:00:00. > :00:09.The headlines tonight: 37 dogs kept in filthy
:00:10. > :00:11.conditions: a puppy farmer's jailed for cruelty to animals.
:00:12. > :00:14.This is why is extremely important for the public to be vigilant about
:00:15. > :00:19.The judge described Sean Kerr as devious,
:00:20. > :00:25.Hundreds of Birmingham taxi drivers fear they could be forced off
:00:26. > :00:36.All systems go in the most popular women's participation sport,
:00:37. > :00:49.as the new superleague netball season gets under way.
:00:50. > :00:56.Love letters between the two mike gay soldiers in the Second World War
:00:57. > :00:57.when they risked jail and persecution for being together.
:00:58. > :01:00.And it's been much milder today - temperatures climbing a little
:01:01. > :01:11.I'll have a full forecast a little later.
:01:12. > :01:20.Devious and guilty of being involved in a horrible trade.
:01:21. > :01:22.The words used by a judge to describe a puppy farmer
:01:23. > :01:27.from Solihull who's been jailed for six months after being convicted
:01:28. > :01:31.The RSPCA and the police seized 37 dogs from Sean Kerr,
:01:32. > :01:34.during an operation in December 2015.
:01:35. > :01:39.The animals had been kept in filthy conditions and some were diseased.
:01:40. > :01:42.A warning: you may find some of the pictures in Bob Hockenhull's
:01:43. > :01:53.Kept in the darkness - undernourished, covered
:01:54. > :01:57.37 puppies - many cross bred so called designer dogs -
:01:58. > :01:59.seized by horrified RSPCA inspectors at Pastures Farm.
:02:00. > :02:02.One puppy was found dead in a plastic bag kept in a van.
:02:03. > :02:07.Customer Anita D'Souza paid ?350 for her West Highland
:02:08. > :02:15.It turned from a joyous moment and being all excited to a bit of a
:02:16. > :02:23.Her last moments, she was looking at me and it was sad.
:02:24. > :02:37.Sean Kerr was also banned from keeping dogs for life.
:02:38. > :02:40.Many, like Riley, had contracted parvovirus -
:02:41. > :02:49.The district judge told him it was sad to say
:02:50. > :02:52.someone who had once cared for horses and been a jockey had now
:02:53. > :03:00.He said he believed Kerr had made a substantial fortune dealing in
:03:01. > :03:05.He ordered him to pay ?30,000 towards prosecution costs.
:03:06. > :03:07.The puppies were many different breeds, some
:03:08. > :03:19.If you look on the internet, you will see
:03:20. > :03:21.thousands and thousands of dogs for sale.
:03:22. > :03:23.This is why it is extremely important for
:03:24. > :03:30.the public to be vigilant about where they purchase a puppy from.
:03:31. > :03:32.Most of the seized dogs have been fostered.
:03:33. > :03:34.Veterinary nurse Jemma Jennings is looking after Roger -
:03:35. > :03:37.a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and now hopes to keep him for good.
:03:38. > :03:41.He was subdued, quiet, not really interacting
:03:42. > :03:53.From when he came, he's a lot more outgoing, he's
:03:54. > :03:56.Nine of the seized animals were pregnant.
:03:57. > :03:59.27 puppies have since been born leaving the RSPCA with 64 dogs
:04:00. > :04:03.brought one unscrupulous dealer to justice.
:04:04. > :04:09.Earlier I spoke to Charlotte Parsons of the Dogs Trust who was
:04:10. > :04:21.I think for Dogs Trust, the big concern of the case is
:04:22. > :04:24.Six months for the cement of cruelty is
:04:25. > :04:28.We would like to see sentencing increased so that the
:04:29. > :04:36.punishments are fitting the crime is committed.
:04:37. > :04:37.What essentially is the issue with puppy farms?
:04:38. > :04:41.The big concern is that the welfare of the
:04:42. > :04:44.The main concern for the breeders is the
:04:45. > :04:51.As a result, the puppies suffer, not only while
:04:52. > :04:53.they are with the breeder but in their later life
:04:54. > :04:55.because they have not been well socialised when they
:04:56. > :04:59.One of the issue seems to be poppies are taken away from
:05:00. > :05:03.It is a concern if they are taken away from
:05:04. > :05:09.their mums too early because they're not getting the socialisation may
:05:10. > :05:17.It is really important they are with mum until eight weeks
:05:18. > :05:20.because they are learning how to interact with other dogs which is
:05:21. > :05:23.really crucial for them to grow into healthy adult dogs.
