Teenage burglar guilty of dad's murderpublished at 15:29 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017
The 19-year-old befriended the 'trusting' victim and tried to steal cannabis from his home, police say.
Read MoreSummary
Simon Johnson death: Teenage burglar guilty of murder
Drunk passengers 'risk death on railway'
Children's home TV film prompts inquiry
Car theft 'relay' devices seized in Birmingham
Cash and phones found in police raids
Small police stations 'could move to community buildings'
Council's 'ludicrous' threat to evict Christmas tree
More flood alerts for the West Midlands
Darts prepares to say farewell to unlikely revolutionary
Updates from Friday 15 December
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Teenage burglar guilty of dad's murderpublished at 15:29 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017
Council's 'ludicrous' threat to evict Christmas treepublished at 15:25 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017
A council has been accused of making "ludicrous" threats to dig up a 4ft (1.2m) Christmas tree planted in a nature reserve in Bedworth.
Image source, PALocal residents planted the Norway spruce in an area known as The Nook in the hope it would be decorated by the community.
Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council was reported to have given a community group which helps to care for the nature reserve a deadline of 13 December to remove the spruce and two unauthorised apple trees.
But the council now says there will be no action to resolve the row - criticised by one resident as "bureaucracy gone mad" - until the new year.
Quote MessageThey keep saying they have got no money but they can take the time and effort to tell us to take a 4ft Christmas tree out. We are not going to take the tree out - they will have to take it out. What they are saying is ludicrous."
John Ison, The Friends of The Nook group
More than 100 crash reports in just seven hourspublished at 15:17 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017
The contact centre at West Midlands Police says it received 104 reports of crashes in the seven hours from 06:00 today.
It said that was double the number compared with the same time last week.
Image source, West Midlands PoliceThe force tweeted, external that the roads are "exceptionally icy and dangerous" today and advised drivers to allow extra time for journeys.
Biggest collection in the galaxy?published at 15:09 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017
Star Wars superfan Craig Spivey boasts one of the biggest collections of memorabilia in the UK.
Read MoreFestive drinkers 'risk death on railway'published at 15:06 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017
Birmingham New Street has more delays related to alcohol than any other station, Network Rail says.
Read MoreManager 'will stick by' striker over first-team chancespublished at 15:00 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017
Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio StokeCharlie Kirk can still play a big part in Crewe Alexandra's season, according to his manager David Artell.
Image source, Crewe AlexandraKirk has yet to start a league game this season but he's standing by to face Crawley tomorrow if Callum Ainley is ruled out with a face injury.
Quote MessageHe's a talented boy. He's had to work a long time for half a chance. Don't get me wrong, he played at Port Vale, let himself down a little bit but he's a good player and while he's trying to do the right things I'll stick by him."
David Artell, Crewe Alexandra's manager
High river in Ludlow from melting snowpublished at 14:48 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017
You can see how the melting snow has led to high levels on the Teme in Ludlow, in this photo tweeted by Severn Rivers Trust., external
A flood alert rmains in force on the upper Teme, but levels are starting to drop.
Image source, Severn Rivers TrustCall to reopen maternity unit after roof damagepublished at 14:36 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017
Mark Elliott
BBC NewsThe Mayor of Oswestry is calling for the town's maternity unit to reopen.
Image source, PAConservative Councillor Vince Hunt says it's the obvious thing to do now that Shrewsbury's midwife-led centre has been forced to shut until next year for repairs to the roof, caused by recent snow. , external
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust says the rural units will open early next year and it's not feasible before then.
Quote MessageIt strikes me that would be sensible. One of the issues has been a staffing issue. If it's closed in Shrewsbury then presumably they must have some fairly local midwives who would be able to perhaps transfer up to Oswestry just to plug that gap in the north of the county."
Vince Hunt, Mayor of Oswestry
Cash and phones seized in police raidspublished at 14:23 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017
A large amount of cash has been seized, along with mobile phones and drugs after a series of raids carried out on addresses in the Bordesley Green area of Birmingham.
Image source, West Midlands PoliceWest Midlands Police says 10 drugs warrants have been executed across the neighbourhood between 11 and 13 December, with further raids planned in upcoming days.
Image source, West Midlands PoliceFive suspects are now subject to investigation, the force said.
