Leicestershire

Police have arrested a second man on suspicion of murder following the death of Leah Fray.

The man, who is 18, was arrested at an address in Leicester this afternoon (Thursday).

He remains in custody and enquiries into Leah’s death are ongoing.

A 56-year-old man who was arrested on Monday evening (22 April) on suspicion of Leah’s murder has been released with no further action.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Michelle Keen, said: “Our officers have this afternoon arrested a second man on suspicion of murdering Leah.

“We would still like to speak to anyone who knew her, anything about her or who saw anyone going into the block of flats at the junction of Mere Road and Diseworth Street.

“Likewise, if you were driving in the area and have a dash cam installed in your vehicle, please let us know.

“We owe it to Leah and her family to find whoever is responsible for killing her. It’s been four days since she was found dead. I would encourage anyone with information to make contact with us.”

Information can be given to police by answering questions on an online public portal - https://mipp.police.uk/operation/33EM19I69-PO1 - or by calling 101, quoting incident 131 of 21 April.

Operation Lionheart results

Total warrants = 110

Total arrests = 72

Total people charged = 60

Update: Thursday 25 April

Charges

David Watson, 52, of Cabin Leas, Loughborough, arrested yesterday (24 April) has been charged with three counts of supplying class A drugs on 31 October, 1 and 2 November 2018.

Arrests today

A 17-year-old boy, from Nottingham, has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

Two Loughborough men, aged 40, 53, have been arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs.

A 20-year-old woman, from Loughborough, has been arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs.

Two men, aged 19 and 36, have been arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs.

Information about Leah Fray can now be passed to police online – as detectives investigating her death continue to appeal for public help.

Leah, 27, was found dead inside her flat in Mere Road, Leicester shortly after 7am on Easter Sunday (21 April).

The portal – which can be accessed by visiting https://mipp.police.uk/operation/33EM19I69-PO1 - allows information to be passed securely by answering a number of questions about Leah and the area in which she lived.

Police were called to her flat by Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service following a report of a fire. An outer cordon in Mere Road has now been lifted.

A 56-year-old man who was arrested in connection with her death on Monday evening (22 April) remains in custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Michelle Keen, who is leading the investigation, said: “I would still like to speak to anyone who knew Leah, or has information about people who may have visited her flat.

“We’ve now launched an online portal so that anyone with such details can tell us what they know by answering a series of questions.

“I’d like to know what you know about Leah, when you last saw her and whether you saw anyone visiting her flat on or before Sunday morning.

“If you know something but have not yet contacted police, it’s not too late to do so. We would still like to hear from you.”

Information can also be passed to police by calling 101, quoting incident 131 of 21 April.

Operation Lionheart results

Total warrants = 101

Total arrests = 66

Total people charged = 59

Operation Lionheart – update – Wednesday 24 April

Charges

Stuart McDermott, 37, of no fixed address, has been charged with ten counts of supplying class A drugs and two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

Daryl Eley, 29, of Derby Road, Loughborough, has been charged with three counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, two counts of offering to supply class A drugs and three counts of supplying class A drugs.

Jazmine Hughes, 21, of Regent Street, Leicester, has been charged with three counts of supplying class A drugs and one count of possession of a class B drug.

Abhijit Suklabaidya, 25, of Gladstone Avenue, Loughborough, has been charged with two counts of supplying class A drugs and two counts of possession of class A drugs.

Bruce Bateson, 57, of Kinghtthorpe Road, Loughborough, has been charged with one count of supplying a class A drug.

All of the below were arrested today (Wednesday 24 April) and have been charged.

Victoria Martin, 40, of Braddon Road, Loughborough, has been charged with four counts of supplying class A drugs.

A 16-year-old boy from Loughborough, who can’t be named for legal reasons has been charged with two counts of supplying class A drugs and two counts of possessing class A drugs.

Jack Godkin, 23, of Toothill Road, Loughborough, has been charged with one count of supplying a class A drug.