:05:24. > :05:27.More than 500 black cabs and nearly 1,500 private hire taxis could be
:05:28. > :05:29.forced off Birmingham's roads by the end of the year.
:05:30. > :05:31.It's because they're old and breach EU emissions standards.
:05:32. > :05:35.The city council says it has to clean up the air or it could face
:05:36. > :05:38.Sarah Bishop is in Birmingham city centre for us.
:05:39. > :05:44.The council is saying this is a serious matter?
:05:45. > :05:47.Deadly serious - it says we're facing major public health crisis,
:05:48. > :05:55.in Birmingham because the air is so bad.
:05:56. > :05:56.900 deaths per year attributable to poor air
:05:57. > :06:03.quality and pointing finger at old polluting cabs.
:06:04. > :06:12.Many of them have very old cars and that is why they want this cull. Cab
:06:13. > :06:19.drivers say they cannot afford the cost of an equal card. ?45,000 for a
:06:20. > :06:26.new electric cab, I can't afford that. Nobody can. It is just like
:06:27. > :06:31.having a mortgage. The work situation is very tight.
:06:32. > :06:33.Birmingham's cabbies are under pressure to go
:06:34. > :06:36.Almost 2,000 old black cabs and private hires could be forced
:06:37. > :06:39.off the roads by Christmas because of their emissions.
:06:40. > :06:41.Mohammed Mumtaz, father of four - been a cabby
:06:42. > :06:52.The lorries are causing more congestion than we are. We are being
:06:53. > :06:56.His diesel cab is 15 years old and under council
:06:57. > :07:07.A bit disappointed. They have not proposed anything apart from taking
:07:08. > :07:24.the old scabs off the road and bringing new ones.
:07:25. > :07:30.They have now said they want a 12 week public consultation.
:07:31. > :07:33.But what do the public think of the council's plan?
:07:34. > :07:39.After all it's air everyone breathes?
:07:40. > :07:46.As you walk past them, you get the smell of the fumes. I do believe
:07:47. > :07:51.they have a point in what they are trying to do. It is sad for the
:07:52. > :07:58.people who only taxes. If they were to provide them with replacement
:07:59. > :08:00.vehicles, that would be a decent solution. Why should they lose their
:08:01. > :08:06.livelihood replace their vehicles unless they get help to do so. I am
:08:07. > :08:13.joined with someone from the union. Clearly your members are unhappy,
:08:14. > :08:18.what will you do as a union? We are sad about the proposals and we are
:08:19. > :08:24.considering with the executive counterproposal and how to get a
:08:25. > :08:27.better solution to the scheme. Clearly the council have been forced
:08:28. > :08:33.to do this, they are under a lot of pressure from Europe. There are
:08:34. > :08:39.grants of the ?7,500 to buy a new cab. It is not a lot? It is just a
:08:40. > :08:47.pebble in the ocean. They will be fined every year if they do not
:08:48. > :08:52.match the criteria. If they can just have a grant for these drivers, they
:08:53. > :08:56.could slowly pay it back instead of paying fines per year. What about
:08:57. > :09:04.the idea of the Council leasing cabs to drivers? Now, Alyce ties the
:09:05. > :09:09.driver to it. If you give them a grant like they did back in the
:09:10. > :09:15.1970s renegade Krantz regarding houses, surely they can do the same
:09:16. > :09:20.to the taxi drivers? To remind you, the council are under massive
:09:21. > :09:21.pressure from Europe, only yesterday the commission issued a final
:09:22. > :09:27.warning to clean up our era. Two West Midlands Police officers
:09:28. > :09:30.have been charged with drug offences, conspiracy to steal
:09:31. > :09:32.and misconduct in public office. The constables, who are based
:09:33. > :09:34.at Perry Barr, were immediately Six other people arrested
:09:35. > :09:37.in early morning raids across the West Midlands on Tuesday
:09:38. > :09:40.morning have also been charged. Patients were turned away
:09:41. > :09:43.from Worcestershire Royal this morning because there
