Latest news with #Searles
South Wales Argus
29-05-2025
- South Wales Argus
Blackwood rogue driver blasted as ‘complete menace'
Craig Searles, 40, was jailed after he caused two crashes in the Blackwood area. The defendant committed the second offence whilst he was subject to a suspended prison sentence for growing drugs in Newbridge. That was imposed two years ago after police found 61 plants with a potential street value of £75,000 in a cellar at a property in the town. Searles' first driving offence took place on April Fools' Day in 2023 when he hit a grandmother and her passenger with his BMW 118d. He ploughed into them while speeding at a roundabout in Pontllanfraith and then left the scene after abandoning his car. The driver sustained a fractured rib and whiplash injuries and her passenger also suffered from whiplash. The second happened when he crashed into a van while at the wheel of a Fiat Punto when he was high on drugs in Cefn Fforest. Searles collided with the vehicle on August 8 last year when he had a cocaine derivative in his blood. The defendant, of Maes Y Garn Road, Oakdale, Blackwood admitted causing serious injury by careless driving and drug driving. His best mitigation was his guilty pleas, Cardiff Crown Court was told. Kirsten Murphy representing the father-of-one said: 'The defendant is entirely realistic that he will be receiving an immediate custodial sentence.' His class A drug use at the time had been 'out of control'. Miss Murphy added that her client was 'desperate to get his life back on track'. Judge Paul Hobson told Searles: 'You have an appalling driving record – you have been a complete menace behind the wheel. 'You have three previous convictions for dangerous driving as well as previous convictions for drink driving and driving whilst disqualified. 'On April 1, 2023, you caused serious injuries.' The defendant was jailed for 18 months and told that the time he has already spent remanded in custody would count towards that sentence. Searles was banned from driving for 42 months and will have to sit an extended driving test. He will also have to pay a victim surcharge following his release would could be after serving 40 per cent of the prison term.
Sky News
10-02-2025
- Sky News
'Shock' after British couple found dead at home in south of France
Neighbours have been left in "shock" and fear after the sudden deaths of a popular British couple found dead at their home in rural France. Dawn and Andrew Searle, who have not yet been officially named by French authorities, moved to the hamlet of Les Pesquies, south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, in southern France, around a decade ago. The couple, who are in their 60s, are believed to have been found dead by a German friend who lives nearby, after Mr Searle did not turn up for one of their regular walks. Ms Searle's son, the country musician and former Hollyoaks star Callum Kerr, said in a statement posted online that he and his sister, Amanda Kerr, and Mr Searle's two children, Tom and Ella Searle, were grieving. Investigators are reportedly looking at whether the British couple were killed during a burglary, but all lines of enquiry, including murder-suicide or potential links to Mr Searle's previous work as an organised crime financial investigator in the UK - are open. A neighbour who knew them very well told Sky News they were "very happy people, joyful, very nice and would talk to people even if they didn't know them. They always had a smile on their face." Ms Searle's body was reportedly found outside their home, naked, with jewellery found scattered nearby, while Mr Searle's body was discovered inside the house and had been gagged, according to local media. There was little sign of their deaths at their home in the idyllic village on Monday, apart from the yellow and red Gendarmerie tape still on the white gate. Locals described them as "good neighbours" who would often be seen walking their two dogs. "Each year in September they would do this big dinner with all the village and invite everyone. They were very nice people," said a woman who lived nearby. "It's very sad, it's tragic. It's a very low-key village, everybody gets along with each other and everybody's in shock right now, they're surprised. "It's scary too. The newspapers are saying possibly it's because of what he used to do as a job. Here locally, nobody would hold grudges." A LinkedIn profile in his name says he retired in 2015 after working for Barclays and Standard Life, and was "enjoying life in rural France". His page talks about having "over 20 years experience specialising in Financial Crime Prevention (AML, Fraud and Anti-Bribery) with a high profile in the industry and an extensive network of contacts". Another woman said she was about to buy a house in the hamlet but is now having second thoughts, adding: "I don't feel safe here anymore". A postman said there was a big UK expat community in the area, with around 20 British people on his round. The Searles have lived in the village permanently for 10 years and are said to be very integrated with the community. "They would enjoy life, they would travel and sometimes go home as well," a neighbour said. The mayor of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Jean-Sebastien Orcibal, who also lives in Les Pesquies, previously told broadcaster France 3 the deaths were "something criminal, a homicide very clearly". However, the public prosecutor Nicolas Rigot-Muller said that while both "died violent deaths... all hypotheses remain open" while investigations continue.