Arrests

A 52-year-old man from Loughborough has been arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs and remains in police custody.

Police are appealing for witnesses after an attempted break-in at a shop in Glenfield.

Officers were called at around 1.15am today (Wednesday 24 April) by a member of the public reporting seeing a silver 4x4 being driven into the front of the premises in Tournament Road.

A dark coloured Mercedes saloon was also reported as being at the scene and it is believed a number of suspects wearing dark clothing were involved.

Although significant damage was made to the brickwork and a roller shutter, it is not believed that access was gained to the shop.

Both vehicles were seen to leave the area shortly afterwards heading in the direction of Tatlow Road.

PC Beth Warner, the investigating officer, said: “We would like to speak to anyone who was in the area around the time of the incident and saw either of the two vehicles or the incident itself.

“If anyone was driving nearby and has a dash cam in their vehicle that captured events, we’d like to hear from you.

“Any information you have could help us with our enquiries.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting crime reference 19*206450.

Four men have today (Wednesday 24 April) admitted robbing a Hinckley jewellers at gunpoint.

The group appeared at Leicester Crown Court, where they all pleaded guilty to one count of robbery, committed at a business in Market Place on 25 January. They are:

• Aiden Rudock, 18, of Gloster Road, Lutterworth
• Grant Samuel, 22, of no fixed address
• Orrin Stevenson, 24, of Trent Road, Hinckley
• Timothy Wardrop, 22, of no fixed address

Stevenson also pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm.

Shortly before 11am, the men went into the jewellers dressed in dark clothing, wearing balaclavas and armed with two machetes and a double-barrelled shotgun. They threatened two members of staff before making off with jewellery worth between £70,000 and £80,000.

They left the scene in a BMW X5, of which witnesses had noted the registration number. A short time later, it was reported that a car matching the description given had crashed close to Coton Lane in Market Bosworth and that four men had made off on foot. Armed officers were deployed and Rudock and Samuel were arrested nearby. A short time later, Stevenson and Wardrop were arrested at an address in Pipistrelle Drive, Market Bosworth.

Detective Constable Jack Thomas, the investigating officer, said: “This was a planned and coordinated robbery in which the four men thought they could try and make a quick financial gain and make off without being caught.

“But, thanks to staff and members of the public who were nearby – as well as our armed officers – the men were arrested within an hour of committing their crime.

“They have at least now admitted what they’ve done rather than choose to go to trial and are likely to receive significant custodial sentences.”

They will be sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on 21 May.

Police are today (Tuesday, 23 April) appealing for people who have returned to the UK from Sri Lanka to share with them any footage or images they have captured of the terrorist attacks on 21 April in Sri Lanka.

Footage and pictures can be uploaded at the secure website www.ukpoliceimageappeal.co.uk.

Acting Commander Alexis Boon, of the Met Police Counter Terrorism Command, said: “We are specifically looking for images and footage taken at the scenes of the incidents in Sri Lanka, immediately prior to, during, or after the attacks on 21 April.

“The material will be looked at by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, to assess it for use in any subsequent coronial process. I would urge anyone with material that could help us, to upload it via the website which is now live.

"If anyone witnessed, or was injured during the attacks, or has other information that could assist, they should call police in confidence on 0800 789 321.”

Officers have already been deployed to ports across the UK, where they are speaking to anyone returning from Sri Lanka to establish if they have information that may help.

Acting Commander Boon continued: “My thoughts are with the hundreds of people killed and injured in the attacks, and their families. This is a deeply saddening time and we are working with the Foreign Office to support the families of British nationals involved.”

A small team of specialist officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, including family liaison officers, have been deployed to Sri Lanka to support the families of deceased British nationals and will assist with the repatriation of their loved ones back to the UK, and with any subsequent coronial inquests.

Support online and via phone is available to anyone who was impacted by the attacks, including witnesses and families of victims. For more information on advice and support available please see www.gov.uk/government/publications/helplines-and-support-victims-of-terrorist-attacks/helplines-and-support-victims-of-terrorist-attacks.

