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THE NEW BIRMINGHAM SUPER PRIX IMPORTANT MAJOR UPDATE Would you like to see THE BIGGEST MOTORSPORT / MOTOR
SPECTACULAR THIS COUNTRY HAS EVER SEEN on the streets of Birmingham?
We have had to have a major rethink of our plans to bring back motor racing, but
have come up with something potentially even more spectacular. We are trying to
bring together as many individuals, businesses and organisations as we can to
try to make this happen again. It could bring huge benefits to the region, but
it needs as much support as possible to make it happen.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE, VIEW VIDEO & PHOTOS FROM THE OLD SUPER PRIX, AND TO SEE
HOW YOU CAN HELP BRING ABOUT THIS SENSATIONAL AND UNIQUE EVENT. QUICK LINKS TO THE SITE NEWS
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MAN TO FACE ABDUCTION CHARGE A man is appearing in court charged with abducting and sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy in Staffordshire. The 47-year-old defendant from the north Leicestershire area is appearing before magistrates in Tamworth. The assault is alleged to have taken place in a field off the A444 near Twycross on May 9 after the boy was picked up by a motorist in Stoneydelph. EX-FOOTBALLER IN COURT Former soccer star Stan Collymore is due to appear before magistrates in Stafford charged with making a threat to kill his estranged wife. The ex-Liverpool and Aston Villa striker is also accused of criminal damage, a public order offence and a threat to destroy property by fire. Collymore, of Cannock, is due in Stafford Magistrates' Court. SECURITY PLEA FOR HOUSEHOLDERS Police in north Warwickshire have warned householders not to let the arrival of warm weather provide opportunities for burglars. Chief Inspector Graham Moreton said windows being left open had led to a rise in break-ins at the end of April. He added: "The sad fact is many people ignore our pleas until they learn how devastating a burglary can be." PROMOTION 'PROVIDES £20m BOOST West Bromwich Albion's promotion to the Premiership may provide a £20m boost to Sandwell's economy, according to an expert from Aston University. Lecturer Dr Graham Sadler predicted the move would have a positive impact both on a local basis and internationally. "This exposure will not only help retain existing businesses, but also help attract new investment," he said. MAN ARRESTED OVER ARMED RAID A man has been arrested after an attempted armed robbery at a Leamington Spa supermarket. The suspect was detained on suspicion of robbery after an offender, who claimed to have a gun, demanded cash from staff at Tesco in The Parade. A spokesman, who confirmed that no money was taken, said: "A local man has been arrested. No weapon was found." MP IN CALL OVER GM FEEDS A Shropshire MP has said British farmers should provide a domestic alternative to GM soya and maize cattle feeds used in the UK dairy industry. Ludlow Liberal Democrat MP Matthew Green said: "Consumers want to know about the GM content in their milk." "British agriculture needs to provide a domestic alternative to the amount of imported GM feed for cattle," he added. FIRM PRODUCES CAR EXIT GUIDE Experts at Coventry-based carmaker Jaguar have produced a "foolproof" guide enabling female celebrities to make the perfect exit from a car. Technicians devised the six-step "car exit manoeuvre" with the current trend for skimpy dresses in mind. A spokeswoman said: "With some of today's fashions, it can be quite a challenge for a woman to exit a car." ACADEMIC FEARS FOR HORSES A University of Warwick academic claims that one of the great symbols of Britain, the shire horse, is in danger. The number of breeding mares in the UK has dropped by one third since 1995, according to Ken Young, who is also a member of the Shire Horse Society. He said: "Many of the people who kept the breed going are now hitting old age and are no longer capable of doing so." LUMBERJACK CONTEST TO BE HELD An international exhibition of forestry machinery and the European Lumberjack Sports Championships are to be staged near Alcester, Warwickshire, this year. The championships provide a chance to see the skills of the continent's best lumberjacks. The APF International Forest Machinery Exhibition 2004 will take place at the Ragley estate on September 23-25. SIX ARRESTED OVER FRACAS Five men and a woman are being questioned after a fracas broke out at Stafford Rangers FC's social club. The melee is understood to have occurred during a wedding reception being held at the Marston Road venue. A spokesman said: "Officers from Stafford and the surrounding areas restored order. Six people are assisting with inquiries." BODY RECOVERED FROM WOODLAND Police have recovered a body from woodland adjacent to the A449 near Ombersley, Worcestershire. West Mercia Police confirmed a body had been found in Hawford Wood but did not disclose the sex, age or circumstances surrounding the discovery. Officers are keeping an open mind about the cause of death and a post-mortem examination has been organised. MAN JAILED OVER MINIBUS DEATHS An Iraqi farm labourer from Birmingham who could not read English road signs and drove a minibus into the path of a train has been jailed for manslaughter. Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how three passengers died in the accident near Charlton, Worcestershire. Adnan Kadir Karim, from Handsworth, was jailed for five years on each of the three charges, to run concurrently. CRASH DRIVER WAS UNLICENSED A Iraqi labourer from Birmingham jailed for the manslaughter of three minibus passengers was unqualified, uninsured and could not read road signs. Asylum seeker Adnan Kadir Karim, of Carpenters Road, Handsworth, drove the bus into the path of a train. Judge Mr Justice Mitting told him it must have been "absolutely obvious" he was approaching the level crossing. THREE HELD IN CUSTOMS RAIDS Three people have been arrested and smuggled cigarettes and tobacco seized during a series of raids by Customs officers across Birmingham. Customs & Excise said 22,800 cigarettes and 38.5kg of tobacco were recovered in raids across the city's south-west. Officers from the Inland Detection Team targeted addresses in Bartley Green, Weoley Castle and Woodgate Valley. WOMEN INJURED IN CRASH Two women have been taken to hospital following a car crash in Armitage Road, Rugeley, police have said. The 18-year-old driver of a Vauxhall Corsa suffered serious head injuries in the accident and was taken to Stoke-on-Trent Royal Infirmary. Her passenger, a woman in her early 20s, was taken to Staffordshire General Hospital with back injuries. CALL FOR M-WAY TOLL RISE DELAY Midland Expressway, the operator of Britain's only toll motorway, is being urged not to raise its charges until after works on the M6 are completed. Prices on the M6 Toll near Birmingham are set to rise this summer when a £1-per-vehicle discount scheme ends. The RAC Foundation has asked that the proposed increase in tolls is delayed as a gesture of goodwill, MAN REMANDED OVER SEX ASSAULT A Staffordshire man has appeared in court charged with abducting and sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy. Terence Cotton, from Sheepy Magna, was remanded in custody after a brief hearing at Tamworth Magistrates' Court. The sexual assault is alleged to have taken place in a field off the A444 near Twycross on May 9 after the boy was picked up by a motorist. RECEPTION FOR FOOTBALL HEROES Shrewsbury Town's return to the Nationwide League is to be rewarded with a civic reception. The Conference play-off winners will be honoured with an open-top bus tour from Gay Meadow to the Guildhall on Sunday. The team - which secured promotion with a 3-0 penalty shoot-out win over Aldershot - will be greeted by Mayor Eileen Sandford at the end of the trip. ARRESTS MADE OVER ROBBERIES A group of men and teenagers have been arrested in connection with a spate of robberies at a Worcestershire beauty spot on Bank Holiday Monday, May 3. West Mercia Police said the arrests were made in connection with offences at the Lickey Hills Country Park. The five arrests took place in Rednal, Solihull, Wythall and Edgbaston. The offenders are being questioned by police. SPITFIRE TESTING SITE SOLD A Birmingham industrial estate where Britain's famous wartime Spitfires were tested has been sold for £15.25m. The Lattice Group Pension Scheme beat 12 other investors bidding to take over Erdington Industrial Park. The site occupies the old runway close to Vickers' former Castle Bromwich factory, which produced nearly 12,000 Spitfires during the Second World War. MURDER CHARGE MAN FOUND HANGED A Wolverhampton builder awaiting trial for the murder of his partner and their two young daughters on Christmas Eve has been found hanged in prison. Spencer Smith was found dead in his cell at Blakenhurst Jail, Worcs. The 30-year-old, who was on suicide watch, was accused of murdering Lisa Higgins, 25, and daughters Keighley, six, and Demmy, three, in Willenhall. PRISON CRITICISED OVER DEATH A prison where a Wolverhampton man was awaiting trial for the murder of his partner and their two children has been criticised after he was found hanged. Spencer Smith was charged with murdering Lisa Higgins, 25, Keighley Higgins, six, and Demmy Higgins, three. Ms Higgins's mother, Elaine Cartwright, criticised Blakenhurst prison staff for Smith's death, claiming he had "won". FIRE