Quantcast
Channel: Leicester Mercury Latest Stories Feed
Viewing all 9894 articles
Browse latest View live

Oil executive brought up in Leicestershire is shot dead in Belgium

0
0
An oil executive, who was brought up in Leicestershire, has been shot dead in front of his wife in Belgium. Nicholas Mockford, 60, an executive for ExxonMobil, was gunned down in what has been reported as assassination-style killing as he left an Italian restaurant in a suburb of the capital Brussels. He was shot three times, once as he lay on he floor. He died on the way to hospital. Witnesses say they saw the couple walk across the street to their car before shots were fired. Reports suggest two men were spotted running away from the scene, one holding a motorcycle helmet. The shooting is understood to have happened on October 14, but news about the attack has only emerged now after Belgian police imposed a news blackout, reports said. His wife, Mary, was left beaten and covered in blood, cradling her husband and shouting for help. A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We can confirm the death of a British national in Brussels on October 14 and we are providing consular assistance." Mr Mockford is understood to have worked for ExxonMobil since the 1970s and was head of marketing for interim technologies for ExxonMobil Chemicals, Europe, promoting new types of greener fuel. He was brought up in Leicestershire and had moved abroad from Chichester some years ago, living in Belgium and Singapore. He was married to his Belgian wife for 15 years and has three grown-up children living in Britain from his first marriage.

Nearly 400 jobs axed at Loughborough-based coach company

0
0
Almost 400 jobs have been lost after a coach company collapsed into administration.
Bowen Travel Group, based in Derby Road, Loughborough, ceased trading yesterday and axed 393 of its 448 staff.
Administrators Deloitte said a slump in the leisure sector had led to a "serious cashflow crisis".
A skeleton staff of 55 employees will continue to carry out operations for the time being.
The group comprises of six firms: Bowen Travel; LF Bowen; Jeffs Coaches; York (Bros) Northampton; Bowen Travel Transport and Woottens Luxury Travel.
Deloitte said customers with bookings would be contacted.

Leicestershire Police investigate theft of computers from Loughborough University

0
0
Police are investigating the theft of computers worth thousands of pounds from Loughborough University.

A group of men in balaclavas broke into a building on the campus at 10pm on Wednesday, October 17.

Police said the three men pulled into a car park next to the building in a dark vehicle. The car was fitted with number plates which had earlier been taken from a vehicle in Oxford Street, Shepshed.

The men drove away along Ashby Road toward the M1.

Detective Constable Steve Winterton said: "The items taken are worth of thousands of pounds and this burglary has obviously had a significant affect on the university."

Contact Leicestershire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Woman sexually assaulted walking home in York Road, Leicester

0
0

A young woman was sexually assaulted as she walked home from a night out in Leicester.

A man approached the woman in York Road, off Welford Road, in the city centre, and spoke to her briefly before grabbing and touching her intimately.

The incident happened shortly after 4am on Sunday, October 21.

Police yesterday appealed for help to trace the man.

Detective Constable Glen Williams said: "The woman was not injured but was understandably left shaken.

"I would like to appeal to anyone with information about this incident to call us immediately so the person responsible can understand the seriousness of their actions.

"At 4am on a Sunday, Leicester can get quite busy with people starting to leave bars and clubs, so it is likely there were others in the area that would have seen the incident.

"If you know anything about this incident or the person responsible please call us.

"I would like to advise anyone who decides to walk alone late at night or in the early hours of the morning to always be vigilant about their safety and keep to busy well-lit highways where possible."

The suspect was Asian, 24 or 25, about 5ft 6ins, of medium build and had short dark hair.

Contact Det Con Williams on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police appeal over man found seriously injured in Leicester street

0
0
Police have appealed for help piecing together the movements of a man who was found seriously injured in a street.

The 30-year-old is in hospital and is too poorly to tell police what happened to him. He was found lying injured in Loughborough Road, near the Red Hill Way roundabout, Mowmacre, Leicester, at 1.30pm on Thursday, October 18.

However, police believe he had been assaulted some distance away near the junction of Loughborough Road and Elmdale Street, Belgrave. Police said today hat the man, who is Asian, lives in Leicester but has no known relatives.

A 48-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident and has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Detective Constable Pat Coyle said: "We have been carrying out a number of local inquiries surrounding this incident and we believe the man may have received his injuries on Loughborough Road near to Elmdale Street.

