Latest news with #UniversityofWolverhampton
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Man sentenced after carer left for dead in crash
A teenager who left a carer for dead in a hit-and-run crash has been sentenced to four years in a young offenders' institution. Layton Clenton, 19, stole a Land Rover Discovery from an Ikea car park in Wednesbury on 30 September before driving to Wolverhampton. After an initial police pursuit, he crashed at speed into a car carrying 19-year-old Freya Theobold and a colleague, who were visiting homes in their work for a care agency. Ms Theobold, an adult nursing student, suffered severe pelvic and spinal fractures, a broken leg and needed bowel reconstruction surgery, and doctors initially feared she would never walk again. Since the crash, she has suffered repeated flashbacks and nightmares, and spent weeks in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, and later New Cross in Wolverhampton before continuing her rehabilitation at home. Speaking exclusively to the BBC, Ms Theobold said the past five months had been the hardest experience of her life. Reflecting on the sentence, she said: "I feel relieved knowing it can't happen to someone else, another life won't be ruined, and just the thought that I am going to get some justice. "I think they are very selfish actions – he's caused some really traumatic things to me. "I hope he can learn from it and maybe not make the same mistake again - to better himself. Because no one should have to go through what I've had to go through." Ms Theobold is now making steady progress thanks to regular rehabilitation and mental health support. Despite that, she has had to put her University of Wolverhampton course on hold. "I can pretend I'm as normal as I can be, but in reality my mum still has to do my daily tasks for me, and so does my nan," she said. "I can't just walk to the shop; I can't do those things, and a lot of my independence has been taken away." In a statement read to Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday by prosecutor Patrick Sullivan, she said she remembered "being trapped in the car... crying for my mum". Ms Theobold stated she had "lost all dignity", and her moods "are all over the place". "I walk very slowly. I certainly can't run.... Everything exhausts me. "I'm extremely anxious when travelling in a car or ambulance." Clenton was also banned from driving for three years on Friday. The judge, His Honour Justice Ward, said the teenager had a "bad record" of offending and was someone who had "a history of stealing cars". At an earlier hearing, Clenton, of Tennyson Road in Wolverhampton, admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle theft, failing to stop, and driving without insurance and while disqualified. Det Insp Richard Marsh, of West Midlands Police (WMP), said the Land Rover had initially been pursued by officers. "The driver was driving at high speed and dangerously, and police backed off due to the nature of the driving," he said. On Friday, Nicole Steers, defending, said Clenton had expressed remorse. At one point he ended up in care and had had "some challenges", she stated. "[He] ended up in the wrong crowd. "He didn't have the ability or the skills to stand strong." Freedom of Information data published by WMP shows that 305 Land Rover Discoveries were stolen in the region in 2024, more than any other model of car. A total of 1,623 arrests were made in the 12 months to February 2025, but only 6.9% of stolen vehicles were recovered, according to the statistics. The force recently launched a crackdown on vehicle thefts that saw 200 vehicles recovered with a combined value of £1.8m. Det Insp Marsh said it was working with the motor industry and partners. Additional reporting from Andrew Dawkins. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Teenager charged following suspected hit-and-run Man arrested over hit-and-run crash 'The driver who hurt me is still out there' Family of hit-and-run victim in information appeal HM Courts & Tribunals Service
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Wolverhampton green industry corridor ready for investors
Firms are being encouraged to move to Wolverhampton's Green Innovation Corridor (GIC) to boost industrial research and collaboration between the University of Wolverhampton and the city council connects "key assets" at the university Springfield Campus, Science Park, and the i54 business has received £27m in government funding and will focus on green construction, engineering, computing and to become a partner, developer or owner-occupier are being offered at a trade show in Leeds this week. The UK's Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum is described by organisers as "the place where conversations start to drive investment and regeneration in our regions". City of Wolverhampton Council said the corridor would "leverage Wolverhampton and the West Midlands' internationally-recognised advanced manufacturing strengths – particularly in automotive, aerospace and related sectors".Last summer, the authority said the project would create more than 700 jobs by supporting new, green funding has been made available through the new West Midlands Investment Zone (WMIZ) which aims to create more than 30,000 new jobs and attract £5.5bn in Prashant Pillai, pro vice-chancellor for research and knowledge exchange at the university, said the university had been looking at research into green engineering and green construction for about 20 years, and that expertise would be used to help businesses grow."Through the Green Innovation Corridor we're aiming to establish a world-leading, research-driven innovation district - not just for Wolverhampton, but regionally, nationally, and globally," he Chris Burden, cabinet member for city development, jobs and skills, said considerable work had been undertaken to get the scheme ready for investment."The scheme already has a clear sense of direction and ambition and joining us at this stage provides ample opportunity to further shape the scheme and its offer to future occupiers." Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hub to provide support during city centre works