:09:44. > :09:45.weren't enough beds. Instead they were taken to
:09:46. > :09:47.the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch. The shortage of space
:09:48. > :09:49.didn't affect the cardiac, The Trust which runs
:09:50. > :09:55.Worcestershire's hospitals says difficulties in recruiting front
:09:56. > :09:58.line staff have contributed Plans for a Legoland Discovery
:09:59. > :10:02.Centre in Birmingham, like the one in Manchester,
:10:03. > :10:04.have been approved. It will be the second
:10:05. > :10:08.one in the country. It'll be aimed at children under
:10:09. > :10:11.eight and as many as two and half thousand people a day are expected
:10:12. > :10:19.to visit in peak season. We're exactly a week away
:10:20. > :10:23.from the most eagerly-awaited Midlands by-election for many years
:10:24. > :10:25.- its political significance extending far beyond the boundaries
:10:26. > :10:28.of the Stoke Central constituency But what are the leading contenders
:10:29. > :10:32.promising for people who live there? Our Political Editor Patrick Burns
:10:33. > :10:35.has been talking to some of the main Stoke Central's been a Labour
:10:36. > :10:41.stronghold for 66 years. But it's not exactly
:10:42. > :10:43.clickety-click for them this time. Twenty years ago their
:10:44. > :10:46.majority was 20,000. And that was before
:10:47. > :10:54.Jeremy Corbyn and Brexit. Stoke recorded one of the biggest
:10:55. > :10:59.Leave votes, in defiance of Labour. Above-average unemployment shows it
:11:00. > :11:02.still struggles to make good the damage from the loss
:11:03. > :11:04.of its mining industry. Its last steelworks, at Shelton,
:11:05. > :11:08.was also in Stoke Central. The Emma Bridgewater Pottery
:11:09. > :11:14.is in the constituency so don't let anyone dismiss this as just
:11:15. > :11:19.another museum piece. The museum really is quite
:11:20. > :11:21.something, by the way. Also in the constituency,
:11:22. > :11:25.the Royal Stoke Hospital which recorded some of the longest
:11:26. > :11:27.trolley waits anywhere Defending the seat,
:11:28. > :11:34.Labour's Gareth Snell says it's 'NHS His chequered Twitter history
:11:35. > :11:38.includes strong language denunciations of Brexit,
:11:39. > :11:41.attacks on Jeremy Corbyn and derogatory Tweets
:11:42. > :11:45.about women, eleven years ago, He's doing his best
:11:46. > :12:04.to focus on the issues. We have a great hospital
:12:05. > :12:06.in the ROyal Stoke but it is underfunded
:12:07. > :12:07.and We have a plan to deliver
:12:08. > :12:15.what's needed in UKIP's new leader Paul Nuttall's
:12:16. > :12:19.campaign has had its hiccups too: first over that local address
:12:20. > :12:21.where he initially registered himself, and then those claims that
:12:22. > :12:24.he'd lost 'close friends' at Hillsborough, made on his website
:12:25. > :12:26.which he's now taken down. Of course the NHS is
:12:27. > :12:29.a big issue in this Many of people in this
:12:30. > :12:31.constituency voted to leave the European union
:12:32. > :12:34.and they need an MP At 25 the Conservative Jack Brereton
:12:35. > :12:38.is by far the youngest candidate. He's the Cabinet member for
:12:39. > :12:40.regeneration on the city council. We need to create more jobs,
:12:41. > :12:43.better jobs, better skilled jobs and better paid
:12:44. > :12:46.jobs for local people. Obviously Brexit is a big issue
:12:47. > :13:03.and it is important we respect the vote which was voted
:13:04. > :13:05.on overwhelming way by Dr Zuilfiqar Ali stood
:13:06. > :13:08.here for the Liberal Democrats A consultant cardiologist,
:13:09. > :13:11.he combines the NHS with a strongly anti-Brexit message,
:13:12. > :13:13.even in this Vote Leave 'hotspot'. In the NHS, 5% of the workforce
:13:14. > :13:16.is from the European The NHS is struggling
:13:17. > :13:20.with this staffing level. When this 5% is leaving
:13:21. > :13:22.and no more coming, we The Green Party's Adam Colclough