"We're therefore keen to speak to anyone who lives or works locally who might have visited the area or who may have seen him as they passed.

"We are interested in speaking to anyone who may have seen him in particular from 2pm on Wednesday October 17 through the evening to when he was found on Thursday.

"He may have at some time been at the shops on Loughborough Road, opposite Roughton Street.

"We want to try and build a picture of how and why he came to his injuries.

"We suspect he may have been assaulted but in order to properly investigate what happened we need to get a full understanding of his movements, how he got there and when he got there."

Contact Leicestershire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Police appeal over man found seriously injured in Leicester street

Man in court after bike stolen from De Montfort University Leicester

0
0
A man is to appear in court charged with handling a stolen bicycle. The 26-year-old is accused of being in possession of a cycle which had been stolen from Newarke Close, near Leicester's De Montfort University last week. He is due to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, November 21.

Death of oil boss brought up in Leicestershire 'not work-related'

0
0
The death of an oil executive, brought up in Leicestershire, who was gunned down in Belgium does not appear to be work-related, his employer has said. Nicholas Mockford, 60, an executive for ExxonMobil, was gunned down as he left an Italian restaurant in a suburb of Brussels with his wife. He was shot three times, once as he lay on he floor. He died on the way to hospital. A spokeswoman for ExxonMobil said: "We were shocked by the tragic death of Nick Mockford, one of our employees a fortnight ago in Brussels. Mr Mockford was a department manager at our office close to Brussels, but we have no indication that the incident was work-related." Witnesses say they saw Mr Mockford and his wife walk across the street to their car before shots were fired. Reports suggest two men were spotted running away from the scene, one holding a motorcycle helmet. Mr Mockford's wife, Mary, was left beaten and cradling her husband and shouting for help. The shooting happened on October 14 but news about the attack has only emerged now because Belgian police imposed a news blackout, reports said. The Daily Telegraph reported that police in Belgium were considering all possible motives for the shooting, including a carjacking, although Mr Mockford's car was not stolen. No-one had been arrested and those responsible were still on the run. Mr Mockford is understood to have worked for ExxonMobil since the 1970s and was head of marketing for interim technologies for ExxonMobil Chemicals, Europe, promoting new types of greener fuel. Brought up in Leicestershire, he had moved abroad from Chichester some years ago, living in Belgium and Singapore. He was married to his Belgian wife for 15 years and has three grown-up children living in Britain from his first marriage, the Telegraph said. A family member, who asked not to be named, told the newspaper they thought he had been killed in a professional hit, adding: "We are all confused about what has happened. Nick was a genuinely lovely, clean-cut, mild-mannered, family man."

Death of oil boss brought up in Leicestershire 'not work-related'

'Heskeycam' follows former Leicester City striker at new club Newcastle Jets

0
0
Former Leicester City star Emile Heskey received some close attention at his new football club in Australia.
The 34-year-old former England striker was chosen to be under the spotlight as his new team - the Newcastle Jets - took on Sydney Victory last night - Australian broadcaster Fox News set up "Heskeycam" where a camera will followed Emile's every move during the 90-minute A-league fixture. Heskey was the star of the show as he scored both goals to help his team win 2-1. His team Newcastle Jets are now top of the league.
The last time the broadcaster set up a player cam was for the former Italian star Allessandro Del Piero. Heskey fever has gripped fans down under with his number nine shirt selling out after he joined the club.
Once the Leicester lad had signed Newcastle Jets sold more 2,000 season tickets than last season.

'Heskeycam' follows former Leicester City striker at new club Newcastle Jets


Leicester Ladies hockey player Hannah Macleod gets Olympic medal back

0
0
Leicester Ladies hockey player Hannah Macleod has had her stolen Olympic bronze medal returned.
Scotland Yard said it been posted anonymously to the England Hockey head office in Buckinghamshire.
Bronze medals belonging to Macleod and rower Alex Partridge were allegedly stolen along with their TeamGB Olympic jackets as they partied at a London nightclub after a reception hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday to celebrate the achievements of the 2012 athletes.

Leicester Ladies hockey player  Hannah Macleod gets Olympic medal back

Is winner Lucy on track for new crowning glory?

0
0

When Lucy Garner won one of the top awards at the 2011 Leicester Mercury Sports Awards, it was hard to imagine her improving on the success of the previous 12 months.

