Dec
2009
Articles from 16th Dec 2009
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Sky TV for prisoners in Staffordshire and Warwickshire
Dec 16 2009 | West Midlands News
More than 4,000 prisoners have satellite television in their cells. Read
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Man who murdered Craig Hodson-Walker was convicted robber
Dec 16 2009 | West Midlands News
The man who shot Craig Hodson-Walker was a convicted robber who lied repeatedly to escape justice for the killing. Read
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Birmingham selected as host city in England's World Cup 2018 bid
Dec 16 2009 | West Midlands News
Birmingham has been selected as a host city in England’s bid to hold the 2018 football World Cup. Read
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Three guilty of murdering Worcestershire sub-postmaster Craig Hodson-Walker
Dec 16 2009 | West Midlands News
Three men were convicted today of murdering a Worcestershire sub-postmaster who was gunned down as he tried to protect his parents during an armed robbery at their family-run village store. Read
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In your Birmingham Post, December 17-22
Dec 16 2009 | West Midlands News
Highlights from this week's Birmingham Post. Read
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Birmingham Opera Company's Othello to be broadcast on BBC
Dec 16 2009 | West Midlands News
A ground-breaking performance by Birmingham Opera Company of Othello was such a success it is to be immortalised on TV. Read
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Council confident new Birmingham library will cope with visitor numbers
Dec 16 2009 | West Midlands News
Claims that visitors to Birmingham’s new civic library may have to queue to get in at the busiest times have been rejected as “highly unlikely”. Read
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Craig Hodson-Walker's fiancee Lisa tells how her world collapsed
Dec 16 2009 | West Midlands News
The fiancee and mother of a sub-postmaster shot dead in an armed robbery on a village post office and stores today read moving statements to a court. Read
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Mother describes Craig Hodson-Walker's killers as 'evil and soulless'
Dec 16 2009 | West Midlands News
The mother of a sub-postmaster shot dead in an armed robbery today branded the three men convicted of his murder "soulless entities". Read
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Birmingham expecting jobs boost if England's World Cup bid succeeds
Dec 16 2009 | West Midlands News
Thousands of new jobs could be created on the back of Birmingham’s selection as a host city in England’s bid for the 2018 football World Cup. Read
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Droitwich gynaecologist denies sexual assault of patient
Dec 16 2009 | West Midlands News
A Worcestershire gynaecologist, who is being sued by a female patient over an alleged sexual assault during an examination, has denied trying to start an affair with the woman. Read
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Brown to make plea for climate deal
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
Gordon Brown will urge fellow world leaders to "make the desirable possible" by showing the statesmanship needed to secure a global climate change deal. Read
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Judge prepares to rule on BA strike
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
A decision in the legal action brought by British Airways in a bid to prevent a series of crippling Christmas strikes is expected to be given by a High Court judge on Thursday afternoon. Read
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Protests outside climate conference
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
Danish police have fired pepper spray and beaten protesters with batons outside the UN climate conference in Copenhagen. Read
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Cheques to be phased out by 2018
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
Cheques will be phased out by October 31 2018, the UK's Payments Council has said. Read
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BA begins court challenge to strike
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
British Airways has launched its bid for an injunction to prevent a series of crippling Christmas strikes by thousands of cabin crew. Read
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Tobin convicted of third murder
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
Serial killer Peter Tobin has been convicted of a third murder - that of teenager Dinah McNicol 18 years ago. Read
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Barry George accepts libel damages
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
Barry George, who was cleared of murdering TV presenter Jill Dando, has accepted substantial undisclosed libel damages over claims that he had pestered women he was obsessed with. Read
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Passengers freed from crashed bus
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
Firefighters had to free passengers trapped on a double-decker bus which overturned in the morning rush-hour after a collision with a lorry. Read
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Thug jailed over gay man's killing
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
A homophobic thug has been jailed for at least 32 years for a knife attack on a gay couple which left one man dead and his partner scarred for life. Read
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Danish PM leading UN climate summit
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
The Danish prime minister has taken direct control of the UN climate talks in Copenhagen as efforts were ramped up to secure a new deal on global warming. Read
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Men guilty of sub-postmaster murder
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
Three men have been convicted of murdering a sub-postmaster who was gunned down as he tried to protect his parents during an armed robbery at their family-run village store. Read
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BA agrees to talks over strike plan
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
British Airways has offered to meet union leaders to try to avert Christmas strikes by cabin crew, the airline said. Read
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Vicar's family 'forced out of area'
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
A union has called for an investigation into claims that a vicar and his family had suffered a campaign of "intimidation" from parishioners which had forced them to leave the area. Read
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Abuser's mind 'must be unlocked'
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
The husband of a nursery worker jailed for "stomach churning" child abuse said he hopes doctors can "unlock her twisted mind". Read
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BA in bid to halt Christmas strike
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
