Six members of an Albanian crime group have been sentenced to a total of more than 30 years in prison for their role in a conspiracy to supply class A drugs and money laundering offences.

The men, which included two brothers – Eduart and Antonio Plaku, were charged following an investigation across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire by officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s specialist Serious and Organised Crime Unit.

The investigation named Operation Perilous ran from June until August last year and focused on the group’s involvement in the supply of class A drugs in St Albans, Luton and surrounding areas along with money laundering offences.

Four of the men were found guilty at St Albans Crown Court last week following a trial and were sentenced last Tuesday. These included:

Eduart Plaku, 37, of Skyline Place, Luton, was sentenced to six years for conspiring to possess criminal property.

Antonio Plaku, 25, of Beech House, Cardiff Road, Luton, was sentenced to 11 years for conspiracy to supply class A drugs between July 28 and August 2 and six years to run concurrently for conspiracy to possess criminal property on June 4 and July 30.

He was also sentenced to six concurrent months in custody for possessing a false identification document.

Albert Cena, 29, of Mill Street, Luton was jailed for four years for conspiracy to transfer criminal property.

Stephen Thomas, 44, of Frogmore Street, St Albans, was sentenced to 21 months in custody for conspiring to possess criminal property on June 4.

Two other men – pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing and also received custodial sentences:

Fatjon Shehu, 29, of Park Street, Ampthill pleaded guilty to transferring criminal property and was sentenced to 21 months in prison.

Leonard Hasanaj, 33, of Corncastle Road, Luton pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to supply and was sentenced to three years and four months imprisonment.

The court heard how on June 4, last year, £124,000 was recovered from a sophisticated hiding place in the rear seat of a vehicle on the M1 in Hertfordshire.

Stephen Thomas was driving the vehicle. Passenger Fatjon Shehu pleaded guilty to transferring criminal property and was sentenced to 21 months in custody.

On Wednesday, July 30, police seized £40,960 from a taxi on the M1 in Hertfordshire. The male occupant ran from the taxi and evaded capture. Antonio Plaku handed the bag containing the cash to this male in Luton prior to the vehicle stopping.

On Saturday, August 2, police intercepted Leonard Hasanaj prior to entering Skyline Place, Luton with a rucksack containing 2kg of high grade cocaine.

Antonio Plaku was identified as the intended recipient for the drugs. Leonard Hasanaj pleaded guilty to possession of class A drugs with intent to supply.

Det Insp Ian Butler from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit said: “Brothers Eduart and Antonio Plaktu were the clear ringleaders in this organised crime group but all of the men who were involved in this had a clear role to play and are now paying for their crimes.

“Drug dealing of any kind is unacceptable on the streets of Hertfordshire.

“It brings misery to thousands of vulnerable people and their families whilst fuelling serious and organised crimes that operate miles from where these deals are being done and inflict unnecessary suffering within communities.

“The sentences passed on this group of criminals emphasises how seriously the courts view this type of activity.

“Our message is clear – if you are dealing drugs we will find you and bring you before the courts.”

A 29-year-old Bedfordshire motorcyclist has been killed in an incident in Wiltshire.

His body was found after a member of the public called Wiltshire police just before 9am yesterday (Thursday). A black Yamaha motorbike was found near a tree, on a bend on Cow Drove Road, and the body of a rider nearby. It’s believed he was travelling towards Chilmark.

The rider is a 29 year old man from Bedfordshire. The incident happened sometime between 2am and 8.45am on the Thursday.

If anyone saw or heard anything in this area in the early hours of yesterday morning, they are asked to contact police via 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Court of Appeal has today increased the sentence handed to Mohammed Ullah in March of this year at the Crown Court in St Albans for seven counts of indecent assault. Ullah’s original sentence of nine years was increased to thirteen years after it was ruled to be unduly lenient.

Mohammed Ullah, 57, of Westbourne Road,Luton subjected his first victim to sexual abuse over a number of years that involved repeated digital penetration when she was aged between five and ten. Furthermore, he sexually abused a second victim who was nine years old.

The sentence was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme by the Attorney General, Jeremy Wright QC MP.

Speaking after today’s hearing he said: “I asked the Court of Appeal to look again at this sentence as I felt that nine years failed to reflect the seriousness of the offending carried out over a long period of time by Mohammed Ullah.

“Victims who have the courage to report abuse and are prepared to give their evidence in court, deserve to know that their abuser, if convicted, will be properly punished.”

Pupils at Surrey Street Primary School have recording a CD with music charity PopUK.

