A former school vice-principal who admitted an "unprofessional and inappropriate relationship" with a pupil has escaped a classroom ban.

In a decision just announced, the Secretary of State for Education decided to impose no sanction on Brian O'Connor, 57, despite a Teaching Agency disciplinary panel finding he was guilty of "unacceptable professional conduct" while employed at Hamilton Community College, in Leicester.

The panel said that, in May 2007, the girl, named only as Pupil A, reported to staff she had begun to feel scared after conversations with Mr O'Connor on MSN messenger.

He was dismissed for gross misconduct by the school in November 2007, but, following an investigation, the police decided to take no action against him.

The panel found Mr O'Connor communicated with Pupil A out of school hours via MSN for about six weeks.

He was said to have allowed Pupil A as a passenger in his car when not on school business. An additional allegation that he shared cigarettes with her on school premises during school hours was not found proved.

The panel said: "Mr O'Connor has accepted the communication by MSN constituted an unprofessional and inappropriate relationship with Pupil A and the panel agrees.

"It also considers that allowing Pupil A to be a passenger in his car when not on school business constitutes an unprofessional and inappropriate relationship."

Although the panel recognised that Mr O'Connor's behaviour had affected the well-being of Pupil A, he was said to have shown considerable insight into his wrongdoing and to have accepted he had overstepped the line.

However, the panel said Mr O'Connor found himself in "unique circumstances", and noted that the conduct took place over a relatively short period and "involved no overt sexual comments".

It found that the chance of repetition of similar behaviour was remote, and that no sanction was required.

Professional conduct panels are appointed by the Secretary of State.

Giving the decision on the Secretary of State's behalf, Teaching Agency deputy director Alan Meyrick said: "I accept the recommendation of the panel that in this case no sanction is required."

Manu Tuilagi is looking forward to reacquainting himself with former Leicester Tigers' colleague Billy Twelvetrees this afternoon.

But the most important thing for the young Tigers centre when his side face Gloucester in the Aviva Premiership at Kingsholm is that he and his team-mates carry on where they left off in Sunday's Heineken Cup victory over the Ospreys.

Fly-half Toby Flood may have been instrumental in that 39-22 win, contributing 24 points, but Tuilagi also played a huge part.

The youngster weighed in with two of Tigers' four tries as they surged to that bonus point victory.

"It is massive," said Tuilagi. "We have to carry on from the performance last week - and go on a bit more.

"We need to keep playing well and keep playing good rugby. Hopefully, that is something that we can do today.

"After the first 10 minutes against the Ospreys, we composed ourselves and came back really well from 10-0 down.

"The crowd was just fantastic, too. The noise was absolutely amazing."

Tuilagi added that the players knew that they had to respond instantly after the loss to Toulouse the previous week in the Heineken Cup.

"It didn't feel like a bad game when you were on the field," he explained.

"But looking at the game afterwards, we made a lot of mistakes.

"There was nothing different in training but everyone knew that they had to tighten up on little things – they all add up."

It is the last time Tigers will have their full squad together before eight England players disappear for action in the Autumn internationals during the next five weeks.

"It is a massive weekend before the Tests," Tuilagi said.

"But it is good for Leicester that we have the strength in depth.

"That is important at this time when everybody gets to play their part."

Tuilagi's match-up with Twelvetrees, who moved to Kingsholm from Welford Road this season, could light up the Premiership clash.

The Tigers' star knows that he and his team-mates will have to keep the shackles on their former colleague. "I'm looking forward to seeing Billy again," Tuilagi said.

"It is going to be tough playing against him with the talent that he has got.

"We are going to have to watch him really carefully.

"It is good that we know his game, but we will still have to be on our toes all the time.

"Gloucester also have pace on both the wings so we know that we have to be tight defensively."

Twelvetrees is not the only player Tigers will have to keep their eye on in the home ranks today.

They have a genuine cutting edge with winger Charlie Sharples, who is making his way back into the side after a shoulder injury.

Sharples was one of two Gloucester men named in the England autumn squad this week alongside No.8 Ben Morgan.

An oil executive from Leicestershire has been gunned down in an assassination-style killing in Belgium.

Nicholas Mockford, 60, was shot three times – once as he lay on the floor – after he left an Italian restaurant in the northern Brussels suburb of Neder-Over-Heembeek with his wife, Mary. Mrs Mockford was left cradling her husband as she shouted for help.