Leicestershire Police has appointed Julia Debenham as its new Assistant Chief Constable in charge of crime and operations.

Julia, currently a Chief Superintendent with the force, was appointed yesterday (Tuesday 23 April) following a nationally-advertised selection process.

Speaking after her appointment, she said: “I am really honoured and excited to have been appointed into this role in a force that I joined 26 years ago.

“I feel immensely proud to be part of such a great team serving our wonderful and diverse communities. I am very much looking forward to continuing in my new role in the years to come… “

Chief Constable Simon Cole said: “Julia is well-known to the Force and partners as she has served in Leicestershire and across the East Midlands for the whole of her career in policing.

“She brings relevant experience, excellent knowledge of local communities and a real commitment to the force.”

Julia joined the force in 1993 and during her service has held a variety of different roles throughout the ranks in both uniform and non-uniformed roles. Most recently she was a Temporary ACC for both Leicestershire and Northamptonshire Police with responsibility for the collaborative criminal justice service as well as the East Midlands Specialist Operations Service. Last year she played a key role supporting the investigation into the Hinckley Road explosion which killed five people.

Julia is married with two young children.

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed a collision in Loughborough this afternoon (Tuesday 23 April) to come forward.

It involved a small white van and a pedestrian in Rutland Street at around 12.50pm. The van left the scene following the collision.

The pedestrian, a man in his 40s, was taken to hospital, where he remains with serious injuries. Rutland Street was closed at its junction with Moor Lane, but the road has since reopened.

Detective Inspector Pete Flynn said: “I’d like to speak to anyone who saw the collision or who saw the white van prior to it happening. We think the vehicle involved was smaller than a Transit-sized van.

“If you were driving in or around Rutland Street at the time of this incident and have a dash cam installed in your vehicle, then please get in touch. Any information you have could help with the investigation.”

Call 101, quoting incident 338 of 23 April.

Operation Lionheart results

Total warrants = 99

Total arrests = 62

Total people charged = 51

Operation Lionheart – update – Tuesday 23 April

Charges

Alistair Morton, 42, of Victoria Street, Loughborough, arrested on Friday 19 April, has been charged with two counts of supplying class A drugs and two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A, all between 31 July 2018 and 19 October 2018.

Arrests

A 43-year-old man, from Tottenham, who was arrested on Thursday 18 April on suspicion of supplying a class A drug, has been released pending further enquiries.

All of the below were arrested today (Tuesday 23 April).

A 37-year-old man, from Loughborough, has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

A 29-year-old Loughborough man has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

A 21-year-old woman, from Leicester, has been arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs.

Two men aged 25 and 57, from Loughborough, have been arrested on suspicion of supplying a class A drug.

A group of Leicestershire Police officers and staff members will be taking part in the London marathon this Sunday for a host of worthy causes.

Among them are Police Constables, a team leader in call handling, Detective Superintendent and an Inspector, all of whom will be turning their attention away from crime and instead towards the mammoth running challenge.

Among those tackling the impressive 26.2 mile challenge in the capital for an impressive 14th consecutive year, is catering manager Phil Woods.

He said: “When I ran my first marathon back in 2006 I never intended to still be doing it now, but the support that I’ve received from charities ‘HemiHelp’ who are now part of ‘Contact’ since our son, George was diagnosed with Hemiplegia at the age of 22 months was, and still is so fantastic.

Hemiplegia is a neurological condition that affects one side of the body and can be seen in one in every 1,000 children. Phil added: “I’ve said for a number of years that this will be my last one, but I think that this year it genuinely is. I’ve had a foot problem since June and have been doing everything possible to get myself fit and ready.”

While Phil is a veteran in the marathon world, for PC Rob Rollings of Keyham Lane, it will be his first ever marathon.

