Picture of the day: When Brazil came to Leicester
Mum's posy pair keeping it in the (royal) family
Schoolgirl Francesca Kottler is to follow in her sister's footsteps by giving flowers to a member of the Royal Family tomorrow.
The six-year-old, from Saddington, is to hand over a single white rose as a buttonhole to Princess Anne at the Great Yorkshire Show, in Harrogate.
Three years ago, her sister Celia, eight, gave a posy to Prince Charles and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall at the same event.
The girls' mother, Ann Kottler, said Francesca was very excited about her royal appointment.
Ann, 45, said: "Francesca was nervous before but we watched a television show and Princess Anne was featured in it.
"It was lovely because she was able to see exactly who she would be meeting. It has helped her become excited rather than nervous."
Francesca, who like her sister goes to Fleckney Primary School, said she was looking forward to meeting a real-life princess.
She said: "Princess Anne looks like a very nice lady.
"I am very excited about meeting her and giving her a rose.
"I am also very excited about getting a big ice cream afterwards for giving the princess the flower."
Ann said Celia had performed her task without a hitch.
She said: "Francesca was there when Celia had her big day and now Celia is going to be there when her sister is in the limelight.
"To be honest I get the feeling that Francesca is more excited about getting a free ice cream than meeting Princess Anne but that's typical for a six-year-old girl."
Ann said the girls were chosen for the roles because her father, Bill Cowling, is the show director of the Great Yorkshire Show.
She said: "My dad does not chose the girls or put them forward but people in the office know he has cute granddaughters.
"The girls are lucky they fit the bill for what the show directors are looking for in a flower girl."
Bill said: "It will be a significant day for Francesca as she represents not only our organisation but all the young people for whom the show is such an important event.
"The Great Yorkshire is unique – where else can you see the finest cattle, the latest Bentley, fashion shows, a food exhibition and top quality showjumping all at one event?"
A bad case of T20-itis, but bowlers lead the fightback
Leicestershire produced a commedable fightback on the opening day of their LV County Championship match with Kent at Grace Road after their batting had mis-fired once again.
Put in on a green-looking pitch the County slumped to 217 all out. But in the evening session their bowlers responded superbly and by the close Kent were themselves struggling on 106-5 from 39 overs.
Discipline was the key word of the day. The County bowlers showed it, the batsmen did not and they paid the price as Kent seamer Mitchell Claydon finished with figures of 5-77.
He bowled with pace and aggression but the County were partly responsible for their own downfall by attempting to fight fire with fire.
The result was simply that nobody was able to build an innings of any substance with too many batsmen falling to poorly executed shots.
Perhaps it is the treacherous mix of T20 and championship cricket which is at the root cause of Leicestershire's recent failure to put a sizeable total on the board in the first innings. Their top order is full of stroke-makers who on their day can take an attack apart – as India found to their cost just over a week ago.
But there is a risk element to playing those shots, particularly during the opening exchanges of a championship game when there is likely to be something in the pitch. The surface at the County Ground offered the seam bowlers encouragement, so it ought to have been a case of batsmen getting their heads down, seeing off the new ball then taking the bowlers late into the day and dominating as they tired.
That simply did not happen and while all the top order produced some delightful strokes they were also all back in the pavilion before lunch with Leicestershire struggling on 126-5.
Angus Robson was the only batsman to get going as he made his eighth half-century of the season but the fact that he fell attempting to hook Claydon three overs before the break was symptomatic of the way the County batted.
A stand of 52 for the eighth wicket between Rob Taylor (37) and Jigar Naik (25) did at least take Leicestershire to a bonus point, but when Nathan Buck was last man out half an hour before the scheduled tea interval another frustrating effort with the bat was complete.
It looked very much as though the day was going to belong to the visitors as they progressed with relative comfort to 40-0. Openers Rob Key and Daniel Bell-Drummond had the odd perilous moment but that is to be expected against the new ball in any game. But that all changed in the 11th over when Key miscued an attempted pull off Charlie Shreck and popped up a simple catch to Dan Redfern at midwicket.
The County did not strike again for another nine overs but they had steadily increased the pressure and it was no surprise when Bell-Drummond was lbw to Ben Raine, who was bowling an excellent nagging line and length.