After all, the Mercury's Young Sportswoman of the Year captured titles at World, Commonwealth and British level in her first year as a junior.

Incredibly, the 18-year-old bettered that in 2012 and a first professional contract was proof of just how highly sought-after her talents had become.

She won a second world junior road race title leaving her rivals gasping with a blistering sprint finish in Valkenburg, Holland, just a day after her 18th birthday.

That was the crowning glory in a season which saw her claim nine major titles on road and track, including the European and British junior road championships and a trio of gold medals from senior events.

Lucy made no secret of the fact her ambitions lay on the Continent's roads once she joined the senior ranks and, within a month of her world triumph, she had been snapped up by the Netherlands-based Argos-Shimano squad.

Through all the triumphs, the Cosby girl who began her racing days with Leicestershire Road Club has remained refreshingly modest, heaping praise on her team-mates.

The course in Limburg, which featured a series of taxing climbs, did not favour her sprinting abilities. But Lucy's preparation and the tactical strength of her GB colleagues set up a memorable win.

"We knew Elinor Barker was going well because she had won the time-trial championship a couple of days before," she said. "For Emily Kay, Jessie Walker and Molly Weaver, it was their first time at the world championships so they wanted to perform the best they could. They did it, as well. I just finished off the work they did.

"I was so happy to have won it, but with the pressure I put on myself to defend the title it was also a relief."

That rounded off a "Grand Slam" of road titles with Lucy having won both the European and British junior crowns earlier in the season. "The National championship stands out, too," she said. "That was a difficult course in Wales."

That triumph in May set the tone for a season that would lead to Lucy donning the coveted rainbow stripes for a second time.

There are 14 categories in the sports awards: sportsman, sportswoman, manager/coach, team, under-19 team, club, young sportsman, young sportswoman, junior sportsman (14 and under), junior sportswoman, community, Active4Life, lifetime achievement and the Neville Hamilton Award.

To nominate, complete the form opposite, or go to:

www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk

Is winner Lucy on track for new  crowning glory?

Motorsport: Teenager Gilbert at double

0
0

Henry Gilbert is celebrating after driving to victory in the MINI Challenge.

The 16-year-old racer, from Gaulby, picked up the Club Class and Overall Championship crowns in his first full season as an adult driver.

The MINI Challenge is racing championship exclusively for MINI Cooper and Cooper S race cars which run across 20 races.

The Leicester College student, who raced with Excelr8, went into the final four-race round at Donington Park with a 26-point lead after amassing 12 wins during the season.

Gilbert finished third in the first race, maintaining his 26-point advantage over his nearest rival.

He was victorious in race two, which meant he needed just a handful of points to secure both the class and outright title.

And he romped home in style, as he grabbed a dominant win in his class to wrap up the championship with a race to spare.

The final race was a formality for Gilbert.

He finished the competition with 379 points, winning the Club Class by 50 points and the overall competition by 47 points.

Gilbert has now been selected by British Touring Car Championship driver Tony Gilham to race for his team, Team Hard, in next year's VW Cup .

Liz Kendall MP: Fighting for Glenfield – and our young people

0
0

This has been a big week for Leicester West in Parliament. On Monday, MPs finally had the chance to debate the future of Glenfield's children's heart surgery unit.

The debate was made possible because more than 100,000 people signed a Government e-petition set up by Adam Tansey, whose son, Albert, has been treated at Glenfield.

MPs from across the East Midlands gave passionate speeches about the fantastic services at Glenfield, including Conservative MP for Harborough Edward Garnier, and my parliamentary neighbour Jon Ashworth, the Labour MP for Leicester South.

My speech focused on the fact that survival rates for Glenfield's children's Ecmo service are 50 per cent higher than any other Ecmo unit in the country.

It simply does not make sense to shut this world-class service when our aim must be to provide the very best standards of care.

Hours before the debate, we learned that Jeremy Hunt, the new Health Secretary, has followed the advice he was given in September to have a full independent review into the recommendations on children's heart surgery, including the decision to move Glenfield's services to Birmingham.

I welcome this new review but I'm extremely disappointed Mr Hunt says it should not include previous Health Secretary Andrew Lansley's decision to close Glenfield's children's Ecmo service.

I argued in the strongest possible terms that it must, because Glenfield's children's heart surgery and Ecmo services are inextricably linked.

