Updates on Monday 11 April 2016
News, sport, travel and weather updates to resume at 08:00 on Tuesday
Peter Wilson
BBC Midlands Today Special Correspondent
Kathryn Smith's partner Matthew Rigby, 22, was also sentenced to jail today, after being cleared of murder but convicted of causing or allowing the child's death.
The judge at Birmingham Crown Court gave him a jail term of three years and six months.
Phil Mackie
Midlands correspondent, BBC News
A mother has been sentenced to at least 24 years in prison for murdering her 21-month-old daughter in Staffordshire.
Image source, South West NewsOn Friday, Kathryn Smith, 23, was also convicted of cruelty to a child following Ayeeshia Jane Smith's death in 2014 in Burton.
Today the judge gave Smith a life sentence, saying the toddler was a "frail little girl" who was viciously crushed, adding that Smith was "completely self-centred" and "prepared to tell lie after lie".
Phil Mackie
Midlands correspondent, BBC News
Sentencing has started in the case of Kathryn Smith, 23, who was found guilty of murdering her 21-month-old daughter Ayeeshia Jane Smith in Burton in 2014.
The judge told Smith she was "a devious manipulative and selfish young woman".
Her partner Matthew Rigby, 22, is also being sentenced today - he was cleared of murder but convicted of causing or allowing the child's death.
Perry Spiller
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke
Have you got any old letters? The reason I ask is Royal Mail is after them as part of a project to "reveal the UK's untold history", external.
It's part of the organisation's plans to mark its 500th anniversary.
So have you got any? And can we read extracts out on air? You can get involved by calling 01782 208008 until 13:00, tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external or email me.
BBC Travel
A lane is closed on the M6 northbound between junctions 19 and 20 in Cheshire because of a broken down lorry.
Jodie Looker
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
The main headlines this morning for Staffordshire and Cheshire include
- A mother found guilty of murdering her 21-month-old daughter in Staffordshire is due to be sentenced today at Birmingham Crown Court
- Figures obtained by BBC Radio Stoke show the fire service in Staffordshire has lifted 113 morbidly obese people out of their homes in the last five years
- A major power failure at Birmingham New Street's been fixed this morning but train passengers are being warned to expect delays to continue
BBC Sport
Stoke City were leapfrogged in the Premier League by their opponents Liverpool as the Potters went down 4-1 at Anfield.
Image source, Getty ImagesA long-range shot from Alberto Moreno put the Reds ahead before Bojan escaped his marker to nod in Stoke's equaliser.
Daniel Sturridge put away Sheyi Ojo's cross to regain the lead and Origi then headed in, before his attempted cross drifted in after the break.
Stoke rarely threatened apart from a late run from Mame Biram Diouf.
BBC Travel
The power failure affecting trains in and out of Birmingham New Street this morning "has been fixed", say officials.
They say delays are still expected as they try to get back to a "normal timetable".
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BBC Travel
There are delays on the M6 southbound between junctions 10a and 10 because of this break down.
Get the latest from the BBC Travel website.
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BBC Travel
The A500 D Road in Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent is partially blocked northbound at the B5045 Shelton New Road junction, because of a three-vehicle accident.
Congestion is back to the Hanford Interchange.
Pervert Christopher Griffiths has avoided prison after downloading nearly 100, external indecent images of children.
Image source, The Sentinel
Rebecca Woods
BBC News Online, Journalist
A mother found guilty of murdering her 21-month-old daughter in Staffordshire is due to be sentenced today at Birmingham Crown Court.
Image source, Family handoutOn Friday, Kathryn Smith, 23, was also convicted of cruelty to a child following Ayeeshia Jane Smith's death in 2014.
Her partner Matthew Rigby, 22, was cleared of murder but convicted of causing or allowing the child's death in Burton-upon-Trent.
The court heard she had a heart injury usually seen in people who have fallen off buildings or been in a car crash.
Jodie Looker
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
The main headlines this morning for Staffordshire and Cheshire include:
- A mother found guilty of murdering her 21-month-old daughter in Staffordshire is due to be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court
- Rail passengers in Staffordshire and Cheshire are being urged to check before they travel following a major power failure at Birmingham New Street
- Figures obtained by BBC Radio Stoke show the fire service in Staffordshire has lifted 113 morbidly obese people out of their homes in the last five years
BBC Travel
The rail delays are having a major impact in the Birmingham area and here's Network Rail's warning to passengers in Staffordshire and Cheshire.
The latest is on the BBC Travel website.
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Kate Darlington
BBC News
Rail passengers in Staffordshire and Cheshire are being urged to check before they travel following a major power failure at Birmingham New Street.
Network Rail said the signals stopped lighting up and there was no indication of when power could be restored.
Trains cannot get in or out of the south end of the station, with problems affecting Arriva Trains Wales, CrossCountry Trains, London Midland and Virgin Trains.
National Rail said, external major disruption was expected until 12:00.
Sara Blizzard
BBC Weather
You can also get your latest forecast at any time from the BBC website.
BBC Travel
There are major delays on the rail network in this area this morning due to an issue with signalling at Birmingham New Street station.
Services including Virgin Trains, Cross Country and London Midland are affected - get the latest from BBC Travel.
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Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
Good morning and, for a change, it's a bright and pretty mild start to the week in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent
Sara Blizzard will be here shortly with the latest weather forecast for Stoke and Staffordshire for today and there'll be more news, sport, travel and other updates through the day.
Do please feel like you can be involved - I read all your comments and look forward to seeing your pictures of the area, sent in via email, Twitter, external and Instagram, external.
