Cheshire Neighbourhood Watch Association Week ending 24th Januar 2021 2021 Cheshire News & Appeals
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Cheshire Neighbourhood Watch Association Week ending 24th Januar 2021 2021 Cheshire News & Appeals Latest Cheshire News Teenager convicted of murdering school boy Alex Rodda A teenager has been convicted of murdering a school boy in Ashley. Matthew Mason drove 15-year-old Alex Rodda to a remote wooded area in Ashley, Cheshire on Thursday 12 December 2019 and subjected him to a ferocious and merciless attack. Alex’s partially clothed body was found by refuse collectors on a country lane next to the woods the following morning. The 19-year-old had used a heavy and long wrench to repeatedly beat Alex to the head and body with an estimated 15 separate blows. In the months before Alex’s death he had been in an intimate relationship with Mason during which Alex received money from him so that he did not disclose their relationship. After committing his attack he left him alone in the woods and disposed of Alex’s mobile phone. He then visited The Red Lion pub in Pickmere and The Golden Pheasant pub in Plumley where he had a drink with friends before making his way home to Ash Lane, Ollerton. Meanwhile Alex’s mum was becoming increasingly concerned when he did not return home and she made numerous attempts to ring his phone but the calls would not connect. She rang a number of his friends who said they had not seen or spoken to him that evening As Alex’s friends knew he had formed a relationship with Mason they messaged him over two hours, desperate to know he was safe and well. Alex’s mum was made aware of this and contacted Mason before reporting her son missing to police. Most of their calls and messages went unanswered as Mason travelled back to the scene of his horrific crime in the early hours of Friday 13 December. It is during this time that the prosecution believes Mason went into the woods and dragged Alex’s body to the track at the side of the road in an attempt to put him inside his car. After failing to do this he then drove away. After Alex’s body was found a witness informed police he had taken a photo shortly after 6pm on Thursday 12 December. The photo was of a black Renault Clio parked on the track beside the gated entrance to the woods.The details of the car were checked by police and Mason was identified as the owner of the vehicle. He was stopped by officers as he drove towards Telford, on the A41 in Staffordshire, shortly before midday on Friday 13 December. Mason had dried blood on his hands and fingers and inside the boot of his car was a bin bag with his blood stained green fleece, the wrench and Alex’s large padded jacket. Following his arrest he was taken into custody to be questioned before being charged with murder. Today (7 January) Mason was found guilty of the murder of Alex Rodda following a trial at Chester Crown Court. He is due to be sentenced on Monday 25 January.
Detective Inspector Nigel Reid, from Cheshire
Police’s Major Investigation Team, said: “It has
been a painstaking investigation involving a
dedicated team of detectives. They have worked
extremely hard to gather evidence to show the true
extent of the relationship between Mason and Alex
and the true picture of what happened that night. I
want to take this opportunity to say thank you to
Mr and Mrs Rodda for their patience and support
throughout the investigation. The true extent of
Mason and Alex’s relationship could not have been
done without the bravery and courage of Alex’s friends. They provided key information to the investigation,
despite their grief and heartache, in order to secure justice for their friend. Mason had murder on his mind as
he drove Alex to his death under the pretence of sexual activity. He chose a secluded place to kill him in cold
blood, a place he believed he would go unseen and his crime undetected. Alex was a popular young boy who
was much loved by his family and friends. I hope the conviction of Mason helps Alex’s family and his close
friends to come to terms with such a terrible tragedy. My thoughts continue to be with them all.”
Speaking after the verdict, Alex’s family said: “Our son Alex was a wonderful, gentle, loving, kind, caring,
respectful boy who loved life and lived life to the full. His precious life was cut short all too soon at the hands
of Matthew Mason. Mason admitted killing Alex from the outset of this trial but still felt the need to put us
through the trauma of this trial in an attempt to minimise his sentence. He never once considered the pain it
would put our family through or indeed his own family. We have never come across a more selfish, cold and
calculating person. Mason has attempted to blame Alex and discredit his name throughout this trial and
thankfully the jury were able to see through his web of deceit.We would like to take this opportunity to thank
the jury for coming to the right decision. We would also like to thank Detective Inspector Nigel Reid and his
team of officers from Cheshire Constabulary for all their hard work over the last 12 months and in particular
the family liaison officers, David Edon and Lucy Kennedy, who have supported us through this particularly
difficult time.”