Mr Mockford, an ExxonMobil executive, was born and brought up in Leicestershire, where he lived with his parents, Philip and Anne, before the family moved to Chichester, in West Sussex.

The killing happened on October 14, but news of the attack only emerged yesterday after Belgian police imposed a news blackout.

The Belgian prosecutor's officer said there was a "judicial instruction" from the investigating judge, Martine Quintin, which meant they could give no "explanation" and no detail about the killing.

Witnesses said they saw Mr Mockford and his wife walk across the street to their Lexus 4x4 car before shots were fired.

Reports suggested two men were spotted running from the scene, one carrying a motorcycle helmet.

Police chief inspector Wim Van Leifferenge said nobody had been arrested and those responsible were still on the run.

Local officers are considering all possible motives for the shooting, including a carjacking, although Mr Mockford's car was not taken.

Mr Mockford was head of marketing at ExxonMobil, promoting new types of greener fuel for interim technologies for ExxonMobil Chemicals Europe. It is understood he has worked for the company since the 1970s, living in Belgium and Singapore after leaving the UK.

A family member, who asked not to be named, told reporters he thought Mr Mockford had been killed in a professional hit. The relative said: "Nick was a genuinely lovely, clean-cut, mild-mannered family man. He was shot so calmly and so quickly, it smacks of a professional hit, but we can't fathom why. He isn't the type to cave in to blackmail and it just doesn't compute."

However, a spokeswoman for ExxonMobil said the killing did not appear to be work- related.

She 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.

"Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues and we are supporting them as best as we can at this very difficult time."

Mr Mockford was married to his Belgian wife for 15 years. He has three grown-up children living in Britain from his first marriage.

It is not yet known exactly where in Leicestershire Mr Mockford was from.

Football fans Down Under have gone mad for former Leicester City striker Emile Heskey – and yesterday they were able to watch his every move on the pitch.

The 34-year-old was made the subject of a Fox Sports "Heskey Cam'' for the entire 90 minutes of yesterday's match between his new team, Australian Newcastle Jets, and Sydney Victory.

Grabbing two goals to lead his team to a 2-1 victory, the former England international made sure his new fans were not disappointed.

This win has sent the Jets to the top of the A-League league in their best-ever start to the league.

Leicester City ambassador Alan Birchenall said he was pleased to see Heskey doing so well in Australia.

"He is a fantastic bloke and no mean footballer either," he said. "He was brilliant for us at Leicester City.

"It is fabulous that he is getting among the goals again in Australia.

"It takes some bravery to start a new life in another country on the other side of the world, and every Leicester City fan will wish him all the best.

"Emile is a gentle giant and a legend at this club. It is no surprise to hear that they love him in Australia because he is such a nice guy."

Heskey, who came through the ranks at Leicester City and starred for the first team for six years, has been a huge hit in New South Wales, Australia.

He has bagged four goals in four games for the Jets this season.

When news spread that Heskey, who played 62 times for England, had signed for the Jets, the club sold out of his number nine shirt and had to order an extra 5,000 to meet the demand.

Season ticket sales were also up by 2,000 on last year.

Heskey told the Australian media he expected to be a scoring force for the Jets.

He told Fox Sports: "Everyone always says you didn't get enough goals, you didn't get enough goals.

"But I'll get my fair share of goals – plus, I will help produce a lot of goals. That is one of the main things that I do."

Newcastle Jets head coach Gary van Egmond said: "If you look at Emile's physique and then talk to him he's a humble guy.

"Our challenge will be to make sure we don't push him too hard too early, and get the best out of him."

A motorist knocked down and injured three women on a pedestrian crossing because he was too idle to de-mist his windscreen.

Hermant Mangela said he did not see the women when he approached the crossing, at the junction of Catherine Street and Purley Road, Belgrave, Leicester.

Leicester Crown Court was told the two sisters and a friend were walking to work when they were struck by the defendant's VW Polo.

Mangela, of Brandon Street, Belgrave, admitted dangerous driving, on February 3.

Victoria Rose, prosecuting, said it was an icy, clear, dry morning, with a small amount of snow.

However, Mangela (35) did not scrape or clear his windscreen before setting off.

The red stop light halting traffic was on, and the crossing's green man was illuminated.

One of the sisters, a 44-year-old, fell to the ground after being struck by the car.

The woman suffered pain in her left shoulder, side and ankle.

The other sister, aged 46, put out her hand gesturing for the Polo to stop, but it braked too late to avoid her.

