Birmingham Crown Court Sentencing Results

David Sherratt was arrested following a high-speed police pursuit on the M5 and M42 motorways on 17 April, driving a black Peugeot at speeds of 120mph while transporting 36kg of cocaine, with a street value of £1.3 million, concealed in two Sports Direct bags in the car's boot. West Midlands police, supported by a helicopter, chased the vehicle before deploying a stinger to halt it. Sherratt congratulated the officers upon discovery of the drugs.

Kamlesh Vadukul was a ringleader in a crash for cash scam, submitting fraudulent repair finance claims totalling £275,548 for 39 collisions and managing payments into a bank account he opened. The group caused deliberate collisions across Walsall in the West Midlands between December 2015 and October 2016.

Raju Patel was a ringleader in a crash for cash scam, causing deliberate collisions and submitting fraudulent insurance and repair claims totalling £275,548 for 39 collisions. The group operated across Walsall in the West Midlands between December 2015 and October 2016, with funds paid into accounts linked to him.

Lewis Breen-Ledger operated under the name ‘Dobby’s Packs’ on Instagram and Snapchat to sell class A and class B drugs. He was arrested in May 2024 after police executed a search warrant at his address in Halesowen, seizing cash, cocaine, cannabis, ketamine, scales, and three zombie knives. Officers also found Harry Potter-themed items, including a rubber mask and figurine. He had been involved in drug supply since age 16 and continued dealing after being released on bail, rebranding his account. Additionally, he caused serious injury by dangerous driving in October 2022, when a woman in her 60s was hit while cycling on Narrow Lane, Halesowen, and by careless driving when a man in his 50s was hit on Dudley Road, Rowley Regis.

Gary McNally operated an illegal IPTV service called Each Online from November 2017 to June 2020, providing unauthorised access to premium content including Sky Entertainment, Sky Sports, and Sky Movie channels. He used legitimate NOW TV accounts to facilitate illegal streaming, with over 2,000 subscribers during a world championship boxing match in February 2018. Authorities seized digital equipment, including laptops and hard drives, from his property in Birmingham following an investigation by Sky and West Midlands Police.

Fadi Zemmour, a 36-year-old man of no fixed address, carried out a series of pickpocketing offences in Birmingham city centre over three months last summer, targeting women, the elderly, and carers. He preyed on victims while they were distracted, such as helping relatives or looking after children in pushchairs. He was identified by officers from Operation Taurus, arrested in London on December 12, and admitted the offences at Birmingham Magistrates Court on December 17 before being sentenced.

On September 2022, Andrew Worby and Onasis Depass were parked in a white van on an industrial estate in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, where they received a garden waste sack containing 25 kilograms of cocaine from Tayyab Iqbal in exchange for a shopping bag. National Crime Agency officers, in collaboration with the Central Motorway Police Group, intercepted the van near the M6 motorway, discovering the cocaine with an estimated street value of up to £2.5 million. Worby and Depass were arrested roadside.

On September 2022, Onasis Depass and Andrew Worby were parked in a white van on an industrial estate in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, where they received a garden waste sack containing 25 kilograms of cocaine from Tayyab Iqbal in exchange for a shopping bag. National Crime Agency officers, in collaboration with the Central Motorway Police Group, intercepted the van near the M6 motorway, discovering the cocaine with an estimated street value of up to £2.5 million. Depass and Worby were arrested roadside.

On September 2022, Tayyab Iqbal drove from Birmingham to an industrial estate in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, where he entered a storage unit and retrieved a garden waste sack containing 25 kilograms of cocaine. He then met Onasis Depass and Andrew Worby, handing over the sack in exchange for a shopping bag containing £20,000. The exchange was observed by National Crime Agency officers, who later intercepted the van and arrested Depass and Worby. Iqbal was arrested at his home.

Altin Hoti, along with brothers Elvis and Yleber, ran a Class A drugs line trading cocaine across the UK, sourcing from London and using couriers to transport large amounts to Bristol, Coventry, and Warwickshire. They also dealt substantial amounts of cannabis, supplied in Chester. Arrested in April 2021, investigations revealed mobile phone records and other evidence placing them at the heart of the supply chain. Seizures included cocaine worth over £175,000, cannabis valued at more than £170,000, and over £450,000 in cash. The operation made more than £700,000.

Elvis Hoti, along with brothers Altin and Yleber, ran a Class A drugs line trading cocaine across the UK, sourcing from London and using couriers to transport large amounts to Bristol, Coventry, and Warwickshire. They also dealt substantial amounts of cannabis, supplied in Chester. Arrested in April 2021, investigations revealed mobile phone records and other evidence placing them at the heart of the supply chain. Seizures included cocaine worth over £175,000, cannabis valued at more than £170,000, and over £450,000 in cash. The operation made more than £700,000. Elvis continued supplying cannabis to a contact in Bristol while on bail.

Yleber Hoti, along with brothers Altin and Elvis, ran a Class A drugs line trading cocaine across the UK, sourcing from London and using couriers to transport large amounts to Bristol, Coventry, and Warwickshire. Arrested in April 2021, investigations revealed mobile phone records and other evidence placing them at the heart of the supply chain. Seizures included cocaine worth over £175,000, cannabis valued at more than £170,000, and over £450,000 in cash. The operation made more than £700,000.

Part of a Coventry criminal gang involved in supplying tens of kilos of cocaine, cannabis, and amphetamines, and laundering over £1million between March and June 2020. The gang used Encro phones to coordinate dealings until deciphered by West Midlands ROCU officers.

Alayna Price, 39-year-old Commercial Manager at Birmingham Dogs Home (BDH), along with her husband Simon Price, stole £894,754.29 from the charity between 2012 and 2016 through false invoices and unauthorized transfers. The BDH became aware of the thefts on 2 November 2016 and contacted police.

Simon Price, former Chief Executive Officer at Birmingham Dogs Home (BDH), and his wife Alayna Price, created false invoices for work on the new BDH site in Solihull and sent false invoices to sponsors between 2012 and 2016. A property belonging to the charity based in Digbeth was sold and the proceeds totaling £399,274 were transferred into his personal account. The BDH became aware of the thefts on 2 November 2016 and contacted police.

Mohammed Uzair Rashid, a 35-year-old from Greater Manchester, attempted to smuggle almost 18 kilos of high-strength heroin (66-71% pure, worth over £900,000) into the UK through Birmingham Airport. He arrived on a flight from Sialkot, Pakistan, via Dubai, in November 2021. CCTV captured Border Force officers searching his checked-in baggage, where the drugs were found. Rashid initially claimed the bags were not his and that the packages were planted. He had flown to Pakistan on 29 September 2021 on a ticket booked the same day, claiming to take £500 savings from benefit payments for a holiday. WhatsApp messages showed constant contact with someone referred to as ‘Brother’, including advice to remain calm while passing through the airport in Pakistan.