Cleveland, England, has reported the highest rate of homicides in England and Wales, according to shocking data recently released. Teesside Live highlighted that the homicide rate, which includes killings such as murder and manslaughter, has been steadily increasing over the past three years following a decline during the initial wave of the covid-19 pandemic. In the 2022/23 period, Cleveland recorded a homicide rate of 19.3 per million people, the highest in England and Wales, with the national average being 10.9.
Despite its relatively small population compared to other regions, Cleveland reported 13 homicides in the past 12 months. Statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) also revealed that Cleveland ranks highest in the UK for crime and violent crime rates per 1,000 population. Additionally, Cleveland was identified as having the second-highest recorded crime rate in terms of knife attacks.
Among the cases reported by Teesside Live is the tragic murder of Antonino “Nino” Calabro, 26, and his fiancé Francesca Di Dio. The couple was brutally bludgeoned to death by Andrea Cardinale in a shocking attack in Stockton.
Andrea Cardinale, suffering from undiagnosed paranoid schizophrenia, carried out the brutal killings of his two friends. Following the tragic incident, Cardinale pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and was sentenced in October 2023.
In another case, Dave Thompson-Love, an alcoholic with a criminal record, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his “close” friend, Maurice ‘Moza’ Bennett. Thompson-Love fatally injured Mr. Bennett, 54, in his flat in Ormesby using various weapons.
Dean Williams, from Middlesbrough, received a life sentence after murdering his friend Ian Macneil following a drug-related argument. Williams assaulted Mr. Macneil, 46, with a bottle and a walking stick, resulting in fatal injuries.
In a separate case, David Boyd, a child killer from Stockton, was jailed for murdering seven-year-old Nikki Allan. Boyd tricked Nikki into going with him, sexually abused her, and then brutally killed her.
Three individuals, including Sarah Hadfield and her brother Anthony Hadfield, were sentenced for killing 30-year-old Adam Thomson in a dispute over relationships in Hartlepool. The tragic incident resulted in Adam’s death after being chased and fatally attacked by the offenders armed with knives.
Lastly, Marie Metcalfe was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of her older sibling Laura Metcalfe. Following a feud, Marie stabbed her sister in the chest, leading to Laura’s tragic death.
These cases shed light on the grim reality of homicides and violent crimes occurring in various regions, prompting authorities to take necessary actions to address such alarming trends.