Fox News
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
‘Virgin River' star's mother and stepfather ‘died violent deaths' in South of France: report
"Virgin River" star Callum Kerr's family has suffered a terrible tragedy. The actor's mother, Dawn Searle, and stepfather, Andrew Searle, were found dead in their home in southern France last Thursday. A statement posted on Kerr's Instagram read, "At this time, Callum Kerr and Amanda Kerr are grieving the loss of their mother, Dawn Searle (née Smith, Kerr), while Tom Searle and Ella Searle are mourning the loss of their father, Andrew Searle." The statement continued, "No family member is available for media interviews or comments. We kindly request that their privacy be respected during this difficult period. We will provide updates as appropriate. Thank you for your understanding." Kerr, who has also appeared on the British soap opera "Hollyoaks," walked his mom down the aisle at her wedding to Searle in 2023. He shared a post celebrating the wedding at the time, writing, "Not many people can say they walked their own mother down the aisle. What a pleasure. I love you mum." The Telegraph reported that the couple, both in their 60s, were discovered by a neighbor on Thursday. They had moved to the area from Scotland 10 years ago and were well-known and liked in the community. A public prosecutor for the area, Nicolas Rigot-Muller, told the outlet, "Both died violent deaths, but I can't establish that either was a homicide. All hypotheses are still being examined." No weapons were found on the property and post-mortem examinations are set for today. Jean-Sebastien Orcibal, the mayor of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, who married the couple, told The Telegraph the area had little crime, and the Searles were "kind and courteous." "These were people who were very well-known in the neighborhood. They were British but they really wanted to integrate into local life," he said. A spokesperson for the UK's Foreign Office told the BBC, "We are supporting the family of a British couple who died in France and are liaising with the local authorities." Andrew Searle had worked in financial fraud prevention, including looking into organized crime, before his retirement per the outlet, and Dawn had worked in project management.
Sky News
10-02-2025
- Sky News
British couple found dead at home in rural France leave neighbours in 'shock'
Neighbours have been left in "shock" and fear after the sudden deaths of a popular British couple found dead at their home in rural France. Dawn and Andrew Searle, who have not yet been officially named by French authorities, moved to the hamlet of Les Pesquies, south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, in southern France, around a decade ago. The couple, who are in their 60s, are believed to have been found dead by a German friend who lives nearby, after Mr Searle did not turn up for one of their regular walks. Ms Searle's son, the country musician and former Hollyoaks star Callum Kerr, said in a statement posted online that he and his sister, Amanda Kerr, and Mr Searle's two children, Tom and Ella Searle, were grieving. Investigators are reportedly looking at whether the British couple were killed during a burglary, but all lines of enquiry, including murder-suicide or potential links to Mr Searle's previous work as an organised crime financial investigator in the UK - are open. A neighbour who knew them very well told Sky News they were "very happy people, joyful, very nice and would talk to people even if they didn't know them. They always had a smile on their face." Ms Searle's body was reportedly found outside their home, naked, with jewellery found scattered nearby, while Mr Searle's body was discovered inside the house and had been gagged, according to local media. There was little sign of their deaths at their home in the idyllic village on Monday, apart from the yellow and red Gendarmerie tape still on the white gate. Locals described them as "good neighbours" who would often be seen walking their two dogs. "Each year in September they would do this big dinner with all the village and invite everyone. They were very nice people," said a woman who lived nearby. "It's very sad, it's tragic. It's a very low-key village, everybody gets along with each other and everybody's in shock right now, they're surprised. "It's scary too. The newspapers are saying possibly it's because of what he used to do as a job. Here locally, nobody would hold grudges." A LinkedIn profile in his name says he retired in 2015 after working for Barclays and Standard Life, and was "enjoying life in rural France". His page talks about having "over 20 years experience specialising in Financial Crime Prevention (AML, Fraud and Anti-Bribery) with a high profile in the industry and an extensive network of contacts". Another woman said she was about to buy a house