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The conman and an alulterous Assistant Chief Constable
Craig Shell, 23, from Kidderminster, was the subject of an article in the local paper, the Sunday Mercury, which later featured on the Mail online site in February 2009. He had tried to sell intimate details of his affair with student Zoe Chesterman, 18, daughter of West Mercia Constabulary’s third in command, Simon Chesterman, to the local paper. He tried to release this information through a source. The newspaper was provided with private information about the Chesterman family. This included their home address, landline and mobile telephone numbers
Described as ‘crooked’ and as a ‘criminal’ he reportedly touted details of his brief relationship with Zoe in an attempt to embarrass her father and stepmother – both of whom serve with West Mercia Constabulary. The original story does little to explain what happened and why between him and Zoe. It focused on Shell’s past actions.
Much was made of his conviction in November 2008 after pleading guilty to nine deception, theft and fraud charges.
He had been exposed in June 2007 after swindling £74,000 from churches and businesses in Worcestershire. In November 2007 he was sentenced to three years. Freed early on license summer 2008 he first emailed Zoe in November 2008 and offered to help her raise funds in aid of Hodgkins Lymphoma sufferers.
A romance soon began, despite Shell being engaged to someone else. They went on a series of dates throughout December and used to chat online, occasionally using a webcam. The relationship apparently ended after Christmas when Shell told Zoe all about his criminal past. Worried for her father’s reputation she decided to stop seeing him.
Despite the break-up Shell and Zoe have remained in contact via email and the odd secret meeting. In an email reply to Shell regarding the newspaper article printed in the Mercury and its claims about him Zoe eloquently explains her own comments and behaviour:
‘My dad has told me what to say. I am sorry but my dad cant loose his job over this and I had to do what I thought is right.’
She is also worried that Shell will try and expose her father’s behaviour to another paper and warns what will happen to him:
‘I know that if you do my dad will try and set you up and get you back in prison and I don’t want that to happen.’
The message, dated 17th February 2009, is not long after publication in the local paper. It also includes Zoe blaming her dad and the paper for getting Shell the sack.
There was even a possibility that West Mercia would investigate Shell over his short relationship with Zoe to see if he could be convicted and sent back to prison to serve the remainder of his three-year sentence. As it was the publicity surrounding the story cost him his job as a chef. Since then he has found other employment.
Shell insists that there is more to what happened then and since and has made several attempts to publicise his story. West Mercia Constabulary closed down two websites he ran posting his version of his relationship with Zoe. The first site focused on the Mercury article about his affair and the second on Zoe’s policeman father, West Mercia Constabulary Assistant Chief Constable Simon Chesterman and his actions.
He makes very serious allegations, which, if true, would raise questions about Chesterman’s role as a policeman. These include insisting that Simon and his wife Carron are swingers who take trips to Thailand to indulge in their kinky hobby. Simon, he alleges, even participates in dogging.
I was told by Shell in an email, 29th April 2009, while still looking into his story, that:
Hi Bill
I have made some interesting findings yesterday, but due to obvious reasons cant mention them on here or by phone! I had the chance to speak with Simon Chesterman yesterday, and we have agreed that I will not mention anything about what I know to anyone.
Sorry I can't help you further.
CRAIG SHELL
When I next heard from Shell, early July 2009, he claimed that West Mercia officers had often stopped him during the last month for no valid reasons. He also claimed that ACC Chesterman had been served with a bankruptcy petition by a local firm of solicitors acting for a company looking to repossess his home’s furniture. The top cop had, according to Shell, failed to keep up with the payments due on the furniture.
Shell claimed that ACC Chesterman had tried to bribe him – offering him £5000 to keep his silence. Shell claims that what he knows about Simon could ruin his career if it were to be made public.
Clearly something odd went on between Shell and top cop Chesterman. Prior to Craig Shell’s ‘break-up’ with student Zoe Chesterman the two men got on so well that they played golf. Shell would visit the family home and was trusted enough to be given intimate family information such as personal mobile phone numbers. With all this in mind what is the true story about the conman and the top cop?
Thames Valley Police and West Mercia Constabulary were later informed of these allegations. Their response was that it was up to Simon Chesterman to decide whether or not to take action. Shell had by now changed his tune about Chesterman and accused the Echo proprietor of threatening to 'get' Chesterman. He said he had a tape recording which could be construed as a death threat. Shell also sent an email apparently intended for Simon Chesterman. Chesterman’s boss at WMC is his old boss, Paul West, from West Mercia. West Mercia has got a reputation for corruption and paid off two senior female officers to keep them quiet on the issue.
It is very strange considering that Shell talks of plots, when my intentions are obvious. Shell has made the most extraordinary allegations against Simon Chesterman. Now if he is to be believed, WMC are more interested in pursuing me for just reporting what he has said.
Why would I desist? I am sure that pyschic Shell can tell me. Close scrutiny of this site will reveal that I am reporting matters of fact about the Chesterman family and what Shell has alleged in writing. I agree with Shell that these matters need to go to court. The police are well aware of my views as I have put them in writing to WMC and TVP.
Pictured above, left, an extract from one of two websites which Craig Shell claimed had been taken down by West Mercia. Below left is a copy of Shell's latest threats. He is now threatening County Court action and has allegedly made formal complaints to WMC and the NUJ.
The pictured site purported to tell the story of his failed romance with Zoe Chesterman. The second Shell site claimed to tell the truth about ACC Simon Chesterman. It disappeared before anything of interest had been written.
Cook has advised the police the proper course of action if they want to gag the Buckingham Echo. This is a public interest story and it seems rather odd that WMC have been saying that whatever is going on is Chesterman's private life. Court seems the only place that these matters can be resolved.