Miss Rose said: "The force of the impact pushed her into the opposite carriageway, where she fainted.

"She suffered pains to her elbow and side and had a sore shoulder for several months."

Their friend, a 48-year-old, was knocked over and rolled across the road, suffering a fractured left arm, grazing, bruising and back pain.

Mangela assisted the victims.

Miss Rose said: "He invited them into his car, which they did.

"He asked them not to ring the emergency services, saying he would take them to hospital. However, an ambulance and the police arrived."

Mangela, a production operative and a married father of one, was given a six-month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months.

He was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and was banned from driving for 18 months.

Sentencing, high court judge Mr Justice Flaux said: "You failed to de-mist your windscreen and couldn't see more than a couple of yards.

"You only saw these women just before you hit them. The psychological impact will remain with them for some time."

There was no suggestion Mangela was speeding, but the judge said: "It's as bad as driving too fast because, either way, you were unable to stop in time to prevent this accident taking place."

Justine Robinson, mitigating, said Mangela had a clean licence, no previous convictions and was fully insured.

She said: "He drove in those conditions for one or two minutes, having gone a third of a mile from his home to where the accident occurred."

The court heard Mangela was taking his wife to work.

Miss Robinson said: "He didn't take proper care required in the prevailing weather conditions."

An E.Coli alert at a school means staff and students have had to use bottled or boiled water since September.

Water samples taken at the end of August from Brockington College, in Enderby, revealed traces of potentially lethal E.Coli bacteria.

The source of the problem is thought to be the college's own internal water supply.

However, environmental health officers say there is no danger to staff and students at the site and the use of bottled or boiled water is a "precautionary measure".

E.Coli bacteria can cause diarrhoea, but occasionally serious kidney and blood complications can occur.

A spokesman for Blaby District Council, whose environmental health officers took the water samples, said the college had contacted the authority while reviewing its risk assessments, to "clarify if they were doing everything required in relation to providing safe water".

"As a result, the council offered to undertake some sampling as part of their review," said the spokeswoman.

"Samples of water were taken on August 30, and traces of E.Coli were found."

She said the council issued a notice to the school that it should boil water before using it, to rid it of contaminants.

The matter was then taken over by water company Severn Trent, which is now monitoring the situation.

"There is no danger to students or those who work at the college," said the spokesman.

"Fountains have been turned off, boiled water is being used in the kitchens and bottled water is being provided by the college in the form of water coolers throughout the building.

"Parents were informed there were issues in the early stages and were asked to send children in with bottled water, although it was also provided by Severn Trent on site initially.

"The college has responded positively and done everything asked of it. We are working with Severn Trent to achieve the improvements needed to lift the boil water notice."

A Severn Trent spokesman said: "We discussed the result with the local authority and the health protection unit and a decision was collectively made by both organisations to issue a precautionary boil water notice to the college while an investigation was carried out into the quality of water within the school."

She added: "As part of our investigation, the water supplied to the college by Severn Trent was thoroughly sampled and the results were found to be satisfactory.

"However, one of the samples collected from the college's internal water supply didn't meet the water quality regulations standards."

She said Severn Trent carried out "multiple inspections of the plumbing", including the set-up of the tank system supplying the college with water, and this "identified improvements that could be made to the plumbing system within the school".

Corrective work was carried out by the college to try to resolve the matter, but further sampling confirmed E.Coli was still present, she said.

Therefore, when students return to the college following the half-term holidays, water restrictions will still be in place "until the issue has been resolved".

Head teacher Chris Southall was unavailable for comment, but in a newsletter to parents last month he said he was "frustrated" about the issue.

"We have, unfortunately, unearthed a series of issues concerning the initial set-up of the system, which can only be corrected at weekends to ensure that the college remains open during the week," he said.

E.Coli bacteria is found in the gut of humans and animals. It can be dealt with by chlorine and other disinfectants.

Archeologists are calling for an end to the debate on where the potential remains of King Richard III should be buried until tests on the bones have been completed.

Professor Lin Foxhall, head of archaeology and ancient history at the University of Leicester, said she wanted to reiterate that the bones discovered underneath a city centre car park in August were still subject to tests.

In a statement released by the university yesterday, she said people were "jumping the gun" by discussing where in the country the remains should be buried, as conclusive information about the bones was not expected until the middle of January.

"It is premature to speculate on the outcome of the investigation – and people should certainly not jump to any conclusions," Professor Foxhall said.

