Three police officers deny giving a false account after the death of a man who was detained under mental health laws.

The first pre-inquest hearing ahead of renewed proceedings into the deaths of 21 people killed in the Birmingham pub bombings in 1974 got under way in the city earlier.

During the hearing, coroner Peter Thornton QC set the next hearing for February, and earmarked September 2017 to reopen the inquests. Alongside a timetable for proceedings - closed more than 40 years ago - came a plea from victims' families over legal funding. But what are the issues?   

Eight families of victims are stating their case for funding help. The Home Office in September rejected a request to pay their legal fees and as their lawyers are Northern Ireland-based and, without partnership with an English law firm, legal aid cannot be secured. The families had also asked for a fund similar to that of those represented at the Hillsborough inquests but the government turned it down.   

Julie Hambleton, whose sister Maxine was killed in the bombings, said on BBC News this morning "what is different about our loved ones?" adding on the Today programme "why oh why are we having to fight to get what everyone else has had?"

Peter Thornton QC said this morning he supported the families' claim for legal aid, but had no powers to grant it.  

One pub bombings family has had a legal aid request granted.  

Express and Star

Residents spoke of their shock following the death of an ‘intelligent’ and ‘lovely’ neighbour who was killed on the A449, external.

Our latest headlines:

• Inquests into the deaths of those killed in Birmingham pub bombings could reopen 'next September'
• Police officers deny charges of perjury and perverting the course of justice over man's death
• Armed man in 'Yoda mask' forced woman to perform sex act

Relatives of the Birmingham pub bombings victims have said they cannot understand why they are having to fight to get funding for their legal fees.

A pre-inquest hearing into the deaths of 21 people in attacks at two pubs in 1974 opened earlier.

At the hearing in Birmingham, Coroner Peter Thornton QC said he supported the families' claim for legal aid, but had no powers to grant it.  

The Home Office rejected a request from some of the families to pay their legal fees in September, but others have been granted legal aid.  

Image source, Getty Images

The next preliminary hearing has been set for 23 February to allow families at least six weeks to prepare the case if they receive funding.

Mr Thornton said the inquests could reopen from September 2017.

A man wearing novelty masks has exposed himself to a series of young women in just over a week, making one perform a sex act on him after threatening her with a knife, police say, external.

A knife was used in two of the early morning incidents in Selly Oak, Birmingham.

The first happened on Sunday, 20 November, in Lottie Road, where a man in a gorilla mask pushed a passer-by while holding a knife and exposed himself. Later, a man beckoned to a resident on her doorstep.

On Thursday, a woman was threatened with what police believe to be a fire lighter - again by a man in a gorilla mask who exposed himself. She got away after a struggle.  

In the early hours of Saturday on Warwards Lane, a young woman was grabbed from behind and threatened with a knife by a man wearing a "Yoda mask" who made her perform a sex act on him.

Police investigating a fight in which a man was hit over the head with a large bowl have released CCTV footage , externalin a bid to trace a suspect.

West Midlands Police says trouble broke out at Birmingham venue 6 On Broad Street on October 30, with three men attacking another customer in an upstairs bar.

One grabbed a bowl − containing Halloween sweets − before crashing it down over the victim's head from behind, leaving him needing stitches. 

Image source, West Midlands Police

Two men arrested at the venue on suspicion of assault were bailed until January. A third suspect left the scene. 

A coroner has told a pre-inquest hearing that he would like to resume the inquests in September next year.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

Two men arrested after a man died in a crash between Wombourne and Wolverhampton, external on Friday have been released on bail. 

A car collided with a pedestrian on the A449 at Penn Cottage, Lower Penn, Staffordshire Police say.

Officers say they believe the pedestrian, who died at the scene, is Frederick Dudley, aged 90, from Wolverhampton, external. 

A post mortem examination is expected to take place today. 

Two men, aged 27 and 25, were arrested on Friday in connection with the crash - the force says they've been released on bail.

• The pre-inquest hearing into the deaths of 21 people killed in the Birmingham pub bombings is due to open today
• A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a nurse was strangled before being left in a house fire

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a nurse was strangled before being left in a house fire.

The 55-year-old man is being held in connection with the death of Lisa Skidmore, whose body was found in a bed at the Wolverhampton property.

Ms Skidmore's body was discovered on Thursday at Mill Croft, Bilston, where her mother, 80, was also found beaten unconscious, West Midlands Police said.

Image source, West Midlands Police

Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter

A generally dry and fine day with plenty of sunshine around and highs of 7C (45F).

BBC Travel

Trains from the Tamworth area could be delayed this morning because of a failed train, say Network Rail.

They say services may divert between Burton and Birmingham New Street., external

Firefighters work through the night to bring a fire at a derelict factory in the West Midlands under control.

Welcome to Monday's news, sport, travel and weather updates.

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