Latest news with #CallumRoberts
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Yahoo
McDonald's-loving crook jailed after police link fast food orders to car crimes
A hungry crook was caught by his love of McDonald's. Callum Roberts, of HMP Brinsford in Featherstone, near Wolverhampton, stole a BMW from a car park near St Julian's Crescent in Shrewsbury at around 10pm on Saturday, February 15. The vehicle was spotted by traffic officers around two hours later and followed. READ MORE: Boy who died at Sutton Park lake named as school pays tribute Roberts tried to escape, reaching speeds of around 60mph in a 30 zone. He drove dangerously, narrowly missing another vehicle. He managed to lose the traffic police and abandoned the car in Roden, a hamlet between Shrewsbury and Telford. He fled the scene but officers who found the car discovered a McDonald's bag with a receipt showing he had been to the restaurant in Meole Brace in Shrewsbury. Police checked venue CCTV and identified the 20-year-old as the driver. In the second offence, car keys belonging to a Citroen C3 Aircross were taken from an address on Brougham Square in Shrewsbury on Saturday, March 1. The car was stolen the following night. But police spotted the stolen vehicle in the north of Shrewsbury on Wednesday, March 5. Officers pursued the car through residential streets. The driver, who was identified as Roberts, hit 60mph in a 20-zone and went the wrong way around a roundabout before joining the A5 on the wrong carriageway, where he reached speeds of 100mph, narrowly avoiding a HGV. The motorist stopped in a layby and he fled the scene. READ MORE: Busy Birmingham commuter routes face week-long summer shutdown But Shropshire's Serious Acquisitive Crime Team found Roberts had fraudulently used bank cards belonging to the owner of the Citroen to buy a McDonald's shortly after the vehicle was reported stolen. He admitted dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, fraud by false representation and two counts of driving while disqualified, in May. He was jailed for three years and given a four-year and two-month driving ban, which will come into force on release, at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Thursday, July 10. Get the latest BirminghamLive news direct to your inbox Det Con Tom Clough, said: 'We will work tirelessly to ensure those who cause distress to the public by taking what does not belong to them, as well as putting lives at risk by their actions, are put before the courts. 'Not only was he driving stolen vehicles, Roberts was aware he was driving while disqualified. His willingness to engage in such risk taking to evade capture on two separate occasions is something that caused officers great concern. 'This was a team effort and if it wasn't for the commitment of my team as well as our roads policing officers, we couldn't have achieved such a good result in such a short space of time. 'I am pleased with the sentence at court, which I hope gives the victims some sort of closure, as well as time for Roberts to reflect on how dangerous his actions were, which could have had tragic consequences given the lack of care for the safety of others and himself.'
The Irish Sun
11-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Prolific car thief who led police on wild chases finally captured after being exposed by his McDonald's order
A PROLIFIC car thief who led police on wild chases was finally snared after being exposed by his McDonald's order. Callum Roberts nicked two cars within two weeks of each other from locations across Shrewsbury in February this year. 2 The car thief felt a little peckish after stealing a BMW Credit: Google 2 Callum Roberts' need for McDonald's ultimately led to his downfall Credit: West Mercia Police But in a bizarre twist, the 20-year-old's love for fast-food eventually led to his arrest. He snatched the first vehicle, a silver BMW, from a car park on February 15 at around 10pm. When the stolen car flagged up on police systems later that evening, West Mercia officers followed. Roberts led the force on a high speed chase as he barreled through 30mph zones at 60mph. Read More He narrowly avoided smashing into another vehicle before evading the force. The BMW was subsequently found abandoned in a remote area. But, Roberts must have felt a little peckish after stealing the car, as officers found a McDonald's bag left behind. It contained a receipt showing he'd been to the branch in Meole Brace, shortly after committing his crime. Most read in The Sun Just two weeks later, the keys to a Citroen C3 were taken from a Shrewsbury property in Brougham Square. And, the next night Roberts came back for the car itself. Three days later, officers spotted the vehicle, and engaged in another pursuit when Roberts failed to stop. On this occasion, the thief travelled at around 60mph in a 20mph zone, before recklessly driving down the A5 in the wrong direction. Here, Roberts started speeding in excess of 100mph, and nearly crashed into a HGV. The yob eventually stopped in a layby and tried to flee on foot, but officers quickly detained him. Perhaps it was the second McDonald's that slowed him down, as investigations uncovered Roberts had scoffed a meal from the chain yet again. This time, he had used bank cards found within the Citroen. Roberts pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, fraud by false representation and two counts of driving while disqualified in May 2025 at Shrewsbury Crown Court. A judge today sentenced the defendant to three years in jail. He will also be subject to a four-year and two-month driving ban when he is released. Detective Constable Tom Clough, said: 'I hope yesterday's sentence serves as a warning that we will work tirelessly to ensure those who cause distress to the public by taking what does not belong to them, as well as putting lives at risk by their actions, are put before the courts. 