Birmingham Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 250 verdicts at Birmingham Crown Court (Birmingham). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

Makyle Taggart

Causing death by dangerous driving

December 18, 2025

Sentence: immediate custodial sentence of some length

Makyle Taggart, 29, of Victoria Road, Stechford, was driving a BMW X4 when he fatally struck pedestrian Wynford 'Willie' Griffiths, aged 71, near Stechford Retail Park at the junction of Audley Road and Flaxley Road around 9pm on Sunday, February 9, 2025. The victim died at the scene. Footage of the incident was described as clear, and the defendant admitted the offence.

Pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. Banned from driving immediately. Sentencing adjourned until December 18, 2025. Underlying mental health issues noted; psychiatric and pre-sentence reports requested.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Caprice Brown

Robbery

December 15, 2025

Sentence: 9 years imprisonment

Caprice Brown, then 19, lured an Aston Villa fan to Jurys Inn on Broad Street in Birmingham city centre in July 2020 via dating app Badoo under the name 'Zara'. With an unknown accomplice, she tied him up with masking tape, burnt him with a hot iron on his arm, shoulder, face, and back, and punched him while demanding his phone password and PIN. They stole his wallet containing bank card, Aston Villa season ticket, and store cards, later using the card to buy a £999 iPhone from Argos. In September 2020, Brown, along with Karissa Alfrez (now Damani Scott-Slue) and another woman, targeted a second victim at the Britannia Hotel in Coventry via Tinder under the name 'Maia'. They restrained him with masking tape and handcuffs, threatened him with scissors, stole his £800 Samsung phone and bank card, and transferred £1,000 from his account. In January 2025, Brown resisted arrest and kicked a female officer.

Admitted two charges of robbery, fraud, and assaulting an emergency worker. No previous convictions. Mother-of-one with long-standing vulnerabilities and complex trauma. To serve 40% in custody.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Damani Scott-Slue

Robbery

December 15, 2025

Sentence: 6 years imprisonment

Damani Scott-Slue, then known as Karissa Alfrez aged 20 and identifying as a woman, participated with Caprice Brown and another female in targeting a man at the Britannia Hotel in Coventry in September 2020. The victim was lured via Tinder under the name 'Maia'. They burst from the bathroom, restrained him consensually at first with masking tape and handcuffs, then robbed him by accessing his mobile phone, taking various items, and threatening him with scissors to obtain phone and bank details. They stole his £800 Samsung phone and bank card, and £1,000 was transferred from his account. The victim escaped while still bound and gagged to seek help.

Found guilty of one offence of robbery after trial. Previous convictions including theft. Father with history of immaturity, drug use, and manipulation. Has obtained jobs in prison and is unlikely to reoffend. To serve 40% in custody.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Diogo Bettencourt

Murder

December 15, 2025

Sentence: life imprisonment with a minimum term of 11 years and 237 days

Diogo Bettencourt, 37, originally from Canada, murdered his 43-year-old neighbour Anthony Sharma at their shared HMO in Doidge Road, Erdington, Birmingham, sometime between 10.30pm on November 8, 2023, and 2.30am on November 9, 2023. He beat, stabbed, and strangled Mr Sharma, inflicting over 60 external injuries, including a stab wound to the face and throat; cause of death likely strangulation. Bettencourt concealed the body in a sleeping bag and attempted to use Mr Sharma's bank card eight times, withdrawing £100 on November 10, 2023. The attack may have been motivated by anger over Mr Sharma not intervening in Bettencourt's stabbing on November 3, 2023, or financial gain, though not confirmed. Signs of his undiagnosed schizophrenia emerged in May 2023 (jumping from roof) and worsened in August-September 2023. He was arrested after landlady Musarat Bi discovered the body on November 10, 2023.

