Kate and Gerry McCann's 'pain and distress' after libel action against ex-police officer is halted

June 16, 2014, 5:19 am

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Kate and Gerry McCann's libel action against a Portuguese police officer was halted this morning after he apparently sacked his legal team. The couple, who live in Rothley, said the last minute postponement of their case against Goncalo Amaral had caused them "pain and distress". The case is expected to resume next month. The McCanns are taking legal action against Mr Amaral over claims he made in a book in 2008, including a contention that Madeleine died as a result of an accident and that the couple covered this up by inventing a story that she had been abducted. The McCanns had travelled to Lisbon's Palace of Justice to give personal statements to the court today on how the claims had caused them distress and hampered the search for Madeleine. Speaking outside the court, Mr McCann said: "We're exasperated that the hearing has been cancelled once again at Mr Amaral's request. "This is the fourth time this has happened and we've travelled to Portugal. "The legal case has been running now for over five years and we want to get justice for Madeleine. "Today is a blatant and cynical attempt to wear us down and it's Madeleine who is suffering. "We're not going to give up – we're going to keep going." Mrs McCann added: "We need to make it clear to people: we took on this case because of the pain and distress that Mr Amaral has brought to us and our children. "And every time he postpones the case like this it brings us more pain and distress. "Every time we come here we have to make arrangements for our children to be looked after, we have to book flights, we have to book hotels, we have to take time off work to come here. "And Mr Amaral handed that letter in apparently around nine o'clock this morning. That letter could have been handed in before we left the country. "And this has happened about four times. As Gerry said, this can't be seen as anything but blatant and cynical. We just want justice. This is not fair." The couple said they would return to Portugal for the next scheduled hearing on July 8. Madeleine, was three when she disappeared from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in the Algarve in May 2007. Police last week conducted a 10 day search of land near the holiday apartment. The search yielded no trace of the youngster. The couple said last week this reinforced their belief she is still alive.

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Man killed after car hits tree in Welford Road, Leicester, named as Jonilal Manjhu

June 16, 2014, 5:57 am

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A man who died after a car hit a tree in Leicester has been named as Jonilal Manjhu, 39. The crash happened on Welford Road, just before 3am on Sunday morning. Another man, aged 33, is in a serious condition at the Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham. The silver Ford Focus the men were in left the road and hit a tree near the junction with Knighton Lane East and Chapel Lane. Detectives are appealing for anyone who saw a silver Ford Focus or a black BMW1 series travelling out of the city around the time of the crash to contact them. A 46 year old man arrested in connection with the collision has been released on police bail. Anyone with information is asked to call Leicestershire Police on 101.

VIDEO: 'Absolute idiot' runs onto Leicester Racecourse and tries to sprint with horses

June 16, 2014, 7:24 am

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A spectator who ran on to the circuit at Leicester Racecourse and sprinted alongside the horses, narrowly avoiding a serious accident, has been banned from every racecourse in the country. Jockeys riding in the sixth and penultimate race of the meeting on Saturday evening were forced to steer their horses either side of the man to avoid him. In a desperate effort to grab a few seconds of fame, the spectator, who was wearing a pink shirt and black trousers, left the stands, leaped over the fence and started running towards the finish line. Luckily no-one was injured and the race was completed as scheduled. After he made his way onto the turf, the group quickly overtook the man. Jockeys were forced to position their horses on either side of the track to avoid an accident, managing to avoid the spectator and finish the race at about 8.45pm. Clerk of the course Jimmy Stevenson said: "He was an absolute idiot, it was an act of lunacy. Not only did he put his own life at risk but also those of the jockeys and horses. "Everyone in the crowd was shocked which is a good thing because this was so close to being a serious incident." After his bid for fame the man jumped back over the fence into the crowd. Mr Stevenson added: "Our security guys grabbed him and threw him out. We have some excellent footage of him which we've had blown up. If you know him, you'll know him. "He is banned with immediate effect from Leicester racecourse and every other racecourse in the country by the Race Course Association. "I hope he enjoyed himself because it was his last chance to do it." He added: "Something like this is taken very seriously, it was a dangerous thing to do which could have had serious consequences. "Being hit by half a ton of horse travelling at 40mph would be worse than being hit by a motorbike. "The race was completed thankfully, we have a wide racecourse with enough room to accommodate the situation. "His face was not familiar to us and if anyone knows who he is we would ask them to ring the racecourse. "I've been here 20 years and I've never seen anything like this before. "Racecourses aren't modelled to be like football stadia with high fences, people wouldn't want that and we don't want things like this happening. "The crowd was disgusted by his behaviour and the jockeys wouldn't have been amused by it, it's not the sort of thing you expect." In a clip on YouTube a TV commentator is heard saying: "Inside the final 100 yards they did well to avoid an obstruction." The race, the Cream Gorse Handicap, was won by pre-race favourite Illustrious Prince, ridden by Jockey Freddie Tylicki and trained by Julie Camacho. Available, ridden by Jimmy Quinn, came second, with Joe Doyle riding Darnathean home in third place.

