Summary

  • Latest updates for Friday 4 December 2015

  • News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Monday

  1. Our coverage across the daypublished at 18:00

    That's it for live updates today. We'll be back from 08:00 on Monday with the latest news, sport, travel and weather for Birmingham and the Black Country.

  2. Watch: Latest forcast for the West Midlandspublished at 17:58

    It will be windy overnight but it will stay dry with lows of 9C (48F).

    Media caption,

    Weekend weather for the West Midlands

  3. Coming up on BBC One at 18:30published at 17:57

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  4. Watch: Midlands Engine for Growth fired uppublished at 17:52

    The Business Secretary Sajid Javid has unveiled what's been called the Midlands Engine for Growth with talk of around 300,000 new jobs over 15 years. 

    Mr Javid said businesses and government must work closely to promote the region. 

    Media caption,

    Midlands Engine for Growth fired up with talk of more jobs

    However, the announcement came as the government announced it was scrapping the Manufacturing Advisory Service which helps small businesses invest, and create jobs. 

    Some business leaders in the West Midlands have expressed their shock and dismay at the move.

  5. Bishop carjacking man jailed for Birmingham attackpublished at 17:35

    A man who carjacked a Mormon bishop with his own car in a "brutal" attack has been jailed for six years. 

    David Charmbury (pictured) was dragged underneath the car and left with broken legs and ribs and a punctured lung, outside his Birmingham church.

    David CharmburyImage source, Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints

    At the city's crown court, Harley Davidson Hayes admitted robbery outside the Church of the Latter Day Saint.

    Hayes already had 121 convictions and there was no doubt in the judge's mind that he was a "career criminal".

  6. £15k reward for information after Wolverhampton stabbingpublished at 17:17

    A £15,000 reward is being offered to help find the killer of a man who died after being stabbed outside a Wolverhampton nightclub.

    Tom Kirwan, 23, (pictured) was stabbed near theUberra Club on 8 July 2012 after a fight broke out. 

    Tom's family are offering £10,000 for more information, external, with a further £5,000 being offered by the charity Crimestoppers.

    Tom KirwanImage source, West Midlands Police

    Tom’s mum Emer Kirwan said she hoped somebody would come forward with "that missing piece of the jigsaw".

    "Over three years on and we are still looking for answers. We will never give up hope that Tom’s killer will be found," she said.

  7. Latest headlines: Man found not guilty of racist act after admitting dumping pigs' headspublished at 17:07

    Stephanie Barnard
    BBC Local Live

    The top story in the newsroom right now includes: 

    Man found not guilty of racist act after admitting dumping four pigs' heads outside a community centre in Solihull

     - Arise Sir Lenny: The Dudley-born comedian receives his knighthood from the Queen for his services to drama and charity

    - A major nursery retailer based in Walsall which ceased trading a fortnight ago owes its customers in the region of £500,000

  8. FA Cup draw: Stroubridge v Eastleighpublished at 16:47

    Ian Winter
    BBC Midlands Today Sport

    The writing's on the wall at Stourbridge as they prepare for the second round of the FA Cup.

    Stourbridge FC

    The Glassboys take on fellow non-league side Eastleigh - it's a sell-out at the War Memorial ground as they aim to reach the third round in the club's history. 

    They've already knocked out two national league teams on their run to this stage.

  9. Watch: Arise Sir Lenny Henrypublished at 16:27

    The Dudley-born comedian and actor, Lenny Henry is knighted by the Queen in a ceremony at Windsor Castle.

    Watch the moment he was knighted.

    ITV News has apologised for showing a news item about Sir Lenny Henry receiving a knighthood that briefly featured footage of TV cook Ainsley Harriott.  

  10. Man found not guilty of dumping pigs headspublished at 16:11
    Breaking

    Peter Wilson
    BBC Midlands Today

    A Sheldon man has been found not guilty of a racially aggravated offence after four pigs heads were found outside a community centre hosting an Islamic event in Solihull. 

