Matthew Cooper
UK
Aston Villa fans line streets in Birmingham to celebrate Europa League win
An open-top bus parade, featuring three buses and celebrating Villa’s first major trophy since 1996, covered a 4.5km route.
21 May 2026
Crime
Man accused of wife’s murder told court he ‘couldn’t keep lying anymore’
Mohamed Samak denies murdering his wife Joanne Samak, claiming she killed herself with a knife at their Worcestershire home.
12 Feb 2025
Crime
Crooked House rebuild hearing postponed after owners’ High Court appeal
South Staffordshire Council expressed extreme disappointment at the delay to a planning inquiry schedule to begin in March.
11 Feb 2025
UK
Gunman who wore fake police uniform jailed after forcing homes to be evacuated
Hari Mann was arrested last summer after using an imitation firearm to shoot blank rounds and threatening a member of the public with a handgun.
3 Feb 2025
Crime31 Jan 2025
Gang feud gunman who opened fire on mourners at wake jailed for life
Meshaq Berryman, 22, was found guilty of attempted murder and drugs offences after heroin, cocaine, a knife and a machete were found at his home.
Crime
Muslim convert guilty of plot to attack mosque of cleric who opposed terrorism
Jason Savage, 35, filmed reconnaissance trips to the place of worship and a nearby bookstore and researched homemade firearms online.
30 Jan 2025
UK
Prince of Wales praises regenerative farm’s ‘fantastic’ composting efforts
William got his hands dirty, toured a new grain store and was shown solar panels on a visit to a Duchy of Cornwall farm in Herefordshire.
28 Jan 2025
Crime27 Jan 2025
Youth appears in court charged with murder of 12-year-old Leo Ross
District Judge David Wain remanded the accused boy in custody to appear before a Crown Court judge on Tuesday.
UK
Church vigils held in memory of stabbed 12-year-old schoolboy Leo Ross
Churches in both Hall Green and Yardley Wood, Birmingham, opened their doors to allow well-wishers to pray and light candles.
26 Jan 2025
UK25 Jan 2025
Youth charged with knife murder of boy, 12, in Birmingham
The 14-year-old suspect will appear in court in Birmingham accused of killing Leo, who died in hospital after being stabbed in a country park
UK
Youth arrested over Leo Ross murder being questioned about three other attacks
Police said the 14-year-old remains in custody after detectives investigating the stabbing in Birmingham were granted further time to question him.
23 Jan 2025
UK
Teenager arrested over boy’s death also being held for assault on woman
A 12-year-old boy was said to have been walking home when he was stabbed in the stomach, and later died of his injuries.
22 Jan 2025
UK
Boy, 12, fatally stabbed ‘as he walked home through country park’
The boy died in hospital of his injuries after being stabbed near Scribers Lane in Hall Green, Birmingham, on Tuesday.
22 Jan 2025
Environment
Two tipper trucks believed to be involved in fly-tipping 10ft-high waste mound
Lichfield District Council is chasing up a number of leads after 30 tonnes of waste was dumped on the outskirts of the city.
21 Jan 2025
Music
Council announces plans to honour Black Sabbath and Benjamin Zephaniah
A report recommends making each member of the rock band a Freeman of Birmingham, as well as giving a posthumous City of Birmingham Medal to the poet.
21 Jan 2025
Crime
Firm fined £60,000 over safety failure after death of steeplejack
David Clover died after falling from the spire of St Nicholas’ Church in Kings Norton, Birmingham, in 2020.
21 Jan 2025
Environment
Council appeals for help to trace fly-tippers who cut off homes and businesses
Contractors using a mechanical digger had to be called in to remove a 40ft-long mound of waste from a lane near Lichfield in Staffordshire.
21 Jan 2025
Crime
Former football club chairman bailed on £10m stadium loan inquiry fraud charge
Ex-Northampton Town chairman David Cardoza appeared before a judge alongside property developer Howard Grossman and two other men.
16 Jan 2025
UK
Former football club chairman charged after fraud inquiry into £10m stadium loan
Former Northampton Town chairman David Cardoza and his 80-year-old father Anthony are among five men charged with conspiracy to commit fraud.
15 Jan 2025
UK
Tamworth bar makes free beer for life offer to encourage FA Cup heroics
Bar manager Jason Pegg admits the fun pledge to reward a winning goalscorer is a ‘big ask’ but says anything is possible in football.
9 Jan 2025
Crime
Rapper found guilty over gun gesture video reposted on X by Tommy Robinson
Omar Abdirizak was granted bail after being convicted of a Communications Act offence over a video in which he said ‘Look at the artillery we’ve got’.
8 Jan 2025