All posts tagged: Midland

Popular Midland National Trust attraction closed as police probe under way

Popular Midland National Trust attraction closed as police probe under way

Published by Sam Flores

A much-loved Midland National Trust site was closed today, Friday, July 31, with a police investigation under way. Baddesley Clinton Hall, a 15th century moated manor house at Baddesley Clinton, near Solihull, was broken into just before 2am yesterday, Thursday, July 30. The house was closed to the public yesterday and today. READ MORE: Gang ‘threatened to stab’ teen in park bike robbery The parkland, garden, café and shop remained open. National Trust said it hoped to reopen the house tomorrow, Saturday, August 1. The details of the break-in were not known. Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp Baddesley Clinton Hall was built by the Brome Family and adapted by the Ferrers, a Catholic family, who began living there in 1517. It includes a secret priest hole, used as a hiding place for persecuted Catholics in the 16th century. Read more: Watch as laughing yobs trash flower display as police ‘identify suspects’ The National Trust posted on its Baddesley Clinton Facebook page on Friday: “We’re sorry to report that we had a break-in at Baddesley …

Prisoner who ran ‘sophisticated’ Midland drug ring from his cell is back behind bars

Prisoner who ran ‘sophisticated’ Midland drug ring from his cell is back behind bars

Published by Sam Flores

A prisoner who ran a sophisticated drug ring from his cell has been described as a ‘blight on the community’. Ryan Mountford led the illegal operation while serving a prison sentence in October 2021. The 23-year-old used phones inside the prison to direct others around the preparation, weight and value of crack cocaine and heroin. READ MORE: Quad biker killed grandad with one punch in Midlands park then called to cancel tattoo appointment Staffordshire Police raided a number of addresses in Blurton as part of the investigation. Items found in the properties in February 2022 included a plastic bag containing 12 deals of heroin and a safe with more than £10,000 in cash inside. There was also a plastic wrap containing crack cocaine and a ‘tick list’ of people who were buying the drugs in the area. Mountford was released from prison during the investigation. He was later tracked down in Cumbria and arrested in connection with the drug line. Whilst in custody, he spat at an officer. Mountford, of no fixed address, later admitted …

At least one killed and nine hospitalised in Midland, Texas shooting | Police News

At least one killed and nine hospitalised in Midland, Texas shooting | Police News

Published by Sam Flores

Authorities in Midland, Texas, say that suspected attacker confirmed dead after shooting and standoff with police. Published On 12 Jun 202612 Jun 2026 At least one person has been killed and nine hospitalised in a shooting in the state of Texas, where authorities say that the suspected attacker, identified as 45-year-old Victor Mata Villarreal, has also been confirmed deceased after a standoff with police. The shooting took place on Friday morning in the city of Midland, with local witnesses telling the news service The Associated Press that they had heard what they estimated to be about 40 shots fired. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list The city government said in a social media post that the suspected attacker has been confirmed dead, after reportedly barricading himself in an abandoned veterinary clinic for several hours. The Texas Department of Public Safety stated that Villarreal was already being sought by law enforcement and had shot at police during a chase several days ago. “The active shooter incident has been resolved, and the suspect is confirmed …

Fake grass fire leaves Midland couple facing £15,000 repair bill

Fake grass fire leaves Midland couple facing £15,000 repair bill

Published by Sam Flores

A couple have spoken of their shock after a section of their property was ravaged in a catastrophic fire – triggered by their artificial lawn going up in flames. Shaun Whyatt and his partner Jenn Barnet are now facing a substantial £15,000 repair bill after hot embers from a fire bin set their fake grass alight. Fire tore through the back of their property during the early hours of 7 May following Shaun’s disposal of letters in the rear garden. Read more: Woman forced to quit city centre job after sex attack near landmark Security operative Shaun had previously doused the £20 fire bin with water, convinced he had extinguished the flames. However, hours afterwards embers leaked from tiny holes in the fire bin, setting their £1,000 synthetic turf ablaze in Arnold, Notts. The blaze spread to their property and the couple were only made aware of the fire at 3am when a neighbour hammered on their door. Fortunately, the pair managed to get out, together with their two cats, but are now confronting substantial …

Murdered Midland nurse ‘planned to spill beans about grubby secret’

Murdered Midland nurse ‘planned to spill beans about grubby secret’

Published by Sam Flores

A nurse whose murder has remained unsolved for nearly 70 years was savagely silenced to prevent her spilling the beans about a grubby secret at the hospital where she worked, it is claimed. Mother-of-five Martha Giles, killed at Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital, may have been a whistleblower wiped out before she opened the can of worms, her family believe. And that is why calls to make public sealed Metropolitan Police files on the case, including witness statements, held by the National Archives, have been steadfastly rebuffed. Following a decision to keep the dossier under wraps for a further 20 years, those details will remain under lock and key until at least 2055. Read more: Unsung hero ‘took Asda bag of Birmingham Mails’ to LA and changed Broad Street forever The battle for answers has now reached Parliament, with Sir Gavin Williamson, MP for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge, pushing to remove the cloak of secrecy that covers the case. He says Martha’s family have “waited too long for answers”. Of Martha’s immediate family, only daughter …