Drug addict jailed for robbery

Sep 30 2008 | Birmingham News

A DRUG addict who forced a mother to go to a cashpoint in Birmingham while leaving her seven-year-old son alone with him in her car has been jailed for 12 years. Read

Cameron set to rebut Labour claim

Sep 30 2008 | National News

David Cameron will use his keynote speech to the Conservative conference on Wednesday to rebut Labour's claim that his lack of "experience" makes him unfit to lead the country through a time of crisis. Read

Briton wins US battle over papers

Sep 30 2008 | National News

A British resident now held at Guantanamo Bay has won an order in the US courts requiring the country's government to hand over material that might help his defence against terrorism charges, it was revealed at the High Court in London Read

750 jobs axed at failed bank

Sep 30 2008 | National News

Around 750 jobs have been axed by the administrators of collapsed investment bank Lehman Brothers' European arm. Read

Anger as ITV axes 40% of news jobs

Sep 30 2008 | National News

ITV News has come under attack from unions and MPs after announcing plans to axe more than 400 jobs across its regional services under plans to save millions of pounds. Read

Brown refuses to guarantee savings

Sep 30 2008 | National News

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has welcomed cross-party co-operation on the economy but rejected calls for the Government to guarantee all savings. Read

Police unit to tackle online crime

Sep 30 2008 | National News

Police officers are to be given specialist IT training under plans to combat identity theft and other online crimes. Read

Three held over banker's death

Sep 30 2008 | National News

Three men have been arrested in connection with the murder of a banker allegedly set upon after remonstrating with a gang attacking a homeless man. Read

Anger as itv axes 40% of news jobs

Sep 30 2008 | National News

ITV News has come under attack from unions and MPs after announcing plans to axe more than 400 jobs across its regional services under plans to save millions of pounds. Read

Tories ready to help on economy

Sep 30 2008 | National News

The Conservatives "stand ready to do whatever we can" to ease Britain's financial problems, shadow chancellor George Osborne said as he emerged from "extremely constructive" cross-party talks with Chancellor Alistair Darling. Read

Gurkhas win right to settle in UK

Sep 30 2008 | National News

Gurkhas have won their court battle for the right to settle in Britain. Read

Student's screams of joy at £7m win

Sep 30 2008 | National News

A teenage student said she "couldn't stop screaming" when she won more than £7 million on the Lottery. Read

Banker died after helping man

Sep 30 2008 | National News

A banker was beaten to death after helping a homeless man who was assaulted in a city centre, police said. Read

Bank takeover terms spark concern

Sep 30 2008 | National News

Market doubts were growing over the terms of Lloyds TSB's planned takeover of struggling Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS). Read

Cameron will work with PM on crisis

Sep 30 2008 | National News

Conservative leader David Cameron offered to suspend political hostilities to help the Government deal with the crisis in the financial markets. Read

Vacuum cleaner sparked ship blaze

Sep 30 2008 | National News

A fire which caused £10 million of damage to the Cutty Sark was sparked by electrical machinery, police said. Read

36,500 prisoners released early

Sep 30 2008 | National News

More than 36,500 criminals have been let out of prison early under government measures to reduce prison overcrowding, the Ministry of Justice said. Read

Cutty Sark blaze 'accidental'

Sep 30 2008 | National News

Investigators are expected to announce that a fire which ravaged the Cutty Sark was sparked accidentally as a result of conservation work. Read

ITV News to cut 400 jobs

Sep 30 2008 | National News

ITV News plans to axe more than 400 jobs, including journalists and broadcast staff, under plans to save millions of pounds, workers were told. Read

Tories offer to help PM with crisis

Sep 30 2008 | National News

David Cameron has told Gordon Brown the Tories will work with the Government to get legislation through Parliament to tackle the worsening financial crisis. Read

Cadbury hit by China milk scandal

Sep 30 2008 | National News

British confectionery giant Cadbury became the latest victim of China's poisoned milk scandal, reporting findings of melamine in its Chinese-made chocolates. Read

