Matt O'Connor blasts Lions for failing to call up Leicester Tigers' Toby Flood

June 14, 2013, 11:35 pm

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Matt O'Connor has criticised the British & Irish Lions for failing to call up Toby Flood as an emergency replacement.

The Lions have injury worries over fly-halves Jonathan Sexton and Owen Farrell, as well as centres Manu Tuilagi and Brian O'Driscoll.

That has led to Gloucester centre Billy Twelvetrees getting an SOS to leave the England tour of Argentina and fly to Australia to cover the No.10 and 12 shirts.

Outgoing Leicester Tigers coach O'Connor, who begins his new job at Leinster on July 1, believes his former charge Flood should be "gutted" by the snub – a decision which he says raises questions about the Lions management.

"There are few better fly-halves in Europe than Toby and he has played a lot of Test rugby at inside centre so he can play in both positions," said O'Connor. "I think Toby has to be gutted.

"If they are looking to get the best fly-halves in Europe, then Toby's form in the Heineken Cup quarter-final, Aviva Premiership semi-final and the first 20 minutes of the final, before he got injured, proved he is right up there.

"Toby has also played in countless high-pressure games for both club and country and his goal-kicking is as good as there is.

"He has shown, while playing for England, that he understands the Wallabies' mentality and has also proved that he knows how to beat them.

"But instead of taking him, they have taken a guy who has played just five Tests. Clearly someone in the Lions management thinks very highly of Billy.

"But if you look at the amount of high-quality games that Gloucester have played this season, and his limited Test experience, how can that equate to a Lions call-up ahead of Toby?

"Toby's experience at understanding the game at the very top level is second to none and I think they are drastically missing out by not having his intellect in the group.

"He has played a lot of rugby against the Wallabies and his win-loss ratio against them is very good – even in Australia. He has come up against some very good Wallaby sides and come out on top.

"Toby is level-headed and realistic about these things and knows that selection is subjective and things don't always go in your favour. But for me, this is a bizarre choice."

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VIDEO: Child porn man jailed

June 14, 2013, 11:35 pm

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A computer expert who set up websites advising paedophiles about accessing child pornography has been jailed for three years. Martin Jarvis (65) also downloaded more than 300,000 indecent pictures of children, and distributed around 20,000. Leicester Crown Court was told that officers from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre accessed a chat forum which led them to a website linked to the defendant. Jarvis's former home, in St Bernards Road, Whitwick, was raided, and police seized his computer equipment. Jarvis pleaded guilty to 12 counts of distributing child pornography during 2012, 11 counts of making indecent images by downloading them between 2010 and last year, five counts of possessing illegal pictures of children, from 2001 until January this year, and an offence of intentionally encouraging or assisting in the commission of an offence by creating internet sites and administering other websites, between 2008 and January this year. Victoria Rose, prosecuting, said that as well as distributing child pornography, Jarvis advised other like-minded people on how to avoid detection by the police or vigilante-style internet groups. He created "safe" areas for paedophiles to communicate online, she said. In total the offences related to 349,643 images at level one, the least serious category of image, 764 images and 32 videos at level two, 877 images at level three, 969 images and 11 videos at level four and 60 images in the most serious category, level five. The images were mainly of young girls. Sentencing Jarvis, Judge Michael Pert QC said: "Anyone who even briefly viewed the material subject to these charges, as I've had to do, can see the images have come from third world countries. "One can imagine the economic circumstances that led to these children being exploited for their creation, for the sexual gratification of others thousands of miles away. "Your active participation in the exchange of information not only helped others to administer material to each other but also to avoid detection." Jane Hinds, mitigating, said Jarvis had no previous convictions. She said: "He's always had considerable technical ability. "His interest in computers and creating web pages brought him to commit these offences. "His interest was in images in the lower range of seriousness. "He's been a lonely person with limited family and friends." He lost his mother 14 years ago, and his interest in technology took a more sinister turn after that, the court was told. Mrs Hinds said: "He's lost contact with his sibling who wants nothing more to do with him and he understands and accepts that." Detective Constable Robert Waddington, of Leicestershire Police, said after the hearing: "This was an incredibly detailed investigation involving several agencies. "Jarvis was responsible for distributing many thousands of indecent images of children to like-minded individuals around the world. He used his technical skills to help others to commit offences. "Offenders such as Jarvis think they can contact, coerce and cause harm to young people via the internet, and believe they will not have to face the consequences of their actions. "They must realise that everything done online leaves a digital footprint and we will use this information to locate them and ensure they are brought before the courts to face justice." VIDEO: Raid on the address where Jarvis was living at the time.

