Leicester City fixtures 2014 - 15 - Bring it on, say Foxes fans

June 18, 2014, 7:02 am

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Leicester City face a baptism of fire on their return to the Premiership - with Everton, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United among their first five games. The Foxes will play Everton on Saturday, August 16 - their first game in the Premier League in 10 years. The Merseyside club has undergone a resurgence under Roberto Martinez's stewardship, finishing fifth last season. Fans have spoken about facing a tough start, but have adopted a "bring it on" attitude. Cliff Ginetta, chairman of Leicester City Supporters Club, said: "That's where we wanted to be - in the big league up against the big teams and they don't come much bigger than those. "I was a bit shocked to see we're up against so many of the big clubs so quickly, but I am glad to see we are opening against a big club like Everton. "It would have been a disappointment if it had been QPR or Burnley. "I am very optimistic we'll do well and it gives us the opportunity to get some of the bigger clubs out of the way early on. "It's a very, very tough start but with the right players I'm sure we can do well. These are exciting times." Gary Silke, editor of The Fox fanzine, said: "It's a bit scary. It will be tough, but there's no reason why they can't fight their way through that lot. "After 10 years of waiting for the fixtures lists to come out and thinking, 'Is that it?' this one's a bit different. I'm looking forward to it." Lance Tomlyn, chairman of the Leicester City Independent Supporters Club, said: "It's a tough start, but it gets a bit easier after that - but they're all going to be tough anyway. "You can't decide where you're going to get your points beforehand. "Nigel Pearson is very stable and measured in what he does and I think he will take it as it comes, it won't completely phase him. "I'm sure Everton aren't delighted about playing a newly promoted club in their first game." Social media sites were alive with comments following the announcement yesterday.(WEDS) Iain Robinson tweeted "Everton on opening day of the season! Wow! Tough game, but can't wait to get the season started!" Tough start but cannot wait." Ollie Curzon posted: " First five fixtures... Just.... Wow... This is what it's all about #believe #lcfc." Daniel Chapman tweeted: "Tough start for the boys! Bring it on!!" While Chris Sansome said: "I'd much rather play the big teams at the start of the season. That's when it's easiest to beat them as a promoted side." Maria Bontoft tweeted: "A tough start to the season, but that's what we've been waiting for." What do you think about the fixtures? Have your say at: leicestermercury.co.uk

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Mystery as vandals slash car's tyres five times in 11 months

June 18, 2014, 7:15 am

≫ Next: Graduate spends £10,000 student loan on cosmetic surgery in bid to become model

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Police have appealed for help solving the mystery of a series of vandalism attacks on the same car. Vandals have slashed the Ford Focus' tyres five times in the past 11 months. The owners, who live in Blackbrook Court, Greenhill, Coalville, have told police they have no idea why the car is being targeted. The most recent incident between 11am on Saturday, June 7 and 7am the next day. The previous incidents happened in August and September last year and in March this year. Police community support officer Mark Ball, of Coalville police station, said: "The owner of the vehicle does not know why their vehicle has been targeted and each incident of damage has caused a lot of unnecessary expense and inconvenience. "If you have any information about who may be responsible, please do not hesitate to get in touch." Contact Pcso Ball on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Mystery as vandals slash car's tyres five times in 11 months

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Graduate spends £10,000 student loan on cosmetic surgery in bid to become model

June 18, 2014, 8:10 am

≫ Next: Appeal for witnesses after three people badly hurt in A47 crash near Skeffington

