Birminghammail Administrator

Birmingham Live corrected a January 2026 headline stating that Rachel Reeves had confirmed state pensioners would lose £17 a month. The clarification says the reduction applied only to pensioners with incomes above £35,000 who had received winter fuel payments in error, rather than to state pensioners generally. The correction followed an upheld ruling by the Independent Press Standards Organisation.

Russell Harber, a 61-year-old Birmingham roofer, pleaded guilty to drink-driving after hitting a pedestrian’s arm with his Ford Transit van following a golf day. He told Birmingham Magistrates’ Court that he had consumed one beer too many and apologised, while prosecutors said the incident was aggravated by his failure to realise he had struck a person and by driving a van. Harber was fined £249, ordered to pay £85 costs and a £100 victim surcharge, and banned from driving for 16 months, with a possible 16-week reduction if he completes a drink-drive course.

Aaron Gerroni, 21, pleaded guilty at Birmingham Magistrates' Court to assaulting a police officer during a drunken incident in Solihull on July 1. The court heard that he pushed, punched and kicked an officer while resisting arrest, causing relatively minor bruising. Gerroni, who had no previous convictions, said he was ashamed, while his solicitor described the incident as out of character and linked to heavy alcohol consumption. He was fined £180 and ordered to pay a total of £452, and the magistrates' chair said the case would be used as an example in a talk to police officers about the risks of assault and the responsibilities that accompany police powers.

James Thomas, 30, from Swansea, pleaded guilty at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court to damaging a taxi’s side window after becoming angry during a fare dispute following a Christmas party at Birmingham’s NEC. He said he had become intoxicated during his first night out since the birth of his ten-month-old child. Thomas was fined £292 and ordered to pay £117 in victim surcharge, £200 compensation to the taxi driver and £85 in prosecution costs, for a total of £694. Magistrates noted his previous convictions and told him not to return to court.

Tariq Francis, 22, pleaded guilty at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court to carrying a machete at a Soho Road bus stop on June 15. He said he carried it to deter potential attackers after previous incidents, but had a prior knife conviction and discarded the weapon while fleeing police. He received a six-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months and was ordered to pay £239, with the magistrates urging him to avoid negative influences and make better choices.

Raymond Heaven, 44, of Erdington, pleaded guilty at Birmingham Magistrates' Court to failing to provide a specimen for analysis, driving without tax, driving without a full view and using tyres with insufficient tread. Police attended a low-level collision on June 16, saw half a bottle of vodka in his car and considered him intoxicated. He initially refused a roadside test and later refused six requests to provide a specimen at the police station. The court imposed a 24-month community order, 200 hours of unpaid work, a driving ban and more than £1,000 in costs and fines, while warning that driving during the next 36 months could lead to imprisonment.

Carl Brennan, 42, pleaded guilty at Birmingham Magistrates' Court to stealing a £4.60 Greggs sandwich and two bags of cookies after staff warned him about shoplifting. He was fined £40 and ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £16 victim surcharge, bringing the total to £141. The goods were recovered, and the court heard Brennan had 21 previous convictions for 40 offences.

A 17-year-old boy was sentenced to three years in custody after fleeing police in Birmingham and discarding a bag containing a loaded handgun, ammunition and cash. Judge Smith KC dismissed the teenager’s claim that he was simply holding the gun for an older acquaintance and determined he had long-term possession of the weapon and acted recklessly. The court noted his prior convictions and the risks posed by carrying a loaded firearm, while acknowledging progress made in a young offenders’ institution.

A Birmingham man received a suspended 24‑week prison sentence after CCTV captured him dragging his girlfriend by the hair and grabbing her throat outside the Swan Pub. Witness Mr Wood intervened and alerted police, who found the victim with visible injuries. Prosecutors detailed the assault while the defence said the defendant accepted responsibility and attributed his behaviour to personal difficulties and alcohol misuse. In addition to the suspended sentence, he must complete rehabilitation days and pay compensation and a victim surcharge.

Three Birmingham men were jailed for their roles in running the ‘Chase’ drug line supplying heroin and crack cocaine in Weston-Super-Mare. Zaheer Hussain and Safraz Ali each received five years and seven months in prison, while Bashir Hassan was sentenced to six years due to additional robbery and vehicle offences. The court heard that all three acted under instruction and claimed they had become involved to repay debts. Police linked the line to thousands of customer contacts, and the judge emphasised the harm caused by Class A drugs when handing down the sentences.

Three Birmingham men were sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court for operating the Chase drugs line, which supplied heroin and crack cocaine to an estimated 2,700 users in Weston-super-Mare. Safraz Ali managed the phone line, Bashir Hassan transported drugs to dealers, and Zaheer Hussain collected cash. All pleaded guilty to drug supply offences, with Hassan also admitting robbery and aggravated vehicle taking. The judge highlighted the harm caused by class A drugs before issuing prison terms ranging from five years seven months to six years, while defence lawyers argued the men were acting under debt and coercion.

A Birmingham man previously jailed for drug trafficking received a 44‑month prison sentence after police discovered £24,600 worth of cocaine in a Minworth storage unit, triggering his recall to a prior ten‑year sentence. He had resumed drug dealing to repay a debt linked to earlier seized drugs. The court heard he will miss years of his young daughter’s life, despite positive behaviour in custody, including helping staff and mentoring inmates. The judge highlighted his significant role in the operation and his aggravated history, ordering the destruction of seized drugs and phones.

A man who stole £662 worth of goods from Marks and Spencer and Home Bargains told Birmingham Magistrates' Court he is committed to turning his life around after overcoming drug addiction. He expressed remorse and said he intends to repay compensation quickly. Magistrates accepted his remorse, ordering only compensation and waiving additional charges while noting his progress with support services.

An inquest determined that 27‑year‑old Lee Bowden died after his speeding and intoxicated driving caused his Mercedes to strike a kerb and collide with a tree on Ridgacre Road in Quinton. West Midlands Police confirmed the findings after investigating the crash, which occurred shortly after midnight on March 21, 2026. Bowden, who worked as a regional coordinator for the AA and was returning from a night out, was pronounced dead at the scene. His family paid tribute to him as a devoted father and dedicated football fan.

A Birmingham man, Colin Cameron, was sentenced to a community order after assaulting another man inside a Dixy Chicken restaurant in Handsworth. The court heard he threw the victim onto a table and punched him several times after being challenged for throwing an object. Cameron, who has prior convictions, pleaded guilty and was ordered to complete 25 rehabilitation days and pay financial penalties including compensation to the victim.

A Birmingham man, Haroon Rahman, pleaded guilty to possessing a knuckle duster after a family member reported an assault and alerted police. He told officers the weapon had been taken by his mother. Rahman, who has no previous convictions and suffers from health issues including an autoimmune disease and ADHD, will receive a pre‑sentence report before sentencing on September 4 at Birmingham Magistrates' Court.

A Harborne man was sentenced to a year-long community order after admitting burglary, assaulting a police officer and racially aggravated harassment. He entered another guest’s hotel room during a first date, took wedding dresses worth £600 and later kicked an officer during his arrest. The dresses were returned, and his solicitor said the theft was impulsive. He must also pay £250 in compensation to the officers.