He said: “I’ve always fancied the challenge. I’m raising money for the Missing People charity. It seemed like a really worthy cause as it’s so close to what we as police do. Each year in the UK 80,000 children go missing and we must act fast to find them. Any support I can give to a charity that looks to make a difference seems worthwhile to me.”

Scott Linnett, from the force’s contact management department, will be following in Rob’s footsteps to raise money for the Missing People Charity.

He said: “My role as team leader in the control room means that I risk assess missing people daily, so it seemed like a worthy and logical cause to support. Families and friends often require a great deal of support in the event of such an incident and when the police can no longer offer this, then the missing people charity can take over this role.

“The training has been intense, but I haven’t missed a session so I’m looking forward to the day.”

There will also be first time marathon attempts for PC Roseanna Cockerill, PC Sharon Roscoe and PC Steve Johnson, all of whom entered the marathon in a similar fashion – on a whim!

Roseanna said: “I am by no means a runner and don’t expect to have a quick time, but I’ve been training since the beginning of the year. I’m raising money for Leicestershire charity ‘Wishes 4 Kids’, which means that not only will I be running my first ever marathon, I’ll also be doing it dressed as a purple fairy in a tutu with wings.”

Inspector Nicky Preston and Detective Superintendent Paul McKinder will be taking on their second and fourth marathons respectively. Paul is running for the Children with Cancer charity and is aiming to beat the five hour mark for the first time ever, while Nicky is running for brain injury charity, ‘Headway’, an organisation particularly close to her heart.

She said: “A year ago my brother Simon and his wife were walking home when they were hit by a car. Simon suffered severe head injuries and was airlifted to hospital. It was an extremely scary time and we were told to prepare for the worst.

Fortunately, Simon came out the other side, but other families don’t receive such good news. Headway supports both people with brain injuries as well as their families.

“I couldn’t do a lot for Simon at the time so this is my way of doing something to pay back the great work this charity does for others.”

If you would like to support any of these worthy causes visiting their justgiving pages:

Contact Management Department: Scott Linnett, Missing People Charity

Detective Superintendent: Paul McKinder, Children with Cancer UK

Inspector: Nicky Preston, ‘Headway’

PC: Robert Rollings, Missing People Charity

PC: Roseanna Cockerill, Wishes 4 Kids

PC: Sharon Roscoe, Air Ambulance

PC: Stephen Johnson, Caudwell Children Charity

Procurement & Support Services Catering: Phil Woods, ‘Contact'

A 56-year-old man who was arrested yesterday (Monday 22 April) remains in custody.

The man was arrested at an address in Barwell in connection with the death of Leah Fray.

Leah was found dead at a property in Mere Road, at the junction with Diseworth Street, following a report of a fire on Sunday morning.

Enquiries into the circumstances of her death are ongoing and any witnesses are being asked to call 101, quoting incident 131 of 21 April.

Police have this evening (Monday 22 April) arrested a Leicestershire man in connection with the death of Leah Fray.

The man, who is 56, was arrested at an address in Barwell. He remains in custody and enquiries into the circumstances surrounding Leah’s death are ongoing.

Her body was found when police were called to a report of a fire at a flat in Mere Road – at the junction with Diseworth Street - in the Highfields area of Leicester shortly after 7am yesterday (Sunday).

Detective Chief Inspector Michelle Keen, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) Major Crime team is leading the investigation.

She said: “While we have arrested a man in connection with Leah’s death, we would still like to speak to anyone who knew Leah or recognises her from the image we have issued.

“I would also like to speak to anyone who visited the block of flats in which Leah lived or has knowledge of people visiting those properties.

“If you were driving through the area yesterday morning and have a dash cam installed in your vehicle, or you live nearby and have a CCTV camera at your address, please let us know. Any information you have about Leah could be of great help to my investigation.”

Call 101, quoting incident 131 of 21 April.

Police have named a woman who died in a flat in Mere Road, Leicester – and are appealing for anyone who knew her to come forward.

Officers were called to the property by Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service shortly after 7am yesterday (Sunday 21 April).

