The family of a father-of-three killed in a shooting in Openshaw have today paid tribute to him.

Detectives are continuing to appeal for witnesses and have released an image of a woman who could be a key witness.

The woman was captured on CCTV walking along Wood Street, towards Park House Street, outside St Barnabas School, and it’s believed she may have seen the offenders or the car they were travelling in.

Charlie Singh’s family paid the following tribute: “Charlie was an absolute, complete gentleman and his death has utterly devastated his family.

“There have 250 people a day visiting the house to pay their respects and every single one of those people has been absolutely distraught.

“He had so many friends and was so well loved by them, but family was always his top priority. If he wasn’t in the warehouse he was with his beautiful children and family

“He was completely selfless and was the kind of guy that would give you his last £100 or anything to help out others.”

His brother Tiggy, who works in the same warehouse, paid his own tribute. He said: “There was five years between us, but really, he was my twin.

“I spent 17/18 hours a day working with him and our families also lives together. That tells you how much we loved each other as brothers.

“We were body and soul & if I was body, then he was soul, and vice versa.

“We are both passionate Manchester United supporters and we used to follow then everywhere. If we weren’t at the match he was with his family & family was everything to him. ”

At 6.09pm on Friday 31 October 2014, police were called to Manchester Food Traders off Wood Street, Openshaw, following reports a man had been shot.

Pragaret Singh – known to family and friends as Charlie – from Swinton, was taken to hospital but sadly died as a result of his injuries just after 7.30pm.

Police launched a murder investigation into Charlie’s death and are continuing to appeal to anyone with information to come forward.

A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder and has been released on bail until 28 January 2015.

The arrest came as police conducted 11 warrants across the Greater Manchester.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Eales said: “It is now been a week since Charlie’s tragic death.

“We did make one arrest but the investigation is very much ongoing and we are continuing to appeal for witnesses.

“Since Charlie’s tragic death we have had increased patrols in the area and that will continue today, on the one week anniversary of his murder.

“In particular we will be stopping cars on Park House Street and Wood Street to ask drivers if they saw anything.

“We also want to hear from anyone who may have seen a silver or light coloured Seat hatchback drive along Park House Street and possibly emerging onto Alan Turning Way, near to the old Grey Mare Lane Police station.

“The gunman and another man were in the car so it is vital that someone tells us if they saw it that night, or since.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

A man has been jailed after repeatedly hitting a woman over the head with a hammer.

Stuart Peter Shaw (born 18/05/1988) of Green Meadow in Hurstead in Rochdale, was found guilty of attempted murder and assault on 14 May 2014 at Manchester Crown Square. He was sentenced today, 7 November 2014, to life imprisonment and must serve a minimum of seven years before he is eligible for parole.

In the early hours of Saturday 13 July 2013, Shaw and his partner had an argument while at a friend’s house on Back Drake Street in Rochdale.

They left the house and the argument escalated. Shaw punched her to the side of the head. He also pinned her to a parked car and pulled her to the ground bruising her shoulder.

A while later, the woman, 22, returned to her friend’s house on Back Drake Street in a taxi.

Shaw was waiting outside the house on his push bike but left shortly afterwards.

The woman called her mother who was at their home on Ashbrook Hey Lane in Smallbridge in Rochdale looking after their baby daughter, because she was worried Shaw might go to the house.

A short time later her mother called back and said Shaw was inside the house and that he had a hammer. The woman, fearing for the safety of her mother and young child, rang the police immediately.

Officers attended and discovered that Shaw had attacked the 54-year-old woman with a hammer-type tool. He had hit her numerous times to the head knocking her unconscious.

The child was unharmed.

Shaw stole the woman’s car and fled. He was located later that day by police at Baitings Gate Reservoir in Ripponden.

Detective Constable Laura Sutcliffe said: “The victim in this case has made a good recovery from her injuries but still doesn’t remember exactly what happened to her. Thankfully she is able to lead a normal life and has now returned to work despite the serious nature of her injuries.

