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18/03/2005
Four men convicted of New Year murders
Four men have been found guilty on charges relating to the murder of two teenage girls attending a New Year's party in Birmingham two years ago.
Nathan Martin, 25, from South Road, Smethwick, Marcus Ellis, 24, from Winson Green, Birmingham, Michael Gregory, 22, from Ladywood, Birmingham, and Rodrigo Simms, 20, from Whitehouse Drive, Smethwick, were found guilty of the murder of Ellis' half-sister, Charlene Ellis, 18 and Letisha Shakespeare, 17, on January 2, 2003.
Charlene and Letisha had gone to party at a hairdressing salon in Aston. The two girls were later shot dead outside the salon in a drive-by attack. Charlene's twin sister Sophia, Cheryl Shaw and Leon Harris were also injured in the attack.
Martin, Ellis and Gregory were also convicted of attempting to murder Ms Ellis, Ms Shaw and Mr Harris. Simms was convicted for the attempted murder of Ms Ellis and Ms Shaw, but cleared of the attempted murder of Mr Harris.
All four men had denied the charges brought against them.
Ballistics and mobile phone record evidence linked the car used in the shooting, a Ford Mondeo, to the incident.
The four will be sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on Monday.
A fifth man, Jermaine Carty, 24, who it was alleged was the member of a rival gang attending the party, was cleared on a charge of possessing a firearm on the night of the murders.
The car in which Mr Carty was sitting came under fire from a secong gun, just seconds after the two girls were shot dead.
(KMcA/SP)
Nathan Martin, 25, from South Road, Smethwick, Marcus Ellis, 24, from Winson Green, Birmingham, Michael Gregory, 22, from Ladywood, Birmingham, and Rodrigo Simms, 20, from Whitehouse Drive, Smethwick, were found guilty of the murder of Ellis' half-sister, Charlene Ellis, 18 and Letisha Shakespeare, 17, on January 2, 2003.
Charlene and Letisha had gone to party at a hairdressing salon in Aston. The two girls were later shot dead outside the salon in a drive-by attack. Charlene's twin sister Sophia, Cheryl Shaw and Leon Harris were also injured in the attack.
Martin, Ellis and Gregory were also convicted of attempting to murder Ms Ellis, Ms Shaw and Mr Harris. Simms was convicted for the attempted murder of Ms Ellis and Ms Shaw, but cleared of the attempted murder of Mr Harris.
All four men had denied the charges brought against them.
Ballistics and mobile phone record evidence linked the car used in the shooting, a Ford Mondeo, to the incident.
The four will be sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on Monday.
A fifth man, Jermaine Carty, 24, who it was alleged was the member of a rival gang attending the party, was cleared on a charge of possessing a firearm on the night of the murders.
The car in which Mr Carty was sitting came under fire from a secong gun, just seconds after the two girls were shot dead.
(KMcA/SP)
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13 November 2003
Four in court over drive-by double killing
Four men have appeared in court in Birmingham today in relation to the murders of two teenage revellers who were shot outside a New Year's Eve party in the city last year.
Four in court over drive-by double killing
Four men have appeared in court in Birmingham today in relation to the murders of two teenage revellers who were shot outside a New Year's Eve party in the city last year.
21 March 2005
Life sentences for New Year killers
Four men convicted of the murder of Charlene Ellis and Letisha Shakespeare have been sentenced to life imprisonment. Nathan Martin, 25, Charlene's half-brother, Marcus Ellis, 24, Michael Gregory, 22 and Rodrigo Simms, 20 were found guilty of the murders of Charlene, 18 and Letisha, 17 outside a hair salon in Aston, Birmingham on January 2, 2003.
Life sentences for New Year killers
Four men convicted of the murder of Charlene Ellis and Letisha Shakespeare have been sentenced to life imprisonment. Nathan Martin, 25, Charlene's half-brother, Marcus Ellis, 24, Michael Gregory, 22 and Rodrigo Simms, 20 were found guilty of the murders of Charlene, 18 and Letisha, 17 outside a hair salon in Aston, Birmingham on January 2, 2003.
08 December 2003
Ruth Ellis' murder conviction upheld
The murder conviction of the last woman to be hanged in Britain, Ruth Ellis, has been upheld today at the Court of Appeal. The appeal was dismissed after judges ruled that no new evidence had been presented and the appeal was consequently "without merit".
Ruth Ellis' murder conviction upheld
The murder conviction of the last woman to be hanged in Britain, Ruth Ellis, has been upheld today at the Court of Appeal. The appeal was dismissed after judges ruled that no new evidence had been presented and the appeal was consequently "without merit".
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Man Charged With Attempted Murder
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28 November 2014
Surrey Murder Suspect Arrested
Police have arrested 38-year-old Viktoras Bruzas on suspicion of murdering a couple in Surrey. The bodies of Patrick and Gillian Kettyle were found at their home in Fetcham in the early hours of Thursday morning. Police had issued an appeal for help in tracing Mr Bruzas in connection with the murders, and had urged the public not to approach him.
Surrey Murder Suspect Arrested
Police have arrested 38-year-old Viktoras Bruzas on suspicion of murdering a couple in Surrey. The bodies of Patrick and Gillian Kettyle were found at their home in Fetcham in the early hours of Thursday morning. Police had issued an appeal for help in tracing Mr Bruzas in connection with the murders, and had urged the public not to approach him.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
