Eleanor Lawson

Matthew Williams, 37, has pleaded not guilty at Wolverhampton Crown Court to being the owner or person in charge of a dangerously out-of-control dog that caused the death of 78-year-old Lila Hall in Bilston on 15 April. Williams accepts owning the two mixed bully breeds, Hank and King, but denies controlling them, saying his grandmother was in charge. His trial is scheduled for 11 October 2027, and the court will revisit whether he should face two counts at a hearing in March.

Residents evacuated during fires in Stourbridge are beginning to return home after three days, although 19 properties across five streets were destroyed and another 18 severely damaged. Dudley Council said 96 evacuated homes were undamaged and 85 families had returned, while emergency services continued checking for hotspots and providing practical and counseling support. Residents described the devastation and the community response, with local fundraisers surpassing £31,000 and £50,000. Fires elsewhere in the West Midlands, including Stoke-on-Trent, Warstock and Kings Norton, also caused extensive damage, and several people were arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with some of the incidents.

Residents evacuated by the Stourbridge fires are beginning to return home after three days, although 19 properties across five streets were destroyed and another 18 were severely damaged. Firefighters described the speed and intensity of the blazes, while officials said 96 evacuated homes escaped damage and 85 families had returned. Survivors reported shock at seeing neighboring houses destroyed, and authorities are providing practical aid, counselling, food, clothing and fundraising support. Fire crews remain in the area to monitor hotspots, while investigations continue into the cause of the Stourbridge fire. Related fires elsewhere in the West Midlands caused further destruction, with several arrests made on suspicion of arson.

A free Miniature Canal Regatta in Whitchurch is displaying 15 miniature narrowboats in local shop windows and community venues ahead of the town’s canal festival on 5–6 September. Organized by the Whitchurch Waterway Trust, the trail aims to attract visitors, support local businesses and raise awareness of the town’s canal heritage while repairs continue after a December breach on the Llangollen Canal disrupted boating and tourism. The trust is also seeking volunteers for the festival.

Five people were arrested following disorder during an EFL match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Port Vale at Molineux. Four people aged 17 to 45 were arrested on suspicion of affray after trouble in the away end, while a 17-year-old boy was arrested over an alleged inappropriate gesture towards a female spectator. All five were bailed pending further inquiries, and West Midlands Police appealed for witnesses.

Four osprey chicks from two breeding pairs successfully fledged at a protected, undisclosed site in Staffordshire, marking an important development for the recovering species in the West Midlands. The West Midlands Ringing Group raised concerns that visitors getting too close to the nests caused adult birds to flee, increasing the chicks’ vulnerability to predators and prompting reports to Staffordshire Police. The chicks have been ringed to track their movements, while the group plans additional safeguards and more osprey platforms to support population growth.

Two-year-old Florence from Stourbridge has completed 18 months of intensive treatment for high-risk neuroblastoma, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and two stem cell transplants. Her family is raising £100,000 to obtain difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), a drug available in the US, Australia and Switzerland but not approved for NHS use, because they hope it will reduce the risk of relapse. A community fundraising event was held at Dudley Kingswinford Rugby Club, while Birmingham Children's Hospital's chief medical officer said treatment decisions are made case by case with the patient's best interests as the priority.

A second annual Blue for Bakes fundraising weekend is being held in memory of Worcestershire cricketer Josh Baker, who died suddenly aged 20 in 2024. Events at Worcestershire County Cricket Club and Astwood Bank Cricket Club include matches, family activities and a permanent mural tribute. Funds will support the JB33 Foundation, established by Baker's parents to help people overcome financial barriers to participating in cricket.

Jack Burton, a 29-year-old man from Worcester with paranoid schizophrenia, died in Scarborough in October 2025 after stopping smoking while taking 525mg of clozapine nightly. An inquest concluded that stopping smoking likely caused a fatal rise in clozapine levels, leading to drug toxicity. The coroner warned that healthcare professionals lacked consistent guidance on adjusting clozapine doses and documenting smoking changes, and issued a prevention of future deaths report.

Staffordshire Police Chief Constable Chris Noble resigned with immediate effect on 28 July 2026, shortly before a gross misconduct hearing concerning his behaviour. Noble had been suspended since August 2025 while the Independent Office for Police Conduct investigated him. The hearing began in his absence but was adjourned and is expected to continue under former-officer provisions. Staffordshire Commissioner Ben Adams accepted the resignation, while Becky Riggs remains acting chief constable.

Stafford radio presenter Stuart Michael Haycock, 48, appeared at Cannock Magistrates' Court accused of intentionally penetrating a woman without consent in an alleged 2015 incident. He was granted unconditional bail and is due to appear at Stafford Crown Court on 1 September 2026.

Thousands of people attended the Sandwell and Birmingham Mela at Victoria Park in Smethwick, an event featuring more than 150 music artists, dance, theatre, street food, shopping, a funfair and an arts village. The festival, expected to attract around 50,000 visitors, celebrated South Asian culture while bringing together people from different communities. Performers and attendees praised the event, with Rajinder Singh calling it fantastic for fostering community connections.