David Keane, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, said: “I would like to commend the investigation
team who worked tirelessly to gather crucial evidence in order to secure justice for Alex, his family and
friends. His death shocked the local community and all those who were close to him. My thoughts are with
them during this difficult time.”
Ask for ANI - support for victims of domestic abuse
The Ask for ANI (Assistance Needed Immediately) scheme allows those
at risk of or suffering from abuse to discreetly signal that they need
help and access support. By asking for ANI, a trained pharmacy worker
will offer a private space where they can understand if the victim
needs to speak to the police or would like help to access support
services such as a national or local domestic abuse helplines. As an
essential retailer based on high streets across the country, and with
specifically trained staff, pharmacies can provide a safe space for
victims to sound an alarm if they are isolated at home with their
abuser and unable to get help in another way.
The Prime Minister committed to launch this scheme at the Hidden
Harms summit last year in recognition of the impact of Covid
restrictions on the ability of victims to reach out for help and support. The scheme was initially proposed by
survivors as something that would have helped them.
Cheshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane said: “We are very conscious that lockdown restrictions are especially difficult for those experiencing domestic abuse. Home should be a safe place, but for those confined with an abuser it isn’t the safe haven it should be.The Ask for ANI scheme offers another avenue for victims of domestic abuse, ensuring they get the help they need in a safe and discreet way.” The scheme is initially available through the 2,300 Boots stores across the UK as well as 255 independent pharmacies. There is an ongoing sign-up process open to all pharmacies. Participating pharmacies will display promotional materials to show they are in the scheme and staff will know what to do should a customer use the codeword. Detective Chief Inspector Chris Williams added: “This scheme will run in tandem with those we already have in place, such as our Open The Door campaign where we work with local authority partners and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, but will be led by pharmacies. Ask for ANI is a voluntary scheme in which participating pharmacies will display posters to show they are taking part and are a safe space for victims of domestic abuse. When we receive a report of ANI from a pharmacy, the Constabulary will respond to this report and safeguard the victim in need. This is another way of supporting and safeguarding those who are affected by domestic abuse.” Other domestic abuse initiatives carried out by Cheshire Police and partners since the covid pandemic began are ‘You Are Not Alone’, working with supermarkets and other businesses across the county. Similar to Ask for ANI, victims might find themselves away from their abuser while shopping and can ask staff for a safe place to call police or visit www.openthedoorcheshire.org.uk to find domestic abuse agencies in their area. The Force has also been hosting weekly domestic abuse live web chats since May last year, where people can ask for advice and information anonymously. Their questions are answered by a panel comprising representatives from police, specialist local authority teams and domestic abuse organisations. Anyone who believes they, or someone they know, are suffering domestic abuse should report it by calling Cheshire Police on 101 (always call 999 in an emergency situation) or by going to www.openthedoorcheshire.org.uk to find support in their locality. Chester drug dealer jailed following police stop check A man from Chester has been jailed for drug dealing offences following a police stop check in the city. Daniel Smith, of Housesteads Drive in Hoole, was sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday 20 January. He was jailed for four years. The 28-year-old had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs (cocaine and MDMA) and one count of possession with intent to supply class B drug cannabis. Smith was stopped by officers at around 4.20pm on Monday 21 December while driving his white BMW on Hoole Lane. He was spoken to by officers and subsequently failed a roadside drugs test. Due to the positive result, officers searched Smith’s car. They discovered approximately £2,000 in cash, four mobile phones and drugs paraphernalia inside the vehicle. Officers subsequently searched Smith’s home in Housesteads Drive, where they found another £9,500 in cash and a quantity of class A and B drugs which had an estimated street value of up to £27,000. Officers also seized a number of items of high value clothing.
