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Man's life saved by Penguins

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A young man's life was saved by a humble Penguin biscuit as he began slipping into a life-threatening coma.

Student Zack Stafford, 20, had nodded off after a game of football in the park with friends following a late night out the day before.

But when best mate Tom Lynch couldn't wake him he realised something was wrong.

Tom, 21, who lives in Blaby, said: "His speech was slurred and his eyes were rolling back in his head. I poured water on his face to try to revive him.

"I know that he is diabetic and was afraid he would slip into a coma."

Tom called an ambulance before taking Zack back to his home in Glen Parva.

Then he desperately knocked on neighbours' doors to see if they had any chocolate to raise his blood sugar levels.

He said: "Eventually someone gave me a whole pile of Penguin biscuits which I fed to Zack. His mum also got him to drink orange juice.

"When the paramedics arrived they said if Zack had been left for another half-an-hour he could have slipped into a life-threatening coma.

"I am glad I woke up when I did."

The paramedics checked Zack over, giving him a clean bill of health and praising Tom's intervention.

All Zack remembers is being fed Penguin biscuits as the ambulance arrived at his home on Sunday afternoon.

He was diagnosed with type one diabetes when he was 16.

Zack said: "I owe my life to Tom. The paramedics said I could have gone into a coma if it had not been for him.

"We had been out the night before in Nottingham and decided to go for a kick about in a local park with friends. But I had not had much for breakfast.

"After the game we decided to chill out. The next I remember was lying on my couch eating chocolate and the paramedics arriving.

"I know I have to eat regularly to ensure my blood sugar levels do not drop.

"I also have to take two to three injections of insulin a day. I took my injections – but I ignored the food part.

"I think I was a bit silly. But I can't thank Tom enough."

Man's life saved by Penguins


Alan Birchenall column: The day Raquel Welch came into the dressing room

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We play Chelsea today but first I must mention the tremendous game with Everton. What an atmosphere.

Our support has always been terrific but the buzz around the King Power Stadium last Saturday went up another level.

The lads noticed it. In fact, it was one of the talking points in the dressing room after the game.

That old cliche, the 12th man, was in evidence. If we can keep that sort of volume and enthusiasm up for the rest of the season, Leicester will be a very difficult place to come. And that includes the so-called big sides.

Speaking of big sides, it's Chelsea away today – another easy game.

If anyone saw Chelsea's first half against Burnley, it was absolutely frightening. They are my favourites to be champions.

We just need to keep Diego Costa quiet, and Hazard quiet, and Oscar quiet and Fabregas – and then Terry, Cahill and Ivanovic at corners.

But this is what it is all about. This is what we have strived for the last 10 years.

I was fortunate enough to spend three years at Chelsea before my move to Leicester. I was definitely better on the social side than on the pitch. It was the Swinging 60s, the King's Road.

I always say the three years I had there put 30 years on me. It was absolutely crazy. But I wouldn't change it for the world.

We had a great president back then in Sir Richard Attenborough. Whenever the American film stars came over, he always used to bring them to the games.

We would be in the dressing room half-an-hour before the game and there would be a knock on the door. Our manager Dave Sexton would have steam coming out of his ears.

There we were, in states of undress, and in would walk the likes of Frank Sinatra, Clint Eastwood, Steve McQueen.

One week he brought in the top female actress in the world, Raquel Welch. Now there's a story. Those days were unbelievable.

It was a brilliant time and I have been lucky enough today to be invited as one of Chelsea's guests.

My former skipper Ron 'Chopper' Harris will be coming to say hello. Knowing him, he will probably greet me with a good kick.

Make no mistake about it, though, I won't have any divided loyalties. There's only one side I want to win.

But hand on heart, I'd be happy to come away with a point. At half-time last week, we presented four cheques of £25,000 to charities helped by the Foxes Foundation – Samaritans, Macmillan Cancer Support (Lord Mayor's Appeal), Breast Cancer Care and Laura Centre. I also want to take this opportunity to thank all the City fans who donated at the annual end-of-season run. You raised a grand total of £40,845.

That is magnificent.

I went to Jimmy Walsh's funeral last week along with three of his former City team-mates, John Ogilvie, Richie Norman and Howard Riley.

I never had the pleasure of meeting Jimmy but he was a legend for our football club.

For all of Alan's columns, click here.

Alan Birchenall column: The day Raquel Welch came into the dressing room

Cadet denies he posed as soldier to take money

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A student posed as a sergeant in the British Army to con people into putting cash into a Help for Heroes bucket, a court heard.

Adam Kramer (20) waited on Bobby Moore Way, outside Wembley Stadium, on League One play-off final day, dressed in the military garb of the Royal Irish Regiment.

He was spotted holding a red charity bucket emblazoned with the Help for Heroes slogan by a police inspector, who grew suspicious because he was so young, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard yesterday.

