Birmingham Crown Court Sentencing Results

Explore 295 verdicts at Birmingham Crown Court (Birmingham). Updated with the latest court outcomes.

Saqlane Zaffar

Causing death by dangerous driving

January 26, 2026

Sentence: 15 years imprisonment and 10-year driving ban

On June 2, 2024, shortly after midnight, Saqlane Zaffar, 28, from Birmingham, drove an Audi SQ7 at 91mph on a closed lane of Birmingham's Aston Expressway while high on nitrous oxide. He had filled balloons with the substance at a Shell petrol station earlier. Zaffar accelerated to over 80mph, undertaking vehicles and demolishing cones, forcing a road worker to dive out of the way. He slammed into the back of Ryan Sandhu's stationary Ford Fiesta in queuing traffic due to roadworks, causing catastrophic head injuries that killed the 21-year-old Staffordshire University student at the scene. The impact shunted the Fiesta into a Mercedes, but airbags saved Zaffar and his passenger. Zaffar fled the scene with a friend, discarding nitrous oxide canisters over the expressway side.

Pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. Judge Peter Cooke commented on the extreme recklessness, stating it was 'about as bad as it can get without a second victim'. Prior intoxication with nitrous oxide noted.

Sources: stokesentinel.co.uk

Temisan Oritsejafor

Sexual assault

January 26, 2026

Sentence: 20 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months and 30 days rehabilitation activity

On January 25, 2024, Temisan Oritsejafor sexually assaulted a woman on a train from Coventry by showing her a crack pipe, telling her he loved her, wrapping his legs around her knees, and touching her upper thigh, threatening violence when she resisted, leaving her scared and helpless. He then racially abused a train driver and security guard. In a separate incident at Caludon Centre mental health hospital in Coventry, he assaulted a nurse by threatening and chasing her after kicking display units and throwing chairs. On February 6, 2024, at Coventry central police station, he racially abused officers, pulled down his trousers to expose himself, and the next day urinated in his cell and exposed himself again to an officer. His bizarre behaviour was directly linked to significant mental health issues.

Pleaded guilty. Sentence deferred in August 2024 to assess compliance with supported accommodation rules; positive progress report noted. Judge Richard Bond emphasized the importance of continuing medication due to mental health issues linked to the offences.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Saqlane Zafar

Causing death by dangerous driving

January 23, 2026

Sentence: 15 years imprisonment and banned from driving for 15 years

Saqlane Zafar, aged 28, of Saltley, rented an Audi SQ7 and was seen inhaling nitrous oxide and staggering at a Shell petrol station on Stratford Road minutes before the incident on June 2, 2024. He drove at 91mph on the A38(M) Aston Expressway, weaving through queuing traffic, using closed lanes, narrowly missing a road worker and an oncoming vehicle, before smashing into the back of Ryan Sandhu's Ford Fiesta, causing fatal head injuries. Zafar disposed of nitrous oxide canisters over the edge of the wall and fled the scene in a Nissan Qashqai driven by Muhammad Hamza. He was intoxicated, refused breath and blood tests, and later expressed remorse in letters to the victim's family.

Pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving. Judge Peter Cooke described him as driving like a 'maniac' and stated the case was 'as bad as it can get'. Had previous convictions for dangerous driving and driving while disqualified.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Muhammad Hamza

Perverting the course of justice and dangerous driving

January 23, 2026

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

Muhammad Hamza, aged 29, of Grantham Road, Sparkbrook, picked up Saqlane Zafar and an unidentified passenger after the fatal collision on the A38(M) Aston Expressway on June 2, 2024. He drove the Nissan Qashqai and later engaged in a high-speed chase to evade police, reaching high speeds and driving on the wrong side of the road before crashing into a lamppost. Zafar and Hamza were arrested shortly afterwards.