We have moved! Check out www.leicestermercury.co.uk

June 14, 2013, 11:36 pm

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We have launched our new website to bring you all the latest news and sports, information and entertainment. The new web address is www.leicestermercury.co.uk and it has the familiar Leicester Mercury masthead at the top of the home page. It will eventually replace the existing website – www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk – with the two running side-by-side for a while. The new website is a work in progress and we are continuing to develop it to give our readers the best service we possibly can. We will be adding new features over the coming months. We also want your feedback as your views are an essential part in developing the site. Our aim is to make it a brilliant one-stop shop for news and information; backed up by great videos, pictures and lots of opportunities to join the discussion on what is happening in your city and county. The new site is part of the Mercury's plan to bring this great and historic title into the new digital era. We'll continue to make sure that the newspaper serves all our readers who like the solidity of print. Even in the era of laptops and tablets, the newspaper is still a handy portable package which costs only 45p on weekdays and 60p on Saturdays, when it includes our award-winning weekend magazine More. However, we also want to make sure that we provide an unbeatable service to all those readers who choose to get their news online. We want to provide our digital audience with the sort of website they need – fast, engaging and interactive – while staying true to the values which have made the Mercury an essential part of Leicestershire life for so many years. That means continuing to be at the heart of all things local, and upholding the journalistic values of accuracy and integrity. We have already made strides in improving our digital services with more breaking news and sport, more opportunity for readers to comment and more videos which bring another dimension to our stories. And as a result we have seen the number of visitors to our web pages increase over the past few months. Now we want to take this development a lot further and the new website is the next step in that direction. The existing website, www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk, will continue for the next couple of months as we develop the new site. It will then be switched off. Please log on to the new site, have a look round and tell us what you think using the feedback form available on the new homepage. We welcome your views and suggestions. We will put up lots of interesting content but, most of all, it is your site – a local news and information service about what interests you. We hope you enjoy this new service.

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WHAT'S ON THE SITE?www.leicestermercury.co.uk is already packed with all the great content you would expect to find – including...TOP CHANNELS You can still find all the great news you're used to in channels including ones devoted to Leicester City, Leicester Tigers, crime, entertainment, business, emergency services, photo galleries and more. Leicester City: www.leicestermercury.co.uk/leicestercity Leicester Tigers: www.leicestermercury.co.uk/leicestertigers Crime: www.leicestermercury.co.uk/crime Emergency services: www.leicestermercury.co.uk/999 What's On: www.leicestermercury.co.uk/entertainment Business: www.leicestermercury.co.uk/businessTOP VIDEOS Find all our latest videos at www.leicestermercury.co.uk/video These include: Tigers v Northampton: Fans and players celebrate the Aviva Premiership play-off final win at Twickenham. Watch Leicester primary pupils set fire to a Viking ship in their school playground. Dambusters 70: View footage of the flypast over Eyebrook Reservoir to mark the 70th anniversary of the raid. Police raid: Our crime reporter joined immigration officers as they raided three homes in Leicester. Leicester hosted the UK's first Mango Festival – and you can see what happened. You can watch dramatic footage from the scene when firefighters tackled a blaze at quarry in Croft. Local elections: Watch Tory leader Nick Rushton speaking after the Conservatives stay in power in Leicestershire.TOP GALLERIES You can even go online and upload your own pictures at www.leicestermercury.co.uk/pictures There are also hundreds of fabulous pictures taken by our photographers. Recent uploads include pictures of Leicester Tigers' victory over Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership play-off final at Twickenham, music-lovers enjoying the sun and sounds at Glastonbudget, the Dambusters flypast at Eyebrook and lots of pictures from the highs and lows of both City's Championship play-off semi-final matches.DISCUSSIONS There are plenty of lively discussions on articles at www.leicestermercury.co.uk Recent popular topics for debate have included plans to introduce residents' parking in part of Leicester, Muslim leaders in Leicester condemning the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby and, of course, discussion around Leicester City, manager Nigel Pearson and the play-off heartbreak.HOW YOU CAN TAKE PART www.leicestermercury.co.uk is your website and we want you to join in by posting your pictures, blogs, reports, notices and comments. You will need to register as a user and then you will be ready to publish. To post a picture, just log on to www.leicestermercury.co.uk/addpicture To add a story go to www.leicestermercury.co.uk/addstory To have your say on a story, simply go to the article online and fill in the "add your comments" box at the bottom of the article.

Inside Football: We've heard who's leaving Leicester City, but who's coming in?