From playing with Paul Weller and clubbing with Boy George... now Steve's at Leicestershire's Premier Drums

June 16, 2014, 7:51 am

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He's kept the beat for The Style Council and Ian Dury but the timing was right for Steve White to pick up sticks and go join the county's top drum-makers. Tom Pegden reports.

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Steve White, the latest addition to the team at Leicestershire's Premier Drums, has a pretty impressive pedigree. The young drummer from Bermondsey, London, had barely left school when he was plucked from nowhere to join Paul Weller's new outfit, The Style Council. It was a teenage dream come true – touring the world with one of the biggest acts in Britain, playing to the nation on Top of the Pops, rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous and making a respectable dent in pop history. (Twenty-nine years ago this month, the band's second album, Our Favourite Shop – the singles included Wall's Come Tumbling Down and Shout to the Top – was number one in the charts). It was an amazing time for British music and Steve was with The Style Council for more than five years, even playing Live Aid at Wembley in 1985. When The Style Council finished in 1989, he went on to work with the likes of Ian Dury, Galliano and the Young Disciples. He then teamed up with Paul Weller again, playing on his 1990s solo albums such as Stanley Road and Wild Wood, and sticking with him until 2006. During that period, his brother, Alan, was drumming with Oasis. When Alan hurt his hand before a big US tour in 2001, Steve stepped in to take over. Now that doesn't happen every day, does it. Along the way, he was a session musician with Jon Lord of Deep Purple and played the 2005 Live 8 gig at Hyde Park with The Who. A few years ago, he found time to marry TV star and ex-Coronation Street actress Sally Lindsay, and more recently still formed soul-mod-jazz outfit Trio Valore with ex-Ocean Colour Scene bassist Damon Minchella and keyboard player Justin Shearn. As if that wasn't enough, he manages Leicester singer-singwriter Kristyna Myles and has worked on new material with wispy electro-pop sensation La Roux. By anyone's standards it's been a brilliant journey. He told the Mercury: "I was 17 when I joined The Style Council. Paul and Mick Talbot had started the band in the March and I joined in the May, when they recorded Long Hot Summer. "I was just coming up to 18 and all of a sudden was in this really huge band. "We would go out clubbing with Spandau Ballet and Culture Club. It was great because there wasn't that intense media pressure there is now. "Bands had the chance to develop without that public gaze. "I've been everywhere – 25 times to Japan, for instance. I went to Poland with The Style Council when it was under communist rule, and I've seen so many changes around the world in the 30 years since – not all of them for the better." The music scene has changed incredibly in that time, he said. "I think there are fewer bands out there. When I was starting out it was an extension of youth culture, like football, with loads and loads of bands. "I think that is coming around again, but did diminish about five years ago." He partly blames Government cuts to arts and music education, which he feels have almost robbed a generation of their creative potential. He said: "When I was a kid, my teachers said to me, 'you're not going to make money from this – just do it because you love it'." A bit of a lefty, he was part of the late-80s Red Wedge music movement – a collective of artists such as Paul Weller, Billy Bragg and the Communards, put together to encourage people to vote in the run-up to the 1987 General Election. As well as believing in British politics and music, he also believes in British industry, one of the reasons why he recently joined the product development and education team at Premier. Based in Kibworth, the business sells 10,000 drum kits a year, produced in factories in China, Taiwan. It also has a bespoke operation in Stockport and last month announced the launch of its handsome, British-made, Modern Classic drum set. Steve, 49, said: "Premier have been in existence about 100 years now and were originally based in an iconic building in Wigston. "It was quite traditional and old-school, doing the woodwork and metalwork, but by the 90s and 2000s it had become very, very hard to compete with the Far East. "Premier saw a downturn, but it's back now in Kibworth with a manufacturing facility in Lancashire, trying to keep the quality of its kits as high as possible and building a really strong foundation for its business. "I love the fact it's a British company and I'm very patriotic about supporting what we do in this country and to be involved in Premier is great. "They listen to what I've got to say and I feel part of the team. We're all happy to get our hands dirty and it's all done with a real sense of care and love. "My role's split between whatever I'm needed to do – I've been working on educational ideas to integrate the brand with new teachers and educate drummers and just give something back. "We're also looking to work with various music charities. "There's also the support I can give them on the creative side." Steve's relationship with Paul Weller continues to this day, more than 30 years down the line. "We're still friends." he said. "One of the reasons I left after all those years was that I just felt like we had done what we had to do together. "I didn't want things to go stale. "We both knew it was the right time. I'm incredibly proud of what I did with Paul, but he's got his career and I've got mine."• This article appears in June's edition of Business Monthly magazine. For more business features, see our Business channel.