“What we do know is that Shaw let himself into the house and repeatedly hit the victim over the head with a hammer type tool. It was an extreme act of violence and officers worked quickly to locate and arrest him later that same day.

“I would like to commend both victims in this case for their courage throughout the trial. Today justice has been served and he has been jailed for a significant amount of time.”

Update on overnight arrests.

Four men arrested overnight [6 November going into 7 November] remain in custody pending further enquiries.

[A] 22 yrs-old was arrested at an address in Hounslow at 2045hrs on Thursday, 6 November, firearms officers assisted in this arrest

[B] 19 yrs-old was arrested at an address in High Wycombe at 2045hrs on Thursday, 6 November, firearms officers assisted in this arrest.

[C] 25 yrs-old was arrested at an address in Uxbridge at 0255hrs on Friday, 7 November

[D] 27 yrs-old was arrested in a car in the street in Southall at 2031hrs on Thursday, 6 November, firearms officers assisted in this arrest.

No shots were fired during the course of the arrests.

Officers are searching addresses in Hounslow, 3 x High Wycombe, Uxbridge, Southall, Greenford and Hayes.

The men have been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the Commission, Preparation or Instigation of acts of Terrorism (contrary to section 40(1)(b) of the Terrorism Act 2000).

These arrests and searches are part of an ongoing investigation into Islamist related terrorism.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command (SO15) are working closely with their colleagues in SE Counter Terrorism Unit and MI5.

The searches are ongoing, enquiries continue.

Not prepared to discuss further at this time due to operational reasons.

A convicted drug dealer has today been ordered by a judge to hand back £440,000, meaning he could lose numerous properties including the luxury home he owns in Hertfordshire.

Recorder Shorrock QC, at the Old Bailey, ruled that assets belonging to 58-year-old Gary Marsh from Broxbourne were the profits of his illegal activities and granted the Middle Market Drug Partnership a Confiscation Order for £440,000.

If Marsh fails to meet the Order, he will serve four more years in prison, and will still have to pay the full order plus interest.

An investigation by the NCA and the Metropolitan Police, through their joint Middle Market Drugs Partnership (MMDP), found that Marsh supported his luxury lifestyle through his criminal activity.

Marsh was arrested on Tuesday 20th November 2012 following an MMDP investigation. Officers watched him handing a package to Gheorghe Stancescu, from East London, at East Duck Lees Lane, Enfield. Both men were detained and the package was found to contain 3.5kg of cocaine with a wholesale value of £147,000.

Both Marsh and Stancescu were arrested on suspicion of supplying a Class A drug.

Officers went on to search Marsh’s home – a six-bedroom house with stables and outhouses at White Stubbs Lane, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire – where £17,900 in cash was discovered.

On 27 February, 2013, Marsh and Stancescu pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to the supply of cocaine. Marsh was sentenced to seven and a half years imprisonment, while Stancescu received four years.

The MMDP Financial Unit carried out an investigation on Marsh and identified substantial assets, resulting in today’s Order.

DCI Alex Rothwell from the MMDP said: “This was a complex investigation as Marsh had formed numerous companies in an attempt to conceal the true source of his wealth through both his and others’ names.

“Marsh thought he could get away with living the high-life, completely funded by his drug dealing.

“Rest assured, MMDP will continue to pursue and disrupt those that seek to benefit from assets derived from serious and organised crime.”

The Middle Market Drugs Partnership brings together officers from the National Crime Agency and Metropolitan Police Service to protect the communities of London from the harms inflicted by drug dealing.

A 36-year old woman has today, Friday, 7 November, been sentenced to three years in prison for acquiring a poisonous toxin.

Kuntal Patel, 36 (28.02.77) of Park Road, E15 appeared at Southwark Crown Court today where she was sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of acquiring a toxin contrary to section 1(1) of the Biological Weapons Act 1974′ on Thursday, 2 October.

