Midlands Live: Breaking news and local stories

Summary

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
Click on Related Stories to view stories from your area

Live Reporting

Worcestershire in snowpublished at 10:53 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2017
Stephanie Barnard
BBC News
Thanks to everyone who has shared their snow pics with us.
From tranquil untouched snow scene to snowball fights - we've been sent so many photos. Thank you
This was taken by Stacey Pritty this morning.
Image source, Stacey Pritty
Image source, Jill Orme
And this was taken at the racecourse yesterday
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Travel: Trains disrupted between Hereford and Abergavennypublished at 10:46 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2017
BBC News Travel
Trains between Hereford and Abergavenny are being disrupted this morning due to something on the tracks, Arriva Trains Wales says., external
It says passengers may find services cancelled or delayed and that's expected to last until midday.
Ice alert from this afternoon and into tomorrowpublished at 10:44 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2017
Breaking
Allen Cook
BBC News
A yellow weather warning about ice is now in place from late this afternoon until well into tomorrow morning and covers the whole of the West Midlands., external
Image source, Met Office
The Met Office says it's expecting ice to form on some surfaces, mostly on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.
It says there's a chance of people getting hurt from slips and falls.
Bin collections suspended due to snowy weatherpublished at 10:39 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2017
Allen Cook
BBC News
One impact of the snowy weather is that many bins collections have been suspended today.
That's the case in places including Wolverhampton, external, Solihull, external, Newcastle-under-Lyme, external, Shropshire, external and parts of Telford, external.
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Although in some cases, such as Worcester,, external they're pressing ahead for business waste. If in doubt, check your local council's website or social media.
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Homes without power due to get it back 'around 14:00'published at 10:36 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2017
Tim Page
News Editor, BBC Shropshire
Hundreds of homes and businesses in the Brignorth area of Shropshire are unlikely to get their power back until early afternoon.
Western Power Distribution says there are more then 800 around Highley who've lost their electricity , externaland they'll be reconnected by around 14:00.
The firm says a few hundred other customers in the county have also been cut off, mainly along the Severn valley but those in the Ironbridge area are being reconnected now.
'Bored kids' offered free panto visit due to snowpublished at 10:28 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2017
Allen Cook
BBC News
Hundreds of people living around Oakengates in Telford have been offered a free trip to the pantomime this morning. , external
The showing of Peter Pan at 10:30 was due to be for schools but the theatre says most of them are shut.
Instead it offered free entry to anyone living within walking distance with "bored kids, external" to come.
How to cope with the weatherpublished at 10:20 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2017
A Met Office w, externalarning for ice remains in force today, meaning deep snow in some places will probably last for a few days.
Temperatures are expected to stay around 0C today and get even colder tonight, reaching -11C in Pershore and -10C in Shawbury.
Travel
Emergency services are warning people to beware of ice on the roads , externaland allow extra time to completely clear windscreens.
This handy BBC guide also provides tips on driving and looking after your car in winter, including stopping your locks from freezing up.
Rail travellers are advised to check services are running., external
School closures
The overwhelming majority of schools in the region are closed today. We'll let you know what they're planning to do tomorrow as soon as we hear.
Image source, bbc
Emergencies
If you suffer a life-threatening emergency the advice, as always, is to dial 999.
However, the NHS is advising people to avoid A&E unless absolutely necessary and, if it's not serious, you might be seen quicker if you visit a local minor injuries unit or even a pharmacist.
If you suffer a power cut, Western Power Distribution is the firm to contact in the West Midlands - you can call 0800 6783 105 or 105 for more information,or visit the website, external.
The Met Office website has this useful advice on how to cope with the cold weather., external
Snow fun
If you have photos of the weather you'd like to show us, then you can sign up to be a BBC Weather Watcher or share them via email,Twitter , externaland Facebook., external
In the papers: Snow dominates newspaper headlinespublished at 10:06 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2017
Allen Cook
BBC News
Here's how some of our newspapers in the West Midlands are reporting on the snowy conditions today.
The Express and Star says there's "commuter chaos after weekend of snow and sub-zero temperatures, external".
Image source, Express and Star
The Birmingham Mail reports that the city is "facing a new weather nightmare today, external", saying temperatures have fallen to -9C.
While the Shropshire Star leads on hundreds of homes losing power in the county and that most schools are shut., external
Elsewhere in the region, the Coventry Telegraph reports that a lorry had to be dug out of snow near the Ricoh Arena., external
Bank of Brum?published at 10:00 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2017
BBC Business News
The Labour party says it will consider moving some parts of the Bank of England to Birmingham, if it wins the next election.