During the debate, health minister Anna Soubry said the Ecmo decision might be looked at again in "exceptional circumstances".

I will continue to lead the cross-party campaign of MPs to champion Glenfield's case. Our fight goes on.

On Tuesday, Leicester was again at the heart of Westminster. I invited some of our brilliant youth service providers to Parliament to showcase their work and give young people the chance to tell MPs why good services matter.

More than 30 young people came along. They were joined by some of our Youth Council representatives and Leicester West city councillors Vi Dempster and Wayne Naylor.

It was great seeing Soft Touch's Beatsmobile and Streetvibe's bus underneath Big Ben. There was lots of music, dancing and even a rap about the event.

I was really pleased that Stephen Twigg, Labour's shadow education secretary, and Graham Stuart, the chairman of Parliament's powerful Education Select Committee, came to meet our young people and youth workers to find out what we're doing in Leicester.

One of my constituents, Shelby, from Braunstone, told these MPs that youth services aren't just great fun but have helped her get the qualifications she needs to get on in life.

Investing in good youth services makes sound social and economic sense – boosting young people's self-esteem, helping them get qualifications and keeping them out of trouble and off the streets.

I want the Government and other policy makers to understand why youth services are so important and the lessons that could be learned from our achievements in Leicester.

Contact Liz Kendall on 0116 204 4980 or:

liz.kendall.mp@parliament.uk

Liz Kendall MP: Fighting for Glenfield  – and our young people

Tributes paid to 'witty' historian

0
0

Tributes have been paid to a "knowledgeable, witty and generous" historian and lecturer, who has died aged 79.

Dr Ian Keil was one of the founder members of Loughborough University's economics department in the 1970s.

He was also a prolific author who wrote about the history of Loughborough, a regular speaker at historical societies and a contributor to the Loughborough edition of the Leicester Mercury.

Dr Keil, who lived in Loughborough, died at Leicester Royal Infirmary on October 17, from heart failure.

Loughborough University's Professor Thomas Weyman-Jones, a former colleague of Dr Keil, said: "He was a great friend and colleague to all staff and students, who revered his depth of knowledge and teaching skills.

"He was a well-known expert in local history and an extremely witty man, and will be very fondly remembered by all who knew him."

Dr Keil was one of the founder members of the university's department of economics – now part of the school of business and economics – and was senior lecturer in economic history for many years. He was also a leading committee member of the Loughborough museum and library and chairman of the Loughborough Archaeological and Historical Society.

Along with his wife, Teresa, he organised an exhibition in 2009 to mark the centenary of Loughborough University.

Don Wix, of Loughborough, co-authored 10 local history books with Dr Keil and a history of the Amateur Swimming Association. He said: "He was an extremely knowledgeable, generous and witty man."

Dr Keil was also a lecturer at Bristol University.

Professor Ronald Hutton, of the university' arts department, said: "The department has lost a true friend.

"Dr Keil marked both his own love of history, as a medievalist, and his affection for its teaching at Bristol, in the most helpful possible way: by making regular large donations of money to assist postgraduate research students in need.

"The department, which has become accustomed to drinking his health, now raises a glass to him and his wife Teresa, who survives him."

His funeral will be held at Loughborough Crematorium on Thursday, November 1, at 11.45am.

Warnings over illegal bonfires

0
0

Police have warned young people about the dangers of starting street fires.

It comes as part of a clampdown on illegal bonfires in the build-up to Hallowe'en and Bonfire Night.

Along with firefighters and the city council, police are encouraging residents not to leave rubbish and bulky items out for would-be arsonists to burn.

On Thursday night, fire crews had to tackle blazes in Bloxham Green and Elgin Avenue, in New Parks, Leicester.

New Parks beat officer Pc John Maddocks said: "Young people who set fires are risking their safety and those who live close by.

"Illegal fires are often built using household rubbish, aerosol cans and household cleaning fluids. They are highly combustible and create unpredictable blazes and dangerous fires.

"Not only are those responsible stealing items from gardens, they have even used wooden fencing and bins to light fires."

On November 4 and 5 last year, fire crews attended 25 illegal bonfires on public land, including nine in Bloxham Green .

Pc Maddocks arrested a 16-year-old boy who was later convicted of arson.

"He has now got a criminal conviction," Pc Maddocks said. "I would urge people who see anyone attempting to set fire to piles of rubbish to contact the police immediately."

