Press Association

A woman who suffered physical and sexual abuse after being placed in foster care has won a battle against Nottinghamshire County Council in a "landmark" ruling at the Supreme Court.

Natasha Armes, from Nottingham, had previously lost actions at the High Court and the Court of Appeal in her claim that the council was liable for the abuse she suffered.

The issue the justices faced was whether the local authority who placed her into foster care could be held liable in respect of the abuse perpetrated by the foster carers - even though the council was not negligent in connection with the selection of supervision of them.

The justices ruled in favour of Ms Armes - who the court ruled could now be named - on Wednesday.

Image source, Google

The court heard she was physically and emotionally abused by a "Mrs A" in the first placement, and sexually abused by a "Mr B" in the second.

The 40-year-old had been in foster care from the age of seven to 18.

The next stage of the litigation was for damages to be assessed.

Her lawyers have described it as a "landmark" ruling said it means claimants abused in foster care have been given clarity over "vicarious liability".

Colin Pettigrew, from Nottinghamshire County Council, said: "Ms Armes should have been safe in the care of her foster carers 30 years ago and she wasn't, this is a matter of huge regret to us.

"This Supreme Court determination will have far-reaching implications for us and every other local authority across the land which has children's social care responsibilities."

Samantha Fisher
BBC News Online

This mystery item has been found by staff at the Silk Mill in Derby. Any idea what it is?!

Staff found the unknown object after they started sorting through the 35,000 items in the museum's collection.

The items have to be moved into storage ahead of a multi-million pound refurbishment. They will then be put back once the project is complete.

Mike O'Sullivan
Reporter, East Midlands Today

A coroner has opened the inquests into three Nottingham Prison inmates.

Two of the men died at the prison and the third died in hospital.

It comes as a total of five prisoners at the jail died within a month.

The first inquest to be opened by assistant coroner for Nottinghamshire Ivan Cartwright was for Shane Stroughton, 29, from Kirkby-in-Ashfield, who died on September 13 at the prison.

He was found by a prison officer and pronounced dead in his cell.

The coroner said: "The circumstances within the cell are consistent with the use of a ligature."

The second inquest opened was for prisoner Andrew Brown, 42, who lived in a cave in Baslow, Derbyshire.

He died on September 17 at the Queen's Medical Centre - five days after he was found hanging in his cell.

Mr Brown had a hypoxic brain injury, which is caused by a lack of oxygen, the inquest heard.

The third inquest opened was for Anthony Solomon, 38, from Bulwell, who died on September 27.

The inquest was told Mr Solomon was in a shared cell.

Coroner Mr Cartwright said: "The alarm was raised by his cell mate, a fellow prisoner, that he had found Mr Solomon lying on the floor of the cell unresponsive."

No cause of death was given for any of the inmates and all three inquests were adjourned to a later date.

Samantha Fisher
BBC News Online

Police are appealing for information after a suspected arson attack on a car in Derby on Tuesday.

Firefighters and police were called to a fire in Cockayne Street South at about 10:20.

A blue Mercedes car was destroyed in the blaze.

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Yesterday's news that Leicester City have sent Shakespeare packing - just four months after he was made permanent - got many of you talking on Facebook, external.

Chris Price opined: "No loyalty in football these days only loyalty is from the fans welcome to the modern game."

Derek Bale was similarly pessimistic: "Why be surprised they sacked Ranieri and he had just won Premier League !!"

But Mark Bale felt differently. "He had to go. Never Should've been given the job in the first place."

Image source, PA

Samantha Fisher
BBC News Online

The family of a 31-year-old woman killed in a head-on crash have paid an emotional tribute to her.

Amy Young died in August last year when Ashley Lakin ploughed into her while trying to overtake a lorry on a blind bend.

Image source, Family handout

In a statement, Amy's family said: "We try not to let our mind wander, but it is so hard not to sob when you think that we will never see her beautiful face again, hear her giggly voice, hear her excitement when she tells us she is getting married or having a baby.

"We will never give her away or dance with her at her own wedding."

Lakin, formerly of Burrough Street, Kegworth, was sentenced to four years in prison at Nottingham Crown Court last week.

British Superbike rider Leon Haslam says escape from serious injury that ended his title hopes gives him "fuel" for 2018.

Maryam Qaiser
BBC Local Live

Police have confirmed the body found in the River Derwent yesterday is that of missing woman Manjit Kaur.

The 77-year-old disappeared from her home in Allenton on Saturday.

Image source, Derbyshire Police

Derbyshire Police said her body was found in the River Derwent near Meadow Road, Derby.

Her death is not being treated as suspicious.