Following Smith’s sentencing, PC John Wszolek, who led the investigation, said: “This case shows the value of police stop checks and roadside drugs tests. As a result of a traffic stop check, a large quantity of illegal drugs have been removed from the streets of Chester and drug dealer Daniel Smith is now behind bars facing the consequences of his actions.” Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane added: “I welcome this sentencing and I hope that it send a strong message out to those involved in illegal drug activity and deters others from committing such offences.” Work continues to support communities across Cheshire following severe flooding Emergency services and other agencies are continuing to work together to support local communities across Cheshire following persistent rain and severe flooding. Since the major incident was declared on Wednesday 20 January following the arrival of Storm Christoph, agencies have been working around the clock as part of the Cheshire Local Resilience Forum to help ease flood waters, assist people being evacuated from their homes and clear water-logged roads as quickly as possible. The main areas of concern continue to be Northwich town centre, parts of Warrington and also Farndon – where a number of residents have been evacuated. There were 4 people evacuated from Farndon, 48 from Northwich and approximately 100 from Warrington - but we are aware others have voluntarily left and sought accommodation independently. This is in addition to other evacuations over the past few days in Chester, Ellesmere Port and Tattenhall. These have been led by Cheshire West and Chester Council and Warrington Borough Council and supported by a number of agencies including Cheshire Constabulary, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, the Environment Agency and our colleagues from Cheshire Search and Rescue. The situation is under constant review and flood warnings remain in place along with a number of road closures across the county. Superintendent Julie Westgate from Cheshire Constabulary said: “We’re continuing to work closely with our partners to monitor the situation and deal with any flooding related issues across the county. All agencies are committed to working together to provide a co-ordinated response in very difficult and often hazardous circumstances in order to keep people safe. I want to reassure local residents that collectively we are doing everything we can to minimise the impact on the local community. Whilst the heavy rain has stopped and flood waters are subsiding, a number of flood alerts and road closures remain in place and we are urging people to be aware of these and to only travel if it is absolutely essential. If you do need to go out please take extra care and allow more time for this as there is a risk of surface water flooding and weather-related debris in places.” Residents are also reminded not to drive or walk through any flood water – this is often deeper than it looks, it may be moving fast and there could be hidden hazards underneath such as raised manhole covers, which can pose a danger. For details of the flood warnings that remain in place and to keep up-to-date with the latest news please visit the Environment Agency website. Anyone concerned about potential flooding should sign up for free flood warnings on the Environment Agency website, follow them on Twitter @EnvAgencyNW for the latest information or you can call the Flood Line on 0345 988 1188.
Burglar who stole bikes from sheds in Runcorn jailed A burglar and shoplifter has been jailed after stealing four mountain bikes from sheds in Runcorn. Lewis Dutton went into a garden on Victoria Road and entered the shed in the early hours of Monday 18 January.The 28-year- old is not believed to have taken anything from the shed, but soon afterwards he attempted to steal a mountain bike that was chained up in another garden on Victoria Road. He used a hacksaw on the chain but fled without the bike after activating a security light and waking up the occupiers. In the morning people living in the nearby St Johns Gardens and Ashley Road woke up to discover that mountain bikes had been stolen from their sheds overnight. A shed had been broken into at both locations and a total of four bikes had been stolen. The incidents were reported to the police, and officers identified Dutton as the man who had committed the offences on Victoria Road from CCTV footage. He was arrested at his home in Clapgate Crescent, Widnes, on the same day. Three of the stolen bikes were recovered from the address, which contained a distinctive jacket he was wearing in the CCTV footage. The other bike was recovered from an address that one of Dutton’s relatives lives in. After refusing to answer any questions when interviewed in custody, Dutton was charged with three counts of burglary in relation to the sheds he entered and one count of attempted theft of a bicycle. He was also charged with two counts of theft from a shop. Those charges relate to incidents at Runcorn’s Asda supermarket that were captured on CCTV. Both shoplifting incidents occurred on Wednesday 6 January and saw Dutton steal a total of £634 worth of goods. He pleaded guilty to all of the offences at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 20 January and was jailed for 32 weeks and ordered to pay a £320 victim surcharge. The convictions also activated an 18-week suspended prison sentence that Dutton received at Chester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 24 November for stealing a mountain bike in a burglary at Norton Village in Runcorn on Saturday 14 November and three counts of breaching a restraining order. So Dutton’s total prison sentence is 50 weeks. DC Daryl Gavin, of Runcorn Local Policing Unit, said: “This case shows the value of CCTV footage. “It led to us identifying Lewis Dutton as the offender, and in the case of the burglary and attempted bike theft incidents it led to us arresting him and recovering all of the stolen property within hours of the offences being committed. The mountain bikes have been returned to the victims and I hope this case provides reassurance to the Runcorn community. I also hope that it deters others from committing such offences.” David Keane, police and crime commissioner for Cheshire, added: “Our homes are places that we should feel safe, so it must be a deeply upsetting experience to wake up to discover that a burglar has targeted your address and stolen some of your belongings. I know that Cheshire Constabulary treats all forms of burglary as a serious offence and that they are investigated as such, and I would like to thank the officers involved in this case for establishing the identity of the offender, securing the convictions and recovering all of the stolen bikes.”
