Birmingham Post

Princes' Sadness at City Soldier's Helmand Death

Princes William and Harry last night spoke of their sadness over the death of a Birmingham soldier in Afghanistan. Trooper James Munday, who was hailed by his commanding officer as "one of the best of his generation", died on Wednesday afternoon after a blast during a routine patrol in Helmand Province.

Judge Fury As Lawyers 'Can't Be Bothered'

A Birmingham judge yesterday demanded an explanation after a case was dropped because prosecution lawyers "could not be bothered" to investigate it properly. Judge Richard Griffith-Jones said if that was the case it would be "appalling".

Ftse 100 at Five-Year Low After Pounds 52bn Is Wiped Off Stocks

London's leading share index tumbled to a fresh five-year low yesterday as recession fears continued to shake volatile global markets. The FTSE 100 Index shed more than five per cent - wiping a further pounds 52 billion from blue-chip stocks - to finish down 218.2 at 3861.4, its lowest close since April 2003.

Police Seize Drugs Gang Machine Gun

A deadly Sterling Mark 3 sub-machine gun was among a haul seized by police in raids on drugs gangs in Birmingham, it was revealed yesterday. The operations, over the last fortnight, were aimed at suspected heroin dealers and resulted in what police described as six members of Birmingham's Johnson Crew being arrested and charged.

Man Held On Murder Charge and Five Counts of Arson ; Courts

A man appeared in court yesterday charged with murder and arson with intent to endanger life after a house fire which left a man dead. Stephen George-Davies (50) spoke only to confirm his name during a brief hearing at Worcester Magistrates'Court. Davies, of Oak Crescent, Malvern, Worcestershire, was charged on Wednesday night with one count of murder and five counts of arson with intent to endanger life.

1.000 Cannabis Plants Found After Raid On House ; Police

Winners of Last Week ; Crossword

Prize Family Crossword winner: Mrs L Lesser, Hall Green Autolycus winner: Sharon Burke, Stafford Prize Cros.sword published on Saturday October 11: Across - 1 Quaestorship; 9 Scupper; 10 Arabica; 11 Copious; 12 Aliment; 13 Narks; 14 Oven glove; 16 Brabantio; 19 Tacit; 21 NotionsLune; 26 Isolde; 27 Naiant; 28 Radii. Down - 1 Ryukyu; 2 Formidable; 3 Wet plat; 23 Cornice; 24 Nailsea; 25 Stewpot; 26 Lady's tresses. Down - 2 Usurper; 3 Employs; 4 Thrash out; 5 Riata; 6 Heading; 7 Primero; 8 Maltre...

Attempted Murder Charge ; Courts

Electric Atmosphere As New Megastore Holds Up Traffic

Thousands of bargain hunters caused traffic chaos yesterday as they queued for a sale at a newly-refurbished West Midlands electrical store. In a bid to beat the credit crunch, up to 3,000 shoppers descended upon Currys Megastore in Wednesbury, Sandwell, causing the Highways Agency to close a motorway junction sliproad.

Garden Pond Boy, Aged Two Is Still Critical in Hospital

A two-year-old boy who fell into a garden pond with his twin brother remained in a critical condition in hospital yesterday. Harry and George Bostock were found in the water minutes after they went missing from their large gated home in the Staffordshire village of Tean on Monday evening.

Military Cross for Hero Who Aided Afghanistan Helicopter Rescue

A Solihull soldier was honoured at Buckingham Palace yesterday for his service and bravery in Afghanistan. Captain Paul Britton, aged 28, received the Military Cross from Prince Charles in the ceremony. Capt Britton and his team were ambushed by the Taliban north west of Sangin in November last year and his hand and shoulder were injured by shrapnel.

Victorian Funeral Parlour Part of Ghoulish Jewellery Quarter Tourist Trail

A fully-restored Victorian funeral parlour is set to take pride of place in a ghoulish tourist trail through Birmingham's historic Jewellery Quarter. City planners are recommending approval for a pounds 3.4 million scheme to turn the former Newman Coffin Works into a museum and visitor centre.

Film Is Tailored to Tell Story of Champion of Back to Backs

George Saunders fought against prejudice and hardship to set himself up as one of Birmingham's best-known tailors and the last trader to leave the city's famous back to backs. Now his remarkable story has been turned into a film to help chart one of the most fascinating pieces of the city's history.

Without Freddie Queen Still Rock ; Review

It could be argued that Queen without Freddie Mercury is like a bacon butty without brown sauce, yet the stinging guitar of Brian May was always as much a part of their sound as their late frontman's voice. It's to Queen's credit that they have left it a decent interval before hitting the road and they do have the benefit of a new album to plug.

Take 'Unscrupulous' Clampers to Task

An MP yesterday condemned "unscrupulous and unspeakable" car clamping and towing companies who were "wreaking havoc" on the lives of his constituents. Labour's David Taylor (Leicestershire NW) called for better regulation of the industry and highlighted the case of a woman who had been left "isolated and vulnerable".

Furious Council Denies It Is in Need of Financial Counselling ; Politics

Efforts to help councils which lost money in Icelandic banks were thrown into chaos last night, as one of the authorities targeted for support said it had not asked for assistance and accused the Government of trying to distract attention from its own failings. Ministers have announced that finance experts are to be sent to three councils, including Tamworth in Staffordshire and Wyre Forest in Worcestershire, after they invested millions in Icelandic banks which have collapsed.

Oxford Faces Loss of Pounds 30m in Icelandic Banks ; Politics

Oxford University could face losses of up to pounds 30 million which is tied up in Icelandic bank accounts, a spokesman confirmed yesterday. The university has admitted five per cent of its cash deposits are invested in three banks and has now called on the regulator of universities to help solve the crisis.

Uk Customers Are Offered 30p in Pound Payment ; Politics

UK customers with the offshore arm of Icelandic bank Landsbanki are set to receive an initial payment of 30p for every pounds 1 they had saved, the administrators said yesterday. Deloitte said it hoped to be able to return more money to savers with Landsbanki Guernsey in due course.

Pounds 900,000 Hole in Museum Finances ; Politics

Amuseum has revealed that it placed pounds 900,000 of its savings in a failed Icelandic bank. The Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) in Manchester put the money in Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander.

Brown Insists Plan Will Work As Tesco Keeps Pump Prices ; Politics

Gordon Brown yesterday insisted his action plan for tackling the financial crisis would work - despite renewed turmoil on global markets. The Prime Minister said "hard-working families" in the UK would start to feel the benefit of efforts to bring down oil prices and ease the cost of borrowing.