Found guilty of murder. Sentenced by Judge Paul Farrer KC, who noted substantial mitigation due to undiagnosed schizophrenia, paranoia, and delusions impairing judgement, but conditions did not absolve him. Had previous non-violent convictions for drug-trafficking in Canada. Currently at Tamarind Centre mental hospital with treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Joshua Mccaffrey

Possession of firearms and class A drugs with intent to supply

December 11, 2025

Sentence: 12 years imprisonment

Joshua McCaffrey used his girlfriend's flat at Brinklow Tower in Highgate, Birmingham, as a base for large-scale drug dealing. On January 9, 2025, police raided the premises as part of an investigation into drug distribution, forcing entry with a chainsaw. They found a Smith & Wesson revolver hidden in a bedroom under dog toys, a 9mm self-loading pistol on the balcony, ammunition for both, and large quantities of heroin and cocaine valued at £298,340. McCaffrey confessed to the firearms' locations and, while being transported to custody, stated he should have killed the officers. He was not directly involved in street dealing but handled storage and repackaging.

Pleaded guilty to firearms, drugs and ammunition offences. Involved in drug supply chain for 15 months, warehousing and repackaging class A drugs. Mental health issues and drug dependency cited in mitigation. Offences aggravated by presence of children.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Rhiannon Harford

Allowing premises to be used for supply of class A drugs

December 11, 2025

Sentence: 24-month community order with 20 days rehabilitation activity

Rhiannon Harford allowed her one-bedroom flat at Brinklow Tower in Highgate, Birmingham, to be used by her boyfriend Joshua McCaffrey as a base for large-scale drug dealing. During a police raid on January 9, 2025, she was present holding her toddler, with a baby in a cot nearby. Officers found firearms and £298,340 worth of class A drugs (heroin and cocaine) in the flat. The judge highlighted the aggravated nature of the offences due to the presence of her young children, who were at risk from the drugs and loaded firearms.

Admitted two charges of allowing premises to be used to supply class A drugs. Spared prison due to caring responsibilities for two young children. Judge noted her naivety and influence by partner, but criticised her for endangering children.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Xhevahir Ademaj

Possession of class A drugs with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of cannabis

December 9, 2025

Sentence: 4 years imprisonment

In July 2025, police stopped a vehicle in West Bromwich driven by Xhevahir Ademaj and seized a mobile phone and a stash of cannabis. Forensic examination of the phone uncovered a network of clients he was supplying with drugs. A subsequent raid on a property linked to Ademaj in Ryland Street, Birmingham, discovered wraps of cocaine, a large amount of cannabis, wads of cash, various SIM cards, and evidence of drugs being packaged and distributed from the premises.

Pleaded guilty to the offences. Investigation by West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit revealed he was a significant part of a drug supply chain involved in large sales to other dealers.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Mirza Begg

Rape

December 5, 2025

Sentence: 12 years imprisonment

Mirza Begg, 34, of Coventry Road, Small Heath, Birmingham, lured an 18-year-old vulnerable woman he met on the Roomies flatmate-finder app to his flat with the promise of free accommodation. He picked her up in a borrowed car and showed her a cache of weapons including knives, a sword, and bullets to subdue her. He then raped and sexually assaulted her, strangled her intentionally, made threats with a bladed weapon, and assaulted her. The victim resisted but was held against her will until she messaged a friend, leading to police rescue and Begg's arrest after he fell asleep. The attack occurred last year at his home in Birmingham.

Convicted by jurors of rape, two charges of assault by penetration, intentional strangulation, making threats with a bladed weapon, and assault. Ordered to register as a sex offender for life. Must serve two-thirds in custody before release on licence. Refused to help probation staff prepare pre-sentence report. Prior convictions for battery and theft.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Aden Wright

Causing death by dangerous driving

December 4, 2025

Sentence: 14 years imprisonment and disqualified from driving

Aden Wright was driving a VW Golf when he struck and fatally injured 29-year-old Ryan Griffiths on Burleigh Road, Wolverhampton. The hit-and-run occurred as Wright was attempting a getaway from a drug deal that went wrong. Detectives found he had tried to use other occupants in the car to purchase drugs on his behalf with fraudulent money, and when the fake cash was discovered, he drove away rapidly. Wright stopped briefly to pick up a passenger but then drove off, leaving the victim in the road. Ryan later died in hospital. Following the collision, Wright took calculated steps to cover up his crime, including enlisting others to move the vehicle, changing the ownership into someone else's name, and trying to get family members to help frame that person as the driver. Despite strong evidence linking him to the driver's seat, Wright maintained to police that another person was driving.

