Canal boat stolen from marina

May 10, 2013, 3:32 am

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Brazen thieves managed to steal a narrowboat from a marina despite a getaway speed of only five miles per hour. The £40,000 boat, Samshiba, was taken from the marina in London Road, Kegworth, and was last seen heading for Leicester. It is expected the boat is still somewhere in Leicestershire, based on the boat's top speed and the number of canal locks in the county. The 60ft vessel had been in the care of East Midlands Boat Services when it was taken in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Frank Hutchinson, one of the business partners at East Midlands Boat Services, which owns the Willows Moorings marina, said: "We've never had a whole boat taken from here in nearly 40 years. We've lost outboard engines and other bits before but this is a first. "It's crazy because the boat's only going to do a maximum of about five miles per hour. "And whichever direction they went with it there are locks on average once an hour. They take about 15 minutes to get through so the actual speed is more like walking pace. "The boat could probably only have got as far as Foxton but it hasn't been found yet. "There have been no sightings but there was fairly good information that it was heading towards Leicester, rather than north." Despite the very slow speed the boat is travelling, it could be very hard to find if it has been painted already or even hidden from sight. Frank said it was possible the thieves had planned to strip it for valuable materials. He said: "The worry is that it's been hidden in some backwater, in which cast it would be very hard to find without aerial surveillance of some kind. "And it could have been painted so it wouldn't be recognised." He said that although the boat was insured for the full £40,000 the theft was bad for business because customer confidence would be damaged. Photos of Samshiba have been circulated to boat owners and other marinas around the East Midlands in the hope Samshiba, which belongs to a man who lives in Keyworth, Nottinghamshire, will show up. The theft has also been reported to Leicestershire Police. A police spokeswoman said: "A 60ft narrowboat, which is blue with a cream top and called Samshiba, was stolen between midnight and 10.20am on May 7. "The owner checked upstream and could not find it and the incident is being treated as a theft." Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Young performers set to take to the stage in Sweeney Todd at Curve

May 10, 2013, 3:39 am

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Two young hopefuls are set to take to the stage at Curve in the lead roles in Stephen Sondheim's brooding musical thriller, Sweeney Todd. More than 400 young performers from across Leicestershire tried out in 14 different audition sessions to be part the latest community production running from July 30 to August 11. The production is directed by Paul Kerryson who directed the two previous hit community productions of Oliver and West Side Story. The show is filled with humour, wit and gruesome delights. Starring in the leading roles of Sweeney Todd the demon barber and Mrs Lovett the pie maker are Jak Skelly and Mary-Jean Caldwell. They lead the 60 strong company that began rehearsals this week. Jak, is from Anstey and is studying musical theatre at Leicester College. He said: "To be chosen in a lead role when there are older men in the cast is just tremendous. "It is such a great piece and the cast is great." Jak has his eyes set on a career on the stage and has appeared in a number of local productions. He is planning to continue his studies in London. Mary-Jean, 16, is from Knighton and is currently studying for her GCSEs at St Paul's Roman Catholic and Performing Arts School in Evington. Mary-Jean, who played Nancy in the community production Oliver, said: "I could not believe it when Paul said I was playing Mrs Lovett. It is such a great role." Mary-Jean has been singing since she was nine and has already appeared in productions in London. She is going to study A-level dance, drama and English literature at the Tring Park School for the Performing Arts in Hertfordshire. Sondheim's brooding musical thriller is filled with humour, wit and gruesome delights. From its first UK performance in London in 1980 to the stunning 2007 screen adaptation by Tim Burton, this tale of obsession and vengeance has enraptured audiences. Director Paul Kerryson said: "We've been overwhelmed once again by the local interest for our next community musical, Sweeney Todd. "The audition process has been rigorous with the production team seeing everyone who applied since registration opened in January – over 400 people in total." He added: "Sweeney Todd is a spectacular and musically demanding production. But we're in no doubt from previous productions that our talented company will rise to the challenge and bring the thrilling story of the demon barber of Fleet Street back to life to haunt Curve's auditorium this summer." He said there will be doubling up of actors on roles and that some characters are yet to be cast. He said: "The performers are driven and many are looking for careers in the theatre and performing arts. "We had a run through of the opening number on Wednesday and it was a powerful sound." As well as on stage, Curve's backstage team will be giving young technicians the opportunity to work on alongside the Curve professional expertise to support its stage, lighting and sound components. Tickets cost from £8.50 to £18.50, with discounted tickets available. Call the ticket office on 0116 242 3595, or visit the website: www.curveonline.co.uk