But Kramer, of Ryelands Close, Market Harborough, who is a member of the cadet force, denies any wrongdoing.

He said the money he collected would go to the charity, which supports wounded British soldiers.

Kramer denied one count of fraud by false representation and a further charge of possessing an article for use in fraud.

Dressed in a smart blue suit and green tie, and with his hands behind his back, he spoke only to confirm his identity and enter his pleas during the brief hearing.

"This is a fraud that has been aggravated by the fact that he has planned this by wearing a uniform of the Royal Irish Regiment – a sergeant's uniform," said prosecutor Edward Aydin.

"He is collecting money for Help for Heroes while wearing this uniform at a very large public station – the Wembley Park underground station.

"The inspector thought that he looked too young to be a serving officer in the regular army, approached him and said, 'Are you a serving soldier?'

"He said, 'Yes'.

"He claims he fully intended to pass all monies to the charity – he claimed he had been authorised."

It was said Kramer only collected £50 before being hauled away by the police.

Mr Aydin said the case was aggravated by Kramer's choice to wear an army uniform to facilitate a fraud directly linked to helping wounded soldiers.

It was not as "if he was dressed as a duck collecting for the RSPCA", he said.

District Judge Mark Studdart said: "The use of the uniform and the context of what has happened I think puts it just out of this court's league so I am going to say this is not suitable for summary trial."

Kramer was released on unconditional bail pending his next appearance at Blackfriars Crown Court on September 5.

Cadet denies he posed as soldier to take money

Leicester City's Liam Moore knows he has to learn – and fast

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Leicester City defender Liam Moore knows only too well that he needs to be a fast learner if he is to make his mark in the Premier League.

The top-flight can be a ruthless battleground. There is no place to hide, especially for young players.

You are up against the world's best, who will take great pleasure in exploiting your every weakness, not to mention that the world is watching.

Moore is still only 21 and, at Chelsea this afternoon, is set to face the toughest test of his still blossoming career, tasked with keeping tabs on £32million Diego Costa with an eye on Eden Hazard, Oscar and Cesc Fabregas floating around behind.

Moore passed his first Premier League test, though, putting in an extremely mature performance against Everton last Saturday.

Not one to shy away from a physical contest, he quickly flew into a meaty, and perfectly-timed, slide challenge on the imposing figure of Romelu Lukaku. He was not to be pushed around.

Moore went on to win all five of his aerial battles, made 12 clearances and, according to the stats, did not miss a tackle.

His last-minute block to deny Steven Naismith a simple tap-in showed a game-awareness far beyond his years.

But Moore knows he still has much to learn. "I need to be listening to the people around me because they have lots more experience than me," he said.

"I am only 21 and there is bags of experience in the dressing room. What little bits and bobs I can pick up from them, the gaffer and from Shakey (assistant boss Craig Shakespeare) are really important."

There are plenty of people around the place. His manager Nigel Pearson, for a start, knows what it takes to be successful in the heart of a Premier League defence.

There is also the man who will be lining up next to him today, Wes Morgan.

Although Morgan is also a Premier League new-boy, he has 13 years of professional football under his belt. Like Morgan, Moore is a likely candidate to wear the captain's armband in years to come.

"I suppose I have grown up a lot around Wes, since I started training with the first team," said Moore.

"He is someone I looked up to straight away for the way he plays and conducts himself.

"I will always sit down and have a little word with him. He is very complimentary and is very good with what he says and does."

Then there is Marcin Wasilewski, who has 60 caps for Poland, and Matt Upson, who has played most of his career in the Premier League.

Moore is looking forward to soaking up all he can.

Leicester City's Liam Moore knows he has to learn – and fast

Boy, 8, wants to travel to Mars after gaining GCSE in astronomy

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A star-gazing eight-year-old is over the moon at becoming the youngest student to gain an A grade in GCSE astronomy.

Home-educated Sebastian Carrington passed the exam with flying colours with the help of his mum, Denise, and says his sights are now set on travelling to Mars.

Sebastian, known as Sebbie, completed the two-year course in under a year, and successfully answered questions about the Moon and calculating the age of the universe.

He said: "I have had a fascination with space and astronomy for as long as I can remember. I have always been interested in looking at the stars and the planets."

Sebbie, who lives in Stoke Golding, is understandably very excited about his success.

He said he enjoyed the coursework, which included attending weekly sessions alongside adult students.

He took the two-hour exam in June at the North Leamington School, in Warwickshire

"There were some hard questions, including how to calculate the age of the universe using the Hubble Constant (an observation that measures the expansion rate of the universe)," he said.

The youngster spends much of his time looking at the stars and planets on the internet.

"I would like to be an astronaut and travel to Mars one day," he said.

He is also considering becoming a particle physicist or a professional pianist, having started piano lessons when he was three.

He recently gained a distinction at grade six and numbers Mozart among his favourite composers.

Not surprisingly, one of his favourite pieces of music is Mozart's Jupiter symphony.

