Summary

  • Man arrested on suspicion of murdering Weybread couple extradited from Luxembourg

  • Suffolk's final middle schools close today

  • Calls for 'boat-damaging' swan to be removed from lake

  • Tottenham Hotspur's manager writes to footballer who lost both legs after crash

  • Hailstones 'the size of golf balls' set off car alarm and cause injury

  • Updates for Thursday, 21 July 2016

  1. Our live coverage across the daypublished at 18:02 British Summer Time 21 July 2016

    The team here at BBC Suffolk is signing off for the day. 

    Among the stories we'll be bringing you tomorrow is the court appearance of Ali Qazimaj, who was arrested over the double murder of Peter and Sylvia Stuart from Weybread.

    He is expected to be charged tomorrow after being extradited from Luxembourg earlier today.

    Have a good evening.

    Ipswich magistrates court
  2. Travel: A134 blocked in Newton near Sudburypublished at 17:30 British Summer Time 21 July 2016

    BBC Travel

    The A134 is blocked in Newton near Sudbury, and there's queuing traffic in both directions between Valley Road and Church Road, because of a crash involving an overturned car and a lorry.

  3. Overnight weather: Staying dry with clear spellspublished at 17:22 British Summer Time 21 July 2016

    Alex Dolan
    BBC Look East weather

    It will be a mostly fine end to the day, with sunny spells. Turning a little cloudy in places with the small chance of an isolated shower. 

    Most places staying dry overnight with clear spells, and lows of 16C (61F).

    Friday's weather map

    Tomorrow will start dry with sunny spells, with cloud building during the day. Mainly dry, with a top temperature of 24C (75F).

    Get more on the forecast where you live, from BBC Weather.

  4. Your thoughts: Boat-attacking swanpublished at 17:15 British Summer Time 21 July 2016

    The story about calls for a swan to be removed from Needham Lake, because he has caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to boats owned by members of the Gipping Valley Model Boat Club, external, has attracted a number of comments on our Facebook page, external:

    • Leah Mac McIlrea writes, external: How about remove the boats from the swans habitat!
    • Louise Latimer says, external:  'Moved on'?? How about during the nesting season people keep their daft boats out of his way? Unlike most people swans mate for life. He is protecting his mate and his babies. Shame more humans don't take their role this seriously. Leave him alone. Why must humans control everything - he has as much right, no actually more right, to be on a stretch of water as humans do.

    What do you think? Send us an email, or join in the Facebook conversation.

    Swan attacking boatImage source, Peter Ashford
  5. Security 'under constant review' at military bases, says MoDpublished at 16:46 British Summer Time 21 July 2016

    Steve Martin
    BBC Radio Suffolk

    Following on from the incident near RAF Marham in which a serviceman was threatened with a knife in an attempted abduction, we contacted the Ministry of Defence to ask what steps were being taken at RAF Honington (pictured), Wattisham airfield, and Rock Barracks at Woodbridge, to increase security.

    RAF HoningtonImage source, Google

    A spokeswoman said: "We do not comment on matters of operational security.

    "The safety of all our personnel is paramount and our security is under constant review."

  6. Ali Qazimaj due before magistrates in Ipswich tomorrowpublished at 16:19 British Summer Time 21 July 2016

    Ali Qazimaj, 42, has been extradited from Luxembourg and will tomorrow be formally charged with the murders of Weybread couple Peter and Sylvia Stuart.

    Ali QazimajImage source, Suffolk Police

    Mr Qazimaj, from Tilbury in Essex, was detained on a European Arrest Warrant in Luxembourg on 16 June.

    He arrived back in the UK earlier and was taken into custody at Martlesham Police Investigation Centre.

    He is due to appear before magistrates in Ipswich tomorrow.

    Peter and Sylvia Stuart were last seen in Norfolk on 29 June and were reported missing five days later.

    Mr Stuart's body was found in woodland near their home. Mrs Stuart has yet to be found, but police believe she has also been killed.