The body of 27-year-old Leah Fray was found inside. Her death is being treated as murder.

Detectives investigating the incident have today launched an urgent appeal for anyone who knew Leah to come forward and a photo of her has also been released to the public.

Detective Chief Inspector Michelle Keen from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) Major Crime team is leading the investigation.

She said: “From our initial inquiries, we know that Leah associated with a lot of different people across Leicester.

“Today, I am calling on anyone who knew her, recently saw or had contact with her to speak to police.”

“We owe it to this young woman and her family to find out who is responsible for her death. Did you see anyone coming and going from her flat in Mere Road at any time between Saturday afternoon and early yesterday morning?"

Call 101, quoting incident 131 of 21 April.

Police have launched a murder investigation following a fire at a flat at the junction of Mere Road and Diseworth Street in Leicester.

Officers were called to the property, in the Highfields area of the city, by Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service shortly after 7am yesterday (Sunday 21 April).

The fire was extinguished and the body of a 27-year-old woman was found inside the flat. A cordon remains in place at the property. No-one has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Detective Chief Inspector Michelle Keen, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) Major Crime team, said: “From enquiries carried out so far, we believe that the fire may have been started deliberately.

“We are, therefore, treating this as a murder investigation and a cordon remains in place at the property in Mere Road.

“I would ask anyone who saw or heard anything untoward at this location between 1pm on Saturday and 7.30am yesterday – and who has not yet spoken to police – to come forward with any information that you have.

“Were you driving through the area or visiting the location yesterday morning? Maybe you were going to worship nearby? You may have information that could greatly assist my investigation and police would like to speak to you.

“If you were driving through the area and have a dash cam installed in your vehicle or have CCTV installed at your property, please also make contact.”

Anyone who was in the area of Mere Road yesterday morning and has information relating to this incident is asked to call 101, quoting incident 131 of 21 April.

Witnesses to a serious collision in which a motorcyclist was injured are being asked to contact police.

It happened in Wakerley Road, Evington, at the junction with Ethel Road, at around 3.50pm yesterday (Saturday 20 April).

A solver Honda CBR 600F motorcycle was in collision with a dark blue Mercedes C220d. The motorcycle was travelling from the direction of the General Hospital and the car was travelling in the opposite direction.

The motorcyclist, a man in his 30s, was taken to the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham. His condition is critical but stable.

Detective Constable Seamus Burns, from Leicestershire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU), said: “I would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision and has not yet contacted police.

“It was a clear afternoon and it’s likely there will have been a lot of cars on the road. Did you see the collision take place, or did you see either of these vehicles prior to it occurring?

“If you have a dashcam fitted, please check for any footage that may have been recorded. Any information you have could help with my investigation.”

Call 101, quoting incident 392 of 20 April.

A motorcyclist who died following a collision on Melton Road, Lowesby, has been named by police.

John Thorogood was taken to hospital following the collision on the B6047 at 9.43am on Sunday 31 March which involved a black BMW R9 motorcycle and a white VW Transporter campervan. He died later the same day.

Today, Mr Thorogood’s family paid tribute to him.

They said: “You will be sorely missed. Nature is full of patterns which repeat through scales - from the very big to the very small, from atoms, through planets, up to galaxies and beyond we see the largest influence in the centre, holding the structure together. Families are no different. You held us all together, despite all and everything our tempestuous natures threw your way - throughout all the wind, rain and sunshine you remained a solid and steadfast rock of sensibility and integrity.

“Things will never be the same without you, for so many people, as your personality and warmth spread to all those around you - professionally and personally - the echoes of your character and actions will ring out for years to come in the hearts and minds of all those you touched throughout your time here. The full scope of your unexpected, untimely and frankly unbelievable departure will take a long time to set in, as the feeling you'll be home soon persists for everyone here. You will remain forever in our hearts.”

Enquiries are continuing into the incident and officers are continuing to appeal for witnesses to the collision.

The motorcycle was travelling towards Twyford and the campervan was travelling in the opposite direction at the time of the incident.

