Midlands Live: Breaking news and local stories

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Updates from 26 March to 3 April

Live Reporting

Woman admits assault whilst trying to escape hit-and-run scenepublished at 14:29 British Summer Time 26 March 2018
Breaking
A woman who was a passenger in a car that hit two Coventry children has admitted a charge of assault intending to resist arrest, after she hit a member of the public while trying to escape the scene.
Gwendoline Harrison, 42, of Triumph Close, Coventry appeared at Warwick Crown Court today.
Image source, West Midlands Police
Corey and Casper Platt May died after being struck by a car on Longfellow Road in February.
At the same hearing, Robert Brown admitted all charges against him - including two counts of death by dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, using a vehicle without insurance and a licence.
Brown was remanded in custody for sentencing on 27 April.
'More to come' for England women's star cricketerpublished at 14:25 British Summer Time 26 March 2018
BBC Sport
Stoke-on-Trent cricketer Danni Wyatt says she hopes "there is more to come" after she became only the second woman to score two T20 international hundreds.
Image source, Getty Images
Her 52-ball century led England to the highest successful run chase in a women's Twenty20 international and a seven-wicket win over India in the tri-series in Mumbai.
She got England to their target of 199 with eight deliveries to spare.
Quote Message
When it was in my area, I whacked it. I was confident and positive the whole innings. It's amazing. Having the belief from the coaches really helps. I've faced the best bowlers in the world and hit them all over the park. I know I can do it, so hopefully there is more to come."
Danni Wyatt
Machete and drugs found after police stop carpublished at 14:14 British Summer Time 26 March 2018
Allen Cook
BBC News
A "large quantity" of class A drugs have been found in a car in Staffordshire along with a machete., external
Staffordshire Police says officers stopped the VW Golf last night on Old Fellow Road, Cannock, after tracking it from Tipton.
Two men, a 41-year-old from Birmingham and a 44-year-old from West Bromwich, were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and possession of an offensive weapon in public.
Officers say both are still in custody.
West Brom finances 'shock' chief execpublished at 14:09 British Summer Time 26 March 2018
West Brom chief executive Mark Jenkins says he has been "shocked" at the state of the Premier League side's finances since returning to The Hawthorns.
Read More
In the papers: Mums help to improve hospital servicespublished at 13:52 British Summer Time 26 March 2018
Worcester News
These are among the top stories on the Worcester News website today:
Murder charge after Paddy Power stabbingpublished at 13:38 British Summer Time 26 March 2018
A 35-year-old man appears in court after another man was pronounced dead.
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Cause of Grade I listed country house fire investigatedpublished at 13:35 British Summer Time 26 March 2018
Lucy King
News Editor, BBC Radio Stoke
An investigation is underway into the cause of a fire at a Grade I-listed timber-framed country house.
Image source, Cheshire Fire Service
Firefighters were called to Haslington Hall in Haslington, south Cheshire, shortly after 08:00 GMT on Saturday. , external
Up to 30 firefighters tackled the blaze which damaged the roof although nobody was hurt.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service say they finally left the scene yesterday afternoon.
Nurse stole coma patient's debit cardpublished at 13:34 British Summer Time 26 March 2018
Daniel Ncazana said his actions were because of a "curse" he got while on holiday in South Africa.
Read More
Second crime commissioner to take over fire servicespublished at 13:15 British Summer Time 26 March 2018
Allen Cook
BBC News
Hot on the heels of his Staffordshire counterpart, it's also been confirmed today that West Mercia's police and crime commissioner (PCC) will also be responsible for running his local fire services, as well as the police.
The Home Secretary Amber Rudd said she believed the move would improve efficiency and "there is no adverse effect on public safety".
The Home Office says West Mercia's PCC John Campion (pictured) will take official charge "in the coming months", replacing local fire authorities.
Abuse inquiry's Telford investigation duepublished at 13:01 British Summer Time 26 March 2018
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse says it is "vital" victims have their say.
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Two taken to hospital after crashpublished at 12:55 British Summer Time 26 March 2018
A man suffered a cardiac arrest after a two-car crash in Walsall last night., external
