Latest news with #MohammedRahman
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
Second man charged with murder of Kings Heath homeless man
A second man has been charged with the murder of a homeless man in Dean, also known as Yankee, was attacked in Springfield Road, Kings Heath, at around 17:00 BST on 7 July and died in hospital two days Rahman was arrested on Friday and the 24-year-old has now been charged with murder. He was remanded in custody to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court on Khan, 23, was also charged with murder earlier this month. West Midlands Police said the family of Mr Dean, who was originally from San Diego in California, were being kept informed and are being offered Dean was said to be popular among the Kings Heath community and would often be seen sitting outside the local Asda of people attended a memorial service held for him at New Life Baptist Church, which included eulogies, poems and hymns. A slide show of photos of Mr Dean throughout his life was also shared while his favourite song played - California by Joni Mitchell. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Daily Mail
08-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Businessman accused of 'increasing the size of his home in every direction' without permission by council
A businessman who increased the size of his home in every direction without planning permission, and to the fury of some neighbours, has declared: 'I don't understand what I've done wrong!' Mohammed Rahman extended to the front, the rear and side, and even built a structure at the end of his long back garden with one local saying: 'It looks like a little house.' But he failed to acknowledge what he had done wrong until planners warned him it was an 'illegal build' which had caused 'significant stress to some residents' in Elmdon, near Solihull, West Midlands. One officer told him: 'You can't extend your property in every direction without seeking the proper permission.' Mr Rahman, understood to be in his 30s, was forced to submit a retrospective planning application which was finally given the green light last week (May 21) by Solihull Council. The semi-detached house, which is white washed with imposing dark grey full length windows and doors and has a loft conversion, contrasts to the more traditional redbrick properties surrounding it. Whilst the building works to the home has been completed, double glazing is still to be fitted and internal decoration completed. Mr Rahman, speaking by phone to MailOnline, said: 'I own the house and it is very nice but I am not living there yet. 'I have extended it and workmen are still there but I don't understand what I've done wrong!' He claimed he had no objections from neighbours, insisting: 'There is no problem, no issue.' He described himself as a 'business owner' who has a 'few retail shops.' An elderly neighbour complained the house was 'too big' and had another building in the rear garden which 'looks like a little house.' The man said: 'I don't know the owner because he hasn't;t moved in yet but there has been a lot of work going on there for a long time. 'It doesn't bother me too much, as long as he has the proper planning permission which I believe has now been given.' Another local said the house 'looks out of place in the street' in Old Lode Lane, saying: 'It sticks out like a sore thumb!' One commented: 'Looking on the planning portal, the previously accepted application looks nothing like the building standing now. 'It's huge and looks like it could be a future HMO (house in multiple occupation). 'The owner was forced to put in a retrospective application or face having to rip it down.' Yet another remarked: 'It seems to be one rule for the well off and another for the rest of us. 'In this case, there have been several objections by concerned residents due to a variety of reasons, the main one being the property standing out like a sore thumb. 'How on earth the planning dept allowed floor to ceiling windows is beyond me!' One said: 'If you review the history in this case, somethings doesn't quite add up as to how the supposed 'fair and impartial' council allowed this to be pushed through. 'Quite obviously the applicant has disregarded the process, and retrospectively sought approval. Can we all do the same, or is it one rule for one?' Others complained about the Juliet balconies to the front and rear. The property has divided residents with some commenting on social media that they liked it. A supporter said: 'I think the owners done a great job. Looks amazing. Best house on the street. Well done!' Another urged: 'Why can't we just be happy for the owner! Who's designed a 'Grand Design' as Kevin McCloud would say. 'We should respect the decision from the planning committee.' In March Mr Rahman resubmitted a retrospective application for a single storey front and rear extension, two storey side extension, alterations to front fenestration (arrangement of windows), addition of render to the property and a detached outbuilding to the rear. It came after Mark Andrews, Solihull Council 's head of planning, design and engagement, had issued a notice to refuse the original application in January. Committee members, at a meeting in May, were told officers had concerns the roof of the ground floor was going to be used as a balcony but the applicant was now proposing a Juliette balcony with no plans to use it as a balcony. With that issue overcome, planners approved the extension on officers' recommended. During the meeting Councillor Richard Long - ward councillor for Elmdon - said: 'I'm speaking against the application based on concerns expressed by residents. 'Planning applications related to this property have been a long running matter. 'The drip drip changes and apparent ignoring of previous planning refusal has caused significant stress to some residents, as highlighted by their objections. 'There is a lack of confidence any restriction imposed will be enforced.' And he added residents were unhappy council officers were recommending approval on 'what appears minor changes.' During the debate, the chairman Councillor Bob Grinsell said: ' live in a house that has got both a balcony and Juliette balcony, so I do understand the situation. 'If a local resident was to see any changes (it being used as a balcony) I would suggest they get hold of you, Councillor Long, and you contact planning enforcement - they will enforce the matter. 'Can I reiterate the reasoning for refusal under delegated powers was purely the potential usage over the flat roof (as a balcony) which would overlook and give a loss of privacy to neighbouring residents. When the vote was taken councillors unanimously voted in favour of approval.