Maryam Qaiser
BBC Local Live

A broken down train is causing delays between the East Midlands and London St Pancras.

The train, which broke down between Market Harborough and Kettering, has been removed but East Midlands Trains said commuters should still expect delays until 13:00.

Samantha Fisher
BBC News Online

The sky was very colourful across the East Midlands last night. Thanks to our Weather Watchers for sending in these snaps.

DLong sent us this striking shot of the red sky in Ripley, Derbyshire. Does it remind anyone else of the Lion King sunset?

Image source, Dlong

Meanwhile the sky in Desford, in Leicestershire, was looking very pink. The shepherds will have been delighted! Thanks for the photo Sailor Trev.

Image source, Sailor Trev

While in Clipstone, Nottinghamshire, the sky was glowing a warm orange colour. Thanks to Windyshepherd for capturing it.

Image source, Windyshepherd

Maryam Qaiser
BBC Local Live

Final preparations are underway for Diwali celebrations tomorrow.

Houses, shops and public places will be decorated with small earthenware oil lamps called diyas for the festival of lights.

Hindu families in Leicestershire have been doing last minute food shopping to stock up on barfi and jalebi sweets, spices and pickles.

For many this five day festival honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Leicester's decision to sack Craig Shakespeare after eight league games of the season will raise eyebrows but history tells us no-one should be shocked by the latest turn of events at the King Power Stadium.

If a universally popular manager and personality such as Claudio Ranieri can be sacked nine months after producing arguably the greatest story in British sporting history by guiding Leicester to the Premier League title, then all bets are off when it comes to measuring the job security of any successors.

Image source, Getty Images

Ranieri had won only five of his first 25 league games last season, and stood just one place above the relegation zone when the end came in February for a man who had, and has, written his name in the club's history.

Shakespeare had none of that credit in the bank. For all the claims that he was the brains behind the stunning operation that brought title glory to Leicester, he had no track record of managerial success to fall back on. Ranieri was the manager, Shakespeare merely his sidekick.

Maryam Qaiser
BBC Local Live

A 74-year-old man has been charged with wounding and possession of a knife after a woman was stabbed.

The woman was injured outside Emmanuel House in Goose Gate in Nottingham on Monday.

The man has been remanded in custody and is due to appear in court in November, Nottinghamshire Police said.

Samantha Fisher
BBC News Online

Traffic is now flowing freely on the A38 after a two-car crash this morning.

Police were called to the collision on the A38 northbound between the A6 and Little Eaton island, in Derbyshire, at 7:00.

Officers said no-one was injured, but it caused delays of up to 45 minutes.

The cars were recovered at about 9.20 and the road is now clear.

Image source, Google

Maryam Qaiser
BBC Local Live

A festival to celebrate illustrated children's literature will return to Loughborough today.

The annual Loogabarooga festival will host various activities and events in the town hall, museums and libraries.

There will be a talk by the current Children's laureate, Lauren Child.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the festival which runs until Tuesday.

Maryam Qaiser
BBC Local Live

A family has described the moment they watched their car in flames outside their home in Sherwood.

Jay Barham was watching television with his wife on Monday when he heard an alarm go off.

They rushed outside to see the burning car.

Image source, Jay Barham

He said: "The flames were up to the window, it was very dangerous considering how windy it was and it could have exploded and killed someone."

Image source, Jay Barham

Nottinghamshire Police said the fire has been "recorded as criminal damage".

Samantha Fisher
BBC News Online

Police say they are growing concerned for a 12-year-old boy who has been missing since Monday.

Daniel Osei-Boakye was last seen at 12:40 in Taylor's Lane, Matlock, Derbyshire.

Image source, Derbyshire Constabulary

He is described as black, 5ft 3in tall with black short curly hair. He was wearing a blue, long sleeved top with the number 95 in white on it, navy blue jogging bottoms, a blue tracksuit top with a grey t-shirt underneath and white hi-top trainers.

The 63-year-old is accused of 19 child sex offences at a children's home.

Police continue to question a second man arrested in connection with the death of a teenager who was stabbed after a brawl at a boxing event in Walsall. , external

Image source, FACEBOOK / REAGAN ASBURY

Reagan Asbury, from Pelsall, suffered an injury to his neck and died in hospital on Sunday.

Officers are questioning a 22-year-old man from Derby on suspicion of assisting an offender. A 25-year-old arrested also from Derby has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Police say they want to speak to anyone, external who was at Walsall Town Hall and took any mobile phone footage.

Maryam Qaiser
BBC Local Live

There are delays on the A38 northbound Derby because of an accident.

It is causing delays of up to 45 minutes between Alfreton Road and Duffield Road with traffic at a complete standstill in places.

Image source, Google