:13:23. > :13:26.is Stoke born and bred, and has stood in council elections
:13:27. > :13:28.too, billing himself We're willing to
:13:29. > :13:33.protect NHS services, community beds and
:13:34. > :13:41.community hospitals. Cuts will have a devastating
:13:42. > :13:45.impact but also better quality jobs to the city,
:13:46. > :13:47.revitalising the transport It's the air war which fascinates
:13:48. > :13:52.the political community with so much But it's on the ground
:13:53. > :14:01.that the candidates face the biggest challenge,
:14:02. > :14:03.persuading more than half the electorate who didn't vote
:14:04. > :14:07.in the general election, Patrick Burns, BBC Midlands
:14:08. > :14:15.Today Stoke Central. We'll be hearing from more
:14:16. > :14:20.of the candidates on tomorrow's Tonight, BBC Radio Stoke's live
:14:21. > :14:26.debate gets under way immediately after Midlands Today
:14:27. > :14:27.at seven o'clock. You can find a full list of all ten
:14:28. > :14:43.candidates on Patrick's blog. Don't you hate the queues at a
:14:44. > :14:48.filling station? Today the luxury Land Rover Jaguar and Shell have
:14:49. > :14:54.launched the first in payment system.
:14:55. > :14:57.Well today, the luxury car maker Jaguar Land Rover and fuel firm
:14:58. > :14:59.Shell have launched the world's first in-car payment system.
:15:00. > :15:02.Rather than using a card at the pump or going into the kiosk,
:15:03. > :15:06.you can now pay in the comfort of your car with a special app.
:15:07. > :15:07.Here's our transport correspondent, Peter Plisner.
:15:08. > :15:09.What could be simpler - paying for your petrol
:15:10. > :15:13.Of course you do have get out to fill up -
:15:14. > :15:15.but with the in-car app you won't have to queue.
:15:16. > :15:18.And if you've got kids - there's no worry about leaving them
:15:19. > :15:22.The setup is fantastic, it makes life easier for
:15:23. > :15:26.You click on the dashboard and fill up and get back in the car
:15:27. > :15:30.But drivers we spoke to today appears to have mixed views
:15:31. > :15:35.I think there's too much technology and too much
:15:36. > :15:40.communication without involving the human being.
:15:41. > :15:43.I would probably go to the kiosk because I usually what a
:15:44. > :15:49.sandwich and drink and what have you.
:15:50. > :16:00.The app being unveiled by Jaguar Land Rover and Shell today
:16:01. > :16:02.is part of the revolution in motoring but
:16:03. > :16:04.also paid in part by the technology on smartphones.
:16:05. > :16:06.It is all designed to make driving much easier.
:16:07. > :16:08.If you have lost your wallet and you get in
:16:09. > :16:12.And how about this - another in-car app that helps
:16:13. > :16:14.you find things like your keys or your wallet.
:16:15. > :16:17.Is there not a worry that drivers will take their eyes
:16:18. > :16:21.We have chosen these apps because they
:16:22. > :16:31.But hang on - if the technology is linked to mobile phones.
:16:32. > :16:33.Should we be really using it in places like petrol stations.
:16:34. > :16:36.The phone is connected to the touch screen in the
:16:37. > :16:39.car with the car parked so you're doing it in a safe environment.
:16:40. > :16:44.And more cashless payment opportunities are on the way -
:16:45. > :16:46.deals with the growing number of drive through outlets mean
:16:47. > :16:49.in the future you won't even need you wallet.
:16:50. > :16:58.A 100 metre section of medieval wall recently uncovered by archaeologists
:16:59. > :17:01.in Coventry is to be covered over again.
:17:02. > :17:04.The council says it would be too costly to keep it exposed.
:17:05. > :17:07.Built in the 14th century, it once encircled the city
:17:08. > :17:15.Under a car park in the centre of Coventry a fascinating
:17:16. > :17:19.These sections of the city's medieval wall were recently
:17:20. > :17:22.uncovered by archaeologists after being under tarmac
:17:23. > :17:26.and concrete for as long as anybody can remember.