Kent then slipped to 66-3 when Rob Taylor pinned Ben Harmison in front before two late blows from the County seamers left the game in the balance. Buck forced Brendan Nash to chop the ball into his own stumps as he shaped to cut and before the score had moved on from 94 Greg Smith took a fine, low catch at slip to remove Sam Northeast off Shreck's bowling.
Darren Stevens and Adam Ball steered their side through difficult waters to the close as the County hunted for more success. It didn't come but at least at stumps Leicestershire were back in the fray.
Police respond to 46 cases of under-18s accused of sex offences against children
Leicestershire Police has responded to 46 cases of under-18s accused of sexual offences against other children in the past two years, it has been revealed.
Crimes included serious sexual assaults, rape, and obscene publication offences.
The figures were obtained by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) under a Freedom of Information request to the country's police forces.
They show the youngest perpetrator in Leicestershire was aged just eight, while the youngest victim was four.
While most abusers were male, victims were both male and female. Up to two-thirds of sexual abuse on children is committed by other young people, according to the charity.
Detective Superintendent David Sandall, head of the safeguarding department at Leicestershire Police, said: "Sexual offences against children can go from one end of the scale to another. Some offences occur between consenting children who decide to have sex when one may be aged 16 and another 15. In those instances, we have to put it into context and wouldn't usually criminalise them.
"However, the case would be referred to social services, their parents would be informed and they would receive information about the risks of having a sexual relationship."
Det Supt Sandall said the most serious offence was rape and would be dealt with through a criminal prosecution.
However, children younger than 10 are under the age of criminal liability.
"We have specialist teams, including a child abuse investigation unit where detectives are trained to deal with child victims and abusers," he said.
"We liaise with other organisations, including the youth offending service, social services, health services and the city and county safeguarding boards."
Juveniles can also be placed on a sexual offenders' register where they will be regularly monitored and supported.
Cathy Small, an NSPCC manager in the Midlands, said that on the surface, given Leicestershire's population, the figure of 46 did not appear high. But she said: "This doesn't reflect the number of times one victim may have been abused by the same abuser. But one time is one time too many."
While the offences can be shocking, the behaviour can be turned around if caught early, according to the NSPCC's harmful sexual behaviour service.
Its new initiative, "Turn the Page", aims to help young offenders change their behaviour and stop them committing more sexual crimes as they get older through specialist therapy.
Ms Small said: "We have to question the environment children are growing up in that has led to them behaving in a particular way.
"We know that for many older children hard core pornography is now part of life and skews their views of what is normal or acceptable behaviour. It's also feeding into 'sexting' where teenagers are creating and distributing their own videos and images that can be deeply disturbing.
"The NSPCC also helps to show parents how to keep their children safe by teaching them the 'Underwear Rule' which is a simple, effective and age appropriate way of telling children what is and isn't acceptable. Parents tell their children that the area covered by their underwear should never be touched by anyone else."
Across England national figures show that over 8,000 under 18s have been accused of sexual offences against another child in the last two years.
The NSPCC's helpline is on 0808 800 5000. Children can contact ChildLine on 0800 1111.
Shower ban after Legionella bacteria found at Leicester General Hospital
Patients on two hospital wards have been banned from showering after the Legionella bacteria was found at Leicester General Hospital.
They have also been issued with bottled drinking water.
The measures were introduced on wards 28 and 29, used for surgical patients.
One patient, who asked not be to be named, questioned whether the hospital should admit patients while work to clear the bacteria – which can cause the potentially fatal Legionnaires' disease – was carried out.
But officials at Leicester's hospitals said patients were safe and the risk of Legionnaires' disease was low.
The patient said: "We were all given letters about the situation, given bottled water and told we couldn't shower or wash our faces for fear of Legionnaires' disease.
"We also had to use the bottled water for brushing our teeth and were given wipes for our face and hands."
The patient added: "I know the hospital is short of beds, however, I don't think you should open wards like this where many of the patients are elderly and quite frail.
"The doctors and nurses were fantastic, but I do think that having the wards open was putting patients at risk and of course the very words Legionella puts fear into people."
The disease is spread by small water droplets that evaporate very quickly from a contaminated water supply.
Legionnaires' disease is a severe pneumonia, an uncommon but serious illness, particularly for those who have weakened immune systems.
