Two county lines drug dealers who trafficked drugs into Herefordshire have been sentenced to a total of ten years.

Harnaik Mahli, 44, of Worlds End Lane, Quinton, Birmingham, and Keller Preece, 27, of Kingsway, Hereford, were found guilty at Worcester Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday 10 September).

Mahli and Preece were running a well-established county line – the name of the telephone number, or ‘deal line’, used to run the organised drug-dealing network – distributing cocaine and cannabis into Herefordshire for substantial profit.

Mahli was at the top of the chain of the group and would supply Preece who established himself as a significant member of the drug trafficking enterprise in Herefordshire.

Preece led the day to day running of the line and had others under him running drugs on his behalf.

On 10 November 2023, police acting on intelligence stopped a vehicle on Old School Lane in Hereford and found Preece in possession of approximately £14,000 cash.

A search of his home address found a large quantity of cannabis, approximately £3,500 more in cash and an extendable baton.

Phone evidence showed he was dealing cocaine and cannabis, and he was charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of criminal property.

On 13 February this year, police were called to reports Mahli and Preece were in Hereford using weapons and threats to settle a drugs debt. Preece and Mahli were stopped nearby in a vehicle on Blue School Street.

A wooden bat was found in the passenger seat of the vehicle, Preece was hostile with officers and tried to run off, pushing over a police officer, before being restrained and arrested.

Following this incident, charges were secured on both men for being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis.  

Yesterday, Preece was found guilty of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs – cocaine for which he was given four years in prison and being concerned in the supply of class B drugs – cannabis, for which he was given an 18-month sentence to run concurrently.

He was further convicted of possessing an offensive weapon, causing criminal damage to property and assault emergency worker and given a one month, 18-month and one month term for each of those respective offences, all to run concurrently, giving him a total term of five years and six months.

Mahli was handed a sentence of three years and four months for being concerned in the supply of class A drugs – cocaine and 18 months to run concurrently for being concerned in the supply of class B drugs – cannabis, giving him a total sentence of four years and ten months after days he was tagged were taken into account.

Detective Constable Lia Williams, of Hereford CID, said: “We are pleased with the outcome of yesterday’s court hearing which has removed another county line from the streets of Herefordshire.

“Mahli and Preece were running the Mahli line which was responsible for trafficking class A and B drugs into the county and imposing a grip of fear over local users, so their conviction has removed another risk to the public.”

A Herefordshire care home has celebrated its 20th year of delivering care to the local community with a party for its staff and residents. 

The milestone celebration, which was attended by Shaw healthcare’s CEO, Russell Brown and chairman, Simon Macsorley, was held at Orchard House in Withington on Thursday 5 September. 

Residents and their families enjoyed afternoon tea, cakes and entertainment from local singer, Darrel Barnsdale, who performed many of the resident’s favourite hits from the likes of Elvis and Johnny Cash.

During the event, several employees were recognised for their long service and 90 years of combined experience. 

There was a special mention for support workers, Susan Stocker and Claire Griffiths who celebrated 25 years at the home, having transferred from Herefordshire Council when Shaw healthcare took over the operation of Orchard House in 2004.

Service manager, Michelle Orris commented: “It’s been so lovely to mark this special occasion with residents and their families, and not forgetting the wonderful team here who strive to provide a high standard of care to those who live here.” 

Orchard House provides residential care as well as operating a day care service. Shaw is the largest employee owned care provider in the UK.

Rezhin Gharib, 36, of Tudor Street in Liverpool, has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The charge is in relation to an incident at Best Trim Barbers on Belmont Road in Hereford on 17 August 2024.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Worcester Crown Court on 16 September 2024.

I have now implemented phase II of our traffic lights campaign and that is in the form of a petition from the very start!

[Please note that this is totally separate to our lights out campaign. This petition deals only with the traffic lights at night]

Please read the petition and you can offer your support by simply signing it. 

#trafficlightshfd

Part-Time Traffic Lights Petition Here

A man has been sentenced to nine and a half years for child sex offences.

Carl Higgins aged 30 of Widemarsh Street in Hereford was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court yesterday on Thursday after he was found guilty of rape of a child, three sexual assaults and causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

The offences took place between 2014 and 2017.

