11 of the worst crimes in Midlands courts this year

We're not even half way through 2023 and there have already been some truly shocking cases before the courts - including a Hitler worshipper who dreamed of starting a race war and a holiday park rapist who launched an 'animalistic' attack on his 'drunk and unconscious' victim. Several killers have found themselves behind bars in the last four months - from a gang member who called himself the Grim Reaper to a 'delusional' 40-year-old who flew into a violent rage outside an insurance firm and knifed his victim to death in a 'frenzied, determined and terrifying attack'. Sick members of what is thought to be the West Midlands' biggest child sex ring were also hauled before the courts for their 'abhorrent and cruel' acts, which spanned almost a decade.

A stalker, bully and people trafficker also feature in our round-up below, which features some of the worst crimes imaginable.

Hitler worshipper 'wanted to start a race war'

Vaughn Dolphin, a right wing fanatic found guilty of multiple terror offences, spoke online of wanting to spark a race war, a detective said[2]. The 20-year-old, from Walsall, was caught in possession of USB stick full of illegal documents as well as the ingredients to make gun powder and a homemade gun barrel. The court heard Dolphin was 'clearly mixing chemicals in his kitchen' - and in footage released by West Midlands Police[3], he can be seen carrying out an experiment which ended in a 'f***ing awesome fireball'[4].

Dolphin was also in a Hitler chat group on encrypted messenger app Telegram - and filmed himself wearing body armour and holding a chest plate with the letters 'SS' on it, in reference to Adolf Hitler's terrifying protection squad the Schutzstaffel. Following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court[5] Dolphin of Walsall[6] Wood Road, Aldridge[7], was found guilty of six offences of possessing a document containing terrorist information, two counts of possessing explosive substances, two counts of disseminating a terrorist publication and one offence of possessing a firearm without a licence. He will be sentenced on May 11.

Dad stabbed to death in nightclub by 'Grim Reaper'

Gang member Rashidi Powell, who called himself the Grim Reaper, plunged a knife into a dad-of-four's chest in a Birmingham nightclub.

Robert West, known as Bob Fresh, had been inside the venue for just eight seconds when he was fatally attacked. The 48-year-old victim initially did not realise he had been stabbed but then collapsed on the pavement where he died. Powell, 20, of Roslin Grove, Lozells,[8] admitted a charge of manslaughter, was sentenced to eight years and three months in a young offenders institution.

Read the full story here[9].

Biggest child sex abuse ring in the Midlands

This cruel gang subjected children up to the age of 12 to 'systematic abuse'[10], leaving their lives shattered and their mental health completely disintegrated. Their 'abhorrent and cruel' acts spanned almost a decade in Walsall[11] and Wolverhampton but unravelled after one of the victims went to hospital in 2017, sparking a six-year police probe. Seventeen of the 21 defendants have been sentenced so far, with 13 of them handed jail terms and one handed a life sentence.

Four others will learn their fate at a later date. Read the full story here[12].

Rapist's 'animalistic' attack at holiday park

Anthony Brown-Jones[13] raped a 'drunk and unconscious' woman at a holiday lodge after meeting her on a night out. The 31-year-old from Rugeley, Staffordshire, carried out the 'animalistic' attack in 2020.

The victim said she does not remember the 'disgusting' rape but 'would never have consented', saying the incident has had a 'massive impact' on her life. Following a trial at Bristol Crown Court Brown-Jones was found guilty of rape. He was sentenced to seven years and six months.

Man killed by 'lunatic' Subaru Impreza driver

Grant Merridith-Trafford[14] was driving a Subaru Impreza like a 'lunatic' when he knocked down and killed Andrew Massey, 64, and seriously injured his wife Jenny Massey.

He was doing more than double the 30mph speed limit on Tipton Road, Sedgley, when he hit the pair and sped off. The 31-year-old removed his drugs from the car and dumped it before staging a burglary and convincing his partner to lie to the police about it being stolen. He then went into hiding for several weeks before being arrested at the Himley Country Hotel.

Merridith-Trafford, of Crescent Avenue, Brierley Hill, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and other serious motoring offences and was jailed for 15 years. He was also banned from driving for 17 years.