in the hamlet but is now having second thoughts, adding: "I don't feel safe here anymore". A postman said there was a big UK expat community in the area, with around 20 British people on his round. The Searles have lived in the village permanently for 10 years and are said to be very integrated with the community. "They would enjoy life, they would travel and sometimes go home as well," a neighbour said. The mayor of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Jean-Sebastien Orcibal, who also lives in Les Pesquies, previously told broadcaster France 3 the deaths were "something criminal, a homicide very clearly". However, the public prosecutor Nicolas Rigot-Muller said that while both "died violent deaths... all hypotheses remain open" while investigations continue.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
British couple ‘murdered by criminals from the UK' at French home, detectives fear
A British couple found dead near their home in France could have been murdered by 'criminals from the United Kingdom', detectives have said. The theory was suggested on Friday after the bodies of Andrew and Dawn Searle, both in their 60s, were discovered on Thursday afternoon in Les Pesquiès, south of Villefranche-de-Rouergue. Mr Searle is said to have moved his family to France a decade ago after working as a financial investigator in the 'fight against organised crime and terrorism'. On Friday, the Searle's property and surrounding land in the hamlet had been turned into a crime scene. 'A criminal inquiry has been launched and the fear is that the couple were murdered,' an investigating source said. 'They were very fit, and very popular locally, but there is a theory that they were being pursued by criminals from the United Kingdom. 'This is currently the prioritised line of enquiry, because Mr Searle was once involved in the fight against organised crime and terrorism.' Police and prosecutors have not officially released the name of the Searles, but at least three neighbours confirmed that they were the victims. One said: 'Andy and Dawn were lovely – hearing about this is extremely distressing. They were extremely friendly, and always out and about. What has happened has caused a lot of fear.' Mr Searle spent at least 20 years working with the police and Serious Fraud Office against organised crime groups involved in financial offences, such as money laundering, according to his LinkedIn profile. This included work in 'sanctions screening', which is the process of checking individuals and groups who might be barred from dealing in the UK because of their links with rogue nations, terrorist groups and drugs traffickers. It is thought that the Searles were killed inside their detached property, which includes a two-bedroom flat that was regularly occupied by paying visitors. The Searles advertised the property extensively online, calling it 'Chez Andrew and Dawn'. There is a swimming pool outside, and then thick woods that separate the house from the centre of the hamlet. While investigators originally feared 'a burglary gone wrong', officials on Friday suggested there could be other motives. Jean-Sébastien Orcibal, the mayor of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, said: 'We do not really have burglaries in our town, and especially not violent burglaries.' Local prosecutors have opened a criminal inquiry, with judicial police and gendarmes supporting them. The house and its grounds remained cordoned off on Friday, with forensics officers examining the property. Drones could also be seen circling overhead, while house-to-house enquiries were being carried out by officers. Nobody has been arrested in connection with the deaths. Villefranche-de-Rouergue is in the Aveyron department – the French version of a county. It is home to many British expats and holiday-home owners from the UK. A source in the area said the Searles 'had numerous friends locally and further afield including in Britain, and often organised dinner parties'. He added: 'They both loved the countryside, and were very happily settled. They were very proud of their house, which is situated well away from other buildings in the hamlet.' Mr Searle retired to France in 2015 from his professional life in Scotland, after working in the financial crime assurance arm of Barclay's Bank in Edinburgh. Before this, the Liverpool John Moores University graduate was at Standard Life, which is also based in the Scottish capital. He maintained a LinkedIn account, in which he wrote: 'Responsible for the delivery of significant improvements in AFC [Anti-Financial Crime] capability, developing effective operating models within a group structure.' This included: 'Sanction screening and monitoring, AFC Intelligence and Anti-bribery & Corruption.' Mr Searle was originally from West Sussex, while Mrs Searle came from Scotland. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