The CD, which involves every pupil in the school, has been funded through local council grants, input from the school and the generosity of the local Salvation Army.

Pupils learnt seven songs in a series of workshops led by professional musicians from PopUK, a music education charity. The songs written by PopUK carry a moral message and cover issues such as the environment and friendship. The CD goes on sale next Tuesday (June 9) at a free concert at The Salvation Army on Vicarage Street for parents and friends of the school.

Salvation Army children’s worker, Carolyn Gomersall, who helped with rehearsals, said: “It’s brilliant! You can really see the children’s confidence growing.”

Carolyn works with the school by listening to children read and is part of the “Open the Book” assembly team which presents a story with a moral message to pupils each week.

She added: “Community is so important and Surrey Street Primary is at the centre of ours.”

Headteacher, Denise Meadows, said: “Our school has pupils from across the world. Diversity, inclusion, supporting each other, and having fun as we learn together, are at the heart of Surrey Street. This experience adds another dimension to their social, moral, cultural, and spiritual education, and will give them memories they will never forget. It will be lovely to see friends and family cheering our pupils on at the concert on Tuesday.”

Year 6 pupil Arslaan, aged 11, is excited to be involved with the CD. He said: “I feel honoured by the fact I will get my own CD that the school has sung together. It will help me remember my time here as this is my last year. It’s going to be exciting to sing songs no one has ever heard before. I’m looking forward to singing in front of loads of people. All my family are coming.”

The free concert will be held at 6pm on Tuesday, June 9 at The Salvation Army, Vicarage Street, Luton.

Luton hard man and category A prisoner Charles Bronson is challenging a decision to hold a parole board hearing about him inhis absence.

Bronson, who now wishes to be knows as Charles Salvador, says he had requested both he and his fiancee Lorraine Etherington be atthe hearing due in May.

But yesterday he says he received a sealed letter from The Parole Board, informing him that the Parole Board had held hishearing and he has been refused parole for the next two years.

Bronson, once described as the most violent prisoner in Britain, is currently serving a life sentence at Wakefield prison.

In a statement Bronson said he is now consulting a prison law expert to see if he can appeal,not the decision as such,but the fact that it was held in his absence.

“What the Parole Board have done is totally illegal.,” he said. “They have held my hearing without me there. I wasn’t allowed to speak, I wasn’t even told what date the hearing was. I applied for my fiancee to be there with me to submit our supporting documentation. This is something that only happens in Russian, not the UK. This is disgusting, and unlawful.”

Bronson’s fiancee said of the decision: ‘We’re both in total shock. We haven been waiting months to get the date for it, and they’ve already held it and given Charlie a knock-back. We will be fighting this legally.”

Burglars forced their way into a restaurant through its roof.

The break-in took place between midnight and 11am on Sunday, May 31, at Buffet 106 on Dunstable Road.

Once inside, the offenders stole cash from the till and a tip box.

Detective Constable Matt Shepherd said: “We would like to hear from anyone who has any information surrounding this incident, in which offenders targeted a closed Indian restaurant for cash, and also entered the empty flat above.

“We take all instances of burglary extremely seriously and are appealing for the public’s help in finding those responsible.”

Anyone with information contactl DC Shepherd on 101, text 07786 200 011, or alternatively contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

CCTV images have been released after a burglar indecently exposed himself to two young girls in their own home.

The intruder barged into the home in Collingdon Street, Luton, saying he needed to use the toilet between 2.45pm and 3.25pm on Sunday May 24.

He then flashed at the two girls in the house. The pair screamed, waking their mother who was in another room.

The man then fled, leaving the two girls deeply distressed.

Police describe the man as around 40, 5’6’’ and thin. He was apparently wearing a black jumper with grey triangles on the chest and one on the back, black trousers and black shoes.

Detective Constable Mohammed Hussain said: “This was a disturbing incident which has left the girls extremely shaken up.

“Our enquiries are ongoing and we are now issuing CCTV images of a man we would like to speak to in connection with this incident.

“I would urge anyone who recognises him, or has any information, to call police.”

Anyone with any information should call DC Hussain on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A Luton team taking part in a fundraising ‘It’s a knockout’ event thrashed the favourites to take the title.

Stephens Removals was one of 16 teams competing at the annual Rushden Higham Rotary Funfest, which has raised more than £18,000 for good causes as contestants splash, climb and bounce their way through obstacles.

Team members were elated to beat Wykes Engineering, who’d won for the past three years.
Spokesman Russell Edwards said: “We’re firmly in the business of helping charities and supporting our local community and if that means splashing our way through water and sliding through foam, then so be it.”
He added: “We’ll certainly be back in 2016 to defend our crown.”

