Alex Mcintyre

A 16-year-old girl suffered a single stab wound on Roselands Avenue in Coventry shortly after 22:00 BST on Tuesday. She and a 42-year-old woman, who sustained minor injuries, were taken to hospital and later discharged. West Midlands Police arrested a 45-year-old woman on suspicion of wounding and said the incident appeared to be isolated, with officers deployed locally to reassure residents.

A medical tribunal found that Dr Jawad Ahmad sexually harassed a junior doctor at Royal Stoke University Hospital in 2020 and failed to disclose his arrest on suspicion of sexually assaulting a teenage girl when signing a contract extension. The hearing took place in his absence after he left the UK for Pakistan. The tribunal found his fitness to practise impaired, with the chair describing the conduct as predatory and premeditated. The GMC has recommended that Ahmad be erased from the medical register, while the tribunal has adjourned to decide the sanction.

Keeley Bayley, a 26-year-old carer from Stafford, has reached the Homecare's Got Talent final for the second consecutive year after impressing judges with a contemporary dance performance. She will perform at Birmingham's Crescent Theatre alongside 11 other contestants. Bayley says the competition's supportive friendships encouraged her to return, while her work at Bluebird Care Stafford has helped build her confidence and communication skills. Founder Dan Archer says the event aims to celebrate carers and give them a moment in the spotlight.

HS2 has delayed the reopening of the northbound A38 slip road at Streethay near Lichfield by six months, from October 2026 to April 2027. The closure and a temporary 50mph speed limit affect around 70,000 vehicles a day. Local Labour MP Dave Robertson criticized the continued disruption and said the delay undermines HS2’s promised economic benefits, while HS2 said an independent safety audit found no safe temporary reopening option and that safety required completing the permanent realignment.

A large wildfire at Sherbrook Valley in Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, has been contained after 15 fire crews responded to reports of smoke. Firefighters worked overnight and remained at the scene to extinguish remaining hotspots, while residents were advised to close windows and doors and avoid the area because of heavy smoke. Staffordshire County Council said the blaze was significantly larger than a fire at the same site on 30 July, which damaged protected heathland and killed wildlife. That earlier fire was believed to have been caused by a disposable barbecue, which is banned at Cannock Chase.

A large wildfire at Sherbrook Valley in Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, was contained after 15 fire crews responded to reports of smoke on 5 August. Firefighters worked overnight and remained on site as efforts continued to bring the incident to a safe conclusion. Residents were advised to close windows and doors and avoid the area because of heavy smoke. Staffordshire County Council said the blaze was significantly larger than a previous fire on 30 July that damaged protected heath-land and killed wildlife; that earlier fire was believed to have been caused by a disposable barbecue, which is banned at Cannock Chase.

Kathryn White, 41, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court to three years and six months in prison after being convicted of coercive and controlling behaviour against her girlfriend. Over 11 months, White allegedly isolated the victim from family, friends and work, controlled her finances and appearance, physically assaulted her and threatened suicide if the relationship ended. The victim reported the abuse to police in July 2022 but died four days later; her testimony was described as vital to securing the conviction. Cheshire Police said the sentence could provide closure to her family and friends.

A dispersal order has been imposed across Lichfield city centre from 15:00 BST on 4 August until 15:00 BST on 6 August 2026 in response to increased reports of anti-social behaviour. Staffordshire Police cited large groups of young people gathering, abusive or disruptive behaviour, cannabis use, criminal damage and the use of e-scooters and e-bikes. Police can order people to leave the designated area, take further legal action against those who do not comply, and return under-16s to their homes. Inspector Melissa Byrne urged parents and guardians to explain the order and its potential legal consequences to young people.

Jazmin Sawyers won gold in the women's long jump for England at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with a 6.93m jump. The Stoke-on-Trent athlete credited her home city’s longstanding support for helping her through career setbacks, including an Achilles injury, missing the 2024 Olympics and other disappointing results. She described the victory as pure joy and said continuing to believe in herself after repeated failures was central to her success.

Nature restoration work at Ford Green Brook in Stoke-on-Trent is due to begin on 24 August and take five to six weeks. Staffordshire Wildlife Trust plans to create ponds, widen sections of the brook and reshape channels to improve habitats and make water flow more naturally. Fish will be moved safely, ecologists will check for protected species, and some trees may be removed and reused as wildlife habitats. Flood modelling has been conducted to ensure the project does not increase risks to nearby homes.

Developer Capital&Centric has submitted plans to redevelop part of Stoke-on-Trent's Grade II-listed Spode Works into a mixed cultural, commercial and leisure destination. The proposals include restoring China Halls as an exhibitions and events venue, creating covered padel courts, a café, bar, creative-business studios and a potters' garden, while demolishing several other structures. A later phase could add more than 100 homes. The city council acquired the site in 2010 and has invested levelling-up funding, asbestos-removal work and museum improvements, but residents have criticised the slow pace of regeneration.

