Birmingham Post

Three Strikes, We're Out, Say 999 Staff

Volunteers and Army personnel are expected to be drafted in as 999 cover for West Midlands ambulance crews who are to go on strike next week. Union officials yesterday confirmed that industrial action, including a work-to-rule and strikes, sparked by a pay dispute will start next Wednesday.

Shot Us Teacher's Husband 'Will Not Attend Funeral'

American police investigating the murders of Briton Neil Entwistle's wife and baby do not expect him to attend their funeral, authorities said last night. The funeral takes place today of the former Midland teacher and her daughter who were found shot dead at their home in the United States.

High Court to Rule On High-Speed Officer

The High Court will rule today on whether a police officer cleared of motoring offences after doing "eye-watering speeds" while familiarising himself with a new vehicle should be convicted or stand trial again. Pc Mark Milton, aged 38, from Telford, Shropshire, was acquitted by Ludlow Magistrates' Court last May of speeding and dangerous driving.

Legal Matters: Lawyers Slam Legal Changes

Government plans to modernise legal services could come at the expense of a truly independent law profession, the president of the Birmingham Law Society has warned. Solicitors in the city set out their concerns in a formal response to the Government's White Paper entitled The Future of Legal Services: Putting Consumers First.

Public May Lose Out in Small Claims Court

Personal injury lawyers in the West Midlands have warned that plans to have higher compensation claims settled in the small claims court could result in fewer people making claims. The Government is expected to respond shortly to recommendations by a Department of Constitutional Affairs select committee to raise the value of claims made in the small claims court from pounds 1,000 to pounds 2,500.

Caroline to Front New Legal Tv Channel

A former Big Brother contestant from Birmingham is to front the UK's first TV channel dedicated to the law. Caroline O'Shea, from Aston, will host the live segments on a new Sky TV channel called Legal TV.

News Digest: Rape Reforms

News Digest: Tagging Bonus

News Digest: Long Service

News Digest: Women Judges

The number of women and ethnic minorities winning judicial jobs has rocketed after a Government diversity drive, despite assurances that no quotas have been set, it has emerged. Women made just 31 per cent of applications for judicial posts from April to September last year.

Planners to Assess Noise Levels Before Making Speedway Decision

Members of the Birmingham planning committee may visit a speedway race to monitor noise levels before deciding whether the sport can return to the Perry Barr stadium. The suggestion follows a second bid by promoter Tony Mole to stage races by a new league speedway team, to be called the Birmingham Brummies.

Adverts Row in Ambulance Consultations

The Government has been accused of "going through the motions" over public consultation on the proposed mergers of ambulance trusts. The criticism came as it emerged that the NHS Appointments Commission has placed national advertisements for chairmen even though public consultation over the proposed mergers ends next month.

Police Merger Plan Decision Soon

A decision on the future of police services in the West Midlands is expected within a fortnight, writes Political Editor Jonathan Walker The Home Office is to fast-track the decision, to ensure plans to merge constabularies are not blown off course by opposition from MPs and police authorities.

Road Accident On the Aston Expressway

Birmingham drivers were caught up in traffic chaos yesterday following this serious road accident on the Aston Expressway. Police closed the exit at Dartmouth Circus as firefighters battled to free a man from his overturned Renault Clio.

Man Denies Recruiting Others to Murder Wife

A man accused of murdering his wife and three members of her family who died in a house fire has denied getting others to do his "dirty work." Birmingham Crown Court has been told Gurmej Rai decided to kill his wife Dar-shan Kaur, who had recently come to the UK, because he wanted to be with his mistress.

Florence, 102, Takes First Dip of 21st Century

Florence Long's 102nd year is going swimmingly well. So much so that, six years after her last outing to a swimming pool, she decided to splash out on a new costume and take her first dip of the 21st Century.

Midland: Flu Bug Forces School to Shut Gates

A primary school has been forced to close after more than 100 pupils and staff were struck down by a flu bug. Hamstead Junior in Ham-stead Road, Great Barr, was forced to close for 48 hours because of the illness and health officials have also alerted other schools across Birmingham.

Midland: Hurt Driver Cut Free From Car

A man was recovering in Walsall Manor Hospital yesterday after being cut free from his car following an accident on the M6. The accident, on the northbound section of the motorway near junction 10 in Willenhall, happened at about 10.30 yesterday morning.

Midland: Fan Jailed for Keeper Punch

Midland: Hit-and-Run Car Was Stolen

A car which was involved in a hit-and-run incident in Warwickshire had been stolen, police have revealed. Officers said a motorcyclist suffered a suspected broken leg when the Rover 216 ploughed into his machine in Raveloe Drive, Nuneaton, shortly after 11pm on Tuesday.