Crewe & Nantwich News – Jan 2010

Arrest Leads to Attempt Murder Charge A 32 years old man has been charged with the attempted murder of another man in Crewe more than two years ago. He was interviewed by officers from Cheshire Police Eastern Area CID after being stopped by Police on the M6 in Cumbria. He was then charged; made a brief appearance at South Cheshire Magistrates Court, and was committed to Chester Crown Court. James McNally was stabbed several times when a group of men confronted him in August 2007. Another man has already been convicted of attempted murder in connection with the attack and is serving an eight year prison sentence.

Six Years for Drug Dealer A man arrested in a Police operation against drug dealing in Crewe was sentenced to six years in prison. He was in a car containing two hundred bags of heroin and cocaine when it was stopped by Police Officers. Sergeant John Ruggiero said, “The drugs, with a street value of about £2,000, were about to be distributed in the Crewe area. The sentence reflects the fact that courts, like Cheshire Police, regard drug dealing as a very serious offence.” Another man in the car was sent to prison for two years.

Cannabis Hauls Destroyed Cannabis plants which would have produced £180,000 worth of illegal drugs were destroyed in Police operations which closed two cannabis farms in East Cheshire. During the first operation, in Newfield Drive, Crewe, a man was arrested after jumping from an upstairs window and sustaining serious ankle injuries. More than 600 plants were found. In the second raid more than 500 plants were discovered in a commercial property in the centre of Congleton. A 15 years old Vietnamese boy was arrested in another part of the town centre.

Landlords Warned Police Officers repeated their warning to landlords following sentences on two Vietnamese men who ran a cannabis farm in Alsager. Detective Chief Inspector Darren Hebden said “These cannabis operations are driven by international organized criminal gangs. They rent a house or commercial property and do enormous damage converting the premises for cannabis production. Landlords need to know who is renting their property and what they are using it for.” The two men arrested in Alsager were each sentenced to 12 months in prison, followed by deportation.

Jail for Hoaxer A prison sentence for a Crewe man who made hoax emergency calls carried a clear message for people who misuse the 999 system. The man, aged 21, was sent to prison for 20 weeks after admitting five offences of wasting police team. Constable Paul Myatt, from Crewe Neighbourhood Policing Unit said, “Responding to these calls tied up the time of officers who would otherwise have been dealing with real emergencies elsewhere.” The man will serve an additional six weeks of a suspended prison sentence imposed last March for arson and making a hoax call.

Arrest Follows Collision A man was arrested a week after a road traffic collision near Nantwich on Christmas Eve which left a pedestrian with serious injuries. A 45 years old man from Shavington, was walking home along Newcastle Road, Willaston when he was struck by a car. Police Officers launched an appeal for information about the vehicle involved. The man who was later arrested is 24 and also lives in the Shavington area. He was released on bail while investigations proceed.

Medal Missing Police Officers have asked for help to trace burglars who stole a cup final medal from the family of the men who received it in 1948. The medal was presented to the Blackpool goalkeeper Joe Robinson after his team lost 4-2 to Manchester United in one of the greatest Wembley Finals. It was stolen in a burglary at his son’s home in Lower Withington, near Macclesfield. Constable Gary Turner said, “Joe was playing alongside Sir Stanley Matthews and Stan Mortenson in front of 100,000 fans. The medal commemorates one of the most significant events in his life. It is very important to his family. If anyone is offered this medal we would like to hear from them.” The medal has two footballers and a football on one side and, on the other, the words “The Football Association. Challenge Cup. Runners-Up. J Robinson. Blackpool FC 1947-48 .”