When he is not stargazing or playing music, he enjoys playing with Lego and swimming.

Denise said: "We are really astonished at the result. We were expecting that he could get a C or a B. But to secure an A is wonderful.

"A lot of the coursework involved maths and various formulae."

She said Sebbie started the course last August and spent an hour a week on the subject.

"When the exam date drew closer, we increased the lessons to an hour a day," she said.

Denise and Sebbie also attended weekly sessions in Rugby so he could do coursework which could be independently moderated. She said: "The exam board Edexcel said he was the youngest candidate to obtain an A grade."

Dad Richard said: "We are very proud of what Sebbie has achieved. He is such a happy child and has always been interested in astronomy."

He said he and his wife decided to home educate him after taking professional advice.

He said: "He is advanced for his years and it was thought better that he did not go to a school."

Sebbie is set to get a new set of Lego as a reward.

A spokeswoman for Edexcel's parent company, Pearson, said: "We can confirm Sebastian is the youngest candidate to obtain a GCSE qualification in astronomy with Edexcel."

The previous youngest candidate was a 10-year-old boy who gained a grade B last year.

Meanwhile, Leicestershire has another young GCSE star in Sofia Breeze, of Melton.

The teenager obtained an A* in Castilian Spanish at the age of 13, completing the course inside a year after her family moved to Leicestershire from Majorca.

Sofia said she and her school friends in Majorca talked in Spanish, while all the lessons were in Catalan.

"In Majorca we only had one Spanish lesson a week," she said.

Mum Carolyn said the family decided to come to Melton because we were impressed by John Ferneley College.

"The school was very supportive and we are delighted," she said.

High-flyer Manveer Singh Gill, 16, has his sights set on Cambridge University after securing seven A*s and a further four As.

The Soar Valley College student, who lives in Rushey Mead, Leicester, said: "I was very pleased. I did work hard, but the results surprised me."

He now intends to study maths, further maths, economics and physics at Loughborough Grammar School.

"I hope to study maths at Cambridge after my A-levels," he said.

Boy, 8, wants to travel to Mars after gaining GCSE in astronomy

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson locks horns with Chelsea's 'Special One' Jose Mourinho

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Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson goes head to head with the 'Special One' today.

It is the clash of the champions of the Championship against a Chelsea side who many are tipping to clinch the Premier League title this season.

While Pearson's players will take on the likes of Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas on the field at Stamford Bridge (3.0), the City boss locks horns with Jose Mourinho.

The two managers could hardly be more different in their personas.

Mourinho is the master of the mind game, using every opportunity to get the upper hand on his opponent, plant seeds of doubt and gain as much of an advantage as possible.

Pearson is not interested in such affairs.

"I have a huge respect for (Mourinho's) achievements in the game," said Pearson. "But I don't see it as being a duel between managers. I never have done.

"The game is about players. The game is about trying to be competitive as a team and that is really how I perceive it."

While it is a mouth-watering prospect for all City fans, who have been waiting 10 years to take on the likes of Chelsea in the top division, Pearson is doing his best to treat it just like any other game.

The City boss said he knows his side are not expected to get anything from the game, but he is going there with the same intention he has for every other match – to win.

"It is important to play the game, not the occasion," said Pearson. "It is important for us to be pretty pragmatic in how we play football matches.

"That's not to say we don't enjoy the experience. You only enjoy sport if you have a chance of winning.

"I've never been a big believer in 'it's the taking part that counts'.

"It is winning that counts, but you have to be able to win with a bit of humility and, likewise, lose with a bit of dignity as well."

Pearson is embracing the challenge of testing himself on the world's biggest stage.

"Regardless of whether you are a player, coach or a manager, if you think you have gone as far as you can and you can't get any better, you may as well pack it up," he said.

"If you think you have hit the zenith of your abilities, then don't bother any more. You may as well finish."

Mourinho's side were in irresistible form when they beat promoted Burnley in their opening game, with Cesc Fabregas putting on a masterclass in the middle of the park.

But Mourinho said he will be taking no chances at Stamford Bridge this afternoon and expects Pearson's side to give them a tough game.

"Every match is difficult, every opponent is difficult," said Mourinho, who had Pearson's right-hand man Steve Walsh as his European scout during his first stint in charge at Chelsea.

"They are champions, they come with that winning mentality from the previous season. They come with high expectations.

"They know that every point is important, especially for the teams that fight to stay in the division. They had a difficult start, to play Everton is not easy. They managed to come from behind and equalise and give them a good game. They are coming to try to get points."

Follow the action live on our website.

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson locks horns with Chelsea's 'Special One' Jose Mourinho

Why I'm taking to the fashion world at age 67

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A man who suffered from breast cancer is set to model in a fashion show to raise awareness about the condition.

Tony Herbert, of Wigston, will be taking part in a show in London for Breast Cancer Care, alongside 22 women and one other man who have all suffered from the disease.