'Not only was he driving stolen vehicles, Roberts was aware that he was driving whilst disqualified and his willingness to engage in such risk taking to evade capture on two separate occasions is something that caused officers great concern. 'This was a team effort and if it wasn't for the commitment of my team as well as our roads policing officers, we couldn't have achieved such a good result in such a short space of time. 'I am pleased with the sentence at court, which I hope gives the victims some sort of closure, as well as time for Roberts to reflect on how dangerous his actions were, which could have had tragic consequences given the lack of care for the safety of others and himself.'
Scottish Sun
11-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Prolific car thief who led police on wild chases finally captured after being exposed by his McDonald's order
Roberts drove down a dual carriageway in the wrong direction, exceeded 100mph and nearly smashed into an HGV HAPPY WHEELS Prolific car thief who led police on wild chases finally captured after being exposed by his McDonald's order Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A PROLIFIC car thief who led police on wild chases was finally snared after being exposed by his McDonald's order. Callum Roberts nicked two cars within two weeks of each other from locations across Shrewsbury in February this year. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The car thief felt a little peckish after stealing a BMW Credit: Google 2 Callum Roberts' need for McDonald's ultimately led to his downfall Credit: West Mercia Police But in a bizarre twist, the 20-year-old's love for fast-food eventually led to his arrest. He snatched the first vehicle, a silver BMW, from a car park on February 15 at around 10pm. When the stolen car flagged up on police systems later that evening, West Mercia officers followed. Roberts led the force on a high speed chase as he barreled through 30mph zones at 60mph. He narrowly avoided smashing into another vehicle before evading the force. The BMW was subsequently found abandoned in a remote area. But, Roberts must have felt a little peckish after stealing the car, as officers found a McDonald's bag left behind. It contained a receipt showing he'd been to the branch in Meole Brace, shortly after committing his crime. CCTV footage from the restaurant revealed Roberts as the driver. Just two weeks later, the keys to a Citroen C3 were taken from a Shrewsbury property in Brougham Square. And, the next night Roberts came back for the car itself. Three days later, officers spotted the vehicle, and engaged in another pursuit when Roberts failed to stop. On this occasion, the thief travelled at around 60mph in a 20mph zone, before recklessly driving down the A5 in the wrong direction. Here, Roberts started speeding in excess of 100mph, and nearly crashed into a HGV. The yob eventually stopped in a layby and tried to flee on foot, but officers quickly detained him. Perhaps it was the second McDonald's that slowed him down, as investigations uncovered Roberts had scoffed a meal from the chain yet again. This time, he had used bank cards found within the Citroen. Roberts pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, fraud by false representation and two counts of driving while disqualified in May 2025 at Shrewsbury Crown Court. A judge today sentenced the defendant to three years in jail. He will also be subject to a four-year and two-month driving ban when he is released. Detective Constable Tom Clough, said: 'I hope yesterday's sentence serves as a warning that we will work tirelessly to ensure those who cause distress to the public by taking what does not belong to them, as well as putting lives at risk by their actions, are put before the courts. 'Not only was he driving stolen vehicles, Roberts was aware that he was driving whilst disqualified and his willingness to engage in such risk taking to evade capture on two separate occasions is something that caused officers great concern. 'This was a team effort and if it wasn't for the commitment of my team as well as our roads policing officers, we couldn't have achieved such a good result in such a short space of time. 'I am pleased with the sentence at court, which I hope gives the victims some sort of closure, as well as time for Roberts to reflect on how dangerous his actions were, which could have had tragic consequences given the lack of care for the safety of others and himself.'
