All posts tagged: Midlands

West Midlands Police detective died from burn injuries in back of parked car – inquest

West Midlands Police detective died from burn injuries in back of parked car – inquest

Published by Sam Flores

A serving detective for West Midlands Police tragically died from horror thermal burn injuries in the back of a parked car in Birmingham, an inquest found. The body of Det Con Tayyab Malik was discovered in a Volkswagen Polo on the driveway of his home on Yardley Wood Road, in Billesley, on February 24. The 35-year-old had doused himself with a flammable liquid and ignited it in the Billesley Common area, a Birmingham coroner found. The officer then made his way home and tried unsuccessfully to gain entry to the property before getting into his vehicle from the rear. READ MORE: Evil stepmother who set husband alight in brutal arson murder dies in jail Det Con Malik was later discovered unresponsive by a neighbour and was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination found his death to be from thermal burn injuries. The inquest found he had experienced difficulties in his personal life since July last year. Digital examination of his phone found he had researched ways to end his life. While an unsent …

New name of East Midlands Designer Outlet confirmed after key change

New name of East Midlands Designer Outlet confirmed after key change

Published by Sam Flores

The new name of East Midlands Designer Outlet has been confirmed after the ownership of the shopping centre changed hands. The outlet, located near junction 28 of the M1, was managed by McArthurGlen Group for almost three decades. On June 1 Mike Ashley’s Fraser Group took over, however, resulting in the name change. East Midlands Designer Outlet is now called Fraser Plus Designer Outlet East Midlands, reflecting the new ownership. A statement from the shopping centre read: “While the name and branding have changed, everything you love about your outlet shopping destination remains the same, including your favourite stores, dining spots and outlet prices on big-name brands!” The outlet features more than 65 big names like Nike, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and Levi’s as well as dining outlets including Pizza Express and Five Guys. The sale to Fraser Group was announced last month, with the company’s chief executive Michael Murray calling this a “strategic acquisition”. He said: “These strategic acquisitions reinforce our vision, leveraging strong partnerships with leading global brands to unlock mutual value – …

Tourists ignore ‘overlooked’ hidden gem while visiting iconic West Midlands attraction

Tourists ignore ‘overlooked’ hidden gem while visiting iconic West Midlands attraction

Published by Sam Flores

Nestled in the Staffordshire countryside, the historic village of Kinver offers a charming escape, renowned for its rich heritage and a thriving independent high street. While Kinver Edge boasts breathtaking views with scenic landscapes and unique homes carved into rock – Nanny’s Rock, Vale’s Rock, and Holy Austin – local business owners are eager to remind visitors that the heart of the village extends far beyond its natural landmarks. Locals worry that people ‘overlook’ this hidden high street gem, which is just round the corner from the iconic caves, where you’ll find a traditional bakery, tearooms, pubs, cute shops, a butchers and more. READ MORE: The ‘perfect’ lakeside park with a great cafe just 40 minutes from Birmingham Harry, owner of Cafe Number 5, highlights the unique appeal of the area’s bustling local economy. “Kinver is a really traditional heritage village, really well known for its small independents, especially the local bakery, the small pubs and down to like the jewellers and stuff,” he shares. For Harry, the village also provides a welcome change of …

New Reform UK leader and administration take control at Midlands council

New Reform UK leader and administration take control at Midlands council

Published by Sam Flores

Cannock Chase Council has entered a new era with its first Reform UK leader. The authority is now under no overall control after Labour lost administration of the authority earlier this month. Former council leader Steve Thornley, deputy leader Garry Samuels and cabinet members Sue Thornley and David Williams were among those who lost their seats at the May 7 elections, cutting Labour’s share of the seats from 18 to 10. In contrast Reform UK swept to victory, claiming all 13 seats up for grabs earlier this month. They are now the largest party on the council, with 14 seats – but not enough to hold an overall majority. Read More: West Bromwich casino’s 24/7 plans approved in new McDonald’s move The new leader of the council is Paul Jones, who was elected to the top spot at Wednesday’s annual council meeting (May 20). He made history last year by becoming the first Reform UK member to join the authority after winning a summer by-election. Speaking after his appointment as leader, he said: “As a …

Thug fatally stabbed dad-of-three after Midlands pub row then asked police ‘can I put some socks on please?’