Leicester City to face Everton in pre-season friendly in Thailand

June 16, 2014, 8:08 am

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Leicester City will take on Premier League rivals Everton in a pre-season friendly in Thailand on Sunday, July 27. The two sides will go head-to-head at the at Supachalasai Stadium in Bangkok as part of a six-day pre-season trip ahead of City's first Premier League campaign in 10 years. Nigel Pearson's squad will head to Thailand just hours after the opening first-team friendly of the summer at Ilkeston on Tuesday, July 22 and return two days before their trip to Walsall on Wednesday, July 30. The game inside the 30,000-seater national stadium will kick-off at 6pm local time/12 noon UK time. Leicester City vice-Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: "It will be with great pride that we bring our Championship-winning Leicester City squad back to Thailand for a match between two Premier League clubs that I am certain will capture the imagination of our football-loving nation. "Our players received a heroes' reception during a celebratory trip to Thailand at the end of the title-winning season and those fans will be very excited to see some of the team's preparations for the new season in the Premier League. "It will also be a great honour to welcome a club with the history and tradition of Everton – another team in the UK with strong connections to Thailand and an opponent with several star names that should contribute to a memorable occasion."

Richard III: Final tomb design revealed

June 16, 2014, 8:42 am

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The Dean of Leicester Cathedral has unveiled the final design for the tomb of King Richard III. The Very Revd David Monteith described the carved Swaledale stone as "distinctive, elegant and imbued with spirituality" at St Martin's Cathedral earlier today. The original design was turned down last year by the Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England (CFCE) - which rules on alterations to Church of England cathedral buildings. But after some "toing and froing" an amended proposal was finally passed and work to create the king's final resting place is expected to start in August. The Rev Canon Mandy Ford, who is overseeing the reordering of the cathedral's interior, said: "The revised design has a simpler floor pattern, which is calmer in feeling. "Rather than the large rose design motif, which was not universally liked, reference is made to Richard's coat of arms on the plinth of the tomb." She added: "There was some toing and froing with the CFCE, but it's the normal process in these kinds of things. "I'm just happy we can finally go ahead and start the work." The cost of the project has risen to £2.5million - which includes £500,000 from the diocese and £100,000 from donations taken from a specially designed website. The Dean also confirmed that the Plantagenet Alliance would not be appealing the High Court judgement which found the University of Leicester was within its legal right to choose the cathedral as the king's final resting place. Speaking at St Martin's Cathedral earlier today, the Dean said: "We are now in a position to move forward with absolute certainty. "While trusting in justice to take its natural course, we have not been idle. "We recognise that we are carrying out this responsibility on behalf of the entire nation and that the eyes of the world will be on Leicester at this unprecedented time." Work on the reordering and tomb building will take place once the Cathedral Gardens project is complete - which is expected to open on July 5. The Bishop of Leicester Tim Stevens was also at the cathedral today for the unveiling. He said: "The last few months have been busy months as we've planned in the background as we waited for justice to take its course. "But now we can press ahead with speed as we look forward to the reinterment taking place in spring 2015." He added: "We don't just want this to be an event for the great and good, we want this to be an event for everybody in Leicester and Leicestershire."

World Cup 2014: Robbie Savage sees funny side of Twitter joke about lack of football trophies

June 16, 2014, 8:45 am

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Former Leicester City star and BBC World Cup pundit Robbie Savage proved he has a sense of humour after his lack of footballing honours were highlighted on Twitter. The 39-year-old former Foxes favourite found himself the butt of the joke when a picture on Twitter compared his single trophy to those of fellow Brazil 2014 pundits Clarence Seedorf and Thierry Henry. Robbie's solitary Worthington Cup win with Leicester City looks a poor return when put next to the national, international and world trophies won by the Dutchman and Frenchman. Dutchman Seedorf's long list of honours includes four league titles in three different countries and four Champions League wins. Henry's trophies include five league titles in three countries, and wins in the Champions League, the European Championship and the World Cup. Former Welsh international Savage spoke about the harsh comparison on the social media voice forum AudioBoo and retweeted the picture himself.

Hahaha love this x learning so much off these 2 ! Clarence never won worthington cup x pic.twitter.com/0SYu8I9WHN

— Robbie Savage (@RobbieSavage8) June 15, 2014

listen to ‘Savaged: Get A Life!!!’ on Audioboo

` Robbie said: "I thought it was quite funny that a picture was posted of me, Seedorf and Henry listing how many trophies they had won. "There was a few, more than a few and my own Worthington Cup which to be fair made me laugh." Former England and Leicester legend and World Cup presenter Gary Lineker was one of thousands of people who retweeted the offending Twitter picture – initially posted by someone called @beardedgenius. Savage saw the funny side about the tweet that was posted after he was a pundit during the France v Honduras game on Sunday night.

