BBC Local Live: Coventry & Warwickshire

Almost 30,000 ballot papers were spoilt in the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner election earlier this month, along with 3,000 in Warwickshire.

Although some were deliberate some returning officers feel many were spoiled because the voting system is too complicated.

In the West Midlands it accounted for nearly 5% of the total votes cast.

You can see more on this story on Sunday Politics West Midlands on 15 May at 11:00 on BBC One.

Organisers of the Coventry Motorfest say they're to host a second circuit at this year's festival with Gymkhana cars, drift cars and stock cars all set to feature on a new short oval track.

MotofestCopyright: Motofest

They say the new short track oval circuit will be created from the Moat Street car park area near to Junction 7 of the Coventry Ring Road.

The two-day festival starts on Saturday, 4 June, with additional events on the evening of Friday, 3 June. 

Quote Message: The Coventry Motofest event just gets bigger and better each year and we look forward to putting on an exciting show to celebrate Coventry’s motoring heritage." from Darren Langveld Motofest director

The Coventry Motofest event just gets bigger and better each year and we look forward to putting on an exciting show to celebrate Coventry’s motoring heritage."

A dry and mostly cloudy night, with skies clearing later on.

Cooler than recent nights with a chilly northerly breeze and lows of 6C (43F).

A man has been given a 30-week prison sentence, suspended for a year, for careless driving, after he left the handbrake off on his van, which rolled away killing a mother-of-two.

Matheeb Iqbal, 23, from Lime Grove, Birmingham, was delivering fresh fish to the Bowling Green Pub in Southam when the vehicle rolled across the car park killing 65-year-old Susan Collins. 

Tragically her husband was also killed by a careless driver four years ago. 

Here's a recap of some of our main stories today:

- Coventry City's owners consider further court action after losing appeal

- Delivery driver given suspended sentence after killing Southam mother

- Rugby rule book sells for £13,00 at auction

Police say the car stop that led to the arrest and conviction of Coventry drug dealer, Abdul Mahmood, was "good old fashioned police intuition".

Investigating officer, Det Con Bevis Johnson from Force CID, said "the officers acted on a hunch and it proved spot on".  

West Midlands PoliceCopyright: West Midlands Police

Police say they became suspcicious and stopped the car when they spotted three men cruising the streets in the Tile Hill area of Coventry in March last year.

Abdul Mahmood was jailed for four years and eight months at Warwick Crown Court yesterday.

A rugby rule book dating back to 1851 has sold for £13,000 at auction - more than six times its guide price.

It measures 8.4cm by 5cm (3.3in by 1.9in) and is called The Laws of Football as Played at Rugby School. 

The inside cover says H Waddington, October 3rd 1851 and it is believed to have belonged to William Henry Waddington, the former prime minister of France, who went to Rugby School. 

It was auctioned at Rogers Jones & Co in Cardiff on Friday with a guide price of £1,000 - £2,000.

Rogers Jones & CoCopyright: Rogers Jones & Co

Invictus Games athlete, Jen Warren says she's "over the moon" after winning nine medals - one for every event she competed in.

The anaesthetist from  University Hospital in Coventry was awarded two golds -for the handcycling timetrial and swimming in the 100m freestyle, as well as seven silvers.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

She said she was also a bit "overwhelmed" after smashing all of her personal best times. 

Wasps have confirmed that Wallaby Kurtley Beale will join the club for the 2016/17 season from the NSW Waratahs.

Wasps RugbyCopyright: Wasps Rugby

The 27-year-old has won 60 caps for Australia since his debut against Wales in 2009 and has competed in two Rugby World Cups.

Quote Message: There are very few players in world rugby who can really excite people and get spectators on the edge of their seats. Kurtley Beale is one of those rare talents. Every time he gets the ball in his hands, you can sense the anticipation among those watching that something is going to happen. from Dai Young Wasps' Director of Football

There are very few players in world rugby who can really excite people and get spectators on the edge of their seats. Kurtley Beale is one of those rare talents. Every time he gets the ball in his hands, you can sense the anticipation among those watching that something is going to happen.