Police warn motorists to avoid Northwich Town Centre due to flooding
Police are warning motorists to avoid Northwich Town Centre after flooding has forced a number of roads to
be closed. Many routes in and out are currently closed and more are likely to follow as emergency services
and other agencies assess the situation. Evacuations are likely, with one care home currently already
evacuated to keep the residents safe. Superintendent Simon Parsonage said: “We strongly advise that you
avoid the area. We can’t stress enough the importance of staying away. Those trying to access the town
centre are finding themselves stuck in the one way system and unable to turn round. So please avoid the
area. This is a fast moving incident and emergency services and other agencies including Chester West and
Chester and the Environment Agency are working hard to keep people safe. Please follow the advice given by
all agencies and avoid travelling. Roads currently closed include London Road, The Bullring, Chester Way,
Hayhurst Bridge and Town Bridge. Residents are also reminded not to drive or walk through any flood water
– this is often deeper than it looks, it may be moving fast and there could be hidden hazards underneath such
as raised manhole covers, which can pose a danger.
Anyone concerned about potential flooding should sign up for free flood warnings on the Environment
Agency's website, follow them on Twitter @EnvAgencyNW for the latest information or you can call the
Flood Line on 0345 988 1188.
Man charged after delivery van goes missing in Runcorn
A 41-year-old man has been charged following the recovery of a delivery van in Runcorn. Stephen Murphy
was arrested in Oak Drive in the Grange area of the town at around 9pm on Tuesday 19 January. He has
subsequently been charged with driving a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent and theft from a
motor vehicle. The charges relate to a delivery van and parcels it contained. The van was reported missing
from Achilles Court in the Castlefields area of Runcorn shortly before 12 noon on Tuesday 19 January. The
vehicle was found in Oak Drive that night.
Murphy, of Oak Drive, has been remanded in custody and is set to appear at Warrington Magistrates’ Court
on Thursday 21 January, via a video link.
Motorists urged to take extra care following Storm Christoph
Motorists in Cheshire are being urged to take extra care on the county’s roads this morning following Storm
Christoph.
As a result of persistent heavy rain yesterday and snow showers overnight a number of roads remain
closed. These include:
A41 Broxton
A49, Cotebrook, near Tarporley
A49, Acton Bridge
Cromewell Avenue, Warrington
Europa Boulevard, Warrington
Countess Way, Chester
Over Road, Church Minshull
Anyone who is making an essential journey is advised to allow extra time for this and to take care on the
roads as they may be flooded. A weather warning for ice is also in place in some areas of the county.
Superintendent Julie Westgate from Cheshire Constabulary said: “We’ve been working closely with our
partners throughout the night dealing with a large number of flooding related issues across the county. This
has included the evacuation of a number of residents in Warrington, Northwich, Chester Ellesmere Port and
Tattenhall. While the heavy rain has now receded, snow and ice have moved in and a number of roads
remain closed. There is also the risk of surface water flooding and weather related debris in places. I would
ask anyone who needs to make essential journey to allow extra time and drive carefully.”
A number of flood warnings remain in place and anyone affected by the warnings are urged to keep up-to-
date with the latest news on the Environment Agency website. Residents are also reminded not to drive or
walk through any flood water – this is often deeper than it looks, it may be moving fast and there could be
hidden hazards underneath such as raised manhole covers, which can pose a danger. Anyone concerned
about potential flooding should sign up for free flood warnings on the Environment Agency's website, follow
them on Twitter @EnvAgencyNW for the latest information or you can call the Flood Line on 0345 988 1188.
Police appeal for witnesses after attempted robbery near Church Minshull
Police are appealing for witnesses following an attempted robbery in Over Road near Church Minshull. At
about 4.40pm on Monday 18 January a man was working in his tool sales van in a layby. As he went to the
front of his van he was approached by a man carrying a metal bar. The man said nothing but hit the victim in
the face with the bar causing injuries. At this point the suspect lost his footing and the victim pushed him. A
passing car beeped its horn causing the suspect to run to a white Astra van and drive off towards Winsford.
