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Daily Mirror
14 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Man issued chilling threat to nan before launching crossbow 'revenge attack'
A grim 'revenge attack' was carried out by a man in Merseyside in which he shot a crossbow five times at a grandmother's property while her grandchildren were inside A man issued a chilling threat to a grandma before carrying out a "revenge attack" with a crossbow, which saw him fire on her house while her grandchildren were inside. The 'very dangerous' weapon was used by Neil Spencer, who shot five times at the property. Some of the bolts were shot directly at the grandmother and one of her daughters. Spencer carried out his act in retaliation for his own children having apparently been bullied. One of the victims says she "still repeats in her head what could have happened if the bolt hit her". Spencer, meanwhile, is said to have been left "disappointed and ashamed" over his "misguided and stupid enterprise". Spencer admitted making threats with an offensive weapon, which was never recovered by police, and two counts of criminal damage. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool wearing a grey Montirex t-shirt, he was jailed for 18 months and handed an indefinite restraining order. Liverpool Crown Court heard that Spencer had attended the home of Laura Connor, where she lived with her two daughters and son, on Madryn Avenue in Kirkby, Merseyside, around two weeks earlier on May 20 this year. On this occasion, the 43-year-old, of Eastfield Walk, was said to have threatened in relation to the son: "Tell him if he comes round to my ex bird's house, I'll come round with my mates." Nardeen Nemat, prosecuting, described how all four occupants were then present at the same address at the time of the subsequent "revenge attack" along with Ms Connor's grandchildren, who were aged as young as four. Spencer returned to the property at around 8.30am on June 1 wearing a balaclava and armed with a crossbow shouting: "Grass, where are they?" This led to Ms Connor replying "what the f*** are you doing?" from an upstairs bedroom. The "irate" defendant then aimed the weapon in her direction and fired it as she closed the window, with the bolt becoming lodged within the pane of glass. Spencer followed this up with a second shot when Ms Connor reopened the window before one of her daughters, Tahlia Gill, appeared at another window and shouted "get away from my house", Liverpool Echo reports. The armed man then turned his attention to her, responding "where are they?" before firing another bow in her direction. Another shot was then fired at the front door. When a fifth missed and landed in the front garden, Spencer jumped onto Ms Gill's car and smashed the windows. Around £600 worth of damage was caused to a Ford Fiesta. In a statement which was read out to the court on her behalf, she said: "It was the most serious and dangerous thing to ever happen to me and my family. It left me extremely frightened and paranoid. "I didn't deserve this. The fact that my family and I were in the house when this happened, including children, still fills me with anxiety. I still find it hard to believe I had a weapon fired at me. I still repeat in my head what could have happened if the bolt hit me. "I also think how helpless we would have been if he had come in the house and attacked us. Me and my family are seriously affected by this. The atmosphere in the household has completely changed since this incident. No one has the right to put me and my family through this. I hope they pay for what they've done." Sentencing, Recorder Richard Pratt KC said: "This formed what has accurately been described as some form of revenge attack as a result of a previous incident. You did not come round with your mates, but you came round with a crossbow, a very dangerous weapon capable of causing serious injury. "You deliberately fired the crossbow on five occasions. The impact of your offending was very clearly recorded in the victim personal statement of Tahlia Gill. Having seen the footage, it is wholly unsurprising that she and other members of the household were terrified. Tom Challinor, defending, told the court: "Mr Spencer is a man with a bad criminal record. Between the ages of 13 and 22, he was before the courts regularly. To his credit, he has put regular offending behind him. "If one was to put aside two offences of cannabis possession, in relation to which he was fined in 2019 and 2021, there is a gap of 20 years from his last offence before the court in 2004 and an offence of battery against his ex-partner in 2024. While it is difficult to submit that he had turned over a new leaf, he had, to a large extent, put that offending behind him. "It is for that reason that he is really disappointed and ashamed that he is back before the courts again. This is no excuse, but it is the reason why he finds himself here. The reason for the commission of these offences was due to his children being bullied. He was sensible enough to call the police but, in his view, they did nothing, so he embarked on this misguided, stupid and dangerous enterprise. "If he is sent to prison today, he is not going to get the help that he needs. He has already served seven weeks on remand. The clang of the prison door has already had its effect. He is living in stable accommodation. If he receives a sentence of more than 12 months then he will lose his home and all of the stability that goes with it." Sentencing, Recorder Richard Pratt KC said: "This formed what has accurately been described as some form of revenge attack as a result of a previous incident. You did not come round with your mates, but you came round with a crossbow, a very dangerous weapon capable of causing serious injury. "You deliberately fired the crossbow on five occasions. The impact of your offending was very clearly recorded in the victim personal statement of Tahlia Gill. Having seen the footage, it is wholly unsurprising that she and other members of the household were terrified. "You have a bad criminal record and recently committed an offence of battery, which resulted in you receiving a short custodial sentence. I cannot ignore the period of time when you remained out of trouble for a significant period of time. That was to your credit. "The pre-sentence report does put forward an arguable case that rehabilitation may be possible, and I recognise the impact that any sentence of imprisonment may have on you and your family members. But, at the end of the day, I have to say that I regard this offence as so serious that only immediate custody is appropriate for it."