He will be modelling a variety of clothes, including outfits by designers Stella McCartney, Temperley London and Jenny Packham, as well as high-street items.

"I'm terrified," he said. "But I want to show people you can overcome cancer and live a normal life again."

Tony first noticed the symptoms of breast cancer in August 2010, when one of his nipples became sore.

Despite finding a lump in his chest in the October of that year, the 67-year-old decided not to visit the doctor and instead assumed it "must be a cyst".

Five months later, after his wife, Brenda, felt the lump, Tony finally visited his GP.

He was scheduled in for a breast scan, before having a stem biopsy which confirmed he had breast cancer.

"I could tell by the doctor's face that it was cancer," he said. "It was a devastating thing to be told."

Tony had a mastectomy before undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Altogether, he had about 10 months of treatment

"I just never thought it could happen to me," he said. "I never considered it a possibility, if I'm being honest.

"When I first noticed my nipples were sore I looked it up on the internet and thought, 'I can't be one of the few men that get breast cancer'.

"When the doctor told me the news, I thought, how unlucky am I?"

Two years after being treated, Tony says he is "nearly back to being myself".

Although he attends regular check-ups at hospital, he no longer has treatment.

Now, he has made it his mission to raise awareness of breast cancer in males.

"I feel there's a lot of publicity for women and they are so aware but you don't really hear anything about men getting breast cancer," he said. "All men should periodically check their chests."

Tony is training to give one-to-one support to men who have, or have had, breast cancer.

"I think people naturally assume only women can get breast cancer, but it can effect anyone," he said.

Tony will be taking part in the fashion show at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Wednesday, October 1.

According to Breast Cancer Research UK, about 350 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK.

To buy tickets for the Breast Cancer Care event, call 0345 092 0806 or, e-mail:

theshow@breastcancercare.org.uk

To donate to Tony's catwalk challenge, visit:

www.justgiving.com/herbie47

Why I'm taking to  the fashion world at age 67

Just four wins in 108 years for Leicester City at Chelsea

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Leicester City's clash with Chelsea today will mark their 50th trip to Stamford Bridge.

One thing is for certain, history is not on the visitors' side. City have won there just four times in 108 years.

The last victory was back in 2000, thanks to goals from Muzzy Izzet and Stan Collymore. If you want to find a league win before that, you have to go all the way back to 1965.

If recent history is anything to go by, goals should be on the cards.

In the clubs' last three meetings, there have been 18 goals. Chelsea, though, have scored 13 of them.

The most recent was the FA Cup quarter-final in March 2012 at Stamford Bridge, which ended in a 5-2 victory for the hosts.

Nigel Pearson had returned to City for a second time in the November.

The City side has changed immeasurably since then, as Pearson has rebuilt a side in his own image, getting rid of those who were unable, or unwilling, to share his goal.

Interestingly, only four players in the City side that started that day are still at the club – Kasper Schmeichel, Paul Konchesky, Wes Morgan and David Nugent.

"We are a better side than we were then, but there are no guarantees," said Pearson. "We have still got to go and perform on the day.

"We have proven in the time between then and now, not just on the playing field but as a football club, that we have continued to develop.

"The question now is, can we compete in the same league."

It is not just City's side that is better now. Chelsea's too is hardly recognisable.

There will also be no resting players for a cup game against a lower-league side. The Special One will come with all guns blazing.

Diego Costa will start up front. Eden Hazard, Oscar and Andre Shurrle will try to cause havoc around him. Cesc Fabregas will pull all the strings in behind.

City, meanwhile, will be without Matty James and Danny Drinkwater through injury, although Jamie Vardy and Marc Albrighton could feature.

Mourinho, of course, boasts a sensational record at Stamford Bridge. He has lost just once there in 79 Premier League games as Chelsea manager.

City boss Nigel Pearson, then, is under no illusions as to how tough a test his side faces this afternoon.

"It speaks for itself," he said. "Their record there is very good. But I think you have got to look at these games as being somewhat of a bonus.

"I don't think many people give us much hope but I think the important thing for us is that we have a pretty strong resolve.

"If we can be an awkward customer then I would be very happy.

"But I don't want to underplay what we are about. We have got some talented footballers."

One thing that City will try not to do, as Mourinho often complains about sides who come to Stamford Bridge, is 'park the bus'.

"It would be nice to think we wouldn't have to," said Pearson. "But it will be dependent on how well we look after the ball.

"That's always the key. If teams park the bus, they park the bus. You have to do what you have to do in any game to give yourself the best chance.

"I don't want to be going there and just soaking up pressure. I want us to go there and express ourselves.

"I do feel that we have some threats. But we are going to have to be at our best, there's no doubt about that."

Just four wins in 108 years for Leicester City at Chelsea


Man accused of murdering pal Christopher Penman 'had made death threat'

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A man accused of murder had previously threatened to kill his alleged victim, a witness has told a jury.