These are some of our main stories this afternoon:

- Coventry City club owners consider further action after losing latest appeal

- Wasps sign Wallaby Kurtley Beale for next season

- Rugby rule book from 1851 sells for £13,000 at auction

While most people with Coventry City at heart will hope this could be the end of the legal squabbles over the club it seems that is likely to be a forlorn hope.

The rejection of SISU’s appeal is unlikely to be the end of the matter. 

They are already making noises about taking their case to Europe. 

bbcCopyright: bbc

Even if they decide against pursuing that avenue a second judicial review is already in the pipeline. 

This would be a challenge of the council’s decision to sell their stake in the Ricoh to Wasps rugby club. 

In the meantime Coventry City seem to be no nearer their stated aim of building their own stadium and the complaint from the fans is that the money going on court battles might be more usefully spent on the team instead.

One lane of the M42 is blocked northbound between J5 for A41 West Midlands and J6 for A45 Birmingham Airport because of an incident.

BBC Travel are reporting congestion to J3a M40.

Saturday night marks the 61st Eurovision song contest. Joe and Jake are hoping to woo the crowds for the UK with their song You're Not Alone.

You can watch the show live on BBC One at 20:00.  

On this week's front page: The family of a Stratford man whose life was ‘cruelly ended’ when he was savagely beaten to death have spoken of their devastation.  

Stratford ObserverCopyright: Stratford Observer

Coventry City owners Sisu says there are "significant public policy reasons" why its case against the city council "should be reviewed by the Supreme Court".

In a statement, issued through solicitors, the company says its considering referring "certain aspects" of its case against the city council to the European Commission.

Sisu says it's "obviously disappointed" by the Court of Appeal's decision which, it thinks "conflicts with guidance given by both the UK Government and the EU Commission".

Quote Message: This is the first time that this legal principle has been considered by the superior courts and, whilst we respect the views of their Lordships, this judgment conflicts with guidance given by both the UK Government and the EU Commission. Government bodies should not use access to public funds to further political and policy objectives in a way that adversely impacts competition between local businesses. from Sisu statement

This is the first time that this legal principle has been considered by the superior courts and, whilst we respect the views of their Lordships, this judgment conflicts with guidance given by both the UK Government and the EU Commission. Government bodies should not use access to public funds to further political and policy objectives in a way that adversely impacts competition between local businesses.

Leamington Spa's Mandip Sehmi has been selected in the Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby squad for this year's Paralympics in Rio.

The 35-year-old, who trains wiht the London Wheelchair Rugby Club, will be competing in his third Paralympics

Paralympics GBCopyright: Paralympics GB

Quote Message: I’m never complacent when it comes to selection, so I’ve just kept my head down and kept working. London 2012 was phenomenal, the support we got is difficult to put into words, but it’s good to know heading into Rio 2016 that support is still strong back at home.

I’m never complacent when it comes to selection, so I’ve just kept my head down and kept working. London 2012 was phenomenal, the support we got is difficult to put into words, but it’s good to know heading into Rio 2016 that support is still strong back at home.

These are some of our headlining stories in the Coventry newsroom today:

- Coventry City owners Sisu lose latest court appeal

- City drug dealer jailed after police stop leads to stash

- Leamington's Mandip Sehmi selected for Paralympics in Rio

A short statement by Coventry City Football Club says they're "aware" of today's judgement but the outcome "does not affect the day-to-day operations of the club".

They say they remain focused on supporting manager Tony Mowbray and his staff so "we can build a strong squad" for the upcoming season.

Archie Lynch from Hinckley showed his Coventry City loyalty when he turned up to his Leicestershire school's 'wear anything blue' day in his Sky Blues kit today. 

His dad, Martin Lynch, says the 8-year-old, who's been a mascot for the club, "hasn't wavered" in his support all year.

"A lot of his friends have changed to Leicester this year from other clubs, but not Archie".