Spitfire wheels collapse as pilot pulls wrong lever

May 10, 2013, 3:49 am

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The pilot of a Second World War Spitfire pulled the wrong lever when it landed at East Midlands Airport, a crash investigation has revealed. The plane's under-carriage collapsed as it was moving off the runway and its wooden propeller hit the ground and shattered. The 46 year old pilot was uninjured and has told investigators he wanted to control the flaps but pulled the wrong switch. The incident occurred on January 7 at about 3.20pm and involved the vintage single-seater fighter which was based at the airport and belonged to Rolls Royce Heritage Trust. The runway had to be closed for nearly three hours and flights in and out of the airport at Castle Donington had to be suspended or diverted. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has just published a report of the accident which was filed by the pilot. The pilot, who has not been named, had more than 9,000 hours flying experience including 89 hours on Spitfires. He told investigators that the aircraft had landed on Runway 27 at East Midlands Airport and was taxiing to vacate the runway when the undercarriage retracted, causing the wooden propeller to strike the runway and shatter. He said he "intended to retract the flaps but inadvertently selected the undercarriage to UP." The levers are on different sides of the cockpit. The report said: "It is apparently a usual practice to retract the flaps a soon as possible after landing to minimise the effect they have on cooling radiator airflow." The AAIB noted that there was no safety mechanism fitted to the aircraft to prevent the undercarriage retracting while it was being used on either take off or landing. The aircraft, which was built in 1945, is known as the Rolls-Royce Spitfire and has become widely recognised as an ambassador for Rolls-Royce appearing at air displays and charity events as well as corporate functions. Not only does it represent the heritage of the Spitfire and the Rolls-Royce engines that powered them, it honours the pilots of all nations who flew them and the men and women who built and maintained them. The plane took to the sky again in October last year following a 23-month "extensive refurbishment" which involved major systems and structures being dismantled, inspected, repaired and reassembled. At the time of the incident a spokeswoman for East Midlands Airport said "The aircraft was met by the airport's fire service." After the plane was removed, the runway was inspected before flights resumed. Seven flights due to arrive at the airport from Glasgow, Edinburgh, Belfast, Tenerife, Aberdeen, Funchal in Madiera and Rzeszow, in Poland, had to be diverted to Birmingham.

MATCH DAY LIVE: Watford v Leicester City, Sunday, May 12, 12.30pm

May 10, 2013, 3:55 am

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It is going to be a massive game for Leicester City in their pursuit of Premier League football. And we will be with the team every step of the way for Sunday's play-off semi-final second leg against Watford. The Leicester Mercury's website will be covering the game live here with text commentary from Vicarage Road, Watford. It is a huge game with the prize of a Wembley final and a £120 million jackpot in the Premier League. Matchday commentator James Sharpe will be providing details of the action and analysis of the game. You will be able to put your questions, views and comments to James during the game through an interactive link on the match commentary or you can tweet him @TheSharpeEnd. Some of those comments and tweets will be shared with the website audience, so keep them free of abuse. The action will start at 12.15pm on Sunday with the announcement of the teams and pre-match build-up.

