Birmingham Mail

Birmingham Magistrates

Burglar Nabbed by Single Cigarette Butt

A BURGLAR arrested after he left a cigarette stub at the scene of a raid has been spared time behind bars. The cigarette was found by police who identified Paul Kendall through DNA testing, Kanwal Juss, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court.

Blithe Spirit in Black and White

Car Vandal Sent to Jail ; Crime: Man Responsible for Wave of Attacks

A BIRMINGHAM man who persistently interfered with cars and struck fear into local residents has been sent to prison. Daniel Pinder, aged 28, of Balsall Heath, was jailed for 26 weeks and given a twoyear criminal anti-social behaviour order (CRASBO) by Solihull Magistrates.

Former Mp Opens New City Campus

THE former Education Secretary and Birmingham MP Estelle Morris returned to familiar territory when she officially opened a new college campus in the city. The ex-Yardley MP, now Baroness Morris, attended the official opening of the new Fordrough campus of City College Birmingham in Bordesley Green.

Ambulance Bosses Seeking New Sites

WEST Midlands Ambulance Service is to search for two new sites for ambulance stations to improve provision in Walsall and the surrounding area. With supermarket chain Morrisions offering to buy the site of a current station in Aldridge, ambulance trust bosses say they've been given a chance to make changes. They're looking for help find possible sites.

Future of Hall to Be Debated ; Highbury: Meeting to Review Options

THE long-term future of Birmingham's historic Highbury Hall is to be discussed at a long-awaited public meeting later this month. Birmingham City Council, which is responsible for the upkeep of the Victorian hall and 32 acres of gardens, was ordered by the Charity Commissiontoholdtalkswith local residents, and campaigners over its future.

Talk On Cancer

ASCIENTISTand author who has survived cancer is holding a book signing in Sutton Coldfield. The Cancer Support Centre is hosting a visit by its patron Professor Jane Plant, who is a leading geochemist and an international expert on chemicals in the environment. Professor Plant will be signing copies of her books in Waterstones from 3.30pm on Thursday.

Jay Gets On His Bike for Charity

A SUTTON Coldfield optician has tackled another mammoth cycling challenge to help buy tandem bikes for the blind. Jay Lad, fromLad & Turner Opticians, in Wylde Green, hopped in the saddle to take part in a 60-mile cycle in Coleraine, Ireland, to boost funds for the RNIB.

Pervert Who Fled Uk 'Panicked'

A PERVERT who fled the country after police launched a child sex investigation has been spared an immediate prison sentence. Ricky Sambrook, 35, of Halesowen Road, Cradley Heath, spent 11 months in Tenerife when he knew police wanted to question him. After returning to the UK, Sambrook admitted sexual activity with a child and appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court to be given a 12-month jail term, suspended for two years. He was also made the subject of a two-year supervision order and told h...

Spelman to Repay Expenses ; Row: Top Mp Agrees Pounds 1,600 Pay-Back

A SENIOR West Midlands MP is repaying pounds 1,600 in House of Commons allowances - after she used the wrong form to submit a claim. Caroline Spelman (Con Meriden), the Shadow Local Government Secretary, is repaying expenses she received for mobile phone bills.

Stage Chance for Students

PERFORMING arts students will get the chance to do it for real with the help of a city acting troupe. The Rogueplay Theatre Company, based at the Custard Factory, has joined forces with South Birmingham College.

Top of the Lot

BRUMMIE bingo fanatic Barry Thomas is hoping to play the world's highest game of bingo on Mount Everest. The 32-year-old manager at Gala Bingo in Birmingham will tackle the world's highest mountain - dabber in hand - in an attempt to smash the record for the World's Highest Game of Bingo and raise pounds 100,000 for charity.

Coffee Morning Raises Pounds 664

20 Families Get Smart

BIRMINGHAM households are protecting the planet and their pockets as part of an international energy project. Families in the Summer-field, Edgbaston, have had smart meters installed in their homes to help them understand how much energy they are using and help them to cut down.

Thanks for Weekends ; Competition: Holiday Winner Back to Normal

AFTER 10 consecutive weekends of living the jetset lifestyle, Paul Hooper and his wife Toni are about to get back to "normal". Saturday and Sundays tidying his garden in Bournville will be a complete contrast to the weekends he spent in places like New York, Tunisia and Edinburgh.

Celebrities in the Swing for Charity

CELEBRITY sports stars helped support an action-packed golf day which raised pounds 14,000 for charity. Former world boxing champions John Conteh and John H Stracey both provided after dinner speeches at a recent event held at the Belfry Golf Club.

Bonfire Night Fun

FAMILIES are being urged to wrap up warm and join in the fun at a charity fireworks extravaganza. Balsall Common Round Table is staging a family bonfire event in aid of the Island Project school on November 5 from 6pm.

High Note for Market

A BIRMINGHAM market is holding a free live concert to mark the fact they will be staying open for another five years. To mark this good news, organisers will be setting up a 30ft stage with ten live bands from Birmingham in Oasis Square.

Divine Art Settings

A CITY centre church will be hosting three arts projects this autumn. Visitors to St Martin's Church in the Bullring can enjoy Let the Needles do the Talking, a textile show, until Sunday.