Image source, Getty Images
The Bank has had its offices in London since it was established in 1694.
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell is launching report on UK finance sector this morning.
Hospital trust cancels non-emergency appointmentspublished at 09:54 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2017
Sophie Madden
BBC News
A hospital trust has said it is cancelling all non-emergency appointments because of the snow.
The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust says it will not be holding any outpatient clinics today.
A decision is still to be made about whether they will go ahead tomorrow.
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Your Shropshire snow snapspublished at 09:51 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2017
Stephanie Barnard
BBC News
Here are a selection of photos we've been sent from the Shropshire area.
Chris Bainger from the Environment Agency tweets, external: "Weir still as pretty as a picture this morning. #Snow , external& ice may be challenging for us today but all good for our #salmon , externalto progress to their natal rivers & trigger spawning., external"
Image source, Chris Bainger
This is a snowy view in the Meole Village area of Shrewsbury this morning - a clear, crisp scene.
And this was taken in Cound yesterday.
Thanks to everyone for sending us their pics - keep sending them into us - Email, tweet @BBCMTD, external or send us your photos on Facebook, external.
'Never try and punch a police dog'published at 09:44 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2017
The snow didn't stop officers responding to reports of a break-in at a Birmingham school last night.
Police tweeted that one of the suspected burglars tried to take on one of their police dogs.. and may have come out worse.
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'Only drive if necessary' say Shropshire copspublished at 09:38 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2017
Allen Cook
BBC News
Only drive if necessary in Shropshire is the message from police.
The force tweeted just after 09:00 that the M54/A5 west was now open but urged drivers to only undertake essential journeys., external
Image source, West Mercia Police
Dudley Zoo closedpublished at 09:35 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2017
Dudley Zoo is closed to visitors today.
It did manage to open on Saturday, but otherwise has been closed since Friday.
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How cold is it where you are?published at 09:29 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2017
BBC Weather
Pershore in Worcestershire is set to be one of the coldest areas of the UK tonight, which could see temperatures drop as far as -14C (7F).
Pershore is expected to reach -11C by the early hours of the morning and Shawbury in Shropshire -10C.
You can compare the temperature where you are with more than 50 cities around the world on the BBC Weather site.
Spare a thought for those in Yakutsk, Russia, where it's about -36C (-32.8F).
Weather closes medical centrepublished at 09:20 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2017
Ironbridge Medical Practice, in Telford, Shropshire will remain closed today as staff are unable to get to the centre.
Image source, PA
Despite attempts to clear local roads yesterday some remain blocked or hazardous.
Residents are being advised to call NHS 111 or to go to pharmacists for minor complaints.
'Liver branding' surgeon to face trialpublished at 09:15 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2017
A liver surgeon who is accused of branding his initials into a patient's liver is set to stand trial today.
Simon Bramhall, 53, who has left Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital, faces two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm relating to alleged incidents in 2013.
The liver, spleen and pancreas surgeon, from Tarrington, in Herefordshire, has pleaded not guilty.
His trial, scheduled to last five days, is set to begin at Birmingham Crown Court today.
London Midland is no morepublished at 09:07 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2017
Just a reminder that some train services in the West Midlands have been taken over by a new operator - West Midlands Trains Ltd.
The firm, a joint venture between Dutch firm Abellio and Japanese partners, takes over routes previously run by London Midland.
The franchise covers routes in the West Midlands, as well as from London Euston to Crewe, and Liverpool to Birmingham.
The company says it's only experiencing a few problems today around Stourbridge Town and Great Malvern, but to check its website for more details., external
Trees blocking roads clearedpublished at 08:59 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2017
Trees down in the Ironbridge area are being removed by Telford and Wrekin Council.
Image source, Telford & Wrekin Council
It sent crews to clear Buildwas Road and The Lloyds.
Image source, Telford & Wrekin Council
'Some delays and cancellations' at Birmingham Airportpublished at 08:51 Greenwich Mean Time 11 December 2017
Stephanie Barnard
BBC News
Birmingham Airport has seen a "number of cancellations and diverted flights" due to snow falling in the West Midlands over the past 48 hours.
Spokeswoman Justine Howl says staff have been working hard to clear the runway, which was closed for several hours yesterday, due to the conditions.
Image source, Birmingham Airport
Quote Message
This morning we've had more challenges as it's been freezing overnight. We've got a few delays of maybe two hours and some cancellations. With these kind of weather events - aircrafts are either in the wrong place or airlines cancel services due to a number of factors."
Justine Howl, Birmingham Airport
Ms Howl thanked passengers for their calmness while it clears the snow and gets on top of delays: "The key is safety and we're working hard to get those flights out."