Seven crimes and police incidents reported on in Warrington in April

We take a look back at some of these frightening incidents reported to police in the town over the past few weeks.

Here are seven such incidents reported on in Warrington during April.

Second huge cannabis farm found within weeks

PHOTOS released by police show the scale of a huge ‘multi-million-pound’ cannabis farm raided in the town centre.

It was the second found within weeks by police on April 2 on Barbauld Street – just metres away from the first.

A large police presence was reported on the street, with a police tape cordon also in place to the shop front of the building in question on Bridge Street.

A search of the building revealed the presence of around 370 large cannabis plants as part of a grow of the controlled class B drug – believed to be worth millions of pounds on the streets.

No arrests have been made as of yet in connection with the find and enquiries are ongoing, and anyone with any information is asked to call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting IML 1791011.

Woman charged in 26-year Baby Callum murder probe

A TRIAL date has been set for a woman accused of murdering a newborn baby 26 years ago.

Joanne Sharkey has been charged with murder and concealing the birth of a child in connection with the death of Baby Callum.

Callum, named after the Callands district of Warrington where he was found, died on March 14 1998.

L: A court sketch of Joanne Sharkey during her first magistrates' court appearance. R: Baby Callum's funeral (Image: L: Elizabeth Cook/PA. R: Warrington Guardian)

Sharkey, aged 54 and of Denham Close in Croxteth, was arrested and charged on April 15 and has since appeared before the courts on three occasions.

A trial date has been set for January 14, 2025, with a plea and trial preparation hearing date fixed for July 25. Sharkey was released from custody on conditional bail.

Drink-driving arrest after traffic light smash

A SUSPECTED drink-driver was arrested after a car smashed into railings and traffic lights.

Shortly after 9pm on April 5, a blue BMW was involved in a collision on Winwick Road outside Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Cheshire Police confirmed that a 43-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and released under investigation.

‘Nasty’ looking knife seized after fight reports

POLICE seized what officers described as a ‘nasty’ looking knife after officers attended reports of a large fight on April 7.

Multiple police cars were seen on Bridgewater Avenue in Latchford, with a suspect charged to appear in court with possession of a knife in public.

The force said: “This is a nasty knife, and if used it could take somebody’s life. It is well known that knives, when in the wrong hands, are a dangerous weapon if used.

“In a split second, one life will be changed forever, and another second, a life taken. Carrying a knife to commit crime is clearly not acceptable.”

Dangerous driving arrest after woman dies on M6

A MAN was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after the death of a loving grandmother-to-be who died in a collision on the motorway in Warrington.

Lisa Kelsall sadly died on a slip road between the M6 and M62 in Warrington

At around 12.15am on April 9, Police responded to reports of concern for the safety of a woman on a slip road between the M6 and M62.

Officers attended the scene between junctions 21 of the M6 for Woolston and 21a for the M62 at Croft heading northbound.

Sadly however, they found that a woman, 52-year-old Lisa Kelsall, of Norton, Stoke-on-Trent, had been struck by a white Citroen Relay van on the slip road joining the M62.

The driver of the van, a 47-year-old man from Preston, had failed to stop at the scene and was later arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, before being released under investigation.

Suspect charged as bus driver ‘slapped in road rage’

A SUSPECT is due to appear in court following being charged by police after a bus driver was ‘slapped’ during a ‘road rage’ incident.

Cheshire Police released video footage of the incident, which was captured by CCTV on the bus, and described it as ‘abhorrent and completely unacceptable’.

At around 6.30pm on April 5, a bus driver came to a stop along Newhaven Road in Orford when the driver of a black Ford S-Max was said to have pulled up alongside him.

The driver of the Ford is reported to have exited his vehicle, boarded the bus and ‘slapped’ the bus driver across the face, before going back to his car and driving off.

Seven teens arrested after boy assaulted and robbed

SEVEN teenagers have been arrested following a robbery in which a boy was assaulted in Warrington town centre.

In April, two months on from the attack, Cheshire Police appealed for the victim to come forward, with the case referred to police by CCTV operators who witnessed it.

At around 4.30am on Saturday, February 17, a boy, thought to be in his late teens, was approached by seven youths on Rylands Street, who reportedly assaulted him and stole his bag.

Anyone with information should call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting IML1758764, or visit cheshire.police.uk/tell-us