Morning @RobbieSavage8 great to have you in the studio with the guys. pic.twitter.com/7yhMKHEDut

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 16, 2014

pic.twitter.com/63zBinoyFl

— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) June 15, 2014

But he then hit back at the "losers" who take to Twitter. He said: "You've got a point but to be here in the midst of those legends learning my trade. It's brilliant. "Some of you losers will be tweeting. How can you even be bothered to put that together? "I wish I was you to be fair – sitting at home watching it on TV instead of being here." Robbie also leapt to the defence of fellow World Cup pundit Phil Neville who has been criticised for his commentary during England's game against Italy. The BBC has received 445 complaints about the former England and Manchester United player's performance during Saturday's match. Some said he was "monotone", while others said he was "boring". Many viewers took to Twitter to criticise him, with several joking that England physio Gary Lewin who was stretchered off after breaking his ankle had actually "fallen into a coma" listening to Neville. Phil took to Twitter to respond, saying: "1st live co-comm last night – sometimes u have to take the criticism – it will only make me better – thanks for the feedback (ahhahaha)!" Robbie said: "It's absolutely ridiculous. The people who take the time to complain I think they are the boring ones. "They are the ones that need to take a look at themselves. They are the ones that need to get a life. It's shocking. "Phil Neville is a great lad and what he was saying was spot on."

Police arrest 28 suspects in Operation Tiger raids across Leicestershire

June 16, 2014, 8:50 am

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Police arrested 28 people and seized drugs, cash and suspected stolen goods during a series of raids last week. The arrests were the latest phase of Leicestershire Police's ongoing Operation Tiger. Last week's arrests mean approximately 650 suspects have been detained since the campaign was launched late last year. During last week's operation officers executed search warrants at homes across the city and county to track down people they believe are involved in crimes such as burglary, robbery and drug dealing. As well as suspected stolen property, officers also confiscated more than £5,000 in cash, class B drugs and mobile phones. Two people were also detained on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children. Superintendent Adam Streets said: "The impact of Operation Tiger is still being felt across the communities we serve. "We continue to target those causing most harm and that is reflected in the arrests we have made during this latest phase. "Those that still involve themselves in criminal activity should heed our warnings. Continue to break the law and you will be caught." Officers also visited second hand goods shops remind them of their legal obligations to ensure they do not buy and sell stolen goods.

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Man taken to hospital after car fire on M1 at Leicester

June 16, 2014, 10:15 am

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A man was taken to hospital after his car caught fire on the M1 motorway. Emergency services were called to the southbound carriageway at 10.45am today. The fire service received dozens of calls from motorists, who either witnessed the scene or reported smoke drifting across the motorway. It happened just to the south of junction 21a, where the A46 joins the M1, and involved a Mercedes hybrid vehicle. A fire service spokesman said: "Because it was a hybrid car, with a normal engine and electric motors, tackling the fire was not straightforward. "After putting out the initial fire, either fuel or battery fluid from the fuel cell leaked causing it to ignite again, which crews dealt with using foam." A police spokesman said: "The male driver was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary to be treated for smoke inhalation, but it was more of a precaution and he was not badly hurt ." With motorists slowing to view the scene, emergency services also had to deal with a single vehicle collision on the southbound carriageway, about 500m north of the fire. The fire service spokesman said: "What complicated matters was people looking at the car fire and not where they were going. "It meant one of our crews had to be diverted to deal with that incident. "Fortunately, no-one was hurt." The car fire and ensuing confusion led police to close the southbound carriageway while the vehicles were recovered. Police also closed the slip road at junction 22. It led to tailbacks as far north as Nottingham, which was exacerbated by traffic at junction 23a leaving the Download music festival site at Donington Park, and congestion on surrounding roads. Fire control received a stop message from crews at 12.18pm, but the carriageway was not reopened until just after 1.30pm.

Ella-Mae, 15, breaks back in four places after fall from Lubenham bridge

June 16, 2014, 11:03 pm

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A teenager fractured her back in four places after falling 20ft from a bridge on to a disused railway line.

Fifteen-year-old Ella-Mae Osborne also suffered internal bleeding in the fall near Market Harborough.

The sports-mad youngster was playing with friends when she reached over the bridge parapet in Rushes Lane, Lubenham, to retrieve a stick caught in an overhanging tree.

The tree gave way and the Robert Smyth Academy student fell to the ground – fortunately landing on a small patch of earth rather than the Tarmac surface.

