Birmingham Post

How Killers Cheated Justice

Gangland killers and would-be assassins in up to a dozen cases have cheated justice because witnesses were too scared to give evidence, according to one of the West Midlands leading criminal lawyers. David Jeffery, a special casework lawyer for the Crown Prosecution Service in Birmingham, led the successful prosecution in the Aston shootings trial in which a key witness gave evidence under the cloak of anonymity.

Fatal Motorway Crash Brings Misery for Commuters

Motorists endured a day of misery yesterday after an accident on the M6 brought the West Midlands motor-way network to a standstill. The busiest part of the motorway, at junction 6, on its northbound carriageway was closed for more than 12 hours from 5.30am until just before 6pm after a lorry overturned in an horrific crash which left the driver dead.

Ford Move Will See Rover Name Consigned to History

The Rover name is set to be consigned to the history books after Ford bought it from BMW. The trademark, which includes the famous Viking longship badge, has been bought by the American giant to protect its interest in Solihull-based Land Rover.

Survey Claims Energy Inefficient Birmingham Could Save Pounds 20m a Year On Its Bills

Householders across Birmingham are being urged to cut their energy bills by pounds 50 a year in a bid to save nearly pounds 20 million worth of waste energy across the region. The city was rated only the 19th most energy efficiency city out of 25 across the country in a survey carried out by British Gas.

News Digest: Driver Held

A German lorry driver accused of killing four people in a multiple vehicle pile-up on the M6 has been remanded in custody until November 20. Two men from Birmingham and a woman and her husband from Stoke died in the accident near the M6 Toll junction at Cannock.

News Digest: Murder Inquiry

A murder investigation has been launched after an 18-year-old man died following a gang attack. The victim, who has not been named, died in hospital after being assaulted by a group of up to 15 youths in Windmill Lane, Smeth- wick, on Saturday.

News Digest: Road Rage

A motorist has been punched in the face in a road rage attack in Warwickshire The man, aged 38, suffered head and facial injuries, including damage to his teeth and an eye, in the altercation at crossroads in Nuthurst Lane, Astley, near Nuneaton.

News Digest: Guns Seized

Tyrrells Wins Its Fight with Tesco

An upmarket crisp maker yesterday claimed a David versus Goliath- style victory over Tesco. Will Chase, a Herefordshire-based farmer who produces Tyrrells Potato Chips, said Tesco had been stocking his products - which retail at around 90p - despite his refusal to supply to the chain.

Debate Over Thin Models 'Bound to Happen'

Midland supermodel Erin O'Connor yesterday joined the row over the use of "stick-thin" models in the fashion industry. O'Connor (above), from Walsall, said "all opinions are welcome" in the debate over whether underweight models should be banned from the catwalk.

Skateboard Park Boss Wins Arts Centre Fight

The owner of the Epic Centre skateboard park in Moseley has won an important victory in his battle to turn a former tram depot into an arts and entertainment centre, after gaining approval for a late- night drinks licence. Keith Marsden persuaded Birmingham City Council's licensing sub- committee to allow music to be played and alcohol served until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights and midnight during the week.

Fans Stunned by Robson's Early Exit

West Bromwich Albion fans expressed their shock yesterday as Bryan Robson's 22-month reign at The Hawthorns ended by mutual consent. While they believed Robson may have been sacked at some point this season if it looked as though Albion would fail to clinch promotion to the Premiership, they said his exit from the club after only eight games might have been too early.

Moore's Shirt to Fetch Pounds 15k at Auction

A shirt worn by legendary England football captain Bobby Moore at the 1970 World Cup Finals is set to fetch up to pounds 15,000 when it goes under the hammer next month. The white short-sleeved Umbro top with crew neck collar has the England badge embroidered on the front and the number six on the back.

Tv Bung Programme Is a Concern, Admits Allardyce

Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce has admitted his family are "concerned" about possible allegations in the BBC's Panorama investigation into football to be screened tonight. Dudley-born Allardyce and his agent son Craig are understood to have been among those investigated by the programme.

Bomb Survivor Attacks Terror Game 'You Can Play with Granny

A survivor of the July 7 bombings has described the creation of a board game about the war on terror as "beyond belief. TerrorBull Games, based in Cambridge, announced the release of "War on Terror: The Board Game" on the fifth anniversary of the 9/ 11 attacks.

Millions Needed to Improve Libraries

Hundreds of millions of pounds need to be spent on English libraries to make them fit for purpose and up to health and safety standards, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) said today. Three in ten libraries of those across England are not up to standard and it will take an estimated investment of pounds 760 million to put them right, a survey for the MLA has found.

Politics: Short Set to Escape Disciplinary Action

Clare Short is set to escape disciplinary action despite announcing that she will campaign against a Labour victory at the next General Election. Party chiefs believe the Birmingham MP wants to be kicked out of the party - but they are determined to prevent her becoming a martyr.

Politics: Johnson in Spin Row Over Test Results

Labour leadership hopeful Alan Johnson was embroiled in a row over spin yesterday amid claims that his aides attempted to bury the news of poor primary school test results. A series of emails showed civil servants had warned repeatedly that primary school figures should not be released on the same day as GCSE results, which dominate news bulletins every summer.

Politics: Hemming Backs Campbell in Tax Plans Vote

Maverick Liberal Democrat MP John Hemming is backing party leaders in a crunch vote over tax plans today. The Yardley MP will support Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell as he takes on rebels at the party conference in Brighton.

Politics: Families of Soldiers Killed in Iraq to Stand in General Election

Plans for bereaved families of soldiers killed in Iraq to stand in the next General Election against Ministers who backed the war have been finalised and will be unveiled on the opening day of the Labour Party conference. Up to 70 candidates will contest seats held by Ministers including Chancellor Gordon Brown under the name Spectre, described as an umbrella support group rather than a political party.