In addition to his custodial sentence, he has also been issued an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and an indefinite restraining order.

Detective Constable Fiona Pearson said

“This sentence demonstrates that the police and courts will strive to remove harmful predators from society and bring some form of justice.

“Thanks to the victim’s bravery and courage Higgins will serve a lengthy sentence. We would always encourage anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, no matter how long ago, to come forward to speak with the police.

We have specially trained officers, who can support throughout the process and we work with a number of agencies who can also support.”

For further help and support:

𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗺 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲

Call 0800 952 3000 – you will get through to a care coordinator who will discuss with you what you need

Email info@victimadviceline.org.uk and a care coordinator will respond to you.

Online chat at victimadviceline.org.uk– this option, allows you to talk to a care coordinator if it’s not possible, or convenient, to talk on the phone

𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗺 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁

If you have been a victim of crime and would like support from the charity call the local office 01905 726896 or the support line 0808 1689 111

𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗮 𝗥𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 (𝗪𝗠𝗥𝗦𝗔𝗦𝗖)

For support call 01905 724514 (Worcestershire) or 01432 344777 (Herefordshire)

Despite local objections, a new bull statue is set to be erected in the Old Market Shopping Centre in Hereford.

Mitchells and Butlers, applied for planning permission back in July to place the metal statue in front of its Miller & Carter steakhouse in the city. The proposal has faced opposition, with 17 objections to its appropriateness, design, and choice of materials, and none were in support of the statue.

The aluminium sculpture, designed by Warwick-based Elegant Clutter, will stand 1.1 metres high in the outdoor seating area.

See our original topic - https://hfd.news/RMO8f

Two women have been fined more than £2500 after they assaulted two police officers.

Carolynn Quinn aged 44 of Bridge Street, Hereford and Robynn Quinn aged 22 of Court Orchard, Fownhope, Hereford were both found guilty of two counts assaulting an emergency worker at Hereford Magistrates’ Court earlier today (Thursday 5 September).

The pair were arrested and charged after two female police officers were assaulted in Union Street in Hereford in the early hours of Saturday 30 March.

The officers suffered slight injuries.

Carolynn Quinn was fined £1780 and Robynn Quinn was fined £780. Both fines include compensation to one of the officers.

Detective Constable Jeffrey Dube said “No one should expect to come to work and be assaulted. We welcome this result from the courts which sends a clear message that any kind of assault on any emergency worker is unacceptable.”

K15 – the product

22.3 K15 was first manufactured at Kingspan’s Pembridge site in Herefordshire inNovember 2002.422 At that time, the foam was produced with a pentane blowing agent.423 The foil facers of the product were unperforated, with a thickness of 7.6 microns.424

22.4 Following its acquisition of a Dutch company in 2003,425 Kingspan began to introduce a number of changes to its phenolic foam range. They included physical changes to the structure of the foam and the introduction of different chemical ingredients and manufacturing processes to achieve better thermal performance and rates of productivity.426 In particular, Kingspan introduced the use of a mixture of pentane and isopropyl chloride as a blowing agent 427 and perforations were introduced to the aluminium foil facers. 428 The new version of K15 came to be known within Kingspan as “new technology” or “Kesteren technology”429 K15 and the previous version as “old technology”K15.430 Dr Rochefort said that by September 2006 the K15 available to the market was the “new technology” version of the product.431 Ivor Meredith, who had been a Project Leader in the Technical Projects team,432 and his line manager, Philip Heath, Technical Manager until 2010,433 both agreed, although they thought that production of “old technology” K15 had ceased in about August 2007. 434

22.5 Phenolic foam is an organic polymer, so whatever blowing agents or methods are used to produce it, it is not a material of limited combustibility as defined in Approved Document B.435 With the exception of Dr Rochefort, who professed not to have been aware at the time of the fire performance of K15 or the existence of a definition of limited combustibility in Approved Document B,436 all the Kingspan witnesses from whom we heard confirmed that they had been aware throughout their employment at Kingspan that K15 was not, and never could be, a material of limited combustibility. 437