Leicester Tigers team to face Harlequins

May 10, 2013, 4:03 am

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Mathew Tait and Dan Cole return to the Leicester Tigers starting line-up for tomorrow's Aviva Premiership Rugby semi-final against Harlequins at Welford Road (3pm). England internationals Tait and Cole were both included among the replacements for last weekend's bonus-point win over London Irish in Round 22 but reclaim their starting spots for Saturday. Toby Flood will lead out the team as captain for the club's ninth successive appearance in the Premiership semi-finals. Tigers are expecting another 20,000-plus crowd for the last home game of the season. Tickets are still available from the Tigers ticket office, which is open until 5pm Friday and from 9am on Saturday. Purchase in person at Welford Road, phone the ticket office on 0844 856 1880 (option 2) or book online at the club website. Leicester Tigers team 15 Mathew Tait 14 Niall Morris 13 Manu Tuilagi 12 Anthony Allen 11 Vereniki Goneva 10 Toby Flood (c) 9 Ben Youngs 1 Logovi'i Mulipola 2 Tom Youngs 3 Dan Cole 4 Graham Kitchener 5 Geoff Parling 6 Tom Croft 7 Julian Salvi 8 Jordan Crane Replacements 16 Rob Hawkins 17 Fraser Balmain 18 Martin Castrogiovanni 19 Steve Mafi 20 Thomas Waldrom 21 Sam Harrison 22 George Ford 23 Matt Smith Harlequins Team 15. Mike Brown 14. Tom Williams 13. George Lowe 12. Tom Casson 11. Ugo Monye 10 Nick Evans 9. Danny Care 1. Joe Marler 2. Joe Gray 3. James Johnston 4. Olly Kohn 5. George Robson 6. Maurie Fa'asavalu 7. Luke Wallace 8. Nick Easter (C) 16. Rob Buchanan 17. Mark Lambert 18. Will Collier 19. Charlie Matthews 20. Tom Guest 21. Karl Dickson 22. Ben Botica 23. Ross Chisholm

Leicester City have the advantage thanks to David Nugent header

May 10, 2013, 4:10 am

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David Nugent scored his first goal since January to give Leicester City a slender advantage going into Sunday's play-off semi-final second leg against Watford.

The striker headed home Anthony Knockaert's free-kick to nudge City ahead in their bid to reach Wembley and the Premier League.

City, who have been at Wembley four times before in the Championship play-offs, must fancy their chances of another visit after this victory.

Watford beat City twice during the season, the second time just two weeks ago at the King Power Stadium, but this was a very different looking Leicester in the first half.

Buoyed by the way they reached the play-offs, with that excellent win at Nottingham Forest, City looked like a side that realised they had been handed an unlikely opportunity, something that had seemed impossible after that defeat to the Hornets.

Cheered on by a fantastic home support of nearly 30,000, City started superbly and pegged the visitors back in their own half for long spells in the first half and created a host of chances.

But were unable to take them, something they have paid the price for many times this season.

Lloyd Dyer and Anthony Knockaert were the architects in the first half, but City were wasteful with Nugent and Michael Keane failing to hit the target when well placed.

But it wasn't just City, thankfully. The game became very scrappy in the second period, with both sides making mistakes and squandering possession.

The Hornets should have stung City on the counter-attack but Matej Vydra scuffed his shot when clean through on goal.

Then Alex Geijo headed over from close range at the far post. After looking so confident and powerful in the first period, City looked nervy, and the visitors grew into the tie, and looked the most likely to score.

But then Knockaert swung in a delightful free kick and Nugent, the man who had not scored in 16 games, flicked his header superbly into the far corner to give City that slender advantage.

