Doncaster man jailed after spate of ATM thefts including Starbeck

A Doncaster man has been jailed for 11 years after targeting nine cash machines across Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire including Starbeck.

George Tunney has been sentenced today at York Crown Court on charges of conspiracy to cause explosions and to burgle. As well as theft and handling stolen goods following the offences committed in January and March 2020.

Just a few months after being released from prison, Tunney began his first spate of burglaries in January 2020 in the Doncaster and Hull area.

In a second spate in March that year an ATM at the Co-op in Starbeck was targeted alongside The Post Office in Shepshed, Leicestershire and the Jet garage in Adwick near Doncaster. One of these crimes saw Tunney steal over £35,000 in cash.

In between January and March the 24-year-old targeted a further three cash machines in Grantham, Mansfield and Nether Poppleton.

His numerous offences caused in excess of £60,000 worth of damage to a number of businesses,

A few days after the second spate of attacks Tunney was found along the River Ouse near the York Designer Outlet after fleeing from the North Yorkshire Police officers.

Tunney pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to 11 years in prison, plus banned from driving for eight years.

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North Yorkshire Police Detective Superintendent, Fran Naughton, said:

“The sentence given to Tunney today is a clear demonstration that this type of crime will not be tolerated.

“Not only did Tunney and his associates endanger many lives through the dangerous use of explosives, some of which were deployed at fuel forecourts, they caused well in excess of £60,000 damage to a number of businesses.

“These businesses provide essential local services to their communities and many were out of use for extended periods of time whilst repairs were made.”

‘Real scare’ for Ripon driver as timber smashes into car

A young driver had a “real scare” last night when a piece of timber reportedly fell off a van and smashed into her car’s windscreen.

The incident happened on Studley Road near the River Laver Holiday Park last night at around 9.45pm. The 22-year-old driver of the Fiat 500 suffered a minor head injury.

North Yorkshire Police is now looking for the driver of the van, who failed to stop after the crash and continued to drive towards Ripon city centre.

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Police have also described the vehicle they are looking for as a dropside van with a white cab and silver sides.

Officers found this timber the smash.

David Minto, the police officer who attended the incident, tweeted the following last night:

“A real scare for this driver tonight in Ripon. Her windscreen was struck by a piece of timber that wasn’t secured/loaded correctly by another driver.

“Unfortunately the offending vehicle didn’t stop after the RTC. Driver has sustained a minor head injury.”

Anyone with information has been urged to call 101 and quote reference 12210089276.

Missing Leeds man could be in Ripon area

Police are appealing for information about a 56-year-old missing man who it is thought could be in the Ripon area.

Ian Kowalczyk was last seen near his home in Stanningley, near Pudsey, just before 10am on Friday.

Mr Kowalczyk has links to North Stainley and it is thought he could have travelled there.

West Yorkshire Police described him as white, 5ft 11ins tall, slim build, with short brown hair that is starting to go grey.

He was last seen wearing a padded camouflage coat, blue jeans, and brown Sketchers trainers.

The man was driving a silver Kia Ceed, registration RJ12 HNK.

ian_kowalczyk_car

Ian Kowalczyk’s car

In an update released yesterday, Michael Herbert, of Leeds District CID said:

“Ian has been missing for five days now and we remain very concerned for his welfare and urgently need to find him.

“His family believe he could have travelled to the village of North Stainley where he has past connections. We would like to hear from anyone who may have seen him in that area or the silver Kia Ceed he is driving.

“We have no information to confirm that he is there and would still like to hear from anyone who has seen him or his car anywhere else since he went missing.”

Anyone with information can call Leeds District CID on 101 and quote reference number 2069 of March 26. Or use this online live chat.

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Ripon supermarket worker jailed for inappropriate videos of children

A paedophile who collected numerous sex videos involving children and encouraged a girl to expose her breasts on the internet has been jailed for nearly two years.

Timothy Cheesbrough, 35, from Ripon, trawled the internet for inappropriate pictures of children as young as four, York Crown Court heard.

He downloaded videos of children being raped and sexually abused and depraved movie clips featuring “erotic” dancing by a young girl, said prosecutor Julian Jones.