The presence of the bug was found during routine checks carried out on June 20. Restrictions are still in place while chlorine dioxide is added to the water supply to kill the bacteria.
Taps and showers are being regularly flushed and the water temperature checked as part of the cleansing process but officials are not yet sure when the system will be back to normal.
Dr David Jenkins, consultant medical microbiologist and deputy director of infection prevention and control at Leicester's hospitals, said: "Recent tests on wards 28 and 29 at Leicester General Hospital have triggered our safety plan, meaning showers on these wards will be out of use until further notice. Alternative body washing arrangements have been introduced.
"Bottled drinking water is also being provided for patients and staff but boiled drinks such as tea and coffee remain safe to drink."
He added: "We would like to reassure our patients that the risk of Legionnaires' disease for our patients remains low and they are safe.
"We would like to emphasise that the measures being taken are precautionary and there are no known cases of infection linked to this incident."
Dr Jenkins said the bacteria had been found in a routine safety check on water supplies.
He added: "Low levels of Legionella are not a cause for concern, however high levels can cause a form of pneumonia called Legionnaires' disease so we undertake routine testing to ensure the risk is kept low."
Legionnaires' disease is the result of legionella bacteria infecting a patient's lungs. It is usually caught by breathing in small droplets of contaminated water. It is not contagious and cannot be spread directly from person to person, according to the NHS Choices website.
Legionella bacteria is commonly found – usually at levels which are not harmful – in water sources such as rivers and lakes.
However, the bacteria can rapidly multiply if it finds its way into any artificial water supply systems or into air conditioning systems.
Leicester City players admit being excited as new season approaches
The enormity of Leicester City's achievement in securing promotion to the Premier League was driven home for midfielder Matty James when pre-season kicked off yesterday.
James was among the players put through their paces at Belvoir Drive and he admitted it was an exciting day.
"The lads have been talking about the Premier League, and even the simple things like the fact we are training with the Nike ball of the Premier League rather than the Mitre balls of the Championship makes you excited," said James.
"I have tried the new kit on as well and it has the Premier League badge, and that was a lovely feeling.
"Now the fixtures are out and we are back in training, it is all coming together and we can't wait for the new season."
The players had a running test in the morning before the balls came out for the afternoon session.
"It has been a long break so you look forward to getting back into it," said James.
"It was a difficult running session but we have all come back in good condition and completed it.
"Last season our preparation was key to everything we achieved and that won't change this season."
There were some changes around Belvoir Drive. As well as the newly-laid immaculate training pitches, there were also some new faces as signings Ben Hamer, Matt Upson and Marc Albrighton trained with their new team-mates for the first time.
For Albrighton, it was particularly poignant as it was the first pre-season he has not had at Aston Villa's Bodymoor Heath training complex since he was eight.
"It is different for me and different preparation coming in," he said.
"Not knowing what everyone is going to be like, or what the standard is, you do worry a bit. But it has been great. I am looking forward to the rest of it. We had a running test, which you do so they can see where you are at physically. It is hard but you have to do it.
"We then heard the balls were coming out in the afternoon and that put a smile on our faces."
Couple ran drugs operation from their Leicester home
A couple who ran drug dealing operations from their home have been jailed.
Darren Bennett (42), of Battenburg Road, Newfoundpool, Leicester, was jailed for four years and three months after admitting common assault against a woman; perverting the course of justice; witness intimidation; possession of amphetamine with intent to supply and possession of cannabis and cannabis resin.
His partner, Donna Thurman (28), of the same address, was jailed for three years and three months after admitting possession with intent to supply heroin and four charges of intent to supply amphetamine.
Prosecutor Hal Ewing told Leicester Crown Court how police found 107g of amphetamine, a set of digital scales, wraps of cannabis and a small amount of cannabis resin at the couple's home last October.
On two more searches officers found more amphetamine, £490 in cash under floorboards and four sets of digital scales.
Judge Nicholas Dean, QC, said Bennett had been the driving force behind the drugs operation.
He told Thurman: "It is undoubtedly true you have been very influenced by Bennett, but you voluntarily engaged in serious criminal offending."
Mr Ewing said that information led the police to search the home of Mary Seville, in Newfoundpool, where they found 458g of heroin and 202g of amphetamine and £1,000 in cash in a safe in a bedroom.