Times
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Times
Prevent scheme ‘fails to tackle terrorism funded by organised crime'
The government's Prevent programme is failing to tackle the threat of terrorism funded by organised crime, according to a leading counterterror expert who has been awarded funding to investigate the link. Dr Mohammed Rahman, a criminologist specialising in serious and organised crime, warned that the link between terrorism and organised crime has been significantly overlooked by British security agencies. He has been awarded funding by the British Academy aimed at exposing the 'crime-terror nexus' as there are no government agencies currently investigating the link. Rahman will provide a series of recommendations for national and local government and public bodies as part of efforts to address security threats and enhance community safety. He said that he hoped the project would inform 'more effective policies' and in
Telegraph
28-03-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
UK's rarest cars: 1987 Toyota Space Cruiser – one of only two left
When Toyota GB began importing the Model F Space Cruiser in 1983 it seemed a world apart from the likes of humdrum European fare such as the Morris Ital and the Talbot Solara. Here was a vehicle with a velour-trimmed interior that resembled the lounge of a showhome on an executive housing estate. Today, Mohammed Rahman's 1987 example is one of only 18 left on the road, but only one of two with the optional automatic gearbox. The Space Cruiser made its bow in 1982. One intended market was the USA, where by 1983 it would compete with the Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan in a sector dubbed 'minivans'. That year, Toyota GB stressed that the Space Cruiser was not an adapted HiAce van but a wholly new form of vehicle. The two may have looked similar but the former was for carpet retailers, the latter for go-ahead drivers who could program a ZX81 Spectrum personal computer. The sales copy emphasised a name with vague science-fiction connotations. 'Experience A Close Encounter With The Toyota Space Cruiser,' urged one advertisement. Additionally, it 'goes where no other vehicle goes before', although the copywriter sadly resisted the temptation to say: 'It's a HiAce, Jim, but not as we know it.' By the autumn of 1983, Toyota GB had found sales exceeding expectations. One of the Space Cruiser's main attributes was its versatility, with accommodation for eight occupants, while the second and third rows of seats could be arranged to form a double bed. This more than compensated for a front passenger seat with no fore and aft adjustment as it was mounted on the engine compartment lid. The Space Cruiser's equipment list was a further strong point: electric front windows, an adjustable steering wheel, power-assisted steering that was 'out of this world', a stereo radio-cassette player, a separate heater for the rear occupants and even twin mileometers. The gearbox choices were a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic and – perhaps the most stereotypically 1980s feature of all – the Space Cruiser was the world's only production vehicle 'with two moon roofs'. The Telegraph 's motoring correspondent praised how the Space Cruiser's seats gave passengers 'a grandstand view of the countryside'. He went on to say they might have an even better view if they stood up and looked through the opened sliding roofs, although 'I suppose this should not be encouraged'. The Space Cruiser's looks attracted some controversy; one Autocar tester complained it was 'bizarre at the front and looks like a van at the back'. However, another of the magazine's writers was more complimentary, approving of the high-mounted driving position. 'An added bonus of the Space Cruiser is that sitting that high up gives you a traffic advantage – and you can look over other people's hedges.' The last-named feature may have appealed to the Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet) market. A dealer could also say, with some justification, that the Space Cruiser had no direct British rival in 1983. The main alternatives were the Mitsubishi Space Wagon, the Nissan Prairie and, by 1984, the Renault Espace. In addition, Toyota warned prospective buyers: 'Test drive a Model F Space Cruiser and see Peugeot 505 Family Estate owners or Citroën Familiale owners turn into green-eyed monsters.' Some owners may have found the 1.8-litre engine's 84mph top speed not especially rapid, but the 2.0-litre version arrived in the UK in February 1985. The price was now £8,994 (£27,400 in today's terms), compared with £8,199 for the Space Wagon, £8,399 for the Prairie in Anniversary II guise and £11,250 for the Renault Espace 2000 TSE. Motor praised the Space Cruiser's driving position and found its ride 'improves markedly when full of people'. They also noted 'you can sleep in comfort' on the double bed. Toyota facelifted the Space Cruiser eight months later and sales ended in February 1990 with the launch of the larger Previa MPV. Toyota sold 9,346 examples of the Space Cruiser in the UK and more than 250,000 globally, but the familiar corrosion issues ensured that barely any exist in 2025. Rahman's Model F deserves to be celebrated as a prime example of Toyota's marketing acumen.
