Man charged with criminal damage and burglary of Cross Rhythms office.

A MAN has appeared at court in Walsall, West Midlands, charged with criminal damage and burglary following a series of incidents at the Cross Rhythms editorial office in Wednesbury. David Fellows, who lived a few doors away from Cross Rhythms in Curtin Drive, was arrested by officers from West Midlands Police after being caught trying to break in by assistant editor Gavin Drake.

He was charged with criminal damage and released on bail, and during the next two weeks attempted to break in, threaten and attempt to assault Gavin Drake and wrote graffiti on the front door. At about midnight on 27th October Gavin Drake discovered another break in had resulted in the loss of Cross Rhythms' stereo music system, fax machine and a computer system on loan from Christian Metal Charity Sure Foundation Christian Ministries.

The estimated bill for replacement is put at around £3,000. The following day Fellows was arrested and pleaded guilty to burglary. On 30th November Fellows was given conditional bail to appear again before magistrates on 17 December.

As yet, no property has been recovered.
Following the break in on 27th October, Gavin Drake was arrested and charged with assaulting a police officer. For legal reasons we are unable at this stage to give further details, except to say that Gavin Drake was given hospital treatment for injuries received and was due to appear before Walsall magistrates on 16th December. The Complaints And Discipline Department of the West Midlands Police has launched an investigation into the incident.