Man Jailed For Shooting At Police Officer

A man has been jailed for five-and-a-half years after breaking his partner's jaw, and shooting at a policeman who tried to intervene.

Mark Nicklin, 39, from Bradley, was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Monday (6 January) after admitting the assaults and possession of a firearm.

Just before midnight in May 2013, police were called to the couple's home after Mr Nicklin head butted his partner and fracturing her jaw. As officers arrived at the scene, Nicklin withdrew a pellet gun and fired at the officers twice. The pellets his the wall. Ignoring calls to drop the weapon, Nicklin fired once more, hitting PC Andrew Lavanchy in the hand.

The officers were eventually able to disarm and arrest the accused.

Detective Constable Robert Berry, from Force CID, said: "Nicklin was a particularly violent offender who subjected his partner to a nasty attack causing serious injuries.

"When police arrived at his address he failed to surrender to them, pointed an air pistol at them and fired - hitting one of the response officers in the hand.

"This typifies the dangers faced by our officers every day when they respond to emergency situations. In this case the officer would have seen the gun but wouldn't have known that it was an air weapon - he was fortunate to only suffer a minor injury.

"The sentencing hearing brings this investigation to a close and we are pleased that Nicklin will be spending a considerable length of time behind bars."

Teenagers Killed In M1 Crash Named

The names of two teenagers killed in a collision on the M1 in Shawell have been released by officers.

Destiny James-Keeling (14) and Megan Marchant (18), both from Leicester, suffered fatal injuries when the black Vauxhall Astra convertible they were travelling in crashed.

The accident happened at around 7.15pm on Saturday 4 January. No other vehicles were involved.

In a statement, investigating officer, Detective Constable Ady Keeble, said: "This was a tragic incident in which two young girls have sadly lost their lives.

"The car had gone about a mile past the start of the M6, Junction 19, and was travelling M1 northbound on Saturday evening when it left the carriageway and collided with trees on the embankment at the side of the motorway.

"We'd like to appeal to anyone who was driving on the M1 in this area on Saturday evening between 7pm and 7.15pm to contact us. The car was quite distinctive because it was a convertible so we'd like to hear from anyone who thinks they saw either the incident or the vehicle being driven beforehand."

Man Attacked In Bognor Regis

Police have appealed for witnesses after a man was attacked in Bognor Regis.

The man, 27, was walking along an underpass near Orchard Way shortly after 10pm on Monday (6 January) when he said he was approached by another man.

Following a short conversation, the victim was stabbed but it is not yet known what the weapon used was. Emergency services were called to the scene and the man was taken to hospital.

He is described as being in a serious, but stable, condition.

Detective sergeant Mark Gowling said: "We are appealing to anyone who saw two men near the underpass between Gordon Avenue and Orchard Way around 10pm on Monday night or saw anything suspicious in the area at the time.

"We are not treating this as a random attack but if anyone has any information to help us with this enquiry please call on 101 quoting Op Wyndham. Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

(JP)