Gary Daniel said the threat was not taken seriously at the time and the alleged victim, Christopher Penman, had laughed it off.

Awat Akram (26) denies murdering Mr Penman (58) at his home in Somerfield Walk, Beaumont Leys, Leicester, on February 22.

The prosecution alleges Akram broke into the house and stabbed Mr Penman 23 times, in a jealous rage, as he slept in bed.

Akram, of Beaumanor Road, near Abbey Park Road, Leicester, denies murder.

He and Mr Penman were both in on-off relationships with a woman, Elaine Bourke, who is in her late 40s, Leicester Crown Court has been told.

The "triangular relationship" allegedly caused tension between them and Akram could not accept it when Ms Bourke left him before Christmas to return to Mr Penman.

Mr Penman was deaf, as are Akram and Ms Bourke. They had all communicated by sign language.

The witness, Mr Daniel, who also lives in Somerfield Walk and was a close friend of the alleged victim, said he would often see Akram, Mr Penman and Ms Bourke together at a nearby pub – the Keeper's Lodge – and at Gala bingo evenings.

He said some time before Christmas there was an argument between the three in the pub.

Mr Daniel, who is also deaf, alleged Akram became angry and said in sign language: "I'm going to kill you, Chris," and made a stabbing gesture.

He said: "Chris laughed a bit at this and that was the end of it."

Under cross-examination, he said: "I didn't see all the argument but most of it was about Elaine not being able to choose between Awat and Chris.

"Chris was lovely and respectful and had a good heart, but Awat was very abusive."

Mr Daniel agreed with a defence suggestion that Akram had also, that evening, talked about having seen atrocities in Iraq, his homeland.

He said: "Awat was talking about the war, landmines and people being shot. He talked about his parents being hanged and him seeing that, and I felt sorry for him. It was upsetting."

When asked by defence counsel if he was sure Akram made a death threat to Chris, or could he have been confused by the conversation about Iraq, Mr Daniel answered: "Possibly."

Another prosecution witness, Gulnaaz Kasmani, also deaf, recalled a conversation at a coffee shop with Akram several days before the alleged murder.

By this time, Mr Penman and Ms Bourke had sought refuge in a safe house in Loughborough to escape Akram – who had been harassing them with texts and insisting Ms Bourke reconcile with him.

Ms Kasmani said Akram was "frustrated and angry" and she tried to calm him down.

She alleged that Akram said "I want to kill Chris", as he was ignoring his text messages.

"I told him not to be silly," she said.

Mr Penman's body was discovered on the late afternoon of Saturday, February 22.

At 8.30pm the same day, Akram attended the cordoned-off area outside Mr Penman's house and approached police.

Sergeant Simon Palfreyman told the jury: "I tried to ask him what he wanted and he put his finger to his ear and mouth, indicating he couldn't speak."

Akram was arrested at the scene.

The trial resumes on Wednesday.

Man  accused of murdering  pal Christopher Penman 'had made death threat'

Cases at Leicester Magistrates' Court

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Cases dealt with at Leicester Magistrates' Court include:

Carl Steven Williams (46), of Cavendish Road, Aylestone, Leicester, pleaded guilty to assault by beating on April 4.

He was given an 18-month supervised community order, including six months alcohol dependency treatment, and ordered to pay £200 costs and £60 victim surcharge.

Lewis Lloyd (26), of Bondgate, Castle Donington, was found guilty in his absence of speeding in a 30mph zone on February 8. He was fined £400, ordered to pay £85 court costs and had four points put on his licence.

Frederick Meakin (55), of Greetham Inn Lane, Greetham, was found guilty in his absence of failing to give police information about who was driving his car at the time of a speeding offence on April 10. He was fined £600 and had six points put on his licence.

Ka Ng (23), of Sileby Road, Barrow Upon Soar, admitted driving without insurance on January 29. She was fined £200 and had six points put on her licence.

Paul Teece (45), of George Street, Whitwick, was found guilty in his absence of speeding on December 30. He was fined £200 and had three points put on his licence.

Cases at Leicester Magistrates' Court

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Cases dealt with at Leicester Magistrates' Court include:

Ashley Junior Morgan (19), of Hadstock Close, Humberstone, pleaded guilty to assault by beating in Gravel Street, Leicester on February 23. He was given a community order, including 60 hours unpaid work to be carried out within the next 12 months. He was also ordered to pay £100 compensation, £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Marcin Zbigniew Gwizdala (34), of Tyrrell Street, Newfoundpool, was banned from driving for 22 months, fined £215 with £85 costs and £22 victim surcharge after pleading guilty to drink-driving in Sanvey Gate, Leicester on July 13 2014.

He registered 70mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath – the legal maximum is 35mcg.

Overwhelming support for young gay woman injured in homophobic attack

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A young woman has been overwhelmed by the support she has received in the days after she was knocked unconscious by two thugs.

