Midlands Live: Breaking news and local stories

Summary

Updates from Monday 13 May to Sunday 19 May
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Live Reporting

Drivers filming paper crash scene face prosecutionpublished at 09:08 British Summer Time 13 May 2019
Drivers who slowed down to film the recovery of a shed load of paper on the M6 in Staffordshire, are likely to be prosecuted, say motorway police.
The southbound carriageway has been closed between J15 and J14 after an earlier crash caused a lorry to spill its load of paper bales.
Image source, Highways England
Specialist lifting equipment has been brought in to clear the lanes.
One lane has just been reopened.
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Firearm documentary wins Bafta TV awardpublished at 08:56 British Summer Time 13 May 2019
A documentary tracing the history of a firearm set against a backdrop of escalating gang violence in Birmingham has won a Bafta.
Gun No 6 won for the best single documentary.
West Midlands Police tweeted congratulations to producer Zac Beattie.
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The documentary tells of how the firearm, used in various incidents across the city, was passed around many people in six years.
The programme is still available to watch on the BBC iPlayer.
In the papers: 'Don't give up hope on Debenhams'published at 08:44 British Summer Time 13 May 2019
Express and Star
Here are some of the early headlines on the Express & Star website:
- Wolverhampton MP: Don't give up hope on Debenhams, external
- Wolverhampton youth club in plea for help, external
- Cyclist dies after coming off bike during Velo, external
'Targeted' shooting leaves teenager and man injuredpublished at 08:30 British Summer Time 13 May 2019
Investigations are continuing after a man and boy were shot in Olton, Solihull, on Saturday afternoon.
The 15-year-old is in hospital after being shot in the leg on Warwick Road, on Saturday.
A man, 35, was also injured although the victims' injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, West Midlands Police said.
The attack is thought to have been deliberately targeted, police said.
The force appealed for witnesses and said the gunman fled in a vehicle after the attack, at about 16:30.
Crash leaves paper strewn across M6published at 08:15 British Summer Time 13 May 2019
Crews are working to clear three tonne paper bales shed from a lorry on the M6 in Staffordshire.
Image source, Highways England
A crash involving two lorries has closed the southbound carriageway between J15 and J14.
A diversion is in place with about four miles of queuing traffic in the area.
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Costs will make HS2 'very difficult' to scrappublished at 07:58 British Summer Time 13 May 2019
It would be difficult to cancel the HS2 project because of the costs involved, the outgoing head of the National Audit Office, Sir Amyas Morse has said.
Image source, PA
The first phase of the high speed rail line will run from London to Birmingham, through Warwickshire, and is scheduled to open in December 2026.
But with warnings that the project could exceed its budget of £56bn, there are growing calls for it to be scrapped.
Speaking to the BBC's Westminster Hour, Sir Aymas suggested the first phase would have to be completed due to the cost and work already incurred.
"There is a point where there's not much point thinking you can go back. Are we at that point on HS2? It's difficult for me to say," he said.
Man charged after woman stabbed in neck and chestpublished at 07:48 British Summer Time 13 May 2019
A man has been charged with attempted murder after a woman was stabbed in the neck and chest.
The 31-year-old woman was found in Clarence Street, Coventry, just after 03:30 on Tuesday 7 May.
Police believe she was attacked in nearby Vauxhall Street and that she knocked on a number of doors in attempts to get help.
Bartosz Konopacki, 25, of Hillmorton Road, Coventry, is due to appear at Coventry Magistrates' Court.
Shed load of paper closes M6 in Staffordshirepublished at 07:39 British Summer Time 13 May 2019
A crash involving two lorries has closed the M6 southbound in Staffordshire.
Three tonnes of paper bales have been shed from one lorry and specialist lifting equipment is needed to clear the lanes, Highways England said.
A diversion is in place and the carriageway is closed from J15 to J14.
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Cyclist dies after Vélopublished at 07:20 British Summer Time 13 May 2019
A cyclist who took part in a large-scale city bicycle ride has died after being airlifted to hospital.
Image source, Velo Birmingham and Midlands
The rider had been among thousands who turned out for the Vélo Birmingham & Midlands bike ride on Sunday.
The incident happened during the morning in Coleshill Road, Atherstone, police said.
Organisers tweeted, external they were working closely with the police to establish what had happened.
Video: Your 50-second weather forecastpublished at 07:11 British Summer Time 13 May 2019
Rich Davis
BBC Weather presenter
After a chilly start it will be a dry and fine day with warm sunshine and highs of 18C (43F).
Media caption,
Latest weather for the West Midlands
Live updates for the West Midlandspublished at 07:00 British Summer Time 13 May 2019
Vanessa Pearce
BBC News
Welcome to our live service for Monday.
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, external and Facebook., external