Seville (41), of Hawthorne Street, pleaded guilty to possession of heroin and amphetamine with intent to supply and concealing criminal property (the cash).
Judge Dean gave Seville a year in jail suspended for two years. He said he was satisfied that Seville, who had no previous convictions, had been forced to have the drugs and money at her house by Bennett and Thurman. It was clear that the drugs and the money had come from the operation run by Bennett and Thurman.
Rebecca Aitken (35), of Westcotes Drive, West End, was jailed for eight months after pleading guilty to the possession of amphetamine, perverting the course of justice and four charges of shoplifting.
The court heard that Aitken, described as a "serial shoplifter", had given police a false statement with regard to a road incident involving Bennett.
Billieann Baldwin (39), of Tournament Road, Glenfield, was given an 18-month community order with a drug rehabilitation requirement after admitting perverting the course of justice.
Mr Ewing said Baldwin had asked the mother of Shermya Pyatt to accept a bribe from Bennett to get her daughter to drop the charge of common assault against him.
Faye Mellor, defending, said Baldwin had felt pressurised by Bennett and that Miss Pyatt's mother had not felt intimidated.
Mr Ewing said that Bennett had attacked Shermya Pyatt because he believed she was responsible for money being taken from his house.
Pyatt (20), of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice.
Mr Ewing said she accepted £500 not to give evidence in court against Bennett.
She was given a 12-month community order.
No-go areas in Leicester for Muslim women wearing niqab
Police arrest four members of staff at Fosse Court Care Home, Leicester
Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson: 'We're going to grasp chance in Premier League'
Leicester City are ready to take their big opportunity in the Premier League, manager Nigel Pearson said as pre-season training got under way yesterday.
Every City player except goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, captain Wes Morgan and midfielder Riyad Mahrez were at Belvoir Drive for the first official training sessions.
The missing players have been given additional time off after international duty this summer.
Pearson said his players had come back in good shape, both physically and mentally, after two months off and were excited about competing in the Premier League.
"It has been a long break but the players are clearly very focused again for the new season," he said.
"The players who have been here a long time, at least a couple of seasons, have worked very hard to get us in this position, and the lads who have joined us have joined a club that is moving forwards.
"We know we are not going to be able to dominate teams like last season, but it is an exciting prospect and all the players are really excited about having the opportunity.
"We have to prepare in the way we always prepare. The players have come back in good condition physically. Mentally it is a bit different than last year because then they had to come back after what was a very negative event (the play-off defeat at Watford).
"They came back in a positive mind-set then and we had a successful season. They have again come back with a positive mind-set after a very good experience.
"Now we are looking forward to getting our preparation right for the season."
The media were out in force at the training ground, an indication of City's elevated status, and Pearson said the players would have to learn to deal with that but, besides the extra attention, he said it was "business as usual".
He added: "The implications of being in the Premier League are that there will be greater expectations in terms of dealing with the media and the profile of the club has been raised, but that is what we all worked towards.
"When we are in here and working and preparing for the season, it has to be business as usual.
"We won't be getting carried away and our attention to detail has to be such that we give ourselves the best chance of performing in the Premier League. The mood around the training ground is very upbeat.
"As staff, we come back in and we just get on with the job as we always would.
"I don't see any reason in changing how we work. We know the challenges are different this year but that is what we have worked hard to achieve.
"Now that we have that opportunity, we have to make the most of it and move the club forward."
City will train in Leicester this week before flying to Austria for a training camp next week.
They face Ilkeston Town in their first pre-season friendly on July 22 before flying to Thailand to take on Everton in Bangkok.
They return to England for more friendlies before finishing their preparations with the visit of German side Werder Bremen on August 9, a week before City kick-off the season at home to Everton.
I do want another striker, says Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson
Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson hopes to strengthen his squad ahead of their Premier League campaign.
He admitted City may still have an interest in Brighton striker Leonardo Ulloa.
City want to bring in a striker and have had three bids rejected for the Argentine.
The Seagulls have slapped a £10million asking price on Ulloa and Pearson said he would not be held to ransom on any deal.
When asked about interest in Ulloa yesterday, Pearson said: "There might possibly be, yes. It is one of those where a deal, any deal, might not be do-able.