Found guilty of perverting the course of justice and dangerous driving after denying wrongdoing. His barrister stated he was unaware of the fatality at the time and is now remorseful.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Lewis Whitsey

Unlawful wounding

January 20, 2026

Sentence: 2 years imprisonment

On May 28, 2025, at around 3pm, Lewis Whitsey, aged 34, was cutting down trees in woodland near his home in Gospel Lane, between Acocks Green and Olton, Solihull. He intervened in a dispute between dog walker Paul Mills and another dog walker (his neighbour) after Mills' cocker spaniel was attacked by a dalmation and Mills 'toe-poked' the dalmation. Whitsey told his neighbour 'give me the nod I will do him, chop him up with an axe', retrieved a chainsaw, and charged at Mills while revving it. The chainsaw was deactivated, and he struck Mills on the shoulder causing a cut, and Mills suffered a minor hand injury when grabbing the blade. The incident was recorded on Mills' phone.

Pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding. Additional 2 months for breaching a suspended sentence for burglary received last year. Judge noted deliberate injury with deactivated chainsaw, rejected defendant's accidental claim, considered defendant's shame, positive references, past drug problems, and ADHD traits.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Troydne Grizzle

Possession with intent to supply class A drugs

January 16, 2026

Sentence: 2 years and 9 months imprisonment

Officers were patrolling in Cannock when they spotted Troydne Grizzle, who tried to run away. As he fled, Grizzle dropped a brown paper package containing deals of heroin and crack cocaine. He was found to have a Nokia mobile phone, an iPhone and a set of keys. A search of an address in the town revealed more heroin and crack cocaine, £2,007 in cash and items linked to drug dealing, including scales and plastic containers.

Adam Mahmood

Possessing a recording likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terror

January 15, 2026

Sentence: 4 years imprisonment with 3 years extended licence

Adam Mahmood, 20, from Sheldon, Birmingham, was arrested on April 3, 2025, after police attention due to extremist content on his social media. A search of his family home revealed medieval weapons including swords, knives, an axe, and a catapult, along with a Sharia flag and ball bearings. An iPhone seized from him contained a 15-minute video obtained on October 30, 2023, via Telegram, viewed at least twice, detailing how to construct an improvised explosive device using readily available chemicals, similar to the one used in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, complete with detonator and shrapnel for mass casualties. The video was last accessed on March 24, 2025. He had over 27,000 TikTok followers and photos showed him with weapons wearing a balaclava.

Found guilty of possessing a recording likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terror. Judge Simon Drew KC noted significant risk of causing serious harm. Obsessed with weapons, had interest in and support for prohibited terrorist organisations.

Sources: manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Twaha Kaana

Blackmail

January 14, 2026

Sentence: 5.5 years imprisonment

Twaha Kaana, aged 27, from Ernest Road, Sparkbrook, targeted a couple in Rednal after being denied entry to a house party at their flat in August 2020. He initially demanded £100 for drinks he claimed to have bought, pressuring them into transferring the money. Over the next nine months, he subjected them to repeated threats of violence via messages, calls, and in person, including threats to 'batter' them, stab the man, shoot him with a crossbow, and blow up the girlfriend's car. He intimidated the woman by entering her car and turned up at their flat. This resulted in 60 transactions totaling nearly £10,000, depleting their house deposit savings. The couple reported him to police in May 2021 after running out of money, having stayed with relatives to eat. The stress caused the woman to suffer a miscarriage; they split up, left their home, and she moved out of Birmingham, remaining fearful. Kaana, originally from Burundi and in the UK since age three, had college qualifications and worked in security but lost employment during the Covid pandemic.

Found guilty of two counts of blackmail. Judge Paul Farrer KC noted his use of physical stature to bully and intimidate victims. No further offences since arrest in 2021. Defence cited financial stress during Covid pandemic.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Craig Holden

Robbery

January 12, 2026

Sentence: life imprisonment with a minimum term of 80 months

On June 20, 2025, Craig Holden approached a 72-year-old man from behind on Russell Road, Edgbaston, around midday, grabbed his shoulder bag, causing both to fall. He pushed the victim into a garden wall, pulled out a knife, lunged at him three times aiming for the abdomen but the victim protected himself with his bag, then slashed the victim's right arm causing significant injury. Holden fled with the bag containing a bank card, house keys, iPhone and £60 cash. The next day, June 21, 2025, around 6.30pm, he used a shovel to break into Birmingham Smile Clinic on Stratford Road, stealing a £259 laptop and £35 cash. He was seen outside the clinic two days later. Upon arrest, he admitted intending to rape and murder the robbery victim.