Daily Mail
09-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Mothers brawl in primary school playground after one accused the other of sleeping with her ex
Two women came to blows in front of other parents and children at a primary school after one accused the other of sleeping with her ex, a court has heard. Mother-of-four Natasha Sherlock, 29, and mother-of-three Samantha Rylance, 28, had a fight while collecting their children from Sommerville Primary School in Seacombe on the Wirral last July. In front of a crowd of shocked bystanders, Sherlock accused her fellow parent of sleeping with her ex-boyfriend before shouting, 'Do not f**ing talk to my kids', as her daughter waved at her rival. The pair then scuffled on the tarmac in a scrap which saw Rylance slap Sherlock who then punched Rylance in the face. The fight was eventually broken up by Rylance's partner Callum Roberts and Sherlock's father, who had been helping collect the children. Police were called by Rylance and were passed CCTV of the incident by the school's headmaster. Sherlock was later arrested at her home. Both women were left with black eyes following the melee. At Sefton Magistrates' Court on Monday, Sherlock, from Birkenhead on the Wirral, stood trial for assault by beating but was cleared after insisting she acted in self-defence. But District Judge Paul Healey, who viewed the CCTV, said: 'This took place on a school playground, with parents and kids around. It is a thoroughly unpleasant incident to witness.' Rylance told the hearing: 'I was coming onto the playground and her daughter waved at me. I looked at her and that is when she hurled abuse. 'She said, "Do not f**ing look at my children." It was quite loud and there were other parents there. 'I just walked away then collected my little boy and left the small playground to go to the main playground to meet the kids' dad Callum who was collecting the other children. 'But I saw Natasha talking to him and she being aggressive and screaming and shouting at Callum. When she saw me she said: "Yes, f****ing you." 'I said "Leave it, we are on the playground. There are kids around." 'But she said, "Come on, come on, let's go outside" and started grabbing my top. She was screaming and shouting. 'She initially knocked my glasses off and as gentleman picked them she was pulling on my top. 'I knocked her hand away to defend myself but she swung and hit me across the face and that is when it turned into the fight itself. 'After the incident I felt awful. The kids did not want to go to school or let me to take them to school in case I got attacked again.' The CCTV showed Sherlock walking up towards the camera with her father and two children. She then stopped to speak to Callum who was walking in the opposite direction then turned around and saw Rylance. Sherlock appeared to move back slightly but Rylance's hands remained out of view. Sherlock was then seen punching Rylance with her right hand to the left side of her face. Callum told the hearing: 'Natasha was angry. She said, 'You best sort her out' or 'Sort your missis out.' Samantha approached and Natasha said 'Yeah, you'. She then ended up grabbing her and then punched her. I was really worried about the kids. There were arms flying everywhere. ' A police report of the incident said: 'Natasha claims Samantha has slept with her boyfriend causing them to fall out and they have not spoken in a while. She says Rylance approached her but and denies grabbing her clothes and swearing at her. She further claims Rylance hit just below her right eye and has hit her back as a reaction and in self-defence. ' In her evidence Sherlock agreed she had fallen out with Rylance and added: 'It was quite a bad one. On that day she said 'Hi' to my daughter and I said 'Do not talk to my child.' I knew she was trying to wind me up.' 'I saw Callum and I said to him 'Tell her not to speak to me or the kids'. But I heard her shouting and it escalated from there. I said to Samantha, 'Here, let's go to the office and tell them what a dirty little coke-head you are. At that point she slapped me and I responded. 'I felt I had no choice. I was overwhelmed and I felt scared and threatened. I did not know what else to do. I think she only slapped me because she did not want to go to the office. It freaked me out and it scared me. I had my kids with me. I did not know if she was going to hit me again. Obviously it was a shock to everyone when I smacked back but I got hit first. 'I tried walking off but Samantha carried on screaming stuff. If anyone was attacked it was me and I hit her back. I was only aggressive when she started shouting at me.' Sherlock's father Robert said: 'I saw Samantha throw a slap at my daughter and my daughter hit her. I had hold of a pram but I just reacted and jumped in the middle. I put my arms up and tried to prevent any more. I was shocked. It happened so quickly. It was a bit of banter at first then all of a sudden I saw it go boom.' Sherlock's lawyer Paul Davison said: 'The complainant was the aggressor. If she is scared of the defendant and if she hears the defendant shout words when she has a young child with her, why approach unless you are looking for trouble? You just wouldn't but she does.'
