A Shumen man wanted for sex offences, underage joyriders, and contraband cigarettes

A 30-year-old Shumen resident has been remanded in custody pending extradition to the United Kingdom, where he faces charges of serious sexual offences.

The man, identified only as P.S., is accused of sexual assault on a person over 14 in a helpless state and rape of a minor unable to defend themselves, both offences carrying potential life sentences under UK law. He has no Bulgarian convictions but was previously convicted of procuring in the UK, where he lives.

The Shumen District Court imposed the strictest detention measure (задържане под стража) until the formal extradition hearing. The ruling can be appealed at the Varna Appellate Court.

A 62-year-old man from Varbitsa reported his Volkswagen Golf stolen on 4 June at around 2:30 am after he left the key on the dashboard. Police traced the vehicle to the city's Septemvriisko Vastanie street, where two local children (15 and 12 years old) had taken it for a joyride and collided with a fence.

No injuries were reported. The car has been returned to its owner, and the case is being handled by the Veliki Preslav Regional Directorate's Child Pedagogical Unit. Administrative fines under the Child Protection Act are pending for the families.

Police stopped an Opel Astra on Tsar Osvoboditel Street in Novi Pazar at 4:30 pm and found 43 packs of untaxed cigarettes (various brands) in the car, carried by two passengers (48 and 50 years old).

The contraband has been confiscated and an expedited criminal procedure has been launched. No arrests were announced.

Emergency crews cleared fallen trees from roads near Vasil Drumevo, Pazarchnitsa, and several villages in the Veliki Preslav municipality after Wednesday's storm. One tree was cleared shortly after 5 pm on the Vasil Drumevo road, another near the Slivak junction at 7 pm.

Flooding was reported in basements, yards and properties in Veselinovo and Smyadovo. Pumps were deployed where access allowed. No injuries reported.

Shumen city recorded 23°C at noon on Thursday, with 68% humidity and stable atmospheric pressure at 1,014 hectopascals. Light southerly wind.

Forecasters expect light rain in the afternoon, with temperatures climbing to 27°C. Friday will remain changeable.

The book 'The Fiery Sky Over Bulgaria 1943-1944' was officially presented at Shumen's Military Club on Thursday. Authors Prof. Stanimir Stanev and Orlin Georgiev spent 25 years researching every Allied aircraft shot down or crashed over Bulgaria and occupied territories during World War Two.

The work includes detailed maps and information on all 83 aircraft, plus the fates of both Bulgarian airmen and Allied prisoners of war held in the country. Stanev called it 'a reference work and a warning to the younger generation'.