City will know that the job is only half done, but Nugent's goal has at least nudged them a little closer to Wembley and their Premier League dream

RELATED CONTENT• Picture gallery: City v Watford, playoff first leg at the King Power stadium• Picture gallery: City v Watford, playoff first leg at the King Power stadium• Article: City 1 Watford 0: Player ratings - semi-final play-off first leg • Article: City 1 Watford 0: Replay live, interactive coverage

Police appeal over bike theft at Leicester station

May 10, 2013, 5:10 am

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Police are appealing for help to trace two men they want to speak to about a bike theft at Leicester railway station. British Transport Police (BTP) have released CCTV images of the men, who officers believe could have information that will help them with their inquiries. Investigating officer Pc Michael Thomson said a bicycle, belonging to a 39-year-old man from Leicester, was stolen from the cycle racks on the city's station forecourt at 1.28pm on Saturday, 27 April. Pc Thomson said: "Two men were seen checking out the bike. One is then seen to cut the bike's chain with bolt croppers, before the other man then rides the bike away. "Inquiries are ongoing to trace the men involved. After reviewing CCTV images, I would now like to identify and speak to the men in these photographs as I believe they will have key information which can assist the investigation." Anyone who can knows the identity of the men in the images, or their current whereabouts, should contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016 quoting incident reference B6/NEA of 09/05/2013. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Hinckley and Bosworth Tory leader resigns

May 10, 2013, 5:17 am

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The leader of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council's Tory group has stepped down so he can spend more time with his young family. Coun Paul Bessant has said he can no longer commit the time he needs to leading the authority's opposition group on the Liberal Democrat-led council and has resigned after two years in charge. He said: "It has been a privilege to lead the council's Conservative Group over the last two years but there are a number of very important issues emerging such as the situation with the bus station development in Hinckley and deep rooted problems with council housing that will require much more attention than I am able to give at the moment." Coun Bessant and his wife Tracy have a 14-month old son Clark and a four week-old baby boy called Blake. He said: "When I became leader we did not have any children now we have two. "Many of the meetings I have to attend are in the early evening and it just isn't fair on Tracy to leave her to look after both kids - especially a newborn. "I also run my own business and 50 or 60 hours a week is the norm. "I believe it is important that the leader of the borough council's opposition group is in a position to dedicate as much time as possible to the scrutiny of important issues to ensure the interests of local people are protected so I feel it is appropriate to step down and support a new leader in this vital task." Coun Bessant will remain as the ward member for Newbold Verdon with Desford and Peckleton. Groby Conservative councillor Peter Batty has been elected leader of the Tories. Coun Bessant said: "Peter is a very tenacious councillor. He wanted to be leader and has the time to do the job. I am very pleased he has taken over. Coun John Moore and Coun Kevin Morrell have been confirmed as deputy leaders of the Tory group. Coun Batty said: "I would like to offer my thanks for the work Paul has undertaken over the last two years. "I will be working closely with my two deputies John Moore and Kevin Morrell, who will have responsibility for urban and rural issues respectively with Kevin also overseeing affordable housing, and the other members of the Conservative group to ensure that the key matters affecting local residents are properly addressed by the borough council's current administration."

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Leicestershire 229-2 at close on day three against Worcester

May 10, 2013, 5:17 am

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Ned Eckersley demonstrated just why he is so highly rated in Leicestershire circles with a splendid unbeaten century against Worcestershire at New Road yesterday. With rain having lopped more than a day's play from the game it is difficult to see how a result can now be fashioned after the County finished day three on 229-2 in reply to the home side's first innings total of 320-7 declared. But that should take nothing away from Eckersley, who posted his third first-class century and showed that he can develop into a high-class No.3 for the County. While Leicestershire will face much tougher tests than the current Worcestershire attack, it was still heartening to see the way the top order batsmen applied themselves on a pitch which was never the easiest to score on and offered some assistance to the spin bowlers. Thilan Samaraweera completed his century early during the morning session and Worcestershire promptly declared. However, any hopes they had of an early breakthrough were repelled by a determined opening stand between Niall O'Brien and Michael Thornely. They added 51 before Thornely was bowled for 17 in the final over before lunch. O'Brien fell for 46 after he and Eckersley had added 55 runs for the second-wicket. But Eckersley batted through to the tea interval reaching his half-century with a delightful drive through extra cover and carried on in similar vein after the break until rain intervened at about 5.30pm.

