Birmingham Post

Seven Await Fate for Murder of 'True Angel' ; Biker's Fiancee Pays Tribute After 'Tragic and Untimely' Death

The fiancee of a murdered biker who was shot down as he made his way from a Warwickshire festival paid tribute to her "true angel" as his seven killers await sentencing today. Gerry Tobin, aged 35, from Mottingham, London, died almost instantly when he was shot as he rode along the M40 on August 12, 2007. He had been attending the Bulldog Bash biker festival at Long Marston near Stratford-upon-Avon.

Tory Mp Arrested

Conservative immigration spokesman Damian Green, the MP for Ashford in Kent, was arrested yesterday but has not been charged, the Conservative Party said. It is understood the arrest is in connection with allegedly leaked information relating to stories in the media about immigration.

Car Industry Needs Access to Credit ; 24 Hours Birmingham Post Comment the Lustre May Have Left the Car Industry for Now, but the Road Ahead Leads to a Bright Future

A vehicle such as a Jaguar or Land Rover doesn't come cheap but buyers can be certain of getting the highest quality. The trouble is, right now doesn't seem like a good time to be splashing the cash - no matter how good the product is.

Opportunity to Revitalise Debate On Improving Public Transport ; 24 Hours

Those who argue that it is more effective to divert public investment into improving bus services than spending vast sums of money on rail and tram services can at last sense a glimmer of good news. Years of decline in Birmingham and the West Midlands have been halted, with the latest figures showing a relatively modest 5.1 million increase in passenger numbers to the year ending September 2008.

Brutal Murders in 60s Created Rivalry Between Gangs ; Background Biker's Death Was Retaliation, Police Believe

The murder of Hells Angel Gerry Tobin brought the shadowy world of outlaw biker gangs into sharp focus for police and forced them to get a grip on the threat they posed. The marksman's shot which claimed the life of Gerry Tobin was the latest chapter in a bitter story of hatred between The Outlaws and the Hells Angels.

Gerry Tobin Did Nothing to Prompt the Attack

Gerry Tobin was targeted simply because he was a Hells Angel. The 35-year-old motorcycle mechanic had not been involved in any criminal activity, had no links to the defendants or The Outlaws and had done nothing to prompt the attack. His only crime was being a member of a rival gang who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

'Armoury of Illegal Weaponry' Kept by Gang Member

A biker connected to the gang at the centre of the Gerry Tobin murder investigation was sentenced to 12 years in prison for stashing an "armoury" of weapons in his home. David Melles (52), an associate of The Outlaws gang, was sentenced on November 14, but reporting restrictions were applied until the verdicts were in on the trial of six men accused of murdering the biker.

Birmingham Economic Links Will Stay Strong

Business leaders in Birmingham have called for calm over the attacks in Mumbai saying that economic links with the country will remain strong. Dr Arun Bajaj, chairman of the institute of Asian Businesses, who has business links in India, said that although the attacks were a blow to the country, its size and resilience would mean that most firms would carry on as normal.

Religion at the Heart of Horror Attack - Expert

A Midland terrorism expert said the shadowy terrorists responsible for the Mumbai attacks may have chosen a cosmopolitan and financial target but the motive was undoubtedly religious. Dr George Kassimeris, an expert on conflict and terrorism at The University of Wolverhampton, said: "I don't think many people are familiar with this group but they have managed to pull a very shocking and original attack. Their modus operandi is something we haven't experienced in modern terrorism.

'Foreign' Gunmen Kill 119 in Mumbai Hotels ; Terrorism Indian Prime Minister Blames Militant Neighbours

Indian commandos fought to regain control of buildings in India's commercial capital, Mumbai, yesterday after co-ordinated attacks by armed militants blamed by the prime minister on a "terrorist" group outside the country. Police said 119 people had been killed and 315 wounded when a small army of gunmen - at least some of whom arrived by sea - fanned out across Mumbai to attack sites popular with tourists and businessmen, including two luxury hotels.

More Passengers Go On the Buses ; Transport Region Bucks the National Trend by Reversing Decline

The number of people travelling by bus in Birmingham and the West Midlands has risen for the first time in decades, reversing a decline which is continuing in other parts of the country. Passenger transport authority Centro said passenger numbers rose by 5.1 million to 330.5 million in the year to the end of September 2008.

The Right Community Spirit ; Award Jewellery Quarter Voted Best Urban Uk Neighbourhood

Birmingham's historic Jewellery Quarter has been voted the best urban neighbourhood in the UK by top architects and designers. The quarter's mix of traditional heritage and community feel was praised by experts making it favourite over finalists, including Nottingham's Lacemarket and Stockbridge in Edinburgh, in the Great Neighbourhood category of the annual Academy of Urbanism awards.

A New Brain Drain ; Agenda As Unemployment Soars and the Credit Crunch Bites, Employee Benefits Specialist Kevin Condon Warns of an Impending 'Knowledge Crunch'

We are all aware that it's gloomy out there at the moment. Business is tough so I hate to jump on to the bandwagon and be the harbinger of more bad news but I foresee another crunch. A knowledge crunch. While we may all be starting to feel "crunched out", it is essential we take the looming threat seriously. Simply put, it could threaten the lifeblood that flows through the veins of all good businesses.

College of Law Speed Networking ; Post People

The concept of speed dating was given a new twist by trainee lawyers and law students from The College of Law. More than 30 trainees from law firms across the city took part in a speed networking evening at The Rep Theatre on Broad Street to pass on their advice and experiences to College of Law students soon to be joining the profession.

Tim in a Tight Spot at End of Rocking Good Charity Bash ; John Bright

The Demons of Tune rocked the Birmingham professional community again at the Jam House, raising thousands of pounds for charity - but not without incident. After their triumphal performance, a few members of the band were en-route, travelling the short distance to The Vaults on Newhall Hill, for the after-show party as Tim Clay, of Clay Rogers, got into the car of fellow singer John Heaphy, partner at Freeth Cartwright.

Lofty Pounds 1m Luxury

A record is a record - and city living pioneer Crosby is a worthy holder of Birmingham's newest - the first pounds 1 million apartment sale. The 25th floor penthouse that tops the Orion Building has been sold, topping the previous record for the most pricey city apartment by more than pounds 100,000.