About us- Robert Cook August 21st 2010.
The idea for a Buckingham based website came from a colleague with whom I established the Buckingham Post. He knew more about software than I do and presented a good layout. He also paid Google to make sure people could find us. We agreed that local journalism was too bland, under the ownership of Johnston Press. Subjects were carefully chosen or avoided and certain viewpoints held sway. Unfortunately, we did not share the same view on the significance of the police in modern Britain. Thus we parted company.
My attitude to the police has been shaped by personal experience. I am the ex brother in law of an Assistant Chief Constable. I am also the cousin of a police sergeant. The two men are worlds apart. I have met a lot of good police officers, past and present. My criticism of the police is an abstract one. The phrase Police State is an abstraction; it names a political concept.
The Normans and their descendants who make up the core of the British aristocracy have long ruled the British. Ninety per cent of the nation’s wealth is owned or controlled by them- about three per cent of the population. As in the 1930s, these people will suffer no great hardship in the current economic and social climate. Laws and policing will be there to protect them. Mainstream media, owned by large corporations, spins it the way the elite wants it. This does not mean there are no good journalists, but they have to toe the line in a competitive workplace. There are journalists and journalists. For the blandest of bland, one only has to look at the upper and upper middle class Oxbridge educated bimbos reading the news. Men are the main consumers of news and these women are there to distract them.
The Internet poses a threat to this cosy situation. Not surprisingly vested interests are calling out for the net to be regulated. This writer has had two sites mysteriously closed- apparently through police intervention. West Mercia Constabulary refuses to answer any questions posed to them; therefore one can only fear the worst. A process of police empowerment began with the Tory Police Reform Act in 1993. New Labour condemned this as erosion of civil liberties. Once in power they passed the more draconian 2003 Police Reform Act. By this time the war on terror was well under way. Many of us recall President George Bush senior and his post Gulf War speech in 1990. The oil billionaire called out for a New World Order.’
A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then. I was informed yesterday, by a convicted Kidderminster con man- who appears to have, or have had, some kind of relationship with Assistant Chief Constable Simon Chesterman, that West Mercia Constabulary are making moves to have this site closed down. Whilst it is not my purpose to write only about the police, I will continue to explore this situation until such time as we arrive in court. Since the relevant issues involve fighting slander and libel against me and the welfare of my adult sons, I really have no choice. I have no illusions or delusions about being a hero. Simon Chesterman and the police have given me no alternative. Their actions, along with convicted con man Craig Shell require explanation. Regards other parties involved in harassing me over these matters, I am well aware of their motives.
Local and national interest
Hopefully vsitors to this site will also find articles and photos of local and national interest. The software is basic at the moment and resources limited, but so far www.buckinghamecho.com has sustained a high level of interest- probably from the police and other interested parties.
Policing the Internet: controlling freedom of thought- July 19th 2010
According to Neil O’Brien, in yesterday’s Sunday Mail, there is a need to bring law and order to the Internet.
O’Brien writes re regulating the Internet: ‘The last Government was particularly odd in this regard. It combined a desperate desire to avoid moral judgement with a hair trigger willingness to pass all encompassing legislation- sometimes to an absurd degree.
‘Mr Cameron did precisely the opposite: he did not rush to regulate, but he did provide moral leadership. As a result, common sense prevailed and the page has since been removed from the site.
‘But in this case, the issue is really something more than freedom of speech……the internet is a wonderful thing……………but there is a dark side……Any (newspaper) columnist or commentator expressing some of the sentiments on Moat’s tribute page would quickly- and justifiably- find themselves facing the wrath of the Press Complaints Commission or Ofcom, or even criminal investigation for incitement to violence.’
He wrote, with reference to a Facebook tribute to Raoul Moat. O’Brien deplores the Facebook tribute. He is disconcerted by signs of popular loathing for the police and praises the Prime Minister for deploring the website. Moat, before killing himself, shot three people: blinding a police officer and killing his ex partner’s new boyfriend after he had shot her.
O’Brien’s article goes on to say: ‘Ask France’s First Lady and her husband Nicolas Sarkozy about the power of Internet chatter.’ O’Brien was referring to allegations that Carla Bruni had an affair with a musician. Shocking stuff it seems to one of the members of our largely upper middle class press pack. Particularly as they themselves have skeletons that they want to keep in their own closets away from public scrutiny. Remember MPs expenses and exorbitant bankers pay?
Before I pass comment, I admit that I did not look at this particular blog, having my own ideas about this complex case. It is generally the case that the ignorant British are inclined to offer half-baked opinions. But that is because they are the products of a society that cripples them with a very limiting education system. A society where those of the comfy pampered upper classes directs and controls public opinion. Official news websites are as self censored as the mainstream papers that spawned them.
It is simplistic to say that the Internet is not regulated. Anyone who publishes on the Internet is already subject to the laws of libel and incitement to hatred, or violence etc. Websites can be legally controlled by an injunction and allegations tested in court. The Facebook account broke no laws. From what I have read about it, it simply took the view that our police are idiotic bullies who think a lot of themselves.
However the state will use any excuse to interfere in the private lives of ordinary British people. Moat is an opportunity to prevent people expressing alternative views that criticise or challenge the upper class consensus. The authorities live in fear of a volcanic outburst from the downtrodden British masses. The British elite does not pay their taxes or send their sons off to die in foreign wars but continues to control the lives of everyone else in Britain to benefit themselves and their families.
This author has already had two websites taken down after writing the truth online about a dubious senior police officer. As of yet I have faced no threat of legal action from West Mercia Constabulary or their Assistant Chief Constable Simon Chesterman and do not ever expect to.
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