Friends Jodie Donington and Ryan Bale called for an ambulance and ran to Ella-Mae's home in Paget Street, about half-a-mile away, to get help.

Ella-Mae's stepdad, Mark Pridmore, raced to the scene with next-door neighbour, Mandi Donington, 46, Jodie's mum.

Paramedics had to strap Ella-Mae to a stretcher and place her in neck and pelvic braces before taking her to the trauma unit at Coventry and Walsgrave hospital.

She spent the night in the hospital after the fall on Saturday, June 7, and is now on the road to recovery.

Mum Claire, 35, a care assistant who was at work when the drama unfolded, said: "I got a call at about 9.45pm saying Ella-Mae had fallen off the bridge.

"When I got to the hospital it was like she was mummified. She was strapped into neck and pelvic braces. She was all right until I got there, then she started crying – so did I.

"They found she had four fractures in her back at the bottom of her spine and she also had internal bleeding, but that stopped. It is a miracle she wasn't more badly injured.

"She was trying to get a stick out of a tree and when she grabbed it and shook it, it snapped and she went down with it. Luckily, she landed on a grassy bank.

"Ryan and Jodie stayed with her and got help. They were absolutely brilliant.

"Ella-Mae is studying PE as one of her GCSEs but she won't be able to do anything for at least six weeks. She's hoping to be a PE teacher."

Ella-Mae said: "Me and my mates were throwing a stick around. It got stuck in the tree and, when I shook it, the branch snapped and I fell with it, landing on some earth.

"My back was numb and I couldn't feel any pain in my arms and legs.

"I can walk better now but my lower back still aches a bit. It's horrible missing out on everything in PE."

Jodie, 15, said: "I witnessed it and there were some scary thoughts going through my mind.

"I called the ambulance, then rang to tell my mum. I don't think we'll be going back there to play."

World Cup 2014: Rooney sweating on place for crunch cup clash

June 16, 2014, 11:04 pm

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Wayne Rooney has admitted his place in the England starting line-up is far from guaranteed ahead of their crucial clash with Uruguay on Thursday.

The Manchester United striker started on the left in England's 2-1 defeat to Italy in the opening game of their World Cup campaign and appeared to struggle out wide.

His preferred central role was handed to Liverpool's Raheem Sterling, who was arguably England's stand-out player in Manaus.

Rooney may be England's fifth all-time top scorer with 39 goals, but the 28-year-old insists he has never taken his place for granted.

The decision for England manager Roy Hodgson as to where he plays Rooney – if at all – has become even more paramount going into what is a "do-or-die" clash with Luis Suarez and Co on Thursday.

"I work hard to try to get into that team," said Rooney.

"I have never said my place is guaranteed. I don't expect to play, I work hard. I want to play.

"Why would I feel my place in the team is guaranteed? We have got a lot of good, young players so we will all work hard, all give the manager different options, different choices and, whoever he picks, I am sure we will all respect that."

Despite receiving criticism for his performance, Rooney covered nearly seven miles against Italy, more than any other England player, as well as crossing the ball for Daniel Sturridge's equaliser.

Rooney said he has got no qualms about putting in another shift out wide if asked to do so against Uruguay.

"I know I have run a lot in games and I have no problem doing that," he said. "I felt no problems at all.

"I felt absolutely fine. The weather was not an issue, so that's down to the manager (selection on Thursday).

"He will see over the next couple of days how the lads are and how they recover, and will make his decision from there."

Too-high bus timetables 'a bid to improve passenger information'

June 16, 2014, 11:05 pm

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Council bosses have said they fitted bus timetables too high for anyone to read – as part of a Government-funded drive to improve information for passengers.

Officials at Leicester City Council confirmed the blunder after commuters contacted the Mercury about a new timetable positioned 7ft up a lamppost in Dumbleton Avenue, Rowley Fields.

A city council spokesman blamed the shape of the lamppost and admitted several others had also been fitted "far too high up" around the city in recent weeks.

"Because of the shape of the lamppost, these information cases had to be fixed far too high up to be of use," she said.

Contractors working for the authority have installed new signs at more than 100 bus stops around Leicester in the past two weeks.

"The cases – funded by the Department for Transport to improve bus information for passengers – are designed to fit neatly on to bespoke bus stop poles," the council spokeswoman said.

"In a handful of locations, however – including the Dumbleton Avenue stop – lampposts double as bus stops.

"Because of the shape of the lamppost, these information cases had to be fixed far too high up to be of use."

The council spokesman said workers would now be going out to lower the offending timetables.

"We'll be asking our contractor to find a solution, so that the cases can be displayed in the proper way – and at the proper height," she said.

Howard Parker, who spotted the sign, said: "I can't believe how ironic this is.

"It is a laudable intention to try to improve the information to passengers but they have achieved the opposite."

