Ex-MEP fake claims case 'makes no sense'published at 15:20 British Summer Time 5 July 2016
An ex-MEP urges jurors to consider why she would have falsely claimed expenses shortly after being warned of similar allegations about a colleague.
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The top stories on Tuesday 5 July 2016
Ex-MEP fake claims case 'makes no sense'published at 15:20 British Summer Time 5 July 2016
Football: New Port Vale signings urged by former star to adapt quicklypublished at 15:13 British Summer Time 5 July 2016
Lee Blakeman
Port Vale commentator, BBC Radio StokeFormer Port Vale star Robin Van Der Laan says it's essential that the club's new overseas signings adjust quickly to playing in England.
Image source, Getty ImagesFive new players arrived at Vale Park last week with at least two more expected in the next few days.
Van Der Laan told BBC Radio Stoke that they have to adapt straight away.
Quote MessageYou don't have to be a 6ft 5in man mountain to adjust to the English game, there are small players who are just as comfortable with the English game - you just have to make sure that, if there is a tackle to be made, you're not going to shy away from it.
Robin Van Der Laan, Former Port Vale player
News: Warning of summer pressure on A&E; ambulance worker attacked; store creating 40 new jobspublished at 14:56 British Summer Time 5 July 2016
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio StokeThis afternoon's top stories include:
- Staffordshire's two main hospitals have seen "unprecedented demand, external" at their A&E units this summer
- An ambulance technician has been assaulted by a patient in Cannock, external, the ambulance service says
- Forty new jobs will be created in Stafford, according to Marks and Spencer, as the firm relocates to a new, larger store
'Rocketing summer demand' putting strain on Staffordshire A&Epublished at 14:42 British Summer Time 5 July 2016
Chris King
Reporter, BBC Radio StokeStaffordshire's two main hospitals have seen "unprecedented demand, external" at their A&E units this summer, health bosses say.
According to the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, which runs the sites, 600 people accessed A&E services yesterday - the fourth time it's happened this year.
The trust says the figure covers Royal Stoke University Hospital plus County Hospital and Emergency Eye Clinic in Stafford. Managers, it adds, would normally expect to see 490 patients a day in their emergency departments.
Quote MessageIt is clear that rocketing summer demand is placing the same strain on services to that of winter and we are asking the public for their help once again. "
Robert Courteney-Harris, University Hospitals of North Midlands chief executive
Travel: Crash closes A533 in Sandbach, Cheshirepublished at 14:31 British Summer Time 5 July 2016
BBC TravelThe A533 The Hill in Sandbach, Cheshire is closed both ways between the junctions of Hassall Road and Colley Lane because of a crash.
Nantwich Town star Matty Kosylo signed by Halifax Townpublished at 14:25 British Summer Time 5 July 2016
Nantwich Town star Matty Kosylo is set to join FC Halifax Town after the clubs agreed, external a transfer fee.
Image source, Nantwich NewsStore to create 40 new jobs in Staffordpublished at 14:09 British Summer Time 5 July 2016
Lucy King
News Editor, BBC Radio StokeForty new jobs will be created in Stafford, according to Marks and Spencer, as the firm relocates to a new, larger store.
It says it will shut its shop on Gaolgate Street in the town centre in August, the day before a branch opens at the new Riverside Shopping Centre.
M&S says all staff from the old store will be relocated to the new site.
News: 'Rocketing' demand for A&E; concern over maternity services review; ambulance worker 'attacked' by patientpublished at 13:52 British Summer Time 5 July 2016
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio StokeThis lunchtime's headlines:
- Staffordshire's two main hospitals have seen "unprecedented demand, external" at their A&E units this summer, health bosses say
- 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
- An ambulance technician has been assaulted by a patient in Cannock, external, the ambulance service says
Man hurt in Lichfield attackpublished at 13:46 British Summer Time 5 July 2016
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveA man's suffered injuries to his head and hands in an attack, external in Lichfield, police have revealed.
Image source, GoogleStaffordshire Police say the assault happened on Sunday on Stafford Road and the 41-year-old needed hospital treatment.