Thug fatally stabbed dad-of-three after Midlands pub row then asked police ‘can I put some socks on please?’

Published by Sam Flores

A knifeman asked police if he could put socks on as he was arrested over the murder of a Midlands dad. Body-worn video – which can be viewed above – captured the moment Brandon Byrne, 23, was confronted about the death of James Cook. After initially interrupting to ask about socks, he turned to an officer and said: “Did he die?” READ MORE: Binman says food waste ‘won’t be emptied’ if caddy contains one thing Just hours earlier, Byrne had got into an argument with the father-of-three in a pub in Newark town centre. Mr Cook aimed a headbutt at Byrne, who threw a punch before it turned into a brawl. Byrne was incensed by the facial injury he received during the fight, and as they were kicked out of the pub, he went looking for retribution. Byrne, who was already armed with a knife, hunted Mr Cook down. CCTV showed Byrne walking slowly down Stodman Street on April 30 last year with a knife in his hand. At around 11.50pm, he crossed paths with …

Shocking photos emerge of crash which closed road near East Midlands Airport as warning issued

Shocking photos emerge of crash which closed road near East Midlands Airport as warning issued

Published by Sam Flores

Shocking photos have been released of the aftermath of a crash which closed a bypass near East Midlands Airport. The southbound carriageway of the A42 was closed near junction 23 of the M1 in Leicestershire, as well as a slip road off the motorway following a single-vehicle collision on Saturday (April 11) morning. A large number of fire service, police, ambulance and highways vehicles attended the scene, which reportedly happened due to the driver experiencing a medical episode. Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, which deployed multiple crews to the incident, published photos showing the wreckage of a black Mercedes behind the barrier on the slip road. In a statement issued on Saturday, the station said: “Today we attended a Road Traffic Collision on the M1 A42 slip due to the driver suffering a medical episode.” Leicestershire Police were contacted for more information about the crash, but are yet to respond. Issuing a warning to other motorists, Coalville fire station said: “Your reactions, concentration and judgement can all be affected if you are feeling unwell. A …

Shame of mass pet adandonment with nearly 500 alerts in Midlands

Shame of mass pet adandonment with nearly 500 alerts in Midlands

Published by Sam Flores

Britain’s biggest animal charity has urged families to consider adopting a pet after revealing its rescue sites were “overwhelmed”. The RSPCA said a huge rise in mass abandonments – involving ten or more animals at once – had partly fuelled the crisis. Such incidents have rocketed by nearly 70 per cent in just four years. Last year, it responded to 4,200 incidents involving at least ten animals at the same address across England and Wales – including 493 in the West Midlands. READ MORE: New Birmingham Metro extension opening on Easter Sunday And it said rising cruelty and neglect led to a six-year high of animals in RSPCA care, with almost half in emergency boarding because centres were full. RSPCA Superintendent Jo Hirst said: “We are struggling with rising reports of cruelty and neglect and over recent years more and more of those reports will involve ten, 20, even 100 animals. And because they’ve been living in large groups, they may need more support until they are ready to find a new home. “We currently …

The West Midlands has a weapon problem – and it’s on four wheels

The West Midlands has a weapon problem – and it’s on four wheels

Published by Sam Flores

We have been campaigning for a Birmingham with better driving that is safer for pedestrians for years now – and it is not universally popular. “Why don’t you leave drivers alone” I hear quite a bit. In related news, I was disturbed by footage of a driver tearing along a Birmingham pavement – but not surprised. Read more: Inside suburb where ‘road rage fist fights’ happen every day The standard of driving I see in Birmingham is appalling. It doesn’t surprise me there has been a ‘concerning’ rise in the number of pedestrians killed on roads in the West Midlands. Right now, in the West Midlands, cars are among the most dangerous weapons in everyday circulation. Which is why we campaign about it. The footage above shows a driver abandoning even the most basic rules of the road, mounting the kerb and accelerating through pedestrian space. That moment matters because it breaks a fundamental boundary. Pavements are one of the last areas where people expect to be safe from vehicles. Once that line is crossed, …