Stepfather admits murdering toddler in Wolverhampton
Mosque says Katie Hopkins' Twitter claims 'total rubbish'
Knife attack victims to be buried together in coffin
Natalie Putt: Police urge man to contact them over 'crucial information'
Updates from Wednesday 7 June 2017
BBC Midlands Today
The stepfather of a two-year-old boy has admitted murdering him after inflicting more than 100 separate injuries in what's been described as a "sustained regime of brutality".
Image source, Family pictureJeremiah Regis-Ngwah died in Wednesfield in November last year.
Our reporter Ben Godfrey will have more on BBC One at 13:30.
Ch Supt Chris Johnson, from West Midlands Police, has released a statement , externalsaying "there is simply no truth in the rumour that we discourage or stop our officers and staff from attending Birmingham Central Mosque".
Image source, West Midlands PolicePolice released the statement in response to a tweet, external from broadcaster Katie Hopkins claiming she'd been passed a letter saying Birmingham Central Mosque was a "no go area" for police officers.
Ch Supt Johnson says he is a frequent visitor to the mosque and, like his staff, has alwasy "been made to feel really welcome at any time".
“There are no places across this city where our officers won’t go," he said, adding: "I would be disappointed if this false claim damaged our excellent relationship with the mosque and our communities."
BBC Sport
The Warwickshire captain Ian Bell says his side have to be more ruthless, after they suffered their third innings defeat of the season.
Image source, Harry Trump/Getty ImagesThe latest one saw Hampshire wrap up an innings victory after lunch on day four.
Bell made 68 out of the Bears' 167 as they lost by an an innings and 94 runs.
Quote MessageIt is not the first time this year that has happened. We know this team needs to learn quick. Division One is ruthless. We are fighting at the minute and it looks very difficult for us
Ian Bell, Warwickshire captain
Jeremiah Regis-Ngawah was left in agony before succumbing to peritonitis caused by a beating, police said.
Read MoreTwo-year-old Jeremiah Regis-Ngawah died from peritonitis after suffering a traumatic blow to his stomach inflicted by stepfather Chevase McGregor.
McGregor has been described as "a controlling, manipulative and violent individual" who believed in physical chastisement to "toughen children up".
Image source, West Midlands PoliceJeremiah, who was murdered in November, was found to have suffered a "catalogue of injuries" including a fractured skull and ribs, injuries to his arms and legs and a bite mark to his chest.
Det Insp Warren Hines said: “We believe the fatal assault was inflicted a couple of days before and Jeremiah was left in agony until he succumbed to peritonitis.
"Evidence shows that Jeremiah had defensive wounds to his hands and arms, which shows he tried to shield himself from the beatings.”
Peter Wilson
BBC Midlands Today Special Correspondent
Stabbing victims Tracey and Pierce Wilkinson will be buried together in one coffin.
The funeral for the mother and son, who were stabbed at home, is taking place today at St Mary's Church in Oldswinford, Stourbridge.
Ben Godfrey
BBC Midlands Today
A man has admitted murdering his two-year-old stepson.
Chevaze McGregor, 27, killed Jeremiah Regis in Wolverhampton last November.
Image source, Family handoutJeremiah's mother Sindyann Regis admitted allowing the two-year-old's death.
McGregor inflicted more than 100 injuries to the boy over a period of months, Birmingham Crown Court heard.
Sentencing will take place at a later date.
Peter Wilson
BBC Midlands Today Special Correspondent
The funeral is under way at St Mary's Church in Oldswinford, Stourbridge, for Tracey and Pierce Wilkinson, who were stabbed at their home.
A guard of honour outside the church included the family's greyhound Mandy and members of the dog rescue group.
Redhill school, in Stourbridge, has closed for the day today as a mark of respect for a Stourbridge mum and son who were stabbed, external to death at their home.
West Midlands Police has denied it discourages or stops its officers and staff from attending Birmingham Central Mosque.
