Latest news with #GloucestershireConstabulary
The Irish Sun
21-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Evil mum who violently shook four-month-old baby daughter to death in horrific campaign of abuse is jailed
AN EVIL mum who violently shook her four-month-old baby daughter to death in a horrific campaign of abuse has been jailed for 15 years. Melissa Wilband, 28, had 4 Melissa Wilband has been convicted of killing her baby Credit: SWNS 4 Lexi had suffered a bleed on the brain that was likely caused by someone 'shaking her violently' Credit: Gloucestershire Constabulary Bristol Crown Court was told the baby collapsed at home in Newent in the Forest of Dean and died six days later. Lexi had suffered a bleed on the brain that was likely caused by someone "shaking her violently" on more than one occasion. Wilband was convicted of manslaughter in April following a trial before being sentenced today. Her boyfriend at the time, Jack Wheeler, was also charged with manslaughter and causing or allowing the death of a child. READ MORE NEWS But the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence for the manslaughter charge and he was cleared of the second count. The court heard Lexi was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital where Wilband claimed she was in her bouncer chair when she cried, went floppy then stopped breathing. The baby was then transferred to Bristol Children's Hospital where the decision was made to switch off her life support. Jane Osborne KC, prosecuting, said: "Ms Wilband knew that Lexi might die during the night but she didn't stay by her bedside. Most read in The Sun "A staff nurse held Lexi's hand through the night and remained with her. "On the morning of April 18, Lexi seemed to have longer pauses in her breathing. Ms Wilband was told to attend the ward. "She arrived just after Lexi had ceased to show any signs of life and had stopped breathing." The court was told Wilband had told Wheeler, 31, throughout her pregnancy that he was Lexi's biological dad. But she had actually conceived the baby in early 2019 when she and Wheeler were not together. Ms Osborne said: "When Melissa Wilband was still pregnant with Lexi, following some queries about the paternity, she presented a document which purported to be a paternity test. "It declared that Jack Wheeler was the father of the unborn baby. This was obviously not a genuine document. "The most obvious fact was the fact that the word 'father' was spelt 'farther' which would have been obvious to anybody who knew how to spell it properly. "Looking at that document exacerbated concerns of Jack Wheeler and his parents. Very soon after Lexi was born, Jack Wheeler ensured that Melissa Wilband submitted samples for a proper test. "The genuine test showed that he was not the father of Lexi. After the results of this, Mr Wheeler and Ms Wilband nearly split up but Ms Wilband persuaded Mr Wheeler that he should stay with her." Jurors heard Wheeler moved in with Wilband during the Covid lockdown in February 2020. The couple, described as regular cocaine users, lived in squalor with every kitchen surface covered in food and utensils. On April 12, 2020, Wilband phoned emergency crews, with paramedics finding Lexi unresponsive on the floor when they arrived. While paramedics asked her questions, the mum rolled cigarettes and used her mobile. When she was asked if she would like to hold her daughter before she was intubated, Wilband declined, the court heard. In a prepared statement, Wheeler told police that Lexi "suddenly stopped crying and went floppy in his arms". A post-mortem gave Lexi's cause of death as bleeding to the brain, caused by a non-accidental traumatic event such as someone "shaking her violently". Further tests found the areas of bleeding in Lexi's eyes were "too numerous to count", jurors heard. Detective Inspector Adam Stacey said: 'Lexi was four-and-a-half months old when she died. "Melissa Wilband inflicted such serious injuries that were sadly to prove fatal and tragically Lexi passed away six days later, despite the best efforts of all the medical staff who tried to save her. "Further medical evidence showed that Lexi had suffered at least one other episode of shaking at some point before this one. "Wilband told lie after lie after lie - right from Lexi's conception, and all the way throughout the pregnancy. These lies continued and were made to medical professionals trying to save Lexi's life, to the police, and all the way through to her giving evidence in court. "The jury saw those lies for what they were. "Lexi should be five years old now with her whole future ahead of her. She was shaken by someone who should have been protecting her. "Someone who should have put her safety and wellbeing above everything else, her mother. Wilband did not do those things and in fact did the exact opposite. She now faces the consequences of her actions." 4 Melissa Wilband denied killing Lexi Credit: Gloucestershire Constabulary 4 Wheeler was previously charged with manslaughter but the charge has since been dropped Credit: SWNS
BBC News
14-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Police unveil calming mural to support neurodiverse detainees