Tesco reports 10% profits rise

Sep 30 2008 | National News

The UK's biggest supermarket said it racked up a 10% rise in first-half profits despite the "powerful economic headwinds" facing the business. Read

Work parking tax 'to boost economy'

Sep 30 2008 | National News

Charging firms to allow their staff to park at work would boost a city's economy, councils are being told. Read

Banker who intervened in fight dies

Sep 30 2008 | National News

Police are due to release more details of their investigation into the murder of a top banking executive who died after he intervened in a street fight. Read

Munich air crash hero to get award

Sep 30 2008 | National News

A former Manchester United goalkeeper who helped pull passengers from a burning plane during the 1958 Munich air crash is being honoured at an awards ceremony in London. Read

'MI6's terror snaps' on eBay camera

Sep 30 2008 | National News

The Foreign Office has confirmed that police are investigating the sale of a digital camera on eBay said to have contained MI6 images of terror suspects. Read

Tory policing health and safety vow

Sep 30 2008 | National News

Police would be freed from health and safety red tape under Tory plans due to be announced. Read

PM vows to protect financial system

Sep 30 2008 | National News

Gordon Brown has pledged to do "whatever is necessary" to protect Britain's financial system after the collapse of a crucial US bank bail-out. Read

Unruly behaviour 'may be illness'

Sep 30 2008 | National News

Anti-social behaviour may be a form of mental illness, research suggests. Read

Tug's slow winch blamed for deaths

Sep 30 2008 | National News

A tug which sank while pulling another vessel with the loss of three lives capsized because a towing winch did not release quickly enough, a report revealed. Read

Millions of children 'face poverty'

Sep 30 2008 | National News

Millions of children are being "failed by the system" and living in or on the brink of poverty, it has been claimed. Read

Martin Laursen: Keep feet on ground

Sep 30 2008 | Aston Villa FC news

VILLA skipper Martin Laursen has warned his team-mates to keep their feet on the ground despite a fine start to the season. Read

Arsenal Reserves 1 Villa Reserves 4

Sep 30 2008 | Aston Villa FC news

ARSENE Wenger’s week went from bad to worse as his club’s youngsters were thrashed by a rampant Villa at Barnet. Read

Aston Villa cut prices for Litex clash

Sep 30 2008 | Aston Villa FC news

VILLA are hoping for a bumper European crowd of 25,000-plus as Martin O’Neill’s men look to guarantee their place in the Group Stages of the UEFA Cup. Read

Birmingham City urged to play with Pride

Sep 30 2008 | Birmingham City News

ALEX McLeish has told his Blues players to walk into Pride Park tonight with their chests stuck firmly out. Read

We’re not bothered by Wolves says Liam Ridgewell

Sep 30 2008 | Birmingham City News

LIAM Ridgewell has revealed Blues are not bothered about Wolves nor marvelling at their seven-game winning streak in the Championship. Read

Alex McLeish: Stephen Pearson is dangerman

Sep 30 2008 | Birmingham City News

BLUES must be wary of Stephen Pearson tonight, Alex McLeish has warned of the midfielder who should have moved to St Andrew’s. Read

No return for Hossam Ghaly

Sep 30 2008 | Birmingham City News

BLUES are not interested in taking Hossam Ghaly for a second time. Read

Rams no soft touch - Paul Jewell

Sep 30 2008 | Birmingham City News

PAUL Jewell has warned Blues that Derby County are no longer everyone’s favourite fall guys. Read

Sherjill MacDonald may miss the start again

Sep 30 2008 | West Brom News

SHERJILL MacDonald may have to wait for his first ever Albion start with Tony Mowbray insisting he is still seen as very much of an “impact” player. Read

Filipe Teixeira returns to Baggies action

Sep 30 2008 | West Brom News

FILIPE Teixeira makes a timely return to Baggies action tonight with Tony Mowbray urging him to grasp the opportunity to make a name for himself in the Premier League after a six month injury absence. Read