The ambulance service said paramedics treated the man, in his 50s, for serious injuries after the incident on Wednesbury Road at 21:45.
The driver of a second car, a woman in her 40s, was also taken to hospital.
Stretch of A38 still shutpublished at 12:36 British Summer Time 26 March 2018
BBC News Travel
Part of the A38 in Staffordshire's still shut northbound this afternoon due to a burst water main.
Highways England says it's happened in the early hours of this morning between Alrewas and Barton under Needwood and engineers are still working to fix it., external
Image source, Highways England
Two hurt after car smashed into house as family watched TVpublished at 12:29 British Summer Time 26 March 2018
Tim Race
Producer, BBC Hereford & Worcester
A man says it's nothing short of a miracle that he and his family are still alive after a car ploughed into his house as they sat in the living room.
Image source, West Midlands Ambulance Service
Robert Beattie, his wife Mel and teenage daughter Tash were watching TV on Friday night when the car came crashing through the front of the house in Battenhall Rise, external, Worcester, missing Robert by inches.
He told BBC Hereford and Worcester that Mel and Tash suffered broken bones and are recovering in hospital.
West Mercia Police arrested a 26-year-old man from Worcester on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and he's been released under investigation.
Quote Message
I got my wife out into the kitchen area as best I could, she was very dazed and confused. I then had to go back outside, through the opening, to rescue my daughter from the other side of the car who was again shocked and confused and I carried her back round to the kitchen."
Robert Beattie, Homeowner
In photos: Spring arrives at lastpublished at 12:19 British Summer Time 26 March 2018
BBC Weather Watchers
Spring looks to have well and truly arrived from the photos uploaded by our BBC Weather Watcher volunteers.
These are from users Raineyjane in Great Alne, Snow Crystals in Newcastle under Lyme and Frodo Baggins in Bromyard:
Image source, Raineyjane
Image source, Snow Crystals
Image source, Frodo Baggins
Pothole repair: Councils awarded fundingpublished at 12:08 British Summer Time 26 March 2018
An extra £100m is being shared among councils to fund repairs to roads damaged by recent storms,, external the transport secretary has announced.
Chris Grayling said the money would help patch up nearly two million potholes and protect roads from future severe weather conditions.
Image source, Department for Transport
Staffordshire was among the areas awarded the most with £2.2m funding.
Warwickshire will receive £1.4m and Herefordshire £1.2m.
Transport for the West Midlands has also been awarded £1.7m funding for road conditions monitoring innovations.
Crime commissioner takes over fire servicepublished at 11:57 British Summer Time 26 March 2018
Allen Cook
BBC News
Staffordshire's police and crime commissioner (PCC) is to take on responsibility for the county's fire and rescue service too.
PCC Matthew Ellis proposed the move last year , externalclaiming that by collaborating they could save £2m a year.
The plans were opposed by Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Staffordshire County Council and members of the fire authority but the Home Office has approved the move.
It says the changeover, with the abolition of the current fire authority, will happen "over the coming weeks and months".
Last year, Essex became the first place in the UK to combine responsibility for the county's police and fire services under their PCC.
Murder charge over Paddy Power stabbingpublished at 11:47 British Summer Time 26 March 2018
Allen Cook
BBC News
A man's been charged with murder , externalafter a fatal stabbing at a Paddy Power betting shop.
Image source, West Midlands Police
Khalid Yousef, 28, from Handsworth was pronounced dead at the scene on Rookery Road, Handsworth on 4 January.
Mustafa Hassan, 35, has this morning been charged with his murder and appeared at Birmingham Crown Court.
He's been remanded into custody and will next appear there in May.
Murder inquiry starts after man's deathpublished at 11:37 British Summer Time 26 March 2018
The man was found with serious chest injuries after police were called to a disturbance in Tile Hill.
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Murder investigation launched after man's deathpublished at 11:35 British Summer Time 26 March 2018
Breaking
A murder investigation has been launched after a man found seriously injured later died.
Image source, Google
Officers were called to reports of a disturbance in Copland Place, Tile Hill, at 23:15 yesterday.
A man in his 30s was found with injuries to his chest and died at the scene.
The area remains cordoned off for forensic examinations.
In the papers: Millions more for pothole repairspublished at 11:25 British Summer Time 26 March 2018
Shropshire Star
The Shropshire Star's covering these stories today on its website: