BBC Local Live: Stoke & Staffordshire on Friday 28 October 2016

Summary

Father found in fire-damaged car after fatal house fire
Man jailed after fatal Stoke-on-Trent crash
Missing Stone man: Canals and waterways being searched
Man still in hospital a fortnight after being attacked by burglars
Updates from Friday 28 October

Live Reporting

Allen Cook

Man given suspended sentence for 'claiming to have cremated a horse when he hadn't'published at 16:33 British Summer Time 25 October 2016
Sarah Robertson
Producer, BBC Radio Stoke
A pet crematorium owner has been given a 12-week suspended sentence for claiming to have a cremated a horse when he hadn't,, external the county council says.
Allan McMaster, 52, of Swan Pit Crematorium, Gnosall, pleaded guilty to making a false representation and three animal by-product offences involving three other horses at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre.
As well as the suspended sentence he was also fined nearly £2,000, told to do 250 hours of unpaid work and told to do 15 days of rehabilitation to deal with his behaviour.
Staffordshire County Council say in 2015 McMaster had been convicted of telling pet owners he'd cremated their animals when in fact their bodies were left in freezers or around his grounds.
Unusual lizard hitches ride thousands of miles in shipping containerpublished at 16:13 British Summer Time 25 October 2016
Annabel Rackham
Journalist, BBC West Midlands
Image source, RSPCA
Image caption,
A lizard travelled from the Balkans to Congleton
A lizard has been discovered in a Cheshire warehouse after travelling thousands of miles inside a shipping container.
The reptile was discovered running around by staff at a warehouse in Radnor Park Industrial Estate, Congleton.
He was taken to Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Nantwich by RSPCA animal collection officer Lauren Bradshaw and identified as a Balkan green lizard, found in countries including Albania, Croatia, Greece and Syria.
“They are usually found in shrubby or arable surroundings so it probably got quite a shock when it ended up in a warehouse in Cheshire," said Lauren.
Elderly man and woman in hospital after fire causes 'significant damage'published at 16:03 British Summer Time 25 October 2016
Ros Chimes
Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke
A house fire this afternoon in Stoke-on-Trent, external has left an elderly man and woman in hospital.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service say they were called to the blaze on Baddeley Green Lane, Baddeley Green.
West Midlands Ambulance Service say a woman has been treated for arm and neck burns and a man for the effects of breathing in smoke.
The fire service say the fire isn't believed to be suspicious and structural engineers are now checking the safety of the 1930s semi-detached house.
Quote Message
We're quite certain that the origin of the fire was certainly in the conservatory area. It originated from there and burnt right through the property causing significant damage to both the ground floor, the first floor and the loft."
Roy Daniels, Station manager with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Travel: Crash blocks lane on A34 near Stone, Staffordshirepublished at 15:51 British Summer Time 25 October 2016
BBC Travel
A lane's blocked on the A34 The Fillybrooks northbound in Stone, Staffordshire at the Yarnfield Lane junction because of an accident.
News: Two hurt after house fire; MP helping on immigration plea; lizard found in warehouse after European journeypublished at 15:40 British Summer Time 25 October 2016
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Our headlines this afternoon include:
- A house fire this afternoon in Stoke-on-Trent, external has left an elderly man and woman in hospital
- The MP for Stafford is helping a man appealing for his wife and son to be allowed to move from the Philippines
- A lizard has been discovered in a Cheshire warehouse after travelling thousands of miles inside a shipping container
Van stolen after thieves 'hook' keys from housepublished at 15:24 British Summer Time 25 October 2016
Allen Cook
BBC Local Live
A van's been stolen in Tamworth after police say thieves reached through a window with some kind of instrument to hook the keys to the vehicle. , external
Image source, Google
Staffordshire Police say it happened last night on Sunset Close and they made off with the silver Peugeot Boxer.
The force adds that there were also attempted burglaries in parts of Lichfield where they think criminals were trying to steal keys to vehicles.
MP steps in to help Stafford man over immigration issuepublished at 15:07 British Summer Time 25 October 2016
Pete Morgan
Presenter, BBC Radio Stoke
The MP for Stafford has confirmed he's helping a man from the town who has written to the Prime Minister requesting his wife and son be allowed to move to the UK from the Philippines.
Jimmy Kershaw told me for BBC Radio Stoke that his wife Chisel and their three-year-old son previously had their application for a visa rejected.
Image source, Press Association
He says they are at risk from terrorism as they currently live in a region of the Philippines which the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have advised against travelling to.
The Home Office have told BBC Radio Stoke that, as this is ongoing, it's not appropriate for them to comment any further.
Quote Message
It's certainly having adverse affects on him (his son). When I do go over and see him, when I come back it is affecting him. He's having nightmares, he's waking up crying for daddy."
Jimmy Kershaw, Stafford resident
Rise in violent crime in Cheshire, latest figures showpublished at 14:48 British Summer Time 25 October 2016
Nantwich News
Violent crime in Cheshire has risen by 18%, external, according to latest figures.