"As archaeologists, we go where the evidence takes us, but we have not yet proven that these remains are Richard III, because we do not yet have the evidence to do so. I'm worried people will lose sight of how cautious we were when we announced our findings – it is part of the rigour of academic research that we thoroughly examine all the evidence before reaching a conclusion.

"It's important for the integrity of our work to conduct our research unencumbered by speculation linked to a particular outcome."

Debate about Richard III's final resting place has raged since the archeological dig to discover the 500-year-old bones began at the former site of Grey Friars church in August.

The search was spearheaded by the university and the Richard III Society in the UK, which already has permission from the Home Office to bury the remains in the city.

There have been calls to bury the remains – should they prove to be those of the last Plantagenet king, elsewhere.

The Richard III Foundation, based in Virginia, north America, has said the king, should be buried in York. Earlier this week, The House of Commons erupted into laughter when Worksop MP John Mann insisted the bones should be taken to his town because it was half-way between Leicester and York.

Yesterday, actor and comedian David Mitchell waded into the argument. In a video posted on The Guardian newspaper's website, he suggested the remains be put on display, rather than given a burial.

Philippa Langley, a member of the Richard III Society, said: "There is a process to go through, but right now what's most important is determining if these are the bones of Richard III before we go any further."

DNA from the remains is now being compared with that of Michael Ibsen, believed to be a descendent of King Richard's eldest sister, Anne of York.

Leicester City can create a piece of history today if they beat Crystal Palace at the King Power Stadium.

Victory would maintain their 100 per cent home record and make it seven consecutive home league wins since the start of the campaign.

That would be the club's best start to a league campaign on home soil for more than a century.

The last time City managed the feat was at the start of the 1906-07 season –106 years ago.

They will still have plenty of work to do to eclipse that Fosse side, who recorded 13 consecutive home victories, a club record.

Their seventh victory in that sequence came with a 5-1 victory over Blackpool on November 17, 1906.

City are currently on six consecutive home victories. They have previously achieved that feat twice before, in 1922-23 and 2002-03, which was the last time City were promoted to the Premier League.

Although the 1906-07 Fosse were only beaten once at home, by Nottingham Forest in their final home game of the season, their away form cost them promotion and they finished third.

Assistant manager Craig Shakespeare believes the present players are driven to continue their impressive form. "The players' mentality is very important and seeing them around the training ground and how they conduct themselves, I have no hesitations in believing they can maintain it," he said.

"Yes, you need a bit of luck with injuries and suspensions. But we have trust in them.

"We talk about pressure but we have never been frightened to mention the word promotion.

"Top of the table is where we want to be. What we have to do is prepare right for each game and then it will take care of itself.

"Knowing the players as we do, I don't think complacency will come into it. They have that belief to know they have to play their own game.

"The players have an inner strength and belief in what they are doing at the moment."

Filbert Street will remembered when City hosts a heritage afternoon at the King Power Stadium tomorrow afternoon from 2pm.

Former City captain Steve Walsh will be conduct a question-and-answer session.

Ticket prices are priced from £10 for adults.

A fire which tore through a roof-top shisha café in Leicester is being treated as suspicious.

It has been confirmed that police are investigating the blaze, which broke out at about 11.15am on Thursday, sending a huge cloud of thick, black smoke across the city.

The fire destroyed the bar and smoking area of Cloud 9 shisha bar, on the roof of the Curzonia knitwear factory, in Birstall Street, St Matthew's. Investigators carried out detailed examinations of the scene yesterday, and have pinpointed the area where they think the blaze began.

Steve Smith, of Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service's investigation team, said: "Further investigations will be carried out by the police as the incident is being treated as suspicious."

The owners of Cloud 9 released a statement via Facebook yesterday.

It read: "Thank you for everyone's concern, no one was harmed. Cloud 9 has been burnt down by someone. The shisha place was closed at 2am, and the fire was started at 11.30am while the cafe was closed. No staff members where harmed."

The blaze also damaged part of the fourth floor of the factory building.

"The large bar on the fourth floor area was 100 percent destroyed – there's nothing left of it," incident commander Matt Cane, from Leicester's Central fire station, in Lancaster Place, said yesterday.

"There was a smoking area too which was completely destroyed.

"Luckily the sprinkler system activated inside the building and kept the fire under control until firefighters arrived and were able tackle it themselves."