≪ Previous: Mystery as vandals slash car's tyres five times in 11 months

A graduate has told how she spent her £10,000 student loan on cosmetic surgery in the hope of becoming a model. Katerina Christodoulou, of Loughborough, said she hated her "wobbly" thighs and "uneven" breasts, so saved her loan payments to pay for her dream body. Instead of buying books for her English literature course at the University of Essex, she bought liposuction. The 21-year-old said: "I could have spent my loan on my studies but I was lucky enough to have a supportive family who helped pay for my books and social life. This allowed me to save my money." Katerina has now temporarily quit her job as a trainee solicitor to become a model. "I'm a hundred times more confident than before," she said. "I have done some modelling since my surgery but I've just started work as a recruitment consultant. "I started saving up for liposuction in my first year at university. "I hated my natural shape, so I had liposuction under my bum, inner thighs, hips and around my knee. "I found they were stubborn areas where the fat just wouldn't shift. "I have always exercised throughout my life so I knew I couldn't get rid of the excess weight without surgery - it really was a last resort." Katerina was supported throughout university by her parents and was able to get by without the use of her loan. "I did think about using the money to put a deposit down on a house," she said. "But then I thought, 'why not use the money to make myself happy now.' "My ex-boyfriend then treated me to a new set of boobs as that was another area of my body I disliked. "I know some people might be surprised to hear that I spent my student loan on my body, but it was worth it for how I feel now. "My parents gave me their blessing and were really supportive." When Katerina graduated in 2013, she not only left university with a degree, but also enough money to pay for her lipo. Katerina said: "I was so happy to graduate university with a 2:1, but it also meant that I finally had the money for the surgery." Katerina had liposuction and breast surgery at the MYA Cosmetic Surgery Clinic. "One of my boobs was a 32A and the other was a B," she said. "My partner at the time bought my 32E boobs." Katerina is now planning to have a nose job. "I am going to have to get a finance plan for this but I think after my next operation I'll be completely happy. "The next time I'll undergo surgery will be for a face lift when I'm older." A spokesman for the MYA Cosmetic Surgery Clinic said: "Katerina is an excellent example of intelligent women who wish to improve their self-esteem."

Graduate spends £10,000 student loan on cosmetic surgery in bid to become model

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Appeal for witnesses after three people badly hurt in A47 crash near Skeffington

June 18, 2014, 8:27 am

≫ Next: Woman in her 70s attacked and robbed in her Loughborough home

≪ Previous: Graduate spends £10,000 student loan on cosmetic surgery in bid to become model

Police have appealed for witnesses to a two-car crash which has left three people seriously injured. The collision happened on the A47, near Skeffington, shortly after 4pm on Tuesday. The crash involved a black Toyota Yaris and a blue Peugeot 206, which were travelling in opposite directions. Both cars overturned and ended up in roadside ditches. The driver and passenger in the Toyota Yaris and the driver of the Peugeot 206 were taken to the Queen's Medical Centre, in Nottingham. Police said the driver of the Toyota, a man, remained in a critical condition yesterday. The Toyota passenger and driver of the Peugeot, both women, were in a stable condition in hospital yesterday. One person was described as having potentially life-changing injuries. Fire crews from Uppingham, Leicester's eastern fire station and the heavy rescue unit from Oakham attended at the scene. The road was closed for several hours while a forensic collision investigation was carried out.

Appeal for witnesses after three people badly hurt in A47 crash near Skeffington

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Woman in her 70s attacked and robbed in her Loughborough home

June 18, 2014, 9:15 am

≫ Next: Three men arrested in Leicester as part of anti-loan sharks operation

≪ Previous: Appeal for witnesses after three people badly hurt in A47 crash near Skeffington

Two men attacked and robbed an elderly woman in her home before snatching her gold necklace. The woman, who is in her 70s, came face to face with the men in her home in Farnham Road, Shelthorpe, Loughborough on last night. Police said the men assaulted the woman before stealing the necklace. Officers said the woman suffered "minor abrasions" during the attack, which happened at 7pm. Detective Constable Rick Moreton said: "This was a distressing incident for the victim. "We have carried out a number of inquiries in the area and believe the suspects were loitering before the incident took place. "We would appeal to anyone who passed through in the run up to 7pm last night and saw anyone acting suspiciously to get in touch." The men are white and approximately 5ft 6ins. Both were wearing hooded tops which covered their faces. One of the tops is believed to be green and grey and Adidas brand. The victim has told police one of the men has short fair hair which was swept to one side. The men were seen to run off towards Ling Avenue. Contact Det Con Moreton on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Woman in her 70s attacked and robbed in her Loughborough home

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Three men arrested in Leicester as part of anti-loan sharks operation

June 18, 2014, 10:03 am

≫ Next: CCTV released after teenager knocked unconscious in unprovoked attack in Wigston

≪ Previous: Woman in her 70s attacked and robbed in her Loughborough home

Three men were arrested in Leicester today as part of an operation to track down loan sharks. They were detained at homes in the city by the England Illegal Money Lending Team, Leicestershire Police and officials from the city council's trading standards unit. Documents were seized from three addresses and the men were taken into custody for questioning. Councillor Sarah Russell, Leicester's assistant city mayor for neighbourhood services, said: "Loan sharks prey on people at their most vulnerable and make difficult situations worse. "We will continue to work with communities and the illegal money lending unit to tackle these awful individuals." The Illegal Money Lending Team has prosecuted more than 300 illegal money lenders and relieved 24,000 victims of debts of more than £55 million. To report a loan shark call the confidential hotline on 0300 555 2222 or text 'loan shark' and your message to 60003.

