Fan Admits Linesman Attack

An Aston Villa fan has admitted throwing a coin at a linesman during a Premier League match. John Billington, 43, of Beechley Close, Great Barr, pleaded guilty to a single count of battery at Birmingham Magistrate's Court. The 43-year-old, a managing director of an engineering firm, admitted assaulting the referee's assistant Phil Sharp during Villa's 0-0 draw with Portsmouth on 18 October. He had thrown a 50p piece at Mr Sharp, who required treatment to the head after the Villa Park incident.

Man Dies After Gas Explosion

A 95-year-old man has died following a gas explosion in his Warwickshire home. The elderly man, Leslie Graham, died in hospital after he was rescued from his home in Shipston Road, Stratford-upon-Avon. West Midlands Ambulance Service found Mr Graham with head and chest injuries when he was rescue from the hose fire by crews on Tuesday afternoon. The 95-year-old's daughter, Jeanne Hallworth, told reporters she had spoken to him while he was trapped in the house. "I could hear him on the other side of the door. It was obvious that he was on the floor, but I couldn't get into him and I just called to him that I would try and get some help." According to the man's daughter, Mr Graham insisted on using three gas heaters in the house, as he thought he was saving money.

Man Killed In Motorway Car Crash

A man has died and his female passenger seriously injured in an accident on the M8 on Wednesday night. The accident happened at 11.10pm when a luxury sports car came off the road at Whitburn and crashed into a tree. The passenger was thrown clear, but the driver was stuck in the Lamborghini Gallardo, which caught fire and was extensively damaged in the blaze. The 29-year-old passenger, was taken to Wishaw General Hospital. She broke her collarbone and has abdominal injuries.

Two Held Over Air Cadet Death

Two people, including a teenager, have been arrested in connection with the murder of man who was killed in a drive-by shooting in south London. Ricardo Cox, 20, was shot twice as he walked with his brother in Croydon, on 26 November. Two people, aged 16 and 20, had been arrested after three addresses had been raided in Croydon on Tuesday. The youth has been released on police bail but the 20-year-old remains in custody, police said. Two 18-year-olds arrested in December in connection with Mr Cox's murder have been released on police bail pending further inquiries. Mr Cox – an air cadet – was on a gap year from college when he was murdered.

Key Bridge Gets New Protection

In the first installation of its kind in the UK drivers and rail users in the North West are to benefit from a new barrier system that will prevent bridge strikes along the M6 motorway. As part of the £3.2m overhaul of Rose Whittle Bridge near junction 28 of the M6 at Leyland, a new Delta Bloc System, specifically designed for the protection of bridges, was installed last month. The bridge carries M6 traffic over the West Coast Main Line and the blocks have been installed to prevent and minimise the impact of bridge strikes. Incidents involving bridge strikes can cause long delays for safety reasons as engineers need to check for damage before re-opening roads or railway lines.

(JM/BMcC)