The men told Kerry Byrnes they knew she was gay before they punched her repeatedly in the head.

Kerry, 23, was unconscious for up to 15 minutes as a result of the attack in her home town of Oakham last Sunday.

She said she has had an "amazing" response to her decision to post a photograph of her injured face on Twitter and Facebook along with an appeal for help catching the men.

The image has been shared widely on social media and the attack has generated revulsion.

Also, Rutland County Council has said it will help her with any home security measures she might need.

The council has also offered to replace her spectacles, which were broken when the men repeatedly hit her in the head.

She said: "I can't believe how supportive people have been and how many people have shared my photograph.

"It's amazing how many people have shared the photograph. Hopefully it will help the police."

Talking to the Leicester Mercury earlier this week, Kerry said: " just want these lads to be caught before they do this or something worse to someone else.

"They were just two lads walking behind me. I didn't think anything of it because this is Oakham and nothing ever happens here.

"But then they said they knew I was a lesbian and that I worked at Tesco.

"They just started hitting me in the head and I lost consciousness.

"I don't know how long I was out for, it must have been about 15 minutes."

Dennis Bradley, project manager at Leicester's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender, (LGBT), Centre, said while incidents of verbal abuse and harassment were commonplace, such serious assaults were rare.

He said: "It is appalling that in this day and age that a young woman is unsafe in her own neighbourhood.

"People will sometimes ask us why we still need LGBT centres when we have legal rights and protections.

"Then something like this will happen and it illustrates exactly why centres like ours are still needed.

"Hatred and violence have not disappeared overnight.

"This was a very serious attack but lower-level incidents are happening every day, everything from name-calling in the street upwards."

Councillor Jayne Woodcock, mayor of Oakham and chairwoman of the town council, said: "I am in genuine shock that something like this could happen to a young woman walking home.

"We should all feel safe walking in our own community.

"Hopefully people will look at the photograph of her injuries and will tell the police who did this. Perhaps, the people who attacked her will feel guilty and will come forward."

Pc Mark Barlow, who is investigating the crime, which happened in Burley Road at 1.30am, said: "This was a nasty assault which resulted in the victim receiving hospital treatment and she has been left badly shaken up.

A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said the investigation was continuing.

Contact Pc Barlow on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Overwhelming support for young gay woman injured in homophobic attack

Family has lucky escape as water leak brings down ceiling at Leicester home

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A family had a lucky escape when part of their bathroom floor collapsed into the kitchen below.

Firefighters were called to the property in Olphin Street, Belgrave, Leicester yesterday afternoon.

They found a water leak in a bathroom had brought down ceiling tiles and the toilet was also in danger of falling through.

The crew isolated the electric supply and cleared up the debris making the area safe.

The alarm was raised shortly after 2pm on Friday and the Red Cross support vehicle was called to assist the family.

A fire service spokesman said: "Fortunately no-one was injured as the toilet was in danger of falling through.

"It appears a large amount of water from a leak had brought down ceiling tiles into the kitchen below."

He said the Red Cross support unit was on hand to offer support and help to the family and the landlord was also contacted.

Family has lucky escape as water  leak brings down ceiling at Leicester home

Church Gate in Leicester closed after car crashes into scaffolding

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Church Gate in Leicester was closed at the A594 Vaughan Way junction in Leicester this morning because of an accident.

It has been reported that a car collided with scaffolding outside a building.

Police investigate death of man found injured in New Parks

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Police are investigating the "unexplained" death of a man found injured in the New Parks area of Leicester.

It is believed the man, who was in his 40s, was found lying on the ground near a convenience store in Aikman Avenue just after 8.30pm yesterday.

Paramedics called to the scene attempted to revive him and he was taken away in ambulance, but later died.

Police sealed off the area around Ricky's Store while forensics officers examined the site.

Officers also conducted house to house investigations in the area.

The incident has shocked residents living in the area near the roundabout junction with Letchworth Road.

Joanne Barton said: "There were large numbers of police and two ambulances.

"I saw the paramedics tending a man on the ground near the shop trying to revive him.

"They were pumping his chest for some time before he went away in an ambulance.

"We do not know what happened but I believed the man who has died was local."

Mother of four Annette Bausor, who lives close to where the man was found, said she and her daughters were woken up by police arriving outside her home shortly before 9pm.

She said: "There were police everywhere and they went knocking on doors asking people if they saw or heard anything."

Neighbour Keith French said: "I know the man involved by sight as he is local. He is in his 40s. I was told he had hit his head on the ground. But no-one knows exactly what happened."

The shop, which was in the middle of the cordoned off area, was closed all Saturday.

A spokesman for the police said officers were called to Aikman Avenue at 8.44pm.

He said: "The man subsequently died and the area was cordoned off for forensic examinations.

"The circumstances surrounding the death are under investigation. A post mortem examination on the man will be conducted later today.