"I don't see any reason to talk about players you might or might not get. What is the point?
"We have had an interest in a number of players and some haven't worked out for various reasons. The players we are currently interested in, if we can achieve that then fine.
"We will continue to strengthen the squad before the season starts, if and when we can.
"If players become available that we feel are right for us, I know we have the ability to achieve a certain amount of success in that regard.
"Sometimes you get to a value with a player where it no longer becomes do-able.
"I am prepared to pull the plug if I think we are not going to get the right players at the right price."
A striker is high on Pearson's wish-list and City have also held talks with Cardiff frontman Fraizer Campbell.
They have also been strongly linked with Sunderland's Connor Wickham, although the Black Cats are determined to hold on to the 21-year-old, who is in the final year of his contract.
Meanwhile, Pearson said he was hopeful that David Nugent will sign his new contract soon.
City are understood to have offered last season's top scorer a two-year deal and the 29-year-old, who has started pre-season with City, wants a three-year contract.
"Hopefully, that will be resolved shortly, which is important for us," said the City boss.
"We are nearly there. It is always a frustration when you can't get things resolved at the pace you would like.
"I have spoken to him on a number of occasions and he is happy to be here, and I am happy he is here. That isn't a bad foundation to build on and, hopefully, we will conclude the deal as soon as we can."
CCTV appeal after vandal attack on Royal British Legion in Melton
Dunelm reports £116m profit
Homeware chain Dunelm has grown annual profits by 7.4 per cent to £116 million after increasing online sales.
The Syston group said total sales rose by 7.8 per cent to £730.2 million in the 12 months to June 28.
Online sales climbed to six per cent of total sales from four per cent this time last year, with the figure growing to seven per cent in the past three months.
The success follows a revamp of the company's website aimed at making it easier to use.
Marks & Spencer has today reported a 8.1 per cent fall in online sales in the 13 weeks to June 28 after admitting the launch of a new website had an impact on sales.
Dunelm's sales rise follows its first-ever national TV advertising campaign.
The group, which plans to eventually have 200 stores, reported that they plan to open 11 new outlets over the next 12 months, adding to the 136 it already has.
Chief executive Nick Wharton said: "We have continued our strategy of increasing scale through new store openings and multi-channel growth, while investing in our customer proposition for the future."
Dunelm was founded in 1979 on a Leicester Market stall by Bill and Jean Adderley. The Adderley family, who live in Rutland and still own more than half the business, are worth £1.2 billion, according to the Sunday Times Rich List.
Mobile phone and £160 stolen from car in Ashby
Leicestershire run into trouble as Kent seize control
Teenager attacked by man he caught urinating on Groby war memorial
Man knocked unconscious in Tubes nightclub, Melton
£1.7 million cycle-friendly overhaul of Leicester's busy St Nicholas' Circle revealed.
The roads around one of Leicester's busiest junctions are to be narrowed to make more space for cyclists and pedestrians.
Highways bosses at Leicester City Council have today unveiled £1.7 million plans to remodel the road network around St Nicholas's Circle near the landmark Holiday Inn.
Some 2,000 vehicles per hour (corr) use the roundabout each day in the morning and evening peak periods.
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby says the plan - the latest stage of his multi-million Connecting Leicester revamp of the city - will create easier access to some of the city's attractions, such as Castle Gardens, the Roman Jewry Wall and St Mary de Castro church, which lie outside the 1960s ring road.
New pedestrian crossings are to be put in place and lanes of traffic are to be replaced with cycle paths and foot routes.
Some motorists fear reducing the amount of road they can use will inevitably create more disruption and delays on what is already, in the morning and evening rush hours, a heavily congested roundabout.
Sir Peter has insisted the move will not mean more jams.
He told the Mercury: "What matters is the capacity of the junctions not the width of the roads.
"They said there would be traffic chaos when we took a lane out of Newark Street. It never happened.
"We have already removed some of the at lane (at St Nicholas' Circle) and nobody has missed it.
"What we will do is extend the network of cycling and pedestrian friendly routes in the city."
Sir Peter said St Nicholas' Circle was a "daunting prospect" for cyclists and the new plans would allow them to pass by in safety.