Darts legend prepares for final farewellpublished at 14:11 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017
BBC SportStoke-on-Trent darts player Phil Taylor begins his final professional tournament tonight before he retires from the sport.
The legendary 16-time world champion begins his latest World Championship challenge at London's Alexandra Palace against youngster Chris Dobey.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe 57-year-old has dominated the sport since 1990 and changed darts forever in 1993.
Taylor was in the group of 14 dissatisfied players who, in that year, broke away from the British Darts Organisation because of what they perceived to be a decline in the game.
They helped to form their own governing body - what is now known as the PDC.
Children's home TV film prompts inquirypublished at 14:01 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017
An ITV documentary claimed to find evidence of understaffing and inadequate training at the homes.
Read MoreIn the papers: Honour for life-saving mechanicpublished at 14:00 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017
The Sentinel features these main stories today:
New Street tops list for drunken railway incidentspublished at 13:43 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017
Birmingham New Street Station has had more delays caused by alcohol-related incidents than any other railway station in the country, according to new figures released by Network Rail.
The organisation has launched its Keep a Clear Head campaign with Christmas parties and pre-Christmas drinking expected to peak tonight.
Image source, Netowork RailIn the last five years there were 452 delays at New Street caused by alcohol, including drunken revellers falling on to railway lines or trying to dodge trains.
Wolverhampton also made the top 10, with 209 incidents.
Across the UK, there were 7,419 recorded alcohol-related incidents on or around the railway in 2016-17.
Worcester Warriors seek table-topping victory tonightpublished at 13:29 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017
BBC SportWorcester Warriors face Oyonnax in the Challenge Cup tonight and have made two changes to their side.
Image source, Getty ImagesCentre Chris Pennell and prop Simon Kerrod come into the side that beat the French side 35-14 on Saturday.
Worcester begin the weekend second in Pool 5, three points behind leaders Connacht, who have won their first three matches.
Victory would take the Warriors top of the group ahead of Connacht's home game against Brive on Saturday.
Car park charges plan is 'money making scheme'published at 13:13 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017
Faith Page
Reporter, BBC ShropshireShropshire's councillors have admitted plans to introduce evening car parking charges is a "money making scheme" but say it'll be reinvested.
Image source, GoogleImage caption, Abbey Foregate car park
The authority wants to charge motorists to park until 20:00 at night.
Conservative council leader Peter Nutting says he'll look again at the plans which could see the fees scrapped in all market towns except Shrewsbury.
Quote MessageOf course it is to raise money but it's actually to raise money to reinvest back into car parks and highways. I did say that in Shrewsbury when we rolled out the consultation there and I stand by that."
Steve Davenport, Shropshire councillor in charge of highways
Is this the biggest Star Wars collection in the galaxy?published at 13:03 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017
Joshua Cook
BBC Coventry & WarwickshireStar Wars superfan Craig Spivey, from Leamington Spa has been collecting memorabilia since the film franchise started, 40 years ago.
The collection includes part of the original Millennium Falcon from the 1977 film A New Hope.
Media caption, Craig started his collection aged seven.
Weather warning for ice extendedpublished at 12:53 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017
The icy weather is set to continue to cause disruption until at least 11:00 on Saturday, the Met Office says., external
It's issued a further warning from 17:00 this evening.
Image source, Met OfficeWest Midlands Ambulance Service has tweeted advice , externalto anyone walking on icy pavements:
- Wear flat, sturdy shoes with good grip
- Bend forward slightly, walk flat-footed with your centre of gravity directly over your feet
- Walk on salted/gritted areas
- Hold on to handrails, fences and walls
Snorkelling benefits cheat must pay £82kpublished at 12:44 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017
Linda Hoey falsely claimed free toll road travel and more than £65,000 in disability benefits.
Read MoreIn the papers: Community responds to online appealpublished at 12:36 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017
These are the big stories on the Shropshire Star website today:
Perfumes stolen in Boots break-inpublished at 12:26 Greenwich Mean Time 15 December 2017
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio StokePerfumes have been stolen from a branch of Boots in Stoke-on-Trent after two people broke in this morning.
Staff called Staffordshire Police when they found a front door of the Hanley store had been smashed, although the force says it's not yet clear how many fragrances have been taken.
Officers say they're checking through CCTV footage.