Found guilty after trial. Originally charged with murder, reduced to causing death by dangerous driving.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Carl Walker

Possessing a firearm without a certificate

November 28, 2025

Sentence: 16 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years

Armed police raided Carl Walker's home on Monyhull Hall Road in Kings Norton on March 14, 2025, discovering a secret stash of over 50 knives including hunting knives and a flick-knife, a samurai sword hidden under the mattress, knives concealed in the bed, a crossbow with bolts, blow-pipes with darts, an instruction manual for manufacturing a homemade 9mm sub-machine gun, a partially manufactured 3D-printable semi-automatic 9mm firearm hidden in a wardrobe, and 9mm bullets with components and tools to complete the weapon.

Pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm without a certificate, possessing ammunition without a firearm certificate and possession of a flick-knife. CPS noted a worryingly large armoury of weapons including a nearly completed 3D-printed firearm and compatible ammunition.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Hassan Mahmood

Assault by beating

November 28, 2025

Sentence: 6 weeks imprisonment

On June 8, 2025, at the couple's home in Great Barr, Hassan Mahmood assaulted his pregnant partner (14 weeks pregnant with their second child) after she overheard him talking to another woman via baby monitor, leading to relationship deterioration. She asked him to help with their son; he accused her of scratching his car, called her a 'f***ing b****', pressed his fingers into her cheeks, and smacked her phone out of her hand. The victim reported feeling scared, unable to trust him, gaslighted by lies and cheating.

Pleaded guilty to assault by beating. Released immediately due to time served in custody since June. Recorder Kevin Hegarty KC commented that the actions were wholly wrong and not to be repeated. Made subject of a restraining order. Defence noted offence out of character, linked to cannabis use which has stopped; previously worked as salesman at Mercedes-Benz in Coventry.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Shoaib Iqbal

Making a false instrument

November 28, 2025

Sentence: 2 years suspended sentence, 10 days rehabilitation activity, 200 hours unpaid work, £750 court costs

Shoaib Iqbal, a 40-year-old Mitie worker from Glenpark Road, Saltley, forged 85 training certificates for 38 employees, including 8 supervisors, to cover up his failure to conduct essential refresher training required every 13 months for airport security staff. The incident came to light in December 2022 following a whistleblowing report to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Audits in January 2023 revealed incomplete records and discrepancies in handwriting. Iqbal initially claimed administrative laziness and later a printing delay, but investigations confirmed the forgeries. The breach risked catastrophic consequences for airport security, potentially leading to the shutdown of operations. He resigned on February 6, 2023, after being informed of the criminal investigation.

Pleaded guilty to making a false instrument with intent it be accepted as genuine. No previous convictions. Judge noted abuse of position of trust but no specific harm occurred. Worked as training instructor for Mitie at Birmingham Airport.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Steven Woolridge

Conspiracy to supply cocaine

November 27, 2025

Sentence: 14 years and 8 months imprisonment; £8,864.65 confiscation order

Steven Woolridge, 40, from Coventry, aka 'Big Wolf' or 'Mr Wolf', orchestrated the supply of hundreds of kilos of cocaine from London and Bedfordshire to the West Midlands using vans, collected debts, and acted as a conduit between UK dealers and overseas organisations. He was the 11th person jailed in the operation, which involved over 100 years of total jail time.

Orchestrated supply of cocaine; benefit figure £12,056,000; POCA hearing on November 27, 2025.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Joe Whyley

Conspiracy to supply cocaine

November 27, 2025

Sentence: 8 years and 3 months imprisonment; £760.03 confiscation order

Joe Whyley, 40, was involved in facilitating the supply of 40 kilograms of cocaine as part of the multi-million pound operation in the West Midlands.