23.9 Herefordshire County Council agreed to undertake the assessment of K15 and prepare any resulting certificate. The work was given to David Jones, who was a Senior Building Control Surveyor from June 2005 until November 2011 and thereafter a Building Control Team Manager until July 2014.942 Mr Jones told us that Herefordshire was selected to undertake the assessment not for any reasons of technical expertise but due to its proximity to Kingspan’s Pembridge site.943 He had never previously been involved in the Type Approval process944 and believed that the work had been delegated to him because he had a specific role in the department for marketing activity. The Type Approval scheme was viewed as a way of raising the profile of the LABC brand. 945

23.10 Mr Jones was reluctant to undertake the assessment of K15. He could see that it involved testing and certification, which he knew were not matters within his experience or within the experience of any other members of his department.946 He had not undergone any specific training on the reaction of materials to fire, the testing and certification of construction products, or on the use of materials in buildings over 18 metres in height. There were no buildings over 18 metres in height in Herefordshire, so he had not had to consider the guidance relating to them in the course of his work. 947

23.11 Mr Jones spoke to someone at LABC, probably Philip Harrison,948 to explain his concern about undertaking the assessment but was told that it would be fairly limited in scope and should involve an initial meeting with the client and a review of the information provided by it. He was also told that if third party certification was considered to be reliable, it could be accepted at face value and that he need not go behind it.949

23.12 The reliability of third party certification was a matter for LABC rather than the assessing authority and the BBA was regarded as the leading organisation accredited by UKAS and therefore treated with a high degree of trust.950 Mr Jones specifically remembered being told during the call that he could rely on the existence of a BBA certificate for K15, which he regarded as significant.951 It provided him with reassurance that he was not expected to delve into complex matters of fire testing.952 He explained that he was specifically told that his assessment should be based on the BBA certificate and that because the BBA would already have examined all the test information,953 he need not verify any part of its contents.954

23.13 LABC did not accept Mr Jones’ account of the telephone call, which it said was contrary to its practice both then and now.955 However, none of its witnesses was able to tell us who had spoken to him or to provide us with any other information about the call he described. David Jones, on the other hand, was a straightforward, candid and credible witness who gave a clear and detailed account of it. We have no doubt that Mr Jones was assured by LABC that there was little to be done beyond checking the BBA certificate (which broadly reflects what a building control officer would have done) and that it was on the basis of that assurance, and the knowledge that there would be a second check,956 that he agreed to take on the task. 957

23.14 Mr Jones’ evidence about what was said during the call is consistent with the terms of LABC’s Service Manual in relation to BBA certificates958 and with Barry Turner’s evidence that when carrying out the second level review959 he would probably not have looked beyond the BBA certificate.960 That all supported Mr Jones’ understanding that in practice LABC did place complete reliance on BBA certificates and expected any authority carrying out an assessment to do the same.

• Publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry phase 2 report

The Inquiry published its final report on 4 September 2024. The Government will carefully consider its recommendations, to ensure that such a tragedy can never occur again.

Lidl wants to increase its size before it's built with an amended plan. Can't wait to see how the traffic on Belmont road will cope. All the local shops must be worried.

Previous discussions on this item:

https://www.herefordvoice.co.uk/search/?&q=Lidl&type=forums_topic&page=1&quick=1&search_and_or=or&sortby=relevancy

Cracking down on illegal tobacco

Herefordshire Council’s trading standards team are continuing their fight against both illegal tobacco and illegal vapes in the county by organised criminal groups.

Illegal vapes and cigarettes can contain various harmful substances and have been previously found to contain weedkiller, lead and animal faeces. The products sold are very often counterfeit and have an adverse impact on legitimate local businesses.

The council’s trading standards team carry out targeted enforcement operations and pursue prosecutions and other legal action against offenders.

Anyone concerned about the sale of tobacco or vapes, including sales to children in the county, should report the matter to Trading Standards on 01432 261761 or via ethelpline@herefordshire.gov.uk

Latest successful court action

The Mini Market vape shop at 49 Broad Street, Ross-on-Wye has been issued with a court order forcing it to close for a full three month period, ending on 19 November this year, after the council’s trading standards team discovered illegal tobacco products during a raid.

