Harrogate and Ripon crime gang jailed after police uncovered robbery and firearms plot

A group of Harrogate and Ripon men linked to serious and organised crime have been jailed today (Monday, April 8) for a collective 25 years and 11 months.

The court heard how the following gang members were linked to an organised crime group who’d been involved in a dispute with a rival group.

Between Friday 6 and Monday January 9 2023,  North Yorkshire Police organised crime unit carried out an investigation into a suspected organised crime group that was active in the Harrogate district.

Image from footage captured during the arrest

According to a North Yorkshire Police media release today, police gathered intelligence suggesting a man had been kidnapped and held against his will.

It was established Rivers Wilson and Fuller McMillan were preparing to kidnap the victim and extort him for money, believing that he had a large amount of cash stashed in two addresses in Harrogate.

Information was obtained that Rivers Wilson and Fuller McMillan were planning to use force against the victim. At the time Rivers Wilson, Fuller McMillan, Philip Wilson and two other gang members had located and taken the victim using force. William Davy visited the two addresses and recovered cash from where the victim had it stored.

Philip Wilson allowed his vehicle to be used to kidnap the victim and commit the offence.  Following the kidnap Philip Wilson arranged for the disposal of his vehicle to destroy any forensic evidence.

After recovering the cash, William Davy communicated the news with Rivers Wilson and Fuller McMillan and the victim was then released. Intelligence indicated that the amount of cash stolen from the victim was approximately £70,000.

The investigation found evidence to show that Rivers Wilson and Fuller McMillan subsequently and unknowingly at the time had robbed a rival organised crime group from West Yorkshire.

Further intelligence led officers to believe that Rivers Wilson, Fuller McMillan and another gang member were arranging to source a sawn-off shotgun and live ammunition. They then jointly sourced the firearm and ammunition in order to cause fear to those who sought retribution having had their cash stolen by the gang.

The shotgun found by North Yorkshire Police

A police helicopter was deployed and used to track the gang as they were travelling with the firearm and live ammunition and believed they were getting their ‘crew’ together in readiness to confront the rival gang.

At this point, armed response officers actioned a hard stop of one of the vehicles and detained three members of the gang which included Rivers Wilson and Fuller McMillan and recovered both their vehicles.

Rivers Wilson, Fuller McMillan and another gang member were ordered to get out the vehicle at gun point and were arrested on suspicion of conspiring to kidnap.

Both Rivers Wilson and Fuller McMillan’s vehicles were forensically examined, and a long package was recovered in the back seat of Fuller McMillan’s vehicle. Examination of this package showed that it contained a sawn-off shotgun, with four live shotgun cartridges.

The shotgun was heavily wrapped in a bin bag and paper. In a further search, seven more shotgun cartridges were found wrapped in a balaclava within a boxing glove in the vehicle.

NPAS police helicopter footage

Detective constable Helen Quaife, of North Yorkshire Police’s serious and organised crime unit, said:

“We have seen nationally how the use of weapons used by feuding gang members can devastate families and communities. This type of crime will not be tolerated in North Yorkshire.

“The sawn-off shotgun was viable and along with its ammunition was intended to be used.

“This investigation was conducted meticulously with a large number of enquiries conducted dealing with witnesses, forensics, CCTV and specialist expert evidence. The sentences imposed on these gang members illustrates just how serious these offences are taken. I hope this will be a warning to others who think the use of weapons will be tolerated within our communities.  We will intervene, and people will be punished, to keep our communities safe.”

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Moped youths arrested in Knaresborough

Four youths are being investigated for riding a stolen moped, traffic offences and possession with the intent to supply drugs.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement today, a police community support officer spotted three youths riding a moped without helmets in Knaresborough yesterday (Sunday, April 7).

It added five youths were subsequently arrested following “police activity” and four are now under investigation.

The statement added:

“House-to-house enquiries were carried out in the Stockwell area yesterday, however any CCTV footage would assist with the investigation.

“If you were in the Stockwell and surrounding areas yesterday between 3.30pm and 5pm please check any CCTV or ring doorbell-type CCTV for a red Yamaha moped and a group of youths.

“If you have footage or any information please contact NYP on 101 quoting reference 12240060502.”

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Police officer suspended after violent incident in Harrogate district

A police officer has been suspended after an arrest turned violent in the Harrogate district.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement yesterday (April 7) it had referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct “following concerns raised about the officers’ use of force”.

The incident happened in the Tockwith area on January 26 this year. Tockwith is between Knaresborough and York on the edge of the Harrogate district.

Police received a report of a road traffic collision. The statement added:

“Officers attended, and arrested a man in his 40s in connection with the incident.

“The man became violent towards officers, who used force to restrain and arrest him. He was taken to custody, and subsequently released on bail while enquiries continue.

“Following concerns raised about the officers’ use of force, the incident was referred voluntarily by North Yorkshire Police to the Independent Office for Police Conduct who are investigating the circumstances.

“Following a review, one officer was subsequently suspended from duty.”

The IOPC is a non-departmental public body which investigates the most serious complaints about conduct matters involving police.

The statement concluded:

“We want to reassure our communities that we take concerns of this nature very seriously, and will continue to work closely with the IOPC.”

The IOPC said in December last year a senior North Yorkshire Police officer had been suspended and was under criminal investigation “for the potential offences of misconduct in public office, improper exercise of police powers and intent to pervert the course of justice”.

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Tools stolen in Starbeck car garage burglary

Tools were stolen during a burglary at a car repair garage in Starbeck this morning.

North Yorkshire Police today said the incident, which happened at 00.28am, occurred at HG Motors just off Bogs Lane.

