Evening news round-up for the Black Country and north Worcestershire

A garage owner has been jailed after admitting sexually assaulting a client before intimidating her into dropping the charges against him.

Robert Parke, who owned the former RP Autos in Brierley Hill, sexually assaulted a woman in May 2016, after she bought a car from his garage.

He then continued to harass the woman - even after she reported the assault to police - by intimidating her and forcing her to sign a false statement, dropping the charges against him.

To read more click here. 

Tributes have been paid to the man who spent more than 60 years at the helm of a traditional Dudley sweet company.

Ted Gray, who ran the Edward Gray of Dudley company - fondly known as Teddy Grays - with his older sister Betty, died in his sleep on Friday, aged 81.

To read the full tribute story click here.

A concerned councillor has accused Russells Hall Hospital of "failing" the people of Dudley and called for an urgent review to establish the reasons behind its "continued struggles".

Extended A&E waiting times and ongoing reports that patients have been stuck on trolleys due to bed shortages, has led Sedgley councillor Bill Etheridge to conclude the hospital is in "crisis".

To read more click here.

Newly- crowned 19-year-old World Wrestling Entertainment's first UK champion Tyler Bate is getting plaudits after making history in Blackpool.

One of the first people to congratulate the Netherton superstar-in-the-making after becoming the first ever WWE UK champion was the principal of his old school Ormiston Forge Academy.

Andrew Burns, Ormiston Forge Academy principal, said: "We are all incredibly proud of Tyler's achievement last night."

To read more click here.

A Kidderminster burglar who struck at houses across Wyre Forest and grew cannabis at his home has been jailed for six years and eight months.

David Lyness, aged 55, targeted houses within a five mile radius of his home in Silver Street, while the owners were away and stole valuable items, Worcester Crown Court heard.

To read the full court report click here.

Redditch MP Karen Lumley has suffered a health relapse after a surgical procedure at the Alexandra Hospital in October. 

The MP was unable to carry out much of her parliamentary work until Christmas, and her recovery suffered a serious setback last week - forcing her to return home to Redditch where she will remain.

She will not be able to attend Parliament or undertake constituency visits until at least the end of January.

To read more click here.

It may have been billed as the most depressing day of the year, but ‘Blue Monday’ hasn’t been so gloomy for seven lucky Bromsgrove residents after winning the lottery today.

The magnificent seven, in Broad Street, Sidemoor, who share the postcode B61 8LR, scooped People’s Postcode Lottery’s Daily Prize of £1,000 today (Monday, January 16).

To read the full story click here.