Latest news with #WorcesterCrownCourt
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Rubery drug dealer worked to flood county with cocaine
A drug dealer who has been jailed for more than 22 years after going on the run was part of "a large-scale operation to flood Worcestershire with cocaine", police have Morris, 58 and from Maple Road, Rubery, was found guilty in October 2023 of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, and was jailed at Worcester Crown Court on Mercia Police said Morris had been part of an operation supplying drugs from the West Midlands to the Kidderminster and Wychbold areas and beyond to Jonathan Salmon told him he had been at the "top of the tree" in a conspiracy to run a county line into Devon, police said. 'Living at large' The court heard Morris had supplied a criminal group running the county line and had been a "wholesale supplier of cocaine to those lower down".Morris went on to evade capture for 15 months, the judge said, describing it as "a concerted attempt to evade justice".He said: "You were able to live at large and hide and spend monies from your criminal activities."He jailed Morris for 22 years and eight months in total. Police said Morris should have been in court to hear his conviction and face sentence on 21 November 2023 with other in a "last-ditch attempt to evade justice", he absconded and failed to attend court at the end of his trial. He was recaptured over a year later, police said that after his arrest, he had already delayed proceedings for two years when facing Insp Gareth Evans said Morris would now be pursued through the Proceeds of Crime Act to recoup money and belongings acquired through his criminal activity. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Wales Online
12-05-2025
- Wales Online
Sick rapist lured unsuspecting victim to his flat with 'party with lots of girls' promise
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A rapist who lured an unsuspecting victim back to his flat with the promise of 'a party with lots of girls' has been jailed for nine years. Stephen Wilson, 55, approached the lone man at a taxi rank on The Cross in Worcester city centre in 2009. Wilson, previously known as Stephen Dorr, of Penncricket Lane, Rowley Regis, asked the stranger - who had left his friends to head home from a night out - if he wanted to go back to his flat in Worcester. READ MORE: Medics said 'nothing could be done' to save man in Bilston house fire He said there was 'a party where there are lot of girls" - however, when they arrived, there was no party and no girls. As he entered the flat, Wilson locked the door behind him and then put some pornography on the TV. Wilson told the "scared" victim to perform oral sex on him, Worcester Crown Court heard Believing he had no choice and fearing for his safety, the victim carried out the act for which Wilson was charged with rape. Wilson then sexually assaulted his victim. Wilson was previously found guilty of rape and sexual assault on April 4. On Monday, May 12, he was handed a nine-year sentence for rape with a concurrent two-year custodial sentence for sexual assault. Wilson was also ordered to remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life. Detective Constable Chris Hawkes, who led the investigation, said: 'Wilson's victim was incredibly scared during his time trapped in his flat and feared for his safety as he did not know Wilson, or what he was capable of. 'His awful ordeal lasted for three or four hours as it was light outside when Wilson eventually allowed him to leave the flat.' DC Hawkes added: 'We are pleased to get this court result for Wilson who subjected his victim to a degrading and humiliating ordeal back in 2009. 'The victim only came forward in 2021 having seen local press articles online about sexual offences committed by Wilson - formerly called Stephen Dorr - in 2011. 'We hope this shows that we will always take reports of sexual assault and rape seriously, no matter how long ago they occurred and always investigate them thoroughly. 'The victim in this case showed incredible bravery and strength to come forward about Wilson's crimes, and we hope his conviction will go some way to help him move forward with his life.'
Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Distracted driver mowed down mum walking dog as he sent messages about his dinner
Thomas Worthington, 40, has been jailed for two years after hitting Emma Pryor as she crossed the road in Worcester, causing several fractures and a brain bleed that made her forget the last 5 years A driver who was distracted by messages talking about what to have for dinner crashed into a mother crossing the road with her dog, leaving her with horrific injuries. Thomas Worthington, 40, was discussing having pasta bake when he ploughed into Emma Pryor, who was on a zebra crossing in Warndon, Worcester. The 40-year-old was sent flying 10ft in the air and suffered several fractures and a bleed on the brain. Worthington stopped his Nissan Figaro and called 999, before paramedics rushed Miss Pryor to hospital where she spent three months recovering. Police found a series of incoming WhatsApp messages, the last of which was read at 5.11pm - three seconds before the horror collision in February last year. Worthington, of Worcester, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was jailed for two years. He was also banned from driving for five years. Prosecutor Lizzie Banahan said: "The defendant informed the officers at the time Miss Pryor had come 'out of nowhere'. The defendant was using his mobile phone at the time of the collision. Miss Pryor suffered life threatening injuries and was taken to the QE hospital. "While in hospital she was unable to remember the last five years of her life. When her son came to visit her in hospital, she was really shocked that he was not four." In a victim impact statement read to the court, Miss Pryor described how the crash had ruined her life as she went from being the carer of her nine-year-old son, enjoying dog walking, running and having fun with family and friends to being unable to go out alone. The court heard she suffers with PTSD, slurred speech and had completely lost her independence. The court heard Miss Pryor suffered memory loss as a result of the crash which Worthington tried to blame on her. Belinda Ariss, defending, said: "There's nothing I can say to make this case easier or better for anyone. He dialled 999, he had not been drinking and this is not a man who takes drugs. "Mr Worthington has his eyes tested every two years and doesn't wear glasses in daily life, only for driving. He's not wearing glasses today." Sentencing Worthington at Worcester Crown Court, Judge James Burbidge KC said: "The conversation was about supper that night. You were concerned about what you were having for dinner when you got home. "You were going to have a pasta bake for your meal that night. You were wholly inattentive to the driving which should have been the forefront of your mind. It seems that if you are using a mobile phone on and off, that's a deliberate decision not to follow the rules." Detective Constable Paul Pickering, of West Mercia Police's serious collision investigation unit, said: "I am pleased with the sentence given to Worthington and I hope this is a clear message to all road users the upmost care and consideration should be used whilst on our roads."
BBC News
17-02-2025
- BBC News
Murder accused Droitwich man 'portrayed wife as alcoholic'
A man accused of murder portrayed his wife as an alcoholic as part of a "character assassination" to support his "lies" that she took her own life, a court Samak, 42, claims he woke up in the early hours to see his wife Joanne Samak, 49, stabbing herself at their home in Chestnut Spinney, Droitwich have told Worcester Crown Court that Mr Samak, who denies murder, killed his wife, at about 03:00 GMT on 1 July last year, because he had financial problems and was interested in another jury has also heard the couple were sleeping in separate bedrooms, with Mr Samak saying he missed the "romance" in their relationship. The court heard how Mr Samak, a hockey coach, did not call the emergency services until 70 minutes after Mrs Samak suffered six stab injuries, including one to her abdomen and a fatal wound to the cross-examination, prosecutor Harpreet Sandhu KC said Mr Samak's claims that his wife was an alcoholic were made up to support the defendant's lies that her wounds had been self-inflicted."A pathologist told us her liver was basically normal and didn't have any signs of long-term alcohol abuse," Mr Sandhu said. "The evidence of her friends is that she enjoyed a drink but wasn't a drunk."It is part of a character assassination in an effort to support your lying account about how she died." 'You wanted her to die' Mr Samak denied that and told the court his late wife's drinking habits had increased after the Covid-19 pandemic and in the last year."When you see bottles on the side and bottles in the fridge, you worry about your wife. I shared [my concerns] with her brother," the defendant Friday, Mr Sandhu put it to Mr Samak he had not called the emergency services after Joanne sustained the knife wounds because he "wanted her to die".Mr Sandhu rejected claims Mr Samak did not know the emergency number to call, especially because he had called 999 months before his wife's death to report a car accident he had been involved in on 17 March, Mr Samak said: "I never called the ambulance before. I was going through a lot."He told the court he knew he was wrong for not making "any call", but he was "panicking and didn't know what to do."He also admitted he did not carry out "proper" CPR on his wife, despite being fully qualified to do so because of his job and his previous role as a lifeguard, and having a first aid kit in the trial continues. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Independent