An interactive hub has opened to give people information and support in regard to ongoing £19m improvement works in Wolverhampton city centre. The two-and-a-half year transformation of the city centre began in January, with works underway on Darlington Street and set to move onto Lichfield Street and Queen Square. The council has now announced the opening of the Urban Room, a hub providing drop in sessions at set times, pre-booked meeting opportunities, and direct assistance from council staff and contractor Taylor Woodrow. The first sessions will take place between 12:00 BST and 13:30 BST on Tuesdays, with the plan to increase the number of sessions over time. According to the council, the sessions will give businesses, residents and visitors access to information about the scheme and dedicated support for any concerns or issues they have. The £19m transformation is the third and final phase of the council's city centre improvements programme, following completed schemes in the Victoria Street and University of Wolverhampton at The Halls areas. Councillor Chris Burden, the council's cabinet member for city development, jobs and skills, said: "We want people to enjoy our city centre from the moment they arrive, and these works are the next step in our transformation plans that are delivering positive outcomes. "This is a scheme for everyone, and the Urban Room is another way we are connecting with businesses, residents and visitors to ensure they are supported during the works and fully understand it so they can maximise the opportunities it presents to them." Stuart Townsend, Taylor Woodrow operations manager, said: "During these sessions, we will showcase drawings of the scheme, have updates on our social value projects locally, and we will be displaying information, including a video about the scheme. "Additionally, we will provide information about our chosen charities, The Way Youth Project Board, and have brochures available for career opportunities." Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Two years of city centre road works set to begin City centre transformation plan moves forward Multimillion-pound city centre revamp expanded City of Wolverhampton Council
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New centre launches to tackle digital threats
A university is set to launch a new centre for research into cyber security and artificial intelligence (AI). The Centre for Cyber Resilience and Artificial Intelligence (CYBRAI) at the University of Wolverhampton is due to be officially opened on Friday. Bosses said it was aimed at addressing the "growing regional and national needs for expertise" in the field. They said the centre would serve as a hub to bring together academics, businesses and the government to tackle challenges in the digital environment. AI was expected to be one of the centre's main areas of work, they said, bringing potential defences against threats as well as boost economic growth. Bosses believe the technology has the potential to automate repetitive tasks, and free up to as much as 20% of employees' time. "The establishment of CYBRAI underscores the university's commitment to addressing the critical challenges and opportunities presented by the digital revolution," said pro vice-chancellor Prof Prashant Pillai. "This centre will be a vital hub for research, innovation, and skills development in cyber resilience and AI, not only for our region but with national and international impact." It is estimated that 43% of businesses and 30% of charities, in the UK, experienced a cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months, according to data from The Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025. This equates to about 600,000 businesses and 60,000 charities. Recent high-profile cyber incidents include those involving retailers Marks and Spencer, the Co-op and Harrods. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. 'They wanted $4m': Lessons for M&S from other cyber attacks Co-op cyber attack: Staff told to keep cameras on in meetings Harrods latest retailer to be hit by cyber attack University of Wolverhampton
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
University of Wolverhampton launches new cyber security centre
A university is set to launch a new centre for research into cyber security and artificial intelligence (AI).The Centre for Cyber Resilience and Artificial Intelligence (CYBRAI) at the University of Wolverhampton is due to be officially opened on said it was aimed at addressing the "growing regional and national needs for expertise" in the said the centre would serve as a hub to bring together academics, businesses and the government to tackle challenges in the digital environment. AI was expected to be one of the centre's main areas of work, they said, bringing potential defences against threats as well as boost economic believe the technology has the potential to automate repetitive tasks, and free up to as much as 20% of employees' time."The establishment of CYBRAI underscores the university's commitment to addressing the critical challenges and opportunities presented by the digital revolution," said pro vice-chancellor Prof Prashant Pillai."This centre will be a vital hub for research, innovation, and skills development in cyber resilience and AI, not only for our region but with national and international impact."It is estimated that 43% of businesses and 30% of charities, in the UK, experienced a cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months, according to data from The Cyber Security Breaches Survey equates to about 600,000 businesses and 60,000 high-profile cyber incidents include those involving retailers Marks and Spencer, the Co-op and Harrods. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