Players at Sandbach Rugby Club in Cheshire completed simultaneous 28-hour men’s and women’s rugby sevens matches, provisionally setting world records subject to Guinness World Records verification. The men’s match exceeded the previous 24-hour-30-minute record, while the women’s event established a record where none previously existed. The 24/7s event raised more than £68,000 for rugby mental health charity LooseHeadz, with participants including former England and British & Irish Lions forward George Kruis. Organisers said the event demonstrated the rugby community’s support for mental health awareness.

The Cannock Chase pigman legend, said to involve a seven-foot humanoid with a pig’s head, reportedly emerged in the 1960s from rumors of wartime human experimentation and has been linked to alleged sightings around Castle Ring. Historian Richard Pursehouse documents the stories, while historian Emma Newlands confirms that secret wartime experiments occurred but considers the creation of a human-pig hybrid implausible. Folklorist Ceri Houlbrook explains that the tale persists because people are drawn to frightening mysteries and take pride in legends associated with their local landscape.

Four men were jailed for between six years and three months and 11 years and two months after carrying out two armed burglaries in Coventry in July 2025. The gang threatened residents with a machete, assaulted a man, stole kitchen knives, a games console and two cars, and were later stopped by armed officers after a police helicopter tracked the vehicles. West Midlands Police said the offenders had brought terror to residents, while the court convictions and sentences delivered justice to the victims.

A £2.4m extension at Hampton Dene Primary School in Hereford has been completed ahead of the autumn term. The project added two classrooms, increasing capacity for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities by 16 places, and also created two gardens and improved parking and outdoor areas. The school and Herefordshire Council said the work was completed on time and within budget, with a ceremony marking the development’s completion.

Three para-athletes from the West Midlands—Lizzie Dodds, Maddie Down and Didi Okoh—have been selected to represent England at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Dodds and Down will compete in the long jump, with Down also running the 100m, while Okoh transitions to discus after her sprint event was dropped from the Games. The athletes describe their preparation, challenges and excitement ahead of the competition, highlighting previous achievements including Down's youth Games titles and Okoh’s Paralympic bronze.

Katie Simpson completed a two-day, 75‑mile walk from Stoke‑on‑Trent to Prestatyn to raise funds for Christ Church in Fenton, which needs more than £7,000 in heating repairs. Supported by her sister‑in‑law and family along the route, she described the challenge as physically and emotionally demanding. Simpson said she was motivated by the church’s acceptance of her same‑sex wedding after other venues declined. Her effort has raised more than £1,200, and the church expressed gratitude for the contribution toward essential repairs.

Severn Trent Water reported its highest-ever demand as hot weather pushed daily usage to nearly 2.4 billion litres, exceeding levels seen during the 2022 drought and the pandemic. The company attributed the spike partly to outdoor water use and urged customers to adopt conservation measures to avoid restrictions, noting that teams are increasing treatment capacity and addressing leaks as dry conditions persist.

Severn Trent reported record water demand during the summer’s second heatwave, surpassing levels seen during the 2022 drought and the Covid period. Usage reached nearly 2.4 billion litres a day, about 400 million above normal, driven partly by garden watering and paddling pool use. The company urged customers to cut consumption to avoid restrictions, highlighting measures such as using watering cans, reusing paddling pool water and running full appliance loads, while teams continue increasing treatment, redistributing supplies and repairing leaks.

Stow Heath Primary School in Willenhall will be demolished and rebuilt as part of the Department for Education’s school rebuilding programme after receiving planning approval from City of Wolverhampton Council. The project will replace outdated buildings with a new two‑storey facility, improved recreation areas and a multi‑use games area, while maintaining operation during construction. Capacity will remain unchanged, but provision for students with special educational needs and disabilities will increase through a dedicated 43‑place unit. Completion is targeted for the 2028–29 school year.

An unmarked grave belonging to Pte Alfred Holdcroft, a World War One soldier from Burslem who died in 1918 from injuries sustained at the Somme, will receive an official headstone after the Commonwealth War Graves Commission reversed its earlier decision. The move follows research by the Royal Doulton Burslem Memorial project and a 2025 rededication ceremony attended by his family. Stoke-on-Trent City Council welcomed the correction of the long-standing omission and the formal recognition of his service.

A new mural of England footballers Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers eating orange chips has been installed on the side of a Birmingham chip shop. Created by Dudley artist Dion Kitson, the artwork celebrates the Black Country origins of both players as England prepares for a World Cup quarter-final against Norway. The article recounts each player's career path, noting Bellingham’s rise from Stourbridge to Real Madrid and Rogers' progression from Halesowen to Aston Villa.

A man in his 30s is in critical condition after being struck by a white Toyota Prius on the A53 Etruria Road in Stoke-on-Trent early Saturday morning. The westbound carriageway and roundabout have been closed, and police are asking witnesses or anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward as the driver cooperates with inquiries.

Police and a veterinary expert warn dog owners in Staffordshire to avoid walking pets during the hottest parts of the day as temperatures surpass 30C. Dr Amy Stamp explains that dogs struggle to cool down and risk heatstroke, especially older, overweight or flat‑faced breeds. She outlines symptoms including excessive panting, distress and collapse, urging immediate cooling and veterinary care if they overheat. Owners are advised to walk dogs in early mornings, avoid hot pavements and substitute exercise with mental stimulation during dangerous temperatures.