Detective Constable Seamus Burns said: “We are continuing to appeal to speak to anyone who has any information in relation to the incident. Did you witness the collision? Did you see either of the vehicles prior to the collision?

“If you have any dashcam footage from the area at the time, we also urge you to check this and make contact as you could help with the investigation.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact DC 1504 Seamus Burns on 101, quoting incident 139 of 31 March.

Operation Lionheart results

Total warrants = 90

Total arrests = 55

Total people charged = 51

Operation Lionheart – update – Friday 19 April

Charges

Charles Wallis, 56, of Moira Street, Loughborough, has been charged with three counts of supplying a class A drug, on 4 June 2018, 1 September 2018 and 18 October 2018. He has also been charged with permitting the use of a premises for supplying class A drugs between 1 June 2018 and 13 November 2018.

Susan Moon, 49, of Moira Street, Loughborough, has been charged with one count of supplying a class A on 24 September 2018 and permitting the use of premises for supplying class A drugs between 1 June 2018 and 13 November 2018. She was also charged with failing to attend an initial assessment to establish whether she was dependent upon or misused a class A drug on 7 March 2019.

John Moon, 47, of Pinfold Gate, Loughborough, has been charged with one count of supplying a class A drug on 26 October 2018.

William Hamilton, 48, of Rutland Street, Loughborough, has been charged with two counts of supplying a class A drug on 27 November 2018.

Scott Smith, 37, of Marshalls Court, Loughborough, has been charged with four counts of supplying a class A drug on 2 September 2018, 5 September 2018, 12 November 2018 and 13 November 2018.

Abdul Kalique, 39, of Good Yards Close, Loughborough, has been charged with two counts of supplying a class A drug on 26 September 2018.

Lyndsey Partridge, 33, of Good Yards Close, Loughborough, has been charged with two counts of supplying a class A drug on 25 September 2018 and two counts of possession with intent to supply a class A drug on 25 September 2018.

Jordan Raybone, 22, of Victoria Street, Loughborough, has been charged with four counts of supplying a class A drug – two counts on 13 August 2018 and two counts on 15 August 2018. He has also been charged with one count of possession with intent to supply a class B drug on 17 April 2019.

Jason Barefoot, 42, of Victoria Street, Loughborough, has been charged with one count of supplying a class A drug on 19 July 2018.

A 17-year-old, from Loughborough, who can’t be named for legal reasons has been charged with two counts of supplying a class A drug on 17 August 2018, one count of possession with intent to supply a class A drug on 17 April 2019 and one count of possession with intent to supply a class B drug on 17 April 2019.

Four members of a gang have been jailed for a total of 30 years after their plot to commit armed robbery was foiled by police.

Two of the would-be robbers, Faruk Suleman, 48, and 44-year-old Craig Whetstone were convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery after a trial at Leicester Crown Court in August.

The remaining two men, Paul Hayes, 42, and 61-year-old Steven Fullerton pleaded guilty at earlier hearings to the charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery.

Today (Thursday 19 April) at Leicester Crown Court, they were sentenced to the following:

• Suleman, of Uppingham Road, was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for conspiracy to commit armed robbery and sentenced to a further 18 months for fraud and drugs offences.
• Whetstone, of Stonesby Avenue, was sentenced to five years.
• Hayes, of Hebden Drive, was sentenced to five years
• Fullerton, of Tedworth Green, also pleaded guilty to possession of a Section 5 firearm (CS spray) and was sentenced to six years and four months.

A fifth man was found not guilty of conspiracy to robbery.

The gang had set off from the East Midlands during the late afternoon of 26 April this year heading south down the M1 in a Volkswagen Golf. They then took the M69 and the A46 before joining the M40 southbound. Shortly after 8pm they stopped briefly at the Welcome Break Service Station before continuing their journey.

Unbeknown to them, an intelligence-led operation was underway and their plans and movements on that day were being observed. And as they joined the A404 at the junction with the M4 motorway, armed officers made their move, intercepting the Golf and bringing it to a controlled stop.