Under the plans the A47 by Castle Gardens will see one of its four lanes of traffic become a cycle lane where existing footpaths will be widened.
The Southgates northbound slip road will drop from two lanes to one and Peacock Lane, approaching St Nicholas' Circle, would be reduced from two lanes to one and a coach stop will be established.
A new cycle lane will also be established on the Jewry Wall side of the roundabout where buses currently pull in.
The council's group transport and projects manager Barry Pritchard said: "We have modeled this and we know it will still function as a major junction.
"At peak periods there may be a little more delay but most likely it will even out and people will not notice the difference.
"This is about balancing the competing demands cyclists pedestrians and motorists."
Under the plans the Harvey Walk footbridge which spans the roundabout, passing between Holiday Inn and NCP car park, will be dismantled.
SIr Peter described the bridge as precarious and said it confused people crossing it.
The work is due to start in September, once the creation of the new £4 million Jubilee Square, in nearby St Nicholas' Place, has finished.
Motorist Matt Davidson, from Earl Shilton regularly drives into the city centre via St Nicholas's Circle.
He said: "Fantastic. More road works and more congestion.
"They might as well put a big sign up at Kirby Muxloe saying "Drivers turn back. Don't waste your time."
"I might get shot for saying this but cars are more important than bikes. Fact. The mayor hasn't seemed to grasp that and seems to want to make it as hard as possible for drivers to get into the city."
Sir Peter has denied he is anti-car. He said his plans to rationalise city centre parking demonstrated that motorists were welcome in Leicester.
Leicester Cycling Campaign Group spokesman Eric Ludlow backed the plans.
He said: "We are at one with more road space being given over to cyclists.
"Drivers always moan to start with but they narrowed the road near The Magazine and it was fine. Nobody is complaining now. In fact they can't remember what it was like before.
St Nicholas's Circle is a four lane giratory and it's hell on earth for someone riding a bike."
Police warn Audi drivers following 28 break-ins in 48 hours
Calls for new ramp at Leicester home after MS sufferer's wheelchair tips over backwards
MS sufferer Vincent Tumulty says he is having to take a lengthy detour to get into his home since a council removed his access ramp.
It was taken away after Mr Tumulty was injured when his powered wheelchair tipped over backwards because the ramp was too steep.
He lay on the ground for 40 minutes before passers-by came to his rescue and he was taken to hospital.
Mr Tumulty, 52, suffered injuries to his head, neck, shoulder and back and was in pain for weeks. He said: "It felt like I'd suffered whiplash."
The council accepted liability for the accident and removed the ramp in May.
Now, his lawyers are claiming damages from the city council for the incident. They also want the authority to replace the ramp with a safer access.
Mr Tumulty moved to the property in Montrose Road, Aylestone, six weeks before the incident, which occurred in October last year.
The council built a ramp to aid access but, according to his lawyers, it was too steep.
He said: "I started to move up the ramp and suddenly I could feel the balance on the chair slipping. I couldn't stop myself from falling backwards and struck my head, back and neck very hard.
"After being helped up by passers-by after 40 minutes on the ground, I was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary for treatment."
He had subsequent appointments with his GP for further follow-ups.
Mr Tumulty said in order to access his home he needed to travel a lengthy distance to use a different access point. He is then walked to his door by a carer.
He said: "This does not seem fair at all and it almost feels as though I'm being punished for something that was not my fault. I'm desperate for the council to sort this out for me as soon as possible."
His lawyer, Diane Harris, said: "The admission of liability in the case and the removal of the offending ramp are very welcome.
"But we are very concerned by the ongoing problems which our client faces.
"It is shocking a wheelchair-dependent person has been hit with the double-blow of first being injured due to basic safety failings, and then being left with no immediate way to access his own home. It is very important this issue is resolved quickly."
A city council spokesman said: "The home where Mr Tumulty lives is a temporary address and isn't perfect for his needs.
"We installed the ramp at Mr Tumulty's request as he wanted a shortcut to save him from having to travel the short distance between his front door and the nearest vehicle drop-off point. This distance is no more than 50 yards.
"Following his accident, we have removed the ramp, but the original access remains. We are continuing to look for properties which can be adapted to better suit his needs.
"We are dealing with Mr Tumulty's personal injury claim so cannot discuss it further."