Admitted robbery, wounding with intent, possession of a bladed article and burglary. Classed as a dangerous offender with 17 previous convictions for 30 offences. Mental health issues linked to drug misuse, loss of family members and job accident. Described himself as a risk to the public and wanted to return to prison.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Jason Savage

Terrorism

December 31, 2025

Sentence: life imprisonment

Jason Savage, a 35-year-old lone wolf terrorist, planned to attack a mosque and bookstore in Small Heath, Birmingham, targeting a Salafi cleric associated with the location who was an outspoken critic of Islamist terrorism and extremism. He conducted reconnaissance, discussed entry and escape routes, downloaded violent extremist videos, researched knife killings and gun-making, and scouted military and police sites. Days before arrest, he changed his WhatsApp profile to 'Lone Wolf' and sent a voice note to an undercover officer expressing intent to die in the attack.

Planned to attack a mosque and bookshop in Birmingham. Converted to Islam and followed extreme Salafi ideology. Targeted a Salafi cleric critical of Islamist terrorism.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Ismail Khan

Grievous bodily harm

December 24, 2025

Sentence: 4 years imprisonment

Kaiden Lemathy, Ismail Khan and Mohammed Najeeb were in a car that ran over and injured three people in Handsworth Wood. The Nissan was driven at speed, mounting the pavement in Burton Wood Drive and mowing down two teenagers and a woman in her 20s. Police believe it was a targeted attack.

Involved in the incident where a car injured three people in Handsworth Wood. Aged 21.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Hemant Patel

Drug supply

December 24, 2025

Sentence: 3 years and 2 months imprisonment

Hemant Patel hid £16,000 worth of class A drugs inside a printer, discovered by a search dog during a raid at his property in Woodstock Road, Birmingham.

Darren Oakes

Conspiring to smuggle items into prison

December 24, 2025

Sentence: 3 years and 9 months imprisonment

Carla Moskot-Bretell and her boyfriend Darren Oakes were behind a plot to smuggle cannabis and tobacco into HMP Birmingham. Illegal packages were wrapped in clingfilm, laced with spices to evade search dogs, smuggled in during social visits via food orders, ingested by Oakes, and vomited up in his cell for distribution.

Admitted conspiring to smuggle items into prison. Aged 47, was an inmate at HMP Birmingham in Winson Green.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Carla Moskot-Bretell

Conspiring to smuggle items into prison

December 24, 2025

Sentence: 3 years and 9 months imprisonment

Admitted conspiring to smuggle items into prison. Aged 35, from Brierley Hill, was a prison custody officer at HMP Hewell.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Patricia Bucknell

Conspiring to smuggle items into prison

December 24, 2025

Sentence: 2 years and 3 months imprisonment

Louise Docker and Patricia Bucknell helped prepare illegal packages of cannabis and tobacco, wrapped in clingfilm and laced with spices to put search dogs off the scent, for smuggling into HMP Birmingham during social visits via food orders.

Admitted conspiring to smuggle items into prison. Aged 51, from Cradley, helped prepare the illegal packages and smuggled them into the prison.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Lanlan Guo

Breach of court order (human trafficking)

December 24, 2025

Sentence: 20 weeks imprisonment

Lanlan Guo breached a court order designed to prevent her involvement in human trafficking. She was stopped in a car in Birmingham during high-visibility patrols while driving people who were not her family members. Large amount of cash found at her home; evidence that a property in Cheapside was used as a brothel.

Breached a court order preventing involvement in human trafficking. Aged 34, stopped in a car in Birmingham while driving non-family members.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Louise Docker

Conspiring to smuggle items into prison

December 24, 2025

Sentence: 2 years and 3 months imprisonment

Admitted conspiring to smuggle items into prison. From Halesowen, helped prepare the illegal packages.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Kaiden Lemathy

Grievous bodily harm and dangerous driving

December 24, 2025

Sentence: 7 years imprisonment

Kaiden Lemathy, Ismail Khan and Mohammed Najeeb were in a car that ran over and injured three people in Handsworth Wood. Lemathy drove the Nissan at speed, mounting the pavement in Burton Wood Drive and mowing down two teenagers and a woman in her 20s. Police believe it was a targeted attack.

