Birmingham Post

Mother Jailed for Leaving Her Two Children 'Home Alone'

A 34-year-old Birmingham woman has been jailed for six months after leaving her two young children 'home alone' while she went on holiday to Spain with her boyfriend. The woman, who cannot be named, had admitted abandoning the children, who were then aged 12 and six, for several days in November at an earlier hearing.

Licence Plan to Halt City Limos

Limousines which drive up and down Birmingham's Broad Street enticing revellers to lap dancing clubs are to be investigated by legal experts as part of a new campaign to improve the image of the city's 'golden mile'. The vehicles, which contain scantily-clad women, music, and alcohol, have been criticised by Coun Mike Olley who said they should have public entertainment licences.

Uk's Youngest Dancing Pair

They could become the Midlands' answer to Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Megan Alebon, aged four, from Rubery, and Lewis Hateley, aged five, from West Bromwich, are Britain's youngest dancing couple.

Royal Ballet Chief Resigns After 16 Years

Birmingham Royal Ballet will begin the search for a chief executive in the New Year after Derek Purnell resigned. The BRB announced yesterday that Mr Purnell (right) is leaving to pursue a career as a freelance arts consultant.

Wyatt Case in Court As Sides Disagree Again

The case of Charlotte Wyatt, the tiny premature baby clinging to life in a hospital oxygen box, has gone back to the High Court after a breakdown in the relationship between her parents and the doctors treating her. Mr Justice Hedley, who two months ago ruled she should be allowed to die in peace in the arms of her loving parents, said after a private hearing yesterday that he had not heard evidence about the difficulties and was not prepared to make any comment about it yet.

Eight Years for Elderly Sikh's Killer

A heroin addict who killed an elderly Sikh worshipper by bludgeoning him with a crowbar after breaking into a Midland temple has been jailed for eight years. Steven Masih struck 78year-old Sohan Singh a number of blows about the head and body after the pensioner confronted him at the Guru Nanak Satsang Gurdwara Temple in Cannock Road, Wolverhampton last Christmas eve.

Specialist Hospital Trust Abandons Plans to Apply for Foundation Status

A specialist hospital in Birmingham has decided not to pursue its bid for foundation hospital status next year. Birmingham Women's Healthcare NHS Trust, which is a three-star rated trust and includes Birmingham Women's Hospital, has put its plans on hold until at least 2006.

Nurse's Healing Power of Song

It is well-established fact that when spirits are low, a song can make all the difference. Throughout history, from soldiers on the march to people a long way from home, a rousing melody has always been used to make them feel better.

Pictures Show Fate of Aid Worker

This picture has been released showing a former Midland man who was shot dead by masked gunmen in Iraq. Salvatore Santoro, who grew up in Tividale, was executed near the insurgent stronghold of Ramadi, in the west of the war-torn country.

Airman's Inquest Is Opened

An inquest into the death of a Warwickshire-born airman who died when a Royal Navy Lynx helicopter crashed in the English Channel last week has been opened and adjourned. Richard Darnell, aged 31, originally from Whitestone, near Coventry, was one of four crewmen who lost their lives when their Lynx helicopter crashed off the Cornish coast.

Two Years for Post Fraud

A postman who failed to deliver more than 133,000 letters and leaflets has been jailed for two years. Nicholas Fryer, who was based at the Kidsgrove delivery office in north Staffordshire, admitted a total of eight charges, including two of theft, relating to 133,495 items of post at an earlier hearing.

Businessman Guilty of Golf Club Attack

A businessman has been convicted of carrying out an attack with a golf club on a Birmingham city councillor following an eviction row. Hari Shemar, (47), of Murdock Road, Handsworth, was found guilty by a jury at Birmingham Crown Court of assaulting 53-year-old Peter Osborn (Con Weoley Castle) in February this year after bailiffs had gone into his motorcar repair business in Ladywood.

Aston Murder Trial Adjourned

The trial of five men accused of murdering two teenage friends who were shot dead outside a New Year party has been adjourned until next year. Charlene Ellis, aged 18, and Letisha Shakespeare, aged 17, were gunned down outside a hairdresser's salon in Birmingham.

Murder Suspect Called Boy a 'Vegetable'

A house-husband accused of murdering a three-year-old boy he and his wife were hoping to adopt said yesterday he regretted calling the child 'a vegetable' weeks before he died. Ian Gay, (37), told a jury sitting at Worcester Crown Court that he and his wife Angela, from Halesowen, West Midlands, had become increasingly concerned about the young child's behaviour and called Sandwell Social Services for advice.

Graffiti Vandals Cause Pounds 50,000 of Damage in Warwickshire

Police in Warwickshire are hunting vandals who have caused nearly pounds 50,000 of damage to council property. The graffiti attacks, which have been widespread over the past few weeks, have targeted schools and nurseries, as well as town centre areas in Stratford.

Drink Driver Jailed for Six Months

A motorist who had had too much to drink was stopped outside a police station when sparks were seen coming from a front wheel which did not have a tyre. Wayne Robinson (34) was jailed for six months at Stafford Crown Court for dangerous driving and excess alcohol. He pleaded guilty.

New Charity to Join Leukaemia Battle

A charity will be launched next month with the aim of raising at least pounds 3 million for a new leukaemia research centre in Birmingham. The pounds 2.2million Leukaemia Centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, which is due to open next year, is set to revolutionise care for thousands of patients.

Authorities Praised by Inspectors in Report

Midland councils are among the fastest improving in the country, according to official inspectors. Worcestershire and Walsall authorities have raised the standard of services such as education, social services and housing.

City Bosses to Fight Legal Race Issue

Birmingham business leaders have vowed to fight race discrimination in the legal profession after a study revealed law graduates were being treated unfairly. A year-long study by legal specialists at the University of Wolverhampton found graduates from ethnic minority communities encountered serious barriers as they tried to obtain training contracts.

Warwick Castle Open-Air Ice Rink

Angelina Georgiou who plays the Countess of Warwick at Warwick Castle takes to the new open-air ice rink at the castle. Visitors to the historic site have been able to take to the ice as part of the Medieval Frost Fair being held at the castle over the festive period.