Patel purchased ‘abrin’ – a poisonous toxin – over the internet and arranged for it to be shipped to a friend’s address in London.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) contacted the Metropolitan Police Service with information that abrin had been shipped to a London address.

On Saturday, 25 January, officers executed a search warrant at a residential address in Park Road, Stratford and arrested Patel on suspicion of an offence under the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001.

Detectives from SO15 Counter Terrorism Command were able to uncover and decrypt web-based conversations between Patel and the abrin supplier in the US.

Patel previously pleaded guilty to the following indictments and was sentenced to 18 months in prison for these offences to run concurrently.

= Attempting to acquire a biological agent or toxin, contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Attempts Act 1981. Particular of offence: – Kuntal Patel, on or about 11 December 2013, attempted to acquire, without lawful justification, a toxin, namely Abrin.

= Attempting to acquire a biological agent or toxin, contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Attempts Act 1981. Particular of offence: Kuntal Patel between 18 December 2013 and 27 January 2014 attempted to acquire, without lawful justification, a toxin, namely Abrin.

She was found not guilty at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday 2 October on the following indictment:

= Attempted murder, contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal attempts Act 1981. Particular of offence: Kuntal Patel, on or about 18 December 2013 attempted to murder Meena Patel.

On Tuesday, 12 August, Jesse William Korff, 19, of LaBelle, Florida, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan in Trenton Federal Court to five counts of developing, producing, transferring and possessing toxins, five counts of smuggling toxins and one count of conspiring to kill a person in a foreign country. He is due to be sentenced in November.

Temporary Commander Duncan Ball, of the Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Our thorough and complex investigation identified that Kuntal Patel had purchased an extremely deadly toxin via the dark web.

“I would like to pass on my personal thanks to US law enforcement and other international agencies for their cooperation and assistance during this investigation.”

A man has died following a collision in Rochdale. Police were called to Sandy Lane in Bamford shortly before 4.40am on Sunday 9 November 2014, to reports of a collision. When officers arrived they found a white Audi A6 S-line had collided with a Grey Audi A5 Sport. The 25-year-old man, who was driving the Audi A5, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. The four men in the Audi A5, aged between 18 and 21, were taken to hospital to be treated for their injuries. Sandy Lane at the junction of Bury Road will remain closed for at least the next few hours. Sergeant Mark Thomas from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family of this man at this tragic time, and we have specially trained officers supporting them. “We are keen to speak to anyone who saw the White Audi A6 in the area shortly before the collision, and I would urge you to speak to police if you have any piece of information, no matter how small. “Two men were seen in a silver taxi near to the scene at the time of the collision, and we are urging them to come forward and speak to police, as they may hold vital information about what happened. “We are fully investigating the circumstances leading up to this collision and are appealing for anyone who witnessed or heard the collision, to call us with any information.” Anyone with any information about the incident are asking to call officers in the Serious Collision Investigation Unit directly on 0161 856 4741.

Police have launched a murder investigation following the death of a man from Melbourn.

Alex Jeffery, 21, Of Orchard Road, died in Addenbrooke’s Hospital yesterday (Saturday, November 8).

Mr Jeffery’s was injured during an incident in Cambridge outside the Cambridge City Hotel, on Downing Street near the junction with Corn Exchange Street, at around 3.40am on Saturday November 1.

He had been involved in an altercation in the street and was hit by a vehicle.

Mr Jeffery’s was taken by ambulance to Addenbrooke’s with serious injuries and remained at the hospital until his death.

A post mortem examination will take place later this week.

His family have released the following statement:

“Alex was a fun loving, kind and caring son, grandson and brother. He is so missed by us all.”

DCI Jerome Kent, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, who is leading the enquiry, said: “I believe there are still people out there who witnessed this incident but still haven’t been in touch with police and I would urge those people to pick up the phone and call in.

“In particular I am keen to speak to the two security guards who came to Alex’s aid.