The 62-year-old, of Glenfield, said it had proved a pain in the neck for passengers.

"Anyone can see that the timetables are too high up," he said. "After studying it for a while I got a real crick in my neck.

"Who knows what the people thought as they fitted the things. They must have realised what they were doing."

Keith Myatt, spokesman for Arriva Bus, said the firm had fitted its own timetable at the stop but it had been replaced by the council.

He said: "The council is fitting these timetables in these cases as part of a strategy to provide better information for passengers.

"Our cases were half the size so I think they were trying to make things better with bigger cases. It is a city-wide programme and I think in most cases they have got the positioning right."

Terry Kirby, chairman of the Campaign for Better Transport (Leicestershire) said he was amazed at the positioning of some the timetables. He found a timetable 7ft up a lamppost outside Gilroes Crematorium.

Mr Kirby said: "It's madness to put them there. To first fit them and then to have to go round and refit them is lunacy and a waste of public money."

Leicester City line-up pre-season friendly against Everton in Thailand

June 16, 2014, 11:06 pm

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Leicester City have lined up a pre-season friendly against Premier League rivals Everton to be played in Thailand.

Nigel Pearson will take his Premier League new boys to Bangkok to take on the Toffees on Sunday, July 27, at the Supachalasai Stadium.

The fixture is the highlight of a six-day pre-season trip to the homeland of the club's owners to mark the 25th anniversary of the club's parent company, King Power.

"It will be with great pride we bring our Championship-winning Leicester City squad to Thailand for a match between two Premier League clubs who I am certain will capture the imagination of our football- loving nation," said City vice-chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha.

"Our players received a heroes' reception during a celebratory trip to Thailand at the end of the title-winning season, and those fans will be very excited to see some of the team's preparations for the new season in the Premier League.

"It will also be a great honour to welcome a club with the history and tradition of Everton – another team in the UK with strong connections to Thailand."

City kick off their pre-season friendly schedule on July 22 at Ilkeston Town and take on Walsall when they return from Thailand on July 30.

City will find out when they will face Everton in the Premier League when the fixtures are released tomorrow at 9am.

Drunk man grabbed and followed terrified woman, 74, in Saffron Lane

June 16, 2014, 11:06 pm

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A 74-year-old woman was terrified when a drunk man grabbed her in the street and then followed her home.

Judge John Pini QC said Keith Patrick Sutton was so intoxicated "he was barely on this planet".

Leicester Crown Court heard Sutton put his arm around the pensioner, who was walking home in Saffron Lane, Leicester, after buying a paper at 10.45am on August 19.

Staggering, he pulled her from side to side, and suggested they have sex.

Neil Bannister, prosecuting, said: "She felt disgusted by what was being said. He tried to pull her close. She was terrified about his intentions.

"He followed her into her front garden, saying they were going to have 'a cup of tea' but she told him to 'get out'."

Sutton followed her into the hallway, but the woman called to her daughter, who also lived there.

Mr Bannister said: "The daughter was shouting at him as he was holding on to the door frame.

"She finally managed to push him out of the house and called the police.

"He remained outside banging on the door and windows and shouting to be let in."

When the police arrived 10 minutes later, Sutton "was speaking incoherently".

Mr Bannister said: "He told them 'I'm waiting for my dog. Oh, there she is,' and pointed at an empty space."

Sutton (49), of Leopold Street, Wigston, was arrested under the Mental Health Act, but it became apparent he was incoherent due to alcohol.

He has no memory of his bizarre conduct.

His victim, now 75, later said: "My life has been altered forever because of this incident."

Mr Bannister said: "She's petrified of being on her own and scared to move around the house when her daughter isn't there and has panic attacks."

Sutton admitted common assault and putting a person in fear of violence.

He was given a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, with 12 months of supervision and a six-month alcohol treatment requirement.

Judge Pini said: "You're a career alcoholic and half your life has been in a haze of drink.

"You've been an alcoholic since you were 28.

"I'm satisfied it wasn't a sexual attack, although it was deeply traumatic.

"Had it involved a sexual intent, you would have gone straight to prison."

He made a restraining order banning the defendant from contacting the pensioner, going to her home or visiting the newsagents where she collects her daily newspaper.

James Varley, mitigating, said: "It was binge-drinking that caused his behaviour, which he regrets.

"He's an alcoholic, a sick man and he's since done his best to sort that out.

"He thought the woman was someone he'd had an argument with and wanted to apologise, but got confused.

"He's now living with his partner and she won't tolerate him drinking at breakfast.

"He's extremely motivated to change."

