Central Tipton

West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service have tweeted to say a man has died in a flat fire in Tipton this morning.

They are investigating the cause.

A robber who had to abandon stolen cigarettes worth £9000 because they proved too heavy has had his challenge of his sentence rejected.

Reece Melvin Jones from Tipton was one of three men who targeted an Asda shop in Darlaston in December 2015.

The gang threatened a security guard with a wrench as they took thousands of pounds worth of cigarettes in a large builder's bag. But it proved so "full and heavy" that they could not get it through the doors and abandoned it.

Jones was arrested after a police chase, but had challenged his sentence because of his youth and relatively minor previous convictions. But Mr Justice Fraser pointed to the threats, including with the wrench, the treatment of the security guard and the resisting of arrest.

“Four-and-a-half years was not manifestly excessive and this appeal is dismissed,” ruled the judge.