PC Mark Brameld said: “The victim was left injured and shocked by his ordeal. As part of our enquiries into
the incident, we are asking anyone who witnessed the incident, or was in the area at the time and has
dashcam footage that may help us identify the suspect and his van to contact us.”
Anyone with information should call 101 or contact us via www.cheshire.police.uk quoting IML 897554.
Alternatively information can be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Update on Storm Christoph
In order to be as prepared as possible and provide a co-ordinated response a major incident has been
declared following the arrival of Storm Christoph. Over the past 24 hours there has been heavy rainfall
across the county and there are now four flood warnings in place as well as a number of flood alerts. As a
result a number of homes have been evacuated across the county, this has included:
Northwich Marina – 31 persons evacuated
Liverpool Road, Warrington – 1 person evacuated
Old Mill Place, Tattenhall – 30 people evacuated
Longshaw Street, Warrington and surrounding areas - 80 people evacuated
Spinney Close, Ellesmere Port – 1 people evacuated
Parkgate Road, Chester – 2 people evacuated
Lakeside Caravan Park, Winsford – 4 Caravans have been evacuated
Rhostherne Close, Warrington – 3 people evacuated
Densham Avenue – Warrington – 4 people evacuated
The evacuations have been co-ordinated by the Cheshire Local Resilience Forum and led by the relevant local
authority, with support from a number of agencies including Cheshire Constabulary, the Environment
Agency and Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.
All of the affected residents have been offered alternation accommodation at nearby hotels or Covid secure rest centres. There is also surface water flooding on a number of the county’s roads and anyone making an essential journey is urge to take extra care. Superintendent Simon Parsonage from Cheshire Constabulary said: “We are continuing to work closely with our partners to monitor the situation and collectively we will do all we can to minimise any disruption across the county and keep people safe. There are currently restrictions in place due to the coronavirus pandemic but I want to stress that the safety of the public remains our priority and I urge anyone who is asked to evacuate to follow the guidance given so that we can ensure this is managed in a Covid safe way. We will continue to monitor the situation closely as it develops over the next 48 hours and I would urge anyone affected by flooding to keep up-to-date with the latest news on the Environment Agency website.” Residents are also reminded not to walk or drive through any flood water – this is often deeper than it looks, it may be moving fast and there could be hidden hazards underneath such as raised manhole covers, which can pose a danger. Anyone concerned about potential flooding should sign up for free flood warnings on the Environment Agency's website, follow them on Twitter @EnvAgencyNW for the latest information or you can call the Flood Line on 0345 988 1188. Chester man charged with fraudulently obtaining money from elderly woman A 59-year-old man has been charged in relation to an allegation that a woman in her 70s paid a large amount of money for work that was not completed at her home. Alexander ‘Sandy’ Emslie, who lives at an address off Rawson Road in Blacon, Chester, was arrested on Thursday 12 November. He was released on police bail whilst further enquiries were carried out. Those enquiries culminated in Emslie being charged with fraud by false representation on Tuesday 19 January. The charge relates to money allegedly paid out by the woman from the Christleton area of Chester between July and August. Emslie has been released on conditional bail and is set to appear at Chester Magistrates’ Court on Friday 19 February. Storm Christoph set to bring heavy rain to Cheshire Residents across Cheshire are being urged to be prepared following the arrival of Storm Christoph, which is set to bring heavy rain across the county this week. A number of weather warnings are now active and Cheshire Constabulary is working closely with a number of other agencies to deal with any incidents and to reduce any disruption for the local community. Due to significant heavy rain forecast over the next few days there is the potential for flooding across the county. There are also a number of flood warnings in place, including the river Weaver in Northwich and Winsford. At this stage there is no requirement to evacuate any residents. However, plans are in place should this change and anyone affected by the flood warnings are urged to keep up-to-date with the latest news on the Environment Agency website. Superintendent Simon Parsonage from Cheshire Constabulary said: “We are working closely with other agencies in the community to monitor the situation and collectively we will do all we can to minimise any disruption across the county and keep people safety. All agencies continue to monitor the situation for potential for any flooding and I would encourage residents in the affected areas to monitor the alerts from
the Environment Agency and take action if flooding has been forecast in your area. With heavy rain forecast,
road closures are a possibility and anyone making an essential journey should allow extra time in case of any
issues.We will continue to monitor the situation closely over the next 48 hours and issue regular updates
through our social media accounts.”