Former armed services personnel in Staffordshire have launched a mobile knife amnesty van to help reduce knife crime by collecting surrendered blades and engaging communities. Operated by Black Onyx Academy, the vehicle will host workshops and support outreach efforts across the region. Built with help from Bri-Stor Systems and its apprentices, the initiative is backed by Staffordshire Police, which sees it as a practical way to improve safety and support violence‑prevention efforts.

Frank Blunstone, believed to be England’s oldest former international footballer, praises England’s strong showing in the 2026 World Cup while reflecting on his playing days and contrasting past and present football styles. He comments on defensive tactics in modern football and criticizes hydration breaks, recalling challenging conditions from his own career. Blunstone commends players such as Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, saying they would have fit into earlier England teams, and notes his ongoing involvement in football as president of Nantwich Town FC.

Demolition began on a derelict building in Stoke-on-Trent after firefighters extinguished a large blaze that required road closures and an extensive emergency response. Fire crews continued damping down hot spots as officials prepared to investigate the cause, with a multi‑agency meeting scheduled to determine next steps and enable a search of the structure. Several streets reopened while parts of Stafford Street and Trinity Street remained closed following the incident.

Two former DJs have raised the £11,000 needed to create a large mural celebrating Stoke-on-Trent’s clubbing heritage and have selected both an artist and a location for the project. They face remaining challenges due to the Hanley conservation area’s stricter planning requirements. The mural will feature historic venues and DJs, with a committee set to choose which to include. Public engagement has been strong, and the organisers hope to mark the mural’s completion with a celebration.

Planning officers recommended rejecting plans to convert Tunstall’s former library, baths and drill hall into 39 flats, citing harm to heritage assets, inadequate living standards, poor access and insufficient affordable housing provision. Stoke-on-Trent City Council said the decision aligns with its declared heritage emergency, while the developer argued the scheme would revitalise deteriorating historic buildings and support wider regeneration. A final decision will be made at an upcoming planning committee meeting.

Sue Worthington, a longtime NHS volunteer at Leighton Hospital in Crewe, was invited to 10 Downing Street to celebrate the NHS’s 78th birthday in recognition of her decades of contributions. Having worked in various NHS roles since 1966, she has spent her retirement transforming and maintaining hospital gardens alongside fellow volunteer David Williams. The gardens, supported by the Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, are described as vital to staff and patient wellbeing. Worthington expressed pride and excitement at the honour and said she hoped to bring new inspiration back to the hospital’s courtyards.

A lorry driver from Crewe, Ken Wheatley, helped rescue a family after their car overturned in a crash on the M1 near Bedford. Wheatley and other HGV drivers blocked traffic before assisting a man, woman and young girl trapped in the vehicle, all of whom escaped serious injury. His actions earned him recognition as AO’s employee of the month, with company leaders praising his quick thinking. Police have been contacted for further information on the incident.

A World War Two veteran from Staffordshire, Ivy Meenan, celebrated her 105th birthday at a retirement home in Rugeley, joined by family, residents and visitors from the RAF. Meenan served as a range finder with the Auxiliary Territorial Service in Cornwall, where she met her future husband, an RAF serviceman. She reflected on her service, praising the Spitfire and its pilots. Family, residents and officials honoured her long life and contributions, describing her as remarkable and beloved.

JCB marked its 80th anniversary with a large festival at the Wootton Estate in Staffordshire, drawing more than 23,000 employees and featuring performances by Robbie Williams, Alex James and host Paddy McGuinness. Tribute acts, cookery demonstrations and other activities rounded out the event. Robbie Williams serenaded attendee Jules Taylor during his closing performance, while JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford praised employees for contributing to the company’s long-term success.

A woman employed as a house sitter in Warwickshire was jailed for five years after stealing valuables worth more than £35,000 and replacing them with fakes. Police said she used the stolen goods to fund a lavish lifestyle, and additional searches uncovered further items taken from other properties across the country. Her convictions included theft, fraud and perverting the course of justice, and she was ordered to pay more than £65,000 in compensation.

Knitting enthusiasts in Studley created woollen figures of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford to celebrate the 2026 World Cup, displaying them atop a village postbox along with an England‑themed backdrop. Group member Jan Platt designed the installation to track England’s goals by adding knitted footballs, with Kane already high in the Golden Boot standings. The display continues a local tradition of themed postbox toppers, including previous creations celebrating goalkeeper Hannah Hampton and the women’s national team.

The Home Office stated that new-build homes should never be used to house asylum seekers after it emerged that more than 80 migrants were set to move into a new development in Stoke Heath, Shropshire. The decision prompted strong opposition from local residents and officials, who argued the rural location lacked essential services and infrastructure. Conservative MP Mark Pritchard urged ministers to halt the plans, while the Home Office said the site had been identified before new restrictions were introduced and that future housing policy would focus on disused buildings and former military sites. Local councils voiced frustration over the lack of consultation, and Serco said placements were determined by the Home Office based on national demand.