June 14, 2013, 11:36 pm

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Leicester City fans are all asking the same question this summer: 'Who are we going to sign?' So far, the transfer rumour mill has been slow to turn, especially when it comes to possible arrivals at King Power Stadium. All the talk about City has been of possible exits, with seven players being made available for transfer. There has barely been any suggestion of possible targets, but manager Nigel Pearson is still expected to be busy this summer as he strengthens his squad ahead of another push for promotion. Pearson has shown in the past that he prefers to work with youth, signing young and hungry players he can mould. He has repeatedly stated that he will not be throwing huge sums of money around as he recruits, regardless of the introduction of Financial Fair Play. He simply does not believe in that approach. So, who will City be signing? We don't know, but let's look at some of the options, bearing in mind the blueprint Pearson has, just for fun. There is no suggestion that these players are targets for City. There is no shortage of gifted young players around, despite England's dismal performance in the European Under-21 Championship suggesting otherwise.Attack Charlie Austin must be one of the most sought-after strikers in the Championship after his sensational season, made more remarkable considering Burnley struggled to make any impact themselves. The 23-year-old would not come cheap, with some reports suggesting a £7million price tag has been slapped on him. But he has one year remaining on his contract and the Clarets may take a lower figure. Either way, it would be a bold step from Pearson and City to push the boat out that far. But goalscorers are worth their weight in gold, and it may be worth the gamble, however unlikely. Another young striker with potential is Bristol City's Sam Baldock. The 24-year-old struggled to make the grade at West Ham after his move from MK Dons and joined Bristol City last summer, but impressed in what was otherwise a dismal season for the Robins, scoring 10 goals. He has two years left to run at Ashton Gate but the Robins may sell. He certainly fits into Pearson's preferred category of young, hungry and full of potential. How about an ambitious move for Adam Le Fondre of Reading? Now aged 26, it seems for years clubs were looking at him at Rotherham, including City, without anyone making the move, until Reading did. The Robins will no doubt see him as vital in their bid to return to the Premier League, but he would guarantee goals in this division. Pearson could go for more experienced strikers, such as Kevin Doyle and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake of Wolves, or Marlon King, who is being allowed to leave Birmingham, or even someone like Grant Holt at Norwich.Midfield It seems certain Pearson will try to bolster his engine room this summer with a central midfielder and possibly another wide man. Nathan Redmond at Birmingham is a winger who has caught the eye since breaking into the first team and has earned England Under-21 honours. With Birmingham's financial problems, it seems anyone is up for sale at St Andrew's. Or how about Will Hughes at Derby? The teenager caught everyone's attention last season when he played 37 consecutive games for the Rams and showed maturity beyond his years. Jacob Mellis at Barnsley was another young midfielder who matured last season, while Bakary Sako of Wolves had two excellent games against City last year. The 25-year-old has a gifted left foot and would be a real wildcard.Defence Pearson has probably targeted a centre-back and someone who could also cover at full-back, with reports Newcastle's James Perch is on City's radar. He would certainly fit the bill if that is true. City may try to get Michael Keane back for another loan spell from Manchester United, and I can see that as a distinct possibility. A player who did well on loan at City and was set to return for a second spell is Curtis Davies. He opted for Birmingham, who were in the Premier League, but their situation again could make him available and he has just had an excellent season. Talking of familiar faces, there have been reports that Jack Hobbs could be available, despite helping Hull into the Premier League. He is certainly a player who Pearson rates highly.Goalkeeper City are fighting to keep hold of Kasper Schmeichel, and that is not just because he was the top keeper in the division last season, it is also because good keepers are hard to find. They have already turned down three bids from Hull and are adamant that Schmeichel is going nowhere. What would their options be if he eventually did go? They have already been linked with Keiren Westwood of Sunderland as a possible replacement, and at 28 he would certainly have plenty to offer. Or how about Mark Schwarzer on a free transfer to provide some Premier League experience for a year. The Australian may be 40, but he has looked after himself. Well, there you go, just a few suggestions of who City could target this summer. I am sure City fans could come up with their own list of possible targets.

Knifepoint robbery at store

June 14, 2013, 11:37 pm

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A shopkeeper has told how two armed men robbed him at knifepoint as he prepared to open for business.

Two men wearing balaclavas ambushed the shopkeeper as he left his shop, Mace Express, in Syston, at 5am, to collect a bundle of recently-delivered newspapers.

The men pushed the victim back into his shop and ordered him to hand over his cash.

The shopkeeper, who has asked not to be named, was left shocked by the raid, but not injured.

He said: "I was getting the papers in from outside when the two lads rushed me and forced me back into the shop.

"They had a knife, which must have been seven or eight inches long, and they were wearing balaclavas.

"They threatened me and took all the money on the premises.

"They must have been watching the shop and waiting for me to come out of the side door to collect the papers. That's the frightening thing.

"I'm still in shock about it but also angry they have done this to me. These people need to be caught because they will do this again to someone else."

Fiona Henry, a member of Syston Chamber of Trade and owner of community newspaper Syston News, said: "It's a shock for the whole town to hear a shop has been robbed like this.

"It's especially shocking that these men had a knife.

"The important thing is that the person in the shop was not physically hurt."

Another business owner, who asked not to be named, said: "They are such lovely people at the shop, I am just glad he wasn't hurt.

"It has made people feel rather worried that something like this could happen here in Syston.

"I don't know if the people who did this are from this area or not, but I hope they never come back."

Councillor Stephen Hampson, chairman of Syston Parish Council, urged witnesses to come forward.

Coun Hampson, who is also the area's borough and county councillor, said: "This is not the sort of crime we associate with Syston, so I am very concerned.

"I would urge shopkeepers to be alert and anyone who has any information about who committed this crime to contact the police immediately."

Leicestershire Police want anyone who has any information about the incident to call them on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Honours list: TV star Hilary Devey 'flattered and flabbergasted'