Cheesbrough, a supermarket worker, visited numerous websites, including one in which he used video technology to encourage a girl, aged between 12 and 13, to expose herself.

He first came to the attention of police in September 2018 after they were tipped off about illegal online activity linked to his computer IP address, mobile phone number and associated Yahoo email accounts with female usernames.

Police searched his flat on September 27 2018. Cheesbrough was initially arrested on suspicion of the possession and distribution of indecent images.

He refused to answer police questions but forensic analysis of his internet devices, including an iPhone, desktop computer and hard drive, revealed a collection of more than 170 illegal child images.

These covered of all levels of seriousness including 61 Category A images and videos – the worst kind of such material.

Prosecutor Mr Jones said some of the Category A videos were “particularly disturbing” and included girls between four and 12 years old being raped by adult males.

In one of the recorded videos – from a website frequented by like-minded individuals – Cheesbrough, and possibly others, urged a girl in a school uniform to expose an intimate part of her body.

Mr Jones said:

“The female remains unidentified.”

Cheesbrough, of Kirkgate, had used PowerPoint software to record the live-streamed video, added Mr Jones.

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The Ripon man admitted three counts of making indecent images and one of causing or inciting an under-age girl to engage in sexual activity.

Temitayo Dasaolu, Cheesbrough’s defence, said her client had embarked on his nefarious online activities after becoming socially isolated because he was working night shifts at the supermarket.

She said:

“He accepts he fell into this offending out of curiosity.”

She added Cheesbrough had mental health problems and had been extremely distressed since his arrest in 2018. He had since sought professional help and had been planning to set up his own electrician’s business.

Judge Sean Morris told Cheesbrough:

“You have fallen into the trap that the courts see often: of becoming addicted to surfing the internet looking for pornography, which has descended into actively seeking out (indecent images of children).

“It’s bad enough looking at illegal images of children, but when an adult male goes online and takes part in the incitement of a child to engage in indecent behaviour, that I’m afraid is so serious that it can only be met by an immediate prison sentence.”

“That child will soon realise that images of her are out there. What that will do to her mental health, one can only speculate.

“It was deliberately sought out (and) it would appear that that was a website where others were also observing or encouraging (the girl), and the images were recorded.”

Cheesbrough was jailed for 21 months, of which he will serve half behind bars before being released on licence.

He was also given a sexual harm prevention order, which will last seven years and is designed primarily to curb his internet activities.

He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register, which forces him to notify the authorities about any change in his circumstances and whereabouts after he is released from prison.

Police appeal for help after Harrogate Co-op theft

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for help after a man stole alcohol and some Ariel detergent from a Harrogate Co-op.

The theft occurred on Friday at the Co-op service station on Ripon Road.

According to police, a number of bottles of alcohol and the detergent were taken.

Officers are appealing for information to identify the man in the CCTV images who they believe holds information that could help with their enquiries.

The police are asking anyone who recognises the man or has information on his whereabouts to get in touch.

You can call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for PC Ben Clarke.

Alternatively, email 000721@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk. The crime reference number is 12210085638.

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Mayfield Grove summit to be held on Tuesday

Residents on Mayfield Grove in Harrogate will meet police, councillors and politicians next week to discuss concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour.

North Yorkshire Police and Harrogate Borough Council issued a closure order for a house on the street this week after a man died.

The two organisations said they had carried a joint investigation following concerns about activity at a multi-occupancy address.

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Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones, who is expected to attend Tuesday’s meeting, said:

“These are incredibly difficult and deep-seated issues.

“Many of those involved have long-standing homelessness, mental health and addiction problems and both the government and the council have dedicated a lot of cash and resource to these issues.”

Harrogate neighbourhood policing inspector Nicola Colbourne said:

“We’re continuing to work closely with residents, Harrogate Borough Council’s community safety partnership, elected representatives and others to ensure any concerns of Harrogate residents are listened to and the community remains a very safe place to live and work.”

A council spokesman said it was a private meeting.

Police image of man wanted after Ripon theft

Police have issued a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to following a theft from Sainsbury’s in Ripon Market Place.

A man entered the store and took about £500 of printer ink. It happened at about 4pm on March 1.

Officers believe the man in the image has information that could help the investigation and are asking anyone who recognises him to get in touch.