The force says it's now trying to find suspects who were in two vehicles.
On Midlands Today this lunchtime: The schools affected by strikespublished at 13:11 British Summer Time 5 July 2016
Amy Cole
BBC Midlands TodayDozens of schools across the West Midlands are either closed or partly closed today because of strike action by teachers.
Members of the National Union of Teachers have walked out in a row over pay, pensions and conditions.
We'll have the latest on Midlands Today from 13:30.
Football: Butland tipped by Stoke to become England's number onepublished at 12:53 British Summer Time 5 July 2016
Matt Sandoz
Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio StokeStoke City's assistant manager Mark Bowen has backed goalkeeper Jack Butland to become the first choice goalkeeper for England.
Image source, Stoke CityCurrent number one Joe Hart was heavily criticised following a couple of errors at Euro 2016 this summer.
Bowen told BBC Radio Stoke that he thinks Butland will have another great season after recovering from a broken ankle.
Ex-MEP says it 'defies sense' to claim fake expenses after warning over colleaguepublished at 12:38 British Summer Time 5 July 2016
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, PAShe 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.
Ambulance worker 'attacked' by patient in Cannockpublished at 12:26 British Summer Time 5 July 2016
Jack Dowling
Journalist, BBC Radio StokeAn 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, WMASIn the Cannock case, the service says the technician was attacked on Friday and left with bruises and scratches.
Your pictures: Smallthorne sunset and scenic woodlandpublished at 12:10 British Summer Time 5 July 2016
Allen Cook
BBC Local LiveSome amazing colours in this sunset which was photographed by Andrew Hayward in Smallthorne, Stoke-on-Trent.
Image source, Andrew HaywardThis 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 KelsoConcern over time taken for maternity services reviewpublished at 11:55 British Summer Time 5 July 2016
Emma Thomas
Journalist, BBC Radio StokeCampaigners 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.
Quote MessageReally we have to bring back the services. You look at Stafford at present, we've got the army families having returned, we've got increasing housing, the demand is getting higher."
Karen Howell, Founder of the Support Stafford Hospital campaign
Watch: Stoke and Staffordshire's weather for this afternoonpublished at 11:45 British Summer Time 5 July 2016
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenterHere's how the afternoon is looking, and remember, to get a forecast for your part of Staffordshire or Cheshire at any other time, head to the BBC Weather website.
Body discovery in Tamworth 'not suspicious'published at 11:25 British Summer Time 5 July 2016
Liam Barnes
BBC News OnlineI can update you now on the story we told you about earlier - the discovery of a body in Fazeley Road, Tamworth.
Staffordshire Police says the circumstances surrounding the death are not believed to be suspicious and officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with it.
Old school to be demolished over asbestos fearspublished at 11:06 British Summer Time 5 July 2016
Around £150,000 is being spent demolishing an old primary school following asbestos, external concerns.
Image source, The SentinelConservative leadership race: Staffordshire MPs declare their supportpublished at 10:49 British Summer Time 5 July 2016
James Bovill
Staffordshire Political Reporter, BBC NewsConservative MPs are beginning the process of choosing their next leader and UK prime minister, with the first round of voting under way today.
Theresa May goes in to the ballot with a lead among Tory MPs but energy minister Andrea Leadsom, Michael Gove, Stephen Crabb and Liam Fox also hope to succeed David Cameron.
In Staffordshire, a number of the county's MPs have declared who they are supporting:
Michael Gove - Michael Fabricant (Lichfield)
Andrea Leadsom - Bill Cash (Stone)
Theresa May - Karen Bradley (Staffordshire Moorlands); Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford); Andrew Griffiths (Burton and Uttoxeter); Gavin Williamson (South Staffordshire)
Undeclared - Amanda Milling (Cannock Chase); Christopher Pincher (Tamworth)
Travel: Crash on M6 near Stoke-on-Trentpublished at 10:31 British Summer Time 5 July 2016
BBC TravelThere are two lanes closed on the M6 southbound between junctions 16 and 15 in Staffordshire because of a collision involving a car and a lorry.