Aspiring sailors from Keech Hospice Care will be donning life jackets at the end of the month and doing something completely different.

They’re taking part in the Round the Island yacht race, part of a fundraising marathon organised by Dunstable dad Mark Richardson.

His wife Jackie died at the hospice last year and the father-of-four was so grateful for the tender loving care given to them and their daughters during this difficult time that he vowed to do everything possible to help.

It started off with a 10km challenge by his friend Hugh Vyvyan of Saracens and graduated to the Round the Island race.

Now there are eight boats competing under the hospice livery for the Keech Trophy, designed by military artist Ivan Berryman.

Keech boss Mike Keel said: “The fact that this has moved from idea to reality so fast is completely down to Mark’s and his daughters’ enthusiasm, energy and total commitment to the project.”

The famous 50 nautical mile course round the Isle of Wight takes place on June 27.

They’ve already raised £25,000 towards their £30,000 target. Support them at www.justgiving.com/teams/GoTeamKeech

Active Luton has been running football and cricket tournaments as part of a project that uses sport to engage, empower and improve the lives of disadvantaged young men.

The project, called KITS (Community Integration Through Sport), aims to improve integration in the Marsh Farm, Lewsey and Farley Hill areas.

The football tournament, held at Kenilworth Road, brought together more than 90 young men aged 14 to 19 from the three communities to build on weekly sessions that are already taking place.

The indoor cricket tournament, held at Inspire: Luton Sport Village, involved 40 young people.

Before the start of both tournaments, workshops were held to warn the young men of the consequences of getting involved in crime and to encourage them to grasp the opportunities available to them through education.

The workshops were delivered by an ex-offender who now runs an organisation called Directions.

The football tournament was attended by local MPs Kelvin Hopkins and Gavin Shuker, Beds Police and Crime Commissioner Olly Martins and former Luton Mayor Mohammed Farooq.

Active Luton chief executive Helen Barnett said: “It’s fantastic to see the lives of these young men being improved after being brought together for football, cricket, basketball, golf, gym sessions, swimming and other sports.

“The workshops were a real eye opener and there were some really nice moments of sportsmanship during the tournaments.”

A motorcyclist who died after a collision on a remote country road is from Luton, we can confirm.

The victim, a 29-year-old man, was found by a member of the public at 9am on Thursday near Chilmark, South Wilshire.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police, who believe that the incident did not involved any other vehicles, recovered the victim’s Yamaha near a tree on a bend in the road.

The incident occurred sometime between 2am and 8.45am on Thursday morning.

It is believed the rider was travelling towards Chilmark.

The road was closed for six hours while police carried out investigations.

An inquest into the death has not yet been opened by Wiltshire and Swindon coroner’s service, though one is expected to begin later this week.

Barton-le-Clay Pre-School is hosting a fathers fun day on Saturday, June 20, to get dads more involved with the school.

There will be stalls selling items and activities for dads and their children to take part in, a steam train, some classic cars, a bouncy castle and face painting.

Charlotte Wardle, headteacher, said: “We have organised the fathers fun day because as a pre-school we wanted to involve dads more, we decided to try and make as much fuss for our fathers on Fathers day as there is for mothers on Mothers day.”

Luton South MP Gavin Shuker has today affirmed his support of Liz Kendall by nominating her for leadership of the Labour Party.

This afternoon Mr Shuker signed nomination papers to help Kendall to reach the 35 backers she needed to make the ballot.

The shadow social care minister is considered to be behind both Andy Burnham and Yvette Cooper in the race to succeed Ed Miliband.

Mr Shuker first announced his intention to back Kendall on May 21 as a “fresh start” for the party.

On his decision he said: “If we are to stand a chance of winning in 2020 we need a leader who will take bold decisions and represents a challenge to the status quo in both our party and the wider country.

“That leader is Liz Kendall. She can lead us to win the next election. For me, it is as simple as this.

“On devolution, education and social mobility, Liz has already demonstrated her depth, passion and ability as a communicator, making the case for Labour values.

“As an MP, like me, who entered Parliament in 2010, I know she can lead us into the 2020 general election with a fresh and clear narrative about why we want to govern.

“And on whether the problems of the market may only be fixed by the state (an old left view); or whether the problems of state may only be fixed by the market (a new Labour view), Liz is demonstrating her depth of thought. To her, there is such a thing as society.”

Mr Shuker added: “Liz is the right person to lead the charge against the Tories’ reckless approach.

