach, 30, of Norwich Road, Leicester.

Last week Jervis and Reeve both appeared at Leicester Crown Court where they both pleaded guilty to charges of kidnap and robbery. They both denied the charges of murder and manslaughter.

Roach also appeared at the court where he entered not guilty pleas to all the charges.

Mcauley is due to appear at the court at a later date.

A man who was reported missing has been found safe and well.

Ciro Avozza, 82, had been reported missing earlier this afternoon.

Thank you to everyone who shared our appeal for information.

Enquiries are being carried out following a robbery at a shop in Kirby Muxloe.

Police were called to the incident shortly before 11pm last Sunday (20 May), at a store on Main Street after three men had entered the shop and threatened staff with a knife.

The suspects ushered staff into the back of the store before making off on foot with a quantity of cash in the direction of the post office.

The men were described as all wearing dark clothing and had their faces covered.

Detective Constable Xanthe Fisher is the investigating officer. She said: “Enquiries are being carried out to find those responsible.

“Fortunately no one was injured in the incident, but those involved were understandably left shaken by their ordeal.

“We are not ruling out the possibility that this incident is linked to a robbery that took place at 7am on Sunday (20 May) at a convenience store on Aylestone Road near to the junction of Middleton Street. On that occasion three masked men entered the shop threatening staff with a knife before leaving with cash.

“Slightly earlier at 6.30am an attempt was made to gain access to a shop on Watergate Lane in Braunstone Town.

“These robberies have happened either early in the morning or late at night potentially when members of staff would be accessing the safe.

If you have any information about either of these incidents you are urged to contact 101 and incident 795 of 20 May.

A man has been charged after a civil enforcement officer was attacked in the city centre yesterday (Monday 21 May).

Gyorgy Taskai (54) of Tewkesbury Street, Leicester, has been charged with assault by beating, criminal damage and obstructing or resisting an officer in the execution of their duties.

The incident took place in Tewkesbury Street, Leicester, just after 11am. The victim was not injured during the incident.

Taskai was remanded into custody to appear before Leicester Magistrates’ Court today (Tuesday 22 May).

A Faith and Communities Champion Service called ‘Engage Me’ has been contracted to deliver a community outreach and education programme within faith and minority ethnic communities in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation.

The programme is halfway through a 12-month contract and is being funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Engage Me is an award-winning, UK-wide service which uses a culturally and faith-sensitive approach to support groups working with children and young people in order to adopt best practice in relation to safeguarding. The main objectives of this programme are:

Supporting groups working with children and young people to adopt best practice related to safeguarding.

• Increasing awareness and understanding of abuse in all its forms and the ability to recognise signs of abuse.

• Increasing awareness and understanding of children’s rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

• Increasing awareness of measures that can be taken to prevent abuse.

• Empowering minority ethnic children and families to disclose abuse.

• Increasing awareness of relevant support services.

Engage Me staff have been working with minority groups across LLR to achieve these aims. Already they have delivered 14 sessions to children and adults from the Bahai community, Krishna society, Muslim community, Christian community, traveller and gypsy (Leicestershire GATE), Jain and Hindu communities. They have recently held sessions for refugees and asylum seekers and they are also engaging with the Sikh community.

In addition the team use a ‘train the trainer’ approach and have delivered training to 45 community champions who will continue the good work of the programme when the contract ends.

The sessions have been extremely well received and some of the comments from participants are below.

Comments from children about what they learned from the session:

Always tell my mum and dad or tell an adult (if something doesn’t seem right)

Don’t meet people I don’t know

I know more about how to stay safe

Meaning of consent

Don’t accept strangers as friends

Safe and healthy relationships

Comments from professionals, parents and carers:

Really interesting and ideas on ME cultural sensitivity eye opening.

Very pleased with the training that was delivered today. I hope to utilise my skill set with my school.

Points that stood out to me were the risks of social media, vulnerability of young people and the warning signs of grooming.

My little sister was in the session on internet safety and keeping safe. She really enjoyed it and was still talking about it the week after, thank you for your work.

An Engage Me spokesperson said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Federation of Muslim Organisations to bring this innovative approach to faith and community organisations within the LLR boundaries.

“Our programmes are co-designed by children and young people to ensure they will engage with them effectively. CSE can often be a taboo subject and we have been inspired by the appetite of local faith and community groups to engage with us in training, tackling stigma and barriers to reporting and accessing mainstream services.

“Having engaged successfully with so many diverse communities we are committed to keeping the momentum going and building on the foundations we have laid for future engagement on this and other relevant safeguarding issues.”

Leicestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Lord Willy Bach, recognising the value of this programme, has provided the funding.

He said today: “Protecting all the vulnerable members of our community is one of the most important elements of our work. This programme is helping young people from minority ethnic communities to be more aware of this repugnant and often unreported crime.