Facilitated supply of 40 kilograms of cocaine in a managerial role but not the owner; benefit figure £44,960 as wage; POCA hearing on November 27, 2025.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Andrew Behan

Manslaughter

November 26, 2025

Sentence: 6 years and 7 months imprisonment

Andrew Behan, aged 41, brutally attacked his friend Francis Leitner three times in 30 minutes on December 21, 2024, at a local shop and their shared HMO on Wyrley Road, Aston, Birmingham. The assaults began with a headbutt and push against a car at the shop, followed by repeated punches and elbows to the head in the HMO living room. The row stemmed from a drunken dispute over a broken television and money owed for a mobile phone, after 12 hours of drinking. Mr Leitner suffered a bleed on the brain, lost consciousness in hospital, and was pronounced brainstem dead two days later. His alcoholism made him more vulnerable to the fatal injury from the third assault.

Pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Remorseful, tackled alcohol addiction in custody and became a mentor to other inmates. Judge noted the assaults were fuelled by alcohol and did not intend the fatal outcome, but were a determined set of actions over a sustained period.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Anthony Doyle

Sexual assault of a child under 13

November 25, 2025

Sentence: 6 years and 3 months imprisonment

Anthony Doyle, aged 67, from Lockton Road, Stirchley, sexually abused and secretly recorded three young girls over a period spanning more than ten years. The first victim, aged 15, disclosed repeated sexual assaults, leading to police investigation. Analysis of his phone revealed secret recordings of her and a second victim aged 13. The third victim was groped regularly from as young as nine, and later kissed on the lips with tongue and had her breasts touched. The abuse caused severe impacts including self-harm, suicidal feelings, embarrassment, objectification, and long-term effects on mental health, confidence, and trust.

Pleaded guilty to four charges of sexually assaulting a child under 13, two offences of sexual activity with a child, one count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, two offences of voyeurism and one charge of making indecent images of children. Marriage of 47 years destroyed, divorce proceedings instigated. Worked as a plumber and gas engineer. Apologised to the court, complainants and their families.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Danielle Mitten

Causing death by dangerous driving

November 21, 2025

Sentence: 5 years and 4 months imprisonment, disqualified from driving for 7 years and 8 months

Danielle Mitten, 34, of Baldwin Road, Birmingham, was driving at up to 82mph, more than double the 40mph speed limit, on West Boulevard in Quinton on June 24, 2024. She ploughed into Lucy Atkins, a young woman walking her Lakeland Terrier dog Simba, killing both instantly. The crash occurred at 63mph impact speed.

Pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. Described as a 'dangerous' driver. Must take an extended driving test before driving again.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Aprile Rogan

Dangerous driving and criminal damage

November 19, 2025

Sentence: 7-month suspended sentence, 180 hours unpaid work, £1,000 compensation, £1,000 court costs, £100 fine, £54 victim surcharge

On October 29, 2024, at Heartlands Hospital car park in Birmingham, Aprile Rogan, aged 33 from Tackford Close, Solihull, blocked a victim trying to pull out into traffic, opened her car door onto the victim's bumper causing criminal damage, and later, when confronted, drove her car towards the victim knocking her down. The victim suffered bruising, swelling to arm and hip, and a possible fracture. Rogan claimed she felt scared and accidentally hit the victim while driving away.

Admitted dangerous driving and criminal damage. First-time offender. Stressed due to family health issues. Judge noted she 'completely lost it' in hospital car park.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Joshua Johnson

Animal Cruelty

November 19, 2025

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment suspended for 21 months

Joshua Johnson, a 28-year-old failed breeder in Wolverhampton, neglected and caused the deaths of five dogs by starvation in his home, where floors were covered in faeces and there was no food or water. Four other dogs, including a Cane Corso named Panther described as a 'walking skeleton', were rescued in a severely emaciated state (body score 1/9) after suffering for at least two to three weeks. The dead dogs were found in a garage, shed, and shipping container, with post-mortems on two indicating death from sepsis due to starvation. Johnson initially lied to RSPCA inspectors on June 7, 2023, posing as a friend, but admitted ownership. He blamed mental health issues and deaths of family members but continued using drugs and alcohol while ignoring rehoming options.