People trafficker referred to migrants as 'pork' and 'chickens'

Hai Xuan Le[15] helped bring Vietnamese migrants to the UK in lorries and orchestrated a series of crossings from his flat in Handsworth. The 33-year-old was said to be the UK lynchpin of a wider global network of people smugglers, who referred to migrants as 'pork' and 'chickens' in messages.

Le was found guilty of conspiracy to facilitate illegal immigration and sentenced to seven-and-a-half years.

Stalker put tracker on victim's car

Stalker Darren Parsons[16] placed a tracker on his victim's car and followed her on a family holiday and on another occasion when she was away with friends. The 45-year-old sent her messages letting her know she was being followed and damaged her brother's car. He also attacked a man grabbing him by the throat, punching him and breaking his elbow.

The incident was captured by a doorbell camera. He admitted stalking involving serious alarm or distress and inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and was sentenced to four years and seven months.

Ram-raiders GBP300k jewellery heist

These five men were involved with a ram-raid at Danyaal Jewellers[17] in Sparkbrook. They bagged GBP300,000 worth of goods during the heist after a stolen Toyota was ploughed into the front of the shop twice, nearly hitting the business owner the second time.

Two other stolen cars were used to block either end of the road while one of the masked robbers ran up the street wielding an axe and warning members of the public to stay back. The gang fled in two of the vehicles which they ditched nearby and got into two other getaway cars. Justin Boylan, aged 51, John Gourlay, 49, Trevor Leek, 44, Hassan Zulfiqar, 26 and Arfan Latif, 38, were convicted of conspiring to rob and having an offensive weapon.

Gourlay admitted additional offences of theft, fraud and converting criminal property. They were sentenced to a total of 72 years.

Abuser 'ruined victim's childhood'

Twisted Joemar Joseph[18] sexually abused three underage girls then took part in a masked robbery at Wednesbury Mobile Guru in Sandwell when the allegations came to light on social media and he lost his job. One of his brave female victims addressed Joseph, 23, in court telling him he had 'ruined my childhood'.

He was convicted of four counts of sexual activity with a child, two of rape, one offence of rape of a child under 13, assault of a child under 13 by penetration, sexual assault of a child under 13, robbery and failing to surrender to court. Joseph, of Common Lane, Birmingham, was sentenced to 14 years.

Delusional killer's frenzied attack on insurance worker

Moses Smith repeatedly rammed a knife into insurance worker Abdi Mohamed's body in what was described as a 'frenzied, determined and terrifying attack'. The 'delusional' 40-year-old flew into a violent rage outside Bromwich Insurance in Wednesbury after asking his victim to come outside and inspect apparent damage to his van.

Smith, of Lindon Road, Brownhills, admitted manslaughter on a basis of diminished responsibility. He was sentenced to life with a minimum of 12 years in prison.

Bully's torment forced ex to jump from 50mph van

Paul Woodward[19] launched an attack on his girlfriend near a pub during one horrendous incident during their 'toxic' relationship. The dad-of-two grabbed her around the throat and squeezed so hard she passed out before dragging her to his van.

'Jealous' Wodward then subjected her to a tirade of abuse as he drove at 50mph. In a bid to escape him, the victim then shockingly jumped from the van as Woodward was driving. She ended up in hospital for two weeks and also had to have her legs in casts for three months.

Woodward, of Shelley Road, Wolverhampton, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and controlling and coercive behaviour.

He was sentenced to four years and four months.

References

1. ^ Couple driven out of home due to 'creepy' neighbour's taunts about sex life (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ detective said (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
3. ^ West Midlands Police (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
4. ^ 'f***ing awesome fireball' (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
5. ^ Birmingham Crown Court (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
6. ^ Walsall (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
7. ^ Aldridge (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
8. ^ Lozells, (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
9. ^ here (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
10. ^ 'systematic abuse' (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
11. ^ Walsall (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
12. ^ here (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
13. ^ Anthony Brown-Jones (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
14. ^ Grant Merridith-Trafford (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
15. ^ Hai Xuan Le (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
16. ^ Darren Parsons (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
17. ^ Danyaal Jewellers (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
18. ^ Joemar Joseph (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
19. ^ Paul Woodward (www.birminghammail.co.uk)