“No-one should suffer in silence and I hope that we can also encourage people to come forward and report their experiences. By increasing awareness of the dangers, what is right and what is wrong, is the best way we can help them and their families, to protect themselves.”

Further information about engage me is available by contacting info@engageme.org.uk

Media – please email claire.tompkins@leicestershire.pnn.police.uk

A stolen climbing wall belonging to the Melton Scouts has been found in the Burton-on-the-Wolds area yesterday evening (Monday).

The 30ft climbing wall was stolen from Melton Scout campsite in Holwell Lane sometime between 1pm on Sunday (20 May) and 8am on Monday (21 May).

An appeal for information was issued yesterday afternoon and within hours officers located the wall.

Enquiries are continuing into the incident and officers are keen to speak to anyone who saw the wall being driven away from the campsite or knows anything about who is responsible for the theft.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC 344 Jonathan Shaw on 101, quoting crime number 18*231191.

Detectives are asking people to remain vigilant after two women were the victims of a chain snatch in the Belgrave area of Leicester at the weekend.

Both incidents took place on Sunday (20 May), the first incident took place at 5.25pm in Gipsy Lane when two people on a motorcycle approached a 58-year-old woman and tried to grab a gold necklace from her neck. Nothing was stolen.

The second incident took place at 5.40pm in Marfitt Street when, again, two people on a yellow motorcycle rode up behind a 38-year-old woman and grabbed three necklaces from around her neck and rode off.

The victims weren’t injured but were left, understandably, quite shocked by what happened.

Detective Constable Sue Cockerill is investigating the robberies. She said: “Both incidents took place in broad daylight with a number of people in vehicles and on foot in the area. We would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the incidents or were approached in similar circumstances and haven’t reported it to the police.

“We would also like to take this opportunity to ask people to remain vigilant and to think about their belongings when out and about. If possible, we advise you to cover any jewellery with a scarf or clothing.

“In August 2015, two officers from the Belgrave area of the city came up with the idea of the ‘Cover Up’ campaign, as part of the work to reduce increases in gold chain snatches during the warmer months. They work with people on probation to sew scarves made from fabric donated by businesses in the Belgrave area to encourage Asian women to cover up their jewellery.

“Neighbourhood officers regularly talk with local people in community centres and temples to urge them to cover up their jewellery when they are out and about or not to wear it at all. Crime prevention leaflets in different languages have been distributed in the local area and we work closely with jewellery shops, who have been giving leaflets to customers when they buy jewellery.”

Anyone who has any information about these robberies is asked to contact DC 4074 Cockerill on 101, quoting crime number 18230725 or 18230682.

A climbing wall has been stolen from a scout hut in Melton and officers are appealing for public help to find it.

The 30ft climbing wall was stolen from Melton Scout campsite in Holwell Lane sometime between 1pm on Sunday (20 May) and 8am this morning (21 May).

The Spectrum Sports four-sided mobile climbing wall is about 9ft wide and was stored on a trailer.

Anyone who saw the wall being driven away from the campsite or knows where it may be now is asked to contact PC 344 Jonathan Shaw on 101, quoting crime number 18*231191.

Five men have been sentenced to over 11 years in prison after arming themselves with weapons and attacking a car on Christmas Day last year.

Sajid Mushtaq, 21, of Chestnut Road, Birmingham, was found guilty of violent disorder at Leicester Crown Court on Wednesday 25 April. He was sentenced to two years for violent disorder and two months for driving while disqualified.

Salah Hassan, 24, of Farm Road, Birmingham, Mohamud Jumale, 27, of HMP Lincoln, Musa Ahmed Haybe, 18, of Floyer Road, Birmingham and Liban Maow, 19, of Hampson Close, Birmingham all pleaded guilty to violent disorder at an earlier hearing.

Hassan was sentenced to three years, Jumale was sentenced to 33 months, Haybe was sentenced to 21 months and Maow was sentenced to 19 months.

They were sentenced at Leicester Crown Court today (Friday 18 May).

At around 11pm on Monday 25 December, three relatives left the premises in Royal East Street, Leicester.

As they attempted to leave the car park in their car, three cars in convoy pulled up blocking their exit. Several men armed with machetes and swords left the three cars and surrounded the car which they began to attack.

The group proceeded to brandish weapons at other members of the public, injuring two people in the process.

The group fled from the scene in the cars which they arrived in and following a subsequent police investigation and a number of enquiries, they were later arrested in London and Birmingham.

Detective Constable Nick Freeman said: “This would have been a particularly terrifying experience for anyone witnessing it as the group were heavily armed with weapons and were threatening violence which would have caused further panic amongst those in the street at the time.