Residents are reminded not to walk or drive through any flood water – this is often deeper than it looks, it
may be moving fast and there could be hidden hazards underneath such as raised manhole covers, which
can pose a danger. Anyone concerned about potential flooding should sign up for free flood warnings on the
Environment Agency's website, follow them on Twitter @EnvAgencyNW for the latest information or you
can call the Flood Line on 0345 988 1188.
Man charged following burglaries and shoplifting offences in Runcorn
A 28-year-old man has been charged by officers investigating the theft of bicycles in burglary incidents in
Runcorn. Lewis Dutton was arrested at his home in Clapgate Crescent, Widnes, at around 3pm on Monday
18 January. He has subsequently been charged with three counts of burglary and one count of attempted
theft of a bicycle. The burglary charges relate to incidents at domestic addresses in the St Johns Gardens,
Victoria Road and Ashley Road areas of Runcorn. A total of four bicycles were stolen in the incidents. They
have all since been recovered. The attempted burglary charge relates to an incident on Victoria Road. All of
the incidents occurred on Monday 18 January. Dutton has also been charged with two counts of theft from a
shop. Those charges relate to incidents at Runcorn’s Asda supermarket. Both shoplifting incidents occurred
on Wednesday 6 January.
Dutton has been remanded in custody and is set to appear at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday
20 January.
Detectives issue warning following fake police scam
Detectives are issuing a warning to the public following reports of phone calls purporting to be from the
police demanding money and gift cards from residents. The scam calls use a spoofed phone number
associated with Cheshire Constabulary. Fraudsters are then telling victims that they are a police officer with
Cheshire Constabulary and that they must hand over thousands of pounds to ‘clear their name’ for potential
arrest and charges. In some cases, scammers have even asked for gift cards to be purchased.
DS Chris Jacques, of the Economic Crime Unit, said: “Phone numbers can easily be manipulated and this is
how the scammers can often catch us off guard. Fraudsters will come across as extremely convincing and will
try their luck in targeting anyone just so they can benefit. No police force would call you and ask for money or
gift cards in order to ‘clear your name’. If you do receive a phone call such as this, please do not be alarmed.
Do not provide them with any information, hang up the phone and report it immediately to Cheshire Police
via 101 or Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.”
Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, David Keane said: “There are a lot of scams out there for
various things and it is hard to know who or what to believe. These scammers will stop at nothing when
trying to take money from the innocent and hard-working residents of Cheshire. Please follow the advice and
ensure that your elderly and vulnerable relatives or neighbours are aware of this scam so they do not fall
foul.”
Key advice:
Always take a moment to think before parting with information or money when receiving messages
as this as only criminals will rush or panic you
Organisations such as the police will never use phone calls to tell you about a penalty or ask for
payment
Telephone numbers and text messages can easily be spoofed. You should never trust the number
you see on your telephones display.
If you receive a suspicious cold call, end it immediately.
If you think you have fallen for a scam report it to Cheshire Constabulary on 101. Alternatively, you can
contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via the Action Fraud website.
Man charged after pensioner assaulted during Alsager burglary incident
A 35-year-old man from Alsager has been charged after a pensioner was assaulted during a burglary incident
in the town. Paul McMillan, of Crewe Road, was arrested on Monday 18 January by officers investigating the
incident. It occurred at a house on Station Road at around 6am on Tuesday 10 November. An occupant was
assaulted during the incident and sustained minor injuries. The elderly man did not need to go to hospital.
McMillan has been charged with burglary and assaulting a person and causing them actual bodily harm. He
appeared at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 19 January, via a video link.
McMillan was remanded into custody and is set to appear at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday 16 February.
Drink and drug driver jailed after killing a pedestrian in Runcorn
A 32-year-old woman who killed a pedestrian as a result of driving whilst under the
influence of alcohol and cocaine has been jailed. Gemma Clout began drinking vodka
mixed with peach schnapps at around 5pm on Saturday 5 October 2019. At around
9.30pm she snorted class A drug cocaine. Less than two hours later Clout decided to
drive from where she then lived in Tithings, Runcorn, to the shops to buy cigarettes. As
she drove along Halton Brook Avenue in her Fiat Punto, Clout attempted to make a right
turn onto a service road leading to Boston Avenue. At that point her car mounted a kerb, and she pressed
the accelerator instead of the brake pedal and collided with a 62-year-old man who was walking on the
pavement.