“I would also urge anyone who may have been travelling in the car involved in this incident or knows who the driver is to come forward.  We are viewing CCTV from the area so it is only a matter of time before they are identified.

“This is a devastating and traumatic time for the family and is it vital we catch the person responsible.”

Anyone with information should contact the Force’s Major Crime Unit on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

British troops pulled out of Afghanistan at the end of last month bringing to an end a 13-year military campaign − but the withdrawal came too late for Joyce Doherty.

Joyce’s son Jeff − who served with the Parachute Regiment − was among the 453 soldiers who gave their lives to the conflict, killed during an intense fire-fight with Taliban forces that attacked their Helmand base on 12 June 2008.

He died just two days after his 20th birthday.

Joyce will spend tomorrow’s two-minute Armistice silence remembering him beside a fledgling tree planted in Coventry’s Memorial Park in honour of her hero son.

But when the poppies retreat for another year the 40-year-old, from Southam, will continue to take comfort from a most unlikely source…a West Midlands Police dog.

Jet black German shepherd JJ was named after Private Doherty − known as JJ to family, friends and regiment colleagues − after Joyce met the force’s police dog Breed Scheme manager Terry Arnett at a meeting of military charity Pilgrim Bandits.

Joyce explained: “Following JJ’s death we set-up the JJ Memorial Fund − a charity raising money for injured paratroopers and their families − and after getting to know Terry he suggested naming one of their new puppies after him.

“I thought it was a lovely idea…they’ve kept me updated on his progress through training and I’ve had the pleasure of meeting JJ and his handler Wayne several times.

“He’s a fantastic dog, full of life, very playful and from what Wayne tells me is full of fighting spirit…everything we remember of JJ himself.”

Puppy JJ was born into the West Midlands Police breed scheme on 2 March 2013 and, after coming through training with flying colours, turned operational alongside handler PC Wayne Mellings last month.

He hit the ground running and on his first outing on 27 October tracked down a suspected burglar hiding in an Acocks Green garden and sniffed out a glove believed to have been discarded by the man.

PC Mellings, said: “JJ found the glove and then tracked along alleyways towards a derelict garage. He wanted to scale the roof, indicating the suspect made off in that direction, and as we made our way through the adjacent garden the man emerged and surrendered.

“The following day we were called to a cannabis farm officers had discovered in Halesowen. One man had run from the back door but was found by JJ hiding behind a shed…and it’s fair to say he didn’t get far when he tried to out run JJ.

“JJ has impressed everyone he’s met with his search skills and work drive…apart from the criminals!”

PC Terry Arnett volunteers as an event co-ordinator for Pilgrim Bandits, a charity formed in 2007 by Special Forces veterans with the aim of using their unique training and experience to help and inspire wounded soldiers to live life to the full.

He added: “The Parachute Regiment motto is Utrinque Paratus: Ready for Anything − police dog JJ has showed he’s operating in the regiment’s true spirit and I can’t think of a more fitting tribute to Jeff and 2 Para.”

Private Jeff Doherty of 8 Platoon of C (Bruneval) Company, 2 Battalion Parachute Regiment died on 12 June 2008 after being engaged by the Taliban north of their base at FOB Gibraltar in the Upper Gereshk Valley, Helmand Province.

A London man has been jailed for four-and-a-half years for stabbing another man twice in a vicious knife attack in the town.

Scott Tinpeloo, of London, was sentenced  on , Friday 7 November 2014, at Bournemouth Crown Court. He was told he would have to serve an additional four years on licence once released.

The 20-year-old pleaded guilty at the same court on 25 September 2014 to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The court heard the victim, a 22-year-old man from Bournemouth, was walking home when he was attacked by Tinpeloo in West Hill Road in the town at around 11.30am on Friday 13 June 2014.

Tinpeloo got out of a car with a large kitchen knife in his hands. He grabbed the victim from behind and stabbed him twice in the back before fleeing the scene in the car.