Admitted grievous bodily harm offences and dangerous driving. Aged 18, was behind the wheel.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Mohammed Najeeb

Grievous bodily harm

December 24, 2025

Sentence: 2 years and 9 months imprisonment

Involved in the incident where a car injured three people in Handsworth Wood. Aged 19.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Mohammed Ali

Rape

December 24, 2025

Sentence: 18 years imprisonment

Mohammed Ali, 23, from Handsworth, raped a vulnerable boy multiple times over years and abused him. He was also found to have more than 400 indecent images and videos on his phone.

Pleaded guilty to eight charges of rape, four being the rape of a boy under 13, and three charges of distributing indecent images of a child. Found to have more than 400 indecent images and videos on his phone.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Mohammed Hasan

Wounding with intent

December 23, 2025

Sentence: 4 years and 5 months detention

On March 7, 2025, at 8.39pm, Mohammed Hasan, aged 18 from Gowan Road, Alum Rock, participated in attacking a 15-year-old boy in Morris Park, Alum Rock, by pinning him against a fence, punching, kicking, and stabbing him eight times due to the boy being in rival territory. Separately, on May 26, 2023, Hasan discarded a bag containing a converted blank-firing gun during a police response to disorder at a park. The stabbing victim required eight hours of surgery and suffers ongoing trauma.

Admitted wounding with intent and possession of a prohibited weapon in a separate incident involving a converted blank-firing gun on May 26, 2023. Lacks maturity, has undiagnosed ADHD and autism indicators, regrets involvement and impact on family.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Idris Urfan

Assisting an offender

December 23, 2025

Sentence: 12 months imprisonment

On March 7, 2025, at 8.39pm, Idris Urfan, aged 22 from Monk Road, Ward End, filmed the stabbing attack on a 15-year-old boy in Morris Park, Alum Rock, on his phone from his Volkswagen Golf and drove the attackers away from the scene after they pinned the victim against a fence, punched, kicked, and stabbed him eight times for being in rival territory.

Pleaded guilty to assisting an offender. Former bus driver. Had already served effective sentence while on remand, so no mitigation was required.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

Ishfaq Ibrahim

Wounding with intent

December 23, 2025

Sentence: 4 years and 10 months imprisonment

On March 7, 2025, at 8.39pm, Ishfaq Ibrahim, aged 18 from Edmund Road, Alum Rock, along with others, targeted a 15-year-old boy in Morris Park, Alum Rock, for being in rival territory. CCTV from a nearby mosque captured Ibrahim pinning the victim against a fence, punching, kicking, and stabbing him eight times in the back, shoulder, and torso. The victim required eight hours of surgery at Birmingham Children's Hospital and has not regained full use of his injured arm, now suffering nightmares and fear of leaving the house.

Admitted wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article. Described as intelligent and caring with a gentle nature from a positive family. Judge noted he was the most aggressive in the attack.

Sources: birminghammail.co.uk

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

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

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

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

Leon Kramolis

Causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal

December 12, 2025

Sentence: two-year community order with 42 days rehabilitation activity and lifetime ban from keeping animals

In late February 2024, Leon Kramolis, 25, of no fixed address, living at supported accommodation in Nicholls Street, West Bromwich, caused serious injuries to an 8-10 week old Staffordshire bull terrier puppy named Rex. CCTV captured him slapping the puppy, wrapping a dish cloth around its head, placing a mug over its face and muzzle, handling it roughly, and pulling at its limbs. On March 1, 2024, he fetched two knives from the kitchen. The puppy was hidden in his room, later found concealed in his coat, comatose, with mutilated toes (nails cut to the quick and beyond, some severed), broken skull, jaw, ribs, untreated older injuries leading to septicaemia, and bloodstained sheets in his room. The puppy was rescued, taken to a vet, and euthanised due to its severe condition. Kramolis claimed he was only cutting toenails and was under the influence of cocaine and heroin at the time.

Admitted two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and two further welfare offences. Judge Simon Drew KC noted the actions were 'sadistic' and aimed the sentence at rehabilitation, stating the defendant had already been punished by time in custody on remand. Defence confirmed remorse and drug-free status.

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

Chelsea Scott Owens

Animal Neglect

November 15, 2025

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

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

Jack Lewis Elshaw

Animal Neglect

November 15, 2025

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

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

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

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.

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.

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