June 14, 2013, 11:58 pm

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Businesswoman and former Dragons' Den star Hilary Devey says she is "flattered and flabbergasted" to be recognised in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours list. Ms Devey has been awarded a CBE for her work in business and charity. She thanked the people of Leicestershire for ensuring the success of her business, Pall-Ex, in Ellistown. She said: "This is a great honour. I am equally flattered and flabbergasted. "It's wonderful to receive such recognition. "I dedicate my honour to the charities I've tried to support, as well as to the lorry drivers, fork-lift truck drivers and everyone else who works in the logistics sector. "I would like to thank the people of Leicestershire, where my business has been based for 17 years." A top police officer who heads up a team tackling serious crime across the East Midlands has been awarded the Queen's Police Medal. Deputy Chief Constable Peter Goodman, of Snarestone, near Measham, leads a collaboration of five regional police forces and heads the East Midlands Special Operations Unit in investigating serious crimes such as murder, organised crime and terrorism. Commenting on his award, Mr Goodman, 47, said: "It was unexpected but I'm absolutely delighted. "After 25 years with the police, it is a very proud moment in my career, not just for myself but for my family too." Mr Goodman's father, Canon Derek Goodman, former Diocesan Director of Education for Leicester who lives with his wife, Margaret, in Ashby, said: "We feel really chuffed for Peter. He's worked very hard in the police, rising up the ranks to reach where he is now. "He is highly respected and we are very proud of him." Mr Goodman, who is a life-long Leicester City fan and season ticket holder at the King Power Stadium, began his career with Nottinghamshire Police before joining West Midlands, where he was divisional policing commander for Birmingham city centre. He became Assistant Chief Constable for Derbyshire in 2007 and was appointed Deputy Chief Constable for the East Midlands in 2010. Prominent businessman Shahid Sheikh, has been awarded an OBE. He is managing director of Clifton Packaging, in Leicester, and former Leicestershire chairman of the Institute of Directors. The honours list includes British Empire Medals (BEM) for people who have played a part in changing Leicestershire and Rutland for the better. Geoff Rowe received his award for founding Leicester Comedy Festival. Geoff said: "I'm delighted. It's really nice to be honoured in such a way. "The festival only works because so many people support it and get involved in what we do every February – local people and organisations as well as national ones. "It's an opportunity to celebrate those people as much as me individually. It's nice recognition. Donald and Doreen Clinton-Smith received BEMs for their services to the community in Market Harborough. They founded a youth club and Clockwise Credit Union and led the campaign to turn Market Harborough into a Fairtrade town. Doreen, 85, said: "We were amazed. We thought we were ordinary people doing the same as anyone else. We have no idea who put us forward. "We started the Methodist youth club in the 1950s and that's still going on. "It was really welcome at the time because it was somewhere for young people who didn't have much to do. "But with that and the Fair trade town and the credit union, we couldn't have done it without the people around us. "You need a very good team to make any of these things work." Leonard Bale, 84, of Lubenham, received the BEM for 40 years of service to his community. He has been chairman of Lubenham Village Hall Committee since 1972 and caretaker of the hall since 2003. He oversaw the building of the village hall, which involved raising £250,000. Leonard, an architect, designed it free. He is working on a design for an extension. He is also a church organist, a youth club leader and chairman of Lubenham Drama Group. He said: "I don't really know quite how I got it or what I've done to deserve it. I don't think I do any more than anyone else. "I got the letter from the Cabinet Office telling me about it a few days ago and it hasn't sunk in yet. I'm staggered." Alison Smith, 58, of Ravenstone, was made an MBE. She is the best-selling author of The Sewing Book and has been teaching sewing and corsetry for nearly 40 years. Her book has been translated into 11 languages and sold 200,000 copies, making it among the most popular crafts book of recent years. She said: "It's a little bit overwhelming. It was a total surprise to me." Alison is also deputy leader of North West Leicestershire District Council. Her MBE is for her work teaching sewing. "What I've tried to do is bring to home sewers techniques that are used in the industry," Alison said. "They're techniques you would never pick up from books or at evening classes." Alison was a textiles teacher before starting a bridal gown business in 1983. In 1992, she returned to teaching to run Alison Victoria School and Alison Victoria Fabulous Fabric. The school is one of the largest of its kind in Europe and was the first in the UK to teach corsetry at City and Guilds level. Marita Nibbs, 47, of Wigston, has been made an MBE for her work as a trustee of Home-Start, in Leicester. During 20 years with Home-Start, she has supported 12 families in the city for periods of between a few months and several years, spending two to three hours each week with the family and helping with their emotional and practical needs. According to her citation she has "exemplified the Home-Start model of befriending families in the community, identifying areas where she can offer support and modelling behaviour with young children that demonstrates positive parenting". At Christmas 2009, when Home-Start Leicester was low on staff and looked unlikely to be able to put on its annual Christmas party, Marita stepped in to organise it herself. Speaking about her MBE, she said: "I'm still a bit shocked by the whole thing. "It is like winning the lottery. I wasn't expecting it at all. "I thought it was a joke when I got the letter. I rang the number on the letter and told them about this gimmicky letter and they said they got a lot of calls like mine but that I really was on the honours list." Wayne Natzel, 34, of Eyres Monsell, received a BEM for his work as chairman of Eyres Monsell Community Association. He has chaired the association since 2009 and with Leicester City Council to give the association more of a role in the community. He has set up a lunch club for the over-50s, runs a film project and is instrumental in the annual Monsfest music event. He said: "I have a young family myself and I've been fighting to make Leicester a more enjoyable place for families to live. "I think this is recognition of that and it feels good to have that recognition."Others in Leicester and Leicestershire to receive awards OBE Michael Davies, Burbage, chairman of The Royal Mint and Manchester Airports Group. James Mutton, former principal, Loughborough College. MBE Anne Dames, Clawson, Hose and Harby Parish Council. Claire Henry, director of the National End of Life Care Programme, Uppingham. David Hill, director of Olympic Operational, Waltham on the Wolds. Linda Kirk, of Loughborough, former regional chairman of the Conservative Party. Heather Luckman, senior executive officer Benefits Directorate, Hinckley. BEM Ettrick Humphreys, volunteer, with Leicestershire and Rutland Probation Trust, for services to the community. Mavis Mason, services to the community in Charnwood. Caroline Mary Townsend, of Thringstone, services to charitable fund-raising.

