BBC Local Live: Birmingham and the Black Country on Friday 26 May 2017

Summary

Man raped woman on birthday night out
Driver jailed for killing pedestrian while on phone
Extra security for Birmingham Pride
Police call to hospital made in 'good faith'
First music event in Birmingham since Manchester attack
Olympian Laura Kenny visits Birmingham school
Updates from Friday 26 May 2017

Live Reporting

Monica Rimmer

Seven years in jail for teenage road killerpublished at 17:42 British Summer Time 25 May 2017
A driver has been jailed for seven years for killing a teenager while she used a pedestrian crossing in Great Barr, Birmingham.
In February 2016, Zoe Shapiro from Malvern, was walking along the A34 Birmingham Road, on her way to college. At a crossing she was struck by a van that was being driven by 43-year-old Neel Balu.
A jury at Birmingham Crown Court heard that Neel Balu had a string of motoring convictions, including speeding and careless driving.
Image source, West Midlands Police
Quote Message
Despite overwhelming evidence Neel Balu refused to accept that he drove in a dangerous manner which ultimately caused the death of causing Zoe Shapiro, however, a jury has today found him guilty.
Anjuli Shergill, Senior Crown Prosecutor for West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service
West Bromwich Albion midfielder included in national squadpublished at 17:31 British Summer Time 25 May 2017
BBC WM Sport
Jake Livermore has been included in the 25-man England squad who are set to play Scotland in a qualifier for the World Cup, followed by a friendly with France.
Livermore, 27, has only made two previous appearances for his national side.
To see the squad in full, click here.
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post
Birmingham Pride to hold minute's silencepublished at 17:22 British Summer Time 25 May 2017
Lisa Wright
Journalist, BBC News Online
Birmingham Pride will honour victims of the Manchester attack with a one minute silence ahead of the start of the festival's Carnival Parade, in Victoria Square.
Festival director Lawrence Barton says there is a "full policing operation in place" and it's "subject to ongoing reviews".
Mr Barton said: "Birmingham is a great city and, like Manchester, we shall be showing the world our true spirit of love, unity, and support for one another whilst honouring the victims of Monday night’s attack."
Birmingham Pride, external takes place this weekend.
Van driver jailed for student deathpublished at 17:17 British Summer Time 25 May 2017
Zoe Shapiro, 17, was killed when she was hit by Neel Balu on her way to college.
Read More
Stourbridge News: A speedy deliverypublished at 17:09 British Summer Time 25 May 2017
Stourbridge News
Here's the front page of the Stourbridge News today.
Their top story involves 'a speedy delivery' for a Wollaston couple.
Read more on this and other stories here. , external
Image source, Stourbridge News
Throwback Thursday: Uni shares 1930s snappublished at 16:55 British Summer Time 25 May 2017
For the lovers of 'TBT' aka throwback Thursday out there, here's one heck of a throwback to the 1930s.
The University of Birmingham is having a rugby pitch refurbished so shared this picture of the rugby pitches back in the '30s.
This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip twitter post
Allow Twitter content?
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of twitter post
Your pictures: Sun-drenched Sutton and Solihullpublished at 16:39 British Summer Time 25 May 2017
BBC Weather Watchers
The BBC Weather Watchers have been out snapping the lovely weather, here's one from Di's walk, taken in sunny Sutton Coldfield.
Image source, Di's walk
This picture was taken in Solihull, by gc. I love the way the Sun's rays are peeking through the branches.
If you have a picture you'd like to share, sign up here to become a BBC Weather Watcher.
Image source, gc
Boy suffers serious leg injury in car crashpublished at 16:17 British Summer Time 25 May 2017
A nine-year-old boy suffered serious leg injuries after he was involved in a car crash in Handsworth, Birmingham.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the boy had a "nasty leg injury" and "a bump to the head".
Ambulance staff were called to Heathfield Road shortly before 18:30 on Wednesday, they boy was taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
'Thoroughly dishonest' council worker jailed for stealing £53k NHS cash and disability scampublished at 15:49 British Summer Time 25 May 2017
Express and Star
A fraudster who stole more than £53,000 in NHS money and was then found to be swindling even, external more in disability benefits has been jailed.
Man who started fire on plane has sentence doubledpublished at 15:23 British Summer Time 25 May 2017
Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Online
A man who started a fire in the toilet of a plane carrying more than 200 people has had his prison sentence more than doubled at the Court of Appeal.
In January at Birmingham Crown Court, John Cox, 46, pleaded guilty to an offence of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered and was later sentenced to four years and six months in jail.
Cox, of Coates Road, Kidderminster, had been drinking before and during the flight, and was rude, abusive and very aggressive when challenged by passengers and crew.