Banned from keeping animals indefinitely. Ordered to pay £400 in costs, attend 35 days of rehabilitation activity, complete 12-month alcohol treatment requirement and intensive drug rehabilitation requirement. Pleaded guilty to animal cruelty. Judge noted life out of control due to drugs and alcohol, not deliberate sadism.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Omar Abdirizak

Robbery and arson

November 18, 2025

Sentence: 6 years and 9 months custody with an extended 2-year licence

On January 12, 2025, at around 8.20pm, Omar Abdirizak entered Holloway Head Service Station in Birmingham city centre. He initially offered to pay for an old man's shopping but argued with the shopkeeper over paying for cigarettes first and a misunderstanding about being charged for petrol. He shouted 'I'm a terrorist, I will kill you' and 'I will burn this shop and you also', then used an aerosol can and lighter as a makeshift flamethrower to blast flames over the counter. He climbed into the staff area, continued aiming fire at the retreating worker, who handed over cigarettes to make him leave. Abdirizak then set fire to a Tango Ice Blast machine and floor mat, went to the forecourt igniting flames, and re-entered to burn the machine again. He caused nearly £7,000 in damage. Later that night, he called police himself claiming his name was 'Satan' and admitted the acts saying 'Allah told me to do that'. The shop worker was found visibly shaking and frightened.

Admitted robbery and arson. Suffered from PTSD and schizophrenia, linked to past experiences in Somalia and cannabis abuse. Expressed genuine remorse. Judge noted terrorist ideologies, misogynist and racist views, and classified as a dangerous offender due to risk of catastrophic consequences.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Jack Lewis Elshaw

Animal Neglect

November 15, 2025

Sentence: 2-year Community Order with 140 hours unpaid work and 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days

In March 2024, RSPCA investigated a complaint about the welfare of JJ, a male Doberman, including an eye condition, after previous welfare notices were ignored. JJ was found tethered in an empty bathtub, visually impaired with eye discharge, thin with prominent ribs, hip bones, and spine. He was at risk of choking and had no comfortable laying area. The couple failed to investigate his weight loss, poor body condition, and provide veterinary care for his eye condition, causing irritation and pain. JJ was signed over to RSPCA but developed abdominal disease and was euthanized.

Pleaded guilty to two offences of failing to meet the needs of the dog JJ. Disqualified from owning animals for 10 years, non-appealable for 5 years. Accepted care was inadequate but not deliberately cruel; personal difficulties experienced.

Sources: nottinghampost.com

Chelsea Scott Owens

Animal Neglect

November 15, 2025

Sentence: 18-month Community Order with 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and £120 fine

Sources: nottinghampost.com

Louie Kaye

Possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence

November 10, 2025

Sentence: 3 years and 9 months imprisonment

On April 21, 2025, an initial disturbance occurred on Egghill Lane involving a group of young males wearing masks and balaclavas, arguing while carrying machetes. Approximately 90 minutes later, at 10pm, as an Audi, Range Rover, and Nissan drove along Boleyn Road near the junction of Jubilee Road, a group of males including Kaye were seen near the junction. One male pointed an item towards one of the cars, causing the cars to turn around and return. Kaye fired an imitation firearm towards the vehicles, with a muzzle flash visible on CCTV. Two gunshots were then fired from the vehicles towards the group. Kaye was shot in the arm, requiring surgery to remove around 20 pellets, some too embedded to extract. He was holding the gun and shouting 'Oi he shot me man' immediately after.

Pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. Prior offences include a knifepoint robbery. Assessed as having a 100% chance of reoffending and high risk of serious harm to others. Diagnosed with ADHD and autism; exposed to domestic violence and alcoholism at home.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Adil Islam Muhammed

Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs

November 7, 2025

Sentence: 5 years and 7 months imprisonment

Adil Islam Muhammed, aged 20, of Forth Avenue, Bordesley Green, was part of the Foxy Line gang, arrested at a safe house apartment in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter where a large amount of cocaine, mobile phones, cash, and a debt ledger were recovered; his brown Honda Jazz in the carpark contained a card-reading machine and was used for drug collections.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Arrested during raid on safe house on June 19, 2024.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Amar Khan

Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs

November 7, 2025

Sentence: 9 years and 6 months imprisonment

Amar Khan, aged 23, of Washwood Heath Road, was a key member of the Foxy Line, a county lines operation supplying Class A drugs to thousands in Birmingham and Solihull; he was arrested after a police chase, with cash, a knife, and phones recovered from his car, and phone data confirmed his role in advertising and delivering drugs.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Arrested following a car pursuit.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Ikram Hussain

Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs

November 7, 2025

Sentence: 12 years imprisonment

Ikram Hussain, aged 29, of Bordesley Green, Birmingham, was involved in running the Foxy Line, a county lines drugs operation advertising and supplying Class A drugs like cocaine to over 2,000 people via WhatsApp, using safe houses in Birmingham including the Jewellery Quarter to store and sort drugs, with the operation estimated to be worth around one million pounds.