CREWS STAGE ACTION West Midlands firefighters are staging unofficial industrial action after 19 of their colleagues were suspended. The 19 Salford officers were suspended without pay after they said they would not respond to calls where new anti-terror equipment was needed. In response, crews in the West Midlands plus Yorkshire, Wiltshire, Somerset and Gloucs are only taking 999 calls. INQUEST TOLD OF BABY HEAT RISK The risks of letting babies get too hot have been highlighted after an inquest heard how twin sisters from Walsall overheated and died in a cot. The girls, aged two months, were wearing baby suits and were covered with a sheet and a blanket when they died last August, the inquest was told. Acting Walsall Coroner Robin Balmain recorded a verdict of accidental death. MAN IN HOSPITAL AFTER SHOOTING A 33-year-old man is in a serious condition in hospital after the latest shooting in north Birmingham. The victim was gunned down in broad daylight along the busy Aston Lane in Perry Barr, West Midlands Police said. Officers are appealing for information on two black men seen running away from the scene and a silver R-reg Citroen Saxo which may have been involved. CHOCOLATE WORKERS STAGE STRIKE Ten employees from the Cadbury World visitor centre shop in Birmingham are due to stage a second one-day strike over a long-standing wage dispute. The workers will again picket the entrance to the Bournville attraction, where the firm's chocolate is made. They are demanding parity with staff who run a similar shop in the factory, who they claim earn £2 an hour more. MP's CALL OVER M-WAY CONGESTION An MP has urged ministers to tackle "very severe congestion" caused by roadworks at the M40 near Warwick. James Plaskitt, Labour MP for Warwick and Leamington, urged the Government to look at measures to reduce jams at Junction 15 at Longbridge roundabout. He said the area was a "very severe pinchpoint" and suggested night-time working to combat the problem. DRINK-DRIVER SPARED JAIL TERM A man from Dudley who ran over his bride-to-be on the eve of their wedding has been handed two years' probation after admitting drink-driving. Stephen John, 28, also pleaded guilty to careless driving, driving while disqualified and having no insurance before Dudley Magistrates' Court. He was also ordered to do 80 hours of community service and fined £225. LAMB BORN WITH FIVE LEGS A lamb born with five legs at a farm in Stottesdon, Shropshire, is "charging around happily", its owners have said. Sally Hamilton-Russell, 67, said the genetic disorder has not hindered the development of the latest addition to their 30-strong flock. "We were amazed when we saw this extra leg behind her shoulder, but she is coping with it very well," she added. BIKE DEATHS LINKED TO WEATHER Road safety experts have voiced fears that a recent surge in fatalities among motorcyclists in the region may be connected to the recent good weather. Three riders were killed last weekend in Staffordshire and other deaths were recorded in Redditch and Warwickshire. A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: "This is a terrible loss of life in such a short period of time." MAN QUIZZED OVER RALLY CRASH Police are quizzing a motorcyclist after his machine careered into a crowd of spectators at an unofficial bikers' rally in Warwickshire, killing a woman. The 28-year-old rider was arrested on suspicion of death by dangerous driving after the onlooker suffered fatal injuries at the event near Coleshill. The 37-year-old victim, from Erdington, died at Good Hope Hospital. STUDENT KILLED IN CAR CRASH A student died when the car he was driving crashed into a central reservation and flipped over on one of Stoke-on-Trent's busiest roads. Police said James Byrne was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash involving a Renault Clio on the A500 dual carriageway at the Box crossroads. The 21-year-old, from Kidsgrove, was a student at University College Chester. EXERCISES 'CURE' DYSLEXIA Solihull schoolchildren with learning difficulties have been "cured" thanks to a special exercise programme designed to stimulate the brain. More than 40 pupils at Balsall Common Primary School who were diagnosed with learning problems associated with dyslexia took part in the exercises. At the end of the study all were found to be free of dyslexic symptoms TRIO IN COURT OVER BOAT DEATH Two women and a man are to face a court accused of killing a woman who became trapped in a capsized pleasure cruiser on a Worcestershire river. Thomes Prescot, 48, and Ruth Pearson, 39, both of Kidderminster, and Janice Ward, 42, of Stourport, face Birmingham Crown Court charged with manslaughter. Jane Turner, 45, from Birmingham, died after the