British Airways is to launch legal action in a last-ditch bid to halt a planned 12-day strike by its cabin crew, which threatens travel misery for a million passengers over Christmas and the New Year. Read
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EU grants fiasco compensation urged
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
A Government agency has been urged to apologise and pay compensation to farmers after the Parliamentary Ombudsman found they had suffered injustice as a result of its maladministration of EU grants under the Single Payment Scheme. Read
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'Drunk and disorderly' Gazza fined
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
Former England football star Paul Gascoigne has been arrested for being drunk and disorderly, police have said. Read
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Bring back hanging: bereaved couple
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
The devastated parents of a man shot dead as he tried to protect them from armed robbers have pleaded: "Bring back hanging." Read
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10-year-old boys charged with rape
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
Two 10-year-old boys have been charged with the rape of an eight-year-old girl. Read
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Brown condemns Iranian missile test
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
Gordon Brown has condemned Iran's latest missile test and warned it faced tougher sanctions. Read
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Bid to halt planned Eurostar strike
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
Last-ditch talks are being held in a bid to avert a 48-hour strike by drivers and on-board staff on Eurostar trains. Read
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Brown: Eco-deal may not be possible
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
High-level talks at the UN climate conference in Copenhagen are due to get under way, with Gordon Brown admitting that it may not be possible to get a new global warming deal. Read
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Unemployment figures to be revealed
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
Ministers are braced for the final set of unemployment figures of the year, hoping for further signs that the increase in the jobless total has started to ease. Read
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PM urges negotiations in BA dispute
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
Gordon Brown has called on both sides in the British Airways (BA) dispute to hold talks as the airline launched legal action in a last-ditch bid to halt a planned 12-day strike. Read
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Met boss in organised crime warning
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
Scotland Yard chief Sir Paul Stephenson has warned there was a "real problem" that some police forces were incapable of combating serious organised crime. Read
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BA accused of refusing strike talks
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
Union leaders have accused British Airways of refusing to hold fresh talks to avert crippling strikes by cabin crew over Christmas. Read
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Youth unemployment hits record high
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
Youth unemployment has reached a record high as the jobless total nudged 2.5 million, the worst total since the mid-1990s. Read
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Iran tests long-range missile
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
Iran has sparked anger by test-firing an upgraded version of its most advanced missile, which is capable of hitting Israel and parts of Europe. Read
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Eurostar strike to begin on Friday
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
Last-ditch talks aimed at averting a 48-hour strike by drivers and on-board staff on Eurostar trains have broken down without agreement. Read
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Airbrushed Twiggy ad 'misleading'
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
An airbrushed photograph of the model Twiggy gave a misleading impression about the effects of an eye cream she was promoting, a watchdog has said. Read
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Troops 'on mission of reassurance'
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
Two British soldiers were killed by a suicide bomber during a mission intended to reassure local Afghans, it has emerged. Read
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Doubt over Government saving claims
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
There are "question marks" hanging over savings claims made by two major Government departments, a Whitehall spending watchdog has said. Read
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Gascoigne arrested over 'disorder'
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
Former England football star Paul Gascoigne has been arrested for being drunk and disorderly, police said. Read
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Man guilty over fireworks deaths
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
A man has been found guilty of the manslaughter of two firemen who were killed in a massive explosion at his family-run fireworks business three years ago. Read
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RAF officers in Nimrod crash probe
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
Two serving RAF officers are being investigated by military police over a plane crash in Afghanistan that killed 14 personnel. Read
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War of words erupts over BA strike
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
A war of words has erupted between British Airways and union leaders ahead of crucial talks aimed at averting a series of crippling Christmas strikes by thousands of cabin crew. Read
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Hopes rising for White Christmas
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
Prospects of a white Christmas are "greater than they have been for a number of years" with temperatures continuing to plunge towards the festive period, forecasters have said. Read
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Police charge man with baby murder
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
A man has been charged with murder following the death of a baby, police said. Read
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Killers are mindless dregs: mother
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
A woman whose son was gunned down by robbers as he fought to protect his parents has described his killers as "mindless dregs". Read
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Harman warns union over BA strike
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
Commons leader Harriet Harman has warned her husband's union that a strike by British Airways cabin crew would be damaging for travellers and the airline's future. Read