Kasabian's homecoming gig: Excitement mounts as 35,000 fans expected at Victoria Park

June 16, 2014, 11:08 pm

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Excitement is reaching fever pitch as thousands of Kasabian fans prepare for the biggest event in the rock 'n' roll history of Leicester. A sell-out crowd of up to 35,000 fans will descend on Victoria Park on Saturday to welcome the Leicester lads home. The most eagerly anticipated gig ever held in Leicester has been organised to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the band's debut album. It also marks the band's fifth album 48:13 which is riding high at number one in the charts. Kasabian fans all over the county can barely contain their excitement for the summer solstice spectacular. For Jordan Halford, a sports journalist from Lutterworth who is now living in London, it can't come soon enough. "I'm going with my girlfriend, Julia, my parents, her parents and a group of both of our friends," said the 24-year-old. "I'd say there'll be up to 20 of us. "Most of my mates are school pals from Lutterworth Grammar and my old football team, Frolesworth United FC – I can't wait! "It's got to be the biggest gig for a single band in Leicester's history. "I went to Summer Sundae a few times, but this is on a different scale. "I was at that secret gig Kasabian played on a disused 747 at Bruntingthorpe aerodrome a few years back. That was excellent, but it was on quite a small scale. This, on the other hand, is going to be massive." Jordan has been a fan of the band since the early days. "I follow Leicester City and so do they. It all goes hand in hand," he said, adding: "I know they're going to be headlining Glastonbury this year, but I think this gig is something personal for them and will be special. "What more do you want – Kasabian in Vicky Park, City promoted to the Premier League, the World Cup – what a summer." Rumours have been circulating about who will be supporting Kasabian on the day, with frontman Tom Meighan hinting to the Mercury that it may be indie rockers The Maccabees. "It think they'd be good," said Jordan. "I'd personally like to see Miles Kane. "He has supported the Arctic Monkeys and I'm told he was fantastic. "Or I'd like to see a few Leicester bands in there, like By The Rivers. "I've seen them a few times around Leicester and at Glastonbury and this would be a great stage for them, too." Kasabian fan Lynn Wyeth, of Leicester, said the Victoria Park event had even caused a few ripples beyond UK borders. "I have a Finnish friend who is a big fan coming to stay with me," she said. "We're looking forward to 35,000 people bouncing around on Vicky Park. "I've seen Kasabian do secret and warm-up gigs at Leicester University and De Montfort Hall over the years and Leicester shows are always special. "I love how they let local fans get first access to tickets for shows like this." Frontman Tom, speaking to the Mercury about the summer tour, said the band was equally excited about the homecoming concert. He said: "We're going all over but, for me, Leicester's gig is the main one." Don't miss your chance to win one of 10 pairs of Kasabian tickets in tomorrow's Leicester Mercury.

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World Cup 2014: Muzzy Izzet says Brazil experience will be huge benefit to Riyad Mahrez

June 16, 2014, 11:08 pm

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Riyad Mahrez could become the first Leicester City player since Muzzy Izzet to appear at the World Cup finals when Algeria begin their campaign tonight.

Mahrez and the Desert Foxes take on Belgium at the Belo Horizonte Stadium (kick-off 5pm).

If the 23-year-old makes an appearance, he will succeed Izzet, who was part of the Turkey squad that reached the semi-finals in 2002.

Izzet, who coaches with City's academy system, has been impressed with what he has seen since Mahrez arrived in January.

He also believes the midfielder will benefit hugely from his experiences in Brazil.

"I think he will come back a better player," said Izzet. "He will have seen so many different countries play and different styles of football.

"He will learn no end. He will come back for Leicester probably fitter, stronger and he will have some experience of playing at a standard he will meet in the Premier League."

Izzet said he was excited by the prospect of seeing how Mahrez adapts to life in the Premier League.

Mahrez made a big contribution to City's Championship title success and Izzet believes he will not look out of place in the top flight.

"He looks a good player," said Izzet. "He is elegant on the ball and good at taking players on.

"He is not a big lad but he has something about him. He is another big plus from last season.

"He is another shrewd signing. City have done well to spot these lads coming out of France who have come through the system.

"He has good technique, but that is what you expect from overseas players.

"The big thing for me was that he didn't just add to the squad, he added to the team. He made a difference when he played.

"He seemed to settle very quickly into English football and the pace of it.

"He has a bit of pace himself and he is the sort of player fans want to see, players who can excite them. He is certainly one of them."

Tributes paid to Jonilal Manjhu who died in Father's Day crash

June 16, 2014, 11:10 pm

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Floral tributes from family and friends have been laid at the scene of a Father's Day crash which left one man dead.

Police yesterday named the man as Jonilal Manjhu, 39, of Wigston. He died when the silver Ford Focus he was in left Welford Road, Leicester, and hit a tree.

The crash happened just before 3am on Sunday, close to the crossroads with Knighton Lane East and Chapel Lane.

Another man, aged 33, remains in a serious condition at Queen's Medical Centre, in Nottingham.