Hereford Magistrates heard that on 4 enforcement visits since June 2023, 592 illegal vapes, 581 packs of illegal cigarettes, and 5.75 kg of counterfeit hand rolling tobacco have been seized. There had also been two sales of vape devices to under 18’s, as well as the sale of two illegal oversize vapes to a Trading Standards operative. A secret stash of illegal vapes was also found in an outside toilet at the back of shop.

Appearing by video link, the current business owner Akar Dyer Hassan of Gloucester, denied any connection with any of the seized items, but admitted being the owner of the shop premises on that date.

Magistrates ordered that the shop remain closed until midnight on 19 November 2024, commenting that the issuing of the order was important to protect children of the Ross area, along with the prevention of further crimes.

Hassan was also ordered to pay £1050 costs.

Charles Yarnold, Head of Regulation and Technical Services said: “The use of these emergency closure powers by Herefordshire Council, with the assistance of West Mercia Police, is a proven method for successfully tackling this major criminal activity. The sale of illegal tobacco, even from a relatively small shop can lead to half-a-million pounds tax evasion per year and some of the illegal vapes seized from this shop contain up to an astonishing 25 times the legal limit of nicotine. The imposition of the maximum three months closure shows the courts take such matters extremely seriously.”

Cllr Barry Durkin, Cabinet Member for Roads and Regulatory Services, who has accompanied officers on a number of raids, commented: “It was very interesting and educational to watch our trading standards officers do what they do best – conduct targeted operations to help protect the community. It was surprising to see the amount of illegal tobacco and vape products seized from a relatively modest size premises, and it emphasises the importance of constant vigilance and the dedication of our officers. I’d like to encourage anyone with information on the trade in illegal tobacco to contact our trading standards team immediately.”

The redevelopment of the Hereford Museum and Art Gallery has reached a key milestone, with agreement to progress with the final design and construction.

Following planning permission and listed building consent being granted in July, the redevelopment of the Hereford museum and art gallery is taking an exciting next step as it progresses to the final design and then construction stage.

The project will establish a high quality museum and art gallery for the county, with spaces dedicated to hosting exhibitions and displays of local heritage artefacts including the Herefordshire Hoard, education and hospitality areas and a café.

The building will be fully accessible and meet high standards of energy efficiency.

Arts Council England (ACE) recently announced a commitment of £750,000 to the project to support the building redevelopment work. This is in addition to the funding already identified - £10.9 million from Herefordshire Council, £5 million from Stronger Hereford, and £5.08 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF).

Further funding opportunities are also being explored, which if successful would further enhance the facilities in the building.

Councillor Harry Bramer, Cabinet Member Community Services and Assets, said:

“We are incredibly grateful to Arts Council England for their funding towards the redevelopment of the museum and art gallery in Hereford.

“We are committed to supporting arts and culture in the county, and it’s exciting to see continued progress in the refurbishment of the building and the development of new experiences our museum service offers to visitors and the community.”

𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗟 | Hereford Police are appealing for witnesses after a man received stab injuries to his arm in Hereford this morning (Saturday 17 August).

The incident happened at Best Trim Barbers, Belmont between 10.45am and 11.15am when a 37-year-old man received several stab type injuries to his arm which are not believed to be life threatening.

The assault is believed to have taken place on the street immediately outside the barbers as well as within the premises itself.

The victim is currently receiving medical treatment for the injuries and two men have been arrested – one man, aged 36, for grievous bodily harm with intent and another, aged 40, for obstruct police and assisting an offender.

Detective Constable Philip Harvey of Hereford Police said: “We understand incidents of this nature can be alarming, but we would like to reassure members of the public we believe this to be an isolated incident.

“We are appealing for any witnesses that were in the vicinity of Best Trim, or the entrance to Asda supermarket in Belmont, Hereford, between these times that may have witnessed this incident or anyone else who can assist us with our enquiries to come forward.

“Anyone with information should contact me at Philip.Harvey@westmercia.police.uk, quoting reference number 185i of today (August 17) or call 01432 347191.”

Hereford Voice understands that retailer Matalan will be opening a new store in the Old Market Hereford.

