Peter Walsh

Norfolk Constabulary has closed its investigation into an attempted cash machine theft at a building on Reepham Road in Hellesdon on March 31. Detectives believed suspects entered from the rear and used a stolen Nissan Juke, later found abandoned nearby. Despite a public appeal, police exhausted all lines of inquiry but said they would review any new information.

Lyz Hall, the former director of Hallswood Animal Sanctuary near Norwich, is due to appear at Norwich Magistrates Court on August 25 facing 15 charges involving more than 300 birds and animals. The allegations include causing unnecessary suffering, failing to meet animal welfare needs, offences involving grey squirrels and muntjac deer, possession of wild birds, unauthorised veterinary medicines, and possession of Oramorph and Diazepam. The charges follow a police raid assisted by the RSPCA on September 16, 2024, during which animals were seized under Section 18 of the Animal Welfare Act and Hall stepped down from her role.

Madalin Ilinca and Dawid Wlach have been charged with rape and sexual offences following reports by two teenage girls of an alleged attack on Great Yarmouth’s South Beach on May 16. Ilinca has denied the charges against him, while Wlach had not yet entered pleas. Both men are due to appear at Norwich Crown Court on August 25, with a potential trial date set for December 7.

Tania Williams’s son told Norwich Crown Court that his mother had messaged him saying her estranged husband, Raymond Williams, was following her from club to club and making scenes on the night she died. Williams was found seriously injured outside her home in Catherine Gardens after allegedly being followed and later struck down. Raymond Williams denies murder, and the trial is continuing.

Three men appeared at Norwich Crown Court in connection with the death of cyclist Edward Cooke, who was struck by a Mercedes on Watton Road near Colney on November 9, 2023. Sagaanan Suntharalingam denied causing death by careless driving but admitted causing death while driving an uninsured vehicle. Melvin Arulanandam admitted perverting the course of justice, while Pratheep Sukumar pleaded not guilty. The hearing was adjourned to September 23, and all three defendants were granted bail.

A woman in her 60s who was found seriously injured at a property in Gentry Place, Norwich, on July 20 has left hospital and is recovering. Police said an incident occurred at the property two days earlier. Alex Cuthbert, 30, of Gentry Place, was arrested and charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent; he is due to appear at Norwich Crown Court on August 19.

Donatas Sakalauskas admitted outraging public decency in King's Lynn and Peterborough, along with five shop thefts, criminal damage and breach of a conditional discharge. His sentencing at Norwich Crown Court was adjourned after the cases were found to have been incorrectly committed from the magistrates' court. He was released on bail with conditions including a ban on using public toilets in the UK.