“She’s already demonstrated that she isn’t afraid to stand up for what’s right for Britain even when that means taking difficult positions, such as on freedom of movement and immigration.”

Stealing a pair of Calvin Klein boxers and a packet of socks worth a total of £25 earned one thief fines of just under £600 this week.

Piotr Marzec, of Russell Street, Luton, stole the items from The Mall last Wednesday but was arrested after being caught by security staff.

The following day he appeared before magistrates, who were told that Marzec was on court bail at the time of the offence.

Marzec, speaking through a translator, pleaded guilty to the charge.

He also admitted stealing a bottle of Chanel perfume from Debenhams on April 4.

Marzec was fined £225 and ordered to pay £370 in costs.

Police evacuated buildings in King Street and closed two roads following reports of a suspicious package yesterday afternoon.

The bomb disposal team have arrived in Luton town centre and are using a robot.

King Street was closed at Stuart Street and George Street, with some businesses in George Street also opting to evacuate.

A spokesperson for Bedfordshire Police said: “We were called today (Tuesday) at around 2.30pm to reports of a suspicious package in King Street.

“Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists have been alerted and the road has been closed at Stuart Street and George Street as a precaution while investigations take place.”

One of the buildings to be evacuated was Age Concern Luton, where director Colette McKeaveney said: “A volunteer on reception had been told that we had to evacuate the building.

“Somebody went down to check and the PCSO said you have to get out quickly. We noticed that there were various police officers and PCSOs along the street evacuating the buildings. We had to leave the building via the bottom of the street and there were sniffer dogs on the street.

“We were not told anything, just to get out and get out quickly. The police were very calm and competent and it was very quick.”

Companies and entrepreneurs with stories of success to tell have been shortlisted for glory in this year’s FSB Bedfordshire Business Awards.

Organisers of the annual awards have been stunned by this year’s response which has seen entries flood in from companies and individuals who have never entered before.

Ian Cording, chairman of the Bedfordshire branch of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said: “To have attracted so many new entrants with success in their veins means these awards have achieved real traction.

“I personally cannot wait for the winners to be revealed at the Grand Final on June 25 at Center Parcs, Woburn Forest.”

The full list of finalists is:

Apprentice of the Year: Jade Parkin, Kidatu - Silsoe.

Best E-Business: CATS – Luton; Car4Leasing – Upper Stondon; Miamee Couture – Bedford; Trademaid Limited – Ampthill and Tyrocircle – Luton.

Best New Business: Carys L – Dunton; Davco Interiors Ltd – Luton; George James Bridal – Bedford; Home Heating Scheme Ltd – Stotfold; Puddle Ducks – West Herts, Luton & Dunstable; Teaching Talons – Flitwick; Valve Marketing – Ampthill and Watton Recruitment Ltd – Bedford.

Business Innovation: CATS – Great Marlings; Foley Exhibitions – Silsoe; Node IT – Biggleswade and Trademaid Limited – Ampthill.

Business Person of the Year: Shelly Shulman, Cakes by Shelly – Leighton Buzzard; Irena Oliver – Luton and Ben Fathers, Valve Marketing – Ampthill.

Community Business of the Year: HASCAT Safety – Leighton Buzzard; Kiosk at the Park – Bedford; Pecks Farm Shop – Leighton Buzzard; Pictons Solicitors – Luton; SA Biz UK – Bedford and The Rufus Centre – Flitwick.

Employee of the Year: Stuart Marquis, Liberty Bishop Contractor Services – Luton; Matt Collins, Node IT – Biggleswade; Aleksandra Buskiewicz, The Fresh Start Group – Caddington.

Enterprising Business: Cakes by Shelly – Leighton Buzzard; Dawn until Dusk Ltd – Bedford; JTM Plumbing and Heating – Stotfold; Osborne Morris & Morgan – Leighton Buzzard; Premier Solictors – Bedford and The Play Doctors – Bedford.

Entrepreneur of the Year: Irena Oliver – Luton; Rosa Cristini, SoYou Boutique – Leighton Buzzard.

Green Award: Cartridge Depot – Bedford.

Networking Group of the Year: 24/7 Business Networking – Biggleswade; Bedfordshire Business Women – Clapham; Busy Women Networking – Bedford; Enterprising Mums – Sandy; The Women in Business Network – Sandy and Women in Business Network – Great Denham.

Service Excellence: Biz Virtual – Luton; Dawn Until Dusk Ltd – Bedford; Fairies n Frogs – Ampthill; JNB Publishing – Luton; JTM Plumbing and Heating – Stotfold and Osborne Morris & Morgan Solicitors – Leighton Buzzard.