Tony Mowbray plans for Fulham

Sep 30 2008 | West Brom News

TONY Mowbray will attempt to plot the downfall of Fulham today with the Albion boss wary of the strength of the Cottagers’ midfield which has already seen them get the better of Arsenal this season. Read

Charlie's looking for edge

Sep 30 2008 | Non-League

LAST season’s FA Cup giantkillers Chasetown are facing a fight to stay in the competition this time around. Read

Stars lined up for Elite show

Sep 30 2008 | Birmingham Speedway

SEVEN Grand Prix stars will do battle in the Elite League Riders’ Championship at Birmingham next Wednesday. Read

Graham lands Man of Steel award

Sep 30 2008 | National Sport

England prop forward James Graham maintained St Helens' dominance of rugby league's top individual award on Tuesday night when he was named the 2008 engage Super League Man of Steel. Read

Wilkinson suffers new injury

Sep 30 2008 | National Sport

Jonny Wilkinson's injury jinx struck once again in the 39-23 Guinness Premiership defeat to Gloucester to leave Newcastle and England fretting over his fitness. Read

Senna sinks Celtic

Sep 30 2008 | National Sport

Marcos Senna's brilliant free-kick consigned Celtic to yet another defeat on their Champions League travels as they lost 1-0 to Villarreal. Read

Sep 30 2008 | National Sport

Senna sinks Celtic Read

Van Persie leads Gunners to victory

Sep 30 2008 | National Sport

Robin van Persie led the rout as Arsenal resumed normal service at the Emirates Stadium with a thumping 4-0 Champions League victory over Porto. Read

Berbatov grabs brace for United

Sep 30 2008 | National Sport

Dimitar Berbatov scored his first two Manchester United goals as the Champions League holders returned to winning ways with a 3-0 victory over Danish minnows Aalborg. Read

Scholes suffers ligament blow

Sep 30 2008 | National Sport

Midfielder Paul Scholes sustained a knee ligament injury in the first half of Manchester United's Champions League match against Aalborg tonight. Read

O'Sullivan overcomes nerves to win opener

Sep 30 2008 | National Sport

World champion Ronnie O'Sullivan secured his place in the last 16 of the Shanghai Masters with a nervy 5-2 win over Stuart Pettman - as defending champion Dominic Dale bowed out. Read

Smith boost for Rhinos

Sep 30 2008 | National Sport

Leeds winger Lee Smith has been cleared to play in Saturday's engage Super League Grand Final against St Helens. Read

Hamilton: We are getting stronger

Sep 30 2008 | National Sport

Lewis Hamilton feels he is riding a tidal wave of positivity as he closes in on this year's Formula One world title. Read

Windass: I will fight for my place

Sep 30 2008 | National Sport

Dean Windass has revealed that he will stay and fight for his place at Hull after holding talks with manager Phil Brown. Read

Cahill fails with ban appeal

Sep 30 2008 | National Sport

Everton midfielder Tim Cahill has failed with an appeal against the red card he received in Saturday's Merseyside derby. Read

Gough interested in IPL

Sep 30 2008 | National Sport

Darren Gough could become the second English player to sign up for the Indian Premier League. Read

Pompey won't press for Spurs punishment

Sep 30 2008 | National Sport

Portsmouth will not press the Football Association to lay charges against Premier League rivals Tottenham after Spurs fans targeted Pompey skipper Sol Campbell with verbal abuse during the match at Fratton Park on Sunday. Read

Cipriani comeback confirmed

Sep 30 2008 | National Sport

England fly-half Danny Cipriani will begin his comeback from injury on Wednesday night - six weeks ahead of schedule. Read

New deal for Tadulala

Sep 30 2008 | National Sport

Fiji winger Semi Tadulala has signed a new one-year contract with Bradford Bulls. Read

Bates hails commitment levels

Sep 30 2008 | National Sport

Newcastle director of rugby Steve Bates has praised the willingness of his players to put their bodies on the line again when they face Gloucester in the Guinness Premiership at Kingsholm tonight. Read