Three men arrested in Leicester as part of anti-loan sharks operation

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CCTV released after teenager knocked unconscious in unprovoked attack in Wigston

June 18, 2014, 11:44 am

≫ Next: Fire destroys combine harvester in Hungarton

≪ Previous: Three men arrested in Leicester as part of anti-loan sharks operation

A 16-year-old boy was punched in the face and knocked unconscious in an unprovoked attack. The teenager had been walking from South Wigston towards Wigston, along Blaby Road, when he was approached by two youths on the bridge close to Wigston Swimming Pool. His nose was broken in the assault and he was taken to Wigston Police Station by passers-by who stopped to help. The incident happened at about 11.30am on Sunday, June 8. Police have released this CCTV image showing two people officers would like to question in connection with the crime. Pc Sarah Waters, of Wigston police, said: "This was a nasty assault which could have had serious consequences. "Please take a look at the image and if you recognise either of the people or have any suspicions about who they could be, or you are a witness, please get in touch with us." Anyone with information should call the police 101 number.

CCTV released after teenager knocked unconscious in unprovoked attack in Wigston

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Fire destroys combine harvester in Hungarton

June 18, 2014, 1:17 pm

≫ Next: Leicester City 2014-15 fixtures makes dream a reality, says Danny Drinkwater

≪ Previous: CCTV released after teenager knocked unconscious in unprovoked attack in Wigston

Firefighters were called after a combine harvester caught fire in a field. Crews from Leicester and Melton attended the incident, in Baggrave Road, Hungarton, east of Leicester, which was reported at 1.45pm, today. The blaze was extinguished using compressed air foam and a stop message received by fire control at 2.41pm. A fire service spokesman said: "The cause of the fire was an overheated engine compartment." He said the combine harvester was destroyed in the blaze. No-one was hurt.

Fire destroys combine harvester in Hungarton

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Leicester City 2014-15 fixtures makes dream a reality, says Danny Drinkwater

June 18, 2014, 11:06 pm

≫ Next: Court points to grandad's 30-year cannabis habit in adoption hearing

≪ Previous: Fire destroys combine harvester in Hungarton

The release of the Premier League fixtures has made Leicester City's promotion dream a reality for midfielder Danny Drinkwater.

It has been a whirlwind of civic functions, celebrations and holidays since City lifted the Football League trophy on that memorable final day of last season.

Drinkwater admits it has been like a dream, but the announcement of City's fixtures has made their achievement a reality and he said he is champing at the bit to get back into training and prepare to take on some of the Premier League's elite.

"It is special for the players when the fixtures come out," he said.

"It makes me excited and I am sure the rest of the players are.

"It is just great when you know who your first game is against. It is exciting.

"It has been constant madness since the end of the season but, now the fixtures are released, we will all be dying for the season to start.

"We have less than three weeks until we return to pre-season. I am excited and I am sure all the players and staff will be excited too.

"We are all looking forward to the start of the season."

City have a tough start as they face Everton, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United in their first five fixtures, and Drinkwater's midfield partner Matty James said it still felt like a dream.

"You look at the teams we'll be up against and it's the stuff dreams are made of," he said.

"As a professional, they're the games you want to be involved in and I'm really looking forward to it. I can't wait.

"I don't think you can look at any team in the Premier League and think, 'That's going to be an easy game' or 'We can get three points there', so it was going to be a challenge whoever we came up against.

"You can't turn up anywhere expecting to win. Maybe playing Chelsea, Arsenal and United in the first five games will help us. There's nothing like playing the top sides to settle the nerves.

"They're the games we all want to play in. You can't be scared of them, it's what the Premier League is all about.

"You've just got to go into every game believing you can win it, playing positively and trying to win it. We might cause a few upsets along the way."

LEICESTER CITY FIXTURES 2014-15

AUGUSTSat 16, Everton (H) 3.0Sat 23, Chelsea (A) 3.0Sat 30, Arsenal (H) 3.0

SEPTEMBERSat 13, Stoke (A) 3.0Sat 20, Man United (H) 3.0Sat 27, Crystal Palace (A) 3.0

OCTOBERSat 4, Burnley (H) 3.0Sat 18, Newcastle (A) 3.0Sat 25, Swansea (A) 3.0

NOVEMBERSat 1, West Brom (H) 3.0Sat 8, Southampton (A) 3.0Sat 22, Sunderland (H) 3.0Sat 29, QPR (A) 3.0

DECEMBERTue 2, Liverpool (H) 7.45Sat 6, Aston Villa (A) 3.0Sat 13, Man City (H) 3.0Sat 20, West Ham (A) 3.0Fri 26, Tottenham (H) 3.0Sun 28, Hull (A) 3.0

