House in Nuneaton cordoned off after woman's death...

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Forensics remained at the scene last night



A murder suspect remains in custody as investigations into the death of an OAP continue.

Warwickshire Police have this morning (June 2) confirmed that a 31-year-old man remains in police custody.

His was arrested yesterday (June 1) after emergency services were called to a house in College Street following concerns for a woman inside a property.

Officers and paramedics from West Midlands Ambulance Service responded to the call and the woman, aged in her 80s, was sadly pronounced deceased.

A police car remained on guard outside the house last night and a blue and white forensic tent was also still outside the property.

Part of the 'banana' bridge, opposite the row of homes, remained tape off last night too.

Police had been on guard throughout the day following the emergency call-out at just after 9am.

Investigations into the cause of the woman's death are ongoing.

Detectives are treating it as 'suspicious' and a post-mortem is due to take place.

Detective Chief Inspectoe Caroline Corfield from Warwickshire Police said: “An investigation has been launched and a number of enquiries are currently ongoing to ascertain the circumstances of this incident.

"As part of our enquiries, we would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious behaviour in the area between 7pm last night and 9am this morning.

"Our thoughts are with the woman’s family at this difficult time, and we would ask that their privacy is respected.”

Anyone with any information that could help the investigation should call Warwickshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 94 of June 1.

Details can also be passed on to officers via the independent charity Crimestoppers, which is free to call from a landline and confidential, on 0800 555 111.

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Arley man charged with murder of Nuneaton great gran Mildred Whitmore



A man has been charged with murder of a Nuneaton great gran.

Chase Kelly, aged 31 of Arley was this evening (June 3) charged with the murder of pensioner Mildred Whitmore.

Kelly has also been charged with burglary in connection with the incident in College Street on June 1.

He has been remanded in custody.

Kelly will now appear at Coventry Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (June 4) where he will face the two charges.

The charge comes hours after heartbroken relatives of the 84-year-old paid trbute to the great gran and said in a statement she was a 'loving gentle lady'.

It read: "Mildred was the queen of our family. A loving wife, mother, grandma, great grandma and friend.

“Mildred would find great enjoyment from spending time with her family and pottering around her garden.

“Everyone who knew her would agree she was a loving gentle lady, who will be greatly missed by all that were lucky enough to know her."

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Nuneaton great gran murder suspect appears in court

An Arley man accused of killing a Nuneaton great gran has appeared in court.

Chase Kelly from Arley appeared at Birmingham Crown Court earlier today, Tuesday June 8, after the venue was altered.

The 31-year-old has been charged with the murder of pensioner Mildred Whitmore.

He has also been charged with burglary in connection with the incident in College Street on June 1.

No pleas were made and he will reappear in court again for a trial in late January next year.

Kelly will remain in custody until the trial.

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Man admits killing 84-year-old Nuneaton woman at her home



A man has admitted killing an 84 year-old woman who was found dead at her house in Nuneaton.

Mildred Whitmore was found strangled at her house in College Street last June, police said. She was found by officers after a report raising concern.

Chase Kelly, 31, of no fixed-abode, had denied murder but admitted manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.

He was remanded in custody after the hearing at Warwick Crown Court while psychiatric reports were prepared.

A report of man hiding in bushes of a nearby school was sent to police on 1 June, 2021. Officers found Kelly, who had cuts and bruises to his arms and legs, and he was arrested over Ms Whitmore's death.

Kelly was placed in the area at about 04:40 BST, after a witness reported hearing a commotion and recorded him walking across the A444 towards George Eliot Hospital, the force added.

Det Insp Collette O'Keefe said: "This was a tragic and senseless killing. Mildred was a much loved lady who is clearly missed by her family and friends.

"This is an incredibly difficult time for everyone who knew her and our thoughts remain with them."

Relatives of Ms Whitmore previously described her as the "queen" of the family and said she enjoyed pottering around her garden.

Kelly is expected to next appear in court no earlier than 25 April.

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Chase Kelly sentenced to life in prison for murder of much-loved Nuneaton gran

Evil Chase Kelly has been sentenced to life in prison for the 'tragic and senseless' murder of Nuneaton pensioner Mildred Whitmore. Ms Whitmore, a much-loved great gran, was found dead in the early hours of June 1, 2021, at her home on College Street where she had been punched in the face and strangled.

Kelly, 32, of Gun Hill, Arley, was sentenced today at Warwick Crown Court. The court heard how Ms Whitmore had been left with a cardigan over her face in the upstairs front bedroom despite her sleeping in the back room.

Kelly, who had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility, made his way to Ms Whitmore's home after discharging himself from George Eliot Hospital where he refused an ECG for high blood pressure. A nurse at the hospital claimed Kelly has appeared agitated after he had taken 10 times the usual amount of prescribed amphetamine, the court heard.

Kelly's doctor had prescribed 70mg of the drug when he claimed he was suffering with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but warned Kelly not to take it with alcohol or other drugs. Prosecutor QC Michelle Healy told the court that at the time of Ms Whitmore's death, Kelly had been taking steroids orally and injecting them and had consumed half a bottle of vodka alongside the high dose of amphetamine.

And when police tracked Kelly down after Ms Whitmore's body was found, he was in a park, half-dressed and confused. Defending Kelly, QC Andrew Bout said his client experienced a psychotic episode when he climbed on Ms Whitmore's bin and entered her property.

"A side effect of amphetamine is psychosis [and] the prescribed dose was likely to cause him to become psychotic," Mr Bout added. Judge Mark Wall said imprisonment was the only option for Kelly and that he did not need hospitalisation.

Passing sentence, Judge Wall said: "Mildred Whitmore was in her bed at home where she should have been safe. She was 84-years-old and lived alone.

"You forced your way into her home, punched her once then killed her. She could not save herself from your attack."

Ms Whitmore was 5ft and Kelly was described as a "powerful weightlifter". Kelly did not know Ms Whitmore or anyone in her family, the court heard.

Kelly was sentenced to life in prison and ordered to serve a minimum term of nine years and nine months. He was also given a 17-month sentence for an assault in Ryton-on-Dunsmore in November 2020 which left a man with a bleed on the brain. Both sentences will run concurrently.