Temporary city centre traffic lane closure to become permanent

May 10, 2013, 6:07 am

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A trial closure of a lane of traffic in busy city centre street is to be made permanent. Newarke Street had one of its three lanes of traffic shut four months ago as an experiment to see whether the space could be given over to extending the city's 18th century New Walk City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby plans to widen the footway on the north side of Newarke Street to make improvements for pedestrians and cyclists as part of his wider £19 million Connecting Leicester project to revamp the city centre. Officials have monitored traffic flows in Newarke Street and surrounding roads using CCTV and adjusting traffic signal patterns as required. They say, despite some delays at the very start of the trial, problems with weather and road accidents congestion has not increased markedly. Sir Peter said: "Newarke Street is an important city centre route, so we couldn't just press on with plans to reduce the number of lanes without being absolutely clear on what impact it would have. "Officers have been keeping a extremely close eye on this, and we believe that reducing traffic capacity on Newarke Street will not have a negative impact on the transport in the city centre. "This means we can continue with our plans to create a safer and more attractive route for walkers and cyclists, extending the wonderful walk along New Walk's promenade right into the heart of the city centre." The proposed scheme has already successfully attracted £550,000 from the Department for Transport's Cycle Safety Fund. That will fund improvements for cyclists and pedestrians in Newarke Street, Southgates and as part of the plans for Jubilee Square. The pavement will be widened and resurfaced with the same finish as New Walk. A separate cycle lane, surfaced in red asphalt, will run alongside the walkway. Work is due to start on Southgates in July and on Newarke Street in August.

Burglar involved in break-in where two accomplices were shot is jailed

May 10, 2013, 6:19 am

≫ Next: Leicester schools halal lamb burgers contained up to 50 per cent pork

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A burglar involved in a break-in at an isolated cottage, where two accomplices were shot, was today jailed for four years. Orville Williams (32) was outside the property in Welby, near Melton, when the householder, Andy Ferries (35), came downstairs with a shotgun. He saw three masked men in his kitchen and pulled the trigger, because one of the intruders was reaching for a drawer where knives were kept. Two of the raiders, Joshua O'Gorman and Daniel Mansell, were both injured. They were arrested at Leicester Royal Infirmary where they went for treatment. Williams, a father of two, of Edgehill Road, Northfields, Leicester, who accompanied them to hospital was arrested outside the Accident and Emergency department. At Leicester Crown Court, he admitted burglary in the early hours of September 2 last year. O'Gorman (27), of the Wayne Way, Leicester, was shot on the right side of his face and Mansell (33), of Harrowden Rise, Crown Hills, Leicester, was hit on his right hand. Both have already been sentenced to four year jail terms for their involvement in the break-in, at Welby Grange Farm. Alan Murphy, prosecuting, said Mr Ferries, who owned the gun lawfully, was arrested and held in custody for 48 hours, before being released and told he was not being prosecuted. He was in bed with his wife, Tracey, when they were suddenly awoken by the sounds of "loud banging" downstairs. Sentencing Williams, Judge Michael Pert QC told him: "This was a planned targeted burglary. "It involved men driving in a vehicle to the vicinity to smash their way into a house which turned out to be occupied." Steven Newcombe, mitigating, said: "He wasn't one of the individuals who entered the property, but remained outside." Williams is the sole carer of two daughters who will now be cared for by his relatives.