"Formal identification has not taken place. At this stage the death is being treated as unexplained."

One resident who passed the scene late last night contacted the Leicester Mercury.

He said: "The roundabout on Aikman Ave was completely closed from all sides by police, plenty of police. They were just blocking the area when I was coming there."

Anyone with information can contact the police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police investigate death of man found injured in New Parks


Fire fighters free woman from upturned car near Nailstone

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A woman had to be freed from an overturned car on the A447 Ibstock to Nailstone Road this afternoon.

Fire crews were called to the accident just north of Nailstone at 1.20pm.

A fire service spokesman said they released the casualty from the overturned car.

She was treated by paramedics and the air ambulance was in attendance.

The fire service made the vehicle safe.

The extent of her injuries are not yet known.

Nigel Pearson disappointed Leicester City gained no reward for a spirited performance at Stamford Bridge

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Nigel Pearson said he was disappointed his Leicester City side couldn't come away from Chelsea with reward for their spirited performance.

For over an hour City gave title contenders Chelsea a stern test and created some great chances to open the scoring but goals from Diego Costa and Eden Hazard eventually meant they left Stamford Bridge empty handed.

David Nugent was twice denied by keeper Thibaut Courtois at the start of the second half before influential midfielder Dean Hammond limped off with cramp and City began to lose their impetus as a result.

Costa converted from close range in the 63rd minute before Hazard curled home the second from just inside the city box 14 minutes later to break City's resolve.

"I am disappointed," said Pearson.

"If you speak to the players they are also disappointed that we weren't able to convert what was an encouraging performance into points. Certainly there were a lot of positives from today.

"The good thing is we create chances throughout the game and made the goalkeeper work as well with a number of efforts.

"I thought in the first half in particular we didn't wait to see how Chelsea would approach the game. We wanted to be positive and for the most part we played very well today but as always it is about how efficient you are in both penalty boxes and we didn't quite find the right way today."

Pearson said losing Hammond was a big blow at the worst possible time in the game.

"He got severe cramp right through his leg which he has never experienced before," he said.

"It was frustrating for him because in the last two games he has performed exceptionally well. We certainly missed his organisation skills when he went off.

"We lost some of our rhythm somewhat. It was probably the worst time for that to happen.

"These things happen in football and you just have to get on with it.

"I thought we continued to put in a very honest performance but couldn't find enough quality later on in the game.

"But there were some really good aspects to our play today."

Nigel Pearson disappointed Leicester City gained no reward for a spirited performance at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 2 Leicester 0 - match report: City put up spirited fight against Premier League favourites

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For the best part of an hour, Leicester City went toe-to-toe with a Chelsea side many believe will go on to win the Premier League. They were solid and organized at the back, and moved the ball quickly and with purpose on the counter-attack.

Before the game, City manager Nigel Pearson said he wanted his side to go to Stamford Bridge and express themselves. He would not park the bus. If they could prove to be an "awkward customer", he would be happy. They certainly did that.

In fact, City should have taken the lead. David Nugent, set through by Riyad Mahrez on the break, found himself on his own with a free run at goal. Only Thibaut Courtois stood in his way.

With 3,000 City fans behind the goal on their feet in expectation, Nugent opened his body and, with his right foot, tried to slide the ball into the corner only to be denied by Courtois' outstretched boot. The keeper had denied Nugent moments before, too, from the striker's long-range effort. But this was the key moment.

Chelsea quickly made them pay. Jeff Schlupp, whose pace and power had provided City with a potent attacking weapon during the first half, took his eye of Branislav Ivanovic for a split second. Oscar duly picked him out, threading the ball in behind. Ivanovic took out two defenders, squared the ball to Diego Costa, who took a touch, before jabbing it into the net. It was ruthless.

It is that ruthlessness in front of goal that City need to find if they are to survive in the Premier League.

Their most likely avenue for success looked, once again, to be through Mahrez. Three times in the first half, the Algeria international found himself in space on the right. However, on each occasion, he was unable to convert the potential into reward.

But, while City leave Stamford Bridge with nothing to show for their spirited performance, there are plenty of positive for City to take into the next few games.

Dean Hammond and Andy King, arguably City's second-choice central midfielders, were superb in the middle of the park. They handled Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas with confidence; Hammond making more tackles in the first half than anyone else. Wes Morgan and Liam Moore were excellent again at the heart of defence.

But, as is the continuing story of City's season so far, injuries came to haunt them. Hammond started limping, clutching at his calf, before eventually hobbling from the field with what Pearson later confirmed was a case of serious cramp.

And with it, went City's organisation. Five minutes later, Chelsea had doubled their lead and the game was over.

Fabregas picked out Eden Hazard on the left touchline. City simply refused to close him down. He glided inside, past substitute Marc Albrighton, into the box. Still City stood off him, past Ritchie De Laet this time, before firing his shot, courtesy of an unfortunate deflection off Morgan, into the ned past Kasper Schmeichel.