A team of 10 fire firefighters wearing breathing apparatus heaved hundreds of metres of hose up four flights of stairs to face the flames.

Mr Cane said: "It was awful for them, because not only did they have drag all that hose to the top of the stairs, they were also getting soaked through by the sprinklers and cooked by the fire as they did it."

About 60 firefighters attended the incident.

Leicester City Council building inspectors also examined the scene after fears the roof had become unsafe.

A spokesperson said that as the cause and circumstances of the fire were subject to investigation, it would be inappropriate for the authority to comment "at this time".

Planning approval was granted in 2010 to change part of the building into a café with a smoking shelter.

In 2011, approval was given to expand the smoking area.

A city council spokesman said: "The council's planning, building control, food safety and health and safety teams were all aware of the shisha café.

"Planning permission to build the shisha café was granted under the same category of use as an ordinary café.

"Shisha cafés do not need any additional licence to operate.

"The council's health and safety and building control teams were liaising with the business with regards to the shisha café securing compliance with the relevant legislation."

A spokeswoman for Leicestershire Police said: "Officers are liaising with colleagues from the fire service regarding the circumstances on how the fire was started.''

Witches, werewolves and an assortment of ghouls took to the streets of Leicester on bikes.

Up to 200 cyclists joined the taking back the streets campaign of cycling pressure group Critical Mass.

The paranormal peloton met in Orton Square, outside Curve, on Friday, for the annual Monster Mass.

Blue-haired witch Jane Hagger, 59, from Blaby, riding tandem with partner Mike Black, said: "I like to think of myself as a glamorous ghoul. We take part in the Critical Mass rides every month. There is often a theme but Monster Mass is always the best."

Mike, 51, dressed as a ghoul, said: "It's always a lot of fun and gets our message out there."

Policing the ghostly gathering was Matthew Dunn, 36, from Leicester Forest East, dressed as a ghostbuster.

"You've got cyclists of all ages dressing up and having fun," he said. "It's a big deal, especially for the children.

"I think the youngest we have here today is about four.

"There are some great costumes. I think my favourite is the Resident Evil nurse girl."

Claire Spilane, 28, from Leicester's West End, who was wearing the outfit – splattered in the blood of her latest victim – said: "I come to as many rides as I can but this is the one is the highlight of the year.

"I love dressing up – and cycling."

The ride ended at The Font pub, in Gateway Street, where cyclists dismounted.

To see how Leicester residents have transformed their homes into Hallowe'en haunted houses, see Page 11.

A Labour politician has quit the party after he was not selected to stand for the upcoming Leicestershire County Council elections.

Councillor Neville Stork had hoped to be the Labour candidate for the Loughborough South division in May's vote.

He has previously held the seat, but another candidate, Councillor Robert Sharp, was picked ahead of him to contest it.

Coun Stork now sits on Charnwood Borough Council as an independent representing Shelthorpe ward.

He said he was upset not to be chosen by his party for the election, but stressed that was not his main reason for quitting.

Coun Stork, a Labour member for 10 years, said: "I am an environmentalist and I was not able to do what I wanted as a member of the Labour Party.

"As an independent I will be able to pursue that much better for the next two years.

"It was upsetting not to be picked (for the county election) and it may look like sour grapes, but that is not it.

"Robert is a lovely guy and will make a great county councillor if he is elected.

"It was a very hard decision for me to leave after such a long time but I am happy with it."

The borough council's Labour group leader, Councillor Jewel Miah, said: "We tried to persuade Neville to stay but he wanted to go his own way and we respect that."

Office workers added a splash of colour to their workplace by dressing in pink in support of a breast cancer charity appeal.

Staff at insurance brokers Berkeley Burke, off London Road, Leicester, raised up to £200 for Wear It Pink day, on Friday.

Proceeds will go to the Breast Cancer Campaign.

But even the most flamboyant staff members were taken aback by what admin clerk Ross Lyons pulled out of his wardrobe.

The 21-year-old, from Wigston, turned up for work in an all-pink body stocking.

"Most people wore a pink item of some kind but I thought 'why not go the whole way'?," he said.

"I got some bizarre looks but it put a smile on people's faces. We had a great time and everyone got into the spirit of the day to raise awareness of the charity."

More cash was raised with an office cake and biscuit sale.

The Breast Cancer Campaign is looking to raise £3 million to pay for research into treatment for the disease.

www.wearitpink.co.uk

Leicester Tigers centre Manu Tuilagi is set to make the same kind of impact on the Leicester Mercury Sports Awards as he does on opposition defences.

