Updates on Wednesday 27 January 2016
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Thursday
So that's it for another day of live updates from the Coventry newsroom.
We'll be back on Thursday morning from 08:00 to bring you more news, sport, travel and weather updates for Coventry and Warwickshire.
Have a great evening.
Rebecca Wood
BBC Weather
A change is on the way as we head through the night with clear spells allowing a widespread frost.
A frosty start to Thursday with an increase of cloud during the morning.
An uninsured drink-driver who killed three of his passengers when he hit a tree and a wall has been jailed for nine years and banned from driving for 12 years.
Jamie Riddick, 21, of Park Piece, Kineton, was almost double the legal alcohol limit when he was involved in the crash on 20 June, Coventry Crown Court heard.
Nathan Rhodes, 23, Ryan Case, 25, and 27-year-old Emily Jennings were killed almost instantly. Riddick admitted three counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
His Citroen Saxo had no MoT certificate and defective brakes, among a host of other problems that made it unroadworthy, prosecutors said.
BBC Travel
There are problems on the M42 northbound near J6 for Birmingham Airport.
One lane is blocked, due to an accident, and there's congestion to J5 for the A41 (Solihull).
Michele Paduano
Health correspondent, BBC Midlands Today
We're used to winter pressures but I've never seen anything like this at University Hospital Coventry.
All planned operations, other than cancer operations, have been cancelled today and tomorrow morning.
I've been passed an internal document that said there were 20 patients on the emergency department corridor last night and sick patients waiting eight hours to be dealt with.
Image source, UHCW trustSince midnight 85 people have breached the four-hour waiting time in A&E and the hospital was full with 20 patients needing beds.
I'll have more on Midlands Today from 18:30 on BBC One.
More than 40% of drivers tested positive for drugs after being stopped as part of the West Midlands Police Christmas crackdown.
Of the 130 motorists stopped 54 tested positive.
The youngest who tested positive for alcohol was 18 and the oldest 75.
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A beautiful view of Allesley, taken by Olivia Davis has been selected by Rebecca Wood as today's weather photo.
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A Coventry drug dealer who had an axe in his car and a sawn-off shotgun with nine live rounds hidden under his bed has been jailed for eight years and eight months, external.
Tom Cooke
BBC Coventry & Warwickshire
Here are some of the stories that have been picked up in the Coventry newsroom:
- Coventry's University Hospital has cancelled all planned surgery, apart from cancer operations, and outpatient clinics today and tomorrow morning because of pressures on A&E
- A man's died after the car he was driving collided with a tree near Rugby
- A 49-year-old man from Warwickshire, who raped a girl when he was 14, has been jailed
Patrick Burns
Political editor, Midlands
It remains the hottest talking point on the doorsteps and it's showing no sign of cooling down.
The government's target of bringing net immigration down below 100,000 a year looks further away than ever, and the EU migration crisis is threatening to turn this into a perfect storm.
If ministers have limited powers to stem the flow of people from around the EU, is it any wonder they clamp down extra hard on immigration from elsewhere in the world? Read my blog in full on BBC News.
Sian Grzeszczyk
Reporter, BBC Coventry & Warwickshire
I stood in the main field at Coventry's War Memorial Park during last year's Godiva Festival and the councillor in charge of events at the city council cast serious doubt over its future.
It's been going for 17 years, but money is a big headache for the council with them having to cut millions from the budget.
The council's ultimate aim is to fund the entire cost via sponsorship in the future.
But, when pushed, they couldn't guarantee the festival will run every year.
This morning's news that it will take place this year and be free entry is seen as a boost for Coventry's bid to be named city of culture in 2021.
Funding of nearly £50,000 has been invested into libraries to help run an annual festival, external.
A toddler, hurt in a collision on the M6 earlier today, suffered limited injuries because she was "properly strapped into the vehicle", external in a car seat, the ambulance service has said.
Image source, WMASA car and a lorry collided on the northbound carriageway near junction three, with a second car becoming involved after hitting some debris.
The young girl was treated for cuts and, along with a woman in her 30s, was taken to University Hospital Coventry for further assessment.
An ambulance service spokesperson added that "a woman from the second car and the lorry driver, a man, were both assessed and discharged at the scene".
A 49-year-old man who raped a girl when he was 14 has been jailed.
Jonathan Rouse was convicted of five historical sexual offences in November but his original two-year prison sentence suspended for two years was "unduly lenient", said the Solicitor General.
Rouse, of Leamington Spa, was sentenced to three years' immediate custody by the Court of Appeal.
A once popular place of worship in Nuneaton could soon be demolished for houses, external.
Image source, Nuneaton NewsTom Cooke
BBC Coventry & Warwickshire
Here are some of the latest stories we're looking at:
- Coventry's University Hospital has cancelled all planned surgery and outpatient clinics today and tomorrow morning because the A&E department is so busy
- The former head of the prison service, Sir Martin Narey, is defending the care of young people at Rainsbrook detention centre, near Rugby after criticism by inspectors last year
- A woman and child have been treated at the scene of a three-vehicle crash on the M6 this afternoon
A toddler and a woman have been taken to hospital following a three-vehicle crash on the M6, external.
Image source, WMASThe incident involving two cars and a lorry happened on the northbound carriageway near to junction three at around midday.
The girl suffered cuts while the woman, in her 30s, was treated for side injuries, an ambulance service spokesperson said.
Quote MessageCrews were told that a car and a lorry had been involved in a collision with the third car becoming involved after hitting some debris that had been left on the road as a result of the initial incident.
West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson
BBC Coventry & Warwickshire Sport
Forward James Gaskell has admitted that Exeter will be formidable opponents in Europe when Wasps play their Champions Cup quarter-final later in the season.
Image source, Getty ImagesWasps are the last English team to be crowned champions of Europe some nine years ago and Gaskell says it's about time a Premiership team lifted the trophy again.
With five of the quarter-finalists hailing from these shores, Gaskell says clubs in England have responded to previous criticism that they "couldn't compete".
The West Midlands police and crime commissioner David Jamieson says we must "learn from the past to strengthen our future".
Image source, West Midlands Office for Policing and CrimeHis words form part of a Holocaust Memorial Day message, external sent from himself and the deputy PCC, Councillor Yvonne Mosquito.
Quote MessageHolocaust Memorial Day is about remembering those who were killed and those who survived, but also saying no to prejudice in all its forms today.
David Jamieson, West Midlands police and crime commissioner
More sponsors and partners are being sought to ensure the Godiva Festival can be held in future years.
Coventry City Council today ended speculation about this year's event after announcing that it will take place at the War Memorial Park between 1 and 3 July.
Quote MessageWe continue to be very keen on discussing how partners and other organisations can come on board with us to continue to grow the event
Councillor Abdul Khan, Cabinet member for events, Coventry City Council