JANUARYThu 1, Liverpool (A) 3.0Sat 10, Aston Villa (H) 3.0Sat 17, Stoke (H) 3.0Sat 31, Man United (A) 3.0

FEBRUARYSat 7, Crystal Palace (H) 3.0Tue 10, Arsenal (A) 7.45Sat 21, Everton (A) 3.0Sat 28, Chelsea (H) 3.0

MARCHWed 4, Man City (A) 7.45Sat 14, Hull (H) 3.0Sat 21, Tottenham (A) 3.0

APRILSat 4, West Ham (H) 3.0Sat 11, West Brom (A) 3.0Sat 18, Swansea (H) 3.0Sat 25, Burnley (A) 3.0

MAYSat 2, Newcastle (H) 3.0Sat 9, Southampton (H) 3.0Sat 16, Sunderland (A) 3.0Sun 24, QPR (H) 3.0

Leicester City 2014-15 fixtures makes dream a reality, says Danny Drinkwater

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Court points to grandad's 30-year cannabis habit in adoption hearing

June 18, 2014, 11:06 pm

≫ Next: Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson relishing tough start to Premier League campaign

≪ Previous: Leicester City 2014-15 fixtures makes dream a reality, says Danny Drinkwater

A three-year-old boy is to be placed for adoption after a family court judge ruled his grandfather was not a suitable guardian due to a smoking habit and drug use.

The toddler's 17-year-old mother, who was 14 when she gave birth, had opposed an application by Leicestershire County Council for her son to be placed for adoption.

She had suggested if she was not be allowed to keep the boy, her father and his partner should care for him instead.

However, Judge Clifford Bellamy ruled the youngster should be placed for adoption after concerns were raised about the grandfather's suitability to look after him.

Details of the case emerged in a written ruling by Judge Bellamy after a family court hearing in Leicester.

The judge said the county council had asked him to order the boy be placed for adoption.

An assessment of the grandfather's suitability had raised a "number of areas of concern," the judge said – including a history of domestic violence, worries about excessive drinking, problems with anxiety and depression, drug abuse and smoking.

The man had told how he had been a smoker for several years and had used cannabis regularly for about 30 years.

He claimed not to have used cannabis since late 2013 – when he had decided to give up his habit, the ruling said.

But, the judge said, the man had been unable to quit smoking, despite seeking help from a GP.

Judge Bellamy said this was significant.

"He has been a smoker for several years," said the judge.

"While smoking is not necessarily a contra-indicator to his suitability as a long-term carer for (his grandson), it is significant in the context of his ability to give up habit-forming behaviour, even with professional support.

"His inability to give up his long-term smoking habit, even with professional support, casts some doubt on the reliability of his assertion that in December 2013 he gave up a 30-year cannabis dependency by sheer force of willpower, without any professional support."

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Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson relishing tough start to Premier League campaign

June 18, 2014, 11:07 pm

≫ Next: Leicester City Opinion: Pearson's men can spring some early-season shocks

≪ Previous: Court points to grandad's 30-year cannabis habit in adoption hearing

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson said his side are relishing their tough start to their first Premier League campaign in 10 years.

In their opening five fixtures, City take on four of the sides expected to be challenging for the title and Champions League qualification.

Pearson's champions kick off at home to Everton, who finished fifth last season, on Saturday, August 16, before heading to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on Saturday, August 23.

Arsenal are then the visitors to the King Power Stadium on Saturday, August 30, before City head to the Britannia Stadium to face Stoke.

There is no let-up for City as they then entertain Louis van Gaal's Manchester United on Saturday, September 20, to cap a difficult first five fixtures.

It is a twist of irony for City that their opening game is against the Toffees, who they also face in a prestigious pre-season friendly in Thailand.

"The day the fixtures come out is always an exciting one for supporters as it starts the countdown to the new season," said Pearson.

"It's a bit special this year as we'll be back in the Premier League after a long absence, and there are a lot of attractive fixtures for fans to look forward to.

"Starting against Everton is going to be a big challenge. They had a very good season, have a manager who has made a big impact since joining them and a squad with some very good players.

"But every game at this level will be a big test and we will have to make sure we're ready by preparing as well as we possibly can.

"Pre-season is always an important time as it gives your players a base from which to work ahead of a long season.

"Stepping up a division makes this one as important as ever, so when we return we'll be fully focused on being ready for Everton on the opening weekend and every challenge beyond that."

Four of City's last six games are at home, to Swansea, Newcastle, Southampton and, on the final day, QPR.