- Three individuals charged on Friday 22 January 2026 with offences connected to incidents at addresses in Chesham, Buckinghamshire and Cambridge.
- Counter Terrorism Policing London leads investigation due to highly targeted nature of incidents.
- Karl Blackbird (40, Cattell Way, Bedworth) charged with conspiracy to assault and occasion bodily harm for Chesham incident (24 December 2025) and Cambridge incident (24 December 2025).
- Clark McAulay (39, Dalton Gardens, Coventry) charged with conspiracy to assault and occasion bodily harm for Chesham incident (24 December 2025).
- Doneto Brammer (21, Maryland Road, Wood Green, London) charged with possession of prohibited weapon, conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life, and conspiracy to commit arson reckless as to whether life would be endangered – all related to Cambridge incident (31 December 2025).
- All three British nationals appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 23 January 2026.
- Background incidents: Cambridge assault of man in 50s (24 December 2025); Cambridge window smashed with firearm and burning rag attempt (31 December 2025, unoccupied address).
- Chesham incident (24 December 2025) under investigation.
- Earlier arrest: 34-year-old man [A] arrested 5 January 2026 in Great Dunmow, Essex re Cambridge 31 December incident, bailed to April.
- Wednesday 21 January 2026 arrests: Five people [B-E men, F woman] arrested across West Midlands, Warwickshire, London areas connected to late December 2025/January 2026 incidents.
- Searches conducted at six addresses in Birmingham (4), Coventry (1), Warwickshire (1), London (2).
- Latest arrest 23 January 2026: 25-year-old man [G] in Warwickshire for grievous bodily harm and conspiracy to assault re Cambridge 24 December incident, remains in custody.
- Police maintain open mind on motivations and potential links between incidents.
- Public urged to contact 0800 789 321 or Crimestoppers 0800 555111 with information.
London (Cambridge Tribune) 23 January 2026 – Three people face charges linked to targeted incidents at addresses in Chesham and Cambridge, with Counter Terrorism Policing London investigating due to their specific nature. Karl Blackbird, Clark McAulay, and Doneto Brammer received charges authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service following arrests earlier this week. The men appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 23 January 2026.
Who Are the Three Individuals Charged with Offences?
Karl Blackbird (born 21.06.1985, of Cattell Way, Bedworth) faces two counts of conspiracy to assault and occasion bodily harm. As stated in the official Counter Terrorism Policing London release, Blackbird’s charges relate to an incident in Chesham on 24 December 2025 and a separate incident in Cambridge on 24 December 2025.
Clark McAulay (born 19.08.1986, of Dalton Gardens, Coventry) stands charged with conspiracy to assault and occasion bodily harm connected solely to the Chesham incident on 24 December 2025. The official statement confirms McAulay’s charge authorisation followed Crown Prosecution Service review.
Doneto Brammer (born 17.05.2004, of Maryland Road, Wood Green, London) faces three charges relating exclusively to a Cambridge incident on 31 December 2025: possession of a prohibited weapon, conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life, and conspiracy to commit arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.
All three British nationals received formal charges on Friday 22 January 2026. Westminster Magistrates’ Court schedules their first appearance for Saturday 23 January 2026.
What Incidents Occurred at the Cambridge Address?
Two separate incidents targeted the same Cambridge address. On 24 December 2025, a man in his 50s suffered assault outside the property. Counter Terrorism Policing London’s background statement confirms officers continue investigating this Christmas Eve attack.
The second incident occurred 31 December 2025 at the same unoccupied Cambridge address. Two men reportedly broke a window, with one possessing a firearm used to cause the damage. An attempt followed to throw a burning rag through the broken window, though it fell outside causing no property damage or fire. The official release notes the address stood empty during this New Year’s Eve attack.
What Happened During the Chesham Incident?
Officers investigate an incident at a Chesham, Buckinghamshire address on 24 December 2025. The Counter Terrorism Policing London statement provides no further operational details but confirms links to charges against Blackbird and McAulay for conspiracy to assault and occasion bodily harm at this location.
Why Is Counter Terrorism Policing London Involved?
The investigation falls under Counter Terrorism Policing London jurisdiction due to “what appears to be the highly targeted nature of the incidents.” Detectives maintain “an open mind as to any potential motivation behind the incidents” and whether connections exist between Chesham and Cambridge events.
The statement emphasises “this remains an active line of inquiry being considered,” reflecting ongoing assessments of potential terrorism links despite lack of confirmed ideology.
What Arrests Preceded the Charges?
Monday 5 January 2026: A 34-year-old man designated [A] faced arrest at Great Dunmow, Essex address connected to the Cambridge 31 December incident. Officers released him on bail to a date in April pending further enquiries.
Wednesday 21 January 2026: Five individuals arrested across West Midlands, Warwickshire, and London force areas on suspicion of various offences linked to Cambridge and Chesham incidents from late December 2025 into January 2026:
- [B] 40-year-old man arrested Warwickshire address – suspicion conspiracy to assault re Chesham 24 December.
- [C] 39-year-old man arrested Coventry address – suspicion conspiracy to assault re Chesham 24 December.
- [D] 30-year-old man arrested Birmingham address – suspicion conspiracy to assault re Cambridge 24 December.
- [E] 21-year-old man arrested north London address – suspicion conspiracy to commit arson and firearms offences re Cambridge 31 December.
- [F] 40-year-old woman arrested north London address – suspicion possession of firearm re Cambridge 31 December.
All five transported to London police station. Warwickshire and West Midlands arrests supported by local officers plus Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands colleagues.
Outcomes: [B], [C], [E] charged as detailed above. [D] and [F] released on bail to April dates.
What Additional Arrest Occurred on 23 January?
Friday 23 January 2026: 25-year-old man designated [G] arrested in Warwickshire on suspicion of grievous bodily harm and conspiracy to assault connected to Cambridge 24 December 2025 incident. Officers transported [G] to London police station where he remains in custody as of release time.
What Searches Did Police Conduct?
Following arrests of [B-G], officers executed searches at six addresses:
- Birmingham: Four addresses
- Coventry: One address
- Warwickshire: One address
- London: Two addresses
The Counter Terrorism Policing London statement confirms searches yielded material assisting ongoing investigations into late December incidents.
When and Where Will the Charged Individuals Appear in Court?
Karl Blackbird, Clark McAulay, and Doneto Brammer scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 23 January 2026. This follows formal charges authorised Friday 22 January 2026 by Crown Prosecution Service.
What Should the Public Do to Assist Investigations?
Members of the public holding information capable of assisting investigations asked to contact police in confidence on 0800 789 321. Anonymous tips welcome via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
The official statement includes both contact numbers without specifying which relates to particular incidents, covering all Chesham and Cambridge investigations.
How Are Police Describing the Nature of These Incidents?
Counter Terrorism Policing London describes incidents as “highly targeted” warranting specialist counter-terrorism investigation. Officers maintain “open mind” regarding:
- Potential motivations behind Chesham (24 December 2025) and Cambridge (24 December 2025, 31 December 2025) incidents.
- Possible links between separate events occurring Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
This “active line of inquiry” status reflects ongoing evidential analysis connecting arrests, charges, and searches across multiple police force areas.
Which Police Forces Cooperated in the Arrests?
Counter Terrorism Policing London leads overall investigation. Arrest operations received support from:
- Warwickshire Police
- West Midlands Police
- Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands
Geographic spread covered Bedworth, Coventry, Birmingham, north London, and Warwickshire addresses linking to Buckinghamshire and Cambridgeshire incidents.