Leicester schools halal lamb burgers contained up to 50 per cent pork

May 10, 2013, 6:22 am

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A halal lamb burger made by a company supplying Leicester schools contained up to 50% pork, the city council has confirmed today. The product was made by Doncaster-based Paragon Quality Foods Limited, which said it had never knowingly bought or handled pork. The discovery was made on April 18 and the burgers were withdrawn immediately but details only became public on Thursday. A DNA test found the burger contained between 10 and 50% pork. Trevor Pringle, the council director responsible for school meals said: "We have only received the DNA test result for one burger to date and we shared this figure with the Federation of Muslim Organisations early on in our investigation. "This result indicated between 10 and 50% pork content. To get a better understanding of this, and to support enforcement action, we have asked for more burgers from different batches to be analysed. "We expect those to be back sometime next week. We are clear however, that any level of pork content in this product is unacceptable and this has informed our approach" "Food analysts tell us that the lower percentage is a more reliable figure than the higher end, however for the above reasons we want to be more certain. We hope to be able to do this when the additional tests come back next week."

Four arrested after spate of distraction burglaries in Rushey Mead and Humberstone areas of Leicester

May 10, 2013, 7:41 am

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Police investigating a string of distraction burglaries in Leicester have arrested four people. Officers set up an operation last month following an increase in distraction burglaries after reports of elderly people being targeted in their homes. A total of nine distraction, or attempted distraction burglaries have been recorded since January 4 , mainly in the Rushey Mead and Humberstone areas of the city, although there have been some incidents in Thurmaston and Glenfield. A further eight reports of suspicious activity were received from members of the public which officers believe is linked to the series of crimes. Yesterday two men, aged 30 and 35, and two women, aged 25 and 26, were arrested in connection with the incidents and are in police custody. PC Sam Perry said: "This type of crime is despicable and we will continue to do all we can bring them to a stop. "So far, as a result of our targeted operation, we have four people arrested. However, we still need anyone with information to come forward so please don't hesitate to get in touch." Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Leicester MP Keith Vaz takes a tumble off a roundabout

May 10, 2013, 9:24 am

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Children were given a lesson in how not to ride a new playground roundabout by MP Keith Vaz today. The Labour MP for Leicester East took a tumble while officially opening the £40,000 play area today Rushey Fields Recreation Ground. He fell off the roundabout during the photo opportunity at the play area, off Harrison Road, in Belgrave, watched by youngsters from nearby Wyvern Primary School. Leicester Mercury photographer Matt Short, who was there to capture the event and took the images, said: "He played on the slide and some other swings as well. "He was like a big kid and he didn't seem to mind getting covered in sand. "He was loving it. He got back on the roundabout after and fell off it again." Mr Vaz said: "I had enormous fun. "I liked the roundabout a lot. It was fast and you could sit down on it. "The problem was I fell off a couple of times because it was a bit too fast. "I think it's probably designed for people smaller than me. "I'm very glad Leicester City Council has developed the play area in that part of Leicester, which has lacked facilities. "We now have a wonderful new play area not just for the use of local schools but for parents and their children at the weekends."

Sir Peter Soulsby's mother taken to hospital after car crash

May 10, 2013, 9:29 am

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City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby's elderly mother has been injured in a car accident. Mary Soulsby, of Oadby, was taken to hospital after her car swerved off the road and ploughed through a metal fence. The 90-year-old was driving along Honeywell Close, in Oadby, at 1pm today when the accident happened. The car demolished a 10-yard section of the six-foot high metal fence surrounding the gardens of a block of flats before ending up on its side. Firefighters were called to the scene and had to cut Mrs Soulsby and a friend, who was a passenger, free from the badly damaged vehicle. Both suffered minor injuries and were taken to the Leicester Royal Infirmary for treatment. Sir Peter, who has visited his mother in hospital, said she was in good spirits but had sustained a cut to her leg. He told the Mercury: "The car looks like write-off but she is doing okay and her friend walked away from it. It is a great relief. "She was insistent she did not need to go to hospital but she was faced with some equally intransigent paramedics who said she needed to be checked out. She has been entertaining the ambulance and A and E staff. "I haven't really spoken to her about what happened as our main concern was how she was but it appears she swerved off the road for some reason. "Despite her age, she is a very good driver. I travel in her car often and always feel safe."