Stourport-on-Severn incident. FLOWER BLOOMS AFTER A CENTURY A plant which flowers only once every century is about bloom at Birmingham's Botanical Gardens. Staff have had to remove a pane of glass from the roof of Arid House to make way for the agave americana marginata's stem. The plant, which originates in Mexico, is currently growing at the rate of a foot a day. SUSPECTED ELECTION FRAUD PROBED Police are probing suspected election fraud after 16 postal vote forms were sent to one West Midlands address. Detectives are examining the validity of applications sent to the property in the Sparkhill area of Birmingham. City council elections officer John Owen said: "We would encourage anyone who suspects any impropriety in the election process to contact police." BURMA MEMORIAL UNVEILED Veterans of the Second World War Burma campaign are dedicating a memorial to their fallen comrades in Staffordshire. Some 1,000 ex-servicemen and members of the public are due to attend the dedication event at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas. Countess Mountbatten of Burma will inaugurate the Burma Star Memorial Grove at the ceremony. APOLOGY OVER BLAIR ATTACK Labour's Baroness Golding, ex-MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, has apologised for signing in protesters who allegedly attacked PM Tony Blair in the Commons. Mr Blair was hit by purple-dyed cornflour thrown at him from a gallery by a Fathers 4 Justice protester. The campaigner bought his ticket at an auction held by Lady Golding to raise money for a children's charity. MAN IN HOSPITAL AFTER SHOOTING A 33-year-old man is in a serious condition in hospital after the latest shooting in north Birmingham. The victim was gunned down in broad daylight along the busy Aston Lane in Perry Barr, West Midlands Police said. Officers are appealing for information on two black men seen running away from the scene and a silver R-reg Citroen Saxo which may have been involved. POLITICIANS 'WERE POP IDOLS' Warwick University researchers have identified a period when politics was popular with young people - after delving into "pop songs" of the 1600s. Experts said a study of 17th century ballads had revealed the celebrities and heroes of the age were politicians. "Whereas today footballers win the hearts of the youth, in the 1600s it was politicians," a lecturer said. DECISION DUE ON CARAVAN PLANS A legal battle over a major strawberry grower's plans to house more than 1,000 workers in caravans near Leominster is due to be resolved at the High Court. Herefordshire County Council has taken out an injunction to prevent S&A Property housing the migrant workers at its farm in Brierley Court. But the move is being challenged by S&A, which needs the seasonal workers. EXPLOSION AT BLOCK OF FLATS A man was taken to hospital following an explosion and fire at a 10 storey block of flats in Walsall. Crews were called to the building in Wolverhampton Road, Bloxwich, following reports of a blast. The fire started in a fifth floor flat and a man was treated for smoke inhalation. It is believed the explosion was caused by an aerosol can MAN, 19, DIES IN ACCIDENT A 19-year-old Stoke-on-Trent man died and his three passengers were injured in a crash in Newcastle-under-Lyme. The man was driving a Vauxhall Astra when it collided with a Peugeot 406 on the A53 at Baldwins Gate. The three male passengers, all 19 and from Stoke-on-Trent, were taken to hospital. The driver of the Peugeot, a man in his 30s, was also injured. 16 HELD OVER SOCCER VIOLENCE Police have arrested 16 people in connection with violent disorder that flared following a football clash between Stoke City and West Ham. Police officers were pelted with bottles after the Nationwide Division One fixture on April 24. Eleven people have been charged in connection with the violence in Shelton and face city magistrates next week. TRAGIC SPECTATOR AT FIRST RALLY A mother killed at a motorcycle rally in Coleshill had no interest in bikes and was there as a spectator for the first time to meet friends. Sandra Brown, 41, of Erdington, celebrated her 19th wedding anniversary last week and her husband Don said she had also survived breast cancer. Mother-of-two Mrs Brown was one of five people struck at the unofficial rally. MAN BAILED OVER RALLY DEATH A man has been bailed by Nuneaton magistrates over the death of a
female spectator killed when a motorbike hit a crowd at a rally in Warwickshire.
Robert Penlington, 28, of Bartley Green, faces the court again on June
17 charged with causing death by dangerous driving following the Coleshill
event. Sandra Brown, 41, of Erdington, was one of five struck at the unofficial
event.
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