Birmingham Mum-of-12 Remains Fugitive After Family Jailed Over City Centre Brawl
West Midlands Police are continuing their search for Ellen Sweeney, a 41-year-old mother of twelve, who remains on the run following a violent disorder incident in Birmingham. This development comes after her husband and teenage son were recently arrested and sentenced to prison terms for their involvement in the same case.
Family Members Apprehended and Sentenced
Thomas Sweeney senior, aged 44, and Thomas Sweeney junior, now 19, have both been jailed after significant breakthroughs in January. The teenage son was arrested by Cheshire Police on the M6 motorway, while the father later handed himself in to authorities. In addition to their original sentences for violent disorder, they received extra prison time for failing to surrender to bail back in 2024.
Judge Dean Kershaw, presiding over the case, expressed strong disapproval of their actions. During re-sentencing proceedings, he remarked that the family had thrown the compassion shown to them completely in the face of the court. Thomas Sweeney senior was notably removed from the court dock for shouting out ridiculous things during his hearing.
The Incident and Initial Proceedings
The violent disorder occurred in the early hours of July 15, 2023, in Birmingham's Gay Village. CCTV footage captured the fracas, which involved at least seven of Sweeney's relatives and was described by the judge as one of the worst fights ever witnessed in the city centre.
Ellen Sweeney was heavily involved in the altercation, which included:
- Initially appearing to protect a man being assaulted by her husband and son
- Engaging in a verbal confrontation with a woman before punching her in the face
- Allegedly using offensive language during the incident
- Being captured on camera swinging further punches at another individual
The family had initially pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Birmingham Crown Court and requested bail to attend Thomas junior's wedding. However, they failed to appear for sentencing in August 2024 and effectively disappeared.
Investigation and Current Status
After the family's disappearance, there were suspicions they had fled to Ireland, though there were no confirmed updates for nearly a year. Judge Kershaw demanded answers about tracking efforts, stating that the public are entitled to know.
Authorities subsequently obtained multiple addresses for the family and sought European arrest warrants. Ellen Sweeney last checked in at Lavender Hill Police Station on August 13, 2024, before the family failed to appear for sentencing on August 29 that year.
Despite claims of being in Scotland visiting family, phone investigation revealed her device was in the Republic of Ireland. Judge Kershaw branded the family cowards as he jailed them in their absence.
West Midlands Police have issued a statement confirming that a warrant remains active for Ellen Sweeney's arrest for failing to appear at court following sentencing for violent disorder. She faces an immediate prison term of one year and eleven months, which she has yet to begin serving.
The police continue their enquiries and urge anyone with information about her whereabouts to contact them on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