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Police arrest three men after attempted robberies in Loughborough Road, Birstall and Main Street, Ratby

May 10, 2013, 9:42 am

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Police are appealing for witnesses to two attempted robberies which they believe may be linked. The first took place at 12.21pm yesterday in Loughborough Road, Birstall.No one was injured in the incident and nothing was taken. Minutes later, at 12.50pm, police received a call about another attempted robbery in Main Street Ratby. Again nothing was taken in the incident and no-one was injured. Officers are investigating reports that the suspects may have been armed with a knife and a hammer. During the Ratby incident a member of the public tried to block in the suspects' vehicle, to try and stop them leaving the scene. Fifteen minutes after the second incident police had arrested three men, aged 17, 20 and 25 in connection with the incidents. They are currently in police custody. DC Rob Buckley said: "We would like to thank the member of the public who attempted to block in the suspects' vehicle. "We are keen to hear from other people who were in either Birstall or Ratby at the time of the incidents and saw anything suspicious either before, during or after the incidents, to contact me." He added: "I know there were several people in the area during the attempted robbery in Ratby and we have not yet been able to track down all of these witnesses. "You may think the information you have is won't be significant, but it could be essential to our enquiry. Even the smallest detail may help." Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Buckley on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Fire crews deal with factory fire in Shearsby, near Lutterworth

May 10, 2013, 12:02 pm

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Fire crews were called to deal with a factory fire in Saddington Road, Shearsby, near Lutterworth tonight. Two crews from Wigston and a third crew from Lutterworth attended the incident shortly after 6pm. The fire was in an outbuilding at the rear of the single-storey factory unit.

Neighbour describes finding woman dead in her bathroom

May 10, 2013, 11:30 pm

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A murder trial has been hearing how a neighbour discovered the body of a mother-of-two in the bathroom of her home.

Riahana Rezayi (23) suffered a fatal stab wound to her abdomen and died on the floor, in Hand Avenue, Braunstone, Leicester, on November 13.

Her husband, Yacoub Rezai (32) denies murdering her, although he accepts responsibility for her death.

The jury at Leicester Crown Court has been told the issue is whether his actions amounted to murder or manslaughter.

Stephen Lowne, prosecuting, said the defendant allegedly told a relative, Moshen Rezayi, on the phone he had killed his wife.

Mr Rezayi went to the house and recruited help from neighbours Winifred and Edward Patterson at about 2pm.

In a statement read to the court, Mr Patterson said a man he had seen regularly visiting the defendant's home knocked on his door, saying "The lady is dead and in the bathroom".

After calling the emergency services, Mr Patterson forced a gate, used a rock to smash a window in his neighbour's house and climbed inside.

He went to the bathroom and saw his neighbour. He said: "She was on her back.

"My instant thought was she was dead. She looked at peace, like she'd just gone to sleep.

"I couldn't see any injury or blood on her."

He said the man who had raised the alarm climbed into the house and began wailing.

Statements of a paramedic and two police officers confirmed Mrs Rezayi was dead at the scene.

A knife with a four-inch blade was in the bathroom sink.

Earlier, the court heard the defendant suspected his wife was cheating on him.

She had asked for a divorce, which he did not want.

Mrs Rezayi was trying to arrange a "house swap" so she could move to Reading, where her sister lived.

Friend Najela Mohammad Afzel said the victim had not mentioned anything to her about having a male friend.

The trial continues.

Mum in fresh Facebook plea to find kidney donor for son

May 10, 2013, 11:30 pm

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A mum has relaunched a Facebook appeal to try to find a kidney donor for her son, after a hospital clarified information on who could donate.

Nicola Pietrzyk, from Glenfield, was furious when her first appeal, more than a month ago, to help seven-year-old Matthew appeared to hit a wall of red tape.

More than 15 strangers came forward offering to donate a kidney to Matthew.

