Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

A man has been made subject of an indefinite hospital order after admitting trying to kill a neighbour with a sword.

Image source, Staffordshire Police

Staffordshire Police said Arcadius Situn stabbed and slashed a 27-year-old man in the neck and back in October on Marston Road, Stafford., external

It said the victim suffered deep wounds and was left with limited walking ability and reduced speech.

Situn, 31, of Marston Road, was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court after previously pleading guilty to attempted murder.

The footage appears to show a man smashing a window at the Faizul Islam mosque in Aston.

Stoke-on-Trent Live

Stoke-on-Trent Live is covering these stories today:

• 'My little lad thought I was going to bleed to death' - stabbing victim speaks out, external
• Out-of-control car crashes into Stoke-on-Trent house during police chase, external
• Cancer-hit mum launches £125k appeal to pay for stem cell transplant, external

Thomas Cook is closing 21 stores in the UK, including two in the West Midlands, at the cost of 102 jobs.

Image source, PA

In addition, 218 jobs will be cut from the remaining stores.

The pair set to shut in the West Midlands include a store in Stratford-upon-Avon and one in the Sandwell Centre, West Bromwich.

Chief of tour operating Will Waggott said: “Today’s announcement reflects the wider challenges seen on the high street, with more and more customers choosing to book online."

A teenage girl was approached by a man in a car who then grabbed her arm pulling her towards the vehicle, police say.

The incident happened on Ellowes Road, Lower Gornal, Dudley at about 09:20 on Wednesday.

Robbery is not being ruled out as a possible motive as the 14-year-old had an expensive bag, police say. , external

Insp Andy Pugh, from West Midlands Police said: “We understand incidents like are a cause for concern.

"I’d like to assure the local community that we’re increasing patrols and liaising with local schools to make sure people feel safe."

More than 40 people have been fatally stabbed in the UK this year - the BBC has tracked the first 100 killings of 2019 revealing those who have tragically lost their lives.

BBC Sport

British number three Dan Evans eased into the second round of the Miami Open after defeating Malek Jaziri 6-2 6-0.

Image source, Getty Images

The Birmingham player, handed a lucky-loser slot in the main draw, broke the 35-year-old Tunisian six times as he raced to victory in just 75 minutes.

The 28-year-old, ranked 97 in the world, will face 20th seed Denis Shapovalov of Canada in the next round.

Express and Star

Some of the Express and Star headlines today are:

• Historic Walsall firm saved by biggest customer, external
• eBay scheme boosts Wolverhampton businesses, external
• PCC wants new law to force improved car security, external

The Muslim community in Birmingham is feeling "fearful" and "vulnerable" after attacks on five mosques in the city, a spokesman said.

Adil Parker from the Birmingham Council of Mosques, which is responsible for 80 places of worship in the city, said people had been left "appalled and worried".

"There is a lot of angst in the community," he said.

Since the attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand, the police have been stepping up their vigilance, he said.

"The person who's done this wanted to emulate, in his own sense, in his own way, what happened in Christchurch.

"But it is our absolute request and plea to the authorities that this kind of hate crime has to be stamped out of Birmingham and the UK once and for all."

A main road in Stafford had to be closed for a time earlier as a car was on fire.

The fire broke out on the Punch Bowl car park on the A513 near Milford.

Staffordshire Fire say there's no reports of injuries and the road has just reopened.

Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Port Vale's assistant manager says the club looks to have turned their season around and restored confidence as they climb the League Two table.

Last month, the Vale were hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone but an unbeaten run of four games, containing two wins, has seen them move eight points clear.

This weekend they host Forest Green Rovers who are currently battling for promotion in the play-off places.

Thirteen teams are still in real danger of going down from League One with eight games left. But how has it got so close?

Facebook

You've been having your say on news that work should start on Shrewsbury's new bypass in 2021 after the government approved putting £54m towards the scheme.

Shropshire Council says the 3.5-mile (5.6km) single carriageway will cut congestion in the town although Shropshire Wildlife Trust has criticised the project, external, saying it will "degrade a unique landscape".

Image source, Shropshire Council

On the BBC Shropshire Facebook page, Sandra Gill wrote, external: "£54m could be better spent in Shropshire - our failing hospitals, homeless etc!"

Sal Mager added, external: "Should spend the money on developing more sustainable transport systems, not more roads."

However Richard Brunning posted, external: "Yay! Can't come soon enough. Get on with it please now."

BBC Shropshire

Telford United defender Theo Street says Leyton Orient underestimated them in the first leg of their FA Trophy semi-final.

The Bucks lost 1-0 but have the chance to win the tie overall when they host the second leg tomorrow.

The winners will go through to the final at Wembley Stadium.

Local Democracy Reporting Service
Andrew Morris

More than 100 bottle, tin and paper banks are to be removed to save £270,000-a-year in Shropshire.

Image source, Google

Conservative-run Shropshire Council's cabinet approved the move to close the 120 "bring bank" sites.

The Liberal Democrats described it as a tax on rural life and would see some people having to travel up to 20 miles to a household recycling centre.

Telford and Wrekin Borough Council removed their banks a number of years ago.

Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell says his side will have to defend well if they are to get anything from Mansfield tomorrow.

Image source, Getty Images

Artell says he believes their opponents will be dangerous from corners and free-kicks as that's one reason why they're pushing for promotion.

Police will continue to patrol mosques in Birmingham after a string of violent attacks in the early hours of Thursday.

Officers will be talking to Muslim communities and faith leaders about extra security at Friday prayers.

There has been no intelligence linking the events in the UK with the attack in Christchurch last week, but the efforts have been taken to reassure communities, police said.

Deputy Chief Constable Louisa Rolfe said: "This is an abhorrent, despicable act that is clearly designed to create fear in our communities who are actually cherished in Birmingham."

BBC Weather

Any early patches of mist or fog will lift to leave a mostly dry day with highs of 13C (55F).

Vanessa Pearce
BBC News

Welcome to our live service for Friday.

We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather for the West Midlands.

We love to hear from you so share your news, thoughts and photos of the area with us via email, Twitter , externaland Facebook, external.

Graffiti artist Mohammed "Aerosol" Ali visits Lebanon to help refugee children with his art.