Jack Clark

Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs

November 7, 2025

Sentence: 6 years imprisonment

Jack Clark, aged 25, of Kington Gardens, Solihull, led the Foxy Line after his initial arrest in 2023 during another drugs probe uncovered the operation; he hosted the WhatsApp group advertising drugs and was arrested again when intercepted in a taxi, with an iPhone recovered that was running the line, linked to supply worth one million pounds.

Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, including a sentence for a separate drugs investigation.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Gohar Muhammed

Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs

November 7, 2025

Sentence: 6 years and 9 months imprisonment

Gohar Muhammed, aged 29, of Forth Avenue, Bordesley Green, along with his brother Adil, was involved in the Foxy Line drugs operation, which used WhatsApp to advertise drugs and safe houses in Birmingham for storage and distribution, with phone data and GPS evidence linking him to the supply of Class A drugs worth around one million pounds.

Omar Khider

Shoplifting and possession of a class B drug

November 5, 2025

Sentence: 12-month community order including 20 days of rehabilitation activity and 80 hours of unpaid work

Omar Khider, aged 24 from Wyrley Road, Aston, entered Selfridges in Birmingham's Bullring around 5pm on June 12, 2025, put on a £180 North Face coat and walked out without paying. Security chased and caught him, finding him in possession of three small bags of the class B drug mamba. He admitted the theft in interview, identifying himself on CCTV, and expressed remorse, stating it was a stupid idea influenced by smoking mamba that morning. He has no family in the UK as they remain in Sudan and is on Universal Credit.

Pleaded guilty to shoplifting and possession of a class B drug. On a previous 10-month suspended sentence for 18 months for assault and criminal damage. Judge Heidi Kubik KC concluded it would be unjust to activate the suspended sentence given his efforts to turn his life around. He had completed all 100 hours of unpaid work and most appointments from the previous sentence.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Richard Gull

Robbery

November 4, 2025

Sentence: 4 years imprisonment

On June 25, 2025, Richard Gull attempted to steal bottles of alcohol from a supermarket in Sutton Coldfield. When challenged by security, he pulled out a knife and injured a staff member. Released on bail, he burgled a home in Erdington on July 7, 2025, stealing car keys and a car containing vital medical equipment for a disabled family member. He was also charged with multiple shop thefts in east Birmingham. Identified via CCTV, he was arrested and remanded in custody.

Pleaded not guilty initially but continued offending while on bail. No remorse shown. Prior court appearances mentioned.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Philip Duffield

Rape

October 31, 2025

Sentence: jailed

Philip Duffield, aged 25, from Solihull, described as a 'sexual predator', raped two young women aged 18 and 20 at the Holiday Inn in Solihull during a night out in Shrewsbury in April last year.

Francine Best

Fraud

October 29, 2025

Sentence: 24-month community order with 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement

Francine Best, also known as Francine Smithen, falsely claimed social care direct payments for her deceased mother from Birmingham City Council. Her mother died in September 2020, but Best did not inform the council and continued to receive £35,464 in payments until February 2022. She lied to a social worker in September 2021 that her mother was alive and provided false information that care was being provided by the mother’s granddaughter, while depositing the funds into her own account and spending them on herself.

Pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud and two counts of money laundering at an earlier hearing at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Faseeh Ahmed

Importing Heroin

October 26, 2025

Sentence: 8 years imprisonment

Faseeh Ahmed from Handsworth was part of a Birmingham gang that used a pressure cooker to smuggle more than £280,000 worth of heroin into the UK. Customs intercepted the haul in July 2023 but allowed delivery to Formans Road, Sparkhill, leading to arrests and the discovery of half a kilo of heroin, cutting agents, phones and £15,000 cash in a flat in Stratford Road; the total heroin seized was worth nearly £460,000.

