Killer mum’s lies, machete gangs and car chases
Shocking footage has been released by police this year. Astonishing videos capturing a killer mum's lies, machete gangs and firebombs all feature in the most-watched clips of 2023. A string of offenders have been brought to justice.
But not before they unleashed reigns of terror. A dad who was fatally stabbed after his car was rammed off the road is shown in one horrific tragedy. While a driver led police on a high-speed car chase with children in the back in another alarming case.
BirminghamLive has brought together some of the most infamous footage issued by West Midlands Police[2] and West Mercia Police from the year.
Killer mum's fantasy story
Killer mum Carla Scott, 35, called 999 after claiming her nine-year-old son Alfie Steele had fallen asleep in the bath. Police bodyworn camera footage captured the chaotic scenes inside the property in Droitwich[3]. Pc Paul Pilkington, from West Mercia Police, asked Scott how long ago she found him, to which she said: "It was about an hour ago I found him, I went in there and got him out straight away." As her answer became more rambling Pc Pilkington said: "You're not making much sense, it's alright, when did you first come across him?"
Scott then added: "About ten minutes ago, yeah, sorry. She added: "I think he bashed his head when he was in the bath because he's got an (inaudible) on his head."
Carla Scott and Dirk Howell (Image: West Mercia Police)Medics made desperate attempts to save Alfie - but he was confirmed dead within two-hours. A post-mortem examination founds scores of injuries over his head and body and many were deemed "non-accidental."
Scott was found guilty of manslaughter and child cruelty[4]. She was jailed for 27 years, and will serve a minimum term of 17 years. Her boyfriend Dirk Howell, of Newtown, Birmingham, had fled his partner's Worcestershire[5] home and was trying to catch a train out of town.
He was later arrested and convicted of Alfie's murder. Howell, 41, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 32 years.
Stabbed dad tragedy
Dad Kelvin Ward, who was trying to protect his son, was attacked by a machete gang on Chester Road, Castle Bromwich[6]. Distressing CCTV footage released by West Midlands Police[7], with the consent of his family, showed the devastating chase by the armed gang.
A stolen Ford Kuga was initially seen being rammed into the Vauxhall Corsa carrying Mr Ward, 50, and his 19-year-old son in a KFC[8] car park. Mr Ward's son drove away, but their car was followed.
Two teens have been charged with the murder of Kelvin Ward in Solihull (Image: WMP)Mr Ward's son fled the crashed vehicle as the gang from the Kuga shouted: "Get him now, keep chasing. Kill him, everyone kill him."[9] He managed to escape.
But two of the gang chased Mr Ward. Shocking footage showed him attempting to evade blows from blades. Sadly he suffered a fatal wound to the heart.
A major investigation was launched which identified the gang based on witness statements, CCTV, clothing, DNA and fingerprint evidence, as well as mobile phone usage. The police investigation revealed how Mr Ward's son had been friends with some of the attackers, but they had fallen out. Mr Ward's family home had been attacked in the days before the killing.
Tyrone Hollywood, 17, and Leighton Williams, 28, were convicted of murder. Aaron Coates, 28, was found guilty of manslaughter following the attack on April 18. Rusharn Williams-Reid, 18, of Orchard Meadow Walk, Castle Vale, was cleared of murder and manslaughter.
All four were found guilty of conspiracy to murder Mr Ward's son. Sentencing is due to take place in January.
Worshippers set on fire
Distressing CCTV footage showed the moments two Muslim worshippers were doused in petrol and set on fire[10] outside mosques in Birmingham and London. Mohammed Abbkr, 29, poured petrol on his victims before setting them alight using a lighter.
Abbkr targeted Mohammed Rayaz, 70, who had been at the Dudley[11] Road mosque in Birmingham. He approached Mr Rayaz, on Shenstone Road, and spoke to him, asking him if he spoke Arabic. He then poured fuel over him before setting him on fire on March 20.
He had previously struck in the capital when Hashi Odowa, 82, was leaving prayers at the West London Islamic Centre in Ealing on February 27. He was holding a Volvic water bottle containing what was believed to have been petrol.
CCTV shows the moment two elderly Muslim worshippers were doused in petrol and set on fire outside mosques in London and Birmingham. (Image: Birmingham Live)Abbkr asked the victim if he remembered him, and the victim replied no. Abbkr then said: "I swear in the name of Allah, in the name of God, you will know me." He then poured petrol over him, setting him ablaze with a lighter and running away.
The victim threw his burning jacket into the road, before being taken to hospital with burns to his face and left hand. Abbkr, from Gillott Road, Edgbaston[12], now faces a lengthy prison sentence after being found guilty of attempted murder.
90mph police chase with kids in car
A banned and uninsured driver led police on a 90mph chase as two young children sat in the back[13] of the car. Adam Clark drove dangerously through a built-up residential area for four-miles.
The 37-year-old, from Kings Norton[14], failed to stop for police as he was leaving Alvechurch on May 26. A police pursuit began with Clark hitting speeds of 90mph in a 40mph zone. He also overtook on solid white lines towards oncoming traffic and drove the wrong way around roundabouts.
He failed to stop until the car's tyres were stung with a police stinger. He fled the car in a cul-de-sac before he was arrested. The car had also been stolen from Merry Hill earlier that month and was displaying false plates.
Adam Clark (Image: West Mercia Police)Clark denied being in the vehicle and denied having any connection to the other occupants but did agree the driving was 'terrible'.
However, he later pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen, using a vehicle without motor insurance, and driving while disqualified. He was sentenced for a total of 16 months in jail. He was also banned from driving for four years and 11 months with an extension period of eight months.
Stay up to date with the very latest from your Birmingham or West Midlands street or neighbourhood with our Birmingham News[15] Email Updates[16]
References
- ^ The killer Birmingham teens spending their first Christmas behind bars (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ West Midlands Police (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Droitwich (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ guilty of manslaughter and child cruelty (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Worcestershire (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Castle Bromwich (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ West Midlands Police (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ KFC (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ "Get him now, keep chasing.
Kill him, everyone kill him."
(www.birminghammail.co.uk) - ^ doused in petrol and set on fire (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Dudley (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Edgbaston (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ two young children sat in the back (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Kings Norton (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Birmingham News (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Email Updates (www.birminghammail.co.uk)