Fans gathered at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery for a day of exhibitions, talks, storytelling, performances and a concert celebrating Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath. Organisers said the event highlighted Osbourne's influence on Birmingham, the city's role as the birthplace of heavy metal, and the connection between its musical heritage and future generations. Attendees, including a Black Sabbath tribute musician who travelled from Melbourne, described Osbourne's music and character as deeply meaningful.

Warwick Folk Festival has introduced extra fire-safety measures because unusually hot, dry weather has left the grass parched and increased the risk of rapidly spreading fires. Organizers have banned barbecues on the ground, required camping stoves to be raised above the grass and placed fire buckets around the site. The precautions come as firefighters across the West Midlands tackle a rise in grass, wildfire and outdoor fires, including a four-day blaze at Hanter Hill in Herefordshire, deliberate fires in Stoke-on-Trent and a fire that destroyed 40 hectares near Bridgnorth. Despite the risks, the festival is attracting large crowds and organizers say the event remains popular.

Peter Kay's Birmingham performance, evacuated 45 minutes after starting on 1 May because of a bomb hoax, has been rescheduled at Utilita Arena for Saturday. Original tickets remain valid, while refunds can be requested through the original ticket provider; doors open at 18:00 BST and the show begins at 20:00. The Better Late Than Never tour, which began in 2022 after Kay's 12-year touring break, is nearing its conclusion, with profits from the final shows donated to 12 cancer charities. Omar Majed, 19, has been charged over the hoax and is due to face a provisional trial on 3 November.

Independent brewers in Birmingham met with two local MPs at Attic Brew Co to discuss rising business costs, closures across the brewing sector and the need for government support. Industry figures showed significant brewery and pub closures, prompting calls for action on business rates and market access. Local MPs highlighted the community value of brewing, while concerns were raised over potential health‑focused alcohol policies. Advocates expressed hope that proposed business‑rate reforms could help stabilise the industry.

West Midlands Police cancelled charges against a rider whose legally rented cargo e-bike was wrongly seized and destroyed after being misidentified as an illegal motorbike. The force admitted its roadside testing method was inaccurate, committed to ending its use immediately, and agreed to compensate the rental shop. The incident prompted frustration from the shop and calls for collaboration with cycling industry bodies to prevent similar errors.

Actor and writer Emily Glaze, who has alopecia areata, is taking a one‑woman show to the Edinburgh Fringe to explore her experiences with hair loss and challenge perceptions of physical differences. The show, developed from an earlier monologue, reflects the emotional impact and varied forms of alopecia while aiming to empower others with similar conditions. Glaze describes the reaction to revealing her baldness on stage as transformative and hopes increased representation will help reduce stigma. The production runs at Underbelly Cowgate from 5 to 30 August.

Actor and writer Emily Glaze brings a one‑woman show about her experience with alopecia to the Edinburgh Fringe, describing how removing her wig onstage became a moment of empowerment after years of shame. Her production, rooted in both fictional storytelling and personal history, aims to raise awareness of the varied forms of alopecia and increase representation for people with physical differences. The show seeks to help others with similar conditions feel seen and empowered, reflecting Glaze's journey from hiding her hair loss to embracing visibility.

Free and family-friendly summer holiday events are available across the West Midlands, including arts trails, museums, outdoor cinemas and activity programmes. Several councils and charities are offering funded holiday clubs and sport sessions for children eligible for free school meals. Highlights include Birmingham’s Snoopy sculpture trail, Wolverhampton’s community fun days, Shropshire’s hot air balloon festivals, free aircraft access at RAF Museum Midlands and multiple cultural sites offering free entry for children. A wide range of museums, outdoor attractions and workshops across Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire will also run throughout the summer, many requiring advance booking.

Brockswood Animal Sanctuary in Sedgley has introduced two young emus, Willow and Fern, to help ease the loneliness of Malcolm, an older emu who lost two previous companions. Staff say the new arrivals have already shown interest in Malcolm and will gradually be integrated into his paddock, with hopes the pair will bring renewed activity and social engagement for him.

Steven Liles, a 60‑year‑old freelance photographer from Redditch, was sentenced to eight years and six months in prison at Worcester Crown Court for sexual offences against children committed between 2009 and 2019. Police discovered hidden‑camera footage in his home studio, leading to voyeurism convictions alongside charges of sexual assault and sexual activity with a child. Investigators said he used his photography work and relationships with mothers to groom victims. West Mercia Police commended the victims for their courage, and the court imposed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and financial penalties.

An 11‑year‑old paraplegic boy named Ted completed the Three Peaks Challenge with the support of his father and family to raise money for children’s charity Molly Ollys, surpassing their fundraising target after unexpectedly meeting Catherine, Princess of Wales, on all three mountains. Catherine, participating in the challenge to support the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, spoke with Ted each time and later donated to his fundraiser. The group completed the challenge in just under 30 hours despite harsh weather conditions, drawing significant public attention and additional donations that exceeded £11,000. Pete, Ted’s father, described both the difficulty of the climb and the overwhelming encouragement they received, hoping the experience inspires other children facing serious health challenges.