The victim sustained a stab wound in the middle of his back in line with his spine and a second in his lower back above the right hip.

Tinpeloo was arrested on 18 July 2014.

Detective Constable Leo Glendon, of Bournemouth CID, said: “This was a vicious and unprovoked attack in broad daylight on an innocent man. Dorset Police will not tolerate knife crime in the county and the sentence handed out today is appropriate for the seriousness of the offence.”

Three people have been charged with theft offences after the recovery of 43 suspected stolen mobile phones valued at in excess of £25,000.

Ramona Kovacs, 32 (11.5.82) of Norman Road, Waltham Forest, London E11 was charged on 9 November with 13 counts of theft of mobile phones and going equipped to steal. She has been remanded in custody to appear at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court on 10 November.

Narcis Radomir, 20 (15.2.94) of Ilford, Essex was charged on 9 November with 13 counts of theft of mobile phones and going equipped to steal. He has been remanded in custody to appear at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court on 10 November.

Ovidiu Cristea, 23 (16.9.81) of Mercury Gardens, Romford, Essex RM1 was charged on 9 November with conspiracy to commit theft and going equipped to steal. He was remanded in custody to appear at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court on 10 November.

Detectives have now released an E-fit, after an 11-year-old girl was sexually assaulted the street, in South Manchester.

At 5.45pm on Tuesday 28 October 2014 police received a report that an 11-year-old girl was outside a shop on Northmoor Road in Longsight, when a man walked past her. He then approached her from behind and sexually assaulted her, before running away towards along Northmoor Road towards Crowcroft Park.

The girl ran off and police were contacted.

The man is described as Asian, about 30-years-old, between 5ft 6in and 5ft 7in tall, of skinny build and has dark hair and short stubble. He was wearing a black fleece and black trousers.

Detective Inspector Adrian Gallagher of South Manchester division said: “Thankfully, the child was not hurt, but she is understandably distressed and we are determined to find this man.

“We are hopeful that someone will recognise the man in the E-fit and I would urge you to contact police immediately if you do.

“I would also encourage parents to talk to their children about not talking to strangers and I want to stress to kids that if they approached in this manner to walk away and tell an adult.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

A man has been charged in connection with the murder of Alex Jeffery from Cambridge.

Jack Mulcahy, 24, from Capulet Court, Huntingdon, has been charged with murder and will appear at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on November 11.

An investigation is ongoing and police are appealing for witnesses.

Mr Jeffery was injured during an incident in Cambridge outside the Cambridge City Hotel, on Downing Street near the junction with Corn Exchange Street, at around 3.40am on Saturday November 1.

Police and HSE continue to investigate following work related incident in Workington yesterday (10^th November).

Police were called at 1:23pm to Howden’s Joinery at Clay Flatts Industrial Estate following concerns for the welfare of a man due to a work related incident. The man believed to be aged 48 and from another part of the country, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Police are continuing with their enquiries today to confirm the identity of the man.

Detective Inspector Ian Harwood said:

“We are currently investigating the circumstances of a work related incident at Howden’s Joinery at Clay Flatts Industrial Estate. We will be speaking with members of staff from Howden’s to establish the facts of what happened and why on behalf of the Coroner. A post mortem examination has been arranged and will take place later today.”

The man’s family have been informed and are being supported by officers at this difficult time.

A 44-year-old man and a 58-year-old woman are due to appear at South West Surrey Magistrates Court today (Tuesday, 11 November) charged with a number of offences of stealing poppy collection boxes.

James Pretty and Karin Latham of Arethusa Way, Bisley have both been charged with the theft of Royal British Legion charity boxes from a Co-op store in Chobham on 5 November and a Sainsbury’s Local store in Bisley on 3 November. Pretty has been charged with a further offence of the theft of a poppy collection box from a Morrison’s supermarket in Frimley Green on 5 November.

