Robber who preyed on grieving family jailed for eight years

A robber who stole from a grieving family and held up newsagents at knifepoint has been jailed for eight years. A detailed police investigation, which unusually began when a bag of suspected stolen property was left at the scene of a burglary, led detectives to arrest Birmingham man Daniel Wyatt in February this year in…

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Photographer hailed a hero for rescuing woman from Solihull canal

A 31-year-old photographer has been hailed a hero by police after she rescued a drowning woman from a Solihull canal. Verity Milligan performed the life-saving act on a freezing December day back in 2012. Her morning had begun with a stroll along the canal near to Richmond Road in Olton, where she planned to capture…

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Solihull Police catch tinned fish thief

A Kitts Green man who stole a feast of salmon, tuna and corned beef from a local supermarket has been sent to prison for three months. Terry Field, described by officers as a prolific shoplifter, was arrested as part of an investigation into the theft of £250 worth of tinned items from a Chelmsley Wood…

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Tragic Solihull mum died from heart attack after weight loss surgery

A Solihull woman, who struggled with her weight for years, died due to complications following gastric band surgery, an inquest heard. Jacqueline O’Shea, who weighed 20st prior to her pre-op diet, had been inspired to have the weight loss operation after seeing her twin brother’s success with the treatment previously. The 61-year-old, known as Jackie…

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New Year’s Eve burglars – 2014’s first arrests – are jailed.

West Midlands Police’s first two prisoners of 2014 have both been handed jail terms for ransacking the home of a couple out at a New Year party. Kieron Ballard and Felix Delaney struck at the house in Kenilworth Road, Balsall Common, at around 11.30pm on 31st December before loading a hoard of electrical items, jewellery,…

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Son found mum dead at Heartlands Hospital – two hours after she passed away

Two more cases emerge of hospital visitors finding their relatives dead in bed. A devastated son has claimed he found his mother dead in her hospital bed – two hours after she passed away. Jimmy Weldon spoke of his “nightmare” at discovering his mum Helen’s body at Heartlands Hospital. The case mirrors that of Solihull…

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Cancer survivor is given charity award

A Bentley Heath policeman who has been given the all-clear from bowel cancer has received a national award for his charity work. Police Investigations Officer Bill Lord, who was diagnosed with the condition in 2008, picked up the Achievement Award from the charity Beating Bowel Cancer. Fifty-four-year-old Bill, who has been a policeman for 30…

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Laughing thief jailed for targeting pensioners in Solihull

A thief who laughed at one of his elderly victims as she chased him to try and get her handbag back has been jailed for three-and-a-half years. Carl Gough mugged two pensioners in Solihull last October, disguising his identity by wearing a motorbike crash helmet and a fluorescent outfit. One woman, aged 74, had just…

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Retired Solihull midwife enjoys 80th birthday with first baby she delivered – now 43

Evelyn ‘Gloria’ Wray marked her 80th birthday by being reunited with the first baby she brought into the world. Russell Davies was born at his family’s home in Knowle in April 1971. Now 43, he was among hundreds of Gloria’s special charges who attended her birthday bash at Small Heath Baptist Church – and this…

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Police warn of car raiders after £2,500 watch snatched from unlocked vehicle

A designer watch valued at £2,500 was among items taken from unlocked cars by opportunist thieves across Solihull last month. In total, 129 thefts from motor vehicles were recorded across Solihull borough in April. Twenty-one owners admitted leaving their cars unsecure and another 24 were unable to explain how criminals had gained access to their…

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