A Shirley resident who claimed that a cocktail of drugs discovered at his flat were for him and his friends has been jailed for two years and 10 months. Oliver Riando was interviewed back in August 2013 as officers from the Shirley policing neighbourhood team responded to concerns about suspicious activity at his Stratford Road…

Female entrepreneurs are a “neglected niche”, according to Lorely Burt, the Government’s new “women in enterprise” champion, appointed today. The Solihull Liberal Democrat MP, who began her career as assistant governor at Holloway Prison, will be helping female business owners understand how they can get help and support for both start- ups and growth companies….

A Firefighter and Policeman are preparing to get on their bikes for a mammoth cycle ride in aid of an Armed Forces charity. Kevin Fitzgerald and Stuart Rawlings will pedal 350 miles over eight days from 1st June through northern France to raise funds for Help for Heroes. The duo have signed up for the…

Angry Shirley residents are calling for swift action to remove a group of travellers who have parked their caravans on the Palmers Rough Recreation Ground and Nature Reserve. The travellers parked up their five caravans on Sunday morning (13th April) using stealth tactics and the knowledge nobody is available at the Council on weekends to…

A smash-and-grab thief who used tools to bludgeon his way into at least nine homes has been jailed after police surrounded a home he was ransacking. Prolific crook Christopher Burchell (pic left) shattered a rear window at a house on the afternoon of 17th February. However, the sound of breaking glass alerted a neighbour and…

It was their big day and identical twins Gillian and Alison naturally said “we do” together. The pair married their sweethearts on the same day in 1974 at Chelmsley Wood Baptist Church. According to mum Audrey Humpage her daughters even wore the same dresses and hairstyles at their double wedding – 40 years ago. Proud…

Police found a sawn-off shotgun and 51 rounds of ammunition hidden inside a lawnmower when they searched the home of a burglary suspect. Teenager Gavin Sohal had been arrested by detectives investigating a Balsall Common break-in where an Audi A4 was stolen after keys and a wallet were swiped from a kitchen drawer. Eagle-eyed officers…

Madge Andrews celebrated her 105th birthday and put her long and happy life down to family, taking part in sports and a nice glass of wine – served at room temperature. Madge celebrated the landmark by throwing a tea party at the Royal Star & Garter Home in Solihull, with her extended family – seven…

Local residents filled a community centre to raise their objections against Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) latest bid to build on green space. Around 70 people attended the meeting at Whar Hall Community Centre, organised by Councillor Martin Hewings (Lib Dem, Elmdon). It was organised to gather public opinion on JLR’s plans to build a new…

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling has claimed the relocation of criminal cases from Solihull Magistrates to Birmingham makes the borough’s court more effective. Speaking on a visit to drug and alcohol charity Welcome in Chelmsley Wood, the MP said the decision to cease criminal cases in Solihull last January had freed up the court to offer…