JAMES DEMPSEY'S SHOCKING KIDNAPPING IN SOLIHULL AND BIRMINGHAM: POLICE RESCUE BABY AFTER 36-HOUR MANHUNT

In a disturbing case that unfolded across Solihull and Birmingham, James Dempsey, a known career criminal, was sentenced to a total of 27 months in prison following his involvement in the kidnapping of a five-month-old baby. The incident, which sparked a significant police operation, culminated in the rescue of the infant after a relentless 36-hour manhunt that captured the attention of the local community and law enforcement agencies alike.

On April 3 of this year, police in Birmingham launched an extensive search after the baby was taken from an address in Sutton Coldfield. The suspect, James Dempsey, had previously been identified as a person of interest, and authorities quickly mobilized to locate him and the child. According to the prosecution, Dempsey had sent a message to the mother claiming he was 'just popping to the shop,' while secretly taking her car and mobile phone. The phone was later sold by Dempsey to fund his drug habit, a detail that added to the gravity of his offenses.

Prosecutor Michael Conry explained that Dempsey had sold the mother’s iPhone for drugs, all in the presence of her young child. Despite being advised by a friend to return the baby, Dempsey chose to keep the child for over 34 hours. During this period, he expressed concern about the mother’s reaction to the phone being sold, but surprisingly, he did not seem worried about the child's safety or well-being.

The police eventually tracked Dempsey’s movements when they spotted him driving a silver Vauxhall Astra towards Coventry along the A45 at around 1 a.m. on April 4. CCTV footage of the police pursuit was presented during the court proceedings, illustrating the tense chase that ensued. Dempsey refused to pull over, prompting officers to follow him to a location near Birmingham Airport. There, law enforcement officers executed a controlled collision, forcing Dempsey to stop his vehicle.

When police approached the car, Dempsey refused to open the door, leading officers to smash the window to gain entry. During this process, shards of glass shattered onto the baby, who was otherwise unharmed but understandably distressed. Dempsey, aged 35 and residing on Eden Road in Solihull, was subsequently arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including child abduction, dangerous driving, theft of the mother’s mobile phone, driving without insurance, driving without a valid license, and taking a vehicle without consent.

It was revealed during the court hearing that Dempsey was a prolific offender with a record comprising 98 offenses and 46 convictions, spanning theft, fraud, harassment, and other crimes. His criminal history underscored the seriousness of his latest actions.

At Birmingham Crown Court, Judge Phillip Parker QC delivered a stern sentence, emphasizing the severity of Dempsey’s conduct. The judge stated, “You went and took her car, her iPhone, and her five-month-old baby daughter. You sold the phone to purchase drugs, which you took in front of the child, adding another layer of aggravation to your crimes. Your actions caused the mother immense pain and worry, wondering where her child was. You could have returned the baby but chose not to, driven by your drug addiction and concern over her reaction to the phone being sold.”

Judge Parker continued, “When police attempted to stop you, you drove dangerously, culminating in a collision. Your long history of offending, with 98 offenses and 46 convictions, leaves me no choice but to send you to custody.”

As a result, Dempsey was sentenced to 21 months for child abduction, with an additional six months to run consecutively for dangerous driving, reflecting the court’s condemnation of his reckless and harmful actions in Solihull and Birmingham.