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Cameras 'could boost catch quotas'
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
Britain's fishermen are to be offered extra catches next year if they agree to fit "big brother" cameras on their boats to monitor conservation measures. Read
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Tories in £20bn green homes scheme
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
A £20 billion plan for major retailers and energy firms to help people "green" their homes has been unveiled by David Cameron. Read
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Man charged with girl's 1981 death
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
A man has been charged with the murder of a schoolgirl in Northern Ireland almost 30 years ago. Read
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MPs 'back helping patients to die'
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
A majority of MPs think doctors should be allowed to help people to die in certain circumstances, according to a new survey. Read
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Betting suspended on Christmas No 1
Dec 16 2009 | UK News
Bookmaker William Hill has suspended betting on the UK's Christmas number one after a flurry of bets made the betting "unviable". Read
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Arsenal weighing up Van Persie options
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
Arsenal are to continue considering their options following the injury sustained by Robin van Persie while on Holland duty - with FIFA appearing to have ruled out pursuing legal action for compensation against the Dutch federation. Read
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Royals part company with Rodgers
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
Reading have parted company with manager Brendan Rodgers by mutual consent. Read
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Anelka aiming to extend Chelsea contract
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
Nicolas Anelka would love to extend his time at Chelsea until 2014 before heading for a big-money move abroad. Read
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Liverpool included amid stadium uncertainty
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
Liverpool has been included as a host city for England's 2018 World Cup bid despite uncertainty over the proposed new Anfield stadium but Hull, Derby and Leicester have missed out. Read
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Morgan expects day-night Tests
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
International Cricket Council president David Morgan expects day-night Test matches to be introduced within two years. Read
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Renault to stay in F1
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
Renault have confirmed their intention to remain in Formula One for the foreseeable future. Read
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Flintoff: 'I'd never snub England'
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
Andrew Flintoff insists England will always come first for him - ahead of the Indian Premier League and all other franchise contracts the world over. Read
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England search for further breakthroughs
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
England had managed just three wickets by mid-afternoon at Centurion, on day one of their four-Test series against South Africa. Read
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Lescott out after knee surgery
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
Manchester City are set to be without England defender Joleon Lescott until next year after he underwent surgery on his knee. Read
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Fulham through to knock-out stages
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
Bobby Zamora continued his hot run of form as Fulham defied plunging temperatures in Basle to secure their place in the knock-out stages of the Europa League with a 3-2 victory. Read
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Quins linked with O'Shea
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
Harlequins are lining up Conor O'Shea as their new director of rugby, according to reports. Read
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Capello throws down gauntlet to Owen
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
England manager Fabio Capello insists Manchester United striker Michael Owen needs to follow up last week's Champions League hat-trick with regular football to secure a place at the World Cup. Read
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Two breakthroughs for England
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
England managed two wickets before lunch at Centurion, on day one of their four-Test series against South Africa. Read
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Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill keeping expectations in check
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill refused to talk up his side's chances of splitting up the Barclays Premier League's big four after victory at Sunderland. Read
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Wirth hits out at Head
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
The brains behind Virgin Racing has taken a pot-shot at one of the most senior figures in Formula One. Read
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Kallis frustrates England
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
England encountered a determined Jacques Kallis as South Africa threatened to take control at Centurion on the first day of the Test series. Read
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Rowley: League in good shape in Wales
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
Wales Rugby League boss Mark Rowley has welcomed the rescue of Crusaders and predicts a second Welsh Super League club by 2015. Read
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Hughes rules out Hart exit
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
Mark Hughes has ruled out the possibility of Joe Hart leaving Manchester City. Read
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Capello throwns down gauntlet to Owen
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
England manager Fabio Capello insists Manchester United striker Michael Owen needs to follow up last week's Champions League hat-trick with regular football to secure a place at the World Cup. Read
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Australia in control
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
Australia are in a commanding position after day one of the third Test against the West Indies at the WACA, with hometown hero Mike Hussey poised to become the first Aussie centurion for the series after Simon Katich and Shane Watson went desperately close. Read
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Early breakthrough for Broad
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
England drew first blood in their much-anticipated Test series against South Africa. Read
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O'Shea confirmed in Quins role