A calming new mural has been unveiled at a custody suite, in a pioneering effort to provide better support for detainees with neurodiverse all four walls of the Gloucestershire Constabulary's custody yard, the artwork was officially revealed on 7 July. Local artist Murmur designed the mural which incorporates soft colours, abstract patterns and a transition from night to day, all aimed at reducing overstimulation and anxiety in what can be a stressful Andy Miller said: "When somebody is in custody their welfare is of paramount importance and we want to make sure that we're doing all we can to minimise the impact of detention." Insp Miller, who works in the custody unit and managed the project, added: "We've recognised that there's a need to make changes to the sensory demands in the custody environment to accommodate people with neurodiversity and the new, calming mural is one of the steps we've taken to reduce the stress and anxiety many might feel."The initiative was developed with input from neurodivergent individuals, Gloucestershire's neurodiversity network, Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs), and was supported by the Integrated Adults Commissioning Hub. Additional changes have been introduced, including a dedicated quiet cell for those overwhelmed by noise and a visual guidebook to explain the custody process to detainees who may struggle with verbal communication or unexpected and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson said: "People who are detained in custody are some of the most vulnerable in society. "Making small changes to how we treat them can have big impacts."Detainees are not prisoners and are innocent until proven otherwise. "This mural is a small but meaningful step toward making the experience more trauma-informed."
The Sun
12-07-2025
- The Sun
Parkrun cancelled after runner finds dead body in recreation ground near Cheltenham Racecourse
A PARKRUN has been cancelled at the last minute after a dead body was discovered on the grounds, close to Cheltenham Racecourse. The running event in Pittville Park, Cheltenham, was called off after a jogger made the tragic discovery this morning, shortly before 9am. Police were called and a cordon was put in place in the surrounding area. A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Constabulary said: "A scene guard is in place at Pittville Park in Cheltenham this morning (Saturday 12 July) following a sudden death. "We were called at 8.50am with a report that a body had been discovered by a member of the public. "The death is being treated as unexplained but non-suspicious at this time." Parkrun organisers made a post on Facebook this morning that confirmed the cancellation of the event - which was due to begin at 9am. It read: "Due to unforeseen circumstances in the park we had to cancel Cheltenham parkrun this morning. "If you have been affected by this and you would like support please email Cheltenham@ . is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
Daily Mirror
12-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Parkrun cancelled at last minute as dead body found
A parkrun in a UK town has been cancelled last minute following the discovery of a dead body. The event at Pittville Park, Cheltenham, will no longer go ahead today after a jogger made the discovery early this morning. Police said they were called to the scene at 8.50am, and confirmed a scene guard would be in place today. The death is being treated as "unexplained" but "non-suspicious", they added. Organisers meanwhile confirmed that the parkrun had been cancelled due to "unforeseen circumstances". A post on their Facebook page this morning read: "Due to unforeseen circumstances in the park we had to cancel Cheltenham parkrun this morning. If you have been affected by this and you would like support please email Cheltenham@ A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Constabulary said: "A scene guard is in place at Pittville Park in Cheltenham this morning (Saturday 12 July) following a sudden death. "We were called at 8.50am with a report that a body had been discovered by a member of the public. "The death is being treated as unexplained but non-suspicious at this time."
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Yahoo
Police officer who died on duty was 'well loved'
A police officer who fatally collapsed while on duty died "performing the job he loved", his family has said. PC Ian Minett, 38, died in June while on night duty with Gloucestershire Constabulary under "unexplained" and "non-suspicious" circumstances, the force said. In a tribute, his parents said they were "privileged to have had you as our son". They added: "We will keep your memories alive in our hearts and minds forever." More news stories for Gloucestershire Listen to the latest news for Gloucestershire His family said emergency services tried to save Mr Minett before he died, while working as a Cheltenham and Tewkesbury PC. "We, as Ian's parents, and family, are all very proud of his achievements within the police force," they said. "We take consolation in the fact that Ian died performing the job he loved, in the town he loved, and that he was well loved and respected by all who knew him and worked with him." They said from a "very young age it was Ian's ambition to become a police officer", and he served 13 years with Gloucestershire Constabulary. Adam Williams, chairman of Gloucestershire Police Federation, previously said: "I was lucky enough to work with Ian and he was well liked amongst all that had the pleasure of working alongside him and getting to know him." Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Constable's death on duty said to be 'unexplained' Gloucestershire Constabulary