The 21-year-old, a contender for the Sportsman of the Year trophy, has already made 37 appearances for Tigers and has 13 England caps to his name, with more to come this autumn.

His importance to the Tigers was highlighted in the recent Heineken Cup victory over the Ospreys at Welford Road.

His first try put Tigers back on level terms after they had fallen 10-0 behind.

His second, a delightful opportunist effort in the corner in the dying seconds, gave Leicester their fourth try in a 39-22 win – and a vital bonus point in the European competition.

Tuilagi has been selected in the England squad for the international matches against Fiji, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand over the course of the next five weeks, confirming that he has a huge future in the game.

Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill believes he could develop into one of the game's biggest names.

He said: "Manu is quality and is still very young.

"Myself, Matt O'Connor (Tigers' head coach) and everyone here thinks he is going to be about the best No.13 in world rugby within the next 12 months or so.

"We are delighted to have him here, he is a quality player.

"He needs to keep playing and further understand when to hold on and when to pass it, when to be tighter in defence and when to be a little bit more passive – but that will come."

Tuilagi is not about to rest on his laurels, either.

He has worked hard and intends to keep the pace high so that he can continue earning the rewards.

"I'm happy where I am at the moment," he said. "But as a player you always want to improve."

That isn't simply a matter of being consistent on the pitch whenever he pulls on a Tigers shirt or the England jersey.

"You have to make sure you do your homework and learn the plays," he said. "You have to learn new ones every week.

"If you want to be a good player you have to be on your game all the time, on and off the pitch."

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 an athlete or team, complete the form or go to:

www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk

Nominations close on December 4.

A "complete pest" who targeted vans to steal 18 catalytic converters, worth about £20,000, has been jailed.

Shane Mottram pleaded guilty to stealing two of the vehicle parts in March.

He voluntarily confessed to 16 other offences to the police, which he asked to be taken into consideration, along with five other theft-related offences.

Siward James-Moore, prosecuting, told Leicester Crown Court that one of the victims was targeted twice.

Mottram, of Beaumont Leys Lane, Leicester, stole the catalytic converters from vans to pay for drugs.

The offences were committed in the county, including one in Mountsorrel.

At the scene of that theft, he unwittingly left a torch beside a victim's van with his fingerprints on it.

Mr James-Moore said: "It was examined and the defendant's fingerprints were found on it."

Mottram (29) was arrested and confessed to all his crimes, showing officers places in which he had stolen catalytic converters.

He said he had sold them all.

Mr James-Moore said that apart from the cost of replacing the stolen vehicle parts, many victims' businesses suffered while their vans were out of action.

He said: "The defendant told the police he appreciated how the victims were affected and he was very sorry.

"He told officers it was due to a temporary drugs relapse."

High court judge Mr Justice Flaux said: "He's a complete pest."

He told Mottram: "You were targeting vehicles for three or four months, which is an aggravating feature.

"You were led into a spree of offending because of drug taking."

Alexander Davies, mitigating, said: "He's lived under the dark shadow of heroin addiction in his life, since his teens.

"He then became clean.

"Unfortunately, during the course of these offences he found himself homeless, destitute and addicted to heroin – although that doesn't excuse the offences.

"Through seeking assistance voluntarily, he's kicked the habit again. He's been working in car valeting and enjoying earning an honest crust."

Mottram's motivation to stay clean of drugs was assisted by a supportive partner and a desire to set a good example to their young son, said Mr Davies.

Leicester City made one change from the side that beat Brighton at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday night.

Striker Jamie Vardy returned to the starting line-up after regaining his fitness following an illness, with Martyn Waghorn dropping to the bench.

55 sec: Joel Ward puts in a good ball and Glenn Murray has a great chance but scuffs his volley wide. Sloppy start from City.

7 min: A great chance for City. Jamie Vardy chases a lost cause and gets there and pulls the ball back for David Nugent, but he shoots straight at Julian Speroni at full stretch. Wilfried Zaha is causing City all sorts of trouble down the left. City do not look on their game today.

15 min: Paul Konchesky's great ball tests the Palace defence and Anthony Knockaert gets his shot away, but Speroni manages to save it.

16 min: Knockaert has come to life and chips in a cross which Andy King heads just inches over the bar.

