An ex-Ukip MEP has told jurors it defied sense to make fake expenses claims in the same month she was warned about a colleague later jailed over the alleged practice. 

Nikki Sinclaire, who represented the West Midlands until 2014, denies submitting "significant" expenses claims that she knew to be false. 

She said her expenses were submitted by her staff, and alleged that at least one claim was "deliberately corrupted" by a former aide who was acting as a spy for the Ukip hierarchy.

Image source, PA

She told Birmingham Crown Court today that it made no sense for her to start filing false claims from October 2009, as the prosecution suggests, as this was the same month Ukip briefed all its elected members about wrong-doing by then-MEP Tom Wise.

Wise admitted fiddling £36,000 of his Brussels travel expenses at his trial the following month.

Jack Dowling
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

An ambulance technician has been assaulted by a patient in Cannock, external, the ambulance service says. 

West Midlands Ambulance Service has highlighted several cases of abuse towards their staff in the past few days, saying it wants the public to "show their disgust" at people who attack them. 

Image source, WMAS

In the Cannock case, the service says the technician was attacked on Friday and left with bruises and scratches.

Allen Cook
BBC Local Live

Some amazing colours in this sunset which was photographed by Andrew Hayward in Smallthorne, Stoke-on-Trent.

Image source, Andrew Hayward

This woodland scene in Barlaston was sent in by Jon Kelso.

If you want to send in a picture you've taken in Staffordshire or Cheshire, then email, tweet @BBCRadioStoke, external or use Instagram (with the tag #bbcstoke), external.

Image source, Jon Kelso

Emma Thomas
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

Campaigners calling for the return of a full maternity service to Stafford's hospital say a review into the matter should have happened much sooner. 

The government has asked NHS England to consider the issue - and whether the site can provide safe maternity care - after recommendations from administrators of the former Stafford Hospital (now County Hospital) trust that was at the centre of a major public inquiry into care failings.

Consultant-led services switched to the Royal Stoke University Hospital in January 2015, a move that many people criticised amid concerns over extra journey times and additional demand on the Stoke site.

An ex-MEP who denies making fake expense claims would empty a handbag full of receipts and leave them for staff to deal with, she told a jury.

Nikki Sinclaire is accused of claiming for car journeys across Europe, when she flew for less money than claimed.

Image source, PA

Expenses were dealt with by staff who knew passwords for her email and credit cards, she told Birmingham Crown Court.

Ms Sinclaire, who was UKIP MEP for the West Midlands until 2014, denies fraud and misconduct in public office.

Clive Lindsay
BBC Scotland Sport

Kilmarnock have bolstered their squad with a full team of new signings in one day including a loan arrival from Stoke City, 19-year-old Mark Waddington.

Image source, Getty Images

The signings also included midfielder Callum McFadzean who has had two loan spells at Burton Albion.  

Sarah Robertson
News Editor, BBC Radio Stoke

More than a dozen schools across Staffordshire are either closed or partly closed today because of strike action by teachers. 

Members of the National Union of Teachers are staging a one-day walkout over funding, saying school budgets are not keeping pace with rising costs. 

Image source, Reuters

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan said the strike was "unnecessary" and "harmful". 

Staffordshire County Council , externaland Stoke-on-Trent City Council's, external school closure websites has listed 15 schools as closed or partially closed due to "industrial action".

Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live

Police say Fazeley Road in Tamworth was closed overnight after a body was discovered.

The road has now been reopened and investigations are continuing into the cause of death and to identify the person. 

No further information has been given by Staffordshire Police.

Part of the Fazeley Road, in Tamworth, remains closed this morning while police investigate what they describe as an "ongoing incident". 

A stretch between KFC and the bridge over the A5 has been shut since last night.

Latest weather for the West Midlands

A former MEP who denies making fake expense claims tells a court she would empty a handbag full of receipts and leave staff to deal with them.

Laura Mcmullan
Reporter, BBC Midlands Today

A small ceramic company from Stoke-on-Trent has been awarded an exclusive contract with Disney, to produce fine bone china figurines of their well known princesses.

The English Ladies Company is the only one in the world who has the rights to produce these high-end pieces.

And I've been finding out just how far afield they'll be selling them - find out more from 18:30 on Midlands Today on BBC One.

BBC Weather Watchers

Pretty, wispy clouds have been filling your reports today in the skies over Staffordshire and Cheshire but you might be wondering what they are.

Well, these are a type of cirrus cloud, known as cirrus uncinus. The name is derived from Latin and means "curly hooks".

Image source, Flying Ant

The clouds occur at very high altitudes, at a temperature of about −50 to −40C.

They are commonly known as mares' tails because of their likeness to horse tails.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

An elderly woman in Nantwich has been hit by a motorbike which police believe was stolen.

Image source, Google

Officers at Cheshire Police , externalsay the rider had run off when they were called to Beam Street on Saturday afternoon.

They say a 68-year-old woman is thought to have suffered minor injuries.

Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

Crewe Alexandra manager Steve Davis says there are no excuses for the young players in his squad if they don't perform in League Two this coming season. 

Image source, Getty Images

Despite all but two of the Alex's current squad being under the age of 25, they made more than 300 League One appearances between them last season. 

Davis says his players can't blame a lack of experience if they don't perform next season.

Alice Bentley
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

More now on the specialist dementia ward at Harplands Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent, which families are calling for to stay open. 

It's because the local clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) want to look at whether the care could be provided elsewhere.

Image source, Thinkstock

Now, as well as families of those treated there, the chief executive of the North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust, external, which runs the hospital, has written a blog mentioning ward four. , external

Caroline Donovan has described it as an "excellent initiative" and that they are disappointed the CCGs aren't continuing to fund it. 

She adds in her blog that they are still working with them and the neighbouring University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust "to see if we can find the funding for this".

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

A man's been taken to hospital after a crash between a motorcycle and a lorry near Stafford this afternoon. 

Image source, Google

It happened at 14:41 Staffordshire Police say, external, on the A518 near Chartley Castle.

The force says the road is blocked in both directions after the crash - they haven't revealed the extent of the injuries suffered by the man.

Monica Rimmer
Journalist, BBC Radio Stoke

"At last sun" was the cry of one of our BBC Weather Watchers today and our volunteers have been uploading their photos from Staffordshire and Cheshire already.

If you'd like to be one, you can sign up on the website.

Image source, Chedd Chick

Image source, Tracker1

BBC Travel

The A518 in Chartley is blocked in both directions between the Station Road junction and the Grindley Lane junction because of a crash between a lorry and a motorbike.

The weather for the West Midlands.