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More than £300,000 confiscated from sisters who ran drugs ring from Bury beauty salon

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 30th August 2022

Two Bury sisters who ran a drugs ring from a beauty salon have had more than £300,000 taken from them.

17 individuals involved in the cross-Pennine criminal empire, including those instrumental in driving drugs between Manchester and Yorkshire, have now had huge sums of money confiscated, totalling £736,464.30.

Bury-based Shazia Din and her sister Abia lost £259,079.17 and £49,478.45 respectively after a Judge confiscated the money from them at a recent POCA (Proceeds of Crime Act) hearing at Manchester Crown Court.

Shazia used to run the criminal empire from her shop, the Beauty Booth in Bury, using the business on Chesham Industrial Estate to launder dirty money.

The beauty business on the Chesham Industrial Estate in Bury. Credit: GMP

Seized items in the operation included more than 60kg of Class A drugs (including heroin and cocaine) as well as £300,000 in cash, a hydraulic press, drugs paraphernalia, a handgun and ammunition.

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In total, members of the conspiracy were sentenced to a combined 140 years.

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Following the confiscation, Detective Chief Inspector Roger Smethurst said: “We are extremely pleased with the results of the confiscation hearing, and the case as a whole.

“The officers involved have worked tirelessly to secure convictions against instrumental members of an organised crime group operating out of Greater Manchester.

“We hope that this serves as a reminder to anyone that we continue to investigate and secure convictions in large-scale drugs operations.”

Featured image: GMP

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Amber heat-health warning issued as temperatures drop across the North West

Danny Jones Danny Jones amber heat health warning manchester north west

An amber health warning has been issued for the North West and other regions as temperatures continue to drop across the country.

Having already provided an update on the “possibility of snow” and the imminent cold snap earlier this week, the Met Office and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have now added a heat-health warning to their forecast for the new few days as things get increasingly colder across Great Britain.

With temperatures expected to reach as low as -5C by Friday, 29 November, the Met Office and UKHSA pushed out an amber heat-health alert on Wednesday, with the elderly, clinically vulnerable and the health sector in general said to be those most at risk.

Although the freezing weather obviously has the potential to affect everyone — with the likes of the North East and Northern Ireland having already been given a yellow weather warning as well — amber heat-health warnings are deemed to require an ‘enhanced response‘ as they are likely to significantly impact “across the whole health service” and possibly other sectors too.

The current heat-health alerts that have been issued for the UK. (Credit: gov.uk)

Under the relatively new CHA (cold-health alert) system, anything beyond a yellow level alert means that it is expected that there will be increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable populations and an increase in risk to health to individuals over the age of 65, those with pre-existing health conditions, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and other vulnerable groups like rough sleepers.

As well as the Met Office offering their verdict, the UKHSA’s Head of Extreme Events and Health Protection, Dr Agostinho Sousa, said: “With a risk of widespread overnight frosts and some snow across the country this week, it’s important to check in on the wellbeing of those most vulnerable to the cold.

“Cold weather can have a serious impact on health, particularly older people, and those with pre-existing health conditions, as it increases the risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.

“If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over the age of 65, it is important to try and heat the rooms where you spend most of your time in[doors], such as your living room or bedroom.”

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For those considered to be at risk during this cold snap and amber-heat health warning, the official government-sanctioned advice is that if you can’t heat all the rooms in your home, it is important to heat the rooms you spend the (i.e. living room in the day and bedroom before going to sleep) to at least 18 degrees if possible.

They also recommend wearing a few thin layers instead of one thick layer, as the former is better at trapping heat than just one big jumper etc.

Other advice on how to stay safe during these colder periods includes stocking up on food and medicine, keeping windows closed and reducing draughts at home, as well as getting vaccinated against flu and COVID-19.

If you or someone you know is in need of help, you can get in touch with the NHS on 111 and if it is an emergency please call 999 immediately.

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Featured Image — The Manc Group

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Man jailed for raping and assaulting two women as they slept

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Alan Pickering has been jailed for the rape of two women as they slept

A man has been jailed after being convicted of raping and sexually assaulting two women while they were sleeping.

Alan Pickering, 40, from Wirral, has been sentenced to 15 years behind bars as well as four years on an extended license.

During the trial at Liverpool Crown Court, the court heard that his victims had woken up to find that Pickering was raping them, with neither giving their consent.

Both victims then repeatedly asked him to stop, but he continued to assault them.

His crimes took place between January 2004 and July 2020 on ‘multiple occasions’ in the Chester and Wirral areas.

Pickering, of Procter Road in Rock Ferry, had previously been found guilty of five counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault by penetration following an earlier trial.

The latest allegations against the man came to light in 2020 after a report was made to social services at Cheshire West and Chester, which was passed on to Cheshire Police.

In addition to his prison sentence, Pickering has also been ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life, and handed indefinite restraining orders against the victims.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Peel, who led the investigation, said: “Firstly I would like to commend the victims for the courage and bravery that they have shown throughout this case.

“I know that Pickering’s offending has had a hugely traumatic impact on the victims and having to give evidence during the trial was not easy for them.

“But thanks to the statements they gave, and the evidence we gathered, the jury we’re able to see through his lies and he is now finally being held accountable for his actions.”

Detective Constable Peel added: “Nobody should have to experience what these women have been though and if anything can be achieved from this case, I hope that it encourages other victims of sexual offences to come forward and report them to us. 

“We treat all reports extremely seriously, and any allegation will be thoroughly investigated, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority.

“Victims should never feel ashamed to talk about what they have been subjected to. They will receive the help and support they need from our specialist officers, as well as from other support agencies we work alongside, and all victims of sexual offences have the right to anonymity.”

Cheshire Police said: “To report any sexual offence, call Cheshire Constabulary on 101 or visit https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/%20 .

“Information can also be given anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.”

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Featured image: Cheshire Police

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