Birmingham Post

Teaching Union Tries to Oust Bnp Man

A teaching union calling for new laws to stop members of racist groups becoming teachers has admitted it has a Midland BNP activist in its ranks. The National Association of Schoolmasters & Union of Women Teachers yesterday urged Ministers to protect children from the 'vile agenda' of political parties such as the BNP, the National Front and Combat 18.

Why Is It Legal for This Man to Do 159mph

Road safety campaigners yesterday criticised the acquittal of a police officer who reached speeds of up to 159mph while 'familiarising himself' with a new patrol car. District Judge Bruce Morgan, sitting at Ludlow Magistrates' Court, cleared Pc Mark Milton of dangerous driving and speeding charges after describing the 38year-old as the 'creme de la creme' of police drivers.

Man Sold Illegal Jammers at Nec

A man was fined yesterday for selling illegal devices, during a trade fair at the National Exhibition Centre, designed to block mobile phone and CCTV signals. Dennis Huang, believed to be a Taiwanese national, was selling the equipment on a stall at a security fair on May 16.

Victim Stabbed

Body Found

Worker Burned

Judge Attacks Prosecution for 'Unsatisfactory' Speed Case

The decision to prosecute Pc Mark Milton for doing 159mph on the M54 in Shropshire while testing a new car was scathingly dismissed by District Judge Bruce Morgan. Throwing out dangerous driving and speeding charges brought against the West Mercia officer, Mr Morgan said: 'I can't help but see the irony that those that brought this prosecution are those very people who have purchased cars that go at this speed and paid for him (the defendant) to go to learn to drive at these speeds.'

Legal System Failed Our Dead Son, Say Parents

The family of a schoolboy who was killed after being tossed in the air 'like a rag doll' by a drink-driving illegal immigrant said they had still not got justice for his death. Hayley and Steve Leighton said they have been let down by the system after a coroner yesterday recorded a verdict of misadventure on 12-year-old Jamie Mason.

Dc Killer's Trial: Psychiatrist Believes Detective's Killer Was Ill for Ten Years

A paranoid schizophrenic who stabbed to death a police officer had not been 'fully well at any time' for the previous ten years, a jury was told. Consultant psychiatrist Dr James Collins told Birmingham Crown Court that Glaister Earl Butler had displayed symptoms of the condition since 1994 but it may well have been developing since the mid-1980s.

The Forgotten Soldier Who Survived Horrors ; He Was an Unsung War Hero Who Twice Cheated Death at the Hands of the Nazis. Last Week, Lionel Watson Died On the Eve of His 86th Birthday. Helen Gabriel Looks at His Life

He lost his left hand and ears and was then shot on the chin. But on each occasion Lionel Watson managed to escape falling prisoner to German troops during the bloody conflict that was the battle of El Alamein in 1942.

Life Not Imitating Art for Csi Wannabes

The hit TV crime series CSI has prompted a 700 per cent increase in the number of students applying to study forensic science. Thousands of viewers now want to emulate the investigators on the US show who, armed with high-powered forensic gadgetry, descend on crime scenes to study the evidence.

Rod Brings Curtain Down On Nec Gigs for Second Time

Two of Rod Stewart's concert dates in the Midlands have been postponed for a second time due to 'logistical problems.' The veteran rocker (right) was originally due to play the NEC Arena, in Bickenhill, on May 14 and 15 but those dates were changed to July 16 and 17.

Cup Stub Sale

Hilda's Killer to Appeal

A man who was jailed for the murder of a 78-year-old peace campaigner has lodged an appeal against his conviction. Andrew George, of Meadow Farm Drive, Harlescott, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, was jailed for life earlier this month for the murder and kidnap of Hilda Murrell.

Police Search Woods for Stolen Remains

A specialist team of police officers yesterday continued their search for the remains of a woman whose body was stolen from a graveyard. The hunt for the body of Gladys Hammond began on Tuesday when officers started searching several areas of the 90-acre Brakenhurst Woods, near Newchurch, in Staffordshire.

Adviser Tells Kelly to Ditch School Admissions Policy

A key Government adviser has urged Education Secretary Ruth Kelly to scrap a new school admissions system that has caused problems for thousands of families. Sir Peter Lampl, an adviser on class issues and education, said the admissions policy, which aims to give parents more 'choice', actually worked against the poorest families.

Don't Let 'Crackpots' Run Schools

A Midland Labour backbencher has criticised Tony Blair's education policy for allowing 'religious crackpots' to run schools. Wolverhampton MP Ken Purchase (Lab Wolverhampton North East) condemned proposals to invite businesses and religious groups to build new schools.

Strikes Hit Coventry

More than a dozen schools in Coventry will close today when thousands of city council staff walk out on strike. Union leaders claimed there could be more closures and urged all head teachers to think carefully before opening.

Mp Caught in Middle of Cash Row

The MP placed in charge of the nation's schools has come under pressure to offer a better funding deal for her own constituency. But Jacqui Smith, MP for Redditch in Worcestershire, said she could make 'no promises' that local parents, headteachers and councillors would win a long-running campaign for fair funding.

Was the World Watching New Mayor Ceremony On the Web

It has taken long enough, but last night Wolverhampton went worldwide as the city council's annual meeting and mayor-making ceremony was broadcast on the internet. As the webcam attempted to focus the somewhat blurred action at the Wulfrun Hall, there was no mistaking the councillors' distinctive Black Country twang.