    Carl Stephens, 35, appeared at Birmingham Crown Court but was cleared by the jury in the last few minutes. 

  11. Sir Lenny and Ainsley Harriot mix-up blamed on 'production process error'published at 16:00

    ITV News has apologised after mixing up Dudley comedian Lenny Henry with TV chef Ainsley Harriot in its broadcast at lunchtime.

    The mistake was blamed on "an error in the production process".  

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  12. ITV apologises for Sir Lenry Henry gaffepublished at 15:45

    ITV has apologised for showing a news item about Sir Lenny Henry receiving a knighthood that briefly featured footage of TV cook Ainsley Harriott.

    The gaffe was picked up by a number of viewers, among them Sanjeev Bhaskar, who suggested the broadcaster had "misunderstood diversity issues, external".

    Lenny Henry and Ainsley HarriotImage source, PA / Getty

    ITV News blamed the mistake on "an error in the production process".

    Sir Lenny said he was "very thankful" to receive a knighthood from the Queen for services to drama and charity.

  13. Latest headlines: Man admits dumping pigs' heads at community centre and woman hunts for son's killerpublished at 15:34

    Stephanie Barnard
    BBC Local Live

    The top stories in the newsroom include:

    - The defence has started in the case of a man accused of putting four pigs heads outside a Muslim community centre in Solihull

    - A mum speaks of her heartache and offers a £15,000 reward after her son was fatally stabbed in Wolverhampton three years ago

    - The Met Police says it would be inappropriate to comment on claims one of the gunmen involved in the Paris terror attacks called a number in Birmingham several times beforehand

  14. 'Aston Villa needs Jack Grealish', says Petrovpublished at 15:18

    Dan Pallett
    BBC Midlands Today Sport

    Petrov is under no illusions just how hard it’ll be for Villa and blames years of decline for their current position.

    And he says the Jack Grealish situation, who's been dropped for going out drinking, is symptomatic of Villa’s problems.

    Petrov says Grealish must respond as the club needs him.

    Petrov says the players’ motivation to avoid being part of a relegated squad could still fire them enough to make the most dramatic of escapes. 

  15. Aston Villa: Concerns over Richards and Agbonlahorpublished at 15:00

    BBC WM Sport

    Villa's injury troubles have worsened ahead of tomorrow's trip to Southampton. Captain Micah Richards hasn't trained all week and Gabby Agbonlahor could also miss out again. 

    Jack Grealish won't be included after his off-the-field issues.

    Richards, Agbonlahor & GrealishImage source, Getty Images
  16. Man accused of dumping pigs' heads was 'duped'published at 14:30

    Peter Wilson
    BBC Midlands Today

    The defence acting for Carl Stephens, from Sheldon, told Birmingham Crown Court he was "duped into a racist provocative act" by a man called Darren.

    They admitted he didn't know the man's surname or car registration.

    The trial continues

  17. Man admits dumping pigs' heads at community centrepublished at 14:15

    A man has admitted dumping four pigs' heads outside a community centre hired for an Islamic event but denies it was a racist act.

    The heads were found outside the centre in Solihull, on 12 April.

    Carl Stephenson

    Birmingham Crown Court heard Carl Stephenson, 34, accepted he can be seen in CCTV dumping the heads and spitting, but said he was unaware a Muslim group was using the centre.  

    Mr Stephenson denies causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm and distress.

    The trial continues.

  18. 'Billions of pounds' to be invested in Midland Metropublished at 14:00

    Steve Hermon
    BBC WM newsreader

    Bosses of the Midland Metro are promising to invest billions of pounds over the next decade to extend the tram line further into the Black Country.

    Over 16 years after the original line from Wolverhampton to Birmingham Snow Hill was built - the next phase will be unveiled on Sunday.

    Midland Metro

    It will see trams return to Bull Street in Birmingham city centre for the first time in 60 years. 

    Geoff Inskip from Centro says they have plans to expand elsewhere in Birmingham, from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill as part of the devolution deal.