The statement said the offender(s) “gained entry to the premises via a roof panel” and stole a number of tools, including an Autel MaxiSys pro diagnostic machine, as well as its black and red case similar to the one pictured.

The force added:

“A Milwaukee Impact tool and grinder in black and red and a set of Franklin and Signet ratchet spanners were also taken.

“If you know where these items are or have been offered one or more of these items, please get in contact.

“We’re interested in hearing from anyone who witnessed any vehicles or people on Bilton Hall Drive around the time of the offence, which is located near to where HG Motors is.

“Please email katie.jacobs@northyorkshire.police.uk if you have any information that could help our investigation.

“Alternatively, you can call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for Katie Jacobs or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website.”

Quote reference 12240058918 when passing on information.

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Body found in search for missing Molly, 25

A body has been found in the search for missing 25-year-old Leeds woman Molly Ann Garbutt.

North Yorkshire Police joined West Yorkshire Police in the search today after Molly’s black Renault Clio was seen in the Grassington area last night and then found just before 8am today parked near Dibbles Bridge at Hebden, about two miles from Greenhow in the former Harrogate district.

But in a statement tonight, North Yorkshire Police said the search “has been called off after a body was found at around 3.15pm today”.

The statement added:

“While formal identification has not yet taken place, Molly’s family have been informed about the death and they are being supported by the police.

“We ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time as we prepare a report for the coroner.”

RAF Mountain Rescue, Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association and a HM Coastguard helicopter joined the search for Molly, whose disappearance on Tuesday night led police to say they had  “immediate concerns for her welfare”.

Officers urged anyone with information that could assist their enquiries to call 101, select option 4, and speak to the force control room. Quote reference number 12240057708.

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Missing Leeds woman’s car found close to Harrogate district

A car belonging to a missing Leeds woman has been found close to the border of the former Harrogate district.

Molly Ann Garbutt, 25, was reported missing last night (Tuesday, April 2) with police saying they had “immediate concerns for her welfare”.

Enquiries led officers to establish Molly’s black Renault Clio was in the Grassington area from around 7pm last night.

Her car was found by Rural Watch volunteers just before 8am today, parked off the B6265 near Dibbles Bridge at Hebden, about two miles from Greenhow in the former Harrogate district.

West Yorkshire Police issued the initial appeal for information but following the discovery of the car North Yorkshire Police has joined the search.

It said in a statement this afternoon:

“North Yorkshire Police is conducting searches and enquiries in the surrounding area in the effort to find Molly.

“These are being supported by RAF Mountain Rescue and the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association, along with a HM Coastguard helicopter.

“Molly is described as white, slim build, with long ginger hair. She was last seen wearing a brown velvet thigh-length coat, pink leggings and white boots.”

Officers have urged anyone with information or sightings of a woman in the area matching Molly’s description to report it by calling 999.

Quote North Yorkshire Police reference number 12240057708 when passing on information.

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Workplace safety regulator to investigate Ripon death

The Health and Safety Executive is to lead an investigation into the death of a man at a vehicle recovery garage in Ripon on Friday, March 29.

An unnamed man in his 30s died at Macadam on Boroughbridge Road following what police described at the time as an “industrial accident”.

The victim was from the Darlington area.

Ambulance, air ambulance, fire and police were called at about 8am.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Police today whether anyone had been arrested or charged.

The force issued a brief statement today which did not comment on this. It said:

“We are assisting the accident investigation lead by the Health and Safety Executive.”

The HSE, a non-departmental public body, is responsible for workplace safety in the UK.

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Woman rescued from muddy bog near Brimham Rocks

A woman was rescued after getting stuck in a muddy bog near Brimham Rocks last week.

Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association was called to the scene on Wednesday, March 27, at around 12.45pm.

Rick Hudson, one of the association’s volunteers at the scene, told the Stray Ferret the casualty had been walking at the National Trust-owned site and became stuck in the mud whilst on her way back to the car park, after the “weather came in quite nastily”.

Mr Hudson added:

“We received an alert from North Yorkshire Police and six team members were called to the scene.

“When we arrived, it was clear the woman was cold and distressed, and was unable to get out of the boggy area.”

Mr Hudson said the woman did not sustain any injuries as a result of the incident.

The association said on social media:

“With assistance she was brought back onto the path and walked back down the track to Fell 2.

“She was driven around to her car parked in Brimham Rocks CP and advised to wait a while before driving back to her hotel in Gargrave.”

The rescue mission took around a total of 15 minutes, Mr Hudson added.

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Man dies in industrial accident at Ripon

A man in his 30s has died in what police are describing as an “industrial accident” in Ripon today (March 29).

Ambulance, air ambulance, fire and police were called to vehicle rescue garage Macadam on Boroughbridge Road at about 8am.

North Yorkshire Police said in a statement the man, who was from the Darlington area, was certified dead at the scene.

His name has not been released and no further details are available.

The statement added:

“His family have been informed and are being supported by the police.

“Police are assisting the accident investigation alongside North Yorkshire Council’s environmental health team.”

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Police renew appeal to find missing Harrogate man

North Yorkshire Police has renewed its appeal to find a man missing from the Harrogate area.

Cao Xuan Tuan, 25, has been missing since last month. He was last seen on Thursday, February 29.

Officers described Cao as Asian, with short straight black hair, brown eyes and about 5 foot 6 inches tall.

In a statement today, police said:

“We’re growing increasingly concerned for Cao’s welfare and are asking for anyone who may have seen him, or knows where he is, to contact us immediately.

“Cao, if you are reading this, please get in touch with someone, we just want to know that you are safe.

If you have seen Cao, or have information contact 101. If you know his immediate whereabouts, please call 999.

Quote North Yorkshire Police reference number 12240041667.

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