Officers in Blandford are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward after a wooden sculpture was stolen from the town – with a picture of the stolen item being released.

The theft of a wooden eagle happened between 6pm on Friday 31 October 2014 and 8.30am on Saturday 1 November 2014 from the garden area of an address along Preetz Way.

Police Community Support Officer Mike Sinnick, of Blandford police, said: “The sculpture is very distinct and I hope somebody may be able to help with our enquiries.

“It is about 80 centimetres tall, stained with light and dark brown oil and quite heavy but could be carried by a person

“I urge anyone who witnessed the theft or may have seen anything suspicious in the area at the time to come forward.

“I would also like to hear from anyone who knows of the whereabouts of the wooden eagle or has been offered such an item in strange circumstances or for an unusually low price.”

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101, quoting crime number C:14:D:45476. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.

Police are making a fresh appeal for witnesses after a robbery in Sunderland.

It happened around 3pm on Thursday, November 6, on Burnaby Street, when a 60-year-old man was crossing the road.

He was approached by a rider and pillion passenger on a moped. They demanded he hand over a bag containing an undisclosed amount of cash. When he refused, he was sprayed in the face with an unknown substance and punched several times.

The offenders stole the bag and made off on the bike towards General Graham Street.

The injured man was taken to Sunderland Eye Infirmary for treatment and released, it’s not known what the substance was.

The offenders are both described as in their early 20s, having local accents and wearing silver helmets. The moped rider was 6ft tall of slim build, while the pillion passenger was around 5ft 6ins tall or stocky build, and wearing a black jacket.

Acting DS Natalie Robson said: “This was clearly a distressing incident for the victim and he needed hospital treatment. We’re doing everything possible to trace the two men involved.

“I’d urge any witnesses who were in the area on Thursday afternoon, November 6, who saw this take place, or anyone who has information about who the two men are, to get in touch with police.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101, extension 69191, quoting log number 748 of 06/11/14 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police in East Belfast are appealing for information following a report of a suspicious approach that was made to a 10 year old child in the Calvin Street area of East Belfast at around 3.30pm on Monday 10 November 2014.

Chief Inspector David Moore, Area Commander for East Belfast says: “The young girl was walking along the footpath, when a male who is described as dark skinned and approximately 20-30 years old, attempted to coax her into a vehicle. The girl ran to a place of safety, advised an adult of the incident and they in turn contacted police.

“It is believed that the vehicle was a large blue car with a dark interior, with red stitching. The car was last seen in the Beersbridge Road area. Police conducted searches of the surrounding area and circulated details of the vehicle. Indeed, a specialised police vehicle with automatic number plate recognition was deployed in the area to assist with the investigation.

“We would appeal to anyone who may have been in the area and witnessed this incident or anyone who may have information relating to the incident to contact police on 101.”

Officers are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward after a robbery in the Merley area of Wimborne.

The incident happened at approximately 11.10am on Friday 7 November 2014 at the bus stop opposite Merley First School in Oakley Straight.

A 16-year-old girl from Wimborne was standing at the bus stop looking at the timetable with her headphones hanging out of her pocket when she was pushed from behind causing her to fall into the bus shelter.

As the victim tried to get up she was pushed again causing her to hit her head on a wooden bench inside the shelter.

When she got to her feet she saw a man running away toward Wimborne with her red and pink headphones in his right hand.

The victim sustained bruises to her face and body.

The offender is described as white, five feet six inches tall and of muscly build. He was wearing dark coloured jeans, a leather jacket, a dark coloured hooded top with the hood up and padded ski gloves.

Police Constable Julie Payne, of Poole police, said: “This was a frightening attack on a teenage girl in broad daylight and fortunately she did not suffer more serious injuries.

“I am keen to speak to anyone who may have seen this incident or has any information that can assist with the investigation. I urge witnesses and anyone with information to come forward as soon as possible.

“All calls are treated with the strictest confidence.”

There have been no arrests.