Wiggins calls for Hoy knighthood

Sep 30 2008 | National Sport

Great Britain cyclist Bradley Wiggins has called for his fellow Beijing gold medallist Chris Hoy to be rewarded for his work in the sport with a knighthood. Read

Davies reveals Sven's overseas hope

Sep 30 2008 | National Sport

Sven-Goran Eriksson had plans to integrate as many as four foreign-born players in his England side according to David Davies, the former executive director of the Football Association. Read

Venables blasts 'poisonous' Berbatov

Sep 30 2008 | National Sport

Former Tottenham manager Terry Venables has laid the blame for the club's dire start to the season squarely at Dimitar Berbatov's door, bemoaning the Bulgarian's "poisonous presence" at the beginning of the campaign. Read

Point will do nicely for Strachan

Sep 30 2008 | National Sport

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan admits he will gladly take a point against Villarreal in their Champions League clash at El Madrigal on Tuesday. Read

Wenger keen to prove credentials

Sep 30 2008 | National Sport

Arsene Wenger has demanded Arsenal use Tuesday night's clash with Porto to demonstrate they are genuine Champions League contenders. Read

O'Shea targets Euro glory

Sep 30 2008 | National Sport

John O'Shea has already set his sights on helping Manchester United become the first team to retain the Champions League. Read

Mick McCarthy shows respect

Sep 30 2008 | Wolves FC News

MICK McCarthy will pit his wits against a man and manager he greatly respects when Wolves face Steve Coppell’s Reading at Molineux tonight. Read

Wayne is still the No.1 choice

Sep 30 2008 | Wolves FC News

WAYNE Hennessey will return in goal for Wolves against Reading tonight despite stand-in Carl Ikeme’s assured display in the 2-0 win over Bristol City last Saturday. Read

Ambrose is selected for trip to India

Sep 30 2008 | Other sport

WARWICKSHIRE wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose has been included in England’s squad for the two-Test series in India in December. Read

Good Evans takes his place back in the fold

Sep 30 2008 | Other sport

TEENAGE talent Dan Evans is determined to shake off his bad boy image after returning to the LTA fold this week. Read

Duo miss out in champions showdown

Sep 30 2008 | Other sport

W&W BOWLERS Darren Round and Greg Smith lost in the first round of the Champion of Champions event at Blackpool. Read

Kirsty’s gained so much confidence

Sep 30 2008 | Education

SELLY Oak student Read

Choosing the safest route

Sep 30 2008 | Education

THE Independent Travel Training Consultancy Service creates individual plans and gradually introduces each young person to their independent journey. Read

School Of The Week: Saint John Wall Catholic School

Sep 30 2008 | Education

SAINT John Wall Catholic School is a popular place in which to work and play. Read

School Of The Week: Saint John Wall Catholic School

Sep 30 2008 | Education

SAINT John Wall Catholic School is a popular place in which to work and play. Read

I'm a regular school kid now that I've learned to catch the bus by myself

Sep 30 2008 | Education

WHEN 18-year-old Danny Grewal steps onto the bus each day to go to school he is joining thousands of youngsters who use public transport daily. Read

It's the amazing shrinking family

Sep 30 2008 | Keep Fit

SHIFTING the inches is a family affair with three generations losing 100lb between them. Read

Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner

Sep 30 2008 | Karren Brady

BIRMINGHAM is close to my heart in a way that only migrants can appreciate. Its trouble may be that native Brummies don’t love it as they should or as much as we do. Read

Fight to rescue passenger trapped in Birmingham smash

Sep 30 2008 | Top Stories

THIS was the dramatic scene in Birmingham city centre as rescuers struggled to free an injured passenger after a car smash. Read

Asda fined £36,000 for selling out of date food

Sep 30 2008 | Top Stories

A SUPERMARKET giant has been fined for “letting customers down” after being caught selling food up to a shocking 24 days out of date. Read

Disused scout hut is mini Eden Project

Sep 30 2008 | Top Stories

A VIBRANT green oasis is set to rise from the ruins of a disused scout hut to help teach city kids how to grow their own fruit and vegetables. Read

