Updates on Monday 1 February 2016
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Tuesday
Royal Sutton Coldfield Observer
A father carrying his baby daughter in his arms was attacked, external by a gang of men in Sutton Coldfield this weekend.
Kathryn Stanczyszyn
Political Reporter, BBC WM
The Lord Mayor job normally goes to someone who has cross-party support and is, in broad terms, non-controversial.
That’s partly why these comments, external from councillor Muhammad Afzal, external regarding the government’s anti-terror strategy have caused such consternation.
The other is the sensitivity of the topic in the second city.
Image source, Birmingham City CouncilSenior figures with the Labour group have told me they believe councillor Afzal’s position is now untenable.
And with the timing of a letter written to Birmingham Central Mosque , externalabout his alleged "dismissive" attitude towards domestic violence and forced marriage, it’s likely to be the dominant topic at the party's meeting tonight.
I have attempted to contact Mr Afzal on a number of occasions and he has not responded to any of the comments.
Joanne Malin
BBC Midlands Today
On Midlands Today this lunchtime – we’ll have pictures of the driverless cars that could soon be on the streets of Birmingham and find out about new techniques being used by West Midlands Police to try and stop teenagers carrying knives.
Join me for these stories and of course, the latest weather, as yet another storm heads our way, on BBC One from 13:30.
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
The latest news stories in the newsroom at the moment include:
- The first British woman to be found guilty of joining Islamic State has been jailed for six years
- A labour councillor who wants to be the next Lord Mayor of Birmingham has denied calling David Cameron a Islamaphobe
- No Aston Villa players will be leaving today, confirms manager Remi Garde
Pat Murphy
BBC Radio 5 live
Remi Garde confirmed no Aston Villa player would be leaving today. He said there was still a chance of bringing in players, but none would be on his priority list, as were Doumbia and Kalnic.
Garde's travelling down to London with the team for tomorrow's West Ham game - which suggests he doesn't expect to land a preferred target.
Read the latest transfer deadline news on the BBC Sport live page.
Speaking after Tareena Shakil's sentencing today, an NSPCC spokesman said: "This is a deeply disturbing case which could have resulted in tragedy for the toddler involved.
"It is hard to believe that a mother would be willing to potentially put her young child’s life at risk by travelling to Syria to join a terrorist group, even taking pictures of him in a balaclava bearing that group’s logo while posing alongside weapons.
"We must all play our part in confronting this problem and trying to prevent further cases like this."
The charity urged people concerned about terrorism and radicalisation, external to call 0808 800 5000.
Police investigating the theft of two young puppies in a Walsall burglary, external have arrested three teenagers in connection with the incident.
Mikey Burrows
BBC WM Sport
I’m told by sources within West Brom that the loan move for Alex Pritchard (pictured) from Tottenham is close, but isn’t done yet.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe winger is having a medical this morning and the club are working hard to complete the deal by lunchtime so he’d be available to face Swansea at the Hawthorns tomorrow night.
According to friends, Tareena Shakil had showed little active interest in Middle East politics when growing up in Burton-upon-Trent - she had once bought nappies for a Syrian refugee aid drive.
Close friend Ruksana Bibi said Shakil did "normal girly stuff" while another former colleague Sarah Swami described her as "fiercely loyal, head-strong - but in a good way and very family orientated".
In Burton she had once worked part-time jobs at Morrisons and New Look.
BBC Sport
No big deadline day deals yet, but here are 10 transfers that could happen: Among them a move by Newcastle United for Saido Berahino.
You can also follow all the transfer news on the dedicated live page.
Image source, BBC SportTareena Shakil, 26, has been jailed for six years after becoming the first British woman to be found guilty of joining the Islamic State terror group.
Quote MessageMost alarmingly you took your toddler son to Syria knowing how he would be used - his future would be as an IS fighter. You embraced your role in providing fighters of the future. You allowed him to be photographed next to an AK47.
Mr Justice Inman, Judge
Tareena Shakil took her toddler son to Syria and was found guilty of membership of so-called Islamic State on Friday.
The 26-year-old became the first British woman to return from the self-declared caliphate to be convicted of the offence.
Image source, West Midlands PoliceShakil, most recently of Birmingham but who grew up in Burton-upon-Trent, was also been found guilty of encouraging acts of terrorism through messages posted on Twitter. She denied the charges.
She had admitted travelling to Syria. This morning she has been jailed for six years.
Phil Mackie
Midlands correspondent, BBC News
Tareena Shakil has been jailed for consecutive two- and four-year sentences - totalling six years' imprisonment.
Great Barr Observer
A Popular field used by people to walk their dogs in Great Barr, external is now being leased out to graze horses.
Image source, Great Barr ObserverPhil Mackie
Midlands correspondent, BBC News
Tareena Shakil is about to be sentenced for being a member of the so-called Islamic State.
The 26-year-old is the first British woman to return from the self-declared caliphate to be convicted of the offence.
Eight jurors have returned to court for the hearing after finding her guilty on Friday.
BBC Sport
Newcastle United have made a £21m bid to sign striker Saido Berahino (pictured) from fellow Premier League club West Brom.
Image source, Getty ImagesQuote MessageThe chairman will make the decisions on the financial matters and that's really what it boils down to.
Tony Pulis, West Brom manager
Chris Blakemore
BBC WM
A helicopter pilot from Birmingham has been shot dead by elephant poachers in Tanzania.
Roger Gower, 37, had been flying near an elephant killed by poachers when his helicopter came under fire.
Tanzanian police have arrested three suspects over the death of the pilot working for a conservation fund whose helicopter was shot down by poachers.
A large number of homes across the Cannock Chase district were left without running water, external and roads turned into rivers as a burst water main caused havoc overnight.
Image source, Cannock MercuryMikey Burrows
BBC WM Sport
Albion hope to bring in Alex Pritchard on loan from Spurs, and would listen to offers for defenders Cristian Gamboa and Sebastien Pocognoli.
Aston Villa still hope to get someone - Mathieu Debuchy from Arsenal seems the most likely, but the loan fee may be the stumbling block.
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Wolves hope to get a striker today.
Blues look to be finished with their transfers after they allowed Alex Jones to head to Wellington on loan last night (see tweet).
Much of our interest will be whether Walsall can “fend off the vultures”, as some fans are putting it, for Tom Bradshaw and Rico Henry - Bristol City the latest linked to striker Bradshaw.
Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live
The top stories in the BBC WM newsroom this morning include:
- Labour councillors in Birmingham will hold a meeting today to consider Muhammad Afzal's campaign to become Lord Mayor
- A helicopter pilot from Birmingham has been shot dead by elephant poachers in Tanzania
- Transfer deadline day: Newcastle make £21m offer for West Brom striker Saido Berahino