Live: Traffic and Travel updates

June 15, 2013, 12:22 am

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12.01pm: Drivers are warned that extra care is needed in Aylestone Road, Leicester, at the Wigston Lane/ Middleton Street junction, as the traffic lights are not working due to a power failure. Engineers are on the scene trying to fix the problem.8.26am: No reports of major incidents or congestion on city and county roads.For more local and national travel information and weather updates see the links below:MOTORWAY UPDATES: For traffic updates on UK motorways and other key roads - CLICK HERE.LIVE CAMERAS: Check the M1 through Leicestershire with our live traffic cameras - CLICK HERE.NATIONAL RAIL: For live UK train updates - CLICK HERE. FLIGHT INFORMATION: For East Midlands Airport visit: CLICK HERE.WEATHER: See the latest five-day weather report at: www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/weather.CONTACT NEWSDESK: Send us your news and pictures. Tweet us @Leicester_Merc or email newsdesk@leicestermercury.co.uk

'Plans will ruin businesses'

June 15, 2013, 12:51 am

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Traders in the St Martin's area of the city say new traffic plans will destroy their businesses and ruin its character.

The city council has announced proposals it says will attract more shoppers and tourists who will come to see the new Richard III visitor centre planned for the area.

Under the plans, parts of St Martin's, Hotel Street and the length of Grey Friars are to become car-free zones.

On-street parking will be removed from Peacock Lane and New Street, except for one loading bay and one disabled parking space.

Other restrictions will be imposed on other roads including Friar Lane.

David Hartshorn, who owns The Case restaurant in Hotel Street, said: "These proposals will have exactly the opposite effect to what is proposed. They will drive people away.

"It will lead to businesses moving out and empty shop fronts appearing and that will ruin the character of the area."

Mr Hartshorn has run the business for more than 20 years. He said: "I have regular deliveries of fresh food during the day. These restrictions will severely disrupt my business as delivery drivers will have to carry heavy weights considerable distances.

"Removing the parking spaces will also result in people staying away. People will not carry shopping bags long distances. They will use shops where there is parking close by."

Dayle Flude, who owns the Cank Street Gallery, said: "Grey Friars, St Martin's and Hotel Street form a square around the old bank in St Martin's. It is the hub for the old town's independent shopping area.

"The proposed restriction of vehicles to the area and the loss of car parking and loading spaces will impact on retail in a wide area of the city because it will inconvenience and deter customers from coming to this part of the town."

Dayle said that, on Cank Street, there were more than 40 private car parking spaces and vehicles were able to drive through the area at all times of the day.

She said: "It is proposed between 4pm and 7pm the market traders in their vehicles will exit the market place driving through about a quarter of the pedestrian area.

"The volume of traffic through the zone, in my opinion, makes it unsafe for the public to wander through believing it to be traffic free.

"These proposals need to be revised and I hope that we can have a meeting with the council officers to discuss them."

Another businessman, Peter Butler, said: "Disabled parking will be moved even further from the centre of the city."

Steve Richards, the city council's project manager for planning transportation, said: "I want to stress these are proposals and we want to discuss them with people. I have already had representations from traders and we are aware of their concerns. I am hoping to have a meeting with them."

The deadline for comments is Monday, July 1. People can write to the council at Legal Services, Leicester City Council, Welford Place, Leicester, LE1 6ZG.

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Last wish: Dad, 31, wants to marry sweetheart before he dies

June 15, 2013, 12:59 am

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A man who has been given months to live has one wish before he dies – to marry his sweetheart.

Knill Paget was diagnosed with an untreatable brain tumour in February.

The news caused mixed emotions – Knill feels determined to survive, gratitude for every day he is alive and sadness at the thought of leaving his five-year-old son, Liam.

However, his main desire is to marry Liam's mum, Bernadette Campbell, and for them to become a "proper family" for his final days.

The family, from Braunstone, Leicester, are now fund-raising hard to pay for a planned wedding next month.

Knill, 31, said: "I've never been religious, and never thought I'd ever want to get married for that reason.

"But now I want to make that commitment and it's about giving Bernadette and Liam a proper family."

Knill, who has been with Bernadette for more than eight years, was diagnosed in February after he suffered two seizures in a short period of time.

While he was initially distraught at being told about the tumour, he said his outlook was now more positive.

"It was obviously very upsetting news. I had radiation treatment, but now any more of that would give me serious brain damage, so I've probably got six to nine months, or maybe less," said Knill.

"I am still determined to beat it, though. I want to be a miracle case, or at least get as much time as I can.

"This has totally changed me. I've gone from being quite a negative person to a much more positive one. And for some reason I really love eating fish now – I used to hate it, now I crave it all the time.

"The only time I cry is when I think about leaving my son. That makes me well up."

Bernadette, along with Knill's mum, Lorraine, is working hard to raise the £4,000 they need for the wedding, which they hope to have on July 25 at Sacred Heart Church in Mere Road, Spinney Hills, Leicester, with about 80 guests.

Bernadette, 44, said: "I can't wait to marry Knill, and Liam is very excited, too.

"He knows his dad is poorly, so he's being really good and helpful and he's been picking out wedding dresses for me, saying, 'Mum, you'd look really nice in this one'.

"There's a charity called The Wedding Wishing Well Foundation, which puts on weddings for terminally-ill people and they're going to help out and be there on the day. We're going to have a nice wedding in the church and then a reception in a hotel nearby, probably."

