Summary

  • Updates on Wednesday 27 April 2016

  • More news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 on Thursday

Live Reporting

  1. Fox cub rescued from netting in Walsall

    A fox cub had to be rescued from sports netting after he became tangled near a Walsall school.

    The RSPCA today warned people about the dangers of such netting after revealing details of the rescue last Wednesday from Beaufort Way, Aldridge.

    fox cubRSPCA

    The charity said the football netting had wrapped around the cub’s neck and front right paw, leaving him unable to move, but he was uninjured.

    RSPCA animal collection officer Cara Gibbon freed the cub by carefully cutting away the netting. She said: “As soon as I freed him, I popped him under the fence and he ran back to his mum and dad. It is so nice to have a rescue with a happy ending."

  3. Police commissioners: party or indie?

    Police commissioners: a choice of party hats or independents.

    Read More

  4. Biker 'left for dead' in crash: Police appeal for witnesses

    Witnesses are being urged to come forward after a motorcyclist was "left for dead" in a Birmingham hit-and-run earlier this month, according to police.

    It is believed that a green Volvo C70 hit the motorcyclist on a mini roundabout in Hoggs Lane, Northfield at 13:20 on 11 April.

    The 23-year-old sustained "life-changing injuries", said West Midlands Police, and is still being treated in hospital for a serious leg injury.

    After the crash, officers found the Volvo burnt out on Gannow Green Lane in Rubery.

  6. County Championship: Bears close on Yorkshire's total as draw looks likely

    Richard Wilford
    BBC WM

    At lunch, Warwickshire trail reigning champions Yorkshire by 67 runs on 312/6. There are 16 overs left for bonus points to be accrued.  

    Follow the action.

  7. Drivers stopped for watching TV at the wheel; Walsall's push for promotion; plus more on Midlands Today

    Qasa Alom
    BBC Midlands Today

    More than 130 motorists in the West Midlands were caught using their mobile phones while driving during a recent police operation. 

    Over the past three weeks Central Motorway Police used an unmarked lorry to spot drivers committing traffic offences on the M5, M6 and M42. Some were stopped for watching TV while driving. 

    More on this story and others, including Walsall's push for promotion, on the Midlands Today on BBC One at 13:30.

  8. Woman jailed for speeding fine lie

    A woman who paid a stranger to take her speeding points is jailed.

    Read More

  9. Lost WW2 bomber crews remembered in German service

    Services are being held at a German war cemetery to remember 10 previously-unknown RAF airmen, whose remains were recently identified.

    The re-dedication services are taking place at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Berlin 1939-1945 war cemetery.

    A Lancaster and a Halifax bomber crashed while on bombing raids over Germany in January 1944. The men on Lancaster JB640 included Flt Sgt Leonard Norman Lapthorne (21), from Birmingham, and Sgt Norman Henry Colebatch (20), from Walsall.

    A Halifax bomberHulton Archive/Getty Images

  10. Latest: Revenge porn investigations; Susan Whiting murder; Sir Lenny honoured

    Alex Homer
    BBC Local Live

    If you are just catching up on Wednesday, here are the headlines so far:

    - Revenge porn: Nearly a quarter of the 61 offences reported in the West Midlands led to charges

    - Susan Whiting murder: The prosecution has opened its case

    - Special Bafta honour for Dudley's Sir Lenny Henry

  11. Revenge porn: Charges were made in nearly a quarter of cases

    Peter Sherlock
    Data unit

    Earlier we reported how 61 victims of revenge porn - including a 13-year-old child - reported offences to West Midlands Police in the first year of the new law coming into effect.  

    They were among more than 1,000 alleged victims, according to Freedom of Information requests from 31 forces in England and Wales between April and December.

    The oldest victim in our region was 60.

    From those West Midlands cases, 12 led to a charge, six led to a caution, 31 saw no action taken.

    In seven of the cases where no action was taken, a suspect had been identified but the prosecution time limit had expired.

    Age of victims

  12. Watch: Latest weather forecast for the West Midlands

    Charlie Slater
    BBC Weather presenter

    Another cold and frosty start before some showers arrive. Highs of 9C (48F).

    Find out more.

  13. Jess Varnish: Rider explains reasons for British Cycling criticism

    BBC Sport

    British Cycling will form a independent review following allegations of sexism by former Halesowen Cycling Club sprinter Jess Varnish. 

    The 25-year-old, was dropped from the GB team after failing to qualify for Rio, said she spoke out against technical director Shane Sutton to change attitudes at the organisation. 

    She alleged Sutton made sexist comments and told her to "go and have a baby". He denies the allegations and British Cycling said it was "fully committed to the principles and active promotion of equality".

    Pendleton and Varnish competed together in the team sprint at London 2012Getty Images

  14. Father battered boy outside West Bromwich school over 'bullying' of his sons

    Express and Star

    A furious father launched a vicious attack in front of 200 pupils on a boy who had allegedly been bullying his twin sons, a judge heard.

  15. Football Daily: Man City hold firm & Tom Hanks' message

    BBC Football Daily: Man City hold firm & Tom Hanks' message

    BBC Football Daily brings you all the reaction as Manchester City hold Real Madrid to a 0-0 draw in their Champions League semi-final first leg and Tom Hanks tell Aston Villa fans to "hang on".

  16. Whitney on Walsall v Shrewsbury

    Walsall interim head coach Jon Whitney speaks to BBC WM 95.6 after Tuesday's 2-1 win against Shrewsbury in League One.

    Read More

  17. Lenny Henry to receive special Bafta honour

    BBC Entertainment and Arts

    Dudley's Sir Lenny Henry is to receive a special Bafta at this year's TV awards ceremony in May.

    The Alan Clarke award, named in honour of the late TV director, was last presented in 2015 to screenwriter Jeff Pope.

    Actor and comedian Sir Lenny will receive his award on 8 May for his outstanding contribution to TV.

    Sir Lenny Henry

  19. Football: Walsall kept up their promotion hopes with win over Shrewsbury

    Ged Scott
    BBC Sport

    Walsall celebrate with Kieron MorrisGetty Images

    Walsall secured a play-off place and narrowed the gap on second-placed Burton Albion to three points as they beat League One strugglers Shrewsbury.  

  20. Susan Whiting 'murdered after dinner invite'

    A woman with learning difficulties was drugged, raped and murdered after being invited for dinner and to stay at a friend's house, a court has heard.

    The body of Susan Whiting, 20, was found wrapped in a shower curtain under a bed, Leicester Crown Court was told.

    Steven Beards, 34, and his wife Julie Beards, 35, deny murdering Ms Whiting in Bloxwich last August. Mr Beards, of Bentley, also denies raping her.

    The prosecution opened its case yesterday.

    Susan WhitingWest Midlands Police