Each year, illegal fires cost councils tens of thousands of pounds.

City councillor Jon Feeley said: "We operate a free bulk collection service. I would urge people not to leave items lying about that can be used to make bonfires."

One resident, who overlooks the green, said: "It's the same every year. It's disgusting and dangerous. On Thursday night they were at it again and we had the fire brigade out.

"They take stuff out of people's gardens – fences, bins, anything they can set fire to.

"They are risking people's lives."

The council, the police and the fire service have launched a Safer Bonfire Night campaign, which includes handing out leaflets to households urging them to be careful about disposing rubbish and suggesting they attend official bonfires.

Paul Moreland, watch manager at Leicester's Western fire and rescue station, said: "On average, we attend more than 100 deliberately started fires in the weeks leading up to Bonfire Night every year. Help us by not giving rubbish to people collecting for bonfires."

For a bulk collection, call 0116 252 7002 or visit:

www.leicester.gov.uk/recycling

Warnings over  illegal bonfires

Three caught by police sting

0
0

Three drug dealers who supplied heroin and crack cocaine were caught in an undercover police sting.

All three unwittingly arranged deals or sold the class A drugs to detectives posing as addicts.

The investigation – Operation Saffron – clamped down on drug crime in the city, Leicester Crown Court was told.

Ejaz Gul (21), of Berners Street, Highfields, Leicester, who had already been snared once before in a previous police sting, was jailed for three years.

High court judge Mr Justice Flaux told him: "You were a street dealer – and more than just a runner.

"Evidence suggests you had an operational role within a chain of dealers."

Tariq Khan Gul (20), of Apollo Court, Highfields, received a two-year detention sentence.

The judge told him: "You were phoned by (undercover) officers and supplied them, but your role was less than Ejaz Gul."

Nazmul Ali (21), of Attlebridge Close, Hamilton, Leicester, was jailed for two years for his role as a drugs runner.

Victoria Rose, prosecuting, said the defendants were involved at street level.

Two officers, calling themselves Rob and Paul, posed as drug users in July and August.

Miss Rose said: "Ejaz Gul, nicknamed H, provided his number to an officer and arranged other persons to be present to carry out the transactions.

"He was only involved in one supply but ensured others supplied the officers."

In 2009, Ejaz Gul was sentenced to 12 months detention for supplying class A drugs in similar circumstances during another investigation.

Tariq Gul was also on early release licence when he was arrested for an earlier heroin offence. The deals were mainly for £15 and carried out in Maynard Road, Melbourne Street and Berners Street, in Highfields.

In mitigation, all three defendants were said to have resorted to street dealing because they were under pressure to pay off drug debts they had accrued.

Ali was said to have succumbed to peer pressure and was easily led.

All three regretted their involvement and the effect it had on their relatives and friends, many of whom were in the public gallery to support them, the court heard.

Ejaz Gul admitted two offences of supply, one of offering to supply and six of being concerned in supplying, all involving either heroin or crack cocaine.

Tariq Gul admitted one offence of offering to supply a class A drug, two of being concerned in supply, one of supply and possessing criminal property – £500 cash.

Ali admitted four offences of supplying heroin and one of crack cocaine.

Afterwards, police sergeant Ben Gillard said: "We know that local drug dealing can damage communities and this result shows we are taking tough action against drug dealers.

"We would like to thank the community for their assistance.

"But we still need the public's help, to continue providing us with information, so we can carry on targeting, arresting and bringing to justice people involved in drug dealing in this area."

Three caught  by police sting


'After 15 hours' swimming, I knew I would make it. I'm not a quitter'

0
0

A Leicestershire Army sergeant who entered the record books by becoming the first female soldier to swim the Channel unaided has received an award.

Sergeant Amy Baker, of Enderby, completed the 24-mile swim from Dover to Calais in 18 hours, 35 minutes, last September.

The 32-year-old was originally a member of a six-strong Army relay team also completing the swim, but stepped in to take on the full challenge when the designated solo swimmer pulled out.

The team and Amy raised £8,000, which was split equally between the Army Benevolent Fund and the Special Care Baby Unit at Harrogate and District Hospital, close to Amy's base.

In recognition of her feat, Amy, who is serving at the Army Foundation College, in Harrogate, was awarded the Director General's Commendation.