“I would like to praise several members of the public who tried to intervene, one of which did sustain superficial injuries with a machete.

“These men came to Leicester and thought that they could successfully commit such a crime. This is not the case as this conviction shows and our message remains that anyone who tries to carry out such an act will be caught and put before the courts.”

Police investigating the disappearance of missing Leicester man Richard Coleman have found a body.

Although formal identification of the body has not yet been confirmed, it is believed to be that of 38-year-old Richard who went missing on Thursday morning (17 May) in the Rushey Mead area.

His death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner.

The discovery was made yesterday evening (19 May) in the Gipsy Lane area.

Officers are the scene of a store robbery in Aylestone Road, Leicester this morning (20 May).

Police were called at around 7am to a report that three men had entered the convenience store near its junction with Middleton Street.

Once inside, they threatened staff with what is believed to have been a knife and made off with a quantity of cash.

No-one was injured during the incident.

The men described as wearing black clothing and had their faces covered made off on foot.

Officers are conducting initial enquiries at the scene and would ask anyone who saw the men in the area before the incident or saw them leaving the store to contact police on 101 quoting incident 146 of 20 May.

Investigations are continuing after a man suffered serious injuries when a liquid was thrown in his face in a Leicester street.

The 20-year-old victim remains in hospital receiving treatment following the assault which happened in the Jarrom Street area on Saturday morning (19 May). His injuries are not deemed to be life-threatening but he has been left with a permanent injury.

As part of ongoing enquiries into the incident, detectives are renewing their appeal to members of the public to think back to if they were in the area at the time of the incident and to whether they have any information which could assist the investigation.

The incident happened at around 9.30am. The victim was approached by a man in the street at Jarrom Court before the man, described as black, in his early 20s and wearing a dark-coloured hooded top with the hood up, threw a liquid in his face and fled the scene.

It is not known at this stage what the liquid is and enquiries are continuing to establish this.

Detective Inspector Gareth Goddard said: “We are continuing our investigations into this incident and to gather evidence. As part of this, we want to renew our appeal to the public to ask anyone who has any information at all regarding this case to make contact with us.

“The area in which it happened is not far from the city centre and the Leicester Royal Infirmary and so is a well-used area. Please think back to if you were in this area on Saturday morning – the morning of the Royal wedding.

“Did you see anyone matching the description mentioned? Did you see anyone acting unusual or acting in a way which caused you concern? Were you walking or driving in the area? Maybe you have CCTV or dashcam footage from the area at that time which could hold some vital evidence?

“We need to catch the person responsible for this attack. If you have any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, then please get in touch.”

Anyone who has any information is asked to contact Detective Constable 2011 Chris Fox on 101 quoting 18*228372.

Police are investigating a report of an assault in the Jarrom Street area of Leicester earlier today.

At around 9.30am this morning (19 May) the 20-year-old victim was approached by a man in the street at Jarrom Court before the man, described as black, in his early 20’s and wearing a dark coloured hooded top with the hood up, threw a liquid in his face and fled the scene.

The victim is currently at hospital receiving medical treatment for serious injuries. His injuries are not deemed to be life threatening.

Detective Sergeant Esther Scott, from the Complex Investigation team, said: “Enquiries are ongoing to establish what the substance is but what we do know is that it has left the victim with a permanent injury.

“We need to locate the person responsible for this attack and are asking for the public’s help. The area in which it took place is not far from the city centre and the Leicester Royal Infirmary so it’s a well-used area.

“I am asking for anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information which assist our investigation to get in touch. Did you see someone matching this description acting suspiciously in the area before the incident? Did you see the direction the man took leaving the scene? Are you a taxi driver perhaps dropping a patient or visitor off at the hospital and have dashcam footage capturing something connected to this assault?

“If you think you can help us, please contact us, the information to you may not seem significant but could be important for our investigation.”

Anyone who has any information is asked to contact Detective Constable 2011 Chris Fox on 101 quoting 18*228372.

Officers continue to be concerned for the welfare of a 38-year-old man who has been reported missing from his Leicester home.

Richard Coleman was last seen around 7.30am on Thursday 17 May in Selkirk Road, Rushey Mead, Leicester.

Richard suffers from mental health issues. He lives in Saxby Street and is not familiar with the Rushey Mead area.

Richard is black, 5ft 11ins, of medium build, with a short growth beard. He was last seen wearing a blue t-shirt, jeans and trainers. He was carrying a black rucksack.

Officers have been carrying out a number of enquiries to locate Richard including searches in the area he went missing.

Hoping it will assist with their investigation, a CCTV image today (19 May) has been released of Richard taken on the morning he went missing.

Officers and his family are concerned for his welfare and would ask anyone who has seen Richard or knows anything about his whereabouts to contact 101 immediately, quoting incident 76 of 17 May.