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
Harlequins have announced the appointment of Conor O'Shea as their new director of rugby. Read
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Swann strikes for England
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
Graeme Swann was responsible for both wickets in the second session as South Africa reached 159 for four at tea on day one of the first Test. Read
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Ngog and Torres on target for Reds
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Wigan in the week of the 50th anniversary of Bill Shankly's first match at the club would not have impressed the legendary manager but it was a welcome relief for current boss Rafael Benitez. Read
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Kranjcar brace sees off City
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
Niko Kranjcar and Jermain Defoe were on the scoresheet to get Tottenham back to winning ways and frustrate Manchester City 3-0 at White Hart Lane in the clash of the Champions League hopefuls. Read
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Alexander secures point
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
Graham Alexander fired an equaliser from the penalty spot as Burnley frustrated Arsenal in a compelling 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw. Read
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Lampard spares Blues' blushes
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
A second-half penalty from Frank Lampard spared Chelsea's blushes and gave them a 2-1 victory as bottom club Portsmouth threatened to dent the Blues' Barclays Premier League title ambitions. Read
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Parry confirmed in Tranmere role
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
Tranmere have appointed caretaker boss Les Parry as manager until the end of the season. Read
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Kallis punishes England
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
England had no answer as a determined Jacques Kallis took control for South Africa at Centurion on day one of the four-Test series. Read
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Derby, Leicester and Hull miss out on England's World Cup bid
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
Derby, Leicester and Hull have missed out on selection as candidate host cities for England's 2018 World Cup bid. Read
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Premier League asks Mick McCarthy to explain Wolves team selection
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has been asked to explain his controversial team selection at Manchester United on Tuesday night. Read
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Clarke: Pressure on Green
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
Steve Clarke believes Robert Green needs to play "the game of his life" this weekend after the goalkeeper's blunder against Bolton led to a defeat that leaves West Ham second bottom of the Barclays Premier League. Read
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McLeish reveals pride in players
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish has revealed his pride in his players after victory over Blackburn catapulted the West Midlands club into the top six of the Barclays Premier League. Read
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McCarthy has no regrets over selection
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy defended his controversial team selection but admitted he could understand the angry reaction of his club's supporters following the 3-0 defeat at Manchester United. Read
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Bell wins 50th cap as England bowl
Dec 16 2009 | National Sport
Ian Bell won his 50th Test cap as England, as expected, chose six specialist batsmen against South Africa at Centurion. Read
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Law firm offers 'divorce vouchers'
Dec 16 2009 | Legal
A London family law firm is offering gift vouchers for divorce services to entice in people over the festive period. Read
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Movie Reviews: Avatar and Alvin and the Chipmunks 2: The Squeakquel
Dec 16 2009 | Film
Graham Young reviews Avatar at the IMAX Cinema in Birmingham, plus Alvin & The Chipmunks 2: The Squeakquel. Read
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GKN expects profits of up to £80m
Dec 16 2009 | Latest Business News
Automotive and aerospace firm GKN is expected to make up to £80 million profits this year after it revealed to investors that trading had been better than expected. Read
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Living Room on Birmingham's Broad Street shuts its doors
Dec 16 2009 | Latest Business News
Upmarket city centre bar The Living Room has been shut down and boarded up as the administrators failed to sell the bar on to a new owner. Read
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National Express appoints Dean Finch as its new chief executive
Dec 16 2009 | Latest Business News
Struggling transport group National Express has appointed a new chief executive. Read
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Sales fall for KPMG in the West Midlands
Dec 16 2009 | Latest Business News
KPMG’s West Midland operations performed slightly below the UK trend last year according to the senior partner at the firm’s Birmingham office. Read
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Fresh talks to head off British Airways strike
Dec 16 2009 | Latest Business News
Fresh talks between British Airways and union leaders will be held today in a bid to avert a series of Christmas strikes by thousands of cabin crew. Read
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Punch Taverns increases financial support to licensees
Dec 16 2009 | Latest Business News
Midland pub chain Punch Taverns has revealed it is now providing £2 million a month to help licensees battle continued tough trading conditions. Read
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Unemployment falls in West Midlands but region still tops jobless league
Dec 16 2009 | Latest Business News
Unemployment has fallen by 8,000 in the West Midlands over the last quarter – but the region remains at the top of the jobless table. Read
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Borders staff face the axe unless a buyer is found before Christmas
Dec 16 2009 | Latest Business News
Administrators of ailing book chain Borders has warned that all 1,100 staff would lose their jobs on Christmas Eve unless a buyer is found this week. Read
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Kraft hits back at union criticisms of its plans for Cadbury
Dec 16 2009 | Cadbury
Cadbury bidder Kraft Foods has hit back at criticism from the Unite union that its prospective takeover would hamper Cadbury. Read
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Kraft owning Cadbury 'like Arthur Daley in control of Premier League club'
Dec 16 2009 | Cadbury
A Kraft takeover of Cadbury would be like Arthur Daley being put in charge of a Premiership football club, Hall Green MP Steve McCabe told a union rally. Read