She was presented her award, which recognises the exceptional achievements of soldiers in Army training centres, by the Director General of Army recruiting and training, Major General Dickie Davis.

Amy said: "When the person who was going to do the solo swim pulled out, I was put forward for it.

"It meant that, instead of sharing the swim with five others – which would have meant three hours in the water – I ended up doing more than 18.

"I was also swimming unaided, which means I was only wearing a costume, hat and goggles. Aided means you have a wetsuit to protect you from the icy waters."

Amy, a veteran of Bosnia, Iraq and Northern Ireland, said the cross-channel swim in the world's busiest shipping lane had been her hardest challenge to date.

Setting out just after 5am in darkness, she had to battle hypothermia and sea sickness.

"It was really tough," she said. "I wanted to stop three times, but something deep inside wouldn't let me.

"After 15 hours of swimming among container ships and ferries, I knew I was going to make it. I'm not a quitter.

"I'm really competitive and won't attempt anything that I don't think I can complete."

Amy, a former Lutterworth Grammar School pupil who swam competitively for Leicestershire as a teenager, trained for the event for six months.

"We used to swim for one-and-a-half hours every morning in the River Nidd, near the college," she said. "We also trained in lakes, as well as the North and Irish Seas, to acclimatise ourselves for the freezing temperatures we would have to endure in the English Channel."

College officer Major Giles Powell said: "She is an inspiration to our young soldiers, and an example of what can be achieved through hard work and determination."

Proud mum Brenda Mullahy, of Enderby, said: "What a fantastic daughter I have to have conquered the English Channel. It is such a great achievement and I'm so very proud of her."

'After 15 hours' swimming, I knew  I  would make it. I'm not a quitter'

Leicester has shown the way

0
0

Two great friends of the Leicester Mercury attended a reception at our offices yesterday. One was Jaffer Kapasi, who came to Leicester after Idi Amin forced the Asian community to leave Uganda in 1972. Since those grim times, he has become a successful Leicester businessman, as well as contributing to the city in many voluntary roles.

In 1997, he was awarded an OBE. He has also served as Deputy Lieutenant of Leicestershire.

Jaffer has had a long association with the Mercury and recently helped us to put together a series of features marking the 40th anniversary of the arrival of the Ugandan Asian community in Leicester.

The other was Kiyotaka Sato, Professor of European History at Meiji University in Tokyo.

Professor Sato is almost certainly the Leicester Mercury's only subscriber in Tokyo.

He too has a long association with this newspaper and with Leicester in general, and has been producing a fascinating series of books which record and preserve the memories, life experiences and traditions of the UK's ethnic minority communities.

His latest book records Jaffer's life story and yesterday's reception was held to formally present Jaffer with this remarkable account of a remarkable life.

One of the many interesting aspects of this book is the reproduction of articles from 1972 which tell of the opposition that existed at the time to the Ugandan Asians settling in Leicester.

Many families did come here nevertheless, in many cases arriving with virtually nothing.

What followed is an incredible tale of triumph over adversity.

This community, through sheer hard work and determination, built a new future for themselves. Many established thriving businesses, as well as enriching the city culturally.

Attitudes to this new community radically altered in the years which followed their arrival and Leicester became a shining example of a multicultural city where people from different ethnic backgrounds live and work alongside one another in harmony.

That success story is something which has become a focus of interest to people across the world, including Professor Sato.

It is a tremendous accolade for Leicester that it has earned an international reputation for its achievements in this direction, and that others now want to learn from what has happened here. That is a tribute to many individuals, such as Jaffer, who have worked tirelessly to promote a peaceful and productive co-existence, and also to the people of Leicester in general.

Would you care for one of these?

0
0

Hundreds of companies and charities have been asked if they would be interested in buying the city council's elderly care homes, should they go on the market.

Council officers approached 350 organisations to see if they would be interested in buying the eight care homes, a report has revealed.

Of the 32 that responded, eight were chosen to meet the council – five companies, one public sector group and two charities. All but one are based in Leicester.

The groups said that, should they go on the market, they would be interested in buying between two and four of the bigger homes.

The report, by council director Tracie Rees, said: "Although the level of interest was low, this exercise identified there is an interest in the market for some of the homes, at the same time indicating it is very unlikely we would be able to sell all of them.

"If the council was to advertise an opportunity to take over the homes on a freehold basis, a reasonable estimate is that between two and four homes could be disposed of as going concerns.