    Martlesham PICImage source, Suffolk Police
  7. Weybread murders: Man extradited from Luxembourgpublished at 16:12 British Summer Time 21 July 2016
    Breaking

    A 42-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murdering Weybread couple Peter and Sylvia Stuart has been extradited from Luxembourg.

  8. Headteacher of closing middle school thanks parents for their supportpublished at 15:41 British Summer Time 21 July 2016

    In a final letter to parents, the headteacher of St Louis Middle Schoo, externall in Bury St Edmunds, which closes today, says the staff have been "hugely comforted by the warmth of the sentiments you have expressed to them".

    St Louis Middle SchoolImage source, Google

    Rose Heap added: "I hope that in years to come your children will treasure their St Louis badges as a keepsake of a special time in their lives, as it has been in all of those who have worked here through the years."

  9. A real 'mixed picture' for teachers at one closing middle schoolpublished at 14:56 British Summer Time 21 July 2016

    Returning now to the closure of four middle schools in Bury St Edmunds, and the headteacher of one of them, Hardwick Middle, external, says it's a real mixed picture in terms of what the staff are doing next.

    Rachel Forward said: "We have some members of staff going on to new jobs in Suffolk schools, we have some going to jobs in schools outside of Suffolk and we have some members of staff who'll be made redundant."

    Year 8 pupils at Hardwick Middle SchoolImage source, Hardwick Middle School

    She added: "It's difficult for people to almost accept the end of that era of middle schools.

    "We have several members of staff who have now gone perhaps through two or three closing middle schools."

  10. Spurs boss hails 'remarkable spirit and resolution' of Shaun Whiterpublished at 14:46 British Summer Time 21 July 2016

    Tottenham Hotpsur's manager Mauricio Pochettino wrote to Shaun Whiter to say he was "extremely sorry" to hear about the crash which led to him having his legs amputated.

    Shaun WhiterImage source, Contributed

    "Your determination and strength is an inspiration to others," the Spurs boss wrote.

    Mr Whiter, a keen all-round sportsman, has expressed his determination to take part in the Paralympics in the future.

    He is also due to marry his fiancée Charlotte Way next July and has vowed to "walk down the aisle".

    Mr Pochettino continued: "There is no doubt that with your remarkable spirit and resolution, you will be walking down the aisle."

  11. Spurs tribute to amputee footballerpublished at 14:31 British Summer Time 21 July 2016

    The manager of Tottenham Hotspur has described a 27-year-old footballer who had to have his legs amputated following a car crash as "an inspiration".   

    Mauricio Pochettino and Shaun WhiterImage source, Getty Images/David Lee

    Shaun Whiter, 27, who was training for Newmarket Town, was helping his friend Joey Abbs, a Soham Town Rangers player, change a flat tyre in Newmarket on 1 July when the crash occurred.

    The Spurs fan received a letter from Mauricio Pochettino praising his "incredible courage".

    Mr Whiter is still in hospital undergoing further procedures.

  12. Suffolk's darts players in fine form at World Matchplay tournamentpublished at 13:49 British Summer Time 21 July 2016

    Ben Parker
    BBC Suffolk sport

    Mervyn King beat Northern Ireland's Brendan Dolan 11-8 last night at the tournament in Blackpool, to book his place in the quarter-finals, where he will face Phil Taylor. 

    Mervyn KingImage source, Getty Images

    Taylor is often spoken of as being one of the best darts players ever, but King says he likes playing the 16-time World Champion.

    He said: "I love playing Phil, I know what I got to do, I got to play well and I got to play really well."

    The 50-year old went on to say: "You turn up and you play or you lose. End of story."

    Mendham’s Peter Wright is in quarter-final action tonight as he takes on former world champion Adrian Lewis.

  13. Witches hope to make it four wins from five when they host Peterboroughpublished at 13:17 British Summer Time 21 July 2016

    Ben Parker
    BBC Suffolk sport

    The Ipswich Witches host Peterborough tonight at Foxhall, as they look to make it four wins from five in the Premier League.

    Ritchie HawkinsImage source, Stephen Waller

    Joe Jacobs will be missing for the Witches but Connor Mountain will feature.