Training and Development: JTM Plumbing and Heating – Stotfold; Osborne Morris & Morgan Solicitors – Leighton Buzzard; Premier Solicitors – Bedford; The Play Doctors Ltd – Newport Pagnell and Valve Marketing – Ampthill.

Young Business Person of the Year: Martin Lewis, Graduation Attire – Bedford and Marc Scott, Liberty Bishop Contractor Services – Luton.

Keepers and staff at Whipsnade Zoo are in mourning after the death of a young elephant calf.

A week long battle to save 20 month old Max ended on Friday, when he died of the elephant endotheliotropic herpes virus (EEHV).

Raised levels of the EEHV virus’ DNA were found in Max’s blood during routine checks on May 28 and ZSL’s team of vets worked tirelessly day and night administering specialist drugs, and transfusing blood from a healthy adult in the herd into Max to try to stop the progress of the virus.

Max’s death has left ZSL Whipsnade Zoo’s keepers, some of whom worked closely with Max and the herd, deeply saddened.

David Field, director at the Zoological Society of London, said: “We are very sad to lose Max, who was a real character and had been a wonderful addition to the herd for the last year and a half.

“We know Max will be sorely missed, by visitors and by the keepers who worked so closely with him.

“Elephants are sensitive and social animals so our first priority is now to make sure that the rest of the herd are able to return to the comfort of their regular routine as soon as possible.”

EEHV is a highly fatal disease which claimed the life of another young elephant at Whipsnade in May 2009.

One-year-old Donaldson died just two days after falling ill.

Mr Field added: “Our ZSL vets, scientists and keepers are working hard, through collaborative work with other zoos and veterinary institutions worldwide, to research treatments and find a cure for EEHV, for the benefit of elephants around the world, including those in the wild.”

Max was born at 5am on October 12 2013 to second-time mum Karishma, measuring three feet tall and weighing in at a hefty 129.5kg.

His birth was recorded for ITV documentary The Zoo.

The calf added to Whipsnade Zoo’s European Endangered species Programme (EEP) for Asian elephants.

A 29-year-old Bedfordshire motorcyclist has been killed in an incident in Wiltshire.

His body was found after a member of the public called Wiltshire police just before 9am yesterday (Thursday). A black Yamaha motorbike was found near a tree, on a bend on Cow Drove Road, and the body of a rider nearby. It’s believed he was travelling towards Chilmark.

The rider is a 29 year old man from Bedfordshire. The incident happened sometime between 2am and 8.45am on the Thursday.

If anyone saw or heard anything in this area in the early hours of yesterday morning, they are asked to contact police via 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A Home Office task force will be sent to Bedfordshire Police HQ to learn more about the force’s financial problems, it has been announced.

Following a resounding ‘no’ in the council tax referendum last month, police and crime commissioner Olly Martins has renewed his pleas for extra government funding.

As things stand Beds Police needs to find £17.5m in savings annually by 2019/20.

In response to the appeals Mike Penning, Hemel MP and police minister, has pledged to send Home Office staff to the constabulary on a “fact finding exercise”.

Mr Martins said: “I’m glad the Home Office is making the effort to find out what is really happening here.

“Whilst they are responsible for 65% of our funding it is at an insufficient level, which is why we have the highest number of recorded burglaries, robberies and car crimes per officer per year of any force in the country.“

He added: “In fact they fund us as though we’re a small rural force when in fact we face some distinctly urban challenges such as this high level of serious acquisitive crime, organised crime and extremism.

“I look forward to showing the Home Office that we haven’t been idle in response to the challenges we face.”

In the aftermath of the referendum South West Beds MP Andrew Selous aksed Mr Penning to hold meeting with all of the county’s MPs, to discuss the force’s financial mire.

The police minister has said that this is not necessary prior to the Home Office visit.

Mr Penning said: “Until the visit and follow up report has been completed, I do not think there will be any benefit for us meeting.

“However I will of course continue to engage you and other relevant MPs in the matter.”

Luton’s museums, Stockwood Discovery Centre and Wardown Park Museum have both received a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence award.

“We are delighted to win the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for both our museums. It is a true source of pride for the entire team at Luton Culture and we’d like to thank all of our recent visitors who took the time to complete a review on TripAdvisor,” said Karen Perkins, Director of Arts & Museums, Luton Culture. “With the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence based on customer reviews, the accolade is a remarkable vote of confidence for our Museums and our continued commitment to excellence.”

>To find out more about Luton’s museums, visit www.lutonculture.com.