:17:27. > :17:31.One part is completely intact, has been badly damaged.
:17:32. > :17:37.They began building the wall around 1370 and it took
:17:38. > :17:39.180 years to complete, but when it was finished
:17:40. > :18:01.It is about the same as the ring road. This map shows the map. Bits
:18:02. > :18:08.are still dotted around the city today, like you are under part of
:18:09. > :18:12.the ring road. These relics from the medieval city which survive so close
:18:13. > :18:18.to the surface. We have the tarmac a few inches on top of the wall. It is
:18:19. > :18:25.probably true across the whole city, it went from the medieval city which
:18:26. > :18:29.survived into the 20th century, the concrete city we have today. There
:18:30. > :18:38.was no Georgian and Victorian architecture in the middle.
:18:39. > :18:44.But the newly found section will be covered over again.
:18:45. > :18:54.Keeping it open to the elements would mean astronomical costs. It
:18:55. > :18:55.would start to deteriorate and in 30 years' time, it would no longer be
:18:56. > :18:57.years' time, it would no longer be there.
:18:58. > :18:59.Once covered, there will be signs indicating
:19:00. > :19:01.the walls existence, but for now this insight
:19:02. > :19:03.into Coventry's past will once again succumb to concrete.
:19:04. > :19:06.Kevin Reide, BBC Midlands Today, Coventry.
:19:07. > :19:11.Netball is currently enjoying a surge in popularity.
:19:12. > :19:19.It's the biggest female participation sport.
:19:20. > :19:21.And it's just been awarded ?17 million from Sport England
:19:22. > :19:24.This weekend, the Superleague season gets under way
:19:25. > :19:27.and there are two new teams from the Midlands taking part.
:19:28. > :19:31.the Wasps are buzzing, and we're not talking rugby.
:19:32. > :19:36.they've created a brand new netball club to join
:19:37. > :19:42.And they're determined to be competitive.
:19:43. > :19:45.This team, if they get it together, will be difficult to beat.
:19:46. > :19:48.We have an under 17s, under 19s, 21s Academy.
:19:49. > :19:52.I have a mission that in four years' time
:19:53. > :19:54.this team will be West Midlands -based players.
:19:55. > :19:58.It was 32 degrees when South Africa's netball
:19:59. > :20:02.And freezing cold when she arrived in Coventry.
:20:03. > :20:08.But she has had a very warm welcome from wasps.
:20:09. > :20:11.Coming from South Africa netball is different than in
:20:12. > :20:21.I am excited for the games coming up.
:20:22. > :20:34.you will find the seven stars, a joint enterprise
:20:35. > :20:43.by the universities of Worcester and Gloucestershire.
:20:44. > :20:45.this is no surprise to two bronze medal
:20:46. > :20:56.Her job is to grow the game and make seven stars are forced to be
:20:57. > :21:00.We want to start the season with a bang, we want to step
:21:01. > :21:06.Our goal is to finish in the top four.
:21:07. > :21:11.young star who was so keen to play for Seven Stars that she chose
:21:12. > :21:12.to study at the University of Worcester.
:21:13. > :21:14.Hopefully get local talent and bring them in.
:21:15. > :21:16.Hopefully get more girls signing from the local area,
:21:17. > :21:26.And you can see all ten teams in action at Birmingham's Genting Arena
:21:27. > :21:38.From netball to crickets. The Worcestershire batsmen says it is a
:21:39. > :21:47.huge honour to be elected chairman of the professional cricket players
:21:48. > :21:52.union. Mitchell says one of the big issues for players is a new city
:21:53. > :21:57.We can get a good idea of what our views are and get them across to
:21:58. > :22:00.influence the ECB and get a great deal from the players.
:22:01. > :22:02.Obviously it's not an easy task, there are so
:22:03. > :22:04.many stakeholders in cricket with the media, county clubs and
:22:05. > :22:07.supporters and members but I do believe the players have a very
:22:08. > :22:22.have been uncovered and they're to be made into a book.
:22:23. > :22:25.It's half a century since gay relationships ceased to be a crime.
:22:26. > :22:27.The letters were sent by Infantryman Gordon Bowsher
:22:28. > :22:30.to his lover Gunner Gilbert Bradley, who was stationed at a training
:22:31. > :22:46.Joanne Writtle's been delving into their then risky past.
