Rapist attacked female prison officerpublished at 17:20 British Summer Time 19 June 2018
Inmate Liam McCarthy grabbed the woman by the throat and barricaded her in his cell at HMP Littlehey.
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Live updates from Wednesday 20 June
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Rapist attacked female prison officerpublished at 17:20 British Summer Time 19 June 2018
Concerns for policing after Brexit raisedpublished at 17:12 British Summer Time 19 June 2018
The police and crime commissioner for the West Midlands has shared concerns uncertainty around the final Brexit deal could have an impact on the costs and efficiency of the West Midlands force.
Image source, West Midlands Police and Crime CommmissionerTop police officials met today to discuss a report prepared for Labour PCC David Jamieson,, external which demanded more clarity and forward-planning from the government.
It outlined how West Midlands Police harbours serious concerns about the government’s "apparent lack" of contingency planning for a no-deal scenario.
The BBC has contacted the Home Office for a response, but Theresa May has previously called for a "special partnership"with the EU on security after Brexit.
Quote MessageNumerous senior police leaders agree that there are a huge number of unanswered questions for policing post-Brexit. I am worried that complex cross border cases may be impacted. I am also worried that as well as being less efficient, the quality of co-operation will be lower
David Jamieson, West Midlands PCC, Labour
Showcase for young artists at skate parkpublished at 17:00 British Summer Time 19 June 2018
Local Democracy Reporting ServiceTwo plinths have been set up at Hereford skate park to showcase work by local artists.
The first sculpture, titled the Rotherwas Angel, will be unveiled by the Lord Lieutenant for Herefordshire on 22 June.
Image source, Hereford Skate ParkHereford College of Arts is working with the skate park on the project and says the idea was inspired by the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square, which is used to display works of art.
Quote MessageAmongst the skateboarding community there is a rich vein of extremely creative people and the culture is well know for its art work, films and videos. The trustees wanted to give skateboarders an additional opportunity to exhibit three-dimensional artwork and this is now realised with the two plinths
Brian Stephens, Hereford skate park trustee
'Pioneering' anti-stalking unit launchedpublished at 17:00 British Summer Time 19 June 2018
A "pioneering" anti-stalking initiative is to work with those who commit the crime to "understand the underlying motivation", a psychologist says.
Dan Price-Jones said knowing the reasons for stalking would help "minimise risks" to victims as well as manage risks posed by the stalker.
The unit has been launched by Cheshire Police and victims' charity the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.
Similar units are also being rolled out in Hampshire and London.
Stabbed boxing fan 'stalked like prey'published at 16:57 British Summer Time 19 June 2018
Tyrone Andrew is accused of killing Reagan Asbury during a row after a youth world title fight.
Read MoreHospital X-ray machine 'still in box after four months'published at 16:47 British Summer Time 19 June 2018
An X-ray machine which cost £158,000 is still in its box at Ludlow Community Hospital, four months after it was bought, the hospital league of friends has said.
The group funded the equipment and said a room had been cleared to make way for it, but a dispute at the hospital was holding things up.
Peter Corfield, from Ludlow's League of Friends, said the situation was "ridiculous", but he hoped it would be resolved within the next month.
The Shropshire Community Health Trust, which runs the hospital, said the hold-up was because it needed to get permission from NHS Property Services, which owns the building.
Quote MessageWe are keen to bring this X-Ray equipment into use as soon as possible, as it will be hugely beneficial to the people of Ludlow and south Shropshire. We appreciate it is taking time to get it installed, but we need the go-ahead from NHS Property Services, as the owners of the Ludlow Hospital building, to do that. We are in almost daily contact with them to progress the matter
Jan Ditheridge, Chief Executive of Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust
Landlord has rent concerns about regeneration planspublished at 16:36 British Summer Time 19 June 2018
Local Democracy Reporting ServicePlans to regenerate part of Hereford could be held back by rent rises, a landlord in the city has warned.
Herefordshire Council wants to to redevelop the area around Berrington Street at a cost of £100m and wants independent shops and restaurants to be part of that.
But Jonny Bright, who runs the Beer House with his partner, said: "We might have to knock it on the head because of the uncertainty.”
Image source, GoogleTraders have said they are facing rate rises of 90% and one trader claimed eight have quit West Street in eight months.
Mr Bright added "the hike in rents has left everyone feeling very upset and demoralised".
The council previously said it was working with landowners and development partners to assemble the site and create a comprehensive master plan for the 5.4-acre area.
In the papers: Hundreds of homes for power station sitepublished at 16:24 British Summer Time 19 June 2018
These are among the headlines in the Shropshire Star today:
- Hundreds of new homes to be built as power station site sold, external
- Shrewsbury MP cleared by party over Channel 4 allegations, external
- Trapped badgers rescued from pipe, external
Parents of Stafford Hospital toddler closer to new inquestpublished at 16:14 British Summer Time 19 June 2018
Sophie Calvert
Political Reporter, BBC Radio StokeThe parents of Cannock toddler Jonnie Meek, who died at Stafford Hospital in 2014, are a step closer to getting a new inquest into his death.
