A prolific shoplifter targeted a Calverton store 12 times over a 10-day period, a court has heard.
Persistent thief Aiden Henderson was spotted, chased down, and arrested by the Gedling North neighbourhood policing team.
The 37-year-old had targeted the same store – a Co-op in the village – and stole hundreds of pounds worth of items.
Meat, cheese, coffee, and Prosecco were all stolen by Henderson, between April 29 and May 8, who took them from the shelves, concealed the items, and left the store without making any attempt to pay.
He was locked up for six months after appearing at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court
His selfish spree came to an end when he was detained by police after a foot chase on May 8 and he was subsequently charged with 12 counts of theft.
Henderson, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to the offences and was locked up for six months when he appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on Thursday, May 9.
Gedling North neighbourhood policing sergeant Alison Riley said: “This is a great result for the team as Henderson has been blight on local retailers and small businesses in the Gedling North area, specifically in Calverton, committing a high number of shop thefts and often in a short space of time.
“The idea that shoplifting is a victimless crime couldn’t be further from the truth. Henderson’s offending had a huge impact on the store he targeted relentlessly, impacting their shop workers and the customers they serve.
“People should be able to work and shop free of crime or the fear of crime. They should not have to fear for their safety.
“We will not tolerate the behaviour of those who make our communities feel unsafe.
“I want to reassure our local retailers and members of the public that we will continue to crack down on retail crime and do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.”
The Northern Lights were visible in the skies above Gedling borough last night.
People from across the borough were snapping incredible photographs of the aurora borealis late on Friday evening.
Aurora watchers predicted that this evening would be a good night to see the Northern Lights because of a combination of clear skies and one of the strongest geomagnetic storms for years hitting the earth.
Such storms increase the chance of seeing the aurora borealis.
According to BBC Weather, clear skies made a sighting possible from most parts of the UK, with people in Northern Ireland, Scotland and northern parts of England having a higher likelihood.
Judging by these photos from across Gedling borough last night – the predictions were spot on.
The Northern Lights in the skies above Arnold (PHOTO: Erin Shepherd)PHOTO: Erin ShepherdPictured in the skies over Burton Joyce (PHOTO: Tammy Mills)In the sky above Netherfield (PHOTO: James Finney)
Calverton Parish Council have stumped up £20k to pay for the removal of protected trees which a councillor claims have been damaged by a housing developers during building work.
The trees, which are estimated to be around sixty years old, were on the boundary of William Lee Park and the new Willow Rise housing development from Bellway Homes.
The council said around 35 trees will have to be felled due to root damage caused by the development of the new houses up against the park boundary
Calverton Parish Council chairman Cllr Andrew Meads told Gedling Eye that the developer did a survey of the trees four years ago and they were all classed as ‘healthy’.
Houses on the new Willow Park development in Calverton
He said: “As a condition of being granted planning permission Bellway Homes submitted a tree protection plan for our trees. They needed to put a road in and put bin stores up against our boundary and didn’t carry out the agreed tree protection plan and instead cut through all the roots.
“Now we are having to have the trees cut down, Bellway say it’s nothing to do with them, and won’t pay towards the cost at all.
“Our tree surgeons have been on site this week and have been cutting down some of the mature hardwood trees.
But a spokesperson for Bellway Homes said they were not responsible for the damage and have always adhered to the tree protection plan put in place during construction of the new houses
They said: “Before construction work began at Willow Rise, a method statement for protecting trees was approved by Gedling Borough Council. Our staff and sub-contractors have adhered to this throughout the build programme.
“No homes have been built in the areas of the development which are close to the root protection zone, so no digging into this area was required beyond topsoil removal.
“Our specialist arboriculturalist recently returned to Willow Rise to assess the trees on land belonging to the parish council. They concluded that many do not require removal. Those that do are not on the border with Willow Rise.
They added: “We plan to share the full report with the parish council once we receive it.”
He said: “Calverton Parish Council contacted our Planning Team about an issue with trees at the Bellway site.
“Our Tree Officer visited the site and informed the Parish Council that there was no tree preservation orders in the area.
“Our investigation has found that there has been no breach of any planning regulations and no further action is required from Gedling Borough Council.”
A stray dog has been given a new lease of life serving and protecting the public after being trained to work with police at their headquarters in Arnold.