The man from Runcorn, dad-of-five Patrick Moore, sustained extensive injuries as a
result of the collision. He sadly died of the injuries in hospital on Wednesday 11
March 2020. Following the collision, Clout managed to get out of her car, which was
stuck in railings by the Riverside Housing Association building. Her partner Aaron
Ryan picked her up in her Vauxhall van and the pair drove away from the scene.
When officers located Ryan a few hours later in Folly Lane, Warrington, she initially
claimed that she had not been home all night and had left it insecure with the keys to
the Fiat Punto inside. However, the incident was captured on CCTV footage.
Clout was arrested that night, shortly after 2.30am, and subsequently failed breath
and blood tests for alcohol, with her being two times over the limit. A drugs wipe and the blood tests also
revealed that she had a significant amount of cocaine in her system. After initially refusing to answer any
questions in custody and being released under investigation pending further enquiries, on Friday 11 October
2019 Clout voluntarily attended a police station and admitted to officers that it was her who was behind the
wheel. She also acknowledged that she had driven the car when unfit to do so due to drink and drugs and
had fled the scene of the collision and subsequently failed to report it. Clout claimed that she had norecollection of hitting the victim with her car and that the whole incident was ‘a bit of a blur’. She was charged with a series of offences and pleaded guilty to causing a death by dangerous driving and by driving without due care and consideration whilst unfit through drink and drugs. Clout also admitted to failing to stop after a collision and failing to report the incident. She was sentenced for the offences at Chester Crown Court on Monday 18 January 2021. Clout was jailed for six years years and banned from driving for four years. The driving ban will be activated upon her release from prison. Clout will not be able to drive again until she has passed an extended retest. Following her sentencing, DC Lisa Evans-Hill, who led the investigation on behalf of Cheshire Constabulary’s Roads and Crime Unit, said: “Gemma Clout told us during a voluntary interview she had never taken cocaine before the night of the fatal collision and that she doesn’t often drink and that alcohol affects her badly. Yet on Saturday 5 October 2019 she took the decision to drive to the shops to buy cigarettes after drinking all night and snorting cocaine. That decision ended up costing a much loved dad-of-five his life. Whilst under the influence of the drink and drugs that had clearly impaired her ability to drive safely, she also made the decision to flee the scene of the collision. She fled whilst the victim was lying on the floor with serious injuries she had inflicted. He sadly died of those injuries in hospital five months later.Clout initially claimed that she had not been driving the car and gave us false information in a bid to make us think that a thief had stolen the vehicle and run the victim over. Less than a week later, however, she requested a meeting with officers and confessed to the crimes she committed that night. She made it clear that she was ashamed of her actions, and rightly so. Patrick Moore’s death was entirely preventable. Driving a motor vehicle is a privilege, not a right, and it comes with great responsibility to act within the rules laid down when you pass your test. When you deliberately ignore those rules you put yourself and other people at considerable risk, as this tragic case shows. I hope that this incident, and the custodial sentence that Clout has been handed by Chester Crown Court, deters others from drink or drug driving. I also hope the fact Clout is now behind bars facing the consequences of her actions provides the victim’s family with some closure and enables them to begin to move forward with their lives. Our thoughts remain with the family, who have been left devastated by Patrick’s senseless death.” The family have issued a photograph of Patrick and paid tribute to him. In a family statement, they said: “Dad wasn’t just a victim, he was a grandfather, a brother and the dad to the local community. He provided Christmas to members of the community who didn’t have it. Dad was eager to help those in need. He was a humble man with strong moral values and a quiz enthusiast with a thirst for knowledge. Dad was a very quick-witted and clever man, with a wicked sense of humour. He was an also an independent man with a strong sense of pride and a proud Irishman who had a passion for watching Liverpool Football Club. Dad raised five daughters, four grandchildren and cared for his dying wife. Dad also became our mother. He was our best friend and will be greatly missed. Go easy Dad.” David Keane, police and crime commissioner for Cheshire, added: “Road safety is one of my key priorities, and tragic incidents such as this is the reason why. Collisions are the biggest killer in Cheshire and, sadly, Patrick was one of 36 people who lost their lives on our roads in 2019. That’s 36 people who didn’t come home and 36 families who had their whole worlds completely shattered. One death is too much, and there have been too many deaths and serious injuries in Cheshire in recent times that were caused by certain driving behaviours. I applaud the officers involved in this case for their hard work to achieve justice for the victim’s family, and I am committed to continuing to work with Cheshire Constabulary and partner agencies to reduce the number of serious incidents on our roads and motorways.” Ryan, 31, who lives with Clout in Folly Farm Close, Warrington, pleaded guilty to charges of driving whilst disqualified and without insurance in relation to the incident. He also admitted putting the safety of
