Local Live: Driver jailed over cyclist death; new £5 note

The family of Graham Ruecroft, the scientist who died after being knocked off his bike by driver Maria Sutton, has issued a statement expressing hope she will use her time in custody to "reflect on her actions and understand that she has robbed a family of a loving and considerate individual whose life was cut short during a moment of stupidity caused by the effects of alcohol".

Quote Message: We will never know for sure but I firmly believe that if prompt action had occurred that night the consequences may have been less severe and we may not be mourning a professional who not only had contributed considerably to the field of chemistry but still had a lot to offer this and also the field of pharmaceutical drugs. from Malcolm Ruecroft

We will never know for sure but I firmly believe that if prompt action had occurred that night the consequences may have been less severe and we may not be mourning a professional who not only had contributed considerably to the field of chemistry but still had a lot to offer this and also the field of pharmaceutical drugs.

TVPCopyright: TVP

One lane is blocked and there are now queues on the A4142 Eastern Bypass Road westbound in Oxford between Cowley Junction and Littlemore roundabout, because of a broken-down van.  

Get more rush-hour travel details on the BBC Travel site.

The cloud will thicken again overnight, but this does mean it should stay fairly mild, especially around Oxford and other more built-up areas. 

The odd spot of light rain or drizzle cannot be ruled out, though it should stay mostly dry. Lows of 8C (46F).

BBCCopyright: BBC

The top stories in Oxfordshire this evening:

• A woman has been jailed for four years and one month for killing a cyclist while drink-driving and perverting the course of justice
• Jobs at the BHS store in Banbury are to go as it's emerged the department store chain is to be shut down
• And Oxford scientists are investigating how the humble zebrafish could help develop cures for heart failure, which has seen cases increase by a third in the last decade

Victoria Prentis has taken to Twitter to express her sadness at the news that the BHS department store chain is to shut down.

The chain has a store in Banbury's Castle Quay Shopping Centre, but this looks set to be closed down.

An inquest opened today into the death of four friends who lost their lives in a two-car collision on the A420 in Oxfordshire.

A woman who admitted killing a cyclist while driving over the drink-drive limit has been jailed for four years and one month.

Maria Sutton, 27, of Newlands Way, Cholsey, knocked down 55-year-old Graham Ruecroft while she was driving on Wallingford Road in Cholsey on 4 June last year. Mr Ruecroft died five days later.

Sutton pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice at Oxford Crown Court on 23 December.

She later pleaded guilty to causing death by driving without due care and attention while over the alcohol limit in April.

Oxford City Stars head coach Simon Anderson admits recruitment has been trickier this time around due to his side's success last season.

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The Stars have secured the services of former Bracknell defenceman Matt Jordan and forward Josh Florey for the upcoming campaign. 

Anderson says that, after finishing in the playoffs last time, the squad have had more interest from elsewhere.

Two ponies have settled into their new home after being rescued by a Thame family.

Jobs at the BHS store in Banbury are to go as it's emerged the department store chain is to be shut down.

PACopyright: PA

The decision followed a lengthy bidding process aimed at saving BHS, which went into administration in April. 

But no viable buyers came forward willing to pay what the administrators deemed an acceptable price.

All 163 BHS stores will be holding closing sales over the coming weeks.  

A man's fighting for his life after the car he was driving crashed with a lorry near Bicester this morning. 

It happened on the A41 not long after midnight. 

 He was treated at the scene and then taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital where he is being treated.

There are long delays on the A34 Western Bypass Road southbound in Botley before the Botley Interchange after an accident involving two lorries and a 4x4 vehicle towing a caravan. 

The accident at about 12:00 has left one lane closed and there is congestion stretching to Kidlington Junction.

A lorry crashed into Oxford Railway Bridge in Botley Road. The lorry, which was carrying crane, became stuck under the bridge at about 11.30 this morning.

One lane is blocked and there's queuing traffic on the A34 Western Bypass Road southbound in Botley before Botley Interchange, after an accident involving three vehicles. Congestion to Peartree Interchange.

You can get the latest on the BBC Travel site.

It will continue to slowly brighten up from the west, with some sunny spells this afternoon, and it'll feel pleasant in the sunshine. Highs of 16C (61F).

BBCCopyright: BBC

Here are your lunchtime news and sport headlines:

• Oxford scientists investigating how the humble zebrafish could help develop cures for heart failure, which has seen cases increase by a third in the last decade
• More than 1,000 new members have joined Bicester's library since it opened its doors for the first time in April
• And Oxford United winger Callum O'Dowda says his senior international debut for the Republic of Ireland has capped off "an incredible season"