Feminists lobby over lap dancing clubs

Sep 30 2008 | Top Stories

FEMINISTS from Birmingham are to travel to London next month to lobby the Government in a bid to regulate the licencing of lap dancing clubs. Read

Four-year slump for UK shares

Sep 30 2008 | Top Stories

THE City was hit by early shockwaves today as a fresh sell-off sent leading shares plummeting to a near four-year-low. Read

Soap stars in Birmingham-based film

Sep 30 2008 | Top Stories

By Catherine Lillington Read

George Osborne in call for crisis talks

Sep 30 2008 | Top Stories

TORIES offered cross-party talks with Gordon Brown over plans to safeguard Britain’s banks following the failure of a £700 billion rescue package to support the US economy. Read

David Cameron in pledge to work with Gordon Brown

Sep 30 2008 | Top Stories

DAVID Cameron pledged to work in partnership with Gordon Brown to support the Government as it deals with the growing financial crisis, when he spoke to the Birmingham Mail today. Read

Jobs axed in Central shake-up

Sep 30 2008 | Top Stories

MORE than 60 jobs are to go in a major cull at ITV Central which will spell the end of Central Tonight as a stand alone news programme. Read

Drug addict jailed for robbery

Sep 30 2008 | Top Stories

A DRUG addict who forced a mother to go to a cashpoint in Birmingham while leaving her seven-year-old son alone with him in her car has been jailed for 12 years. Read

Drug addict jailed for robbery

Sep 30 2008 | Top Stories

A DRUG addict who forced a mother to go to a cashpoint in Birmingham while leaving her seven-year-old son alone with him in her car has been jailed for 12 years. Read

Fight to rescue passenger trapped in Birmingham smash

Sep 30 2008 | Top Stories

THIS was the dramatic scene in Birmingham city centre as rescuers struggled to free an injured passenger after a car smash. Read

Soap stars in Birmingham-based film

Sep 30 2008 | Top Stories

STARS from the world of soap and comedy came together for a new film being made in Birmingham to raise money for a cancer charity. Read

Blind Dave runs up a massive £375,000

Sep 30 2008 | Top Stories

RUNNING man Blind Dave Heeley raised a huge £375,000 for charity with his global marathon challenge. Read

Frail OAP in late bus nightmare

Sep 30 2008 | Top Stories

A FRAIL widow was forced to walk five miles home in the early hours of the morning after a bus driver missed her stop. Read

Dad's tribute to crash girl

Sep 30 2008 | Top Stories

THE heartbroken dad of a teenage girl who died after being in collision with a car, today spoke of his final goodbye to his “vibrant” daughter. Read

Man stabbed in Lichfield street dies

Sep 30 2008 | Top Stories

A MAN has died in hospital after police and paramedics found him lying in a Lichfield street with a stab wound to his chest. Read

Weston-Super-Mare Pier to rise from ashes

Sep 30 2008 | Top Stories

A SHORTLIST of redevelopment plans for an historic pier were revealed today, eight weeks after the landmark was destroyed by fire. Read

Ladywood kids UK’s poorest

Sep 30 2008 | Top Stories

A DEPRIVED area of Birmingham is the worst in the country for child poverty, a disturbing report revealed today. Read

Four-year slump for UK shares

Sep 30 2008 | Top Stories

THE City was hit by early shockwaves today as a fresh sell-off sent leading shares plummeting to a near four-year-low. Read

Aston Martin is UK's coolest brand

Sep 30 2008 | Top Stories

THE James Bond factor has helped Midland luxury car marque Aston Martin keep its position as the UK’s coolest brand. Read

Acacia is at hand for post-natal depression

Sep 30 2008 | Health

IN ITS five years Acacia has helped hundreds of mums – offering a lifeline at a time when they feel most unhappy and alone. Read

Diet is key to quitting your vices

Sep 30 2008 | Health

MOST of us think nothing of using potentially addictive substances such as coffee, sugary snacks, cigarettes or alcohol to help us cope with life’s stresses and strains. Read

While I loved having a baby I felt really debilitated by it all

Sep 30 2008 | Health

FOR new mum Emma Borg, holding baby Hannah made her world complete. At that moment she had no idea that having a baby would trigger off so many years of such unhappiness. Read

Financial crisis

Sep 30 2008 | Colin Whittock Cartoons

"One lesson I've learned is...it's sometimes better to be in opposition..!" Read

Mattis is hero and villain

Sep 30 2008 | Walsall FC News

WALSALL goal hero Dwayne Mattis admitted apologising to his teammates after their 2-1 success against Carlisle United. Read

Has energy law gone too far?