On Sunday, June 23, Bernadette and Lorraine are holding a sale outside Lorraine's home in Duncan Avenue, Huncote, and Lorraine is collecting prizes for a raffle to raise money.

Bernadette said: "We've got about £1,500 and we'll need about £4,000, so we're selling all sorts to try to raise a bit more."

If you would like to do something to help Knill achieve his dream, contact Mercury reporter Tom Mack on 0116 222 4264, or e-mail:

tommack@leicestermercury.co.uk

In the courts

June 15, 2013, 2:49 am

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Cases dealt with at Leicester Magistrates' Court include: Shaun Bond (44), of no fixed address pleaded guilty to stealing a bottle of red wine on May 15. He was ordered to remain in court until the end of the session. Muruhananthan Nambirajalingam (34), of The Crossway, Braunstone Town, pleaded guilty to failing to give his identity to a police officer who suspected him of committing a motoring offence on December 14. He was fined £100 with £60 costs and ordered to pay £20 victim surcharge. Six penalty points were endorsed on his licence. Ben Simpson (27), of Ocean Road, Thurnby Lodge, pleaded guilty to assaulting a man on October 28. He was ordered to carry out 180 hours unpaid work in the community. He was placed on an 18-month community order. He was also ordered to pay his victim £100 compensation. Suraj Chohan (20), Trevino Drive, Thurmaston, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour on April 13. He was fined £120 with £85 costs and ordered to pay £20 victim surcharge. Andrew Luker (43), of College Close, Oakham, pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit on August 17. He also admitted careless driving on the same date. He was banned from driving for 20 months and ordered to pay £85 costs. Daytona Millington (23) of The Wayne Way, North Evington, pleaded to aggravated vehicle taking on March 9 where the car was damaged. She was banned from driving for a year and ordered to carry out 80 hours unpaid work in the community. She was ordered to pay £60 victim surcharge and £50 costs. Nathan Forbes (26) of Sheridan Street, Saffron Lane, Leicester, pleaded not guilty to resisting a police officer on December 15. He was found guilty and was ordered to pay £300 costs and £60 victim surcharge. He was also placed on a supervision order for 12 months. Ketan Patel (25), c/o of Cordery Road, Evington, pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing cannabis on April 11 and April 12. He was placed on a supervision order for six months. He was ordered to pay £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs. Adam Hall (25), of Elmcroft Avenue, Thurnby Lodge, pleaded guilty to damaging a fence on April 10. He was conditionally discharged for a year but placed under a year long restraining order not to contact the owner of the fence. He was also ordered to pay £15 victim surcharge. Anthony Southorn(34), of Hall Close, Weston by Welland, pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer and resisting an officer on December 3. He was fined a total of £150 with £100 costs and was ordered to pay £20 victim surcharge. Neil Evans (39), of Swannington Road, New Parks, pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit on April 12. He was ordered to carry out 50 hours unpaid work in the community and banned from driving for three years. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and £60 victim surcharge. James Lavithi (28), of Main Road, Asfordby Valley, pleaded guilty to exceeding a 30mph speed limit on November 10. He was fined £100 with £60 costs and ordered to pay £20 victim surcharge. Five points were endorsed on his licence. Michael West (32), of Coventry Road, Sharnford pleaded guilty to driving while over the legal alcohol limit on March 17. He also pleaded guilty to taking a car without the owner's consent on the same date and driving without a licence or insurance. He was banned from driving for a year, ordered to carry out 60 hours unpaid work in the community and had to pay £85 costs and £60 victim surcharge. Eliot Auty (42), of Loughborough Road, Belgrave, pleaded guilty to stealing groceries on January 10. He was conditionally discharged for 12 months and ordered to pay £15 victim surcharge and £40 costs. Dale Hinton (29), of Ashfield Drive, Anstey pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance on April 12. He was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work in the community. He was also ordered to pay £60 victim surcharge and £40 costs.

REVIEW: Download day one

June 15, 2013, 3:38 am

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"This is Download," Bullet For My Valentine's Matthew Tuck reminded the thousands of metalheads before him, "the whole world wishes they were you right now!" An exaggeration perhaps, but one the devoted rockers crammed into a Leicestershire field could believe. Friday's damp beginnings were weathered, early risers Architects appropriately instructing the crowd to build 'walls of death' to keep spirits up during the drizzle. The sun beamed in time for wrinkly rockers Europe, who still know how to stoke a pit, and a jubilant ne-ne-ner-ner-along to The Final Countdown. There was new blood too, at the Red Bull tent; kilt-clad Aberdeenites Semperfi and melodic metalists Akord especially impressing. Note to organisers though: next time pitch further away from the Acoustic Stage, so bold lone souls like Rob Lynch aren't drowned out. The aforementioned BFMV proved their Kings of British Emo credentials with a heart-on-sleeve, flame-jet-backed set on the main stage, despite dapper upstarts Asking Alexandria snapping at their heels with a similarly earnest display. Elsewhere hardcore thrashers Converge pulverised the Pepsi Max tent, impassioned vocalist Jacob Bannon beckoning acolytes into a frenzy, while gypsy punks Gogol Bordello can proudly say they provoked more crowd surfing, purple-suited gimps than any other band. Speaking of gimps, metal behemoths Slipknot closed the main stage as only a horrific circus troop could, their fans' adoration forcing them to stop after the barrier gave way - twice. Ending on the brutal Surfacing, frontman Corey Taylor promised a swift return - let's hope they've reinforced the barrier by then.RELATED CONTENT• PICTURES: Download 2013 - fans arrive at Donington Park • ALMOST READY TO ROCK: Campers rock 'n' roll up for the Download festival• PREVIEW: The top acts to see at Download Festival

