A man who left his ex-partner with a six-inch scar after slashing her face with a knife has been jailed for 14 years and will serve a further four years on licence.

Image source, West Midlands Police

Martel Sterling, of Wood Street, Wednesbury, attacked his former partner outside Jam Roc Sports Lounge in Hackett Street, in Birmingham's Hockley area in March.

It came 10 days after he had started a physical fight with her outside another club in the city.

She needed surgery and stitches to the wound.

The attack caused nerve damage and left her with a visible scar across her forehead, West Midlands Police said.

The 30-year-old was found guilty of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, at Birmingham Crown Court, and jailed on Friday.

Police are appealing for information after a man was found with a broken leg and facial injuries in Rugby.

The man, in his 20s, was found in Bilton Road at 21:40 GMT on Friday and taken to hospital.

He has now been discharged and Warwickshire Police are appealing for witnesses to help establish how he sustained his injuries.

The force is particularly interested in speaking to the driver of a small red car who detectives believe was at the scene at the time with its hazard lights on.

Coventry Live

Here's a selection of stories in the Coventry Telegraph today.

• Shop owner fined after sniffer dogs find tobacco in 'secret compartments', external
• Elderly man dies in A5 crash, external
• Couple duped by TV fraudsters at Corley Services on the M6, external

Plans for a major refurbishment at Shropshire’s only racecourse have been submitted, with a new jockeys changing room and a panoramic viewing area.

Ludlow Racecourse has applied to Shropshire Council to redevelop the site, a month after applying for a temporary structure to host weddings.

Under the latest plans, there would be a revamped weighing room, which will see a new jockeys' changing area, a new doctor’s area and two new first-floor viewing areas built.

Image source, PA Media

A two-storey medical tower will also be built to allow officials a 360-degree view of the track which will enhance safety.

“This building has been designed to meet the requirements of regular racegoers and officials, to meet the need of disabled racegoers and to compliment the style of buildings new and old on this historic racecourse," a spokesman for agents Eric Cole Ltd said.

Birmingham Live

Here are the top stories in today's Birmingham Mail:

• Large police presence in Jewellery Quarter as officers with guns stand behind cordon with paramedics also at the scene, external.
• Knifeman crawled back into Stechford shop as terrified worker tried to lower shutters, external
• Birmingham Banksy covered in protective sheet after yob paints red noses on reindeer, external

Climate change activists have glued themselves to the Conservative campaign bus in Staffordshire.

Extinction Rebellion protesters, some dressed as bees, walked towards the bus in the road as it left a visit to JCB in Uttoxeter.

One activist, who identified himself as James, said: "The Conservatives have failed for the duration of the entire general election campaign, with only two days to go, to raise the prospect of the climate and ecological crisis which is facing humanity and all life on this planet."

Trains will not stop at Worcester's newest station until next year, after further delays.

The first tram to carry passengers from Birmingham city centre to Centenary Square is due to set off on Wednesday, so crucial final tests have been carried out today.

The line was due to open at the end of the month, but is now ready to start operating.

The service will eventually go on to Broad Street and an extension into Edgbaston should be completed in time for Birmingham to host the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

The Five Ways underpass closed in June for work to begin.

This fallen tree has been causing disruption in Leamington Spa today.

No-one was seriously hurt when it fell on the car in Myton Road earlier, police said.

Myton Road is a major route connecting Warwick and Leamington Spa and it was subsequently closed.

Warwickshire Police has advised drivers to find an alternative route.

BBC Radio Stoke

Stormy conditions are being felt on the roads in Staffordshire.

Aaron Wilson, 29, was crushed between two cars and left lying in the road with fatal injuries.

The family of a 29-year-old man who died after after a crash involving a car and a van with cloned registration plates has urged both drivers to hand themselves in to police.

Image source, Family handout

Aaron Wilson died in hospital after having a leg amputated following the collision in Longford Road, Coventry, last Wednesday

"Aaron was an amazing father, partner, son, brother and a friend to us all," his partner Katie Robertson said.

"I am appealing if anyone knows anything, to please come forward. We need justice for Aaron."

BBC News Travel

A major road connecting Warwick and Leamington Spa has been closed after a tree fell on to a car.

Warwickshire Police advised drivers not to use Myton Road and to find an alternative route.

The force said nobody was seriously injured in the incident.

Bodycam footage released by police shows the arrest of one of the UK's biggest "chop shop" gangs.

BBC Hereford and Worcester

The station was due to be operational this month.

Phil Mackie
Midlands correspondent, BBC News

Network Rail has covered a Banksy mural that appeared on a wall in Birmingham yesterday with plexiglass to protect it.

The artwork, which features in a film on Instagram that shows a man named Ryan on a bench being "pulled" by two reindeer, was painted on a brick wall in the city's Jewellery Quarter.

It has already been vandalised with the addition of red noses to the two reindeer.

A third of hospitals in England put up car parking charges last year - with Hereford County Hospital among the most expensive.

Responses to a Freedom of Information Act showed £254m had been raised during 2018-19 - up from £232m the year before, with hourly charges varying between £4 and £1 for an hour.

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust charges the most, at £4 an hour, and Hereford County Hospital - £3.50.

Image source, PA Media

Four trusts only charge £1, the research by the Press Association revealed.

Labour has proposed ending hospital charges, while the Tories have proposed free parking for those with the greatest need, including disabled people, parents of sick children staying overnight and those regularly needing appointments.

Ben Perrin
BBC Online

A new mural by street artist Banksy has been protected by a perspex sheet after it was defaced shortly after it was unveiled in Birmingham.

Image source, Network Rail

Network Rail, which put the protective plastic up, said it was an "unusual step" for it to protect "graffiti" but it felt it was important to protect the "bona fide Banksy".

However, not everyone was dismayed by the addition of a red nose for the reindeer - gallery director and Banksy art collector John Brandler said he did not feel the work's integrity was compromised.

"Shouldn't Rudolph have a red nose? Maybe Banksy forgot it," he said.

"It's not as if it's been tagged. It's an amazing piece, although I do think it needs to be removed to protect it otherwise there's a good chance it will be vandalised and lost."

Versatile South African back Gareth Simpson signs a two-year contract at Worcester Warriors.

Environmental campaigners beamed messages on to Shropshire Council’s headquarters criticising the authority's "lack of action” in tackling climate change.

Members of Extinction Rebellion Shrewsbury beamed images and videos on to the council’s Shirehall headquarters and the nearby Lord Hill’s column.

“It’s been seven months since Shropshire Council declared a Climate Emergency,” said Jamie Russell from the group.

Image source, Extinction Rebellion

“Back in May they told us that the climate crisis posed a catastrophic threat to humanity and that urgent action was needed.

“But seven months on, we’re still waiting for them to even deliver a Climate Action Plan."

The council says it will unveil its plans to tackle climate change at a meeting of full council on 19 December.