Image source, Nantwich News
Football: Promotion still on Crewe manager's mindpublished at 14:31 British Summer Time 25 October 2016
Graham McGarry
Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke
The Crewe Alexandra boss Steve Davis says he thinks his team are still very much in the promotion race despite not having won in six league games.
Image source, Nathan Stirk/Getty Images
The Alex go into their next fixture at Leyton Orient in 12th position in the table after Saturday's home defeat to Yeovil.
Quote Message
We should be a bit higher but it's a long season, we've still got a long way to go. There's a point or two from where we want to be at the moment, we obviously want to be in the top-seven, we're not far away from that although there are a lot of clubs now clustering up to that area."
Steve Davis, Crewe Alexandra manager
Watch: Tonight and tomorrow's weatherpublished at 14:14 British Summer Time 25 October 2016
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
Here's how the rest of the day and the start of tomorrow is looking.
For the latest up-to-date weather forecasts, head to the BBC Weather website.
Media caption,
Charlie Slater
Man hit by van this lunchtime 'knocked unconscious'published at 13:59 British Summer Time 25 October 2016
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
A man in his 30s was knocked unconscious when he was hit by a van in Stoke-on-Trent this lunchtime.
West Midlands Ambulance Service say it happened on Cobridge Road outside the Mercedes Garage just after midday.
Paramedics say he'd "come to" when they arrived on scene and didn't have obvious injuries, so has been taken to hospital as a precaution.
Two treated by medics after house firepublished at 13:37 British Summer Time 25 October 2016
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Two people are being treated by paramedics after a house fire in Baddeley Green, Stoke-on-Trent.
West Midlands Ambulance Service say they and the fire service were called to Baddeley Green Lane just after midday.
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Shop closures in the West Midlands 'is slowing'published at 13:23 British Summer Time 25 October 2016
BBC Midlands Today
The number of shops closing in high streets across the West Midlands appears to be slowing down, according to a new survey.
Figures from accountancy firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers show that fewer shops are shutting compared to a year ago.
Although the number of closures still outstrip openings, traditional high streets across the region are continuing to fightback against the growth of big online retailers.
Grant signing a great story - Coatespublished at 13:13 British Summer Time 25 October 2016
Stoke City chairman Peter Coates hails the signing of Premier League rookie goalkeeper Lee Grant as a "great story".
Read More
On Midlands Today from 13:30: The regional impact from Heathrow expansionpublished at 13:00 British Summer Time 25 October 2016
BBC Midlands Today
On Midlands Today this lunchtime we'll be getting reaction from business leaders in Birmingham to the government's decision to approve a third runway at Heathrow.
Image source, Getty Images
It's long been hoped that alongside this project Birmingham would be allowed to expand too.
We'll have more on BBC One from 13:30.
Latest: Biker dies after crash; MP helping on immigration plea; van stolen after keys taken from kitchenpublished at 12:44 British Summer Time 25 October 2016
Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke
Our top stories this lunchtime:
- A motorcyclist has died after suffering severe injuries in a collision , externalwith a car near Burton
- The MP for Stafford is helping a man who's appealing for his wife and son to be allowed to move from the Philippines
- Thieves hook a pair of keys through an open window and steal a van in Tamworth, say police, external
Watch: Empty restaurant fire 'believed arson'published at 12:17 British Summer Time 25 October 2016
Lucy King
News Editor, BBC Radio Stoke
A fire which gutted an empty restaurant in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent is believed to be arson, the fire service says.
Media caption,
The empty restaurant in Stoke-on-Trent after the fire
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service say they needed four fire engines and their aerial ladder vehicle to tackle the blaze this morning on Broad Street.
The road was closed off from when they arrived at 03:01 until just before 06:00.
The service said they were treating the fire as "suspicious".
Police hunt flasher in Crewepublished at 11:55 British Summer Time 25 October 2016
Crewe Chronicle
Police are hunting a flasher who exposed himself to a woman in Crewe town centre yesterday (Monday), external afternoon.
Watch: Stoke and Staffordshire's weather this afternoonpublished at 11:36 British Summer Time 25 October 2016
Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter
You can also get the latest forecasts at any other time from the BBC Weather website.
Media caption,
Charlie Slater
UKIP 'can't afford another mistake' says MEPpublished at 11:15 British Summer Time 25 October 2016
West Midlands MEP Bill Etheridge, who has withdrawn from the party's leadership contest, says the party has" really messed things up" over the past few weeks and it's now vital they get the right leader.
Image source, Getty Images
He called on the other contenders to follow his example and stand down in favour of current deputy leader Paul Nuttall.
Quote Message
It's crucial - we can't afford another mistake, we've really messed things up over the last month or two, it's no secret. The truth is we have made mistakes and the chance now is to put things right."
Bill Etheridge, West Midlands MEP