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Iron Maiden frontman ready to bring the noise

June 15, 2013, 9:50 am

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Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson is ready to bring the noise to Download tonight when the festival headliners take to the stage in a few hours time. The heavy metal icon, airline pilot, broadcaster, novelist and all-round rock'n'roll good guy shared his thoughts with the Mercury ahead of tonight's performance. It will mark 25 years since Iron Maiden first played the Castle Donington rock festival in 1988, then in its earlier incarnation of the Monsters of Rock. "I'm looking forward to it, " said the 54-year-old rock god. "It's our third time at Donington now and our big anniversary since first playing here 25 years ago. "I think it will be quite special and we've got an absolutely cracking show lined up." The band will play to an expected 100,000 fans, and Bruce is excited that for many it will be their first Iron Maiden show. "The band is now bigger than it ever has been," he said. "And it's clear a lot of people here will have only discovered our music since 2005. "All these people would have only been 15 or 16 years-old then. "That's how we've got bigger over the years – not just by clinging onto our 50-something fans but by introducing our music to a new generation of teenagers every 10 years or so. "That in itself is remarkable for me." Bruce said the set they play tonight will include some of the songs they performed in 1988, including hits Run to the Hills and Number of the Beast. The singer has been recovering from a virus that knocked him for six during two sold out shows in Frankfurt earlier this week after which doctors advised him to rest. "I feel loads better now," he said. "And once I get out there on stage I'll be great. "This is the largest event of our whole summer tour and it's important that we do a great job." Bruce added: "This is it – Donington. It's the only place in the UK where you can actually make a proper noise! "At Reading (festival) they find the noise so objectionable, if the wind changes slightly then you can't hear the band. "Glastonbury's okay, but you can't move for yurts and discarded copies of the Guardian (newspaper). "Donington, on the other hand, is an incredible festival for any band wanting to make a great bloody racket."

Concern for missing student

June 15, 2013, 12:26 pm

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Police are appealing for help to find a missing student from Leicester. Adil Faki, 25, from the Spinney Hills area of the city, was last seen on Monday (JUNE 10) at the top of High Street, in the city centre, near to St Nicholas Place. Officers said he has not had any contact with his family since that day and they are growing increasingly concerned for his welfare. When last seen he was wearing dark trousers and a waist-length leather jacket. He is Asian, around 5ft 8in tall and of slim to medium build. Police said Adil studies at De Montfort University, where officers have been speaking to fellow students to see if any of them have heard from him. A spokesman said: "The more time passes the more concerned we get so we are encouraging anyone who has seen him or heard from him in the past five days to get in touch. "He doesn't have a car but he does have access to money and therefore could have travelled to other parts of the country." If you think you may have seen Adil recently or you know where he might be call the police 101 number and ask to speak to the force's Missing from Home team.

Cow rescued from slurry pit

June 15, 2013, 1:16 pm

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Firefighters were called on to rescue a cow which had wandered into a slurry pit. The animal had got itself stuck in the 5ft deep pit on a farm in Broughton Road, Stoney Stanton. Crews from Hinckley and the fire service's technical rescue team from Leicester attended the incident at just before 9am today (SAT). They used an inflatable "rescue path" to reach the stranded cow and attached harnesses before pulling it to safety with the help of a digger. The whole operation took about an hour to complete. A fire service spokeswoman said: "The cow was successfully freed and left with the farmer. "It was obviously distressing for the animal but it was otherwise unhurt."

Arsonists blamed for house fire

June 15, 2013, 1:47 pm

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Arsonist are being blamed for a house fire on a Loughborough estate. Firefighters were called out to Manor Road, in Shelthorpe, at 1.45pm today, after neighbours reported smoke coming from the building. Two crews from Loughborough fire station attended the incident, where they found a fire in the kitchen of the property. A fire service spokeswoman said: "They managed to deal with the fire pretty quickly and stop it from spreading. "The stop message was received by control at 14.07pm." She added: "The semi-detached property was empty at the time but police were requested to assist after neighbours reported having seen youths trying to start fires inside the building earlier. "The cause of the fire was deliberate, with slight damage to the kitchen and bedroom floor above."

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Live: Traffic and Travel Updates

June 16, 2013, 12:13 am

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2.15pm: No reports of any major incidents or congestion on city and county roads. Train services at St Pancras, Sheffield and through the East Midlands are all running well with no major delays.8.19am: No reports of any major incidents or congestion on city and county roads.For more local and national travel information and weather updates see the links below:MOTORWAY UPDATES: For traffic updates on UK motorways and other key roads - CLICK HERE.LIVE CAMERAS: Check the M1 through Leicestershire with our live traffic cameras - CLICK HERE.NATIONAL RAIL: For live UK train updates - CLICK HERE. FLIGHT INFORMATION: For East Midlands Airport visit: CLICK HERE.WEATHER: See the latest five-day weather report at: www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/weather.CONTACT NEWSDESK: Send us your news and pictures. Tweet us @Leicester_Merc or email newsdesk@leicestermercury.co.uk