Re-fit works are planned to begin as soon as next week with the new store scheduled to open in October.

Matalan is a leading UK and international omnichannel fashion and homeware retailer, on a mission to be the first choice for outstanding family value.

With a large store network in excess of 270 UK and international stores and an integrated e-commerce platform, Matalan is a trusted brand which puts its customer at the heart of its business and delivers unrivalled product choice and exceptional style and quality to 11 million loyal shoppers every year.

Matalan is famously committed to offering a compelling value focused fashion and home offering, that continues to help millions of UK household budgets go further.

Matalan’s locations, late night openings, convenient parking, 'everything under one roof' offering and free click and collect service are just some of the reasons why our customers love shopping at Matalan.

𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗜𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁!

A proudly independent, family-run, local business serving Hereford cattle sourced from award-winning Hereford butchers and Herefordshire farms, located in the heart of the city.

All meats are dry-aged and cooked over charcoal and cherry wood, adding a unique smokiness to our dishes that sets us apart from the rest.

We’ll see you very, very soon.

We would like to wish Peyman and his team good luck with the new business and we're looking forward to some real Hereford Steak!!

Weobley is one of best preserved Tudor villages in the country. This ancient settlement and civil parish in Herefordshire, is being transformed for 'Hamnet' with Steven Spielberg’s production company 'Amblin Pictures'. 

There is a disused garage with two antique petrol pumps behind the convincing fake timber.

A medieval filmset in this wonderful medieval town. We understand that filming  is schedule to begin next week and includes a dramatic flood scene. The movie would be completed for audiences to enjoy sometime in 2025.

Above Images courtesy of Philip Pankhurst.

Two of the best Irish actors working today, Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, are set star in Chloe Zhao’s “Hamnet.” which is being produced by Spielberg’s Amblin Pictures.

Replacing original director Sam Mendes, who now has to shoot four Beatles films, Zhao will adapt Maggie O’Farrell prize-winning Novel in what sounds like primo Oscar-bait.

A Hereford man has been ordered to pay back over £172,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) or face more time in prison.

In June 2022, officers stopped Brian Gough in his car and found the 67-year-old in possession of cocaine and amphetamine.

A warrant was issued at his home address in Laburnum Grove, Hereford, where officers recovered drugs with a street value of £24,390 and drugs paraphernalia.

Gough was arrested and on April 12, 2023, he pleaded guilty to three charges of possession with intent to supply class A drugs (cocaine) and class B drugs (cannabis and amphetamine)

He was sentenced to:-

Three years for possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

Two years and eight months for possession and intent to supply class B drugs.

10 months for possession and intent to supply amphetamine.

The sentences ran concurrently.

At the POCA hearing at Worcester Crown Court last Friday (9 August) Gough was instructed to pay back £172,653.75 - believed to be the proceeds of his crime. If he doesn’t pay back the money he will be sentenced to a further three years.

Detective Inspector Dan Fenn said, “It’s incredibly rewarding to see the impact the Proceeds of Crime Act has on those who make money from crime.“POCA allows us not only to bring criminals to justice but also strip them of the financial gains they made from their illegal activities.“Crime does not pay as West Mercia Police will proactively target those who are illegally benefiting from crime. Our goal is to send a clear message: Crime will not be tolerated.”

 A spokesperson for Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has said the team were called at 04:33am to a fire at a farm in Madley. The Sawmills at Lower Lulham Farm. The fire is of an open-sided barn containing four wood-drying kilns. The spokesperson has informed us that there are no casualties.

Update

We have this evening received un update from HWFRSW 

A fire service spokesperson has provided more details of the "significant fire" at Lower Lulham, Madley that they were called out to.

A total of 14 fire engines have been at the scene - two from Hereford, and one from each of the following areas:

Peterchurch 
Leominster
Eardisley
Ewyas Harold
Fownhope
Ross-on-Wye
Kington
Kingsland
Upton-upon-Severn
Bromsgrove
Malvern
Wyre Forest Fire Stations

Water carriers from Peterchurch, Leominster and Evesham, the aerial ladder platform from Hereford, incident command units from Ledbury and Droitwich and the welfare vehicle from Tenbury Wells attended alongside the engines.