17-02-2025
- The Independent
Murder accused ‘said wife was alcoholic to support lies she took her own life'
A hockey coach accused of his wife's murder portrayed her as an alcoholic as part of a 'character assassination' to support his 'lies' that she took her own life, a court has heard. Mohamed Samak, 42, claims he woke up at around 3am on July 1 last year to see his interior designer wife Joanne Samak, 49, stabbing herself at their home in Chestnut Spinney, Droitwich Spa. Prosecutors allege that Samak, a former Egyptian international hockey player and coach who worked with the Wales under-18s team, killed his wife because he was suffering financial problems and had become interested in another woman. Worcester Crown Court had also been told of issues within their marriage and that they slept in separate bedrooms, with Samak claiming he missed the 'romance' in their relationship. Samak did not call the emergency services until one hour and 10 minutes after Joanne suffered six stab injuries, including one to her abdomen and a fatal wound to the heart, claiming he was 'crying, shivering and panicking' after the incident and did not know what number to call for an ambulance. He also admitted he did not carry out 'proper' CPR on his wife, despite being fully qualified to do so because of his job and his previous role as a lifeguard, and having a first aid kit in his bedroom. Denying her murder, Samak said his wife had suffered issues with her mental health and alcohol and that she had taken her own life. During cross-examination on Monday, prosecution KC Harpreet Sandhu told Samak his claims that his wife was an alcoholic were made up to support his 'lies' that she had inflicted the wounds upon herself. He said: 'You have tried to portray Jo as someone who had an alcohol problem. The reality is that Jo didn't have an alcohol problem, she drank socially and there may have been times she had more glasses of wine than allowed her to feel comfortable the next day, but she wasn't a problem drinker. 'A pathologist told us her liver was basically normal and didn't have any signs of long-term alcohol abuse. The evidence of her friends is that she enjoyed a drink but wasn't a drunk. 'You know fully well that Jo did not have any alcohol issues but you have made out she did to support your lying account that she took her own life. Over the hour and 10 minutes during which she was dying, you wanted her to die didn't you? If you didn't, you would have done something to help her Prosecution KC Harpreet Sandhu 'It is part of a character assassination in an effort to support your lying account about how she died.' Samak replied: 'No, it's not true, it's not correct. 'I didn't say she was an alcoholic but the alcohol raised after Covid and raised more in the last year. I highlighted that and when she got stressed she used to drink. 'When you see bottles on the side and bottles in the fridge. You worry about your wife. I shared (my concerns) with her brother.' On Friday, Mr Sandhu put it to Samak that he did not call the emergency services after Joanne suffered the stab wounds because he 'wanted her to die'. He said: 'Over the hour and 10 minutes during which she was dying, you wanted her to die didn't you? I was in shock, I was panicking. My brain went blinded. I didn't make any call and I know I was wrong, but I was panicking and I didn't know what to do Mohammed Samak 'If you didn't, you would have done something to help her. You wanted her to die when you took that knife and thrust it into her body didn't you?' Samak replied: 'I did not kill my wife. Jo stabbed herself. That is the truth.' Mr Sandhu also rubbished claims that Samak did not know what number to call for the emergency services, because he had called 999 months before his wife died to report a car accident he had been involved in on March 17. The prosecutor said: 'The point is this isn't it – when you said you didn't know what number to call as you weren't from the UK, that was nonsense wasn't it?' Samak responded: 'I never called the ambulance before. I was going through a lot. 'I was in shock, I was panicking. My brain went blinded. 'I didn't make any call and I know I was wrong, but I was panicking and I didn't know what to do. 'The question in my head was: 'Why has she done it, was it because of me?' 'I didn't know what to do. My brain, it was difficult to think. I was emotional and I was shocked.' Continuing the cross examination on Monday, Mr Sandhu said Samak was a 'deceitful' man. 'You didn't wake up to find Jo stabbing herself did you?' he said. Samak said: 'I did. I didn't lie about this. I probably might have lied because I was the only person in the house and thinking I would take the blame for it and I will say that always because that is what happened.' The trial continues.