It was in response to a tweet, external from broadcaster Katie Hopkins, which claims an officer has said they've been told not to go to the Mosque or go inside.
Asking for a "formal request" on the claims, Ms Hopkins shared the note with her 775,000 followers which has so far been retweeted more than 800 times.
Image source, TwitterWest Midlands Police responded on Twitter, external saying: "There's simply no truth in the rumour that we discourage or stop our officers and staff from attending Birmingham Central Mosque.
"I would be disappointed if this false claim damaged our excellent relationship with the mosque and communities.
"Our neighbourhood policing team regularly attend the mosque & hold events and meetings and have always been made to feel welcome."
The BBC is contacting the mosque for comment.
BBC News Health
Marriage appears to be good for your health, boosting your survival chances if you have a major heart risk factor such as high cholesterol, say researchers at Aston University.
A loving spouse might spur you on to look after yourself better, they told a heart conference, external, based on their study of nearly a million UK adults.
Image source, KUZMICHSTUDIO/GETTYAll of these people had high blood pressure, cholesterol or diabetes. The married ones fared much better than those who were single.
Dr Paul Carter and colleagues, who carried out the work, said the study looked at deaths from all causes, including heart disease.
Men and women in their 50s, 60s and 70s with high cholesterol were 16% more likely to be alive at the end of the 14-year ACALM study if they were married rather than single.
While the weather was far more January than June yesterday, there was some light at the end of the tunnel, in the form of this gorgeous double rainbow, captured by bardy.
Image source, bardy
Image source, bardyIf you have a picture you'd like to share, you can sign up to the BBC Weather Watcher website here and we'll feature our favourite pictures.
Members of Wolverhampton Wheelers Cycling Club arrived with scores of others riders to pay their respect and raise money for a 16-year-old, external who died last week after a collision with a van.
Image source, Express and StarPolice investigating the disappearance of a 17-year-old mother 14 years ago are urging a man who got in touch with "crucial information" to contact them again.
Acting on new information about Natalie Putt, who disappeared in 2003, leaving behind her 11-week-old son, West Midlands Police yesterday began digging up several graves.
The force says the case is now being treated as a murder inquiry.
Image source, West Midlands PoliceQuote MessageWe have received a phone call from a man in a telephone box in the Lake Street area of Gornal with specific information that has the potential to lead to the person responsible for Natalie’s death
Quote MessageThis crucial information could help us solve this mystery and give Natalie’s family the answers they need. I would urge that person to contact us again and we will ensure the information they have is treated with the strictest confidentiality
Ian Iliffe, Detective Inspector
BBC Midlands Today
Hundreds of mourners are expected to attend the funerals of a mother and son from the Black Country who were killed in a knife attack at their home.
Tracey Wilkinson and her 13-year-old son Pierce were attacked in Stourbridge in March.
Image source, Family pictureA man's due to stand trial for their murders later this year.
Tracey's husband Peter was also critically injured but has made a full recovery.
Mel Coles
Presenter, East Midlands Today
The region will have a mainly dry day with plenty of morning sunshine and lighter winds than yesterday.
It will cloud over during the afternoon and some rain will reach Herefordshire and Shropshire later. Highs of 18C ( 64F).
Weather for the West Midlands.
There's some road closures in place today as Pakistan take on South Africa at Edgbaston cricket ground.
Edgbaston Road will be closed from 12:00-14:00 and for approximately two hours after the match.
Finish time today is estimated for 21:30.
Image source, Mac BirminghamYou can follow all the action from the ICC Champions Trophy here.
Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Online
Welcome to the Local Live service from Birmingham and the Black Country on Wednesday.
We'll be here until 18:00 bringing you all the latest news, sport, weather and travel.
If you'd like to get in touch, you can tweet us, external or go to our Facebook page, external.
Police have additional leads following the broadcast of Natalie Putt's image on Britain's Got Talent.
Read MoreWe'll be back with our usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 tomorrow, but keep an eye out here for more updates this evening and into the morning.