Convicted of importing heroin, possessing with intent to supply heroin and possession of criminal property.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Ergys Shquti

Supplying Cannabis

October 26, 2025

Sentence: 12 weeks imprisonment

Ergys Shquti was involved with Kejdi Basha and Arjan Muca in supplying cannabis in Birmingham. Police found two large bags of cannabis at a second apartment where he was detained.

Delveer Sadhra

Possession with Intent to Supply Drugs

October 26, 2025

Sentence: 2 years and 7 months imprisonment

Delveer Sadhra, aged 30 from Erdington, was spotted dealing drugs in Stafford where police found cocaine, a phone and cash on him, plus further drugs and scales in a nearby address. A few months later, he was observed passing cash to a vehicle driver and getting inside; police stopped the vehicle on the M6 near Walsall and found cocaine, heroin, cannabis, scales, phones and other drug paraphernalia at an address in the town.

Jayke Bullivant

Rape

October 26, 2025

Sentence: 9 years imprisonment with 8-year extended licence

Jayke Bullivant, aged 19 from Falcon Lodge Crescent, Sutton Coldfield, raped a child who had gone missing.

Admitted rape, attempted rape, sexual abuse of a child and inciting a child into sexual activity.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Kejdi Basha

Supplying Cannabis

October 26, 2025

Sentence: 3 years and 3 months imprisonment

Kejdi Basha, of no fixed address, was involved with Ergys Shquti and Arjan Muca in supplying cannabis in Birmingham. Police pursued a suspicious car in the city centre, arrested Basha, and raided an apartment in Southside containing more than 700 cannabis plants.

Adnan Haider

Possession of a Firearm

October 26, 2025

Sentence: 7 years imprisonment

Adnan Haider, aged 21 from Sparkhill, and Dayyaan Mahmood were spotted handling a gun on Raymond Road, Alum Rock on February 21, sparking a helicopter search before their arrest.

Found guilty of possession of a firearm, possession of a knife, driving while disqualified and without insurance.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Arjan Muca

Cultivating Cannabis

October 26, 2025

Sentence: 3 years and 9 weeks imprisonment

Arjan Muca, of Alum Rock Road, was involved with Kejdi Basha and Ergys Shquti in supplying cannabis in Birmingham. He was arrested at a Southside apartment containing more than 700 cannabis plants after trying to leave upon seeing officers.

Avtar Nijjer

Money Laundering

October 26, 2025

Sentence: 1 year and 3 months imprisonment, ordered to repay £138,125

Avtar Nijjer, aged 73 from Leicester, worked alongside Gurmeet Handa in a complex fraud involving the laundering of more than £5.3m by depositing cash on his behalf for more than one year.

Involved in money laundering by depositing cash on behalf of Gurmeet Handa for more than one year.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Anthony Nash

Rape

October 26, 2025

Sentence: Life imprisonment with minimum term of 15 years

Anthony Nash, aged 47 from Shard End, carried out multiple rapes against two children and an adult in Cardiff, Wales. He was arrested at his home in Birmingham after the victims came forward.

Dayyaan Mahmood

Possession of a Firearm

October 26, 2025

Sentence: 5 years imprisonment

Dayyaan Mahmood, aged 19 from Saltley, and Adnan Haider were spotted handling a gun on Raymond Road, Alum Rock on February 21, sparking a helicopter search before their arrest.

Damien Scarlett

Robbery

October 26, 2025

Sentence: 16 years imprisonment with 4-year extended licence

Damien Scarlett, aged 36 from Wythall, carried out three gun-point car-jackings, including pointing a weapon at a dad in front of his young children. He was linked to two similar thefts near Earlswood Lakes and in Solihull. Police tracked him in a stolen car and saw him throw a firearm out of the vehicle.

Found guilty of three counts of robbery, three counts of possession of a firearm, and dangerous driving.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Paul Bradley

Sexual Assault

October 26, 2025

Sentence: 2 years and 8 months imprisonment

Paul Bradley, a 58-year-old council housing officer from Newcombe Road, Handsworth, kissed an 18-year-old girl and lifted her top up to kiss her on the chest without consent while doing agency work for Rugby Borough Council. He was immediately removed from his role once the attacks were reported.