Mobile speed camera locations this week

June 16, 2013, 2:29 am

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Mobile speed cameras will be in the following locations in the city and county this week. A6004 Alan Moss Rd, Loughborough A563 Atlee Way, Leicester A512 New Ashby Road, Loughborough A512 Ashby Road, Loughborough A50 Route: Field Head - Groby B5350 Nanpantan Road (30 & 40mph), Loughborough A563 Asquith Way, Leicester A447 Swan'ton Rd / Wash Ln / Ibstock Rd, R'stone B5006 Tamworth Road, Ashby A5 Route North: Dodwells - Highcross B4666 Coventry Road, Hinckley A447 Hinckley Rd, Cadeby A47 Route: Billesdon - East Norton A5199 Bull Head Street, Wigston A47 Uppingham Road, Houghton on the Hill A607 Thurmaston Bypass, Thurmaston A47 Humberstone Road, Leicester B4114 Leicester Rd, Sharnford B581 Broughton Way / Station Rd, Broughton Astley B4114 Leicester Road, Enderby 40mph B4114 King Edward Avenue, Narborough A6 Glen Road, Oadby A6 Harborough Road, Oadby A4304 Lutterworth Road / Station Road, N Kilworth A5199 Leicester Road, Wigston A47 Peterborough Rd, Barrowden A47 Glaston Rd, Morcott A47 Uppingham Road / Main Road, Glaston A47 Uppingham Rd, Bisbrooke A606 Stamford Rd, Barnsdale A6004 Ling Road, Loughborough B5003 Moira Road, Shellbrook A444 Route (Fenny Drayton – M42) B6047 Route (Market Harborough – Melton) A607 Route (Rearsby By-pass – Melton) Glenfield Road, Leicester A4304 Lutterworth Road, Walcote Leicester Road, Uppingham A6003 Route (Sounding Bridge - Caldecott) B640 Stamford Road, Oakham B641 Uppingham Road / Catmose Street, Oakham B668 Cottesmore Village A606 Audit Hall Road / Whitwell Road, Empingham A606 Stamford Rd, Tinwell A6121 Stamford Road, South Luffenham

Motorcyclist in critical condition after collision with van

June 16, 2013, 3:19 am

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A motorcyclists is in a critical condition after a crash involving a van. The rider was airlifted to hospital following the accident, in Beaumont Leys Lane, Beaumont Leys, Leicester on Saturday. Emergency service were called to the scene at 5.45pm. A police spokeswoman said: "The collision involved a van and a motorcycle. "The motorcyclist was transferred by air ambulance to Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry." She said the injured rider's condition was "critical". Beaumont Leys Lane was closed to traffic until the early hours of Sunday morning while crash investigators examined the scene.

VIDEO and PICTURES: Download 2013

June 16, 2013, 3:38 am

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Thousands of rock fans have been treated to top acts this weekend's at Download - the UK's biggest rock festival. Festival headliners Slipknot (Friday) and Iron maiden (Saturday) have more than lived up to their fans' expectations. Last night saw Iron Maiden marking the 25th anniversary of their first headline appearance at Donington Park and the set began with a flyby from a Spitfire based at RAF Coningsby. They treated fans to tracks including Run To The Hills, The Number of the Beast finishing with an encore of Aces High, The Evil That Men Do and Running Free. Singer Bruce Dickinson spoke to the Mercury before the anniversary performance promising fans it would be "absolutely special". The last day of Download sees Rammstein and Limp Bizkit closing the festival. We've been at the site soaking up the atmosphere and taking a few pictures too. See the links below for more video/pictures and words from Download: • PICTURES: Download 2013 - bands and fans on Saturday • PICTURES: Download 2013 - more bands and fans on Saturday • PICTURES: Download 2013 - bands and fans on Friday • INTERVIEW:Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson ready to bring the noise • REVIEW: Download day one • PICTURES: Download 2013 - fans arrive at Donington Park • ALMOST READY TO ROCK: Campers rock 'n' roll up for the Download festival• PREVIEW: The top acts to see at Download Festival

See the slideshow for some more festival highs (and lows?)

REVIEW: Download day two

June 16, 2013, 8:30 am

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I would have seen Nekrogoblinkon and UFO, had the bonds of grandparental babysitting stretched to so early in the billing, but, as it was, Alice in Chains were always going to be Saturday's main course. Frontman William DuVall and lynchpin lead guitarist Jerry Cantrell were masterful and totally, utterly in charge as Them Bones, Dam That River, Check My Brain, Down In A Hole, Man In A Box and Rooster thumped from the amps. Hollow and then Stone, from the new album The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, rounded off an absolutely airtight performance. Even a man with arrestable BO moshing to my right failed to smear the experience. As for Queens of the Stone Age, it's hard to do a fair review when you've been reduced to human flotsam, carried between ebbing and flooding tides of people, punctuated ad infinitum with "Excuse me" and "Sorry mate". For those who hold to the gig etiquette of Staying In Place, it was a true low point. That said, with Feel Good Hit Of The Summer as QOTSA's top-tempo opener and the blistering fret work on closer Song For The Dead, those two at least did the business. Which left Iron Maiden to bring a wet and freezing Saturday night to a close. With typical aplomb, their arrival on stage was heralded by a low flying WW2 Spitfire. The sight of fans pumping their fists the length of the arena looked like a scene straight from Lord of the Rings. The undisputed highlight was pyro-tastic 80s hit Can I Play With Madness.