Mum told to kill herself by estranged husband, inquest hears
Gemma Freeman, 45, was told to kill herself by her estranged husband before her suicide, an inquest heard, as family described a 'toxic' relationship and 'pattern of domestic abuse'.
Category : Housing Issues
Armed Gold Thief Jailed for 14 Years
Mohammed Ruman Khan, 22, was jailed for 13 years and 10 months for threatening a Birmingham family with a knife and stealing gold worth thousands.
DWP confirms £2.41 weekly boost for state pensioners
State pensioners born after 1951 can gain an extra £2.41 per week by deferring their pension for nine weeks, with a 1% increase for each nine-week deferral period, according to the DWP.
Sean Sewell jailed for sex attack on girl, 10, in Birmingham pub
Sean Sewell, 46, was jailed for six years and five months for sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl in a Birmingham pub and exposing himself on a bus.
Alum Rock Stabbing: Man Hospitalised in Second Attack in Eight Days
A man in his 30s was stabbed on Alum Rock Road, Birmingham, on July 15, 2026, the second stabbing in eight days. He suffered serious arm and stomach injuries but is not in life-threatening condition. Police are investigating.
Birmingham demands action on 12,000 exempt hostels
Birmingham's new coalition council demands urgent government action to regulate over 12,000 exempt hostels, which house 32,000 people and have tripled since 2017, causing community crises.
'Slave Adam' Stalked Dominatrix After Sending Thousands
Adam Atherton, known as 'Slave Adam', sent a dominatrix thousands of pounds before threatening to rape her and stalking her in a pub. He received an 18-month suspended sentence.
Travellers site approved near Dorridge in Solihull
Solihull Council grants planning permission for a travellers site on Box Trees Road near Dorridge, with five residential pitches and no objections from consultees.
Birmingham drug dealers jailed for 'coffee and milk' line
Three Birmingham men were jailed for running a county lines drug operation in Weston-super-Mare, using 'coffee and milk' as code for heroin and crack cocaine, with 2,700 users at its peak.
Boy, 11, dies in 'unavoidable' crash crossing road
An 11-year-old boy died in an unavoidable crash after crossing a road on his bike to reach his mother, a coroner concluded. Seth Fulton was hit by a bus and a car in Derby.
Jail for Asylum Seekers Who Raped Woman on Beach
Two asylum seekers who raped a woman on Brighton beach and a third who filmed the attack have been jailed for a total of over 60 years.
Telford Most Affordable West Midlands Town
Telford is the most affordable place to live in the West Midlands, with an average three-bed house costing £215,300 and a house-price-to-earnings ratio of 3.35, according to a new study.
80-Year-Old Woman Robbed and Assaulted in Chelmsley Wood
An 80-year-old woman was robbed and assaulted in Chelmsley Wood on Monday afternoon. Police are appealing for information after the victim was pushed to the ground and had her necklace stolen by a man on a bike.
Man charged with murder of woman, 24, in Stoke-on-Trent
Kyle Pala, 30, charged with murder of Sarah-Louise Pennington, 24, found dead at Oakwell Court, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent. Police continue scene enquiries.
All Universal Credit Households to Get £150 Warm Home Discount
All Universal Credit households will receive the £150 Warm Home Discount from November, extending support to three million more families amid rising energy costs.
House Collapse Near Kidderminster Captured in New Images
New images and footage reveal a house collapse near Kidderminster following a landslip, with emergency services responding and investigations underway.
Quinton Residents Furious Over Green Space Sale Plans
Residents of Quinton are fighting plans by the Calthorpe Estate to auction off a cherished tree-lined park, described as an 'oasis of calm' and vital community hub.
£350 Compensation for Heating Oil Households Confirmed
Around 1,700 heating oil customers will receive up to £350 compensation after orders were cancelled during a price surge linked to the Middle East crisis, the CMA has confirmed.
Grandmother Jailed for Stabbing Son-in-Law in Neck (15.07.2026)
Linda Clifford, 61, was jailed for three years and nine months after stabbing her son-in-law Richard Evans in the neck in Great Barr, Birmingham, following his breakup with her daughter.
Woman's Body Found in Erdington, Police Probe Unexplained Death
A woman in her 50s was found dead at a property on Minstead Road, Erdington, Birmingham. West Midlands Police are treating the death as unexplained and have launched a forensic investigation.
Aldridge: Posh Midlands village with low crime and top schools
Aldridge, a leafy village in Walsall, offers low crime, top schools, and average home prices of £312,000, making it a desirable family destination in the West Midlands.
Woman tried to kill boy after Googling worst medication mix
Emma Williams, 41, from Erdington, denies attempted murder after allegedly interfering with a boy's medication following internet searches for the 'worst thing' to mix.
Free Ice Creams at West Midlands Chocolate Shop This Weekend
A West Midlands chocolate shop is offering free ice creams this weekend. Here's how to get yours and what you need to know about the promotion.
7,000 Homelessness Cases in Birmingham in 2026
More than 7,000 people have approached Birmingham City Council as homeless or threatened with homelessness in 2026, with projections suggesting the year's total could exceed 14,000.
Nationwide Warns Half of Low-Income Families Face Debt This Summer
Nationwide warns around half of low-income families on Universal Credit may face added debt this summer due to loss of school support, with two in three parents worried about bills.
Renters Rights Act: Landlord Insurance Guide
A new guide helps Birmingham landlords navigate insurance changes under the Renters Rights Act, ensuring compliance and protecting investments.
Seven New Landlord and Renter Rules from Nov 2026
From November 2026, Awaab's Law expands to cover seven new hazards including falls, structural issues, electrical faults, hygiene, excess cold/heat, and fire risks, requiring landlords to act urgently.
Birmingham trio jailed for Weston-Super-Mare drug line
Three Birmingham men have been jailed for running the 'Chase' drug line in Weston-Super-Mare, using code words 'coffee' and 'milk' for crack cocaine and heroin, with an estimated 2,700 customers.
Mum dies after Smethwick crash that killed her toddler
Khushpreet Kaur, 30, has died from injuries sustained in a December 2024 Smethwick crash that killed her two-year-old son Shehbaz Singh. Driver Sharjeel Shahzad jailed for 15 years.
Benefits Claimants Exempt from Hosepipe Ban
Two water companies exempt DWP benefits claimants on WaterSure tariff from hosepipe ban, sparking political backlash from Reform and Conservative MPs.
Page 11 of 58