HERE'S your evening news round-up for the Black Country and north Worcestershire.

The jury deciding the fate of murder accused Niron Parker-Lee today retired to consider the evidence.

The 21-year-old, who admits inflicting the fatal stab wound that killed 24-year-old Mansoor Mahmood in Brierley Hill High Street on October 15, 2016, has denied murder - insisting he acted in self-defence.

His retrial at Birmingham Crown Court has heard the two men - who were both drug dealers - were known to each other.

To read the latest from court today click here.

A second man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with an investigation to locate missing Bromsgrove student Thomas Jones.

A 20-year-old man from Worcester was arrested on Sunday evening on suspicion of murder. A second 20-year-old, who is also from Worcester, was arrested later last night on suspicion of murder.

Both today remained in police custody.

To read more click here.

A man has been sentenced to 13 years in jail for three historic charges of indecent assault.

Michael Richards, aged 58, of Prospect Road, Redditch, was convicted in August, having pleaded not guilty, following a 10 day trial, where he was found guilty by a jury.

The offences on three females dated from 1975 to 1994.

To read the full story click here.

A depressed Kidderminster man described as a “terrorist” after he threatened to kill a businessman, has escaped jail.

Symon Hawkes, aged 34, said he would behead Stuart Allen – who runs Worcestershire Hour, a networking and news service for county organisations – in front of an audience during a seminar at the University of Worcester, a court heard.

Hawkes made his threat to attack Mr Allen over the phone.

To read the full court report click here.