"This would depend on the commercial terms and the level of ongoing support from the council."

The report said there was one home, which has not been named, that none of the potential buyers were interested in.

The homes are Arbor House, Evington; Preston Lodge, off Humberstone Road; Herrick Lodge, Belgrave; Nuffield House, Western Park; Thurn Court, Thurnby Lodge; Cooper House, Eyres Monsell; Abbey House, off Groby Road, and Elizabeth House, New Parks.

They care for 134 residents.

The council planned to shut six of the homes as part of its budget in February last year, but the plan was shelved amid fierce opposition.

In January, the authority revived its plans to shut most of the homes and convert some into short-term care centres.

A month later, in a last- minute change to the budget, the council said it would delay its decision for a further two years, continuing to fund them in the meantime.

Officers began approaching organisations in February.

The report on their findings goes before its adult social care and housing scrutiny committee on Thursday.

Assistant city mayor responsible for adult social care and housing, Councillor Mohammed Dawood, said no decision had been made.

"The information from this soft market testing will now be fed into the decision-making process," he said.

"Because this is such an important issue, our adult social care and housing scrutiny committee want to look at the findings from the exercise."

Age UK Leicester Shire and Rutland chief executive Tony Donovan welcomed the report.

"We are pleased the council has taken the views of the public and carers and people in homes seriously," he said.

"This whole thing has gone on a long time, but I think that would indicate that the council is keen to get it right.

"I am not surprised they have seen that only between two and four would be viable.

"Fewer people are going into care homes because they are getting care in the community, and if these homes have a low occupancy rate, they will not be as attractive to investors."

Thief with 'appalling' criminal record jailed

0
0

A prolific criminal who stole a £5,000 Ford Focus from the car park of a special school has been jailed.

Richard Robert Ward (38) admitted burgling Birkett House, Launceston Road, Wigston, on December 17 last year.

He admitted stealing the vehicle's keys and theft of the car, which was later found burnt out.

Leicester Crown Court was told that Ward, of no fixed address, was recognised from CCTV footage at the school.

Victoria Rose, prosecuting, said: "When arrested he said he'd been asked to steal the car to order."

She said footage confirmed his version of events, that he broke into the school and initially took the wrong keys.

He then returned and obtained the correct keys before taking the vehicle.

"He said he sold the car for £500 before it was burnt out," said Miss Rose.

Ward asked for 24 other crimes to be considered.

He was jailed for 15 months. The court heard Ward received a 30-month jail sentence earlier this year, for another burglary, which was committed after the Birkett House break-in.

The new 15-month consecutive sentence is due to begin next June, on completion of the earlier sentence.

Miss Rose said Ward had 161 previous offences on his record, apart from many other crimes he has requested to be taken into consideration.

High Court Judge, Mr Justice Flaux said: "You have an appalling criminal record stretching back nearly 25 years for a variety of offences."

Ben Gow, mitigating, said: "He's been on a prison carousel for a long time. He comes out of prison and reoffends.

"He's never had any employment and is unlikely to ever have a job because of his record. He has spent more time on the inside than the outside and is a classic example of a man completely institutionalised."

'Strong, happy and healthy' tapir is latest arrival at Twycross

0
0

This cute furry creature is the latest arrival at Twycross Zoo.

The female tapir was born eight days ago to parents Muffin and Pele, and, the zoo reports, is "strong, happy and healthy".

Until now, the calf has stayed within the tapir enclosure under the watchful eyes of the zoo's on-site veterinary team.

Team leader Julian Chapman said: "When we arrived at the zoo last Friday morning, we saw mum had given birth and both were bright and alert and getting to know each other.

"We decided to give them a bit of space for the first few days, so they've remained off show within the enclosure up until now.

"The calf is strong, healthy and suckling well and we are very pleased with the progress."

Tapirs give birth to a single youngster after a gestation period of about 13 months.

The baby has a striped and spotted coat which she will lose as she grows older.

Julian said: "The youngster hasn't been named yet. We are hoping the public will help choose a name for us. We invite everyone to check our Facebook page for details of the competition soon."

A spokeswoman said Brazilian tapirs were normally found in lowland regions of northern and central South America, and were listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Redlist of endangered species.

'Strong, happy and healthy' tapir is latest arrival at Twycross

Viewing all 9894 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images