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Anyone with any information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC 733 Mitchell or email Elliot.Mitchell@northyorkshire.police.uk.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote reference number 12210069492 when passing on information.

Train staff in Harrogate to wear body cameras

Rail operator Northern is introducing body cameras for staff to prevent crime on trains and at stations.

The company, which serves Harrogate station, is introducing more than 350 cameras for staff across the north of England.

It says the cameras will provide ‘enhanced protection’ for staff dealing with threatening behaviour.

They will not record all the time but the footage could be used as evidence in criminal cases and could be the deciding factor in securing court convictions.

Northern said in a statement that studies showed body-worn cameras reduced crime.

A freedom of information request recently submitted by the Stray Ferret revealed that since 2018 there were 22 reports of verbal or physical abuse against Northern staff on one of the Harrogate lines.

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British Transport Police chief inspector Lorna McEwan said:

“A trial using body-worn video cameras showed a significant reduction in assaults against rail staff.

“This is really positive step by Northern. As well as reducing incidents of assault on rail staff by helping to diffuse situations, body worn cameras also reassure the public as they travel through stations and on trains.”

Two arrests after attempted theft from vehicle in Harrogate

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses after two suspects attempted to break into a car on a Harrogate street early this morning.

The force said the incident happened at 12.44am this morning on Connaught Court.

Two men have been arrested and remain in police custody whilst enquiries are ongoing.

The police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with CCTV, dash-cam or doorbell camera footage that could have captured something.

Officers are also asking anyone else who believes thieves have broken into their vehicles to get in touch.

Anyone with information can can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, press option two and ask for James Skaith. Or email the officer via james.skaith@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.

To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and quote reference number 12210079917.

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Andrew Jones MP defends supporting crime bill

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has defended a crime bill that gives police new powers to deal with protests after it was criticised as a “fundamental attack” on freedom of speech.

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill covers major government proposals on crime and justice, including changes to protests.

The bill passed its first hurdle this week after an overwhelming vote in favour by Conservative MPs.

All three Conservative MPs whose constituencies include the Harrogate district — Jones, Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith and Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams — supported it.

The protest measures drawn up by ministers and police chiefs will mean more conditions are imposed on static demonstrations, including start and finish times, noise limits and penalties for activists causing “serious annoyance”.

At a meeting of North Yorkshire County Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Committee today, Liberal Democrat councillor David Goode described the bill as a “a fundamental attack on our democratic rights”.

He said it would “significantly restrict” people’s rights to hold peaceful protests and asked Mr Jones why he voted for it.

Mr Jones responded:

“The underlying principle of freedom of speech and freedom to protest is absolutely unchanged.

“This is about making sure we can protest in a way which doesn’t stop people getting to work or a hospital appointment.

“It is possible to protest without impacting others so what we need to strike therefore is that balance and that is what the bill does.”

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The bill’s second reading was passed by 359 votes to 263 on Tuesday. It also contains dozens of new measures to increase sentences for child killers and other violent criminals, as well as tougher penalties for attacks on police officers and changes to sexual offences legislation.

The most controversial part, however, are the reforms on protests, which garnered extra interest after scenes of police officers restraining women attending a vigil in memory of Sarah Everard in London on Saturday.

At present, police need to prove protesters knew they had been told to move on before they can be said to have broken the law.

The bill proposes an offence of “intentionally or recklessly causing public nuisance”, which is designed to stop people occupying public spaces to make themselves both seen and heard.

The new laws would also give Home Secretary Priti Patel the authority to define “serious disruption to the life of the community” and “serious disruption to the activities of an organisation” — a concept opponents argue is not clear enough.

Speaking at a debate in the House of Commons this week, the Home Secretary defended the proposed changes to peaceful protests which she said are a “cornerstone of democracy”.

She said:

“This bill will give police the powers to take a more proactive approach in tackling dangerous and disruptive protests. The threshold at which the police can impose conditions on the use of noise at a protest is rightfully high.

“The majority of protesters will be able to continue to act, make noise as they do so now without police intervention.

“But we are changing it to allow the police to put conditions on noisy protests that cause significant disruption to those in the vicinity. As with all our proposals, the police response will still need to be proportionate.”