Latest news with #Wednesbury
BBC News
4 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Teen sentenced after carer injured in Wolverhampton hit-and-run
A teenager who left a carer for dead in a hit-and-run crash has been sentenced to four years in a young offenders' Clenton, 19, stole a Land Rover Discovery from an Ikea car park in Wednesbury on 30 September, before driving to an initial police pursuit, he crashed at speed into a car carrying 19-year-old Freya Theobold and a colleague, who were visiting homes in their work for a care Theobold, an adult nursing student, suffered severe pelvic and spinal fractures, a broken leg and needed bowel reconstruction surgery, and doctors initially feared she would never walk again. Since the crash, she has suffered repeated flashbacks and nightmares, and spent weeks in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and later New Cross in Wolverhampton, before continuing her rehabilitation at exclusively to the BBC, Ms Theobold said the past five months had been the hardest experience of her life. Reflecting on the sentence, she said: "I feel relieved knowing it can't happen to someone else, another life won't be ruined and just the thought that I am going to get some justice."I think they are very selfish actions – he's caused some really traumatic things to me. "I hope he can learn from it and maybe not make the same mistake again - to better himself. Because no-one should have to go through what I've had to go through."Ms Theobold is now making steady progress thanks to regular rehabilitation and mental health that, she has had to put her University of Wolverhampton course on hold."I can pretend I'm as normal as I can be, but in reality my mum still has to do my daily tasks for me, so does my nan," she said. "I can't just walk to the shop, I can't do those things and a lot of my independence has been taken away." 'A deterrent' Clenton was also banned from driving for three years on an earlier hearing, Clenton, of Tennyson Road in Wolverhampton, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle theft, failing to stop, driving without insurance and while Insp Richard Marsh, of West Midlands Police (WMP), said the Land Rover had initially been pursued by officers. "The driver was driving at high speed and dangerously and police backed off due to the nature of the driving," he Insp Marsh described Clenton's behaviour as "incredibly reckless", adding some people viewed car thefts as a "virtually victimless crime" with low risk and little consequence."This case should act as a deterrent... while the victim suffered very serious injuries, it could have been a lot worse," he said. Freedom of Information data published by WMP shows that 305 Land Rover Discoveries were stolen in the region in 2024, more than any other model of car.A total of 1,623 arrests were made in the 12 months to February 2025, but only 6.9% of stolen vehicles were recovered, according to the force recently launched a crack down on vehicle thefts that saw 200 vehicles recovered with a combined value of £1.8m."There are successes where we locate vehicles that have been taken, stored, ready to be chopped up to make other vehicles or used for parts, which is very prevalent at the moment," Det Insp Marsh said."We're working with the motor industry and partners to prevent and detect the crime." Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Sun
5 days ago
- General
- The Sun
OAP, 82, dies after devastating house fire as three fight for their lives & cops launch murder probe
AN 82-year-old man has died two weeks after a horror house fire that left three others critically injured – as police launch a murder investigation. The blaze tore through a semi-detached home in Wednesbury, West Midlands, in the early hours of Sunday, May 11. 5 5 5 John Edwards, 82, was pulled from the burning house but tragically died in hospital on Sunday, May 25. West Midlands Police confirmed the pensioner's death today and said three other people, including a man in his 50s and a woman in her 80s, remain in a critical but stable condition. Andrew Gorrell, 53, from Saltney, Chester, had already been charged with arson and three counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He has appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court and remains in custody. Police said they are now working with the Crown Prosecution Service to review the charges in light of the new development. A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: 'Our thoughts are with his family following this tragic development. 'We are in close contact with them, and they are being supported by our specialist officers. 'We are continuing to appeal for witnesses or anyone with information about the fire to contact us, and we are especially keen to hear from anyone who was in the area of the evening of Saturday 10 May or the early hours of Sunday 11 May. 'We have set up an online portal where you can leave any information you may have including videos and pictures.' Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 101, quoting log 504 of May 11. 5 5
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Murder investigation launched after Wednesbury fire
A murder investigation has been launched after an 82-year-old man died following a house fire in were called to the scene on Holyhead Road in the early hours of 11 May, where four people were left seriously injured, including John Edwards who died in hospital on Midlands Police had previously charged Andrew Gorrell, 53, from Saltney in Chester, with arson and three counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. The force said it was working with the Crown Prosecution Service to review the charges against him following Mr Edwards' death. During an appearance at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court, Mr Gorrell was remanded into custody. Addressing Mr Edwards' death, a spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: "Our thoughts are with his family following this tragic development. We are in close contact with them, and they are being supported by our specialist officers."According to the force, the three other people hurt in the fire remain in a critical but stable Midlands Police is continuing to appeal for witnesses or anyone with information about the fire to contact them, and are especially keen to hear from anyone who was in the area of the evening of Saturday 10 May or the early hours of Sunday 11 May. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- BBC News
Two teenagers arrested after machete find in Wednesfield
Two teenagers have been arrested after a machete was on patrol in Wednesbury at about 21:30 BST on Sunday spotted two males on bikes acting suspiciously. They rode away when approached.A 17-year-old and a 18-year-old were later detained by police and after a search of Planetary Road, a knife was found, West Midlands Police pair remain in custody after being arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- BBC News
Man arrested and three still in hospital after Wednesbury fire
A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with a house fire which left three people in hospital. The 53-year-old was arrested in Wales after emergency services were called to a property on Holyhead Road, Wednesbury, at 03:08 BST last Sunday, West Midlands Police said. A man and a woman in their 80s remained in a critical condition in hospital, the force added. A second man in his 50s is also being treated in hospital. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