:22:47. > :22:53.Illicit letters between the two mike meant when the love would've been
:22:54. > :23:01.illegal. Gilbert Bradley, a former member of the BBC was stationed at
:23:02. > :23:07.Park or camp in 1939. Darling, I love you for ever and ever. The
:23:08. > :23:13.letters from an infantryman but no pictures of him have yet been of
:23:14. > :23:17.Gordon Bowsher. Most letters would have been banned but they were found
:23:18. > :23:24.in a house clearance and bought by the town museum. It stunned us
:23:25. > :23:28.because we assumed the letters were from a girl to a boy because of what
:23:29. > :23:31.they talked about and then it was the realisation we had uncovered a
:23:32. > :23:38.gold mine of correspondence between the two men. By contrast this couple
:23:39. > :23:44.hit headlines 11 years ago for being the first to have a civil
:23:45. > :23:49.partnership. Helping to organise the LGB TV history Festival this weekend
:23:50. > :23:56.where the letters will be read. Who would've thought from 1939, despite
:23:57. > :24:04.Gordon saying, darling, do one thing for me, destroy these letters. Good
:24:05. > :24:09.old Gilbert kept all these letters and took no notice. We are looking
:24:10. > :24:15.at something so personal and loving and caring between two men in the
:24:16. > :24:20.Second World War. Jeff and Peter's relationship was formed in tricky
:24:21. > :24:31.times. We have been together for 38 years. It is very difficult... Even
:24:32. > :24:36.for us back in the late 1970s, a very different world. It was very
:24:37. > :24:41.restricted. It was very hard to find a partner for life. 1940s Britain
:24:42. > :24:50.was a different time to live, Gilbert and Gordon did not stay
:24:51. > :24:52.together. This couple think their letters are timeless. One of the
:24:53. > :24:57.letter says we will live in different times, we will not have to
:24:58. > :25:04.keep hiding. It took a long time but here we are, in a way we are the
:25:05. > :25:11.It's time for the weather and, hopefully, this
:25:12. > :25:23.It was a stunning day today. This was the sunrise. It did not end
:25:24. > :25:30.there. We got plenty of blue sky. This did help boost temperatures,
:25:31. > :25:36.reaching 12 Celsius today. This time last week we were struggling to get
:25:37. > :25:42.above 2 degrees. Every single lining has a cloud, and we are plenty of
:25:43. > :25:48.close out there. We did say some showers to this afternoon. This is
:25:49. > :25:52.what they look like. They were quite lively over the centre of
:25:53. > :26:00.Birmingham. It is associated with this weather system which will drape
:26:01. > :26:06.itself across us. Overnight, it will bring some cloud and drove us all.
:26:07. > :26:11.We will say at cloud and drizzle sitting over the top of us tonight,
:26:12. > :26:17.steadily we will start to state clear away. At improvement is going
:26:18. > :26:21.to be across parts of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. We could get
:26:22. > :26:29.improvement. Hill fog developing as well. It is not a cold night, I'll
:26:30. > :26:34.start to the day tomorrow. We have that cloud sitting across does but
:26:35. > :26:40.we say an improvement from the West. The sun comes out with lighter
:26:41. > :26:45.winds. It will feel pleasant in the sunshine. Temperatures are around 11
:26:46. > :26:51.Celsius. Still double figures and the cloud continues in from the West
:26:52. > :26:53.with the next weather system, bringing drizzle overnight. That
:26:54. > :27:02.should clear away on Saturday morning. For a weekend, plenty of
:27:03. > :27:07.usable weather to come. Temperatures back up into double figures. They
:27:08. > :27:31.might reach the teams for next week. Thank you, Rebecca. -- the teens.
:27:32. > :27:34.A seven year old girl from Hereford who wrote to Google asking
:27:35. > :27:36.for a job, was stunned to receive a personal reply
:27:37. > :27:40.Chloe Bridgewater decided she'd like to work for the technology
:27:41. > :27:43.giant after finding out employees had bean bags and ride on go karts.
:27:44. > :27:46.Sundar Pichai told Chloe to keep working hard and said he looked