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Bill Bailey learning the bagpipes ahead of Scotland shows in tribute to Sean Lock
'I'm learning the bagpipes. I have a wonderful set of bagpipes that I own and I've had the bag changed into the Bailey tartan." Bill Bailey has revealed he is learning the bagpipes as he heads to Scotland for a string of shows. The stand-up comic and Strictly Come Dancing winner, 60, is perfecting his pipe playing in time for shows at Glasgow's Armadillo on August 22, and Edinburgh Playhouse on August 23 and 24. He said: 'I'm learning the bagpipes. I've got the basics. I wouldn't say I'm an expert. I have a wonderful set of bagpipes that I own and I've had the bag changed into the Bailey tartan. It's just a fantastic and such a powerful instrument.' He plans to play the pipes on his latest Thoughtifier tour dates in a tribute to fellow comedian Sean Lock, who died of cancer, aged 58, as he says 'they have that commemorative, haunting quality'. He added: 'There's something quite primal about it, especially in a small theatre. There'll be some classic stirring Scottish tunes. 'A drummer comes on and starts beating out the rhythm to a variety of different songs and it gets the hairs standing on the back of the neck every time.' Bill will also be in conversation with former SNP MP Mhairi Black at Edinburgh's Gilded Balloon on August 25. He said: 'The first time we drove to Edinburgh, we got lost. We were in a little Ford Fiesta. The car wasn't absolutely in mint condition so we had to avoid motorways. 'We got to our digs in Leith at six in the morning and next door there was a pub open. 'I came back many years after that and I love the whole experience.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Sunday World
5 days ago
- Sunday World
Man (39) who tried to detox while living in tent at beach sent to jail
The court heard that Shane McKenny 'desperately needs intervention' for addiction issues. A 39-year-old man has been jailed for a total of 12 months when he appeared via video link and pleaded guilty to charges resulting from separate incidents throughout Co. Louth. Shane McKenny, St Joseph's Homeless Aid, North Strand, Drogheda, has 96 previous convictions. The court heard that he 'desperately needs intervention' for addiction issues. He was living in a tent by the beach to detoxify and accepted that was not how he would ultimately deal with his addiction. Evidence was given that on February 17, 2024, at Allcare Pharmacy, Main Street, Dunleer, he stole perfume and aftershave worth €145. On April 28 last, he smashed the window of a car parked outside the Imperial Hotel in Dundalk and took property worth more than €2,000 which included a laptop, iPad and pair of runners. The incident was captured on CCTV. The next day, at McDonald's, Stapleton Drive, Dundalk, he was asleep on a table. When awoken, he said: 'F**k you, scumbag bastards. I'm drinking my latte.' He was arrested and cautioned by Gardaí, and replied: 'F**k you, you dirty prick.' Mr McKenny actively resisted arrest and had to be restrained. And the day after, the court heard, he was spotted carrying a wooden pallet at 4.20am in Francis Street, Dundalk. Windows of a Mercedes jeep and Ford Fiesta had been smashed. The defendant got in trouble for the fourth successive day when at 2.15pm on May 1 gardaí spotted him on Rampart Lane, Dundalk. He was searched and concealed down his trousers were a public services card and a 1000 Filipino peso note. A further search at the garda station yielded a €10 bag of cocaine. On June 6 last, Mr McKenny took two electric toothbrushes worth €184 from Tesco, Longwalk Shopping Centre, Dundalk. He was apprehended by security staff. The next day he was again nabbed by security in the carpark after swiping clothing valued €310 from Sports Direct, Dundalk Retail Park. While the property was recovered, he ran off before returning later in the day when security staff detained him. Of 96 previous convictions, 23 were for theft and two for criminal damage. Barrister Eoghan Fagan, instructed by solicitor Dermot Monahan, said that the underlying theme was the defendant's intoxication and addiction difficulties. He hadn't taken steps to address this and desperately needed intervention. Mr McKenny had accrued warrants. He was living in a tent by the beach to detoxify. He accepted that was not how he would ultimately deal with his addiction. He was scheduled to have a meeting about securing residential treatment. It was imperative for him to engage with those supports. Judge Nicola Andrews remarked that she had given him 'chance after chance' but it hadn't had the desired effect. An eight-month sentence, the final two months suspended for 12 months, was imposed on a charge of possession of a flick knife at Drogheda Garda Station, consecutive to six months for getting into a stationary car at Hardman's Gardens, Drogheda, on May 23 last. Other charges were taken into consideration and legal aid granted. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
ITV News
16-07-2025
- ITV News
Man sentenced for theft of £80,000 candelabra from Merthyr Tydfil's Cyfarthfa Castle