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ban high-seas fishing, mining 'forever': Experts
PARIS: Governments should ban all mining and fishing in the high seas "forever" to protect ocean biodiversity, climate stability -- and humanity, climate and ocean experts said Wednesday. In a commentary in the journal Nature, published ahead of a UN oceans summit in France, researchers and conservationists called on governments to act more decisively to protect marine habitats outside national jurisdiction. They warned that exploitation of the high seas, including new proposals to mine the seabed and fish for species at greater depths, "risks doing irreversible damage" to life in the ocean, as well as undermining its crucial role in regulating the world's climate. A landmark treaty to protect the high seas -- adopted in 2023 but still only halfway to ratification -- will be in the spotlight at the June 9 to 13 UN Ocean Conference in Nice. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo It is seen as crucial to meeting the globally-agreed target of protecting 30 percent of oceans by 2030. But the experts behind the Nature commentary, entitled "Why we should protect the high seas from all extraction, forever", say countries should go further. Lead author Callum Roberts, Professor of Marine Conservation at Britain's University of Exeter, said the world should take as an example the global agreement to protect Antarctica as a "planetary commons that is really important for all life on Earth". "(They should agree to) keep it intact and undisturbed, so we don't release these potentially catastrophic consequences from exploitation that we can't control," he told AFP. The high seas cover nearly half of Earth's surface but less than one percent is currently protected, the authors said. Exploitation of the open ocean goes back to the intensification of whaling in the 17th century, causing dramatic depletion of the global whale population. Since then humans have turned to harvesting sharks, fish and squid. But the Nature article authors stress that marine animals do not just provide food and other products for humans -- they also form part of the Earth's carbon cycle which is essential to the very air we breathe. Some animals living in the "twilight zone", at depths between 200 and 1,000 metres (650 and 3,300 feet) swim up towards the surface to feed at night and dive back down, depositing carbon-rich faeces deep in the ocean. This happens at such a huge scale that it affects the balance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Roberts said that research suggests that without this process the world would already be up to three degrees hotter than the pre-industrial era. Global surface temperatures last year averaged just over 1.5C. 'Self interest' Another process sees nutrients redistributed as dead plants, animals and excretions sink down from the surface, providing sustenance for more life which in turn takes up more CO2. This natural cycle has already been slowed by centuries of intensive exploitation and is now further threatened by pressure to fish at greater depths, mainly to provide fishmeal and oil for aquaculture, the authors said. This risks both reducing a key food source for tuna, sharks and dolphins, but also curbing the amount of carbon the ocean can take up. High-seas fishing is prone to by-catch that kills millions of sharks every year and thousands of turtles and seabirds. A total ban, the authors say, would enable species recovery that would significantly improve potential catches closer to shore. Protecting these animals is not an "act of self sacrifice, but of self interest" said Roberts. "The planet is in a very dangerous place in terms of the rapidity of climate change , and we need to pull all the levers that we can right now to slow the pace." Another concern is deep-sea mining . Would-be miners eager to extract mineral-rich nodules from the deepest ocean floor have so far been held back by efforts to regulate such potentially damaging exploration. But US President Donald Trump recently sparked global outrage with an order to fast-track deep-sea mining in the open ocean outside American territorial waters. Roberts said "the argument that we've got to go there to power the green transition is total nonsense". He said that while governments may balk at a sweeping moratorium on exploitation of the high seas, they should understand that "things are much harder to stop when they've already begun".