Omari Maitland

Supplying Class A Drugs

October 26, 2025

Sentence: 7 years and 1 month imprisonment

Omari Maitland, aged 31 from Hodge Hill, ran the 'Black' drugs line in Birmingham and the Black Country. Police linked him to a phone used to operate the supply line and caught him on CCTV topping it up in a shop.

Shafiollah Amiree

Burglary

October 26, 2025

Sentence: 4 years and 6 months imprisonment, banned from driving for 5 years and 3 months

Shafiollah Amiree, aged 24 from Birchdale Road, Birmingham, broke into homes 60 miles away in Cheshire, stealing an Audi from a driveway in Crewe and, three weeks later, a BMW and Ford in nearby Wistaston.

Pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary, three counts of theft of a motor vehicle and two counts of driving while disqualified.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Ziyao Gao

Breaching Slavery Order

October 26, 2025

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment

Ziyao Gao, aged 54 also known as 'George', breached his slavery and trafficking risk order by subletting a property with poor living conditions. Police tracked him to a disused supermarket where they found a hidden staircase and two Vietnamese men hiding who had been working for him in exchange for cigarettes. Several other connected properties were searched, some modified to fit small bedrooms with poor conditions; three people were arrested for immigration offences.

Thangavelu Radhakrishnam

Attempted sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act

October 17, 2025

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment suspended for 2 years, 40 days rehabilitation activity, 200 hours unpaid work, 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, £500 prosecution costs

Thangavelu Radhakrishnam, aged 39, from Sutton Coldfield, targeted a 12-year-old girl's account on the Chatiw website using the profile 'I am untouched' on May 27, 2025. He switched to WhatsApp, sent explicit messages, an image and video of himself performing a sex act, and links to bestiality videos and a woman performing a sex act. He suggested a private massage, offered to visit her, commented she would be sexy when adult, and asked about having sex with her mother. The account was operated by an undercover operative who reported to police. Police tracked the device, seized two mobile phones, and arrested him at work. He had arrived in the UK from India in November 2022 as an engineer for better prospects but lost his £36,000 savings and was under pressure to send money home.

Pleaded guilty. Of previous good character. Committed offences during a chaotic period of distress after losing £36,000 savings. Judge Paul Farrer KC presiding.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Sohail Hussain

Dog fighting

October 13, 2025

Sentence: 21 months imprisonment

Sohail Hussain, aged 46, of Brades Rise, Oldbury, was associated with 'UK Gladiators' and ran a subscription website 'Team Gladiatorz' providing fight reports and advertising dogs. He bought dogs from inside and outside the UK for fighting, provided dogs for fights at Ash Road, and organised events. Messages revealed discussions on breeding and selling 'killer dogs' and expanding operations into Europe. He participated in dog fighting on a significant scale involving bull breeds pitted against each other for hours.

Pleaded guilty to keeping or training an animal for use in fighting, causing an animal to fight, and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. Banned from keeping animals indefinitely. Has a previous conviction from 2006 for attending a dogfight. Wheelchair-bound due to spinal injury from a shooting more than 15 years ago.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Asif Ali

Dog fighting

October 13, 2025

Sentence: 17 months imprisonment

Asif Ali, aged 33, of Ash Road, Alum Rock, was involved in the 'On Smoke Kennels' (OSK) brand, training dogs out of a basement at an address in Ash Road, Alum Rock, which was also used to host dog fights lasting hours. He advertised and promoted events through OSK. He kept four fighting dogs between October 2022 and September 2023, three of which suffered injuries. One of his dogs, named Roxy, was killed following one fight. Scales, a treadmill, harness, and an area for holding fights were found in the basement, some fights recorded on video. Two rescued dogs had multiple scarring and puncture wounds.

Pleaded guilty to keeping or training an animal for use in fighting, causing an animal to fight, causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, and possessing items designed or adapted for use in connection with an animal fight. Banned from keeping animals indefinitely. Father-of-one who helped care for his mother.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

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