North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses and information about an incident that occurred in Tadcaster Road, York

It happened outside The Newington Hotel, Tadcaster Road, York, at 6.15pm on Saturday 5 March 2016, when men in a blue five-door hatchback car approached a young man.

We are conducting enquiries and are requesting the public’s assistance to help determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

In particular, we are appealing for witnesses to the incident, and local addresses that may have CCTV covering the location and any drivers of blue five-door hatchback cars that may have been in the location at the time for elimination purposes.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact us on 101, select option 2, and ask for Tony Barnes. You can also email tony.barnes@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12160039467.

Appeal after cat killed with air rifle

Police are investigating after a cat died after being shot several times with an air rifle.

Oscar the cat made his way back to his home in Scagglethorpe near Malton after being repeatedly fired at.

His owner, who is too upset to be identified, noticed the wounds and took him to the vet.

The vet tried to save Oscar by amputating his leg and removing pellets from elsewhere in his body.

However, sadly he died from his injuries a day later.

The offence was reported to police on Tuesday 29 March 2016 although it is believed to have taken place a week earlier. However, the owner was too distraught to report it immediately.

PC Linda Coles, of Malton Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “This was a particularly cruel attack against an affectionate animal, and it has understandably left his owner heartbroken.

“I’d appeal for the public’s help in finding whoever who did this, and we will do everything in our power to bring them to justice for this cowardly attack.”

The motive behind this incident is not clear and police are appealing for anyone with information to get in touch. Please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, ask for Linda Coles and quote reference 12160054750.

Man who threw smoke grenade at a police safety camera van is sentenced

A man who threw a lit smoke grenade at a North Yorkshire Police safety camera van has been sentenced today.

Jake Sarup, 22, of Foxholes near Driffield, pleaded guilty to causing a public nuisance.

At  5.30pm on the 6 September 2015, Sarup was in the back of a Vauxhall Corsa which was travelling on the A64 in the village of Sherburn, heading towards Scarborough.

Footage captured by the safety camera van shows the effects of the lit smoke grenade on the busy A64 after it was thrown by Sarup. It strikes the rear of the safety camera van which was carrying out speed enforcement at that time.

The smoke resulted in reduced visibility on the A64 and posed a potential safety hazard to other road users.

Sarup was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 120 hours of unpaid work when he appeared at York Crown Court today, 4 April 2016. He was also ordered to pay £500 in costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Traffic Constable Andy Forth who attended the sentencing said: “North Yorkshire Police fully supports the prosecution of Sarup. To throw a lit smoke grenade out of a moving vehicle, onto the busy A64 carriageway, was both irresponsible and dangerous.

“It could have resulted in not only a major collision due to the reduction in visibility on the road at that time, but also in damage to property or injury to any other person nearby.”

Dave Brown, Traffic Bureau Manager said: “This deliberate and irresponsible act could have had catastrophic consequences to innocent road users on the road and the court result imposed reflects that public safety concern.”