Warwickshire Police have issued the following update this afternoon (Saturday 7 December 2024).
As we continue to try and find missing Kenilworth man John Taylor, we’d like to highlight the great work of our search and rescue teams.
Members of the public who have themselves been helping with the search over the last few days will have noticed we have been joined by colleagues from Warwickshire Search and Rescue and Northamptonshire Search and Rescue – they’re the ones in the red uniforms.
They are all volunteers who bring much expertise to searches for missing people. We and Mr Taylor’s family are very grateful for their support. Sadly Mr Taylor remains missing, but along with the search and rescue teams, we have specialist officers carrying out water searches today.
We continue to keep in touch with his family and in line with their wishes, remind people not to put themselves in danger trying to help with the search given the extreme weather warning.
Any sightings can be reported on 999. Any other information that may help can be reported on 101 or online using the Warwickshire Police website – link below:
A drug dealer living at Burton Green, Kenilworth who claimed to have “fiya batches of brand-new yayo” and who we arrested after he failed to stop a stolen Peugeot while driving drunk has been sentenced to six years in prison.
A search of his house also revealed illegal firearms and ammunition as well as up to £25,000 worth of cocaine.
At around 10pm on Wednesday 6 December 2023, Operational Patrol Unit (OPU) officers spotted Jack Unsworth, 20, of Moat Lane, Burton Green, Kenilworth driving a stolen Peugeot 408 in Kenilworth.
Unsworth failed to stop on request, resulting in a police pursuit. Soon afterwards, Unsworth (who was under the influence of alcohol) lost control of the car and crashed on the A45’s Festival Island.
Inside the car we discovered over £3,000 in cash, drugs, and a machete.
Following this, a search of his house uncovered two handguns, ammunition, up to £25,000 worth of cocaine, and other drugs paraphernalia.
His phone included various videos of Unsworth presenting his lifestyle as a drug dealer, including with drugs and cash in hand, as well as messages and other evidence showing he had been selling drugs.
Jack Unsworth was sentenced to six years in prison at Warwick Crown Court on 6 December 2024. He has also been disqualified from driving for four years, and will have to pass an extended driving test to get a new license.
This was for charges including possession of firearms, possession of ammunition for a firearm, possession with intent to supply cocaine and Class C drugs, possession of a knife in a public place, aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, driving while under the influence of alcohol, driving without insurance, driving not in accordance with a license, and acquiring, using, or possessing criminal property.
DC Mottram of Leamington CID said “For those wondering if getting involved with violent gangs and dealing drugs to vulnerable people for a bit of extra cash is worth it, I’d hope this provides an answer.
“The county is much safer with Unsworth behind bars. He drove around with a weapon in his car, he kept firearms in his house and had no regard for the safety of others.
“Thanks to the excellent work of OPU, he is no longer a risk and will spend the next six years in prison with some time to seriously consider his actions.
“Cocaine causes pain and misery from its production to its importation and sale, leaving a trail of blood around the world that pools around vulnerable people in our communities.”
Kenilworth Watch would like to pay tribute and thanks to all those in Warwickshire Police but also all those from Kenilworth’s community who have been supporting and helping the Police, Warwickshire Fire & Rescue, and volunteer professional search and rescue teams helping to try and locate John Taylor who went missing on Tuesday 3 December 2024.
The support of local businesses across Kenilworth, including some in nearby Warwick, is also much appreciated, and it says so much about Kenilworth’s community and how people, organisations and local businesses come together to support a common aim.
This afternoon (Friday 6 December 2024), Warwickshire Police issued an update that said the search for John Taylor is continuing.
There remains a large police presence in the Kenilworth area and specialist teams have been carrying out water searches.
Warwickshire Police are in regular contact with John’s family and are ensuring the family gets the support they need.
The officers, the search and rescue teams and John’s family are all hugely grateful for the support they have received from members of the public.
However, Warwickshire Police wish to highlight to everyone that there is a UK Weather Warning in place for Kenilworth between 1500hrs Friday 6 December until 0600hrs on Sunday 8 December over the weekend. Periods of Heavy Rain are also forecast.
Consequently, John’s family and Warwickshire Police are urging people not to put themselves in danger to help with the search. They understand peoples eagerness to assist, but are especially keen to discourage people from searching in the dark as safety must be the priority. Further, the police have also said that all farm outbuildings in the area have now been searched and ask that people avoid going into these, especially after dark, as this is causing alarm to the landowners.
We would ask everyone to heed the advice and continue to work with Warwickshire Police
Once again the key points of advice from Warwickshire Police:
UK Weather Warning issued for Kenilworth for wind and periods of heavy rain forecastbetween 1500hrs Friday 6 December and 0600hrs Sunday 8 December 2024.
Please don’t search in the dark
All farm outbuildings have been checked – please do not check any farm buildings, especially after dark.
Warwickshire Police will provide updates over the weekend and wish to thank everyone so far for their ongoing support.
Warwickshire Police are worried for the welfare of 86yr old John from Kenilworth. have appealed for people to keep a lookout for John who was last seen walking on Purlieu Lane, Kenilworth at 8.45am today, 3 December.
He is around 5’11” tall, of medium build and he may be wearing a navy blue cap, navy blue quilted jacket and navy blue/grey trainers.
If you see John please call 999 immediately and quote incident number 158 of 3 December 2024.
Please be aware that at approximately 1630hrs on Saturday 30 November 2024 offender/s broke into a property at Cromwell Lane, Burton Green, Kenilworth by smashing the glass of the rear patio doors. Once inside the offender/s made an untidy search of the property and stole a number of items, including items of jewellery.
This is incident 0068 of 2 December 2024
If you think you may have seen or heard anything, have any CCTV footage, dashcam footage or any information about this incident please contact Warwickshire Police on 101.
Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
Kenilworth Watch 