West Bromwich man awoken at gunpoint by car thieves
A father has claimed a gun was pointed in his face after he was awoken in the night by armed intruders. Chris Cox, 44, wants greater action on car key burglars following the attack at his West Bromwich home in the early hours of 21 January. West Midlands Police is investigating the crime, which saw a black BMW X5 taken from the drive along with expensive watches."My heart was pounding while it was happening but I was more concerned about my daughter who was in the next room," he said.
The single father runs his own roofing company and said purchasing the BMW in February 2022 had been a "dream come true". He was not previously able to work full time due to childcare commitments and set up the firm in 2017 when his daughter started school. "She's only 13 and it has affected her a lot," he said. "The more people that know of this the more pressure that gets put on [the robbers]."
West Midlands Police said officers were carrying out inquiries and asked anybody who was in the area at about 04:00 GMT to get in touch. The force confirmed Mr Cox's home was "broken into by a group" who threatened him before stealing his car keys and taking valuable items. "The investigation continues and we are in contact with the victim," a statement added.
Mr Cox urged police to take the issue seriously, but added he knew they were reliant on funding from the government. "I think the police need to do more," he added. "It's a matter time before you hear: 'Thieves have shot someone dead because they refuse to hand over keys.'" Asked what the force was doing to tackle violent robberies, a spokesperson said its road crime teams regularly targeted car key burglars. The spokesperson said patrols were being carried out in areas which have been targeted, with officers using local intelligence to identify those responsible.Earlier this month, a major new drive aimed at reducing crime in key areas of the West Midlands was announced by police.The force said Operation Fearless would "improve the quality of life for people in communities" across the region, targeting problems including drugs, anti-social behaviour, robbery and violence.The scheme has been launched in Erdington, where crime is estimated to have cost the economy £7m in the past year, but will later be rolled out to other areas.
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His KC Keith Stewart put to him during the trial: 'If it is suggested any reference to commission was you talking about earning money from Oricom in exchange for contracts, what would you say?' Hush: 'That was not the case at all.' He claimed any payments he ever received had been money from his now late father. But, it was later suggested Hush had used the firm as the 'Bank of Oricom' for his help in getting them business including a £750,000 contract with NHS Lothian. The handouts were said to include train tickets, such as on the Eurostar, stays at the Troy and Re Hotels in London, a near £2,000 laptop, an iPad, meals as well as concert tickets to see Paul Simon, Rufus Wainwright and Patti Smith. In cross examination, prosecutor David Nicolson KC put to Hush at one stage: 'At NHS Lothian, Alan Hush was the kingpin in the telecoms department. 'You were the 'big cheese', 'the big boss'. The telecoms department was your fiefdom. 'Alan Hush played by the Alan Hush rules. Alan Hush made up the rules and did what he liked.' He replied: 'Alan Hush performed to the best of his abilities.' Hush was said to have 'ferreted about' in a 'deception' to obtain false 'dodgy' quotes to help Oricom get the lucrative business. Denying any wrongdoing, Hush insisted: 'I have stepped into the witness box and told the truth.' Sharoudi, of Motherwell, Lanarkshire, meantime told the court Hush repaid for anything Oricom had purchased for him. He said: 'Alan was very cost conscious. He paid back every single thing that was bought.' He refuted claims there was anything intimate between them adding the NHS official could be guilty of 'pushing a joke too far'. In his evidence, Cox, of Cathcart, Glasgow, denied being 'bribed' by Oricom and that any contract with NHS Lanarkshire was won 'fair and square'. He was accused of giving Oricom the 'heads up' with information to give them a 'commercial advantage' to secure business. It was suggested it was 'not a level playing field' for other bidders. The court heard of an excited message exchange after the firm learned they were likely to be awarded one contract. Brown texted Sharoudi: 'Gonna c**** my pants'. Sharoudi replied: 'Yes f*****g baby'. Cox's 'rewards' had been said to include hospitality at the Scottish Grand National at Ayr, a night at the Loch Green Hotel in Troon and a slap-up meal at Elliots in Prestwick. Brown was also a guest at Cox's surprise 50th birthday party. The NHS official told the trial: 'The things I got from Oricom I paid for fully.' Jurors heard he also got thousands of pounds worth of Barrhead Travel holiday vouchers which allowed him to go on trips to New York and Lanzarote. But, Cox said he believed they were gifts to his wife – a newspaper advertising manager – from Brown's partner who she had become friends with. Prosecutors stated this was 'a remarkable coincidence'. 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"This is eloquent of being able to provide a service of good value for money with an expectation of delivery." The advocate also described how Brown had even been out "troubleshooting" at an issue at an NHS site during the trial.