16 min: Palace carve City open and Jonathan Parr gets his shot away from just inside the area. Kasper Schmeichel has to make a smart save down to his right.

23 min: GOAL 0-1 Damien Delaney hammers home a half-volley from 12 yards out after Schmeichel came for a corner but dropped it after appearing to collide with his own team-mate. The Dane furiously protests to the referee.

27 min: The lively Yannick Bolaise tries his luck from long range and Schmeichel dives full length but fortunately his shot is just wide.

28 min: GOAL 0-2 Ritchie De Laet gives away a needless corner and, from Bolaise's delivery, Peter Ramage has a free header and powerfully heads past Schmeichel. City have been undone by two set-pieces.

32 min: SUBSTITUTION Matty James comes on for Lloyd Dyer in a tactical switch. City have been getting over-ran in midfield and Nigel Pearson has responded.

36 min: BOOKING Vardy is shown a yellow card for a foul on Owen Garvan.

39 min: City have finally come to life and are asking more questions of the Palace defence. Garvan heads off the line from David Nugent, who managed to get a scrambled half-volley away following Knockaert's corner.

43 min: King fires in a curling strike from the edge of the box which Speroni tips around the post at full stretch.

H-T: City 0 Palace 2

51 min: Goalmouth scramble and Nugent has a shot blocked, but then Palace break quickly and Konchesky has to produce a great tackle to stop Murray shooting.

52 min: Nugent tests Speroni from the edge of the area after City show more attacking purpose.

55 min: Vardy heads over from close range after Wes Morgan heads a Knockaert cross back into the six-yard box.

63 min: SUBSTITUTION Ben Marshall on for Drinkwater.

68 min: City pressing for a goal and leaving plenty of gaps at the back, and Konchesky has to produce another timely block to deny Murray.

70 min: Garvan off the line again from a Nugent header. Massive shouts for handball but referee has given City nothing all afternoon and he is not about to start now.

73 min: BOOKING De Laet for tackle on Zaha in the corner.

77 min: SUBSTITUTION Jeff Schlupp for Knockaert.

87 min: Marshall gets to the by-line and clips a cross over to the back post which beats Speroni and comes back off the post.

88 min: Palace break away and slip it to Bolaise but Schmeichel spreads himself to block his shot.

90+2 min: GOAL 1-2 Konchesky crosses to the back post and King heads home into the far corner. His fifth goal of the season.

90+3 min: Schmeichel races from his goal and loses it to Bolaise, who has an open goal but De Laet gets back to clear the goalbound shot from the Palace midfielder.

90+3 min: BOOKING Dean Moxey for time wasting.

90+4 min: Last action. Marshall's cross falls to Morgan inside the box but he cannot get it out of his feet and then Konchesky flashes a shot from 25 yards over the bar.

F-T: City 1 Palace 2

Protesters have criticised plans to tackle congestion along a major road, claiming the addition of bus lanes will make matters worse.

About 100 people took a part in a demonstration on Saturday against proposals for the A426 between Blaby and the city centre.

The £5 million scheme, due to be implemented next year, will see the introduction of bus lanes and junction alterations in Glen Parva and Aylestone.

It is designed to cut bus journey times and encouraging more people to use them.

Opponents argue the lanes will make the road more dangerous and are a waste of money.

Glen Parva Action Group handed over a petition with 1,404 signatures objecting to the scheme to officials at County Hall on Friday, at the end of a 26-day public consultation.

Andrea Gee, 38, of Lutterworth Road, Aylestone, joined protesters at Carver's Corner, in Glen Parva, on Saturday.

"My main concern is safety," she said. "To fit the bus lanes in they are narrowing traffic lanes to 3m, the minimum allowed, and pavements to just 1.8m.

"The buses and their big wing mirrors are even more likely to clip a pedestrian or cyclist.

"If anything, they should spend the money on cycle lanes."

Simon Herbert, 46, of Lutterworth Road, said: "The bus lanes won't be continuous so the buses will be weaving in and out of traffic, making accidents more likely and holding everyone up.

"Instead of reducing congestion, they will add to it."

Sylvia Tucker, of Leicester Road, Glen Parva, said: "What's the point of all this disruption just to save a measly few minutes on a bus journey? The whole thinking behind it is flawed."

The work will be paid for by a £2.5 million Government grant, supplemented by £1.5 million from the city council, £595,000 from the county council and £290,000 from Arriva.

Glen Parva parish councillor Richard Johnson said: "The road doesn't need bus lanes.