All five men were arrested at the scene and a search of the vehicle was carried out.

Inside the Golf officers found balaclavas, gloves, cable ties, tape, a hammer, a baseball bat and a number of other weapons including two imitation firearms and a fully-functioning stun gun torch which, despite its insignia, was not a police-issued weapon.

Searches were subsequently carried out at the home addresses of all five men, and further items were seized including more firearms, a stab vest, and an incapacitant spray.

Investigator Emily Sharpe, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), said: “These men were determined to commit a very serious crime.

“Despite extensive enquiries, we have been unable to identify who their intended victim was. That said, I am confident that the diligent work carried out by the investigation team and the actions of the officers involved in the policing operation prevented someone somewhere from being the victim of a very serious attack.

“The outcome of this case should serve as a warning to anyone intent on committing similar crimes that you will be caught and you will be brought to justice.”

Following two weeks of activity, the force has been to 90 addresses to enforce warrants, arrested 55 people and secured charges against 41 of them.

Police officers have been working around the clock to carry out the enforcement activity across locations in the city and counties, tackling County Lines activity and associated wider criminality.

This targeted action follows a significant investment of time gathering information and evidence on people suspected of being involved and identifying those vulnerable people affected.

Gangs and organised crime groups involved in County Lines activity exploit vulnerable people to carry out illegal activities across our county and beyond.

They usually exploit children or vulnerable adults to move and store drugs and money and will use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) and encourage the carriage and use of weapons.

Chief Superintendent Adam Streets, head of local policing, said: “This has been a targeted operation with a large number of policing resources involved, all working very long hours to make sure those suspected of being involved in this type of criminality are taken off the streets.

“We have been working very closely with our partners to make sure that we disrupt them using all available opportunities and safeguard those at risk. This type of criminality will be rooted out and this coupled with future activity is ultimately making the streets of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland safer.”

Operation Lionheart results

Total warrants = 90

Total arrests = 55

Total people charged = 41

Operation Lionheart – update – Thursday 18 April

Charges

The below people were arrested on Tuesday (16 April) or the early hours of Wednesday (17 April).

Karim Saiyani, 47, of Dunton Street, Leicester, has been charged with one count of supplying a class A drug.

A 17-year-old boy, from Leicester, who can’t be named for legal reasons, has been charged with one count of supplying a class A drug.

Lee Clayton, 40, of no fixed address, has been charged with one count of possession with intent to supply class B and two counts of supplying class A drugs.

Malgorzata Radawoec, 36, of no fixed address, has been charged with seven counts of supplying class A drugs.

James Jones, 29, of Armadale Drive, Leicester, has been charged with being concerned in the supply of class B drugs and one count of supplying a class B drug.

Jonathan Huckerby, 29, of Pevensey Road, Loughborough, has been charged with being concerned in the supply of class B drugs and supplying a class B drug.

A 15-year-old boy, from Loughborough, who can’t be named for legal reasons, has been charged with offering to supply a class A drug.

A 62-year-old man, from Loughborough, arrested on suspicion of supplying a class A drug has been released with no further action to be taken.

Gordan Watson, 47, of Barnsdale Close, Loughborough, has been charged with three counts of supplying class A.

Brian Kelsey, 26, of Waterside Close, Loughborough, has been charged with supplying class A drugs.

Andrew Morgan, 33, of Rutland Street, Loughborough, has been charged with supplying class A drugs.

Arrests

These people below were arrested on Wednesday (17 April) or in the early hours of Thursday (18 April). They are all from the Loughborough area.

Seven men, all from Loughborough, have been arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs. They are aged: 56, 48, 47, 39, 37, 33 and 26.

A 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs.

Two women, aged 33 and 49, from Loughborough, was arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs.

A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class B drugs and supplying class A drugs.

A 42-yer-old man has been arrested on suspicion of supplying class A drugs.