The fact that Schmeichel had to pick the ball out of the net twice did not do justice to the Dane's performance. Schmeichel made eight saves throughout the game, twice diving to his right to tip away headers from Ivanovic before somehow tipping over a shot from Fabregas that looked destined for the top corner.

Chelsea, in the end, were deserved winners. They were expected to be. They always had an extra gear to find, and the quality they had to come off the bench – Ramires, Willian, Didier Drogba – was frightening.

But City showed they have what it takes, against lesser sides, to succeed. Perhaps against some bigger sides too. They belong in the Premier League.

Chelsea 2 Leicester 0 - match report: City put up spirited fight against Premier League favourites

Last gasp Mele gives Leicester Tigers success in Scotland

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Edinburgh 10 Leicester Tigers 11

At The Greenyards, Melrose.

Replacement scrum-half David Mele landed a penalty with the final kick of the match as Leicester Tigers edged an attritional victory away against Edinburgh.

Despite being the better side for the opening hour, Tigers looked like they were going to have to take a second pre-season defeat on the chin as the home side came back from an 8-0 deficit to take a 10-8 lead into the closing stages.

But Mele, who had come on for skipper Ben Youngs, stepped up to stroke home a 35-metre penalty with time expired to win the game.

Tigers made a solid early start but Youngs' knock on at the back of a ruck ended some decent possession in the Edinburgh 22.

They opened the scoring on 10 minutes though after some lovely continuity in the build up.

Freddie Burns, Niall Morris and Geoff Parling were all involved in the move and quick recycled ball allowed Niki Goneva to feed Logo Mulipola who wrestled over the line from five metres out.

Burns missed the conversion and former Tigers Academy graduate Greig Tonks missed a penalty at the other end as a physical gain line battle ensued.

There was a worrying sight of Geoff Parling leaving the field with what appeared to be a shoulder injury after making a big hit after just 13 minutes.

Tigers were dominating possession and territory but the hosts were showing up well in defence and double-teaming on tackles with great success.

Burns bagged his first points in a Leicester shirt from in front of the posts on 29 minutes to make it 8-0 and Tigers stayed on top for the next 10 minutes without adding to their score.

Burns looked confident with a couple of dinky chips and one superb free-kick down the line for a five-metre line-out.

But Tigers struggled to get pressure on the Edinburgh set piece and a couple of stolen line-outs near the end of the half allowed Edinburgh to build pressure for the first time.

It looked like that had ended when Goneva intercepted Tonks' pass five metres from his own line and was off to the races until he was ruled offside and play was called back.

From the resulting play, the Scots peeled off the back of a line-out and Roddy Grant crashed over. Tonks' conversion pulled the gap back to a single point at the interval.

Burns got better and better as the second half got underway. A huge hit in midfield led to a turnover and then a wonderful catch at full stretch was followed by a grubber kick, which put Goneva in for a try. Again though, it was ruled out for a marginal offside.

Tom Croft was then nearly through before a tap-tackle stopped him sprinting in for the score.

Edinburgh looked at their best when play was tight. A rolling maul gained 15 metres at one stage and their bread and butter of the set piece remained solid despite a host of second-half changes.

Tigers made their own substitutions with the likes of Mele, Fraser Balmain and Jordan Crane all coming on before the hour mark.

Tigers chose to kick for goal when they won a 61st-minute penalty but Burns shoved his effort wide of the post.

The former Gloucester man then left the field favouring his right leg and Seremaia Bai filled the fly-half role for the final 15 minutes.

With heavy rain now making handling difficult, the game descended into kick tennis. Though there was time for former Bath fly-half Tom Heathcote to miss a 35-metre penalty that would have put Edinburgh ahead for the first time in the game.

Seven minutes later, Heathcote had another chance from almost exactly the same place and this time, made no mistake to put Edinburgh 10-8 ahead.

Tigers huffed and puffed in a disappointing final quarter but they had lost their momentum by now and Goneva being held up for a choke tackle near the end summed up their late efforts.

But Tigers won a penalty at the death in the scrum and replacement scrum-half Mele stepped up to stroke the ball over the posts from 35 metres out.

Two men treated for burns in kitchen fire in Lutterworth

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Two men suffered minor burns when fire broke out in the kitchen of a flat in Lutterworth on Saturday evening.

Fire fighters were alerted by neighbours who saw smoke coming out of the window of the apartment in George Street shortly before 6pm.

The men were treated at the scene for burns by paramedics and one was taken to hospital suffering from the affects of breathing in smoke.

A fire service spokesman said: "The cause of the fire was an unattended pan. Fire fighters used a carbon dioxide extinguisher to put out the fire."

He said there was moderate fire damage to the kitchen and smoke damage to the flat.

Two men treated for burns in kitchen fire in Lutterworth

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