The appeal judges agreed with the Attorney General that the sentence imposed was unduly lenient and increased it to nine years and six months.
Quote Message
The level of culpability and potential for harm is at the highest level. To throw a cigarette butt into a wastepaper bin without ensuring it is extinguished would show a high degree of recklessness. On an aircraft at 33,000 ft, the conduct comes perilously close to deliberate fire-setting. It was an exceptional case and called for a deterrent sentence.
Lady Justice Sharp
Dog tied up in bag and 'left to die' at side of roadpublished at 15:01 British Summer Time 25 May 2017
Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Online
A dog had to be put down after it was found tied up in a bin bag and left at the side of a road in Birmingham.
When found, the dog was alive but "in a bad way".
The bag had been tied tightly and the dog had three large wounds on his body, "all of which had been infested with maggots", says the RSPCA.
Image source, RSPCA
The charity, external says the dog was thought to be a Staffordshire bull terrier-cross and about six years old.
Vets made the decision to put him down so he did not suffer any more.
A member of the public found the dog on Tuesday night in Dorset Road, Saltley.
Quote Message
Quite simply, this poor dog was left to die in a bin bag, alone at the side of a road. He was dumped like a piece rubbish. We are keen to find out who did this
Mike Scargill, RSPCA inspector
Zoo celebrates rare lemur birthpublished at 14:42 British Summer Time 25 May 2017
BBC Midlands Today
Dudley Zoo is celebrating the birth of the first rare black lemur in more than a decade.
Image source, Dudley Zoo
The endangered species are mainly found on the north western tip of Madagascar.
Zoo keepers say the baby is really important for the survival of black lemurs.
They don't know yet whether it's male or female because it will cling to its mother for the first few weeks.
Robinson offered new Birmingham dealpublished at 14:23 British Summer Time 25 May 2017
Birmingham City offer club captain Paul Robinson another new one-year player-coach contract.
Read More
Watch: One minute's silence outside council buildingpublished at 14:06 British Summer Time 25 May 2017
Steve Hermon
Journalist, BBC WM
I was outside the Birmingham council building for the minute's silence in honour of the Manchester terror attack victims.
You can watch the full video here. , external
Image source, PA
Man remanded in custody after vigil disruptionpublished at 13:48 British Summer Time 25 May 2017
Breaking
Terry Goodwin
BBC West Midlands
A man charged with possessing an offensive weapon after police made an arrest at a Birmingham vigil for the victims of the Manchester Arena attack has been remanded in custody.
Julian Paul Vivian Blake has also been charged with resisting or obstructing a constable in the execution of his duty and three offences of possessing a sharp or pointed article in public.
The 39-year-old, of no fixed address, will appear before crown court on June 1.
Man guilty of fairy lights bomb plotpublished at 13:33 British Summer Time 25 May 2017
Zahid Hussain had been considering attacking the main Birmingham to London railway line.
Read More
Geely takes majority state in Lotuspublished at 13:30 British Summer Time 25 May 2017
The Chinese owner of the London Taxi Company (LTC) has bought a majority stake in one of the UK's best-known sports car makers.
Geely acquired a 51% stake in Lotus alongside a 49% stake in the firm's Malaysian owner Proton.
Image source, London Taxi Company
The Chinese firm rescued Coventry-based LTC in 2013 and opened a new £300m car plant in March this year.
The site in Ansty is the first to be dedicated to producing electric vehicles.
Coming up on BBC Midlands Today: A surprise for Anupublished at 13:16 British Summer Time 25 May 2017
BBC Midlands Today
Do you all remember the story of little Anu and the amazing reaction she got from her school friends when she showed off her new sports blade?
Well the seven-year-old has a big surprise in store today, our reporter Ben Godfrey will have more on BBC1 from 13:30.
Daughter 'suffering anxiety' after surviving Manchester attackpublished at 13:00 British Summer Time 25 May 2017
Louise Hancock
Newsreader, BBC WM
A Lichfield man whose daughter was caught up in the Manchester terror attack says she's struggling to come to terms with what happened.
Image source, Reuters
David Wright told BBC WM he took his 14-year-old daughter Zinni and her friend to the show as a birthday present.
He says the young girls were unharmed in the attack, but Zinni is finding it difficult to sleep due to anxiety and constantly feeling sick.
Quote Message
I was just so relieved when I heard my daughter's voice and then found her immediately because so many people, even today, are still finding out that their loved ones are still missing. I just went into an overdrive to get out as quickly as possible and that made me feel guilty afterwards."
David Wright, Lichfield father caught up in Manchester terror attack
Birmingham New Street: 'We love MCR'published at 12:58 British Summer Time 25 May 2017
Steve Hermon
Journalist, BBC WM
In tribute to the victims of Monday's terror attack, Birmingham New Street station is lit up with the 'we love MCR' emblem seen up and down the country.