But, as reported last month, doctors told Nicola the Birmingham Children's Hospital, where he is treated, did not test strangers who wanted to be organ donors for named recipients.

However, in a statement to the Mercury this week, the hospital said it "welcomes all offers of potential donors".

Nicola said she was pleased the hospital had issued clearer advice. She said: "They had the opportunity to do this weeks ago and it is a pity they didn't do it then.

"My concern is that potential donors could have slipped through the net but I am going to reissue the appeal."

A hospital spokesman said this week: "If we are approached by a donor and they want to donate their organ to a named recipient, but are not linked to the patient or family, we will assist with sign-posting them to their local adult renal unit, which would be responsible for carrying out any investigations and assessments or they can seek advice from their GP.

"To date, only a very small number of individuals has come forward as potential donors for Matthew and, unfortunately, none have been identified as a suitable donor."

Matthew has to endure 12 hours of dialysis every night as he was born with a genetic disorder which has damaged his kidneys.

He had one kidney removed in October 2007 and, the following year, Nicola donated one of her kidneys but the transplant failed.

He is now on the national kidney transplant waiting list.

The original Facebook appeal saw Nicola upload a picture of Matthew to the social media site earlier this year, appealing for one million people to "like" the image.

It aimed to find a live donor and raise awareness of organ donation.

In less than a week, more than 301,800 people responded to her appeal, and nearly 40,000 people joined the Facebook page.

Nicola has now posted a message telling followers that "strangers" can potentially be donors.

She added: "Matthew is well at the moment, the best he has been for some time and the care he receives at Birmingham is excellent. But he could wake up tomorrow and be poorly."

Nicola is hoping to meet Health Minister Anna Soubry to make it easier for potential donors to come forward.

Her MP Stephen Dorrell and Liz Kendall, MP for Leicester West, where Matthew's grandfather, Bernard Irwin, lives, are due to discuss the case with Ms Soubry on May 20, as well as concerns over confusion over rules surrounding donation.

Nicola said: "I am very grateful to them for taking this up but I would really like to meet the Minister. I feel my son's pain and want to get that across. It is difficult for someone else to do this."

Ms Kendall said: "I wrote to the Health Minister to demand the NHS does everything within its power to get Matthew a new kidney. I shall be meeting with her to press his case."

Agony or ecstasy? It's make or break for Leicester City

May 10, 2013, 11:32 pm

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With Wembley in the Blue Army's sights once again, we decided to take readers on a trip down memory lane to revisit some of City's past play-off glories – and agonies.

The Foxes take a 1-0 lead to Vicarage Road tomorrow knowing that a draw or better against Watford will see the club back at the home of English football for the first time in 13 years.

For eight tumultuous years, from 1992 to 2000, the hallowed turf was almost a home from home for City, who played in four play-off finals and three League Cup finals under the reigns of Brian Little and Martin O'Neill.

It began with play-off heartbreak in 1992 with the first of three consecutive play-off finals being decided when David Speedie's theatrical stumble over Steve Walsh's leg gave Blackburn a 1-0 penalty victory over a Little side featuring the likes of Tommy Wright and Kevin "Rooster'' Russell.

City returned to the Twin Towers the next season to take on a Swindon Town side led by England and Spurs legend Glen Hoddle.

But the day ended in misery again when a soft penalty saw the Foxes' thrilling fightback from 3-0 down snuffed out in the 84th minute.

Victory, when it finally arrived in 1994, was sweet, with Steve Walsh poking in a late winner against bitter rivals Derby County.

But probably the play-off moment most etched in the Blue Army's collective memory is "Super Steve'' Claridge's volleyed winner in the dying seconds of extra time against Crystal Palace in 1996, which sparked pandemonium in the Leicester end.

Season ticket holder Barry Sharp, 78, from Scraptoft, who was at all four games and followed City since 1947, said: "Here we go again! I'm very optimistic we'll be back at Wembley and get promoted!"

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