passengers at risk by driving a two-seater van with four people inside it. Ryan was sentenced at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 10 March 2020. He was handed an eight-week prison sentence, which was suspended for 12 months. Ryan was also banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to adhere to rehabilitation activity requirements and pay £85 court costs and a £122 victim surcharge. Man charged with grooming a teenager from Warrington Officers from Warrington Problem Solving Team have charged a man with grooming a teenage girl from the town. Christopher Edwards was arrested by officers on Friday 15 January after a warrant was executed at his home in Failsworth, Greater Manchester. He has since been charged with attempting to meet a girl under the age of 16 following grooming, engaging in sexual communications with a child and breach of a sexual harm prevention order. The charges relate to incidents which occurred in November and December. He has also been charged with possession of a class A drug (cocaine). The 37-year-old appeared at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 16 January. He was remanded in custody and is set to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday 12 February. Latest Cheshire Appeals Police appeal for witnesses after attempted robbery near Church Minshull Police are appealing for witnesses following an attempted robbery in Over Road near Church Minshull. At about 4.40pm on Monday 18 January a man was working in his tool sales van in a layby. As he went to the front of his van he was approached by a man carrying a metal bar. The man said nothing but hit the victim in the face with the bar causing injuries. At this point the suspect lost his footing and the victim pushed him. A passing car beeped its horn causing the suspect to run to a white Astra van and drive off towards Winsford. PC Mark Brameld said: “The victim was left injured and shocked by his ordeal. As part of our enquiries into the incident, we are asking anyone who witnessed the incident, or was in the area at the time and has dashcam footage that may help us identify the suspect and his van to contact us.” Anyone with information should call 101 or contact us via www.cheshire.police.uk quoting IML 897554. Alternatively information can be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Appeal after man has his bicycle stolen in Runcorn robbery Officers are appealing for information from members of the public after a man had his bicycle stolen in a robbery in Runcorn Old Town. The victim, an 18-year-old from Runcorn, was riding his lime green VooDoo mountain bike along Peel Street when the incident occurred at around 7.10pm on Friday 15 January. An unknown man kicked the bike when it came into range and knocked the victim off it. The offender then got on the bike and rode off on it along Waterloo Road, in the direction of Mersey Road. He was white and looked to be around 19 years old and approximately 5’ 11” tall. The offender appeared to have long, scruffy hair and a muscular/athletic build. He was wearing black Nike Air Max 110 trainers, black combat pants and a dark grey coat. Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing and officers are urging anyone with any information or footage regarding the robbery, the offender or the whereabouts of the stolen mountain bike to get in touch. PC Whitfield, of Runcorn Local Policing Unit, said: “Thankfully the victim did not sustain any significant injuries as a result of this incident, but he has understandably been left shaken up by it. I would like to reassure members of the community that we are determined to establish who committed the robbery, make
him face the consequences of his actions and have the stolen mountain bike returned to its rightful owner. Enquiries are ongoing and I urge anyone who was in the area and saw anything that may aid our investigation to contact us at Runcorn Police Station. The same goes for anyone who thinks they may know who the offender is, or have CCTV or dashcam footage of him. We also want to speak to anyone who believes they may have seen the stolen mountain bike since the robbery took place, or have information regarding its whereabouts.” Anyone with information or footage that may help the investigation should call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, quoting IML 895584, give the details via https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. To find out further information about the Cheshire Neighbourhood Watch Association, to log into your account or for Cheshire Neighbourhood Watch Literature please visit our website: http://cheshire.ourwatch.org.uk/
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