CCTV footage from South Wales Police showed Henry Tyson Wilsher smashing a display cabinet and stealing the candelabra. A man has been sentenced after pleading guilty to theft of a candelabra from Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr Tydfil in April. Henry Tyson Wilsher, 31, from Bagworth, Leicestershire was sentenced to 32 months at Teeside Crown Court on Thursday. He pleaded guilty to theft, receiving stolen good and criminal damage. The candelabra, which dated back to the time when the castle was owned by the Crawshay family, was taken from a display at the museum on 8 April. South Wales Police said that, on the evening of 24 March, a delivery driver had parked his silver Ford car while he briefly left it to make a delivery, but left the car running with the keys still in the ignition. At some point after the theft of the car, Wilsher ended up in possession of it. On 8 April, Wilsher entered the castle during an event where local primary school children were presenting their projects to judges and guests. He talked to the receptionist, before making his way to the Crawshay Room, smashing the glass of a display cabinet using a brick and stealing the candelabra, which has a value of around £80,000. Merthyr Tydfil Council leader Brent Carter previously told ITV Wales of the "frightening" incident: "It was awful. There were sixty school children here from Cyfarthfa Park Primary. "They were here enjoying themselves, looking around the museum, and a gentleman came in, picked a house brick out of his pocket, and smashed the casing, tore back the glass and stole the candelabra." Wilsher then fled in the silver Ford Fiesta. South Wales Police then launched an appeal to try and find him. Seargent Watts of South Wales Police said: 'This was a brazen theft in broad daylight, that left a group of school children shocked and upset. "Through the work of the investigation team, we were able to identify Tyson Wilsher and bring him to justice, Wilsher's actions show he believed he was above the law and didn't care about how his actions impacted the venue. I'm pleased to see the sentence determined by the courts.'
The Irish Sun
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Top 10 cars ‘most likely to be stolen in Britain' with FIVE from same brand on the list – is your motor at risk?
THE MOST stolen cars in the UK have been revealed and five of them are made by the same popular brand. Over one in 30 of one of Advertisement 4 The Toyoto-owned Lexus was the most likely brand to be targeted Credit: Alamy 4 The Lexus UX 250 was also one of the most targeted vehicles Credit: Alamy 4 Over 60,000 motors were stolen last year Credit: Alamy The Ford Fiesta is the most stolen car of 2024, with a staggering 4719 vehicles being stolen - according to data from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). However, the most likely car to get stolen actually belongs to another brand. According to them, the Advertisement Read More on Car News Another Coming in third, one in three One in 39 Advertisement Most read in Motors A spokesperson for the Lexus brand - owned by Toyota - said that the brand has taken measures to prevent thefts. The spokesperson said: ' Watch as thieves use high-tech trick to swipe Mercedes in under 20 secs - as devices used in 40% of thefts to be BANNED 'Our anti-theft measures form part of a nationwide customer care offering. 'For example, at a cost of more than £10 million to Lexus, selected customers were provided with a free Tracker vehicle location service. Advertisement 'As a result, a 96% recovery rate has been achieved. 'We have subsequently rolled out Tracker installation as an option for buyers of certain models.' More than 61,000 cars were stolen in the UK throughout 2024. In sheer numbers, the Advertisement The The most stolen cars of 2024 The DVLA has revealed which cars were amongst the most stolen in 2024. Over 61,000 vehicles were stolen over the course of the year, with one in particular being targeted. Ford Fiesta - 4,719 Volkswagen Golf - 1,946 Ford Focus - 1,855 Land Rover Discovery - 1,698 Toyota RAV4 - 1,452 BMW 3 Series - 1,415 Mercedes C Class - 1,233 Range Rover Evoque - 1,189 Nissan Juke - 1,136 Range Rover Sport - 1,032 The news comes after several drivers revealed a It costs just 99p to buy too. Driver Lucy Lewis revealed that she uses a strip of tin foil to wrap up her key. Advertisement That prevents The RAC added that a reusable metal tin is also an effective way of preventing your key being misused, as well as a dedicated car signal blocker. How to protect your car from thieves Wheel clamps are another great option that can prevent your car from being driven away. Again, they are highly visible as they are often sold in bright colours, and may deter opportunistic thieves looking for a quick and easy target. Traditional security measures are also considered when calculating insurance premiums. Rich Morley at Lancaster Insurance explains that, no matter what car you drive, classic or modern, traditional-style security measures can provide extra peace of mind and security for your vehicle, helping to deter thieves in the process. He added: 'When considering a risk profile, we will establish with customers any security measures they have in place to prevent potential theft." 4 Five Lexus vehicles appeared on Autocar's list Credit: Handout
