Alcoholabuse

Smethwick

Smethwick Tenant Threatened Housemate with Knives Amid Paranoia, Avoids Immediate Jail

A Smethwick tenant who threatened his housemate with two kitchen knives has narrowly avoided immediate imprisonment after a court heard he was struggling with paranoia and self-medicating with alcohol. Maciej Pelczar, 48, …

By Abbie Brown · Friday 24 July 2026 · 3 min read

Animalcruelty

Dad Shouts ‘Let Them Die’ as He Throws Daughter’s Kittens into River Thames, Avoids Jail

Andrew Shephard, 59, has been handed a suspended prison sentence after admitting to causing unnecessary suffering to three of his daughter’s pet kittens. The distressing incident took place last November when Shephard, while …

By Rebecca Duffy · Tuesday 17 February 2026 · 2 min read