"They (county council) terminated the 73 service and Arriva reduced the number of buses from eight to six at peak times, all in the past year, so where is the demand for buses?

"It's a waste of taxpayers' money."

Aylestone city councillor Nigel Porter said: "Bus lanes in Hinckley Road and other parts of the city have made no difference at all.

"Getting more people to use public transport is about bus fares, not bus lanes."

However, Rory Palmer, deputy city mayor with responsibility for transport, said: "It is aimed at increasing the use of public transport and reducing congestion, which is particularly desperate around the Soar Valley Way/Glenhills Way crossroads.

"We need to do something and have that opportunity with the Government grant secured."

A protest meeting will take place tonight, at 7.30pm, in the Black Horse pub, Aylestone.

Campaigners fighting to save the Willie Thorne snooker club have been told there may be a chance of it reopening.

Olivia Thorne, whose father, Malcolm – Willie's brother – ran the club in Charles Street, Leicester, after it was set up 30 years ago, met city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby on Thursday.

The club was forced to shut three weeks ago as the landlord, the city council, wanted the building back for use as offices.

Olivia, 22, started an online petition to try to save the club, known most recently as Riley's Willie Thorne Club. It has attracted has more than 450 signatures .

Olivia, of Loughborough, who met Sir Peter along with club manager Joy Woollaston, said: "It was a very good meeting and felt very positive.

"I appreciate the mayor taking the time to meet us face to face because I wanted to tell him how much this club means to us all.

"I have vowed to fight all the way to keep open the club that meant so much to my dear dad, who, sadly, died last year of cancer.

"He put his heart and soul into the club and I can't just sit back and let it disappear. It means so much to so many that I feel I owe it to dad to do all I can to try to keep the club going."

Sir Peter said he was happy to meet the delegation from the club.

He said: "We are going to get people down to the club to see if there is any way we can let the club carry on while utilising the office space.

"They want to carry on using the lounge, bar and kitchen and the main hall. We shall see if that is possible.

"If that is not possible, there are other options we can explore with regard to alternative venues in the city.

"There is a strong attachment between the Willie Thorne Snooker Club and the city and vice versa.

"We will do all we can to try to make sure that continues."

Ms Woollaston said she was encouraged by the meeting.

She said: "It is good to know that people at the top are listening to us. We have our fingers crossed."

Snooker stars Mark Selby and Jimmy White have spoken out in support of the campaign to keep the club open.

Leicester player Ben Woollaston, Joy's son, who is ranked number 40 in the world, said he learned his trade there.

He said: "I back the petition. We need Willie Thorne's to stay in Leicester."

A father-of-three who attacked his sister-in-law in front of his terrified children has been jailed.

Resham Singh (37) was holding his three-year-old son when he grabbed the victim's face and dragged her to the floor, in the family-run shop in Park Rise, Western Park, Leicester.

The "sustained and vicious attack" was captured on CCTV.

Singh's two other children pulled the three-year-old to safety. All were "crying and screaming".

A customer called the police after trying to pull Singh away as he repeatedly struck the 36-year-old woman, who was lying defenceless on the floor.

She suffered cuts and bruises.

Siward James-Moore, prosecuting, said there was bad blood between the defendant and his sister-in-law and Singh had previously assaulted her.

On this occasion, they fell out because the defendant had collected his own children from school but failed to bring her children home, as expected.

Both families were living in flats above the store.

Singh, who has since moved to Watson Road, Northfields, Leicester, admitted causing actual bodily harm on May 25.

He was jailed for 10 months and made the subject of an 18-month restraining order, banning contact with the victim.

High court judge, Mr Justice Flaux said: "It was a sustained and vicious attack.

"While holding your three-year-old, you grabbed her face from behind and pulled her backwards on to the floor and dropped the child while you attacked her. You punched her several times.

"The fact it took place in front of your own children is wholly unforgivable.

"Last year, you pulled her hair and punched her and were given a community order with 100 hours of unpaid work, and were subject to that order when you committed this offence."

Simon Eckersley, mitigating, said: "It was spontaneous and lasted 26 seconds.

"The defendant and his brother married sisters and they bought a shop together."

He said Singh lost his temper and "snapped" because the complainant locked him out of his family's upstairs flat, after he collected his own children, and not hers, from school.

Mr Eckersley said: "He lost his home and business. Without the family dynamic, he's a perfectly respectful man."