Sep 30 2008 | Go Green news

JONATHAN Parkes, from Walsall-based Midland Assess Energy, is an energy assessor who has been involved in the property business for more than a decade. Read

Boyd relishing a hectic diary

Sep 30 2008 | Warwickshire CCC

BOYD Rankin intends to make up for lost time during a hectic month’s cricket overseas after he lands in southern Africa today. Read

Boyd relishing a hectic diary

Sep 30 2008 | Warwickshire CCC

BOYD Rankin intends to make up for lost time during a hectic month’s cricket overseas after he lands in southern Africa today. Read

Five-star show gives hope

Sep 30 2008 | Sports Talk

WHISPER it quietly, but could we be in for a season of success instead of Midlands misery? Read

Black Farmer Wilfred claims TV talent show represents "Britishness"

Sep 30 2008 | Conservative conference news

A Small Heath-born millionaire caused a stir at the conference when he said the TV show Britain’s Got Talent represented Britishness far better than our centuries of history. Read

Welsh House Farm worker takes centre stage at Tory conference

Sep 30 2008 | Conservative conference news

The leader of a project to rid a deprived Birmingham estate of its bad image took centre stage at the Tory conference. Read

Advantage West Midlands will be scrapped says Tories

Sep 30 2008 | Conservative conference news

Advantage West Midlands, the £300 million Government quango created to boost the region’s economy, is set to be axed under a Conservative government. Read

David Cameron praises Birmingham as a conference city

Sep 30 2008 | Conservative conference news

David Cameron has praised Birmingham as a great conference city and reported that Tory activists at his annual gathering had been impressed with the regeneration of the city centre. Read

Conservatives host debate on climate change

Sep 30 2008 | Conservative conference news

There was a greener hue to the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham as delegates debated how climate change is set to change the developing world. Read

Birmingham will see rise in political and ethnic clashes, Tories warn

Sep 30 2008 | Conservative conference news

Birmingham City Council will increasingly be forced to deal with “cultural clashes” between people of different ethnic groups or religions, Conservatives have warned. Read

Tories must solve soaring food prices

Sep 30 2008 | Conservative conference news

A Conservative Government must answer the problem of soaring food prices and the cost to the environment if it is to be successful a conference fringe meeting has heard. Read

Video replays aren't answer to ref justice

Sep 30 2008 | Paul McGrath

I DON’T want to see video referees but when you see a challenge like Jlloyd Samuel’s in the penalty area, one of the best challenges I have seen in the box, penalised then something is wrong. Read

Issue needs tackling

Sep 30 2008 | Paul McGrath

I think Sir Alex Ferguson is right in wanting to look at making punishment fit the crime. Read

Passion AND passing key to Chelsea success

Sep 30 2008 | Paul McGrath

s I WATCHED Chelsea over the weekend and they are a very good football team – but if you look at the workrate they put in, that is what wins you games. Read

Pluck of the Irish can go a long way

Sep 30 2008 | Paul McGrath

I HAVE been doing some work with the Football Association of Ireland helping with corporate boxes at the new Lansdowne Road – when it is complete it will be a fantastic stadium. Read

Club Corner

Sep 30 2008 | Chipper club

HERE’S a great picture sent in by Read

WIN tickets to Disney On Ice!

Sep 30 2008 | Chipper club

HERE’S your chance to win a VIP trip to the spectacular Disney on Ice show Finding Nemo when it comes to Birmingham NIA this autumn. Read