The CM23 Connection

06/12/2024

It's time... 🎄🥂

06/12/2024

A little brighter
today but rain and strong
winds forecast later...

05/12/2024

Three jailed for £4m inheritance fraud

Three people have been jailed for a total of more than 12 years for conspiring to defraud the inheritance of an estate.

In 2021, Leigh Voysey claimed to have been named as the sole beneficiary in a will made by Maureen Renny, the owner of a £4m estate in Much Hadham, Bishop’s Stortford, before she had passed away. The deceased’s family, who knew nothing of Voysey or the will, reported the matter to police suspecting it was a forgery.

The will had been ‘verified’ and witnessed by two friends of Voysey’s and the trio appeared at court in October 2024 following their arrest, pleading guilty to the charges.

They returned to St Albans Crown Court today, Thursday 5 December for sentencing:
Leigh Voysey, aged 46, of Standon Road, Little Hadham, was sentenced to six years and six months for fraud by false representation and four years and six months for forgery, to run concurrently
Amber Collingwood, aged 44, of Red Lion Court, Bishop’s Stortford, was sentenced to three years and six months for forgery
Ben Mayes, aged 42, formerly of Milwards, Harlow, was sentenced to two years six months for forgery

Detective Constable Sian Beames, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit who lead the case, said: “This was an extremely complex and long running investigation, which required detailed study of probate law and examination of the forged document.

“Voysey had befriended the deceased on only one occasion before she died and saw an opportunity to wrongfully make a claim to ownership of the estate. She had previously been a pupil at the deceased’s school – having left over 30 years ago. The family, with help from our detectives, was able to prove that this was an opportunistic attempt to steal the family’s inheritance and keep the proceeds for herself and her accomplices.

“The victims who were the true beneficiaries of the estate had been further subject to a lengthy civil trial costing thousands. The impact on them has been huge in terms of mental, physical and emotional distress”.


Ends

05/12/2024

😔⬇️

Bishop's Stortford Christmas Fayre 2024 cancelled due to MET Office weather forecast of very high winds and rain.

“With enormous regret, but with due regard for the safety and comfort of visitors and stall holders Bishop’s Stortford Town Council has taken the sad decision to cancel the Christmas Fayre on Saturday 7th December 2024. This is due to the Yellow Met Office Warning of high winds, very high wind gusts and rain. As Leader of the Town Council, safety must be our paramount concern, and I fully support this decision”.
Miriam Swainston, Leader of Bishop’s Stortford Town Council

Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to welcoming you to future events.

05/12/2024

Today ⬇️

📣🐳 STORY TIME - TOMORROW - 👉FREE TO JOIN 🎈

Stories suitable for children aged 3-7years

05/12/2024

Overcast and rainy today with a weather warning for strong, gusty wind this afternoon...

04/12/2024

Mixed bag today - cloud, sunshine and late evening some rain 🌥🌧

03/12/2024

Images released following GBH in Bishop’s Stortford

Police are appealing for witnesses and information following an incident of GBH that occurred in a pub in Bishop’s Stortford.

At around 1.18am on Sunday 1 December in the Black Lion Pub on Bridge Street, it is reported that following a conversation between the victim and a suspect, the first suspect then punched the victim in the face.

A scuffle then broke out leading to the victim being assaulted by a further two suspects.

The victim was left with facial injuries that required hospital treatment.

Detective Constable Marcin Tyszka: “The pub was quite busy at the time so we are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident.

“We are releasing these images as we believe these people may have vital information that could help our investigation.

“Is this you, or do you recognise the people pictured? If so, please contact me by emailing [email protected].”

You can report information online at herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference 41/101796/24.

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.

03/12/2024

Operation Advent: Opening the door on policing in East Herts

In the run up to Christmas, officers across East Herts will once again be carrying out 24 days of action, to target criminals and help keep people safe.
Operation Advent returned on 1 December and aims to ‘open the door’ on the many varied policing activities that officers get involved with all year round.
It will see all four of the district’s Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) conduct activities, such as:

Operations to target criminals
Reassurance patrols at community events
Proactive patrols to tackle crimes such as shoplifting and burglary
Proactive patrols and operations to tackle violence against women and girls
Speed checks
Crime prevention stalls
Visits to schools
Herts Connected sign ups

East Herts T/Chief Inspector Mark Collins said: “Operation Advent is now in its fourth year and is held to help showcase the work that our dedicated local policing teams undertake all year round. It aims to ‘open the door’ on the varied work of the team, to help deter crime and keep East Herts safe.”
You can keep up with the work of the East Herts Neighbourhood Policing Teams on Facebook by following the ‘East Herts Police’ page.
Join the ‘Herts Connected’ community messaging service to keep up to date with what’s happening in your local area. You can set your preferences to receive police messages, as well as updates from Neighbourhood Watch, Action Fraud and the Police and Crime Commissioner. Sign up for free at hertsconnected.co.uk.
Ends

03/12/2024

Should be dry today, may even see a bit of sunshine 😁

02/12/2024

December; the month of giving and something that we can all afford...

Action for Happiness

02/12/2024

Colder today and rain this afternoon... had better starts to the week! 🙃

29/11/2024

Coffee cup is in the dishwasher... wine glass is full!
Have a great weekend one and all! ☺️