Among the floral tributes left at the scene yesterday was one with the message "In loving memory of a dear Dad", marked "Love Priya" and "Love Tina".

The same card also read: "Hi Dad, I miss you so much and you was the best dad, Rest in peace, Love Neha."

Another, signed Bolly, and marked "To my husband" read: "I am going to miss you forever. I love you soooo much, Rest in peace." A third said: "Joni, my brother, my friend, my partner in crime, you was the best, I can't believe you have gone and left us.

"I can't come to terms with the news which I have received."

Detective Constable Seamus Burns, who is investigating the crash, said: "It's believed that in the vicinity of the Focus at the time of the collision was a Black BMW1 series car.

"We would urge anyone who may have been in the area of Welford Road at 3am on Sunday and may have seen either the Ford Focus or a black BMW1 series travelling out of the city to contact us."

A 46-year-old-man arrested in connection with the collision has been released on police bail.

Arsonists destroy car in Spinney Hills, Leicester

June 16, 2014, 11:17 pm

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A car was destroyed in a fire near to the neighbourhood centre in Whinchat Road, Spinney Hills, Leicester, early this morning. A fire crew was called to the blaze shortly before 2am. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus put out the blaze but the vehicle was destroyed. A car parked next to it suffered heat damage. The fire service said the blaze was caused deliberately.

Picture of the day: Riyad Mahrez and the Forest connection

June 17, 2014, 12:52 am

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Well, this is a little awkward. We're all grateful for the electrifying presence of Riyad Mahrez in the Leicester City team, right? Who should we thank? Nigel Pearson, of course. And assistant manager Steve Walsh, with his keen eye for scouting talent from the continent. And, erm, Nottingham Forest too, perhaps. In particular, Forest midfielder Djamel Abdoun. According to an article in the Algerian football magazine Le Buteur, he was instrumental in persuading Mahrez to join City. Leicester had been tracking Riyad for a while, and the winger was flattered by the interest. The offer was good too. But Mahrez, who was playing for the Haute-Normandie side Le Havre, wasn't sure it was the right time to leave France, reasoning his next move should be to a top-flight team in Ligue 1 before trying his luck abroad. And then he had a chat with Algeria international Abdoun, who, in the words of Le Buteur, "convinced him to accept the proposal of Leicester, assuring him that he would not regret it and that English football would suit his style of play." So there you have it, if Google Translate did its job correctly. A Forest man oiled the wheels for one of the best deals in City's recent history. And how did Riyad respond? By scoring against Forest a month after signing. Good lad. Why are well saying all this now? Because Mahrez's World Cup adventure could begin this evening, as Algeria take on Belgium from 5pm, at the Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte. The Algerian team, fact fans, has its origins in revolt. In April 1958, just a couple of months ahead of the World Cup in Sweden, two French players Mustapha Zitouni and Rachid Mekloufi went missing. They showed up in Tunisia a few days later, saying they were quitting France to form a team representing Algeria's National Liberation Front, which was fighting for independence. Along with eight other France-based Algerian players, they formed an underground team which was unrecognised by FIFA but drew huge crowds in exhibition matches in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, China and Vietnam. The FLN team came to an end when Algeria won its struggle for independence. But the current Algerian side displays the still-complex relationship between the two nations. Two-thirds of the World Cup squad were born and raised in France; like Mahrez, who grew up in Sarcelles, a suburb of Paris. The Algerian team's nickname, by the way, is the Fennec Foxes. Which is quite pleasing, all in all.• You can read more about Algeria's football revolutionaries here
• Click here to see the Leicester Mercury's Picture of the Day channel.

Leicestershire's Holly Desai is crowned runner-up in Miss England final

June 17, 2014, 2:02 am

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Leicestershire's Holly Desai was crowned runner-up in the Miss England final. The 22-year-old trainee accountant, from Swannington, placed second out of 60 finalists from across the country in last night's final in Torquay. Holly said: "Obviously I would have liked to have won but I'm really proud I came second. It's a great achievement," The top spot was taken by Miss Cambridgeshire, Carina Tyrell. "Being a Cambridge student and a trainee doctor, she was one of the favourites from the start. There can only be one winner." said Holly. If Carina is unable to make any events during her reign as Miss England, Holly, as runner-up, will automatically step into her place. Holly said the finals of Miss Leicestershire, sponsored by Lanes Fine Jewellery and Fenwick, set her in good stead for last night's competition. "The Leicestershire final was great preparation for it. It was such a bit event and it prepared me for being on a big stage," she said. Still overwhelmed from the competition, Holly said she was unsure if she would compete in Miss England again next year. "I can't even think about it at the moment. I've got my job to consider and it's a bit commitment. But my experience this year has been great. I wouldn't change a thing."