A coroner originally ruled the three-year-old died of natural causes, which his parents have always disputed.
Image source, Family photoNow the solicitor general has given his permission for an application to be made to the High Court for a new inquest.
Murder arrest in 'newsagent row' stabbingpublished at 16:06 British Summer Time 19 June 2018
Daniel Fitzjohn died in hospital after being attacked at about 21:45 BST on Thursday.
Read MoreTanker blocking M42 exit slip roadpublished at 15:53 British Summer Time 19 June 2018
BBC News TravelA broken down tanker is blocking the northbound exit of the M42 at J3 in Worcestershire.
Recovery is under way but drivers are being warned of delays in the area.
Image source, Highways EnglandIn the papers: City to get horse racing pubpublished at 15:53 British Summer Time 19 June 2018
Here are three stories from the Hereford Times today:
- Hereford to get a pub dedicated to horse racing, external
- Man rescued from concrete pipe, external
- Art and culture rolls in at Hereford skate park, external
Port Vale give up in attempt to sign Northampton strikerpublished at 15:46 British Summer Time 19 June 2018
Graham McGarry
BBC Radio StokePort Vale appear to have given up in their attempt to sign Northampton striker Billy Waters and are turning to other targets instead.
The club are believed to have agreed a loan deal for a League One striker, with Fleetwood's Conor McAlney and Idris Kanu (pictured below), who is at Peterborough, among the names being linked to a move to Vale Park.
Image source, Getty ImagesBadgers rescued from bottom of sunken pipepublished at 15:34 British Summer Time 19 June 2018
Two badgers have been rescued from the bottom of a three-foot hole in Shropshire, after being discovered by a dog-walker.
She found them in the old pipe at an isolated spot near Cheswell after going to retrieve a ball from bushes.
Image source, RSPCAThe RSPCA was able to free them using a pole with a claw attachment and they were returned, uninjured, to a nearby field.
Image source, RSPCAThe animal charity said it was such an isolated spot, they would have died if they hadn't been discovered.
Quote MessageI have no idea what purpose the pipe serves but it is obviously a danger to some wildlife. I think the badgers may have been playing and just fell into the hole but fortunately for them no harm was done and they have a dog to thank for saving their lives
Inspector Nayman Dunderdale, RSPCA
Coventry to Leamington rail services suspendedpublished at 15:26 British Summer Time 19 June 2018
BBC News TravelRail services between Coventry and Leamington Spa have been suspended due to a fault with the signalling system.
Bus replacement services are being put in place, said West Midlands Railway.
Hundreds of children in care, report findspublished at 15:07 British Summer Time 19 June 2018
Local Democracy Reporting ServiceMore than 600 children are currently being looked after by Coventry City Council, with the figure having risen in the past 12 months, according to a council report, external.
Image source, GoogleOfficials statistics reveal the number of youngsters the local authority is responsible for has increased by 40 over the course of a year and now stands at 662.
A report set to be presented to councillors on Thursday notes Coventry’s commitment to take more unaccompanied asylum seekers has contributed to the rise.
The figures are included in an overview of “corporate parenting” in the city, to be considered by the council’s education and children’s services scrutiny board.
Venue gets name to reflect theatrical historypublished at 14:58 British Summer Time 19 June 2018
A 165-year old theatre in Stoke-on-Trent is changing its name to the Royal Music Hall.
The building in Pall Mall, originally a Methodist chapel, started life as the Theatre Royal and has survived a serious fire as well as a number of changes of use.
Image source, Deltic GroupIt has now been reopened as a 900-capacity concert and event venue, with a dancefloor, stage and seating.
Owner The Deltic Group said it had chosen the name to reflect its theatrical past.
Quote MessageWe know the venue has a rich and interesting past so felt the change in name would be rather fitting. We really want to make sure the venue’s theatrical and entertainment history is remembered and hope that the name change to the Royal Music Hall will help in this
Ric Harpin, Yuri Marivnov – Licklist
Man 'plotted to kill PM in suicide attack'published at 14:52 British Summer Time 19 June 2018
An Islamic State fanatic planned a "blade and explosion" attack on Downing Street, a court hears.
Read MoreAbusive husband 'locked wife indoors'published at 14:48 British Summer Time 19 June 2018
Aziz Rehman is jailed for more than three years for keeping Zeenit Bibi in "domestic servitude".
Read MoreTwo more arrests following attack in Telfordpublished at 14:41 British Summer Time 19 June 2018
Another two people have been arrested in connection with an assault in Telford yesterday afternoon which left a man in his 40s unconscious with potentially life-threatening injuries.
Police were called to Withywood Drive, in Malinslee, at 16:30 and arrested a woman aged 38 and a 15-year-old boy.
Officers have now arrested two 16-year-old boys and all four are in custody on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.
