Brighton kidnap suspect gets a prison sentence

A Brighton man who was charged with trying to kidnap an eight year old in the city centre in broad daylight has been jailed for a total of 11 years. 

The attempted kidnap incident took place on the 5th of May in Tidy Street just before 8.30am. The girl had been walking to the post office to post a letter for her parents when Michael Belhawla, 24, grabbed her from behind and put his hands over her mouth. 

The courts heard that Belhawla was extremley drunk and had collided with the young girl. His barrister went onto say "he has been in the care system since he was four. There are drug and alcohol issues. He's complicated". 

Belhawla admitted assault causing grievous bodily harm (GBH), but denied the more serious charges of kidnap. 

Judge Charles Kemp sentenced Belhawla to three years in jail for the offence. He was sentenced to a further eight years for two other offences - wounding with intent and aggravated vehicle taking and driving over the limit and with no insurance. 

The wounding with intent happened in January last year near Castle Square. Belhawla again pleaded guilty to the charges after attacking his victim with a broken bottle. 

Young shoplifters: businesses told to phone their parents

Police in Devon and Cornwall have told shopkeepers that they aren't interested in attending shoplifting incidents. If shoplifters under the age of 18 are caught they should be released after the goods have been retrieved and their parents should be called. They should not, however, report the crime.

A Devon and Cornwall Police inspector admitted resources were “finite” and that shoplifting would be assessed as a “lower priority” during periods of high demand. However, it seems that increasingly with police forces [not just Devon and Cornwall] there is 'high demand' all the time and shoplifting isn't addressed at all.

Technically, anyone caught shoplifting goods with a value under £200 can face up to six months in prison, while larger thefts can result in a jail term of up to seven years.

Armed police called to armed robbery in Hove

Sussex Police attended an incident of robbers stealing packages, thought to be cigarettes, from a delivery vehicle in West Way, Hove, on Friday morning.

They made off in an old burgundy Transit van and police later received a call saying the suspects may be at the Hove recycling Centre in Old Shoreham Road, and armed officers responded. However the report proved to be incorrect.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have seen the van in the area around the time is asked to report online at sussex.police.uk/appealresponse or call 101 quoting serial 409 of 17/08.

Consultation on licensing extended

Due to an error with the on-line portal survey Brighton & Hove City Council has restarted the 8 week consultation of the new Licensing Policy from the 9th August to the 4th October 2018.

Any comments already submitted will still be considered.

The council is carrying out a consultation exercise as part of a interim review of its Statement of Licensing Policy (SoLP), looking specifically at extending the city's Special Stress Areas and reviewing the matrix approach in relation to café bars. They will be consulting for 8 weeks from 9th August 2018. Comments should be submitted no later than 4th October 2018.

The council would like local stakeholders, businesses, residents and members of the public as well as statutory consultees and “responsible authorities” to have their say about the proposed policy.

Information can be found on-line on the Council’s Portal https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/solp-consultation and responses can be submitted either on-line to ehl.safety@brighton-hove.gov.uk, or to the Environmental Health & Licensing team, 2nd Floor, Bartholomew House, Brighton BN1 1JE.

Man dies after Pavilion Gardens attack

Andrew O'Connell from Kent has died after being attacked in the Gardens just before midnight on Tuesday [see earlier story].

Another homeless man, Sergio Lemori, was arrested the following day and is being held in custody after appearing in Brighton Magistrates Court charged with murder. He will appear in Lewes Crown Court next week.

Anyone with any information about the incident should contact Sussex Police quoting Operation Dickinson.

Could this new app make a real change to the homeless?

A newly launched platform in Oxford could change the way that we donate to those in need of a helping hand. 

Greater Change was launched by Alex McCallion in Oxford and is focused on helping homeless people achieve a long term change in their lives which could help them get off the streets.

Last year the charity Shelter stated that more than 300,000 people in Britain are offically recorded as homeless or living in inadequate homes. If we look more locally, Brighton & Hove is estimated to have around 178 individuals sleeping rough - the second largest figure in the country outside Westminster. 

Many people across the UK routinely give money to individuals they see on the street who are in need but rarely is this money spent on long-term solutions. Alongside this, there are people who avoid giving money to the homeless community for fear that money is spent funding addictions or the individual is a professional begger and not in fact homeless. To throw even more spanners in the works - advances in technology mean fewer people actually carry cash these days. 

Greater Change is an initiative that aims to combat all of this. How it works is simple; charities working the homeless identify those who can benefit from Greater Change. A dedicated support worker agrees a savings goal with the individual, this could be to save for a rental deposit or pay for a training course to help them get back into work. Members of the public can then donate to these individual campaigns using the website or the mobile app. 

The platform provides the homeless person with a real chance of change whilst also easing the public's concerns regarding where their donations are spent. It also allows the homeless individuals a chance to share their stories - humanising the situation of homelessness and proving that these individuals are just like everyone else. 

Greater Change is a fascinating project that is aiming to use technology for good. You can find out more about the scheme by visiting their website, or watch this short film from the BBC on the new QR code project.

Pavilion Gardens closed after serious assault

A man is in critical condition after a serious assault took place in the Royal Pavilion Gardens.

The incident took place at approximately 11:55pm on Tuesday 7 August close to the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery. 

The victim is reported to be a rough sleeper in his 50s. He was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton with serious injuries and currently in a critical condition. 

The gardens have been closed for several hours as forensics investigations are carried.

If anyone has any information regarding the assault please report online or call 101 and quote Operation Dickenson. 

If you would rather report anonymously, you can visit Crimestoppers or contact the independent charity on 0800 555 111.

Homophobic assault in Brighton

Police have released CCTV two months after a 'homophobic assault' in Brighton.

Sussex Police said the incident took place at Seaside Kebabs in Kings Road, Brighton, at about 04.30 on Thursday 7 June.

Three men were reported to have made derogatory comments about homosexuality, before a verbal altercation ensued with at least two other customers, who were then assaulted. One of the victims – a 21-year-old man from Suffolk – sustained a fractured jaw and a laceration to his face which required stitches; the other – a 22-year-old man from Gloucestershire – sustained minor facial injuries.

Sussex Police said initial enquiries have not led to the suspects – described as three Asian men – being identified, and officers are now seeking help from the public. It is believed the men may be from London.If you recognise the suspects or saw what happened, report it online or call 101, quoting serial 146 of 07/06.