    Jacobs impressed last time out against Berwick, but team manager Ritchie Hawkins (pictured) says he knew the 22-year old would be missing.

    "We knew when we did the deal with Joe, when we signed him. Obviously we checked all the fixtures before the start and knew he'd be missing tonight. 

    "This is the only one that he's scheduled to miss."

  14. Man jailed for 12 years for rapespublished at 12:39 British Summer Time 21 July 2016

    Philippa Taylor
    BBC Local Live

    A Lowestoft man has been jailed for 12 years for three counts of raping a teenager.

    Stephen Waters, 46, of Princes Road was sentenced this morning at Ipswich Crown Court, after being found guilty on 13 June.

    Ipswich Crown Court logo

    His victim spoke out after sentence was passed, thanking the police for the support she's received.

    "I was really worried at first that there wasn't going to be enough evidence as it happened so long ago," she said. "But thank you all for everything. 

    "It is very upsetting and frustrating to know that someone who was supposed to protect me hurt me in the way he did.

    "I'm now able to get on with my life after it being on hold for so long."

  15. 'Boat-attacking' swan in actionpublished at 12:10 British Summer Time 21 July 2016

    Here are some photographs of the swan in action on Needham Lake, external:

    Swan attacking boatImage source, Peter Ashford
    Sinking boatImage source, Peter Ashford
    Damage caused by swanImage source, Peter Ashford
  16. Swan 'rules the roost' on Needham Lakepublished at 11:51 British Summer Time 21 July 2016

    Luke Deal
    BBC Radio Suffolk

    A swan on Needham Lake, external has been defending his territory to the extent that he is attacking other wildlife.

    Neil Hodson, from the Gipping Valley Model Boat Club, whose members have had their boats damaged by the cob, said: "He's been attacking the goslings, and keeping the geese off the lake."

    Swans and cygnets

    "When he's out on the lake and the cygnets are out on the lake, he won't permit the geese to be on the lake at all."

  17. Calls for 'boat-damaging swan' to be removed from lakepublished at 11:21 British Summer Time 21 July 2016

    Luke Deal
    BBC Radio Suffolk

    There are calls for a male swan which has caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to model boats to be removed from a lake.

    As reported in the EADT, external, the cob is also accused of drowning a gosling and attacking other animals at Needham Lake, external.

    Swan with outstretched wings

    Neil Hodson, secretary of the Gipping Valley Model Boat Club, external, said: "It remains to be seen whether he's a danger to the public. He doesn't tend to attack people unless they're getting too close to his cygnets. 

    "Personally I think he's got as much right to the lake as we have.

    "A lot of our members would like to see him moved on and I think if he does get as far as attacking any people, then he would need to be moved on."

  18. Your photos: Hailstonespublished at 11:01 British Summer Time 21 July 2016

    Philippa Taylor
    BBC Local Live

    We asked earlier if you had any photographs of the storms that crossed Suffolk last night.

    Margaret Rayner has sent us this one, which she took at her home in Claydon. Thanks, Margaret.

    Hailstones in ClaydonImage source, Margaret Rayner
  19. Missing Lowestoft man foundpublished at 10:44 British Summer Time 21 July 2016

    A missing Lowestoft man has been found.

    Police made appeals to trace Carl Morgan, 34, after he went missing earlier in the week. They say he has now been located in the area, after he got in touch with officers.

  20. Top seaside hotspots for property in Essex and Suffolkpublished at 10:32 British Summer Time 21 July 2016

    Nic Rigby
    BBC News

    A league table for the top hotspots for property prices in seaside towns has put two Essex towns and one Suffolk town in its top 10.

    SouthendImage source, Oliver Mills/Geograph

    Walton-on-the-Naze (listed 3rd) and Southend (pictured, 10th), in Essex, and Felixstowe (4th), Suffolk, have seen big increases in the value of homes in July 2016 compared to the same time last year, says property website Zoopla.

    Homes in Walton-on-the-Naze rose on average by 10%.

    The survey also found that homes in Aldeburgh and Southwold on the Suffolk coast were some of the most expensive - with an average house price of £490,182 and £434,618 respectively.