Police Dog Russo was found wandering the streets near Heathrow Airport late last year before being rehomed by a rescue centre in Essex.
The lively Belgian Malinois was later introduced to Nottinghamshire Police as part of a rehoming project and his potential was immediately spotted by expert trainers and handlers.
After an initial period of assessment to examine his suitability for the role, Russo was paired with experienced handler PC Lee Huffer and began eight weeks of intensive training.
On Wednesday, the pair completed a thorough examination in front of an independent assessor and began their working life together the following day.
PC Huffer said: “Russo certainly had a tough start to his life – most of which we know very little about. What we do know, however, is that he has adapted to this new role extremely well and that he will make an exceptional police dog.
“The past eight weeks have been hard work, but they’ve also been really enjoyable. Russo has been a joy to work with and it has been really rewarding to get to know a different dog.
“Like people, they are all different and respond in different ways and need slightly different approaches to get the best out of them.
“So far it’s been a real privilege to work with him and I am looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together as a team.”
Dog Section Sergeant Nicholas Dachtler explained why Russo – believed to be around 14 months old – may have ended up as a stray in the first place.
He said: “Belgian Malinois make excellent working dogs but very demanding pets.
“In recent years they have been featured in several films and have become more popular with the general public as a result.
“Sadly, some of these owners will not have the necessary skills or experience to train and own such a demanding dog – leading them to be given up to rescue centres or abandoned.
“I am just really pleased that Russo’s natural abilities as a working animal will now be put to use in protecting the public.”
PC Huffer’s previous dog Chase has now been retired and he has found a loving new home with one of the force’s kennel assistants.
Chief Inspector Amy English presented PC Huffer with his licensing certificate.
She said: “Police dog handlers and their animals go through rigorous initial and ongoing training programmes, and I am continually impressed by the skill and professionalism our officers demonstrate throughout this process.
“What impresses me most, however, is the sheer dedication our handlers show to their dogs and the impact their chosen role has on their personal and family lives.
“Because police dogs are not just pieces of police equipment like a Taser or a car; they live with and are cared for every day by their handlers and are a major part of their personal lives as well as their work lives.
“The commitment to being a dog handler really is 24/7 and I would like to thank to PC Huffer and every other dog handler within Nottinghamshire Police for everything they do to protect and serve the public.”
Petrol prices remain high across the country, as households across Gedling borough continue to be squeezed by the cost of living crisis.
Gedling Eye has compiled a list of the cheapest petrol pumps in Gedling borough. The data is sourced from PetrolPrices.com, which covers major service stations including brands like BP, Shell, and Texaco as well as supermarkets, smaller chains and independent stations.
The website combines price data from Catalist with its own crowdsource data, which comes from website users and forecourt owners. The site says it hopes to have “the most up to date and reliable price data across the industry”.
The UK’s average fuel price is 143.75p per litre for Unleaded and 153 p per litre for diesel as of May 1.
The following prices were reported locally on 09/05/24
Here are the latest prices from across the borough…
Petrol prices remain high across the country, as households across Gedling borough continue to be squeezed by the cost of living crisis.
Gedling Eye has compiled a list of the cheapest petrol pumps in Gedling borough. The data is sourced from PetrolPrices.com, which covers major service stations including brands like BP, Shell, and Texaco as well as supermarkets, smaller chains and independent stations.
The website combines price data from Catalist with its own crowdsource data, which comes from website users and forecourt owners. The site says it hopes to have “the most up to date and reliable price data across the industry”.
The UK’s average fuel price is 143.75p per litre for Unleaded and 153 p per litre for diesel as of May 1.
The following prices were reported locally on 01/05/24
Here are the latest prices from across the borough…
The UK is recognised as having one of the most comprehensive regulatory frameworks in the world for its gambling industry. This has facilitated its growth to become the world’s biggest betting market, welcomed investment from global operators, and ensured consumers can enjoy an extensive and safe betting environment.
The online betting industry has increased the UK’s reach and potential to generate revenue with a variety of regulated casino sites available to the public.
The British betting industry is governed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). The UKGC is a non-departmental public body that is responsible for issuing licenses to operators, setting guidelines and regulations, and providing advice to businesses and individuals about the gambling industry and its laws.
As the gambling industry is fast-paced and incorporates state-of-the-art technology to enhance the betting experience, laws and regulations must be flexible and regulalry reviewed to ensure they cover new markets and tech.
On April 27th 2023, the government published a white paper that provided recommendations for gambling reform in the UK.
The paper reflected on how gambling in the digital age has changed habits and betting behaviours and continues to develop at a rapid pace. The new rules and guidelines will be implemented across 2024 and 2025 and serve to protect vulnerable and digital customers, improve marketing restrictions, and mitigate the risk of underage gambling.
Checks are set to be implemented on online customers who exceed a monthly spending threshold.
A start date of August 30th has been set for initial checks on those who deposit £500 or more per month. This total will gradually be reduced until February 28th 2025, when the limit will be set at £150.
The online betting industry will also face tougher regulations on game speed and intensity. The idea behind these new guidelines is to give consumers more time to understand gameplay and reduce losses.
The new regulations will come into action on January 17th, 2025. Operators will then be obligated to display the time customers have spent gambling and their net spend.
Some gameplay features will also be banned with the opportunity to speed up games or set autoplay being disabled.
Other changes to online gaming machines include celebrations being withdrawn from games when the player’s winnings are less than the stake. Players will no longer be able to play multiple games at once and game spin speeds of under 5 seconds will be discontinued.
On the same day that these changes to games are enforced, online operators will also be forced to ensure consumers have a clear and easy way of opting out of marketing campaigns.
Online gambling operations are the most likely to be targeted by rule changes as the industry continues to develop. The safeguarding of vulnerable customers, and ensuring operators behave in a fair and transparent manner will improve the industry and make it a more welcoming environment.
However, it is not just the online betting industry that will see new regulations. Retail betting operations will also have new rules that will come into effect in August and November of 2024.
Online betting operators are relatively well protected against underage bettors having access to their sites. Robust verification processes are required during customer registration, helping to identify the users’ location and age. Retail betting shops don’t have the same processes and anyone of age can walk in off the streets and place a bet.
At present, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to enter a betting premises or place a bet. Many bookmakers operate a ‘Think 21’ policy where they must get an ID from a customer who looks around the age of 21.
The UKGC will implement a Think 25 regulation that will commence on August 30th 2024. Betting operators will be obliged to carry out test purchasing to ensure the policy is being adhered to.
Another change that will affect all betting operators on November 30th 2024 regards personal licences.
The UKGC will identify specific management roles in betting operations that require a personal management licence. This will help to protect the industry, maintain its integrity, and keep it crime-free.
Online casinos in the UK must register with Gamstop to give consumers the opportunity to self-exclude. Offshore operators provide bettors with casinos not on Gamstop and won’t be affected by the new changes. This could see some operators lose customers who like the opportunity to play quickly.
The Gambling Commission’s decision to implement these rule changes will provide a safer online betting environment in the UK, and operators have plenty of time to make the necessary changes.
Behold Ye Ramblers! – a new play by Neil Gore – Bonington Theatre, Arnold
Fri 10 May, 7pm £12.50pp
Behold Ye Ramblers! is the story of the Clarion Ramblers, their contribution to the Right To Roam and to the health and wellbeing of working people after its formation well over a hundred years ago.
The Clarion Movement itself was made up by readers of the ‘The Clarion’ newspaper that formed clubs dedicated to leisure and educational pursuits – Clarion cyclists, Clarion Ramblers, Scouts, Clarion Vocal Unions (choirs), and so on – and to the promotion of Socialism.
Songs from “The Clarion Song Book” will provide much of the backdrop for the show.
Tina Turner Ultimate Tribute with Sass brown – Bonington Theatre, Arnold
Sat 11 May, 6:30pm £20.00pp
Sass Brown & The River Deep Band (headline)
Sass Brown has been performing her tribute to Tina Turner all over the UK and into Europe for the past 12 years. A seasoned performer who can get any party going with her tribute to a stage, film and musical icon. Not to be missed!
The Zenyth Collective (support) from 6.30pm
The Zenyth Collective formed in 2021 by Tony ‘Bass Fingers’ are a talented group of Nottingham musicians covering feel good classic rock and indie songs.
Summer Sunday Sessions – Alex Cavan – The Pit at Newstead
Buddy’s Winter Dance Party- 65th Anniversary show – Bonington Theatre, Arnold
Sun 12 May, 7:30pm £20.00pp
Four West End artists celebrate the music of four Icons of Rock n Roll, Buddy Holly, Big Bopper, Richie Valens & Dion Di Mucci, along with The Counterfeit crickets a lively Rock n Roll Band that hits the spot every time in a recreation of the last tour given in ‘The Surf Ballroom’, Iowa U.S.A. in 1959’.
In this the 65th Anniversary year, we will bring you a show that will have your foot tapping, and itching to be out of your seats for a fun packed Rock n Roll evening! With all the hits… ‘Heartbeat’, ‘Blue Days Black Nights’, ‘Bo Diddley’ & ‘True Love Ways as well as ‘ La Bamba, ‘Chantilly Lace’ and ‘ Run Around Sue’ to name but a few Pure Rock n Roll at its Best!
Marc Robinson from the original ‘Stars in their Eyes’ and ‘Buddy’ The Musical, numerous hit shows all around Great Britain and Europe, will help celebrate and recreate the music of Buddy Holly because his music is respected worldwide, and Buddy Holly’s Winter Dance Party aims to keep that passion alive!
Will Rock n Roll in Arnold ever die? That’ll be the Day!
EVENT CINEMA:National Theatre Live: Nye (15) – Extra Screenings Added – Bonington Cinema, Arnold
Mon 13 – Thu 16 May, Various Times £12.50pp
Michael Sheen plays Nye Bevan in a surreal and spectacular journey through the life and legacy of the man who transformed Britain’s welfare state and created the NHS. Confronted with death, Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan’s deepest memories lead him on a mind-bending journey back through his life; from childhood to mining underground, Parliament and fights with Churchill.
Written by Tim Price and directed by Rufus Norris (Small Island), this epic new Welsh fantasia comes to our big screen.
The i ★★★★★ Times ★★★★ Telegraph ★★★★
Nye a new play by Tim Price directed by Rufus Norris
EVENT CINEMA:NT Live: Vanya (15) – Extra Screenings Added – Bonington Cinema, Arnold
Mon 13 – Tue 14 May, Various Times £12.50pp
Andrew Scott (Fleabag) brings multiple characters to life in Simon Stephens’ (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) radical new version of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya.
Hopes, dreams, and regrets are thrust into sharp focus in this one-man adaptation which explores the complexities of human emotions.
Filmed live during its sold-out run in London’s West End, Vanya will be playing exclusively in cinemas in 2024.
“The performance of the year” The i ★★★★★
Vanya adapted by Simon Stephens, after Anton Chekhov directed by Sam Yates designed by Rosanna Vize
EVENT CINEMA:42nd Street (PG) – Extra Screenings Added – Bonington Cinema, Arnold
Thu 16 – Sun 19 May, Various Times £12.50pp
42nd Street, the legendary Broadway musical theatre classic, is a ‘glorious’ (Express) and ‘utterly moreish extravaganza of glitz’ (Times).
Telling the story of Peggy Sawyer, a talented young performer with stars in her eyes who gets her big break on Broadway, this is the largest ever staging of the Tony Award-winning musical and it was filmed live at the magnificent Theatre Royal in the heart of London’s West End. Starring national treasure Bonnie Langford as Dorothy Brock and featuring iconic songs 42nd Street, We’re In The Money and Lullaby Of Broadway, this is pure musical magic on the big screen.
The Met Office forecast that any early patchy mist or fog will soon clear, then dry with some patchy cloud at times but also sunny spells. Generally feeling very warm with light winds, with the highest temperatures in the west, cooler along the coast. Maximum temperature 25 °C.
Dry, with long clear periods for most places. However, patchy low cloud or fog is likely to spread to some inland areas. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
Tomorrow is forecast to be dry with long sunny spells. Cooler and sometimes breezy along the coast, highest temperatures in the west. Maximum temperature 25 °C.
Two Carlton men were part of a gang that flooded Nottingham’s streets with cocaine, cannabis and other drugs and have been jailed for a combined 82 years.
The gang used four distinct mobile phone lines, two of which were known as ‘The SID drug line’ and ‘The Supa drug line’, to advertise, take orders of and sell Class A and B drugs.
Gang leader Aquil Choudry, as well as Raja Ahmed and Raja Khan, controlled the drug lines at different points between July 2019 and December 2021.
Hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of cocaine, cannabis, MDMA, ecstasy tablets, ketamine and prescription medication were sold by the group during this period.
Multiple kilos of the cannabis sold by the group was purchased on their behalf by drug supplier Majid Hussain, who was one of ten people implicated in the conspiracy by police.
Officers also uncovered evidence that Hussain was importing cannabis direct from California.
The first breakthrough in the Nottinghamshire Police-led investigation happened in October 2020 when a car being driven by drug dealer Amir Adil was stopped in Nottingham city centre.
Class A and B drugs were seized from inside, as was a phone that had regular patterns of contact with two of the drug lines that would later be connected to Choudry and Ahmed.
A car containing Ahmed was then stopped by the police on the M1 between Bradford and Nottingham in January 2021, in which two of the drug line phones were seized for the first time.
Either the drug lines themselves or phones containing messages relating to drug activity would go on to be seized by the police during various stops and operations over the following months.
The next breakthrough in the case took place in June 2021, when intelligence led officers to a hotel in Radford where Raja Khan was arrested, after large quantities of high purity MDMA, cocaine and cash were discovered in his room.
CCTV taken from the hotel in the days before Khan was detained also implicated two more of the group’s dealers – Wajahat Latif and Shujaat Latif – who were later arrested as part of the conspiracy too.
As a direct result of this relentless police activity, Choudry was forced to go more hands on and take control of the drug line phones for himself from Raja Ahmed and Raja Khan.
This ultimately led to the gang leader implicating himself in September 2021 when officers tracked a car he’d hired to the Carlton area – where a search of the vehicle led to the discovery of Class A and B drugs that he’d tried to hide within magnetic boxes concealed underneath the car.
Unbeknownst to Choudry, police discovered a second magnetic box under his vehicle containing more drugs, so they set up a plan to catch the drug dealer red-handed after returning the hire car.
Knowing Choudry would try to retrieve the drugs, the hire car was carefully positioned near to CCTV cameras and the 31-year-old was contacted to come and collect his belongings that he’d left in the vehicle.
He then returned to the car, where the cameras clearly recorded him reaching under the car to pull out the box – providing damning evidence that he knew the drugs had been hidden there.
The conspiracy unravelled after that, with messages on the seized phones implicating ten defendants in total.
Choudry, Ahmed, Raja Khan, Roshaan Khan, and Amir Adil all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs.
Majid Hussain, Wajahat Latif, and Shujaat Latif all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs but denied the charge of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Following an eight-week trial, on May 3, 2024, the trio were all found guilty of the charge.
All eight defendants appeared before Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday (May 9), where they were sentenced to a combined 82 years in prison.
Aquil Choudry, 31, of Holborn Avenue, Sneinton, was sentenced to ten years and ten months in prison
Raja Ahmed, 31, of Colwick Road, Sneinton, was jailed for ten years and ten months
Raja Khan, 29, of Dale View Road, Bakersfield, was sentenced to nine years and eight months
Majid Hussain, 42, of Rifle Street, Radford, was jailed for 14 years
Amir Adil, 30, of Sedgley Avenue, Sneinton, was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison
Roshaan Khan, 25, of Dale View Road, Bakersfield, received a ten year prison sentence
Wajahat Latif, 27, of Hillcrest View, Carlton, was jailed for 12 years and six months
Shujaat Latif, 25, of Hillcrest View, Carlton, received a prison sentence of nine years and six months
Two more members of the group – Kelly Smith, 42, and Aaron Askham, 26 – also both previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, with Smith additionally admitting to a charge of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Smith, of Booth Street, Derby, and Askham, of Sprydon Walk, Clifton, will both be sentenced at a later date.
Detective Constable Steve Fenyn, of Nottinghamshire Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Team, said: “This is a fantastic result to see this group behind bars.
“It has been a lengthy and challenging investigation, primarily due to the complex nature of the telephone evidence that was presented.
“I hope that the sentences passed today are a warning to anyone involved in drug dealing.
“Nottinghamshire Police is absolutely determined to crack down on criminal gangs and we work proactively with a variety of different teams within force to carry out necessary observations, action and enforcement to ensure illegal drugs are taken off our streets.
“This isn’t the first time the group behind the running of the SID drug line has been prosecuted. The organised crime groups that run such drug lines often simply reactivate the numbers in different phones when they are seized by police, or they change the phone number for the drug line.
“I appeal to the public for your continued assistance in combating such drug lines. If you are aware of the current phone number for the SID line, or any other drug line, please let us know.”
