BBC Midlands Today

The length of time taken to get domestic abuse cases to court due to the Covid-19 backlog is "tremendously challenging" for victims, the chief constable of West Midlands Police said.

The backlog in the country's Crown Courts hit a record of 56,000 cases in February - meaning some cases are now being timetabled for 2023.

The wait comes as cases of domestic abuse have risen by 38% in the last year in the West Midlands and chief constable Sir David Thompson said they account for about a fifth of all the work his force does.

He told BBC Midlands Today: "For normal crimes, that [backlog] is very difficult - if it is crimes involving relationships, that is tremendously challenging and so we have got to make sure victims are supported."

The government has promised a court recovery plan including the current temporary Nightingale courts to tackle the backlog.

Mohammed Haroon Zeb died in hospital after being found with bullet wounds on 31 January.

He has been bailed ahead of a court appearance following Isabelle Boshell's death in October.

BBC Weather

We are forecast rain today, some of it heavy, and temperatures up to around 11C (52F).

And tomorrow, with temperatures due to drop to close to freezing, that could turn into hail.

Drivers licensed in Wolverhampton but not living there cannot get a £2,000 payment, a union says.

Richard Avery appears in court over the deaths of Will Henry and Brian McIntosh.

Marian Savu was attacked in the early hours and pronounced dead at the scene.

The venture will expand to places including Birmingham, Coventry and Walsall in the next few months.

Team GB rugby player Heather Fisher says she "dreads" using public toilets as she is frequently mistaken for a man because of her alopecia.

Naga Munchetty travelled across the UK to understand what race and racism means today.

The man, who was believed to have been in his late teens, died after being found with stab injuries.

West Midlands Police is to get a share of government money to target violence hotspots.

The £30m funding is being allocated in a bid to crack down on murders, knife crime and other serious offences.

The money is being made available to forces in parts of England and Wales "most affected by serious violence", according to the Home Office.

In the past two years £100m of such funding has resulted in more than 100,000 weapons being seized and has seen thousands of hours of police activity like increased patrols and searches, the Home Office said.

Extra rail services have been introduced as more pupils return to schools and colleges across England.

West Midlands Trains is one of the companies boosting capacity, with additional carriages introduced to some services.

High winds could bring disruption to travel and transport services across the West Midlands later this week, the Met Office is warning.

Image source, Met Office

A yellow warning for wind has been issued covering the whole of the region from 21:00 on Wednesday until 15:00 on Thursday.

Malcolm Turner was trapped inside his home when Richard Newing set fire to his mobility scooter.

BBC Weather

Dry today with patches of cloud mixed with sunny spells. Light or gentle winds and a high of 9C (48F).

Image source, BBC Weather Watcher Harry the Springer

Staying dry tonight with mainly clear skies which will leave it feeling quite chilly with a low of 1C (34F).

You can keep up-to-date on the latest forecast for your area by going to the BBC Weather website.

The latest news and updates from across the West Midlands and south Cheshire.

A man and a teenage boy required hospital treatment after reports of gunfire in Coventry.

The chief executive of Birmingham's 2022 Commonwealth Games says thousands of jobs will be created.

Jac Danielle set up a litter picking group in Coventry to tidy up her city.