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
Law officers to consider ‘unduly lenient’ term handed to 12-year-old’s killer
Kian Moulton, now 15, was aged 14 when he stabbed Leo Ross in the stomach on a riverside path.
13 Feb 2026
Crime
Afghan asylum seeker convicted of abducting and repeatedly raping 12-year-old
Ahmad Mulakhil’s attack on the child led to protests in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, and claims of a cover-up of his immigration status.
10 Feb 2026
Crime6 Feb 2026
Family's heartache after student from London stabbed to death
Khaleed Oladipo, 20, died in hospital after an attack close to the campus of De Montfort University on Tuesday
Crime
Afghan man accused of rape had arrived in UK four months earlier, court told
Ahmad Mulakhil was giving evidence at Warwick Crown Court.
3 Feb 2026
Crime
Rape trial jury shown CCTV of Afghan national with 12-year-old near crime scene
Images presented in evidence at Warwick Crown Court showed Mohammad Kabir and Ahmad Mulakhil leaving a park where the victim had been playing.
30 Jan 2026
Crime
Rapist who ‘targeted’ 12-year-old threatened to attack her again, jury told
Afghan nationals Ahmad Mulakhil and Mohammad Kabir are on trial at Warwick Crown Court after allegedly attacking the girl in July last year.
30 Jan 2026
UK
First of three stranded narrow boats refloated after Shropshire canal breach
The rear of the Pacemaker was left hanging over a huge ‘sinkhole’ after a canal bank collapsed in the early hours of December 22.
13 Jan 2026
Crime
Father admits manslaughter of three-month-old son
Gareth Stark, from Stafford, will be sentenced at a later date after admitting his guilt over the ‘truly tragic’ death.
12 Jan 2026
UK22 Dec 2025
Major incident declared after canal ‘sinkhole’ leaves boats stranded
Emergency services said the Shropshire Union Canal had suffered a ‘significant breach’.
Crime
Stalker facing sentence after targeting Myleene Klass with ‘unhinged’ mail
Paranoid schizophrenic Peter Windsor, from Birmingham, has been told he faces a custodial sentence or a hospital order.
19 Dec 2025
Crime
Two Afghan asylum seekers aged 17 locked up after raping 15-year-old girl
Warwick Crown Court was told Jan Jahanzeb and Israr Niazal abducted and led the girl to a secluded area despite her repeatedly begging to be freed.
8 Dec 2025
Business News
Birmingham bin collection services suspended as agency staff join picket lines
Unite the Union said around 40 agency workers had joined city-wide protests amid claims of bullying and health and safety concerns.
3 Dec 2025
UK
Six more Young Boys fans arrested at airport after violence at Villa Park
Two other men remain in custody after being detained at the ground during the disorder.
28 Nov 2025
UK
Two away fans arrested after broken seats thrown during Villa Park disorder
Objects including plastic bottles were hurled at players and police by fans of Bern-based outfit Young Boys.
28 Nov 2025
Crime
Girl, 13, accused of murder ‘seemed composed’ during psychological assessment
Jurors heard the girl, who denies the murder of 43-year-old Marta Bednarczyk, gave an account of hearing a voice while her body ‘moved on its own’.
27 Nov 2025
Crime
Girl, 13, inflicted more than 140 knife wounds on victim, murder trial told
The teenager, who cannot be named due to her age, accepts unlawfully killing Marta Bednarczyk but denies murder, claiming diminished responsibility.
18 Nov 2025
Crime
Summer camp leader admits ‘sweet game’ child cruelty and sex offences
Jon Ruben, 76, admitted a total of 17 offences during a hearing at Leicester Crown Court.
14 Nov 2025
Crime
NHS manager who raped girl, 12, after Snapchat grooming jailed for 28 years
Self-professed ‘monster’ Paul Lipscombe sexually abused and incited six girls while employed by an NHS trust in Coventry.
11 Nov 2025
UK
Fighting From Home sculpture honours vital Second World War workers
The monument in the UK’s former capital of chainmaking is inspired by its creator’s grandfather’s work to help supply the Royal Navy.
9 Nov 2025
UK
Police issue appeal after tortoise ‘stolen from garden’ during owner’s holiday
The reptile, whose cage was found upside down, disappeared despite security measures to keep him safe, officers said.
7 Nov 2025